Picnic kicks off 'U' Japan Week

With his hair flying behind a black-and-white headband and arms powerfully pounding out a rhythm, Taiko drummer Ryan Toguri commanded the attention of about 200 people Sunday afternoon at the Japanese Garden Picnic. Audience members responded to Toguri's drumbeats and the other three drummers in Kaminari Daiko, a group out of Chicago, by moving their feet and legs rhythmically. The picnic was the first event of Japan Week, which runs through Oct.

400 people walk for AIDS awareness

Participants in the 5K Aids Walk Michigan-Lansing waved their arms and laughed, receiving honks of support from passing cars as they marched down Grand River Avenue on Sunday afternoon.More than 400 MSU students, local residents and other college students battled chilly temperatures and a brief rain shower to raise awareness and money for the Lansing Area AIDS Network.

Science center hosts open house, auction

The Impression 5 Science Center, 200 Museum Drive, in Lansing, will offer a series of events in coming weeks. A free open house for teachers and youth leaders will be held from 3:30 to 7 p.m.

Students cook for a cause

The rain drizzled down and fragrances of chicken and burgers filled the air as students and area residents tasted various hot-off-the-grill items Sunday to benefit a child support program. Members of Kappa Alpha Theta serve as student representatives for Court Appointed Special Advocates, CASA, of Ingham County and held a grill-off at Valley Court Field to raise funds for the program. CASA, a program that provides stable adults to help abused or neglected foster children in the court system, is Kappa Alpha Theta's philanthropy.

Lansing deemed 'Clean City'; new fuels considered

Lansing became a "Clean City" on Friday in a ceremony at the Capitol, joining a group of 87 other U.S.

$5 million given to state for blackouts

President Bush authorized the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency to release limited emergency funds for Michigan to help cover some of the costs incurred by state and local government in responding to last months power outage.

New pastor comes to University Lutheran

After serving at Minnesota State University, the new pastor of University Lutheran Church, 1020 S. Harrison Ave., will make East Lansing his home. The Rev.

Campaign renovates laboratory row

University officials are raising $15.3 million in private donations to restore three of MSU's oldest buildings while also creating a garden connecting the historical structures on West Circle Drive. Cook, Old Botany and Chittenden halls, located on the northeast part of campus, are three of the six buildings in laboratory row - an area with buildings dating back to 1888. Janet Kreger, director of major and planned gifts in MSU's Office of Development, said the fund-raising effort, or the Campus Heritage Intiative, is part of the five-year, $1.2 billion capital campaign.

Police briefs 09/29/03

Historical festival depicts old ways

By Corinne DeVries Special for The State News Presenters displayed weaving, spinning, papermaking and Native-American artifacts inside interactive booths at the Woldumar Nature Center, 5739 Old Lansing Road in Lansing this weekend. The American Heritage Festival portrayed aspects of life in time periods from the French voyageurs to the development of the automobile. "It's a festival to depict life without the luxuries we have today," said Trina Taylor, activities coordinator for the center. Lansing area clubs, such as the Muzzleloading Gun Club and the Model Railroad Club staffed booths at the festival which attracted about 2,000 people.

Photography contest deadline to be Oct. 6

MSU Global Focus 2003, a photography contest open to students, faculty and alumni is accepting submissions until Oct.

MSU-DCL addresses affirmative action

A legal analysis of the Supreme Court's decision regarding the University of Michigan's admissions lawsuits will be held today at the MSU-DCL College of Law. In a 5-4 decision, the Supreme Court ruled in Grutter v.

Police briefs 09/26/03

4-day exercise trains local firefighters

A team of 30 firefighters from East Lansing, Lansing and Meridian and Delta townships joined together in Delta Township on Thursday to finish a four-day long collapsed building training exercise.Fire hoses and axes were put aside in favor of power saws and nail guns.

Charter school legislation protested

About 3,000 supporters of the Detroit Public Schools system gathered around the steps of the state Capitol on Wednesday to protest a bill which would allow for the creation of new charter schools in Michigan.The protesters brandished signs and sang "We Shall Overcome" to make their cause heard.

'U' students celebrate Rosh Hashana

For many Jewish students at MSU, their Friday evening snack won't be pizza and pop but apples and honey. Apples and honey are traditionally eaten by Jews on Rosh Hashana, the Jewish new year, which begins on Friday at sunset. "It symbolizes the sweetness of life and the hope for a sweet new year," said Kirsten Fermaglich, an Integrative Arts and Humanities professor.

Officials lobby for Civil Rights Act additions

It's a new campaign for an old concern. The push to add sexual orientation and gender identity to Michigan's Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act has been introduced several times since the act's inception 15 years ago.

Police briefs 09/25/03

Charity renovated

A group of about 20 people visited the Ronald McDonald House of Mid-Michigan on Wednesday to admire several recently completed additions to the local charity. Visitors enjoyed snacks and cider as they toured the facility, located at 121 S.

Students presented with research fellowship

Three MSU students are among the first to be awarded by the Department of Homeland Security's new scholars and fellows program - a program students and faculty say is a never-before-seen attempt to recruit researchers."Having those agencies fund students before they begin the forensic science program is very unprecedented," assistant forensic science professor David Foran said.