Granholm, Kilpatrick, Stabenow seek more federal security funds

Gov. Jennifer Granholm joined U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Lansing, and Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick in Detroit on Monday to ask Congress for more money to better prepare Michigan for threats to homeland security.Stabenow spokesman Dave Lemmon said Michigan's location on the U.S.-Canadian border, along with other factors, require more money than local governments can afford, especially with the state's budget crisis."Whether it's money for additional training or additional equipment, local and state governments need the assistance for homeland security," he said.The Bush administration has outlined a supplemental appropriations bill to spend $4.25 billion for states' homeland security efforts.

School to host etiquette dinner

The School of Hospitality Business plans to host an etiquette dinner at 6:30 p.m. Monday in Room Big Ten C in the Kellogg Center.

E.L. Public School Board to continue discussing budget adoption, cuts

The East Lansing Public School Board will continue adopting parts of its 2003-04 budget, which will make up for a nearly $4.2-million shortfall, at 7:30 p.m.

Horticulture Club takes honors in competition

The MSU Horticulture Club "kicked butt" at a national competition in Mississippi, said club president Dru Bernthal. MSU was one of the 51 colleges represented in the competition, which included interior landscape design and maintenance equipment operation.

Bowling night to benefit mentoring organization

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Lansing will host a bowling night starting at 6 p.m. on April 9 at Spartan Lanes in the basement of the Union. The 2003 Meijer Bowl For Kids' Sake College Night will put together bowling teams with a goal of raising at least $100 for the organization. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Lansing pairs children from single-parent homes with adult mentors.

Student receives national award

When Megan Dennis was younger, she knew she wanted to make a difference in the world."When she was a little girl, she wanted to cure illnesses," said Harold Dennis, Megan's grandfather.

Xtravaganza celebrates culture through music acts

Luz Rivera watched her daughter, Gianelle Rivera dance underneath the Puerto Rican flag with the members of Caliente, a Latina dance group.

Gala celebrates African food, culture

Tereza Guimaraes didn't know the food was going to be so spicy.The native Brazilian said because of the African influence in her country, she is familiar with African styles of cooking.But when she sampled the food at the annual African Culture Gala Saturday night, she was surprised."The ingredients are similar," she said after finishing a plate of Ethiopian chicken and other dishes.

Horse celebrates 30th birthday

Boxes of sugar cubes, bags of apples and chocolate covered carrots wrapped with birthday ribbons and bows covered a table in the Pavilion for Agriculture and Livestock Education on Friday.Across the room, children gathered around three large cakes while their parents looked through pictures.The honoree, tied to a nearby railing, dipped his head down and took a mouthful of hay.Chum, a horse in the Mason-based Children & Horses United in Movement Therapeutic Riding center, celebrated his 30th birthday with 23 years of therapy patients and families.Chum's owner and occupational therapist Bonnie DePue, threw the party for the horse, whom she calls her "best friend" of 28 years."Chum is an integral part of many people's lives," she said.

Capitol update

Homeland security site helps prepare citizens Gov. Jennifer Granholm launched a homeland security Web site last week in an effort to better prepare Michigan residents for an emergency.

Police briefs 03/28/03

Winter thaw causes water main breaks

As the spring weather thaws East Lansing, city officials are fixing a record amount of water mains. Due to the cold temperatures and troubling frost conditions, the city has fixed approximately 40 to 50 water main breaks this winter, costing the city about $40,000, said Todd Sneathen, the city's director of Public Works and Environmental Services.

Greek Week kicks off Sunday to raise money for charity bill

It's time to break out the water bottles, sweatsuits and gym shoes. Greek Week, which kicks off Sunday, is a week of fund-raising events performed by the Interfraternity and Panhellenic councils benefiting several charities. Larry Wisne, director of Greek Week, wanted to make it clear everyone in the community - not just greeks - is invited to participate. "We support a lot of charities with our donations," Wisne said.

House committee passes bill to lift $5-million Amtrak funding cap

The House Transportation Committee passed a bill Thursday to lift the $5.7-million funding cap on the annual funding Amtrak receives from the state. The House bill passed with a 12-2 vote, with 14 of the committee's 17 members in attendance for the vote, said Rep.

Campaign draws 'U'

Posters and cardboard stand-up advertisements across campus aimed at drawing students back to the residence halls have been effective in the last year, University Housing Director Angela Brown said. The "Live on" campaign has been running for three years and Brown says MSU uses the program to both inform students and increase interest in living on campus. MSU's residence hall system can house about 14,900 students.

Listserv debates war

With more than 750,000 Web hits a week, a cyber debate is raging about war in Iraq on the largest academic listserv in the world. More than 133,000 people subscribe to Humanities and Social Sciences Online, or H-NET, an independent scholarly society hosted by MSU's MATRIX humanities and technology center.

Protesters use bicycles, skateboards to storm streets

A train of police cars followed the stream of about 60 area residents on bicycles, skateboards and foot. "Stop the war!

Forum gives insight on Africa

When computer science sophomore Okechukwu Okoro lived in Africa, he thought living in America would be like living on easy street. "The television gives a view that life is so easy and flowery but it's not," he said.

Research team finds key to developmental disease

MSU researchers have identified a gene responsible for a rare developmental disorder, paving the way for easier diagnosis of the syndrome. Smith-Magenis syndrome, or SMS, is characterized by physical, developmental and behavioral disabilities including mental retardation, sleep disturbances and self-injurious behavior. Last summer, a team of four MSU researchers discovered the syndrome is caused by a gene mutation on chromosome 17.

Playboy seeking campus women

Playboy photographers are looking for some MSU ladies who want exposure. The top men's magazine in the country - with a circulation of 3.15 million - is recruiting female students at least 18 years of age for its October "Women of the Big Ten" pictorial. "We're looking for all types of women," said Karen Ring, spokeswoman for Playboy Enterprises Inc. "They have to be photogenic, studious and well-rounded. "There's no set rules.