MSU

4-H help MI students explore career paths with program

Meagan Choi

June 23, 2010

200 classes began at MSU on Wednesday as part of 4-H Exploration Days — a pre-college program designed for career exploration and hands-on learning experiences. About 2,500 students from across the state participated with ages ranging from 11-19. The sessions span a variety of categories, such as aerospace, animal and veterinary science, environmental education and outdoor adventure challenge.

MSU

Budget cuts push website to find funds

Meagan Choi

June 23, 2010

Enviro-weather, an MSU-sponsored website that collects weather-related data for agricultural workers, is attempting to find private donors to counteract a $40,000 budget deficit due to state cuts in the university’s funding. If the deficit is not filled, some of the 64 statewide weather stations might have to close or reduce services.

MSU

Green light phones set to replace landlines

Ashley Brown

June 23, 2010

As the university eliminates landlines in residence halls, the MSU Department of Residence Life and the MSU police are increasing the number of emergency green light phones across campus. The Green Light Telephone System involves telephones strategically placed across campus on walkways, roads, parking areas, and buildings, including the Natural Science Building, Bessey, Berkey and Wells halls. They are soon to be installed on every floor of each residence hall.

MICHIGAN

Attempts to rezone land met with mixed emotions

Pat Evans

June 23, 2010

With the recent economic downturn, developers have had to take measures to make sure their land will sell. An attempt to rezone land in East Lansing, to be voted on July 20, was discussed by the East Lansing City Council on Tuesday night. Caddis Development Group, LLC is requesting to rezone a property located at 1525 W. Lake Lansing Road from restricted office business district to retail sale business district.

MSU

Dog cancer researchers seek treatment for several breeds

Anthony Odoardi

June 23, 2010

MSU veterinarians are taking part in a study to combat several types of cancers found in dogs, which researchers said could help improve treatments for humans. The From Bark to Bedside project is a two-year, $5.3 million study focusing on the genetics that cause cancer in breeds of canines. The project is being led by the Van Andel Institute in Grand Rapids, and will focus on five cancers between five to 10 different dog breeds.

MICHIGAN

Secretary of State to accept credit

Karen Confer

June 23, 2010

To help deal with about 14 million annual transactions, all Michigan Secretary of State offices are accepting Discover and MasterCard payments at the counter. In addition to new credit card options, branch office customers also can pay with cash or check.

MICHIGAN

Family Festival to be held Saturday

Karen Confer

June 23, 2010

The 10th annual Delta Rocks! Family Festival will take place from 12-6 p.m. Saturday at Sharp Park, 1401 Elmwood Road, in Lansing. The festival will feature numerous activities, including chalk art, clowns, pony rides, a petting zoo, a rock climbing wall, crafts, kids’ bingo, face painting, an obstacle course, a business expo and many more games.

MSU

Kellogg Center to host wine dinner

Karen Confer

June 23, 2010

A Brys Estate Wine Dinner featuring winemaker Coenraad Stassen will be held 7-9 p.m. Thursday in The State Room at Kellogg Center. The Brys Estate Vineyard and Winery is a Michigan-based 32-acre vineyard with more than 28,000 vines.

MICHIGAN

Voter registration deadline July 6

Karen Confer

June 23, 2010

July 6 is the final day for Michigan citizens to register to be able to vote in the Aug. 3 primaries. Voters must be at least 18 years old by election day, U.S. citizens, residents of Michigan and residents of the city or township in which they wish to vote.

MICHIGAN

Construction to continue in E.L.

Pat Evans

June 23, 2010

Two construction projects in downtown East Lansing will continue throughout much of the summer. Construction on the Division Street Parking Ramp, or Colorful Parking Ramp, began Monday and will include replacement of the steel stairwells, re-pouring of concrete and improvements to the window sealants. Construction also will continue outside the East Lansing Marriott at University Place east plaza.

MICHIGAN

Mich. improves to 2nd-worst state for unemployment

Karen Confer

June 22, 2010

After more than four years at the bottom of the list, Michigan has shed the dubious distinction of being the state with the highest unemployment rate in the country. Nevada took the top spot for the month of May with 14 percent unemployment, according to a report released Friday by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, a federal organization that tracks labor economics and other statistics. Michigan had the second-highest rate with 13.6 percent unemployment, followed by California with 12.4 percent.

MICHIGAN

Locals pucker up for photography project

Ashley Brown

June 22, 2010

Lansing’s Old Town puckered up for the SMOOCH! Project at the Perspective2 Studio, 319 E. Grand River Ave., in Lansing, on Tuesday in an effort to reduce violence through human affection. The SMOOCH! Project is a documentary record of the human demonstration to willingly share and welcome love and affection with no regard to social, economic or political boundaries.

MICHIGAN

Ronald McDonald House in Lansing celebrates 10th anniversary

Aseel Machi

June 22, 2010

The Ronald McDonald House is a building that can house up to eight families at once, said Lisa Gnass, Ronald McDonald House of Mid-Michigan executive director. The house celebrated its 10th anniversary of operation Tuesday afternoon in Lansing. The anniversary event featured an open house for the public, refreshments and a silent auction. Additionally, leaders from the Lansing community, such as state Rep. Joan Bauer, D-Lansing, gathered to speak.

MICHIGAN

Camp teaches children about Korean culture

Aseel Machi

June 21, 2010

The Korean summer camp is a five-day program featuring classes in Korean traditions and culture, including art, music, language and Taekwondo classes. The program is geared toward educating adopted children who have Korean backgrounds, although it is open to all children interested in learning about Korean culture

MICHIGAN

E.L. official returns home from Romania

Pat Evans

June 21, 2010

While many MSU students have been on study abroad programs, East Lansing City Manager Ted Staton has done some traveling of his own. Staton returned June 15 from a nearly two-week adventure to East Lansing’s sister city, Cluj-Napoca, Romania. The trip was a continuation of a project started about five years ago when Staton and former East Lansing Director of Planning and Community Development Jim van Ravensway traveled to Romania to begin the relationship between the two cities.

MSU

Summer camp for children teaches, utilizes French

Aseel Machi

June 21, 2010

Children practiced their vocabulary and learned to introduce themselves in French on Monday, marking the beginning of a series of six language summer camps taking place at MSU’s Community Language School. The campers in the French Summer Camp for Kids will use their newly attained vocabulary to go on ventures across campus, including ordering ice cream at the MSU Dairy Store in French.

MSU

New MSU hire hopes to improve fundraising

Meagan Choi

June 21, 2010

Jody Ackerman, the newly appointed senior director of development and external relations for MSU’s College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, or CANR, is looking forward to connecting with alumni and donors to take CANR and the university to a higher level of fundraising. Ackerman was chosen by Jeff Armstrong, dean of CANR, and Kris Bradley, the senior director of constituency programs for MSU’s University Development, to link the interests and passions of alumni and organizations that want to support CANR through fundraising, Armstrong said.

MSU

Red Cross to host MSU blood drive

Andrew Krietz

June 21, 2010

The American Red Cross will host a blood drive from 10 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. Wednesday in the Physical Plant lunchroom. Although Physical Plant employees are encouraged to give, walk-ins from the public are welcome to donate as well.

MICHIGAN

Sun, moon festivals set to rock Lansing

Karen Confer

June 20, 2010

In celebration of the summer solstice, the Old Town Commercial Association, or OTCA, is holding a Festival of the Moon from 6-11 p.m. Friday, and a Festival of the Sun from 2-11 p.m. Saturday on the corner of Turner Street and Grand River Avenue, in Lansing. The Festival of the Moon, honoring the shortest night of the year, will feature live entertainment from rock groups JHD, Jet Set Drag and Cartel.

MSU

Wizards day to be held at MSU Garden

Karen Confer

June 20, 2010

The Michigan 4-H Children’s Garden will sponsor “Wizards Day” from 10 a.m. to noon Tuesday at the gardens. The day will uncover the magic of the gardens, discovering flora and creating willow wands and herbal potions.