Downtown full of Asian-themed cuisine

With the shifting of one Asian-themed restaurant and the recent revamping of another, East Lansing's restaurant scene is trading tastes. Deli sandwiches and caterphilla, a Japanese dish mixing bite-sized squares of cucumber, avocado and other ingredients, might not be the most likely food items on a single restaurant menu, but James Kang hopes to expand horizons and dining options. "We want to accommodate many different groups," said Kang, manager of Sushi & Deli, 547 E.

Student government launches candy bowl

Standing next to blue books and application forms, an empty candy bowl found a new home Monday in the ASMSU Business Office. The office, located in Student Services, soon might join the dozens of college and department offices on campus that provide a bowl of free candy for visitors. On Thursday, Comptroller Mike Trudeau plans to present a bill to the Student Assembly regarding his "Candy Initiative," and if it passes, candy would fill the bowl beginning after spring break. Trudeau said he contacted representatives from Housing and Food Services for their backing on the bill, and he brought a proposal before the student group Respecting and Understanding Body Image, RUBI, Monday. Next to the bowl, there is a stack of surveys inquiring about visitor candy preferences.

RHA to elect new president at meeting

The Residence Halls Association will elect a new president at its weekly meeting at 7 p.m. today in the lounge of Van Hoosen Hall.

New employees promote ASMSU activity

David Whitehurst and Joe Obringer haven't had a lot of time to sit around since arriving at ASMSU two weeks ago. After months of delays, ASMSU's Web site soon will be updated.

Police briefs 03/03/04

Group protests Haiti action

A group of protesters met at Espresso Royale Caffe on Monday afternoon to discuss possible plans of action to demonstrate their disapproval of U.S.

Volunteers dictate texts

Sitting in a soundproof room furnished only with a chair, a lamp, a dictionary and a four-track cassette recorder, education sophomore Virginia Birringer turned toward a thick physics textbook and prepared to record herself reading it.

10 states to determine Dem candidates' fates

Some local campaigners and political experts say today, known as "Super Tuesday," could make or break Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards' chance to win his party's nomination for president. Ten states across the country hold Democratic caucuses or primaries today. At the forefront of the states holding elections are New York and California, which offer more delegates than any other states - California having 370 pledged delegates and New York boasting 236. Until today, Michigan was the state with the biggest delegate prize at 128. Residents of Connecticut, Georgia, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Ohio, Rhode Island and Vermont also are heading to the polls today. U.S.

Design professor loved by students

MSU Professor Michael Fanizza, 49, died Thursday evening after a long battle with cancer. Fanizza, a graphic design professor, came to MSU about five years ago and was well regarded by both students and faculty. "He was a good friend," studio art graduate student Paula Stuart-Hankins said.

Student assaulted outside of dorm hall

A female student was assaulted between Friday night and early Saturday morning in a campus courtyard, according to a report made to MSU police by the woman on Saturday. The 20-year-old woman was walking alone from North Wonders Hall to South Wonders Hall when a man approached her from behind, grabbed her right arm and threw her on the ground, MSU Police Sgt.

McPherson to discuss experiences in Iraq

MSU President M. Peter McPherson will lead a public discussion Wednesday to speak about his six-month stint in Iraq as the financial coordinator for the Office of Reconstruction and Humanitarian Assistance. The discussion, "Reflections of Iraq Experience," will be held from 12:10 to 1 p.m.

Vampires, comics, Black Panthers shape professor's views

Professor Kathleen Rout can be found busily reading Anne Rice vampire novels, coordinating volunteering among students or looking up facts about Black Panther Party leaders for her next book. Rout's understanding of vampires and radical groups and her proactive dedication to share her knowledge with students and her community contrasts the way Rout was cut off from her own interests as a child.

Police briefs 03/02/04

Inside BioPort

Lansing - The production line at BioPort Corp. moves swiftly these days, operating around the clock to manufacture the nation's entire supply of anthrax vaccine. The Lansing-based company, which produces the nation's only federally licensed anthrax vaccine, won a $245 million contract earlier this year to continue making its product for the Department of Defense. Each day, BioPort employees step inside the barbed-wire perimeter of the 5-year-old company's plant on Martin Luther King Boulevard.

Glitz & Glamour

The low-lit room brought back memories of a scene at a high-school prom. Twinkling lights and the spinning disco ball set the mood.

ASMSU passes bill to add more accessible signs to doorways

In an effort to make their offices more professional and accessible, ASMSU members recently voted to add large print and Braille signs to office doors. MSU's undergraduate student government approved spending $464 on new signage, which would be an addition to a staff directory in the main ASMSU lobby. "Sometimes, people don't look at the (staff directory) and just start wandering around," Academic Assembly Chairperson Jared English said. Laura Sorensen, ASMSU Director of Racial, Ethnic and Progressive Student Affairs, said the signs are a good step in making the third floor of Student Services more accessible.

Cristo Rey gathers for Ash Wednesday

When Felicitas Moreno walks into Cristo Rey Church, all material signs of celebration are absent. To the left, a picture of Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ, hangs on the wall with leafless twigs placed around it.

E.L. restaurants await liquor-license approval

The fate of a downtown East Lansing liquor license now rests in the hands of the state after the city council voted unanimously to approve the license's transfer into the city last week. Harry Saites, owner of the adjoining restaurants Lou & Harry's Five Star Deli and LH Grille Room, purchased the license for $50,000 from North Side Eatery Ltd.

Women celebrated

When keynote speaker Ana Rizo stepped behind the lectern at the Dia de la Mujer Conference, she slowly began clapping.

Olsen trial postponed

Trials have been adjourned for an East Lansing woman accused of embezzling money from an MSU sorority. Nancy Olsen, 53, was to appear in the 54-B District Court, 101 Linden St., last week for pretrial hearings on embezzlement charges.