Celebrity to open events

Kevin Powell, author, poet and original cast member of MTV’s “The Real World,” will inaugurate MSU’s Black History Month celebration today at 7 p.m. Black Student Alliance President Tonya Upthegrove said the group decided to invite Powell because he will bring a perspective to Black History Month that students can identify with. “He has the ability to address issues that are relevant to our generation,” the communication senior said.

Women sought for clinical research

Fifty women from MSU are being sought to participate in a health study that aims to give women more information about the products they use. Judy Leventhal, project director of the Daily Activities and Infection Study, said this program will concentrate on the effects of vaginal douching. “Some doctors recommend douching for certain women, other doctors say there are negative effects, and then women have their own feelings,” Leventhal said.

Clean up begins in Lansing

LANSING - The Michigan Office of Special Environmental Projects is getting out its brooms to clean up a contaminated site.The effort is part of the environmental office’s project to clean up 17 newly discovered contaminated sites in Michigan.Lansing’s Brownfield Redevelopment Board approved Tuesday at its annual meeting roughly $1.9 million in state funds so that the environmental office could clean up the sites.The State Sites Cleanup Program, which began in 1996 after receiving $30 million from the state Legislature, has been cleaning up 142 state sites.“It’s very difficult for us as a state entity to require other people to clean up their sites when we weren’t cleaning up ours,” said Keith Harrison, director of the environmental office.

Schulers hosts U signing

MSU English professor and writer W.S. Penn will read from and sign two books Wednesday at Schuler Books, 2075 W.

Public forum to discuss why Gore lost presidency

Although many in the nation may believe Al Gore was robbed, a forum will take place this week to try to prove it. Brian Kalt, a professor at MSU-Detroit College of Law, will present a discussion forum entitled “Al Gore Was Robbed ... By His Lawyers” on Thursday. The event, hosted by the Federalist Society, a DCL student organization, will take place at 7:30 p.m.

Library tightens security after theft of books

Next to bookworms, it’s perhaps a librarian’s worst nightmare.In July, an assistant came to Kathleen Weessies with an empty hardcover case.

U college endorses Detroit doctor for prospective dean

A Detroit-area doctor may be the next person to head MSU’s College of Human Medicine.The recommendation for the new dean of the college was presented to the MSU Board of Trustees and will be voted on at its next meeting Feb.

Olin offers chance to drive drunk

Imagine getting in the driver’s seat after three beers - and driving into oncoming traffic.Smart Drive’s new “Remediation and Education Program for Driving Under the Influence” gives drivers that chance - virtually.

Police briefs 01/30/01

Eighth-annual Dia de la Mujer recognizes Latina activists

El Dia de la Mujer, an annual conference sponsored by the Office of Minority Student Affairs, will return to campus Feb.

Youth push for teen vote

LANSING - The Lansing Junior City Council Initiative held a kickoff meeting for its Lansing Teen Voter Registration Challenge, 2001, on Monday at a local high school.Members of the initiative explained the challenge to about 10 interested high school students and community members in the Eleanor Dorsem Social Room at Eastern High School, 220 N.

Art class shares in project

D’Ann de Simone’s painting class took an opportunity to weave its way into the community - literally. Members of the class, Studio Art 420, Painting, are just a few of many East Lansing residents who have participated in producing a room-sized tapestry project under the direction of local artist Nancy McRay. The students met Monday in The Art Apartment, 210 Abbott Road, where their contributions were added to numerous materials and objects from community members already woven into the tapestry. McRay said the community’s involvement with the project so far has been overwhelming. “I have this huge sense of responsibility for what’s been given to me,” McRay said.

Mini horses breed womans passion

MASON - Nestled just south of the Interstate 96 and Okemos Road intersection, a mile or so from the electric signs and cash registers of capitalism, Westwind Farms is a curious picture of rural American life.There, Cammie Cavanaugh reigns supreme, walking with ease and familiarity through red stables, surrounded by barn cats, fences and multicolored horses.You won’t find many saddles around Westwind Farms, though - the farm, 3146 Okemos Road, specializes in miniature horses.

U looks forward to Study Abroad Fair

Officials at the Office of Study Abroad are hoping to draw a large crowd for the Spring 2001 Study Abroad Fair.The event will be held from 2 p.m.

RHA seeks staff for annual conference

The Michigan State University Residence Halls Association is seeking volunteers for the Michigan Organization of Residence Hall Associations leadership conference at MSU on March 23-25.

Stay in school activists inform and motivate U

The Office of Minority Student Affairs was out in full force to keep students from dropping out of school at Saturday’s Racial Ethnic Student Retention Conference: Overcoming F.E.A.R.Students gained tips and learned real expectations for college at the 11th annual conference, titled “False Expectations Appearing Real,” at the Union.“I don’t see sisters beating down the doors of brothers who are dropping out of school left and right,” said Lenzy Bell, while speaking to more than 100 students.

ASMSU, yearbook reach agreement

While sitting in a quiet, empty Red Cedar Log office late Thursday night, Editor-in-Chief Rianne Jones said she was able to breathe her first sigh of relief in weeks.Jones’ tension was due to a power struggle with ASMSU over the yearbook’s operation, which, after about a month of controversy, reached a compromise Thursday.The ASMSU Student Assembly approved three intricate parts of the bill that established the settlement while two other sections of the measure failed.

Lansing mayor to address city

Lansing Mayor David Hollister will address a $388.5 million school bond proposal and preview future plans for Lansing today in his eighth State of the City address.Hollister will speak at 7 p.m.

Attorney Generals life threatened in letter

Michigan Attorney General Jennifer Granholm’s life was threatened via a letter last week before she made a scheduled speech in Chesterfield Township.A threat assessment was done by the Michigan State Police in conjunction with the Warren Police Department, and it was determined that there was no danger.

Legislation introduced to alter licence applications

Rep. Mike Bishop, R-Rochester, introduced a resolution Friday to remove a federal mandate requiring states to collect social security numbers for applicants of drivers and a variety of professional and recreational licenses. The numbers are collected to track down parents who owe child support.