Seminar discusses natural resources

Agency executives from around the country made a stop at MSU on Wednesday to discuss the current challenges facing natural resource management in the United States.Nearly 100 people attended the seminar, “Emerging Issues Confronting Natural Resource Agencies in the 21st Century,” in the Communication Arts and Sciences Building.Seven panel members came from as far as Florida, Arizona and Massachusetts, where they are executives of federal or state management and conservation agencies.

U grads combine books and beans at coffee shop

LANSING - When Lisa Thompson and Cynthia Pugh met on MSU’s campus as undergraduates almost 20 years ago in Bryan Hall, they never imagined they would one day open a Beaner’s Gourmet Coffee shop in Lansing. But that day came Monday, when the duo opened a cafe in hope to promote intellectual conversations and thinking, inside the Capital Area District Library, 401 South Capital Ave. “It’s been fun and hectic,” said Pugh, an owner of the new coffee shop.

Grant arrives for clinic in time for tax rush

One campus organization got money from the Internal Revenue Service a little early this year.The MSU-Detroit College of Law Tax and Rental Housing clinics recently received a $100,000 grant from the IRS.“It is funding that is provided for us in order for us to provide the services that we do,” said DCL Professor Michele Halloran, director of the Tax Clinic.Halloran co-wrote and submitted the grant request.

Charity ball to raise funds for grieving families

Although the 2nd Annual Madison Charity Ball is a little different from last year’s event, its purpose remains intact - raising funds for charity.The event, which takes place from 7 p.m.

Police briefs 04/05/01

New restaurant to bring E.L. international cuisine

It’s going to be East Lansing’s newest flavor.Raydan Café and Market, 317 M.A.C.

Council approves ordinance to limit city building heights, keep downtown skyline

East Lansing may be maturing as an urban area, but it’s not growing up.After more than one year of discussion and planning, the East Lansing City Council approved an ordinance at its Tuesday regular meeting that limits building heights throughout the city.The height limits have been reduced from eight stories, or 14 with a city permit, to four stories, or 10 with a city permit.The ordinance also allows the city council to make exceptions for projects that would be beneficial to the city but require more height.Councilmember Sam Singh said the change would help protect residents living near the downtown from the shadows of tall buildings, while still leaving the city open to new development.“I think the downtown can handle some more considerable heights, especially on the Grand River (Avenue) side, but as soon as you get down around Albert (Avenue), you start to encroach on neighborhoods,” he said.“We’ve had the opportunity to have buildings of considerable size and it just hasn’t happened.”Orilla McHarris, a resident of East Lansing’s Bailey neighborhood since 1965, said she was pleased with the decision to hold on to the small-town atmosphere that can be ruined by tall buildings.“Our neighborhood is generally in favor of keeping the buildings low and letting everybody get some sunshine and fresh air,” she said.

Two men hospitalized after different assaults

Two separate aggravated assaults occurred in East Lansing on Saturday, according to the East Lansing Police Department. A 22-year-old St.

State hopes to recruit national businesses

Michigan is attempting to keep the lights on for new businesses. The Michigan Economic Development Corporation is using big dollars to urge big businesses from California to relocate to the state.

ASMSUs lack of landlord input leads council to delay ordinance

While the ASMSU landlord-tenant ordinance has East Lansing City Council’s attention, the council’s view on the issue is still unclear.Last week, the undergraduate student government sent a letter to the city council laying out the ordinance’s plan, but East Lansing Mayor Mark Meadows said initial discussion with council members last week hasn’t provided any insight.“I don’t think they have any impression on the ordinance at all,” Meadows said.The ASMSU proposal would prohibit landlords from showing an apartment or home to prospective tenants or forcing renewal of a lease until one-third of the lease has passed.However, at its meeting last week, the council raised concerns about ASMSU’s lack of landlord input and referred to East Lansing city staff as one of the reasons behind the proposal’s delay.When ASMSU officials began working on the ordinance in December, they requested the help of city staff, but said they obtained little results or feedback.“ASMSU could have sent that letter at any point and time,” Councilmember Sam Singh said.

Ugly Man raises money for cancer

It’s not about the face that breaks the most mirrors on campus, or students who have really low self-esteem.The “Ugly Man” on campus at MSU is cancer - and the purpose of the Ugly Man on Campus contest, sponsored by Alpha Phi Omega and Modern Skate and Surf, is to beat him.The annual contest, which began Monday and ends tonight, hopes to raise as much as $1,000 for the American Cancer Society.Nine contestants paid a $25 entry fee to have their faces posted on brightly colored buckets, each to collect as much pocket change and donations from passersby as possible.Members of Alpha Phi Omega set up tables with the buckets daily from 10 a.m.

Homecoming committee seeks input for new theme

The members of the MSU Homecoming Committee are searching for a theme for the 2001 homecoming celebration to be held in October. And they want the input of MSU students. Committee member Tami Kuhn, who is also the manager of the Campus Center, said the group saw a need for different input. “One of the things we talked about when we met was getting more student input,” she said.

Group to model for worker rights

Today Students for Economic Justice will model clothing that sports not the latest fashions - but highlights clothes the group claims are made in factories with unfair working conditions. Student members will walk the runway in the Sweatshop Fashion Show at 12:15 p.m.

Legislation to grant women equal pay

Tuesday marked the day people across the country recognized efforts to close the pay gap between men and women.Sen.

Letter blames U for anti-union campaign

More than 25 state legislators sent a letter to MSU President M. Peter McPherson on Monday accusing university administration of conducting “an anti-union campaign against its graduate student employees.”The letter alleges that during special informational meetings regarding graduate unionization, MSU administration attempted to “sway votes by providing prejudicial information.”McPherson said he had not seen the letter Tuesday night but was looking forward to reading it.The letter makes clear that officials did not violate statutes which prohibit voter intimidation, but also said their actions “tarnish the spirit of the law.”State Rep.

New supermarket to replace local building

OKEMOS - A new Okemos farmer won’t need a tractor and plow to run his business. That’s because this farmer is a Farmer Jack Supermarket, which will be located on East Grand River Avenue near Park Lake Road. The block dubbed Majestic Plaza houses Pro-Bowl East; Oriental Mart; Pistachios Restaurant, 2827 E.

Police briefs 04/04/01

Police launch safety number

LANSING - The Michigan State Police hopes it has the number to stop violence in schools. Police, education and government officials unveiled a new anonymous hotline Wednesday for students, parents and teachers to report threats in Michigan’s schools.

Stepshow raises money for charity

Eleven acts, dressed in costumes using props ranging from wood canes to soda cans, rallied those attending the Greek Week annual tradition of Stepshow on Tuesday with rock-stomping beats.The event held, at the Auditorium, was part of a series of events held by greek chapters during the spring tradition known as Greek Week, which runs through Saturday.Greek Week co-chairwoman Jackie Kim described Stepshow as an “amazing stomping, clapping, body moving choreographed show.”“It is one of the more adrenaline running and exciting performances that we put on during Greek Week,” the nutrition science senior said.

Students, community observe day of silence

Members of MSU’s Alliance of Lesbian, Bisexual, Gay and Transgender community and its supporters will be silent today, as part of Pride Week’s National Day of Silence.The day is designed to draw attention to those who have been silenced by hatred, oppression or prejudice.“There’s so many LBGT people who are silent and invisible everyday,” explained Doug Copeland, president of Spectrum, a caucus group that represents the east campus LBGT community.