Community reflects on crime, victims rights

LANSING - Daniel Anderson had good reason to attend the annual Crime Victims’ Rights Awareness Night at the Capitol on Wednesday evening - he survived a blast from a 22-gauge shotgun more than 15 years ago.The Lansing resident, who spent two and a half months in intensive care as a result of his injury, was joined by wife Pat and son Brian to share his story and offer support to other survivors.“We want to give back to the community and try to help victims of violent crime,” he said.As Anderson shared hugs and smiles with other event-goers, he turned the group of seats around him into a community of support.The care of the Lansing Police and the Ingham Regional Medical Center opened Anderson’s eyes to the needs and concerns of violent crime survivors.

Education bond incites protest

LANSING - Less than a dozen people gathered on the steps of the Capitol on Wednesday to urge community members to “Vote No May 1” and protest Lansing’s school bond.Although hundreds of community members showed up at previous rallies supporting the $388.5 million school bond, only a handful of residents took a stand against the bond, saying they’ll “Vote No” when the city of 127,000 people sends voters to the polls on May 1.

Animals offer kids hands-on learning

A rooster crowed in the background as a group of 14 thirdgraders peered at some llamas.“The llama’s fur is really soft,” said third-grader Michael Smalley, while washing the fur off his hands.Michael, a student at Whitehills Elementary School, 621 Pebblebrook St., was one of 2,000 area third-graders participating in Project R.E.D., which stands for Rural Education Day, at the Pavilion for Agriculture and Livestock Education on Wednesday.“It’s fun,” he said.

Disorder fades with sunlight

Getting out of school soon isn’t the only thing putting people in a better mood lately.There is an expected continual warming period with lots of sunshine between today and the weekend, according to the National Weather Service, and most people would say that news puts them in a better mood - at least to some degree.But there are others who get more serious relief from the sun’s rays beating down for longer periods of time during the day.Seasonal Affective Disorder has serious effects on about 5 percent of the population, according to Dr. Robert Bielski, director of the MSU Winter Depression Clinic.“We think the condition is triggered by the shortening of daylight hours during the winter months,” he said.

Program offers women a break away from routine

It’s a day that 900 women will come together to learn about and celebrate the melody in their lives.The Kaleidoscope 2001, sponsored by the MSU Alumni Association, takes place today at the Kellogg Center, and includes a luncheon and informational sessions in the morning and early afternoon.The theme, An Aria for Everyone’s Life, will focus on music, health and creativity in women’s lives.Alumni Association member Beverly Carnahan said Kaleidoscope, in its 27th year, was created to provide women an opportunity to break away from normal routines and receive information on health concerns and other issues.“The sessions impact events surrounding women’s day to day lives,” she said.“It’s an excellent day for women to come abreast of current things that may have a bearing on their lives.”And the public has been receptive to the event in the past, Carnahan said.“Kaleidoscope has always been one of our most popular events,” she said.“It’s an outstanding program - every year we’ve been at capacity.”Soprano Roberta Peters is the keynote speaker for this year’s Kaleidoscope, and will perform following the luncheon.Peters is a recipient of the National Medal of Art and the Bolshoi Medal, and has performed all over the world.Alumni Association member Sharon Radtke said the association was looking forward to having a vocalist at Kaleidoscope this year.“We thought is would be fun, and opera is something different,” Radtke said.

Lawmakers seek to keep organs in state

The state Legislature may attempt to make it a little easier for Michigan residents in need of a vital organ to receive a transplant.A package of bills was examined by the state House Health Policy Committee this week.

Lawmakers consider hate crime legislation

State legislators are trying once again to pass new regulations including the term “sexual orientation” into previous discrimination laws.“This has been proposed before, and we decided we wanted to move it forward,” said Rep.

Police hope to mend minority relations

MSU police will hold a public forum tonight to discuss the department’s 12-point plan to improve relations with the minority community. The plan, announced in November, addresses racial profiling, supporting minority students in the police department and promoting greater knowledge of police procedures.

Recreation, food found in morel mushroom picking

Kurt Lamour is a morel mushroom maniac.To him, April is a time to get outdoors and forage through the Michigan foliage to find some tasty fungi.“Mushroom-picking is a tradition that has been passed down in my family from generation to generation,” said Lamour, a botany and plant pathology graduate student.

Program helps seniors with late job search

Seniors still searching for jobs will have another option next month.Spartan Sendoff, a new program sponsored by the Career Services and Placement Career Development Center, is designed to help students who have not started a job search but are graduating in May or August.“Students are so busy with finals and graduation that career searches can sometimes be on the back burners,” said Linda Gross, assistant director of the Career Services and Placement Career Development Center.

College appoints new dean

Jeff Armstrong is a big fan of MSU, but he’s looking forward to more than football games when he takes his new position on campus this fall.Armstrong, head of the Department of Animal Sciences at Purdue University, has been appointed dean of MSU’s College of Agriculture and Natural Resources.Armstrong said he enjoys watching college sports, but he’s inspired to take charge of a college that has plenty of its own successes.“From a professional perspective, I’m excited about working with the many diverse departments in the college and learning so much about the state of Michigan,” he said.The university’s Board of Trustees approved Armstrong’s appointment at its meeting Friday.

U Lead medical director to take over as acting dean

MSU’s College of Osteopathic Medicine will salute another dean this summer as its current leader takes a three-month sabbatical. The MSU Board of Trustees recently approved Dr. William Strampel to serve as acting dean of the college beginning May 14. “I am looking forward to working with him,” said Colleen Kniffen, assistant to the dean.

Police briefs 04/25/01

Program offers tours to experience cultures

A few MSU staff and faculty members took it upon themselves Tuesday to spend their lunch in the Kresge Art Museum, taking in original art pieces by undergraduate students. The self-guided tour was held for free in a program called Sharing Art and Cultural Events on Campus, sponsored by the Women’s Resource Center.

Proposed plan will clean up, protect environment

Michigan House Republicans are proposing a five-point plan to protect the environment and clean up the state’s contaminated areas.The plan is part of the House Land Use and Environment Committee.

U will have to go farther for tickets

Chris Sample is disappointed that soon there will be nowhere close by to purchase his concert tickets.The telecommunication senior said he attends about 10 concerts a year and usually purchases them at the closest Ticketmaster outlet - East Lansing’s Tower Records-Videos-Books, 115 E.

Jeans drive helps boost self-respect

People were tearing off their blue jeans and saying goodbye to their clothes Tuesday afternoon at the rock on Farm Lane. As part of National Size Acceptance Day, members of the campus groups Respecting and Understanding Body Image and Greek Life joined together for the Great Jeans Giveaway.

Council continues search for ways to slash budget

Although the East Lansing City Council hasn’t begun to slash away at the city’s 2001-02 budget, it is leaving the whole thing on the chopping block.The city council continued discussion about ways to remove a $325,000 dip into the city’s general fund at its work session Tuesday.The money shortage comes after a year of increased costs for health care, recreation facilities and low Census 2000 numbers.City officials plan to contest the supposed 4,200 drop in East Lansing’s population that could have cost the city up to $1 million in funding.City Manager Ted Staton reported that state funding would not be as low as expected, although budget problems remain from continued use of the city’s general fund.“We’re a far cry from the worst case,” he said.

Convocation speaker reflects on time at U

Adam Wright spent parts of his five years at MSU cheering the Spartans, jogging the campus trails and assisting a fellow Spartan, state Sen.

E.L. Council to review budget

The East Lansing City Council will continue discussing revisions to the 2001-02 budget at today’s work session. Council members are working to eliminate a proposed $325,000 dip into the city’s savings to cover recent increases in health care and recreational project costs. Another work session will be held Tuesday to discuss budget changes before it is finalized on May 15. During the April 10 work session, council members raised questions about possible ways to add revenue or cut costs. East Lansing Finance Director Gary Murphy said he hopes to provide more answers for the city council tonight. “These are just possibilities,” he said.