Parade marks start of holiday season

To mark the beginning of the holiday season, Lansing will be hosting Silver Bells in the City tonight, a holiday event that includes an electric light parade, free entertainment and the lighting of the capital’s Christmas tree.The event began in 1985 with just a few luminaries and a community sing led by the Lansing mayor but has now grown to provide entertainment for an expected 40,000 to 50,000 people.“At the beginning of the event it was started as a way to promote downtown,” said Sue Mills, executive director of the Arts Council of Greater Lansing, which coordinates the event.

Panel discusses election

Sherman Garnett always wondered what a group of James Madison alumni and students would think and discuss if they were brought together.The dean of James Madison College got his wish Thursday.A panel of current students and politically active alumni came together to discuss the recent election and campaigns.“I thought it would be useful for us to talk about this experience, especially since most of this is local at this point,” Garnett said.James Madison alumni panelists included Adam Wright, who is state Sen.

Voter turnout hits projected state figures, E.L. votes rise

Amidst controversy and accusations of problems at the polls, voter turnout this year met standards many expected.In a written statement, Michigan Secretary of State Candice Miller said Michigan’s overall voter turnout was close to 62 percent.

Police briefs 11/16/00

Lansings rep.-elect juggles church, state

Even though he’s moving to the Michigan Legislature, Michael Murphy says he will not forget about the parishioners at his church.Murphy attributes his Nov.

E.L. voting records sealed, recount closer

Republican Congressman-elect Mike Rogers is busy picking out an office in Washington, D.C., and electing new leadership for Congress.But his opponent for the 8th Congressional District seat, state Sen.

Sports-law symposium links athletes, attorneys

Mike Peplowski, a former MSU and NBA basketball star, remembered being skeptical of agents and lawyers when he went professional.And while his experience was positive, he admits he’s heard his share of horror stories.Peplowski came to campus Tuesday along with Howard Soifer - an attorney who represents former Spartans and current NBA stars Mateen Cleaves and Steve Smith - in an attempt for students to learn more about the relationships between athletes, agents and attorneys.Their presence was part of the first annual Fall Symposium, which was sponsored by the Entertainment and Sports Law Society at the MSU-Detroit College of Law.

New minority affairs coordinator brings passion, campus knowledge

For the past 16 years, many students, faculty and administrators have known Murray Edwards as MSU’s coordinator of African American student affairs - until recently.Starting this fall, Edwards assumed the title of senior coordinator for the Office of Minority Student Affairs.

Grant makes cleaner cars

A grant awarded to the city of Lansing will aid in lowering air pollution and increasing the amount of alternative-fuel vehicles on the road.The $20,000 grant from the Michigan Department of Consumer and Industry Services was given to offer incentives to fleet owners for buying vehicles that use the alternative fuels.The city of Lansing’s Management Services Department applied for the grant.“We applied in the spring and they notified us in October we had received the grant,” said Liza Estlund Olson, chair of the Greater Lansing Clean Cities Coalition.

Event goes around the world for U

From India to Pakistan, Taiwan to Egypt, visitors can explore Global Festival 2000 on Sunday at the Union. Students from dozens of countries will share their cultures.

Top designer agrees to create new skate parks

Two skate parks near East Lansing will be designed by one of the top designers in the field, despite the facilities not receiving funding from the city.Ranney Park and Benjamin Davis Park in Lansing were picked for the projects - the parks border several East Lansing neighborhoods, and Ranney Park borders the Frandor Shopping Center.The clear visibility, bathroom facilities and space were some of the deciding factors in determining the location of the skate parks, said Tim McCaffrey, director of East Lansing Parks and Recreation Facilities.“There is a great interest among the youth in East Lansing and Lansing,” McCaffrey said.

Hunters fire up for opening day

It’s not just the thrill of the hunt that lures Luke Gabbard into the fields every November.“Just being outdoors, being out in the woods, seeing animals, that’s half the enjoyment of it,” said Gabbard, an agriculture business management junior.

Fraternities compete in Anchor Splash event to benefit foundation

For some MSU fraternity members this time of year is just right for swimming.The Delta Gamma sorority kicked off “Anchor Splash” on Sunday.

Police warn U of man impersonating officer

East Lansing police Capt. Juli Liebler wants to make sure residents know the difference between real police uniforms and vehicles and those of a man posing as a police officer in the area.A female MSU student was stopped near Albert and M.A.C.

Students pledge to be allies

PRISM, a residence hall caucus group for lesbian, bisexual, gay and transgendered students living in South Complex, hopes to make allies of LBGT students more visible in residence halls. The group has initiated an Ally Sign campaign outside of cafeterias in South Complex halls.

Harvard biology professor to speak in lecture series

Ruth Hubbard, a Harvard University professor emerita, will be visiting MSU on Thursday night. Hubbard, the first woman to be awarded a tenured biology professor position at the university, will be lecturing on “How the Genome Became the Book of Life.” The speech will be the third of five McPherson Professorship lectures - a series that MSUPresident M.

Police briefs 11/15/00

DCL to host forum on future legal effects of countrys recent election

MSU-Detroit College of Law knows that after the elections are finally decided, there will be certain effects on the U.S.

ASMSU makes World Bank trek

Seven ASMSU representatives and a student activist will be traveling to Washington, D.C., today for a summit at the World Bank.

Police release composites of suspects in Gunson Street stabbing

East Lansing police officials released composites of two male suspects Monday that are wanted in the stabbing of a 22-year-old student.Eric Miller, a criminal justice and psychology senior, was stabbed twice in the back while attending a house party on the 100 block of Gunson Street at about 1:15 a.m.