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MSU

Community band offers free concert

The MSU Community Music School will hold a concert at 7 p.m. today. The New Horizons Band will present its Spring Concert "Music for All Ages" in the school's auditorium, 841 Timberlane St. The concert will feature the works of Mozart, Holst and "The Music Man."

MSU

Emergency teams train for worst

When a toxic chemical spill occurs, every second counts. Emergency response workers have to be ready to clean up spills within minutes before the chemicals cause harm to workers and the surrounding environment, said Pete Eiter, an instructor for MSU's Emergency Response Solutions. Eiter timed how long it took Ford Motor Co.'s emergency response workers to assemble the parts of an oxygen tank during the Ford-MSU Emergency Response Team Challenge at the MSU Pavilion for Agriculture and Livestock Education on Tuesday.

MICHIGAN

E.L. funds local microenterprises

The Lansing City Micro-Enterprise Fund will receive $10,000 in funding as part of its new partnership with East Lansing. Microenterprises make up more than 80 percent of the businesses in Ingham County and tri-county area.

MICHIGAN

WEB EXTRA: Granholm sets looming deadline to resolve state budget crisis

Gov. Jennifer Granholm has set June 1 as a deadline for the Michigan House of Representatives and Senate to come together with the governor's office to reach an agreement as to how to remedy Michigan's financial situation. Michigan is facing an $800 million deficit for the 2007 fiscal year, and with the end of the year approaching, the pressure is on to find a solution to the state's budget crisis. House Democrats, along with Granholm, have been pushing for a solution consisting of a combination of comprehensive reforms, cuts and additional revenue, most likely through taxes. "Obviously, it is a huge, huge deficit," said Liz Boyd, spokeswoman for Granholm.

MICHIGAN

Further budget cuts hurt school funding

As Michigan's financial crisis mounts and the deadline to balance the 2006-07 budget draws near, East Lansing schools along with districts across the state could face major cuts. Currently, the state is facing an estimated $600 million shortfall in the General Fund and a $202.8 million shortfall in the School Aid Fund, or SAF. The SAF represents money promised by the state to school districts, collected through the sales tax. Part of the problem facing schools and school funding is the recession the economy has been enduring, said Rep.

MICHIGAN

ELPD's motorcycle unit features bigger Harleys

The East Lansing Police Department's motorcycle unit will be issuing speeding tickets and regulating parades in style this year after the purchase of four new Harley-Davidson bikes. The Electra Glide motorcycles have few differences than the ones the department purchased last year, but they do boast much larger and more powerful engines, said East Lansing police Sgt.

MICHIGAN

Lawmakers push for a no-helmet legislation for Mich. motorcyclists

Some lawmakers and interest groups are pushing for the removal of the state's motorcycle helmet law. Under the proposed legislation, motorcyclists would not be required to wear a helmet if they are over 21, operated a motorcycle for two or more years, completed a safety course and carry $20,000 worth of insurance. If requirements are met, riders would be eligible to purchase a $100 sticker they would display on their bikes. The helmet law is keeping about $1.2 billion in revenue out of Michigan, said Rep.

MSU

MSU trustee celebrated

As an MSU student in the 1950s, George Perles went on a rebound date with a girl who had just broken up with her boyfriend. Just before the date, she and the guy got back together. Perles, now an MSU trustee wasn't completely out of luck.

MICHIGAN

Homeless ordinance up for council's vote

Information on a proposed ordinance, which would prohibit people from taking shelter in East Lansing parking structures, will be presented to the East Lansing City Council today. The ordinance was previously tabled because the council wanted more definite information about how the city would handle the treatment of individuals who were found in the structures. "Our fear was that we were going to criminalize the homeless," Mayor Sam Singh said. The council wanted to see a plan for the implementation of the ordinance before they approved it, he said.

MICHIGAN

Super science summers stir young minds

With paint on her hands, 3-year-old Jahayza Choat whispered her favorite part of Make it Grow on Saturday was leaf printing. Jahayza's mom, Melissa Choat of Leslie, said she visited the Impression 5 Science Center, 200 Museum Drive, when she was younger, and it was her daughter's first time visiting. "(My daughter) is only 3, so it's really great that it's hands-on," Choat said. Make it Grow is one of the Center's weekly themed activities, which allowed museum attendees to make their own nature inspired items. From 11 a.m.

MICHIGAN

Silent auction raises funds

Lansing — The late afternoon sun shone through the windows of the historic Potter House in Friday as individuals filed in to support the Women's Center of Greater Lansing. Dream, Girl!, the name of the Women's Center's first major fundraiser, ushered in about 200 guests to the 1926-built home located at 1348 Cambridge Road, with the goal of raising $25,000. The fundraiser created a "solid financial foundation" for the Center, said Cindie Alwood, the center's co-director and co-founder. Alwood is currently the only regular staff member who works Monday through Friday at the Center.

MICHIGAN

Capitol battles pipeline construction in court

The battle over the Wolverine Pipeline Co.'s gasoline pipeline that would run through the south side of Lansing will be settled in the Michigan Supreme Court. On May 9, the Michigan Court of Appeals rejected Lansing's attempt to stop the construction of the pipeline.

MSU

Encouraging abilities

When power lifter Mary Stack isn't bench pressing 260 pounds, she's pushing her motorized wheelchair. While 4-foot-9 Stack is able to walk, she uses a wheelchair because of a disorder that affects her balance. Stack is an athlete, coach and volunteer for the 32nd Michigan Victory Games, which are being held on campus this weekend. The Michigan Disability Sports Alliance, or MiDSA, hosts the games, which provide recreational and competitive sports opportunities for athletes with disabilities. A 2001 inductee into the Athletes with Disabilities Hall of Fame, Stack said she never would have been in sports if she hadn't started as an athlete in the games at 16. While Stack, 33, wants to continue to compete, she also enjoys watching from the sidelines as a coach and volunteer. "To see the expressions on the kids' faces when they complete a course, beat somebody in track or do something they didn't think they could do - it's really cool." About 80 athletes ranging from ages 7 to 70 will compete this year, said Stella Husch, director of the games. "A lot of times, individuals with disabilities don't have the opportunities to prove themselves or to negate stereotypes.

MSU

Museums observe "heritage"

From Hong Kong to New Zealand and all the way back to East Lansing, museums spanning the globe will celebrate the 30th annual International Museum Day, or IMD, today. "(IMD is) one of those things that I think can call attention to museums in general and some of those gems in the community that help us learn about ourselves, our neighbors and our global community," said Lora Helou, communications manager for MSU Museum. The International Council of Museums encourages its 23,000 individual and institutional members from 145 countries to hold special events commemorating the day, according to their Web site. This year's theme, "Museums and Universal Heritage," strives to raise awareness of museums' role to encourage responsibility for global heritage. The MSU and Kresge Art museums will host a joint reception honoring more than 1,000 volunteers from 4-6 p.m.