By Nick Hurwitch For The State News Their techniques are generations apart, but their goal is the same: Knock down all the pins. Wilson Akujobi bounds toward the TV and swings with all his 12-year-old might.
As they paddled Saturday morning through the waters of the Red Cedar River, Danielle Abshagen and Carolyn Schwedler were praised for the bounty they had collected. Other volunteers yelled out compliments as the pair returned with a pile of bikes so heavy it nearly tipped their canoe. "It's always the most fun finding the interesting stuff," said Abshagen, an environmental soil science senior.
The MSU fight song blared from the gym in the Berkowitz Basketball Complex on Saturday. Inside, about 60 women danced together and clapped to the beat. Their faces were smiling and their moves precise.
Tight, flashy costumes, high heels, loud music and glitter — the MSU Drag Show was glam rock at its finest. The event was sponsored by the University Activities Board and Respecting Individuals on Neutral Ground as a part of Pride Week, which highlights the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community. Most participants perform as members of the opposite sex, while lip-synching and dancing to popular music from many genres. Dressed in a glittery gold evening gown, Hershae Chocolatae opened the show performing songs by Tina Turner and Macy Gray. Premedical and nutritional sciences senior Eric Harper specifically came to the show to see his friend, performing on stage as Moltyn Decadence, but thought Chocolatae did a great job. "I love the host," Harper said.
Pulitzer Prize winner and Washington Post Middle East correspondent Anthony Shadid will speak at 3 p.m.
Before East Lansing's first island can be carved from the banks of the Red Cedar River, a San Diego-based developer must acquire the land necessary to begin the East Village project. On Tuesday, Theresa Nakata, the company's vice president for marketing and communications, said The Pierce Company Inc. has had progressive negotiations with the region's property owners for several months. The estimated $500 million East Village project involves redeveloping the land bounded by East Grand River Avenue, Hagadorn Road, Bogue Street and the Red Cedar River with a mix of residential, retail and entertainment properties by 2011. The project's latest concept design by Hollywood-based 5+Design calls for a man-made canal and island next to an 11-acre riverfront park, showcasing the features of the Red Cedar River. International relations freshman Kelly Steffen said she would return to the East Village if it's redeveloped, but for now, she is concerned about the student housing that could be affected by the project. "Cedar Village is the only off-campus housing that's cheap," she said.
The University Activities Board will hold Sparty's Spring Party from 10 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Saturday at Demonstration Field and IM Sports-West. This year's event kicks off with a 3-on-3 basketball tournament at IM Sports-West, with a women's bracket and an open bracket.
Michigan's economy is in a budget slump. With a $800-900 million budget deficit, industries and consumers in certain sectors are fearing tax changes could hit them hard. The Michigan Brewers Guild has prepared itself against changes that could involve an increase in beer and wine tax.
A bookshop owner, folk musician and community activist were each honored Thursday night during the 20th annual East Lansing Crystal Awards ceremony. The award is given to three residents who have made strides to improve the quality of life in East Lansing.
Spartans can walk it out and help find a cure for cancer at the American Cancer Society's Relay For Life at 6 p.m.
After working with male domestic violence offenders, Ted Bunch saw the need to integrate men into the fight against domestic and sexual abuse against women. Bunch is the senior program director of a domestic violence accountability program in New York.
A new nicotine anonymous 12-step program will take place from noon to 1 p.m. every Wednesday in 247 Olin Health Center starting on May 9. Those who would like to be free of their nicotine addiction may attend, even if they are still currently smoking.
The biggest opponent the MSU Disc Golf club faces in its quest to build a new course on campus? Dogs. "We don't want dogs chasing after the Frisbees or jumping on the players or participants," said Angela Michael, assistant director of Intramural Sports and Recreative Services. The club is set to begin construction next week on a disc golf course located at the 40-acre Ag Expo lot on south campus.
Want to celebrate your connection with Mother Earth? Sunday is your chance — it's Earth Day. The holiday was created in 1970, the culmination of the environmental movement of the 1960s, said Terry Link, MSU's director of campus sustainability. "There is a Mother's Day and a Father's Day," Link said.
Joe Genetin-Pilawa's summer paycheck depends on whether a class he is teaching off campus reaches its minimum enrollment requirement. The history graduate student is teaching Modern United States history this summer in Birmingham. As of Wednesday, nine students were enrolled in the class.
Eric Hinojosa is excited to "hit the ground running" in his second consecutive term as ASMSU's Academic Assembly chairperson.
Across the country, academic researchers are trying to solve the mystery surrounding Facebook.com, mainly why students use the social networking site. Three faculty members in the Department of Telecommunication, Information Studies and Media are working on a series of student surveys about Facebook use to research both negative and positive impacts on social capital. Social capital is the benefit people get from their relationships with others, Assistant Professor Nicole Ellison said. "(We're) trying to figure out really what does it mean to be friends with someone on Facebook," Ellison said. For hospitality business sophomore Kristin Schweitzer, Facebook is a way for her to keep in touch with friends she has at other schools. "It's hard to keep up with what they're doing with their daily lives," she said, adding that she created her profile after she graduated from high school two years ago. In the past month, MSU researchers sent out a survey to 2,700 MSU students, of which 700 had been contacted a year ago. The questions on the survey were about students' use of the Web site and how that has changed over time, Assistant Professor Cliff Lampe said. One change that stood out, Lampe said, was many students have activated their privacy settings during the past year. "We've been tracking privacy settings all along, and (the number) has tripled," he said. Schweitzer said she has activated the privacy settings on her own account and also is careful of what information she provides on her profile. "I know companies are looking at your Facebook," she said, referring to potential employers.
The 20th annual Crystal Awards reception will be at 5 p.m. today in the Hannah Community Center, 819 Abbott Road. Three residents are awarded the honor for their efforts to enhance the quality of life in East Lansing.