Region

Merry Festivus

By Alyson Brodsy and Stefania Marghitu · Friday, Dec. 1,2006 4:51 p.m.

The holiday season's in full force, and the general masses are growing all too eager for holidays like Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa, but what is yours truly most excited about, besides blasting Teenage Fanclub's "December"? The answer is Festivus. Festivus originated in 1966 from former Reader Digest writer Dan O'Keefe. Thirty-one years later, O'Keefe's son Daniel, a writer for Seinfeld, incorporated this holiday into "The Strike." In this episode, Frank Constanza (Jerry Stiller) recalls how he became overwhelmingly frustrated with the absurdity of Christmas consumerism, so he created an alternative holiday.

UPDATE:Myers sentenced to 65 years

Friday, Dec. 1,2006 4:50 p.m.

John R. Myers II received a 65-year sentence, the maximum sentence allowed, Friday in the 2000 murder of IU student Jill Behrman.

Women's recruitment to feature looser rules

By Kasey Hawrysz · Friday, Dec. 1,2006 4:50 p.m.

Pedestrians beware: Third Street and the Jordan Extension might be a little crowded this weekend. When freshman Stefanie Bassler throws on her recruitment t-shirt Saturday morning, she will join more than 1,700 identically clad women searching for a second home on campus during the first round of women's recruitment. For Bassler and the rest of the potential members, finding the perfect house this winter might be a little easier than in years past.

Dumpster digging

By Alyson Brodsy and Natalie A. Avon · Friday, Dec. 1,2006 4:50 p.m.

I nearly lost my life. And when I say my life, I mean my key chain. I say this because it contained everything near and dear to me: room key, house key, University ID, credit card and flash drive. I threw these things away in a Wright Place Food Court garbage can without realizing I had done so until the situation was almost completely hopeless.

ONLINE ONLY: The joy of the (tree) hunt

By Alyson Brodsy and Sarah Shipe · Friday, Dec. 1,2006 4:45 p.m.

With the first weekend of December looming, bringing with it subfreezing temperatures and some white precipitation, my father and I are gearing up for our annual excursion through the frozen tundra among the perfectly prim and pruned evergreens. Yes, I am talking about the Christmas tree farm.

On Earl, Rod and A.J.

By Ryan Corazza and Janie McCauley · Friday, Dec. 1,2006 1:31 p.m.

Earl Calloway, Rod Wilmont and A.J. Ratliff sat on IU's bench for much of the second half during the Hoosiers' 54-51 loss to Duke University Tuesday night.

Hospital drops IU employees' insurance

Friday, Dec. 1,2006 12:52 p.m.

IU sent letters to employees Wednesday, informing them their health insurance will no longer be accepted at Bloomington Hospital starting Jan. 1. The notification follows a seven-month-long dispute between the hospital and Anthem/Wellpoint, IU's health insurance provider for employees.

Following in the footsteps

By Paul Coover · Friday, Dec. 1,2006 12:11 p.m.

Two-time national champion Joe Dubuque left some enormous shoes for IU wrestlers to fill when he graduated last year, even though the 125-pounder has only size seven feet.

Microsoft releases Vista, Office 2007 to businesses

By Alyson Brodsy · Friday, Dec. 1,2006 9:13 a.m.

NEW YORK -- Microsoft Corp. launched its first computer operating system in five years Thursday, contending that the software and other new products will help people deal with information overload and become more productive.

Remembering Jill

By Sarah Core · Friday, Dec. 1,2006 1:58 a.m.

The sentencing hearing in the case of the State of Indiana v. John Myers II is Friday. Myers, 31, of Ellettsville, was found guilty Oct. 30 for the 2000 murder of IU sophomore Jill Behrman. Myers faces 45 to 65 years in prison for the crime. The Indiana Daily Student sat down with Jill's parents, Eric and Marilyn Behrman, after the trial to discuss their reaction to the end of the long process. In one childhood photograph, Jill Kristen Behrman, wearing a pale blue dress with white flowers, black patent leather Mary Janes and knee-high white socks, grins avidly from her seat beside the Christmas tree, her arms barely wrapped around the family cat, Tigger. With his ears flattened and back claws out, Tigger looks none too pleased about the situation. For Jill's parents, Eric and Marilyn Behrman, this is the type of image of their daughter that will remain forever imprinted in their memories -- a young girl filled with excitement for life and the promise of a bright future. "She was starting to realize that happiness and fulfillment was more important (to her) than making lots of money," Marilyn said, her brown eyes soft and her voice strong as she explained what had motivated her daughter's life.

Goodbye baseball, hello bossaball

By Alyson Brodsy · Friday, Dec. 1,2006 12:11 a.m.

Sayonara, Super Bowl. Farewell, Final Four. Au revoir, Opening Day. I'm off to see the world, and unfortunately you won't fit in my carry-on. In less than a month, I will be one of about 2,000 IU students who has decided to study abroad for the spring semester. My exotic destination of choice: Sao Paulo, Brazil. While the idea of living on the other side of the equator sends shivers of excitement down my spine, I can't help but think about everything I'm leaving in Bloomington -- especially when it comes to sports.

Soriano eager to get going with Cubs

By Alyson Brodsy · Friday, Dec. 1,2006 12:09 a.m.

CHICAGO -- Alfonso Soriano grew up in the Dominican Republic hoping to be a professional baseball player, maybe even a major leaguer someday. At 31, with the fifth-largest contract in the history of the game, he's gone "a little bit farther" than he imagined.

IU hopes to remain undefeated

By Alyson Brodsy · Friday, Dec. 1,2006 12:06 a.m.

Seven swimmers from the IU women's swimming and diving team will head to West Lafayette this weekend to compete in the U.S. Open Invitational. The women's swimming and diving team is off to a hot start this season, boasting a 4-0 record in dual meet competition. The women are also coming off an impressive performance at the IU Open Invitational. IU finished first in five individual events, including a school record performance by sophomore Sarah Stockwell in the 100-yard breaststroke with a time of 1:03.02. Senior Leila Vaziri continued her strong swimming with a win in the 50-yard freestyle. Sophomore Allison Kay won the 400-yard individual medley with freshmen Presley Bard and Ashley Jones winning the 100- and 200-yard backstroke events, respectively.

Hoosiers to compete in Vegas

By Alyson Brodsy · Friday, Dec. 1,2006 12:05 a.m.

This weekend the IU men's swimming and diving team will send a group of swimmers to compete in the U.S. Open Invitational at the Boilermaker Aquatic Center in West Lafayette. The competition will take place Nov. 30 to Dec. 2 and will feature swimmers from colleges around the country, along with 20 U.S. Olympians. There will be preliminaries for each event in the morning session with the finals in the night session. Representing IU will be juniors John Kevin Koehler and Pat Penoyar, senior Ryan McNeill and sophomore Steffan Troxel.

Criticism continues to bewilder linebacker Urlacher, Bears

By Alyson Brodsy · Friday, Dec. 1,2006 12:04 a.m.

LAKE FOREST, Ill. -- Brian Urlacher is trying to figure it out: How can a team that wins so much still draw so many complaints? "I don't understand it, to tell you the truth," the Chicago Bears middle linebacker said Thursday.

IU 1976 championship ring for sale on eBay

By Alyson Brodsy · Friday, Dec. 1,2006 12 a.m.

A ring commemorating IU's 1976 NCAA basketball championship is up for auction on eBay.

Titans try to slow down Colts

By Alyson Brodsy · Thursday, Nov. 30,2006 11:57 p.m.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Stopping Peyton Manning might be impossible, but the Titans have proved they could at least slow him down. Manning and the Colts scored only 14 points, their fewest this season, against the Titans Oct. 8, even though Indianapolis still won 14-13 for its seventh straight victory in this series. Any chance Tennessee could put the brakes on Manning twice in one season? Titans coach Jeff Fisher said Manning's too good for his defense to simply duplicate what worked in the first game. He said the Titans (4-7) are going to devise something different for Manning to pick apart Sunday when the Colts (10-1) visit.

NIT title boosts Bulldogs to highest ranking

By Steve Herman · Thursday, Nov. 30,2006 11:50 p.m.

INDIANAPOLIS -- A few weeks ago, Butler was seen as a team with little bite. A preseason poll picked the Bulldogs to finish sixth in the Horizon League. The Bulldogs' growl is a lot more noticeable after wins over Notre Dame, IU, Tennessee and Gonzaga.

Hoosiers survive comeback threat from Evansville Thursday night at home

By John Wustrow · Thursday, Nov. 30,2006 11:47 p.m.

Despite being down a key player Thursday night, the IU women's basketball team was able to hold off the University of Evansville, winning 83-80 in Assembly Hall. "Today we beat a good team," IU coach Felisha Legette-Jack said. "This team (Evansville) is a fantastic team that has a strong chance to win their conference and be an NCAA team. But we're soldiers too. Our kids never quit."

IU travels to Las Vegas for tournament

By Linnea Coulter · Thursday, Nov. 30,2006 11:45 p.m.

The Hoosier wrestling team will compete at the Cliff Keen Las Vegas Collegiate Invitational in Primm, Nev., starting Friday. The CKLV tournament is in its 25th year, and IU is one of 49 teams scheduled to participate in the two-day affair.