Region

Exchanges key to success

The cinder track at Bill Armstrong Stadium is not forgiving -- not to the riders who crash on it and not to the teams who lose time as a result. So it comes as no surprise that many teams put a high premium on smooth bike exchanges from one teammate to another in hopes of avoiding such misfortune. So much was evident Saturday at the women's Little 500 qualifications, where none of the 30 teams risked missing the 33-team cut but all teams had to finish the four-lap time trial without any fouls from faulty exchanges. By the time the event ended, many teams needed multiple attempts to accomplish the task, including women's pole setter Kappa Kappa Gamma, which took first on its third attempt. Kappa Kappa Gamma was first called for stepping in the gutter and then for touching the bike before it crossed the line. By the time the team raced its third attempt in the afternoon, it knew it had to get exchanges down.

Semicon site is unsightly

The ST Semicon Property needs major work. It has been a constant eyesore in Bloomington's downtown and should be renovated. The property, which includes several boarded-up buildings and one vacant house, is an environmental hazard.

Hip-Hop Congress holds extravaganza

"The winner of tonight's MC Battle by Rappsearch.com is Castro. Let's give it up for all these MCs, though," said Chicago freestyle performer Gridlock, to cap off the opening of Wednesday night's hip-hop event, "Hip-Hop Elements Extravaganza." The event was held by Rappsearch.com and the Hip-Hop Congress at Vertigo, 107 W. Ninth St.

All eyes on Assembly Hall

A lot is riding on this season for the IU men's basketball team. Coach Mike Davis is under his first year of a contract which will carry out through the 2004-2005 season. His 21 wins as the interim head coach are the most by any first-year coach at IU. His recruiting efforts have not gone unnoticed. Freshmen Donald Perry and Sean Kline look to make an impact this season, with Perry also contending for a starting role.

Democrat leader said Palestinians should replace Arafat

Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle said Sunday that the Palestinian movement should replace Yasser Arafat to increase the chances of bringing about peace in the Middle East.

Jazzy cop rock album satisfies

The idea of playing a whole album of TV cop show themes probably sounds a little strange but kind of cool. That's Him Officer actually is an instrumental disc made up of these theme tunes, but it's also a lot more. The mood and overall theme of the album are obvious from the start. On top of that, you can immediately hear the band's ability to create a pocket to groove in.

Poll finds higher interest in evening news audience, does not help newspapers

WASHINGTON -- The number of people who watch network evening news on the three major broadcast networks stabilized over the past two years, says a poll that suggests increased news interest after Sept. 11 is at least partially responsible.

Swept away to the 'South Pacific'

The cacophonous melody of the pit orchestra tuning its instruments. The smell of a fresh playbill held tightly in your hand. The luxurious gaudiness of a fine theatre with its red ascending chair rows and golden, glowing stage. These are the things that make my heart skip a beat each and every time that I go to the theatre. I will be the first to admit it...my name is Meredith Hahn, and I am a theatre junkie. Yes, I save each and every program, ticket stub, and flier. I denounce anyone who would dare be so bold as to put his feet upon the faux velvet seat back in front of him. I have been known to turn any statement into a song cue and burst into a Broadway-style solo the likes of which should never leave the confines of an acoustically sound bathroom. I'm looking for a twelve-step program for this seemingly incurable malady, but until the time I either rid myself of this musical obsession, or wake to find myself with enough talent to make it on old Broadway, I'll just have to do the next best thing; buy a season pass and enjoy the madness!

Costello 'Cruel,' but hard to beat

A new sound for an old gem

U.S. took right steps in strike

After weeks of threatening action, the United States and Great Britain have finally attacked Afghanistan. Sunday afternoon, president Bush and other U.S. officials briefed the public about the first of the on-going strikes targeting the Taliban regime in Kabul and other strategic areas. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld said within the first three hours 50 Tomahawk cruise missiles were fired by U.S. warships and a British submarine -- and many more are sure to follow.

Space 101 features New Mexico artists

Space 101, a little known alcove above Blimpie's is becoming a haven for budding young artists looking for outlets for their work. Anyone interested in having a show at the space may rent it out from Dave Britts, the owner of the Collective Chaos record shop. This week the "gallery" will host a show featuring three artists from New Mexico.

Panel updates Behrman case

It's been almost a year-and-a-half since missing IU student Jill Behrman was last seen by a friend riding her bike down Harrell Road, just a little more than three miles from her home in Hyde Park. Behrman never made it to work at the Student Recreational Sports Center that May afternoon and never returned home.

Almonte scandal spotlights problems with youth sports

In the last two weeks, a little league baseball team captured the attention of the American public with its efforts in the Little League World Series, placing second in the U.S. bracket. Sports radio and TV stations were abuzz over the team's play, specifically Danny Almonte.

Hoosiers win quarterfinal game, end Badgers' tourney hopes

CHICAGO -- Bring it on. That was the message interim head coach Mike Davis sent to Illinois after IU beat Wisconsin 64-52 in the quarterfinals of the Big Ten Tournament. "I want to play the best team in the tournament," Davis said. "I want to play Illinois, because I feel we're playing the best basketball we've played all season."

Fake Harry Potter book hits China

BEIJING -- Roll away, "Sorcerer's Stone''! Step aside, "Prisoner of Azkaban''! Harry Potter and Leopard-Walk-Up-To-Dragon are here! Chinese fans of the British boy wizard with the lightning-bolt scar on his forehead are snapping up the fifth book in the wildly popular series.

Hoosiers have yet to rebound

The IU women's basketball game had all the makings for a down-to-the-wire finish. IU hosted in-state rival No. 11 Purdue Thursday night in a back and forth battle.

'Masquerade' no 'Carnival' but Wyclef's latest still good

It's pretty much a guarantee that whatever Wyclef Jean releases, it'll be better than 90 percent of the hip-hop out there today. Unlike the vast majority of dime-a-dozen rappers infesting the modern hip-hop scene, Wyclef's music is thoughtful, insightful and introspective; the former Fugee knows how to pinpoint a certain emotion, a certain memory, a certain thought and turn it into a universal message of faith and spiritual renewal.

This is not war

Sources from the F.B.I. have speculated that up to 50 people were involved in Tuesday's terrorist attacks. In a press conference today, Secretary of State Colin Powell named Osama bin Laden as the prime suspect in coordinating the attacks. Bush said in a statement, "We will make no distinction between the terrorists who committed these acts and those who harbor them." Thursday, he unofficially declared war on those responsible.

Fans take to campus, streets in celebration

And you thought it was crazy on Thursday night. As soon as the scorekeepers called the final tally of 81-69 for IU over Kent State on Saturday night, the screaming started. Horns blasted and cheers echoed between the dorms, filled the bars and poured out onto Kirkwood Avenue. That was only the beginning of IU's Final Four celebration.