Region

Losing skid won't deter IU

Broken records, broken bodies and blown opportunities have characterized the 2004 Hoosier football season. As the 2-4 Hoosiers enter the second half of the season, IU coach Gerry DiNardo's team seeks to exorcise the demons of an injury-riddled offensive line and near-misses in the win-loss column.

Isn't it March yet?

There's nothing in the world better than kicking back right around Spring Break and watching the NCAA tournament all day long. It's the perfect time to relax, think of the upcoming summer and get the rare opportunity to see East Tennessee State play on live television. Throw all of this together and it is without a doubt the best time of the year.

Surging Boston wins pennant

NEW YORK -- Boston blew away decades of defeat with four sweet swings. Believe it, New England, the Red Sox are in the World Series. And they got there with the most unbelievable comeback of all, shaming the New York Yankees, the "Evil Empire" to the south. David Ortiz, Johnny Damon and Derek Lowe made sure of that.

Cardinals survive, await Clemens in Game 7

ST. LOUIS -- Jim Edmonds finished what Albert Pujols started for the St. Louis Cardinals. Edmonds blasted a two-run homer in the 12th inning and the rejuvenated St. Louis Cardinals forced the NL championship series to Game 7, beating the Houston Astros 6-4 Wednesday to even the series at three games apiece. "This what it's all about, right here," Edmonds said.

CNN's moment of Zen

I sure hope Comedy Central pays better than CNN. If you missed it, probably one of the most important debates concerning how young people watch and understand the news was held on CNN's "Crossfire" last Friday. The "sensitive" conservative's Tucker Carlson went head-to-head with America's sweetheart, Jon Stewart of "The Daily Show," in what turned out to be an interview that made O'Reilly vs. Moore look like a mother/daughter tea party in the Hamptons.

Death by umbrella

My umbrella is possessed. In my defense, I had no way of knowing it until Monday's storm. I mean, I had never even heard of such a thing as an evil umbrella, so the thought that mine would fall into that category seemed preposterous.

I see black people!

It all started in my statistics discussion class last Friday. People are already beginning to plan their disguises for Halloween, and my classmates started to quiz each other on what their alter egos would be. The girls, as expected, talked about costumes like nurses, witches and sexy maids. The guys' ideas ran the gamut; one guy insisted that he would dress up as a ketchup bottle.

Keyes, Obama present voters with clear differences on issues

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. -- No one has ever accused Alan Keyes of being a RINO -- a Republican In Name Only. And you don't hear many people complaining that Barack Obama is a wishy-washy "Republicrat."

Web site gives report cards on professors

For years, students have been able to plan their schedules by viewing grade distributions and professor reviews on www.pickaprof.com. Now the site is beginning to branch out and cater to professors, as it allows them to receive course evaluations from their students throughout the semester through the Student Feedback System.

ABC drops Miss America

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. -- ABC has dropped Miss America, leaving the famous beauty pageant without a network TV outlet for the first time in 50 years.

Poncho do's and don'ts

'Rosa Parks Story' presents untold history

In the history of this country, there may not be a better example of the ability of one person to make a difference than Rosa Parks. While most people know of her accomplishments or have heard her name mentioned, the majority are unaware of her struggles during her life, before and after the one famous December bus ride.

'Eugene Onegin' examines love

A tale of unrequited love and regret will premiere this weekend at The IU Opera Theater. The opera season continues with a production of Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky's Romantic masterpiece, "Eugene Onegin." "Onegin," based on Pushkin's celebrated poetic novel, is Tchaikovsky's sixth, but arguably best known, opera.

Around The Arts

Ballroom Dance Club holds costume ball The Ballroom Dance Club is holding its costume ball from 6 to 10 p.m. Sunday in the Frangipani Room of the Indiana Memorial Union. The evening includes refreshments, a costume contest, raffles and dance lessons. The complimentary dance lesson starts at 6 p.m. Admission is free for Ballroom Dance Club members and $5 for non-members.

Theater department's latest production turns tabloid into musical

Straight from the pages of a supermarket tabloid, "Bat Boy: the Musical," starring a half-bat, half-boy creature from the inside of a West Virginia cave, comes to the Wells-Metz Theatre this weekend. The contemporary musical runs at 8 p.m. Oct. 25 through 30.

A future full of saxophones

Six musicians armed with creativity and saxophones came together in April 2003 to form a group called The Saxophone Cartel. The name, inspired by The Kolner Saxophone Mafia, a German saxophone ensemble, is a declaration of the notable talent within the band.

Lebanese cabinet dissolved; prime minister steps down

BEIRUT, Lebanon -- Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, the self-made billionaire who rebuilt Beirut from the ruins of civil war, dissolved his Cabinet on Wednesday and said he won't lead the next government, a surprise move that could bolster Syria's role in Lebanese affairs.

Iraqi government says more U.N help needed for elections

BAGHDAD, Iraq -- Iraq's interim government complained Wednesday that the United Nations isn't doing enough to help prepare for January elections, saying the organization has sent fewer electoral workers than it did when tiny East Timor voted to secede from Indonesia.

Construction continues on Simon Hall

With winter nearing, many students walk by the 80,000 square-foot hole that will be the new multi-disciplinary science building Simon Hall and wonder, "Will it ever be finished?" Unfortunately, the answer is not very soon. Completion is projected to be 2007. But the addition of a shortcut behind Jordan Hall to Ballantine has made the trek to class easier for many students.

Around The Campus

UITS to train students on Access University Information Technology Services will hold another free computer program workshop at 8:30 a.m. today in the Indiana Memorial Union, room M088.