Region

Fifteen minutes of fame too much

Michigan State Spartans becoming road weary

Michigan State has the same overall record of 9-5 as the Hoosiers. But while Coach Mike Davis and IU have toured the country playing 11 of their first 14 games away from Assembly Hall, the No. 25 Spartans have had nine of their 14 games at home in the Breslin Center.

Texas: a different train of thought

The great thing about summer is the fact that you have no responsibilities. Oh sure, you might have a job or something, but you always get to have a vacation or some time off to yourself to do whatever you want. Maybe hang out at home, or take a vacation somewhere. My vacation this summer was to good ol' Dallas, or a suburb of it. A friend of mine from high school moved down there last summer, so I thought I would pay him a visit. I didn't get to see a whole lot of Texas, just the northern part of the state, which I drove through on my way down to Dallas.

Religion without ritual

On Saturday, Jan. 12, the Hatch home was the gathering place for a Bahá'í potluck dinner, where attending members of the Bloomington Bahá'í community were encouraged to bring not only food, but an international student, or someone of another culture.

Locals protest Staples' lack of recycled paper

About 25-30 protesters gathered outside Staples on Tuesday to raise awareness about what they say is the company's use of old-growth and publicly owned forests in paper products.

The sound of victory

Composed and collected, Maria Luisa Rayan climbed the stairs at the Musical Arts Center Sunday evening before a crowd of hundreds. Swathed in burgundy velvet, the striking Argentinian smiled graciously at the audience, shook the judges' hands and accepted her second-place award in the fifth triannual USA International Harp Competition. It was her third time entering the contest -- and her second emergence as runner-up. Two tries, and two second-place finishes. For some, such outcomes may signal defeat. Others may retreat from the instrument. But for Rayan, the harp is practically an appendage. It's evident in her caress of the strings, in her soft, transported expression as her hands graze the instrument.

Alumni connected to crime

Two former IU students were arrested Wednesday in connection with the murder of a woman in an attempted bank robbery that occurred almost 27 years ago. Bill and Emily Harris, both IU graduates, are among five former members of the Symbionese Liberation Army (SLA), a radical revolutionary anti-war group of the 1970s, charged with the slaying of a woman outside a bank in Carmichael, Calif., a suburb of Sacramento.

Hoosiers back in action

Forget what happened two weeks ago. Throw out all the negative energy directed toward the football team. The Hoosiers have moved on from their embarrassing Sept. 6 loss at North Carolina State, and want to show fans their capabilities Saturday. "You saw a team against North Carolina State with a lot of confusion, because it was the first game of the year," said senior cornerback Sharrod Wallace. "I think this week we'll be more prepared, more confident and play a great game. As a team, our backs are to the wall. We're out there to prove a point: that we are a better team than people saw two weeks ago."

Ordinance may shift power to city officials

In a meeting postponed from last week, the Bloomington City Council heard new proposed amendments to the city's zoning ordinance that would give more enforcement powers to city officers to deal with environmental problems. The council gave preliminary approval to the amendments in a 6-0-3 vote, with council members Jason Banach, Andy Ruff and Jeffrey Willsey choosing to pass until the vote comes before the council next Wednesday for a final vote.

Team hurt by Jeffries' ankle

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Jared Jeffries' ankle is tender. And it's a tender topic. IU's sophomore forward began the Big Ten season on a tear, averaging 18.4 points and 8.9 rebounds per game prior to injuring the ankle before the Wisconsin loss, which he sat out.

Mendelssohn String Quartet kick off Summer Music Festival

The concert given by the Mendelssohn String Quartet Tuesday night at Auer Hall offered a fine chance to see a professional chamber group in action. The concert was one of many offered to the public during IU's 2002 Summer Music Festival, which runs through August.

New auditorium director ready for role

When Doug Booher volunteered as an usher at the IU Auditorium during is college years at IU he never imagined that auditorium would play such a large role in his life. Now after seven years of service, he has been named the director of the auditorium.

Hoosiers to take on Grizzlies

After getting swept in four games series at Michigan last weekend, the baseball team is looking to get back to winning when they take on the Division-III Grizzlies of Franklin College Tuesday at Sembower field.

O.D.B. needs out of the clink so his raps won't stink

State criticized for payments

EVANSVILLE -- Two groups critical of the proposal to extend Interstate 69 from Indianapolis to Evansville are denouncing the state's payment of more than $750,000 to a consulting firm.

President wrong to ignore issue of CO2 emissions

When President George W. Bush decided last week to stop pushing for limits on carbon dioxide emissions, he not only broke his campaign pledge not to do so -- he also took steps to stop a program that would have protected the environment.

Team heads toward Atlanta

With an estimated 6,000 fans filling the east stands of Assembly Hall, IU held its final practice in Bloomington Wednesday afternoon before departing for Atlanta for the Final Four. The Hoosiers finished their practice session in front of the crowd, then addressed the Hoosier faithful, many of whom waived signs reading "GO IU" and "WE LIKE MIKE."

Build a better relationship

As lawsuits about the Open Door Laws and the confidentiality of Bob Knight's personnel records wend their way through the courts and the University addresses a shortage of state funds, the IDS's responsibility to serve as a watchdog of government operations took center stage over the last few weeks. There have been several breaking stories and critical editorials this summer concerning the actions of the University and its officials, culminating in a guest column by William Stephan, the Vice President of Public Affairs and Government Relations (July 15, "Brand misrepresented").

Armed men kill students

Armed men stormed a university hall in Nigeria, and opened fire on engineering students taking examinations, killing at least 15 people, witnesses and police said Wednesday.

My final thoughts

As the sun shines down on IU and campus comes alive, it is, ironically, time for many students to begin an exodus from campus. But, before I pack up my bags to return to good ol' Valparaiso, there are a few loose ends that need to be tied up.