Community Arts

Bloomington takes new approach to tourism

More gay and lesbian visitors traveling to Bloomington may be the next facet of the tourism business in the community. The city is now considering the welcoming atmosphere for the sexual minorities as business opportunities. "(We are reaching out to sexual minorities) because of the potential economic impact," said Rob DeCleene, services manager at the Bloomington Convention and Visitors Bureau. "(They) typically have more discretionary income because of (having less) children. They travel throughout the year."

NATO: U.S. has proven bin Laden tie

BRUSSELS, Belgium -- The United States gave its NATO allies clear evidence Tuesday that "conclusively" links Osama bin Laden and his al-Qaeda network to the Sept. 11 terror attacks, NATO's secretary-general said. In response, the alliance has "fully invoked" Article 5 of its charter, which states that an attack on one member is an attack on all, Secretary-General Lord Robertson said, though he added that the decision did not necessarily mean an armed response was imminent.

Hoosiers sweep weekend match

The IU wrestling team finally got a win Friday night after dropping its previous six matches. The Hoosiers dominated Eastern Illinois in a 31-9 victory.

I'm the one behind the lighter

I remember the first time I lit one up. I was sitting behind the wheel of my fire-red Ford Explorer. Sitting beside and behind me were a hoard of guys I was desperately trying to impress. The victim of my ridiculous huffing and puffing: a Marlboro Light. Failing to inhale, I embarked on my journey of nicotine addiction that more than 30,000 Marlboro miles later has led me to seemingly 59-year-old lungs and a habit I just can't seem to break. I have always argued with nonsmokers concerned for my health that I am not and could not be addicted to smoking. Only in recent days when I have for the first time truly tried to quit realized how addicting this nicotine has become.

Research may break ban

MOSCOW -- Russian experts voiced concern Wednesday about U.S. plans to develop a potentially more lethal version of the bacterium that causes deadly anthrax, but the government refrained from immediate reaction.

The way 'Storytelling' should be

Rockin' for the benjamins rather than the music

In a way, New Old Songs by Limp Bizkit is the most predictable album of the holiday season. Don't be fooled by Bizkit's rebel pose, they are a processed product in the same way as the Backstreet Boys, N'Sync and Britney Spears. New Old Songs is exactly the type of album you'd expect for the holiday season market.

Mirabal music lacks flow

Native American flautist Robert Mirabal brought his show "Music From A Painted Cave" to the IU Auditorium last Thursday. An ensemble of native dancers, singers and the "Rare Tribal Mob" band joined Mirabal as he mixed traditional Native American music with more modern American influences. A nearly empty Auditorium enjoyed Mirabal's music, which worked its way from traditional Native American music to modern rock and roll-style songs. Unfortunately, the mixture proved less than impressive.

Team faces No. 4 Washington

A definite trend is forming as to how the men's soccer team spends its weekends. Rather than just relaxing or catching up on some studying as most college students tend to do on their Saturday and Sunday, this group of athletes battles against the elite teams in the country.

An Awakening

They were a little bit like comets that day in September, flights 11, 77, 93 and 175, as they sailed through the sky, finally exploding on impact with two of the most provocative symbols of American culture. And when they hit, fiery explosions left blazing wreckage, smoke, ash and destruction. The images of suffering left by these surprise attacks from the sky were instantaneously burned into Americans' brains forever.

Former Honors College dean accepts position in Washington, DC

When Julia Bondanella was asked to apply for the position of assistant chairman for programs at the National Endowment of Humanities in Washington, D.C., she had a lot to think about.

A challenge to gay Christians

Dr." Laura Schlessinger's television show has ceased production, to the jubilation of many gay people. I'm not going to go into the free speech issues involved in the "Stop Dr. Laura" campaign, nor the misogyny in so many gay men's hostility to her.

Don't forget the earplugs

This past Sunday, I made my second trip to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The first time was way back in fourth grade for a field trip to the time trials, and the only thing I can remember as a 10-year-old was that it was loud, and I couldn't get the cars to go slow enough so I could catch them on my little kiddy camera.

'American Idol' manufactured music

Fox has unleashed the latest and worst consumer-driven concoction of daydreams and embarrassment possible and crammed it into spotlights and tight jeans with "American Idol." Thousands of Britney and Justin wannabes from around the nation are whittled down to one, based purely on sex appeal, cool-factor and, oh yeah, talent. The winner gets a recording contract and millions of pre-acquired fans.

Rikishi returns on Raw is War

'Menace' redeems itself on disc

Beavis, Britney & Backstreet

It was a good day in the constant battle to torment a 16-year-old brother: I caught him watching "TRL." Quickly he changed the channel, ashamed to be absorbing the "whoosh" being screamed from the adolescent, brace-faced girls in the crowd. Yes! I finally caught him watching Britney & 'NSYNC, the pop stars that he claims to loathe as he bumps the Trick Daddy from his Pathfinder. "TRL," the show at the forefront of MTV's music dynasty, has captivated nearly every kid from the little blonde Backstreet fanatic to the middle school Abercrombie-wearing kids who think Puffy and Eminem are gods. With its way-cool host Carson Daly, "TRL" is just one of MTV's successful spots that have catapulted it to the top of the ratings for the coveted teenage viewing market. All this before the cable network turns the big 2-0.

Team dominates IUPUI 1-0

Sophomore forward Lucas Christian scored 11 minutes into the game and the men's soccer team dominated the match Friday in its spring season opener, a 1-0 victory against IU-Purdue University at Indianapolis. The Hoosiers, playing their first of six games this spring, created scoring opportunities early against the Jaguars but failed to convert most of them. The same problem plagued IU last season against IUPUI, when the Hoosiers tallied 25 shots but needed two goals in the final five minutes to win 2-0. Sophomore Pat Noonan, who created many of IU's chances, called the team's effort "decent."

Paying his dues

Imagine this: The setting is the difficult Bethpage Black golf course during the U.S. Open. In the first round of play, a player posts six birdies -- more than any other player in the field. His good play continues through the second round, he makes the cut, and this player finds himself paired with Greg "The Shark" Norman to begin Saturday's round. The player continues to shoot well, and he finishes tied with "The Shark" at the end of the day. By the end of the 72nd hole on Sunday, the player finishes ahead of such notable players as Norman, John Daly -- a PGA champion, Jesper Parnevik and tied with Jose-Maria Olazabal -- a two-time Masters champ

Jeffries awaits draft fate

He has been a high school McDonald's All-American, the Big Ten Most Valuable Player and a key member of a Final Four team. On Wednesday, Jared Jeffries will add first-round draft pick to his list of accolades at the NBA Draft in New York City. The former IU star will likely be a top-10 selection, according to draft analysts for espn.com and cnnsi.com.