Longform

Get your blood boiling

By C. Warner Sills and Brian J. McFillen · Wednesday, Oct. 18,2006 11:24 p.m.

"First there came the screams... " Not a bad intro for a horror novel, but it also captures the first thing that anyone new to The Blood Brothers will have to deal with: Can you get to like the high, screeching vocals of Jordan Billie and Johnny Whitney or not? Because, make no mistake, the two produce shrieks akin to AC/DC's Brian Johnson being fed into a chipper-shredder. However, just as the Jesus & Mary Chain and My Bloody Valentine buried pop goodies under walls of feedback and white noise, Billie and Whitney's voices provide the challenge one must face in order to better appreciate the band's treasures.

Settling down, hip--hop style

By Eamonn Brennan · Wednesday, Oct. 18,2006 11:22 p.m.

Lloyd Banks has always seemed like the cool member of the G Unit family -- the young cousin everyone at the reunion wants to talk to but who never lets his guard down to give a cliché drunken toast. He's a special boy, that one, his aunts might say. He's going places. After the strong debut effort Hunger For More, Banks was indeed going places. Even if 50 Cent lost his way, it seemed, Banks would be the natural successor, if just for his knack for catchy rhymes. With his second album, Rotten Apple, Banks has finally shown us the reality of his trajectory. It's not nearly as promising anymore.

Hold a "Grudge" against this movie

By C. Warner Sills and Ash Cartwright · Wednesday, Oct. 18,2006 11:19 p.m.

"The Grudge 2" follows the spread of the curse that haunted Karen Davis (Sarah Michelle Gellar) in "The Grudge." The ghostly mother and child are back, but they are less frightening this time around, as they don't have many new tricks. For example, the little boy still meows, but it is no longer as disconcerting as in "The Grudge." His mother's long black hair is still showing up unexpectedly to remind those who have seen her that she will not leave them alone. What's new in this film is that the curse is somehow spreading beyond those who enter the house in Tokyo, where Karen Davis (whose role in this film is minimal) as well as those who did not survive the previous film were exposed to the vengeful ghosts.

Jon Stewart for president

By C. Warner Sills and Alyson Brodsky · Wednesday, Oct. 18,2006 11:10 p.m.

Have you ever wondered what it would be like if someone like Jon Stewart were president of the United States? Some may argue the world would break out in chaos, while others might say, "Hey, it can't get any worse than our current situation." Writer and director Barry Levinson tries to show what it might be like if a comedian were elected as president. Even if it is a bit far-fetched from reality, most of America, and most politicians, should find this movie enjoyable.

IU alumna uses theater to depict life as baby boomer

By Shannon McEnerney · Wednesday, Oct. 18,2006 11:08 p.m.

Diane Kondrat would not tell you to walk, jog, skip or hop to see a performance and show by Nell Weatherwax. Instead, she recommends you run. "If someone has never seen one of her performances, my advice is to run to see it because Weatherwax's artistic quality is top of the line," said Kondrat, a longtime friend of Weatherwax. The opportunity to see a show of Weatherwax's is at a prime, as she will perform at a fundraiser for the Bloomington Playwrights Project at 8 p.m. this Friday and Saturday. Tickets are $15 for general admission and $12 for students and seniors. No reservation is required. Her show "Boomer" is an improvised autobiographical movement theater performance.

SoFA Gallery gets in touch with nature

By Lindsey Landis · Wednesday, Oct. 18,2006 11:08 p.m.

Friday, the School of Fine Arts gallery will open the first part of a two-part exhibition series titled "Human Nature I: The Natural World" from 7 to 9 p.m. Fifteen nationally- and internationally-acclaimed artists and scientists will display more than 40 examples of sculpture, painting, video projection, animation and sound work. The pieces will "examine scientific experimentation, biological materials and living systems," according to a press release from the gallery. Gallery director Betsy Stirratt explained that the exhibit will be "a look at our relationship with nature." She said the first show will cover many different issues, including human ties to the environment and animals, as well as topics in health care. The exhibit will remain open until Nov. 18. The second show, which opens in February, will focus more on the advances in biotechnology. Stirratt described the material as being "more science-y."

Naked man faces charges from BPD

By Alyson Brodsy · Wednesday, Oct. 18,2006 11:05 p.m.

A Bloomington man faces various preliminary charges after police saw him running through downtown streets naked. Shortly after 1 a.m. Sunday, Bloomington Police Department officers Cody Decker and Shane Rasche saw a man wearing only a baseball cap run south on Dunn Street at the intersection with Kirkwood Avenue right in front of their squad car, Detective Sgt. David Drake said, reading from a police report. The officers turned their lights on to follow him, but the man ran behind Kilroy's Bar & Grill.

Council gives Jill's House green light

By Audrie Garrison · Wednesday, Oct. 18,2006 11:03 p.m.

The Bloomington Common Council gave Jill's House the green light to begin construction at Wednesday night's meeting. Building plans for the 60-bed temporary housing facility went under scrutiny recently because the proposed site is on part of the Griffy Lake watershed, and the area is environmentally sensitive. Bloomington has a "general policy to discourage development in the Griffy watershed," said Planning Director Tom Micuda during a presentation of the Plan Commission's findings. Both the Plan Commission and the Common Council voted in previous weeks to recommend an amendment to the zoning designations for this specific project.

Jackson County Council faces budget woes

By Tracy Liaw · Wednesday, Oct. 18,2006 11:02 p.m.

Negative publicity about the Jackson County budget of the past few years has cooled down competition for the 2006 county council race, according to council incumbents. "It's not fun to be on the council when you don't have a lot of money to spend," said Democratic Councilman Andy Fountain, who is seeking his third term unopposed.

Artist melds Music & Murals

By Ashley Wilson · Wednesday, Oct. 18,2006 10:58 p.m.

For Max Kauffman, making art is the easy part. It's the business side of it all that gets to him. A few months ago, Kauffman, a former IU student, decided to take his art on tour. He began calling venues in different cities across the country to convince them to show his art. This was no easy task.

Rock legend Chuck Berry still producing music at 80

By Alyson Brodsy · Wednesday, Oct. 18,2006 10:44 p.m.

ST. LOUIS -- As he turned 80 Wednesday, Chuck Berry could leave the hard work of great music to younger souls and rest comfortably as the rock 'n' roll legend who first made his mark in the 1950s. But Berry, the duck--walking, guitar--playing rock genius who defined the music's joy and rebellion in such classics as "Johnny B. Goode," "Sweet Little Sixteen" and "Roll Over Beethoven," has plenty left to say and play.

Desks designed by inmates put on display

By Alyson Brodsy · Wednesday, Oct. 18,2006 10:43 p.m.

PHILADELPHIA -- While dorm rooms keep students cramped close to their books, and studio apartments don't offer much room between the stove and the bed, it's rare to find living quarters smaller than those in prisons. So when conceptual artist Peggy Diggs wanted help designing furniture that fits in tight spaces, she turned to a group of 15 inmates at the maximum security State Correctional Institution at Graterford.

Peterson plans to play again for Oklahoma

Wednesday, Oct. 18,2006 10:16 p.m.

Adrian Peterson plans to play at least one more game for Oklahoma. The star tailback, speaking publicly for the first time since breaking his collarbone Saturday, said he intends to play in a bowl game if the Sooners reach the postseason.

Dying for a title? Company making team pride urns, caskets

By Alyson Brodsy · Wednesday, Oct. 18,2006 10:14 p.m.

In the heat of passion, many crazed baseball fans have said they would die for a championship. Are they willing to take that devotion to the grave? With a new venture that will put Major League Baseball team logos on urns and caskets, the league and a company that makes funeral products will find out just how many fans want to be decked out in their team colors and logos for eternity.

Government skeptical of Web site's threats against several NFL stadiums

By Alyson Brodsy and Lara Jakes Jordan · Wednesday, Oct. 18,2006 10:12 p.m.

WASHINGTON -- A Web site claims that seven NFL football stadiums will be hit with radiological dirty bombs this weekend, but the government expressed doubts about the threat Wednesday.

Quarterback racks up weekly honors

By Alyson Brodsy · Wednesday, Oct. 18,2006 10:12 p.m.

Following his career-best performance in Saturday's 31-28 upset of No. 15 Iowa, IU freshman quarterback Kellen Lewis took home his first conference and national honors. The Big Ten named Lewis Co-Offensive Player of the Week along with Purdue quarterback Curtis Painter for their performances. Also, USA Today named the Hoosier quarterback its Player of the Week.

Bears lose defensive starter

By Alyson Brodsy and Andrew Seligman · Wednesday, Oct. 18,2006 10:11 p.m.

Chicago Bears strong safety Mike Brown is out indefinitely after undergoing surgery to repair ligament damage in his right foot Wednesday, a major hit for the NFL's second-ranked defense. Brown limped off the field and was taken from the sideline on a cart during the fourth quarter of Monday's 24-23 comeback victory at Arizona after his foot got twisted on a running play. "Severe blow," coach Lovie Smith said. "I think we all know what Mike means to our football team. He's a special player. He was having an outstanding game ... That's a big blow, but injuries do happen. Mike has been in this situation before."

Freshman returns to practice

By Alyson Brodsy · Wednesday, Oct. 18,2006 10:09 p.m.

IU men's soccer freshman forward Darren Yeagle practiced with the team Tuesday and is medically cleared to play, the team's spokeswoman Brooke Frederickson said. Tuesday's practice was the first time Yeagle participated in physical activity with the team since IU's 2-1 victory against Michigan State on Oct. 1.

IU back in action after break

By Joel Sanders and Joel Sansers · Wednesday, Oct. 18,2006 10:09 p.m.

The IU men's tennis team ends a month-long layoff today when it takes part in the Hoosier Invitational and the Intercollegiate Tennis Association's Midwest Regional Championship, hosted by Minnesota. The Hoosiers host the Hoosier Invitational this weekend and send three players to the Midwest Regional Championship starting today and ending Oct. 24.

Name-calling in the NLCS

By Alyson Brodsy and Evan Harris · Wednesday, Oct. 18,2006 10:08 p.m.

Apparently, I root for pond scum. At least that's what St. Louis told me. They had it written on their shirts and scribbled in black ink on their posters. After driving four hours Saturday to Missouri, I came to one conclusion: St. Louis Cardinals fans piss me off.