Longform

'Pollen' combines professionals, students, amateurs

By Jessica Dalsing · Thursday, Feb. 19,2004 11:59 p.m.

Myth, movement and music combine to create "Pollen: The Musical," the show debuting today at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater, at 114 E. Kirkwood Ave. "Pollen:The Musical" brings flowers to life in order to help their gardener, Ben. Through both song and dance, Ben meets each of the flowers. He falls in love with Mother Nature -- played by Jennifer Heichelbech. Yet, tragedy hits the garden and Ben struggles to save it. A twist of fate brings Ben's former lover, Miss Noble, back into his life allowing another chance at love.

BPP presents 'Harry and the Streetbeat'

By Haley Beck · Thursday, Feb. 19,2004 11:58 p.m.

"Harry and the Streetbeat" a play written by nationally-known African-American playwright OyamO, will premiere in Bloomington this weekend. The Bloomington Playwrights Project will present the world premiere of "Harry and the Streetbeat" at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday. OyamO will be present at both performances and at the "talk back." Following the Saturday showing of the play, the Bloomington Playwrights Project will host a "talk back" -- audience members are invited to ask the cast, director and writer questions.

New kitchen director plans to curb local hunger problem

By Amber Kerezman · Thursday, Feb. 19,2004 11:04 p.m.

The Community Kitchen works to make sure everyone in Bloomington has enough to eat. Now, a new director will be setting new goals for the charity. The Community Kitchen Board of Directors appointed Vicki Pierce as the Kitchen's new executive director last week. Pierce, 32, will assume the position in place of four-year former Executive Director Julio Alonso. Alonso resigned Jan. 1 to assume the position as Bloomington's director of public works.

Kernan announces grants for 2 local companies

By Karen Green · Thursday, Feb. 19,2004 11:02 p.m.

Two Bloomington companies will receive state-funded grants to aid in the training of new and existing employees from the Indiana Department of Commerce's Skills Enhancement Fund, Gov. Joe Kernan announced last week. SEF is one of the many programs utilized by the state of Indiana to aid the Hoosier workforce. Companies are eligible for grants only after they have made a capital investment, such as purchasing new equipment or upgrading facilities, and money is reimbursed by the state on a 50 percent basis, said Angie Dye, director of public affairs for the Indiana Department of Commerce.

IU law student plans to run for Monroe County Council

By Tim Callahan · Thursday, Feb. 19,2004 11:02 p.m.

Studying for exams and running for public office don't typically go together in the lives of most IU students. One first-year IU law student, Michael Woods, will be running for Monroe County council in the upcoming primary election, to be held May 4.

Bloomington, national PFLAG gives scholarships

By Laura Bare · Thursday, Feb. 19,2004 11:01 p.m.

The Bloomington chapter of Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays takes pride in its promise. According to PFLAG's Web site, www.pflag.org, its mission is to provide a safe, supportive place where sexual minorities -- lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transgenders -- and their family members and friends can come together to share experiences, work through problems and educate themselves and their community.

Leach has career-high night, scores 26 points against Minnesota

By Natalie A. Trout · Thursday, Feb. 19,2004 10:49 a.m.

Minnesota coach Dan Monson said that IU senior center George Leach made his team pay throughout the game. Leach did, after all, have a career- and game-high night for the Hoosiers, scoring 26 points and grabbing eight rebounds.

Knight's Bloomington home on eBay

By Alyson Brodsy · Thursday, Feb. 19,2004 12:45 a.m.

Online bidding has begun for former men's basketball coach Bob Knight's former Bloomington home. The 4,660-square-foot property, located 10 minutes from campus, has been offered up for sale by current owner Scott Swaffer, a Bloomington resident.

Gophers gouge Hoosiers

By Tyler Hoeppner and Tyler V. Hoeppner · Thursday, Feb. 19,2004 12:45 a.m.

A foul with 3.6 seconds left and two free throws by Minnesota freshman forward Kris Humphries proved to be the difference as IU lost its third-straight home game, 73-71, to the Golden Gophers (10-14, 2-10 Big Ten). Senior center George Leach was whistled for the foul after a three-point attempt by junior guard Ryan Tapak clanked off the rim. Humphries pulled down the board, and sophomore guard Bracey Wright appeared to force a jump ball, but the referee called Leach for his fifth. "We wanted one shot, just one shot," IU coach Mike Davis said. "We wanted to work the ball around until there was four seconds. We wanted to make sure when we shot the basketball, the clock was going off because the worst that could happen was overtime." IU still had a chance with 3.6 seconds left, and a deep pass found its way to sophomore Marshall Strickland. He forced an off-balance shot, and time expired.

Knight drops appeal

By Holly Johnson and Holy Johnson · Thursday, Feb. 19,2004 12:40 a.m.

Former IU men's basketball coach Bob Knight dropped his lawsuit against the University this week, terminating a legal battle that spanned several years. Monroe County Circuit Court Judge Kenneth Todd previously struck down the case, which was filed in November 2002. Todd ruled IU was allowed to fire Knight either "for-cause" or without cause, as specified by the terms of his contract. Knight's lead attorney, Russell Yates, filed an appeal against that judgment in the Indiana Court of Appeals Jan. 19.

Debate heats up as election nears

By Mike McElroy · Thursday, Feb. 19,2004 12:40 a.m.

With election next week, candidates address issues of parking, tuition in IMU The Indiana Memorial Union's State Room East featured a fiery debate between IU Student Association executive candidates from all four tickets Wednesday night. Moderator and Indiana Daily Student Editor in Chief Adam VanOsdol asked each ticket to comment on the issues of parking, alcohol policy, tuition costs, the IUSA budget and the current IUSA administration's collegiate readership program trial.

IUSA approves campus busing fee

By Brian Janosch · Thursday, Feb. 19,2004 12:40 a.m.

The IU Student Association Congress stamped its seal of approval on a proposal Tuesday that would increase students' transportation fees by $30 next year. The fee would allow students to ride all campus buses simply by showing their student IDs. The buses, which currently require a $158 year-long pass or 75 cents per ride, would work on the same system as the Bloomington Transit system, which only requires a student ID to ride.

Voucher system ensures safer childcare in Indiana

By Kye Lee · Thursday, Feb. 19,2004 12:36 a.m.

For families who want affordable childcare without sacrificing the quality of treatment and care their children receive, Indiana may have a solution. The state's new voucher system places importance on high health and safety standards from its beneficiaries. The Family and Social Services Administration is a state agency that provides public assistance and services for Indiana citizens. The FSSA's Child Care Development Fund vouchers hold several requirements for providers to receive payments, such as CPR and first-aid training for all staff members.

Fashion Function

By Annie Russell · Thursday, Feb. 19,2004 12:36 a.m.

"Ally's" alarm goes off two hours before class begins. She showers, blow dries and straightens her hair, smears some makeup on her already flawless complexion, slips into her designer jeans and pulls a $60 sweater over her bare shoulders as different pieces of Tiffany's jewelry dangle off her wrists and neck. After a quick once-over in the mirror, a faint smile appears across her face. "Ally" might not be ready for a day full of tough courses, but at least she looks good. According to Evelyn Brannon, author of "Fashion Forecasting," fashion is a style popular in the present or a set of trends that have been accepted by a wide audience.

Governor-hopeful Daniels proposes switch to daylight-savings time

By Lindsey Jancek and Lindsay Jancek · Thursday, Feb. 19,2004 12:28 a.m.

Mitch Daniels is attempting to get all Hoosiers on the same page, at least on the same time zone. A Republican candidate for governor, Daniels is proposing to move all of Indiana's 92 counties to Central Standard Time, thus eliminating confusion across the state. The change to Central Time is part of an economic package designed to stimulate Indiana's economy.

Without hate, there's no love

By Dan Cohen and Daniel Cohen · Thursday, Feb. 19,2004 12:21 a.m.

Are the Yankees good for baseball? Families of four being able to attend a game, have a snack and read the program without losing half their life's earnings would be good for the game. Last year's bone-chilling playoffs, every-series-going-down-to-the-wire drama is good for baseball. Watching Barry Bonds and other slugging studs crush the ball half way to the next town and not wondering if that's a syringe in his back pocket is good for baseball. Seeing Marlins manager Jack McKeon, a 73-year-old, teach players a third of his age about discipline and the drive to win is good for baseball. No-hitters, two-and-a-half-hour games, hustle triples, home plate collisions and small market underdog teams wining the World Series is good for baseball. But you asked about the Yankees? Absolutely.

Burns primed to join elite in mile

By Rob DeWitte and Rob eWitte · Thursday, Feb. 19,2004 12:17 a.m.

In decades past, IU's strength in track rested with the distance program. But over the last half of the 1990s, the program's luster faded, with the team finishing no higher than fifth in the Big Ten from 1993 to 1998.

Fighters not down for the count

By Dan Patrick · Thursday, Feb. 19,2004 12:13 a.m.

Two weary boxers dance around the ring, waiting for the right moment to strike. Unfortunately, both the Michigan Wolverines and the Hoosiers have already been knocked out by their heavyweight conference opponents. While the championship belt may be out of reach, these two featherweights are trying to fight their way into the Big Ten Tournament. The Hoosiers come into the bout on the wrong end of a seven-game streak and are currently 3-10 in conference action and 10-14 overall. Michigan also has its back against the ropes with a similar 4-9 Big Ten record and 11-15 overall record.

'Wonderland' less than wonderful

By Neal Taflinger · Thursday, Feb. 19,2004 12 a.m.

Remember that boring stretch toward the end of "Boogie Nights" when all the hophead morons try to pull off a big heist? "Wonderland" is a two-hour film dedicated to that. After "Porn King" John Holmes' star faded, he bumped around LA with low life hustlers and thieves. In early July of 1981, four people were brutally murdered in a house on Wonderland Ave. and John Holmes was either tangentially or directly involved with the murders, depending on whose version of the story you believe.

Pots of gold at the end of the '60s

By Greg O'Neill · Thursday, Feb. 19,2004 12 a.m.

As I type, I'm watching an interview with Condoleezza Rice on Jim Lehrer. It's a talk-a-lot-but-don't-say-much affair. It's got me thinking: I've been trying to keep track of current events for, let's say, three and a half years now. You know what I've learned? Nothing that I couldn't have just by picking up today's newspaper and reading it all the way through.