Longform

Waldron art sale brings holiday cheer

The John Waldron Arts Center, 122 S. Walnut St., celebrated the beginning of the holiday season last week with the opening of its Winterfest Holiday Art Sale, currently presented in the center's galleries. The event, featuring work from local artists, is a fundraiser for the Bloomington Area Arts Council, which runs the center.

Dogs help make life a walk in the park

At first I was very self-conscious about walking Dorothy and Toto. I mean, I'm a big guy, an ex-football player and a big Stones fan. I'm not supposed to be seen in public with two pugs. They're so tiny and ... well, cute. And they have curly tails. Here I am, going for the Grizzly Adams look, but instead of a huge, scary-looking bear, I'm walking two little rug rats. For the first week I was in town, my housemates were on vacation and entrusted me with caring for the mutts. So for eight days, I it was my job to walk the little buggers. In public. For everyone to see. Me and the pugs. I was mortified.

The life of a woman under the Taliban

I had a dream last night. The setting of the dream: Kabul, Afghanistan. The scary creature lurking underneath my bed: the Taliban. In this dream, I could no longer work at the job I love to hate. Under the Taliban, women can't have a job outside of the home except for in the health industry. Because I am a disaster around blood and needles, my only choice is to remain at home. Even if I was to take a job in a hospital, I couldn't speak to any men and I would be permanently separated from them on the job. Eight hours on a Saturday night at a job I ignorantly take for granted now is a walk in the park compared to my job at home during this dream.

A step in the right direction

IU President Myles Brand announced Thursday what will become a major change in the finances of the University. For the most part, it was a step in the right direction. Brand made plans to accommodate the $57 million cuts from the state and is starting with the top. He recommended that each chancellor on the eight IU campuses cut their budgets by a set amount. How they do that is up to them. Brand also suggested delaying filling administrative positions.

Afghan factions approaching tentative deal at German peace talks

KOENIGSWINTER, Germany -- Afghan factions meeting to work out a post-Taliban government moved Thursday toward agreement on an interim administration to run the country, and the northern alliance dropped its objection to an international security force to secure peace there.

Council votes for water rate hike, WonderLab gift shop

The Bloomington City Council gave preliminary approval for a proposed water rate increase last night. The proposal, which would increase the average user's water bill by about $1.70 per month, passed 6-0-3. Council members Jason Banach, Patricia Cole and David Sabbagh opted to pass until next week's final vote before making a recommendation.

Tampa Bay deserves time to shine please

The door is about to fall over. At least it had better, or else the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will realize that it will never be answered; they will never get into the promised land that is the Super Bowl.

CIA agent killed in Afghanistan

WASHINGTON -- Rioting prisoners killed CIA officer "Johnny Mike" Spann at Mazar-e-Sharif in northern Afghanistan, the agency said Wednesday. He was the first American killed in action inside the country since U.S. bombing began seven weeks earlier. Officials recovered his body from the prison compound Wednesday, only after northern alliance rebels backed by U.S. airstrikes and special forces quelled an uprising by Taliban and al-Qaeda prisoners. Spann, at the compound to interrogate prisoners, was caught inside when the riot began and had been missing since Sunday. The CIA provided few details of the circumstances of his death. Spann had been in Afghanistan for about six weeks, said his father, Johnny Spann, during an afternoon news conference in the family's hometown of Winfield, Ala.

Top talent heads to U.S. Open

The Hoosiers travel to Nassau County Aquatic Center in East Meadow, N.Y., tomorrow for the start of the three-day U.S. Open swimming tournament. But the entire team will not go, as only 10 swimmers who swam times qualifying for USA Swimming standards will compete.

Defensive Hoosiers send 'Heels reeling to 0-3 start

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. -- In the first 20 minutes at the Dean Smith Center in Chapel Hill, N.C., Wednesday night, IU couldn't miss from beyond the three-point arc. Meanwhile, North Carolina\'s Kris Lang couldn't miss from inside the paint. Oh what a difference a halftime break can make. A difference of minimal consequence, that is. IU used its three-point barrage (nine threes) to take a 40-30 halftime lead, then reverted to inside scoring in the second half (zero threes) to put away UNC 79-66 in front of 18,358 baby-blue clad fans, extending the Tar Heels' Smith Center losing streak to four games, an unprecedented mark.

Team splits for weekend

In its last weekend of competition in the fall season, the IU women's swimming team is sending swimmers to both the U.S. Open Swimming Championships and to the Miami (OH) Invitational. The Hoosiers are currently ranked No. 17 in the nation and have a 2-0-1 dual meet record.

IU quarterback named 1st-team All-American

All senior quarterback Antwaan Randle El went out for was a late-night snack. He ended up with three extra passengers. It was rainy and cold, and on the sidewalk three students were huddled together, trying to make it home in the dark. Randle El stopped and offered these three strangers a ride home. This is IU's and college football's most exciting player, and Tuesday, he was rewarded as the nation's first-team All-American quarterback by the Football Writers Association of America. All he got for the three pairs of muddy feet in his car were some "Thank you's." "I've never met anyone like him, but that's what makes him special," senior linebacker Justin Smith said. "Once you get to know him, you'll know you'll never meet anyone like him."

Senior brings versatility, drive

Fifth-year senior midfielder Tyler Hawley has seen it all before. In his four years as an active member of the team, he has helped the men's soccer team win three Big Ten and two National Championships and has been to four final fours.

Wrapping up a season on the brink

Ten games ago, IU looked as if it couldn't beat four pairs of grandparents, two socks and a kicking tee.

Hoosiers up to challenge

Chapel Hill, N.C. -- Coming into Wednesday nights game at the Dean E. Smith Center, the story of the season for these two teams were three pointers. For North Carolina, it was a season of poor three point shooting, making merely 22.2 percent. The Hoosiers first four games resulted in a 45.6 perccent shooting percentage from beyond the arc. This game was no different, as the Hoosiers used the three pointer to their advantage to win 79-66 in this ACC/Big Ten Challenge matchup.

Results show some should explore Bloomington further

They actually pay me for this

Wow! Another greatest hits album!

Masquerading as the Rat Pack

Swingin' the Sands of Las Vegas