Longform

'Hansel and Gretel' proves sweet

It seems this year that IU Opera Theater productions are mixed packages, delivering both the exquisite along with the dreadful. The same also seems true of the stories of the operas. In Engelbert Humperdinck's "Hansel And Gretel," the two children realize the indulgence in sweet things and forbidden treats can often lead to unhappy outcomes. Similarly, IU Opera Theater's current production, which opened Saturday night, delivers both the sweetness, which is what IU Opera is known for, along with the variable toothache that it can also cause.

Reaction to 'Brink' is mixed

Bobby Knight is a figure who seems to be constantly surrounded by controversy. So it comes as no surprise that the debut of the ESPN film "A Season on the Brink" about Knight's 1985-86 season at IU was met with a wide range of opinions and criticisms from the student body.

Columnist hateful, hypocritical

I am at home on vacation and I'm sort of enjoying it but I always check the IDS web site to see what's happening on campus. And what is one thing I see happening? I see Duncan Mitchel writing hate filled rhetoric. I have read his column many times and I respect his right to a viewpoint, but why does he always have to throw in cheapshots about Christians, or organized religion in general, Republicans, the rich, etc.

Behrman case to be featured on crime-solving TV show

'America's Most Wanted' host John Walsh filmed a segment for this Saturday's show at the Sample Gates Tuesday. The crime show will feature unresolved Indiana cases such as that of kidnapped lawyer John Barse, escaped murderer Larry Woods, and missing IU student Jill Behrman.

Hesher

Adventures just a hop, skip and car ride away

City decision justified

IU's Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender (GLBT) Student Support Services Office is sponsoring the Sexual Minority Youth in the Heartland Conference, to be held July 19-21-- a mere week before the Boy Scouts of America plan to roll into town for their National Order of the Arrow Conference on July 27. The problem? There's not one, really, as the GLBT promises not to interfere with the conference that will bring 8,000 scouts to town. But the conflict reemerges now as the city recently withdrew their sponsorship of the GLBT's event, claiming organizers withheld information about the conference's true purpose.

Artwork focuses on societal transition to mobility

In a world where people are more concerned with where they have been and where they are going, little notice is given to the transition between the two -- the present. Artist and MFA sculpture student Richard Saxton has captured a sense of the present in his works, which feature the fusion of connection and isolation. His works embody the connection between one place and another, one time and another, one idea and another, but those connections are isolated in place, time or idea.

President urges calm in face of challenges

ATLANTA -- President George W. Bush urged an uneasy nation Thursday night to meet "our great national challenge" to protect America against future terrorist attacks by volunteering for community service and watching for suspicious activity. "Our citizens have new responsibilities," the president said in his address. "We must be vigilant, inspect our mail, stay informed on public health matters."

Big Ten officials to discuss canceling all of their games

In light of Tuesday's tragedies, Big Ten athletics directors and commissioner Jim Delany is scheduled to call a conference at noon today to discuss the week's schedule of sporting events. Sue Lister, the media director for the Big Ten said the Big Ten was not ready to make any statement concerning the games until after the conference call, but decided not to make a conference-wide decision toward games on Tuesday night. "We are leaving cancellations (Tuesday) on a case-by-case basis up to the institutions," Lister said. In that regard, several universities -- including IU -- canceled volleyball games that were planned for Tuesday night.

Bush should have done more

Whether or not the information President Bush received prior to the Sept. 11 attacks was generalized, it can't be determined whether it wouldn't have proved useful in preventing the attack. But the Bush administration should have done more -- maybe warning the public would have led to more reaction, possibly resulting in the terrorists being more hesitant in performing their actions. The terrorists felt the U.S. was oblivious to what was going on, and Bush's lack of full response did nothing to prevent the monstrocity that occurred on Sept. 11.

The 'Bay' Favorite

If ever a friend or acquaintance visits the San Francisco Bay Area, particularly the East side of the bay, I tell them that the search for cheap and cheerful meals stop at Lilly's Chinese restaurant on Monterey Avenue in Berkeley. It is the apotheosis of quality: unpretentious service, heaping plates of delicious, fresh food, comfortable seating, and the constant buzz of happy chatter. When I am in Bloomington, I regularly dream of their crisp scallion pancakes, roast duck (a plate that must keep local cardiologists buying Tuscan villas -- but worth every bite), and vegetarian dumplings. But when visiting in the summertime, my visit is incomplete without a bowlful of their noodles.

Apartment fire still a mystery

In the predawn of Sunday morning, a mysterious blaze had begun in the Deer Park Manor, the source of which is still currently under investigation. Though no assurance of the exact cause of the fire has been obtained, officials believe that the location of its origin was the natural gas unit of the building's western exterior.

War is not the only option

Defense falls apart against No. 7 Purdue

WEST LAFAYETTE -- With their hospitalized coach on their minds, the Hoosiers played a close first half against No. 7 Purdue before their transition and post defense fell apart, allowing the Boilermakers to shoot nearly 62 percent after halftime.

Delectable Dipping

For those who have let it lapse, Valentine's Day is a celebration worth reviving. Many people, of course, have less than pleasant memories of the day they were left without a sweetheart, a card or worst of all, chocolate. The trick is to transform Valentine's Day into your own day of merriment. I suggest an intimate party of very good friends, lots of fizzy beverages and an armful of favorite videos. And for the ultimate combination of sensual and celebratory events, make it a fondue party.

Charges not yet filed in death of freshman

Charges have not yet been filed in the death of Berkley Branson, a freshman killed a little more than a week ago. Branson, 19, died a few hours after she attempted to exit the 1995 Chevrolet pickup truck driven by Matthew Willett of Evansville. The Vanderburgh County Coroner's report issued late last week attributed her death to a lacerated liver. Branson was in Evansville for the Easter holiday, her parents said.

Farrelly Bros. tip the scale with 'Hal'

Schedule benefits IU

With the Hoosiers' next three games at Iowa, at Ohio State and at Penn State, coach Mike Davis pointed to Tuesday night's game against No. 25 Michigan State as a big one for the Hoosiers.

A slammin' start

Nothing could stop the Hoosiers on Sunday at Assembly Hall against Athletes in Action. At one point, sophomore forward Jared Jeffries grabbed a rebound and put it back to extend the IU lead to 72-42 midway through the second half. What's impressive about the play is Jeffries made it with one arm; Eric Dunn of Athletes in Action was holding the other one. Led by Jeffries' 23 points and eight rebounds, and with contributions from nearly every player on their roster, the Hoosiers whipped Athletes in Action, 105-59 in front of 11,553 fans in the team's pre-season opener. IU got out to a quick lead by scoring the game's first 19 points. Representative of the balance that would pace the Hoosiers all day, those 19 points came from five different players.