Longform

Local chess leagues cater to children

Look out basketball fans, it's time for a new game. Chess leagues are gaining momentum in the area, and the Banneker Center and Templeton Elementary School are two more places that have decided to check out the checkmate game. They follow the Bloomington Indiana Community Youth Chess League (BICYCLe), which has been offering a chess club to area children for the past year.

Fire sweeps downtown Nassau

NASSAU, Bahamas -- An arsonist is suspected of setting a fire that swept through downtown Nassau, destroying a popular market and charring the national museum, police said Wednesday. Dozens of firefighters battled the blaze for hours before subduing it late Tuesday. Three police officers and a member of the Bahamas Defense Force suffered minor injuries. No other injuries were reported.

Salary raises aid learning

Recently, a study was released placing IU sixth in average faculty salaries within Big Ten public schools. This rank is up one notch from seventh during the 2000-01 school year. The study was performed by the American Association of University Professors (AAUP).

Getting involved in a hectic world

For the last few weeks, I've been in a bit of a blur, at least when I make it to my classes. See, I'm starting to run myself ragged, because I have one too many things going on, and to top it all off, I am on the tail end of that wonderful time of the semester when all your professors like to give you exams at the same time. Isn't it great how that always works out? I spent the past three years of my existence here at IU at pretty much a snail's pace, having lots of free time to lounge around, but still staying somewhat active with a good amount of classes, as well as playing on the club lacrosse team. Sure, I would party and all that, but if I only made it out maybe two times a week, I didn't think anything of it.

Therapy in the Rolling Stone

Like Ben Folds, I've been thinking a lot today. About the army, a band, my job, my mom and what I'm planning to do with myself after college. So have my roommates, my friends and the people sitting next to me in class. Yet for college students and other twentysomethings, being stressed out by their reflections is certainly not a habit most people attribute to the "best years of your lives."

Around The World

Scientists find gene defect involved in skin cancer Senators: Bush plan misses flaws in FBI and CIA Rumsfeld visits U.S. troops in Kuwait U.N. refugee agency out of money Tijuana installs cameras in police stations

Police: Missing girl's abductor unaware of sister

SALT LAKE CITY - Police investigating the disappearance of 14-year-old Elizabeth Smart said today the abductor was not aware that the girl's younger sister saw him.

Gay adoption laws need to change

Will three states change their laws about gay parents adopting children because of pressure from the public? Rosie O'Donnell's interview with Diane Sawyer last Thursday was done to publicize a case in Florida where parents were under the threat of having one of their five foster children taken from them. The parents, Steve Lofton and Roger Croteau, cannot adopt children under Florida law because they are homosexual. O'Donnell is set on changing this rule so that gay parents can adopt. And with all the publicity, we get into the touchy territory of how people feel about homosexuals in general.

Looking for a repeat

After finishing third at the Big Ten indoor track championship, the women athletes missed the feeling of winning. Since that wake-up call, the Hoosiers have begun the quest for consecutive outdoor titles.

Learn from Mexico's manners

Last summer, I studied for six weeks in Cuernavaca, Mexico. Cuernavaca, the capital of the state of Morelos, is a moderately populated city located about 60 miles to the southwest of Mexico City. One of the first things I noticed about Mexico (apart from the huge orange cloud of pollution that hovers over Mexico City) was the hospitality of the people.

Places to stay:

AMERISUITES - DOWNTOWN 330 PEACHTREE STREET NORTHEAST ATLANTA, GA 404-577-1980 ATLANTA CAPITOL PLAZA HOTEL 450 CAPITOL AVENUE SOUTHWEST ATLANTA, GA 404-591-2000 BEST WESTERN INN AT THE PEACHTREES 330 WEST PEACHTREE STREET ATLANTA, GA 404-577-6970

Mr. Deeds doesn't go to town

Mr. Deeds -- PG-13Starring: Adam Sandler, Winona RyderDirected by: Steven BrillShowing: Showplace East 12

Where's Mr. Ed when he's needed

Bush plan could fund unpopular religious groups

WASHINGTON -- Sending taxpayer dollars to the neighborhood church or synagogue sounds like a great idea to many Americans. But what about government money for the Nation of Islam, Scientologists, Hare Krishnas or Wiccans?

Czech tennis player making mark as Hoosier

Senior Milan Rakvica will represent IU at the ITA All-American Men's Championships Tuesday through Sunday in Stone Mountain, Ga. "I'm looking forward to see how I play against the other players," Rakvica said. "I just want to play as many matches as I can." The 22-year-old senior has had a strong career at IU. With 77 singles victories, he has moved into a three-way tie for ninth in wins all time at IU.

Soaring gas prices investigated

INDIANAPOLIS -- When rumors ran wild about gasoline prices soaring after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, Indiana was confronting something new. "It is a situation that we have not dealt with before. And by we, I mean our consumers and our station owners and employees," said Indiana Attorney General Steve Carter.

Looking to be more energy efficient

In Feb. 2002, the Bush administration's energy bill will go before Congress. The centerpiece of the bill is drilling for oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

Boycott crap TV -- watch Comedy Central

They tell me the new fall TV season is underway. I really wouldn't know. Network TV lost me a long time ago. Today, it seems, prime-time opportunities go to either has-beens who have flopped out of the movie business (Jim Belushi, Damon Wayans, Keifer Sutherland, Geena Davis, Charlie Sheen ... the list is endless and depressing) or hyperactive chefs.

Local musicians sure to satisfy

Hoosiers blow out Lions

STATE COLLEGE, PA. -- The game plan for IU was obvious as soon as the game started Wednesday night at Penn State. On its first possession, IU went to Jared Jeffries. The Hoosiers did the same on their second possession. And the third. And on six of their next seven trips down the floor. By the time that stretch was over, IU had a three-point lead, with Jeffries scoring all nine of the Hoosiers' points as Penn State left one defender on him. Jeffries finished the half with 15 points and the game with 22 points in 27 minutes as the Hoosiers coasted to an 85-51 blowout victory in front of 8,674 at the Bryce Jordan Center.