Region

Increased funding helps IU Child Care Services

By Zachary Osterman · Wednesday, Sept. 20,2006 11:30 p.m.

An increase in funding for IU Child Care Services will allow raises for staffers and extra space for almost 40 infants and toddlers, according to an IU press release. The service currently only has room for 18 children, with a waiting list of between 75 and 100, according to Tim Dunnuck, coordinator of Child Care Services at IUB.

WTIU will move to high-definition

By Ryan McLaughlin · Wednesday, Sept. 20,2006 11:29 p.m.

Thanks to almost $600,000 in grants from the provost's office and the College of Arts and Sciences, staff at WTIU and telecommunications students will enjoy the ability to broadcast in high-definition.

Clothing NOT optional

By Mallory Simon · Wednesday, Sept. 20,2006 11:25 p.m.

As I scanned TV channels this weekend to find something to watch, I stumbled upon "Parent Trap." I don't care what anyone says, its a great movie. When the movie came out in 1998 it was many people's introduction to Lindsay Lohan -- and a good first one at that. She was a cute little freckled girl who screamed innocence. She caught the eye of directors and producers in the industry and landed more teen-tacky movies in the 90s. Then came Mean Girls -- probably one of the most-owned DVDs by females -- second to The Notebook. It was hysterical and I loved Lindsay Lohan in it. I should have known it was the SNL-inspired writing, directing and cast that made it funny. Still, I respected the redhead and bought the DVD too.

More 'Office,' less productivity

By Chris Wisner and compiled by Chris Wisner · Wednesday, Sept. 20,2006 11:15 p.m.

In the wake of the demise of "Arrested Development," easily the best comedy on TV in recent times, one might say that it was "The Office" that grabbed the torch and just kept running toward the finish line, while collecting Golden Globe and Emmy accolades along the way.

Less than Stellar show

By C. Warner Sills and Zack Teibloom · Wednesday, Sept. 20,2006 11:12 p.m.

The Stella shorts are hilarious: A couple dozen absurd short films by David Wain, Michael Ian Black, and Michael Showalter, in which the three run around in suits playing with dildos, simulating gay sex, and sing and goof around. Sadly, the show couldn't capture the freshness and absurdity of the shorts.

'Slevin' luckier than you might think

By C. Warner Sills and Alyson Brodsky · Wednesday, Sept. 20,2006 11:10 p.m.

The Kansas City Shuffle -- when everybody looks right, you go left. Simple enough, eh? Writer Jason Smilovic does a great job writing a screenplay that, without the audience's awareness, revolves around the simple technique. Touché, Jason, for scoring on your first big screenplay. With the help from director Paul McGuigan (Wicker Park), "Lucky Number Slevin" turned out to be a connect-the-dots crime thriller that, partially thanks to its all-star cast, is enjoyably entertaining.

Locals lament spinach loss

By Sarah Core · Wednesday, Sept. 20,2006 11:10 p.m.

Pizza Express's famous Popeye pizza has lost its pizzazz-- its spinach.

Drug arrest made, investigation ongoing

By Audrie Garrison · Wednesday, Sept. 20,2006 11:10 p.m.

Police seized more than 33 grams of cocaine Tuesday night during a drug arrest made after a traffic stop.

BP plans $3 billion investment in Indiana

By Tom Coyne · Wednesday, Sept. 20,2006 11:08 p.m.

SOUTH BEND -- BP will spend $3 billion to upgrade its oil refinery in northwest Indiana so it can process heavy Canadian crude oil, increasing its production of motor fuels at the site by up to 15 percent.

Mayer continues the maturation proccess

By C. Warner Sills and John Barnett · Wednesday, Sept. 20,2006 11:07 p.m.

John Mayer narrowly avoided being a teen pop idol in 2001 by virtue of the fact that he actually wrote and recorded a set of great songs on Room for Squares. He distanced himself even further from the teen fandom cesspool with his sophomore album, Heavier Things, on which he matured beyond his years to deliver a truly great record. His third album, Continuum, falls somewhere between the previous two, finding Mayer's wide-eyed soul and competent lyricism both at odds and in harmony with his nearing age 30.

Daniels presents funding options for full-day kindergarten in Indiana

By Mike Smith · Wednesday, Sept. 20,2006 11:06 p.m.

LAFAYETTE -- Gov. Mitch Daniels presented cost estimates Wednesday for three ways that full-day kindergarten could be implemented, including one that would make it available statewide for the 2007-08 school year and two others that would phase it in over five years.

Democratic candidate's pickup struck by car while campaigning

By Alyson Brodsy · Wednesday, Sept. 20,2006 11:06 p.m.

KOKOMO -- A Democratic candidate for the Indiana House was briefly knocked unconscious and partially ejected from his pickup truck after a car plowed into it as he was headed to another round of campaigning, police said.

Justifi -- ably another hit album

By Sam Nissen · Wednesday, Sept. 20,2006 11:05 p.m.

Justin Timberlake makes hosting successful parties simple. Female attendance lays the groundwork for party host reputations, but retainment relies on grindin'. They've gotta hit the dance floor. FutureSex/LoveSounds, just like JT's last effort, Justified, is the perfect CD to draw and retain party-goers.

Band pushes limits but falters

By C. Warner Sills and Will Hernandez · Wednesday, Sept. 20,2006 11:01 p.m.

George Orson Welles once said, "The enemy of art is the absence of limitations". The Mars Volta is certainly a band that knows no musical limitations. They recognize no conventions, and no image, word, note or instrument that isn't subject to its numerous artistic pursuits. The absence of limitations is the enemy of art in several cases, and when it comes to The Mars Volta, the enemy of its art is musical excess and overproduction.

Too poignant for a jail flick

By C. Warner Sills and Doug Evans · Wednesday, Sept. 20,2006 10:57 p.m.

Based on the true story of Sean Porter, 'Gridiron Gang' chronicles the workings of a detention camp probation officer who starts a football program in a youth jail. In his pursuit, Porter had to overcome disapproval from all sides: his superiors, coaches of opposing football teams, and even the community at large. Ultimate ly, his program was successful -- so much so that a documentary was made in 1992 detailing his exploits with his youth prisoner football team (Clips of the documentary are shown during the closing credits).

'Dahlia' blooms and withers

By Chris Wisner and compiled by Chris Wisner · Wednesday, Sept. 20,2006 10:54 p.m.

The return of Brian De Palmais is something the film community has eagerly anticipated for quite some time. Consider it nearly a decade; after all, he's spent 10 years of making movies like "Snake Eyes" and "Mission to Mars," which have no real place in his filmography. "The Black Dahlia" is De Palma's return to form.

Don't make this your last

By Olivia Morales · Wednesday, Sept. 20,2006 10:51 p.m.

I have not, unfortunately, seen "L'Ultimo Bacio," the Italian film upon which the recently released "The Last Kiss," starring Zach Braff, was based. I am sure, however, that the original foreign film is better than its successor. Directed by Tony Goldwyn, "The Last Kiss" tries hard to be poignant, succeeds frequently, but fails in the grand scheme.

Jordan River Forum

By Alyson Brodsy · Wednesday, Sept. 20,2006 10:45 p.m.

Dear Ms. Joanna Borns, Unfortunately, I ran across your (Sept. 13) article titled "Pandas shmandas" and must say that I was very disappointed with your incredibly naive point of view. I am a zookeeper at the Memphis Zoo and spend eight to 12 hours of my day caring for the animals which you blame for being nonproductive members of society.

Pickin' the prez

Wednesday, Sept. 20,2006 10:36 p.m.

On Friday the board of trustees held public forums to give community members a chance to voice their opinions on the search for the next IU president. The forums were of special interest because they were the first opportunities that students had to have a direct impact on the selection process for Adam Herbert's successor.

The single's shack

By Colin Dugdale · Wednesday, Sept. 20,2006 10:24 p.m.

I spent my entire childhood indulging in three basic activities: playing with Nintendo, playing with myself and playing MASH (Mansion-Apartment-Shack-House). The latter, in fact, being the only activity that didn't require a tiny joystick.