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Harp & soul: A lifetime of music

Recently, Dan Yu, a graduate student at the IU School of Music, won the USA International Harp Competition held on the IU campus here in Bloomington. Just the latest example of the profusion of talent that has emerged from the School of Music during the years, she has gone from being unheard of to the talk of the musical world. Yu comes from humble beginnings in Shenyang in the northeast corner of China. Her father is a flutist and has encouraged her in her musical pursuits from the very beginning. She started off playing the piano at the age of six.

Defined by what we study

What's your major? I can't tell you the number of times I've been asked that question. Unfortunately we are often defined by our majors. IU is known for many things, business being one of them. Business majors are often viewed as money grubbing, I-Core fearing, competitive individuals. I live with a business major. I see the hard work, determination and persistence that accompany a major in business. And by the way, guys, if you're a business major, use that as your pick up line. As superficial as it seems, some girls think about the future before the first date. At the opposite end of the spectrum, there are the music majors. Many might laugh at the choice to major in a talent. But I commend them for following a passion for playing even if it means little paying. I walk by the music school almost every day. The students really are talented. There's nothing better than a man with a guitar and a good voice.

Prosecutor dismisses charges against alleged local ecoterrorist

Monroe County Prosecutor Carl Salzman dismissed the charges against Frank Ambrose, a prominent local environmentalist who was accused of spiking trees set aside for logging in the Morgan-Monroe State Forest last June.

Bush's musical state not golden

Police struggling to fill ranks

INDIANAPOLIS -- Police departments across Indiana are devising incentives to entice recruits as they struggle to fill their ranks in a field notorious for low pay and dangerous working conditions. "Almost every chief in every department I talk to complains about this as a major problem," Michael F. Ward, executive director of the Indiana Association of Chiefs of Police, said.

Celebrity run-ins

Lead erased Sunday

The women's golf team entered the final round of the Indiana Invitational yesterday with a seven-stroke lead, hoping to win its first tournament of the year.

Simpson to resign as IU vice president

IU Vice President Christopher Simpson, the University's voice during the controversy surrounding Bob Knight's firing, said Wednesday he will resign his post in July to pursue a new challenge -- his own marketing and public relations firm. "I've been in the public sector for 25 years," Simpson said. "I'm interested in going into the private sector and going into business for myself." Special Assistant to the President Bill Stephan will serve as interim vice president for public affairs and government relations, a position that reports directly to the president.

Senate approves defense bill

WASHINGTON -- The Senate approved its $345 billion defense spending bill without a dissenting vote Tuesday after dispensing with Republican objections that had stymied progress for a week as the nation geared up for war.

Diverse group of competitors comprises Row 6

The sixth row of the men's Little 500 race features what might be the three most diverse teams on the track. Lambda Chi Alpha boasts a balanced team, Achtung will have three riders on race day and Sigma Alpha Epsilon's hopes ride on one of this year's top riders and three rookies.

Carpentier wins, ends da Matta's streak

CLEVELAND -- Patrick Carpentier finally got some luck and his second career victory, winning the Marconi Grand Prix of Cleveland on Sunday to end Cristiano da Matta's CART winning streak at four races.

An interactive experience

Rainbow Brite. 1998 in Canada. Popples. The taste of salt water. My little brother in a blue sled on Christmas. These are some of my memories. Elements from the mind such as memories, passion and discovery form to make the new SoFA Gallery exhibit come to life in front of the visitor's eyes.

Indy 500 business 'not what it used to be'

The Indianapolis 500 is the largest single-day sporting event in the world and big business means big money. "We have every indication that this will continue to be one of our biggest sales weekends," said Bob Schultz, director of communications and public relations for the Indianapolis Convention and Visitors Association.

Davis' raise well-deserved

Mike Davis had the most successful rookie coaching season in the history of IU men's basketball. Taking over from a legend could have proved difficult, but Davis led his team to the Big Ten tournament championship game and a No. 4 seed in the NCAA tournament in his first term as interim-head coach. Therefore, Davis was rewarded with a a four-year, $2.19 million contract.

Six athletes represent IU in national competion

Maurice Greene. Marion Jones. Gail Devers. IU. Last weekend, IU mixed with the top competition in the country at the USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Stanford, Calif. and emerged with five top-10 placements. "We were excited to get back into the national scene," IU men's coach Marshall Goss said of bringing six athletes to the Championships.

Dark Star: Not your regular cover band

Monday night seven musicians graced the stage at Axis Nightclub, not claiming to be the Grateful Dead, but certainly sounding like them. Dead fans crowded the dance floor as Dark Star Orchestra played tunes by the legendary band. Hailing from Chicago, Dark Star Orchestra is a band devoted to playing Dead tunes. Not merely a typical cover band, DSO covers sound as well as song. With stunningly similar vocals, John Kadlecik, assumes the role of Jerry Garcia on lead guitar, while rhythm guitarist Rob Eaton nearly clones Bob Weir both vocally and physically.

Confident squad heads to NCAAs

The IU women's swimming and diving team begins its bid for the school's best ever finish at the NCAA Championships today at the Jamail Swimming Center in Austin, Texas. The Hoosiers best finish came in 1980 when they concluded the meet 11th.

No one is above the law

Pedophilia criminals should not be given special privileges no matter what circumstances, including those in religious positions.

1st place Hoosiers back on the road

Wednesday night's victory over No. 19 Ohio State, the Hoosiers find themselves in first place in the Big Ten standings with just three games left. That's the problem, though, for IU -- those three games. Two of those three are on the road before the Hoosiers close the regular season March 2 at Assembly Hall against an upstart Northwestern team. No. 23 IU begins the stretch with a noon visit to Michigan State Sunday.

Marines capture outpost

SOUTHERN AFGHANISTAN - Newly landed U.S. Marines cemented control of an outpost in the Kandahar region Monday as Navy fighter jets attacked a convoy of armored enemy vehicles moving near the base in southern Afghanistan. Two F-14 Tomcats hit the armored column, said Maj. Brad Lowell, a spokesman for the U.S. Central Command in Washington. He said Marine AH-1W Cobra helicopters were in the area but did not fire on the armored vehicles.