Region

A look back

Simpson files suit against NASCAR

Bill Simpson, former head of Simpson Performance Products, Inc. and resident of Avon, Ind., filed suit against the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing Wednesday.

Grade inflation on the rise

Statistics show that getting a B on your transcript is a little easier than it used to be. According to information from the Office of the Registrar, the grade point averages of IU students have been on the rise during the last 8 years. In 1994, the Bloomington campus had a GPA of 3.03, which has steadily increased since then, reaching 3.11 in the first semester of 2001.

Powerful Debut by "Biggest Band in the World"

Records shattered in Illinois

Last year at the Legends Invitational hosted by IU in Franklin, Ind., the Hoosiers shot a round of 296. That marked the team's best effort of the year, three tournaments into the season. This year, at the Northern Invitational in Champaign, Illinois, on the second day of their first tournament, the Hoosiers matched that low round as they finished in fourth place. "It means a lot that in the first tournament we all of a sudden meet our goal from last year," sophomore Danah Ford said. "Overall, if we got that much better from last year to this year, it means we can get even better." The Hoosiers also set the IU team record for cumulative score in the history of the Northern Tournament with an 898. The Hoosiers' eventual fourth place finish in the tournament is perhaps more indicative of the much-strengthened field of play than anything else.

IUSA launches auction site

Students looking for furniture, tutors or even something to do on a weekend can now go to Iubid.com. IUbid.com., a Web site created by the IU Student Association, was launched April 2. The online auction site enables students to bid on items ranging from a 1996 Ford Mustang Cobra to a 1940s antique lamp.

Plane crashes in Queens, NYC

NEW YORK -- A jetliner en route to the Dominican Republic broke apart minutes after takeoff and crashed in a waterfront neighborhood Monday, engulfing homes in flames and sowing initial fears of a new terrorist atrocity. All 260 people aboard were killed, and at least six others were reported missing on the ground. "All information we have currently is that this is an accident," said Marion Blakey, chairwoman of the National Transportation Safety Board. If there was an explosion on the plane, and many witnesses heard one, it was probably caused by a catastrophic mechanical failure, investigators said. American Airlines Flight 587, a European-made Airbus A300, left Kennedy Airport at 9:14 a.m., 74 minutes late because of security checks put in place after the World Trade Center attack, according to American Airlines chairman Don Carty. It took off into a clear blue sky.

Fiden looks to future

Sarah Fiden splashed onto the scene for IU swimming last year as a freshman. In her first year as a Hoosier, Fiden set three individual school records in the 500-yard freestyle, 1000-yard freestyle and the mile. She was also a part of the Hoosiers school record setting 800-yard freestyle relay team. Fiden also received IU's Freshman of the Year award.

Umphrey's McGee jams for fans

The jam-band market faces some stiff competition. You've got moe and String Cheese Incident. Deadheads and Phish fans abound, and the jazz improv of the likes of Medeski Martin & Wood and Herbie Hancock usually draw the same fan base. Of course, these are all generalizations. So, when I go out to see a group billed as a jam band, I'm expecting two things: • To have a good, danceable time with some laid back kids. • To be surprised with something new.

City marks 1 year without Behrman

Jill Behrman's room, nestled in a sleepy southside neighborhood, remains just as she left it one year ago. FBI agents and evidence technicians filed through last June and July, retreiving journals, her address book and other personal items. They searched for clues, anything that might explain her disappearance last May 31. But it still looks as though she had been packing for her summer job yesterday. It's still littered with stacks of jeans and tank tops, towels and toiletries.

Lecture addresses women in Islam

To United States' citizens, women's rights might seem an issue of the past, but criticism in recent years has called into question some of the gender-related practices in Islamic societies around the world. Ingrid Mattson, a renowned lecturer in Islamic Studies, spoke to a group on this issue and others facing Muslims today in "Leadership, Authority, and Gender in Islam." The lecture was held at 7:30 p.m. March 8 in the Maple Room of the Indiana Memorial Union.

Muslims demand proof on bin Laden

PESHAWAR, Pakistan -- An aged imam who abhors bloodshed in Allah's name has no sympathy for those who chant praises to Osama bin Laden. But, like most Pakistanis, he makes the same demand: Show us the proof.

Early, late runs seal win for IU

Rick Pitino was motionless, sitting on the bench by himself with his right hand held to his mouth. Both teams were headed to their locker rooms Saturday afternoon for halftime, but Pitino was still sitting on the bench, trying to figure out what had just happened to his team.

The art of hairstyles displayed in exhibit

Are wigs, headgear, combs, pins and barber shops signs art? "Hair in African Art and Culture," a new exhibit that opens at the IU Art Museum today, has successfully proven just that.

Boarding game is good, but too easy

One of the most popular games for the Playstation 2 thus far is the snowboarding game "SSX" and its sequel "SSX Tricky," but many people are not fans because of the non-realistic format. For those who want something a little different, and something more realistic, try the new release "Winter X Games Snowboarding 2002."

Mark Pi's has great Chinese

After four years of living in Bloomington I have searched high and low for the best Chinese food around. I believe I have found it. Mark Pi's China Gate offers a variety of gourmet Chinese food that will satisfy any food lover's appetite. Located at 3020 East Third Street by the College Mall, Mark Pi's offers a casual atmosphere and excellent service. Unlike some restaurants that offer fast food that has been pre-made and sitting in a window waiting for your order, Mark Pi's food is fast, fresh and hot when brought to your table just minutes after you order.

'Orange' and Black are good combo

Lately there have been several new spin-offs of comedy. One film starts a trend and many more follow in its footsteps. Recently, there's a new comedy genre that is increasingly popular and can be called the "sympathetic comedy." These are funny because of all the horrible things that happen to the main character. We laugh at these things but feel bad at the same time. "Meet the Parents" started this, and "Orange County" follows right on its heels.

More praise for sociology department

Considered one of the top graduate programs in the country and well-known for its research, IU's department of sociology will be recognized in August for another strength -- its training of teachers. The American Sociological Association will be present the department with the Distinguished Contributions to Teaching Award at its annual national meeting. The award is an honor usually reserved for individuals.

WonderLab museum teaches through fun

A Red-tailed Hawk picks apart a dead mouse. A peregrine falcon eats a small chicken. All this with local children watching a few feet away. WonderLab, 116 W. Sixth St., offers children and their parents hands-on experience with science and fun. Museum employees said volunteers account for a large portion of its success.

That's all, folks

So you remember how funny this column used to be? "I don't like fraternities," I'd say, and you'd laugh and laugh. "Dave Matthews, he's not so good either," I'd write, and you'd say, "Stop it, Chris! Our sides our splitting because we are laughing so hard."