Region

New coach leads Hoosiers

The IU athletics department announced Wednesday that former University of Pacific coach Ray Looze Jr. will be the next men's swimming coach. Looze replaces Kris Kirchner at the helm of one of the Big Ten's most storied swimming programs.

Stone Temple Pilots' new CD lackluster

Growing up through junior high and high school, music was often something I turned to during hard times, such as dealing with the whole puberty thing, not getting a date with that girl or just doing something to get away from my parents. One of these bands that I found solace in was Stone Temple Pilots, who burst on to the scene with their debut album Core in 1992.

Book explores motorcycle outlaws

They are everywhere. The big bikes, the long hair, the leather jackets. There is a certain air of distinction that follows motorcycles and the people who ride them. In "Wild Ride," Tom Reynolds explores the myths, fact and fiction of motorcycle outlaws. Part of the book covers the story of Trash, a Vietnam veteran turned political motorcycle activist. He campaigns in California for a Vietnam veterans' motorcycle license plate and a repeal of California's helmet law, which compels all motorcyclists to wear helmets, much to the dismay of the motorcyclists themselves.

Scholars Inn truly impressive

Scholars Inn impressed us more than any other restaurant we've been to. Situated in an old remodeled house atop a hill on College Avenue, this restaurant caters to those who want great service and excellent gourmet dishes.

Ballet delivers emotional experience

The IU spring ballet was as beautiful and pure as a baby's smile. It made you want to cry, as does an original Monet, or the ocean at night. The ballet was delicate, powerful, unabashed and eloquent all at once. It was real, but it danced like a dream. It was, all in all, a complete success.

A weekend of entertainment

The Queen of the Blues is coming to Bloomington. Koko Taylor, who had her first hit, Wang Dang Doodle, more than 35 years ago, is still on the road, and Friday she's bringing her Blues Machine to the Bluebird, 216 N Walnut St.

Los Lobos saves best for solo acts

Kmart seeks bankruptcy protection

DETROIT -- Kmart Corp., the discount chain that gave America the BlueLight Special and introduced Martha Stewart home fashions at cut-rate prices, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy Tuesday. Kmart becomes the biggest retailer in history to seek court protection from creditors.

Appeals court ruling clears way for trial

A decision by the Indiana Court of Appeals Monday might clear the way for a trial to determine whether IU violated state law when it fired former men's basketball coach Bob Knight.

L-permit will not cure parking ills

Parking is always a topic of discussion on campus, especially for those who want to park at night to go to the library or the Indiana Memorial Union. The IU Student Association and Parking Operations are trying to help the situation with a new L-permit, which will allow students to park in A, C and E spots any time after 5 p.m. until 8 a.m. the next day.

Activist comes down from tree

Tracy "Dolphin" McNeely is headed west. Not long ago, McNeely pledged to remain atop a red oak in Stoney Springs as long as it took to protect the privately-owned forest area, which will soon be razed to make way for an apartment complex. Then last Saturday, she descended from her perch -- a four-by-eight-foot platform suspended 50 feet in the air -- after 88 days. It has since been manned in shifts by fellow environmentalists who decry the planned Canterbury Apartments as a reckless development.

GLBT supporters speak out

This weekend, the "Sexual Minority Youth in the Heartland," a conference sponsored by the IU Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender (GLBT) Support Services, offered insight to the lives of GLBT youth as they struggle with gender identity and sexual orientation in an environment that sometimes shuns their very existence. In order to educate others and eliminate the stigma associated with these issues, the conference sought action from those both within and without of the GLBT community.

Movin' to the movies

Evidence of IU Sing spirit lined the path to the IU Auditorium Friday and Saturday nights. Posters from sororities and fraternities were posted to light posts, stairwells and trees.

Kidman shines as mail-order bride

Respectability for IU a long way coming

DURHAM, N.C. -- If this was supposed to be a fairy tale, it ended too soon without enough tears. Eleven days after capturing an improbable Big Ten tournament title, the women's basketball team seemed to play with a just-happy-to-be-here attitude Friday in the East Region's first round against Texas Christian.

Band offers unique style

IU student-based bands provide numerous entertainment and nightlife options. However, these bands tend to remain notably similar in content and style. Laborius Clef, an up and coming local band, challenges this commonality with a diverse sound and variety of instruments and influences.

U.S. plane crashes in Pakistan

WASHINGTON -- A U.S. military plane carrying at least seven Marines crashed into a mountain in Pakistan Wednesday night. There were no initial signs of survivors. At the Pentagon, officials said there were no initial indications that anyone survived, but they could not rule it out. They also said there were no signs that the plane was brought down by hostile action. Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld said he understood the plane was carrying passengers in addition to the crew, but he had no further details. Other military officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the plane was carrying a crew of six and one passenger -- all Marines. Witnesses reported seeing flames shooting from the plane before it slammed into the mountain.

Suicide attack in Tel Aviv kills 3

TEL AVIV, Israel -- Two suicide bombers blew themselves up seconds apart in downtown Tel Aviv Wednesday night, killing three civilians and wounding more than 40, police and witnesses said. The attack took place between a cafe and a theater in a rundown neighborhood where many foreign workers live, and Israel Radio said most of the casualties were workers from abroad.

Super films from beyond the mainstream be the mainstream

Director Wes Anderson and co-writer Owen Wilson have become masters at creating awkward situations for their characters and their audiences. Their movies are filled with moments that would be funny if only we were sure they were a joke. But we're not sure, and that makes the moment funny and sad at the same time.

Around The Region

Ten Commandments display prohibited in Goshen classrooms GOSHEN, Ind. -- The Goshen Board of Education has rejected a proposed policy change that would have allowed the Ten Commandments to be displayed in classrooms. Board member David Coyne said before Monday's vote that he opposed the proposed change because he believes it is unconstitutional and misleading.