Thursday 6/12/14

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weekend Michigan State University’s independent voice

statenews.com | 6/12/14 | @thesnews

All eyes on brazil

East lansing

Local businesses provide World Cup festivities By Meagan Beck mbeck@statenews.com The State News nn

Spartans prepare for 2014 FIFA World Cup

With the World Cup just around the corner, East Lansing businesses are preparing for the worldwide event by offering deals and specials to bring in customers. From beer specials to prizes, local restaurants and bars have different offers catering to different customers. The East Lansing location of the national chain Buffalo Wild Wings will be offering games where contestants could win big. Participants are required to download a mobile phone application and then have the chance to win the daily prize of a television or a trip to Las Vegas, or the grand prize of a trip to England or Spain to watch the matches. General manager of Buffalo Wild Wings Aaron Weiner said customers need to be at the restaurant to participate in the games, which will really help the business. “The more people that come here, the more money we make,” Weiner said. The games Buffalo Wild Wings are offering are part of a nationwide celebration of the World Cup. Firehouse Subs, a new business in the area, will also be offering deals. General Manager Steve Karmo said if a fan comes in supporting their team, for instance, by wearing a jersey, they are able to receive a free combo — which includes a 32 ounce drink and bag of chips or a cookie. “People like to watch the games, so why not have a deal for those guys?” Karmo said. Firehouse Subs has two big-

By Michael Kransz mkransz@statenews.com The State News nn

Whether it’s 32 countries competing in the World Cup or a group of domestic and international students playing a pickup game, they speak a common language that transcends any barrier. It’s a mixture of finesse, passion and sportsmanship — and it’s called soccer. Human biology senior Saad Habib doesn’t speak Spanish. Normally that would be a problem for someone living among Spanish-speaking Hondurans for a week, but for Habib, relatNUMBER OF COUNTRIES PARTICIPATING IN THE FIFA WORLD CUP IN BRAZIL

AVERAGE AGE OF PLAYERS IN THE FIFA WORLD CUP

32

26

EDITION OF THE WORLD CUP SINCE THE FIRST TOURNAMENT IN 1930

See WORLD CUP on page 2 u NUMBER OF MATCHES EACH COUNTRY IS GUARANTEED TO PLAY

3

NUMBER OF STADIUMS WHICH WILL BE IN USE IN BRAZIL DURING THE TOURNAMENT

20

12

BRAZIL

FRANCE

ITALY

ENGLAND

GERMANY

SPAIN

COUNTRIES THAT HAVE ARGENTINA WON THE URUGUAY WORLD CUP

See FESTIVITIES on page 2 u

ing to the people was as easy as kicking a ball — something he’s done since the age of six. “I made friends with tons of kids there because I could play,” he said. “They were like, ‘Wait, what’s this kid doing? He knows how to play soccer?’ I would go ask them to pass me the ball and do a little trick and I’d make interactions that way.” On a playground near the health clinic where Habib worked for a week, the children would often spend their days playing soccer. At first they were timid of Habib, but through soccer they became more acquaint-

FIFA WORLD CUP BRAZIL 2014 BY THE NUMBERS GR aphic by Florian cherdron | SN Source: fifa .com

Illustr ation by br andon hankins

council re-examines park district East Lansing weighs two new redevopment projects to restore blighted area By Derek Gartee dgartee@statenews.com The State News nn

Concerns over the f ragmented Park District project grew during the city council work session on June 10. The changes would alter a predevelopment agreement with DTN Management Co. that consists of excluding the 303 Abbott Road plot and pushing back development timelines. I n a cou nc i l work ses-

sion, East Lansing Communit y & Economic Development Administrator Lori Mullins said the 303 Abbot Road building had to be excluded to create f lexibilit y for redevelopment. “It may make more sense to give 303 Abbot Road to Park District Investment Group for development,” Mullins said. The Park District Investment Group is the current owner of private land west of Abbot Road. The land includes

The buildings that need redeveloping are the blighted buildings. This development is developing parking lots,” Ruth Beier, Council Member

t wo blighted buildings on Grand River Avenue and was originally intended to be used for a redevelopment project known as City Center II. “Through Downtown Development Authority, the city acquired 303 N. Abbot Road in 2004,” East Lansing Planning, Building and Development Director Tim Dempsey said. “The city had just finished City Center I and they wanted to find a new redevelopment project.”

What resulted was known as City Center II, an ambitious $105 million mixed-use redevelopment project to the west of Abbot Road to be built by Strathmore Development Co. The project had plans to feature a 10-story mixed-use building, a parking garage and commercial and residential spaces. The 2008 recession stalled t h i ng s u nt i l 2012, whe n St r at h mor e D e ve lopme nt Co. returned to the city with

a revised plan. After much debate from council, however, the plan was rejected and the project was pronounced dead. The Strathmore land is now owned by the Park District Investment Group. T he cit y now faces t wo potential redevelopment projects to restore the area — one from DTN and the other from the investment group. The idea of a second Park See PROPOSALS on page 2 u

more inside Minty fest

Higher and higher

St.Johns, Mich., celebrates tradition, summer fun at MSU Mint Outdoors Festival Club seeks high adventure

Local gas prices see sizeable increase in last two months

features, PAGE 6

campus+city, pG. 5

Hayden Fennoy/The State News

Danyelle Morrow/The State News

Capitol celebrates June Dairy Month CAMPUS+CITY, PAGE 3


2 | T he Stat e N e ws | t hursday, ju ne 1 2 , 2 01 4 | state ne ws.com

Continued News brief Road closings A number of contrucion projects could potentially snare motorists and commuters throughout the summer, beginning early next weeks and extending in August.

Coolidge Road at Lake Lansing This road will be closed directly south of Applebee’s to Lake Lansing Road from 8 p.m. Thursday, June 12 through 6 a.m. Monday, June 16.

Hagadorn Road Hagadorn Road will have construction between Burcham Drive and Haslett Road Monday, June 16 through Friday, Aug. 1 with lane closures during the day and roadway closures at night.

Other streetwork Local street work will start Thursday, June 12 and is expected to end Friday, Aug. 15. Street work will occur on Old Hickory Lane, from Burcham Drive to Whitehills Drive; Merritt Road, from Haslett Road to Park Lake Road; Ridgewood Drive, from Hagadorn Road to Timberlane Street; Woodside Drive, from Hagadorn Road to Ridgewood Drive; and Walnut Heights Drive, from Woodside Drive to Ridgewood Drive. Katie Krall

WORLD CUP

requires an open field, a ball and the knowledge of simple-toMSU students understand rules, making participation easy and open to all. show unison, “It’s the (most) democratcountry pride in ic game,” Alegi said. “You can preparation for 2014 be tall, short, thin, not-so thin, black, white, rich, poor — if FIFA World Cup you have the skill, you can play. from page one That’s the beauty of the sport.” Although the televised American sports scene is dominated ed with him and started seekby football, basketball, baseball ing him out to play with them. and hockey, Alegi said “The first day I got there it’s a misconception that it was a little tough to just jump in and play,” Habib USA Group Stage Games Americans aren’t as interested in soccer as said. “But I would play a those abroad. little bit, and the next day Ghana v. USA In terms of what a kid would come up to me Mon., June 16 | 6 p.m. ET sports Americans are while I was working and participating in, soccer be like, ‘Come on, let’s go.’ ranks second, ahead of And he’d introduce me to USA v. Portugal football, Alegi said. And his other friends, and by Sun., June 22 | 6 p.m. ET with greater access to the end of the week I was soccer coverage around accepted enough to play the world through the with the 15 and 16-yearUSA v. Germany Internet, the sport conolds, which was kind of Thur., June 26 | 12 p.m. ET tinues to edge closer to cool.” rivaling hockey as the With a student body of fourth most popular various languages and cul“It was just one of the cool- sport in America. tural backgrounds, soccer is a Alegi said it’s the intensicommon ground that allows stu- est things to see South Koreans dents to build relationships with be so proud of their country,” ty and uncertainty of a soccer match that absorbs the audione another, microbiology senior Briggs said. The culmination of passions, ence with breathless attention, Mohamed Askar said. “I’ve met a lot of my friends emotions and interest that the inciting them to eruptions of playing soccer,” Askar said. World Cup evokes makes it the joy or plummeting them into “MSU has a lot of internation- world’s sporting event, MSU his- the depths of misery. Being a low-scoring game al students. That one thing that tory professor and soccer expert where every point carries more you can just relate to them with Peter Alegi said. “It’s the most popular sport gravity, he likened soccer to the is soccer. It opens the door for in the world and the World last few seconds of a tied-up basfriends.” To provide a space where Cup is the most popular sport- ketball game. “It’s a very tense atmosphere, international and domestic ing event in the world, without students can gather and cheer question,” Alegi said. “It unites because anything can happen their teams on in the World Cup, people across nations, across at any moment to completely MSU’s Office for International language barriers. Even people change the game,” Alegi said. Students and Scholars is host- whose countries haven’t qual- “There are no breaks in the ing big-screen viewing parties ified want to be part of this action until halftime. It’s fluid. in the International Center’s incredible spectacle of global Without pause. You’re always on edge. It’s that uncertainty, Crossroads Food Court for every culture.” When asked why soccer is that sporting tension that you’ll game. Director of the Office for played and appreciated by so experience when you walk into International Students and many around the world, Ale- a place and see people absorbed Scholars Peter Briggs said dur- gi said playing the game only into a game.” ing the 2010 World Cup more than 350 South Koreans, clad in red and bearing drums, flocked to the food court to support their home country’s team. Late in the game, Briggs said, the South Korean team scored a goal to tie it up and keep them in the game, electrifying the atmosphere of the food court with eruptions of cheers and celebrations from the South Korean students.

Three-day forecast

FESTIVITIES Thursday Partly Cloudy High: 79° Low: 56°

Friday Sunny High: 69° Low: 50°

East Lansing businesses, restaurants offer specials for World Cup from page one

screen TVs and Karmo said he plans to have matches on as they occur. He hopes the special will bring in customers who have never visited the restaurant before.

In addition to restaurants, local bars and brewpubs are joining in on the celebration of the soccer tournament. Harper’s, The Peanut Barrel and Dublin Square will also be showing the games. Dublin’s will be offering certain beer specials while the games are occurring. The Peanut Barrel Manager Eric Skusa said having the games on brings in extra business during slower times. People can call ahead to reserve tables and watch the game. “(The World Cup) is in the

summer so there will be a lot of times when we’re normally slow where we will get extra business from it,” Skusa said. Though no concrete plans have been established, General manager of Crunchy’s, Mike Krueger, said special beer events are in the works, especially for the U.S. versus Germany game. Krueger said he would like to have people who have never visited stop by. “Hopef ully people w ill come out and watch their favorite team,” Krueger said.

Cops & Courts

mccoy goes through prelim Marquay McCoy, the parolee charged with killing MSU student Dominique Nolff, appeared in court Wednesday for his preliminary hearing. Judge Andrea Larkin concluded there was enough evidence for McCoy to stand trial. The fatal shooting occurred Jan. 31 at the apartment complex at 220 Cedar St. McCoy, a Grand Rapids resident, was on parole at the time. McCoy is charged with open murder and also faces several other charges, including armed robbery and larceny.

Proposals

Blighted buildings on Grand River Avenue and Abbot Road cause of concern for residents from page one

District project was troubling for council member Ruth Beier. “The way this is looking now is the DTN development isn’t a redevelopment. I don’t know that we would be redeveloping. The buildings that need redeveloping are the blighted buildings. This development is developing parking lots,” Beier said. DTN did not respond for comment on the Park Dis-

During a court hearing held March 20, East Lansing police Detective Dan Brown testified that Grand Rapids resident Marquay McCoy entered Nolff’s residence on Jan. 31, had a brief conversation with Nolff and his roommate and then pulled out a silver handgun to steal medical marijuana and a laptop, shooting Nolff twice. According to court records, McCoy’s trial will be conducted in Ingham County Circuit Court, but no court dates have been set. Olivia Dimmer

trict project’s developments. T he blighted buildings refer to the two buildings on Grand River Avenue and Abbot Road. The current DTN project would make no changes to the buildings and their fate would be left in the hands of the Park District Investment Group. T he t wo buildings are cause for the most concern a mong c it izen s a nd t he ambiguity of their situation is only more troubling. “Nobody appreciates two vacant buildings ... that are blighted,” Dempsey said. “We know that DTN hasn’t been able to acquire them, so it looks like the current owner will have to do that project. Our goal is to get that issue addressed through a development project.”

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Crossword

L.A. Times Daily Puzzle Edited by Rich Norris and Joyce Lewis

VOL . 104 | NO. 248

Index

Saturday Sunny High: 76° Low: 54°

Campus+city 3+5 Opinion 4 Features 6 Classifieds 5

Level: 1

2

3 4

nn

Corrections

editorial staff (517) 432-3070 Editor in chief Omari Sankofa II managing editor Simon Schuster Content Editor Olivia Dimmer PHOTO EDITOR Danyelle Morrow designers Florian Cherdron Haley Kluge Opinion editor Emily Jenks Copy Chief Morgan Redding n n

Professional staff General Manager Marty Sturgeon, (517) 432-3000 Editorial adviser Omar Sofradzija, (517) 432-3070 CREATIVE adviser Travis Ricks, (517) 432-3004 Web adviser Mike Joseph, (517) 432-3014 Photo adviser Robert Hendricks, (517) 432-3013 Business Manager Kathy Daugherty, (517) 432-3000 advertising adviser Colleen Curran, (517) 432-3016

If you notice an error, please contact Managing Editor Simon Schuster at (517) 432-3070 or by email at feedback@statenews.com. nn

The State News is published by the students of Michigan State University, Monday through Friday during fall, spring and select days during summer semesters. A special Welcome Week edition is published in August.

ACROSS

Subscription rates: $5 per semester on campus; $125 a year, $75 for one fall or spring semester, $60 for summer semester by mail anywhere in the continental United States. One copy of this newspaper is available free of charge to any member of the MSU community. Additional copies $0.75 at the business office only. State News Inc. is a private, nonprofit corporation. Its current 990 tax form is available for review upon request at 435 E. Grand River Ave. during business hours.

to contact the state news (517) 432-3000 For distribution/circulation questions, email distribution@ statenews.com nn

Copyright © 2014 State News Inc., East Lansing, Mich. n n

Advertising M-F, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (517) 432-3010 Advertising manager Colleen Curran

SOLUTION MONDAY’S PUZZLE SOLUTION TO TO WEDNESDAY’S PUZZLE

6/12/14

Complete the grid so each row, column and 3-by-3 box (in bold borders) contains every digit, 1 to 9. For strategies on how to solve Sudoku, visit

www.sudoku.org.uk © 2014 The Mepham Group. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency. All rights reserved.

1 *Place to cuddle 5 Gush 9 As well 13 *Minnesota player 14 Dominoes unit 15 False god 16 Occult symbols 18 Like some audiobooks 19 Porter’s “__ Girls” 20 Scooby-Doo, e.g. 21 *__ stop 23 Reunion attendee 25 “Memoirs of a Geisha” sash 26 *Tend to the garden 27 Versatile blood donor 29 Impede legally 31 Area with briefs and cases 33 __ Arbor 35 One may be rolled up 36 Tuber cultivated in the Andes 37 Memorized, perhaps 41 Police record 43 Egg: Pref. 44 Simple step 46 Word on a deodorant label 47 Surprised cry 48 Accommodate 50 Contract details 54 *Actor Phoenix 56 Gist 58 Philosophical 59 *Consolation for one who doesn’t strike

60 Barnacle site, perhaps 62 “Arabian Nights” name 63 Just slightly 64 Full of nonsense talk 67 Undertake 68 German wheels 69 *London rental 70 Rubberneck 71 “Anger, fear, aggression; the dark side of the Force are they” speaker 72 *Lawn party rental

DOWN

1 Like a cold stare 2 Comes clean 3 Clothier’s concern 4 Med sch. class 5 Disco device 6 Benched player? 7 Suburban tree 8 1973 thriller featuring Yul Brynner as an android gunman 9 Roughly 10 Knight of note 11 Picnic competition 12 Tiresome 16 Land map 17 Gunk 22 Sympathetic connection 24 Malicious 28 Theoretically 30 Picked-up item 32 Mars’ realm

34 Title wanderer in a 1948 Nat King Cole hit 37 Bunny’s mom 38 Abuse, as one’s welcome 39 User-edited reference entry 40 Tyke 42 Leaderless? 45 Summer camp sight, and a hint to what each contiguous pair of answers to starred clues graphically represents 49 Mexican state or its capital 51 “Man is not free unless government is limited” speaker 52 First National Leaguer to hit 500 homers 53 Game show turn 55 “Star Wars” villain 57 __-esprit: wit 61 Stop, as an embargo 63 Bedazzle 65 Mil. address 66 Phillies’ div.

Get the solutions at

statenews.com/puzzles


Campus+city

stat e ne ws.co m | T he State N ews | T hu rs day, j une 12, 2014 |

3

Content Editor Olivia Dimmer Phone (517) 432-3070 Fax (517) 432-3075

Lansing

t r a n s p o r tat i o n

Capitol celebrates dairy farmers Dairy Foods Awareness Day at Capitol attracts residents with ice cream, dairy products

Commuters cope with gas price hikes By Katie Krall kkrall@statenews.com THE STATE NEWS n n

Hayden Fennoy/The State News

From left, Lansing resident Lenny Spindler serves cookies and milk to Grand Ledge, MIch., residents Mary Thompson, Jerry Thompson, and Cai Martin on Wednesday at the Capitol in downtown Lansing. Quality dairy was one of the many businesses that attended the Dairy Month event.

By Beth Waldon bwaldon@statenews.com THE STATE NEWS nn

Lansing residents celebrated Dairy Month at the State Capitol Wednesday morning. Free ice cream, cheese, milk and cookies were offered to attendees from several local business. Michigan Dairy Foods Association has sponsored Dairy Foods Awareness Day at the Capitol for more than 20 years. The association’s primary goal is to spread awareness of the health benefits of milk and dairy products. To organize the event, the association pulls together a number of participants to distribute samples. “We reach out to companies across the state and invite them to come to Dairy Day to ... promote their product,” Michigan Dairy Foods Association’s Vice President of Government Affairs Jason Wadaga said.

Former Detroit Lions kicker Jason Hanson, who officially retired in fall of 2013, spoke at the event, expressing the importance of a nutritional diet. “Exercise and nutrition are crucial. What you put into you directly affects how you perform,” Hanson said. Hanson went on to describe the difference a nutritional diet made for him and his teammates in the NFL. “My experience from the very start was watching big football players start the day with milk and yogurt,” he said. Following his speech, Hanson gave autographs and took pictures with fans.

Wadaga said it’s important to promote Michigan dairy because “most people don’t realize when they go to the grocery store what’s local and what’s not local.” Wadaga added that there is a 5-digit code on each milk label, and if the first two numbers are 2 and 6, then it’s Michigan milk. A number of Michigan dairy farmers also attended the event, including Michigan State Representative Ed McBroom, a dairy farmer from Dickinson County, and State Senator Judy Emmons, a dairy farmer from Montcalm County. In addition to vendors and dairy farmers, many area resi-

More online … See more of the sights and sounds of Dairy Foods Awareness Day and learn more about the dairy industry online at statenews.com/multimedia

RELIGIOUS GUIDE Look for this directory in the paper every Thursday and online at: www.statenews.com/religious Ascension Lutheran Church 2780 Haslett Rd., E. Lansing Between Hagadorn & Park Lake Rds. (517) 337-9703 Sunday Worship: 10am Sunday School: 9am Adult Bible Study: 9am ascensioneastlansing.org

Congregation Shaarey Zedek 1924 Coolidge Road East Lansing, MI 48823 (517) 351-3570 www.shaareyzedek.com Friday Evenings: 7:30 Shabbat Evening Service (Reform) Saturday Mornings: 9:00 Shabbat Morning Service (Conservative) Edgewood United Church, UCC 469 N. Hagadorn East Lansing, MI 48823 (517) 332-8693 Sunday: 10am LGBTQ Celebrating, Justice and Peace Congregation www.edgewood.org First Baptist Church of Okemos 4684 Marsh Road Okemos, MI 48864 (517) 349-2830 www.fbcokemos.org Worship Celebration - Sundays at 10:45am Greater Lansing Church of Christ 310 N. Hagadorn Rd. East Lansing, MI 48823 (517) 898-3600 Sunday Worship: 8:45am Sunday Bible Study: 10:15am Sunday Evening: Small Group Wednesday Bible Study: 7:00pm www.greaterlansingcoc.org Hillel Jewish Student Center 360 Charles St., E. Lansing (517) 332-1916 Friday Night Services: 6pm, Dinner: 7pm September - April

Little Flock Christian Fellowship A Non-Denominational- Evagelical Church MSU Alumni Chapel (Basement Hall) Sunday Worship Service: 10am-12 Noon. Participatory Singing and Worship, Communion (Lord’s Table), and Bible Lesson. Fellowship Lunch after the service Weekly Bibly Studies & Students’ Meetings. littleflock.msu@gmail.com littleflock@hotmail.com www.littleflock.org Martin Luther Chapel 444 Abbot Rd. East Lansing, MI 48823 (517) 332-0778 martinlutherchapel.org Sunday: 9:30am & 7:00pm “Wednesday ON FIRE” resumes Aug. 27 Mini-bus pick-up on campus (Fall/Spring) One Community–Lutheran (ELCA)/ Episcopal (TEC) Campus Ministry 1020 South Harrison Rd. East Lansing, MI 48823 (517) 332-2559 www.facebook.com/onecommunitymsu Wednesdays: On campus Student Worship 7:00pm (MSU Alumni Chapel) Sundays: 8:30, 10:45am (at University Lutheran Church) Sundays: 8:00, 10:00am (at All Saints Episcopal Church Peoples Church 200 W. Grand River Ave. East Lansing, MI 48823 (517) 332-6264 www.peoples-evolution.org Sunday Worship: 10:30am Tuesday: Love Life: 7-9pm Wednesday: Dinner at 5:30pm, Journey at 6:30 Quan Am Buddhist Temple, MSU Meditation Center 1840 N. College Road Mason, MI 48854 (517) 853-1675 (517) 347-1655 www.quanamtemple.org 7-8:30pm Every Thursday

St. John Catholic Church and Student Center 327 M.A.C. Ave., E. Lansing (517) 337-9778 Sunday: 8:10am, 12pm, 7pm www.stjohnmsu.org Trinity Church 3355 Dunckel Dr. Lansing, MI 48911 (517) 272-3820 Saturday: 6pm Sunday: 9:15 am, 11am http://trinitywired.com College/Young Adult Service Sundays at 11am in the Student Auditorium Unity Spiritual Renaissance 230 S. Holmes St. Lansing, MI 48912 (517) 484-2360 or (517) 505-1261 Sunday: 10:30am Wednesday: 6:30pm meditation Office: Monday-Thursday 9:30-12:00 University Christian Church 310 N. Hagadorn Rd. East Lansing, MI 48823 (517) 332-5193 universitychristianwired.com Sunday: 11:15 am Sunday Bible Study: 10:15 am University United Methodist Church MSU Wesley 1120 S. Harrison Rd. East Lansing, MI 48823 (517) 351-7030 universitychurchhome.org msuwesley.org Sunday: 10:30am 9:00am Garden Service in the summer TGIT: 8:00pm Thursdays Sept. - April Weis Lutheran Campus Ministry 704 Abbott Road East Lansing, MI 48823 (517) 580-3744 www.msu.edu/~weisluth 6:00pm Saturday

Religious Organizations: Don’t be left out of the Religious Directory! Call 517-432-3010 today to speak with an Account Executive

dents came to take advantage of the free ice cream and other food. “We stumbled upon (Dairy Month) two years ago when we were walking downtown to get some breakfast, and we had so much fun,” Lansing resident Courtney Huver said. “Last year we actually missed it because it was pretty early in the summer, but this year, I made sure to look it up, and found the date and we planned on going.”

Gas prices have been steadily climbing in East Lansing during the last month, rising from an average $3.63 to an average $3.90, according to GasBuddy. com. At almost $4.00 per gallon of regular fuel, some motorists in East Lansing are finding themselves using other means of transport to get where they need to go. Taking the bus, riding a bike and walking to classes and to work are all viable options while the cost of fuel continues to climb. Some, however, need to drive. Criminal justice senior Raghavi Ravi said that while she is going through gas quickly, driving her car is easier with her schedule. Ravi regularly drives from her home in Chandler Crossings to an internship in Lansing and also to her job at Sparty’s on campus. The higher prices affect how often she needs to work and what extra purchases she makes. “I’ve been picking up more shifts, and not spending as much,” Ravi said. She uses her vehicle often now, but doesn’t plan to drive next year because she is moving closer to campus, and living

off campus is expensive enough. “Gas prices don’t help.” Ravi said. Biomedical laboratory science junior Ciana Hodges said she has no choice but to drive her car because she commutes to classes and work from Jackson, Mich. “Depending on how high prices are, $50 gets me just a tank or a tank and a half,” Hodges said. She also said she is lucky her mother helps her with gas costs, but she has to make sure the hours she is scheduled to work at the MSU Main Library are worth driving 45 minutes each way. Still, Hodges said she is saving more money by living at home and commuting than by living in East Lansing. The Marathon gas station on Grand River Avenue and Hagadorn Road hasn’t had a decrease in the number of people buying gas, but the summer is different, attendant Alex O’Donald said. He said it’s hard to tell if students aren’t coming in to buy gas as often because the student population is so much lower in the summer, but he doesn’t think prices are really stopping people from filling up. “People still spend money on gas. It’s kind of a necessity,” O’Donald said.

4.0 $4

Prices peaked on June 6 for $3.98 per gallon

Average price of gas in May/June $3.50

Source: Gasbuddy.com

3.5

ONLINE SERVICES A health information library to help you access evidence-based information regarding health conditions, medical tests, medications, and health and lifestyle issues. http://health4u.msu.edu/eguide Evidence based health information designed to improve your health knowledge and enhance your ability to discuss health concerns with your health care provider. http://healthyemail.msu.edu An online exercise tracking system designed to help you maintain or increase the amount of physical acticity you engage in on a daily/weekly basis. Register with MSU Moves, create your own personal fitness challenge, and begin tracking your progress today! http://msumoves.msu.edu The information you need to include seasonal foods in your meals and a tried-and-true recipe developed by Culinary Services executive chef. All this, plus a date to try the recipe in one of the many on-campus dining services. http://health4u.msu.edu/services/rfh The musings of Peggy Crum, RD; blog postings include interpretation of research that supports those who are moving away from dieting. Join the virtual conversation about a refreshing approach to eating, a way that brings pleasure to the table. http://thejoyofeating.wordpress.com Alcohol use is just one of many factors that can affect heath status. This website uses evidence-based data and validated tools to help viewers decide if their use of alcohol may be impacting their health. Spend some time really paying attention to your own alcohol use, some time thinking about drinking. http://thinkingaboutdrinking.msu.edu MSU is ready to help you quit smoking: • MSU Smoking Cessation Program • U Can Quit Support Group • Tobacco Cessation Coaching Welcome to the beginning of your tobacco-free life! http://ucanquit.msu.edu

For more information about our programs and services: Phone: (517) 353-2596 Email: health4u@msu.edu Web: http://health4u.msu.edu


4 | Th e Stat e N e ws | T h ur s day, jun e 1 2 , 2 01 4 | staten e ws.com

Opinion

Featured blog

opinion column

Video games do not perpetuate violence

S

hortly after hitting pause on my current favorite video game, “The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess,” I had a marvelous idea. I poured myself a glass of chocolate milk. What I didn’t do was grab my shield, makeshift bow and arrows and my regulation warrior horse and decide to head to the nearest dungeon (the MSU Main Library), in the hopes of saving the lovely Princess Zelda. If Link did it, I should too, right? Wrong. Human beings can be persuaded by all manner of media — ad campaigns, hashtag movements or likes on Facebook. But is it too far a stretch to say that we could be convinced to commit premeditated murder? If you’ve been following any large news organizations, you may have read about a bizarre case dubbed the “Slender Man” stabbing. Two 12-year-old Wisconsin girls lured a friend into the woods to “play a game.” The girls, one holding the victim down, the other wielding a kitchen knife, stabbed the victim a total of 19 times. The victim crawled to a near-

College students should be allowed to have pets “Some might say college students are barking up the wrong tree when they own a puppy in their college apartment, between class, work, parties and trips home. But would a dog really be better off in a shelter than in a loving home?”

like an excuse by road, though she had sustained inju— Colleen Otte, State News reporter for untreated or ries to several organs, and was then spotunnoticed mented by a passing biker, who called 911. “Slender Man” is an eerie, tall fictional char- tal illness than viaRead the rest online at acter who preys on children in a video game. ble causation. statenews.com/blog. This is not to say The girls believed that if they murdered their that everyone friend, they could live with Slenreporter who commits der Man. Because he seems like a violent crime is such a good roommate. mentally ill or disOf course, events such as the turbed, but placing the “Slender Man” stabbing raise a entire blame on just one factor in familiar line of questions about the sea of possibilities that could the effect of video games on develwrong, we’re totally missing the point. affect a person is not acceptoping minds. In times of trageInstead of asking ourselves how we can able. That’s like saying the ready, people seek cables of conneckeep video games from murdering chilson a person is overweight is due tion between things like a school dren, we should be asking ourselves how we to commercials for McDonald’s. shooting and Call of Duty. But I can better understand the human brain. Self-control, willpower, a don’t believe those theories by a Sierra lay slay@statenews.com Catching the warning signs, the red flags, healthy understanding of your long shot. the indications that something is just not mind — these are things human Video games can actualbeings are responsible for having a handle on. right in another person’s mind and givly be therapeutic, health-enhancing outlets. ing them care is a better solution. It’s easy to say that those WisconThey improve hand-eye coordination, reacIt is easy to point a finger at every sin girls were so persuaded by Slention time, problem-solving and many othexternal object we believe wronged der Man that they killed their friend. But er functions of the mind and body. To draw us, but in most cases the issue can we should be looking for root causes, a connection between a simulation wherebe more easily found within. not the first available scapegoat. in a player mashes buttons to kill fictional Sierra Lay is a State News reportWhen we are spending hours fightcharacters and the act of obtaining a weaper. Reach her at slay@statenews.com. on to murder other human beings seems more ing about why video games are evil and

opinion column

Grudges aren’t worth the time

A

couple of week s ago, I received a text message from someone I hadn’t spoken to her in months. The sender of the text was a former coworker and friend — “former” being the operative word.

Through a series of events — me leaving the job, her getting a new boyfriend — we stopped talking. Falling outs happen in friendships, and while they suck I’ve realized they are part of life. After we stopped talking, there were some unkind words exchanged. Girls can be dramatic, of course, and when an argument starts between two girls it isn’t uncommon for others to join the fray. I’ll spare all the details but suddenly, the girl I bonded over “Glee” with became the girl I never wanted to speak to or even see again — you know a friendship is over when you unfollow each other on Twitter and Instagram. Months had gone by since last hearing from her and I was beginning to put her out of my mind. Then, a friend invited both of us to her birthday dinner. Of course, we sat on opposite ends of the table and never uttered a word to each other. A few weeks after the dinner was when I got the text. She said something about how she thought we should clear the air, move on from our differences and be adults. Receiving a text like that is a little weird at first. I wondered, do I even reply? I have no reason to speak to this girl, and why bother bringing up the past? Why not just ignore her? But I came to realize that she was right. We had shared good times and jokes both outside and inside the job we shared. And of course, we have mutual friends. Even though pretending someone doesn’t exist can seem easy, it becomes difficult when that person is sitting across the table from you at a restaurant, as we learned. Both of us probably upset the girl whose birthday we were supposed to be celebrating because we made it awkward by acting like selfish children who couldn’t even pretend to be nice to each other. We were holding a grudge against each other but unfortunately other people had to endure it. I thought about it and came to agree with setting aside differences. I didn’t

Editorial cartoonist

Brandon Hankins bhankins@statenews.com

I wasn’t expecting to go back to being want anymore awkward run-ins, and there’s no point to spending all this close friends. I honestly haven’t heard from her energy disliking someone so much when there really was no reason to since that first text she sent in May. But I would much rather be in the state we dislike her in the first place. Holding grudges takes up too much are now than hold a grudge any longer. Letting go of a grudge can be a diffitime and energy, and to no end. Prior to the reconcile, mutual friends would cult thing to do. Especially when the offender talk about the girl and reporter may have done something hard I would stay silent. to forgive. But moving on means I had no solid excuse another step towards a less drato be mad at her, but matic life. It shows how mature whenever people a person can be. would mention her, She is transferring schools in I had nothing nice to the fall, so I assume part of her say. reasoning for wanting to clear the It’s kind of like that air came from wanting closure. part in Mean Girls, Meagan beck However, it’s nice to know the when Cady Heron vis- mbeck@statenews.com next time I see this girl, which its Regina George with will likely happen soon because flowers after she’s hit by a bus. Cady says she’s “sucking the of the mutual friends we share, the poison out” — like with a venomous encounter won’t be as awkward. Who knows — maybe we’ll end up snake bite. By the end of the movie, Cady and reconnect over our excitement for the Regina are able to coexist without dra- upcoming final season of “Glee.” Meagan Beck is a State News reportma. And I’m hoping the same thing for er. Reach her at mbeck@statenews.com. me and my friend.

We want to hear your thoughts. The State News welcomes letters to the editor. All letters must include your year and major, email address and telephone number. Phone numbers will not be published. Letters should be fewer than 500 words and are subject to editing.

By email opinion@statenews.com; By fax (517) 432-3075; By mail Letters to the Editor, The State News, 435 E. Grand River Ave., East Lansing, MI 48823

nn

To share your thoughts on this story or any other stories, visit statenews.com.

“Lansing resident uses viola to strum up business” I hate to break it to this guy, but begging for change with a viola in your hands is indeed the same ballpark as begging for change without one. MSUSpartan99, June 8

So you’re saying that you believe entertaining people is basically the same as standing around with a cardboard sign? He plays with his case open. If you like the music, you can drop a donation into the case. Maybe you consider that “begging.” I don’t. (In response to MSUSpartan99) Guitar George, June 8

Today’s state news poll

How to reach us Questions? Contact Opinion Editor Emily Jenks at (517) 432-3070.

Comments from readers

Will you be keeping up with the World Cup this year? To vote, visit statenews.com.

JUST SO YOU KNOW Total votes: 69 as of 5 p.m. Wednesday

No 30%

Do you often buy food from a farmer’s market or organic grocery store?

42%None 74%

One 23% 32% 26% 0

10

20

30 PERCENT

40

Yes, I like to eat healthy No, I would like to but it’s too expensive No, I don’t need organic food

50


Campus+city

stat e ne ws.co m | T he State N ews | T hu r s day, J UNE 12, 2014 |

Students aid in garden upkeep

SN

H e a lt h

“Lying out” brings risks

TOP: Professional writing senior Olivia Monforton organizes flowers Tuesday in the W. J. Beal Botanical Garden. “I had never done any gardening before and now it’s become something I really love to do and I think I’ll do for the rest of my life,” Monforton said.

By Colleen Otte colleen.otte@statenews.com THE STATE NEWS n n

This year’s winter brought recordbreaking cold temperatures, but the cold winter does not mean there is an absence of global warming — nor an absence of a risk for skin cancer. Some MSU experts are warning of an increase in skin cancer from sun exposure this summer. Global warming has a direct relationship with skin cancer, and instances of this particular cancer will most likely continue to rise, ecosystems scientist Bruno Basso said. “The ozone layer is a buffer protection from heavy ultraviolet radiation,” Basso said. “Ozone absorbs 95 to 97 percent of UV rays.” Because of the increase in greenhouse gases, chlorofluorocarbons have increasingly combined in the atmosphere, breaking down ozone, Basso said. Nonetheless, many college students continue to lay out for extended periods of time in the summer. MSU senior Julia Johnson said she lies out beside the pool at her house while she reads and typically doesn’t wear sunscreen. She said she believes most students don’t wear sunscreen because it “defeats the purpose” when lying out to get a tan. In addition, she said she feels many people aren’t aware of the risks unless they, or a family member, have personally been affected by skin cancer. “It’s interesting to look at how different generations view beauty,” Johnson said. “In the past, fair skin was considered beautiful, but now exotic is what we strive to achieve.” Professor Leonard Fleck, an expert in health care justice, rationing and policy said he feels the presentation of being tan as a beauty standard is concerning. He said anyone sunbathing should restrict the activity to an hour or hour and a half and try to avoid the period from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. when the sun’s rays are the most intense. People are not as concerned with the risks as they should be, since the consequences “usually take a couple decades to develop,” Fleck said. He said some forms of skin cancer, like melanoma, are incurable and potentially deadly if not treated right away. For other forms, the cost of a cure is very high, he said. Fleck said people who have experienced intense sunburns in which their skin blistered are at a higher risk for skin cancer, along with those who have a genetic vulnerability.

BOTTOM: Monforton is in charge of planting all the annual beds in the garden and designs the layout of the flowers. Photos By Hayden Fennoy/ The State News

By Sierra Lay slay@statenews.com THE STATE NEWS

S nn

pr i ng i s on it s way into summer, and the W. J. Beal Botanical Garden i s c om i n g i nt o f ull bloom w it h the help of some of MSU’s own students. Regulars to the expansive botanical landscape can always see someone working in the garden — planting, watering, edging, weeding and maintaining the foliage. This visual reminder of the care put into fostering the growth of the flora inside the garden is what sets the site apart from other hotspots on MSU’s campus, botanical technician Peter Murray said. “It’s a little bit of something for everyone,” he said. Murray and several MSU students from an array of majors spend six to seven hours a day — rain or shine — ensuring the health and aesthetics of the garden.

— she likes the interaction. “It seems like when people go shopping for plants or when they’re in gardens, they’re never stressed,” Monforton said. “Prett y much ever yone who stops to talk is doing so because they are genuinely interested, genuinely want to talk and it’s always a pleasant experience.” For Monforton, there isn’t a better place to be. She said her time working in various gardens over t he past few summers has taught her a lot about plants and people. It’s a life skill. “I had never done any gardening before and now it ’s become something I really love to do and I think I’ll do for the rest of my life,” Monforton said. And Monforton is not alone in her love of gardening. Applied engineering sophomore Nick Mikelsavage said in addition to loving to work outside, he can watch his work come to life. “The best thing is having ever yone walk through and admire your work,” Mikelsavage said.

This means caring for the garden’s wide range of plant life — everything from pineapple trees to a small plant with touch-sensitive leaves. While the perennial plants only need watering, edging and weeding, annual vegetation requires new planting and designing each year. Designing the f lower beds is a job Murray used to execute; however, in recent years he decided to pass this duty on to students such as professional writing senior Olivia Monforton. “He wants us to express ourselves,” Monforton said. “We pretty much have creative control over (the design).” With the assistance of another student worker, Monforton sketched a rainbow-patterned design for one f lower bed, in which arcs of flowers with pink, red or magenta colored petals overlap each other. As far as summer jobs go, Monforton said there’s a reason she chooses to spend her days contending with the heat and mosquitoes in the garden

Classified To place an ad …

Horoscope By Linda C. Black

Line Additions Changes resulting in additional lines will be treated as a new ad and return to the firstday rate.

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dom. Deep clean living spaces. Schedule meetings, throw parties and move mountains.

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Aries (march 21-April 19) Today is a 6 — Clean out closets and drawers for new freedom. Set your course with priorities aligned for long-term objectives. Curtail expansion. Trust a crazy hunch (and a friend). taurus (April 20-may 20) Today is a 6 — Consider an outrageous (but unprofitable) request. Your team provides whatever you need. Circumstances may startle you, and new directions beckon. gemini (may 21-June 20) Today is a 7 — Accept additional responsibilities. A new power suit would be nice. Discipline with exercise and diet serves you well. Speculate on this career shift. cancer (June 21-July 22) Today is an 8 — Look to the future, and necessary changes become obvious. Travel seems easy now. Play like a kid with

friends and family. Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) Today is a 7 — Replenish supplies for your family without over-extending. A blissful connection provides the info you need. Put down roots. Remodel, restore or renovate your space. Virgo (Aug. 23-sept. 22) Today is a 6 — Investigate new technology. Your partner livens up your romantic life. Complying with outrageous requests can pay well. Craft and record your expression. Libra (sept. 23-oct. 22) Today is a 7 — Only accept a challenge if it pays well. Change can be good! Upgrade for efficiency. Disciplined time management helps. Rake in the dough. scorpio (oct. 23-nov. 21) Today is a 7 — A loved one has a great idea. Children speak wis-

sagittarius (nov. 22-dec. 21) Today is a 6 — List obligations and chores before beginning. Money saved is money earned. Keep your schedule, and smile for the camera. capricorn (dec. 22-Jan. 19) Today is a 6 — Try a new method for an amazing discovery. Your intuition seems sensitive. Abandon expectations while remaining committed to an outcome. Aquarius (Jan. 20-feb. 18) Today is a 7 — Get a cash bonus for following your intuition. You’re gaining a new level of communicative ability, with new tricks to reach a wider audience. pisces (feb. 19-march 20) Today is a 6 — Home and domestic pleasures keep you occupied today and tomorrow. Somehow you just know the right way to go.

Employment

Employment

Apts. For Rent

Apts. For Rent

Apts. For Rent

Apts. For Rent

Apts. For Rent

Houses/Rent

Houses/Rent

CLARA’S RESTAURANT hiring all positions. Apply in person M-Th btwn 2-4. 637 E. Mi. Ave.

WAIT STAFF. Apply in person at Spagnuolo’s 662 W. Grand River, Okemos. 2 miles east of Meridian Mall.

1410 OLD CANTON spacious 1 & 2 bdrm apts avail in August. Quiet place, perfect for grad & upper class. Free heat, water, sewer, a/c, off street parking, private lot. This is a must see! SRP Management 517332-8600.

4 BEDROOM for next school year $309 per person! 3 bedroom $415 per person. (517) 5070127.

Avail. Fall ‘14. 2 bdrm, next to campus, heat included. Great clubroom, covered parking. 517-507-3828. dtnmgt. com

BRAND NEW for August 2014! Luxury 4 bdrm - 2 level apts. 2.5 baths furnished living room, parking avail, located directly across from MSU. Call 517-623-5302. Only individual leasing available.

LRG STUDIO, near MSU lic. 1-2, great for grads, jrs+srs. $550/mth; parking w/d, util, tv, internet incl. 351-3117.

ABOVE AVERAGE 575 Cornell. Lic. 4, Eamon Kelly 714.654.2701 or enkellyjr@gmail.com

THE OAKS. Next to Brody. 2 bdrms avail August 2014 for up to 3 ppl from $475 per person. Furnished living room, Remodeled kitchens! Enjoy our fitness center 24/7. Outdoor Pool & Volleyball. Call today 517-308-0422.

AUG AVAIL. Great deals on our few remaining properties. Nice, wellmaintained homes/apartments for 1-4 people. 337-7577 or crmc1.com

MSU / SPARROW Near. Spacious 2 Bedroom, Great Kitchen, Dining Area and Deck. W/D, Lawn Maintenance Incl. No Pets $750.00 + util. 517-349-5827

S T U D E N T PAY O U T S . COM Paid survey takers needed in E.L. 100% Free. Click Surveys. SUMMER HELP needed for local property management co. Work Includes landscaping and painting. Must have reliable transportation. 517-332-8600 SUMMER WORK $15.50 base-appt. flex sched. Apply today 517-3331700 or workforstudents. com

Apts. For Rent 1 BDRM, 1 bath, affordable luxury, downtown EL. Whirlpool marble granite. 517-204-7488 Affordable Luxury 3 bdrm, 2 bath apts: Next to MSU!

Riverwalk

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AMAZING

KNOB HILL

FLOWER SHOP 2 positions avail. Technician must be a self starter who is able to stay organized in a fast-paced environment. Design experience is a plus although not a requirement. Flower delivery driver. Positions are p/t to f/t occasionally. Apply in person at Van Atta’s Greenhouse at 9008 old M-78 Haslett. 517-3391142.

1,2+3 Bdrms Available Now and Fall 2014 starting at $725 • Free Heat • Newly Remodeled Fitness Center & Clubhouse • Washers & Dryers Available • Dogs & Cats Welcome • Upgraded Kitchens Available • Carports Available

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WATERS EDGE APTS. Spacious 2 Bdrm next to campus. Lic for 4. Fully Furnished. Heat included! Balcony. Parking. Avail. Fall ‘14. 517-5070270 www.dtnmgt.com

Cedar Village A Few Select Apartments Available for Fall 2014

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FREE RENT in JULY. 1 mi. from MSU. 3BR, 1B, All appl inc. W/D. Hardwood floors. $750/mon. + util. 2015 Prospect, Lansing. Txt Kevin at 517-7491543.

SPACIOUS 4 BDRM Lic. 4. d/w + w/d. security deposit + utilities 517599-5731

Textbooks COLLEGEVILLE TEXTBOOK Co. is your source for used books! 321 E Grand River 517922-0013


6 | T he State N e ws | t hu rsday, jun e 1 2 , 2 01 4 | stat en ews.com

Features

Content Editor Olivia Dimmer Phone (517) 432-3070 Fax (517) 432-3075

Clubs

Photos by Danyelle Morrow/The State News

RIGHT: Masters student Joel Anderson pauses near the top of a ledge before down climbing during an outing with the MSU Outdoors Club on Tueday, at Oak Park in Grand Ledge, Mich. The ledge features a 20- to 30-foot cliff. BELOW: Civil engineering senior Nick McDonald leans back while taking a break during a down climb at an outing with the MSU Outdoors Club on Tuesday, at Oak Park in Grand Ledge, Mich.

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shop downtown East Lansing

ROCK stars MSU Outdoors Club scales ledges, camps, kayaks and whitewater rafts during summer By Casey Holland

cholland@statenews.com THE STATE NEWS nn

When MSU alumna Bryanna Smith first joined the MSU Outdoors Club last fall, she looked at the 20- to 30- foot tall rock ledges they climb at Grand Ledge’s Oak Park with fear in her eyes. Now the task is far less terrifying, and rock climbing is her favorite of the club’s numerous outdoor activities. Besides climbing, members go kayaking, camping and have taken whitewater rafting trips to West Virginia. The club also has an active Facebook page where members can post upcoming trips they have in mind and find others to join them on their adventure. New members typically start climbing at the club’s Learn to Climb Day, an event they hold during the school year. They learn how to tie a figure eight knot to the harness, and how to belay a climber and keep them secure while climbing. Smith said the worst injury she has received occurred when her rope was too far to the side. Smith fell and ended up scraping along the rock wall, but said her injuries have never been worse than scrapes or bruises. “When you get to the top, the hardest part is trusting the belayer to get you down safely,” Smith said. “I think it’s relatively safe. ... As long as the belayer knows what they’re doing and everything is set up properly, you should be safe.” Zo olog y ju n ior Mac ke n-

zie Feringa joined during her freshman year when she stumbled upon a tent filled with lawn chairs and a canoe at Sparticipation. She attended Learn to Climb Day and the club’s 8 p.m. Monday meetings at IM West. Ever yone i s welcome to attend the meetings and join the club, and their gear room gives prospective members a chance to test the adventures out before deciding to join. To officially join, members pay a fee of $20 for gear rentals and membership fees. If they decide they don’t want to join, they can return the rental gear free of charge. “People who are interested should just go out and try it,” Feringa said. “Grab people who are excited and can teach you, especially in the beginning if you don’t know what’s going on. With someone experienced, you can get tips if you need them.” Feringa said club activit y slows down during the summer, but members still post in the Facebook group for various outings. Japanese senior Allison Tobin has been a part of the club for two years. Since then, she has joined the e-board and became the gear manager or “gear queen.” She said anyone, including local community members, are welcome to join and hang out with the club, and that the community is the greatest part of it. “It’s just a really good community,” she said. “You don’t try to be anyone else but yourself, and the people love you for it.”

Masters student Joel Anderson pauses near the top of a ledge while climbing during an outing with the MSU Outdoors Club on Tuesday, at Oak Park in Grand Ledge, Mich. The club frequents the area, which features over 100 routes.

Urban and regional planning sophomore Dan Bomzer begins a climb during an outing with the MSU Outdoors Club on Tuesday, at Oak Park in Grand Ledge, Mich.

More online … Learn how to tie a knot fit for a climber from a MSU Outdoors Club member online at statenews. com/multimedia

Student gives time to Habitat for Humanity By Sierra Williams swilliams@statenews.com THE STATE NEWS nn

Habitat for Humanity Lansing has been busy this week building multiple homes for area families in just five days as part of their Home Builders Blitz, and communication senior Carly Sullivan has been just as busy working alongside the charity. Sullivan is an intern at Habitat for Huma nit y Lansing. A f ter working 36 hours per week and juggl i ng a n Sullivan online class, Sullivan gives the rest of her time to Habitat for Humanity. “Before I started volunteer-

ing and then interning with them, I didn’t even know that they just rehabilitate houses in Lansing for families and not just build them,” Sullivan said. “It’s so much more than just swinging a hammer.” On the construction site, Sullivan contributes by taking pictures, making donor signs, giving out pies and interacting with volunteers and the family. Development Director of Habitat for Humanity Lansing Patrick Diehl is Sullivan’s manager. He said Sullivan is energetic, committed, charming and dedicated. “She actually even secured some food donations for our Home Builder’s Blitz this year f rom her ot her employer, Grand Traverse Pie Company,” Diehl said. “So she’s been real helpful to us in a lot of ways.” Sullivan said she inter-

viewed with other internships that offered to pay her, but she felt that Habitat for Humanity was ten times better. “You get paid in a way that money can’t buy … if you give a little bit you’ll be amazed at how much you can get back,” Sullivan said. Sullivan said she usually goes into the office once a week and does the rest of her work from home. Her role as the Habitat for Humanity Lansing intern is handling their social media, graphics and flyers. Diehl said that Sullivan has been with them for a short while, but has already helped out a lot. “She’s got fantastic energy and she’s creative. She handles our social media for us, actually generating posts using her imagination and her knowl-

edge of our organization,” Diehl said. One particular home Habitat for Humanity Lansing is working on as part of the blitz is one that is wheelchair accessible for a family that has two children with cerebral palsy. Owner of Evert Construction Ray Evert said it is very satisfying to be able to help the family. “I’ve been blessed as far as a construction company and it’s just good to be able to give back,” Evert said. Dave Kelley, a volunteer from Mudman Drywall, also pitched in to help with the blitz. “When you get an opportunity to do something like this, you can’t refuse to do it, because it’s just the right thing to do,” Kelley said.


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