Beyond Coal

Though most view the demolition of the MSC smokestack as the end of a historic presence, others see it as a step forward in the green energy movement.

At least one member of MSU beyond coal is seizing the opportunity to promote the group's message, connecting the event not only to MSU's green-and-white-blooded history, but also to what the university has not made strides toward.

Beyond Coal has been slowly building a strong base, and is quickly becoming one of the most powerful activist groups on campus. They can be seen regularly petitioning and protesting around campus during the year, particularly near Wells Hall and the Farm Lane area. It appears at least their grassroots efforts are working, if nothing else. The group meets weekly in Erickson hall, room 228.

U2 comes to town

Around 65,000 people descended on East Lansing Sunday, June 26 to see U2 live in concert. The event halted demolition on the MSC smokestack for around a week, though U2 fans were already too late to catch a glimpse of the famous while MSC letters. The stage could be seen from the from outside Spartan Stadium, over the top of the structure.  

The show was the second concert ever held in the stadium's history, the other being the Rolling Stones in 1994. The turf is set to be replaced in time for football season in the fall, where the Spartans will defend their three-way Big Ten Champion title tie.

Poolside memories

Did any of you ever go to the pool as a kid in the summer? I spent many a day there myself — plymouth pool it was called. I remember the summer by brother was 16 and got paid to paint it in the spring.

Sadly the the Detroit Free Press reported that many community pools are not opening or shutting down because of budget constraints. 

I have several distinct memories at my community pool, including a close call with the cops at thirteen for taking a midnight swim there with several kids in my seventh grade science class, including this girl who I had a pretty big crush on. I only hope every kid can have memories like that.

But alas, there is another kind of pool I was never good at. 

Pool Weather?

The East Lansing Family Aquatic Center's revenue stream isn't looking all too promising for the next few days, according to our friends at the Weather Channel. They're calling for a good chance of rain for the next five days, including scattered thunderstorms — a sure fire way get the pool closed.

Unfortunately, my apartment doesn't deal will with rain either. Last time it rained, the whole lobby flooded, and water was even seeping into the elevators. This was a problem in other E.L. residencies earlier this month as well.

Also, the moon roof of my car is leaking. Every time I take a turn after a rainstorm, water trapped in the roof pours onto my head through a crack. I'd get it fixed, but The State News doesn't really pay well enough. Overworked and underpaid — guess it's just like spring training camp for the real journo world.

Except we're definitely not in Lakeland Florida, and I'm definitely not getting coached by Jim Leyland, and I'm definitely not getting a cool million thrown at me to throw a ball at somebody else.

Transportation

Moving on to the subject of carbon emissions, my bus pass expired June 10.

Bummer.

Even though it's only been a few days, I've been forced to drive everywhere, and I'm already sick of it.

Though there is a small faction of the population who hate CATA, I find it much easier and cheaper than driving. With parking in downtown East Lansing being the nightmare it is, and on-campus parking not being much better, overall it can take about the same time to get to a destination, unless you have a special parking pass. Plus, you can feel a little better about saving the earth using public transit.

Recycling

Tonight, the East Lansing city council discussed ways lessen their carbon footprint and increase recyling in the community.

Interestingly enough, several members said they often get complaints on the fact that curbside does not take green colored glass.

That got me thinking. I'm not sure about off-campus apartments or houses, but after living in a residence hall this year, I've noticed it's immensely hard to recycle a fair number of materials. Sure, it can be done, but some items are harder than others.

For instance, It's easy to recycle newspapers — they have bins for those in the dorms. But nowhere do they have boxes for cans, which would otherwise be returnable for a deposit. There is, to my knowledge, nowhere in East Lansing that accepts large amounts of returnable cans, especially for underagers like myself. I always seem to have to wait around for church and humanitarian groups to come knocking at my door, looking for a donation.