Thursday, June 23, 2011

MSU Offers Hands-On Experience for Students

The MSU Dairy Food Complex, is not just home of the beloved Dairy Store, but it also incorporates the Dairy Plant and research laboratories.
Nik Basford, senior at MSU and food science major, said that having a dairy plant on campus is an advantage. A lot of things I have learned in class have been helpful here, and a lot of the things I have learned here are helpful in class, said Basford.
Although the majority of students employed by the Diary Food Complex are food science majors, other departments and faculties such as the MSU Department of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering also use the facility for graduate and undergraduate research.
Dr. John Partridge, Faculty Advisor for the plant said as far as the students go they get to see what they are going to face when they get out in the real world. "They are hands-on involved in making the product", he said.
Rodney Clark, the Dairy Production Supervisor said they teach the students proper sanitation, production, pasteurization, and quality assurance testing.
In the spring semester the facility is more available from a teaching standpoint. We make the facility open for other faculty members to use for  research, if they can use it safely, said Partridge.

'Tis the Season for Ice Cream

Summer has arrived, and the sweet treat of choice for a hot summer's day is ice cream. A popular place to go among the East Lansing community is the MSU Dairy Store.
"People may come in all stressed out but once they get that first lick on that cone, then its smiles after that," said Faculty Advisor Dr. John Partridge.When the sun is shining the line is out the door, he said.
The MSU Dairy Store has many original flavors of ice cream that are rotated throughout the year.  Dairy Store Manager, John Engstrom said the Dairy Store has provided many popular flavors over the past few years. Nik Basford, a full-time student employee at the Dairy Plant said his favorite flavor is the coconut chocolate almond. "If you haven't come to the Dairy Store, come try our ice cream, and the cheese," he said. The Dairy Store doesn't just sell ice cream, but they also have many different types of cheese and other dairy products. Dairy Store cheese is also available to purchase online. "If you ask people what they remember about MSU a lot of them will come up with the Dairy Store," said Partridge.
The Dairy Store has two locations on campus, one in Anthony Hall and the other is located in the MSU Union . Summer hours can be found at the MSU Dairy Store website.

Friday, June 17, 2011

Parent's Love Children Summer Reading

Kim Falconer, makes her weekly visit to East Lansing Public Library with her two children. She said her two kids participate each summer in ELPL's children's summer reading program.
"It's a good encouragement for the kids, it's a good incentive for them to read together," Falconer said.
She really admires the way that ELPL puts on the program each year, she said they do a really good job of encouraging the kids and providing good incentive prizes for them to keep reading.
Falconer said that the library doesn't just provide books for the kids to read, but there are various activities throughout the week that children and parents can attend. She said that one of the days the kids go to MSU's children's garden, where they have local local high school students read to them and with them.
The reading program helps "get people in the community to participate," Falconer said.
Falconer would suggest to other parents that they read to their kids while they are young, read picture books, imaginative story books and even audio books are a good option. She said her kids were really entertained and engaged listening to the Charley and the Chocolate Factory audio book. "They laughed and laughed," said Falconer.

Cover to Cover

East Lansing Public Library's kick-off to the children's children's summer reading program has begun!
The theme for this summer is One World Many Stories.
Children receive "passports" to log their weeks of reading in. At the end of each week, children have to go to ELPL to pick up their prize.
The program is free and started this past week on June 13th and ends August 6th.
Various local businesses have donated to ELPL's summer reading program, and support it each year. The library would like to acknowledge Panera Bread of Frandor Shopping Center, Tasty Twist of East Lansing, City of East Lansing Aquatic CenterNCG Cinemas of EastwoodGrand Traverse Pie Company,  and Curious Book Shop/Archives Book Shop of East Lansing.
These local businesses provide the incentive prizes for the library to give away to the children. Prizes range from Panera Bread bagel coupons, to Tasty Twist coupons, and even free day passes to the City of East Lansing Aquatic Center.
Supporting the reading program really brings the community together, said Todd Powell from Panera Bread. Powell said that this summer was Panera's 5th year of contributing to ELPL.

Monday, June 13, 2011

The Bachlorette!

The boys are back, in their fight over Ashley's heart. ABC channel's Summer season of the Bachelorette continues this week in Phuket, Thailand.
"Hopeless Ashley, is now hopeful again," said the Bachelorette after her one-on-one date with Constantine.
Reflecting on the tsunami that took place in Phuket in 2004, Ashley decides to put the bachelors to work, and re-create an orphanage that was destroyed in the disaster.
The boys are getting a little irritated with one of the other bachelors, Ryan's bossy, controlling attitude isn't settling well with the rest of the crew.
Things get cozy down on the beach, with J.P. Ashley worries he might take a turn like the other bachelor Bentley, and just leave her behind. "You're going to have to force me out," said at J.P. He really wants to have more one-on-one time with Ashley.
"Best kiss ever," said Ashley, as her and J.P.'s chemistry is undeniable.
The other bachelors begin to notice the chemistry between Ashley and J.P. and the jealousy starts to set in.
"Mr. Wonderful", Ryan's new nickname from the other guys, or "Goober". It doesn't seem that Ryan is going to be making any close friends here in Thailand.
"No one in the house can really stand the guy,"said Blake, one of the other bachelors.
Ryan still seems to be misunderstood amongst many of the others on the show.
Aimes, on the other hand is the lucky Bachelor who got the one-on-one time with Ashley in the last hour of this week's episode.
"I feel really lucky to spend time with this really, charming and beautiful woman," said Aimes.
Ashley discovers that Aimes is a spontaneous kind of guy, and she begins to grow more fond of him.
"Love is completely uncharted territory," said Aimes as they kayak through the waters of Phuket.
Aimes and Ashley might be the new hot commodity for this season.
Ashley give Ben the final rose of tonight's episode, sending West home, with a sad good-bye.

Sunday, June 12, 2011

1st Episode of the New Season Keeping up with the Kardashians

Sunday, June 12th


The krazy Kardashians are at it again, beginning another new season to the E channel this summer.

If there is one family that never lacks drama, the Kardashians are definitely that family. They began the season with a little family feud.
Kourtney Kardashian puts together "family game night", and unfortunately none of the family showed up except her sister Khloe. The shock that their own mother and siblings wouldn't participate in a family night was really hurtful to the girls.
Seeking sweet revenge Khloe and Kourtney decide to teach their mother Kris a lesson about the importance of family time. Kris had set up a business meeting, and Khloe and Kourtney decided not to show up.
While Khloe and Kourtney are teaming up to bring their family together, Kim remains completely dedicated to her new love affair with NBA basketball player Kris Humphries. Kim and her mother Kris are two very similar work-aholics, and sometimes forget the importance of family time.
Khloe and Kourtney's little scheme was successful in reminding a very much frustrated Kris about the importance of family time, and Kris decided from now on every Sunday night will be family dinner night at the Kardashian household.
Previews for next week's episode, show some drama with some younger members of the Kardashian clan, Kylie and Kendall. The babies of the family are getting older, and it seems that they are suffering some growing pains. Kim and her new boo Kris Humphries heat things up a bit, as the season continues, and the real question is, will the Kardashians welcome a new man into their family? We'll have to wait and see next sunday night!