Let the Games Begin World Dwarf Games comes to East Lansing Sports+features, page 6
Naill McVeigh, left, of Ireland and Waukesha, Wis. resident Kevin Cekanor, right.
statenews.com | 8/5/13 | @thesnews
photos by Justin Wan/The State News
San Francisco resident Lucy Williams, center left, and Covington, Ky. resident Tim Murry.
Michigan State University’s independent voice
BUSINESS
Jazzin’ Out
Whole Foods to open Okemos store in 2015
By Ariel Ellis
By Derek Kim
THE STATE NEWS
dkim@statenews.com THE STATE NEWS nn
W hole Foods Market, the eighth-largest food and drug store in the U.S., will open a new location in the East Lansing area in 2015. Founded in Austin, Texas in 1980, with a staff of 19 people, W hole Foods will build its newest Michigan location on East Grand River Avenue, engulfing the space currently home to Velocipede Peddler, 2758 E. Grand River Ave., according to Meridian Township Director of Communit y Planning and Development Mark Kieselbach.
Whole Foods will launch 7th Michigan location at the site of Velocipede Peddler, 2758 E. Grand River Ave., in 2015 Although Kieselbach was not involved in the negotiation between Whole Foods and Velocipede Peddler, he said that there were discussions of having a multitenant building between the two, however, the plan failed. Velocipede Peddler will relocate to a new location, he added. “It’s a real boost for that new business to come into the township,” Kieselbach said. “It may jump-start some redevelopment in that whole area.” Kieselbach said he has not received a site plan from Whole Foods and that it is in the beginning stages of the development process. He said the next steps include getting the appropriate permits and having the approval of the planning commission and township board. “We’re incredibly excited about the opportunity to develop connections within the Lansing community,” Whole Foods Market Midwest Regional President See MARKET on page 2 u
Lansing’s Old Town plays host to the expanding JazzFest for almost 20 years
aellis@statenews.com nn
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n 1985, a handful of Lansing musicians embodying a passion for jazz and a dream of a more lively Old Town Lansing envisioned an event that would bring the twang, rhythm and liveliness to a town that lacked excitement. For nearly two decades, that vision has been a reality, and this year, Aug. 2-3, Lansing JazzFest co-founder Terry Terry said the free festival, hosted by the Michigan Institute of Contemporary Art, or MICA, was expected to bring out record crowds. "The mission of our organization, MICA, is to create an open space in our community where people can come together, meet old friends, make some new friends and have conversations about how we can make ours a better community in the context of music and the arts," Terry said. A ghost town brought to life The Old Town neighborhood now is a popular destination for Lansing residents and beyond. However, Terry said before the JazzFest, the area was a "ghost town."
JazzFest has blossomed from a single-stage concert to a full-scale festival with vendors and multiple stages "Now it's really hopping in Old Town," Terry said. "Just this week, we've had 10 ribbon cuttings from new shops in Old Town. There's quite a bit of activity going on here." When the JazzFest first began, it was a small festival with only one stage, a small collection of art and a few local musicians. Since then, Terry said the Lan-
Weston Brooks/The State News
MSU professor of jazz Rodney Whitaker plays the double bass on Friday during the Lansing JazzFest. The Rodney Whitaker Quartet played two sets on Friday.
sing JazzFest has greatly evolved into a nationally recognized event, attracting talent and festivalgo-
ers from across the nation. "Now, 19 years later, we have three stages, all kinds of activities, thousands of
people," Terry said. "Another thing that we have new See JAZZ on page 2 u
To see a video of performers and fans at JazzFest, visit statenews.com/multimedia.
Rub a dub dub, racing the tubs
DEVE LOPME NT
FRIB receives 2nd stage of approval from Dept. of energy After remaining on the agenda for nearly five years, plans for MSU’s Facility for Rare Isotope Beams, or FRIB, have begun to move forward. The facility initially was put under review by the U.S. Department of Energy, or DOE, in April 2012, and was given the approval for Critical Decision 2, Friday. FRIB, when completed, will allow researchers to slow down or speed up reactions within the beams to study their makeup and actions. Despite the work that lies ahead, MSU President Lou Anna K. Simon said she is pleased with the progress. “While we realize this is just one more step toward realization of this important project for nuclear science and the nation, it’s a significant step — evidence that FRIB continues to be well-managed and that the scope, cost and the schedule of the project are where they need to be,” Simon said in a statement. “We are pleased by the decision and value the partnership we have with the DOE Office of Science.” The commitment from the DOE confirmed a total cost of $730 million for the FRIB project, $94.5 million of which is expected to come from MSU funding or state appropriation. Although a price tag has been put on FRIB, a formal appropriation bill has yet to pass through Congress this year, despite an agreement between Obama and Congress on a $55 million federal appropriation. The lack of legislation could cause construction delays, with the groundbreaking tied directly to federal funding. The facility is projected to be completed in 2022. Katie Abdilla
FOOTBALL Senior quarterback Andrew Maxwell stretches during practice on Saturday at the practice field outside Duffy Daugherty Football Building. Julia Nagy/ The State News
Position battles underway as Spartans report to fall camp
Haslett resident Shannon Harman races the police tub during the International Bath Tub Races Saturday on Main Street in Bath, Mich. A daughter of one of the police officers, Harman was participating in the main rivalry between the police and fire departments.
By Omari Sankofa II
— Danyelle Morrow, SN
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See BATH on page 3
osankofa@statenews.com THE STATE NEWS
The MSU football team opened its fall camp with the first practice on Sat-
urday, and head coach Mark Dantonio was quick to admit that the play of his quarterbacks immediately jumped out to him. "You watch your quarterbacks throw," Dantonio said.
"I thought that (redshirt freshman)Tyler O'Connor was sharp in the drills. (Senior Andrew) Maxwell was in the drills. I thought See CAMP on page 2 u