“Irregular … bumpy … rugged,” he said.

Davidson did not read a piece he had written down on paper like many writers had done as part of the Writing Circle on Tuesday. The audience encouraged Davidson to perform this interesting way of creative writing and were suprised by his successful attempt.

Davidson has been to many open mics and has presented his writing to crowds before.

“It was fun,” he said.

Andrea Riehl coordinated this event for students who wish to present their pieces of creative writing in front of an attentive audience.

“I was pleased with how it went,” the Shelby Township senior said.

Riehl read one of her poems, “Helpess Companion,” in front of the small crowd. It was published in “In Other Words,” an anthology with various poems written by “closet poets” from the United States, Riehl said.

“The Writing Center supports writers of all ages, gender and race,” she said.

Freeland senior Pam Reames opened up this first-time event, reading in the dim light, her poem titled “Fallen Star.” Reames has worked for the Writing Center for about two years, and has been writing creatively for the past four to five years.

In addition to reading “Fallen Star,” Reames also read her poem “Rebirth of a Home.”

“I liked it,” Reames said. “The ambiance was right.”

Fife Lake senior Ben Kinney read his story “Love and Hell,” which was published in the fall 2008 Central Review.

“I was really impressed by Ben’s story,” Riehl said. “I liked all of it.”

Sandusky senior Grace Williams also read her poem titled “Vegas.”

“I went on a vacation there, so I think that’s why I decided to write about it,” she said.

“Vegas” was only one of 50 poems that Williams has written for a creative writing class she took her junior year of high school.

It is always good to realize how creative people are on campus, Riehl said.

Riehl hopes to keep this event consistent by sponsoring it every semester. The Writing Circle is still in formation, she said.

news@cm-life.com

A bed frame, an exhaust pipe, beer cans and Taco Bell food wrappers were among the items cleaned up around campus as a part of Cleaning Up Campus.

Around 30 volunteers gathered Saturday at the Bovee University Center Multicultural Education Center with the North American Indigenous Student Organization for the campus-wide cleanup.

They divided into five groups and kicked off Native American Heritage Month. The cleanup was an homage to the Native American tradition of honoring Mother Earth.

White Lake senior Kyle Krukowski said there was a lot of empty Jell-O shot containers, McDonald’s wrappers and broken glass.

“It does feel good in the end to know you put your part in,” Krukowski said.

The groups focused on areas that are likely to be dirty because of student activities, such as the tailgating parking lot.

Grand Haven junior Wesley J. Parish thought the cleanup went well. Parish coordinated the event, and is also head of volunteer work for NAISO.

“I feel really good about it,” Parish said.

Along with Parish and other NAISO members, volunteers from other organizations assisted in the cleanup.

Lansing sophomore Duong Ngo, who is a member of the Asian Culture Organization, heard about this cleanup in his organization’s meeting and decided to volunteer.

“It always feels nice to give back to the community,” Ngo said.

It was not only an opportunity for Ngo to give back to the community, but also a chance to meet fellow students he did not know.

“It was nice to meet new people,” Ngo said.

Various other events will take place in November for Native American Heritage Month. Students can check out the art exhibit in the Multicultural Education Center in the UC with selected paintings by Norman Neyome from the Clarke Historical Library’s Olga Denison Collection. Baskets and beadwork created and collected by CMU Native American students will also be present at the exhibit.

On Tuesday, also at the Multicultural Education Center, a documentary of a CMU student’s relative who was shot by an Ontario Provisional Police officer while protesting will take place from noon to 2 p.m.

news@cm-life.com

The price of natural gas is projected to rise in the 2008-09 winter season.

DTE Energy, which is the parent company to MichCon, one of the largest gas suppliers in Michigan, bases its prices on the amount of money it pays for natural gas.

“Natural gas could be purchased during the summer cheap, and then we’d use it in the winter when people need it,” said Scott Simons, spokesman for DTE Energy. “Natural gas prices aren’t low anymore, so as a result prices stay high.”

The only factor that seems to be driving prices sky-high is the increase of natural gas prices.

With the way the economy has been headed, there’s no surprise that prices have skyrocketed, Simons said.

“It’s hard to say because it’s a commodity of supply and demand laws,” he said. “We’re hoping prices go down.”

According to Michigan Public Service Commission, the projected price for Michigan’s average monthly residential heating bill from November to March this year will be $193.

That’s a $39 increase from the 2007-08 cost. A typical customer of DTE Energy would pay $175 per month last winter, Simons said.

“This year, it’s bumping up to $210 per month,” he said.

Central Michigan University students can expect lower bills than a typical customer because they live in smaller apartments and homes.

Plymouth sophomore Tanya Moutzalias has yet to experience these outrageous costs.

“It sucks because it’s cheaper now, and in the winter the cost will go up, and with the economy and the job market it’s going to be difficult to pay for all the students who live in apartments,” she said.

Gregory junior Sam Zuccala has fears of the increase as well.

“We were really careful with our electricity and it was still $103.66 for September,” he said. “And that’s without even using more than three days of A/C.”

Zuccala resides in Deerfield Apartments, 3400 Deerfield Road, with three other roommates.

Students who live in Campus Habitat Apartments do not have to worry about heating costs.

“The residents don’t pay for heat; the company does,” said April King, regional manager of Campus Habitat.

Simons said DTE Energy cannot control the price of heat.

“There’s not a whole lot we can do about it,” Simons said. “Bills can be lower or higher depending on the weather. Our objective is to keep everyone warm this winter and we’re more than willing to work with our customers to keep their heat on.” Customers in need of financial assistance with paying their heating bills through DTE Energy can call (800) 477-4747.

news@cm-life.com

“It means the U.S. is not ready for a president of a different race,” Matthews said.

The department of philosophy and religion, and Scholars Exploring Cultures, Religious Experiences and Traditions sponsored “Religion and the Election,” a panel discussion Tuesday night in Moore Hall Room 105.

Ashley Taylor, president of S.E.C.R.E.T. and a Midland sophomore, said the discussion was a success.

“It went really well,” she said.

The lecture consisted of five panelists. Roger Hatch, David Smith and Matthews, who are all professors of philosophy and religion, talked about issues ranging from the role religions plays in the election to the role racism plays in voters’ decisions.

He said Tuesday night how Obama has become a symbol in America.

“Barack Obama has become a heroic figure in the black community,” Matthews said.

Associate professor of biology Charles Novitski was also a part of the panel to discuss the environmental impact this election could have. He commented on how voters should be concerned about the global climate change and every aspect of the election.

“We are destroying our planet,” he said.

Audience members asked a number of questions after each panelists discussed their views on the election and its connection to religion.

Alumnus C. William Westerfield, a member of the Episcopal church, explained churches’ role in the election.

He discussed how churches cannot intervene in political campaigns and how they cannot comment or contribute to politics.

The Internal Revenue Service prohibits all organizations who are under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code to display their political stance in a presidential campaign. However, organizations can intervene on issues, such as abortion and gay marriage. Churches also cannot donate to campaigns, but individuals who are religious are able to do so.

“It’s a long-standing tradition,” Westerfield said.

Pete Kuzdal, a Sterling Heights sophomore, said the information about the tax status of churches opened his eyes.

“I learned a lot about the tax exemptions in churches,” he said.

He thought the lecture went really well.

“Overall, it gave everybody a good understanding of how race and religion affects the election,” he said.

news@cm-life.com

M.A.J.O.R. (Many Advisors Joined Under One Roof) Night, which took place Wednesday in the Towers lobby, is an opportunity for students to explore their decisions.

“This is for students to explore, for students who are undecided,” said Academic Adviser Lynne L’Hommedieu, organizer of the yearly event.

M.A.J.O.R. Night used to take place in the Real Food on Campus, but over time it outgrew the cafeteria and moved to the lobby of The Towers, L’Hommedieu said. It has been going on for about 15 years and has grown rapidly.

“The amount of options we offer is endless,” said Jake Sproul, a Linden senior who is also an freshman orientation mentor.

Sproul, along with many other volunteers, was assisting students as they entered the lobby.

M.A.J.O.R. Night is a way for students to not only explore majors, but learn about what Central Michigan University has to offer.

“Students owe it to themselves to explore the opportunities that are available to them,” Sproul said.

“There are thousands of careers that students don’t consider,” said James Felton, chairman of the finance and law department. “It’s a good place for students to come by and ask faculty about the different majors before they choose them.”

To help students seek major/minor possibilities, colleges were divided into hallways by departments. There were various advisers speaking to students who were eager to ask questions.

The College of Communication and Fine Arts was located in Troutman Hall. Within this hall, advisers spoke to students about majors and minors such as music art, broadcast and cinematic arts and integrative and public relations. Lansing freshman Eric Lowe said the informative night reinforced his major decision.

“It’s informing me more on my decision to major in art,” he said.

There was also a Student Services section where advisers spoke to students about campus involvement.

Plymouth senior Colleen Whately was an adviser for the Study Abroad table.

“It can be an extremely rewarding experience,” said Whately. “We have inexpensive programs.”

Whately advises students to look into studying abroad.

“I think it will benefit them and get them on the right track,” she said.

news@cm-life.com

One of which is with flying discs.

The Central/Western Disc Golf Tournament will take place from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday at the Central Michigan University disc golf behinf Kelly/Shorts Stadium.

This past summer, Midland senior and Central Michigan Life Advertising Manager Mychal Graham tossed the idea of a disc golf tournament around with a few faculty members.

Associate Director of Programs for University Recreation Jen Nottingham was among these faculty members.

“She was really excited and really willing to help us,” Graham said.

Kathy Simon, assistant director of Student Publications, said the event was brainstormed among the public relations interns and the advertising staff with ideas to help celebrate the 90th anniversary of CM Life.

“It’s a first-time event,” Simon said. “It seemed like it would be a fun event for any age group.”

Registration is $5 per person, and participants can sign up online at cm-life.com.

Graham has also been distributing flyers throughout the campus. The idea came about from the Central/Western football game, Graham said. There is a rivalry not only with the game, but also The American Red Cross annual Blood Drive.

“All proceeds go to The American Red Cross,” Graham said.

Not only will the game be taking place, but there will be many events leading up to the much-anticipated football game. Graham said the tournament is just one of those events.

“We want to get students out and them involved and excited about the rivalry,” Graham said. “Ultimately, it’s just a lot of fun.”

This event will be sponsored by many companies well-known throughout the city. The Student Book Exchange, 209 E. Bellows St., will be distributing free shirts. JP’s Gym, 4245 S. Lincoln Road, will be giving the winners a one month long membership to their gym. The Grotto will be handing out free food during the event. CM Life is also a sponsor.

Not many are aware of the sport, Graham said, but once they do, they love it. Participants aim for the lower score. It takes effort to play, and also some thought, Graham said.

“It’s like golf with a disc,” said Graham. “You have to factor in the wind.”

Graham hopes to make it an annual event.

“I expect the outcome to be fun,” Graham said. “We’re there to have a good time and kick the weekend off.”

news@cm-life.com

“It was very relative to my relationships,” Busch said.

Knapp presented “Lies and Truths in Close Relationships” on Monday in the Bovee University Center Auditorium. Most attendees of this lecture were from Communication and Dramatic Arts associate professor Leslie Withers’ COM 523: Dark Side of Communication course.

The College of Communication and Fine Arts and the department of communication and dramatic arts sponsored this event.

Knapp’s presentation consisted of reasons as to why there are lies within serious and “close” relationships. He referred to it as “the dark side of a relationship.” Knapp addressed the path to lies and deceptions in a relationship, which ranged from vulnerability to the influence a significant other might have.

“Most of the time when people tell lies, they’re thinking about themselves,” Knapp said. “The truth can be used to hurt people.”

In previous years, the CCFA and the CDA schedule various speakers in two to three days, but they decided to try something different, Withers said. Rather than bunching up speakers in a shorter amount of time, speakers will be brought throughout the year for all to attend. Knapp happened to be the first of this year’s speakers

“He’s such a well-known scholar internationally and nationally,” Withers said.

Knapp has done various presentations on many subjects, ranging from “Lies and Truths in Close Relationships” to “Observation of Nonverbal Behavior: Skills and Problems.” He has also authored several books.

Mary Ann Renz a communication and dramatic arts professor who organized the event, said the event went well.

“I thought it was a good presentation,” she said.

Knapp’s presentation also included a few videos, one of which portrayed a typical young adult as a compulsive liar. It showed that typical adults average three lies every 10 minutes.

This was a complete shock to the audience.

“It was really interesting,” said Dani Lauer, a Cedar Springs senior.

Germany freshman Marco Ehrl is currently in a long-distance relationship, and said this was something definitely worth listening to.

“It was motivating and inspiring,” Ehrl said.

Knapp said he feels strongly about honesty in close relationships.

“I’ve been in close relationships,” he said. “Because it really is at the core of what keeps people together, and when I say that, I’m talking about the things that count.”

news@cm-life.com