KSU watches Nov. 2 vote to repeal bar food law
(U-WIRE) MANHATTAN, Kan. - Voters in November may play a role in deciding what's on the menu around Kansas State University.
An ordinance requiring that a minimum 30 percent of gross sales at bars come from food will be on ballot. If the initiative passes, the ordinance will be repealed. A 1996 referendum failed.
County Commissioner Bob Newsome said several local business owners approached the commission a few months ago with the proposal.
"We received it as neutral," Newsome said. "We didn't favor it or disfavor it."
He said he had been told several counties had already repealed similar ordinances.
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NY panel says visibility of gay couples key to rights
(U-WIRE) NEW YORK - Protesting is not the only way to advocate for gay marriage rights, a panel of four same-sex marriage supporters told students Tuesday night.
In the discussion, panelists said making same-sex weddings and families visible - even if the government does not recognize them - can often do more to sway public opinion than protesting.
Ron Zacchi, co-executive director for Marriage Equality New York, organizes the annual "Same Sex Wedding Expo," which he said is the largest marriage expo in the country - gay or straight.
"It's not activism - just a way for people to plan their weddings," Zacchi said. "We say weddings even though the government does not see it that way."
The pill more popular than the patch at Iowa State U
(U-WIRE) AMES, Iowa - Although the birth control patch has been rapidly gaining popularity across the country, it has yet to replace the pill as the preferred form of birth control for Iowa State University students.
In the two years since the patch has hit the market, the student health center still fills more prescriptions for the pill than for the patch.
"There was a strong interest to begin with, and now it is just a good alternative for women to consider," said Greg Yeakel, chief of staff for the health center pharmacy.
The main advantage of the patch is that it only has to be replaced weekly, compared with the pill, which is taken daily.
Poker part-time job for U of Nebraska student
(U-WIRE) LINCOLN, Neb. - Pat earns at least $200 a week. It just depends on the luck he has in his poker game.
The University of Nebraska-Lincoln student plays poker with a group of friends about three times a week. Like other students, he doesn't register his winnings on a tax form.
Pat, who did not want to give his last name, said he realizes he could be punished for his actions.
He could face punishment from the university, state legal officials and Internal Revenue Service agents.
But Pat won't - and can't - stop gambling.
To him, the money is free and he has a good time winning it.
Donna Migazzi, an IRS spokeswoman, said Pat's gambling habits could be classified as a form of tax fraud.
Indiana U sees growth of shoe-throwing ritual
(U-WIRE) BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Pairs of tennis shoes dangle on telephone and electrical wires throughout the Indiana University community.
Popular myths of why people consciously choose to toss their tennis shoes over wires include the availability of narcotics nearby, the loss of an individual's virginity, vicious pranks aimed at family or friends, a post-graduation festivity, a symbol of wedding or honeymoon love, the silliness felt from liquor in bloodstreams, and the "it seemed like a good idea."
Folklore Professor John McDowell said campus community members are creating a relatively new ritual that is part of the college student culture.
"Like a snake shedding its skin, students shed their tennis shoes," he said. "I see it as a way of saying goodbye to a certain phase of their lives."
Pabst beer sponsors new fraternity at Oregon State
(U-WIRE) CORVALLIS, Ore. - A few friends from Forest Grove, Ore., were hanging out after finals last spring.
"Walker, Texas Ranger" was on and Pabst Blue Ribbon was being openly consumed.
Thinking this was something great, the guys decided to start a "fake" fraternity sponsored by Pabst.
They sent an e-mail to the general questions and comments page on Pabst's Web site. Ten minutes later, impatient for a response, they made a phone call to PBR.
The response from a Pabst marketing representative was overwhelmingly positive.
Wednesday, Oregon State University has its very own beer-sponsored, unaffiliated fraternity: Pi Beta Rho.
The organization is the first of its kind in the nation.
More students at Princeton have attention disorders
(U-WIRE) PRINCETON, N.J. - Princeton University Health Services has seen a jump in the number of students with attention disorders in recent years as the wider availability of treatments enables more affected students to come to Princeton.
"There has been an increase in the recognition of the disorders, and we have seen more cases now than ever before," said Dr. Susan Packer, associate director of counseling and psychological services.
Medications such as Ritalin, Straterra and Adderall allow students with attention deficit disorder (ADD) and an associated disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), to focus for longer periods of time.
Nationally, 1.6 to 2 million people have been diagnosed with ADD and ADHD.
