University Auditorium

When I chose the University Auditorium as the focus for a story I was excited about getting first hand accounts of the ghost stories I heard from friends. 

Sadly, all of the stories I heard began with, "Well Tom told me that Jerry saw this," or something like that. 

I was told to get in touch with a janitor but the only one I could find  only worked in the Auditorium for two weeks. Apparently the ghosts are still too shy to show their faces. 

Despite not finding any proof of the after-life the Auditorium still holds a great importance at Michigan State University. 

The Auditorium, on the corner of Farm Land and Auditorium Road, was built in 1938 nd became the home of the Michigan State University's department of theater in 1940.  Since then numerous plays, musicals, dances, and lectures have been performed in the building.  To learn more about the history of the building check out, www.anthropology.msu.edu/saints_rest_gallery/explore/index.html, you can also check out the history of other buildings on campus. 

Check out theater.msu.edu/Productions/CurrentSeason, for shows that could be playing in one of four unique theaters. 

The four theaters are what create the mystery and suspense that the building gives you. Stepping into each room is like stepping into another world. 

There's the two larger theaters, The Auditorium and Fair Child Theater.

Since I'm not a theater major I had no idea that the two stages are actually connected. I had to talk to Rachel Frawley, a sophmore theater major, to find out this secret. (Okay, maybe it's not a really big secret) 

The smaller two theaters are located in the basement, already adding to the creepiness. 

The Arena Theater has a round-black stage that is at the same level as the seats (which are more like benches). The room  is completely black adding to the intimate feeling the audience has with the actors.

Room 49 has only 100 seats pushed as close to the stage as possible. 

This is the room were Derek Dubuque was murdered in 2005.

 A thin metal wire was used to cut into his flesh and then tied around his neck. He was then hung from the ceiling, with his guts pouring onto the stage of Room 49. 

 Of-course, he was acting in the low-budget film, "The Final Curtain," by Jeff Burton. 

Dubuque enjoys coming back to the Auditorium, either acting or working behind the scenes for numerous performances. 

I guess I found my ghost after all. 

    

Fair Trade Reaches East Lansing

I wasn't exactly surprised when I walked into Kirabo, 215 Ann Street. I enjoy and seek out these small eclectic shops with their earth colored walls and international music playing overhead.  I usually look and don't buy but on my first trip to the store I bought gloves and a hat for $40. 

For anyone that is aware of working conditions in developing countries Kirabo is a relief. All of the items are Fair Trade certified, meaning that the farmers and artisans are paid fair prices for their work. 

If you still aren't sure what fair trade is check out this Website, www.fairtradefederation.com . The Fair Trade Organization is only one group of businesses and non-profits that are committed to raising awareness and the sales of fair trade products. 

Michigan State University Sociology Professor Daniel Jaffe recently studied two neighboring farmers in Oaxaca,  Mexico. One sold to a free trade vendor and the other sold to a fair trade.

He found that the farmer that sold to a fair trade vendor was less likely to be indebt, had a high income , more food security and their coffee was certified organic. 

Jaffee published his findings in, "Brewing Justice: Fair Trade Coffee, Sustainability, and Survival."

It was hard for me to find any substantial argument against Fair Trade, but if you enjoy playing the devils advocate check out this policy statement by CATO Institute,www.cato.org/pubs/pas/pa-164.html. 

Although fair trade is a global issue, East Lansing is a hot bed for advocacy. The owner of Kirabo, Gail Catron, discovered fair trade through Esperanza en Accion (meaning "hope through action") an all-volunteer group based in Okemos, Mich. 

The group works closely with an artisans group in Nicaragua. Volunteers travel around to mobile markets in the Lansing area to sell the products. 

I've bought coffee from them at Wells Hall. 

Another person inspired by the work of Esperanza en Accion is Christine Vaslienko, the president of MSU's Students for Fair Trade. 

Students for Fair Trade played a larger role in getting Sparty's Coffeehouses to sell Fair Trade Coffee.