August, 2009
Monday, August 31st, 2009
I am from Buffalo, New York. And like anyone from that city, I am a lifelong Buffalo Bills football fan. It’s something born inside every child from the city. I’ve heard my friends complain about how being a Detroit Lions fan is hard. But believe me…they don’t know pain. Pain is going to a record breaking four straight Super Bowls, and losing each and every one of them. The city would had rather been hit by a truck collectively.
If you follow sports, you’re aware the Bills made a huge off-season move in acquiring wide reciever Terrel Owens. I didn’t think it was possible for a human to go from hating a professional athlete to loving him in the matter of a second, but I was proven wrong as this happend to me. It doesn’t ashame me in the least to announce publicly I have a man crush on T.O.
My favorite thing about T.O. is he has a new show that started this week titled, not shockingly, The T.O. Show on VH1. If you like reality TV, (and can admit you love it to yourself, I wont judge), you’ll love this show. It airs on Mondays at 10:00 PM.
As TO would say, “Get your popcorn ready”. It’s a perfect way to bond with your roommates in your Chandler Crossings Apartment.
- Ryan Shaul
Tags: Buffalo Bills, Football Players on TV, Reality TV, The T.O. Show
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Friday, August 28th, 2009
Whether you are a wide-eyed freshman or a recently graduated senior who is looking for a job, Midnight Madness is a good thing for you. I have gone to Midnight Madness at Meijer each year I’ve been here at MSU, and I have a great time every year.
Don’t just think this is for freshmen or newcomers to the university. Meijer often discounts many of their items for the occasion, so it is a great opportunity to save yourself some money!
Other than the savings it really is a fun event to go to. They have tables set up outside with hot dogs, pizza, pop, chips, Monster energy drinks, you name it. A ton of MSU students take CATA buses up here so it feels like a party.
I really enjoy the atmosphere, the free food/drinks, and the savings. Check it out this year.
The Event is from 8pm-12am on August 31st. It is held at 2 locations in East Lansing. The Grand River Meijer by campus and the Meijer on Lake Lansing Road near your MSU apartment.
-Alex Shikany
Tags: Meijer Madness, Meijer Midnight Madness, Midnight Madness, MSU Welcome Days, MSU Welcome Week
Posted in MSU Events | 3 Comments »
Wednesday, August 26th, 2009
- ROOMMATES R FUN!
School is about to start yet again! East Lansing is a super fun place right now full of Michigan State spirits. If you are living with roommates this fall, check out this blog to learn some fun ways to get to know each other and to improve your new relationship. College life is all about having fun and meeting new people, so make sure your roommates are your close pals! I personally have met some of my best friends from being roommate matched with the roommate matching services that Chandler Crossings offers. If you are going in blind, this is a great way to get an individual lease and to be matched with people with similar personal interests. Looking to have a great year and make new friends? Then read on!
1. Talk. Get to know your roommates, don’t be shy! Compare decorating styles, clothing, food choices and school information. You might be taking similar courses and be able to help each other out. The first day of meeting someone might be a bit busy, but make time.
2. Invite your new roommates to dinner. Whether you all eat in and enjoy your new place, or find a new favorite spot out on town, this is a great way to get to know each other. Take a look at my blog on being a tourist in your own town to find hot places in East Lansing to try out!
3. Throw a fiesta! (or other cool themed party) Welcome week is almost here, so why not celebrate with your new found friends. Relax, eat some good food, party it up with music or chill out with a movie. Meeting each other’s friends will also make you closer and more comfortable.
4. Facebook or Myspace your roommates before you move in. If you can strike up a conversation before you actually meet, you will probably feel more comfortable on move in day. You can also make arrangements for decorations and shared accessories too.
5. Do your shopping together. Next time you hit the store, invite your roomies. You can learn a lot about someone while you are shopping, and who knows, you might even be able to split the cost of groceries. One of my roommates didn’t have a car so we would shop together, it was fun and she appreciated that I helped her out.
6. Hit up all the local events you can together. Chandler Crossings Apartments always have great resident appreciation events such as free food days, tournaments and pool parties. The best part, the are FREE and right in your front yard! Check with your community to see what events and activities you and your buddies can do together. (This is also a great way to meet your new neighbors)
7. Be outgoing. If you’re watching T.V., making a snack, or going out for a jog, ask your roommates to join you. It is common for people to be shy around strangers, but showing them that you are trying to make an effort can make both of you more comfortable. Nobody says you have to be friends over night!
Good luck and have a great school year!
-Katelyn Moore
Tags: Chandler Crossings Events, Getting to know your roommate, MSU Roommates, Roommate Matching Services, Roommates
Posted in how to | 2 Comments »
Monday, August 24th, 2009
New to the apartment life? Just like home, health and car insurance, your new home should be covered too. For just cents a day, you can get full coverage on all of your belongings from damages due to storms, floods, natural disasters, fire and theft. It is important to get all of your things insured because one accident can cost you thousands! The Chandler Crossings Communities recommend State Farm Insurance for their reliability and reasonable rates. Personally, I use them for my rental insurance and since my parents have them for their home and car insurance, my fees are very minimal. You may not think that you will ever set anything on fire, ever have an issue, but it is always better to be safe than sorry! I pay about $20.00 a month for my policy, it even covers my puppy. Everything I own is in my apartment and it’s hard to put a price on my life. Many companies will give you discounts for good grades and driving records so it is good to shop around.
Renter’s insurance even covers odd instances such as accidents and injuries in your apartment to you or your friend. For example, your friend hurts their back while helping you move your heavy TV. You can also get double coverage on your automobile if there is an accident in your apartment community. Betcha didn’t know that! I’ve done some research and the average fees for rental insurance are around just $350 a year for an average of $30,000 in coverage!
Still don’t think you should get renter’s insurance? Take inventory of your apartment. Your electronics such as your computer, TV, iPod, DVD player, clothing, accessories, books and decorations can really add up. Not to mention if you are a movie watcher, gamer or baseball card enthusiast, your collections are covered up to a certain limit.
For more information on rental insurance, check out State Farm, Allstate, Geico, Nationwide or ask your parents about getting a policy through their home owner’s insurance.
Created By Katelyn Moore
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Saturday, August 22nd, 2009
If you haven’t heard, our Detroit Lions squeaked out their first preseason victory against the Atlanta Falcons on Saturday. This could be a good sign, or it could be a false hope; which us Lions fans know all too well.
I’m not going to rain on their parade. After all, it is their first victory since last preseason. Personally, I have higher hopes for this season than last. I mean, who couldn’t?
On Saturday we saw some good things and some not so promising things. We saw that Daunte Culpepper is back and he is moving better than he has in previous seasons. We need him to be healthy so that Matthew Stafford doesn’t bear all the responsibility on offense. That is a tall order for a rookie quarterback.
Let’s not forget about our boy Drew Stanton. He got some playing time, and was the captain of the winning drive that led to the game winning field goal. He gave us Spartans some hope in that if he keeps performing at that level, he can at least make a good career as a back up in this league.
Our defense was still pretty bad. That is a fact. The Atlanta rushing attack tore us apart for the most part, with missed a bunch of tackles. They made it look easy on a number of drives. We can only hope that is the first part of our team to improve upon the dawn of the regular season.
Jason Hanson is Jason Hanson. Old reliable. One of the best kickers in the league. He did win this one for us, even though games decided by 3 points or less are far too common to us Detroit Lions faithful.
All in all, the game was a good start, We’ve gotta take it one at a time though with these Lions. There is no need to be cynical just yet. We did see promising performances on offense and special teams. If our defense improves we could be in for a more uplifting, enjoyable season in Motown.
-Alex Shikany
Tags: Detroit Lions, Detroit Lions Preseason, Lions Football, NFL Lions, NFL Preseason
Posted in Hot Topics | 2 Comments »
Thursday, August 20th, 2009
It’s that time of year. People are moving out of their East Lansing Student Apartments and moving onto the next. Even though it is a tedious and emotional roller coaster, you still have the opportunity to do a good deed and help feed people in need.
When you’re done moving all your clothes, TVs, and personal belongings, it is time to go through the dreaded kitchen. Moving the small stuff is sometimes a lot more annoying than moving the big ticket items, at least for me. When you go through your cabinets and refrigerator though, don’t just throw everything away! Take time to save what is non-perishable and take a quick drive to any of these food banks in the Lansing area to help feed people in need. Leave your mark in a good way on East Lansing before you move out of your MSU apartment. Donate to those in need. 
Greater Lansing Food Bank
P.O. Box 16224 Lansing MI, 48901
Phone: (517) 887-4307
Web: www.lansingfoodbank.org
MSU Student Food Bank
151 Olin Health Center; East Lansing, MI 48824
(517) 432-5136
E-mail: foodbank@msu.edu
Together us MSU students can make a difference!
-Alex Shikany
Tags: Donating Food, East Lansing Food Donations, Lansing Food Banks, MSU Food Bank, MSU Food Donations
Posted in East Lansing News and Announcements | Leave a comments »
Wednesday, August 19th, 2009
Hello Spartan Fans! With the summer coming to a close, I know a lot of you are counting the days until college football season starts. Coming off of a 9-4 season which ended in a lost to the University of Georgia in the Capital One Bowl, head coach Mark Dantonio and the Michigan State Football team are looking to continue to build the program into a championship contender.
To compete with the Ohio States and Penn States of the world, MSU must be able to continually replenish player loses due to graduation after each season. This preseason training camp (which started on August 9) will be critical to the Spartan’s season because the coaching staff have to find out which new starters will step up to replace the loses of key seniors. Gone from last year’s team are first team All-Big Ten performers running back Javon Ringer and safety Otis Wiley; honorable mentioned players quarterback Brian Hoyer, offensive linemen Roland Martin and Jessie Miller and defensive linemen Justin Kershaw.
The following are some key position battles that are going to vital to the success of the football team in 2009:
QUARTERBACK: This is probably the most hotly contested position in camp right now. To continue to progress to the top of the Big Ten, Michigan State must find a suitable replacement for the two year starter, Hoyer. Although Hoyer graduated, the coaching staff feel that they have enough depth in the position not to miss a beat offensively. Two red-shirt sophomores are competing for the spot: Kirk Cousins and Keith Nichol. Cousins might have a slight edge in the competition due to his time in the program and his strong play at the end of season in 2008. Do not be surprised, however, if Nichol, an Oklahoma transfer takes the starting job. Do not forget that Nichol was one of the most sought-after quarterback recruits in the country back in 2007.
RUNNING BACK: This will be the most difficult position to fill. All Big Ten running backs and All Americans do not grow on trees. While Ringer is in the NFL with the Tennessee Titans, the Spartans must find a way to match his production. Look for MSU to use a running back by committee system to counter act the lost of Ringer. Senior AJ Jimmerson, sophmores Andre Anderson and Aston Leggett, and freshmen Edwin Baker, Larry Caper and Caulton Ray are all competing for playing time. Dantonio might go back an use a “thunder and lightning” scheme with Leggett and Jimmerson, al la Jehuu Caulcrick and Ringer back in 2007. Do not be surprised if most of the carries go to Baker and Caper by the end of the season. These two freshmen are getting rave reviews in camp so fair.
OFFENSIVE LINE: To play with the big boys in the conference, you need to protect the quarterback and provide running lanes for the running backs. Since most quarterbacks and running backs are right handed, throwing and running to the right side is very important. Therefore, you need a strong right side of the line against the rush. The team graduated the right side of the line last year. Martin and Miller were each 3 year starters. Sophomore Jared McGaha and Junior J’Michael Deane will be first in line to replace the two outstanding performers. I except McGaha and Deane to be the starters at guard and tackle, respectively, but highly rated incoming freshmen Chris McDonald, Hugh Stangeland, and Zach Hunter will press for playing time.
DEFENSIVE LINE: There seems to be two open spots up for grabs on the d-line. One of the spots is opposite senior Trevor Anderson at end. Junior Colin Neely has the most experience to start but sophomores David Rolf and Johnathan Strayhorn will also compete for the starting position. To replace Kershaw at tackle, look for sophomore Kevin Pickelman and red-shirt freshman Jerel Worthy to fight for the job.
Michigan State opens it 2009 season on September 5 against Montana State at Spartan Stadium. The game will be at noon and will be televised on the Big Ten Network.
- Shaun Holness
Tags: College Football, Football Position Battles, MSU Training Camp, Spartan Football, Spartan Football New Comers
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Tuesday, August 18th, 2009
I don’t know about you, but one of my favorite parts about moving into a new place is buying all kinds of decorations. With that being said, this blog is dedicated to finding cheap decorations for furnish your East Lansing Student Apartment.
First and foremost, before you get out there and make your purchases you have to decide on a theme. If you can’t decide on a theme or have so many ideas you can’t narrow it down, I like to look at magazines or use my friend Google to finalize my vision for my new home.
The next step is finding things to not only fit your theme but fit your budget. Try checking out your neighborhood yard sale, antique malls, flea markets, or thrift stores to find the best deals.
If your budget is a bit flexible you can still find a great deal at local department stores. I personally love shopping at Target. Target has a great selection of dorm room or MSU apartment decor that you are sure to love.
Another one of my favorite places is IKEA. I love IKEA. The best part is I no longer have to travel to Chicago to go to IKEA. A store recently opened in Canton, Michigan which is only about an hour drive from your Chandler Crossings Apartment. If you are a first timer to IKEA. I would plan an entire day to get lost in their warehouse of decor. They have everything. Seriously. They even have an amazing food court. One of my favorite parts about shopping at IKEA is enjoying their 50 cent hot dogs. They are delicious.
You can pretty much find everything you will need to furnish your East Lansing Apartment at IKEA. Don’t believe me? Check out the store or visit them online. They are awesome.
Those are just a few of my favorite bargain stores. If you have a store that you love to pick up cheap decorations at please share them. I am always looking for a new place to shop.
Have fun decorating!
- Joanna Gibbons
Tags: apartment decor, cheap decorations, college apartment, decorating, how to decorate your college apartment for cheap
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Monday, August 17th, 2009
Since The Village at Chandler Crossings has become pet friendly, we decided to show off our new residents! If you have photos to submit, please do! Enjoy!
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Eva the Diva is Kaianne’s little girl!
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This is Ashley’s puppy, Khloe!
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This is my puppy, Chandler. The TV stand is one of his favorite places to sleep
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Thursday, August 13th, 2009
Hello! I figure it’s as good as time as any to share my tips about green living and how to go green while having a barbeque with friends. These are things that actually can save you money because they are items you already have around your apartment. Who says everything that is better for the environment is more expensive for us?! So, here are just a few helpful environmentally safe tips that can save you money. In the grand scheme of things this helps save our earth.
1. Try using electric grills in stead of gas or charcoal. If you must use charcoal, do not use lighter fluid. Try burning some old newspaper and let the embers catch on to the coals. This make take a little longer for the fire to get going, but it decreases the chemicals released in the atmosphere due the lighter fluid burning off.
2. Don’t use plastic cutlery, serving dishes, or cups that are disposable. Go for the good stuff; use your glasses, silverware, or the not so-good china. These items are reusable, washable, and probably a lot sturdier when trying to pack the ribs on that thin white plate that can’t even support its self under the weight of a salad. Just saying.
3. If you must use plastic disposable plates and cups. Try setting a separate trash bag aside specifically for those pieces of recyclable plastic if they can be recycled. There are even biodegradable trash bags now. Go figure right?So now we have all the tools needed in order to be effective recyclers.
Try keepingsome or maybe all of these things in mind at your next bareque, pool party, fish fry, etc. You always feel a small sense of accomplishment for at least trying to do you part to make a change. Let me know your ideas bloggers. Happy Barbequing!
-Jay Collie
Tags: barbeque tips, go green barbeque, Go Green Tips, Recycle Tips, summer cook out
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