Here is the 2012 Spartan Nation Big Ten All First Team Defense

18 May 2012

Here is the 2012 Spartan Nation Big Ten All First Team Defense

DE William Gholston Michigan State

DE Marcus Rush Michigan State

DT Anthony Rashad White Michigan State

DT Kawann Short Purdue

LB Kenny Demens University of Michigan

LB Max Bullough Michigan State

LB Chris Norman Michigan State

LB Denicos Allen Michigan State

CB Ricardo Allen Purdue

CB Johnny Adams Michigan State

S Isaiah Lewis Michigan State

S Jordan Kovacs University of Michigan

Big Ten Pre Season Defensive Player of the year: DE William Gholston Michigan State

Team Number of Players

Michigan State Spartans 8*

Michigan Wolverines 2

Purdue Boilermakers 2

*In all of our years only Ohio State once had this many players on either side of the ball. Prior to Dantonio twice Michigan State had no players on EITHER team.

“Tie Dye Ink” Written by Katie Smith "Fashion Diva"!

17 May 2012

Today I wanted to take a chance to write about something very awesome and very local. Two College Students from my home town have turned a hobby of tie dying into quite the business venture. They have been featured in a couple newspapers and all over Facebook. Their company “Tie Dye Ink” offers many products, all unique in nature and custom designed just for you. They do all sorts of products from shoes to bathing suits. You can have custom shirts designed for sporting events or special occasions like a 5k event. Be sure to check them out! http://www.facebook.com/TieDyeInk

Don't miss the exclusive benefit screening of CHICO & RITA May 16

16 May 2012

CHICO & RITA
Directed by Fernando Trueba
94 minutes In Spanish with English subtitles

This animated film has so much going for it! Opening in pre-Castro Cuba, you will love the great music, romantic story and the depiction of Cuba and New York in the late 40’s and the 50’s. EnjoymMusic by Gershwin, Dizzy Gillespie, Thelonius Monk and more featuring the great Cuban jazz pianist Bebo Valdes who was profiled in the Buena Vista Social Club.

Not only will you see a wonderful film, enjoy fabulous music but you will be supporting the Summer Solstice Jazz Festival and the East Lansing Film Festival who bring great music and great films to this community.

SYNOPSIS
Chico is a young piano player with big dreams. Rita is a beautiful singer with an extraordinary voice. Music and romantic desire unites them, but their journey – in the tradition of the Latin ballad, the bolero – brings heartache and torment. Incredible jazz Afro-Latino music from the great Cuban jazz pianist Bebo Valdes.
Nominated for Best Animated Film by the Oscars.

The East Lansing Film Festival
and
The Summer Solstice Jazz Festival
present

CHICO & RITA
Wednesday, May 16
7:30pm
EL Hannah Community Center
819 Abbot Road
East Lansing

Tickets $10

Please reserve tickets by emailing Susan at susanwoods@elff.com or calling 517-980-5802. Tickets are to be paid and picked up at the “Reserved Ticket” table the night of the event.

Watch the trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LgmBLyItITA

All proceeds benefit
the Summer Solstice Jazz Festival
and
the East Lansing Film Festival

WHAT'S GOING ON THIS WEEK: MAY 14-20

14 May 2012

Legendary guitarist and recent Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, Slash, is showing off his shredding skills at The Orbit Room this week. Axl can stay in his bloated, corn-rowed obscurity for all we care. Give us Slash. Also happening this week: Rob Zombie and Megadeth at DeltaPlex Arena and Xiu Xiu at The Pyramid Scheme.

Monday, 5.14
Pencil to Print: Silver Age of American Comics @ WMU Richmond Center for Visual Arts

Tuesday, 5.15
Xiu Xiu The Pyramid Scheme, Jonathan Edwards Seven Steps Up

Wednesday, 5.16
Jonathan Edwards Seven Steps Up, Penny W. Stamps Speaker Series: Nick Tobier UICA

Thursday, 5.17
August: Osage County Actors’ Theatre, Rick Chyme, Nixon, AB, grrRoPoLis & D-Fro Billy’s Lounge, Cabaret Circle Theatre, Ryan Hamilton Dr. Grins, The Howlers and The Real Lazy Genius Dual EP Release Party wsg Haunted Leather Founders Brewing Company, Slash wsg Miles Kennedy and the Conspirators The Orbit Room

Friday, 5.18
August: Osage County Actors’ Theatre, Cabaret Circle Theatre, Rob Zombie & Megadeth DeltaPlex Arena, Grand Rapids Symphony Classical: Heavens Above, Earth Below DeVos Performance Hall, Ryan Hamilton Dr. Grins, Great Lakes Kite Festival Grand Haven State Park

Saturday, 5.19
Bar Olympics The B.O.B., Cabaret Circle Theatre, Grand Rapids Symphony Classical: Heavens Above, Earth Below DeVos Performance Hall, Ryan Hamilton Dr. Grins, 5th Annual Bob Dylan Tribute Concert Founders Brewing Company, The Projection and Tiger! Tiger! Lemonjello’s, Mustard Plug The Pyramid Scheme, Chris Knight Seven Steps Up

Sunday, 5.20
Cabaret Circle Theatre, Whose Live Anyway Forest Hills Fine Arts Center

Michigan State Baseball Keeps on Winning! Garner’s Gem Lifts Spartans Past Iowa, 7-3

14 May 2012

EAST LANSING, Mich. – Sophomore right-hander David Garner allowed just two hits in seven shutout innings to lead Michigan State past Iowa, 7-3, Sunday afternoon at McLane Baseball Stadium, securing the series win for the Spartans.

“Today was a big day and another opportunity to win another series,” said MSU head coach Jake Boss, as the Spartans won their fifth Big Ten series of the season. “Our guys took care of business. It was good to be able to do that and close

the weekend on a positive note.”

With one weekend left to play in the regular season, the Spartans (33-17) are tied for fourth place in the Big Ten standings with Nebraska at 12-9. Purdue has clinched at least a share of the title with a 16-5 league record, while Indiana and Penn State are tied for second at 13-8. The top-six teams will advance to the Big Ten Tournament May 23-26 in Columbus, Ohio, with the No. 1 and No. 2 teams receiving byes.

On Sunday, Garner did his best to try and push Michigan State to a No. 2 seed in the Big Ten Tournament. The product of Niles, Mich., who struck out six, improved to 3-0 in Big Ten starts and has fanned 31 batters in 34 1/3 innings since joining the conference rotation.

“It feels great, especially on Mother’s Day with the family being here,” said Garner. “Trying to get a No. 2 seed is big. That bye is huge in the (Big Ten) tournament – you give all your pitchers a day rest, you give all your position players a day rest. I knew that I had to go out and give my team a chance just to try and get that No. 2 seed.”

Clinging to a 1-0 lead after four and a half innings of play, Michigan State broke the game open with a three-run fifth inning to push the advantage to 4-0.

A leadoff double by Blaise Salter and a single by Anthony Cheky put runners on first and third with one out, and Ryan Jones came through with an RBI single to left for the first run of the inning. After a two-out walk loaded the bases, the Hawkeyes gave the Spartans two runs, first on an error by first baseman Mike McQuillan, then on a hit batter.

In the sixth, Salter connected on a shot over the left-field fence for his second home run of the series to make it 5-0.

Garner (4-3) let the first two batters reach in the top of the seventh on a double and a walk, but closed his outing in style with back-to-back swinging strikeouts.

“David’s stuff is really good – if he’s around the strike zone, he has a chance to beat anybody,” Boss said. “To have David on a Sunday for us is really big. It’s a testament I think to how good Tony Bucciferro and Andrew Waszak have thrown as well.”

MSU added some insurance runs in the bottom half of the seventh, as John Martinez delivered a two-run homer to left field, his third of the season.

Garner exited the game after throwing 108 pitches in seven innings, giving way to Trey Popp. The Hawkeyes (20-26, 8-13) got on the board with three runs on four hits in the eighth, but Bryce Jenney finished things out for the Spartans with a scoreless ninth.

The Spartans collected nine hits at the plate, led by John Martinez, who went 2-for-3 with two runs and three RBIs. Salter was 2-for-3 with two runs and an RBI, and Jones had two hits, including a double in the sixth, which tied him with Bob Malek for second in MSU history with 45 career doubles.

On a beautiful spring day in East Lansing, a crowd of 1,451 gathered at McLane Baseball Stadium to watch the Spartans win their 33rd game of the season, which is tied for eighth most in school history.

“When we get good weather, our fan base is tremendous,” said Boss. “We have a lot of loyal people that come out and watch us play. To have a large crowd out here on Mother’s Day is really special for our baseball family. That’s the attitude that we wanted to bring here when we got here four years ago. Our players and their families have really embraced that as well. It was a special day for everybody.”

Michigan State will host Penn State in the final Big Ten series, Thursday-Saturday (May 17-19), at McLane Baseball Stadium.

Prior to taking on the Nittany Lions, the Spartans will head to Comerica Park in Detroit on Tuesday (May 15) to face Central Michigan in the second annual “Clash at Comerica” at 7 p.m. The game will be televised on BTN.

NCAA Finally Rules MSU WR DeAnthony Arnett Eligible for 2012 Campaign

11 May 2012

The NCAA by action has essentially in my opinion rendered itself worthless by their actions. Today a decision that should have been done weeks ago based on other
waivers issued came down, with the NCAA saying MSU transfer WR from the University of Tennessee is eligible to play immediately.

Spartan Nation was first to report that the decision was coming momentarily. We have a reporter in Atlanta where Dantonio is addressing alumni and friends of the
program today. We reported at 9:56 am via Twitter, “Mark Dantonio is speaking as we type this and just said that DeAnthony Arnett that the NCAA is deciding right now.”

Over an hour later Michigan State Football issued this statement via their Twitter handle @MSU_Football, “The NCAA has granted WR DeAnthony Arnett’s request for a residence waiver, so he will be eligible to play in 2012.” They went on to report that, “Mark Dantonio said DeAnthony Arnett was “Thrilled with NCAA’s decision.”

Arnett is from Saginaw, Michigan and was a highly sought after recruit coming out of high school. He joined the Volunteers and scored two touchdowns on 24 catches. Arnett admitted he was struggling at times and even with his experience did not separate himself from the pack of WR’s this past spring. In case you are wondering Arnett was the 3rd WR picked in the spring. Andre Sims, Jr. was picked first and Jeremy Langford (moved from RB at the start of spring) second.

“Fashionable Exercise” Written by Katie Smith "Fashion Diva"!

10 May 2012

As summer is fast approaching so is bikini season, and getting in shape doesn’t mean you have to look grungy. Some of these clothes even have purposes, for example Under Armor has their line of cool gear which is meant to help you push longer and harder. Nike, Under Armor, and Adidas all have certain clothes and accessories that are meant to hold Ipods, phones, etc , all of which make going to the gym or going outside to work out more easy. Also there are several brands of shoes that are specifically meant to help you tone more quickly or just give you more comfort while working out. One place that is extremely helpful in catering to your needs is Playmakers, they are a company that strives to make sure you have the proper gear for any occasion.

"Mom's Day Desserts" From our resident Chef Jason "Jake" Blastic

09 May 2012

Happy Mother’s Day in advance to all the Moms. We all know that our mothers enjoy a sweet treat now and then, even if just once and a while. Here are just a few recipes that you can prepare for your Mother’s Day Celebration!

Strawberry Torte

1/2 cup butter
1 ½ c sugar
4 eggs, separated
2/3 c sifted flour
1 tsp baking powder
¼ tsp salt
½ c chopped nuts
Filling

1 qt strawberries
4 oz very soft or melted butter
1/2 cup sugar
1 1/2 tsp vanilla
1c heavy cream

Cream butter + 1/2 c sugar, gradually beat in egg yolks. Sift flour, baking powder, salt. Add creamed mixture, mix well. Spread over bottom of two greased, floured 8” round pans (will be thin layer) wax or parchment paper on the bottom is very helpful.
Beat egg whites until foamy; gradually add 1c sugar until soft peaks form. Spread over cake batter. Sprinkle nuts over meringue mixture.
Bake at 350 until lightly brown (25-30 min). Cool on rack.
Clean and slice strawberries. Whip heavy cream with sugar and vanilla. When cream is whipped add your soft butter and whip in very quickly until incorporated.
Place one cake layer meringue side down and layer with strawberries and whip cream mix. Top with your final cake layer meringue side up. Refrigerate several hours before cutting.
This is a pretty easy recipe altough a little delicate to work with. The cake meringue recipe is GREAT and can be easily used along with chocolate and other various filling and nut combinations. The cakes is moist and buttery while the meringue is sweet and crispy so they go together well.

Pistachio Cake

1 pkg White cake mix (18 oz)
1 pkg instant pistachio pudding (3 1/2 oz)
4 eggs
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 cup ginger ale (in Michigan we only use Vernor’s)
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup chopped pistachios

Mix together in large mixing bowl, beat at medium speed for 2 minutes. Pour into greased bundt pan and bake at 350 for 50 minutes or until top springs back when pressed with finger tips. Let cool in pan 10 minutes. Invert on cake platter and cool completely.

Frosting:
1 pkg pistachio pudding mix (3 1/2 oz)
1 1/4 cups milk
1 container whipped topping (4 1/2 oz)

Beat milk and pudding mix until smooth. Fold in whipped topping and frost cake!

Chocolate Flourless Torte

An excellent decadent chocolate dessert. Contains no flour so it is excellant for those with flour allergies.

1 # Semi-Sweet Chocolate ( cut up )
8 oz Butter
1/4 cup Coffee, Espresso, or Liquor
8 Cold Eggs

Melt Chocolate, butter, and liquor together over a double boiler. Whip eggs on med high speed 5 min until volume is about 1 quart. Fold into melted chocolate in 3 additions. Line a springform pan with parchment paper and spray with non stick spray. Bake in a hot water bath at 325 degrees 22-25 min until 140 degrees internal temperature. Cool and chill well for several hours before slicing.

Jason Blastic

facebook.com/JakeOnFood

http://thechefsolutions.com/blog

Watch YouTube http://www.youtube.com/user/jasonmichef

Don't miss the exclusive benefit screening of CHICO & RITA May 16

08 May 2012

CHICO & RITA
Directed by Fernando Trueba
94 minutes In Spanish with English subtitles

This animated film has so much going for it! Opening in pre-Castro Cuba, you will love the great music, romantic story and the depiction of Cuba and New York in the late 40’s and the 50’s. EnjoymMusic by Gershwin, Dizzy Gillespie, Thelonius Monk and more featuring the great Cuban jazz pianist Bebo Valdes who was profiled in the Buena Vista Social Club.

Not only will you see a wonderful film, enjoy fabulous music but you will be supporting the Summer Solstice Jazz Festival and the East Lansing Film Festival who bring great music and great films to this community.

SYNOPSIS
Chico is a young piano player with big dreams. Rita is a beautiful singer with an extraordinary voice. Music and romantic desire unites them, but their journey – in the tradition of the Latin ballad, the bolero – brings heartache and torment. Incredible jazz Afro-Latino music from the great Cuban jazz pianist Bebo Valdes.

The East Lansing Film Festival
and
The Summer Solstice Jazz Festival
present

CHICO & RITA
Wednesday, May 16
7:30pm
EL Hannah Community Center
819 Abbot Road
East Lansing

Tickets $10

Please reserve tickets by emailing Susan at susanwoods@elff.com or calling 517-980-5802. Tickets can be picked up the night of the event.

Watch the trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LgmBLyItITA

All proceeds benefit
the Summer Solstice Jazz Festival
and
the East Lansing Film Festival

WHAT'S GOING ON THIS WEEK: MAY 7-13

07 May 2012

Singer-songwriter Christina Perri became an overnight sensation when her song, “Jar of Hearts,” was featured on network television. She’s continuing that success with a single on the Breaking Dawn soundtrack and a headlining tour. She stops at The Intersection this week. Also happening: La Dispute’s sold-out show at The Pyramid Scheme and Tom Rhodes at Dr. Grins.

Monday, 5.7

An Evening with Yanni DeVos Performance Hall, Tulip Time Festival Downtown Holland, La Dispute @ The Pyramid Scheme

Tuesday, 5.8

Tulip Time Festival Downtown Holland, Swing Dancing Rosa Parks Circle, Robert Rauschenberg Exhibitions @ GRAM

Wednesday, 5.9

Tulip Time Festival Downtown Holland, Mass Chaos Tour: Godsmack and Staind Kellogg Arena, Khiara Arby with Afro Zuma @ The Pyramid Scheme

Thursday, 5.10

Cabaret Circle Theatre, A Terrible Memory Dog Story Theatre, Tom Rhodes Dr. Grins, The Crane Wives and Red Sea Pedestrians Founders Brewing Company, Christina Perri The Intersection, Fourth Annual Kalamazoo Improv Festival Farmers Alley Theatre

Friday, 5.11

Cabaret Circle Theatre, Grand Rapids Symphony Pops: Behind the Mask DeVos Performance Hall, A Terrible Memory Dog Story Theatre, Tulip Time Festival Downtown Holland, Tom Rhodes Dr. Grins, Klompenfest Lemonjello’s, Fourth Annual Kalamazoo Improv Festival @ Farmers Alley Theatre

Saturday, 5.12

Cabaret Circle Theatre, Grand Rapids Symphony Pops: Behind the Mask DeVos Performance Hall, Fifth Third Riverbank Run Downtown Grand Rapids, Tulip Time Festival Downtown Holland, Tom Rhodes Dr. Grins, Four Finger Five Founders Brewing Company, Hunter Hayes The Intersection, Fourth Annual Kalamazoo Improv Festival Farmers Alley Theatre

Sunday, 5.13

Cabaret Circle Theatre, Grand Rapids Symphony Pops: Behind the Mask DeVos Performance Hall, Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad Founders Brewing Company, Trans Siberian Orchestra: Beethoven’s Last Night Kellogg Arena