Articles written by Elizabeth Roberts

Runners track progress with Nike+ SportBand

wpolley — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 01:00:00 -0400

Kyle Reidy: a junior in marketing, runs around the track for exercise. Soon, runners will be able to purchase a training device developed by Nike that records runners’ times, pace, distance and calories burned. Kyle Cooper / ASSISTANT PHOTO EDITOR

Nike has developed a new training method for runners.

The Nike+ SportBand is a modification of the Nike+ iPod.

It involves placing a sensor in the shoe that sends a signal to a wristband worn while running, according to the Nike Web site.

Shipping luggage provides convenience, peace of mind

wpolley — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 01:00:00 -0400

Chip Ghigma: a freshman in business, walks to the post office to have his luggage shipped. Luggage shipping is the traveler’s alternative to having luggage checked at an airport. JD Schein / ASSISTANT PHOTO EDITOR

Shipping luggage to ensure that it isn’t lost by airlines is a new trend in traveling.

Travelers having their luggage shipped to their destination could be the answer to the inconvenience of getting their luggage lost.

“I have had my luggage lost before,” said Hadley Hayes, a senior in political science. “It would be a good service if it were guaranteed to get there and that my luggage would be taken care of.”

Luggage Forward, the largest of these shipping companies, seems to be efficient in shipping people’s luggage.

The company’s Web site says it will ship anything, from surf boards to baby carriages.

Accommodations have even been made for the last-minute traveler. Four days notice is needed to ensure your luggage can be taken care of.

“It would depend on how efficient the service was,” Hayes said. “It would have to be insured that my luggage would get there on time.”

City of Auburn awarded for new subdivision

wpolley — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 03:38:38 -0400

The City of Auburn will receive an award for its 28-lot public housing subdivision that has recently been opened for occupancy. The Alabama League of Municipalities will present the award at its annual conference in May.

“We realized the award was to recognize municipalities like our own,” said Sharon Tolbert, Auburn director of community development. “The application that we applied for recognizes economic development that includes community development programs.”

This program is unique for citizens in Alabama.

Students visit area thrift stores for unique, reasonably priced clothing

wpolley — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 02:50:11 -0400

Caroline Huffman: a sophomore in accounting, shops at The Mission Thrift Store near the mall. Kyle Cooper / ASSISTANT PHOTO EDITOR

Thrift stores and gently used clothing stores are creating alternate shopping choices for college students.

From Plato’s Closet to Goodwill stores, students can find a cheap alternative for nearly anything. They can create their own looks and get good deals on all kinds of clothes.

“In Auburn, downtown stores all have the same thing,” said Lauren Bragg, a senior in apparel merchandising. “Every girl you know will have the same outfit.”

Bragg said she sometimes shops downtown, but she likes expressing her individuality through what she wears.

“The experience is so much fun,” Bragg said. “You get excited when you have something that no one else has or that is really cheap.”

Goodwill in Auburn has just closed, but there are thrift stores in Valley and Phenix City that offer the same clothes and bargains.

“We do get a lot of college students in our store,” said Chuck Amos, a sales clerk at the Valley Goodwill. “Our store picks up a lot of stuff from estate sales.”

Amos said a lot of the stuff has a vintage look, from the jewelry to the clothes.

City of Auburn honored for new housing initiative

ingradc — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 17:23:42 -0400

Opelika High School plans for upcoming renovations

ingradc — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 01:00:00 -0400

Opelika High School is set to undergo renovations in 2010. This may seem like a long time, but because of funding this is the earliest construction can begin.

The school will be renovated in phases, the phase in 2010 is phase one which will include the career technical department and 12 new class rooms according to Kenneth Burton, assistant superintendent of administration.

“We are not for sure that it will be 2010,” said Mark Neighbors, superintendent of Opelika City Schools. “It isn’t a done deal.”

Economics department, professors recognized

ingradc — Sun, 17 Feb 2008 21:12:21 -0500

The Auburn University Department of Economics has been highly recognized in the recent Southern Economic Journal.

The journal examined research productivity and impact on economic education from 1991 to 2005.

Steven Caudill, head of the economics department, was cited heavily along with professor Daniel Gropper.

“The Journal of Economics studies articles written on the education of economics,” Caudill said. “It studies better approaches to teaching students.”