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'Love Story' Comes True

By Staff reports | April 26

Taylor Swift performed a personal concert for Auburn students, including Michael Wekall and Ryan Leander who led the "A Hug From Taylor Swift" campaign. She instructed the boys to check their e-mail at 12:30 p.m. today, in which she told them to be at the Auburn University Hotel and Dixon Conference Center to sing karaoke. After a few 100 students gathered to sing "You Belong With Me," Swift appeared via video on a screen in the background expressing how she wished she could be there. After a short performance, the boys left getting a hug from Swift.

Dancin' the Night Away

By Jillian Clair / STAFF REPORTER | April 22

The second annual Auburn University Dance Marathon kicked off Saturday at 8 p.m. in the Student Center Ballroom, and students danced nonstop until the next morning at 8 a.m.The 12-hour event, hosted by SGA, raised $5,590 for Lee County's Habitat for Humanity.All the money stays in Lee County, said Tiffany Rozier, director of the dance marathon and junior in theater management.

Giuliani Conveys Leadership

By Michelle Wilder / CAMPUS EDITOR | April 22

An organization new to Auburn will begin its program with a speaker known across the nation.Former Mayor of New York, Rudy Giuliani, will speak on leadership in challenging times in the Coliseum May 3."We were one of the few universities without a speaker series in the Southeast," said Drew Robinson, president of Perspectives on the Plains.

Grant Supports Appliance Recycling

By Daniel Chesser / ASSOCIATE NEWS EDITOR | April 22

Alabamians have a window of opportunity to spend less money and energy while having the ability to green.Alabama will receive $4,473,000 in rebates on old appliances in a state effort to become more sustainable.Alabama will implement a mail-in rebate program to help residents replace older, inefficient appliances with Energy Star qualified appliances.Alabamians have reserved approximately 18,500 rebates.

Donating The Miracle of Sound

By Chelsea Harvey / WRITER | April 22

In May, Dr. Sandra Clark-Lewis, clinical professor of audiology in the Department of Communication Disorders, will travel to Guatemala.

Waverly Dons Its Dancin' Shoes

By Bethany Donaldson / WRITER | April 22

Blue grass music twanged through the trees, and cars lined the road. Just off Highway 280 citizens of Lee County hiked with lawn chairs to the 10th annual 280 Boogie Saturday.Those opting to skip out on Auburn's A-Day football game enjoyed a day of music featuring The Uncle Roy Show, Mace Glasscock, Spoonful James and more.Attendees were welcomed to the event by the aroma of burgers and chicken hot off the grill.

Unanimous 'Yes' For Open Containers

By Daniel Chesser / ASSOCIATE NEWS EDITOR | April 22

Unanimous consent of the Auburn City Council amended and passed the ordinance to allow open alcoholic containers on sidewalks at outdoor cafes in the city.The ordinance was amended to appease all council members after a clarification was made on what type of businesses will be affected.This ordinance will not apply to downtown bars unless the business also serves food, according to the council."It was an amendment that eliminated one city facility from any possibility of it being utilized," said Mayor Bill Ham.

$1 Billion May Go To Roads

By Davis Potter / WRITER | April 22

The Alabama Senate has approved a compromise to the 10-year, $1 billion roads bill. The money from the bill will go toward improving roads and bridges.A number of the special projects included in the House version of the bill were reduced.The bill was sponsored by Sen.

Bill Creates Toughest Gaming Commission

By Jillian Clair / STAFF REPORTER | April 22

The vote on the Alabama gambling bill that could provide an end to the debate may not take place after all."There's still one day left so they could bring it up tomorrow, but right now it looks like there are more votes against this gambling bill than there are for it," Gov.

Bill Bans Smoking While Eating Throughout State

By Ashley Marks / WRITER | April 22

Although Auburn may be largely smoke-free, most of Alabama is not.However, a bill proposed by Sen.

People Of The Plains: Randles Farm For Future

By Ellison Langford / News Editor | April 22

Randle Farms is famous for its blueberries.But blueberries are only the beginning of the myriad produce and meat it offers residents of Lee County interested in shaking the hand of the farmers who grow their food.Randle Farms is a Community Supported Agriculture farm, meaning people buy shares of the goods produced on their farm."The commonality is all these people are interested in knowing where their food comes from," said Frank Randle, owner of the farm said, "knowing the farmer that produced it."Randle said having orders already placed for the food creates some security for their business."We know that the fruits, vegetables that we're producing already has a home," Randle said.Because of the way the farm operates, the Randles develop close relationships with a lot of their customers."We know the kids," Randle said.

Scoping Stars From Forest

By Nicole Emmett / WRITER | April 22

Stargazers snacked on Moon Pies, Starbursts, Milky Ways and Cosmic Kool-Aid as they watched a movie about the Hubble space telescope and gazed at the stars Saturday night.The Auburn Forest Ecology Preserve staff and the Auburn Astronomical Society held its biannual Astronomy Night Saturday at the Mary Olive Thomas Demonstration Forest."I think it is set up really well," said Colin MacDougall, junior in mass communications at Southern Union State Community College.

Businesses Increasingly Offer Unpaid Internships

By Jillian Clair / STAFF REPORTER | April 15

The economy is sagging, and businesses often can't afford to pay interns. It is also becoming harder to find a job without a resume full of prior experience.Unpaid internships seem to be many businesses' solution to their lack of funds, and the internships give students experience to add to their resumes.

UPC Shines Light Into Concert Process

By Michelle Wilder / CAMPUS EDITOR | April 15

UPC doesn't need a "crying shoulder," because it successfully booked the Goo Goo Dolls for the annual spring concert.The organization began searching for an artist last December and it has been an ongoing process ever since, said Paul Bagley, UPC director of major entertainment.Bagley said UPC usually plans a larger spring concert and smaller fall concert, so the Goo Goo Dolls fit the bill for spring."We are allocated $230,000 for the year from SGA to cover two concerts," Bagley said.

Ropin', Ridin' and Wranglin'

By Derek Lacey / WRITER | April 15

Benjamin Willoughby had never ridden a bull before Saturday, when he saddled and strapped up to ride in front of hundreds of spectators at the 2010 Alpha Psi Rodeo.A freshman in building science, Willoughby is a member of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity and has been going to the Rodeo since he was a junior in high school.\0xAD\0xADHe hung on to the bull for about three seconds before being thrown, but considers it one of the most exciting experiences of his life."It was a huge adrenaline rush," Willoughby said, "probably one of the biggest adrenaline rushes I've ever had."Everybody who's anybody hears about the Alpha Psi Rodeo, according to Willoughby, and this year's rodeo was definitely a big event, hosting more than 15,000 people, a large crowd for a first-time bull rider."It was like Christmas morning, waiting for rodeo," Willoughby said.

The Plains Hosts 7 Cities at Tiger Nights

By Jillian Clair / STAFF REPORTER | April 15

The Student Center, normally void of activity after dinner time on the weekends, was alive with nightlife from cities all over Friday night.City Lights: Tiger Nights provided students and members of the community opportunities to travel to Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, Nashville, New Orleans, New York and Seattle.A free F.L.Y.

Locals Preserve Roots For Trees

By Ellison Langford / News Editor | April 15

Mouthwash.Toothpaste.Chewing gum.It's not likely teeth realize how many times a day they come in contact with tree products.It's not likely many people do either, which is why the Louise Kreher Ecology Preserve hosted Goods from the Woods Saturday morning."We don't rely on other people," said Jennifer Lolley, outreach administrator for the preserve.

PACT Users May Get Tuition Cap

By Jillian Clair / STAFF REPORTER | April 15

The Senate rejected a House version of a bill that aims to save the Alabama Prepaid Affordable College Tuition plan yesterday.Members of a six-member conference are seeking a compromise on the controversial addition of a tuition cap.The House bill, sponsored by Rep.