University of South Carolina Libraries
Monthly bike event celebrates first year BY JULIE LEDBETTER THEIiAMECOCK Critical Mass, a Student Government-sponsored program created to help raise awareness of bicyclists on campus and down town, will celebrate its first an niversary today. The program holds monthly bike rides the last Friday of ev ery month. A group meets at 5:30 p.m. on the Horseshoe where it has a brief meeting before begin ning its 45-minute to one-hour route through downtown Columbia. Katie McClendon, SG’s director of safety, started Critical Mass at USC last year. McClendon said the 111UV4V VI U1VJ V1XUIU V*. Ull different levels. “We have bicyclists that work at bike shops and do speed racing, and then there are people like me that are slow and use bikes for transportation,” she said. McClendon said her goal is to get the city to consider creating bike lanes and to increase drivers’ awareness of bicyclists. “I wanted the campus to also consider including bike lanes in the master plan and also to in crease cycling on campus as a way to reduce the parking situation,” she said. McClendon said that she thinks this program is helping and that she has never seen more students riding bicycles on campus than this year. The group also has community support. Outspokin’ Bicycles, a Columbia bicycle shop, sometimes helps it out. Outspokin’ donated new reflectors to the group so the bikers would be able to ride later in the evening. The shop is holding a promo tion to get students and faculty members to update their bike locks by offering them a 20-percent discount on Kryptonite bike locks, which, according to McClendon, are some of the best. SG is helping out by paying for 10 new bike racks around campus. Parking Services will also be do nating 10 new racks each year for the next three years. McClendon said she wants students’ opinions on where the new bike racks are needed. Some of the locations being considered are 500 Main St., Wardlaw College, Gambrell Hall, behind the Russell House, Jones Physical Science Center, Coker Life Sciences Center, Byrnes Building, International Building and the south side of the nursing building. McClendon said anyone who has suggestions for the place ment of the new bike racks should leave a note in her box in the SG office. Comments on this story?E-mail gamecockudesk@hotmail. com □-—□ I The Exchange Club Presents Evening Tours Oct. 23-26 & 29-30 Beaufort, SC By horse-drawn cartage or on an accompanied walk - you decide! rickets: $10 each Walk $10-16 each for Carriage RESERVATIONS STRONGLY RECOMENDED Call (843) 525-0070 VISA/MC n-—-□ Walcott CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 talent assembled in one place than anywhere else on the plan et,” said Steve Lynn, chairman of the English department. Todd Kennedy, a second-year doctoral student in English, said that bringing literary figures such as Walcott to USC’s campus could bring USC more recognition. “It’s a great thing to get a hold i of someone like Walcott,” he said. Kennedy also said he rec ognized Walcott’s importance as a literary figure. : USC seems to recognize this importance, too. After his read ings, Walcott was awarded the ] Thomas Cooper Medal, becoming 1 the 10th writer honored with the i award, which was inaugurated in 1995 by the Thomas Cooper < Society and the USC Libraries, t Dther recipients include James Dickey, Pat Conroy, Ray Iradbury and George Plimpton. Hospital said she was glad to iee the public’s response to Walcott’s reading. “It’s wonderful to see the pub ic responding so enthusiastical y, coming out in such numbers,” ;he said. Comments on this story? E-mail 'amecockudesk@hotmail.com Floats CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 comparisons between the new and old Carolina. A few of the major campus ex pansions that have occurred may be featured, including the Colonial Center, the Strom Thurmond Fitness and Wellness Center, East and South quads as well as the Greek Village. During the last night to work on the floats, the Carolina Alumni Association provided drinks and food for all the float builders as a little inspiration for the final hours. Friday’s Homecoming Parade is when the final decision will be made, when new rivalries will emerge among the old ones that never die. Comments on this story?E-mail gamecockudesk@hotmail.com 1 I _J I • | Try our fresh hand cut steaks, made from gS 1 scratch sides and dressings, hot made from i • scratch bread and award winning fall off the *1* • bone ribs. M Mark Lager s ■a Partner V I 8304 Two Notch Road (803) 788-5384 if . Columbia, SC 29223 (803) 788-8359 fax 1 m REDEEM THIS COUPON FOR A I. FREE CACTUS BLOSSOM WITH ■ PURCHASE OF TWO DINNERS. I 3 Happy Homecoming! igjl | www.cloudninecolumbia.com |,