The gamecock. (Columbia, S.C.) 1908-2006, June 02, 2004, Image 1
INSIDE
VIEWPOINTS
Phone call ends in
“Train” wreck
Allyson Bird gets the
hang up while talking to
lead singer. PAGE 5
THE MIX
The Butchies
breaking the mold
Durham, N.C.-based
band comes to New
Brookland. PAGE 6
SPORTS
USC baseball wins
first SEC tourney
Gamecocks prepare for
NCAA regional play in
front of home crowd at
Sarge Frye Field. PAGE 9
INDEX
Comics and Crossword 8
Classifieds _ li
Horoscopes 8
Quote of the Day8
USC Police Report 3
Loan rates to drop
BY ELLEN TWEEDY
THE GAMECOCK
Students in debt can expect re
lief in their education loan pay
ments starting July 1.
The interest rates for both the
Stafford Loan, the largest source
of student loan funds in the coun
try, and the Parent Loan for
Undergraduate Students (PLUS),
a favorite among parents, are
dropping to the lowest they have
been in years.
The lowered rates affect all en
rolled students and students who
took out loans after July 1,1998.
On July 1, the rate of the
Stafford Loan will drop from 3.42
percent to 3.37 percent, while the
PLUS loan will drop from 4.22 per
cent to 4.17 percent.
“Graduates nationwide on av
erage owe $16,000 after leaving col
lege, while the standard time pe
riod it takes them to pay off their
loans is around 10 years,” said
Chuck Sanders, executive vice
president of USC’s student loan of
fice.
Students have different options
they can discuss with their
lenders to lengthen the time peri
od they can repay loans or tcf de
crease the payment.
♦ STUDENT LOANS, SEE PAGE 4
PHOTO BY MELISSA WALLACE/THE GAMECOCK
Jake’s Bar and Grill In Five Points has become a favorite watering hole for many people.
Five Points bar receives
beautification award
BY ANNA HUNTLEY
THE GAMECOCK
Jake’s Bar and Grill, a Five
Points favorite for many people,
has received the Site
Beautification Management
award as part of the Columbia
Choice awards.
On May 19, Amy Bliek, owner
of Jake’s Bar and Grill, and the
owners of Hoe Down
Landscaping, which remodeled
the night spot, were presented
the award for the landscaped
scenery of the wooden beer gar
den patio and the bar’s addition
of plants to beautify the sur
rounding streetscape.
Jake’s, located on Devine
♦ JAKE’S, SEE PAGE 2
Council
bans
alcohol
from park
BY KATE GOSS
THE GAMECOCK
Due to liability and insurance
reasons, the Columbia Action
Council has put a ban on alco
holic beverages at Finlay Park.
Glass containers, pets, grills and
radios are also strictly prohibit
ed. Alcohol is still available for
purchase in the park if it is sold
by licensed vendors.
vviui nit? summci buiiMimt;
peaking in the Midlands,
Columbia residents are finding
ways to make the most of the
weather. Outdoor events, such as
movie and concert series as well
as parades and oyster fests, are
all a part of Finlay Park’s summer
line-up.
The Columbia Action Council
is responsible for planning events
such as these. This summer, the
♦ ALCOHOL BAN, SEE PAGE 2