News briefs Children’s Center has been approved After months of appeals, the proposal for the East Campus Children’s Center has cleared its final roadblocks and construction is under way. Nov. 12, the Eugene Planning Commission approved the Univer sity’s conditional use permit for the proposed center. Area resi dents had 21 days to appeal the decision to the Land Use Board of Appeals. No appeal was filed, and the plan received final clearance in mid-December. Child care center proposals went through several drafts before being accepted by the community. Changes to the plan revolved around the University’s desire to work with area neighbors in the creation of the center. The construction of the center is the first step of the University’s 20 vear plan for the East Campus neighborhood. The long term plan concerns the area east of campus, bordering East 19th Avenue and Villard Street. No immediate con struction plans have been made for the area. Instead the plan seeks to outline future development goals and guiding principles for future land use. The University Planning Commit tee has been working with neigh borhood groups and University per sonnel in the formation of the long-term plan. Two open houses were held in early December to gather input and comments from community members. The Campus Planning Commit tee will meet in the EMU Fir Room at 9:30 a.m. Jan. 17, to discuss revi sions to the long-term development policy of the East Campus area — Aimee Rudin EMU pumps cause temperature extremes The buzz in The Buzz Coffee house on Wednesday was the balmy weather. Temperatures in The Buzz reached a high of 84 degrees, while other parts of the EMU experienced lows of 54. EMU facilities manager Dana Winitzkv said the fluctuating tem peratures were thanks to a faulty heating pump that pulls steam from the physical plant. “Our system is 50 years old,” Winitzkv said. “We had to pull a few rabbits out of our hats to find some pumps to fix the problem.” The 50-vear-old pumps failed shortly before winter break, forcing EMU employees to use electric space-heaters to warm their offices. Winitzkv said the broken pumps were the biggest disaster to hit the EMU since flooding in 1996 sub merged parts of the building in a foot of water. "If we had lost our system, we’d be in trouble,” Winitzkv said. “We would have had to close down parts of the building.” Winitzkv said the rejuvenated heating system was flooding the EMU with hot air, and the first place to receive the heat was lower levels of the building. Patrons of The Buzz, located on the ground floor of the EMU, can expect tropical weather for the rest of the weekend while mainte nance personnel bleed radiator lines in an effort to bring building temperatures back to a cost-effec tive 72 degrees. Assistant Food Service Director Victoria Varble-Goss, who manages The Buzz, said the temperature hasn’t affected sales. “If it lasts for a while, I’ll ask employees to wear grass skirts,” Yarble-Goss said. “We will have tropical drinks." — Andrew Black Sign-making in honor of MLR Jr. Eugene residents are invited to make signs in honor ot' Martin Luther King Jr. Day as well as world peace from 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday at the Washington Park Community Center, located on Washington Street between 19th and 21st avenues. International Studies major Kara Steffensen, one of the event’s organ izers, said she hopes people will come and create yard signs and posters on peace. “It’s our effort to ereate a more peaceful world, given the current situation," she said. Steffensen said the signs will be used during MLK Day demonstrations in Eu gene and Portland. “We are trying to link the values (Martin Luther King Jr.) talked about with our need to create peace in the world,” Steffensen said. In line with Dr. King’s teachings, Stef fensen said she hopes people will judge Americans by the “content of our character and not the size of our arsenal.” There will also be a talk by Gayle Landt, Oregon director of the na tional organization Beyond War, on new community approaches to changing the way people think about war. Materials to make the signs will be provided, but Steffensen said at tendees can bring more materials such as duct tape, old political signs and contact paper. Refreshments will be served. For more information, call Steffensen at 344-4943. Ayislm Yuliya New Car Expo returns The Assistance League of Eugene is hosting its fifth annual New Gar Expo as a fundraising benefit for the Operation School Bell project, in conjunction with the Eugene/Springfield New Car Dealers Association. All money raised from the S3 ad mission fee will be donated to the Assistance League. Proceeds will help fund community sendees such as Operation School Bell, which provided new clothing for 800 chil dren of low-income families last year, according to organizer Jan Callahan of the Assistance League. The event will also help fund As sistance League projects such as Children’s Dental Clinic, the Lane County Historical Museum’s Oregon Heritage Program and the Hug A Bear project, which provides imme diate support for traumatized youth, she said. “The show benefits our projects and helps the community as well,” Callahan said. No cars will be available for pur chase at the expo in order to promote the event as a charity fundraiser. “The dealers wanted it to be a non-selling show from the start so people would be more interested to come out,” Callahan said. “It’s a more relaxed atmosphere that way, and all under one warm roof.” One of many highlights of the New Car Expo will be a 1949 Ford Woody Wagon. The first 500 children through the door will receive a free Hot Wheels car. — Jessica Richelderfer Ready for your close-up? Students who want to “spring break” into acting careers won’t even need to leave campus this win ter. Universal Pictures will hold an open casting call for the upcoming reality movie, “Spring Break: The Movie,” on Jan. 17. The company, which created the reality series “The Bachelor,” said “Spring Break” will be the first ever realitv movie. Casting agents will select six to 10 University students to spend spring vacation being filmed in Can cun. Auditions will take place on or near campus, though the exact lo cation has not been announced. Students interested in audition ing must be at least 18 years old. Bring a valid student ID and a re cent photograph. For more informa tion, aspiring movie stars can call the Universal Pictures toll-free in formation line at (866) 804-0786. Look for more detailed informa tion in Thursdav’s Emerald. — Jacquelyn Lewis Premier Travel l • Airfare Specials!!! • Los Angeles - $124.00* Honolulu - $355.00* Cancun - $416.00* London - $499.00* I *tax nol included, restrictions may apply.' Subject-lo'change 'without -nonce. Lurail Passes issued on-site!!! L-mail: fares@luv2travel.com 1011 Harlow 1747-0909^^ (Student Travel Experts Today's crossword solution 015549 f* Anniversary Party January 11th • Live Music, Fireworks Every Tuesday in January is Trader Juesday Come in with any daily or season pass from another ski area and receive 50% off Hoodoo lift ticket Friday and Saturday nights open ‘til 9 pm Be sure to check our web for more information: www.hoodoo.com L. Hoodoo ski area is located on the top of Santiam Pass on HWY 20, 83 miles east of Eugene. We’ve got it all under one roof! • Open 24 hours a day • Montb-to-month memberships • Indoor heated lap pools • Steam rooms, Saunas, Whirlpools • Basketball courts • Group X classes: The latest Yoga, Pilates and Cycling • Tons of Free weights • Advanced Cardio equipment • Certified Personal Trainers • Weight loss programs • Kids’ Club • Pro shops...and much more! wifilr 2for 1 <®50 %ofl CALL NOW! Si_„,| 1.800.204.2400 yuuidcn www.24HourFitness.com On a Keep Fit All-Club membership enrollment tee. Plus pay a one time processing lee and first and last EFT monthly dues and you're in! Oiler expires 2/27/03. Month-to-month memberships. Pay as you go, No long-term contracts required, Downtown Eugene 252 Lawrence Street 541.686.4653 Gateway Mall Sport 3000 Gateway Ste# 110 541.741.2444 m«ou"i?a a:-f fy ;-»■«« ao?sassawmatwwmk Veils as:'««s*j 'J a Hr Ktf sis < m rt:«oi Ih-x -w**'t a sxt* tu ra w t< me is' ro i*i*i iw wws n a ?w w "i ’ *r >‘®m R wi •a : js an /< nws «rv» ira* sis Ait: jars:* ieriswaas SSiM-was