<![CDATA[Rachel Brauer - The State News]]>

<![CDATA[Rachel Brauer - The State News]]>Tue, 10 Jun 2025 20:38:28 -0400Weebly<![CDATA[Good Eats: Taking a Bite Out of Sandwich Selections in East Lansing]]>Wed, 29 Mar 2017 02:00:40 GMThttp://www.rachelbrauer.com/journalism/good-eats-taking-a-bite-out-of-sandwich-selections-in-east-lansing

Economics senior Amber Tustian eats a gyro Oct. 15, 2014, between classes at Stateside Deli, 313 E. Grand River in East Lansing. Photographer: Erin Hampton/The State News

Firehouse Subs
“The things they put in their subs are better quality than their competitors.” —Finance sophomore Alexander Tachian

The walls adorned with firefighting gear, Firehouse Subswas founded by firefighters and is set up in diner-like fashion.

Located between Ann St., and M.A.C. Ave., every sub is made hot unless requested otherwise.

Tachian said he appreciates the choices of the ingredients.

Employees at the East Lansing Firehouse Subs said their most desired subs are the Club on a Sub and the Beef and Cheddar Brisket.

Stateside Deli & Pub
“They have really good veggie burgers. The owners are super cool and it’s a nice place to go and just hang out.” —Economics junior Adelaine Lazzell

Lazzell said students looking for a place to eat, great beer sales and pre-game with friends in a close-knit environment should check out Stateside Deli & Pub.

Some popular sandwich choices include the Famous and D-Town, both of which sport hot corned beef. The pub also has options for people who can only consume certain foods.

This holds true for Lazzell, who doesn’t eat meat or dairy.

Stateside is located on Grand River a couple of stores down from Collegeville Textbook Company.

Potbelly Sandwich Shop
“Their sandwiches have the better flavors. I like that it’s right on Grand River. It’s easier to get to.” —Apparel and textile design junior Seneca Peters

Located on the corner of Grand River and M.A.C. Ave, Potbelly gives off a cozy, feel-good vibe and students said is a hotspot for groups of friends looking to grab a bite or a place to sit and eat while studying.

Their sandwiches include a multitude of different flavors, something Peters said she likes.

A few of their most desirable subs are the A Wreck, Turkey Breast and the Grilled Chicken & Cheddar.

Jimmy John's
“Jimmy John's has the best vegetarian subs and their bread is heavenly.” —Environmental science freshman Jacqueline Rogge

With over three locations near campus, Jimmy John's offers a variety of sandwich styles from slims to subs and giant clubs.

The sub shop’s speedy delivery satisfies cravings without having to leave the comfort of home, Rogge said. She also said she takes advantage of the day-old bread Jimmy John’s sells.

Some of their most popular subs are the Vito, an italian-style sub, and the Turkey Tom.

]]><![CDATA[Comedy Video Group Giraffe House Grows from Origins as "Boy's Club"]]>Wed, 29 Mar 2017 01:57:35 GMThttp://www.rachelbrauer.com/journalism/comedy-video-group-giraffe-house-grows-from-origins-as-boys-club

From left, Giraffe House members media and information junior Dani Dillon, computer science junior Michael Pomorski, advertising and communication junior Alex Byers, film studies senior Seth Kalis, and media and information junior Jenna Canning film a sketch for their telecasters show on Oct. 5, 2014, on Spartan Avenue. The Giraffe House films their comedy sketches every Sunday and posts regularly on Youtube. Photographer: Raymond Williams/The State News

In MSU Telecasters, one group values comedy above all else.

Giraffe House is a sketch comedy show on MSU’s Telecasters that has been running twice a week during the school year since. It follows four students, or “giraffes,” in their endeavors as they all live in one house together.

While there is no definite plot line to the show, each character has set personality traits which determines their reactions to different ridiculous situations. Right now, the show has three actors and they are in the process of recruiting a fourth.

The show’s unusual name has nothing to do with giraffes, but the original house it was filmed at had a plywood giraffe on the tree, creator Diego Attanasio said in an email.

Media and information senior McKenna Keck and media and information senior Toni Lee Ruggiano have been producing Giraffe House together for two semesters, which has brought them close together as they have revolutionized the show.

MSU Telecasters executive producer and media and information junior Jessica Niskar said the new administration of Giraffe House is a refreshing change. As Toni and McKenna started producing together, they brought their crew back and are making shows the whole crew is proud of, she said.

“Giraffe House was put into a difficult situation about a year ago,” said Niskar. “This is the first time ever that Giraffe House has had two producers at once. Giraffe House began as a “boys’ club,” but since McKenna and Toni, more females have been participating and the content is pleasing towards both males and females, ” said Niskar over an email.

Last year, the duo tried to change up the direction of the show to more of a comedy troupe instead of having set characters and following a definitive way of filming, which caused the show to lose a lot of their fandom.

This year, they have returned with different advertising methods.
Last week, members of Giraffe House were spotted around campus carrying around a four-foot giraffe, their mascot Schneebly, sporting a stylish necktie in an effort to promote their season 11 premiere, which was a Brady Bunch spoof.

“Giraffe Week” happened in 2013 as well, but members of Giraffe House took Schneebly’s presence much more seriously this year.
Schneebly caught the attention of MSU students, as both the producers received multiple screenshots from other cast members from Yik Yak and Twitter of Schneebly around campus.

Ruggiano said that her and Keck’s friendship has strengthened the show, despite its setbacks last year.

“She is one of my best friends and that’s really cool that we get to produce together because I think we work really well together. It’s definitely been beneficial having a best friend as a co-producer,” Ruggiano said.

Keck said that being part of Giraffe House has changed her personal life.

“I loved MSU before (I joined), but I didn’t have a connection to it,” she said.

“I just didn’t feel like I belonged here. Then I joined Giraffe House and it made me love this university even more because I finally had a community and a family. Something to strive for and to work hard at.”

]]><![CDATA[Old Town's Annual Oktoberfest to Feature German Food, Beer]]>Wed, 29 Mar 2017 01:55:06 GMThttp://www.rachelbrauer.com/journalism/old-towns-annual-oktoberfest-to-feature-german-food-beerLansing's Old Town is hosting their ninth annual Oktoberfest — mid-Michigan's only German Oktoberfest celebration.

The real Oktoberfest is held during the end of September and early October in Germany and lasts 16 days, but the Lansing festival is a two-day celebration from Oct. 10 – 11.

The event will have a bike valet, live music, dancing and authentic German food and beer and each attendee will receive a free 12-ounce souvenir mug.

Doors open at 6 p.m. on Oct. 10 and the party ends at 11 p.m. For Oct. 11, the festivities begin at 2 p.m. The event is closed to anyone under 21.

Tickets are $15 in advance and can be found online or at the Old Town Commercial Association Office before midnight Oct. 9, or $20 at the door. Ticket proceeds fund Old Town development, and the event typically raises 20 percent of OCTA's annual budget.

]]><![CDATA[Cru's Annual Barn Bash Located to Bigger Venue for Bigger Festivities]]>Wed, 29 Mar 2017 01:48:36 GMThttp://www.rachelbrauer.com/journalism/crus-annual-barn-bash-located-to-bigger-venue-for-bigger-festivities

Mechanical engineering senior Shannon Pinner dances during Barn Bash on Oct. 3, 2014, at the Riverview Church in Lansing, 1115 Washington Street. Barn Bash was put on by MSU Cru, a student organization that connects people to Jesus Christ. Photographer: Jessalyn Tamez/The State News

Originally titled Barn Bash, this year it was called “What Happened to the Barn? Bash!” referring to the changed location.

The event is normally held in a barn, but the group had to relocate this year because they were unsure if the barn could hold all of the attendees, said arts and humanities sophomore Caleb Hires.

The event has grown to attract over five to six hundred people every year, and the location had changed twice before settling at Riverview Church.

“Michigan State is an (agriculture) school, so everyone is down to party hick-(style),” said political science junior Jake Fowler with a laugh, nodding towards his marker-made “mom” tattoo on his bicep.

Human biology junior Jessica Harris has attended the Barn Bash and been a part of Cru since her freshman year and believes it is a good event for students with curiosity about Christianity to go to.

“I’m from a really small town,” Harris said. “For me, Cru really helped break down Michigan State. Instead of 50,000 people, it broke it down into 500 people, and then 11 people that I can get to know.”

Cru helped to create a place for Harris on campus where she feels comfortable and welcomed.

“I think it’s a really non-threatening environment just to check out the people,” Harris said.

Hires, who has been a part of group since his freshman year as well, said Cru is an environment that takes students for where they are, whether they’re Christian or unsure about their faith.

First-time attendee psychology freshman Kendall Eme said having an organization to fall into her freshman year made her feel more at home.

“It’s really a strong community as a freshman which is kind of nice to have coming in,” Eme said. “There’s a lot to love.”

]]><![CDATA[MSUFCU Named Best Workplace by Detroit Free Press]]>Wed, 29 Mar 2017 01:47:00 GMThttp://www.rachelbrauer.com/journalism/msufcu-named-best-workplace-by-detroit-free-pressThe Detroit Free Press has named the MSU Federal Credit Union number one in the large-employer category in the 2014 Top Workplaces.

With over 13 branches, the MSUFCU is the biggest university credit union that serves both MSU and Oakland University communities and families.

The company had been listed in the top workplaces category since it began competing in 2011, but this is the first year they have received first place.

This is a big honor for MSUFCU's CEO and President, Patrick McPharlin, who believes that this award was won their by employees.

"We're very excited," McPharlin said. "We just believe that if the employees are happy going to work, they'll provide good service."]]>