Any passion, including writing, requires a risk, said an author Thursday at the Creative Writing Awards Ceremony.After the audience had heard enough to understand the plot of her new book, "Confessions of a Bigamist," Kate Lehrer, a TCU alumna, told students that each time she writes a new book she is "taking a gamble."

She said that whenever time is invested in something, whether it be a book, a relationship or a job, there is a chance that investment could be lost.

The former head of the U.S. Geological Survey will discuss the importance of restoring the wetlands of Louisiana today in Sid Richardon Building, Room 217.Charles "Chip" Groat, professor and Jackson Chair in the Jackson School of Geosciences at the University of Texas at Austin, was appointed as head of USGS by President Clinton and was retained by President Bush.

Groat said the USGS is a federal science organization with about 10,000 people doing research in geology, biology, hydrology and geography.

For too long the NCAA has been a toothless snake, weaving and bobbing its head threateningly at U.S. academic institutions while never daring to finally strike.And then, just like that, it went for the jugular - 65 jugulars in fact.

The NCAA announced Wednesday that 99 teams at 65 universities will be losing scholarships for failing to meet student-athlete academic standards. Although this represents only a minute fraction of Division-I sports nationwide, even the smallest action is better than the lack of effort America is growing accustomed to.

This story was corrected from the misprint in the 03/02/06 issue online only on 03/03/06.I was born in New Orleans.

I can cook jambalaya (nearly) from memory, understand the Cajun-French my grandmother peppers her speech with, dance like a crazy person, be a complete snob about what actually qualifies as "Mardi Gras" (hint: if it's outside of New Orleans, it does not), and have extremely high standards for seafood and Cajun cooking outside of Louisiana.

But my family moved to Texas 11 years ago and I like to think my world became a little brighter.

Select members of the TCU track team will leave today to compete in three last-chance meets this weekend as a final attempt to qualify for the NCAA Championships next weekend.Head coach Darryl Anderson said only the top 16 in the NCAA will be eligible to compete at the championships next week. He also said the meets this weekend at LSU, Iowa State and Notre Dame will give runners a final shot at improving or ensuring their rankings.

"You're going because you want to either get in the top 16 or stay in the top 16," Anderson said.

The Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday that Burger King has introduced its equivalent to McDonald's Corp.'s Dollar Menu. According to the article, Burger King has had trouble with pricing its value menu because of dips in profit.Fast food chains just can't win. Decide what you want, America. Is saving a few dollars worth the artery clog and triple bypass surgery a couple years from now?

Pouring with sweat, runners toiled Wednesday to get closer to their goal of completing a triathlon. TCU faculty and students began the first day of training at the Lowden Track and Field Complex for the 4th Annual Tri-Benbrook Sprint, a triathlon that will take place in May, where participants will swim 300 yards, bike 13.8 miles and run 3.1 miles without stopping.

Participants signed up for the TCU training program as a group but will compete in the triathlon on an individual basis.