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• A look at the biggest events of summer 2009

Back-to-school sales have started, campus life is picking up and the students are starting to move back to CU. Though you’d have thought it never came by just looking at the weather, summer is indeed on it’s way out. In honor of this rather tragic occurrence, we’ve compiled a list of the top nine events of summer ’09.

U of I Clout Scandal

For nearly the entirety of summer, our school was consumed by this international “clout” scandal. Board members resigned, Chancellor Herman and President White were in the hot seat and somehow Blago’s name was thrown in the pile too. Though the number of students admitted is still in question, one thing is for sure. Come the start of school, everyone’s going to be giving the person sitting next to them a second look.

Michael Jackson Dies

Though his passing is shrouded in mystery (Was he murdered by his doctor? Did he overdose?), one thing is for sure — the King of pop will never moonwalk across a stage again. We can only hope he has gone to that island with Biggie and 2Pac, and will continue to put out music beyond the grave forever and ever.

Obama’s Citizenship ­

It has been a while since such a ridiculous issue was granted the epic amounts national attention that Obama’s citizenship was granted. Despite birth certificates, first-hand accounts and everything else short of angels descending from the sky with the proof from God himself, groups all over the U.S. debated the validity of Obama’s U.S. citizenship. Man, those republicans can hold a grudge.

Blind Pig Brewery Opens

Not since Joe’s stopped brewing their own beers has CU had a draft to call its own. That’s about to change with the new Blind Pig Brewery, which opened in early June. Though the beers aren’t quite ready yet, CU is on the edge of its seat in anticipation.

Sonia Sotomayor sworn in as Supreme Court Justice

On August 6, Sotomayor was sworn in as the 111th Supreme Court justice. Her confirmation also makes her the first Hispanic justice and the third female judge to wear the title.

Celebrity Death Week

There’s no other way to describe it. Celebrities were dropping like flies the week of June 21 through 27. Not only did Michael Jackson pass on, but Farah Fawcett and Billy Mays left us as well. In a very short period of time, the world became significantly less clean, less sexy and less entertaining.

Tour de Champaign

Champaign returned to the local bike scene with the starting of the 2009 Tour de Champaign. Before July 11, CU hadn’t seen a biking competition take over its streets in a decade.

Obama’s Speech in Cairo, Egypt

Obama continued working on U.S. international relations by giving a speech in Cairo on June 4. Though the speech definitely falls under the category of a proverbial “Band-Aid for a bullet wound,” it was definitely a start to mending our image among the Islamic world and forming a union “ based on mutual interest and mutual respect.”

Champaign Bark District Opens

On June 13, the Champaign Park District opened up a park specifically designed for man’s best four — legged friend. With seven acres and separate areas for big and small dogs, the park was a welcome addition to the community for CU’s dog lovers.