* Students design a 'greener' future

Students who imagine a “green” future improved by technology are competing on Earth Day -- Tuesday -- in the U.S. finals for Microsoft’s Imagine Cup.

This year’s challenge is to "imagine a world where technology enables a sustainable environment." The categories include software design, video game development, and challenges involving algorithms and programming. There also are digital arts categories such as filmmaking and photography.

A team from Cal State Long Beach calling itself the Grid Lock Guys has developed a Facebook application that allows users to enter their schedules and matches up carpools. One of the team members, Mike Dowd, says: "You can manage the carpool, and it will send the driver directions on picking everyone up."

Dowd, a junior computer engineering major, feels good about the competition. He told us: "I think we have a really good chance; there's some other really good projects here, but I'm really confident."

Winners in nine categories go to Paris in August for the world finals. Last year more than 100,000 students from 100 countries took part, the organizers said.

* Talk show host Tavis Smiley will be the event emcee, and Microsoft will announce a $1.56-million cash and software grant to the Magic Johnson Foundation, for its Community Empowerment Centers. (Earlier this morning we reported that Earvin “Magic” Johnson would be the event emcee, but a spokeswoman for the event has since told us that he won't make it after all. The spokeswoman, Erin Lopez, says Smiley will do the honors.)

-- Mary MacVean