Media and Public Affairs Professor Steve Roberts will join his wife, ABC News’ Cokie Roberts for a conversation Tuesday.
The Nov. 3 program, to be held in room B07 of GW’s Media and Public Affairs Building from 8 to 10 p.m., will focus on Professor Roberts’ new book entitled, “From Every End of This Earth,” which tells the stories of 13 immigrant families from across the globe, including Sierra Leone, El Salvador and India. At least half of the families featured have ties to the GW community.
“I believe deeply in the virtues of immigration and immigrants,” Roberts said. “I think there is absolutely no doubt that immigrants contribute enormously to the vitality and prosperity of this country.”
Professor Roberts is also the author of “My Fathers’ Houses,” a memoir about growing up in an immigrant community in New Jersey and the New York Times bestseller “From This Day Forward,” a book he wrote with his wife, reflecting on their marriage and 30 years in journalism.
Roberts’ distinguished career has included stints at The New York Times, U.S. News and World Report, and currently, ABC Radio. He also occasionally fills in on NPR’s “The Diane Rehm Show.”
The Tuesday night program will be followed by a book signing. To RSVP, contact smpa@gwu.edu
This is the Old WRGW District Radio News website. As of January 13th, 2014 all of the latest GW and local DC news can be found on our brand new website at: www.wrgwnews.com!
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Tomorrow on News in Depth...
At the top of the program...Mark Levine, legal counsel to the Gertrude Stein Democratic Club, will join us in studio to share his views and analysis on the D.C. City Council's proposed same-sex marriage legislation.
Then, Cleta Mitchell of Foley & Lardner and counsel to the "pro-marriage" advocacy group Stand4MarriageDC, will join us by phone to explain why she believes existing District law precludes passage of same-sex marriage legislation.
And in our second half-hour, SMPA Professor Steven Roberts joins us to talk about his new book, "From Every End of This Earth: 13 Families and the New Lives They Made in America."
You don't want to miss this edition of WRGW's News in Depth with Jared Pliner and Jesse Regis, tomorrow from 12 to 1 p.m. on GWRadio!
Then, Cleta Mitchell of Foley & Lardner and counsel to the "pro-marriage" advocacy group Stand4MarriageDC, will join us by phone to explain why she believes existing District law precludes passage of same-sex marriage legislation.
And in our second half-hour, SMPA Professor Steven Roberts joins us to talk about his new book, "From Every End of This Earth: 13 Families and the New Lives They Made in America."
You don't want to miss this edition of WRGW's News in Depth with Jared Pliner and Jesse Regis, tomorrow from 12 to 1 p.m. on GWRadio!
Margaret Atwood Launches her Newest Book with GW Students
Last Friday, the critically acclaimed novelist and poet Margaret Atwood introduced her newest science-fiction book, The Year Of The Flood, to the GW community. GW was the sixteenth stop on the book tour, which has travelled around the world and always uses local talent. Here in DC, the performances were by students from the university’s department of theatre and dance as well as the department of music.
Lisner Auditorium was packed with a diverse audience from the DC community. The night was a compilation of dramatic readings from the novel brought together with music. Atwood was the narrator and GW students were the musicians and actors. Atwood watched the students performing with a proud smile, nodding with every word and always applauding the loudest.
The Year of the Flood is a novel set in the undefined future focused on a group called the God’s Gardeners who attempt to reconcile religion, science, and nature. The story contains characters that are ‘strictly vegetarian unless they get really hungry,’ use ‘edible facial products’ and worship ‘St. Al Gore’ and ‘St David Suzuki.’ The writing is dark, intense, clever, and uncomfortably comical. Atwood has authored over 40 books and is a two-time Booker prizewinner. When introducing the event she described herself as a “sinister but sweet old lady.” The Year of the Flood is genius and imaginative and a must-read.
Lisner Auditorium was packed with a diverse audience from the DC community. The night was a compilation of dramatic readings from the novel brought together with music. Atwood was the narrator and GW students were the musicians and actors. Atwood watched the students performing with a proud smile, nodding with every word and always applauding the loudest.
The Year of the Flood is a novel set in the undefined future focused on a group called the God’s Gardeners who attempt to reconcile religion, science, and nature. The story contains characters that are ‘strictly vegetarian unless they get really hungry,’ use ‘edible facial products’ and worship ‘St. Al Gore’ and ‘St David Suzuki.’ The writing is dark, intense, clever, and uncomfortably comical. Atwood has authored over 40 books and is a two-time Booker prizewinner. When introducing the event she described herself as a “sinister but sweet old lady.” The Year of the Flood is genius and imaginative and a must-read.
Friday, October 30, 2009
BREAKING NEWS: SA to Propose New Constitution
The SA task force that was created to look into the possibility of proposing a revised SA Constitution has done just that.
There are three major changes proposed. The first involves a new role for the Executive Vice President, who would focus more on executive issues, and would be elected on a ticket with the SA President.
The second major change introduces the position of "Senate Speaker" who "would serve as the impartial presiding officer of the SA Senate," according to an SA press release.
The third major change would remove the three positions of non-voting freshmen senators and replace it with a "freshman caucus" to garner more participation from interested members of the freshman class.
"This Constitution is the product of months of hard work, dedication and reflects the views of both people within the SA and ordinary students. I really think that we’ve created a much clearer document that will refocus the Student Association on its core mission of advocacy," stated SA Rules Committee Chairman Jamie Baker in the press release.
The task force will be holding a town hall meeting next Wednesday, November 4th in Marvin Center room 405 from 5:30 to 7:00 pm, and a followup town hall meeting the following night. The last town hall meeting hosted by the SA on September 10th of this year resulted in no actual students attending besides members of the SA and the campus media, so it is unclear what impact or usefulness the town hall meetings will serve.
There are three major changes proposed. The first involves a new role for the Executive Vice President, who would focus more on executive issues, and would be elected on a ticket with the SA President.
The second major change introduces the position of "Senate Speaker" who "would serve as the impartial presiding officer of the SA Senate," according to an SA press release.
The third major change would remove the three positions of non-voting freshmen senators and replace it with a "freshman caucus" to garner more participation from interested members of the freshman class.
"This Constitution is the product of months of hard work, dedication and reflects the views of both people within the SA and ordinary students. I really think that we’ve created a much clearer document that will refocus the Student Association on its core mission of advocacy," stated SA Rules Committee Chairman Jamie Baker in the press release.
The task force will be holding a town hall meeting next Wednesday, November 4th in Marvin Center room 405 from 5:30 to 7:00 pm, and a followup town hall meeting the following night. The last town hall meeting hosted by the SA on September 10th of this year resulted in no actual students attending besides members of the SA and the campus media, so it is unclear what impact or usefulness the town hall meetings will serve.
Female Journalists Honored at Kalb Report
The International Women's Media Foundation in association with the George Washington University Global Media Institute and the National Press Club honored four women on Monday with the 2009 Courage in Journalism Awards.
The recipients included Jila Baniyaghoob of Iran, Iryna Kahlip of Belarus, Agnes Taile of Camaroon and Amira Hass of Israel.
After presenting the women with the awards, journalist Marvin Kalb led a conversation with the awardees.
Baniyaghoob was recently released from prison after reporting on the controversial presidential election in 2009, which some Iranian citizens didnt support. Riots broke out and Baniyaghoob didnt censor her reporting and the government felt she posed a threat. Khalip has been clubbed and dragged by her hair, has been interrogated by police, had her computer and worknotes seized and is under constant surveillance by the government in Belarus.
While working as a reporter for Sweet FM, Taile was abducted from her home at knife point by three men and was beaten and left to die in a ravine.
Hass is an Israeli reporter who writes critically about Israeli and Palestine government officials. She lives in Ramallah and is the only reporter from her country who lives in the community she reports from. Kalb discussed how the internet influenced reporting to how the women felt American journalist could improve upon their skills.
"The internet pressures journalist to produce immediate news without first checking. Sometimes it makes you a slave," Hass said in response to a question about the internet's effects.
Taile discussed how the new generation is using the internet but explained that in Camaroon the culture of reading is not present and that television and radio are most prevalent. All four of the women felt that American journalists should take more risks in seeking truth and should increase their coverage of countries like Israel, Camaroon and Belarus.
The women were humorous in their responses about how they would be received when they returned home.
"There is a criminal code when you speak against the government. When I get back, I dont know if there will be a red carpet or handcuffs," Khalip replied.
When asked when they planned to stop reporting, all four women said they would do it for years to come.
"In Camaroon, women journalist do not cover dangerous things, they don't go on the ground," Taile said. "As long as they do that, what they are doing is pretty pointless. The issue is not a gender thing but to be a true journalist."
Baniyaghoob was unable to attend the event, as she was recently released from prison. Khalip and Taile were joined by interpreters.
The recipients included Jila Baniyaghoob of Iran, Iryna Kahlip of Belarus, Agnes Taile of Camaroon and Amira Hass of Israel.
After presenting the women with the awards, journalist Marvin Kalb led a conversation with the awardees.
Baniyaghoob was recently released from prison after reporting on the controversial presidential election in 2009, which some Iranian citizens didnt support. Riots broke out and Baniyaghoob didnt censor her reporting and the government felt she posed a threat. Khalip has been clubbed and dragged by her hair, has been interrogated by police, had her computer and worknotes seized and is under constant surveillance by the government in Belarus.
While working as a reporter for Sweet FM, Taile was abducted from her home at knife point by three men and was beaten and left to die in a ravine.
Hass is an Israeli reporter who writes critically about Israeli and Palestine government officials. She lives in Ramallah and is the only reporter from her country who lives in the community she reports from. Kalb discussed how the internet influenced reporting to how the women felt American journalist could improve upon their skills.
"The internet pressures journalist to produce immediate news without first checking. Sometimes it makes you a slave," Hass said in response to a question about the internet's effects.
Taile discussed how the new generation is using the internet but explained that in Camaroon the culture of reading is not present and that television and radio are most prevalent. All four of the women felt that American journalists should take more risks in seeking truth and should increase their coverage of countries like Israel, Camaroon and Belarus.
The women were humorous in their responses about how they would be received when they returned home.
"There is a criminal code when you speak against the government. When I get back, I dont know if there will be a red carpet or handcuffs," Khalip replied.
When asked when they planned to stop reporting, all four women said they would do it for years to come.
"In Camaroon, women journalist do not cover dangerous things, they don't go on the ground," Taile said. "As long as they do that, what they are doing is pretty pointless. The issue is not a gender thing but to be a true journalist."
Baniyaghoob was unable to attend the event, as she was recently released from prison. Khalip and Taile were joined by interpreters.
Sports Round-Up for Week of October 25
The Washington Wizards opened their season with a win after a 102 to 91 victory in Dallas.
Gilbert Arenas had 29 points and solid defense by Washington sealed the win. The Wizards play again tonight in Atlanta. Tip-off is at 7:30 pm.
In Hockey, the Washington Capitals are on a six game winning streak. The Caps earned a 3 to 2 road victory Saturday against the New York Islanders.
On Tuesday they hosted the Philadelphia Flyers in the Verizon Center and won, 4 to 2. Last night, Washington traveled to Atlanta and beat the Thrashers 4 to 3.
Wsahington's Alexander Ovechkin currently leads the league in goals with 13 and points with 22. The Capitals are now ranked second in the Eastern Conference, just behind the defending Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins.
The Caps play again tonight at home against the New York Islanders. The puck drops at 7:00 pm.
In Football, the Washington Redskins suffered a 17 to 27 loss against the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday night.
Jason Campbell completed 29 of 43 passes for 284 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 1 interception. The Redskins defense shut out the Eagles in the second half, but it wasn’t enough for Washington to make a comeback.
The team’s season record is currently 2 and 5, which puts them in last place for the NFC East. To the relief of many fans, the Redskins have their bye week this weekend. Their next game will be on November 8 at Atlanta.
Gilbert Arenas had 29 points and solid defense by Washington sealed the win. The Wizards play again tonight in Atlanta. Tip-off is at 7:30 pm.
In Hockey, the Washington Capitals are on a six game winning streak. The Caps earned a 3 to 2 road victory Saturday against the New York Islanders.
On Tuesday they hosted the Philadelphia Flyers in the Verizon Center and won, 4 to 2. Last night, Washington traveled to Atlanta and beat the Thrashers 4 to 3.
Wsahington's Alexander Ovechkin currently leads the league in goals with 13 and points with 22. The Capitals are now ranked second in the Eastern Conference, just behind the defending Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins.
The Caps play again tonight at home against the New York Islanders. The puck drops at 7:00 pm.
In Football, the Washington Redskins suffered a 17 to 27 loss against the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday night.
Jason Campbell completed 29 of 43 passes for 284 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 1 interception. The Redskins defense shut out the Eagles in the second half, but it wasn’t enough for Washington to make a comeback.
The team’s season record is currently 2 and 5, which puts them in last place for the NFC East. To the relief of many fans, the Redskins have their bye week this weekend. Their next game will be on November 8 at Atlanta.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Free Concert in Mitchell Theater This Friday
WRGW will be hosting its monthly "Friday Night Live" series this Friday, October 30th at Mitchell Theater located at 514 19th Street.
This month's free concert will feature "American Dairy," "Honor By August," and "Oh, the Story!"
Honor by August has played with Bon Jovi and Peter Frampton and won the Grand Prize in Billboard's World Song Contest:
Oh, the Story!
American the Dairy
The concert is entirely free, and the fun starts this Friday at 7:30, so be sure to catch it out!
This month's free concert will feature "American Dairy," "Honor By August," and "Oh, the Story!"
Honor by August has played with Bon Jovi and Peter Frampton and won the Grand Prize in Billboard's World Song Contest:
Oh, the Story!
American the Dairy
The concert is entirely free, and the fun starts this Friday at 7:30, so be sure to catch it out!
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Rain Does Not Stop Annual High Heels Race
The rain did not prevent thousands from coming out Tuesday night and celebrating the 24th annual High Heels Race. While the crowd was smaller than last year’s, it was still a fun and vibrant atmosphere. People lined up early to secure a good spot and the drag queens were strutting along, between 17th Street between Church and R streets up until the 9:00 p.m. start of the race. The drag queens often stopped to take photographs and speak with spectators.
[caption id="attachment_3235" align="alignright" width="225" caption="Galinda from the Broadway Musical Wicked"]
[/caption]
There was a very diverse array of costumes this year. Many of the costumes were inspired by celebrities: Madonna, Michael Jackson, Rachel Maddow, Octomom, and Lady Gaga. Several of the drag queens were traditional by dressing as fairytale or Disney characters. Some of the more creative costumes included Cash for Clunkers and alcoholic beverages. The flashiest and largest costumes were of actual Broadway musicals, Cats, Annie, and Wicked. These ladies not only dressed as characters from each musical, but had personal billboards that towered over their bodies. Someone dressed up as Ben’s Chili Bowl caught the attention of many due to the recent death of its founder, Ben Ali. One thing is for sure, none of the participants were afraid to show some leg.
Politicians also joined the parade like D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty. The openly gay, Clark Ray, who is running for D.C. Council At-Large, walked the parade route. Current At-Large D.C. Councilmember, David Catania, was handing out stickers that support his legislation for civil marriage rights to gays and lesbians in Washington D.C.
[caption id="attachment_3236" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Cash for Clunkers took the time to pose with GW students"]
[/caption]
Shortly after 9:00 p.m., as the rain began to come down harder, the race began. Many of the drag queens still ran in their high heels even though the street was very slippery. Rachel Maddow was the only to slip and fall during the race, but she got right back up and continued the race. Unless one is standing at the finish line it is unclear who actually won the race, it is believed the winner receives a bar tab at JR’s DC Bar and Grill.
[caption id="attachment_3235" align="alignright" width="225" caption="Galinda from the Broadway Musical Wicked"]
[/caption]There was a very diverse array of costumes this year. Many of the costumes were inspired by celebrities: Madonna, Michael Jackson, Rachel Maddow, Octomom, and Lady Gaga. Several of the drag queens were traditional by dressing as fairytale or Disney characters. Some of the more creative costumes included Cash for Clunkers and alcoholic beverages. The flashiest and largest costumes were of actual Broadway musicals, Cats, Annie, and Wicked. These ladies not only dressed as characters from each musical, but had personal billboards that towered over their bodies. Someone dressed up as Ben’s Chili Bowl caught the attention of many due to the recent death of its founder, Ben Ali. One thing is for sure, none of the participants were afraid to show some leg.
Politicians also joined the parade like D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty. The openly gay, Clark Ray, who is running for D.C. Council At-Large, walked the parade route. Current At-Large D.C. Councilmember, David Catania, was handing out stickers that support his legislation for civil marriage rights to gays and lesbians in Washington D.C.
[caption id="attachment_3236" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Cash for Clunkers took the time to pose with GW students"]
[/caption]Shortly after 9:00 p.m., as the rain began to come down harder, the race began. Many of the drag queens still ran in their high heels even though the street was very slippery. Rachel Maddow was the only to slip and fall during the race, but she got right back up and continued the race. Unless one is standing at the finish line it is unclear who actually won the race, it is believed the winner receives a bar tab at JR’s DC Bar and Grill.
Event Alert: High Heels Race Begins Soon
Head up to Dupont Circle (17th and S) for the Annual D.C. High Heels Drag Queen Race. The D.C. tradition starts at 9pm tonight (Tuesday). If you can't make it, don't worry, WRGW News reporter Roxanne Martin is on the scene. Check back soon for her report.
Monday, October 26, 2009
Green GW Taking On Various Environmental Projects
Green GW, GW’s primary student org dedicated to energy efficiency, has been keeping busy these past few weeks participating in all sorts of events on-campus and off related to climate change awareness.
Last Friday, Green GW hosted GreenFest in Kogan Plaza to spread awareness about the climate talks coming up in Copenhagen this December. Other organizations, including SustainUS, the Sierra Club, the DC Project, Repower America, and the GW College Democrats were also on-hand.
“We were hoping to raise awareness about Copenhagen, show students the many environmental campaigns going on off-campus, and get students to sign petitions urging President Obama to support strong climate change action in Copehnagen and urging President Knapp to install more green roofs on campus,” said Spencer Olson, President of Green GW.
Green GW also participated in the International Day of Action Rally at Meridian Hill Park. The event was organized by 350.org, a non-profit environmental group named after the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere scientists say is an ideal goal for the future, 350 parts per million. The Rally was an endpoint to the highly-publicized No Impact Week, a week in which environmentalists and others tried to minimize their emissions outputs to show how easy being more environmentally-friendly can be.
Green GW is working on many other projects this semester, including helping on-campus offices “go green,” assisting GW’s eco-challenge - a competition to see which dorm can reduce their energy consumption the most - and expanding the use of green roofs on campus.
“With the success of the pilot green roof on the Elliott school we are pushing forward efforts to install full-size green roofs on academic buildings,” said Olson. “We are collecting signatures from supportive students and meeting with administrators and deans to expand awareness and action.”
Members of Green GW also spend Saturday mornings at local DC elementary schools teaching students about renewable energy and having the kids participate in green activities such as building model solar-powered cars.
Offering advice for students interested in lowering their energy consumption, Olson suggested buying only Energy Star or energy-efficient electronics and light bulbs, recycling as much waste as possible, utilizing public transportation, and making responsible purchases.
“Transforming GW’s energy use is really a no-brainer,” Olson said. “The university saves money, our carbon footprint is significantly reduced, and the quality of life on campus will improve.”
Last Friday, Green GW hosted GreenFest in Kogan Plaza to spread awareness about the climate talks coming up in Copenhagen this December. Other organizations, including SustainUS, the Sierra Club, the DC Project, Repower America, and the GW College Democrats were also on-hand.
“We were hoping to raise awareness about Copenhagen, show students the many environmental campaigns going on off-campus, and get students to sign petitions urging President Obama to support strong climate change action in Copehnagen and urging President Knapp to install more green roofs on campus,” said Spencer Olson, President of Green GW.
Green GW also participated in the International Day of Action Rally at Meridian Hill Park. The event was organized by 350.org, a non-profit environmental group named after the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere scientists say is an ideal goal for the future, 350 parts per million. The Rally was an endpoint to the highly-publicized No Impact Week, a week in which environmentalists and others tried to minimize their emissions outputs to show how easy being more environmentally-friendly can be.
Green GW is working on many other projects this semester, including helping on-campus offices “go green,” assisting GW’s eco-challenge - a competition to see which dorm can reduce their energy consumption the most - and expanding the use of green roofs on campus.
“With the success of the pilot green roof on the Elliott school we are pushing forward efforts to install full-size green roofs on academic buildings,” said Olson. “We are collecting signatures from supportive students and meeting with administrators and deans to expand awareness and action.”
Members of Green GW also spend Saturday mornings at local DC elementary schools teaching students about renewable energy and having the kids participate in green activities such as building model solar-powered cars.
Offering advice for students interested in lowering their energy consumption, Olson suggested buying only Energy Star or energy-efficient electronics and light bulbs, recycling as much waste as possible, utilizing public transportation, and making responsible purchases.
“Transforming GW’s energy use is really a no-brainer,” Olson said. “The university saves money, our carbon footprint is significantly reduced, and the quality of life on campus will improve.”
UPDATE: Missing Student Returns to Campus
GW Student Royal Gethers has been located and is safe, his friends said.
Gethers, who had disappeared Saturday night after reportedly entering his residence hall, but not his room, had been in Virginia with a friend.
Gethers, who had disappeared Saturday night after reportedly entering his residence hall, but not his room, had been in Virginia with a friend.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
BREAKING NEWS: GW Student is Missing
Update: Royal is back on campus safe and sound.
[caption id="attachment_3174" align="alignright" width="144" caption="Royal Gethers. Those with information about his disappearance should call UPD at 202-994-6110."]
[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_3174" align="alignright" width="144" caption="Royal Gethers. Those with information about his disappearance should call UPD at 202-994-6110."]
[/caption]10:36 pm
GW Student Royal Gethers is missing. He was last seen at 2am Saturday night at the intersection of 20th and F streets en route to his dorm at 1959 E Street.
According to friends, Royal was dropped off with two friends behind South Hall. He is said to have walked through the alleyway behind Guthridge Hall where he dropped off his two friends. He then continued down the alleyway between Dakota and F. Street Bistro.
UPD said that Gethers's GWorld was swiped at 1959 E. Street, where he lives, and then into the elevator, but he allegedly never entered his room. It remains unclear if Gethers was the person in possession of his card.
Royal was last seen wearing a tan hoodie sweatshirt, light blue jeans, and white Air Force sneakers. He is an African-American male, 6' 2" tall, 180 pounds, and has short cropped black hair.
Those with information are urged to contact University Police at 202-994-6110 or Metropolitan Police at 202-727-9099.
You may view and print fliers here: Printable Flyer (Microsoft Office .doc). Printable Flyer (PDF Format).
Saturday, October 24, 2009
The Triumph of Perfection: Trader Joe's Organic Granny's Apple Granola Review
Everyone knows that Trader Joe's is the fresher, friendlier, snobbier, and generally superior alternative to the abomination that is the Watergate Safeway. Trader Joe's is renowned for their interesting yet delicious foods.
[caption id="attachment_3169" align="alignright" width="300" caption="The box that opens up a world of deliciousness."]
[/caption]
The Granny's Apple Granola cereal the store has is, to simple state, freaking amazing. If you like apple pie, apple cake, or especially apple crisp, this cereal was made for you. It's basically the granola/oatmeal topping of a traditional apple crisp, mixed in with a good amount of cinnamon and a healthy amount of tiny, dried pieces of granny smith apples. There's also chopped walnuts and raisins, giving the cereal some crunch and chewiness.
The cereal is great by itself, but it really shines when added with milk. Pouring in some milk reveals the generous amount of cinnamon Trader Joe's added, as the milk turns a light shade of brown, signaling the apple-cinnamon-granola-walnut-raisin madness is going to be something to remember.
The granola doesn't get too soggy or remain too crunchy after sitting a minute or two in the milk, so every spoonful is a delicious and perfectly textured sample of perfection.
[caption id="attachment_3164" align="alignright" width="300" caption="The perfect portion of granola to apples to raisins to walnuts makes this cereal a treat fit for a king."]
[/caption]
Please do something with your life and pick up Trader Joe's Organic Granny's Apple Granola today. You'll thank me later.
The cereal is great by itself, but it really shines when added with milk.
[caption id="attachment_3169" align="alignright" width="300" caption="The box that opens up a world of deliciousness."]
[/caption]The Granny's Apple Granola cereal the store has is, to simple state, freaking amazing. If you like apple pie, apple cake, or especially apple crisp, this cereal was made for you. It's basically the granola/oatmeal topping of a traditional apple crisp, mixed in with a good amount of cinnamon and a healthy amount of tiny, dried pieces of granny smith apples. There's also chopped walnuts and raisins, giving the cereal some crunch and chewiness.
The cereal is great by itself, but it really shines when added with milk. Pouring in some milk reveals the generous amount of cinnamon Trader Joe's added, as the milk turns a light shade of brown, signaling the apple-cinnamon-granola-walnut-raisin madness is going to be something to remember.
The granola doesn't get too soggy or remain too crunchy after sitting a minute or two in the milk, so every spoonful is a delicious and perfectly textured sample of perfection.
[caption id="attachment_3164" align="alignright" width="300" caption="The perfect portion of granola to apples to raisins to walnuts makes this cereal a treat fit for a king."]
[/caption]Please do something with your life and pick up Trader Joe's Organic Granny's Apple Granola today. You'll thank me later.
Tomorrow on News in Depth...
On June 10, 2009, an 88-year-old avowed white supremacist - James von Brunn - entered the National Holocaust Museum and opened fire, killing security guard Stephen Johns.
In the wake of the tragedy, Rabbi Tamara Miller, the GW Hospital's director of spiritual care, wrote a piece in the Washington Post's "On Faith" forum about the ordeal (she counseled Johns' family as doctors tried to save his life), her visceral reaction as a Jew and the unique atmosphere in the hospital on the fateful day. Five months later, she was fired.
The hospital cited potential HIPAA violations and failure to adhere to protocol as reasons for Miller's dismissal. The Rabbi says she communicated nothing beyond what the media had reported and her descriptions of the events that transpired were vague and intended to convey a broader message.
Coming up on News in Depth, Rabbi Tamara Miller speaks out on the controversy in her first radio interview.
Jared Pliner and Daniel Keylin anchor another edition of WRGW News' flagship program, Sunday from 12 to 1 p.m. on GW Radio.
In the wake of the tragedy, Rabbi Tamara Miller, the GW Hospital's director of spiritual care, wrote a piece in the Washington Post's "On Faith" forum about the ordeal (she counseled Johns' family as doctors tried to save his life), her visceral reaction as a Jew and the unique atmosphere in the hospital on the fateful day. Five months later, she was fired.
The hospital cited potential HIPAA violations and failure to adhere to protocol as reasons for Miller's dismissal. The Rabbi says she communicated nothing beyond what the media had reported and her descriptions of the events that transpired were vague and intended to convey a broader message.
Coming up on News in Depth, Rabbi Tamara Miller speaks out on the controversy in her first radio interview.
Jared Pliner and Daniel Keylin anchor another edition of WRGW News' flagship program, Sunday from 12 to 1 p.m. on GW Radio.
Friday, October 23, 2009
The Sports Round-Up with Joe Lewis
The Week of October 18th
In Basketball, the Washington Wizards are playing their final preseason game tonight at Chicago. The Wizards enter their eighth and final preseason game with a respectable 4 and 3 record.
Last season, Washington won just 19 games in the regular season and had 63 losses. They had the worst record in the Eastern Conference.
In Hockey, the Washington Capitals are on a three game winning streak. The Caps beat the Nashville Predators in a 3 to 2 shoot-out victory.
Alexander Ovechkin scored all of Washington’s goals. The “Great 8” had 2 goals in regulation and one in the shootout to earn his first hat trick and win the game.
Last night, the Capitals traveled to Atlanta where they beat the Thrashers 5 to 4. The second period began with the game tied at 2 all, until Jeff Shultz, Matt Bradley, and Chris Clark all scored within two minutes of each of other. Caps goalie Simeon Varlamov was able to hold Atlanta to only two more scores to get his fourth win of the season.
Finally, in Football, the Washington Redskins lost to the Kansas City Chiefs last Sunday. The final score was 6 to 14.
The Redskins’ only scores came from a pair of field goals in the third period. Quarterback Jason Campbell was replaced by back-up Todd Collins for the second half of the game.
Head Coach Jim Zorn was recently forced to give up his play calling duties to Sherman Lewis. In a bit of breaking news, Redskins’ executive vice president of football operations Vinny Cerrato announced today that Zorn will remain head coach for the remainder of the season.
-Joe Lewis
In Basketball, the Washington Wizards are playing their final preseason game tonight at Chicago. The Wizards enter their eighth and final preseason game with a respectable 4 and 3 record.
Last season, Washington won just 19 games in the regular season and had 63 losses. They had the worst record in the Eastern Conference.
In Hockey, the Washington Capitals are on a three game winning streak. The Caps beat the Nashville Predators in a 3 to 2 shoot-out victory.
Alexander Ovechkin scored all of Washington’s goals. The “Great 8” had 2 goals in regulation and one in the shootout to earn his first hat trick and win the game.
Last night, the Capitals traveled to Atlanta where they beat the Thrashers 5 to 4. The second period began with the game tied at 2 all, until Jeff Shultz, Matt Bradley, and Chris Clark all scored within two minutes of each of other. Caps goalie Simeon Varlamov was able to hold Atlanta to only two more scores to get his fourth win of the season.
Finally, in Football, the Washington Redskins lost to the Kansas City Chiefs last Sunday. The final score was 6 to 14.
The Redskins’ only scores came from a pair of field goals in the third period. Quarterback Jason Campbell was replaced by back-up Todd Collins for the second half of the game.
Head Coach Jim Zorn was recently forced to give up his play calling duties to Sherman Lewis. In a bit of breaking news, Redskins’ executive vice president of football operations Vinny Cerrato announced today that Zorn will remain head coach for the remainder of the season.
-Joe Lewis
Journalism Job Expo Brings Employeers to Campus
The recent U.S. economy has complicated the already-difficult job search for GW students this past year. But yesterday, the jobs came to the students at the Communications Industry Expo, hosted by the GW's own Career Center and Graduate School of Political Management and the independently-operated campus newspaper, the GW Hatchet.
The networking event kicked off with a diverse panel of contributers to the communications industry, including a senior editor of The Washington Post and an employee of the U.S. State Department's press office.
The panel members gave advice to prospective job applicants, largely taken from their own experiences in the job field. Having the ability to work with different media was highlighted multiple times as a plus on any resume, as well as correct grammar and spelling.
Jessica Lee of APCO Worldwide shared the story of an applicant who sent a t-shirt with his resume, on which were written reasons to hire him. Lee said with a laugh that she contacted the applicant immediately - not to offer him a job, but to tell him that he had misspelled "organization" on the shirt and should stop sending them out.
Following the panel, attendees were ushered into one of the Marvin Center ballrooms to mingle with professionals from many different communication organizations, from the Public Relations Society of America to Sirius X.M. Radio. Students lined up in front of the tables devoted to each organization.
While clumps grew around the tables of brand name organizations like CNN, while less foot traffic surrounded lesser-known companies like the Washington Business Journal.
The networking event kicked off with a diverse panel of contributers to the communications industry, including a senior editor of The Washington Post and an employee of the U.S. State Department's press office.
The panel members gave advice to prospective job applicants, largely taken from their own experiences in the job field. Having the ability to work with different media was highlighted multiple times as a plus on any resume, as well as correct grammar and spelling.
Jessica Lee of APCO Worldwide shared the story of an applicant who sent a t-shirt with his resume, on which were written reasons to hire him. Lee said with a laugh that she contacted the applicant immediately - not to offer him a job, but to tell him that he had misspelled "organization" on the shirt and should stop sending them out.
Following the panel, attendees were ushered into one of the Marvin Center ballrooms to mingle with professionals from many different communication organizations, from the Public Relations Society of America to Sirius X.M. Radio. Students lined up in front of the tables devoted to each organization.
While clumps grew around the tables of brand name organizations like CNN, while less foot traffic surrounded lesser-known companies like the Washington Business Journal.
Human Rights Watch: 12,000 Rape Kits Untested
Some 12,000 rape kits have been sitting untested for years in Los Angeles County, California, raising questions about how police departments are dealing with rape evidence collected from victims.
David Fathi, the Director of the U.S. Program joined WRGW to talk about the issue that we now know is affecting departments throughout the country.
Click here to listen to the discussion. Please be patient as the audio loads: WRGW News Interview with David Fathi of Human Rights Watch
David Fathi, the Director of the U.S. Program joined WRGW to talk about the issue that we now know is affecting departments throughout the country.
Click here to listen to the discussion. Please be patient as the audio loads: WRGW News Interview with David Fathi of Human Rights Watch
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Former Child Soldier Shares Her Story at GW
On Thursday night Grace Akallo, a former child soldier and Leora Kahn, a world-renowned humanitarian, were hosted by the GW College Democrats to discuss military use of children. The night started off with a slide show of images portraying war and children.
The audience went silent, captivated by the children’s eyes, full of toughness, sorrow and fear. A girl’s voice is heard in the background saying, “I am not afraid to die. But I am afraid to die so young.”
The images featured were from Leora Kahn’s new book: Child Soldiers. It is a compilation of photographs taken of child soldiers in countries such as Burma, Uganda, Sudan, Palestine, and Sierra Leone. Khan explained that children as young as seven years old are being abducted and forced to join militia to be cooks, wives, farmers and soldiers.
Kahn introduced Grace Akallo, a former Ugandan child soldier and author of the book Girl Soldier: A Story of Hope for Northern Uganda’s Children. Akallo was abducted from her school in Uganda at the age of fifteen by the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA). Immediately she was trained, beaten, given an AK-47 and forced to kill, otherwise she would be killed.
Akallo was sent to Sudan to fight the Sudan People’s Liberation Army, killing Sudanese soldiers and civilians as well as being a wife to the soldiers. Kahn stated, “I went through a life that nobody should live. I was lucky, I was fifteen. There were seven year olds crying out for their mothers.” After seven months with the LRA, Akallo escaped and returned home to her community.
Akallo said there is little community support for children who escape from militias. Those that were soldiers are labeled as murderers and blamed for the killing of families.
The girls that were wives often become pregnant and the society doesn’t accept the mother or the baby. Akallo recalls a member of her community referring to her as “Kony’s wife” (Joseph Kony is the head of the LRA). The children are blamed even though they were kidnapped and forced to join the militia.
How can we get involved and make a difference? Both Kahn and Akallo encourage students to write letters to congressmen about the child soldiers or to sponsor a child.
Akallo said that she wouldn’t be educated, or able to share her story today, if it weren’t for her sponsor that donated money. Another way to stop military use of children, she said, is to encourage businesses to discontinue manufacturing small arms. She claims that a reason for the increase in child soldiers is the circulation of small arms, which can be carried and used by children.
Akallo urged students to get involved and make a difference: “We are all people connected by blood. We are all people connected by breath. We need to protect that life... It is our responsibility to rise against this evil.”
The audience went silent, captivated by the children’s eyes, full of toughness, sorrow and fear. A girl’s voice is heard in the background saying, “I am not afraid to die. But I am afraid to die so young.”
The images featured were from Leora Kahn’s new book: Child Soldiers. It is a compilation of photographs taken of child soldiers in countries such as Burma, Uganda, Sudan, Palestine, and Sierra Leone. Khan explained that children as young as seven years old are being abducted and forced to join militia to be cooks, wives, farmers and soldiers.Kahn introduced Grace Akallo, a former Ugandan child soldier and author of the book Girl Soldier: A Story of Hope for Northern Uganda’s Children. Akallo was abducted from her school in Uganda at the age of fifteen by the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA). Immediately she was trained, beaten, given an AK-47 and forced to kill, otherwise she would be killed.
Akallo was sent to Sudan to fight the Sudan People’s Liberation Army, killing Sudanese soldiers and civilians as well as being a wife to the soldiers. Kahn stated, “I went through a life that nobody should live. I was lucky, I was fifteen. There were seven year olds crying out for their mothers.” After seven months with the LRA, Akallo escaped and returned home to her community.
Akallo said there is little community support for children who escape from militias. Those that were soldiers are labeled as murderers and blamed for the killing of families.
The girls that were wives often become pregnant and the society doesn’t accept the mother or the baby. Akallo recalls a member of her community referring to her as “Kony’s wife” (Joseph Kony is the head of the LRA). The children are blamed even though they were kidnapped and forced to join the militia.
How can we get involved and make a difference? Both Kahn and Akallo encourage students to write letters to congressmen about the child soldiers or to sponsor a child.
Akallo said that she wouldn’t be educated, or able to share her story today, if it weren’t for her sponsor that donated money. Another way to stop military use of children, she said, is to encourage businesses to discontinue manufacturing small arms. She claims that a reason for the increase in child soldiers is the circulation of small arms, which can be carried and used by children.
Akallo urged students to get involved and make a difference: “We are all people connected by blood. We are all people connected by breath. We need to protect that life... It is our responsibility to rise against this evil.”
Using Mobile Technology to Fight Infectious Disease
How is new-age technology helping to control the spread of infectious disease across the globe? That was the topic of discussion Thursday evening at the Marian Koshland Science Museum of the National Academy of Sciences.The event featured lectures on two unique technological advancements and data collection resources: The HealthMap Project, funded by Children’s Hospital Boston and the Harvard – MIT Division of Health Sciences and Technology and HealthWatch, a service of Voxiva, a global provider of mobile-centric information solutions.
HealthMap, a website dedicated to mapping global infectious disease intelligence, relies on users to upload reports of infectious disease outbreak via the Web or their iPhones. The information is vetted by human fact checkers and plotted on a global color-coded map. The site is available in six languages, free to use, and is a valuable resource of both the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization
Amy Sonricker, an epidemeologist with Children’s Hospital Boston, said HealthMap was one of the first to receive reports of swine flu outbreaks in Mexico on April 1. But with the cascade of user-generated content, a host of logistical concerns have emerged.
“As the number of [H1NI] media reports skyrocketed, it became more of a challenge for the human component to curate,” said Sonricker. “But over time, we expect the program to get more and more intelligent.”
The HealthMap Project has also engaged the public via a Facebook page and Twitter feed. A free iPhone application is also available and the project is on the verge of releasing BlackBerry and Motorola Android-friendly applications to widen its user base.
A byproduct of a private transnational mobile communications company, HealthWatch is a service used by public health agencies across the globe to provide cutting-edge disease surveillance and resources for effective response. Workers on the ground are able to submit real-time reports on infectious disease outbreaks via the Web, mobile phone or interactive voice response technology.
William Warshauer, Voxiva's executive vice president in charge of Africa, said the HealthWatch service is mostly used by “official, government systems” to help coordinate unified and timely responses in the event of an infectious disease outbreak and prevent pandemics.
Still, Warshauer admitted that HealthWatch and similar resources are just the beginning of a process that has the potential to span decades.
“This is one step. The vision of a completely integrated system is a long way away,” he said.
Russian Poet Yevgeny Yevtushenko Speaks at Elliot School
Yevgeny Yevtushenko, an internationally known Russian poet, was on campus last night for a poetry recitation and a question and answer period with students Thomas Keegan, Jennifer Hopkins and Michael Abts. Described as “a Russian mixture of Walt Whitman and Bob Dylan,” Yevtushenko garnered fame as a revolutionary when his poetry stood up and criticized the Soviet silence about the Holocaust and widespread anti-Semitic attitudes in the USSR.
In a sold out show at the Elliot School, Yevtushenko electrified the audience with personal stories at his only public appearance during his Washington, D.C., visit. Starting with an apology for his “Cold War English,” Yevtushenko was both charming and exceptionally animated, rolling his R's and pausing his recitation to ask the audience: “Did you get my image?”
Friends with the like of Carl Sandberg, John Steinbeck, Leonard Bernstein and Pablo Neruda, Yevtushenko has a particularly global attitude that comes across in his poetry.
“I would like to be born in every single country, have a passport for them all to throw all foreign offices into panic, be every fish in every ocean and every dog in the streets of the world!” he exclaimed last night, in the opening lines of his poem “I Would Like.”
In a slideshow playing on the screen as guests entered was a picture of Yevtushenko with Nixon, whom he warmly addressed as, “The not yet Watergated Nixon” when describing their interaction at the American National Exhibition in Moscow in 1959.
His first visit to the United States was in 1961. Last night in describing his experiences in the United States during the Cold War, he cited a time when a few individuals attacked him during a poetry recitation and broke two ribs. Despite the incident he claimed that most Americans were gracious and identified very much with his revolutionary poetry. His American poet friends, he said, taught him the “feeling of freedom.”
In 1968, Mr. Yevtushenko again spoke out against the Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia, and during the perestroika years, he became known for his opposition to the Soviet war in Afghanistan. He has been awarded Russia’s “Defender of Freedom” medal.
Metrorail Maintenance on Red, Orange Lines October 23-25
WMATA is warning Metrorail customers to expect delays this weekend on the Red and Orange lines.
A press release from WMATA on Thursday, October 22 announced that trains will be single tracking between the Friendship Heights and Van Ness-UDC stations on the Red Line and between the East Falls Church and Ballston-MU stations on the Orange Line. Customers using these lines are advised to add at least twenty to thirty minutes to their planned travel time.
Notably affected by maintenance is the Tenleytown-AU station on the Red Line, which services American University. Tenleytown-AU is situated between the Friendship Heights and Van Ness-UDC stations.
Work on the lines is scheduled to begin at 9:30PM Friday, October 23 and should be completed by Metrorail's reopening the following Monday.
A press release from WMATA on Thursday, October 22 announced that trains will be single tracking between the Friendship Heights and Van Ness-UDC stations on the Red Line and between the East Falls Church and Ballston-MU stations on the Orange Line. Customers using these lines are advised to add at least twenty to thirty minutes to their planned travel time.
Notably affected by maintenance is the Tenleytown-AU station on the Red Line, which services American University. Tenleytown-AU is situated between the Friendship Heights and Van Ness-UDC stations.
Work on the lines is scheduled to begin at 9:30PM Friday, October 23 and should be completed by Metrorail's reopening the following Monday.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
GW #3 Most Expensive School in Nation, Drops 1 Spot
GW is now the #3 most expensive school in the nation according to one list of estimated 2009-2010 costs. Previously ranked #2, the school didn't fall very far nd is now ranked #3 at an estimated cost of $51,730 per year.
College Grotto reports that Sarah Lawrence College ($54,410, $2,680 more) takes the #1 slot followed by New York University ($51,730, $261 more).
The numbers, taken from school websites in 2009, though are far from definitive. The total cost is taken by adding tuition, room and board. Estimates were found for those schools that did not list board. The final numbers do not include fees, such as the voluntary library fee, or mandatory Student Association fee. Living in Washington, D.C., an expensive city for students to live and dine, may place GW higher in terms of total cost.
You can find the complete list here: http://www.campusgrotto.com/most-expensive-colleges-for-2009-2010.html
College Grotto reports that Sarah Lawrence College ($54,410, $2,680 more) takes the #1 slot followed by New York University ($51,730, $261 more).
The numbers, taken from school websites in 2009, though are far from definitive. The total cost is taken by adding tuition, room and board. Estimates were found for those schools that did not list board. The final numbers do not include fees, such as the voluntary library fee, or mandatory Student Association fee. Living in Washington, D.C., an expensive city for students to live and dine, may place GW higher in terms of total cost.
The rankings do not take into account GW's fixed tuition program, which freezes tuition at freshman year levels for 5-years. Room and board and a number of fees at GW are subject to increase.
GW was ranked #2 for overall cost in College Grotto's 2008-2009 survey, $2,854 less expensive than Sarah Lawrence College, which was $53,166 per year.
You can find the complete list here: http://www.campusgrotto.com/most-expensive-colleges-for-2009-2010.html
GW A "Good Neighbor"
George Washington University has been named one of the top 25 BEST NEIGHBOR colleges and universities in a report entitled “Saviors of Our Cities: A Survey of Best College and University Civic Partnerships” assembled by Westfield State College.
Based on comprehensive written surveys and interviews with virtually every college in the country, the report was presented at the 15th annual conference of the Coalition of Urban and Metropolitan Universities on October 12. GW was ranked 24th and was the only school in the District of Columbia to make the list.
The ranking recognizes the efforts of the University and its community to build a “mutually beneficial relationship and shared vision.” Citing GW’s Center for Excellence in Public Leadership, FRIENDS, GW Hospital and its positive effect from community relations initiatives, the report praises GW involvement in both commercial and residential activities such as revitalization, cultural renewal, economics, and community service and development.
The study noted that GWU supports "strong city agent management as well as community-based economic and social progress in the District of Columbia." It also emphasized the positive role the GW Hospital plays in the neighborhood, regularly providing care to thousands of DC residents, including prominent politicians such as former Vice President Dick Cheney, as well as surveying city health trends. This in turn allows the local government to be more effective, focusing its attention on treating the health problems that GW has identified, especially those among at-risk populations.
The study says that "GWU’s community relations staff is talented and possesses tremendous energy," a crucial point, since "This energy is necessary to match the fast-paced tempo of urban life in the nation’s Capital.”
Based on comprehensive written surveys and interviews with virtually every college in the country, the report was presented at the 15th annual conference of the Coalition of Urban and Metropolitan Universities on October 12. GW was ranked 24th and was the only school in the District of Columbia to make the list.
The ranking recognizes the efforts of the University and its community to build a “mutually beneficial relationship and shared vision.” Citing GW’s Center for Excellence in Public Leadership, FRIENDS, GW Hospital and its positive effect from community relations initiatives, the report praises GW involvement in both commercial and residential activities such as revitalization, cultural renewal, economics, and community service and development.
The study noted that GWU supports "strong city agent management as well as community-based economic and social progress in the District of Columbia." It also emphasized the positive role the GW Hospital plays in the neighborhood, regularly providing care to thousands of DC residents, including prominent politicians such as former Vice President Dick Cheney, as well as surveying city health trends. This in turn allows the local government to be more effective, focusing its attention on treating the health problems that GW has identified, especially those among at-risk populations.
The study says that "GWU’s community relations staff is talented and possesses tremendous energy," a crucial point, since "This energy is necessary to match the fast-paced tempo of urban life in the nation’s Capital.”
Monday, October 19, 2009
Supreme Court Justice Anthony M. Kennedy Keynotes GW Law Symposium
[caption id="attachment_3050" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Supreme Court Justice Anthony M. Kennedy keynotes the 2009 GW Law Symposium in Betts Theater. Claire Duggan/GW Law"]
[/caption]
Supreme Court Justice Anthony M. Kennedy, often the deciding vote in split court decisions, was the keynote speaker Thursday at the GW Law Review Symposium. The topic of discussion for Justice Kennedy, 73, was judicial review, a function that allows courts to invalidate laws passed by Congress and signed by the President.
“It is an awful power, awful in the sense of the grave, that 9 justices, 5 if the court is divided, can overturn law passed by Congress and signed by the President,” Justice Kennedy said.
The justice dismissed the notion, however, that judicial review is undemocratic or unconstitutional, explaining that Americans tend to agree with the Supreme Court a majority of the time. He also claimed that judicial review helps give the Constitution meaning in the present time.
He focused a large part of his lecture on the history and importance of English common law and how it has affected the individual liberties protected under American jurisprudence.
"Common law came from the people to the state," he said.
The 1803 Supreme Court case Marbury v. Madison established the concept of judicial review but Justice Kennedy focused instead on the evolution of the Constitution and the cases that have since been argued before the court.
In describing the debate on the court’s right for judicial review the justice noted that the Marbury case was the only judicial review case until Dred Scott v. Sandford in 1857.
“It almost destroyed the court and the Constitution,” he said of the case that among other things concluded that African-Americans were not American citizens. Today, Justice Kennedy explained, many cases are brought before the court for judicial review highlighting that while the Supreme Court may not always be on the prevailing side of history, the system is working and the courts are reviewing cases in accordance with the law and the separation of powers outlined in it.
The justice implied he took comfort in knowing that other countries have looked at American judicial review as models for their own constitutions.
"I never thought that in my lifetime I would see Constitutions get written, it was fascinating for me,” he said. “Constitutions want judicial review, America made the case.”
The justice spoke from memory and experience, often quoting the law and philosophers without the aid of note cards. A sense of humor and ease filled the room for much of the discussion. In describing an experience overseas he spoke in a faux-British accent and the Justice mocked the idea of being the keynote speaker saying it is, “Somewhat pretentious for making remarks that might engage you in your profession.”
Assuming office in 1988, after two failed attempts by Ronald Reagan to fill the seat, Kennedy soon found himself straddling between the conservative and liberal segments of the often ideologically divided court. From capital punishment decisions to handguns in D.C., Justice Kennedy has often found himself to be the deciding vote in cases.
According to SCOUTUSblog, a blog about the Supreme Court, Justice Kennedy was in the majority more than any other justice in the 2007 term including 18 of the 23 decisions that were split 5 to 4. He joined the conservative branch of the court and authored the 5-4 majority opinion in Kennedy v. Louisiana, which dealt with capital punishment. In District of Columbia v. Heller he went to the liberal wing and authored the majority opinion in the 5 to 4 decision that upheld a ruling by a court of appeals in overturning a ban on handguns in D.C.
Following his lecture Justice Kennedy took questions from law students. Among topics of concern was the level of interaction among justices.
Kennedy said the justices tend to send memos to one another, and do not interact face to face as much as people may expect.
"It is a little more isolated, insular," he said.
He also addressed the fewer number of cases the court has been able to review in recent terms. According to records, in the most recent term spanning October 6, 2008 to October 4, 2009 the Supreme Court reviewed 83 cases. Justice Kennedy said the number should be about 100 cases review per term. He said the court receives upwards of 10,000 petitions every year.
“Particularly striking were his comments that he would like the Court to hear more cases and that he was concerned with the state of civil adjudication and with important cases going to arbitration instead,” said Associate Professor of Law Renee Lerner, said in an e-mail to WRGW News. “Recall he laid out three areas of possible reform: lessening the time and expense of discovery, requiring the pleadings to state more clearly a valid cause of action, and controlling punitive damages,” Professor Lerner said.
Professor Lerner is among a distinct group of GW Law Faculty, having clerked for Kennedy. Justice Kennedy has the most former clerks now working at GW Law School, than any other justice. The other former Kennedy clerks on the full-time faculty are Associate Dean Gregory Maggs and Professor Orin Kerr. Former clerk Rachel Brand has just joined the adjunct faculty.
[/caption]Supreme Court Justice Anthony M. Kennedy, often the deciding vote in split court decisions, was the keynote speaker Thursday at the GW Law Review Symposium. The topic of discussion for Justice Kennedy, 73, was judicial review, a function that allows courts to invalidate laws passed by Congress and signed by the President.
“It is an awful power, awful in the sense of the grave, that 9 justices, 5 if the court is divided, can overturn law passed by Congress and signed by the President,” Justice Kennedy said.
The justice dismissed the notion, however, that judicial review is undemocratic or unconstitutional, explaining that Americans tend to agree with the Supreme Court a majority of the time. He also claimed that judicial review helps give the Constitution meaning in the present time.
He focused a large part of his lecture on the history and importance of English common law and how it has affected the individual liberties protected under American jurisprudence.
"Common law came from the people to the state," he said.
The 1803 Supreme Court case Marbury v. Madison established the concept of judicial review but Justice Kennedy focused instead on the evolution of the Constitution and the cases that have since been argued before the court.
In describing the debate on the court’s right for judicial review the justice noted that the Marbury case was the only judicial review case until Dred Scott v. Sandford in 1857.
“It almost destroyed the court and the Constitution,” he said of the case that among other things concluded that African-Americans were not American citizens. Today, Justice Kennedy explained, many cases are brought before the court for judicial review highlighting that while the Supreme Court may not always be on the prevailing side of history, the system is working and the courts are reviewing cases in accordance with the law and the separation of powers outlined in it.
The justice implied he took comfort in knowing that other countries have looked at American judicial review as models for their own constitutions.
"I never thought that in my lifetime I would see Constitutions get written, it was fascinating for me,” he said. “Constitutions want judicial review, America made the case.”
The justice spoke from memory and experience, often quoting the law and philosophers without the aid of note cards. A sense of humor and ease filled the room for much of the discussion. In describing an experience overseas he spoke in a faux-British accent and the Justice mocked the idea of being the keynote speaker saying it is, “Somewhat pretentious for making remarks that might engage you in your profession.”
Assuming office in 1988, after two failed attempts by Ronald Reagan to fill the seat, Kennedy soon found himself straddling between the conservative and liberal segments of the often ideologically divided court. From capital punishment decisions to handguns in D.C., Justice Kennedy has often found himself to be the deciding vote in cases.
According to SCOUTUSblog, a blog about the Supreme Court, Justice Kennedy was in the majority more than any other justice in the 2007 term including 18 of the 23 decisions that were split 5 to 4. He joined the conservative branch of the court and authored the 5-4 majority opinion in Kennedy v. Louisiana, which dealt with capital punishment. In District of Columbia v. Heller he went to the liberal wing and authored the majority opinion in the 5 to 4 decision that upheld a ruling by a court of appeals in overturning a ban on handguns in D.C.
Following his lecture Justice Kennedy took questions from law students. Among topics of concern was the level of interaction among justices.
Kennedy said the justices tend to send memos to one another, and do not interact face to face as much as people may expect.
"It is a little more isolated, insular," he said.
He also addressed the fewer number of cases the court has been able to review in recent terms. According to records, in the most recent term spanning October 6, 2008 to October 4, 2009 the Supreme Court reviewed 83 cases. Justice Kennedy said the number should be about 100 cases review per term. He said the court receives upwards of 10,000 petitions every year.
“Particularly striking were his comments that he would like the Court to hear more cases and that he was concerned with the state of civil adjudication and with important cases going to arbitration instead,” said Associate Professor of Law Renee Lerner, said in an e-mail to WRGW News. “Recall he laid out three areas of possible reform: lessening the time and expense of discovery, requiring the pleadings to state more clearly a valid cause of action, and controlling punitive damages,” Professor Lerner said.
Professor Lerner is among a distinct group of GW Law Faculty, having clerked for Kennedy. Justice Kennedy has the most former clerks now working at GW Law School, than any other justice. The other former Kennedy clerks on the full-time faculty are Associate Dean Gregory Maggs and Professor Orin Kerr. Former clerk Rachel Brand has just joined the adjunct faculty.
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Jon Stewart Performs for Colonials Weekend
[caption id="attachment_3043" align="alignright" width="225" caption=""Daily Show" Host Jon Stewart performed at Colonials Weekend. Alex Laska / WRGW News"]
[/caption]
This weekend, comedian and “Daily Show” host Jon Stewart performed for GW students and their families in the Smith Center as part of Colonials Weekend. The crowd roared as Stewart tackled such issues as the shutting down of Guantanamo Bay, computer problems, and his kids.
Stewart focused predominantly on political issues, justifiable given his roots in political news satire and the school at which he was performing. Stewart gave his take on the “Birther” movement, gay marriage, “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” and religion and the sciences.
Responding to the “Birther” movement, made up of individuals who don’t believe President Obama was born in the United States, Stewart simply responded, “Well, he doesn’t go door to door showing it to people.”
On gay marriage, Stewart said that he could only “see it being an issue if it was, well, mandatory.”
Segueing into his disdain for Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, which keeps homosexuals from serving in the military, Stewart sarcastically envisioned a scenario in which a lieutenant would shout “Private, shoot that man!” and the gay private would refuse to do so, saying “I can’t; he’s adorable.”
[caption id="attachment_3046" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="GW President Steven Knapp congratulates Stewart after the show. Alex Laska / WRGW News"]
[/caption]
Stewart also facetiously attacked minorities (being one himself as a Jewish man), telling them that they shouldn’t force everyone to celebrate diversity, such as in December during Christmas and Hanukkah. “They’re celebrating the birth of their savior,” he said of Christians who like to display Christmas trees in public places, “you’re celebrating the oil lasting longer than you thought it would.”
Occasionally Stewart would take on a serious tone, such as responding to critics of Bush – saying that he wasn’t stupid, he just had ideas some people didn’t like – and Obama – asserting that conservatives who think Obama is trying to take over the country need to learn that “there’s a difference between tyranny and losing.”
Despite some initial problems with hearing in the back of the gym-turned-auditorium, Stewart kept the audience laughing for the hour or so that he spoke, receiving a well-deserved standing ovation when he was finished.
[/caption]This weekend, comedian and “Daily Show” host Jon Stewart performed for GW students and their families in the Smith Center as part of Colonials Weekend. The crowd roared as Stewart tackled such issues as the shutting down of Guantanamo Bay, computer problems, and his kids.
Stewart focused predominantly on political issues, justifiable given his roots in political news satire and the school at which he was performing. Stewart gave his take on the “Birther” movement, gay marriage, “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” and religion and the sciences.
Responding to the “Birther” movement, made up of individuals who don’t believe President Obama was born in the United States, Stewart simply responded, “Well, he doesn’t go door to door showing it to people.”
On gay marriage, Stewart said that he could only “see it being an issue if it was, well, mandatory.”
Segueing into his disdain for Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, which keeps homosexuals from serving in the military, Stewart sarcastically envisioned a scenario in which a lieutenant would shout “Private, shoot that man!” and the gay private would refuse to do so, saying “I can’t; he’s adorable.”
[caption id="attachment_3046" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="GW President Steven Knapp congratulates Stewart after the show. Alex Laska / WRGW News"]
[/caption]Stewart also facetiously attacked minorities (being one himself as a Jewish man), telling them that they shouldn’t force everyone to celebrate diversity, such as in December during Christmas and Hanukkah. “They’re celebrating the birth of their savior,” he said of Christians who like to display Christmas trees in public places, “you’re celebrating the oil lasting longer than you thought it would.”
Occasionally Stewart would take on a serious tone, such as responding to critics of Bush – saying that he wasn’t stupid, he just had ideas some people didn’t like – and Obama – asserting that conservatives who think Obama is trying to take over the country need to learn that “there’s a difference between tyranny and losing.”
Despite some initial problems with hearing in the back of the gym-turned-auditorium, Stewart kept the audience laughing for the hour or so that he spoke, receiving a well-deserved standing ovation when he was finished.
<!--[if !mso]> <! st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } -->
This weekend, comedian and “Daily Show” host Jon Stewart performed for GW students and their families in the Smith Center as part of Colonials Weekend. The crowd roared as Stewart tackled such issues as the shutting down of Guantanamo Bay, computer problems, and his kids.
Stewart focused predominantly on political issues, justifiable given his roots in political news satire and the school at which he was performing. Stewart gave his take on the “Birther” movement, gay marriage, “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” and religion and the sciences.
Responding to the “Birther” movement, made up of individuals who don’t believe President Obama was born in the United States, Stewart simply responded, “Well, he doesn’t go door to door showing it to people.”
On gay marriage, Stewart said that he could only “see it being an issue if it was, well, mandatory.”
Segueing into his disdain for Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, which keeps homosexuals from serving in the military, Stewart sarcastically envisioned a scenario in which a lieutenant would shout “Private, shoot that man!” and the gay private would refuse to do so, saying “I can’t; he’s adorable.”
Stewart also facetiously attacked minorities (being one himself as a Jewish man), telling them that they shouldn’t force everyone to celebrate diversity, such as in December during Christmas and Hanukkah. “They’re celebrating the birth of their savior,” he said of Christians who like to display Christmas trees in public places, “you’re celebrating the oil lasting longer than you thought it would.”
Occasionally Stewart would take on a serious tone, such as responding to critics of Bush – saying that he wasn’t stupid, he just had ideas some people didn’t like – and Obama – asserting that conservatives who think Obama is trying to take over the country need to learn that “there’s a difference between tyranny and losing.”
Despite some initial problems with hearing in the back of the gym-turned-auditorium, Stewart kept the audience laughing for the hour or so that he spoke, receiving a well-deserved standing ovation when he was finished.
Friday, October 16, 2009
UPDATE: D.C. Memorial Set for Ben Ali
Ben Ali, the late founder of the Washington D.C. landmark "Ben's Chili Bowl," will be remembered today at a service in the historic Lincoln Theater, according to WTOP Radio. Ali died last week at age 82.
SmartKarts Offer Healthy Alternative to Typical Street-Vendor Fare
By Tylar Greene
[caption id="attachment_3022" align="aligncenter" width="360" caption="A SmartKart, identical to the one on 22nd and H Street, feeds hungry students and educates business students. Photo courtesy of On the Fly."]
[/caption]
If you are walking past 22nd and H streets, you will probably see a bright lime green truck not selling your ordinary hot dogs or gyros, but organic street food.
It's the new local eco-vending SmartKart, and not only has it been feeding hungry students since it appeared September 28th, but it has an education component, as well.
"This exciting new program will satisfy students and members of the academic community’s need for great-tasting, healthy and natural foods on the go," Todd Cavaluzzi, the VP of Marketing for On the Fly said in a press release. "It will also give students a taste of running their own business."
The cart, the only SmartKart at any area university, is the creation of the company On the Fly. Tired of greesy, unhealthy food options, the three friends decided to offer healthy alternatives to traditional street food.
The SmartKarts are electric vehicles with zero emissions and are able to plug into an electric power source. When the vehicles cannot be plugged in, they run on a gas generator as a hybrid.
Where's all this food coming from?
On The Fly supports local companies and suppliers by selling locally produced food. The company's famous Chicken Estofado tacos contain chicken from a local Alexandria company, Cuisine Solutions, that uses locally sourced organic chicken and all other meals are created in On The Fly's central kitchen and are then sent out on the SmartKarts. Some of the choices offered on the menu are no preservative hot dogs, veggie tacos, turkey chilli and mac and cheese.
"You don’t have to sacrifice great taste to eat in a healthy and sustainable manner," said Cavaluzzi.
As for the academic component, The On the Fly executives are piloting a new university lecture program, which intends to teach students how to manage a small business. The cart, placed on campus in conjunction with the GW School of Business, will help illustrate how to manage employees, food stock levels, marketing, and promotions.
"This combination of classroom and practical learning is a particularly effective way for students to learn skills required to run other smaller companies, and for On The Fly to contribute to the DC University community," said Cavaluzzzi.
Smart Karts are located on the National Mall, the National Zoo, the Washington Nationals' stadium and the National Arboretum, as well as in downtown locations like Chinatown.
The hours are Monday to Wednesday, 11am to 6pm, Thursday and Friday, 11am to 10 pm and 11am to 6 pm on Saturday while Sunday's hours depend on demand.
[caption id="attachment_3022" align="aligncenter" width="360" caption="A SmartKart, identical to the one on 22nd and H Street, feeds hungry students and educates business students. Photo courtesy of On the Fly."]
[/caption]If you are walking past 22nd and H streets, you will probably see a bright lime green truck not selling your ordinary hot dogs or gyros, but organic street food.
It's the new local eco-vending SmartKart, and not only has it been feeding hungry students since it appeared September 28th, but it has an education component, as well.
"This exciting new program will satisfy students and members of the academic community’s need for great-tasting, healthy and natural foods on the go," Todd Cavaluzzi, the VP of Marketing for On the Fly said in a press release. "It will also give students a taste of running their own business."
The cart, the only SmartKart at any area university, is the creation of the company On the Fly. Tired of greesy, unhealthy food options, the three friends decided to offer healthy alternatives to traditional street food.
The SmartKarts are electric vehicles with zero emissions and are able to plug into an electric power source. When the vehicles cannot be plugged in, they run on a gas generator as a hybrid.
Where's all this food coming from?
On The Fly supports local companies and suppliers by selling locally produced food. The company's famous Chicken Estofado tacos contain chicken from a local Alexandria company, Cuisine Solutions, that uses locally sourced organic chicken and all other meals are created in On The Fly's central kitchen and are then sent out on the SmartKarts. Some of the choices offered on the menu are no preservative hot dogs, veggie tacos, turkey chilli and mac and cheese.
"You don’t have to sacrifice great taste to eat in a healthy and sustainable manner," said Cavaluzzi.
As for the academic component, The On the Fly executives are piloting a new university lecture program, which intends to teach students how to manage a small business. The cart, placed on campus in conjunction with the GW School of Business, will help illustrate how to manage employees, food stock levels, marketing, and promotions.
"This combination of classroom and practical learning is a particularly effective way for students to learn skills required to run other smaller companies, and for On The Fly to contribute to the DC University community," said Cavaluzzzi.
Smart Karts are located on the National Mall, the National Zoo, the Washington Nationals' stadium and the National Arboretum, as well as in downtown locations like Chinatown.
The hours are Monday to Wednesday, 11am to 6pm, Thursday and Friday, 11am to 10 pm and 11am to 6 pm on Saturday while Sunday's hours depend on demand.
Coastal Flood Advisory for DC, Baltimore Areas
From the National Weather Service:
The warning will remain in effect until 8:00 AM Saturday, October 17th. Visit weather.gov for more information, and 72hours.dc.gov for general emergency information inside the District.
LOW PRESSURE OFF THE MID ATLANTIC COAST WILL CONTINUE TO PUSH EXCESS WATER INTO THE CHESAPEAKE BAY AND ITS ESTUARIES. COMBINED WITH THE TIDAL EFFECTS CAUSED BY THE LUNAR CYCLE...THIS WILL PRODUCE MINOR TIDAL FLOODING FOR THE NEXT SEVERAL TIDAL CYCLES. EXPECT TIDAL INUNDATION TO BE CONFINED TO AREAS THAT TYPICALLY ARE FIRST TO FLOOD.
The warning will remain in effect until 8:00 AM Saturday, October 17th. Visit weather.gov for more information, and 72hours.dc.gov for general emergency information inside the District.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
LGBT Supporters Flood DC For National Equality March
[caption id="attachment_3002" align="alignright" width="300" caption="The National Equality March effectively shut down Pennsylvania Avenue."]
[/caption]
Hundreds of thousands of gay rights supporters rallied in DC this past Sunday to protest “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” the Defense of Marriage Act, workplace and housing discrimination, and many other issues affecting the LGBT community.
Different news sources have given different reports as to how many marched on Sunday, with estimates falling between 75,000 and 250,000 – a number that would rival that of the March on Washington of 1963.
The march came at an important time, with two major LGBT issues on the ballot this Election Day: Proposition 1 in Maine, which would overturn the Maine legislature’s recently-passed law allowing gay marriage, and Referendum 71 in Washington state, which would uphold the state’s legalization of civil unions.
[caption id="attachment_3000" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="LGBT Marchers stopped in front of the White House to tell Obama to "let Mama marry Mama.""]
[/caption]
After meeting at McPherson Square, the gigantic crowd marched to the White House holding hand-made signs and waving Gay Pride flags, chanting war cries such as “Hey Obama, let Mama marry Mama” and “Gay, Straight, Black, White, same struggle, same fight.” After pausing in front of the White House to scream “Yes We Can” at the Oval Office, the crowd continued down Pennsylvania Avenue, cheered on by DC residents and tourists alike on the sidelines of the packed street, ending up in front of the Capitol Building as the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington welcomed the marchers with “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” and The National Anthem.
The crowd easily filled the Capitol Building lawn, spilling out onto the streets and the National Mall. The rally began even as many of the marchers – seven blocks’ worth – were still coming down the Avenue. The event included speeches from several prominent figures within the LGBT community, as well as various musical performances.
[caption id="attachment_2999" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Lady Gaga claims that the National Equality March is one of the most important moments in her career."]
[/caption]
Perhaps the most prominent of the speakers was Lady Gaga, who has long been a supporter of “the gays,” who said that this was among the most important moments of her career. Responding to Massachusetts Congressman Barney Frank’s statement that “the only thing they’re going to be putting pressure on is the grass,” Lady Gaga said that “we put more than pressure on the grass… today, this grass is ours.”
Other notable speakers included political humorist Kate Clinton, who said it was time to “tax the church,” and her partner Urvashi Vaid, a gay rights activist who said that full equality will come only with the political and cultural demise of the Republican Party. Cleve Jones, a protégé of Harvey Milk’s who created the AIDS Quilt and who called for that day’s march, gave a stirring and exciting address, and poet Staceyann Chin revved the crowd up, saying that “I march today because I believe that change is not only possible, it is inevitable.”
[caption id="attachment_2998" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="NAACP Chairman Julian Bond tells the crowd that "gay rights is civil rights.""]
[/caption]
Giving the keynote address was NAACP Chairman Julian Bond, who was a co-founder of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) during the Civil Rights Movement of the 60’s and who believes that “gay rights are civil rights.” Addressing concerns that the gay rights movement doesn’t have its own Martin Luther King Jr, Bond pointed out that King believed in equal rights for all people, and that “the Martin Luther King Jr. of the gay rights movement is… Martin Luther King, Jr.”
[caption id="attachment_3003" align="alignright" width="296" caption="The marchers filled the Capitol lawn and then some."]
[/caption]
Between speeches, performers came on to entertain the crowd, including British singer-songwriter Billie Myers, who teamed up with saxophonist Dave Koz to perform a smoky version of “America the Beautiful,” and the cast of Hair, who led the crowd in a chilling performance of “Let the Sunshine In.”
Throughout the event, activists asserted that the work was not over after the march, urging supporters to go home and organize their communities, get involved, and call their Congressmen.
[/caption]Hundreds of thousands of gay rights supporters rallied in DC this past Sunday to protest “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” the Defense of Marriage Act, workplace and housing discrimination, and many other issues affecting the LGBT community.
Different news sources have given different reports as to how many marched on Sunday, with estimates falling between 75,000 and 250,000 – a number that would rival that of the March on Washington of 1963.
The march came at an important time, with two major LGBT issues on the ballot this Election Day: Proposition 1 in Maine, which would overturn the Maine legislature’s recently-passed law allowing gay marriage, and Referendum 71 in Washington state, which would uphold the state’s legalization of civil unions.
[caption id="attachment_3000" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="LGBT Marchers stopped in front of the White House to tell Obama to "let Mama marry Mama.""]
[/caption]After meeting at McPherson Square, the gigantic crowd marched to the White House holding hand-made signs and waving Gay Pride flags, chanting war cries such as “Hey Obama, let Mama marry Mama” and “Gay, Straight, Black, White, same struggle, same fight.” After pausing in front of the White House to scream “Yes We Can” at the Oval Office, the crowd continued down Pennsylvania Avenue, cheered on by DC residents and tourists alike on the sidelines of the packed street, ending up in front of the Capitol Building as the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington welcomed the marchers with “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” and The National Anthem.
The crowd easily filled the Capitol Building lawn, spilling out onto the streets and the National Mall. The rally began even as many of the marchers – seven blocks’ worth – were still coming down the Avenue. The event included speeches from several prominent figures within the LGBT community, as well as various musical performances.
[caption id="attachment_2999" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Lady Gaga claims that the National Equality March is one of the most important moments in her career."]
[/caption]Perhaps the most prominent of the speakers was Lady Gaga, who has long been a supporter of “the gays,” who said that this was among the most important moments of her career. Responding to Massachusetts Congressman Barney Frank’s statement that “the only thing they’re going to be putting pressure on is the grass,” Lady Gaga said that “we put more than pressure on the grass… today, this grass is ours.”
Other notable speakers included political humorist Kate Clinton, who said it was time to “tax the church,” and her partner Urvashi Vaid, a gay rights activist who said that full equality will come only with the political and cultural demise of the Republican Party. Cleve Jones, a protégé of Harvey Milk’s who created the AIDS Quilt and who called for that day’s march, gave a stirring and exciting address, and poet Staceyann Chin revved the crowd up, saying that “I march today because I believe that change is not only possible, it is inevitable.”
[caption id="attachment_2998" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="NAACP Chairman Julian Bond tells the crowd that "gay rights is civil rights.""]
[/caption]Giving the keynote address was NAACP Chairman Julian Bond, who was a co-founder of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) during the Civil Rights Movement of the 60’s and who believes that “gay rights are civil rights.” Addressing concerns that the gay rights movement doesn’t have its own Martin Luther King Jr, Bond pointed out that King believed in equal rights for all people, and that “the Martin Luther King Jr. of the gay rights movement is… Martin Luther King, Jr.”
[caption id="attachment_3003" align="alignright" width="296" caption="The marchers filled the Capitol lawn and then some."]
[/caption]Between speeches, performers came on to entertain the crowd, including British singer-songwriter Billie Myers, who teamed up with saxophonist Dave Koz to perform a smoky version of “America the Beautiful,” and the cast of Hair, who led the crowd in a chilling performance of “Let the Sunshine In.”
Throughout the event, activists asserted that the work was not over after the march, urging supporters to go home and organize their communities, get involved, and call their Congressmen.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Greek Week Drawing to a Close
Today marks second-to-last day of Greek Week, an annual group of events that brings together the Interfraternity Council (IFC), Panhellenic Association and the Multicultural Greek Council (MGC) for healthy competition. And what exactly is at stake? Only bragging rights.
The theme this year is Superheroes, resulting in the separation of the Greek organizations into groups such as the Fantastic Four, Team Watchmen, and Team Superman. A Dress Like Your Comic Book Hero party was held Friday night at the Marvin Center, but it was so ill-attended that the proposed three-hour event was essentially over after just one hour. Other events have included a guest speaker on "College Etiquette" on Thursday, and one on "The Opposite Sex" on Sunday. One of the more active events were Saturday's Project PB&J and Cereal Drive, where teams raced to make the most peanut butter & jelly sandwiches in a half hour and collect cereal boxes to donate to those in need. A Field Day and barbecue was the main event Sunday.
Tonight's event is Date Auction night, where members of the Greek organizations bet on a select few of their own for arranged dates in order to raise money for charity.
The final event to be held tomorrow night is Skit Night, where all of the groups get on stage at Lisner and perform their best. The winning team of Greek Week will be announced immediately following.
The theme this year is Superheroes, resulting in the separation of the Greek organizations into groups such as the Fantastic Four, Team Watchmen, and Team Superman. A Dress Like Your Comic Book Hero party was held Friday night at the Marvin Center, but it was so ill-attended that the proposed three-hour event was essentially over after just one hour. Other events have included a guest speaker on "College Etiquette" on Thursday, and one on "The Opposite Sex" on Sunday. One of the more active events were Saturday's Project PB&J and Cereal Drive, where teams raced to make the most peanut butter & jelly sandwiches in a half hour and collect cereal boxes to donate to those in need. A Field Day and barbecue was the main event Sunday.
Tonight's event is Date Auction night, where members of the Greek organizations bet on a select few of their own for arranged dates in order to raise money for charity.
The final event to be held tomorrow night is Skit Night, where all of the groups get on stage at Lisner and perform their best. The winning team of Greek Week will be announced immediately following.
Monday, October 12, 2009
Teach for America Week Brings Recruiters to Campus
Representatives from a popular post-college teaching program will be tabling in Kogan Plaza this week as a part of “Teach for America Week.”
The activities are part of a push by Teach for America, an organization that recruits recent college graduates to teach for two years in low-income areas. The goal is to involve students in the community and inspire them to pursue careers in education.
Since its launch in 1997, Teach For America Week has enlisted hundreds of students to share their knowledge and personal insights with thousands of students, according to their website.
There is also an ongoing school supply drive through the week, with drop off locations located in the Marvin Center. Members of the GW community are encouraged to donate to the cause.
On Tuesday October 6th there will be a Teach for America Meet and Greet at 7:30 in Marvin Center 101, where students will have the opportunity to meet current corps members who are teaching in Washington DC, as well as alumni of the program who are now in various careers.
On Thursday October 8th there will be another meeting in the Gelman Starbucks at 4 pm, with a Teach for America alum who is now attending the Elliot School.
Teach for America is also organizing nation-wide Conference Call-ins Tuesday and Wednesday at 9 pm, featuring an introductory session and information about the financial package. Conference calls can be joined by RSVPing at the teachforamerica.org website.
Saturday, October 10, 2009
In Pictures: Students Rally Against "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"
Ahead of the National Equality March this Sunday, students from all over the nation rallied against "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," a policy that keeps openly gay men and women from serving in the military. After "closing the streets of our nation's capitol" while protesting at the White House, the students came to Kogan Plaza, where several former servicemen spoke out against the "devastating" policy. Among them was Todd Belok, a GW student who was kicked out of the ROTC program upon discovery of his sexual orientation. The crowd was led in chants of "Hey-Hey, Ho-Ho, Don't Ask Don't Tell has got to go" and "End the Silence," referring to the Day of Silence, a day when gay people and gay rights supporters remain silent for 24 hours in protest of anti-gay policies; one woman said that "silence kills our cause." The students will rally again tomorrow at 11:10am at the Foggy Bottom metro, where they will march to the Capitol with an expected group of thousands of LGBT supporters.
[caption id="attachment_2961" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Among the students rallying at Kogan were several who travelled all the way up from Texas."]
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[caption id="attachment_2962" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="A LGBT Pride flag with the word "Peace" scrawled across it greeted protestors to the rally."]
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[caption id="attachment_2963" align="aligncenter" width="225" caption="A former serviceman who was kicked out of the military because of his sexuality speaks out against DADT."]
[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_2964" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Todd Belok, a GW student who was expelled from the ROTC program after the discovery of his sexual orientation, tells the crowd about the support he's been receiving from the LGBT community, and from other former servicemen."]
[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_2961" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Among the students rallying at Kogan were several who travelled all the way up from Texas."]
[/caption][caption id="attachment_2962" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="A LGBT Pride flag with the word "Peace" scrawled across it greeted protestors to the rally."]
[/caption][caption id="attachment_2963" align="aligncenter" width="225" caption="A former serviceman who was kicked out of the military because of his sexuality speaks out against DADT."]
[/caption][caption id="attachment_2964" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Todd Belok, a GW student who was expelled from the ROTC program after the discovery of his sexual orientation, tells the crowd about the support he's been receiving from the LGBT community, and from other former servicemen."]
[/caption]
Green Housing Comes to Mall for Solar Decathlon
The National Mall is considerably greener this month, but don't thank the park service.
The US Department of Energy is hosting its 4th "Solar Decathlon," a competition in which college teams from around the country compete to design and construct the most attractive, effective, and energy-efficient house. Twenty teams from places as far away as Spain have built houses on the National Mall between the Capitol and the Washington Monument.
The goals of the competition are wide-ranging, but the two primary purposes are to educate the student participants about the benefits of green energy, and to raise awareness among the general public about renewable energy and energy efficiency.
Houses were designed and constructed at their respective universities, taken apart, and shipped to Washington for the competiton, where seven days were given to each team to reconstruct their entry on the National Mall.
WRGW had the opportunity to tour one of the most interesting entrants to the competition, a house constructed by the University of Arizona named the SEED [pod].
The SEED [pod] focuses heavily on the use of natural and passive processes accomplish things that typically require electricity in a normal home. For example, the house features what was called a "Water Wall" to passively heat and cool the interior space. An entire wall of the house consists of what is effectively a plastic water tank filled with water, which absorbs heat through sunlight during the day and releases it during the night. The Water Wall may also be used to cool the house by reversing the process above.
The idea for the Water Wall was originally a student thesis. Team members highlighted the feature as an example of how the project was a vehicle for student research.
While the project took advantage of the efficiencies gained through passive processes, including large doors to allow for greater airflow and a design that allowed for circulation of air inside the house, innovations in solar-generated electricity were also present. The solar panels utilized by the team are bifacial, meaning that they absorb sunlight on both sides. To aid in solar collection, the roof of the SEED [pod] is painted white, reflecting light back through the solar panels and taking full advantage of their potential.
Due to the remote nature of the competition and the transportation challenges involved, modularity was a theme among all houses, especially the SEED [pod]. In fact, the entry derives much of its name from the modular nature of its house: SEED is a reference to the owner's ability to expand the house as his or her life progresses. The house is constructed of "modules" that typically represent a single function, such as a kitchen, bathroom, office, or bedroom. The house is designed in a way that allows for easy addition of these modules, so that a family expecting its first child could simply purchase an additional bedroom instead of an entirely new house. This prefabrication allows the team to both cut costs and waste when considering the possibility of widespread adoption of their project.
To cut costs even more, the structural elements of the project are designed to be easily manufactured by any local steel company, further cutting transportation costs. Most structural pieces are created from folded flat sheet steel, and specific instructions on their cutting and folding have already been created by the team. Ideally, the team wishes for the consumer to be able to purchase a house plan and have a local facility complete the fabrication.
The houses are open to the public October 9th-13th and October 15th-18th. For more information, including judging scores and links to teams' websites, visit www.solardecathlon.org.
The US Department of Energy is hosting its 4th "Solar Decathlon," a competition in which college teams from around the country compete to design and construct the most attractive, effective, and energy-efficient house. Twenty teams from places as far away as Spain have built houses on the National Mall between the Capitol and the Washington Monument.The goals of the competition are wide-ranging, but the two primary purposes are to educate the student participants about the benefits of green energy, and to raise awareness among the general public about renewable energy and energy efficiency.
Houses were designed and constructed at their respective universities, taken apart, and shipped to Washington for the competiton, where seven days were given to each team to reconstruct their entry on the National Mall.
WRGW had the opportunity to tour one of the most interesting entrants to the competition, a house constructed by the University of Arizona named the SEED [pod].
The SEED [pod] focuses heavily on the use of natural and passive processes accomplish things that typically require electricity in a normal home. For example, the house features what was called a "Water Wall" to passively heat and cool the interior space. An entire wall of the house consists of what is effectively a plastic water tank filled with water, which absorbs heat through sunlight during the day and releases it during the night. The Water Wall may also be used to cool the house by reversing the process above.
The idea for the Water Wall was originally a student thesis. Team members highlighted the feature as an example of how the project was a vehicle for student research.While the project took advantage of the efficiencies gained through passive processes, including large doors to allow for greater airflow and a design that allowed for circulation of air inside the house, innovations in solar-generated electricity were also present. The solar panels utilized by the team are bifacial, meaning that they absorb sunlight on both sides. To aid in solar collection, the roof of the SEED [pod] is painted white, reflecting light back through the solar panels and taking full advantage of their potential.
Due to the remote nature of the competition and the transportation challenges involved, modularity was a theme among all houses, especially the SEED [pod]. In fact, the entry derives much of its name from the modular nature of its house: SEED is a reference to the owner's ability to expand the house as his or her life progresses. The house is constructed of "modules" that typically represent a single function, such as a kitchen, bathroom, office, or bedroom. The house is designed in a way that allows for easy addition of these modules, so that a family expecting its first child could simply purchase an additional bedroom instead of an entirely new house. This prefabrication allows the team to both cut costs and waste when considering the possibility of widespread adoption of their project.
To cut costs even more, the structural elements of the project are designed to be easily manufactured by any local steel company, further cutting transportation costs. Most structural pieces are created from folded flat sheet steel, and specific instructions on their cutting and folding have already been created by the team. Ideally, the team wishes for the consumer to be able to purchase a house plan and have a local facility complete the fabrication.
The houses are open to the public October 9th-13th and October 15th-18th. For more information, including judging scores and links to teams' websites, visit www.solardecathlon.org.
Friday, October 9, 2009
Coming Up on News in Depth...
Former Student Association president and candidate for the Maryland State House of Delegates Lamar Thorpe will join WRGW's Jared Pliner & Dan Keylin in studio this Sunday.
And then...Travis Korson, president of the GW chapter of the Young America's Foundation and Michael Garber, communications director of the GW College Democrats will face off on Afghanistan, Iran, the pending Senate Finance Committee healthcare vote, the president's Nobel Peace Prize win and the First Lady's GW community service challenge.
All that and more coming up on WRGW's News in Depth...THIS SUNDAY from 12 to 1 p.m. on GWRadio.com and Campus cable channel 22!
And then...Travis Korson, president of the GW chapter of the Young America's Foundation and Michael Garber, communications director of the GW College Democrats will face off on Afghanistan, Iran, the pending Senate Finance Committee healthcare vote, the president's Nobel Peace Prize win and the First Lady's GW community service challenge.
All that and more coming up on WRGW's News in Depth...THIS SUNDAY from 12 to 1 p.m. on GWRadio.com and Campus cable channel 22!
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Acclaimed Cuban Author Visits GW
[caption id="attachment_2929" align="alignleft" width="200" caption="Cuban author Mayra Montero"]
[/caption]
Cuban author, Mayra Montero, addressed an audience of about forty on Thursday night. The discussion and readings focused on Cuba in the world. Montero is originally from Havana and visits Cuba frequently. She has written a collection of short stories and nine novels. Her first novel, La Trenza de la Hermosa Luna, also known as The Braid of the Beautiful Moon was published in 1987. She is an acclaimed journalist and writes a weekly column for El Nuevo Dia, a Puerto Rican newspaper.
She read from her latest novel, Son de Almendra, which is about the mafia in Cuba during the 1950s. While many claim the novel is a thriller, she focuses on the love story. She was also sure to read the book in both English and Spanish because she wanted to keep the “flavor of the original”. The 1950s is her favorite decade because it was “muy rica” and it was a very eventful time in Cuba. Her research in the New York City archives and her parents’ experiences contributed to the novel.
The audience was then able to ask Montero questions about her novels, Cuban literature, and Cuba. The question and answer portion was almost entirely in Spanish with minimal English translation. She claims the difference between her and Cuban American writers is that she has lived in Cuba for a longer period of time. She also believes that Cuban writers are very isolated, but are slowly finding an audience through the internet. Montero tries not to become involved in politics, she is just a writer. She is in love with her native country Cuba, and says this love is based on intuition. She is hopeful about Cuba’s future and states that Cuba is in its most important moment. There is a real eagerness for change. Montero blames President George W. Bush for the lack of interchange between Cuban and American writers, but believes in a “rilliant and prompt future”.
[/caption]Cuban author, Mayra Montero, addressed an audience of about forty on Thursday night. The discussion and readings focused on Cuba in the world. Montero is originally from Havana and visits Cuba frequently. She has written a collection of short stories and nine novels. Her first novel, La Trenza de la Hermosa Luna, also known as The Braid of the Beautiful Moon was published in 1987. She is an acclaimed journalist and writes a weekly column for El Nuevo Dia, a Puerto Rican newspaper.
She read from her latest novel, Son de Almendra, which is about the mafia in Cuba during the 1950s. While many claim the novel is a thriller, she focuses on the love story. She was also sure to read the book in both English and Spanish because she wanted to keep the “flavor of the original”. The 1950s is her favorite decade because it was “muy rica” and it was a very eventful time in Cuba. Her research in the New York City archives and her parents’ experiences contributed to the novel.
The audience was then able to ask Montero questions about her novels, Cuban literature, and Cuba. The question and answer portion was almost entirely in Spanish with minimal English translation. She claims the difference between her and Cuban American writers is that she has lived in Cuba for a longer period of time. She also believes that Cuban writers are very isolated, but are slowly finding an audience through the internet. Montero tries not to become involved in politics, she is just a writer. She is in love with her native country Cuba, and says this love is based on intuition. She is hopeful about Cuba’s future and states that Cuba is in its most important moment. There is a real eagerness for change. Montero blames President George W. Bush for the lack of interchange between Cuban and American writers, but believes in a “rilliant and prompt future”.
Ben Ali of Ben's Chili Bowl has died
[caption id="attachment_2919" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Ben Ali, founder of Ben's Chili Bowl. He passed away last night at the age of 82."]
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Ben Ali, who founded the U-Street landmark Ben's Chili Bowl, passed away last night at the age of 82.
"He was a true hero of the people and a great example of someone who actually epitomized the American dream," read a statement on the restaurant's website. "He and his loving wife Virginia created a landmark institution in D.C., tantalizing generations of residents and visitors with their spicy chili dogs and half smokes, but more importantly touching people of all walks of life with their exemplary dedication to the D.C. community."
Since 1958 the restaurant has served everyone from students, to celebrities, politicians, tourists, and D.C. residents. You may remember last year when President Barack Obama stopped in to order a half-smoke. Martin Luther King Jr. spent time there, Bill Cosby is a regular, and take a look up at the wall's and you'll see that everyone who is anyone has visited Ben's.
Having studied at Howard University, Ali knew the area and its people well, serving them breakfast, lunch, and dinner for more than 51 years. His business survived race riots and the gentrification that forced other businesses from the area, and while he had retired awhile go with his wife Virginia, he was still a regular at the business that he transformed into a landmark.
Ben's will continue to be run by his sons Kamal and Nizam.
[/caption]Ben Ali, who founded the U-Street landmark Ben's Chili Bowl, passed away last night at the age of 82.
"He was a true hero of the people and a great example of someone who actually epitomized the American dream," read a statement on the restaurant's website. "He and his loving wife Virginia created a landmark institution in D.C., tantalizing generations of residents and visitors with their spicy chili dogs and half smokes, but more importantly touching people of all walks of life with their exemplary dedication to the D.C. community."
Since 1958 the restaurant has served everyone from students, to celebrities, politicians, tourists, and D.C. residents. You may remember last year when President Barack Obama stopped in to order a half-smoke. Martin Luther King Jr. spent time there, Bill Cosby is a regular, and take a look up at the wall's and you'll see that everyone who is anyone has visited Ben's.
Having studied at Howard University, Ali knew the area and its people well, serving them breakfast, lunch, and dinner for more than 51 years. His business survived race riots and the gentrification that forced other businesses from the area, and while he had retired awhile go with his wife Virginia, he was still a regular at the business that he transformed into a landmark.
Ben's will continue to be run by his sons Kamal and Nizam.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Obama Welcomes Local Students to White House Stargazing
President Barack Obama spoke to 150 Washington D.C. area middle school students on the importance of scientific discovery and space exploration at the White House Wednesday evening. The president invited the schoolchildren to a night of stargazing on the South Lawn, as part of a broader federal push to promote math and science education.
The president, joined by Fist Lady Michelle Obama and Director John Holdren of the Office of Science and Technology, addressed the crowd before turning his eyes to the constellation Lyra, via the assistance of a large, black telescope stationed next to the podium.
Among the dignitaries in the crowd were Apollo 11 astronaut Buzz Aldrin, space shuttle astronaut Sally Ride – the first American woman in space – and space shuttle astronaut Mae Jemison -- the first African American woman in space.
Malia and Sasha Obama also joined the crowd on the South Lawn for the evening's festivities.
The stargazing event was held in commemoration of the 400th anniversary of Galileo’s first astronomical observations with a telescope in 1609.
Like the United States, more than 135 countries will host events this year to promote scientific discovery and space exploration.
In his brief remarks, the president encouraged the students to work hard in school and, in turn, promised to provide the critical resources necessary to prepare youth for careers in the scientific field.
“I want to be a president that makes sure you have the tools and the teachers you need,” he said.
The president, who awarded national science medals to several top researchers and innovators at a White House ceremony Wednesday, asked the young crowd: “Which one of you are going to come back here to claim your prize?”
The president ended by stressing the importance of innovation and calling for a constant pushing of the bounds of scientific understanding.
“We need your restless curiosity…don’t let anybody tell you there isn’t more to discover,” he said.
WRGW News' Jared Pliner, reporting from the White House
The president, joined by Fist Lady Michelle Obama and Director John Holdren of the Office of Science and Technology, addressed the crowd before turning his eyes to the constellation Lyra, via the assistance of a large, black telescope stationed next to the podium.
Among the dignitaries in the crowd were Apollo 11 astronaut Buzz Aldrin, space shuttle astronaut Sally Ride – the first American woman in space – and space shuttle astronaut Mae Jemison -- the first African American woman in space.
Malia and Sasha Obama also joined the crowd on the South Lawn for the evening's festivities.
The stargazing event was held in commemoration of the 400th anniversary of Galileo’s first astronomical observations with a telescope in 1609.
Like the United States, more than 135 countries will host events this year to promote scientific discovery and space exploration.
In his brief remarks, the president encouraged the students to work hard in school and, in turn, promised to provide the critical resources necessary to prepare youth for careers in the scientific field.
“I want to be a president that makes sure you have the tools and the teachers you need,” he said.
The president, who awarded national science medals to several top researchers and innovators at a White House ceremony Wednesday, asked the young crowd: “Which one of you are going to come back here to claim your prize?”
The president ended by stressing the importance of innovation and calling for a constant pushing of the bounds of scientific understanding.
“We need your restless curiosity…don’t let anybody tell you there isn’t more to discover,” he said.
WRGW News' Jared Pliner, reporting from the White House
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Legendary Saxophonist Clarence "The Big Man" Clemons On WRGW
Clarence "The Big Man" Clemons, the saxaphone player most known for being a member of the legendary E-Street Band, joined Pat Baranowski and Jesse Regis for an interview about the latest tour and his new book Big Man: Real Life and Tall Tales, which will be released October 21st.
The candid discussion touched a number of subjects related to the tour including how Clarence feels about playing full albums.
Currently, the E-Street band is playing full albums at select shows. Born to Run, Born in the U.S.A., and Darkness on the Edge of Town have all been featured. Greetings from Asbury Park is the album that Clarence said he would most enjoy playing in its entirety, and Clarence said he would enjoy the chance to play the album in New Jersey.
The Wild the Innocent & the E Street Shuffle?, "He might do that," Clarence said referring to Springsteen's thinking.
What about playing the 20-song 83 minute 47 second The River? "That'd be a long show but it would be a great one," he said.
During shows there is a segment where signs with song requests are collected from the audience.
"That's one of the joys in my life, to pick a song that we've never played before and we just do them. That's the confidence you have in a band that's been together for over 38 years," he said. "Years ago we would never, ever do that. We would rehearse something it until it was down to every breath."
Clarence said that it would take a lot of people holding signs saying "You're a Friend of Mine," for him to play the 80's hit that had him collaborating with Jackson Browne, but the Big Man didn't rule out the possibility of it showing up on Thursday or Friday night at Giants Stadium in the Meadowlands saying that he'd hold up the sign with the suggestion himself if he could.
The band is playing a new song on this leg of the current tour. "Wrecking Ball," is the first song played at the Giant Stadium shows in acknowledgment of the venues closing at the end of the football season. The final concerts will be the current Bruce Springsteen and the E-Street Band shows.
"It just blew my mind, we learned it in sound check," he said.
Whose going to open the new Giants Stadium? "I don't know. We closed this one so I hope we can get the invite to do it."
Asked if he had any other projects coming up Clarence said he plans on taking the honeymoon he hasn't taken yet, fishing, and working with his band Temple of Soul to finish an album.
Go pre-order his book "Big Man: Real Life and Tall Tales," released October 21st, 2009.
Monday, October 5, 2009
Mt. Vernon Square District Project Kicks Off
[caption id="attachment_2869" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Aerial view of Mt. Vernon Square"]
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The D.C. Office of Planning and District Department of Transportation kicked off the Mount Vernon Square District Project at the D.C. Historical Society on Wednesday. The project’s main objective is to transform Mount Vernon Square and the immediate area in to a more attractive and functional space for residents and tourists.
“The plan has great synergy and presents amazing recreational opportunities,” said Emily Yates, the neighborhood planning coordinator for Ward 2.
On Wednesday evening, at the former Carnegie Library – now home to the D.C. Historical Society – about 85 local residents, business owners and media examined preliminary drawings, viewed a slideshow presentation and asked design questions of several project consultants. Some seized the opportunity to provide suggestions and feedback on how to best address and accommodate the practical needs of the community.
The project, initiated in May and currently in its “information gathering and assessment phase,” plans to add satellite “bowtie” parks at four symmetrical locations surrounding Mount Vernon Square. The parks would run along Massachusetts and New York Avenues – approaching the former Carnegie Library – and would contain artistic sculptures, perennial flowerbeds, increased tree cover and large seating areas.
[/caption]The D.C. Office of Planning and District Department of Transportation kicked off the Mount Vernon Square District Project at the D.C. Historical Society on Wednesday. The project’s main objective is to transform Mount Vernon Square and the immediate area in to a more attractive and functional space for residents and tourists.
“The plan has great synergy and presents amazing recreational opportunities,” said Emily Yates, the neighborhood planning coordinator for Ward 2.
On Wednesday evening, at the former Carnegie Library – now home to the D.C. Historical Society – about 85 local residents, business owners and media examined preliminary drawings, viewed a slideshow presentation and asked design questions of several project consultants. Some seized the opportunity to provide suggestions and feedback on how to best address and accommodate the practical needs of the community.
The project, initiated in May and currently in its “information gathering and assessment phase,” plans to add satellite “bowtie” parks at four symmetrical locations surrounding Mount Vernon Square. The parks would run along Massachusetts and New York Avenues – approaching the former Carnegie Library – and would contain artistic sculptures, perennial flowerbeds, increased tree cover and large seating areas.
Snapshot: Secretaries Clinton and Gates Speak at Lisner
[caption id="attachment_2861" align="alignnone" width="600" caption="L to R: GWU Board of Trustees Chairman Russell Ramsey, CNN's Christiane Amanpour, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, SMPA Director Frank Sesno, GW President Steven Knapp"]
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Click the image above to go directly to our Flickr photostream of CNN's Christiane Amanpour, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and Secretary of Defense Robert Gates speaking at Lisner Auditorium!
[/caption]Click the image above to go directly to our Flickr photostream of CNN's Christiane Amanpour, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and Secretary of Defense Robert Gates speaking at Lisner Auditorium!
WRGW Hosts Student Showcase
WRGW hosted a student performance showcase in University Yard on Sunday to kick off Octoberfest, a month-long event at the radio station that features various interviews and in-studio performances.
The event, hosted by Sports Director Greg Shapiro, included many different student performers, including pianist and singer Shelby Hartman, who kicked off the event with a sultry cover of Norah Jones’ “Don’t Know Why,” guitarists Eshawn Rawlley (who did an acoustic cover of Kings of Leon's "Use Somebody") and Imran Mahmud (who teamed up with Rawlley to do an acoustic cover of "The District Sleeps Alone Tonight” by the Postal Service), Max Feinblatt, Alyssa Hart, Jeremy Jacobson, and Jose Ginarte with his band, Plumsucker. Shapiro also performed, and invited the other performers back onstage for a “jam session” as a finale.
The showcase drew a small but enthusiastic crowd that fluctuated from 20 to 50 throughout the afternoon; many students passing through the Yard during the event paused on their walk to check out the performances. Coffee and donuts were served to attendants, and guests were given an opportunity to sign up for an email listserv to learn more about WRGW and Octoberfest.
The event, hosted by Sports Director Greg Shapiro, included many different student performers, including pianist and singer Shelby Hartman, who kicked off the event with a sultry cover of Norah Jones’ “Don’t Know Why,” guitarists Eshawn Rawlley (who did an acoustic cover of Kings of Leon's "Use Somebody") and Imran Mahmud (who teamed up with Rawlley to do an acoustic cover of "The District Sleeps Alone Tonight” by the Postal Service), Max Feinblatt, Alyssa Hart, Jeremy Jacobson, and Jose Ginarte with his band, Plumsucker. Shapiro also performed, and invited the other performers back onstage for a “jam session” as a finale.
The showcase drew a small but enthusiastic crowd that fluctuated from 20 to 50 throughout the afternoon; many students passing through the Yard during the event paused on their walk to check out the performances. Coffee and donuts were served to attendants, and guests were given an opportunity to sign up for an email listserv to learn more about WRGW and Octoberfest.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Southern Flooding Prompts New Alternative Break Trip; 50 Students to Travel
GW's Office of Community Service has added an additional trip to its growing alternative breaks program in response to the flooding in the Southern U.S. that has left at least nine dead.
50 GW students will travel from January 2 - 10, 2010 to Atlanta, Georgia to assist in disaster relief efforts that have displaced thousands of people, and according to the American Red Cross has severely damaged or destroyed some 2,851 homes.
Interested students can sign up Wednesday October 14th beginning at 7am in Kogan Plaza. The line is expected to form much earlier. Spots will be assigned on a first come, first served basis. A spot on a wait list will be offered to those who are not among the first 50 students to arrive.
The cost of the trip is $300 per person and includes transportation, meals, accommodations, and program fees. Participants will work as a group to fundraise the remaining costs.
The Atlanta effort is in addition to week-long alternative break trips to Guatemala, Ecuador, Peru, Nashville, Tennessee, Galveston, Texas, Miami, Florida, New Orleans, Louisiana, the Cherokee Nation in Tahlequah Oklahoma, Pipestem, West Virginia, and Greensburg, Kansas. Participants for these trips have already been chosen. Atlanta remains the only open trip.
For more information contact Shannon Donahue with the Office of Community Service at shannond@gwu.edu or 202.994.4304
GW's Own Department of Mysteries
There is a room at GW that few people know exists. And the people that do know don't actually know much about it. Walk through the front doors of Gelman Library, and to your left sits GW's own Department of Mysteries - the David S. Brown Memorabilia Room.
Cheesy Harry Potter reference aside, the Memorabilia Room is a hidden treasure at GW - despite the creepiness that is the George Washington Mascot head from 1980, lying prominently in the room's main display case. The Memorabilia Room was established in May 1998 by the Special Collections Department as a way to commemorate the events that have occurred and the achievements accrued by students at the University throughout its history.
Notable items include a football and cleats from 1950, when we actually had a football team, as well as an original letter from the late Kennedy famiy patriarch and Massachussetts Senator Ted Kennedy, written to express the family's appreciation for the dedication of the Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis residence hall. Jackie O transfered into GW before her junior year.
Its original title isn't well-known, but the room was renamed in 2003 for the late Business School Professor David S. Brown after a donation by his widow. His commencement robes are among the extremely miscellaneous artifacts to be found in the Memorabilia Room.
The Memorabilia Room has evidently been forgotten not only by the students who pass its clear glass walls without a glance, but also by its curators. A placard lies two shelves below its original placement, facing the back of the display case. The room is supposed to be unlocked during the library's regular Reference Desk hours, but often is not.
If you want further motivation to visit and experience this memorial among everything that GW has to offer, the display of a tuition bill from the spring semester of 1825 totaling just $84.90 will subtly remind you that you're paying a pretty penny for the David S. Brown Memorabilia Room's existence.
Cheesy Harry Potter reference aside, the Memorabilia Room is a hidden treasure at GW - despite the creepiness that is the George Washington Mascot head from 1980, lying prominently in the room's main display case. The Memorabilia Room was established in May 1998 by the Special Collections Department as a way to commemorate the events that have occurred and the achievements accrued by students at the University throughout its history.
Notable items include a football and cleats from 1950, when we actually had a football team, as well as an original letter from the late Kennedy famiy patriarch and Massachussetts Senator Ted Kennedy, written to express the family's appreciation for the dedication of the Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis residence hall. Jackie O transfered into GW before her junior year.
Its original title isn't well-known, but the room was renamed in 2003 for the late Business School Professor David S. Brown after a donation by his widow. His commencement robes are among the extremely miscellaneous artifacts to be found in the Memorabilia Room.
The Memorabilia Room has evidently been forgotten not only by the students who pass its clear glass walls without a glance, but also by its curators. A placard lies two shelves below its original placement, facing the back of the display case. The room is supposed to be unlocked during the library's regular Reference Desk hours, but often is not.
If you want further motivation to visit and experience this memorial among everything that GW has to offer, the display of a tuition bill from the spring semester of 1825 totaling just $84.90 will subtly remind you that you're paying a pretty penny for the David S. Brown Memorabilia Room's existence.
Friday, October 2, 2009
Area College Dems Rally for Healthcare Reform at White House
College democrats from GW, Georgetown and Catholic Universities rallied in front of the White House this afternoon in support of President Obama's health care proposals.
WRGW spoke with Fitz Lufkin, President of the DC Federation of College Democrats of America and Vice President of Georgetown University's College Democrats. Check it out in the feature below.
WRGW spoke with Fitz Lufkin, President of the DC Federation of College Democrats of America and Vice President of Georgetown University's College Democrats. Check it out in the feature below.
College Democrats Rally at White House for Healthcare Reform
DC Sports Round-Up: The Week of September 26
In breaking Olympic news, it was announced earlier today that the 2016 summer Olympic Games will be hosted in Rio de Janeiro. This will mark the first time the Olympics have ever been held in South America.
In Baseball, the Washington Nationals have gone on a late season hot streak but it won’t be enough to save the team from having the worst record in the MLB. Starting on Monday, the Nationals are on a 4 game winning streak after sweeping the Mets in a three game home series. The Nats beat the Braves last night in Atlanta, final score was 2-1. Only three games remain in the season for Washington, and all of them will be away in Atlanta. Washington’s overall record for the season is now 56 and 103.
In Hockey, the Capitals won their season opener last night in Boston against the Bruins. The final score was 4 to 1. Defending league MVP Alexander Ovechkin scored twice and Caps’ center Brooks Laich had a pair of power play goals. Boston’s lone goal was scored on a breakaway by center Patrice Bergeron. Capitals goalie Jose Theodore got the win after stopping 19 of 20 shots for the night. Defenseman John Ernskine earned his first fighting penalty of the season when he dropped the gloves to square off with Bruins’ forward Shawn Thorton. The Capitals have their first home game tomorrow night against the Toronto Maple Leafs. The puck drops at 7 p.m.
Finally, in football, the Washington Redskins lost against the Detroit Lions last Sunday, 14 to 19. The game ended a 19 game losing streak for Detroit, which became the first team to lose every game of the season last year. The last victory for the Lions was on December 23, 2007. Jason Campbell completed 27 passed for 340 yards and two touchdowns, but the Lions’ defense shut down the Redskins’ rushing game, holding Washington to just 65 yards on the ground. The Redskins’ next game is this Sunday at 1 p.m. when they host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
-Joe Lewis
In Baseball, the Washington Nationals have gone on a late season hot streak but it won’t be enough to save the team from having the worst record in the MLB. Starting on Monday, the Nationals are on a 4 game winning streak after sweeping the Mets in a three game home series. The Nats beat the Braves last night in Atlanta, final score was 2-1. Only three games remain in the season for Washington, and all of them will be away in Atlanta. Washington’s overall record for the season is now 56 and 103.
In Hockey, the Capitals won their season opener last night in Boston against the Bruins. The final score was 4 to 1. Defending league MVP Alexander Ovechkin scored twice and Caps’ center Brooks Laich had a pair of power play goals. Boston’s lone goal was scored on a breakaway by center Patrice Bergeron. Capitals goalie Jose Theodore got the win after stopping 19 of 20 shots for the night. Defenseman John Ernskine earned his first fighting penalty of the season when he dropped the gloves to square off with Bruins’ forward Shawn Thorton. The Capitals have their first home game tomorrow night against the Toronto Maple Leafs. The puck drops at 7 p.m.
Finally, in football, the Washington Redskins lost against the Detroit Lions last Sunday, 14 to 19. The game ended a 19 game losing streak for Detroit, which became the first team to lose every game of the season last year. The last victory for the Lions was on December 23, 2007. Jason Campbell completed 27 passed for 340 yards and two touchdowns, but the Lions’ defense shut down the Redskins’ rushing game, holding Washington to just 65 yards on the ground. The Redskins’ next game is this Sunday at 1 p.m. when they host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
-Joe Lewis
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