Many GW students do not go home during Thanksgiving break for various reasons, but still want the Thanksgiving experience. Although GW does not offer many options, there is still one opportunity for students to celebrate Thanksgiving here on campus.

On Friday, November 27, Mount Vernon Campus Life will be hosting the 7^th annual Post-Thanksgiving Dinner. The event will take place at 6:00 pm at Ames Pub. The dinner is open to the GW community, including students and Mount Vernon staff and faculty. The dinner will include a large selection of traditional Thanksgiving foods and there will also be several vegetarian options.

The event is free, but advance reservations are needed. Those wanting to attend should apply by Monday, November 23 by sending an e-mail to mvcl@gwu.edu. The e-mail should include your name, e-mail address, and the total number of people planning to attend the dinner.

The Keegan Theatre’s “Of Mice and Men” is a touching reenactment of a story many of us first discovered in high school.

A classic staple of American Literature, John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men explores a common theme in his work—the lives of migrant workers in the Eastern United States during the Great Depression—by focusing on two ranch workers that travel together, in the hopes of earning enough to buy their own plot of land.

Director Kerry Water Lucas’ version of the story, currently at the Church Street Theater by Dupont Circle, focuses on the theme of friendship. Danny Gavigan, in the role of the friendly yet mentally disabled Lennie, is most convincing in the moments when he expresses his feeling for George, played by Mark A. Rhea.

When the black stable keeper on the ranch questions Lennie about George’s intentions, Gavigan responds with an immediate pain that overwhelms the scene, shadowing the subplot of racial tension at the ranch.

In the final moments of the play, as Lennie kneels and looks out over the river, trusting George completely even as he takes out the pistol by which Lennie meets his end, the agony of the loss of friendship again overwhelms a scene that has powerful socio-political subtext. The lighting and sound in the final scene improves noticeably, complementing the powerful emotions in the scene.

The set design is stark, yet beautiful, dominated by movable wooden partitions that alternatively resemble a fence in shambles or a downtrodden barn.

Some of the supporting cast is less successful in their approximations of the other ranch workers. Lee Matthews, the token woman the play, is tragically misunderstood and tragically theatric. Her performance seems more appropriate for a Broadway production than a small intimate stage.

Matt Bolie plays the wistful farm hand Candy. He has lost his hand on the farm and received $250 of compensation, about half of what George and Lennie need to buy up the plot they have in mind. Bolie’s character undergoes a complete transformation throughout the play, from a cheerful and hopeful accomplice in the plan, to a devastated skeleton of a man when his dog, a pride and joy, is shot and buried.

The play continues to vacillate between hope and destruction: Lennie accidentally kills a mouse by “petting it too hard” and then receives a baby pup—a dog on the farm has just had young; the black farm hand overcomes his loneliness and accepts Lennie’s presence shortly before a striking confrontation at the door with the ranch owner; Lennie and George seem to be well on their way to success when an unfortunate misstep destroys their hopes yet again. It leaves the audience with a deep confusion about optimism and pessimism, as well as the inevitable intervention of luck in life.

Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck. Directed by Kerry Waters Lucas. About 2 hours 20 minutes running time, $30 general admission, $25 for students/seniors. Through Nov. 29 at the Church Street Theater. For tickets, call 703-892-0202 or go to http://www.keegantheatre.com

By Tylar Greene

If you want to help save the Anacostia river and five cents, bring your own reusable bags to stores, says Mayor Adrian Fenty.

Beginning January 1, 2010, vendors selling food and alcohol will be obligated to charge patrons five cents for carryout plastic and paper bags. To help
reduce the amount of water pollution in the Washington, D.C. area, the D.C. Department of the Environment will distribute about 122,000 free,
resusable shopping bags to low income residents and seniors before new year, according to a press release from the D.C. Mayor’s office.

It’s all a part of the “Skip the bag, Save the River” campaign, which Fenty says will cut down on the number of plastic bags that pollute the Anacostia River.

The proceeds from the bag fees will go towards the Anacostia River Cleanup and Protection Fund. To help notify the public of the new bag fee, The D.C. Department of the Environment is partnering with CVS and Safeway.  

The city will distribute 100,000 bags to go along with the ”Skip the Bag, Save the River” campaign. CVS will donate 12,000 bags and Green Bag Tag cards at community events throughout the District. The Green Bag Tag gives CVS ExtraCare card members $1 back every four times they reuse a bag. Safeway will give away 10,000 bags beginning January, 1, 2010.

Freshman Lasan Kromah lead the GW’s Men’s Basketball team with a 21 point performance today as the Colonials defeat Maryland-Baltimore-County 94-51.

The Colonials were dominant from the start, scoring the game’s first nine points. They went into halftime with a 59-28 lead after an 8-minute 33-15 run.

20 of Kromah’s points came in the first half. Damian Hollis scored 12 points.

The win continues GW’s three game winning streak. Maryland-Baltimore-County is winless after three games.

GWWIB at the legendary Rockefeller Center (photo courtesy of Sabrina Marzaro)

Thirty girls in black business suits and stilettos made their way through rainy New York City this past Thursday and Friday to discover the world of business. The student-run organization—GW Women in Business—visited TD Securities, Bloomberg, the real-estate corporation Tishman-Speyer and the law firm Kramer Levin. The students met leaders from each of the firms to discuss how to start a career and succeed in their particular industry.  Jaime Lewis, a senior student on the organization’s executive board said, “the trip is an opportunity for girls to be exposed to industries that they would have otherwise never considered and broaden their knowledge of the many fields out there.”

The trip also emphasizes the importance of networking and making connections in NYC; students on past trips have been offered internships if they expressed interest and made a good impression. For this reason, the companies received every girl’s resume, photo and bio beforehand.

Shubert Theatre lights up the night (photo courtesy of Sabrina Marzaro)

On Thursday night, the young women of GWWIB had the opportunity to see the musical Memphis on Broadway. Memphis is a spectacular show set in the 1950’s about a radio DJ that is determined to eradicate racial discrimination and segregation and introduce rock ‘n’ roll music to the masses. It’s a love story full of heart, soul and energy. The talented singers hit spine-shivering notes to gospel, rhythm & blues and early rock ‘n’ roll style music. The show contains glittering costumes, creative lighting and amazing dance choreography. The performance left the entire audience wanting more.

To finish the trip, on Friday the group got to see the Rockettes after their performance on The Today Show, meet the editor-at-large of Bloomberg News and receive a VIP tour on the rooftop of the well-known “30 Rock” building to view the breathtaking city skyline. It was a tremendous learning opportunity with useful advice given by some of the top leaders in business.

If you are interested in getting involved with GWWIB or going on next year’s NYC trip, e-mail gwwib@gwu.edu for more info. (GWWIB is not exclusively for business majors,  students from all schools are encouraged to get involved)

In college basketball, the GW Men’s team has won their first two regular season games. Last Sunday, the Colonials beat the University of North Carolina at Wilmington Seahawks 79 to 71. On Tuesday, GW beat Boston University 69 to 59. The Colonials have their first regular season home game tomorrow against the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. Tip-off is at 2 pm.

The GW Women’s basketball team is also undefeated after two games. The Lady Colonials traveled to the lone star state on Tuesday where they beat the University of North Texas 84 to 82. They won their home opener last night with a 68 to 64 victory over Coppin State. The Women’s team has their next game on Sunday when they will travel to play the University of Ohio. Tip-off is at 2 pm.

In professional basketball, the Washington Wizards lost last Sunday against the Detroit Pistons 106 to 103. Out of nowhere, the Wizards routed the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday by a final score of 108 to 91. Washington’s current season record is 3 and 7. They play again tonight at Oklahoma City. Tip-off is at 8 pm eastern time.

In hockey, the Washington Capitals won last Friday at home against the Minnesota Wild, 3 to 1. The Caps traveled to New Jersey on Saturday where they lost 5 to 2 against the Devils. Alex Ovechkin returned after missing 6 straight games on Tuesday to help the Capitals beat the New York Ranger 4 to 2. Matt Bradley was the hero of the night. After getting bloodied up in a first period fight against Aaron Voros, Bradley scored what turned out to be the game winning goal with 5 minutes left in the game. The Capitals play at home tonight against the Montreal Canadiens. The puck drops at 7 pm.

In football, the Washington Redskins broke a 4 game losing streak with a 27 to 17 victory over the Denver Broncos last Sunday. The Skins were down by 3 entering the second half, but then scored 13 unanswered points in the fourth quarter to earn their first win since October 4^th against Tampa Bay. The Redskins travel to Dallas this Sunday to play the Cowboys. Kick-off is at 1:00 pm.



Cliff Wilson

Hometown: Upper Marlboro, MD

Previous occupations: 1st Lieutenant in DC National Guard, Firefighter/Medic for Prince George’s County (Ret. ‘07), Amtrak – Track Inspector

Cliff Wilson grew up in Upper Marlboro, Maryland with visions of playing college football and eventually the big leagues – the NFL. Upon getting to the University of Maryland - Baltimore County, he discovered that the other guys were simply much bigger than him; after a couple of concussions, he decided that a career in football probably wouldn’t turn out well for him. But his dream has lived on in his three sons, who were all football players in their youth.

Wilson joined the National Guard for a short time, and then decided to become a firefighter for Prince George’s County. At 37 years of age, he was the oldest initated firefighter in his class. A knee injury sidelined Wilson from his work as a firefighter/medic, so he moved on to Amtrak to work as a track inspector. However, it wasn’t a job meant to last forever.

“You kinda get in a rut sometimes, and there’s nothing to challenge you,” Wilson explains. 

He retired from Amtrak, and decided to apply for a job with International Limo. He says that with his knee, the job suits him well.

When Wilson isn’t shuttling GW kids to and from the Vern, he stays busy with his 5 grandchildren and his love for the Washington Redskins. This December, he and his wife will celebrate 38 years of marriage.

What, then, is the most rewarding part of Wilson’s job? He says, simply getting to learn some names and having great conversations with some of his regular passengers.

“You get some interesting perspectives,” Wilson muses, recounting the story of a girl from California who hadn’t ever experienced all four seasons. His smile makes clear that for a part-time retirement job, driving the Vern Express is anything but a raw deal.

Believe the hype. The hip-hop group Public Enemy played a concert at Lisner Auditorium last night but turned heads outside the venue when they arrived on the back of a flat bed truck.

Most known for their hits “Fight the Power,” and “Bring the Noise,” the performers began their open-air performance at 18 & G Streets and winded their way through campus.

The event, “An Evening with Public Enemy: Concert to Fight Youth Homelessness” benefits the Sasha Bruce Youthwork, a D.C. homeless shelter for youth.