February, 2012

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News
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Feb. 27, 2012

Mason Uses Energy-Efficient Heating

 

George Mason University is utilizing the latest, most innovative technology to provide students with energy-efficient heating and cooling on campus.

“We use a high-temperature hot water system, not steam,” said Jeffrey Counts, assistant superintendent of the heating and cooling plant at Mason. “Steam systems are common. High-temperature hot water systems are not very common. In the future, they probably will be. They are more efficient and require a lot less maintenance.”

by Stephen Kline

The hot water system not only provides heating for students in both classrooms and dormitories but also provides domestic hot water, which students use when they shower and brush their teeth.

“Our high-temperature hot water goes through a heat exchanger at the location [of the housing facilities] and their heat exchanger converts the hot water to domestic water for the showers,” Counts said.

The heating and cooling plant also utilizes a chill-water system that cools about 92 percent of the campus.

Though the hot water system requires less maintenance than a steam system, there are still several things that can go wrong. According to Counts, a weld joint may break, expansion joints and the high temperature valves may leak and the slip joints might break or corrode. Slip joints are used to join two things that may or may not be in motion. Expansion joints are used to absorb heat-caused expansion.

The four maintenance workers staffing the heating and cooling plant spend roughly 50 percent of their time keeping the hot water system in working order, Counts said.

The heating and cooling plant has installed sump pumps — devices used to pump water — and installed alarms on the pumps so that if something goes wrong, an alarm goes off in the heating and cooling plant. Additionally, a visual indicator locates the source of the problem.

The plant monitors the amount of chemicals in the high-temperature hot water that are present to prevent corrosion and also checks the pH levels and conductivity of the water.

Monitoring these levels allows Mason to save energy and money.

“We’re pretty much doing everything to operate at peak efficiency,” Counts said. “We clean our own boilers. We clean our own cooling towers. And, sometimes, we maintain our own equipment instead of sending it out for repair. We can get a lot of stuff repaired pretty cheap for [Mason].”

Counts, who has been at Mason for 25 years, said that even though he could get paid more elsewhere, he enjoys working at Mason.

“I’ve been here for 25 years and I’m going to see it through till the end,” he said.

Counts also believes that his crew is topnotch and hard-working.

“There are some people who are lazy. You won’t find them here,” Counts said. “My guys are reliable. They go out and get the job done.”

 

 

News
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Feb. 27, 2012

Mason Inn Changes Management

 

The Mason Inn is changing management, effective April 1. Crestline Hotel & Resorts will take over for Aramark, which has been in charge of operations since the hotel opened in 2010. The move is due in part to the recent volatility of the economy.

The business plan for the Inn was created in the pre-recessionary economic climate, according to George Mason University Senior- Vice President Maurice Scherrens. When the real estate market changed fundamentally, so too did the hotel industry.

by Stephen Kline

“All of our original assumptions were no longer the proper foundation for the business partnership,” said Scherrens in an email. The Inn did not meet the occupancy rates that had been projected, and the turnover for managerial positions was high. The Conference Center was off-target from the amount of business that was expected from the local community.

However, unlike Aramark, Crestline is based locally in Fairfax.

“They understand the Fairfax market and how to serve the Fairfax community,” said Gregg Toney, assistant vice president of Auxiliary Enterprises, which oversees the Mason Inn. He believes that Crestline will bring in more local businesses to the Conference Center.

There are also economic advantages to selecting a locally based company. For one, transportation costs will be cut significantly.

Most of the changes to the Mason Inn will happen behind the scenes. Crestline has a “superior training program,” said Toney, which will help the Inn retain good employees. In addition, Crestline will have a different overall style in the way it manages the Inn.

“I suspect that you will experience a different ‘feel’ to the venue after April first,” Scherrens said. “We [also] expect the restaurant to have a different focus, which should help establish the venue as a destination restaurant for the community.”

When asked about the possibility of a rates increase, both Scherrens and Toney said that the issue has yet to be decided. The Mason Inn is expected to have a greater share of the local market, and the future rates will reflect market competitiveness.

As for possible lay-offs after the transition, some of the non-managerial staff have been offered jobs. The rest may be transferred to other hotels or conference centers managed by Aramark.

Crestline was chosen over 12 other hospitality companies, including Ararmark, that submitted proposals to manage the Mason Inn, Toney said.

The Mason Inn is funded by self-generated revenue. The profits from the Inn go directly back into the university to fund scholarships and to pay off debt, as stated in Auxiliary Enterprise’s annual budget report.

Therefore, the choice to have Crestline manage the Mason Inn came down to revenue. The economic viability of the Inn contributes to the overall economic viability of the university, as is the case with the University Bookstore and the Patriot Center, which are also under the umbrella of Auxiliary Enterprises.

“We’re not in the business of making money for the sake of making money,” Toney said. “We make money with the idea of trying to keep tuition and fees and student expenditures as low as possible.”

 

 

News
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Feb. 27, 2012

Pi Kappa Phi ‘Push’es Mason

 

Pi Kappa Phi’s chapter at George Mason University is raising awareness and money to help the severely handicapped with  its Push America program. The fraternity hopes to recapture the success of last year, when it raised roughly $3,000 at its Miss Push America Annual Pageant.

According to junior global affairs major William Callahan, historian of the Push America effort on Mason’s campus, Push stands for “promoting the understanding of the severely handicapped.” Push America is a nonprofit organization created in 1977 by members of Pi Kappa Phi to help individuals with severe handicaps. The effort has spread across the nation to different chapters of the fraternity in the years since.

by Mikey Powers

Pi Kappa Phi plans on holding the Miss Push America Annual Pageant on April 14. Students are encouraged to attend, and a nominal entrance fee will be donated to Push America.

This year, Pi Kappa Phi plans on incorporating more student organizations into the event.

“Last year was basically just fraternities and sororities because we had a limited scope and limited time. This year, we’re trying to reach out to all organizations if we can,” said sophomore Nikhil Bali, Push America chair.

For last year’s Miss Push America beauty pageant, Pi Kappa Phi reached out to sororities and a few organizations for involvement. In all, 10 students participated.

Each of the 10 participants, all of whom were female, were told that part of the contest was raising $100, Callahan said.

“Each girl raised about $700 dollars by herself,” Callahan said. “Then we had the beauty pageant, and we ended up raising about $3,000. It was probably the biggest Push event we’ve had on campus.”

Pi Kappa Phi donates the money from the Push America effort on campus to the national organization, which then uses the money in programs to help handicapped individuals.

One such program is Build America which builds houses for severely handicapped people who cannot afford housing for themselves. They also help build wheelchair ramps and improve accessibility.

Though nothing has been set in stone yet, Pi Kappa Phi plans to have the events be more campus-oriented, and it also plans on reaching out to other fraternities for support, Bali said.

“It’s not really about whose fraternity you’re in. It’s about helping out these kids,” Bali said.

This year, in addition to the Miss Push America Pageant, Pi Kappa Phi also plans on having a week of events, ideally including some cycling events, Bali said.

Push America has also been associated with cycling, dating back to the Journey of Hope event which began in 1988. In the Journey of Hope, members of Pi Kappa Phi bike from San Francisco to Washington, D.C.

Pi Kappa Phi urges members of the community to come out and support the events.

“It’s a good feeling helping those who have not been given the same opportunities as you,” Bali said, “even if you came and gave your one dollar, and you sat down and clapped and danced with them, it’s amazing.”

 

 

Style
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Feb. 27, 2012

Blake Shelton Plays Patriot Center

 

The Patriot Center was packed Saturday evening for the Blake Shelton concert.

Audience members got their money’s worth too, seeing opening acts Justin Moore and “The Voice” contestant Dia Frampton. Each of the acts played several songs and got the crowd excited before Blake Shelton came out.

He had quite the entrance, descending from a platform onto the stage while colored lights flashed and the bass shook the whole arena.

by Jake Mclernon

He kicked off the night  singing “Footloose” and “All About Tonight.” Once he secured the attention of the audience, Shelton began telling stories and asking them questions.

Shelton is one of the most humble people in show business; he made a point to say multiple times how grateful he was for his fans and how he really is just a regular guy. He held audience members’ hands, threw guitar picks into the crowd and thanked select individuals for the posters they held up.

It was evident Shelton really cared about his fans and really paid attention to them.

“[Seeing so many people in the Patriot Center] made me a little bit nervous, y’all,” Shelton said. “When I get nervous I tend to drink, all right? I can already tell I like you all, by the way. I don’t wanna be like that kinda guy that says that way too early. But there’s somethin’ going on here between me and y’all. I don’t know if you noticed or not.”

He then went into singing “Home,” one of his most popular songs, so the audience could sing along with him.

Shelton did a great job relating to his audience, which was filled with college students and country music fans. He talked a lot about drinking and made jokes about how his record company was not happy with him for telling everyone he drinks while performing.

“I’ve gotta drink a drink of my drink,” Shelton said as he took a sip of what he implied was alcohol. “It’s a good time for y’all to do that too, by the way. I mean we’re just all hangin’ out around here, listening to country music for God’s sakes. It’s what you’re supposed to do — sing and listen to country music. Drink beer and raise hell, ain’t that right?”

The concert was fantastic. The atmosphere was energetic and fun, and the performers were running and dancing all over the stage.

Towards the end of the show, Shelton decided to play some of his earlier hit songs.

“I actually have songs even older than that crap,” he said. “Yes I do, yes I do. I actually have a song that’s really old. It was my first song. But I don’t want to be an old bastard up here singin’ old songs.”

He then proceeded to sing his first hit song, “Austin,” as the crowd went crazy.

Some other songs that were played throughout the concert included “Drink On It,” “Kiss My Country Ass,” “Ol’ Red,” “Honeybee” and “Hillbilly Bone,” followed by an encore performance with his newest single, “God Gave Me You.”

After the show, Shelton tweeted, “Thank you Fairfax!!!!!!! I love y’all so much I just pissed myself to write message instead of a bathroom break...”

 

 

Sports
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Feb. 27, 2012

Patriots Claim No. 3 Seed in CAA Tournament After Loss to VCU

 

by Stephen Kline

RICHMOND – As the Rams lined up to pose for a picture with Bradford Burgess on Senior Night, the Patriots emerged from the tunnel much to the irratation of the sold-out crowd inside the Siegel Center.

Their unwanted presence in the background of the Rams’ photo drew a subtle exchange of words between the two rivals.­­

VCU had just been disrespected on their home floor. And they would not soon forget.

by Stephen Kline

“We noticed,” said Shaka Smart, VCU coach. “And we fed off of it.”

From the opening tip, Mason was a step slower than the active VCU defense. They turned the ball over 14 times in the first half, helping the Rams build a 16-point lead heading into the break.

Point guards Bryon Allen and Corey Edwards had more turnovers (6) than the entire Rams’ roster in the first 20 minutes of play.

“I’m of the belief that they are the kind of team that is going to have those runs,” Hewitt said. “But if you hang in there, you’re going to give yourselves a chance.”

The second half, however, carried a much different tune.

Mason outscored their opponents 50-46 in the half, chipping away at a sizeable deficit and pulling within 11 points on several different occasions.

But just when the Patriots would find a rhythm, they’d fall victim to a tough break and see their deficit build back up before eventually falling by a final score of 89-77.

“The second half did a better job,” Hewitt said.

“We had a couple chances to get back into the game, but a couple technical fouls kind of killed our momentum.”

Seniors Mike Morrison and Ryan Pearson were called for technical fouls for hanging on the rim and for protesting a call, respectively.

Falling by 12 points, the Patriots played at a heavy disadvantage from the charity stripe.

They were whistled for 12 more fouls, allowing VCU to shoot 47 free throws in comparison to the Patriots’ 28 attempts.

“We fouled them,” Hewitt said. “I thought we could have done a much better shot defensively, moving our feet. But we fouled them. That’s why the numbers were so off.”

Three Patriots recorded double-digits in the scoring column, as Pearson led the way with another solid 24-point, 9-rebound outing.

Morrison contributed 10 points and nine rebounds, while Sherrod Wright continued his strong play off the bench, scoring 11 points in 25 minutes.

by Stephen Kline

Mason finished the evening with 20 turnovers and just 10 assists, despite allowing 17 assists and seven total turnovers for the Rams.

With the loss, Mason fell to the third seed in this weekend’s CAA Tournament back down in Richmond.

They will play the winner of Georgia State and Hofstra on Saturday night with the potential to face off for a third time this season against the VCU Rams.

 

 

 

Sports
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Feb. 27, 2012

Men’s Rugby, Home of the Gang Green

 

 

The George Mason University men’s club rugby team is gearing up for its 47th spring season.

Founded in 1965, men’s rugby is the oldest club team on campus.

by Stephen Kline

During the fall, the team plays competitively in Division II of the Potomac Rugby Union.

Games and practices are held for fun and training purposes during the spring.

“We’re all here because we love the game,” said senior civil engineering major Rawaz Mutabchi.

“We’ve had matches before where the teams were unevenly matched, so we swapped teammates so that we could keep playing.”

There were approximately 40 men on the team last fall, though the players and coaches are always looking to recruit more.

“No matter what size you are, we have a position for anybody,” said sophomore photography major Zander Shaw.

“When I first started playing, I was scared and had no idea what I was doing. The game is very natural, though. I picked it up very easily,”

Head coach Fred Bardot has been playing rugby since he was 6 years old and played professionally in France, Argentina and the United States.

For the past 10 years, he’s been coaching at Mason and working for USA Rugby to coach clinics and start new youth leagues around the country.

“While I grew up playing many other sports, I was attracted to rugby from the start,” Bardot said.

“The values of our sport — effort, friendship, sacrifice, courage and respect for yourself, the opponents and the referees — were always important to me.”

Rugby is comparable to American football and soccer.

Two teams of 15 face off with no protective padding, each trying to touch the ball down on the opposite end of the field, which is called a pitch.

“I played soccer my whole life. I kept getting kicked out of the games because I was too physical, so rugby seemed like a good opportunity,” Shaw said.

“It’s like non-stop football combined with contact soccer.”

Though the game is played without padding or protection, Shaw insists that it’s safer than football.

“Playing without pads makes you more hesitant and less likely to get injured,” Shaw said. “You learn to tackle well and use correct form.”

For the less competitive spring season, Bardot hopes to build up the young team’s skills.

Since rugby is played continuously with no time-outs, coach input during the game is very limited, and Bardot has worked to teach to team to rely on themselves during the game for decision making and team work.

by Stephen Kline

Rugby will return to the Olympics in Rio in 2016, and Bardot hopes to have athletes that can represent both the United States and Mason in the games.

“We are a pretty young team, but we increasingly get players with high school experience, so our job is easier,” Bardot said.

“At one point, Mason Rugby was playing at Division I level. We’re back down to II now,” Mutabchi said.

­­“This semester, I’d like to see us build the team and work on the fundamentals of the game so that we can return to a higher division.”

On and off the field, the team works together, describing themselves as a family away from home.

“Rugby is a brotherhood. You go out on the field and bleed with your comrades,” Shaw said.

Mason men’s rugby begins official practices for the spring season on Tuesday.

The first game is on March 24 against Marymount College.

 

News
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Feb. 27, 2012

Student Club Promotes Bike Use, Sustainability

 

George Mason University’s cycling club is gearing up for another exciting semester on campus.

“This is the club’s second semester in existence,” said student liaison officer Patrick Harvey, a senior psychology major.

The cycling club has two primary goals: building a cycling community on campus and promoting cycling as a form of sustainable transportation in Northern Virginia.

“Now we’re just really trying to get people who enjoy cycling to ride together,” Harvey said.

Although the cycling club has no official partnerships, it collaborates with the Mason Transportation Department and the Office of Sustainability.

Together, the cycling club and Transportation Department are offering free u-locks this semester, as part of an on-campus bike registration program.

“U-locks are a much more secure way of locking up bikes than a cable lock,” Harvey said.

Through the registration program, students would provide their serial bike number to the cycling club and Transportation Department.

“In the unfortunate event that the bike is stolen, we would use the bike registration to help get the bike back,” Harvey said. “When students register bikes with Mason, they will receive a free u-lock to use on campus.”

Harvey also explains that the bike registration program will provide statistical insight on the extent of Mason’s on-campus cycling community.

“This is vital information for the cycling club and Transportation Department,” Harvey said.

Currently, the cycling club comprises a core group of about 10 students, with members ranging from freshmen to seniors.

“More students tend to come in and out, though,” Harvey said.

The group’s greatest challenge stems from increasing its membership. Harvey attributes the cycling club’s relatively low membership to seasonal factors.

“Not many people ride bikes on campus due to the winter weather, and the club started in the off-season of late fall,” Harvey said. “But we want to broaden our background and recruit lots of students who enjoy cycling like we do.”

As of now, the cycling club is also in the process of developing partnerships with local bike shops.

Harvey acknowledges cycling’s physical and environmental benefits.

“I see cycling as a fun way to get good exercise, recreate and get around for trips that aren’t over 10 miles,” he said. “I also like that riding my bike means there is one less car on the road. I am helping myself and the environment.”

Harvey emphasizes that club members are united by this mentality.

The cycling club organizes weekly mountain bike rides on Fridays at 4 p.m.

 

 

Style
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Feb. 27, 2012

I’d Rather Be Eating: Sakoontra

 

Sakoontra is a Thai restaurant located in the Costco Shopping Plaza off of West Ox Road in Fairfax. I am very partial to all Asian cuisines, but am especially drawn to Thai restaurants.  I heard about Sakoontra from classmates and coworkers, but never tried it out until last week. My friend, Adam, shares my affection for the various dishes offered at most Thai restaurants, so I invited him to join me.

We started out with the hoy obb, which is an appetizer of steamed mussels served in a tangy, slightly spicy lemongrass broth. The mussels themselves were very large and juicy. The lemongrass broth contained sliced red onion and whole basil leaves, which also amped up the flavor. The dish is served with a sauce that has a little kick, but doesn’t make or break the taste.

Adam ordered the pad phed per my suggestion. I didn’t suggest the dish because I had ever eaten it before, but because I was interested in trying it as well. This dish is prepared by stir-frying bamboo shoot, red and green peppers, fresh chili pepper and basil in a fiery red curry paste. As with most of their entrées, you have the choice of mixed vegetables, chicken, beef, pork or a seafood combination of shrimp, scallops and squid. It is served alongside a large serving of white rice. When the dish first came out, it smelled a little funky, but it tasted delicious. The sauce was very spicy — as indicated with two chili peppers on the menu — so I wouldn’t recommend this to anyone who cannot handle a decent amount of heat.

As for my entrée, I selected the keow wahn, which is a green curry dish. I ordered mine with the chicken, which is simmered in green curry with coconut milk, bamboo shoot, green and red peppers and basil. This dish was also served with a heaping bowl of rice, which I proceeded to pour the green curry over. I love spicy food and believe that when it comes to Thai food, the spicier the better. This isn’t the spiciest curry dish on the menu, but it packs the perfect amount of heat to satisfy my taste buds and was also very refreshing.

The restaurant itself has a funky feel with a lot of different colors and some neon lights. They do not offer any discounts for Mason students. However, they do feature specials daily. The portions are generous (I took over half of my entrée home), which really makes a difference when considering the price. I definitely recommend Sakoontra to Thai food lovers, those who are curious to try Thai cuisine and those who love spicy food. Until next time, I’d rather be eating…

 

 

Style
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Feb. 27, 2012

Viewing Life Through Tumblr

 

The social media and blogging landscapes live and die by the clock. If something is cumbersome enough that it takes more than a few seconds to accomplish, good luck getting anyone to use it. That’s where blogging websites like Tumblr shine: The interface is simple and the commitment is minimal.

“I definitely find Tumblr to be addictive,” said freshman Bridget Bush. “I like that it allows you to more or less create a website that endlessly updates with things that you find interesting, since you choose [which blogs] you follow. It is also an outlet for sharing how you feel, what you think and what you like in the world.”

While many students find themselves addicted to Tumblr, not all share that sentiment.

“I could go the rest of my life without Tumblr, if such a dismal fate were forced upon me,” said freshman government and international politics major Patrick Greenwalt. “Though Tumblr helps emphasize the humanity in us all. I share and express things on Tumblr I otherwise would not, since Tumblr has a sense of anonymity about it.”

Tumblr allows its users to create their own personalized blog within a matter of seconds. Everything from the font to the background and theme can be modified. Pinterest, a social gathering website, is basically a virtual inspiration board where people can pin different photos. Many users have multiple boards all of them related to specific categories like fashion and food. Polyvore, another social media website, also allows people to share photos by creating photo sets and collages, typically of outfits. People can then click on a specific item and find an online store where they can purchase it.

According to statistics from Forbes Magazine, Tumblr receives 526.37 million page-views per day and there are currently 37.63 million active Tumblr blogs. While some of these blogs have a few hundred followers, others have tens of thousands of followers, making them “Tumblr famous.”

With sites like Tumblr and Pinterest, it can be hard to create an original site because most people’s pages are simply filled with regurgitated pictures and sayings. This is not to say that there are not some original pages. But this is where people can really see the difference between Tumblr and Pinterest blogs and individuals’ own personal blogs made through BlogSpot. Personal blogs take a lot more effort because the individual has to come up with original content and they typically take all of their own photos.

The fact that Tumblr blogs take such little effort to create is one of the many reasons that they are so popular. Each blog on Tumblr also has the ability to reach so many people at such a rapid rate that stores such as Urban Outfitters and Black Milk Clothing have created their own Tumblrs.

Urban Outfitters uses their site to post shots of their clothing; many of the pictures being the same as those printed in their magazine. By posting these pictures on their personal Tumblr, fans and basically anyone who likes the photos can share them with others by simply clicking re-blog. This allows UO to reach thousands of people, often within a matter of minutes. Each picture has a link to UO right under the photo so that people can easily be directed to their site and to also give credit to the photo.

Black Milk Clothing is a company based in Australia that makes dresses, tops and skirts, but they’re most famous for their leggings. Black Milk leggings are unlike any others. Some are covered with pictures of actual galaxies taken by NASA while others are covered with jellyfish. Pictures of girls wearing the company’s galaxy leggings can be seen plastered all over Tumblr dashboards and blogs. This is a great way for the brand to reach out to people all over the world. The company even has their own Tumblr where people can post pictures of themselves wearing Black Milk products.

There are Tumblrs out there for everyone. There is even a new Tumblr dedicated to problems at George Mason University — everything from the temperature of Southside’s plates to the long lines at Pilot House on Thursday nights. The popularity of sites like Tumblr only seems to be increasing and whether you are interested in fashion, food or problems at Mason, there is a blog out there for you.

 

 

Style
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Feb. 27, 2012

Autographed Football and More at Annual GBAY Event

 

Luckily, eBay has better things to do than sue George Mason University for stealing its name and logo for the university’s signature GBAY event.

GBAY is an auction hosted by Mason students to help raise money for Mason’s scholarship fund. Private donations from local businesses as well as donations from various campus officials will be raffled off to the highest bidder.

Items to be auctioned off include: a Barnes & Noble Nook, lunch for you and two friends with President Merten, lunch with coach Paul Hewitt of the Mason men’s basketball team, a signed football from Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Torrey Smith, Monster energy drinks, a skiing package for Liberty Mountain Resort in Pennsylvania, a Vera Bradley bag, tickets to Six Flags America, sports memorabilia and much more.

“GBAY is a student benefit auction,” said Mark Mansdoerfer, a junior double-majoring in management and accounting. “Everything that is being sold is donated from businesses in the area and from departments within the school. The money earned from the online donations site and the items sold will then be given to the general student scholarship fund. The event is in its third year, where we have raised $10,000 and $15,000, respectively, in each of the first two years.”

The auctions not only help students by earning more scholarship money to give back, but they also offer a chance to purchase some really interesting items.

“Many students really reap the benefits and rewards of the scholarship fund, so this is kind of an opportunity for them to give back,” said David Bier, a junior double-majoring in government & international politics and conflict analysis & resolution. “It also gives them a chance to win a lot of really cool prizes.”

“It’s a great opportunity because it helps people in need,” said Mason Ambassador Julie Whitacre, a junior nursing major.

In years past there have been many highly coveted items auctioned off for Mason students.

“Last year there was a banner from a light pole in Indy [from 2006] when Mason went to the Final Four that actually sold for over $2,000,” Bier said. “The year before that, the first year, they auctioned off access to a handicapped single in Northern Neck. I think that went for about $1,500. This was just to get into it — not actually the rent and everything, just access to it.”

One year Bier won an auction for naming his own burger at the Rathskeller. The “Bier Burger” has bacon and cheddar and American cheese on it and has been there for almost two years now.

“I just kind of sat back and waited while two other guys pushed the bidding to $180, then I hopped in and won the bidding at $215,” Bier said.

There will be other opportunities to name foods at Mason this year, including a smoothie at Freshens, a sandwich at Subway and a pizza at Pilot House.

“GBAY is going to be different every year simply because we have new items to auction off each year,” Mansdoerfer said. “This year we will be auctioning off an autographed hockey stick signed by Sergei Fedorov and a one-night stay at Sofitel Luxury Hotel in D.C. You never know what new items we get each year, which makes GBAY different every year.”

This year’s GBAY will be held on Thursday at 6 p.m. in the JC Atrium.