Recent Posts

• Making Peace Funny: Comedians Encourage Communication in Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

  Lifestyle October 6, 2009 at 1:49 pm Comments are Disabled

  Alex Hilton, Staff Writer The StandUp for Peace comedy show Wednesday night was a huge success. The two comedians, SNL’s Dean Obeidallah and Comedy Central’s Scott Blakeman have created a comedy show bringing together people of all religions, including Israelis and Palestinians. The show is designed to put people of different faiths in the same room and give them an hour of comedy to enjoy in each other’s company. Following the show was a discussion about the purpose of the show as well as a question-and-answer session with the comedians. The two friends came up with the idea to create the comedy show while on a bus in New York. The duo performed their set at George Mason University four years ago. There has been an ongoing conflict between the Israeli and Palestinian people. Blakeman, an Israeli, and Obeidallah, a Palestinian, incorporate this into their show by bringing the two groups together and spreading a message that there can be peace through communication. Both comedians had the audience laughing the entire show. This was even true during the discussion, where the duo answered questions ranging from their political views to which country they thought had the best hummus. During the […]

   

• In My Own Words: Mason LIFE Student Wins Award

  Lifestyle October 6, 2009 at 1:48 pm Comments are Disabled

  Erin Thompson, Staff Writer Hi, my name is Erin Thompson. I am a senior at George Mason University in the Mason LIFE program. I work part time at Broadside. I have been involved in the Down Syndrome Association of Northern Virginia. I became a self-advocate on the Down Syndrome board with another self-advocate named David Egan. My responsibilities are going to my board meeting or making conference calls for the board meetings once a month and attending the many meetings of the DSANV. I represent the interests and concerns of people with Down Syndrome on the board but not just the parents or advocates of people with Down Syndrome. I know what it is like to have Down Syndrome and sometimes I give speeches and represent DSANV. I have some special news to tell you. I recently got nominated for the Dan Piper Award. I was competing with 18 other people and I won the Dan Piper award and now I am going to New York City to get the award. I will be presented it in Central Park, where the Buddy Walk is, on Sept. 26.

   

• Computer Generation: The Best CGI Movies of All Time

  Lifestyle October 6, 2009 at 1:46 pm Comments are Disabled

  Ross Bonaime, Staff Writer It’s hard to believe, but almost 14 years ago Pixar released the first ever fully computer-generated feature film with Toy Story. This week, Pixar will re-release this first film and its sequel with Toy Story 1 & 2 in 3D. In honor of this, here are the top 10 CGI movies: 10. Jurassic Park The immense shock of seeing dinosaurs that weren’t robots or some other gimmick brought audiences in droves with Steven Spielberg’s groundbreaking action film. Jurassic Park seamlessly blended the real with the impossible into a film that dropped jaws and changed action films. 9. Finding Nemo The tale of a clownfish searching for his son was one that not only resonated with parents around the world and became Pixar’s highest-grossing film, but also pushed the boundaries of CGI with its incredible effects and beautiful underwater worlds. 8. Shrek The first film to challenge Pixar’s supremacy in the CGI world, Shrek became a massive success with its fractured take on fairytales. By intentionally blasting the Disney franchise, Dreamworks called out the House of Mouse, but never were able to come as close to greatness as they were with their green giant. 7. Terminator 2: […]

   

• Lady’s Night Out: Lady Gaga Entertains, Connects with Fans

  Lifestyle October 6, 2009 at 1:44 pm Comments are Disabled

  Julia Harding, Broadside Correspondent Lady Gaga may have been an hour and a half late to her show, but fans didn’t care once she appeared on stage. She shimmered in her mirrored dress and latest hairdo when she started the last concert of her Fame tour last Tuesday night. Starting out with “Paparazzi,” everyone could sense the night was going to end in an explosion. Upon arrival at the D.A.R. (Daughters of the American Revolution) Constitution Hall, fans were dressed to impress— many ladies (and gentlemen) arrived as mock Lady Gagas. Others just found the craziest leopard print dresses or metallic thigh high boots. The fans were prepared to enjoy their night. Her style never failed to lure and entice the crowd. From military jacket thong attire to her infamous bubble outfit, Lady was nothing less than marvelous. And if the outfits weren’t enough, the setlist was. Some of the better performances included “Boys, Boys, Boys,” “Lovegame,” “Money Honey” and of course, “Just Dance.” Between performances were two-minute video clips. Though ingenious, the short films left much to be desired. A little too robotic and manipulated for the crowd’s taste, the fans had to shake off the creepy persona of […]

   

• 'The Mason Family': Family Weekend Offers Time for Parents to Visit

  News1 October 6, 2009 at 1:41 pm Comments are Disabled

  Nicole Ocran, Best of Mason Director We may not run around with the likes of Thing or Cousin Itt, but we are quite a family. “The Mason Family” (modeled after The Addams Family) is this year’s Family Weekend theme. Families arrive every year during the weekend of Mason Madness to spend time with their students. Family Weekend runs from Friday, Oct. 16 until Sunday, Oct. 18 this year. “Our goal is to make this weekend a sort of snapshot of what Mason is about, [to] give families a bit of a flavor of Mason and the opportunity to see what students see every day,” said Doug Little, director of the Office of Orientation and Family Programs and Services. What is there to look forward to this year? “The big event around Family Weekend is of course Mason Madness; that’s the event students get the most excited about and come out for,” said Little. Friday’s opening events feature the Mason Family Welcome and Dinner, a pre-Mason Madness celebration, and then finishing off the night with Mason Madness. This year, there is a new opportunity to give back. “Saturday morning, we are offering three different community service activities to highlight our commitment […]

   

• Rooftop Observatory Offers Intriguing View: Research 1 Enables Closer Proximity to the Stars

  News1 October 6, 2009 at 1:39 pm Comments are Disabled

  Matt Loffman, Connect2Mason Podcast Director It is a view from campus not many people ever enjoy. The observatory on the rooftop of Research 1 offers a closer look at the night sky. It connects Earth with the stars, planets or even extraterrestrials that may be out there. Under the mostly clear sky on the evening of Sept. 29, about 40 George Mason University faculty, students and community members gathered at the observatory for the chance to see distant planets and stars. One of the volunteers who acted as a guide to the stars said that when the moon is as bright as it was on Tuesday, it can be hard to see stars in the night sky. When this is added to the light pollution surrounding the Fairfax campus, visibility can be limited. Even with the passing clouds and light pollution, participants were able to see the craters on the moon’s surface—a favorite for senior tourism and events management major Alisa Tibbs, who showed up just for fun. Senior computer science major Eric Kangas really enjoyed seeing Jupiter and its four moons up close. Kangas went to the observatory for his introductory astronomy class. Many of the other students present […]

   

• Turn Off the Violence Week ‘Breaks the Silence’: Sexual Assault Services Aims To End Violence

  News1 October 6, 2009 at 1:37 pm Comments are Disabled

  Amanda Cheek, News Editor Beginning today and continuing through Oct. 8, several parts of campus will be bustling with activities hosted by George Mason University’s Sexual Assault Services for Turn Off the Violence Week. The week features events dedicated to promoting awareness of sexual and domestic violence. Rachel Mosunmade, a Mason sophomore and medical technology major said she saw a flyer for Turn off the Violence Week in Student Union Building I. “[Domestic violence] is something that needs attention brought to it. It affects a lot of people,” said Mosunmade. Turn off the Violence Week is co-sponsored by the Office of Alcohol, Drug and Health Education, Department of Women’s and Gender Studies and the Feminist Student Organization at Mason. “People ages 20-24 are at the highest risk for sexual assault, immediately followed by those ages 16-20,” said the Director of Sexual Services, Connie Kirkland. Kirkland also said that promoting awareness about sexual and domestic violence on college campuses is important because a college campus is a community like any other, and behaves just like one. “Both sexual and dating violence is very common on all college campuses, not just at Mason,” said Kirkland. “We are no different.” Two events will […]

   

• Students Rally at Take Back the Night Event

  News1 October 6, 2009 at 1:36 pm Comments are Disabled

  Amanda Cheek, News Editor On Oct. 6, the Take Back the Night Rally and March will occur as a special event within Turn Off the Violence Week, on the North Plaza from 7:30 – 10 p.m. The event is a peaceful gathering on the North Plaza promoting an end to sexual and domestic violence, and is symbolic of a safe haven for all, according to the Sexual Assault Services website, http://sas.gmu.edu. “Take Back the Night is a way for students to come together and show their support to ending sexual assault and abuse,” said Lauren Heath, a senior psychology major and women and gender studies minor. Heath is a member of the Feminist Student Organization and a student staffer at the Women and Gender Studies Center. Preceding the event will be a free Yoga YES! session in the North Plaza. YES! Yoga is Yoga to Empower Yourself, to enhance personal power, identity and self-esteem, according to the Sexual Assault Services website. The session will involve stretching, dancing and sound, and will be hosted by Yoga teachers Dawn Curtis, Felicity Boyer and Mandy Shaver. This year’s speakers include, Indira Hernard from the D.C. Rape Crisis Center, a Women’s Studies professor at […]

   

• Mason Mock Election Mirrors Va. Political Race: Apathetic Students Give Mixed Review on Campus-Wide Mock Gubernational Election

  News1 October 6, 2009 at 1:34 pm Comments are Disabled

  Yasmin Tadjdeh, Asst. News Editor With the Virginia gubernatorial race heating up, George Mason University will have its chance to cast its own unofficial ballot. Paralleling the election for governor of Virginia is Mason’s own mock election. Over the past few weeks students have periodically received e-mails informing them of the Mason Mock Election. Its creator Jared Barton, an economics graduate student said, “Many students, by virtue of being citizens of other states or countries, don’t get to vote on issues here in Virginia. Elected officials and issues in Virginia, though, have a big impact on their time at Mason. The Mock Election allows those students, as well as Mason students who can vote in Virginia elections, to participate a little bit in Virginia politics.” The Mock Election is an unofficial online election, where students can place their vote for governor and, in the end, see who Mason would have voted for. In order to participate in the Mock Election, students must register by 11:59 p.m. Monday, Oct. 5, which is also the deadline to register for the actual election. Registered students then may vote on the Mock Election website, www.masonmockelection.com, between the hours of 6 a.m. – 7 p.m. […]

   

• Walk With Courage, Walk With Hope: Annual Fight Against AIDS Walk Attracted Many

  News1 October 6, 2009 at 1:32 pm Comments are Disabled

  Sebastian Flores, Broadside Correspondent Six high-strung, middle-aged women from a church group sang their hearts out. Their voices, although individually very different from one another, all blended in a sweet gospel harmony, singing to the souls of all of the walkers around them. Although they belonged to a particular team, many others joined in their songs and began to clap to their rhythm. Singing, clapping and walking in unison, it was as if they had known each other for years. In reality, these people were complete strangers to one another, but they were brought together by the support in the fight against AIDS. Washington, D.C. held its annual AIDS Walk last Saturday, Oct. 3. Hundreds of people crowded the streets of Freedom Plaza, anxiously awaiting the start of the walk. Before the walk, individuals and sponsors of the AIDS Walk spoke to the crowd about the importance of AIDS awareness and prevention, some even sharing their own personal HIV/AIDS story with the audience. Teams from all over the D.C. Metropolitan area representing their school, organization or company listened to these speeches, and seemed to be even more inspired by their words. As the time inched closer to the start of […]