The Commonwealth Times Latest Edition

Hundreds march for child soldiers

Mon, 27 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Thousands of people took part April 25 in a worldwide event known as "The Rescue," a public demonstration run by the non-profit organization Invisible Children Inc. Richmond was one of one hundred cities to participate, culminating in a march from Monroe Park to Capitol Square.

The man behind the curtain: a Q & A with Trani

Mon, 27 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Eugine P. Trani has served as the president of VCU since 1990. During his administration, Trani spearheaded the investment of more than $2.1 billion toward the infrastructure of VCU and approximately $100 million toward the construction of Broad Street alone.

Lucy's Cause: Instructor and students fight cystic fibrosis

Mon, 27 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT

At 10 months old, Lucy Saladino was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis, a hereditary disease that affects the lungs and digestive system. It causes the body to produce unusually thick mucus which can lead to life-threatening lung infections. It also makes it hard for the body to digest and absorb food.

VCU student charged with murder

Mon, 27 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT

A VCU student is in custody after being charged with the murder of 24-year-old Jamall Holman.

The shooting occurred around 4:30 p.m. on April 22 on the 2100 block of East Leigh Street. Police arrested Eric G. Driver Jr. and have charged him with second-degree murder.

Top 10 surprising events of the NFL Draft

Mon, 27 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT

The NFL draft was the weekend of April 25 and like every other draft, there were some major surprises. Players fell, players rose and teams made trades. These are the moments that may have surprised people on draft weekend.

10. Denver Broncos take Georgia running back Knowshown Moreno 12th overall

This was a surprising pick because the Broncos finished 29th in defense last season.

This week

Mon, 27 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT

BASEBALL

Fri., May 1 @ Georgia State, Atlanta, 6 p.m.

Sat., May 2 @ Georgia State, Atlanta, 6 p.m.

Sun., May 3 @ Georgia State, Atlanta, 1 p.m.

MEN'S SOCCER

Sat., May 2, Alumni Game, Sports Backers Stadium, 3 p.m.

MEN'S TRACK AND FIELD

Sat., May 2 @ George Mason Invitational, Fairfax, all day

Sun.

Best of VCU 2009

Mon, 27 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT

The results are in. You voted and let us know what's good on campus, from your favorite place to get sushi, to the best place to get your bike fixed. So here they are:
the best of VCU

Best Italian Food
Piccola Italy
Runner Up: Mary Angela's

Best Sushi
Sticky Rice
Runner Up: Moshi Moshi

Best Place to Eat Cheap
Little Mexico
Runner Up: Nate's Taco Truck

Best Asian Food
Good Taste
Runner Up: Panda Veg

Best Vegetarian/Vegan Food
Ipanema
Runner Up: Panda Veg

Best Pizza
Assante's Pizza
Runner Up: Piccola Italy

Best Place to Get a Drink
Tie! Capital Ale House and Ipanema
Runner Up: Tie! Village Cafe and Roxy

Best Wings
Buffalo Wild Wings
Runner Up: Mojo's

Best Burger
Carytown Burgers and Fries
Runner Up: Five Guys Burgers
and Fries

Best Local Band
Earthtone Crew
Runner Up: No BS! Brass Band

Best Salon
Nesbit
Runner Up: Tie! Good Lookz and
SuperCuts

Best Shop in Carytown
World of Mirth
Runner Up: 10,000 Villages

Best Bookstore
Tie! Barnes and Noble and Chop Suey
Runner Up: Virginia Book Company

Best Music Store
Plan 9
Runner Up: iTunes

Best Thrift Store
Diversity Thrift
Runner Up: FanTastic Thrift

Best Sorority
Alpha Gamma Delta
Runner Up: Phi Mu

Best Fraternity
Sigma Alpha Epsilon
Runner Up: Tie! Pi Kappa Alpha and
Alpha Kappa Lambda

Best Apartment Building
Coliseum Lofts
Runner Up: Monroe Park Towers

Best Gym
Seigel Center
Runner Up: Gold's Gym

Best Music Venue
The National
Runner Up: Toad's Place

Best Clothing Store
Need Supply Co.

The Rome report

Mon, 27 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT

One of my favorite sporting events of the year is the NFL Draft. There is just something about watching teams pick guys out of college.

But whenever the Raiders are on the clock, I get a sick feeling in my stomach. I just know that the Raiders are going to do something that makes me scratch my head.

SPORTS BRIEFS

Mon, 27 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Baseball

Kicked off this weekend's series at Northeastern with a 7-2 victory on Friday night. Senior left-hander Ian Thomas (Virginia Beach/Kellam) had another spectacular outing, this time getting a complete game win. Doug Otto (Jefferson City, Mo./Helias) went 1-5 with 2 RBIs on the day to lead the Rams, who only banged out eight hits.

Fashionistas set to bring out city flavor

Mon, 27 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT

"MUSE" opens its doors to audiences at 7 p.m. May 1 in the Commons Ballrooms. The show will consist of a year of work cultivated by student designers and reviewed by professors and juries alike. The 10 selected designers pulled their inspirations from neighborhood museums, local artwork and sustainable materials.

Students bring timeless novel to life

Mon, 27 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT

John Steinbeck's classic novel "Of Mice and Men" might be, for many, a distant required reading from high school. It is much more than that, however, for the cast and crew of Shafer Street Playhouse's "Of Mice and Men" production, running Friday May 1 through Sunday May 3 at the Newdick Theatre.

Opera Theatre successfully delivers heartbreak, humor

Mon, 27 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT

A mother's heartbreak over her only son's death, and a greedy family's hilarious attempt to ensure their share of a recently deceased family member's fortune were the plots of Opera Theatre VCU's "Suor Angelica" and "Gianni Schicchi." The spring production ran at the W.

The Final Countdown

Mon, 27 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT

With the Best of VCU issue upon us, The CT is bringing a lot of things to the table. Today also happens to be my last column. We have made it a long way, from the 2008 presidential election, to my personal thoughts on the meaning behind baking different types of cakes.

'Don't Dream It's Over' by Crowded House. Best Song ever? Yes.

Mon, 27 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Once in a lifetime, a song comes along that is so inspiring, so melodically erotic and seductive, straight men will be forced to challenge their sexuality because of how awesome it sounds. "Don't Dream It's Over" by Crowded House is one of those songs.

Granted, the song came out in 1986, three years before I was born, but man, does it sure stand the test of time.

Richmond Main Library hours could change with budget cuts

Mon, 27 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Richmond officials are trying to keep this year's budget crunch from closing the Main Library on Saturdays. And while it means a scramble for dollars, officials are also working to continue a long-standing arrangement with Chesterfield County that gives South Richmond residents free access to the Bon Air Library.

Man stabbed Sunday night in Fan

Mon, 27 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT

An argument led to a stabbing the night of April 25 in Richmond's Fan District, police said. Officers were called at 11:46 p.m. after a 24-year-old man was stabbed while visiting an apartment in the 1600 block of Monument Avenue near North Lombardy Street, said Richmond police Lt.

Man fatally shot by Chesterfield police

Mon, 27 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT

A man was shot and killed by a Chesterfield County police officer who was answering a call about a domestic situation on the 11100 block of Lucks Lane at about 9:30 p.m. April 25.

During a confrontation with police in the driveway of a residence, the individual was shot and died at the scene, said Lt.

Swine flu empties Mexico City's churches, streets

Mon, 27 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Churches stood empty Sunday in heavily Roman Catholic Mexico City after services were canceled, and health workers screened airports and bus stations for people sickened by a new strain of swine flu that experts fear could become a global epidemic.

Mayor Marcelo Ebrardo said two more people died of swine flu overnight in the overcrowded capital, and three other deaths are suspected to have been caused by the strain.

Iraqi PM: US raid is 'violation' of security pact

Mon, 27 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT

An Iraqi official says the prime minister has called a deadly April 26 pre-dawn raid by U.S. forces a "violation of the security pact."

The fallout over the raid that killed a woman in southern Iraq is one of the most serious challenges to the agreement that requires American commanders to coordinate raids and other planned strikes with the Iraqi government and military.

Sri Lankan rebels call ceasefire

Mon, 27 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Tamil Tiger rebels fighting government forces in northeast Sri Lanka have declared a unilateral ceasefire. Rebel spokesman Seevaratnam Puleethevan told the BBC the move was because of an "unprecedented humanitarian crisis."

Sri Lanka's defense secretary however, dismissed the announcement as "a joke," insisting the rebels must surrender.

Canada confirms 4 swine flu cases among students

Mon, 27 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Nova Scotia's chief public health officer says the east coast Canadian province has four confirmed cases of swine flu.

Chief Public Health officer Dr. Robert Strang said April 24 four students from King's-Edgehill School in Nova Scotia ranging in age from 12 to 17 or 18 are recovering.

Pizza from Scratch

Mon, 27 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Forget Fairytales

Mon, 27 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT