the EAGLE
Car accident on Mass Ave p.2 PHOTO: Courtesy of Wallis Ann Neff
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NEWS
theEAGLE JANUARY 2014 theEAGLE NOV. 4,30, 2014
Flipped car stops Muriel Bowser wins race for D.C. mayor, traffic on Mass. Ave. Initiative 71 passes By Cuneyt Dil Eagle Staff Writer
By Cuneyt Dil Eagle Staff Writer
Councilmember and AU alumnus, Muriel E. Bowser (D) won the race for D.C. mayor Tuesday night, overcoming a competitive challenge from councilmember David A. Catania (I) The race, which shaped up as the most competitive in D.C. history, ended with Catania conceding victory. Bowser commanded a 21 percent lead with 80 percent of precincts announced. “I think Washington, D.C.” has spoken,” Bowser said in her victory speech, flanked by an entourage of
Democrat councilmembers and campaign officials. Voters also overwhelmingly approved Initiative 71, the ballot measure to legalize possession and cultivation of small amounts of marijuana. The initiative does not make marijuana legal immediately, as it will need to first go through the D.C. Council and then a 60-day congressional review. It may take a year or longer before Washingtonians can enjoy legal marijuana.
Get to Know the Arab Student Association
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By Freddy Rodriguez Eagle Staff Writer
he traditional Arabic the semester that celebrate the Arab greeting of “ahlan wa world. sahlan” communicates Events range from panel much more than a simple discussions to holiday banquets welcome. and aim to facilitate Arab student “Ahlan” at a literal level means connections. family, and “Sahlan” describes a “The first event that we had this piece of land full of fruits to be semester was the Ahlan Wa Sahlan shared. When combining the Party,” ASA co-president Sarah ideas of family and generosity, Samaha said. “It was this huge a community comes to life, cultural party with a traditional resembling the environment that dance called dabke, and we also had the Arab Student Association our tarneeb card tournament and strives to form among Arab some other stuff. We just got people students through its cultural events together to get to know each other.” and open discussion panels. Parties like these act as a way to Co-president of ASA Suhayb Al- bring Arab students to one place, Jawhari formed the organization creating a sense of community that over two years ago on a mission they may not receive anywhere else to unite Arab students on campus. in the school, according to Samaha. Since then, ASA has grown to include over 300 members and Click Here for the holds cultural events throughout
Rest Of the Story
A four door vehicle flipped over on Massachusetts Avenue sometime around 6 p.m. on Nov. 5, damaging two other vehicles and closing a block of traffic until 7 p.m. The accident occurred on the southbound lane between Macomb and 39th street. The vehicle was moving very quickly to merge onto the curbside southbound lane, according to Abubeker Mohammed, a taxi driver whose car was damaged. Mohammed said he saw the vehicle flip three times. Another car swerved to miss the flipped car and hit Mohammed’s cab, he said. Mohammed said 911 took “20 minutes” to respond on scene. He
and other witnesses on the scene helped carry passengers out of the flipped car. One passenger was unconscious and taken on an ambulance; the second passenger was able to walk and was not taken to the hospital, according to Mohammed. The vehicle was towed away by 7 p.m., at which point all four lanes on Massachusetts Avenue reopened for traffic. cdil@theeagleonline.com
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theEAGLE NOV. 30, 4, 2014 theEAGLE JANUARY 2014
AU Symphony Orchestra kicks off fall season
EMILY BLOMQUIST/THE EAGLE
By Adena Maier Contributing Writer
AU’s symphony orchestra began its fall season on Oct. 25 and 26 with a performance of three pieces carefully selected by conductor Yaniv Dinur. The orchestra performed Christopher Cerrone’s “High Windows,” Camille Saint-Saëns “Cello Concerto No. 1 in A Minor, Op. 33” and Antonin Dvorák’s Symphony No. 9 in E Minor, Op. 95, entitled “From the New World”. “I’m really proud of my orchestra students who did a fantastic job in performing three very different, complex and demanding pieces,” Dinur said. This is Dinur’s third year as AU’s Director of Orchestral Activities. “Building an orchestra is a long, ongoing process, and the AU Orchestra is now becoming an exciting and attractive student ensemble in the D.C. area,” he said. Dinur invited composer Cerrone to work with the orchestra. During his visit, Cerrone worked with the orchestra on “High Windows” and told the students what inspired him when he wrote it, Dinur said. “One of the advantages in performing the music of our time is that we have the ability to ask the composer about the meaning of the music, something we cannot do with the music of Mozart or Beethoven, unfortunately,” Dinur said. “It was fascinating and invaluable for all of us to hear all this information directly from the composer.” Freshman Christopher Carr plays the double bass and said he felt great about the performance. “[Dinur] has such a good ear for the
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orchestra and is very good at getting just the sound he wants,” Carr said. “He’s so much fun to work with, he’s always joking with the orchestra and we’re always having fun. He makes it a point to know your name and to help everyone out.” The second piece, Saint-Saëns “Cello Concerto No. 1 in A Minor, Op. 33,” featured soloist Yubin Choi, an accomplished cellist and recipient of Director’s Musicians of Accomplishment Award for her work at AU. Dinur said this piece in particular was written in the romantic period but has some classical components as well. The concert ended with Dvorák’s Symphony No. 9 in E Minor, Op. 95, a piece from the late 19th century. The piece had some modern elements, tying together Dinur’s spectrum of new to old. “The main piece for this concert was Dvorák’s 9th symphony. The last movement is a very popular piece and I had played it before, but to be able to play the full piece with a large orchestra was such a great experience,” Carr said. The orchestra’s next performance, entitled “A Little Night Music from Israel and America,” will take place on Nov. 20 at the Katzen Art Museum. “It’s a very personal concert to me, as it will be a reflection of my two homes – Israel, where I came from, and America, where I live now and spend most of my time,” Dinur said. “It’ll feature music that I grew up on and was inspired by, as well as a few surprises. I think it will be special.”
The AU Orchestra is now becoming an exciting and attractive student ensemble in the D.C. area
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Flea and Feed:
FRESHFARM Market Every two weeks, this column will bring you reviews of local flea and farmers markets. Only four metro stops away, the Dupont Circle FRESHFARM Market is one of the most convenient markets for AU students to visit.This market, established in
By Emily Blomquist Contributing Writer
1997, is always buzzing with Sunday shoppers.
Click Here for the Rest Of the Story
Theater Review:
“Julius Caesar” proves stirring at the Folger Theatre
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obert Richmond’s production of Julius Caesar is executed beautifully with a compelling, ever-present sense of impending doom that captures the audience’s attention and refuses to let go. With heavy symbolism, captivating costumes and phenomenal acting, this is a must-see show that will no doubt change how its audience views Shakespeare. The show runs from Oct. 28 to Dec. 7 at the Folger Shakespeare Library. Before the play even begins, there is already an actor on stage; a hooded figure in tattered grey
By Tanner Hackney Contributing Writer
robes, sitting against a stone wall of the same color. Above her head is a basin from which fog constantly rises. The entire set is fairly bleak, consisting of multiple sets of stairs comprised of grey stone. However, this dull color scheme is strongly accented when the set is plunged into green, red and purple stage lighting, reflecting the emotions of the actors.
Click Here for the Rest Of the Story
OPINION
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theEAGLE JANUARY 2014 theEAGLE NOV.30, 4, 2014
Staff Editorial:
AU needs to increase number of on-campus student jobs
We all know that AU is an expensive school. With a tuition of more than $40,000 a year, many students need to take on a part-time job in addition to their classes. One of the most convenient ways to do this has traditionally been on-campus jobs at places like the library or dorm front desks. It has become increasingly difficult to be hired for
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these jobs on AU’s campus. Only a small portion of the jobs available on AU’s campus are made available to students. The work the University does in providing jobs to members of the surrounding community is admirable, but should it really come at the cost of AU students being unable to pay for their education?
Adding more jobs for students is one of the easiest ways AU could increase socioeconomic diversity on campus.
Of course The Eagle is not suggesting that all non-AU students working in jobs that students could potentially do should be fired. But perhaps, as those people naturally choose to retire or take jobs elsewhere, they could be continually replaced by AU students. Students could easily take jobs cleaning dishes or swiping people into Terrace Dining Room or many of the other restaurants on campus. Last year, even, the new Starbucks promised to hire AU students but did not follow through. We have the new empty space that will replace Tigi salon. What-
ever the school decides to put there, we recommend that they staff it with AU students, whether they are approved for federal work study or not. Adding more jobs for students is one of the easiest ways AU could increase socioeconomic diversity on campus. As it is now, the hefty amount of tuitions fees effectively shut out a large number of potential students. If AU truly wants to be a universally diverse school, they need to start helping the needs of students who can’t afford to casually drop $160,000 on a college education. So, all of us. -E
”Op/Ed: Israel groups at By Shelly Dekelo Eagle Columist
The events put on by AU’s Israel groups so far this semester have been very successful at bringing together the pro-Israel community of all different backgrounds. With the many opinions people have about Israel, these events spark open dialogue, new information and a way to show support for the Jewish state. Two distinguished events that AU Students for Israel (AUSFI) was a part of was the Progressive Case for Israel and the Israel Gala (hosted by all the pro-Israel groups). We were privileged enough to hear Ann Lewis, the former senior campaign manager for Hillary Clinton in 2008, and Natasha McKenzie, the president of National College Democrats, discuss how Israel is a progressive state. Both speakers expressed their passion about Israel, and what the Jewish state means to them.
Aside from being the only democracy in the Middle East, Israel is a close ally of the United States as well, which Ann Lewis made very clear. What was most insightful however, was listening to Natasha McKenzie’s first experience in Israel and the connections she is able to make because of her position in National College Democrats. It was very refreshing to hear such positive words about Israel from two distinguished leaders. Co-sponsored by all the proIsrael groups on campus, the Israel Gala was a great opportunity for students to learn more about what these groups have to offer in a fun atmosphere with Israeli food and music. “Israel is an easy cause to unite behind, because Israel is an open vibrant democracy where there is rule of law, freedom of religion,
where minorities have full and equal rights, and is a leader of medical and science innovation. I am happy to see that we are all here tonight to unite behind the one beacon of democracy in the Middle East,” Ian Hersh, president of AU Students for Israel, so eloquently stated as he introduced the event. After the introductions of the different group’s mission statements and goals, Shelley Keder (vice president for Israel Engagement and Education of Hillel) discussed
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how important the work being done by the pro-Israel groups on campus is. The fact that all the groups share the common goal of advocating for the State of Israel despite some fundamental differences is impressive. I am very grateful to be apart of such a strong Israel campus here at AU where students are dedicated and engaged in their goals and motivated by their love for Israel. Shelly Dekelo is a sophomore in the School of International Services.
Israel is an easy cause to unite behind, because Israel is an open vibrant democracy where there is rule of law, freedom of religion
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SPORTS
theEAGLE JANUARY 30, 2014 theEAGLE NOV. 4, 2014
MAHNOOR HUSSEIN/THE EAGLE
THIS WEEK’S GAMES
2014/15 Women’s Basketball Preview
By Jack Stringer Contributing Writer
AU’s womens basketball team The Eagles aims to earn its first bid to the NCAA Women's Division I Basketball Tournament in team history and to place first in the Patriot League. “I think we have as good of a chance as anybody,” head coach Megan Gebbia said on the prospect of her team winning the Patriot League this season. “The team
chemistry has been terrific. Every- of the AU Women’s Basketball probody is trying to work together and gram, her team finished third place get it done.” in regular season play. The Eagles have been predicted to finish second place in the Patriot League preseason poll, receiving Click Here for the one of the 20 first place votes. This is a notable improvement from one Rest Of the Story year ago when the Eagles were predicted to finish sixth out of 10. In Gebbia’s first year at the helm
Men’s Basketball looks to multiple players to replace Wroblicky By Jennifer Reyes Eagle Staff Writer
The Eagles’ biggest challenge going into the 2014-2015 season is how the team will replace former center Tony Wroblicky, who graduated last May. Head coach Mike Brennan's simple answer is that they can’t, at least not singlehandedly. Wroblicky, a former first team All-Patriot League selection and 2014 Defensive Player of the Year, is currently playing professional basketball in Germany for the Telekom Baskets. “[Wroblicky] was the perfect
center for us,” Brennan said during the press conference. The Eagles will be looking to several players to fill the void, especially senior forward Kevin Panzer, as well as freshman center Gabe Brown, sophomore center Zach Elcano and junior forward Jonathan Davis. Brennan pointed to the separate qualities each player brings to the court; Panzer brings 3-point shooting, Brown will provide much needed height and rim protection,
while Davis and Elcano will see increased minutes off the bench. The Eagles will have to mix-andmatch to replicate and even increase the output generated by Wroblicky.
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Tuesday Nov. 11 M Soccer vs. Army 1:00 P.M.
Friday Nov.14 Volleyball at Colgate 7 P.M. M Basketball at Temple 7:30 P.M.