Posts from — February 2010

Rhode Island education officials will announce the proposed details of  a school funding formula next week.  Rhode Island is the only state without a formula to distribute funds to schools districts. While the measure still needs to be passed in the General Assembly, it has widespread support among lawmakers.

Jobless benefits for thousands of Rhode Islanders will begin to phase out Monday due to Congress’ failure to pass an extension. Senator Jack Reed pledged to fight for continued benefits, which Rhode Island provides to approximately 39,000 people according to the Department of Labor and Training.

Outgoing Representative Patrick Kennedy roasted himself at the Providence Newspaper Guild Follies and offered 10 fictitious reasons for not seeking re-election.  Kennedy’s top reason: “It’s just so hard to maintain my sobriety around a party animal like Jack Reed.”

Battle for Change

8:00 p.m., Sayles Hall, FREE

Somehow, when I’m on campus I never manage to make it to as many concerts as I would like. Lupos is too far or  I don’t have enough money or I have two midterms due the next day… it’s a mess. Tonight, however, there can be no excuses. Battle for Change is a Fundraiser Concert for the International Humanitarian Foundation — but admission is free, and there will be free food! Not entirely sure where the fundraiser part comes it, but it’s on campus, it’s free, and it’s a Saturday night! Hell, Pawtucket Mudd, Cinnamon, Behaviors, and Ryan Lester will all be playing.

Purim at Hillel

This is actually THREE different events in one, which is THREE times as exciting. At 6:30 p.m., there will be a Tzedakh auction for charity and skits. At 7:30 p.m., Purim Peggplant (wha?) Parmesan dinner. And, from 9:30 p.m.–1:00 a.m., a party at Two Jerks Pub with free buses running from Faunce. Get your Purim on!

Transparent: the party

9:30 p.m.–4:30 a.m. 116 Waterman street, $1 drinks

Tonight, the Open the Books! Coalition is expressing “outrage, outrageousness, and the end of opacity” by… throwing a party. Partygoers are encouraged to wear bubble wrap, saran wrap, and other “transparent” clothing options. Keep it classy, Brown!

—Anne Speyer

Former congressional candidate Angel Taveras announced that he’s running for Providence mayor yesterday. From a parking lot. Of a supermarket. That’s been abandoned. (Actually, he worked at the supermarket as a teenager living with his single mother in a low-income home, so the announcement’s location reflected the problems Providence residents face in this rough economy.)

Getting their names out there to every last citizen, some Rhode Island state congress members have sent their portraits to local libraries for display. We love that they see how important libraries are and appreciate the effort, nothing beats being implored to read by the greatest celebrity minds of our age, like Colin Farrell or the cast of Twilight. (Incidentally, the American Library Association has a page where you can make your own READ poster. Perfect for creeping out younger siblings!)

Rhode Island is going to fight hard to land Newport as the venue for 2013′s America’s Cup, a sailing competition (and the trophy named after it). The fact that Newport of all places isn’t already the permanent venue for the race until the end of time is… reasonable, but still a little bizarre. (Less flippantly, hosting the 2013 race could help out Rhode Island’s floundering economy. Even if it does mean more tourists.)

Starla & Sons Longform Improv Comedy Show
Hunter Auditorim (89 Waterman St), 9:00 P.M.
$1
We hear they’re quite the witty troupe!

Date-a-delt
Delta Tau, 10:00 P.M.-2:00 A.M.
It’s like “The Bachelor” meets “Price is Right”— and no, you don’t have to date Drew Carey. The fine lads of Delta Tau are auctioning off a night of love and romance with the delt of your choice. Yes, it’s probably pretty creepy. But it could also be the start of something beautiful.

Barack Your Body
Phi Psi (Sears House), 10:00P.M.-2:00A.M.
Here is all of the information you need to know: there will be politically-themed drinks. Order a Nailin’ Palin or a Ridin’ Bidin and toast the first year of the Obama presidency!

—Brian Mastroianni & Anne Speyer

Retro-style “Diamonds and Coal” from The Herald‘s issue on February 11, 2000:

A diamond to John McCain, who is suddenly the most popular presidential candidate in the running. On the covers of Time, Newsweek, and U.S. News and World Report this week, he’s got W. shaking in his boots.

Can’t get enough D & C? Read slightly more current incarnations in today’s Herald, or submit your own at DiamondsandCoal.com!

A visual cornucopia of cupcakes for every day of the week.  Almost as good as eating them.  Check out the chocolate peanut butter cupcakes above for a bite-sized taste.

Lunch: V-Dub. Chicken fingers plus enchilada bar–a Friday staple just got better.

Dinner: Ratty by default.  With the V-dub offering the dubious combination of Fisherman’s Pie in Puff Pastry and Cheese Raviolis with Vodka Sauce, we don’t even have to check the menu to know it’s a Ratty night.

UPDATE: Kellar and the Canadians won the gold medal contest 2–0, bringing her total haul to three gold and one silver. Original post below.

We’ve already brought you news of Dow Travers ’12 representing the Cayman Islands in the giant slalom.

Becky Kellar ’97 is at the Olympics too, on the ice as a member of Canada’s gold medal hockey team. Kellar, who played hockey and softball as a Bear, will compete today for her third gold medal — against the Americans, as is usually the case. Feeling torn?

Tune back in to BlogDailyHerald after the 3:30 game for more.

It’s Corporation weekend! What’s the Corporation, you say? Don’t worry Brunonia. Take a quick survey of the Ratty and you’ll find out that nobody else knows either. After the jump, four students step up to tell the The Herald what they think when they hear “the Corporation.”

We had some great answers, but our favorite is still the guy who declared, “I just want the Corporation to put a Chipotle on Thayer Street.” Have you no allegiance to Bagel Gourmet Ole?

[Read more →]

Thomas Tisch ’76, chancellor of the Corporation

We’ve already told you about two groups going by the name Brown Corporation that aren’t the Corporation. Helpful, we know, but who are the ladies and gents who will actually descend on campus this weekend?

The Corporation, Brown’s highest governing body, comprises two groups, the trustees and fellows. It meets three times a year, and at the February meeting (this one!) it sets the budget and tuition for the upcoming year.

At this weekend’s convention, there will be fancy dinners, but the Corporation has more than filet mignon on its plate. The group will hear the recommendations of President Ruth Simmons to balance the University’s budget. Simmons received recommendations earlier this month from the Organizational Review Committee, charged with finding ways to cut expenditures and increase revenue. Its recommendations included such possible methods for cost-cutting as layoffs and cutting some varsity sports, but everything depends on what actions the Corporation takes this week. See Friday’s Herald for a full preview of this weekend’s meeting.