Local restaurants reminisce Mason’s trip to Final Four

Posted on March 18th, 2011 by

Thu, 03/17/2011 – 14:04 | C2M’s Amanda Hamm

As the NCAA Tournament gets underway this week and eighth seed Mason is set to play Villanova Friday night, it’s not just fans remembering the Patriots’ improbable 2006 journey to the NCAA Final Four. Local businesses recall the attention brought to the community as the previously unknown Patriots cast the area into the spotlight.

That attention meant packed sports bars at the restaurants near campus – something the wait staff and managers still haven’t forgotten.

Buffalo Wing University assistant manager, Thomas Calvert, said having Mason in the Final Four created an everlasting impression on his employees.

“We are normally busy on the weekends, but it was insane during the tournament,” Calvert said. “There was a minimum wait of one hour, and it was common to see a line of patrons stretched around the corner outside.”

Mason basketball fans that packed the venues for the games brought in an extra $80,000 in sales during the month of March 2006.

Brion’s Grille former manager, Rick Burnett, said business was great for their restaurant too. The games brought in local news coverage from both the ABC and CBS affiliates as they reported on the crowded restaurant.

“We were over packed for every Mason basketball game,” Burnett said. “There was not an empty seat in the house.”

The Auld Shebeen co-owner, Dominic Keane, said that Mason even made a huge impact on his Fairfax City pub.

“March madness is usually about St Patrick’s Day for an Irish Pub & Restaurant, but it took on a new meaning for The Auld Shebeen that year,” Keane said. “Every Mason game was a packed house with supporters in their green & yellow, and a lot of people had gotten special shirts made.”

For the final four game with Florida, The Auld Shebeen rented two 10 ft screens and had a full house the entire day.

Keane said, “Mason will have the luck of the Irish with them if they make it through to the Final Four again this season.”

(Original article can be viewed online at http://www.connect2mason.com/content/local-restaurants-reminisce-mason%E2%80%99s-trip-final-four)

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Off-Campus and Community Events (March 10, 2011)

Posted on March 10th, 2011 by

Thu, 03/10/2011 – 09:26 | C2M’s Off-Campus Events Contributor Amanda Hamm

Need plans for the weekend? Look no further! This week brings St. Patty’s Day activities, sports events, karaoke, and ice skating.

St. Patrick’s Day is upon us! Grab your friends and head out to the 12th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade this Saturday in Old Town Manassas. Parade is scheduled for 11 a.m. and lasts until 12:15 p.m. For parade route info, visit the event website.

Meet up with friends or family at The Auld Shebeen Irish Pub and Restaurant on St. Patrick’s Day. Lunch available at 11 a.m. or 1 p.m., dinner at 4 p.m. or 7 p.m. Reservations can be made by calling (703) 293-9600.

Hockey fans, prepare for an intense match! The Washington Capitals take on the Chicago Blackhawks at the Verizon Center this Sunday at 12:30 p.m. Tickets are on sale here.

The Major League Soccer regular season is almost here! DC United faces off against the Columbia Crew at RFK Stadium March 19 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are currently on sale here.

Warm up your vocal cords and show off your singing skills! Fast Eddie’s in Fairfax is hosting Karaoke on the Boulevard this Saturday at 9:30 p.m. Check out their website here.

Don’t miss your chance to ice skate at the Reston Town Center! The ice pavilion closes for the season after this weekend. Skates are available for rental on site. For more details, visit the Reston Town Center website here.

(Original article can be viewed online at http://www.connect2mason.com/content/campus-and-community-events-march-11)

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Off-Campus and Community Events (March 3, 2011)

Posted on March 4th, 2011 by

Thu, 03/03/2011 – 10:47 | C2M’s Off-campus Events Contributor Amanda Hamm

Want to start out March with a bang? This week brings chocolate, basketball, jazz, and an Italian festival!

Have a sweet tooth for all things chocolate? We’ve got the cure for you! The Chocolate Lovers Festival returns to downtown Fairfax this weekend. A full schedule of events can be seen on the festival website.

Calling all basketball fans! The Harlem Globetrotters 2011 World Tour comes to the Patriot Center Friday. If you are unable to attend on Friday, the Globetrotters will also make an appearance at the Verizon Center Saturday at 1 p.m. Tickets are on sale here.

Craving a taste of Louisiana cuisine and some good ol’ jazz? Mardi Gras week starts this Wednesday, and lasts until Tuesday (Fat Tuesday). Head into D.C. and stop in at the Bayou on Pennsylvania Ave. which is home to New Orleans inspired cooking and world class blues music. The Bayou welcomes Laissez Foure, “an acoustic swing jazz quartet that plays traditional New Orleans style jazz from the 30s and 40s”. The quartet will perform on Sunday, March 6 at 7 p.m. For more details, check here.

Il Fornaio Restaurant and Bakery in Reston Town Center is hosting “Carnivale”, a three-day celebration this Sunday thru Tuesday. Costumes, face painting, masks, music, and a special menu from the region of Trentino, Italy (home of Venice) will be available. Hours are from 3 to 10 p.m. daily. Check out the restaurant’s website for more information.

(Original article can be viewed online at http://www.connect2mason.com/content/campus-and-community-events-march-3)

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Off-Campus and Community Events (Feb 24, 2011)

Posted on February 24th, 2011 by

Thu, 02/24/2011 – 09:46 | C2M’s Off-campus Events Contributor Amanda Hamm

Looking for excitement this weekend or just an excuse to go somewhere new? This week brings sports, music, fashion and much more!

Calling all hockey fans! The Washington Capitals face the New York Rangers this Friday at 7 p.m. over at the Verizon Center. Tickets are still on sale.

Rather go to a basketball game? The Washington Wizards take on the Dallas Mavericks Saturday at 8 p.m., also at the Verizon Center. Tickets are on sale here.

Head on down to Occoquan and stop in at the Down Under Tavern Friday at 9:30 p.m. Chuggalug, a three-person band playing in the Maryland/D.C./Northern Virginia area, covers classic rock songs and current pop/dance hits. Want to check out the band before the show to see if they are your cup of tea? Band member profiles, videos, and song clips can be found on their website.

Fashionistas unite! Washington D.C. hosts Fashion Week thru Sunday. “The Power of Style: Fall/Winter Collections 2011” will be showcased at various locations in the D.C. area. For more information, click here.

Local and regional civil war authors will sign and sell books Saturday at the Civil War Interpretive Center at Historic Blenheim in Fairfax City. From noon to 4 p.m., meet writers at the Civil War Author Book Mart. A portion of all book sales will go to restoration of this Civil War site. For more details, click here. Questions? Call (703) 591-0560.

Art buffs, check out the “Best of Collector’s Showcase Exhibition”. Located at the Workhouse Arts Center in Lorton, the top thirteen artists chosen at the 2011 Collector’s Showcase will have their works on display from Feb. 23 thru April 3. The showcase is available weekly; Wednesday thru Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sunday 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free. For more details, visit their website. Questions? Call (703) 584-2900.

(Original article can be viewed online at http://www.connect2mason.com/content/campus-and-community-events-feb-24)

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Students ‘Eat and Greet’ with City Officials

Posted on February 18th, 2011 by

Student Government member Daniel Boger chats happily with Councilman David Meyer and City of Fairfax Marketing Manager Joanna M. Ormesher. (Jake McLernon)

Thu, 02/17/2011 – 22:11 | C2M’s Amanda Hamm

Mason Student Government and the Fairfax City Council agreed that fostering long-term relationships between the two groups is of utmost importance when members met to “Eat and Greet” Tuesday in the Johnson Center.

The event, organized by Student Government’s Mason-Affairs-and-State-Outreach-and-Networking-Committee, was aimed at bringing student representatives together with city leaders in an informal environment.

“This is a great way to develop understanding between members of our council and Mason’s own council members,” City of Fairfax marketing manager Joanna Ormesher said. “It allows students to interact with city officials professional to professional.”

Ormesher said both the students and the council members are the first point of contact for each of their respective constituencies, which is a common tie between the two groups, making their meeting all the more important.

Nathan Dorfman, M.A.S.O.N. Committee Chair, was pleased with the comfortable interaction between Student Government members and City Council members. Dorfman said the student attendees seemed passionate about future outreach opportunities with city officials.

“I’d even like to get the entire student body involved at some of the events, not just Student Government,” Dorfman said. “I feel that it is important for us as a community to have an opportunity to meet with local officials.”

Dorfman said City Hall’s proximity to campus is a reason why these groups shouldn’t have distance in their relationship, not to mention the number of Mason students who live and spend time in the city.

(Original post can be viewed online at http://www.connect2mason.com/content/students-eat-and-greet-city-officials)

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Off-Campus and Community Events (Feb 17, 2011)

Posted on February 17th, 2011 by

Thu, 02/17/2011 – 12:52pm | C2M’s Off-Campus Events Contributor Amanda Hamm

Need help coming up with fun ideas for the weekend? Look no further! This week, we have jewels, motorcycles, classical theater, and even a bit of history.

Grab some friends and take a drive to the Dulles Expo Center for the International Gem and Jewelry Show Friday thru Sunday. The Int’l Gem & Jewelry Show offers the greatest selection and lowest prices on diamonds, gold, silver, beads and more. Choose either costume or fine jewelry from more than 370 exhibitors from around the world. Admission for patrons ages 9 and older is $6/day OR $8/for the entire weekend. Tickets can be purchased at the door (cash only) or online at http://www.ticketderby.com/event/the-international-gem-jewelry-show-chan…. For more details, visit their website.

Are you a biker or a biker’s old lady? While out at the Dulles Expo Center, stop by the Northeast Motorcycle Expo. For two days only, this Saturday and Sunday, you can browse motorcycles to your heart’s delight. Tickets are $15/adults and $7/children. An entertainment lineup and list of vendors can be found here.

Ladies, here’s an excuse to get dressed up! Madama Butterfly is coming to the Kennedy Center Opera House from Feb 26th thru March 19th. Composed by Giacomo Puccini, Madama Butterfly tells the story of a Japanese woman who “gives up everything for love” and in the end is left with dishonor and shame. Tickets are now on sale and can be purchased here.

Want a taste of history? Come out and celebrate our nation’s first president, George Washington. Alexandria is hosting a city-wide, three-day birthday celebration ranging from a dinner banquet and ball, a 10k race, and concluding with a parade on Presidents Day. For more information, click here. Questions? Call (703) 991-4474.

Lady Gaga, the artist who never fails to shock and amaze her fans, is bringing her “Monster Ball Tour” to the Verizon Center on Feb. 24th @ 8 p.m. Tickets are still on sale.

Fast Eddie’s in Centreville is hosting Shrine, a Christian Rock band, this Saturday starting at 9:30 p.m. There is a $10 cover charge and patrons must be 21 and older to get into this event. For more details, check out the band’s website.

(Original post can be viewed online at http://www.connect2mason.com/content/campus-and-community-events-feb-17)

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Off-Campus and Community Events (Feb 10, 2011)

Posted on February 11th, 2011 by

Thu, 02/10/2011 – 09:53 | C2M’s Off-Campus Events Contributor Amanda Hamm

No plans for the weekend? Don’t panic; we’ve got the best activities and entertainment in Northern Virginia right here!

Show off your skills at the Friday Night Rock ‘n’ Skate at the Reston Town Center Ice Pavilion. No skates? No problem! Rental shop on site for your convenience. Ice Pavilion is open daily until mid-March. For more details, visit http://restontowncenter.com/iframe/pop-ups/ice_skating.htm.

Obsessed with poker? Have some cash to spend or a desire to strike it rich? Fast Eddie’s in Centreville is hosting Free Texas Hold ‘Em Poker Games Friday night at 7 p.m. and 10 p.m.

Fancy a guest spot on Glee or just want to belt out a few hits? Grab some friends and hit up Fast Eddie’s in Fairfax this Saturday night at 9:30 p.m. for Karaoke on the Boulevard.

The Auld Shebeen welcomes a band local to the Northern Virginia area, RAF (Rise and Fall), to the pub’s downstairs cellar this Friday. Prior to RAF’s gig, take a look at the band’s website to get a taste of their music.

Want to get out of the burbs and into the city? The Habana Village in D.C. provides patrons with Cuban cuisine and Latin music. Have you always wanted to learn how to do the salsa, tango, meringue or samba? Look no further! For $10 a person, Habana offers dance lessons to those willing to learn.

Trey Songz is performing at Constitution Hall in D.C. Saturday at 7 p.m. Doors open at 6 p.m. Tickets can be purchased online through Ticketmaster. Questions? Call 202-628-4780.

Valentine’s Day is approaching fast! Looking for something old-fashioned and fun to do with your special someone? Reston Town Center is offering Horse Drawn Carriage Rides this Saturday from 6-10 p.m. for $5 per person. Event proceeds go to a local non-profit organization.

(Original post can be viewed online at http://www.connect2mason.com/content/campus-and-community-events-feb-10)

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Greetings!

Posted on February 11th, 2011 by

This blog is a compilation of articles I have written for both Connect2Mason and Reston Patch. Feel free to leave your comments or suggestions as they are greatly appreciated!

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