VCU tailgate party had students Chillin’ N’ Grillin’

Virginia Commonwealth University is one of only a few state universities of its size without a football team, but that does not stop the school from celebrating Homecoming. 

Just before hundreds of VCU basketball fans took their places in the stands of the Siegel Center, beer and barbeque were on the menu at VCU’s annual Chill n’ Grill. 

Described by sponsors as a tailgate party in the middle of winter, the Chill n’ Grill took place in the school’s VV Parking Lot.  The party came at the end of VCU’s Homecoming Week, just before the men’s basketball game against Towson and the crowning of a new king and queen during half time.

Organizers say this years theme, “the last of the eighties babies,” was chosen since the current freshman class was mostly born in 1989: signaling the end of a generation of VCU students who remember when Zach Morris ran Bayside High School and “Too Legit to Quit” ruled the airwaves.  More than 400 frat brothers, sorority sisters and alumni made up the crowd’s majority – many dressed in full black and gold garb.  MC Hammer and LL Cool J blasted through the loudspeakers as students danced, drank and most certainly ate their hot dogs and hamburgers.

Recyclemania lets VCU score green points

Virginia Commonwealth University is home to the Rams and the well-known colors of black and gold.  But now V-C-U is trying to get students to go green.  A new game is encouraging campus residents to recycle.

V-C-U ‘s goal in this intercollegiate competition is to score points for the environment.  Recyclemania is a game that everyone on campus can play. But will they?

“I don’t know anything about Recyclmania,” said VCU student Sam Wood.

Steve Heinitz has been the school’s recycling coordinator for 7 years. Heintiz and his full time staff hope that the competition will raise awareness on campus.

Bogart’s: New location, same ingredients

Pictures lining the walls of Bogart’s tell a story spanning nearly four decades worth of memories. Recently though, some worried that Bogart’s would be moving out of the Fan forever.

Current owner, Joe Bacas, has found a new home nearby for his patrons and his pictures. He just won’t say where.

“The information, when it’s released, everyone will know where we’re going and that time’s coming up real soon,” said Bacas.

A location change can be a nightmare for business owners but Bacas is confident that regulars will find them.

“They said just let us know where you’re going and we’ll follow.”

Special plates for repeat DUI offenders

A bill requiring repeat DUI offenders to outfit their cars with a special license plate, has been put aside until 2009.

Delegate Lionel Spruill Sr. of Chesapeake proposed the bill in this year’s General Assembly session. The bright yellow license plate with red lettering must stay on the car five years after a driver gets his or her license back.

“I would not put that on my car,” said Malik Washington, “it’s ugly.”

Washington, a VCU student, says the plates won’t have an affect on drunk drivers statewide.