As students are preparing to take their finals, they might have noticed a certain lack of holiday decorations on campus.

From trees to garland, for the most part, they are missing, and I sometimes forget that it is the holiday season. The exception is Deet’s Place, which serves coffee, ice cream, and others edible delights. On a rare occasion, I might hear a radio playing Bing Crosby or Dean Martin and their classical renditions of traditional Christmas music, but besides that it does not sound or look a lot like the Holidays.

So for those who are miss the holiday cheer, Smithfield Plantation is presently hosting Holidays at Smithfield until December 2. The time is from 1 to 5 p.m. The cost is $16 for adults and $6 for children.

The house will be decked for the holidays in Colonial style. There will be treats and sweets in Susanna’s Tea Room.

For those who just want to do something fun this weekend, the Dance Company of Virginia Tech will be holding their Winter Show at the Haymarket Theater in Squires on Sunday, December 2 from 2 to 5 p.m. While the public pays $6, students only have to pay $3. There will be an array of dancing from ballet to hip-hop.

Or another possibility is to just enjoy the decorations at Deet’s Place.

The submissions for the Undergraduate Research Conference on Friday, March 28, 2008, are now being accepted.

All undergraduates, including Non-English Majors, are eligible to participate in the conference by submitting a work that was created for an English class. This includes a variety of compositions, such as critical papers, stories, posters, performances, design projects, grant proposals, and many more that are considered to be “English Studies.”

Even though the conference is not until March, the deadline for submitting a paper or a project is January 25, 2008. In addition, as students are in their respective English classes, they should be thinking ahead to the conference and preparing accordingly. 

Here are a couple of reasons to enter the conference. One reason is that the conference provides excellent public speaking practice (since the student will have to present his or her work). Another is the conference gives students the opportunity of being mentored by faculty. In addition, it has the possibility of becoming a supportive first step in university, regional or national conferences. Perhaps the best reason to attend (for some) is the conference looks good on a resume. 

About four weeks ago, I attended the English Undergrad Conference Kick-off event. It was held on Halloween; so, the teachers and students were dressed-up in costumes and the treats were labeled as “poison” and “corrosive”.

Looking past the festive decorations, I listened to its participants who had attended the conference last year. They chatted about the benefits and the practical experience that it gave them, and I honestly heard genuine excitement in their voices.

For more information, please visit the 2008 Undergraduate Research Conference website. Submission forms and registration forms are available online.

Just as a reminder Hokies Thank The World is going to be on Saturday (November 17) from 10:35-11:15 a.m. on the Drillfield.

This is a wonderful opportunity to thank everyone who helped Virginia Tech after April 16^th.
For more information, please access the Hokies Thank The World website.

As this new week continues, most students only have their minds on Thanksgiving Break; however, there are still events occurring around campus.

Tuesday, November 13th: Virginia Tech Union (VTU) will be presenting from 6 to 9 p.m. at Burress Auditorium in Squires Student Center. For the day of the show, both VT and Non-VT Students will both be expected to pay $10 for the performance. For those that don’t know Nick Swardson (for example me), there is more information on his MySpace.

The Department of Theatre Arts at Virginia Tech will be hosting Eurydice by Sarah Ruhl. This is a Mainstage Season Production that will be performed from Tuesday (November 13) to Thursday (November 15) at 7:30 p.m. in Squires Studio Theatre, which is located in the Squires Student Center. Tickets are now available through the Squires Ticket Office.

The Montgomery County Emergency Assistance Program and the Department of University Unions and Student Activities (UUSA) are holding a food drive that will end Friday (November 16). Drop-off locations for canned food are at Cranwell International Center, the Graduate Life Center, Johnston Student Center, Squires Student Center, and War Memorial Chapel.

Wednesday, November 14th: UUSA is hosting a Roommate Fair from 5:30-7:00 p.m. at the Squires Brush Mth. B.A

Thanksgiving Feast will be available in D2, Shultz Dining Center, and Owens Food Court.

Thursday, November 15th: The Society of Indian Americans (SIA) is having a special holiday event called Thanksgiving Dinner! at the Graduate Life Center from 6 to 7 p.m.

Friday, November 16th: The Student Alumni Associates of the Virginia Tech Alumni Association (SAA) will be hosting their Beat Miami Send-off Rally! At 6:00 p.m. on the steps of Cassell Coliseum. Coach Beamer, along with the Hokies Football team, the Hokie Bird, Cheerleaders, and more, will be making an appearance at this event. The rally is free, and there will be free prizes given away and 2007 HokieZone shirts on sale.

Saturday, November 17th: The Hokies Football team faces off against Miami at 3:30 p.m. in Lane Stadium.

Thanksgiving Break begins!

…are now available online. The topic is “Finding Answers Amid Life’s Greatest Losses.” The lectures and Q&A sessions for the Burruss Hall and Cassell Coliseum can be downloaded at New Life Christian Fellowship  (NLCF).

A swirling sea of dazzling colors highlighted with bright lights was the first thing that caught my eye. A loud blast from a trumpet lulled me further into the room. At a table, there were two seated men requesting $10 for admission into this mad scene.

For around 10 years, Solely Swing has been hosting the Halloween Swing Dance! This year, it was held in the Old Dominion Ballroom on Saturday, October 27. It started at 8p.m., but the FREE lessons began about 7p.m.  

As my eyes slowly adjusted to contrasted light dance to the dim surrounding area, I noticed the array of costumes. A cheerleader, typical. An elf, beautifully close to Christmas. A pirate, a classic. The Phantom of the Opera, one of the most romantic costumes in the room. One girl had a name-tag that said “Un-dead Bunny.” The promised costume contest was showing great potential.

Live Band!!! was bolded on the club’s orange posters that featured skeletons and a border of candy corns. Bob Peckman Jazz Band proved the atmosphere of an old 40s or 50s swing dance.  

There were several different styles of dancing that were demonstrated on the dance floor (or so I was told). Swing is like an adventure. People are never quite sure what to expect. I find swing dancing to be like a ride that I want to go on again and again.  

There are weekly swing dances held on Tuesday and Fridays from 8:30-11p.m. in the Upstairs Ballroom at Squared Away Storage. For more information, please visit Solely Swing.