Digest
— U.Va. Top News Daily
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Arena opens with Cirque Du Soleil’s ‘Delirium’
The University of Virginia’s John Paul Jones Arena hosted its first event Aug. 1 when Cirque du Soleil presented ‘Delirium.’ As part of a limited 2006 North America tour, Delirium marks the first time in Cirque du Soleil’s history that lyrics have been created for the instrumental track and real words integrated in place of invented language. Cirque du Soleil was the first of a projected 100 events planned for the 16,000-seat John Paul Jones Arena in its first year. Highlights of the coming season include Dave Matthews Band, Eric Clapton, Kenny Chesney and the Ringling Bros. Circus. (Aug. 1) |
Center for Politics wins federal grant to support Student Poll Worker Program
The University of Virginia Center for Politics has won a grant from the U.S. Election Assistance Commission to expand programs to recruit and train college students as nonpartisan poll workers on Election Day. The grant will allow for the continuation and expansion of efforts to recruit student participants in the Student Poll Worker Program, begun in early 2006 as a partnership between the Center for Politics and the City of Charlottesville Office of Voter Registration. “This is a remarkable opportunity for students to participate directly in the American electoral process and become more knowledgeable, engaged citizens,” said Larry J. Sabato, professor of politics and director of U.Va.’s Center for Politics. (Aug. 21)
U.Va. engineering student helps make America ‘really ready’
Emily Hesaltine, a rising third-year in systems engineering and economics, spent her summer getting the country ready to respond to emergencies. Through the engineering school's Science and Technology Policy Internship Program, Hesaltine developed ReallyReady.org. Modeled after the Department of Homeland Security’s Ready.gov, the new Web site addresses inaccurate and incomplete information on the DHS site on topics from chemical and nuclear attacks to hurricanes and floods. Since its launch on Aug. 1, the site has caught the attention of media around the country. (Aug. 22)
