Elvis isn't dead, only fired
Charlottesville's very own Elvis, who for the past four years could be seen at The White Spot on the Corner, was fired last week.
James Rorak adopted the name "Elvis" when he started growing sideburns about five years ago.
Harriet Rorak, White Spot employee and wife of the Elvis lookalike, said her husband was fired because "customer relations weren't going the way they should. After four years of working here, he just got a little burned out. He was yelling at the kids a little too much."
While "Elvis" did dance around the restaurant, according to one employee, his wife said her husband's Elvis impersonations were not a factor in his firing.
"I am no longer at the White Spot. I'm not sure why. I just called my wife to hear the work schedule for the week, and she told me I wasn't on it," Rorak said.
University students who enjoyed James' Elvis impersonations now have two options -- they can hire him to lip-sync at parties, or they can see him in action at his new job at Mono Loco at 200 Water St. near the Downtown Mall.
Short lines? Forget about it
As usual, students can expect long lines today for short course registration. Yesterday students began waiting in line to sign up for the short course of their choice two hours before registration at the Student Activities Building officially started.
"Students like these classes, since they get their minds off the classroom," said Krista Mathis, a fourth-year College student and University Union short courses chairwoman.
Mathis said the more popular classes -- prep step and bartending -- fill up during the first 20 minutes of each registration day.
A waiting list for each class holds the names of the first 10 students who could not get into the class.
Second-year College student Gretta Thorn teaches one of the most popular courses, swing dance, with second-year College student Matt Smiley. The class consists of 15 couples and will focus on the Lindy-Hop -- the prototypical swing dance.
"We're teaching the class some moves so people can get out and dance without feeling nervous," Thorn said.
Thorn and Smiley, who taught the course last year, have extensive experience both in teaching and performing. The pair has taught in Charlottesville as well as in Washington, D.C., and they have performed together and separately in the D.C. area for various events.
"I like to teach because it keeps me close to dancing," Thorn said. "I'd say it's more than a hobby."
Registration will continue today at the SAB from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Commerce School Career Day
Perspective employers will besiege Grounds tomorrow in search of a few good students to employ.
The annual Commerce School Career Day features representatives from about 110 companies who are interested in hiring Commerce students as well as students from all educational backgrounds at the University.
"The focus tends to be on Commerce students. But it's a great opportunity for other University students as well," Corporation Coordinator Mary Gentry said.
James McBride, University director at the Office of Career Planning and Placement, agreed.
"I'm surprised at how well Arts & Sciences students do with these companies," McBride said.
Students should bring resumes to the event, which goes from noon until 4 p.m.
"These events are good ways to test out certain career fields. On Friday, students can find out if the business field is the way they want to go," McBride said.
--Compiled by Andrew Merson and Christie McLaughlin
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