Consequence Video// Graphic Design BFA Exhibit

Hi all,

I just realized the Consequence video wasn't working, oops! I put up a new one, so I hope it's better. Sorry about that!

Also, I went to the opening night of the Graphic Design BFA Exhibit at Seigfred Hall last night and it was amazing! There were a lot of really great concepts, all by the class of 2010!

I definitely recommend going.

*Also, it has come to my attention that AWC's Bark Fest has been rescheduled for Tuesday, May 25th... same time, same place.

That's all for now.
Happy Wednesday!

Julie

This Week in Athens: May 16th - May 23rd

Hey guys,

First off, I know it's week 8 and everyone is super busy, so good luck with all of your studies! I know it's hard when the sun is shining and the birds are singing, and virtually the rest of the college world is on summer break, but you can do it! We're all in this together.

Second, I just wanted to say thanks to everyone who has been keeping up with my posts over the past few weeks of this project. It has really meant a lot to me! I've had a really fun time with this blog, and I'm thinking of keeping it going through my last year here in Athens... what do you guys think? I would love to take any suggestions anyone has out there, and definitely keep the posts coming! I really do look forward to reading them each week. This will be my last post for awhile, but I always have my eye out for good deals in the area, and I look forward to letting you know about what I find in the future! Thanks again for everything, and keep checking back here because I still have plenty of ideas! Here's what I plan on tackling sometime soon....

* Places in Athens you've probably never been: The Purple Chopsticks, Dela Zona & Indian Star
* Fine dining experiences... which has the most worth for your money?
* The cutest (and most affordable) accessories on Court St.
* Coffeehouses... quality vs. price
* Online college dining resources Campusmenus.com and Eatcollege.com: Coupons, deals and more

But for now, I will leave you with a compilation of events taking place this week. So if you do have time to take a study break, you'll be able to have fun - as always - on a budget :)


Monday:
* Study day!

Tuesday:

*2010 Graphic Design BFA Exhibition Opening:
7pm to 9pm Seigfred Hall, Ohio University Art Gallery

Free show featuring projects designed and created by the graduating Graphic Design class of 2010. Check out their website if you're interested in viewing the artwork before the show!

The exhibition will remain open until Saturday, May 29th. Gallery hours are 10:00am-4:00pm.

(http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=124669447548145&ref=ts#!/event.php?eid=119785678045728&ref=ts)


* Ohio Men's Baseball vs. Xavier

Last home game of the 2010 season, 6pm Bob Wren Stadium
Tickets free for all Ohio University students, and $5 dollars for any single ticket!
(For more pictures of the team, go to my post Take Me Out to the Ball Game.)

* Sushi Tuesday's at Lui Lui Restaurant

* Retro Night at PigSkin: .50 cent drafts and DJ Aroc
Also, check out their online coupons here. Pigskin is known for having great deals!


Wednesday:
* $5 dollar Liquor Pitchers: Lucky's Sports Tavern

* .50 cent slice night at Courtside Pizza and Sports Bar, plus $1.00 shots & $1.50 wells; 9:00pm - Close


Thursday:

*First Annual Bark Fest, 2010: Hosted by OU's Association for Women in Communication; 3-7pm, Howard Hall Site

A philanthropy event for the Athens Humane Society. There will be raffles from local businesses, and dogs from the Humane Society will be present through the afternoon, so bring your dogs too!
(http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=124669447548145&ref=ts#!/event.php?eid=120318157985835&ref=ts)

Free Food. Cute Dogs. Sweet Prizes.
Can't get any better then that!

* Free Canoeing and Swimming trip: Outdoor Pursuits
Every Thursday in May 5:30pm-8:30pm

Trips depart from the Outdoor Pursuits Rental Center.

No registration is required, just show up! Transportation, instruction and all required gear will be provided at no cost.

(http://www.ohio.edu/recreation/op/SCHEDULETripsSpr10.html)

Next Week: May 27, Canoeing and Swimming at Dow Lake

* May Day OU 2010: 5 pm, McCracken Field
Featuring free performances by hip hop artists Clipse and Consequence

Check out the videos below for a sample of their music...


(Caution: may include explicit material)



Hosted by OU organizations: Backdrop Magazine, BSCPB, UPC, ImPRessions, SAC, and Vision Ohio.

* School of Dance Concert: Shirley Wimmer Theatre, Putnam Hall
Thursday and Friday at 8pm, Saturday at 2pm and 8pm

The Ohio University School of Dance presents their School of Dance Spring Concert. Come see performances by the Senior Class 2010, guest artists and students alike. I go to these performances every quarter, and they are always great! (Free ticket with a valid student Id)

* $2 Mega Mug Night at Red Brick Tavern; one of the most popular, and best, deals of the week.


Friday:

* Relay for Life at the Athens County Fairgrounds, 286 West Union Street!

Whether you camp out with a team, or just come out and walk around the track, you'll be helping a great cause.

Takes place 5p.m. to 11 a.m. on Saturday.



Saturday:

* If you have the extra money to splurge ($20)... 7 Fest, the seventh installment of the premier college campus outdoor music festival is taking place at 7755 Williams Road from 11am to 11pm Saturday, May 22nd. Tickets can be purchased uptown at Courtside, Yannis or Sundries.



(http://www.athens6fest.com/SixFest.WeRunOU/images/stories/5fest030.jpg)

Set list includes: Bourbon Kings, iPhonic, The Forties, Fam Fresh, DJ Edski, Mt Carmel, The One Eyed Show, Downplay, L.e, Jesty Beatz, B. YONEST, Mike Posner.

For more information go to the 7 Fest site.


Sunday

Take a day to relax :)


By the way, if you're interested in more restaurant and bar promotions, check out campusmenus.com for a full list of nightly and monthly specials, and happy hour promotions.

I tend to check this daily. They have so many great deals!



Anyway, that's all for now Athens. Thanks for everything!


Julie

Boston-based band to play free concert at Jackie O's

Looking for something fun to do on your Friday night? Join rock infused, jazz trio Dear Havanah at Jackie O's Irish Pub and Brewery tonight at 9pm for a free concert.

That's right, I said free! The Boston-based band, formed in 2008, is currently in the middle of their Ohio Sun Tour, promoting an upcoming album set for release sometime this summer.

(http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=836500622#!/photo.php?pid=4218687&id=55992749618&fbid=220860489618)

After playing a free, two-hour show at the Front Room coffee house in Baker University Center Wednesday night, they'll be rocking out again tonight - in a show not only free for students, but for anyone in Athens looking to have a locally brewed beer and listen to some good music.

Not everything free is worth it, but I tell you, this show will definitely be.

Connor Ridic Goddard of the University Program Council (UPC), the program behind booking the band for the University, said, "they are so excited to be back in Athens since last spring." This is the band's second year in a row playing at Ohio University. Last year, they made a stop in Athens to promote their first album, Chasing Butterflies, which was released in December of 2008.


(http://cache0.bigcartel.com/product_images/2055317/300.jpg)

Band members consist of Colin Healy on electric bass, Mike Blong on drums, percussion and background vocals, and Dan Htoo-Levine, lead vocalist, acoustic guitarist, and harmonicist who, according to the band's website, has been writing songs and strumming the acoustic guitar since the age of 11.

"I saw these guys on their trip through last year, and they rocked," said Lee Santelle, junior Ohio University student majoring in audio production. "Their brand of tight country/blues is hard to do, and they do it well. Good show."

Their honest lyrics, rhythmic hooks and laid-back shows are what make them unique.

Laura Baskin, junior Ohio University student majoring in psychology agrees. "I really liked their acoustic feel."

The band is slowly making themselves nationally known as they tour clubs and college campuses from the Northeast across the Midwest. In the recording studio, Dear Havanah is currently collaborating with Alan Evans, drummer of Soulive, a jazz/funk trio originating from Buffalo, New York. Evans is working on producing their untitled album at Playonbrother Studios in Hatfield, Ma.

(http://www.dearhavanah.com/img/head_bg.jpg)
From Left: Colin Healy, Dan Htoo-Levine and Mike Blong.

This year, the trio is accompanied on their tour by a horn section, including two saxophone players, an organ player and electric guitarist, giving the group a new edge to their sound.

Blong, originally from Hudson, OH, describes the band as being influenced by many styles of music, but particularly the works of the Black Crowes and Dave Matthews Band, as described in an article in The Post. I went to high school with Blong, and he is a talented musician who played percussion in both marching and concert bands, participated in the percussion ensemble and went on to attend the Berklee College of Music. I've been appreciative of Blong's musicianship for years, and when I heard he was in a new band I was immediately interested.

Since Dear Havanah came to perform at OU last year, I've been a fan. I've now seen them twice, and with up-beat and engaging music, these energetic musicians never fail to put on a fantastic performance. Here are a few pictures from Wednesday night's show.



If you're curious about their sound, check out the video below. With enticing lyrics and a great feel, this live performance of "The Rain" features the full band and is definitely my favorite song of theirs. If you like what you hear, definitely stop buy Jackie O's tonight - it'll be well worth it. Also, the band is offering 3 free download off Chasing Butterflies on their website, so definitely check that out as well.



So take a break from paying covers, Athens, and worry only about paying for your drinks tonight. Come out, sit back, and enjoy the show... for free!

Follow the boys on Twitter, Myspace and Facebook, or read their band blog here.

Athens' Favorite Forthmeal

We all know that fest season is the best season. And with drinking all day and drinking all night, fourthmeal is almost unavoidable. Fourthmeal, you know, the meal between breakfast and dinner, is probably the best meal of the day for any college student. With Wendy's, Chipotle and Quiznos all on the same block, Court Street is an epicenter for Athens late-night food... and those are just the chain restaurants.

In local vs. chain, greasy vs. healthy, who can surpass the competition and come out on top as Athens' favorite fourthmeal? Let's find out. In a sampling of Ohio University students, these were the top favorites...

#3 Souvlaki's Mediterranean
9 West State Street

Ashlee Bonham says,
Why it's her favorite: Lots of variety
Favorite menu item(s): Chicken gyro; about $4.50

Zach Leach says,
Why it's his favorite: Open Late
Favorite menu item(s): Cheese sticks and spicy fries; $8

* Open till 3am or later

#2 O'Betty's Red Hot
15 West State Street

Maggie Mackura says,

Why it's her favorite: "(The) chili cheese fries are amazing and so are the hot dogs."

Favorite menu item(s): Dixie w/o onions and chili cheese fries; $6.50 (http://www.roadfood.com/photos/8622.jpg)

Ben Harshbarger says,
Why it's his favorite: Loves hot dogs
Favorite menu item(s): 2 hot dogs + chili cheese fries; $8

* Window open till 3am, Monday - Saturday

Tied for 1st, the winners are...

#1 Goodfellas
35 North Court Street and 6 West Union Street

Allie Cody says,
Why it's her favorite: "Best pizza ever! And cheap!"

Favorite menu item(s): Cheese Pizza; $2

Bradley Lang says,
Why it's his favorite: Good price for the amount of food


(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTsXwbuc56YqbKPDJ5xmQYDaPscAs7YZ3_j_weFf7AfnuVxmq3M_d4FWgutP6QXdN832EC7Um6mlPQ9CelZZ2Gm5O9RfBaYxmBEb7BcMy8Siweswg7Ze6YLyqxghJ3c4S_q2lzb4mH2k60/s320/Goodfellas+pie.jpg)

Favorite menu item(s): "Three pieces of pepperoni pizza because I save 50 cents." 3 slices for $5.50

* Open till 3am everyday, even Sundays! Now delivers.
(Check out this blog post from another OU student praising Goodfellas)

#1 Big Mama's Burritos
10 South Court Street

Kelsie Long says,
Why it's her favorite: "Because it's better and cheaper than Chipotle. Plus you can basically get anything in a burrito."
Favorite menu item(s): Buffalo Chicken Burrito; $5.49

Emma Clark says,
Why it's her favorite: "The best burritos in town! Plus, if you don't want a lot you can get a baby and not spend as much."
Favorite menu item(s): Baby Chipotle Ranch Burrito; $3.25


(http://consumer.discoverohio.com/graphics/listings/photo/7484_thumb_1112007104130.jpg)
* Open till 3am, free lunch delivery from 11am to 2pm

Honorable Mentions

Pita Pit - Healthiest
Sam Reed said,
Why it's her favorite: "It's somewhat healthy... compared to DP Dough or Wendy's at least."

Favorite menu item(s): Chicken Pita w/ veggies, hotsauce and ranch; $6.50ish

(http://www.getpitas.com/images/PitaBackgroundPhoto.jpg)
*Thursday - Friday open till 4am, Sunday - Wednesday till 3am,
Thurs. - Sat. 11AM to 4AM

DP Dough - Best Calzones

Ashley Reed said,
Why it's her favorite: "Only the best food in Athens!"

Favorite menu item(s): Roni Zone w/ ranch; around $6
*Mon - Wed 3am, Thurs - Sat 4am,
Sunday 2am; delivers

(http://citypaper.net/blogs/mealticket/files/2009/08/dpdoughcombatzone.jpg)

The Burrito Buggy - An Athens staple

Monique Williamson said,
Why it's her favorite: "They have late night tacos."

Favorite menu item(s): Jumbo Chicken Taco w/ jalapenos; $3
*Open late

(http://www.athenshub.com/rpics/burritobuggy.jpg)


Jimmy John's -
"Freaky Fast" delivery

Chris Slota said,
Favorite menu item(s): Pepe (real applewood smoked ham and provolone cheese garnished with lettuce, tomato and mayo); $4.75
*Open till 3:30am

(http://www.fox-companies.com/jimmy_johns_store_image_22.jpg)

Check out campusmenus.com and eatcollege.com for online delivery options and coupons for YOUR favorite Athens food.

And hey, if you're 21, don't forget the bars. Athens has some of the best bar food around (i.e. Pigskin, Casa Nueva). Most of the bars uptown feature a full menu, so next time you're thinking of leaving your friends for a hot dog at the Snackbox, ask to see if the bar has a menu. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.

Local Dollar Stores... Worth it, or not?

Family Dollar vs. Dollar Tree
We've all seen it. Sitting there on Carpenter Street in all its mystery... the Family Dollar.

The concept of the dollar store has always been a hook, especially for poor college students who don't have much of an income. But it seems every time I go into one, it turns out to be a collection of worthless items no one would ever care to buy.

(http://images.businessweek.com/ss/08/11/1106_dividend_aristocrats/image/12_family_dollar_stores.jpg)

As far as Family Dollar goes, I've never been. Personally, it seems a bit sketchy - a townie shopping haven. But, at the same, time I've always been kinda curious about it. What kind of items do they offer? Is everything really a dollar? Should I go in and check it out? The answer has always been a mental "maybe some other time"... until now.

This is Athens on a budget, right? So what the hell. Might as well give it a shot and see if the local Athens dollar stores are actually worth the look-around. So sit back while I take you on a virtual tour of the Athens dollar stores. Family Dollar vs. Dollar Tree.

Family Dollar
The Family Dollar is (as predicted) a little bit sketchy, but definitely but not as bad as I had predicted. When I got there, they had a sidewalk sale of koozies, coolers, tank tops and other nice-weather geared items to greet guests at the door. They also had a full section of apparel, on top of the groceries and other items available, which was unexpected.

Unfortunately, the Family Dollar is a little misleading in the vein that it's not, in fact, a true dollar store.

The tank tops in the sidewalk sale? 3 dollars. Coolers? 14. Not quite as appealing. Especially when there's a Walmart right down the street.


But surprisingly enough, I was able to put together a cute spring outfit in light of the fests this weekend... all for under 30 bucks. A little steep, but still reasonable. And a full outfit for 30 bucks is nearly impossible to pull off, so that's pretty good!


Ruffle Tank: $7

Shorts: $6

Black Flip Flops (can go with anything): $1

Silver-Rimmed Aviators: $6

Silver Hoop Earrings: $1.49

Paisley Black and White Tote: $6

*Add a Miller Light Koozie and a vile of knock-off Chanel No. 9, each a dollar.

Total: $29.49 with tax

"They had some cute tops, which was surprising," said Ohio University Senior Ashlee Bonham, who had also never been to the Family Dollar and decided to check it out.

Unfortunately, the Family Dollar doesn't have a fitting room, so you're on your own when it comes to sizing. But if whatever you buy doesn't fit, no worries. Returns are always accepted with a valid receipt. I even walked out with a cute pair of knock-off, tortoise-colored Ray Bans. Super cute and edgy, and only 6 bucks.

And the attendant even clipped off the tag for me so I could wear them out :)

Overall, the Family Dollar wouldn't be a place I would shop on a regular basis, but it's definitely worth a try. Check out their website for coupons.

Dollar Tree
At the Dollar Tree on East State Street, everything is officially a dollar! No ifs, ands or buts about it. They also had sidewalk sale items, graduation and Forth of July displays, a section of toys for the kids, and even a full isle of glassware and ceramic dishware! Aside from the not having a full apparel section (they do have a few items), this is clearly the better store. A bigger and better selection and more of a variety, if you're looking for a true dollar store in Athens, this is the one for you. Check out the pictures below, and if you've never been before, definitely go and check it out for yourself! They pretty much have just about anything, so you won't be disappointed.



Pros and Cons
To sum it all up...

Family Dollar:
Pros
* Apparel and jewelry items
* Within walking distance from campus
Cons
* Not everything is a dollar
* Kinda sketchy

Dollar Tree:
Pros
* Everything is a dollar!
* Big store and great variety
Cons
* No apparel
* Have to drive there


Happy shopping :)

Movies 10: 4 Dollars, All Ages, All the Time

Well, the beautiful weekend weather didn't really hold up as forecasted, did it? After a full Friday of high temps, blue skies and no precipitation, the last few days have consisted of rain, rain and more rain in a weather 180°.
(http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/images/uploads/movie_theatre.gif)

Luckily, the Moms Walk for a Cure was able to come and go without a single raindrop, but most of the weekend events moved indoors. Because we all know in Athens, when it rains it pours.

But the great thing about this city is, whether it's a show uptown or a university event, there's constantly something to do - despite the rain. And even on a lazy, rainy Sunday, there's always the chance to catch up on recent box office flicks. Below is a compilation of the best local theaters, their prices and attractions.

The Athena
Although The Athena uptown offers 5 dollar matinee tickets, 4 dollar movie Tuesdays and free Arts for Ohio Cinematheque screenings for all Ohio University Students, sometimes you just want to see a mainstream movie. In a theater that offers independent films, and usually only 3-4 movies at a time, mainstream movies aren't really an option.

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3056/2819617194_d7a6e28367.jpg)

The Athena Grand
Your next closest bet is Athena Grand on East State Street. Offering 3D movie options, a small arcade and a broad range of concessions snacks (including over 12 flavored popcorn toppings - yum!), it's pretty much your basic local movie theater. But with tickets at 6.50 (12 to 13 dollars for 3D films), plus food and arcade games, a trip to the movies quickly turns into costing the price of a full tank of gas.

(http://www.facebook.com/pages/Athens-OH/Athena-Grand/101425333232551?v=wall#!/photo.php?pid=8163&id=101425333232551&fbid=101520463223038)

Movies 10
So all you avid Athena Grand goers out there, listen up. I will let you in on a local student secret. Only 7 minutes north of Athens on US Route 33 in Nelsonville, OH, is Movies 10 theater. Although it's further from town, it's more than well-worth the trip.

First of all, they just built a brand new, amusement park-sized arcade facility called the Fun Barn featuring more games than you can count, a mini bowling alley, bumper cars, food court and the only flight simulator in the state. Check out this article by Athens Midday for more information on the Fun Barn, as well as the video below showcasing their main attractions.



But aside from the Fun Barn, the biggest upside to Movies 10 is the fact that they offer 4 dollar movie tickets for all ages, all the time. And really, nothing gets better than that. And I haven't even mentioned the popcorn prices. Movies 10 also offers a small popcorn or soda for a dollar.

Yes - you did in fact read that correctly. 1 dollar popcorn and soda! So even with all those arcade games, whether before or after the movie, at least you know the movie itself comes at a reasonable price. So hop on the Movies 10 bandwagon - your wallet and bank account will thank you later.

Here's a coupon from the Fun Barn Cafe's blog for your next visit, and until next time... April showers bring May flowers :)

This Moms Weekend, Don't Forget Mother Nature

With the recent Earth Day events on campus, and the annual Athens Beautification Day coming up this Sunday, I've definitely had the "great outdoors" on my mind. And as the cherry blossoms bloom and the tulips unfold, shaking off the last cold from winter, Athens gets more and more beautiful with every spring day. With the weather so nice, who wants to waste the day indoors?

Unfortunately, on the cusp of midterms, I've felt so overloaded with school, work and life, that I'm rarely able to sit back and enjoy my surroundings. In short, this makes me really sad. So, I've compiled a map of all-things-outdoors in Athens County. And with this in mind, I promise to set aside some time to read a book on my balcony, or sit by the pool this weekend. I plan on going to the Mom's Walk for a Cure with my roommates and our moms, to the Athens Farmers Market (which, I've never been to) and to just sit and relax with an ice, cold beer.

And Athens, I wish for you the same. Take a break from the books and hit the beach at Strouds Run. Go order an iced chai or coffee at one of Athens many coffee shops, and actually sit outside and enjoy the day. With predicted temperatures in the 70's and 80's, you're definitely gonna want to be outside this weekend. So whether your mom is coming down, or you just want to spend some quality time with Mother Nature, here's everything you'll need to know. Take a glace at the map, check the weather and plan your weekend accordingly. Because the best part about being outside is that it's almost always free, and you get to work on your tan :)


View Athens Outdoors in a larger map

By the way, to anyone out there who has suggestions on the blog, or any questions, feel free to let me know! It would be great to get some feedback from what you, as the reader, would like to see posted here each week. Thanks, and looking forward to hearing what you have to say!

Julie