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

Take Me Out to the Ball Game

Looking for something fun to do on a Sunday afternoon? My roommate Laura and I usually lie around the apartment watching the same movies we've seen a hundred times, or various reruns on TV. But, now that the weather is so nice, it's a shame to waste away such beautiful Athens afternoons being couch potatoes!

Something to consider, is going out to Bob Wren Stadium and watching an Ohio Men's Baseball game. Admission is free for all Ohio University students, and only 5 dollars for any single ticket. This weekend Ohio takes on Bowling Green Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and in two weeks they'll be back in Athens to face Buffalo.



The great thing about the games is that you can get a hot dog, peanuts and a soda for under 10 bucks! And sometimes, they even have free hot dog or pizza giveaways! Because what's a baseball game without the food and the ballpark atmosphere? So come out, buy some peanuts and crackerjacks, and support the bobcats at the ballpark. Gates open two hours before the game, and they even have corn hole and a bouncy castle set up for the kiddies :)

Final Score:
BGSU - 12
OU - 5

Check here for a complete season schedule Ohio Baseball and Softball teams.

Date Night Deals: Film Festival & DQ Promotion

If you live in Athens and have yet to experience the Athens International Film and Video Festival, now is the time to go! I know, I know... Ark and High Fests are this weekend. But for real, try taking a break from the keg stands and beer pong and go see some award-winning films.

(Source: http://www.ohio.edu/athens/bldgifs/athena.jpg)

Athens 2010 International
Film + Video Festival
Founded in 1974, the festival annually hosts independent films from around the world, as well as those produced right here in Athens. Starting tomorrow, and running for a solid week, The Athena on Court St., Baker Center Theater and Stuart's Opera House in Nelsonville, are all teaming together to showcase 12 feature films and 56 competition screenings.

This is the perfect opportunity to grab your significant other and catch a flick uptown! And if you happen to miss the film you wanted to see, no sweat. Unfortunately, the competition pieces are only shown once, but each of the 12 feature films have multiple show times throughout the week. View the festival's complete schedule here.

Last year, a friend of mine named Adam Miller was working on a group animation project for his digital media major. That same project was later awarded entry into the Film Festival's animation competition. So on a Saturday afternoon, my roommate Laura and I walked over from High Fest to check it out. Tickets were free with a valid student ID, and we were able to see several great animated features (think Pixar).

Aside from my Adam's hilarious film about a depressed ice cream cone, ironically entitled Nutrition: With Herbert J. Wafflecone, there were several other more professional features included as well. One animated short entitled Procrastination, with animation and direction by John Kelly, visually depicts the true meaning of procrastination - something pretty much anyone can relate to. Watch Procrastination below and view my friend Adam's video here.



This year, another project of Adam's has been entered into the festival. But this time, the film packs more of a punch. Entitled People of the Machine, the film is supposed to be more intense and dramatic, with a plot about a 1960-type society that puts all of its knowledge into making a machine, and then has to learn to live with it.

"I'm curious to see the reaction the film gets from the crowd, because we've gotten a tremendous amount better than we were last year" Adam says. "It's cool to see your work up against professionals. And while it kind of gives us a jolt of reality, I'm really looking forward to seeing what other films get in."

The animation competition takes place at the Athena on Monday, April 26th, at 10 p.m. If you're looking for a good laugh, I definitely recommend it! And like I said before, luckily for us Ohio University students, Arts for Ohio provides free tickets to anyone with a valid student ID!

For those of you out there who aren't students, or for anyone who wants to bring a parent or sibling, you're in luck. Any matinee before 5pm at the Athena is free, as well as all screenings at Baker Center Theater. For all shows after 5pm, tickets are 5 dollars and after 6pm, tickets are 6.50 (5.50 for seniors or children). Pre-sale options begin on Friday at 1pm, and there is also a 6-show screening pass available for 30 dollars.

So like I said, take a break from High or Ark Fest this weekend (whichever your preference) and go to the film festival. You won't regret it!


Happy Birthday DQ
If you're hungry after the movie, swing by DQ on 70 Columbus Rd. (right past Dirty Deeds on N. Lancaster) and partake in the celebration of Dairy Queen's 25th birthday! Because who doesn't like a frozen snack on an evening out with friends? All week across the country you can get any two medium sized DQ blizzards - one regularly priced at 3.50 and another for only 25 cents!

With 25 different flavors, including my personal favorite Thin Mint (mint ice cream with crushed Girl Scout Thin Mint cookies), this is a steal that any ice cream lover would go crazy for! When I went, the parking lot was packed and the drive-thru was full. So hurry while you can, because the promotion only lasts til Sunday! Perfect for a date night, or late night, this is one sweet deal :)

Have a great weekend Athens!

Julie

Mug Club & Liquor Pitchers: Lucky's Sports Tavern

After a weekend of birthdays, bars and a beer Olympics with friends, it's definitely one of those hungover Sundays. As I relax on the couch watching Knocked Up on E! eating leftover Taco John's, everything from the weekend comes rushing back... the inside jokes, funny moments and one-on-one talks that truly make my friends great.

One bit of information that particularly sticks out from the weekend, is finding out about the "Mug Club" at Lucky's Sports Tavern on Court Street. The "Mug Club" is a discount offered at Lucky's that lasts all quarter.

(source: http://www.myspace.com/luckyssportstavern)

As a club member, you'll receive:
* Special discounts on mixed drinks
* Reduced shot prices every Monday, and
* 1.50 drafts anytime

To join the club, all new members pay 25 dollars. But for renewing members, it's only 20 bucks. For this price, Lucky's staff will assign you to a specific mug on a shelf behind the bar, and put your name on it with a little key chain. How cool is that concept, to have a glass reserved for you uptown 24/7? Although renewing members had to pay by April 7th, new members can join anytime - that is, until the mugs run out. The earlier you join, the more bang you'll get for your buck... but the clock is ticking.

Another really popular promotion at Lucky's, are their 5 dollar liquor pitchers offered every Wednesday night. Served in a Budweiser pitcher of about 54 oz, you can get literally any mixed drink. But this way, instead of one drink for 3 or 4 bucks, you'll get a little over four of your favorite drinks for only 5 dollars! This is seriously one of the best deals in Athens. Below are my friends and I on St. Patrick's Day this year, celebrating with Lucky's Lemonade Liquor Pitchers dyed green for the holiday!

Although Lucky's is locally known as the "Steelers bar," all who like to drink, eat and mingle with friends are welcome. Coming from a die hard Cleveland Browns fan, as long as I've got a Lucky's Lemonade in my hand, screw the rivalry. It's a great place for food, friends and to just sit back and socialize or watch the game. Follow them on Facebook, MySpace or Twitter for more information on the "Mug Club," and other Lucky's promotions.

Cheers!
Julie

Just for fun:
Can you name all the Athens bars? Check out Sporcle for this fun quiz.

Sushi Tuesdays at Lui Lui Restaurant

Ever get the craving for some good, local sushi? No, not that overpriced packaged Okami shit at Baker's West 82. I mean fresh, hand rolled stuff. I've tried the California Rolls at Baker multiple times hoping it might be better each time, but it never was and it never will because it's packaged. Packaged sushi tends to be very dry, and never fails to crumble apart in your hand. Nobody wants to sit in the cafeteria scooping rice chunks out of their soy sauce. Sushi on campus is important, but not that important.

Okay, so back to good sushi. My roommate Laura Baskin was walking to the HDL center for work one afternoon and a huge sign reading 'Tuesday Sushi Special' caught her eye in a nearby window. This is when she discovered Lui Lui Restaurant next to the Oak Room on Station Street. Soon after, we decided to check it out.


Every Tuesday night they offer a wide range of sushi combinations at super low prices. Anything from salmon, tuna, eel, scallops, shrimp and even crab - they've got it. Unfortunately though, it's only on Tuesday nights. On a regular basis they serve the California and New York Rolls, but they're more expensive during the rest of the week.

But on Tuesday, the Lui Lui basic California Roll is priced at 4.50, a dollar less than West 82's 5.25 and Kroger's whopping 5.86. And all rolls on the menu are between 4 and 8 bucks, depending on what's in them.

Laura and I both took forever to decide what to get - everything looked so good! I finally decided on the Shrimp Tempura (battered and lightly fried shrimp, with green onion) and Laura got the New York Roll (smoked salmon rolled with avacado, cream cheese and wasabi). We also ordered the Dragon Roll to split (crab and avacado rolled inside out topped with eel). They brought it all out on a plate and everything was presented so nicely. Not to mention, the food itself was just incredible...

(left: NY roll, right: shrimp tempura, furthest back: dragon roll)

The Dragon Roll was by far the best, but it was all really good. And what's great about Lui Lui is that it's so close to campus. Only a short walking distance from Bromley, Baker and uptown, it's the perfect spot for lunch on a Tuesday afternoon! With good food, low prices, and a comfortable atmosphere, what more could anyone ask for?



Take a look at their complete sushi menu if you're interested, and check it out for yourself. Trust, me you won't be disappointed. And if you become a fan of theirs on Facebook, you can receive even more discounts. It says right at the bottom of their Sushi 101 post that they'll give anyone a free sushi a la carte order by simply mentioning the post! And guys, if you're not a big fan of sushi, Lui Lui also has a full menu including wok items, seafood, pasta, pizza and even vegetarian entrees. Their general lunch menu is also very reasonable with all items costing under 7 dollars. See Athens, I've got your back :)

Happy eating!

Welcome Fellow Bobcats

Hi all, this is a blog all about doing fun things in Athens and the surrounding area – all on a student budget!

Like many of you at Ohio University, I'm a poor college student trying to scrape by on a minimal salary. But, at the same time, I love going out in the community and having a good time just like everyone else does. And the best part about living here is there's always something to do, whether it's spending time outdoors, dining out, seeing a local band perform, or going to the bars.

Unfortunately, like anything else, things like this can add up and often get a little pricey – and for college kids like us, we can’t always afford this luxury.

My mission wilI be to find the best local bang for your buck, so to speak. I'll be hitting up local hot spots, as well as community and university events, and logging my finding all in an effort to benefit you, as well as myself.

So check back here each week to find the best deals in Athens!