Penn State: Road to Recovery

Let’s start a riot. Penn State students have been thrust in to the turmoil currently facing their school. In the past two weeks they have lost a president, a coach, and most recently their credibility.

Students rioted in the streets facing tear gas and police force. Yet that have yet to face their biggest obstacle: the facts.

Regardless of who is specifically at fault, laws were broken. The university did what they thought was best for the school and for the community as a whole.

A detailed summary of the crimes that resulted in the firing of multiple Penn State affiliates including Joe Paterno can be found in the Grand Jury’s report regarding Sandusky. Grand Jury Report

Penn State has a long journey on the road to recovering their reputation. Years of violence against young boys went unnoticed and many people who had privilege to this information remained silent. 

Students began rioting in the streets not because of these injustices but because their football coach was fired. Students tipped over a media van chanting “one more game!”

The desire to have coach Joe Paterno reinstated resulted in violent acts including lighting fires on local streets. ”Joe Paterno is bigger than football,” said Jen Knoll a senior at Penn State, but that is exactly what the students are reducing this incident to, football.

Yet no one rioted for the boys who were raped and silenced. No one rioted for the lives that were forever altered in those locker rooms.

Instead students rioted over one man, one more football game, and one result: get Joe Pa back. These outrageous riots in the streets lost students their credibility as sound-minded individuals and manifested as rowdy school children.

These acts of outrage finally subsided. When these torrents of discontent ceased, Penn State took a step on the road to recovery.

Slowly but surely, students may be realizing that football is just a game and they are more than what headlines are proclaiming.

The community of a school is not defined by one horrible act. Yet, how a student body comes together in the face of scandal or heartbreak can speak volumes.

Some Penn State students attended the last game of the season adorned in blue. This blue showed more than school spirit, it was a response to all those victimized. The “blue out” was in support of foundations that advocated against child abuse.

As fans glanced over and saw that sea of blue, students finally got the response they not only wanted but also greatly needed. People stopped and saw that Penn State’s reputation may be damaged but it is not broken.

The peaceful response of students showed that despite allegations and rioting, there was grief. That is community. That is a positive lifestyle. “We are Penn State,” as Knoll so tactfully put it, “and we will not be defeated."


-KP

Lessons Learned from Black Friday

It was the night of Thanksgiving when I see my parents and family friends scrounging for deals in the newspaper. Coupon clippings were all that I could see on the evening before the biggest shopping day of the year. It has basically represented the Superbowl of shopping since only the strong willed and disciplined people are able to brave the cold winds and stand outside in long lines before midnight. 

This year, Black Friday brought the biggest vengeance since the death of a Walmart worker a couple years ago. Since stores had earlier opening times, a woman in LA who was trying to buy an Xbox used pepper spray on nearby customers to gain an advantage on the limited amount of products. Many shoplifters were bloodied by cops in Phoenix, and shots were fired near a California mall. It was important to be extra careful that day, so when I went out to shop and score some deals, I learned a few lessons along the way. 

The hottest and cheapest deals have the most scarcity. The idea of luring customers with a few doorbuster deals has been a staple of businesses during Black Friday. They thrive on the idea of scarcity and when something is scarce, it’s more valued.  However, I realized that waiting in long lines is not really worth it because once you get into the store, the best deals are usually gone. It was a little too late when I realized that the $12 hoodies from Aeropostale were already gone.

If you don’t wake up in time, it’s not the end of the world. Most deals last longer than the opening hours of the day and they usually last all the way till Sunday. I thought it would be impossible to score $13 shoes from Payless but when I came back to campus on Sunday, I still had time to drive and get two pairs of shoes before 5pm. 

It’s better to go after a niche of similar items. Trust me, it’s a lot easier just buying clothes on one day rather than trying to score everything on your list. For example, you will save time and probably have the leisure to get the most scarce and hottest deals if you go after only electronics than trying to also buy toys and clothes. There will be less stores to drive to and you will probably be less tired. 

Be smarter than the marketing team and DO NOT impulse buy. It is so easy to get lost in the hussle of wanting to buy everything on Black Friday that we sometimes waste more money than actually saving. Keep a list of everything that you need to buy and do not go beyond that. If you see a deal at a store that you did not know about, reduce your urge to buy and grab some gum instead to keep you at bay.

 -Sarah Hasnain

Harrisonburg Gift Ideas

Wondering what to get your loved one this holiday?  Downtown Harrisonburg offers many unique options for this gift-giving season.  Here is a list of some stores and what they have to offer.

Artisan’s Hope - http://www.artisanshope.com/

This store has a wide variety of fair-trade, sustainable, and environmentally friendly gifts.  It contains everything from scarves and jewelry to hammocks and vases.  Come in to check out unique gifts from all over the globe.    

The Yellow Button - http://www.shopyellowbutton.com/

Have a fashionista on your list?  The yellow button will be the perfect stopping point for you.  This chic boutique has racks upon racks of colorful, brand-name clothing that will be sure to please.   

Dragonflies Toys - 540.437.1888

This fun childrens store is great for the youngsters.  Brightly colored toys line the shelves of this quaint shop.  However, do not expect to find Barbies, Tonka Trucks, or other well known brands of toys.  Dragonflies is stocked with unique toys from local or small manufacturers.  

If you’d rather give a hands-on present, think about taking your recipient to You Made It!, a make-your-own pottery store that will allow you to get your creative juices flowing.

If your gift recipient is a foodie, consider buying a gift certificate to one of Downtown Harrisonburg’s many delicious restaurants, such as Clementines, Dave’s Taverna, Jack Browns, or Beyond. 

Happy Shopping!

-RC

How To: Survive the Holidays

Duck, duck, duck...TURKEY!

The holidays are upon us everyone! That means gift-giving, happy family fun time, and delicious food. On the flip side, it also means budget-draining present-searching, awkward small talk with distant relatives, and gaining back all the weight you’ve worked all semester to lose. Still excited?

I’m just kidding, a lot of people like the holidays (including me, although it may not sound like it). I just always seem to find a way to make myself stressed out, but this year I’m going to try a new approach.

First of all, I started buying gifts for my family members back in August, when I still had some money I earned from my summer job. I’m also aiming to make as many gifts as I can myself. This lady-blogger has a whole bunch of great do-it-yourself craft ideas. You can also write letters to people telling them about how you are thankful they are in your life. My brother did this last year for my mom and she cried (out of happiness), so I guess that’s a success for him at literally no cost. If people seem to be displeased with your slice-and-bake cookies or hand-turkey cards, simply reiterate over and over that you are in college and VERY VERY POOR.

But really, who wouldn't want this??  Check out the recipe here.

Ah, family. I personally love my family but sometimes I am just not trying to tell them what I’m majoring in for the fifth time. Family gatherings are not always the most fun part of the holiday but usually there is your aunt’s delicious pecan pie and some funny/embarrassing stories about your dad as a kid. It’s hard to avoid the 5 hours of small talk that come with these gatherings, so my best advice is to adjust your attitude. Remind yourself that you don’t see these people very often, make up lies about your career goals to entertain yourself (“I’m really looking into the circus after college, ‘Water for Elephants’ just really inspired me”), or get a third serving of cake. Whatever you have to do to get through this sacred family time.  Hopefully your family isn't (is?) like this one...

Photo courtesy of awkwardfamilyphotos.com.

Speaking of cake, there’s the exponential increase in calorie consumption that comes with the holiday season. Not everybody is a calorie counter, and it’s my belief that no one should be during the holiday months. I’m in no way a health-nazi, but diet and exercise are certainly interests of me, mostly because I’m a huge nerd (if you ever want to talk about carbohydrates or fat calories holla at me). However, I do miss the days of my childhood when I could eat 8 cookies without thinking twice about it. Regarding turkey, stuffing, macaroni and cheese, and 17 assorted desserts, just be smart about it and take it in moderation. Also, remember that you can always exercise but you cannot always stuff your face with biscuits. Don’t let your fear of gaining weight keep you from eating what you want, and keep these habits in mind.

Hopefully you’re still excited about the upcoming celebrations and remember to enjoy all the great parts of the holidays. I know I’m about to enjoy one great part…I think I smell my mom’s sausage bread, and I think it’s my responsibility to go check on that…Happy Thanksgiving!

-SD

How To: Make Your Own Cleaning Supplies

Although most of us would much rather go to Walmart and just buy generic cleaning products, there are other alternative ways to save our money such as making our own cleaning supplies. Not only does it save money in our wallets, it makes good environmental sense as well. Homemade cleaning agents are much safer and healthier for everyone because it does not contain some of the harsh chemicals that are found in many store bought cleaners. It’s a lot easier than what you may think, as long as you have the desire to get clean and green. 

 

 WHAT SUPPLIES YOU’LL NEED:

You need very few supplies to make homemade cleaning products. Most of the items you need will most likely be around the house already.

1. A few plain old spray bottles. You can purchase some, or clean out your old ones (the ones that had icky cleaners in them) and reuse them.
2. Box of baking soda.
3. Table salt.
4. Bottle of white distilled vinegar.
5. Good old plain tap water.
6. Olive oil.
7. Natural soap
8. Fresh lemons.
9. Organic essential oil of tea tree, lavender, eucalyptus, lemongrass and rosemary. You don’t need all of them, but having at least a couple on hand is helpful.
10. Some eco-friendly sponges or cloths. Or simply buy a pack of washcloths, use old cloth diapers, make cloths out of ripped clothes, and so on.

EASY, GREEN CLEANING SUPPLY RECIPES:

Window wash: Many people who are die-hard into green cleaning love vinegar and water as a window wash. Simply mix 3 tablespoons vinegar with 2 cups of water (or for a bigger job – 1/2 cup vinegar to 1 gallon water) and spray right on your windows. Vinegar works great on glass but I also hunted down an alternative one in case you don’t like the smell. You can also use straight fresh lemon juice or club soda to get your windows and other glass items sparkling clean. Spritz your glass with club soda and scrub with recycled newspaper. If you use straight lemon juice, use a lint-free cloth to scrub with.

All-purpose disinfectant: Mix 2 cups water, a few drops of natural soap, and 15 drops each of tea tree and lavender organic essential oil. You can spray this on all kinds of home surfaces – changing tables, cutting boards, toilets, sinks, walls, and more. Just don’t use this on glass, as it will streak. This basic cleaner is so safe and gentle you could literally spray it on anyone, and they’d be fine.  

Scrubbing toilets: Drizzle your toilet bowl with vinegar, lemon juice, or spray on some of your all-purpose disinfectant. Sprinkle with baking soda. Let it sit for 10 minutes. Scrub with toilet brush. This mix will also clean sinks perfectly.

Fast non-toxic oven cleaning: You don’t want to use conventional oven cleaners – any product that requires open windows and gloves to use, is not ok to use around yourself. The best tip is to not wait to clean your oven when it gets dirty. An old stain is harder to clean. To clean oven stains naturally, sprinkle table salt liberally on the hot spill before your oven cools down. Allow the oven to cool. Grab a damp cloth and rub off the spill.

Courtesy of http://www.inhabitots.com/how-to-make-kid-safe-homemade-green-cleaning-supplies/

-Sarah Hasnain

Get Cookin'

I'm hungry. The constant plight of the college student is that ever present pang of hunger that seems to stick in our gullet. I am not sure if there's actual statistics out there but I believe hunger increases 99% from the transition to high school to our college years. Maybe our mother's encode a self activating DNA chip that begins to work the first day of our higher education. This ensures we will always be grateful for her cooking and never again will we grumble about having to eat leftovers for the third day in a row.

James Madison University is ranked number five in the nation as far as food goes, yet we still manage to brew an insatiable hunger in our bellies. I do not believe it is the quality of the food but the simple fact that after 2-3 meals a day for months on end, dishes get repetitive. We want choices that don't just include what sauce we would like with our nuggets. 

Healthy options can also become daunting. It seems that eating healthy boils down to which salad to choose or getting a nice big scoop of pre-frozen vegetables heaved on to our plates. Laziness is also an issue. Mrs. Greens is one of the healthiest dining facilities on campus with its all inclusive salad bar full of tantalizing tastiness. When there is snow up to my eyeballs and a windchill that makes Antarctica look like a summer retreat, I am simply not making the trek across campus.

I don't have any money. Who does? Sure we have some dining dollars and that opens up some doors like Chick-fil-A and Quiznos, but sometimes that can be just more of the same with a fancier name. When hunger strikes it is important to answer the call swiftly. Often you can be sitting at your dorm in the middle of a paper that is due in 32 minutes electronically, and BAM, it hits you. Caught unaware and with a pit in your stomach the only options are: resort to cannibalism and eat your troublesome roommate, or make something to snack on.

Whoa, whoa, whoa make something? I live in a dorm and am equipped with a microwave that survived the Disco era and stove that has grime on it that was splashed there by the freshman class of '67. Plus, the Food Network is something my mom watches to drive dad out of the room and to usurp remote control power.

Well before you start hyperventilating or pouring ranch dressing on your roommate, look at this unique list of recipes. All of these can be masterfully created in mere minutes, cheaply, and in the microwave. Before you ask, no I am not insane and yes I am telling the truth. mmm yum

Go ahead, give it a try. All you have to lose is a few minutes, but think of all you have to gain. Maybe a few pounds, but good food never came without sacrifices. There are some healthy options thrown in so be sure to try out those as well, just for appearance sake. Happy eating!

-KP

Getaway

Time to escape. Five classes, fours papers, three tests, two projects, and my last nerve all hang in the balance before Thanksgiving break gets there. The tantalizing thoughts of turkey and pumpkin pie loom just out of reach in these last few days before we are finally released from our cage of academia.

A peaceful retreat and a few moments of peace seem impossible among the hustle and bustle of balancing school and social activities. While budgetary limitations have us living on a diet of freeze dried noodles and frozen vegetables, extra money is just not available for getaways. Sometimes even the library can seem like a breath of fresh air just as a change of pace from stuffy dorms and squalling roommates.

The Arboretum is the perfect escape for students who just need to get away for a while. Tucked away just beside JMU's campus it the perfect place to go for a walk or just sit and rest for a while. Bring a blanket and have a picnic on a sunny fall afternoon. The setting is serene and calming, a true haven in the midst of the busy surrounding area.

If you have an interest in wildlife there are many animals that frequent the area. Feed some ducks and watch as catfish swarm and collect the food you can purchase and throw in to the pond. Birds fly and fill the arboretum with song and resonate a soft soundtrack during your visit. Other wildlife consist of the many dogs that travel along with their owners through the trail that winds around the area. Okay, not so wild, but cute and cuddly nonetheless.

Not a nature person? Try the airport lounge in Warren. It is a quiet place that is sometimes virtually empty on weekdays. It is open til 11p.m. everyday and provides the ideal location to study or even to take a nap when you feel like just having some time to be alone.

The library can be overcrowded sometimes and too noisy to get any real work done. The airport lounge is filled with tables and chairs, and ample amounts of outlets for when your laptop needs recharging. It is also perfectly situated near a Java City where you can go to get your coffee high for the day.

When it is time to getaway, don't spend a lot of money and time doing it. A vacation is just a walk away. Take a moment to "unplug" from your technology, unwind from the busy week, and de-stress from all of the work that you have ahead of you. Take a moment and breathe.



-KP

7 Habits of Highly Effective JMU Students

You know that book that your mom told you you should read?  This one?

Well here's a shorter version just for JMU students.  I don’t want to pretend like I’ve figured out college because there are definitely things I don’t know, like how to get JMU to let me stay here forever, but I've learned a few lessons (some took longer than others) in my time here.

1. Join an organization.   Forgive me for sounding like every college tour guide…ever…but the reason this is the most repeated piece of advice for college is because it’s true.  As a freshman I got organization-happy and am still paying the price (I should really ask to be taken off the club dodgeball listserv), but I found a few clubs that have truly made my experience at JMU.  Being part of an organization breaks up the monotony of going to school and doing homework and allows you to meet people you never would have met otherwise. (And there are certainly plenty to choose from, as you can see from this list.) 
2. Utilize UREC.   I hate working out just as much as the next person, but think of it this way: it’s great people-watching and never again in your life will you have [essentially free] access to a gym with a rock climbing wall in the middle of it.  We all know that staying healthy is important, so going to UREC combined with walking up and down the ISAT hill is a guaranteed way to combat those 3 helpings of buffalo mash. 
3. Get to know your professors.   It’s hard when you’re in a gen-ed religion class of 100 people, but as you get further into your major building relationships with your professors is crucial.  It took me a long time to get over the throw-up-nervousness feeling that attacked me when I thought about going to office hours but it has seriously come in handy, from useful pieces of career advice to letters of recommendation.  I've only heard of a few that bite so don't be scared.
4. Don't take chances with Parking Services.   I learned this one the hard way.  I have a slight problem with authority/following rules, and this combined with my theory that Parking Services has a personal vendetta against me has had a pretty depressing impact on my budget.  If you know that you can’t park somewhere, DON’T.  I don’t know how they manage to ticket people that park illegally for only 15 minutes but they are like vultures.  I’ve parked at Chipotle and walked before, and while you’re not technically allowed to do that it beats paying yet another $25 ticket.



Bummer!

5. Don't spend your dining dollars too early.   There are few things that are worse than spending 10 hour days in ECL during finals week, but having no money to buy Java City is definitely one of them.  I like saving up all my dining dollars, and then dropping $100 in one week on things like espresso beans and quadruple shot macchiatos. 
6. Go to the football games, even if you only stay till halftime.   I grew up in Blacksburg, VA and went to Virginia Tech games my whole life.  Needless to say I was less-than-impressed with JMU football at first but going to a school with a smaller team has its perks.  The student tickets are free, there are no commercial breaks every 10 minutes, and everyone in general is less stressed out.  Even if you only stay through halftime (and of course, it’s a sin to leave without hearing the Marching Royal Dukes), at least you got the experience and hopefully a picture with the Duke Dog (unless you are like me and scared of mascots, which is perfectly normal and understandable). 

7.  Get to know Harrisonburg.   Take advantage of the area.  I’ve been saying I need to go to places like Blue Hole, Carter Mountain, and Reddish Knob for 3 years now and I’m just getting around to it.  Skyline Drive is one of the most famous roads in the southeast and look at what you can see if you go:

Neat, right?

Locally integrating yourself also has its benefits.  For example, if you buy local honey from the Farmer’s Market you can build up your immune system to local allergies.  If you go to the “townie Wal-Mart” located on South Main Street instead of the one close to campus you can avoid the AWFUL traffic and save money, according to junior Sarah Ervin.  “One time we were shopping for tacky Christmas sweaters and the ones at the Wal-Mart on South High were way cheaper than at the Wal-Mart near campus,” she said.

Hopefully you're not like me and are still a freshman so you can fully utilize these 7 habits for the next glorious 4 years (did I mention I didn't want to graduate?).  Happy habit-ing!

1. 
   
   -SD
   
   

Let's Roll!

Tired of doing the same old thing on a Friday night?  Would you like to embrace your childhood while having fun at the same time?  Grab a group of friends this weekend and go roller skating at Funky’s Skate Center.

Funky’s Skate Center is a bright and colorful location that appeals to people of all ages and walks of life.  Patrons can get back in touch with their younger selves by renting skates to glide across the floor in for just $1 per night ($3 for inline skates).

Music pumping through the speakers just adds to the fun and entertaining atmosphere as people slip and slide around the large wooden skate area. 

Funky’s offers open skates multiple nights per week.

Wednesdays – Cheap Skate Night

Open Skate from 7:30 p.m. – 10 p.m.

Cost - $2

Fridays

Open Skate from 7:30 p.m. – 11 p.m.

Cost - $6, $3 with college I.D.

Saturdays

Open Skate from 1 p.m. – 3:45 p.m. and 8 p.m. – Midnight

Cost - $5 and $7, respectively

Funky’s also offers Bingo on Tuesdays at 6:15 p.m, Family Skate on Sundays from 1 p.m. – 3:45 p.m, and private rentals.  Visit Funky’s website (http://www.funkysskatecenter.com/) for more information about events or to schedule a party or event of your own.

Living on $20 a week

When I first thought about it, it seemed impossible to go through a week without spending more than $20. We have gas to pay, groceries to buy and a slew of hidden costs that add up in our bank accounts. However, if we all can learn to live on a much simple budget now, it will be easier to follow it later in our lives. College students are notorious for being broke and up for a challenge, so I say we take up the offer and increase our innate ability to survive in this recession-led economy. Here are 10 tips that will help you make it on $20 a week. 

1.       Memorize the bus schedule and use the bus to go to any destination you need to go, whether it’s on or off campus. You should also probably thank Harrisonburg for offering this free public transportation to all JMU students.

2.       Carrying a Tupperware container or plastic bag with you at all times is essential. Saving extra food at D-Hall or leftovers from the following day will ensure that you will not go hungry for awhile.

3.       Attend any club meetings that advertise free food for the week and fill your plate until you can eat no more. You will become more knowledgeable about events happening around campus and you will interact with more people.

4.       Instead of hitting up the Regal Cinemas and paying $10 for a movie ticket, go to Grafton on campus and watch the featured movies for only $2.50.

5.       If you have a dining plan, stick to it and use it to its fullest advantage. Do not waste any punches and try to eat at all-you-can-eat dining halls such as D-Hall to get the most bang out of your buck.

6.       Use cheap staples such as rice, beans, pasta and ramen noodles to help feed you on days that your dining plan does not cover. One meal that you can cook could last up to a week. 

7.       Use as much help as you can through friends and family, whether it’s getting free rides to the grocery store or stocking up on mom’s cooked food to freeze for later.

8.       If you decide to go out, hit up places that do not require an expensive cover fee, such as free house parties. In addition, look for free student events that are happening around campus on Friday and Saturday nights.

9.       Dollar Stores, Plato’s Closet and Sharp Shopper should become your next best friends. They offer huge discounts on cleaning products, clothing and food items that are usually double the cost at other huge retailer stores.

10.   Otherwise, money should be used only in dire emergencies such as physical health altercations or during safety hazards.  

-Sarah Hasnain

How To: Survive Living on Your Own

Thinking back on your freshman year of college, you probably have fond (or less than fond) memories of living in a dorm.  Whether it be an epic prank war with your suite-mate, the distinctive smell that penetrates an all-male hall, or learning to love the glow-in-the-dark Twilight posters your random roommate decorated with, the freshman dorm experience is an essential part of college and a stepping stone for living on your own.  As fun as hall meetings and fire drills are, moving off-campus is something that most college students revel in.  Having your own apartment is new and fun, but it comes with its own set of challenges.  Here are a few things I’ve learned through living on my own...


1.   Don’t let your kitchen get nasty.  I lived in a house with about 40 other people this summer and although we had chores, it was understood that no one ever did them.  Thus, the kitchen was in a constant state of filth and the worse it gets, the less likely it is to ever get better, as illustrated by the chart below.

2.  Pay your rent on time.  Set up an email reminder, write it in your planner, get your mom to send you a carrier pigeon, whatever works for you. 

3. Know how to read a bus schedule.  This may seem intuitive, but you’d be surprised at how often I’ve read the Monday schedule on a Tuesday.  The bus schedule is your best friend, so make sure you grab a copy or check it out on the Harrisonburg Department of Public Transportation's website.

4. Don’t be passive-aggressive if you’re having a roommate conflict.  It may seem like a good idea to turn down the air conditioning to 60 degrees Fahrenheit to get your point across, but it’s not.  Neither is hiding all the toilet paper or releasing an ant farm in their bedroom.  My advice is just to talk it out.  There might be some yelling, but at least you won’t wake up sweating in the middle of the night when you realize your roommate turned the air conditioning back up to 90 degrees.

5.  Make friends with your neighbors.  They’re more likely to turn down their bass if you’re nice to them than if you tell them to shut up as a stranger.  Also, they might have essentials that you don’t, like rolling pins or milk for when you only have cereal. 


Living on your own is a big step toward becoming an "adult" (not that I'm ready to do that), and it can be a lot of fun.  With more freedom comes more responsibility, so make sure you stay on top of everything!


-SD