Friendsgiving: How to Celebrate Thanksgiving With Your Pals

Thanksgiving was originally celebrated in 1621 by the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag Native Americans as they came together to celebrate the harvest. In 2016, we use it mostly as an excuse to get together with our loved ones and eat until we burst. You probably spend it with your family every year. This year, consider spending it with friends. Sure, spending it with your family is great but you never have more fun than when you’re amongst friends.

To throw the perfect Friendsgiving celebration, you’ll need some preparation:

1. Gather the Squad
You can’t have a Friendsgiving without friends, obviously. Make sure you send out the request to friends early so they can accommodate. Since a lot of people go home early for Thanksgiving, you want to catch them extra early. Consider creating a private Facebook group since most of your friends spend all day on it anyway.

2. Divvy Out Responsibilities
Having friends at your party is great but food is probably the most important aspect of any Friendsgiving celebration. Split up the responsibilities otherwise you’ll be cooking all that food by yourself! Determine who is the most responsible of your friends to cook the turkey. You don’t want to give the job to your flaky friend and spend Thanksgiving without any turkey. That would be a travesty.

3. Crowdsource the Playlist
Instead of listening to your uncle grumbling about the football game, you have the opportunity to listen to some great tunes. Instead of the host choosing the playlist, let the guests compile a Spotify playlist to include everyone’s favorites. Or if you’d rather choose songs on the fly, Flo is an app that lets guests contribute to the playlists from the phones. Consider everyone’s preferences while still curating a dope playlist.

4. Keep It Interesting
Turkey is a Thanksgiving staple but if you’re all planning on going home for Thanksgiving anyway, why not have an early Friendsgiving with a fun menu. Instead of the traditional dishes, craft a menu of all of your friends favorite foods. They’ll be thrilled to share it with the rest of the group and you’ll learn a little more about your pals over dinner.

5. Make It A No Tech Dinner
Sure, it’s fun to document your time at dinner with your pals. But what are you going to do when everyone is gathered together around the dinner table with their faces buried in their phones. If your friends are reluctant, you can buy this phone jail cell to prevent them from diving into a Twitter hole. Instead of sharing the dinner with people who aren’t there, why not share it with the people who are actually there. Appreciate it while you can!

6. Don’t Stress
This isn’t some high class affair. If someone can’t make it, the turkey burns, or you drop cranberry sauce all over the carpet, it’s not a big deal. Just laugh it off and get that spot cleaner. You’ll look back on the memories with much more fondness than you will anger at the mistakes.

How do you do Friendsgiving? If you’re planning on hosting it at your Calder apartment, make sure to invite your neighbors up too! Share your traditions with us on Facebook and Twitter!

A Haunting October - Halloween Events In Our Area

Image courtesy of Pexels

October is in full swing and that means it’s the time to do all of those fall activities we’ve been waiting so patiently for. It’s finally time for apple picking, pumpkin patches, hayrides, and haunted houses. We’re so excited to get into the autumn mood with all kinds of fun events. We’ve rounded up the best fall events in our area leading up to Halloween. Check it out!

Harvest Fest, October 15th
Really embrace the fall feeling at Harvest Fest this month. Stroll through the mountain vineyards and make sure you head back to the quaint, chalet-style tasting room for a few samples before you leave. Enjoy food fresh off the grill from vendors such as Hog Father’s Old Fashioned Barbecue and Goot Essa Cheese. The festival is open from noon to 5PM and a $5 parking donation will benefit the Food Bank. Mt. Nittany Winery is only a 15 minute drive away from Calder Commons.

Hallowine 5K, October 30th
For those 21+ with an athletic mindset and a taste for wine, the Hallowine 5K is right up your alley! Also taking place at the Mt. Nittany Winery, this isn’t your average 5K as you’ll be running through rows of grapevines, through wooded areas, and around a scenic pond. This run will be anything but dull. Along the way you can sample a few different wines and once you finish the race, you’ll be rewarded with a delicious glass all your own. This event is rain or shine so you might want to pack a poncho! Register today to secure your spot as this race is only open to the first 250 sign ups.

Spook Haven Haunted House, open all month
If you’re interested in having the socks scared off of you, Spook Haven is the perfect place for you this month. With multiple attractions all in one place, you might have to come back multiple weekends! New this year is the 6 Feet Under attraction. It’s recommended that you wear old clothes because you’ll be crawling for your life. If regular haunted attractions are your preference, they have those too with the Old School House where you’ll solve the mystery of some disappearing school children. Come check out this haunted house, if you think you’ve got the guts. Spook Haven is only a 40 minute drive away from Calder Commons.

We’re so excited that fall is finally here and we’re looking forward to all of the fun events that are happening this month! What are you most looking forward to leading up to Halloween? Share with us on Facebook!

Becoming A Morning Person

Image courtesy of Pexels

Waking up early might not be something you expected to do until you graduated from college and got your first real job. Most likely, you had to wake up early in high school. Coming into college however, you probably expected to schedule all of your classes in the late morning and afternoon. Unfortunately, class scheduling doesn’t always work out in your favor. Sometimes, classes fill up to capacity or they’re only offered at certain times meaning you have to schedule yourself a dreaded 8 AM class.

Getting up at an early hour is rough and takes some getting used to. By preparing yourself mentally and physically, you can manage it! We’re here to help:

Start Your Routine Early
Start your morning routine before you even go to bed. By picking out your outfit the night before, you cut out that frantic scramble of looking for something clean to wear. You’ll already know what you’re wearing. If you like to eat breakfast in the morning, consider one of these 21 make-ahead breakfasts that you can grab in the morning on the go. They’ve have you out the door in no time flat.

Set Your Alarm Back Gradually
Becoming a morning person doesn’t just happen overnight. It takes a little time and a little adjustment. Instead of just suddenly setting your clock back an hour earlier, start small. Set your clock back just 15 minutes for a couple of days then, 15 more minutes and so on. Moving your wake up time back gradually will lessen the shock to your system.

Try Some Morning Boosts
If you’re getting up early but you’re still struggling to wake up fully, you can make a few adjustments to your morning routine. To give yourself a quick boost of energy, open your blinds as soon as you get up. The natural sunlight streaming through the window will alert your body to the fact that it’s time to wake up. If waking up with the sun sounds like something you’d be into, open your blinds before going to bed the night before.

As soon as you wake up, get yourself a cold glass of water. The water will wake up your metabolism and get it ready for the day, making the wake up process a little easier.

Exercise Endorphins = Energy Boost
To be an overachiever, try going to the gym as soon as you wake up. Calder Commons’ gym is ready for you 24 hours a day so no matter what time you wake up, you’ll have a gym to exercise in! You’ll also have the added benefit of endorphins from your workout to get you going and ready for your day.

Don’t let morning classes get you down. With the right mentality and preparation, you have the ability to make the most of your mornings. You never know, you might even turn into a morning person!

Are you a morning person? Do you have any tips for owning your mornings? Share them with us on Facebook!

First Week Tips & Tricks

The first week of class is essential. It sets the tone for the rest of your semester. If you start out on the wrong foot, it could make it more difficult to get back in a good situation later in the semester. Be prepared going in and you’ll have no problems. These tips will help keep you on track for your best semester yet!

Image courtesy of Pixabay

It’s hard to get your class schedule memorized quickly. It might seem silly but taking a photo and setting it as the lock screen on your phone will make things a lot easier for you. You won’t have to waste time pulling out the paper print out, you can just peek at your phone and move on to the next one.

It might seem counterintuitive but sometimes it’s not always good to buy your books early. Occasionally you’ll have a professor whose syllabus stresses that a textbook is needed for class only to find out a month in that you didn’t need the book. You have a couple of options. First, you can check RateMyProfessor. You’ll often find that past students have written in their reviews whether the professor actually uses the textbook or not. Second, you can make a buddy in class and offer to split the cost of the textbook. If both of you need the textbook at the same time, you can either photocopy the pages you’ll need or you can just schedule time in the Calder Commons study lounge.

If you don’t already have one, purchase yourself a planner. You’re going to have an onslaught of assignments and papers to do. You’re going to want to have them all written down. If you’d rather have it kept digitally, start keeping assignments in your phone’s calendar app. You’ll always have it with you if you panic and can’t remember when a particular homework assignment is due.

It’s important to start the semester off right and the first week of class is rough for everyone from freshmen to seniors. Don’t let yourself fall behind!

Do you have any first week tips? Let us hear them on Facebook and Twitter.

Job Fair 101

Image courtesy of Pixabay

Job fairs are nerve wracking. Walking into a room with what could be your future employer isn’t exactly the most relaxing prospect. However, for a lot of students it’s a necessity. When used to your advantage they become an amazing tool for future graduates looking for internships to get a leg up on the competition in the ‘real world’.

Dress to Impress
Just because it’s not a real interview doesn’t mean you shouldn’t dress your best. Job fairs are basically a pre-interview. First impressions really do affect how a person view you and when it comes to an employer, the first impression could be everything. Make sure you’re polished and clean. Nothing repels a person quite like body odor! You don’t have to go all out in a full suit. Business casual usually suffices with khakis, a button-up, and a blazer or a skirt and blouse. Although if you opt for a suit, make sure it’s wrinkle free.

Come Prepared
Always make sure to have an up to date resume to hand out to any potential employers. They like to see someone who has themselves together. A resume is the place where you show off your past accomplishments and jobs. It does the bragging for you so you can explain in your own words why you’re the best fit for the job or internship. Utilize Calder Commons’ 24 hour study lounge to get your resume in tip top shape so you have something to impress with.

Leave a Lasting Impression
It might seem a little silly to carry around business cards to hand out but it could help someone put a name to the face. Leave them with something to remember you by with a professional business card. Include your Twitter handle if it’s applicable and an email address where you can be contacted at. Also, include a link to your digital portfolio if applicable to your job field.

The most important thing you can remember at a job or internship fair is to relax and be yourself. Not only do they want competent people, they also want personable folks. People who are easy to get along with and comfortable in their own skin. Don’t forget to smile!

Do you have any advice for someone’s first job or internship fair? Penn State’s first job fairs are the Fall Career Days from September 13-15. You still have time to prepare but don’t waste it! Visit Penn State’s Career Services to get a head start.

Celebrating Dad

Image courtesy of Wikimedia

Thank goodness for Dads! What would we do without them? They’re the ones to say, “Yeah, sure” when Mom says, “NO.” Dads were the ones to teach us how to ride our bikes, pick us up when we came crashing down off of them, and gave us the courage to get back on again.

Father’s Day is this weekend and if there’s one thing you can do for Dad to show him your appreciation, you should do it! We’ve got some ideas for you:

If your dad isn’t a fan of shopping, he probably needs a little help when it comes to style. Ties are a little overdone so why don’t you get him something cooler to spice up his wardrobe. Urban Outfitters (Just a couple of blocks from Calder Commons) might seem a little too hip but they have some picks for dad that might surprise you! If dad’s a heavy metal rocker at heart this Metallica dad hat is the perfect gift. It even has ‘Dad’ in the name! Does he travel a lot for work or is he a camping fanatic? This Herschel Supply Co. Novel Weekender Duffel Bag is the perfect thing to shove all his flannels or suits in (depending on his destination). If you know where to look, the perfect gift for dad is right in front of you!

We’re pretty blessed living in Happy Valley with so much beautiful scenery around us. There are so many opportunities to be outdoors and enjoy the beauty of nature. If dad fancies himself a bit of an outdoorsman then there’s no better place to spend Father’s Day than outdoors with him! Moshannon State Forest is 190,031 acres of beautiful land stretched across the Allegheny Plateau. Spend the weekend hiking, fishing, and kayaking with dad throughout the forest. The Moshannon Creek that flows through the forest is perfect for kayaking, fishing, boating, and hiking alongside it. If dad is the outdoorsman he believes himself to be then there’s no reason he won’t love this weekend excursion with his favorite child, right? Learn more about Moshannon State Forest and all it has to offer here.

Our fathers have done so much for us over the course of our lives that it would be downright wrong not to show a little appreciation on Father’s Day. Do you have any silly dad stories to share? Share them with us on Facebook and Twitter.

Memorial Day Festivities

Image: Pixabay

Memorial Day is a special holiday where we remember and celebrate the brave people who dedicated their lives to serving our country. Remembering their lives and honoring their memory is an yearly event for the United States. Usually day is marked with parades, barbecues, and other celebrations. This year is most certainly no exception.

If you want to really enjoy the holiday, you’ll have to head over to Boalsburg for their annual festival. They kick off the celebrations early with their annual parade taking place on Saturday, May 28th at 5 PM. Make sure you arrive early to secure yourself a prime viewing spot. See marching bands and lots of other performances as they march down Pine St., Boal Ave., Main St. and Wagner St. Memorial Day isn’t complete without a parade!

You’ll need some snacks to munch on at the parade so prepare them at your Calder Commons apartment before heading out for the festivities. These caramel pretzel bites from Two Sisters Crafting are the perfect patriotic parade snack!

In addition to the parade, the annual Memorial Day carnival will be happening throughout the entire Memorial Day weekend. Starting on May 26th, you can enjoy everything the carnival has to offer. Play a double card of Bingo for just a quarter if you’re feeling lucky. Head to the Midway to enjoy carnival rides and games. The first day of the carnival will be Wristband Night wherein wristbands can be purchased for $15 and allow you unlimited rides from 6 PM until 10 PM. Ride to your heart’s content for the whole night.

Don’t forget to stop and fuel up at the food tents and trucks before heading back out to ride those rides. BBQ chicken, hot sausage sandwiches, French fries, hamburgers and hotdogs are just a few of your options for carnival fuel.

Don’t forget to take a moment out of your celebrations to remember the men and women who died fighting for our country. To all the servicemen and women, thank you!

Earth Day in Happy Valley

46 years later and Earth Day is still leading by example by innovating ideas each and every year in order to move us forward towards a cleaner and healthier planet. While conservation efforts shouldn’t be confined to a single day out of the year, Earth Day is the main force behind the movement and tends to get the word out the best. We have to do what we can to preserve the planet we live on for the generations that will come after us but how do we go about it? 

Image courtesy of Wikipedia

Around 300 million tons of plastic are produced each year to create the bags, bottles, and packages that we use every day. Almost none of this plastic is being recycled or reused so it sits in landfills. By reducing the amount of plastic we’re using, we can make a huge difference. Invest in one good water bottle that you can refill when you’re thirsty and a couple of canvas bags that you can use for all of your shopping needs.

Being a student means sitting through lectures after lecture for professors who have never heard the phrase ‘Brevity is the soul of wit.’ That equals a lot of notes and a lot of paper being used up. Opt instead to take your notes digitally. Digital notes are much easier to keep organized and you won’t have to worry about not being able to read your own sloppy handwriting the night before that big exam. Evernote and Microsoft OneNote are great options and even offer iOS and Android applications. Keeping digital notes can save reams of paper each year.

Penn State knows the importance of preserving the earth so, they’ve lined up a ton of activities and events to spread the word and the knowledge this week.

Tuesday, April 19th you can step in and catch the Penn State Sustainable Technology Exposition from 1-3. Check out alternative vehicles that could one day be taking to the streets on the HUB lawn. Later in the evening, make sure you head to Freeman Auditorium to see the Glacial Balance film. This Friday, on Earth Day itself, the Alumni Hall will have the pleasure of hosting Jeff Corwin, the famous animal and nature conservationist. Don’t miss out on these great opportunities this week.

Earth Week is bigger and better than ever but it’s easy to make a difference if you start small.

How are you planning on making a difference for Earth Week? Share your tips with us on Facebook and Twitter.

St. Patty's Adventures

Image courtesy of Wikipedia

Two months already under our belt in 2016! Time has been flying past us! Thankfully, we’ve got the luck of the Irish on our side this month with St. Patrick’s Day coming up soon. With the crackdown we’ve been seeing in recent years on the annual State Paddy’s celebrations, the student-created drinking holiday could look pretty different this year. We’ve rounded up some events and alternatives that could keep you entertained and hopefully out of trouble. While these events will require a little bit of traveling to attend, they’re worth it for the lack of events we’ll probably find in State College.

Pittsburgh was recently voted the number one place to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in the whole country! If you’re feeling up to traveling it’s definitely worth the trip. Pittsburgh is about a 2 hour drive away from Calder Commons Apartments. This year the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade will fall on Saturday March 12th. In attendance of the parade, you’ll find tons of floats from Pittsburgh groups, marching bands, Irish dance troupes, celebrities like the Pirate Parrot, the Bishop and the Mayor and tons more. The parade begins on the Boulevard of the Allies and continues up Grant Street. The parade kicks off at 10 AM so make sure you arrive early to secure yourself a prime spot for viewing. For more information about the parade check here.

If you’re uninterested in parades but very interested in beer and breakfast foods, Carson City Saloon will be hosting a Kegs and Eggs event the morning of the parade. From 8 AM until 10 AM, they will have a tasty breakfast bar available for free as well as 1.50 green drafts.

Following the parade, don’t flee the city just yet. Starting at 2 PM head to nearby Market Square for the Irish Fair in the Square. During and after the parade you can stop in for beer specials throughout the square. Peruse through the street vendors to find some Irish knick knacks to take home with you. You’ll even be able to purchase the official t-shirt of the parade at the market so you’ll have something to remember the festivities by. On top of the wares and tasty food that you’ll find, you’re in for an extra treat: a free concert! Local Irish inspired band, The Bastard Bearded Irishmen will be performing from 2 until 3 in the square followed by local country band The Stickers from 3:30 to 5. With all of the fabulous restaurants located in Market Square, you’ll definitely find something tasty to fuel you up for more partying later. To see more information on the Irish Fair in the Square check here.

It doesn’t matter if you’re Irish or not, everyone can appreciate the culture and traditions of this green holiday. Like they say, everyone’s Irish on St. Patrick’s Day! Will you make the trip to the best place to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in the country this month?

Valentine's Day for Broke College Students

Valentine’s Day can be a stressful holiday whether you have a date or not. If you don’t have a date, you have to worry about finding one and if you have one, you have to stress about what you should do on your date. It can be particularly stressful if you’re living on a college kid’s budget. How can you take your date out somewhere fancy and fabulous when you’re eating mac n’ cheese and instant noodles for dinner? Here are some easy dates that don’t require breaking open your piggy bank.

For the price of a delicious dinner, you can have your meal as well as a comedy show. Experience Love and Laughter, the dinner comedy show at the Wise Cracker’s Comedy Club. Saturday February 13th, you can laugh the night away with you date while you munch on some delicious food. They say nothing bonds people together quite like laughter does. For those 21 and older, there will also be a cash bar available which can help those laughs flow a little easier. Reservations are recommended so call early to make sure there’s a spot for you and your date. The Wise Cracker’s Comedy Club is only a 7 minute drive away from Calder Commons Apartments, so you won’t have far to travel with your date for laughs.

If you’d prefer that someone else express your love for you, you can hire a singing telegram to embarrass both you and your loved one at their place of employment, at home or wherever else they might be that day. This weekend (12,13,14) you can hire a Singing Valentine Sweetheart Serenade for $35 and call it a (Valentine’s) day. A singing quartet will show up at your loved one’s door with a box of chocolates in hand and they’ll be able to take a photo with the quartet. If embarrassing your loved ones is your style, this is the Valentine’s Day treat for you.

For those rap enthusiasts looking for love, Fetty Wap’s Welcome to the Zoo tour is coming to the Bryce Jordan Center Saturday February 13th, just in time for Valentine’s Day. The Welcome to the Zoo tour will also feature opening act Post Malone to warm you up before the main act takes the stage. PSU students will receive $10 off their tickets when showing a valid school ID. So if you’d like to show your date to a great evening of music and fun, snag your tickets early so they don’t sell out!

Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to be a stressful holiday just because you’re living on the budget of a college student. You can still treat your loved one to a fun evening out.

What are your Valentine’s Day plans? Tell us on Facebook and Twitter.

Upcoming January Events

Classes are kicking back off come Monday morning. Are you prepared? If you’re not looking forward to classes starting, there are still plenty of other things to look forward this month. A brand new year brings with it new activities and events and we’ve been keeping an eye out so you don’t have to miss out on any of them.

Image courtesy of Pixabay

The fun starts tonight! Even though last Friday was actually the first Friday of the month, it’s being celebrated tonight. First Friday kicks off at 5 PM and lasts until 9 tonight. Enjoy local artists read poetry and perform live music. Peruse the shops and booths and find some gifts for yourself (or others). Head to the restaurants for some delicious food and some amazing deals. Keep an eye out for Richard Benninghoff who will be roaming about performing magic! Don’t blink or you might miss it. Find more out about tonight’s First Friday event here.

Also taking place tonight is the 2016 Winter Jam at the Bryce Jordan Center. No tickets are required, just pay $10 at the door to enter. Country Artists “For King and Country” and Matthew West will be performing tonight starting at 6:45. Don’t miss out on this awesome show!

January 17th marks the Nittany Lady Lions’ 10th annual Pink Zone basketball game. The game honors survivors of breast cancer and those kindhearted individuals who care for them. Come see Bryce Jordan Center filled to the brim and cheer on the Lady Lions as they take on Michigan. See more about the game here.

On January 21st, get into the swing of things with swing dancing lessons! Learn the ins and outs and ups and downs of swing dancing at the Municipal Building at 7 PM. Whether you’re a beginner or a little more experienced, Fraleigh Dance Company can help you. Afterwards, stick around for a social dance! Find out more here.

Just because the weather has taken a turn for the coldest, doesn’t mean you have to sit at home alone! There are tons of things happening this month to keep you happy and entertained all month long.


What are you most excited for this month?

Your State College Holiday Shopping Guide

The holiday season is upon us which also means that it’s the time to start shopping for gifts. No matter what holiday you celebrate (besides Festivus) you probably have to exchange presents with friends and family members. Have you started your shopping yet? You better get on it! These local stores and businesses have just what you need to check your list off.

Image courtesy of Pixabay

Urban Outfitters has some awesome gifts this year that are perfect for everyone on your list. Do you have a techie friend who never puts their phone down? These texting gloves are the perfect accessory. They come in a bunch of colors to fit everyone’s tastes. Shutterbug friend? Print out some of their best Instagram snaps and wrap them up with these awesome firefly clip string lights. They can display their talented photos in their room for all to see.

Have your parents been bugging you for a nice Penn State sweatshirt? The Nittany Outlet has exactly what you need. We love this long sleeve spirit shirt for its loose fit. This embroidered quarter-zip pullover sweatshirt is great for just about anyone in this cold weather. You know your mom’s going to ask you for a mug so why not get her the best one? This Penn State Mom mug is just what you need to make her smile. Find these and plenty more on the Nittany Outlet site and in the store.

Everybody loves candy and chocolates. Sweet Tooth Bakery & Cafe has the right stuff to bring home to the family. With their state of the art technology you can give your relatives a very personalized gift with a printed image on chocolate. So break out those embarrassing school photos of your siblings to print out on chocolate. You can also bring home a number of Penn State themed creations for your family to snack on. When all else fails, cookies are always good. Check out their website for a full menu.


There are plenty of places around State College with the perfect things to get your holiday shopping done. Your family and friends will be pleased to unwrap any of these gifts. Have you gotten your holiday shopping yet or haven’t you started yet?

Friendsgiving

Image courtesy of Pixabay

Not every college student has the opportunity to go home to their families for the Thanksgiving holiday. Some live too far away and don’t have enough time and money to make it back home. Others just choose to stay in their college town. Maybe they have a job and want to make the big bucks working Black Friday. We can’t blame you! Instead of struggling to get home with your family, why not gather a group of friends together for a Friendsgiving dinner? Much more laid back than a family Thanksgiving and with fewer people asking what you want to do with your life and when you’re going to get married. Enjoy a much less stressful evening with your friends!

If you’re going to have it at your apartment, plan ahead. Nothing is worse than scrambling last minute to the grocery store to find something that you need for the dinner. Make a list the week before and go to the grocery store to get everything you need early. If you get everything down on paper, it not only makes it easier to make sure you get everything but it makes your trip less frantic. Make sure you stop at McLanahan’s Market to get all your supplies.

To alleviate a little of the pressure off of the host, have a potluck. Everyone cooks their own dish and brings it together for a big feast. Make it even more interesting by having everyone creating their favorite dish rather than a traditional Thanksgiving dish. You get to enjoy favorites from all of your closest friends while spending time together.

You don’t have to cram 20 friends in your apartment. It can be much easier to get a small group together and go out to dinner instead. It takes the pressure off of the host and those cooking the meal. Put the burden on someone else! The Penn Stater Conference Hotel is opening its doors for a fabulous Thanksgiving dinner. From 11:30 until 2:30 you can enjoy an amazing spread of Penn State roast turkey, bread stuffing with dried cranberries, smoked salmon, pumpkin and sausage risotto and so much more. You and your friends won’t regret heading out to dinner for a fabulous Friendsgiving with a meal like this. For the full menu check out their website.

Going home to spend Thanksgiving with your family is great but it’s more fun to enjoy a dinner with all of your friends that you made with your own hands (or ordered from a restaurant). Do you and your friends have a Friendsgiving tradition?

The Best Halloween Events at Penn State

(Photo courtesy of http://bit.ly/1LbaljP)

October is one of the best months to find something fun to do at Penn State. There’s plenty of fun Halloween events to choose from. In fact, there’s so many it might it be hard to pick. Check out these events from the Daily Collegian and get the whole list here.


The Arboretum at Penn State Pumpkin Festival

The Arboretum at Penn State, located next to the Lewis Katz Law Building on Park Avenue, will host its 5th annual Pumpkin Festival on Oct. 16 and 17, with main activities occurring from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday evening, and family events occurring on Saturday from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Festival attractions include a pumpkin-carving contest and lighted jack-o-lantern display, as well as live music, food vendors and scenic autumn foliage. Pumpkins for the carving contest can be picked up free of charge at the Arboretum on Oct. 11 at 1 p.m. until all pumpkins are given away.

Arboretum Events and Marketing Coordinator Kate Reeder said food vendors will be serving seasonal items such as kettle corn, and State College-based band Biscuit Jam will play at the festival Saturday evening.

“In addition to the incredible jack-o-lantern display, delicious food and excellent live music, the festival is an opportunity for visitor to explore the wonderful fall foliage at the Arboretum,” Reeder said.

Reeder said this year there is a category in the pumpkin-carving contest exclusively for Penn State students to compete against one another, due to the high number of student submissions received in previous years.

20th Annual “Dark in the Park: Stories Around the Campfire”

From 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Oct. 14, area storytellers will perform seasonal stories and campfire-type fairy tales at Sunset Park, 850 McKee St. Attendees are encouraged to “bundle up with friends” and bring “blankets, snacks, and of course hot cocoa,” according to the Centre Region Parks and Recreation website.

Downtown State College Fall Festival and Community Resources Fair
The 16th annual Fall Festival will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Oct. 17 at the 200 block of South Allen Street.

Downtown State College Improvement District Executive Director George Arnold said the festival will include a number of family-oriented activities such as a pumpkin patch, bounce house, pony rides, alpacas and more. Arnold said other festivities include the Happy Valley Dessert Contest and live music by Bluegrass Redemption, a State College-based band that plays traditional bluegrass and folk music.

“We’ve got activities that will appeal to community members and students alike,” Arnold said.

Arnold said students are encouraged to enter the dessert contest, and the winner will receive a $50 Downtown State College gift card. Festival attendees can sample the desserts for $1 per serving.

3 Ways to Put Energy Back into Your Apartment

(Photo courtesy of http://bit.ly/1PixwvK)

When we move into a new place, we relish in the fun of decorating and organizing our new home. After time goes on, our spot loses some of its energy and originality. Thankfully, injecting some of that spunk back into your space doesn’t need to be difficult. Follow these 3 easy ways from Apartment Therapy to get energy back into your apartment! Then, check out Apartment Therapy for the complete list of tips.

1. Use scents. Even if you're used to adding aromas to your home, you may not think about the kinds of effects that your preferred scents have on you. Seek out some energizing scents. Citrus scents are particularly energizing (we say "zesty" for a reason), as are rosemary, peppermint, and eucalyptus. If you're feeling sluggish, think about stepping away from the vanilla, lavender, and jasmine for a few hours. These are extremely calming scents that might put you at ease, but they won't add a whole lot of pep to your step.

2. Use color. Unexpected bursts of color are great for stimulating the eyes, and, therefore, the mind. Vibrant colors have the power of being unexpected and rare, and for that reason, they draw our attention and make us more alert. Throw a hot pink tablecloth over the table, toss an orange pillow on the sofa, or just take a gander at a vibrant green plant for a while. Enjoy the rich colors and momentarily embrace the non-neutral.

3. Rethink your piles and accessories. If your goods are too copious, they can clog the flow of a space and make it feel heavy. Lightening up the view will significantly revitalize your home. Think about rotating art out seasonally, or keeping a shelf in a cabinet with extra accessories that you can "shop" when you feel the need to change things up. Just because you love it, and just because you own it, doesn't mean that it has to be on display at all times.

Even if you're good about keeping your piles and accessories to a healthy number, think about moving them around periodically. This will help you see them with fresh eyes, and it will give your space a new feel, even if all the stuff is the same.

National Cookie Month

Image From Pixabay

We love cookies almost as much as cookie monster. This is why October is one of our favorite times of year. This month you can enjoy Halloween, fall and National Cookie Month. We have found a great cookie recipe from The Kitchn to help celebrate one of our favorite times of the year. Comment on our Facebook page with your favorite cookie recipe!

Chunky Monkey Cookies

Makes about 36 cookies

3/4 cup walnuts

3/4 cup granulated sugar

3/4 cup packed brown sugar

8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature

2 large eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon banana extract, optional for stronger banana flavor

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon baking soda

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chunks (or 1 6.5-ounce chocolate bar, roughly chopped)

3/4 cup banana chips, roughly chopped (see Recipe Note)

Heat the oven to 375°F. Scatter the walnuts over a baking sheet and toast in the warming oven until fragrant, 10 to 15 minutes. Roughly chop the walnuts while they're still warm and set aside.

Combine the granulated sugar and brown sugar in a large mixing bowl. Mix with a spoon or spatula until thoroughly combined and no lumps of brown sugar remain. Add the softened butter to the bowl and work it into the sugar until you form a gritty, sugary paste. Mix in the eggs, one at a time, until no more egg whites remain. Stir in the vanilla extract.

Whisk together the salt, baking soda, and flour in a small bowl. Add this to the wet ingredients in the mixing bowl, and stir gently until you've formed a thick dough and you see no more dry flour. Add the chocolate chunks, banana chips, and chopped walnuts, and use a folding motion to incorporate them into the dough. It's OK if some of the chunky pieces fall out.

Use a cookie scoop or tablespoon measure to portion ping pong ball-sized gobs of dough (roughly 2 tablespoons) onto a parchment-lined baking sheet, spaced an inch or so apart. If any chunky pieces fell out while you were making the dough, press them gently into the tops of the cookies (or just use some extra leftover pieces if you'd like a chunkier appearance!). Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until the cookies look puffed and the edges are turning a darker shade of toasty brown.

Let the cookies cool for about 5 minutes on the baking sheet, then transfer them to a cooling rack to cool completely. As they cool, the cookies will collapse into craggy, cracked, chunky cookies. Continue baking the cookies in batches until all the dough has been used.

These cookies are best the day they are made, but will keep in an airtight container for about a week.

Recipe Notes

Finding banana chips: Look for banana chips in the bulk bin section of grocery stores, or along with the dried fruits. (I found the banana chips for this recipe at Trader Joe's.)

Freezing cookie dough: To freeze unbaked cookie dough, portion the cookies out onto a baking sheet, freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer container. Freeze for up to 3 months. See here for more details: How To Freeze Cookie Dough.

College Care Package

Image From Pixabay

Whether you are sending a care package to a family friend or a college student, they are always appreciated. Food was always a good choice when choosing what to put in a care package. Apartment Therapy has some great recipes for you to remember when planning you next shipment.



It's been a while since I was in college, but when it comes to care packages, I'm quite sure things haven't changed very much.

A few favorite store-bought things are always nice, but the very best things will always be freshly made snacks and treats. They're a nice reminder of home and help fuel late-night study sessions and tough exams.

1. Smoked Almond Snack Bars

This recipe for nutty, KIND-inspired snack bars is for those of you who prefer savory over sweet when the afternoon doldrums have you yawning.

2. Muesli Snacking Cookies

These baked gems are a play on classic oatmeal cookies. A few fun ingredient swaps make them healthier and even more delicious.

3. Birthday Cake Popcorn

You don't need a birthday to celebrate with this festive treat! It's sweet, salty, and covered with sprinkles — you can't go wrong!

4. Sweet and Savory Roasted Cashews

Take your pick: sweet or salty. Neither recipe takes more than a few minutes to bring together, and they're both perfect study snacks.

5. Peanut Butter & Chocolate Energy Bars

These bars slip into that magical niche of snacks that seem — and taste — like candy but are still, at least ostensibly, healthy. They are made without refined sugar, require zero cooking, and can last in a backpack all day.

6. Banana Bread

Whether your favorite college student eats this as breakfast or an afternoon snack, one thing is certain: it's gonna go fast.

7. Cherry Pistachio Granola Clusters

This right here is "snacking granola." We're talking about big, chunky clusters of lightly sweet granola studded with pistachios and dried cherries.

8. Chocolate Chip Cookies from Scratch

Classic chocolate chip cookies are timeless — and they just might be the very best thing you could find when you open a care package.

9. Hazelnut & Cherry Whole-Grain Crackers

These homemade hazelnut and cherry crackers are such a great on-the-go snack. Plus, they're easy to make and stay fresh for weeks.

10. Pumpkin-Spiced Caramel Corn

If you just can't resist the pumpkin spice craze, this lightly spiced caramel corn will be right up your alley.

15 Cleaning Tips for the Lazy College Student

Living at school and going to classes is time consuming, especially if you have a job on top of all of that. It can be hard to muster the motivation to clean your apartment. So when you're feeling lazy and you need to get some cleaning done, try these life hacks from Buzzfeed to make it easy on yourself. Head to Buzzfeed to check out more tips.

Image courtesy of Pixabay

1. Spray a no-wipe cleaner on your shower walls every time you bathe.

You don’t even have to touch those grimy tiles!!! This blogger swears by this stuff.

2. Or, keep a handled sponge filled with half Dawn dishwashing liquid and half white vinegar and do a little scrubbing while you’re waiting for the conditioner to set in your hair.

3. Use body wash or liquid shower gel, not soap. You’ll get much less soap scum buildup in your tub.

4. Pee sitting down.

While you may consider this emasculating, your toilet will be MUCH cleaner.

5. Make a conscious effort to put something away every time you get up to go to a different part of your home.

On your way to the kitchen to reheat some leftover pizza? Grab that pair of scissors that actually belongs in the junk drawer that you never bothered to put back.

6. Buy anti-microbial doormats.

Or better yet, enforce a no-shoes policy. Tell your guests you have an Asian grandmother.

7. If you have carpet, keep Stomp ‘N Go pads for emergency stain removal.

They supposedly get out wine spills, coffee, pet messes, food, blood, and more. No scrubbing required.

8. Multitask during idle time.

While you’re cooking, do some dishes. Wipe down the sink every time you wash your hands. While you’re waiting for the hot water before a shower, tidy up the bathroom.

9. Avoid dusting by walking around your house in “Swiffer Socks.”

AKA those weird chenille socks that you always seem to get like three pairs of every Christmas. You just dusted a narrow pathway in your apartment just by schlepping to the kitchen to make nachos.

10. Use Press ‘N Seal wrap to line the surfaces in your fridge.

Cleaning the fridge is one of those things you just never get around to doing. Just replace the liners and your fridge will feel good as new again.

11. Cleaning your microwave is (almost) as simple as turning it on.

Pour 2 cups of water and 1/2 a cup of white vinegar into a microwave-safe bowl. Pop it in for about 3 minutes on full power. Let it sit for a few minutes. Remove the bowl carefully and wipe clean.

12. While you’re cooking, keep a plastic grocery bag on the counter.

You can quickly throw away any peels or packaging, saving you a few trips to the trash can.

13. Line your George Foreman grill with foil before cooking anything in it.

Those things are the hugest pains to clean.

14. Eat food out of a tortilla to avoid having to wash your bowls.

Works fairly well as long as you’re not an aggressive fork-stabber.

15. Eat Chinese take-out without dirtying up a dish.

Remove the metal handle and unfold the box into a plate you can eat out of.

9 Apps Every College Student Should Have

Image courtesy of Pexels

Those of us going through college in this day and age have a very serious advantage over those who have gone in the past. We have so many tools and resources at our fingertips. One of the greatest tools of this generation are our phones: always right at our sides and connected to a vast world of information. Being in college is difficult but it can get a little easier with some of these apps to keep track of things so you don't have to! For the full list of useful apps head to The Kardia Blog.

If I was to list a single skill I wish I already had mastered, it’d be productivity. Being a full-time student has taught me so much about prioritizing and not procrastinating. But of course, it’s not always easy. I’m always looking for more ways to productive. And living in the smartphone generation, apps are one of those ways.

Social media apps such as Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest definitely get the most use on my phone, but those don’t allow me to be very productive. That got me thinking about the apps that come in handy the most when I am in school. Which ones help me stay on top of everything? So the following apps and resources are ones that I personally use and recommend to any busy person looking to maximize the time they have and stay organized.

RefME (Free / Website)

I’ve been using RefME for all my papers this semester, and I don’t know why I didn’t use it before! It’s such an amazing resource! Nobody likes figuring out how to cite a source. RefME does all the hard stuff and lets you collect sources fast and keep them organized in groups. You can either search for the reference title, author, url, etc., or simply fill in the boxes with the appropriate information, select what citation style you need, and voilá! A perfect bibliography/works cited is born! Some other great features are that it allows you to export your bibliography directly into a Word document and shows you the correct inline citation to use. With their app, you can even scan book/journal barcodes to get citations. How easy it that?

Sunrise (Free / iPhone, Android, Mac)

While the default calendar app is fine for appointments and schedules, I find the Sunrise app even better. Upon opening the app, you can see your schedule for the next few days with little icons beside each event letting you know if it’s a class, meeting, work, etc. I love how simple and straightforward it is!

MyWater (Free / iPhone)

I’m super bad at drinking enough water :( I use this app to keep track of how many water bottles I drink in a day. You can set your daily goal, what size bottle you’re using, and have reminders go off at different times during the day. It’s easy to use too, just swipe up when you drink a glass of water!

Sleep Cycle ($0.99 / iPhone, Android)

I hate that feeling of waking up all groggy and tired for an early morning class. Sleep Cycle analyzes your sleep and wakes you up when you’re in the lightest sleep phase. Graphs provide you with information about your sleep quality, what times you went to sleep in the past 3 months, the average time you spend in bed, and your sleep quality on certain days of the week. Definitely worth the $0.99!

Shopkick (Free / iPhone, Android)

Free gift cards? Yes, please! Use shopkick to get points for walking into stores like Target, American Eagle, and Best Buy. Then, redeem your points for gift cards. Shopkick also has coupons and deals for tons of stores that you already go to on a regular basis.

Pocket (Free / iPhone, Android, Mac)

Don’t lose track of the all the interesting things you find by letting tabs pile up in your browser. Pocket allows you to easily save articles, videos, and more for later. Everything goes to one place, so you can view it anytime, on any device, even without internet. Perfect for when you want to read an article or watch a video but don’t have time at the moment.

Mint (Free / iPhone, Android)

This is the perfect app for creating a budget and keeping track of where you spend your money. Set up financial goals such as saving up for spring break, paying off your school loans, or buying a car and get advice on how you should budget and distribute your paychecks in your checking and savings accounts.

She Reads Truth (Free / iPhone, Website)

She Reads Truth is an online community of women who read the Bible and encourage one another. Devotional reading plans can be read on their website for free, emailed to you, or read through the iPhone app (for a small fee depending on how recent the plan is). The app also includes beautiful lock screens with scripture on them!

Duolingo (Free / iPhone, Android, Website)

I have to take a language class for my Bachelor of Arts degree, so I’m getting ahead of the game by learning spanish for free on Duolingo. This app can help you learn Spanish, French, German, Portuguese, or Italian using easy exercises to help you spell and pronounce the new words! You can set how long you want to learn each day (5 minutes, 10 minutes, etc.) making it easy to do in between other tasks.

Chipotle Now Comes Directly To You

Image courtesy of Wikimedia

Chipotle has taken over the world recently with their delicious Mexican cuisine. You can't go anywhere without hearing about how much someone loves the restaurant. Well, great news for college students: they now deliver to a small number of universities and will be expanding to more later this fall! Through a partnership with Tapingo, students can place their order through the app or website and their food gets to them within 25-30 minutes. You can see Chipotle's full menu here and check out more information on Tapingo here.

As college students make their way back to school for another year, Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYSE: CMG) is making it easier for students to find the food they love, allowing more time for study and less to search for burritos. Through a new partnership with Tapingo, a leading mobile commerce app that saves college students time by providing food pickup and delivery, Chipotle will be available for delivery through Tapingo at 40 college campuses nationwide this fall, and at more than 100 campuses by spring 2016.

“Chipotle has been popular with students going back to our very first restaurant near the University of Denver, and we are always looking for ways to better engage with them,” said Mark Crumpacker, chief creative and development officer at Chipotle. “Tapingo, which has been well received by students where its services are available, knows how to connect with these younger customers. That shared acceptance among younger customers made them a great choice for us to expand delivery aimed specifically at students.”The partnership with Tapingo expands Chipotle’s existing delivery program. The company also has nationwide delivery partnerships with Postmates, a delivery service that operates in several key Chipotle markets, and with OrderUp, which provides delivery service in several smaller Chipotle markets.

Tapingo has a rapidly growing user base, the large majority of whom are Millennials and Gen Zs. Chipotle resonates well with a similar audience. A recent survey by investment firm William Blair called Chipotle the “most favored restaurant” by younger consumers. Morgan Stanley notes that Millennials are more likely to dine out on a weekly basis than older consumers and states that “taste, value, and quality” drive their restaurant decision-making. “On those metrics, Chipotle wins,” the firm says.

“Tapingo has become the buy button for students and we are excited to expand into surrounding areas,” said Daniel Almog, chief executive officer at Tapingo. “Our network of students is hungry for Chipotle, and we’re excited to deliver it quickly and at a very reasonable delivery cost.”

Since its founding in 2012, Tapingo has leveraged mobile technology to create a more convenient and enjoyable experience for students to purchase a variety of products or services. With the average student transacting daily, using Tapingo has become habitual for college students. Users can order with a tap and then have their order delivered in a timely and efficient manner. Using the Club Tapingo feature, the average user pays $2.99, with no additional service fee. Tapingo also provides timely delivery, with an average of only 25 minutes between order placement and receipt.

Chipotle delivery is currently available through Tapingo at the following campuses:

• Arizona State University
• California State University Chico
• Louisiana State University
• University of Arizona
• University of Southern California
• Northern Arizona University

Delivery will expand to include the following campuses later this fall.

• California State University - Fullerton
• California State University Northridge
• Carnegie Melon University
• Case Western Reserve University
• Cleveland State University
• College of the Holy Cross
• Columbia University
• Eastern Michigan University
• Emory University
• Georgia Institute of Technology
• Georgia State University
• Johns Hopkins University
• Loyola Marymount University
• Loyola University Maryland
• Michigan State University
• New York University
• North Carolina State University
• Ohio State University
• Pennsylvania State University
• Rutgers University
• San Jose State University
• Santa Clara University
• Towson University
• Trinity College
• University of Arkansas
• University of California Los Angeles
• University of Georgia
• University of Louisville
• University of Maryland
• University of Miami
• University of Michigan
• University of Oklahoma
• University of Oregon Eugene
• University of Pittsburgh
• University of the Pacific
• University of Utah

Plans for additional rollouts or availability can be found on Tapingo.com/Chipotle.

ABOUT CHIPOTLE

Steve Ells, founder, chairman and co-CEO, started Chipotle with the idea that food served fast did not have to be a typical fast-food experience. Today, Chipotle continues to offer a focused menu of burritos, tacos, burrito bowls (a burrito without the tortilla) and salads made from fresh, high-quality raw ingredients, prepared using classic cooking methods and served in a distinctive atmosphere. Through our vision of Food With Integrity, Chipotle is seeking better food from using ingredients that are not only fresh, but that — where possible — are sustainably grown and raised responsibly with respect for the animals, the land and the farmers who produce the food. In order to achieve this vision, we focus on building a special people culture that is centered on creating teams of top performers empowered to achieve high standards. This people culture not only leads to a better dining experience for our customers, it also allows us to develop future leaders from within. Chipotle opened with a single restaurant in 1993 and operates more than 1,850 restaurants, including 17 Chipotle restaurants outside the U.S. and 11 ShopHouse Southeast Asian Kitchen restaurants, and is an investor in an entity that owns and operates three Pizzeria Locale restaurants. For more information, visit Chipotle.com.

ABOUT TAPINGO

Since its founding in 2012, Tapingo has leveraged mobile technology to solve a key problem for students: lack of time. Whether confronted with long lines while racing between classes, needing a midnight boost during late-night study sessions, or faced with a lack of options when living off campus, students are increasingly in need of a new solution to meet their needs. With just a few taps, users can browse menus, order and pay, then schedule pickup or have their order delivered. Tapingo provides a streamlined buying process that benefits both the students and the campuses, while driving habitual purchase and eliminating operational inefficiencies. Today, Tapingo processes tens of thousands of transactions per day, and the average user utilizes the service more than five times per week. Serving 46 markets from Alaska to Miami, Tapingo is the ideal commerce solution for the on-the-go on-demand generation. Stop waiting at www.Tapingo.com.