Weekends in Happy Valley

Here are some great tips on that weekend get a way to Happy Valley.  This is great for parents visiting kids or even just students that want to get away from the campus life.

Where to stay…

Located just north of Penn State’s University Park campus, The Penn Stater Conference Center Hotel is one of Central Pennsylvania’s largest hotels, offering the comfort and relaxation you want coupled with the modern amenities you need. It has two on‑site restaurants – Legends, which literally surrounds diners with Penn State trivia and images and The Gardens which has an elegant Sunday Champagne Brunch. 
Thanksgiving Football Package 
The Chatelaine Bed & Breakfast is also featuring a Thanksgiving package and it benefits a good cause. The Chatelaine will be donating $50 per room going to the Habitat for Humanity Fund. Learn more here. 

What to see…

The Penn Stater is just minutes away from the Bryce Jordan Center, a 16,000 seat arena located on Penn State campus. A show at the BJC is a perfect way to spend an evening enjoying world class entertainment. The BJC draws exciting acts, including a‑list musical talent like Carrie Underwood and Bruce Springsteen—both coming this fall—as well as major productions like Cirque du Soleil and WWE wrestling. The upcoming BJC schedule doesn’t disappoint, so check it out and pick a weekend.
Remember that the BJC also hosts Penn State Men’s and Lady Lions Basketball, another great way to spend a winter evening!

Where to stay…

The historic Nittany Lion Inn, is located on campus grounds, so you can be close to the action while enjoying a gracious and intimate environment. The Nittany Lion Inn was once referred to as “Penn State’s living room” by one of the university’s former Presidents and looking at the comfortable arm chairs and crackling fires in public areas, it’s easy to see why.

What to see…

The Center for the Performing Arts at Penn State is only minutes away from The Nittany Lion Inn and is a leading voice in the arts for the Happy Valley area. It brings audiences together with enriching performances in theatre, dance, and music. Previous seasons have included performances by prominent dance troupes, jazz performers, and musical revues. The calendar also includes special holiday performances for those in spirit of the season. Schedule highlights include Tap Dogs in December and The Addams Family, a new musical comedy, in February, and tons of amazing shows in between.

Where to stay…

The Courtyard State College and the Holiday Inn Express State College at Williamsburg Square are both comfortable and affordable options easily accessible to the downtown area. Both are modern and attractive and offer all the amenities you’d expect, like high‑speed Wi‑Fi and fitness centers. The Holiday Inn Express offers a hot breakfast buffet while the Courtyard has a full service restaurant. The Courtyard also includes an indoor swimming pool and whirlpool – both lovely ways to warm up after an active winter’s adventure.

What to see…

In addition to lots of seasonal charm, State College’s downtown area offers some of the best holiday shopping in Centre County. Unique gift shops like The Growing Tree, Avant Garden, The Cheese Shoppe, Kitchen Kaboodle, and Nittany Quill will help you find a special something for everyone on your shopping list. 

First Night

Of course, First Night is an event not to be missed. The festivities begin at 10 a.m. on New Year’s Eve with giant ice sculpture carving – over 100 ice blocks are carved – and lasts until midnight ringing in the New Year. Throughout the event, spectators are treated to brass bands, carriage rides, Celtic music and puppet shows, just to name a few of the attractions that take over the downtown area. This is the ideal New Year’s event for families looking for fun for all ages!

For more information see Happy Valley.
Calder Commons

Fall Back Time Set

Do not show up an hour early for class on Monday.  This Saturday night to Sunday make sure to set your clocks back an hour for fall back time.  Enjoy your extra hour of sleep this weekend.

It's time once again for the annual ritual of resetting our clocks for a return to standard time. In fall, we turn daylight saving* time off, which means moving clocks back one hour at 2 a.m. on Sunday morning, November 4, 2012. This return to "normal" time (Pacific Standard Time) moves sunset back an hour with the corresponding effect of an earlier sunrise.
 
Unless you plan on being awake and functional at 2 a.m. Sunday morning, set your clocks back one hour before retiring on Saturday night. You'll then be on time for Sunday activities and refreshed from getting an extra hour of sleep. 

For more information see About.com
Calder Commons 

State College Fall Festival

 The leaves are falling and the weather is getting a little chillier.  This can only mean one thing.  It is fall in happy valley, and that means it is time for the State College Fall Festival.  There will be food, activities, and pumpkin decorating.



Between the crisp weather and beautiful fall foliage, it’s a perfect time to visit the annual Downtown State College Fall Festival when the streets of State College fill with baked goods, kids’ activities, and pumpkin decorating.

Local retail shops and outdoor groups will be set up with educational booths during the Outdoor Expo along Allen Street while the Centre County Day for Kids offers pony rides, an alpaca petting zoo, and a rock climbing wall.

The Happy Valley Dessert Contest invites local bakers to submit an autumn-themed dessert that will be judged in appearance, flavor, creativity, and difficulty. Entries will be separated into child, teen, and adult categories for a chance to win a $50 gift card. After the judging, the desserts will be available for $1 per slice.

The Municipal Building will also host a community resources fair along with the public signing of Our Community Covenant.

The 13th Annual Downtown State College Fall Festival will be held October 13 from 10:00am-3:00pm.

For more information, click here or go to Happy Valley.

Guard the Statue

 It is homecoming week at Penn State, which means it is time to guard the lion.  Every year students gather to guard the lion from vandalism attacks during homecoming.  This event will be held tomorrow and it will include speakers, food, music, and Penn State pride. 

With homecoming week quickly approaching Happy Valley, there are many events to look forward to.  One of the reasons that make everyone so eager to participate in the events and all come together is because of the tradition. Tradition brings a sense of unity to the students and a reason to get involved. One of the annual, highly-anticipated homecoming traditions is the Guard the Lion Shrine event.

The Nittany Lion Shrine is without a doubt one of the most historic places on Penn State campus. It was donated during Homecoming in 1942 as a gift of the class of 1940. The sculpture is located across from the Paterno Library, near the recreation center and is in an isolated spot surrounded by trees. The Nittany Lion Shrine has become a symbol of Penn State. If you are a student here it is most likely a given you will take family pictures with the Nittany Lion Shrine at least once in your four years. The week of senior graduation it is always expected for extremely long lines to form just to get that picture of you in a cap and gown resting on the statue. Expect to see the shrine in most Penn State documentaries, advertisements, and videos.

The Nittany Lion Shrine in essence has become a symbol of strength for the school. It has proved its strength by surviving multiple vandalism attacks against it. The first incident of vandalism to the shrine actually started when Sue Paterno and her friend splashed orange paint on the Nittany Lion during the week of a Syracuse football game. Several other vandalism attacks on the Nittany Lion occurred afterward and now it is tradition for students and alumni to come together and guard the Lion Shrine every homecoming. The event is led by the Lion Ambassadors and it is always one of the best Homecoming traditions. The Guard the Lion Shrine event is always jam-packed and brings a strong sense of unity and strength to whoever joins. Expect guest speakers, a DJ, food and drinks, and a whole lot of spirit.

With all that has happened in the past year at Penn State University, the Nittany Lion Shrine represents strength more than ever. Expect a huge crowd this Homecoming time to come out, protect it, and support it.

The event will take place on October 5, 2012 from 10pm until midnight.

For more information see Happy Valley.

State Theater Entertainment

There is always something to do in state college.  Check out below to find out all the entertainment that is coming to the State Theater, including Kenny Loggins.  Check out this great theater that is so close to everything you love about stage college.

Kenny Loggins and his band Blue Sky Riders - October 1
On October 1 Kenny Loggins will rock The State Theatre with his familiar favorites and new music with his band Blue Sky Riders, also featuring Gary Burr, one of Nashville’s most accomplished writers, and Georgia Middleman, who brings female vocals to a three-part blend that Loggins says comes “once in a lifetime.” Whether you’re a fan of Loggins & Messina or Loggins’ solo music, you can’t miss this show!

September 26 & 27 are the last showings of the critically acclaimed film Sleepwalk with Me, named by Entertainment Weekly as one of the “Must See Films” from 2012 Sundance. Sleepwalk with Me is comedy written by, directed by and starring comedian Mike Birbiglia, based on a true story he told in his one-man off-Broadway show and his first book. The film follows the journey of an aspiring comedian in denial about his girlfriend, played by Lauren Ambrose, his career, and, most significantly, his sleepwalking disorder. The more he fails to express his true feelings, the more his anxiety comes out in increasingly funny and dangerous sleepwalking incidents.

Plus, don’t miss these great events, and much more! 

• Ben Taylor, folk singer/songwriter, and son of James Taylor and Carly Simon, on October 4
• Manhattan Short, the world’s first global film fest, on October 7
• Jodi Benson, the Voice of the Little Mermaid, joined by local young singers, TWO shows on October 14
• Proof, a Murder Mystery presented by the State College Community Theatre, October 11-21 in The Attic
• Tinariwen, poet-guitarists from the Southern Sahara Desert on October 23
• G. Love & Special Sauce on November 7
• ImaginOcean, a one-of-a-kind black light puppet show for kids on November 9 

For more information see Happy Valley.

Happy Valley Iphone App

 Penn State is a huge University, and it is hard to to know what is going on at all times.  However, now thanks to the Happy Valley Iphone App you can know what is going on at the touch of your finger.  Anything you want to know from food to entertainment is all contained in one location with this app.  Download it now for your phone for free!

The best of Happy Valley is now readily accessible from anywhere with this sophisticated new free mobile application now available for Android and iPhone devices.

Shopping, dining, Penn State Football, whatever you desire in Happy Valley, this app is here to make your life easier.

The app features terrific dining and shopping specials from local establishments as well as a list of top places to eat, shop and so much more in the State College area.

The app is super easy to use and navigate. Each venue has an address listed along with its phone number. If you have a question about the store, simply press the phone number to call the store! After all, you are using a phone right?

The home page is divided into six categories that make it simple to find what you’re looking for. Food & Drink, Shopping, Entertainment, Health & Beauty, Kids Stuff and Lodging. One click on any of those menu items and you will be directed to the set of listings. 

Interested in local news in the Centre County region? The app has that as well. So if you’re an alum or former resident now living thousands of miles away and looking to get a quick look at what’s going on back home, Centre County local news and sports will have you covered.

This app is a must-have if you are traveling to Happy Valley. It’s the perfect guide to help you find what you are looking for and make your stay in town as easy as possible. For locals, it's a good way to check out some deals you may not have seen before.                                                

Consider it a Happy Valley Yellow Pages right in your pocket as it's a great way to find businesses as well as savings.

For more information see Happy Valley.

Penn State Performing Arts Events

The arts scene at Penn State is growing, with more opportunities to perform it is becoming a hot spot for theater and music.  Learn more about Penn State's booming arts scene below.

Penn State’s College of Arts and Architecture produces some of the best student musicians, actors and artists from around the country. The school is able to nurture and produce some of the performers in the school of music, theatre and visual arts that capture and produce some of the most difficult productions. Faculty and students often use several venues from around the State College area including the Center for the Performing Arts, Music at Penn’s Woods, Penn State Centre Stage, Schwab Auditorium and Eisenhower Auditorium.

Of course, State College maintains a vibrant artistic community by maintaining several theaters throughout the area. These venues are very diverse and well‑organized and known for bringing some of the best acts to the area. Such venues include: The State Theatre or The Boal Barn.

The Center for the Performing Arts provides a context, through artistic connections, to the human experience. The Center for the Performing Arts provides two venues, Schwab Auditorium and Eisenhower Auditorium, to display creative and enriching arts that are both pleasing to the eye and very entertaining. The 2012‑2013 schedule is both impressive and has a wide variety of acts. From the complete Beethoven string quartets, to a duo that ranges between Stravinsky and Radiohead with seamless skill, to a performance of Mozart’s masterpiece The Magic Flute, the season brings unprecedented attention and commitment to classical music in central Pennsylvania. These performances will be shared between Schwab Auditorium and Eisenhower Auditorium, both located on Penn State campus.

Schwab Auditorium houses a proscenium stage and a Preservation Hall Jazz Band play The Center for the Performing Arts on September 28. Plays and Performances around State College 900‑seat, Renaissance‑style seating area. Today, Schwab’s performance space is used for the chamber music, student performances to speeches by noteworthy visitors. Upcoming performances include the Kalichstein‑Laredo‑Robinson Trio whose first performance as a trio was at President Carter’s inauguration on October 3. Actors From the London Stage will perform Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice where actors will use minimal props and costumes to perform this noteworthy comedy on October 10 and 11. And also, a variety of string musicians including world famous violinists, guitarists, cellists, pianists and saxophonists.

Eisenhower Auditorium is larger, has a seating capacity of 2,500 and is Penn State’s primary theatrical performance space. Opened in 1974 and later named for former University President Milton S. Eisenhower, the modern‑style auditorium hosts almost 200 events each year. Most of the events presented by the Center for the Performing Arts occur on the Eisenhower stage. This year’s 2012‑2013 schedule begins with a performance by Preservation Hall Jazz Band and The Del McCoury Band American Legacies where the high lonesome sound of bluegrass will meet the hot and lively jazz of New Orleans. On October 30, the Pilobolus Dance Theatre will stretch the limits of the human body and balance. The Pilobolus Dance Theatre will be creative and witty during their performance piece. On November 1, the Banjo Summit 2 give an encore presentation and display the “old‑time clawhammer style.” Eisenhower will also feature such performing arts such as The Great Mountain, Les Grands Ballet Canadiens de Montreal, The Addams Family and many more.

Penn State Centre Stage is expression, art and it will test the limits of imagination and structure. Penn State Centre Stage is completely produced by students and faculty. Whether in the studio or on‑stage Penn State’s School of Theatre is almost performing year‑round, tackling difficult productions it is impressive the professionalism of these young performers. Upcoming performances this fall will include “From up here,” “Sweeney Todd” set to perform in October at the Pavilion Theatre on‑campus, “In the Red and Brown Water” set to play for two weeks in November at the Playhouse Theatre and also Shakespeare’s Love’s Labour’s Lost, which would make for the perfect Valentine’s Day date this coming year at the Pavilion Theatre.

There are also several theatres in downtown State College and surrounding areas that rely on professional, traveling performers or they rely on the community’s hard work and dedication to perform. The State Theatre literally has something for everyone: from high drama to children’s musicals to rock n’ roll to featured indie movies. The State Theatre is the place to see community based traveling acts and they will feature many local and regional artists. In the 2012‑2013 season many notable acts plan to perform at the State Theatre including Arlo Guthrie, folk music singer/songwriter Ben Taylor and Brio Dance Company’s fall concert that will benefit THON.

The State College Community Theatre are not professional actors or singers but they are teachers, students and community members that have a love and a knack for the performing arts. With a zip in their step and a twinkle in their eye, the Community Theatre performs all of their plays at the Boalsburg Boal Barn Playhouse along Old Boalsburg Road. Considered a “Theater in the round” the Boal Barn Playhouse has all around seating with the stage in the middle of the room! Upcoming performances include The Man Who Came To Dinner, James and the Giant Peach and David Auburn’s “Proof.”

For more information see Happy Valley.