Apartment Decorating

Do you want to decorate your apartment for the holidays?  Everyone wants to be festive, but you do not want to spend a lot of money if you are leaving for the holidays.  Here are some great inexpensive tips on how to make your apartment a holiday wonderland.

• Personalize and hang stockings for your family. – this can be a fun project and very inexpensive. Purchase plain stockings and paint, glitter, felt, etc. and create your own designs for your stockings.
• Remember in Elementary School when you used to make paper snow flakes in art class.  Flashback to those times and make your apartment a winter wonderland with this easy art trick.
• Hang ornaments from the stairs and or ceiling.  Just make sure you do not damage the walls or ceiling while doing this.
• Use some ribbon and ties to put around chairs and lamps.  This adds some festive spirit to even the smallest furniture.
• Make a giant present out of your door by using some wrapping paper and a bow.  It instantly looks festive and adds so much holiday spirit to your apartment.
• Use holiday cards that you receive to decorate the walls in your apartment.
• Play Christmas music on your ipod or on Pandora!

Happy Thanksgiving!

We hope everyone has a safe and Happy Thanksgiving! Spend some time with your friends and family and remember everything in life that you are thankful for.

Alternative Thanksgiving Break

Do you not get to go home for Thanksgiving?  It is o.k if you can not.  There are still some great ways to enjoy the holiday, and get a break from the daily grind of classes.  Keep reading to learn some tips and tricks to enjoy your holiday away from home.

Many college campuses look like deserted ghost towns around Thanksgiving. The vast majority of students usually head home for some good food, R & R, and family time. But for those students who can't -- or don't want to -- go home, there are still some great options for how to have a fantastic Thanksgiving holiday.

1. Volunteer. No matter where you live, there are undoubtedly places nearby that could use volunteers on Thanksgiving Day. Check out women's shelters, homeless shelters, places that serve veterans, hospitals, and even local foster homes. Giving back can make you feel great while providing you with some great companionship -- and grub, of course!


2. Go home with a friend. If you live too far away to head home, try heading home with a friend or roommate. You can see an entirely new part of that person's life, have fun, and still get that fantastic feeling that comes from being "home."


3. Organize something on campus. Chances are, you aren't the only student on your campus not planning on heading home for Thanksgiving. Organize an event that includes a nice dinner, volunteering, or even a movie-watching marathon. It can be a great opportunity to meet new people and enjoy yourself while still feeling relaxed and like you're on vacation.


4. Offer to housesit for friends or others. Know someone -- a friend, a faculty member, an administrator -- who is going to have an empty house? Offer to housesit over Thanksgiving. You can enjoy the comforts of being out of the residence hall without having to deal with the inevitable drama that comes from having family running around. Additionally, you can always cook a nice Thanksgiving dinner in a great kitchen and have a few friends over for a nice, relaxing meal.


5. Take the day for yourself. There are some of us out there who enjoy being alone from time to time -- which is nearly impossible as a college student. Spend the day sleeping in, catching up on homework, watching movies, and doing whatever it is you wish you had time for when your schedule is crazier. Just make sure to treat yourself to some slow-cooked turkey and cranberry sauce in there somewhere!Learn more at About.com
   

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.