Happy Valley Top Picks

Are you looking for some great events in Happy Valley after spring break?  Penn State is never without great activities for you to attend.   Keep reading this blog to make your plans for the next few weeks.   You can learn more at Happy Valley.

“Meet Me at the Corner. I’m Coming Home to Happy Valley.”

Happy Valley is just too hard to quit for some folks. This townie and Penn State grad explains why she’s moving from sunny Florida to return to the bucolic setting of State College. Read the article here. Have you ever found yourself longing to move back? Have you returned? Share your story by sending a message to us on Facebook!

Happy Valley’s Got Talent 2014

March 29, The State Theatre
Kid’s Choice Matinee: 2pm
Judged Evening Performance: 7pm
The 4th Annual Happy Valley’s Got Talent Show returns this Saturday to the State Theatre. Support the Tides Program by enjoying a talent show featuring a cross-section of central Pennsylvania performers in competition in three age groups. Get tickets 

Memphis: The Musical

Thursday, 7:30 pm
Eisenhower Auditorium
Featuring explosive dancing, irresistible songs and a tale of forbidden love and emotion, Memphis is one of the hottest new Broadway musicals. Get tickets

Next Week at the Center for the Performing Arts

Cantus: A Place for Us
April 1, Pasquerilla Spiritual Center
Known worldwide for its “trademark warmth” and engaging performances, Cantus has been described as “the premier men’s vocal ensemble in the United States.”
Get tickets


The Legendary Count Basie Orchestra
featuring New York Voices
April 3, Eisenhower Auditorium
Jazz fans, this is a show you can’t miss! The Count Basie Orchestra returns to State College for the first time since 2007. 
Get tickets 

End-of-March Blues & Jazz Fest
at The Gamble Mill

Not only is the Gamble Mill a great stop for local food with a unique but laidback menu, it is quickly becoming one of the top venues for local music. This weekend, the Gamble Mill is hosting national and regional blues and jazz acts, so it’s a great time to stop in. Read more about why a visit to the Gamble Mill needs to be on your agenda. 

Blue-White Weekend is a Rite of Spring

The first Blue-White game in the James Franklin era is quickly approaching. This weekend is always one of the best times of the year to visit Happy Valley. Read moreabout why you absolutely need to visit Happy Valley from April 11-13.

Black Thumb or Green Thumb

Do you have more of a black thumb than a green thumb?  Everyone can have plants in their apartment.  Here are five great plants that are very hard to kill.  They will be beautiful in your apartment this spring.  You can learn more atapartment therapy.

1. Snake plant (Sansevieria Trifasciata)
This is my favorite pick for the darker corners of my own apartment. It has a sculptural appearance, adds a bit of green, and seems to thrive on neglect.

2. Spider plant (Chlorophytum Comosum)
A popular houseplant when I was growing up, these interesting plants self propagate by sending out off-shoots, do well when their roots are crowded, and can thrive in low light conditions.

3. ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)
A hardy plant that can tolerate both low light and watering neglect, the ZZ plant is great for those with a less than green thumb.

4. Lucky Bamboo (Dracaena Sanderiana)
Adaptable bamboo is a great fit for dim rooms, and is inexpensive and easy to come across.

5. Peace Lilly (Spathiphyllum Wallisii)
Known as a great plant for improving indoor air quality, the Peace Lilly is also one of the few low-light friendly options that produces flowers.

Study Tips

Whether you just finished midterms or you still have a few tests to go,  these tips can help you study!  Check out these great study tips for your big tests from cengagebrain.  We know you will ace your big tests, and you will have a great break ahead of you!

1. Skim: On midterm eve, you may be tempted to open up your chemistry book and read every word of chapters 1-55 (each chapter being approximately 35 pages). Don’t! This is a waste of time. Instead, focus on chapter headings, footnotes, the course syllabus (the subjects listed on here are probably the ones the professor deems most important), study questions, and chapter reviews.
2. Don’t cram: On this same note, don’t wait until the night before your exam to begin studying for it. Instead, begin preparing now! A September 6, 2012 article titled “Prepare Not For College Midterm Exams,” posted on SayCampusLife by Matthew C. Keegan offers some great tips on time management so you can get a head start on your upcoming midterms. Setting aside study time, reviewing notes from class, and planning early will help you feel prepared, says Keegan.
3. Attend review sessions, study groups: You may be tempted to skip out on that review session or study group being held by your TA, but this could be a huge mistake. Most of the time, these study sessions cover the main exam topics, and TAs usually let more than a few exam questions slip during these meetings.
4. Enjoy the silence: If you aren’t attending a study session, find a quiet place where you can stay focused and uninterrupted — the library, an empty classroom, the park. Your dorm room may seem like the most obvious place, but have a plan B ready for when the distractions hit (and they will).
5. Disconnect: Facebook, Pintrest, Twitter, and email are all unnecessary distractions, so while studying, disconnect for an hour or so. You may be surprised at how much you can accomplish when technology doesn’t get in the way.
6. Figure out what will be on the exam: No, this doesn’t require any mind reading abilities, but it does require you to listen and pay close attention to your professor. A 2010 post by Jeremy S. Hyman and Lynn F. Jacobs for the U.S. News & World Report titled “8 Clues to Figuring Out That College Midterm” offers up ideas such as using old exams to study and giving that review sheet another glance.
7. Meet with your professor: Stop by office hours to discuss difficult concepts, ask questions about lecture material, or just to find out what types of topics the midterm will cover. You may be surprised at how much your professor is willing to share.
8. Stay healthy: During midterms, it’s easy to overindulge on junk food, up your caffeine intake, and basically suspend all personal hygiene (you won’t be interacting with anyone anyway) — never mind the fact that you have no time to make it to the gym. Don’t fall into this rut. Instead, schedule time for healthy meals and regular exercise, and don’t forget about that shower! You may just find that these breaks help you stay focused.
9. Take breaks: Consequently, a 12-hour marathon study session won’t do anything but make you crazy. Instead, take short breaks every hour or so, even if only for 10 minutes. Leave your study area when you do — that bit of fresh air may be just what you needed to clear your head.
10. Relaxation, preparation, and time management: It’s finally here! Midterm day! Don’t let all of your hard work go to waste. Instead, check out CollegeAtlas’ post titled “Test Taking Strategies for College Midterms and Finals” (i.e. using the restroom before the exam begins and not spending too much time on a difficult question) to help ensure that you go into your midterm stress free and ready to ace that exam!

Tips for Crafting

Do you like to craft or take on projects?  Cleaning and staying organized can be the worst part of starting a new craft or project.  We have some tips on how to keep your work station clean and organized while completing your latest creation. This can make the project less overwhelming and a more enjoyable experience.  You can learn more at apartment therapy.

Start with a clean surface.

Every project will have different requirements. You might need a small table for a quick paper project, or an enormous area to layout quilt pieces — either way it's a good idea to clear off your surface and wipe it down before getting out your supplies. It only takes a minute and ensures you won't set your materials down in a puddle from your water glass, breakfast crumbs, stray threads, or any of the dozens of household perils for craft supplies.

Gather all of your materials and tools before beginning your project.

This is a common cooking tip that applies to crafting as well. By gathering everything together you're checking to be sure you have all of the necessary supplies, and preventing mess-making mid-craft mad shuffles through the bins, baskets, closets and drawers that house your supplies. Now, I will not be so obnoxious as to say that having all of your supplies stored in an organized manner is a tip for staying organized while crafting, but I will say that if the ribbon you need is tucked in a drawer with other ribbons instead of tangled around eight half-wound skeins of yarn studded with hazardous fabric shears and knitting needles, it will be easier to get started on the right foot.

Corral small items.

Anything tiny that comes in multiples should be corralled into bowls or other small containers. Things like beads, sequins, scrapbook eyelets, and screws have a tendency to roll off everywhere and then be impossible to find. I occasionally realize I must have dropped some beads when I hear my vacuum struggling near my project table. Of course, I feel I have to mention glitter. By all means corral it in a container of some kind, but if you're working with glitter my best advice is to learn to love glitter, because you will be living with it until the end of time. I have been married three and a half years and I still find glitter from the place cards at my wedding, and I've moved twice since then!

Place a scrap receptacle right at your feet.

Any sort of basket or bin to drop scraps into as you go will help keep things tidy. I like to put all of my sewing or paper scraps into my bin while I'm crafting, then go through at the end to see if I have any scraps large enough to keep. If you're working with glue, paint, or other messy/sticky items, it's a good idea to have an actual trash can nearby to throw away anything that can't be salvaged.

Clean up immediately upon finishing your project.

This is where I get into trouble. It's important to immediately put away all of your leftover supplies and tools. That way everything is back where it belongs when you want to start your next project. It's amazing how cyclical organization is! Once everything is put away you can wipe down your surfaces again. If anything has spilled, or you've marked your surface, it will never be easier to clean than when it's fresh. You can even take care of a fair amount of the aforementioned glitter mess with a damp towel.

Following these tips should help you have a tidy crafting experience, and set you up to start your next fun project!

Valentine's Day Creative Ideas

Valentine's Day is coming up, and we want to know what you have planned?  Here are 11 great creative Valentine's Day ideas for you and your loved one. You can learn more here.

I don’t consider myself a romantic, so celebrating Valentine’s Day really isn’t my thing. It’s certainly one of the more popular romantic date nights of the year, and it’s obvious love is in the air that night.
If you and your partner have been together for a while, like me and my husband, and if you’re able to get a rare night out — you don’t want to spend it doing the typical. Say goodbye to the generic “dinner and a movie” dates, and make this year’s Valentine’s Day date one you’ll remember for years by doing something a little more unique. The romance will still be in the air, but you’ll have a better story to go with it.
Here are 11 Valentine’s Day dates that go beyond dinner and a movie:
1.) Recreate the first date you ever had together
First dates are always a little awkward, but chances are since you and your partner are still together, you made it past the awkward stage. Relive it all for Valentine’s Day without the awkward by recreating that first date. If you went to a movie, rent it and make out at home like you did that night. If you went out for dinner, go back to the same restaurant or one-up it by making the same recipe at home.
2.) Take a boxing class together, and throw punches
It’s kind of the anti-love date, but I bet the two of you will be laughing the entire time. The endorphins from exercising are a bonus, too. You may end up finding a new passion or, at the very least, you’ll lie in bed the next day and nurse your bruises. If you’re on the hunt for a good boxing class, read how to find a good gym on ExpertBoxing.com
3.) Give back some love by volunteering at a local charity.
Doing good always helps us feel better, and what way to both give each other the love vibes plus help those in need? Find a local animal shelter in your area that needs some help. And if you’re an animal lover like me, find a local shelter in your area at The Humane Society of the United States.
4.) Try your hand at funny!
If you’ve always been the funny couple in your circle, try your hand at comedy for real! Sign yourselves up for an amateur night of stand-up comedy. If you’ve never done stand-up comedy, be sure to read up on your performance first by reading 6 Tips for Performing Comedy.
5.) Rent your or your partner’s “dream car.”
Take your partner and your dream car you’ve rented on a weekend adventure, and enjoy the fast pace while reconnecting! You may want to check out something like Gotham Dream Cars to find something that will have all eyes on you.
6.) Play “Truth or Dare.”
Stay home, and play a fun game of “truth or dare” and see where the night takes you. Forget how to play? Brush up on your rules, and check out these must-ask questions for your romantic game for two.
7.) Change up your bedroom.
Spend the day shopping at home decor shops for upgrades to your bedroom. Take care of quick-fixes during the day, and then enjoy the new room in the evening.
8.) Play paintball, but in the dark.
It’s fun, exciting, romantic, and again, the exercise will get those endorphins rushing! You don’t want to actually hurt each other so be sure to read up on how to play safely while still having fun.
9) Do something scary!
Think about the one thing you’ve always wanted to do, yet seem to be a little too afraid to do. Think skydiving or bungee jumping! Who better to take that plunge with than your partner on the most romantic day of the year?
10.) Live it up!
Go out to a fancy bar in your best getup, and sip on a fancy cocktail with your beau. Try something new off the list of exotic cocktails and find your new signature drink!
11.) At-home art class!
Go to the art supply store, and pick up big canvases and all the paint you need. Spend the next few hours doing finger-painting portraits of each other, and laugh or marvel at the artwork you’ve created. Don’t forget to hang it in the house afterward!

Important THON Information

Are you planning on attending THON?  Please read this blog below to learn about their new Digital Line Management System!  There is also important information about the weekend and the event center.  You can learn more here.

Digital Line Management System:


A Digital Line Management System will be used to minimize waiting outside in order to enter the Bryce Jordan Center. Spectators will be given a coded bracelet that gives them a place and number in a digital queue.


Spectators will be able to enter the BJC once their number is announced, and will also be able to wait for their number to be called in a safe place that is most convenient for them, instead of outside.


All spectators in the BJC will have a digitally coded bracelet.


After initial entry, spectators can receive these via the Will Call area throughout THON Weekend.


Spectators will be allowed in via Gate A only.


Spectators can exit via Gates A, B or C, but need to be scanned out by a Rules & Regulations Committee Member.


Once you have left the building, your current bracelet is no longer valid and you must obtain a new one if you wish to reenter the building at a later time.


When the BJC is full:


As the BJC reaches capacity, we will close the doors to spectators.


At this time, a digital queue will begin, based on the number listed on your bracelet.


The first person not able to enter the building at the current time will be first in the digital line, with all numbers following sequentially.


As spectators exit and space in the building becomes available, spectators will be called back based on this line.


Each hour on the hour, THON will release information regarding space in the building.


If spectators are allowed entry, you will see a range of numbers (based on your bracelet) being allowed access. Only numbers in this sequence will be allowed entry.


Numbers in the given sequence will have 45 minutes to return to the BJC and gain entry.


Anyone returning after 45 minutes will be turned away and need to obtain a new bracelet.


There are several ways to find out what numbers are currently being let into the BJC.


THON will update thon.org/THONWeekendUpdate with information regarding valid ranges.


THON’s social media accounts will release the ranges as well.


When Pegula is open, there will be live announcements made as the ranges are released.


Text THONUPD8 to 50555 to join the PSU THON mobile community.


SMS Subscription service. Up to 4msg/mo. Msg&Data Rates May Apply. Text STOP to 50555 to STOP. Full Terms: mGive.com/E Privacy Policy: mGive.org/P


The Pegula Ice Arena will be used in partnership with the Digital Line Management System as an auxiliary viewing area THON Weekend.


Pegula will be opened during designated times THON Weekend. Spectators will be notified via the same outlets as listed for the Digital Line Management System when Pegula is opening.


All those waiting in the digital line will be able to utilize this area until their number becomes valid, if Pegula is open at that time.


THON will be following the Bryce Jordan Center’s bag policy guidelines.


Spectators may bring in small purses, fanny packs, drawstring bags, and medical bags, all of which are subject to inspection.


Large bags, backpacks, totes, or coolers will not be permitted inside the facility.

A video with this information and a demonstration of the protocol for entering and exiting the Bryce Jordan Center can be found here.

If you have any questions concerning these changes, please contact Rules & Regulations Director, Janine Patton, at rules.regulations@thon.org or Public Relations Director, Dana Giacobello, at public.relations@thon.org.



Dec. 20, 2013



There are just 63 days until THON Weekend 2014! The Executive Committee has been working closely with the Bryce Jordan Center staff to make improvements to THON Weekend that ensure both the safety and enjoyment of our families, dancers and spectators.



While the exact details of these plans are still in the process of being finalized, the following is a brief overview of updates for THON Weekend this year.




A Digital Line Management System will be used to minimize waiting outside in order to enter the Bryce Jordan Center. Spectators will be given a coded bracelet that gives them a place and number in a digital queue. Spectators will be able to enter the BJC once their number is announced, and will also be able to wait for their number to be called in a safe place that is most convenient for them, instead of outside.


The Pegula Ice Arena will be used as an auxiliary viewing area during designated parts of the weekend.


There will be a set time during the weekend that will allow each dancer to have two individuals visit them in a designated area within the BJC, even if they were not previously in the building.


THON will be following the Bryce Jordan Center’s bag policy for events. This means spectators may bring in small purses, fanny packs, drawstring bags, diaper bags, and medical bags, all of which are subject to inspection. Large bags, backpacks, totes, or coolers will not be permitted inside the facility.



More specific details will be shared closer to THON Weekend. If you have any immediate questions or concerns, please contact Public Relations Director, Dana Giacobello, at public.relations@thon.org or Rules and Regulations Director, Janine Patton, at rules.regulations@thon.org.

Happy Valley Top Picks

This winter weather has been rough, but there are still great events happening all throughout State College.  Check out Happy Valley's list of the top picks for you to enjoy. There is something on the list for everyone!

Penn State Sporting Events

Shake the wind chill and break out of cabin fever—Penn State winter sports are hot! Bring the family to cheer on the Nittany Lions on the ice, on the court and on the mat! Check out some of the great upcoming sports events below!



Penn State Men’s Hockey Faces Boston College on Saturday – 7 p.m.
It’s been a tough season so far for the Penn State men’s hockey team as it currently holds a record of 4-14-1. However, this weekend provides a great opportunity for the Nittany Lions to turn the season around as they welcome No.2 Boston College into Pegula Ice Arena. Come to Happy Valley and experience the excitement of Division I hockey in a state-of-the-art venue. Get tickets

Lady Lions Host Two Opponents this Week
The No.13 Penn State Lady Lions (13-4 on the season) welcome two Big Ten opponents into the Bryce Jordan Center this week. The team will play host to Indiana tonight at 7, and will welcome Minnesota on Sunday at 1 p.m. Get tickets


Penn State Men’s Basketball Faces Nebraska Thursday Night – 8 p.m.
After a promising early season start, Pat Chambers’ squad has hit a rough patch recently. The Nittany Lions are 0-6 in Big Ten play and welcome Nebraska to the Bryce Jordan Center. But it won’t be an easy matchup as the Cornhuskers, who come in with a record of 9-8, recently upset No.15 Ohio State. Get tickets

Penn State Wrestling Faces Illinois Friday Night at Rec Hall – 7 p.m.
The Penn State wrestling team is undefeated (10-0) and currently is ranked No.1 in the country. A truly impressive start for a program that has won three straight national titles. The Nittany Lions look to continue their dominance Friday night against No.11 Illinois. Get tickets

Rock of Ages Tonight at Eisenhower Auditorium!

The hit Broadway musical Rock of Ages is bringing the sounds of classic 80s rock to Eisenhower Auditorium tonight! It’s the only night the show will be in town, so don’t miss this opportunity. Get tickets

Coming next week to the Center for Performing Arts at Penn State

Jeremy Denk, Pianist - January 29 - Get tickets

Guitar Passions Featuring: Sharon Isbin, Stanley Jordan, Romero Lubambo - January 31 - Get tickets

WWE Live Returns

Bryce Jordan Center
This Friday, 7:30 p.m.
WWE fans won’t want to miss this action-packed show filled with some of the biggest names in wrestling. Superstars such as John Cena, Randy Orton and Rey Mysterio will all take the ring looking to thrill the crowd with their signature moves. Get tickets

Valentine’s Day in Happy Valley

Plan a romantic weekend getaway in Happy Valley with these great lodging and dining specials as well a wine tasting.

Nittany Lion Inn – View special

Days Inn Penn State – View special

Carnegie Inn & Spa – View menu

Gigi’s Restaurant & Wine Lounge – View special

Mount Nittany Vineyard & Winery – View event details

Win Tickets to 50 Shades! The Musical – January 28 & 29

50 Shades! The Musical, the hilarious parody of the best-selling book Fifty Shades of Grey, is coming to The State Theatre later this month. We’re giving away two pairs of tickets to the show! Click here to find out how to enter.