Deer hunting on the interstate
This tale is of the conflict between
woman, the wildemeh and interstate
roadways, and it takes place en route
to my lakehouse in Minnesota. Along
for the 9 hour ride was my boyfriend
Kris and my dog Brady. We took the
family truckster, an anteater looking
mini-van whose stark white color has
led my family to dub it "The Fridge".
We're Chicago Bears fans and the op
portunity to name our van after Wil
liam Perry was a temptation we
weren't about to wrestle with.
Kristopher and Brady were sleep
ing as I drove through the dairy land
of Wisconsin. I was admiring the
cuddle puddles of cows when I di
verted my eyes back to the road just
in time to see a giant crow dip in front
of "The Fridge", and without warn
ing went SMACK into the wind
shield. Shocked and shrieking, I did
Pig out at Country Buffet
by Karl Benacci
features co-editor
Not long ago, I had the op
portunity to eat lunch at Old
Country Buffet, which is lo
cated at 7200 Peach Street,
near Sam's Club.
I had heard that Old Country
Buffet had a decent selection
of different foods, so I was ex
cited to see what it had. I was
also told that there are 254 Old
Country Buffets nationwide in
41 states, which I found sur-
Media Play is located near Peach Street
by Karl Benacci
features co-editor
Many of us crave entertain
ment, however, finding the right
music, movies, books, and
video games can often be tough.
Tracking all of these things
down can be a tedious task.
Wouldn't it be wonderful if
all of these items could be ob
tained at one place?
Well, they can be. Media Play
is located near Kohl's Depart
ment Store at 6857 Peach
Street
It not only has music, mov
ies, books, and video games, but
the first thing that came to mind when
the crow didn't fall off. I turned on the
windshield wipers. This only pins the
bird's wing to the
windshield. At this
point Kris is just
waking from his nap,
he hands me a map
and I hold it over
where the bird is. l'
screaming, the dog is
howling and the
bird's wings are flap
ping against the
windshield from the
wind. It's like this
until the next rest
area 12 miles down the road \+ here Kris
took care of the bird issue.
It was a peaceful week with highlights
including: Kris forgetting to tie the rope
to the minnow bucket, sending it and $5
prising because I had never
heard of Old Country Buf
fet until it came to Erie.
After my party and I had
been seated, I noticed the
overall theme of the restau
rant. It didn't have the coun
try look that I had expected,
but appeared more modern.
I then saw the buffet and
was quite impressed, for it
had a better selection than I
had previously thought.
I chose a number of dif
ferent foods, including
Media Play
also electronics, instruments,
posters, and much more!
It also has a great selection,
and if shoppers can't find a cer
tain item, Media Play may be
able to order it for them.
However, finding music at
Media Play is quite easy when
using its computer system. A
song or an artist can be found
by typing information into a
category, and the computer can
even let an individual know if
a CD is available for purchase
and where to find it.
Perhaps the best aspect of
Media Play is its prices, which
are usually cheaper than other
worth of bait to the bottom of the
lake, and me throwing my pole into
the lake and fleeing when Kris
caught the meanest looking fish ever
to live. We left
human body ly
ing across the road when I jerk the
car out of the way. What looked like
a body was actually a deer and as
my front tire clipped its head every
thing in the car went flying. Brady
pizza, lasagna, macaroni and
cheese, and fried chicken.
I especially liked the pizza and
the fried chicken for they had a very
unique (but good) taste to them.
The lasagna and macaroni and
cheese that I had chosen weren't
anything to write home about, but
still tasted halfway decent. I was so
stuffed after eating my meal that I
had no room for dessert.
Overall, I think that Old Country
Buffet was pretty good; the cost
was fairly low. I give Old Country
Buffet "* stars.
PHOTO BY NEIL MAKADIA
stores. Sale and clearance items can't
be beat.
There are often bins full of $3
movies and $2 CD's, and if one
searches hard enough, one might be
able to find a movie.
Media Play also has a number of
events that are open to the public,
such as live music, readings, and ap
pearances by a number of popular
authors.
Great entertainment and decent
prices definitely go hand in hand,
making Media Play a definite Hot
Spot in Erie.
4 ~,,,
around sam on a
Sunday. It's
dark and Kris
and Brady are
sleeping again,
while I'm cruis
ing down the
road. I am
barely able to
make out what
appears to be a
I'r\ c.(-i
4
slid across the faux leather seats, cara
mels and Combos went everywhere,
pop spilled, and poor Kris hit his head
on the window. Through my din I
hear, "Pull over NOW." I stop scream
ing and sheepishly turned on my turn
signal. We sat on the side of the road
in silence until Kris whispered, "Get
out." I resign my self to losing my
driving privileges and we switch seats.
Kris gains composure and asks, "Are
you aligned with the devil? Why do
you keep killing these animals?!" I
point out that the deer was already
dead. This fact matters little and I am
shushed. We ride in the quiet of morn
ing until I say "I think everything will
be ok if we listen to the Super bowl
Shuffle." When he agrees I know I'm
forgiven and later this will be a really
funny story.
-Stephanie Falcone
Happenings in Erie
Twelfth Annual Cat Show, at JMC Ice Arena, 10:00 a.m. to
Mercyhurst College Presents Erie Dance Consortium, at the
Mary D' Angelo Performing Arts Center; shows are at 2:30 p.m.
Mercyhurst College Presents "Assasins," an exploration of the
history of presidential assasination in America, from Booth to
Hinkley, at Taylor Little Theatre; shows are at 2:30 p.m. and
Twelfth Annual Cat Show, at JMC Ice Arena, 10:00 a.m. to
4:00 p.m.
WWF Backlash Party, at the Kings Rook Club,
How to eat cheaply
by Joanna Carman
staff writer
We know what we like: Pizza,
burgers and carbonated drinks. But
students don't realize that the con
venience of a drive-through can put
a dent in their pockets.
Ken Scott of the National Foun
dation for Credit Counseling said
college students generally are not
known for choosing the healthiest
foods, or for being good grocery
shoppers. However, everyone needs
to eat and students need to save
money, but also eat well.
Scott said students should track
their food dollars. For one week,
write down every food or drink item
bought. Don't forget to include the
soda from the machine after physi
cal education, the popcorn at the
ball game, and the sandwich gulped
down on the way to lab. Students
may be surprised as to how much
they actually spend each week on
food and drink. Cut back on spend
ing. Once aware of where food dol
lars are going, trim those expenses.
"If you are thirsty, cool water will
be far more refreshing than a sugar
laden soda, and a lot cheaper. Those
who must have a pizza, order a one
or two topping instead of the de
luxe," Scott said.
Not all college students can be ex
pected to cook throughout the week.
However, with some planning, stu
dents can have food on hand instead
of relying on vending machines or
fast-food outlets. But remember,
April 2.8
4:00 p.m.
and 7:00 p.m.
8:00 p.m.
April 2.9
8:00 p.m.
FRIDAY, APRIL 27 2001
students don't have to commit to
preparing a four-course meal, ac
cording to Scott.
Start with the basics. Don't un
derestimate the appeal of a spa
ghetti dinner. Pasta is cheap and
filling, and you have a variety to
choose from.
Try cooking a roast or several
chickens at one time. While your
main course is in the oven, pop
in baked potatoes and corn on the
cob wrapped in foil to have a
complete, fuss-free, healthy meal.
And you have meat for future
meals such as sandwiches or sal
ads.
You pay for convenience both
at the drive through and at the gro
cery store. So think in simpler
terms. Buy lots of fresh fruit such
as bananas, apples, grapes and
watermelons that you can keep on
hand for snacks. Spend one
evening cutting carrots, celery,
cucumbers and broccoli.
Store in airtight containers and
bring out when you have late
night munchies.
Eating out can he expensive.
Even the cost of picking up a
hamburger to go can add up, Scott
says. When ordering, consider or
dering a few appetizers instead of
full, more expensive meals.
Watch out for drinks and des
serts that can really add to the fi
nal tab. If you are going to eat out,
use coupons to save money. Also,
take advantage of advertised spe
cial deals at restaurants.
PHOTO BY NEIL MAKADIA