September 25, 2006 THE CAPITAL TIMES 4»V *o* SyOBfINIQUE MURRAY , ; Staff Reporter DVMII2@PSU.EDU Beyonce: B'Day “Go Beyonce, Go Beyonce, it’s your birthday not a holiday, it’s your birthday!” Yes, the diva is at it once again. Beyonce Knowles, formerly a member of Destiny’s child released her second solo album entitled B Day on September 5, and it was, indeed, the diva’s birthday. It should not surprise anyone that Beyonce’s album is topping the charts. The Houston native has been in the spotlight since Destiny’s Child jumped onto the scene in 1998, and Knowles has not taken much of a break since her all girl group broke up. Knowles, the former lead singer, topped the charts first with her all girl group, then with her first solo 2003 Dangerously in Love album, and now Miss Thing tops the Billboard charts with B Day. Although I personally like Dangerously in Love, better than B Dtiy, the 25-year-old’s vocals have definitely grown. B Day features 10 tracks and many of the tracks are far different from the diva’s earlier album. If you were not sure Beyonce could sing from her first album, B ’day definitely measures the young diva’s vocals. Beyonce definitely experiments with her voice; lots of the songs are recorded with an up-tempo beat, with the singer screaming to the top of her lungs. Not many singers could get away with screaming at the top of their lungs and still sounding elegant. Beyonce illustrates this on track five titled “Ring the Alarm.” While listening to the track, Beyonce comes out of nowhere screaming, “I’ll be damned if I let another chick hang on your arm.” Big voice for a not so big woman. Although the album seemed to be a little rushed, because of the length of the tracks, the diva still puts her thing down. Not to mention her boyfriend Jay-z features on two of the tracks, “Deja-Vu” and “Upgrade U.” Miss Knowles shows her feminine strength in tracks like “Upgrade U,” and it doesn't hurt her to have Jay-Z at her back, and the Neptunes, Swizz Beatz and other talented producers working at her side. Overall, the diva’s album has many more positive attributes than negative. So just go on head and give this diva her props. How many people can say that they released their second solo album on their twenty-fifth birthday? Oh, and while you’re considering that, don’t forget she’s also, a singer, songwriter, producer, actor and fashion designer. Oh, and don’t forget about those nine Grammys. Big ups for Beyonce. Look for more from CD reviews here in The Capital Times Champs trades for new, hot look By MICHAEL ALBRIGHT Staff Reporter MBAI33@PSU.EDU “Change has a considerable psychological impact on the human mind. To the fearful it is threatening because it means that things may get worse. To the hopeful it is encouraging because things may get better. To the confident it is inspiring because the challenge exists to make things better.” - King Whitney, Jr. Like the above quote states, change can sometimes be a negative thing, something to be feared. Too often society gets caught up in the routine. Sometimes we get too comfortable. Sometimes we just need things shaken up a little. Sure, it’s ok to be comfortable with your neighborhood or your job. Less stress is never a bad thing. However, what about stress relievers and the places we go to unwind? What if we get too comfortable with places of entertainment? We get bored. Sometimes it’s unwelcome, A bit of the familiar still stands in the beautiful new Champs location. Champs now features a downstairs bar and a performance stage for bands like Green Eggs. A place By USA STONE Staff Reporter LCSI67@PSU.EDU Once again, I brave the burning rays of the accursed day star to ensure that our geeky foothold on the school’s publication media does not falter. Yes my brethren, it is my pleasure to welcome you to the second semester of Geek Corner! For this all-important edition, 1 have to admit to being at a loss for a topic. What could be big enough to snag the attention of old readers and the new geeks on campus? After a great deal of thought 1...we11, 1 had nothing. I then did what most writers I know do when they need inspiration. No, not get the bottle out of the bottom drawer you sarcastic little... *eough* Anyway, 1 looked around the room for inspiration. A glimpse around and I realized 1 was sitting in my topic. Allow me to introduce you to The Adventurer’s Guild, your local gaming shop. The front may not be much to look at, and the doubters among you may not be convinced when they first enter the store, but 1 can honestly say it is quite literally the best gamir but in the ease of Champs, it couldn't have been better done For most of the 21 + crowd at PSH, Champs is the place to be on Thursday nights. All over campus, “Champs tonight?” and “See ya at Champs!” can be heard on a weekly basis. For most students, Champs provides a central place to meet, dance, perhaps sing some karaoke, and just all around relax to take their minds off all the lectures, assignments and projects In the past, Champs has offered a wrap around bar with seating for about twenty, several tables, a few pool tables, and an arcade. The hot spot of the entire bar was the lower level stage and dance floor. There were the usual singers, and the usual songs, the sing a-longs of Garth Brooks’ “Friends in Low Places” and a few other standards. This was the Champs we all knew and loved, the Thursday night hot spot. However, towards the end of the last Geek's Corner ► for adventure and camaraderie in Harrisburg store I have been in, period. It has everything you could look for in a gaming hang-out; a wide selection of gaming core and reference books, painting supplies, miniatures, terrain, free gaming tables, computers available for use at an extremely reasonable price and, most importantly, fifty cent sodas. The Guild is also home to one of the best client bases a person could hope for. It is difficult NOT to make new friends at The Guild. Heading over to The Guild just to sit around and chat is a normal activity practiced by many Guildies. The staff is just as friendly as the clientele, happily giving tours to newcomers and non pushy advice whenever it is asked for. It is also one of the only stores I have ever been to w here the owner is constantly around and as happy to help you out as the staff is. The newly redesigned interior of Penn State Harrisburg students' favorite bar. Champs under went a major renovation throughout the summer, being sure to be open for PSU by fall. change can be for the better or for the best. Champs recently underwent the biggest redesign in the history of its eight-year existence. Nothing was gone, only changed, added onto, and made better. Patrons are greeted no longer with plywood and construction tape but with more seating, more TVs, a new bar, and more fish! Yes, even a huge fish tank now calls Champs home. Upon entering, customers arrive in the dining area. The dining area has been expanded out into the former arcade area, adding more tables and window seating as well. The dining room contains both tables and booths, each outer booth is adorned with its own flat screen television, which can be seen by all tables. Dim, - orange mood lighting with purple accent lighting creates an attractive environment. Perhaps the biggest changes to the dining area are the fireplace and gigantic blue-lit, see through fish tank. The dining room then proceeds to lead into what can now be called the main bar. The main bar area has remained unchanged for the most part, as a wrap around bar with semester were welcomed by yellow tape, blocked off portions of the club, and temporarily hung plywood. What was changing? What was Champs doing? Most of us left for the summer only to return to campus and, later on in the week, Champs, to a rather big change. However, remember Sometimes, Don’t be fooled into thinking that The Guild is just a place for hard core gamers to hang out. Newbies are always welcomed and there is almost always someone around that is willing to explain the basics of just about any game. Useful and friendly advice on things such as miniature painting, terrain creation, and just about any other type of geeky endeavor is almost always available. So don’t be ashamed if you aren’t the geekiest person out there. All types are welcomed at The Guild. The Guild management, being in touch with today’s gamer, is well aware of the fact that game sessions just aren’t complete without some form of food gracing the table and threatening to be smeared onto the gaming supplies. For this reason, The Guild allows patrons to bring in food or have it delivered. Conveniently seating for about 15 people. However, Champs plans to completely remove the existing bar and install a new one, only now the bar will expand out onto the newly built patio. That’s right; Champs will soon contain an open-air bar. An internet-jukebox has also been added to the main bar area, providing customers with thousands of their favorite songs. The biggest change can be noticed upon exiting the main bar area and entering the lower level. The lower level of Champs, now contains a newly built bar, serving all the same things as the upper bar. The stage that has provided so many memorable karaoke songs has been rebuilt with a new high-tech control room. A single pool table and the lower level as welW-3feveral TV starve been hung on the walls, however, paling in comparison to the huge flat screen television overlooking the crowd on the south wall. Champs still provides all the same brands of brews on tap with the addition of Blue Moon, but the addition of the lower level bar brings the number of taps to 16, serving 11 different kinds. Patrons can also choose to take their favorites home enough, The Guild is located on the same road as several excellent restaurants, well within easy driving distance. There is even a Subway located in the front of the building, although I found the service slow and the sandwiches sub-par at this particular branch. All The Guild’s staff asks is that you clean up after yourself when you bring food in. The Guild also hosts a number of events that should definitely be checked out. Tournaments for games such as Warhammer, Bloodbowl, Legend of the Five Rings, and Hordes are just a sampling of events The Guild offers. They also have weekly Magic the Gathering Draft Nights every Tuesday and Thursday evening, Paintfest every Monday, and Warmachine games running every Wednesday. Open gaming is held every Sunday, and people are :e to start up any game at an open table any day of the week. They also host Pokemon, Yu Gi Oh, and Duel Master card game evenings for area youth. These are just some of the Guild run events, in actuality there are many, many more. It is also important mind that those are hosted and organized staff; it doesn’t even in a six-pack from the cooler located at the main bar. Currently, Champs is still offering the same menu, but is planning to roll out a new menu very soon. Champs continues to offer lunch and dinner throughout the week. The new stage and sound room affords Champs the opportunity to invite some of the most well-known local bands to its stage. Green Eggs and Juiced are among the new guests. Champs offers other events too, like the infamous Karaoke Thursdays and a DJ every Saturday night. However, Thursdays still remain the biggest night, thanks to PSH students. Champs offers specials throughout the week, but perhaps the greatest for us is free cover charge at all times for PSU students, just make sure to show ID and enjoy the show. Champs is open seven days a week from 11 am until 2 am, and is located about five minutes from campus at the comer of route 230 and Second Street in Highspire. With seemingly never-ending hours, and a location like this, you have no excuse to not swing by and check out all the new changes. Champions Bar and Grill 300 Second St. Highspire, PA 17034 717.939.0488 \ocSB?fat wUneXf * Route 230 and 2nd St in Highspire. Open 11 a.m. - 2 a.m. daily All major credit cards accepted scratch the surface of the Guildie run going-ons including but not limited to the classic weekly gaming sessions. Many Guildies are avid Nero players (for more information on Nero, visit www.nerolarp.com) often car pooling to events together. Paintball gatherings are also another activity that the Guildies enjoy. Because everyone knows that nothing says geeky bonding like shooting one another with little chunks of paint or hitting each other over the head with foam swords. Activities such as these are just some of the things Guildies do together, and as I am sure you all know, there is always room for another special interest sort of thing where geeks are concerned. So, if you are looking for a place to hang out, stock up on some geeky goods, or hold a gaming session, consider checking out The Adventurer’s Guild. They can be found at 5570 Derry St., Harrisburg, PA. I personally keep a look out for the Subway due to the fact that they are located in the back of the building and can be easily missed if you don’t know what you are looking for. You can also check them out on the web at www.theadventurersguild. com to find out a little more information. So, no more excuses that there aren’t any places locally for a geek to hang out. Go forth, and check out The Adventurer's Guild.
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers