THE DAILY COLLEGIAN Happy Valley avoids pain of recession By Nathan Pipenberg COLLEGIAN STAFF WRITER It's a phrase touted by Penn State tour guides, shirts in local stores and ESPN announcers broadcasting from Beaver Stadium we're in Happy Valley. The phrase originated after State College made it through the Great Depression almost unharmed, and since then, the town has enjoyed a level of eco nomic comfort foreign to most small towns. That's especially true in Pennsylvania, where 19 towns and cities are considered "economically distressed - under a state government program and the state capitol may be poised to be the next city added to that list. That program, known as the Financially Distressed Municipalities Act, or Act 47, allows cities to restructure debt and essen tially declare bankruptcy Since the creation of the program in 1987, 25 towns and cities including Pittsburgh and Scranton have applied for the "financially distressed" declaration. To date, only six have recovered to the point where they have been removed from the list. State College has kept itself clear of Act 47, and discussion of applying for the pro gram hasn't even surfaced among State College Borough Council members. Talk to anyone university officials, students, members of government and one fact stands out the university is the driving force behind this economic insula tion. Penn State's aggressive expansion, increased enrollment, and higher tuition rates are all factors, but downtown officials say even local businesses have been shar ing in the wealth. What brings students buried under loans and debts to continue shopping downtown? Jody Alessandrine, director of the Downtown Improvement District, said the rate of student spending amazes him sometimes. He attributes that to the shortsighted ness of the average student, and their par ents' checkbooks. A lot of students are really spending PSU ranks sth in shaving By Vince D'lmperio FOR THE COLLEGIAN Scruffy faces are few and far between among Penn State students, according to a recent study by the makers of Schick Hydro and Sperling's Best Places. Penn State ranks fifth on the list of cleanest-shaven universities in the coun try with 83 percent of male students sport ing a clean shave. "It makes sense to shave on a daily basis," clean-shaven Jack Sheehan (fresh man-division of undergraduate studies) said. "It's keeping up with hygiene and it helps you feel better in the morning. Just shaving makes all the difference." The ranking is the result of a study in which researchers in schools across the country observed about 200 men during a two-hour period in a residence hall com mons area. Texas Tech University ranked first as the cleanest-shaven school. Harvard University and Rutgers University came in as the scruffiest of the 60 schools polled. Additionally, a national research poll conducted by StrateKvOne revealed lifestyle benefits to those who shave regu larly five or more times per week. Schick Senior Brand Manager Dan Kinton said the survey showed that males who shave regularly have twice as much Information to be passed out for Beaver Stadium 5k By Alyssa Bender COLLEGIAN STAFF WRITER Many Penn State students and fans watch their favorite football team play in Beaver Stadium during the fall season, but most people never get to step foot on the field. Five COMM 473 (Public Relations Campaigns) students are providing the chance to do just that while supporting Special Olympics Pennsylvania and Special Olympics Centre County. Though the second annual Beaver Stadium 5k Run/Family Flin Walk won't take place until Blue and White weekend in April, organizers want to start getting the word out now. They will be distributing information before the football game Saturday from 1 to 8 p.m. The five classmates took over promo tions and public relations for the event's second year. Group member Danielle Scarpa said last year 800 students and community members participated in the event, raising a total of $35,000 for Special Olympics. "Our goals for this year's event are to significantly surpass the first annual Beaver Stadium Run's student attendance and donations," group member Brezden VanOrden (senior-advertising-public rela tions) said. Only 25 of those 800 runners last year were students, she said. She said the ultimate goal of the project is "to make our campus home to the hi - Stat. univervlr;piNttiort is the key to keet S College OW oficiiattl-,f -1 4 Stye, Source Ashley RicketN/C4Alegtan their parents' income, despite debt that is on the horizon," he said. Brian Cohen, owner of Harper's, 114 W. College Avenue, said that even though his menswear shop offers the kind of goods that most people would pass up if they're pinching pennies, he's only seen business flag slightly in the past 18 months. The flap in Harrisburg over whether Act 47 will ease the city's problems city offi cials said they don't have the money in the general fund to pay employees this week shows just how the situation here in State College differs compared to other cities, towns and municipalities across the state. For example, the borough's 2010 budget passed last December with little fanfare and no tax increase. But State College Mayor Elizabeth Goreham said the economic condition of the state and country does affect the bor ough because it relies on state and federal funding to balance it's operating budget. In other words, despite the university's growth and State College's 6.6 percent unemployment rate well below the state average of 9.2 percent, according to the Department of Labor problems do exist. While it may be Happy Valley for the population of State College, Goreham said the borough government is ever mindful of the economy. Still, for business owners, life in State College is better than elsewhere in the United States. "I'm lucky to live in this community" Cohen said. "Compared to talking to other guys [who own menswear stores] around the country I'm very lucky" To e-mail reporter: ndpso4s@psu.edu sex 15.5 times per month versus 7.8 times per month and are 8 percent more social. wouldn't go to a job interview looking like I just rolled out of bed," Sheehan said. "Not shaving makes me feel like a slob." Interesting patterns related to the cul tural and geographic locations of each school were also uncovered upon analysis of the data, said Bert Sperling, president of research firm Sperling's Best Places. "Schools with more liberal arts curricu lums tend to be less clean-shaven, - Sperling said. "Those with an emphasis in engineering, finance and business are more clean." Sperling also said schools in the South and Midwest were likely more cleanly shaven because of their conservative cul tures. But not all Penn State students spend as much time man-scaping, though. "I know more people like the clean shaven look, but right now I like to be myself," scruffy Patrick Tomassetti (jun ior-crime, law and justice) said. feel like it looks good for me." According to research conducted by Schick, the most common reason why men avoid shaving is skin irritation, as 64 per cent of men said they would shave more often if there was a way to prevent the irri tation. largest Special Olympics event in the state of Pennsylvania." Students who attend the information session this year will be able to pre-regis ter for April's race. Pre-registration includes a T-shirt and entrance into a raffle to win a football signed by Joe Paterno or a volleyball signed by the Lady Lions volley ball team, she said. Group member Matt Rapposelli (senior advertising-public relations) said that as a major supporter of Special Olympics, Sue Paterno provided the football for the raffle. He said wristbands, shirts and pins will be available on Saturday. There will also be an opportunity to make donations to Special Olympics. All of the organizers are hoping to get the students excited about this event. "The Special Olympics is such an incredible organization that doesn't get the attention that it deserves from the student population at Penn State," Scarpa said. To e-mail reporter: ambsB74@psu.edu If you go What Beaver Stadium 5k Run/Family Fun Walk information session . When: Saturday Oct. 30 from 1. to 8 p.m. Where: Curtin Road between the Bryce Jordan Center and Beaver Stadium Details: pre-registration is $2O or $35 LOCAL rr= Friday. Oct 29 A CAPPELLA SHOW CASE - Featuring Penn State's: Blue In The Face, The Dreamers, The Grace Notes, The Leading Tones, None Of The Above, The Pennharmon ics, Rhythm Of Faith, Savoir Faire, and Shades Of Blue 10 PM, Alumni Hall CREATIVE CRAFTS - Pumpkin Carving! - 9 PM -1 AM, Ground Floor GAPS GAMING - 9:30 PM - 1:30 AM, Ground Floor LATENIGHT BILLIARDS - 9 PM - 1 AM, Corner Pocket ARHS MOVIE: INCEPTION - 8 PM & 11 PM, Auditorium (Note show times) FRIDAY LATENIGHT FOOD SPECIALS: Nathan's Hotdog, $1.29 Soft Pretzels, David's Large Cookies at $1.59, and 750 Box of Popcorn - - 9 PM - 1 AM Sbarroz $1.99 Meatball Hero or Pasta Special and $1 slice of Cheese or Pepperoni Pizza -9 PM-2 AM WHITE BUILDING ACTIVITIES: Late Night Basketball League - 7:30 PM start T-shirt giveaways - 9 PM while supplies last Open Recreation - 9 PM start Ballroom Dancing - 10 PM start Open Pool Recreation* - 9 PM - 12 AM (Closed if no Lifeguard) Fitness Center* - 9 PM - 1 AM (*Requires Fitness Pass/ID) CREATIVE CRAFTS - Decorate a Pumpkin Treat Bag! - 9 PM - 1 AM, Ground Floor GAPS GAMING - 9:30 PM - 1:30 AM, Ground Floor LATENIGHT BILLIARDS - 9 PM -1 AM, Corner Pocket ARHS MOVIE: INCEPTION - 8 PM & 11 PM, Auditorium (Note show times) SATURDAY LATENIGHT FOOD SPECIALS: $1.99 Fruit Smoothies, $1.29 Soft Pretzels, David's Large Cookies at $1.59, and 750 Box of Popcorn - 9 PM - 1 AM Nathan's: 590 Mini- Hamburger, 990 Nachos, $1 Nathan's Hotdog, and 5 Kenny Rogers Roasters Wings for $1.99 - 9 PM -2 AM WHITE BUILDING ACTIVITIES: Free Throw Contest - 9 PM start Open Recreation - 9 PM start Open Pool Recreation* - 9 PM - 12 AM (Closed if no Lifeguard) ' Fitness Center* - 9 PM - 1 AM (*Requires Fitness Pass/ID) ARHS MOVIE: INCEPTION - 9 PM only, Auditorium (Note show time) PSU-UPark Student ID required at most events. All events are in the HUB-Robeson Center unless noted otherwise. Check out Union St. and get a great deal on late night food on Friday and Saturday nights! www.latenight.psu.edu BROUGHT TO YOU BY UPA EZ2I FRIDAY, OCT. 29, 2010 15 ARHS Movies Presents Inception Friday & Saturday: 8 PM & 11 PM Sunday: 9 PM (Note Show Times) PSU Student ID required. All ARHS movies are shown in the HUB Auditorium. All ARHS movies are free & funded by UPAC! Your Student Activity Fee at work! There's one item missing from "The twenty five things 'real' Penn Staters do before they graduate": Getting involved with Service! Applying for the 2011 Fresh START Day of Service Planning Committee is the perfect opportunity to mark this item off your list! WHY APPLY FOR THE PLANNING COMMITTEE? -Be a part of Penn State's largest day of service -Great leadership experience -Inspire others to "get rooted in service -Prior experience (participant or team leader) not required but encouraged WANT TO KNOW HOW TO APPLY? -Applications available beginning Monday, Oct. 25 in 209 HUB -Applications due Monday, Nov. 5 by 5 PM in 209 HUB -20 minute interview part of the application Join the 2011 Fresh START Planning Committee and inspire other students to "Get Rooted' in service! For additional information, please contact 2010 Fresh START Executive Director, Carolyn Higgins, at cjhs2l9@psu.edu STUDENTS, PAY TRIBUTE TO OUR Penn State faculty & staff! Nov. 2 - 4 10:30AM - 2PM HUB-Robeson Center first floor Recognize a special staff assistant, housekeeper, professor or any full-time Penn State employee for his/her act(s) of kindness. *Personalize a "thank you" note *Let us mail it *Receive a gift Habitat for Humanity Five Guys Fundraiser Nov. 3 SPM - BPM Five Guys on College Avenue Come support Habitat for Humanity at Five Guys Burgers and Fries on Nov. 3!
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