College Nights and Student Discounts and Cultural Events, Oh My!
By Lauren Koblara

So you’ve sat through your student orientation, you have your class schedule, and now you’re ready to soak up some of the excitement that the city of Worcester has to offer. The fall months in New England are some of the busiest. Every year the sudden influx of students causes a swell in the city. Local college hotspots nearly burst at the seams. But where are these hotspots, you may ask? Once you’re comfortable getting around the city, you may discover hidden nightlife gems on your own. Until then, feel free to take your pick from some of these local attractions.

Annual Festivals

There is nothing that will really give you the full experience of the city of Worcester quite like one of its local festivals. With summer fading away, we know all too well that those daylight hours will be dwindling down to nothing. It’s best to enjoy them while we can. Why not gather up some friends and join in on one (or all!) of these annual celebrations? There is something going on nearly every weekend, guaranteed to keep your September exciting.

The first weekend in September on Saturday, September 6 is a doubleheader as far as festivals go. From 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. you can catch the Blackstone CanalFest. Head over to Harding Street to help celebrate the revival of the Canal District and its vibrant history. Another added bonus ~ admission to CanalFest is free. Get more details about the event at www.blackstonecanal.org

Your other festival option is the Second Annual Shrewsbury Street College Shuffle. Starting at noon and continuing until 3 p.m., shufflers can sample foods from over 20 Shrewsbury Street restaurants. Tickets on that day will be $15 per person. If you buy them in advance they’re only $10. In addition to the delicious variety of foods, there’s going to be live entertainment in the form of several performing dance groups from local colleges. To learn more about the Shrewsbury Street Shuffle see our article in CollegeBeat.

For the animal lover out there, on Sunday, September 14 Quinsigamond Community College will be hosting the 10th Annual Pet Rock Festival. Between 12 and 5 p.m., festival goers will be treated to live music and can take part in raffles, giveaways, and pet adoptions and visit other pet-centric vendors and information booths. Pet Rock raises money and awareness for animal shelters and organizations, all while ensuring that you have a great time. Tickets are $12 per person (four legged friends get in free!) and you can find a $2 off admission coupon on their web site at www.petrockfest.com

Every year on Park Ave between Highland Street and Pleasant Street, the area becomes one huge art and gift gallery as the StART on the Street festival rolls into town. This year, it all starts on Sunday, September 21 and runs from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Get your shop on and help support local artists.

For an event with a festive atmosphere and a good cause, there’s the tenth annual Voices for Children Bike Ride at Assumption College on September 7. Participants can ride 1-5, 10, 25, or 50-mile distances to raise money for two local agencies, the Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children and the Child Assault Prevention Program. There will also be live entertainment, raffles, concessions and free massage therapy for riders. It’s a great way to enjoy a fun day in the city while making a difference in someone’s life. The 50-mile ride begins at 9 a.m. while all other activities begin at 10 a.m. Arrive at 8 a.m. for registration. To register for the event, head to www.assumption.edu/bikeride/register.html.

College Nights

Pop quizzes, term papers, professors from hell…College can be tough and what better way to blow off some steam than a night out? Depending on what you and your crew are looking for, there are tons of options nearby. And for those of you who aren’t quite 21 yet, don’t worry! There are plenty of 18+ college nights in town so no one has to be left out. Now what will it be? Dancing, karaoke or trivia?

One of the most popular spots for the college crowd, McFadden’s on Front Street, is kicking off the fall semester in a big way. Their first college night of the year, an Animal House Toga Party, will be held September 11. Get out your bed sheets and work your hottest toga fashions because prizes will be given for the most creative toga. And keep your eyes peeled for McFadden’s John Belushi look alike. Enjoy half priced appetizers between 8 and 9 p.m. and count how many times you hear people chanting, “To-ga! To-ga!” You could probably make a decent drinking game out of it. Did I mention $5 pitchers of beer? For information on McFadden’s take a peek at their web site www.mcfaddensworcester.com

The Blu Ultralounge, located on Water Street, is a premier nightclub catering to the gay/lesbian community. Blu offers weekly theme nights like the Wednesday Night Dance Party, High Voltage Thursdays, X-cess Fridays, and Tantrum Saturdays, and most nights are 18+. Just check with the schedule of events on their web site www.blu-nightclub.com.

The Grey Hound Pub, the Irish themed pub in Kelley Square, not only has live music on Fridays and Saturdays, but also hosts a mean trivia night. Thursdays’ Team Trivia featuring Brain Freeze Trivia starts at 7:30 p.m. Organize you own team of 1-5 players and pre-register at the Brain Freeze web site, www.brainfreezetrivia.com. And don’t worry, you won’t need to hit the books to have a chance to win. According to the Brain Freeze site, the categories can be handled by students of all IQs. Example categories are Heavy Petting (all about sex, romance, marriage and more), Liars & Cheaters (all about politics), and Get Your Buzz On (food,and drink). It’s just one more way to ensure that you’re getting a well rounded college education here in Worcester.

The Irish Times and Rehab Nightclub promises “Good people, Good prices, Good times!” Right on Main Street in Worcester, this place has something for everyone. Show your karaoke talent on Wednesdays (18+), Thirsty Thursdays (18+), and Friday Night Frenzy. Lunch and dinner are served seven days a week at the pub and you can take shot at the pool table or listen to live music. For nightlife, the complex has a busy schedule with Tuesday Night Trivia. It’s free to play with the chance of cash prizes.

The Red 1888 hosts their weekly college 18+ night every Thursday. DJ Xkaliber will be mixing top 40 hits and old favorites all night long, so prepare to dance. The doors open at 10:30 and it’s suggested that you get there early to avoid waiting in line (plus entry is discounted before 11 p.m.). The club has a strict dress code, so dress to impress and if you are questioning any apparel give them a call to double check at 508-795-7775.

Tammany Hall on Pleasant Street also hosts a college karaoke/open mic night every Tuesday. College karaoke is 18+ and starts at 10 p.m. There’s no cover charge and there are plenty of drink specials and giveaways, so it’s a win-win situation.

Thursday night at the Voodoo Club is college night and Friday and Sundays the club is open to the 18 and over crowd. Voodoo is a great place to go if one or more of your friends is under 21. Enjoy dancing the night away in the heart of Worcester.

For those students who don’t have the luxury of owning a car to visit all these great places, Zipcar may be able to help out. This new system allows students to reserve cars for hours at a time without worrying about the cost of gas. Holy Cross was the first school to sign up for the program, and most recently, the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences have done the same. How does it work? Log on to www.zipcar.com, apply for membership, wait for your Zipcard to arrive, reserve a car and then use your Zipcard to open the vehicle and enjoy the ride. Not only is it a convenience, but it’s also great for the environment. By promoting the importance of carpooling and reducing the number of cars on college campuses, it helps reduce fuel emissions. Get your ride on and make the earth happy happy happy.

Student Discounts

When you’re a student, you’re always running on limited funds. Thankfully, there are many local places that give discounts to students with a current college ID and there are other student savings programs available as well. And although Ramen noodles can be tasty in moderation, it’s nice to know that there are other ways for you to save some cash.

Once you get your student ID, you should probably keep it handy. Most museums in the area offer special rates for students toting their IDs and chances are, even if museums aren’t necessarily your thing, professors love to give assignments that require a museum visit. For the nature and science buffs, the EcoTarium on Harrington Way has plenty of nature trails, exhibits and animals. With your college ID, you save $2 off the admission price. The Worcester Art Museum on Salisbury Street has numerous galleries and both regular and traveling exhibits as well as a full schedule of art classes and events. Full-time students with an ID will save $2. If you can manage to get yourself out of bed early enough on any Saturday morning, admission is free between 10 a.m. and noon. For a list of current exhibits and events going on at the Worcester Art Museum, log on to www.worcesterart.org. For students at Fitchburg State College, check out the Fitchburg Art Museum. It’s North County’s most treasured location and admission is free for Falcon students.

Take advantage of student discounts at the Worcester Historical Museum. It’s a great way to learn about the growth and history of the city. The museum currently has exhibits showcasing the stylish creations of fashion designer and former Worcester resident Jessie Randall, Davey’s Inc., a producer of handbags, belts and other leather accessories in Worcester from 1954 to 1992 and a lot more. If you bring your student ID, you’ll get a dollar off admission. Check out www.worcesterhistory.org for more information. If you’re in the mood for a trip back to the medieval times, Higgins Armory Museum is the place to go. Who could resist learning the history of arms and armory? When you can get a reduced admission of $5 (usually $9) with your college ID, it’s hard to pass up the trip. If you want to learn more about the museum, head to www.higgins.org.

If you really want to step up your college student discounts, you might want to look into one of the many additional savings programs that are available to students. The Worcester Cultural Coalition created the Woo Card, a discount card that will get you into many of the city’s cultural events. As you use your Woo Card, you’ll earn points that make you eligible for monthly drawings and prizes. The Woo Card is totally free (we like free, don’t we?) and easy to get. Just go to www.woocard.org for your card and a schedule of events.

The Student Advantage Discount Program is “the nation’s largest student discount program.” For $20 a year, the Student Advantage Card gets you discounts of up to 50% on stuff that you definitely will use, like 15% off of Amtrak and Greyhound fares, up to 40% off box office prices at AMC Theaters and $10 off at Foot Locker. You can sign up online and see a full list of discounts at www.studentadvantage.com. They guarantee that you will save money, so what do you have to lose?

Special cards and IDs aside, students can really save a lot of green by taking advantage of all of the amenities on campus. If your parents paid for your meal card, use it! We know that it’s tempting to eat out with all of these great local restaurants around, but it can get expensive pretty fast. Save the dining out for special occasions…like after midterm exams. Another money saver is hitting up all of the free events that your campus sponsors. Most colleges have plenty of fun things for residents to do ~ movie nights, scavenger hunts and school sporting events. There are also lots of on-campus workshops and lectures that coincide with your study interests. Get involved! It’s the best way to keep busy and meet people.
For Worcester college students, there is no greater resource than the Colleges of Worcester Consortium. The Consortium is a 40-year-old partnership with 13 area colleges including Anna Maria College, Assumption College, Atlantic Union College, Becker College, Clark University, College of the Holy Cross, Tufts’ Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences, Nichols College, Quinsigamond Community College, UMass Medical School, Worcester State College and Worcester Polytechnic Institute. They provide information, events and assistance to local college students in order to enhance their experience and education. Their web site is a wealth of student resources with academic calendars, area maps, internship/career opportunities and college events.

The Consortium also coordinates a free shuttle bus service that connects WPI, Becker, Assumption, Clark, Worcester State and Holy Cross for intercampus transportation. The shuttle goes to the Worcester Public Library, Union Station, Worcester Art Museum and the downtown area. The Consortium also has the Woo Bus, your free ticket to getting out and about on Fridays and Saturdays. The Woo Bus picks up students at several college campuses and, if you have your trusty ID card, will drop you off at social hubs like Shrewsbury Street, the Canal District and Park Ave. So, save your gas money and hop on the bus. For complete routes and schedules, as well as all of the helpful resources that the Consortium provides, log on to www.COWC.org

Shopping the Smart Way

To get ready for this school year, it’s essential to get some shopping done. Every student fears the start of school because that means hours of searching for clothes and supplies. Not only can it be time consuming, but it can really put a dent in your wallet. How do you solve this problem? We here at Pulse want to give our readers bang for their buck. Take a look at some hidden gems that will help solve your shopping needs and go lean on your green.
On Park Ave you’ll find The Goodwill Store. This place will keep you busy for hours. It’ll be tough to settle on one outfit with all the racks of clothing. Mix and match vintage looks and modern styles. It’s also a great way to spruce up your dorm or apartment. It’s not uncommon to find a nice coffee table or dresser for a terrific price. Be sure to check out their weekly sales. Two days a week you’ll be able to get half off selected items. Shopping at The Goodwill Store is a bargain hunter’s dream.

Savers is another popular thrift store on Mill Street. It’s packed with traditional items like clothing and furniture at cheap prices. They also carry a lot more for people to choose from. There are a host of kitchen appliances available. There’s also a selection of books that can help students relax from the stresses of college life. Be sure to check out the jewelry. You can get a quality piece at a great price for your love interest. It’ll be our little secret. Its diverse selection makes Savers a place for all shoppers.

The Salvation Army has long been a traditional stop for people looking for a bargain. Located on Cambridge Street, it’s a great place to meet some wonderful people who are always willing to help out. The store offers a lot of clothing options as well as appliances any apartment would need. Can’t find what you’re looking for? Chances are it’ll wind up there eventually because new items are brought in daily.

Perhaps every college student’s best friend is the Family Dollar Store. Some might confuse it as heaven with these prices. With three locations in Worcester, it won’t be hard to find one close to you. It’s a great place to buy household items like cleaning supplies because you can expect a big markdown. With the school year approaching, Family Dollar is having a Back to School promotion. Get school items like notebooks, pens and pencils for the cheapest prices. But this is only the tip of the iceberg of the products they offer. If you need something, you can bet Family Dollar has it.

Tips for freshman on partying:

“Don’t try to pull it off in the dorm. Can’t tell you how many times people have pulled it off once and thought they could get away with it more. It will catch up to you.”

Jack Wilson, 24 – Worcester State College – Business Administration Major

Attack of the Freshman 15!
By Kyle Frye

The college experience is filled with a boatload of changes. For many, it’s the first taste of true independence. But beware! Too much tasting leads to another college change ~ the dreaded freshman 15. Here are some ways to avoid being a victim.

Keep The Caf Diet Low If you’re looking to stay fit, the cafeteria isn’t always the best place to go.. Expect a lot of greasy and salty foods. Take advantage of the salads, fruits and vegetables.

Avoid Frank The Tank Beer Belly Hey, we all like to throw a few drinks down after a long day hitting the books. Too much of it is a certain way to gain weight. When you’re thinking about cracking another cold one, think of how you’d look with a gross beer belly.

Power Up At The Gym Most colleges have gyms and they’re free to use. Make it a daily activity with your roommate. It’s also a great way to release all the stresses that come with college life.

Don’t Munch Down To Cheer Up Almost everyone gets stressed out and lonely at the beginning of college. Some may use food as a way to counteract these tough times. Switch the chips for strawberries and the chocolate for an apple.

Late Night Eating It becomes common practice to grab a meal after a long night of studying or partying. Some You tend not to stay up long enough for your body to break down the consumed food. Instead, it stores it as fat. Best way to make sure you aren’t becoming a little chubby from late night eating is to switch to fruits and veggies as your study treat.

Tips for freshman on dorm life:

“Start by leaving your dorm door open. Foot traffic is a good way to meet people and network. If you do it, other students will follow.”

Danielle Ride, 20 – Anna Maria College – Fire Science Major

What Time Is It? Game Time!
By Andy Sullivan

Nothing says “college life” more than attending an athletic event and rooting your school to victory. It’s always fun to throw on your team colors, grab some friends and go head-to-head with the rival school’s cheering section. Here are just a few of the competitive local sports teams poised to make this upcoming season one to remember. Check out these teams and you’ll see a ton of talent, a great competitive atmosphere and a whole lot of fun. These are the teams to watch for this year.

Crusaders – Holy Cross
Football

Nothing says fall like some smash mouth football! Coming off a successful season, Holy Cross is looking to take over the Patriot League and fill the seats at Fitton Field. Last year the team finished with a 7-4 record, tied for second in the conference.

What makes this team one to watch? It’s pretty simple ~ offensive firepower. While Tom Brady and company were lighting the NFL on fire last year, Holy Cross treated local fans to a similar show. The team averaged a ridiculous 35.4 points a game. The star performer was quarterback Dominic Randolph. He finished the year with 30 touchdowns to only eight interceptions and he threw for over 3,500 yards. This impressive season earned him Patriot League Offensive Player of the Year.

What can you look for from the Crusaders this season? Expect the same offensive explosion. If they can start the season on a winning note, they could ride it through the year. Start planning a trip to the field on Saturdays.

Lancers – Worcester State College
Baseball

It was a tale of two seasons for the Lancers last year. When they lost to WPI on April 7, things were bleak with a 6-13 record. Instead of sulking, they hit an incredible hot streak and went 17-3. This dramatic turnaround led them to a Massachusetts State College Athletic Conference Championship.

The team put on a hitting clinic throughout the season. Catcher Chris Logan (.364 average) and outfielder Chris Gusha (.365 average) were among some of the top performers. The big slugger of the team was first baseman Nate Nelson with 48 RBIs and 12 home runs.

With all three players graduating, one might assume that the team will take a step back next year. If history has taught us anything, it’s that this team has the ability to bounce back from adversity.

Look for some guys to get increased roles and excel. Outfielder Corey Abbascia showed a lot in a slightly limited role, hitting .369 with 22 runs scored. He may be able to lessen the blow of losing Gusha.

Of course, there’s the old adage that good pitching beats good hitting. Craig McBride may have been their best starter last season with a 6-2 record and 3.30 ERA. If he can continue to develop into a dominant starter, it will help the Lancers a lot.

Catch a Lancers games and you’ll be certain to see some of the best baseball in the area. And don’t we always like to root for the underdog?

Bison – Nichols College
Men’s Hockey

No team was hotter on the ice than the Bison of Nichols College. Last season they had a 20-7-1 record and reached the ECAC Northeast Championship game. In a tough contest, the Bison came out on the losing end. Despite the loss, Izzi was proud of his team’s season.

“Playing our way to the championship game was a tremendous experience for our players and student body,” he said. “It also is a reflection of how far our program has come in a short period of time. From 1979 through 2005, Nichols College had 26 straight losing hockey seasons, and now we’ve put together three straight winning seasons in which we’ve won a total of 51 games.”

Defensemen Jeff Bieber and forward Anthony Monte were All-Star selections, each scoring 22 goals. Defensemen Cole Ruwe and Glenn Cacaro’s work on the defensive end helped keep the opponent’s offensive effectiveness to a minimum. Forwards Ryan Gervals, Zeke Costello and Erick Cremer played a big role up front by setting the tempo, speed and aggressiveness for the whole team.

All the players will be returning this season.

“I believe the only way you can be successful year after year at this level is that you need to develop stability within your program,” said Izzi. “This is a process that evolves over time. There are no shortcuts, but if you do the right things, the right way, all of the time, then success usually follows.”

Izzi looks to maintain the high level of play the team has shown the last few years.

“There’s no doubt on paper this will be our deepest and most talented team. But, that doesn’t guarantee us anything,” he said. “The toughest part is that we’ll have a big bull’s-eye on our back right from the first game. Everybody knows we will be good, and I’m sure we’ll see their best.

“Our veterans got a big taste last year of what it’s like to play for the championship, and they are quite hungry to make it back to that game and win it all.”

Lady Hawks – Becker College
Women’s Basketball

How ‘bout those Lady Hawks? They won the North Atlantic Conference Championship and went 18-11 last season. Led by standout seniors Brittany Evans and Kristin Karat, Becker finished second in the NAC and completely dominated the NAC Tournament.

The Lady Hawks will have a tough task replacing Evans and Karat, but it also gives a chance for some players to seize the opportunity.

One of those players could be guard Courtney Fiske. She’s one of the rare players who can rebound (second most on the team) and make an impact with her perimeter game (second most three-pointers made last season). With another year under her belt, she could be a player to watch for next season.

There will also be the return of star center Beth Pion. She was second on the team with 13.7 points a game. She’s a terrific rebounder, grabbing 7.1 a game. Going into her senior season, you can bet she’ll be at the top of her game.

Head Coach Dean Godin has done a good job turning the team into a legitimate contender in the North Atlantic Conference. They should be a lot of fun to watch.

Engineers – WPI
Men’s Basketball

The WPI men’s basketball team was a model of consistency last year. With a record of 21-7, they won the New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference regular season title. They reached the championship game NEWMAC where they lost to a tough Coast Guard team.

The Engineers got a lot of production from a trio of players in Antoine Coleman, Jim Marois and Jerome Kirkland. This Big Three was the main focal point of the offense, accounting for a combined 41 points per game.

Coleman had a terrific season. Along with his offensive ability, he was a beast on the boards, grabbing six a game. His efforts got him an Eastern College Athletic Conference first team All-New England selection. Since he graduated last year, there will be some big shoes to fill in the post. Barltey thinks his team will be able to respond to the challenge.

“We have a strong group of experienced perimeter players back with seniors Jerome Kirkland, Adam Lirette and NT Izuchi to go along with Ben Etten and Kyle Nadeau who are coming off good freshmen seasons,” said Barltey. “The key for us will be how well our frontcourt rebounds and defends and how swiftly our new post players learn our system and are ready to contribute.”

If you’re looking to find some great offensive firepower and defensive execution, make a trip out to Harrington Auditorium and enjoy the action.

Tips for freshmen on choosing a major:

“Try to look at what you like to do and what your good at and from there you should be able to figure out what you want to do with yourself for the rest of your career. My best advice would be to not be afraid to change your mind. It’s a lot better to change your mind now than 4 years and a degree later.”

Jack Wilson, 24 – Worcester State College – Business Administration

Battle of The Mascots