Binge Drinking: Important Information for UF Students

Binge drinking is a major problem on college campuses. UF is no exception. According to a recent Gainesville sun article, President Bernie Machen started an anti-binge drinking campaign in the 2004-2005 school years. This required college freshman to take an online alcohol class before they could register for classes. The course requirement resulted in a large decrease in “alcohol consequences” such as rape. But what else is being done? Before we get into that, let’s talk about binge drinking and some of the side effects.
Medicine.net defines binge drinking as “downing more than five alcoholic drinks at a time in one sitting.” College students usually binge drink as a fun social activity but it can have serious even deadly consequences. After a binge, drinkers usually wake up with a bad headache, vomiting and unable to remember what they during the period of heavy drinking. Some other consequences include alcohol poisoning, unwanted pregnancy or contracting a sexually transmitted disease. Binge drinking on a regular basis can cause infertility, liver disease and even cancer.
Recently the city of Gainesville passed an ordinance banning ladies night. They said that ladies night is considered a violation of the city’s anti-discrimination policy. But the bars found a way to get around it by having high heels night. This can include men and women. So if men are willing to shave their legs and wear high heels, then they can participate in this night as well.
In addition, restaurants like The Swamp Restaurant and 101 Cantina started a new policy on July 1. After 9 p.m., these places will not admit customers who are under age 21. This is supposed to cut down on underage drinking.
Now it’s time for you to give your opinion. Share your experiences about binge drinking. Do you think the city is justified in taking action to eliminate ladies night? I look forward to hearing your feedback!

Back to School on a Budget Part I: Style

With the fall semester only two weeks away, it’s time to start getting prepared. That means lots of shopping and spending money. Shopping is a lot of fun but spending money can be difficult when you are on a tight budget. In this two part series, I will give you some tips on how to save money on everything from clothing to home essentials. We will start with clothing and part 2 will cover the other basics.
There are lots of web sites that have a ton of information on back to school fashion. For some simple ideas, I checked out seventeen.com and teenvogue.com. Seventeen’s website says this year’s trends are a bomber, skinny jeans, tribal prints, bright sneakers, textured leather boots, bangles and floral headbands. Teen Vogue.com talks about sleek mini dresses and rugged boots. You might be thinking, how I can emulate these designer trends on a budget. Read on for some examples of where you can get the latest trends at a discount!
1. Wal-Mart- Wal-Mart is one of the best places to get clothing at a discount price. They have lots of cute dresses, accessories and shoes for under $20! The great thing is no sale days. Wal-Mart has everyday low prices and you don’t have to worry about sales!
2. JC Penny- This is a great place to get fashionable clothes and accessories at good prices. Be sure to pay attention to their sale days. On Saturdays, from 9-1 p.m. you can get some great deals on basics like tank tops, denim and accessories. If you want some summer clothes at terrific prices, check out the Labor Day sales.
3. Kohls- Kohl’s always has great weekly sales. You can get extra 15% off coupons by joining their mailing list or just going to their web site. Join their email list for weekly deals. The weekends are the best time to save money!
4. Target- This is another good option. They are a little more expensive than Wal-Mart but you can get some pretty good brands at great prices!
5. Online shopping or consignment shops- When all else fails, you can get technically savvy by checking out deals online. Most of these stores that I mentioned above have great online deals and coupons. There is also eBay and overstock.com. For those of you, who are dye hard shoppers, check out consignment shops like Goodwill or the Salvation Army.
Remember, fashion is what you make it. If you can’t afford to buy this season’s trends, then make your own. There is always someone ready to follow a new trend!

Back to School on a Budget- Part 2- Supplies and Dorm Essentials

Previously on back to school on a budget, we talked about the latest styles and how to get them on a budget. This time we have a similar topic. For many students, going to back to school means living away from home for the first time. Dorm room furniture and other necessities can add up pretty quickly. Therefore, it’s important to have a list of dorm room essentials so you can be prepared and not ruin your budget.
There are several items that can be considered dorm room essentials. Some of them are comforters, blankets, lamps, desk for school work, a mini fridge, sheets and pillowcases. These are just the basics. Many students feel that electronics such as flat screen televisions, video gaming systems, an Ipad and laptop are also essential. In reality, a laptop or desktop computer are the only electronic essentials. So, where do you begin? Well check out the list below for some ideas.
Wal Mart and Best Buy are the best places to get started. Wal mart has lots of great dorm essentials like sheets and comforters at affordable prices. You can even color coordinate and match separates. This will make your room look and feel more like home. There is also Target and JC Penny but these places will be a little pricier. You can always shop online and ask friends to see if they have any slightly used items.
One last thing. You will also need lots of supplies. Check out Wal Mart and Walgreens for great deals on folders, pens, notebook paper, etc! Good Luck and Happy back to school shopping!

An Old Card Game Revival Among College Students

According to an article from the Gainesville sun in 2006, more than 6,700 University of Florida male students were regular poker players. Poker has seemed to become popular among college students because they like to gamble. It also gives them another opportunity to get together in a social setting.
The Internet has also played a big role in poker’s expansion. At the beginning of poker’s rise in popularity in 2006, 580,000 people between the ages of 14 and 22 played poker online. Online poker makes it even easier for students to get into the game because most are very technologically savvy. The Internet is also very convenient so they can easily access different online poker games and tournaments.
You might be wondering, is poker still popular in Gainesville today? How can I get involved in a poker tournament? Well, Poker still is very popular today in Gainesville. One good way to get started is to just go online. I will recommend a few good web sites for local poker tournament information.
1. http://www.huptour.com- Gainesville Free Texas Holdem Poker- This site is a great resource for those who want to get involved in a local tournament. There are many events available at local bars. If you are a poker player or know someone who is, then you might want to check it out.
2. http://www.ocalapoker.com- Ocala Poker- offers daily tournaments. This web site will provide you with information for players of all different skill levels. There is also a poker dealer training course for those who want to enhance their skills.
3. http://www.pokerlistings.com- This website offers all of the information you need to get started playing online poker.
Want more opportunities to play poker with your friends? Recently, there was a poker tournament at Oxford Manor. This one was set up by Paradigm properties but you can start one at your dorm just by getting together some friends on the same day! Happy poker playing!

What is National Geek Month?

Think back to elementary school. What do you remember most about each month? I remember each month being a different celebration. Some examples of these are Black History Month and Women’s History Month. We would spend some time making some cardboard cutouts or writing essays. But there was one special month of celebration that I did not learn about in school- National Geek History Month. This is a new celebration that has begun this year. Read onto find out more!
First let’s define the word geek. A geek is defined as someone who is obsessed with technology or things that are usually considered very intellectual. When you think of a geek, you might think of someone with a very studious appearance who wears thick glasses and is always hanging out at the library. But if you really think about it, we are all geeks in our own way. Everyone is obsessed with some type of technology. For example, your grandparents probably have a computer which allows them to take pictures, upload them, and send and receive emails. So, in a way your grandparents also can be considered geeks.
You might be wondering why August was chosen. Well August has a lot of significance for Geeks throughout the world. Firstly, August 6 is the day the first web page was launched which is a pretty important event in Geek history. Hollywood is also getting into the act by launching the Geek Awards which will honor geeky celebrities. This basically gives them the opportunity to honor celebrities who are afraid to express their technical side as well.
Please note that the majority of the information from this blog was adapted from http://www.asylum.com/2010/07/28/geek-awards-geek-history-month/. If you need more information on this subject please visit this link.
In closing, please keep in mind this famous quote from Bill Gates about geeks, “Be nice to the geeks because you probably will end up working for one of them"

Healthy On the Go Snacks for College Students

Summer is drawing to a close in Gainesville. The days are starting to get shorter. College days are just around the corner. If you are an incoming freshman or returning student, then you know that school will keep you very busy. You will definitely get hungry and be too busy to get something to eat. So why not stock up on some healthy and quick on the go snacks. One of the best places to get lots of healthy snacks is Mother Earth market. It’s a short walk from UF and they have plenty of great options available!
1. Dried fruit- Dried fruit is a great healthy and filling snack to grab on the go. There are lots of great options such as raisins, figs, apple chips, banana chips and trail mix. It’s always in season and therefore available year-round!
2. Nuts- Nuts are a great source of vitamins and minerals. They can also be a terrific way to satisfy your appetite on the go. Walnuts, pecans, almonds, pistachios are just a few examples of all of the nuts that are available.
3. Cheese sticks- Mozzarella sticks or even a mixture of cheddar cheeses can help give you energy boost and some extra calcium for the day. Enjoy them in between meals or with yogurt for a more filling snack!
4. Cliff Bars- These are a great source of vitamins and protein. They come in a wide range of flavors such as carrot cake and chocolate chip. Cliff bars can be a great snack to tide you over in between meals and also a great source of vitamins!
5. Cliff protein bars- Are you trying to build muscle? Do you need a good meal replacement bar? Cliff protein bars are great tools for muscle building. They have 20 grams of protein and come in a wide variety of flavors such as chocolate mint and cookies and cream!
6. Think Thin Bars- These bars are also great for meal replacements. They are especially good for weight loss. Try all of the yummy flavors like lemon cream pie and peanut butter. These bars are loaded with protein and lots of nutrients! Eat up!
7. Protein shakes- You can also try some great meal replacement drinks like muscle milk and go lean protein. These shakes can help fill you up and even build some muscle!
8. Fresh fruit- If you want some quick to munch on, you can always go with the old standby of fresh fruit like apples and bananas. Grab some small packages of peanut butter and you will have a great small meal!
9. Fresh veggies- Carrot and celery are also great options for quick snacks as well and you can always add some peanut butter as a dip.
10. Grab a smoothie- When all else fails, make your own smoothie at home or buy one at Mother Earth. Not only will you satisfy your hunger but you will not be thirsty either!
Until next time, enjoy healthy snacks on the go!

Voice Your Opinion: Are School Uniforms in Alachua County necessary?

Previously in blog land, we talked about the importance of learning about politics and participation in a democracy. This week I will be providing my readers with their first opportunity to express their opinion about an issue or just give me some feedback on this blog. So sit back, read on and get ready to respond.
First, let me explain the issue. It all began on Tuesday, June 1 when the Alachua County school board passed a long debated proposal requiring students in grades K-12 to wear uniforms. The original proposal required khaki pants with navy or white collared shirts but individual schools will be able to choose their own color schemes. Students will need to wear solid color shirts with a collar that do not have any type of embroidery or decoration. They will also be allowed to wear shirts with a crew neck that have the school logo on them.
Now there are advantages and disadvantages to the new uniform policy. Those who favor the policy feel that uniforms will reduce peer pressure and help students feel more comfortable and able to spend time focusing on academics rather than making a fashion statement. This also may cut expenses for parents. They will no longer need to worry about their kids not being in vogue because they do not own the most expensive pair of sneakers.
On the other hand, there are disadvantages. Uniforms rob students of their creativity and right to choose what they want to wear. It could prevent them from expressing themselves freely and can even be considered to some degree undemocratic. There is also the idea that clothes should not play a role in students ability to make friends and be successful in school. In addition, this will take away the option of parents with financial resources to purchase expensive clothing and accessories.
Well, I think that we have covered all of the bases about the pros and cons of school uniforms. Now it is your turn. Please take a minute to give me some feedback or share a story about your experience with school uniforms. Did you wear school uniforms? Tell me your story or a friend’s uniform story. I look forward to hearing from you!