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Unique Getaways Offer a Place to Relax

By Kseniya Gutman / WRITER | February 24

When asked where they like to go and what they like to do to get away from the stress and structure of academic life, many Auburn students came up with a variety of responses.The overall trend is that, aside from lying on the couch and watching TV or simply hanging out with friends, students were tired of the same old scene and sought something more authentic and offbeat."I don't particularly like the bar scene here," said Alex Guffey, junior in physical therapy.For many students outdoors is their escape from the structure of college life."When I really want to relax, I like to go to the arboretum," said Andrew Gaber, graduate student in community planning and public administration.Gaber is among many of the Auburn students who frequents the town's many parks and places of nature."It's usually peaceful there," Gaber said.When the weather is good Gaber said he goes there as often as several times a week, to a read and "just enjoy the natural setting."Robyn Farley, senior in biomedical sciences, enjoys going for walks with friends or as she puts it, "walks/jogs" to relax.Like many students, Farley likes going to Chewacla, but doesn't have time to do it as often as she would like.Alex Guffey, junior in pre- physical therapy, "fancies himself in nature" when he goes out to Tuskegee National Forest, only about 15 minutes from Auburn, to camp, hike or bike."I like going out to the swimming hole in Tuskeegee when weather permits," Guffey said.

Haley quadrants off-limits, past, present

By Rod Guajardo/ MANAGING EDITOR | February 24

Atop the fourth floor of each quadrant of Haley Center lies an area seen by few Auburn students and faculty."I've always seen the gates, but never knew what was up there," said Crystal Johnson, senior in English said.The continuation of the stair sets on both east and west sides of Haley Center are blocked off from student access.While each set of gates has its own entrance via a small steel iron door, the doors are locked and can only be opened by the facilities department.Some students believed that public access to the areas was once an option and was used as a "hang out" area for students.Lloyd Albert, interim director of maintenance, believes that students were never allowed free access to the areas."It's a single ply membrane," Albert said.

Album Review: Benjy Davis Project's 'Lost Souls'

By Maxwell Newfield / ASSOCIATE CAMPUS EDITOR | February 24

Music has an unusual ability to act as a medium for making powerful statements, sometimes calling for reform.Other times it's a deeply personal message about experiences or an individual's outlook on life.Benjy Davis Project's fourth album, "Lost Souls Like Us," is exactly that: a statement about where the band has been, where they are headed and experiences in between.Benjy Davis Project makes rock and roll music for the modern era.Each song emanates a poppy hook or a melancholic tone that, when repeated over the span of three to four minutes, stays with the listener long after the song has ended.The most memorable song on "Lost Souls Like Us," without question, is Bite My Tongue.

College Culinary show debuts

By Ashlee Wood / WRITER | February 24

College students across the nation have found it difficult to provide nutritious meals for themselves.

Girl's Guide: Make Meals and Save Money

By Bree Bowen / WRITER | February 24

For all the girls who love Hot Pockets, Ramen Noodles, Smart Ones or Lean Cuisines, listen up. It's time to ditch the microwave and learn to be a better chef.While socializing with friends over a meal at a restaurant is alluring to some, health and money concerns are at an all-time high.There's never been a better time to focus on learning how to prepare easy, healthy meals at home."I think the most important thing when you're trying to learn how to cook is to have the right resources," said Carol Duncan, chef and owner of Savory Solutions, a personal chef service.Duncan said when learning to cook, it's not just about learning a recipe, it's about learning a technique like braising or sauteing that can be transferred easily to other recipes."Once you learn the basics you can do everything," said Christine Healey, chef and owner of Christine's Gourmet Steak & Wine.Knowledge is the best resource when learning to cook."With anything, if you don't know why you're doing it, or know what you're doing, it's hard to make it completely and have it finished to what it should be," Healey said.For girls who are concerned with staying healthy, Healey said to stay away from using heavy oils or too much breading.Grilling is always a great option, and it is easy to get flavors using herbs and spices.

Point and shoot

By Jillian Clair / STAFF REPORTER | February 24

It's 2010 and hobby photography is becoming more popular by the day.Digital SLRs are becoming cheaper and cheaper, and everyone from high school kids to soccer moms can be seen snapping high-quality photos.Nikon, Canon, Sony, Pentax.

Downtown Greek cuisine opens March

By Jillian Clair/ Staff Writer | February 24

Calypso's Sports Bar and Grill on North College Street will open its doors at the end of March.The owner, Sherif Elbagdadi, was raised in Auburn and graduated witha bachelor's degree in business administration in December 2009.Calypso's will feature Greek and American cuisine and will offer a familyfriendly restaurant atmosphere during the day and a nightlife atmosphere after dinner."Of course I'm downtown, so I want it to be geared toward students, but I want it to be family friendly," Elbagdadi said.Elbagdadi said his mission was "restaurant first, food first," but he also wanted to focus on the needs of college students.Calypso's will be open at 11 a.m.

Lent resolutions test faith, mind

By David Norwood / ASSISTANT MULTIMEDIA EDITOR | February 24

Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, from now until Easter, Jared Rehm will wake up and dress himself in extra clothing.

Eating disorders destroy self image

By Brian Desarro / ASSISTANT INTRIGUE EDITOR | February 18

Paula Abdul, Fiona Apple, Victoria Beckham, Kate Beckinsale, Kelly Clarkson and Princess Diana all have one thing in common. All of these women struggled with and overcame an eating disorder. Feb. 21 marks the beginning of National Eating Disorder Awareness Week, bringing attention to something usually kept behind closed doors.

Women are not alone, more than one million men are affected by eating disorders

By Brian Desarro / ASSISTANT INTRIGUE EDITOR | February 18

During National Eating Disorder Awareness Week, a lot of attention is paid toward the portrayal of the female body image and the nearly 10 million women who suffer from a life threatening eating disorder.What is not focused on is the statistic that more than one million men in this country are fighting the same battle, many with little to no knowledge of how to get help."Many people still believe that eating disorders only affect females, so they may not be looking for eating disorder symptoms in males," said Jenna Silverman, senior staff clinician at the Auburn University Student Counseling Services."There tends to be greater stigma for men to talk about having any kind of mental health struggles, let alone concerns about their body image."Because of this, Silverman said that men are much less likely to recognize or seek out help for an eating disorder from friends, family or mental health professionals.Annette Kluck, assistant professor, said there are many factors leading to there being less awareness about men's eating disorders."The diagnostic criteria for anorexia originally included, and still does, the loss of a menstrual cycle for menstruating women," Kluck said.

Cell phones save the day

By Sarah Phillips / STAFF REPORTER | February 18

Most college students own cell phones for texting and calling their friends and family.But when it comes to being in danger, these little devices have a few tricks that can make a difficult situation much easier to handle for everyone.The first and most important information is to know the worldwide emergency number for mobile phones.

Tutti Frutti offers healthier dessert options with frozen yogurt and fruit

By Sarah Phillips / STAFF REPORTER | February 18

There's a new place in town to satisfy those sweet tooth cravings.Monday, Feb. 8, Tutti Frutti, a self-serve frozen yogurt shop, opened in downtown Auburn across the street from Samford Hall, where Cambridge Coffee was located.With 45 different flavors of yogurt available and near limitless options, this shop offers competition to the larger ice cream and frozen yogurt chains.Peter Lee, the general manager, is excited to bring the variety to Auburn."This is a different and new trend," Lee said.

Corey Smith performs new CD at SkyBar

By Nicole Emmett / WRITER | February 18

No stranger to Auburn, musician Corey Smith will be performing at SkyBar Cafe tonight for the first time this year."It feels familiar; it's kind of like my home territory," said Smith, who has been performing in Auburn for the last four years.The show is set to begin at 10 p.m.

'Death of the Party' adds 'grumpy' entertainment

By Kevin Saucier / Multimedia Editor | February 18

"Death of the Party" is the debut album of Chicago-area native Kyle Kinane, 32.Recorded at the legendary Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre in Los Angeles, Kinane's hour-long album is a hell of a debut.A major point of Kinane's album is how being placed into a gifted class in high school is what led him to all the hard, soul-crushingly boring 9-to-5s he works."I'm 32 years old," Kinane says.

Guy's Guide: Get ready to trim, tone, tan

By Davis Potter / WRITER | February 18

With spring break quickly approaching and the summer break just three months away, some students have booked their vacations well in advance while others are still trying to decide where they want to go.Regardless of the destination, preparation can be just as important as the trip for some students, and the process is in full swing as students aim to look their best for some fun in the sun.That means men, too.

Love without lovers: spread love to friends, family

By Anna Schierholz / WRITER | February 11

Cupid is calling. Valentine's Day is Sunday and guys across the nation are scrambling to pick out the right gift.This weekend will surely be filled with coupled activities: the romantic candlelit meal, the girl dragging her boyfriend to see "Dear John," the whimsical weekend getaway.

Groundhog predicts longer winter, could he be right?

By Jake Mastroianni / WRITER | February 11

Are groundhogs meteorologists or is the meaning of their shadow just a myth?Feb. 2, the groundhog known as Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow, signifying to believers that there will be six more weeks of winter."I think it has just kind of become a tradition and people just do it for fun," said John Plaxco, sophomore in industrial engineering.

Thongs going out of style, may be tucked away for good

By Sarah Phillips / STAFF REPORTER | February 11

In the February 2010 issue of Cosmopolitan, an article declared that thong underwear was no longer a must-have.The newest trend to hit department stores is boy short underwear, a more conservative underwear that can almost be considered full coverage.With the economy down and the weather staying cold, more people are finding themselves covering up and staying comfortable.Mary Quince Douglas, senior in secondary childhood education, supports the new trend."On a day-to-day basis I'm a boy shorts wearer," Douglas said.But neither the city of Auburn nor the students on campus have caught on to the newest fad for women.The Victoria's Secret located in The Shoppes at East Chase hasn't seen any interest in their boy short collection for some time."We discontinued them," said sales associate Ashley Catrett.