SCHINE Student Center

We've all read the extensive articles in the DO over the years that highlight all the things that are wrong with our humble student center. I'd like to take this opportunity to remind you that there is some good to it:

Bookstore:
Forget even thinking about buying another jersey for a team you don't play for. Head downstairs and straight to the newsstand. The bookstore's selection of magazines is surprisingly sweet- personal favorites of mine include The Fader and New York Magazine (seriously, read this magazine). Also to my surprise was the addition of VenusZine, a longtime favorite of mine. Pretty sure it arrived in the bookstore because a friendly employee overheard me gushing about it and offered to start carrying it! Look at what influence we have, students! Rise up and request your favorite magazine!

Food Court:
Sal's Birdland scares the crap out of me. But luckily the food court has (recently?) expanded their random foods selection with an "organics" or maybe "all-natural" section, which is set apart from all the other food by a fall-foliage garland. Just think about all the granola you will soon get to eat! Also I noticed huge bottles of hot sauce in a (new?) stand close to the check-out line. The sign adjacent to it suggests that these huge hot sauce bottles are "grab and go!" I would really like to get some facts on how many of these grab and go hot sauce bottles have been sold... and why.

[picture from http://emc.syr.edu/tour/new/images/photos/38-1.jpg thanks, dudez!]

The MOST

Big ups to an article published today by The Post-Standard (URL at end of post). I had no idea that the Museum of Science and Technology (MOST to most) was undergoing serious renovations... and I was just in there. It's about time, too. Maybe it's because I'm in college, but the MOST feels mediocre at best. (Seriously, would it kill the staff of the MOST to change the bubble fluid once in a while? I can't even trap myself in a bubble!) Exceptions include the planetarium, IMAX as well as the sweet light thing that takes a "photo" of your shadow. The planned renovations sound seriously sweet- I can't wait to push toddlers out of the way so I can learn about the topography of Central New York. The only thing that bothers me a little about this is the approach- the renovations are sponsored by CNY businesses- okay- but this is because they think they can attract future employees? At age six? Really? As strange as that seems, we should be thankful that explansions are happening.


Support, Support:

http://www.syracuse.com/articles/news/index.ssf?/base/news-12/1196157568313350.xml&coll=1

Syracuse on Myspace

Myspace can be pretty creepy, and I read an article somewhere that says most of its users are more likely to have found a job after high school then go to college- but don't let that influence you! Myspace is increasingly being utilized by Syracuse people, places and things. Also once you visit these pages, you will be linked to many, many more Syracuse-centric myspaces. Think of this special myspace usage as research.. fun research? It's enriching!


"Syracuse": myspace.com/itsallheresyracuse
Alto Cinco: myspace.com/422mexx
Alto Cinco Late Night: myspace.com/alto_cinco
Second Story Book Store: myspace.com/second_story
Recess Coffee: myspace.com/recesscoffee
Halo Tattoos and Piercing: myspace.com/halotattoo
The Bang Project: myspace.com/thebangproject
Syracuse Experimental: myspace.com/syrfilmworks
Spark Art Space: myspace.com/sparkartspace
Roji Tea Lounge: myspace.com/rojitealounge
Syracuse Public Arts: myspace.com/syracusepublicarts
Real Food Co-Op: myspace.com/syracuserealfoodcoop
Razzbarry Boutique: myspace.com/razzbarrysyracuse
Warehouse Gallery: myspace.com/thewarehousegallery

...and coming soon: myspace.com/syracute!



[photo from http://www.combatsportscentre.co.uk/pictures/Myspace_Logo.jpg, thanks dudez!]

buy your bread here

Pasta's Daily Bread
This place may have the best bread we've ever tasted. If you have eaten at Pastabilities, you are probably familiar with this bread and accompanying spicy tomato dipping sauce. We usually skip eating in the restaurant in lieu of buying a loaf and some sauce and sitting in Armory Square and devouring the whole thing.


Here are our favorite ways to use this bread...

Eggs Florentine
Things you'll need:
Bread
Eggs
Spinach
Hollandaise sauce

1. Fry the eggs. We prefer the yolks to be a little more solid than over-medium.
2. Cook the spinach.
3. Make Hollandaise sauce. We buy the packet-form, but go wild and homemade if you want.
4. Cut bread into as many sections as you want. Slice in half. Toast.
5. Assemble in this order: Bread, egg, spinach, sauce, bread.

Bread and Dips and Stuff
Things you'll need:
Dips
Bread
Cheese
Olives
Whatever else you like to eat

1. Go to Wegmans (or any other grocery store) and buy some of the following items: Basil pesto, sundried tomato pesto, any other sauce that looks appetizing, Boursin cheese spread, any sort of cheese (mozzarella, goat, brie, etc).
2. Buy some olives. We like them stuffed with garlic or gorgonzola.
3. Put all of your purchases in pretty bowls or on pretty plates.
4. Cut bread.
5. Eat whatever looks good.

Point is, this bread is great. We just want you to buy a loaf. If you don't feel like going to Armory, you can buy some from the Co-Op.

Delicious

SAMRAT: A Visual Representation

Ok, Alison and I are in love with Samrat. We happen to believe it offers one of the best buffets in Syracuse. $8.00 for all the spicy and delicious Indian food you can eat? I'd say that is a pretty incredible deal. Plus, the choices are diverse and they change daily. They usually offer three chicken dishes and three vegetarian, one or two specials, a salad bar, rice pudding, mango pudding, gulab jaman (a dessert), and the best naan ever. Basically, it's one of our favorite places to go. Who knew those creepy stairs* on South Crouse could lead somewhere so amazing?



*Aforementioned creepy stairs













Clockwise from left: Navratan Korma, Raa Mah, Sag Paneer, Alu Gobhi, Basmati Rice, Naan, Chicken Makhani