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April 3, 2007

Being short on cash doesn’t have to mean scrimping on fun

When it comes to living on a budget, college students write the book. Many forgo the joys of Cleveland concerts and expensive clubbing just to pay for cell phones or rent. As the semester nears its close, students may begin to feel the pressure of finals and projects. But don’t stress out — from massage to food to entertainment to beautification, there are many places in Kent State’s backyard where a little self-pampering won’t break your bank.

Movies

Students renting movies at Blockbuster or Family Video have probably never considered the Kent Free Library at 312 W. Main St.

Residing in its posh, new building, the library carries a varied collection of DVDs and VHSs. Though it might be hard to find brand new titles, the library movie catalog includes fairly recent movies such as The Fog and The Lord of the Rings trilogy as well as classics such as Dirty Dancing and Blue Velvet. There are also complete seasons of hit shows such as “24” and “Gilmore Girls.”

There is no checkout limit, and films can be kept for up to two weeks.

“We only let cardholders check movies out, but there is no charge to get a card,” said Library Director Carmen Celigoj. “All we need is to see something that shows the student resides in Kent.”

Library hours are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.

If you’re looking to see a movie in the theater, there’s no need to drive to Chapel Hill. Instead, try the University Plaza Theaters at 152 Cherry St. Admission is $5.50 before 6 p.m. and $7.50 after.

To save money, try going Mondays when showings are only $5 all day and a free small popcorn is included. Students can also take advantage of College I.D. Night on Tuesdays when admission is $5.50 with proper college identification.

Call (330) 673-4450 for University Plaza Theaters’ show times.

— Ally Melling

Recreation

For students who want some activity, bowling is a great solution.

The AMF Twin Star Bowling Center off state Route 59 offers $1 games Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. On Mondays from 9 p.m. to midnight, students who pay the $5 cover charge can enjoy as many games as they want at 25 cents per game.

Kent Lanes at 1524 S. Water St. offers $3 bowling games during the week, except on Tuesdays and Thursdays after 9 p.m. when it’s $2.25 per game.

For those with no car to leave campus, the Student Recreation and Wellness Center is an active solution.

“We offer weekly intramurals to students,” said Guest Relations Supervisor Mike Thompson. “This month, students can sign up for a singles or doubles tennis competition at $5 per person per event.”

Call (330) 672-4REC for more information about intramurals.

— Ally Melling

Food

– Joshua’s Cafe located inside Stow-Munroe Falls High School at 3227 East Graham Road, Stow, Ohio 44224

A restaurant run by culinary arts students, Joshua’s Caf‚ offers lunch specials for less than $5. It’s open Wednesday through Friday from 10:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Located inside Stow-Munroe Falls high school, the cafe includes lunch specials ranging from $2.75 to $3.75 that are named after the six surrounding school districts. It also offers soups, salads and other daily specials, all less than $4. It is open to the public but reservations are also taken. “The prices are right, and we have a nice atmosphere,” Joshua’s supervisor Sandra Adkins said.

– Wild Goats Caf‚ located at 319 West Main Street.

City manager Dave Ruller named Wild Goats Caf‚ one of the best-kept secrets in Kent. The restaurant is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday though Saturday and 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Sundays. It offers breakfast, lunch, and early dinner selections for $10 or less. Walt Fox, Wild Goats Caf‚ manager, said people should eat there because of its “relaxed atmosphere and good food.” Fox also suggested the breakfast special as one of the best deals on the menu, which includes two eggs, hash browns and toast or a biscuit for $3.29.

— Deanna Stevens

Live entertainment

Apart from tasty drinks, the second floor of Mugs Brew Pub and Sports Grill features a live disc jockey on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. The deejaying starts at 10 p.m. Mugs is located at 211 Franklin Ave.

Club Khameleon on North Water Street hosts a weekly slew of live entertainment such as bands, deejays and “Open Mic” nights. On nights featuring live music, the cover charge is usually $5 for those over 21 years old and $7 for those under. The doors are open Monday through Saturday from 5 p.m. to 2:30 a.m.

Visit www.clubkhameleon.com for the official event calendar.

— Ally Melling

Haircuts

For less than the price of a Chipotle burrito, you can get your hair cut and styled at the Maplewood Career Center Salon in Ravenna.

In fact, you can also add a facial, a manicure, a pedicure and an eyebrow wax onto your bill and still pay less than $30. Whereas a shampoo, hair cut and blow dry at the trendy Cuttin’ Loose salon in Kent will shave $32 from your already thin wallet.

The MCC Salon is so inexpensive because clients are only charged enough to maintain its supply of high-end products, like Paul Mitchell shampoo and Matrix hair color, said cosmetology instructor Nancy Reedy.

“You can’t beat these prices,” she said. “It’s wonderful for low-income people or students on a tight budget. We get clients from age 2 to 92.”

The MCC Salon is open from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., Wednesday through Friday. It is staffed by 23 seniors in the cosmetology program who work for experience alone, Reedy said.

“For students, it is the best experience for them — better than any mannequin,” she said. “They develop a real-life report with the client, not just the technical aspects, so when they graduate they are already familiar in a salon.”

Shannon Linn, 17, of Brimfield said she chose the Maplewood Career Center’s cosmetology program because she was naturally interested in doing hair after growing up in a family full of cosmetologists.

Linn said she plans to use her education to work at a salon while attending Kent State for nursing.

“I can make a career out of it while at college, and I’ll be making money doing something I’m good at instead of working at Burger King,” she said.