34th Street Magazine's "Toast" is a semi-weekly newsletter with the latest on Penn's campus culture and arts scene. Delivered Monday-Wednesday-Friday.
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It's still early in the year, but a few recent crime statistics actually have us optimistic for the rest of the year.
Compared to the same period in 2008, theft from buildings - the typical unattended wallet-and-laptop swipings - were down significantly in 2009.
Last week residents of Gregory College House, received an e-mail informing us that Facilities would be replacing the showerheads with new, water-conserving models. I was very impressed - the Oxygenics showerheads will save millions of gallons of water and reduce greenhouse-gas emissions (natural gas is used to heat the water).
Last Sunday's Undergraduate Assembly meeting confirmed that we live in an age in which we must please everyone. And by everyone, I mean "minorities." This week it got so bad that the UA's Working Group on Minorities in Undergraduate Education introduced several proposals to "stand up for these gender and ethnic minorities and say that they are an important part of the University," as volunteer member and Wharton and Nursing sophomore G.
Philly Diner is a safety issue
To the Editor:
In response to Monday's "Winnowing Options" editorial, I would contend that shutting down Philly Diner's late-night hours is the right choice. As a bartender at Cav's across the street, I'm often outside the Diner in the early morning hours, and while the atmosphere is festive, the late-night hours created a serious accident waiting to happen.
In late January, Mayor Michael Nutter announced that the City was contemplating raising taxes in order to close the $1.4-billion budget deficit Philadelphia faces over the next five years. A week ago, he and his team officially unveiled a projected budget and five-year plan intended to close the gap and mitigate the effects of the recession.
Last November, when Mayor Michael Nutter announced emergency budget cuts that would close libraries and public recreation centers, many were bewildered that the typically receptive and thoughtful mayor made such a tone-deaf decision, without considering others' opinions.
I didn't shed any tears when they shut down Koko Bongo. And when Wizzards closed, Atlantis moved in, lunch buffet and all. But forcing Philly Diner to close at 2 a.m. on weekends and 1 a.m. on weeknights? That's more than I can take.
It isn't even because I'll no longer have a place to go at four in the morning for a milk shake and a sampler platter - the fact that Philly Diner is closing early in response to a February shooting as part of an effort to reduce crime is what really bothers me.
With all the insanity going on in the world right now, it's pretty easy to blame the president. Not much has been going right for him since the inauguration. He hasn't yet fulfilled many of his campaign promises (Where's the dog, Mr. President? You promised!), and it appears that the post-coital glow with our commander in chief is wearing off.
There's gold in them there art museums - but please don't tell the University trustees. As endowments shrivel and budgets tighten, Penn is no doubt looking for ways to make ends meet. But, let's hope they're not eyeing our veritable treasure trove of art, rare books and artifacts as a solution.
Students now have a reason - besides the return of fried Oreos and Mask & Wig's Saturday afternoon performance, of course - to start getting excited about this year's Spring Fling.
Guster and Akon, SPEC's two selections for Spring Fling, are not only both known by fans of their respective genres but marque names worthy of a major concert.
Beer may be becoming the new cheesesteak in Philadelphia. Left and right, gastropubs and bars devoted to craft beers are found throughout every neighborhood of the city. It's just as easy to find a microbrew as an "American without" anywhere you go downtown.
Scrolling through the Penn Registrar is a depressing task for this graduating senior. Knowing I won't be here next semester to take advantage of "Cinema of the Balkans" or Turkish I makes course examination a slowly sapping exercise, but I can't help torturing myself.
In order to help out international professional students affected by the economic crisis, the Trustees of the University recently passed a resolution promising to help these students procure loans from a U.S. lender to continue their educations at Penn.
This offering is a prudent one.
I loved everything about my semester abroad in London - except, of course, how much it cost. I lived frugally, but when a load of laundry sets you back $10, you can't help but feel that you're fighting a losing battle. With many students thinking twice before purchasing so much as a latte, it's easy to assume that a semester abroad - with its high exchange rates and weekend-whirlwind tours - is an impractical indulgence.