Category Archives: Temple Living

It’s not that moldy

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That turkey sandwich may look two weeks too old to consume, but it’s really not that moldy – not at all, actually. And unless you live with the hey-this-six-week-old-milk-doesn’t-taste-that-bad type, that baggy could be your new little, plastic (lunch) savior.

The anti-theft sandwich bags appear to be spotted with dark-green mold and are designed to make that freshly made sandwich a lot less attractive to the watering mouths of hungry co-workers (or roommates), deterring them from lifting what’s rightfully yours. The sandwich bags, which are available in 25-bag packs for $8 at thinkofthe.com, are pricier than your average Ziploc baggies. But if you splurged on fresh-sliced provolone this week instead of buying the ol’ Kraft Singles standbys, they just might be worth it, especially if your packed lunch has a habit of disappearing.

For more office-lunch etiquette – plus our favorite Main Campus munchies and more – check out the annual Lunchies insert in this week’s issue, which includes humor columnist Samantha Krotzer’s tips for maintaining a healthy and peaceful office refrigerator.

Lock it up, the right way

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Nobody wants to be "that guy."

While the red-bicycle rider’s effort to reduce his carbon footprint by biking to Main Campus is commendable, the rider’s park job is lacking in two key departments – courtesy and common sense. (If the picture is not clear, here’s the run-down: The blue-and-silver Schwinn in the foreground was locked to this bike pole outside Alter Hall. Hours later, the owner returned to find another rider had carelessly locked his bike to her own.)

Parking others in is an avoidable on-campus problem, and not just for those who park their vehicles in the Dirt Lot.

No matter how late you might be running for Intellectual Heritage, take the time to watch what you’re doing when you lock up your bike. In the same way two-wheeled commuters hope for alertness and understanding from the drivers they share the road with, bikers on Main Campus need to be mindful of their surroundings and respectful of their pedaling compadres.

Because, as Queen famously sang, those who want to ride their bicycles want to ride them when they like – not once the person who locked you in finally leaves campus.

Cupcake-adelphia. Yum.

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A little birdy just told The Temple News that the cupcake truck that was parked on Montgomery Street between 13th and Broad streets will begin making regular appearances. The truck, called Buttercream Philadelphia, will bring buttery pastries to Main Campus on Wednesdays from 12 – 3 p.m.

Courtesy buttercreamphiladelphia.com

Courtesy buttercreamphiladelphia.com

For the skinny on the truck, its cupcakes and its owner, pick up the September 22 issue of The Temple News! In the meantime, don’t forget your Owl Card when you visit the truck; your cupcake will only be $1!

Time warp: Sodexo ranks students favs

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cafeteria

Temple’s beloved Sodexo has been feeding students for more than 20 years. The company services more than 600 college campuses and has compiled a list of students food favorites for 2009. More interestingly they also have a top ten of favorites from 1989.

The top five foods for 2009 are

1. Locally-grown fruits and veggies
2. Crispy garlic-ginger chicken wings
3. Mac ‘n five cheeses
4. Vietnamese Pho
5. Green tea and pomegranate smoothies

The top five favorites from 1989 are

1. Fruit and cottage cheese plate
2. Chicken nuggets
3. Turkey Tetrazini
4. Chicken Chop Suey
5. Egg, bacon and cheese English muffin

It seems that Temple is stuck in the 80’ because most of this stuff is still favorite fare at J&H, while some of the 2009 favs are nowhere to be seen at the caf.

For a full list of the favorites check out Slashfood.

Hawk swoops in for the kill

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Students walking near the Bell Tower this afternoon may have noticed an unusual scene not normally part of their everyday walk around campus.

Around 3:30 p.m., a hawk swooped down upon an unsuspecting squirrel in the middle of the grassy area near 13th Street and Beury Hall, making the much smaller creature its late lunch. Student onlookers gasped at the somewhat gruesome, somewhat mystifying display that unfolded, as many gathered in a safe perimeter around the majestic bird.

“I’ve never seen anything attack its prey like that,” said sophomore journalism major Maria Zankey. “I never expected to see it happen right smack-dab in the middle of campus. Plus I’m a vegetarian, so my gag reflexes were definitely tested.”

For over a half hour the hawk enjoyed its meal, undisturbed by spectators too frightened to come anywhere near the carnage. When the hawk was finished eating, it flew up to the tree above, sitting and waiting, perhaps for the next squirrel stupid enough to cross the grassy plaza.

The hawk lies in wait in a tree near the Bell Tower.

The hawk lies in wait in a tree near the Bell Tower. (Kevin Cook/TTN)

Be sure to pick up the February 24th issue of The Temple News and check out our survey of campus wildlife in the Temple Living section.

Keeping up with a snow-day tradition

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It’s almost 7:15 a.m. Meteorologists have warned of wretched travel conditions, especially for the morning commute. Many area school districts have closed, or at the very least have called two hours late. Rain is falling and quickly turning to ice. Conditions are just bad.

In keeping with Temple tradition…

As of 5 a.m. Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Weather notice:

The University will be open for business and holding
classes as scheduled, on Wednesday, January 28.

Nevermind the unnecessary comma. Temple successfully continues its streak of not offering a full snow day to students in exactly how many years? I can tell you it’s been at least four.

So get out those snowboots and pray you don’t slip and break your arm.

Pennsylvania’s voter registration deadline: TODAY

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Today is the voter registration deadline for Pennsylvania. It’s your last chance to fill out a form and be qualified to vote in the Nov. 4 election.

For those registering in New Jersey or Delaware, you still have time.

Delaware Deadline: Oct. 11

New Jersey Deadline: Oct. 14

Many clipboards will be out on campus Monday for the last-minute sign-ups. Check in with them or visit a PennDOT Photo License Center to register.

For more info, visit votespa.com.

New Healing Garden at Temple University Ambler

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“The idea for the healing garden originated with a landscape flower show exhibit in 2006 called Nature Nurture Mind Body and Spirit,” said Pauline Hurley-Kurtz, the professor who has been heading the project.

Students and faculty at Temple Ambler Campus are working on a new project called the Healing Garden. Comprised of a meditation and rain garden, the project has involved many faculty members and various classes to put it together. Hurley-Kurtz and her students have been working on the garden since 2006.

“The idea was really inspirited by Ernesta Ballard,” Hurley-Kurtz said.

Ernesta Ballard was a member of Temple University Ambler alumni and a founding member of the campus board of visitors. She passed away in August of 2005.

“She was very interested in healing gardens and labyrinths,” Hurley-Kurtz said.

The area is made up of a meditation garden which consists of a stone labyrinth and plants. The idea is to walk through the circles and feel at peace and relaxed. Classes at Ambler are in the process of soil testing and will start putting plants in the labyrinth this week.

“Every Thursday we’re working on some component of the garden with students, whether it’s soil testing, or stone work, or planting,” Hurley-Kurtz said.

The healing garden also includes a rain garden which captures water from the roof of Dixon Hall. The reuse of water is part of Temple’s sustainable initiative.

“On Sustainability Day in October we’ll be having a work session in the healing garden and also in the woodland gardens.”

The American Society of Landscape Architects will be in Philadelphia from Oct. 3 through Oct. 7, and will be taking a tour of Ambler.