Review: Student Savings Club
written by Kate Watt
10/02/2007
Fall is in full swing and by now most of us should be settled in at UMass Lowell. The textbooks are bought, the meal plans are activated, the parking passes have been issued, and the fees on campus are on the rise.
At this point, many of us struggle to keep some extra cash in our wallets but the Student Government Association is helping us do just that. SGA has teamed up with other departments on campus to enforce the Student Savings Club, activated with every student's ID card.
From a night on the town, to health and beauty, to car troubles, and to wireless solutions, the Student Savings Club helps students afford the necessities of everyday life and weekend fun. Bring a date to dinner or order take out from one of Lowell's many restaurants, and you could get a 10 percent or more discount or buy one get one free item off the menu. Get your hair cut or nails done at area salons with a special student rate. Need a new cell phone or computer support? Many companies are offering the lowest prices for UMass Lowell students. In need of a last minute gift? Area retail stores, florists, and hotels are at your service and on your budget!
Whatever the need may be, the Student Savings Club has something for everyone! For a complete list of local business and the discounts they offer visit, www.studentsavingsclub.com and look for UMass Lowell underneath the participating schools tab.
Wednesday, October 03, 2007
Commuter Troubles on Campus
Editorial: School Review
written by Morgan Hough
10/02/2007
I’m sure many of you already know the history of UMass Lowell, but I’m going to tell the story of its birth anyway. Once upon a time in 1894, there was a school called the Lowell Normal School. A year later, another school across the river was born, a school known as the Lowell Textile School.
Although in the same town, the two schools were very different. The Normal School trained teachers and emphasized classes in humanities. The Textile School trained technicians and managers for the booming textile industry. I think anyone who has visited the two modern campuses can guess which school was where.
These two schools developed and grew and gradually they became known as Lowell State College and the Lowell Technical Institute. In 1975, a wonderful thing happened. The two schools merged and formed the University of Lowell. Even further down the road came a more important merger. In 1991, the school officially joined the UMass system and became the campus we know today.
I promise, that’s it for history lessons today. But what does all this have to do with us, the students of the new millennium? We might be the children of the internet, cell phones, and Halo, but we are very much like the students of 1895. We all go to the same University of Massachusetts Lowell, but sometimes it seems that there is much more than a river dividing the school.
UMass Lowell is a school of divisions. Even within our colleges, we don’t just have departments, we have “the Division of Sciences” and “the Division of Arts.” There’s the great divide between North and South, which has gotten to the point where I’ve heard many-a-freshmen on South mutter, “And they even have these, these tunnel things over there, it’s so scary!” When one campus thinks the other is “scary,” you know you have some unity problems on campus.
A larger, more general division is commuters versus campus residents. The campus isn’t very commuter friendly, to say the least. An attempt to see my friend in a dorm after 7 p.m. the other night was like trying to take a bottle of mouthwash on an airplane. The rift between commuters and campus residents only gets bigger if the school makes it a hassle for them to mingle.
The current administration has been doing some great things to bridge the divisions on campus, but perhaps they’re missing their mark. Homecoming seems like a good idea to promote University pride and togetherness, but the problem lies much deeper than even a tiara and a pony-ride can fix (yes, there will be pony-rides at Homecoming). A growing number of campus clubs have been complaining that it’s difficult to get students involved in anything. Sports events aren’t very well attended, and people are sneaking off campus to go to parties instead of enjoying the facilities on campus.
And viola! There’s the root of the problem. The facilities. We have two campuses of huge buildings, littered with classrooms and lecture halls, a scattering of couches and lounges, and yet on a Saturday evening, they are all dark. Some of the dining halls close down for the weekend, the student union closes early, even though it’s the perfect spot for some late night activities. The University can try to force school pride and unity with all the crowns it wants, but it would happen naturally if given the chance.
I transferred in to UML a couple years ago from a school that was very spread out. We had a lot of inter-dorm competition. After all, it took 20 minutes to walk to dorms across campus, so it was like walking to a different country. However, every Friday, the campus got together for a comedian. Not a local jokester, but a national-touring professional. Tuesdays would be karaoke, or battle of the bands. Weekend nights would be filled hockey games, tail-gate parties sponsored by the school, or talent shows. And I’m not talking a handful of people showing up, either. The whole campus, commuters and all, would turn up for these events. Hockey games created a slew of pro-school chants and really made you proud to be there.So maybe Homecoming will sew up the splits on campus and bring everyone together for a few hours. Perhaps things will be better now that hockey games are free for students. The new administration seems to be on the right track, so hopefully within a few years we can stop thinking with the minds of 1895 and be a unified University.
written by Morgan Hough
10/02/2007
I’m sure many of you already know the history of UMass Lowell, but I’m going to tell the story of its birth anyway. Once upon a time in 1894, there was a school called the Lowell Normal School. A year later, another school across the river was born, a school known as the Lowell Textile School.
Although in the same town, the two schools were very different. The Normal School trained teachers and emphasized classes in humanities. The Textile School trained technicians and managers for the booming textile industry. I think anyone who has visited the two modern campuses can guess which school was where.
These two schools developed and grew and gradually they became known as Lowell State College and the Lowell Technical Institute. In 1975, a wonderful thing happened. The two schools merged and formed the University of Lowell. Even further down the road came a more important merger. In 1991, the school officially joined the UMass system and became the campus we know today.
I promise, that’s it for history lessons today. But what does all this have to do with us, the students of the new millennium? We might be the children of the internet, cell phones, and Halo, but we are very much like the students of 1895. We all go to the same University of Massachusetts Lowell, but sometimes it seems that there is much more than a river dividing the school.
UMass Lowell is a school of divisions. Even within our colleges, we don’t just have departments, we have “the Division of Sciences” and “the Division of Arts.” There’s the great divide between North and South, which has gotten to the point where I’ve heard many-a-freshmen on South mutter, “And they even have these, these tunnel things over there, it’s so scary!” When one campus thinks the other is “scary,” you know you have some unity problems on campus.
A larger, more general division is commuters versus campus residents. The campus isn’t very commuter friendly, to say the least. An attempt to see my friend in a dorm after 7 p.m. the other night was like trying to take a bottle of mouthwash on an airplane. The rift between commuters and campus residents only gets bigger if the school makes it a hassle for them to mingle.
The current administration has been doing some great things to bridge the divisions on campus, but perhaps they’re missing their mark. Homecoming seems like a good idea to promote University pride and togetherness, but the problem lies much deeper than even a tiara and a pony-ride can fix (yes, there will be pony-rides at Homecoming). A growing number of campus clubs have been complaining that it’s difficult to get students involved in anything. Sports events aren’t very well attended, and people are sneaking off campus to go to parties instead of enjoying the facilities on campus.
And viola! There’s the root of the problem. The facilities. We have two campuses of huge buildings, littered with classrooms and lecture halls, a scattering of couches and lounges, and yet on a Saturday evening, they are all dark. Some of the dining halls close down for the weekend, the student union closes early, even though it’s the perfect spot for some late night activities. The University can try to force school pride and unity with all the crowns it wants, but it would happen naturally if given the chance.
I transferred in to UML a couple years ago from a school that was very spread out. We had a lot of inter-dorm competition. After all, it took 20 minutes to walk to dorms across campus, so it was like walking to a different country. However, every Friday, the campus got together for a comedian. Not a local jokester, but a national-touring professional. Tuesdays would be karaoke, or battle of the bands. Weekend nights would be filled hockey games, tail-gate parties sponsored by the school, or talent shows. And I’m not talking a handful of people showing up, either. The whole campus, commuters and all, would turn up for these events. Hockey games created a slew of pro-school chants and really made you proud to be there.So maybe Homecoming will sew up the splits on campus and bring everyone together for a few hours. Perhaps things will be better now that hockey games are free for students. The new administration seems to be on the right track, so hopefully within a few years we can stop thinking with the minds of 1895 and be a unified University.
Thursday, March 29, 2007
Kaiser Chiefs
March 30, 2007: Kaiser Chiefs: Music Review
“Yours Truly, Angry Mob”
Recommended Listening: Angry Mob, Learnt My Lesson Well
The follow up to the ever successful "Employment", the
Kaiser Chiefs’ "Yours Truly, Angry Mob" is full of hook-friendly
melodies that mask lyrics "If you came here on your own you'd be
dead / Its only ‘cause you follow what the others do / Its no excuse
to say your easily lead." The album is full of potential radio hits
that don't care to hide its obvious satire to a certain type of people,
making it all the more appealing. The song "Ruby" opens the
album to an eclectic sound of repeated words about Ruby and
infectious hooks… You can't help but bob your head to! It's clear
the band has a successful year ahead of them with their newest
album.
~Emily Maloney
“Yours Truly, Angry Mob”
Recommended Listening: Angry Mob, Learnt My Lesson Well
The follow up to the ever successful "Employment", the
Kaiser Chiefs’ "Yours Truly, Angry Mob" is full of hook-friendly
melodies that mask lyrics "If you came here on your own you'd be
dead / Its only ‘cause you follow what the others do / Its no excuse
to say your easily lead." The album is full of potential radio hits
that don't care to hide its obvious satire to a certain type of people,
making it all the more appealing. The song "Ruby" opens the
album to an eclectic sound of repeated words about Ruby and
infectious hooks… You can't help but bob your head to! It's clear
the band has a successful year ahead of them with their newest
album.
~Emily Maloney
Monday, March 26, 2007
Dead Silence
March 23, 2007: Movie Review
There is a certain protocol to making horror films these days. The script should be simple, the actors should be somewhat unknown, and there has to be a twist. Dead Silence sure followed these guidelines and then some. It is your standard scary movie that follows the same plot line as any other movie of its type, with the addition of a vendetta seeking ventriloquist and her possessed dummies.
Newlywed Jaime Ashen, played by Ryan Kwanten, is forced to go back to his hometown, Raven's Fair, in search for answers regarding his wife's brutal murder. Her death is similar to other homicides that occured in Raven's Fair; all the victims' tongues were ripped out of their mouths. Jaime suspicions point to Mary Shaw, the star of an old ghost story he knew as a child.
Mary Shaw is known throughout the town of Raven's Fair as the talented ventriloquist who was accused of murdering a young boy and in turn was hunted down by people of the town. For revenge, her tongue was ripped just before she was brutally murdered. The old tale says that Mary Shaw came back to kill those who had been involved with her death, as well as their families. The film follows Jaime as he uncovers secrets about the town and Mary Shaw.
The plot is somewhat creative but the film is not nearly as bloody as one would hope especially knowing that the writer and director of the film created the film series, Saw. The special effects used throughout the movie try to make it more eerie but they become repetitive and ultimately take away from the already creepy story-line. The script is cliche and the acting is terrible but that is to be expected from movies of this genre.
The bottomline is, if you like cheesy horror flicks, or even if you like to have a good laugh at them, this movie is for you. Don't expect a dazzling cast or award winning directing on this one. The only thing that can be anticipated is a good ghost story fit to scare all the neighborhood children.
~Brittni Liyanage ("Buzz" Reviewer)
There is a certain protocol to making horror films these days. The script should be simple, the actors should be somewhat unknown, and there has to be a twist. Dead Silence sure followed these guidelines and then some. It is your standard scary movie that follows the same plot line as any other movie of its type, with the addition of a vendetta seeking ventriloquist and her possessed dummies.
Newlywed Jaime Ashen, played by Ryan Kwanten, is forced to go back to his hometown, Raven's Fair, in search for answers regarding his wife's brutal murder. Her death is similar to other homicides that occured in Raven's Fair; all the victims' tongues were ripped out of their mouths. Jaime suspicions point to Mary Shaw, the star of an old ghost story he knew as a child.
Mary Shaw is known throughout the town of Raven's Fair as the talented ventriloquist who was accused of murdering a young boy and in turn was hunted down by people of the town. For revenge, her tongue was ripped just before she was brutally murdered. The old tale says that Mary Shaw came back to kill those who had been involved with her death, as well as their families. The film follows Jaime as he uncovers secrets about the town and Mary Shaw.
The plot is somewhat creative but the film is not nearly as bloody as one would hope especially knowing that the writer and director of the film created the film series, Saw. The special effects used throughout the movie try to make it more eerie but they become repetitive and ultimately take away from the already creepy story-line. The script is cliche and the acting is terrible but that is to be expected from movies of this genre.
The bottomline is, if you like cheesy horror flicks, or even if you like to have a good laugh at them, this movie is for you. Don't expect a dazzling cast or award winning directing on this one. The only thing that can be anticipated is a good ghost story fit to scare all the neighborhood children.
~Brittni Liyanage ("Buzz" Reviewer)
The Friendly Toast
March 23, 2007: Restaurant Review
Diners are a great American past time, usually full of satisfying but unhealthy foods, tacky decorations, intriguing staff, and conversations that couldn't happen anywhere else. The Friendly Toast in Portsmouth, NH could be called a diner with a few twists.
When I walked into the Friendly Toast, I was thrilled. Intriguing decorations cover the walls, ceiling, and tables from I love Lucy lamps to surfboards and mannequins. My friends and I took menus at the door and sat ourselves as instructed by signs at the entrance. If you want your hand held through the dining experience, this place isn't for you. Our waiter, the only one apparently, was a 30 something hipster along with the rest of the staff and wasn't the most attentive or personable which some patrons may find off putting. I ordered a two egg sandwich on wheat toast with American cheese, sausage and a side of home fries for $6.75. I was expecting a normal, small, sandwich but I was happily wrong. The Friendly Toast bakes their own gigantic bread, fresh everyday. Each slice was the size of my stretched hand and two to three times thicker than an average slice of bread. The sandwich was delicious and perfectly cooked and the home fries were crispy on the outside, soft in the middle and had a nice spicy seasoning. Three of my friends ordered the Basic Breakfast which brought them a plate of two eggs, home fries, a choice of bacon or sausage and more huge toast for a reasonable $6. Another friend ordered the Orange French Toast which was cinnamon bread in an orange flavored batter topped with a raspberry glaze for $10. The only issue we faced was the service as we had to find our own sugar from another table and the waiter took 15 minutes and two reminders to bring us ketchup for the tasty home fries.
The prices seemed a bit steep until I saw the serving sizes which more than justified the cost. Our bill for five came to under $40 including tip. The Friendly Toast also does more than the standard breakfasts. They offer a Green Eggs and Ham which is two eggs on ham and toast with green herb sauce and New Hampshire's Finest, scrambled eggs or tofu with local goat cheese, scallions, asparagus and bacon. A large lunch and dinner menu is also available and offers huge sandwiches such as a chorizo and Cuban bean burrito and nine ounce burgers with every topping imaginable. The Friendly Toast has a large number of vegetarian and vegan friendly meals and many others can be made differently for non meat eaters by the very accommodating and imaginative chef.
The restaurant is located at 121 Congress St. in Downtown Portsmouth and is open daily for all three meals as well as from Friday morning through Sunday evening 60 hours straight.
So whether you're feeling a craving for a huge breakfast platter or a big veggie burger, check out The Friendly Toast about an hour north of Lowell.
~ Julia Gavin ("Buzz" Reviewer)
Diners are a great American past time, usually full of satisfying but unhealthy foods, tacky decorations, intriguing staff, and conversations that couldn't happen anywhere else. The Friendly Toast in Portsmouth, NH could be called a diner with a few twists.
When I walked into the Friendly Toast, I was thrilled. Intriguing decorations cover the walls, ceiling, and tables from I love Lucy lamps to surfboards and mannequins. My friends and I took menus at the door and sat ourselves as instructed by signs at the entrance. If you want your hand held through the dining experience, this place isn't for you. Our waiter, the only one apparently, was a 30 something hipster along with the rest of the staff and wasn't the most attentive or personable which some patrons may find off putting. I ordered a two egg sandwich on wheat toast with American cheese, sausage and a side of home fries for $6.75. I was expecting a normal, small, sandwich but I was happily wrong. The Friendly Toast bakes their own gigantic bread, fresh everyday. Each slice was the size of my stretched hand and two to three times thicker than an average slice of bread. The sandwich was delicious and perfectly cooked and the home fries were crispy on the outside, soft in the middle and had a nice spicy seasoning. Three of my friends ordered the Basic Breakfast which brought them a plate of two eggs, home fries, a choice of bacon or sausage and more huge toast for a reasonable $6. Another friend ordered the Orange French Toast which was cinnamon bread in an orange flavored batter topped with a raspberry glaze for $10. The only issue we faced was the service as we had to find our own sugar from another table and the waiter took 15 minutes and two reminders to bring us ketchup for the tasty home fries.
The prices seemed a bit steep until I saw the serving sizes which more than justified the cost. Our bill for five came to under $40 including tip. The Friendly Toast also does more than the standard breakfasts. They offer a Green Eggs and Ham which is two eggs on ham and toast with green herb sauce and New Hampshire's Finest, scrambled eggs or tofu with local goat cheese, scallions, asparagus and bacon. A large lunch and dinner menu is also available and offers huge sandwiches such as a chorizo and Cuban bean burrito and nine ounce burgers with every topping imaginable. The Friendly Toast has a large number of vegetarian and vegan friendly meals and many others can be made differently for non meat eaters by the very accommodating and imaginative chef.
The restaurant is located at 121 Congress St. in Downtown Portsmouth and is open daily for all three meals as well as from Friday morning through Sunday evening 60 hours straight.
So whether you're feeling a craving for a huge breakfast platter or a big veggie burger, check out The Friendly Toast about an hour north of Lowell.
~ Julia Gavin ("Buzz" Reviewer)
Zodiac
March 23, 2007: Movie Review
Based on Robert Graysmith's book, Zodiac is the story of a serial killer in
the 1960s and 1970s. The movie however tells the tale of the zodiac killer
through media spectacle only randomly placing victims in cars and on the
sides of the road. Jake Gyllenhaal plays Graysmith who was working as a
cartoonist at the San Franscisco Chronicle at the time of the murders.
Although he plays a second hand role in the film, the conclusion to the story
ends with his definitive answer to the problem. With constant time jumping
scenes, the film still gets across the fear that the killings have
caused. With no concrete conclusions to end the tale, the most unsettling
thing about this movie is that the killer is still out there… somewhere.
~Emily Maloney ("Buzz" Reviewer)
Based on Robert Graysmith's book, Zodiac is the story of a serial killer in
the 1960s and 1970s. The movie however tells the tale of the zodiac killer
through media spectacle only randomly placing victims in cars and on the
sides of the road. Jake Gyllenhaal plays Graysmith who was working as a
cartoonist at the San Franscisco Chronicle at the time of the murders.
Although he plays a second hand role in the film, the conclusion to the story
ends with his definitive answer to the problem. With constant time jumping
scenes, the film still gets across the fear that the killings have
caused. With no concrete conclusions to end the tale, the most unsettling
thing about this movie is that the killer is still out there… somewhere.
~Emily Maloney ("Buzz" Reviewer)
Big D And The Kids Table
March 23, 2007: Music Review
Big D and the Kids Table, a mainstay in the New England ska and punk scene for more than 10 years, is slowing things down a bit. Don’t worry, they’re not going anywhere soon, especially with a tour calendar packed tighter than ever. They’ve taken their fast paced, in-your-face attitude and have come out with a dub album, simply titled, “Strictly Rude”.
Not the sound you would find on their previous albums such as “Good Luck” or “How It Goes”, this one takes it back to their dance hall reggae roots. The opening track “Steady Riot” sets the pace of the album with a fun, get on your feet and dance beat. Other tracks such as “Relocate the Beat” and “She Knows Her Way” are, for a lack of better words, strictly rude. You can hear classic that Big D sound in a few tracks though, such as “Breaking the Bottle”. Big D and the Kids Table have taken their fans into new territory with this dub movement, but they’ve done it the only way they know how, amazingly.
Big D is currently on the road with their new album, touring the U.S. before heading over seas. If you’re not able to catch this time around, they’re scheduled for the entire Warped Tour, which kicks of June 28th.
Strictly Rude is a great CD for the diehard Big D fan, or for anyone with a taste for some laid back reggae and dub. You can find it in most retail music stores, as well as on their website. And as always, you can be sure to hear it in rotation on several of the many programs right here, one 91.5 WUML.
~ Chris McKenney ("Buzz" DJ)
Big D and the Kids Table, a mainstay in the New England ska and punk scene for more than 10 years, is slowing things down a bit. Don’t worry, they’re not going anywhere soon, especially with a tour calendar packed tighter than ever. They’ve taken their fast paced, in-your-face attitude and have come out with a dub album, simply titled, “Strictly Rude”.
Not the sound you would find on their previous albums such as “Good Luck” or “How It Goes”, this one takes it back to their dance hall reggae roots. The opening track “Steady Riot” sets the pace of the album with a fun, get on your feet and dance beat. Other tracks such as “Relocate the Beat” and “She Knows Her Way” are, for a lack of better words, strictly rude. You can hear classic that Big D sound in a few tracks though, such as “Breaking the Bottle”. Big D and the Kids Table have taken their fans into new territory with this dub movement, but they’ve done it the only way they know how, amazingly.
Big D is currently on the road with their new album, touring the U.S. before heading over seas. If you’re not able to catch this time around, they’re scheduled for the entire Warped Tour, which kicks of June 28th.
Strictly Rude is a great CD for the diehard Big D fan, or for anyone with a taste for some laid back reggae and dub. You can find it in most retail music stores, as well as on their website. And as always, you can be sure to hear it in rotation on several of the many programs right here, one 91.5 WUML.
~ Chris McKenney ("Buzz" DJ)
Arcade Fire & Chili's Restaurants
March 2, 2007: Music/Restaurant Review
*Arcade Fire - Neon Bible - *released March 6th
The second record from the Montreal based band evokes more resonance than
before! The intentional use of reverberation adds a mysteriously pleasant
sound to the garage band feel. The catchy melodies and inspiring lyrics
give the band a reputation for creating haunting songs that one can't seem
to turn off. Lyrics such as "Every spark of friendship and love will die
without a home/hear the soldier groan 'we'll go at it alone'" are backed up
by an array of musical instruments such as pipe organs and orchestras. The
album brings an upbeat sound to the indie rock music scene.
*Chili's Restaurants*
My wife and I arrived at Chili’s on South Willow Street in Manchester around 4:45 p.m., relatively early for a Saturday, but when Auntie J is watching the kids for a few hours, one escapes when one can!
A courteous, helpful host immediately greeted us at the door and offered to seat us right away in the main dining room or allow us to entertain our more casual side, seated in the bar area. We opted for the cozy, tavern-like atmosphere afforded by the smaller yet ample bar area. The seating arrangement, with its booths set around the outer edge offering a window view and tables in the middle, emphasized its main attraction - what looked to be a comfortable, functional "watering hole", doling out a variety of thirst quenchers from the two accomplished mixologists at its helm! The room was filled to legal capacity and conversation plus TV. Sports buzz murmured in the background.
We no sooner settled into our perch for the evening, when our server promptly greeted us inquiring whether we'd like to start with drinks and/or an appetizer; water for my wife and a short Bass beer for me, presented in a nicely chilled, sturdy mug. Without further ado, we knew ahead of time we wanted the boneless Buffalo wings to start; their reputation precedes them. Our wings were served at proper temperature hotness, slender celery slices, and just enough ranch dressing to cool the palette from the tangy goodness of each bite. We weren't able to finish our appetizers before our main meals consisting of the Fajita Pita and Cajun Chicken Pasta arrived.
The sliced, Cajun-seasoned chicken breast, smothered in an Alfredo sauce, topped a bed of penne pasta cooked to perfection. Seasoned diced tomatoes, parmesan cheese, and garlic toast rounded out the entrée to aptly support its place amongst the menu's "Favorites." My portion was just right despite the fact that I walked away with the proverbial "doggy bag!" A pita filled with marinated steak, grilled bell peppers, onions, lettuce, and Chili's own special sauce well cared for my wife's taste buds. Listing this as a mere sandwich conjures up an image of the mundane and almost serves it an injustice - her meal was anything but. Her portion was exact and again provided yet another take home container for the 'fridge. Both dinners tasted fantastic and didn't put a strain on the wallet either. Our total bill came to just under forty dollars including 20% tip.
All-in-all, our dinner expectations were met with great satisfaction, from the eclectic, rustic furnishings to the many TVs broadcasting a variety of programs to watch as you enjoy your food, drink, and merriment! This particular Chili's restaurant is located at 1071 S. Willow Street, Manchester, NH. They operate Sunday through Thursday from 11:00 a.m. until 11:00 p.m., staying open until Midnight on Friday and Saturday.
They may be reached by phone at 603-624-1486 or click http://www.chilis.com for more information. I give them a rating of four out of five stomachs.
~Scott Harrington (UML Grad Student)
*Arcade Fire - Neon Bible - *released March 6th
The second record from the Montreal based band evokes more resonance than
before! The intentional use of reverberation adds a mysteriously pleasant
sound to the garage band feel. The catchy melodies and inspiring lyrics
give the band a reputation for creating haunting songs that one can't seem
to turn off. Lyrics such as "Every spark of friendship and love will die
without a home/hear the soldier groan 'we'll go at it alone'" are backed up
by an array of musical instruments such as pipe organs and orchestras. The
album brings an upbeat sound to the indie rock music scene.
*Chili's Restaurants*
My wife and I arrived at Chili’s on South Willow Street in Manchester around 4:45 p.m., relatively early for a Saturday, but when Auntie J is watching the kids for a few hours, one escapes when one can!
A courteous, helpful host immediately greeted us at the door and offered to seat us right away in the main dining room or allow us to entertain our more casual side, seated in the bar area. We opted for the cozy, tavern-like atmosphere afforded by the smaller yet ample bar area. The seating arrangement, with its booths set around the outer edge offering a window view and tables in the middle, emphasized its main attraction - what looked to be a comfortable, functional "watering hole", doling out a variety of thirst quenchers from the two accomplished mixologists at its helm! The room was filled to legal capacity and conversation plus TV. Sports buzz murmured in the background.
We no sooner settled into our perch for the evening, when our server promptly greeted us inquiring whether we'd like to start with drinks and/or an appetizer; water for my wife and a short Bass beer for me, presented in a nicely chilled, sturdy mug. Without further ado, we knew ahead of time we wanted the boneless Buffalo wings to start; their reputation precedes them. Our wings were served at proper temperature hotness, slender celery slices, and just enough ranch dressing to cool the palette from the tangy goodness of each bite. We weren't able to finish our appetizers before our main meals consisting of the Fajita Pita and Cajun Chicken Pasta arrived.
The sliced, Cajun-seasoned chicken breast, smothered in an Alfredo sauce, topped a bed of penne pasta cooked to perfection. Seasoned diced tomatoes, parmesan cheese, and garlic toast rounded out the entrée to aptly support its place amongst the menu's "Favorites." My portion was just right despite the fact that I walked away with the proverbial "doggy bag!" A pita filled with marinated steak, grilled bell peppers, onions, lettuce, and Chili's own special sauce well cared for my wife's taste buds. Listing this as a mere sandwich conjures up an image of the mundane and almost serves it an injustice - her meal was anything but. Her portion was exact and again provided yet another take home container for the 'fridge. Both dinners tasted fantastic and didn't put a strain on the wallet either. Our total bill came to just under forty dollars including 20% tip.
All-in-all, our dinner expectations were met with great satisfaction, from the eclectic, rustic furnishings to the many TVs broadcasting a variety of programs to watch as you enjoy your food, drink, and merriment! This particular Chili's restaurant is located at 1071 S. Willow Street, Manchester, NH. They operate Sunday through Thursday from 11:00 a.m. until 11:00 p.m., staying open until Midnight on Friday and Saturday.
They may be reached by phone at 603-624-1486 or click http://www.chilis.com for more information. I give them a rating of four out of five stomachs.
~Scott Harrington (UML Grad Student)
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