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"Whether it's the best
of times or the worst of times, it's the only time
we've got.” Art Buchwald |
Alternatives to Drinking for College Students
By: Danielle O’Malley ALBANY, N.Y., Dec 6, 2007- Many students who attend college in Albany including those at The College of Saint Rose are from outside of the Albany area. So unless they are familiar with the area, the only activities without alcohol, they may know of are provided through the college. For the students there are many different recreational activities available in the area. Some of the activities include dance, skateboarding, indoor rock climbing, indoor batting cages, ceramics and martial arts. For dancers and students who enjoy working out, there is a dance studio call Eba. Eba has dance classes for all ages, literally. The studio holds classes for ages between 3 years old and 70 years old. They offer specific dance and fitness classes for adults and teens including Yoga, Mid-Eastern, Afro-Caribbean, Modern, Hip-Hop, and Jazz. “We have many people who come here for dance classes for fitness instead of an aerobics class, and they get just as fit,” said Jenn Newman, the administrator of Eba. No experience is needed for the adult and teen classes, and all are welcome. “Almost a quarter of our students are college students or college aged students,” Newman said. There are special offers for multiple classes per week, and there are special offers for full session tuition. There is also recommended attire, which differs depending on the type of class. Eba is located at 351 Hudson Ave. (corner Of Lark & Hudson) and for students at Saint Rose, the distance is reasonable, and they can take the bus there if necessary. For skateboarders, there is a skateboarding park available called The Shelter. Similar to the dance studio, The Shelter is open to all ages with any level of experience. They have open skate during the week and lessons available on Sundays. The park has its own skate team and has a lot of experience helping young boys skate. The Shelter is much more then skating, “we are a place of youth development and we support the community, that’s pretty much what we’re all about,” said Julie Johnson, who’s husband Scott owns The Shelter. There is single admission per class, but they do offer memberships, and with special offers that include free skating and private skating. The skate park sells merchandise including hooded sweatshirts, skate shoes, backpacks and most importantly, skateboards. The distance is a bit far since the park is located at 35 Commerce Ave, Albany NY, which means another means of transportation would be needed other than bus or foot to get there. Albany’s Indoor Rock Gym, A.I.R. is another activity worth trying. This is an indoor rock climbing gym with various hours and rates and free lessons are available. Saturdays are the busiest days, so keep that in mind when planning your trip to the Albany’s Indoor Rock Gym. “I think it’s a wonderful place for people to come and hang, get physical exercise, mental emotional all rapped into one,” said manager Regina Race. The gym is located at 4C Vatrano Rd. which can be quite a walk for students without alternate transportation just as The Shelter. Another activity is available for guys and girls who enjoy baseball and softball. Frozen Ropes Albany offers baseball and softball training for individuals between the ages of 3 and 72. There are not very many college students who attend the batting cages which could be because of the lack of knowledge. Perhaps because the price is a little high, they do offer a work study program for those interested. It include training to become eligible to coach various aspects of the sport. Lessons are included for those just going for the 30 minute session. The program helps children and young adults learn the game, and become more talented and experienced players. “I feel very strongly about it,” said Brendan Roberts, who works at Frozen Ropes Albany. They offer different clinics and camps to help with hitting, fielding and pitching. The training center also provides birthday events, which include games and time for cake and presents. Frozen Ropes Albany is located at 3 Interstate Ave. which would require alternate transportation for students without cars. Have an interest in arts and crafts? Ceramics Décor and More contains a wide range of ceramics and paint able pottery. The table cost is free, however there are supply fees of tools, and bisque and greenware items ready to be painted. These items begin at 15 cents and go up from there. The studio offers many options of crafts. “It’s basically a paint your own pottery studio,” said Michele Shrome, owner of the studio since 1994. There is a wide age range of customers from age six to 93. “Whoever likes to do it is more than welcome to come in,” said Shrome. For college students looking for Christmas gifts this studio may help to lessen the stressful time of the holidays. The studio is located on Central Avenue. For those students interested in martial arts there is a Taekwondo studio, Capital Northeast Taekwondo, located on Western Avenue just past Crossgates Mall. The classes are expensive, however there is a 20% discount for college students. There are various types of classes offered including Krave Maga, which is the “same thing the Israeli Special Forces use for self defense,” said Bob Esposito, owner of the studio. Group discounts will be available as well for seminars either at the college or at the studio, they will just need to be organized in advanced Esposito said. The hours are Monday through Friday 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to noon and Sunday noon to 2 p.m. A holiday treat that occurs in the evening are the Holiday Lights at Washington Park. This event is only available from November 23, 2007 until January 1, 2008 and could make for a relaxing break from finals and end of semester stresses. Although Washington Park is in walking distance of Saint Rose, the website states “the 2007 show is an all-new, drive-through spectacular with everyone watching for the most famous reindeer of all – Rudolph.” There is a $12 admission fee per car but the more people to go with the less the price will be individually. Some additional options are Sunset Bowling Alley located on Central Avenue, Leisure Ice Rink on Weis Road., and Oasis Park Miniature Golf on Greenbush Road in Troy. There are a few things Albany, NY is known for: colleges and drinking. Maybe if students were aware there were other options outside of the college, there would be less of a connection between drinking and college students.
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