1) Planning pointers for a fun night out on the town

Planning a night out on the town with family and friends can be a fun experience. However, scouring popular hotspots and the newest restaurants can be one that requires careful consideration of a host of factors. Many Grand Valley State University students would enjoy the opportunity to get out of the dorm or apartment and soak up some Grand Rapids and Allendale culture. The following are a few ways you can ensure everyone experiences a night to remember for all the right reasons.

* Consider finances. Dinner at the hottest restaurant in town might sound like a grand idea, but these tend to be expensive, so hosts should make sure everyone can afford such hotspots before making any reservations. Browse menus online when looking for a restaurant, paying particular attention to the average cost of an entree at each restaurant you’re considering. When planning a dinner for an especially large party, call each restaurant to determine if they offer limited menus to larger parties. Many restaurants do this for parties of 15 or more, charging a set price per person, and that price is not always less expensive than it would be to dine a la carte. When necessary, find a restaurant where the cost per person is within reason so no one feels like they need to skip dinner out due to financial constraints.

* Choose a central location. Whether you’re getting together for a sit-down dinner or just drinks, choose a location that’s easily accessible for everyone in your group. Doing so increases the likelihood that guests will make it out. A location that’s near to all also allows both you and your guests to spend more time together and less time traveling.

* Choose a location that’s accessible by public transportation. Taking the bus or carpooling helps guests avoid sitting in traffic, and it’s also the safer choice when the night’s activities will involve drinking.

* Consider the needs of every guest. When planning a night on the town, hosts must consider the needs of each individual guest before making any reservations or concrete plans. For example, if the group includes a guest with a physical disability, then any gathering spot you choose must be wheelchair accessible. Another thing to consider is each guest’s lifestyle choices. If one guest does not consume alcohol, then try to organize a night out on the town that involves more than just hopping from bar to bar.

* Solicit ideas. If you’re having trouble planning a fun night for all, solicit some ideas from those you invited. Just because you’re hosting the gathering and acting as the go-to guy or gal does not mean you can’t ask some questions of your own. Ask guests what they want to do, and remember that no idea is too outlandish. If you decide to center the night around a particular activity, just make sure it’s something everyone on the guest list can participate in.

* Be specific when sharing information about the night. Once all of the plans have been made, give an address for each place you will visit and encourage guests to make use of their GPS systems or online navigation websites so everyone gets there without any trouble. Charge your cellphone right before you head out for the night so it does not die if anyone calls and asks for last-minute directions or instructions.

2) 11 tips for winter beauty therapy

Winter at Grand Valley State University brings with it many nuisances, including snowy days, chilly nights and the tendency for irritating beauty issues. The primary beauty concern for most each winter is dryness. Cold, dry air outside and warm, dry air inside can result in moisture loss from both the hair and skin. Not only can this be uncomfortable, but it can be unsightly as well. Your entire body may be susceptible to static-related shocks as you traverse carpeting or pull on charged clothing. Other beauty issues that come up include which products to use this time of year. Revamping a health and beauty regimen for winter comfort takes just a little effort. Here are 11 tips that will benefit you and your appearance all season long:

1. Adding moisture to your environment is one of the single best ways to combat winter skin and hair issues. This means purchasing a humidifier that will put moisture into the air. Even boiling some water on the stove and allowing the steam to seep into the air can alleviate a dry home.

2. Dry skin can feel tight and itchy and may flake off. Dry skin that is consistently scratched could become irritated or even infected if bacteria get into the skin. Lotions applied all over the body can help the skin retain moisture and alleviate the itchiness. Creams with menthol can provide a cooling effect that also tames itchiness. But watch out for products that contain alcohol because these can eventually dry out the skin when the alcohol evaporates.

3. Experiment with your building’s thermostat to find an indoor temperature that is more comfortable for your dry skin conditions.

4. Very hot showers may chase away the chill from outdoors, but they can strip the skin and hair of moisture as well. Try showering in lukewarm water instead and slather on a moisturizing body lotion immediately afterward.

5. Relying on an electric hair dryer to dry your hair after washing can compound dry, frizzy or unruly hair. It may be unwise to step outdoors on a cold day with wet hair, so leave ample time in your schedule to shower and allow hair to air dry whenever possible. 6. Licking dry lips just exacerbates the situation. Instead, use a moisturizing lip balm sparingly. Even rubbing a little olive oil over the lips can help moisturize and prevent cracking.

7. Choose non-foaming cleansers for the face and body. This way the soapy layer doesn’t strip away essential moisture from the lipid barrier of the skin.

8. Be sure to continue to apply an SPF product every day before heading outdoors. Ultraviolet rays are still present during the winter, though in less concentration.

9. Avoid frosty eye shadows in the winter because they tend to make most people look washed out, especially when the glow of summer skin has waned. Similarly, avoid overdoing bronzer during the winter months because this can seem out of place and make the skin look artificially orange.

10. Revamp hair color to bring out golden hues during the winter months and keep you looking vivacious. Avoid highlights that are white or ashy. Don’t go for more than two shades lighter or darker in any direction for a whole-head coloring.

11. Hat head is almost as dreaded as a bad hair day brought on by dry winter air. Hat head occurs when damp hair has been allowed to dry under a hat, which then causes flattening and denting. Allow hair to dry completely before donning a hat. Also, consider parting your hair the opposite way before putting on the hat, so it will have volume when the hat is removed and hair falls naturally back in place.

3) How to have a safe spring break experience

Each spring many Grand Valley State University students will embark on a pilgrimage to a vacation locale of their choice and proceed to kick up their heels and relax. For some students, the vacation is really a chance to unwind from months of study and is duly deserved. Other students use spring break as an excuse to participate in reckless behavior, including overconsumption of alcohol. Statistics indicate that 80 percent of parents are worried about their kids drinking, and almost the same amount is worried about unprotected sex fueled by alcohol consumption. On average, spring breakers consume 10 drinks per day.

Some resort towns are the more popular — not to mention notorious — for spring break revelry and frenzy. These include Daytona Beach, Fla.; Cancun, Mexico; Panama City, Fla.; South Padre Island, Texas; and New Orleans, La. News stations often report incidents that occur during spring break festivities that have gotten out of control. Spring break needn’t end in a tragic story. Below are some safety tips every student can heed to help make their trip fun and safe.

* Avoid theft. Spring break draws big crowds every year. Keep your belongings and money safe by always locking doors and windows when leaving the hotel. Try to go to the ATM machine with a group of friends during daylight hours and always be aware of who is watching while you withdraw cash. If you feel unsafe, go to another machine.

* Be cautious in the car, especially while driving. Many spring-breakers drink excessively and then get behind the wheel, making for dangerous driving. Always be on the lookout for reckless driving and steer clear of danger. Take turns sharing time behind the wheel with others to avoid growing tired on the road.

* Drink responsibly. Most spring-breakers drink to some extent while on vacation. It is OK to have fun if you are of the legal age, but pace yourself and don’t make daily intoxication your goal. Alcohol poisoning is more common than many students know. In addition, the sun can increase the effects of alcohol, so keep this in mind if you’re spending ample time on the beach. Remember that being drunk makes you an easier target for theft, assault and even sexual abuse.

* Swim safely. When heading to the beach, always choose a spot on the sand with a lifeguard on duty nearby. Even a very experienced swimmer can be swept up in a rip current.

* Always have a buddy system. Whenever going out, be sure you do so with friends and be certain to come home with the same friends. You can collectively watch out for one another and make sure no trouble ensues.

* Recognize not everyone is overindulging. Overindulgence might seem the norm at spring break, but not everyone is engaging in excessive or risky behavior. You never have to do something that makes you feel uncomfortable. Again, this is where the buddy system can help protect you in certain situations.

* Be especially careful abroad. When traveling overseas, it’s important to realize that not all of the rules and regulations you’re used to will be the same. Some countries have very strict drug and alcohol laws and zero tolerance for smuggling. Don’t let your spring break trip turn into a legal nightmare by doing something foolish. Also, do your homework before traveling to any foreign destination. Be aware that there are also native residents who know vacationers can be easy scam targets. Spring break has the potential to make positive memories that last a lifetime if revelers act responsibly.

4) How to avoid even one alcoholic drink

Alcohol has its place in society but not behind the wheel, and not at all if you’re the designated driver. For Grand Valley State University students, just one drink of alcohol can impair the senses to a degree, and just one seems to lead too easily to another. The trick for pulling off abstinence when others are drinking is to be resolute from the start by bringing, or ordering, a tasty alternative. A few pointers on how to turn down a drink effectively are always welcomed, especially for student about to head back to school. Here are a few guidelines, courtesy of ArKay Beverages Inc.

* Don’t feel alone or less cool for abstaining since a good slice of the trending is doing it, too. Recent statistics from the American College Health Association show that at least one-quarter of undergraduates are non-drinkers. Even those who drink occasionally don’t do it every week.

* Pour your own drinks and if anyone tries to persuade you differently, decline gracefully and simply resume the conversation.

* Enjoy the setting as much as everyone else; some will be drinking, some won’t, and no one needs to judge anyone else. If the party gets too rowdy for you, just leave quietly since no one will likely notice.

* If peer pressure persists, use a few deterrent tricks: State a reason that no one can dispute like health or driving; keep your non-alcohol drink topped up to avoid offers from a helpful host; at a bar, order your beverage with lime, olives, cherries and a stir-stick to look like a mixed drink; if someone puts a drink in your hand, accept it but don’t drink it; find a way to discard it discreetly; ahead of time, tell the bartender your drink-of-choice and to omit the alcohol if anyone buys you something different.

* Offer to be the designated driver. This keeps you resolute and keeps your friends from pressuring you.

* If partying, recognize your responsibilities, even without alcohol. Use a buddy system to watch out for each other and remember that if you are present in an unlawful situation, you may be in just as much trouble as the heavy drinkers.

5) Your next night out may find you embracing these growing trends

Bars and restaurants fuel local economies. Any night when a master mixologist is behind the bar or a gastronomical guru is manning the grill is an opportunity to enjoy a few drinks or a great meal. Many bars and restaurants look to capitalize on the latest trends in an effort to bring customers in and keep them coming back. The following are a handful of the latest trends Grand Valley State University men and women can expect to encounter on their next night out in the Grand Rapids area.

• Tech-guided assistance. Restaurants and bars are implementing more technology into the service industry, eliminating downtime and streamlining orders. Dread calling a restaurant for reservations? No problem. Many establishments enable you to reserve a table or even preorder dinner from a mobile device. The chef can start prepping your meal even before you arrive and keep the flow in and out of the restaurant moving right along. Some bars now allow customers to place drink orders via apps or tablets, saving you the struggle of muscling your way to the bar to get a drink. Such apps employ location-based software so servers can quickly and easily find your table. Some chain restaurants even use table-mounted technology so you can get beverage refills or pay for the bill without signaling a server.
• Exotic ingredients. It’s not only chefs who are testing dining mettle with exotic ingredients. Bartenders are taking a cue from trendy foraged ingredients and using them to modernize outdated cocktails. Botanical ingredients like lichen, honeysuckle, Pacific madrone bark and pine needles are turning up in drinks across the country. Many mixologists also are leaning more heavily on organic and naturally-sourced ingredients rather than prepackaged mixers.
• Locally sourced products. Eco-conscious consumers demand more locally sourced items, and this trend is beginning to pour over into the beverage industry. Expect to hear bartenders advertising more local ingredients, such as Grand Rapids’ Founders Brewing Co. craft beers bottled right up the street or wine made from grapes grown at a nearby vineyard. Some bars may source spirits from neighborhood distilleries.
• Leafy greens and root vegetables. Foods from humble beginnings are turning into gourmet fare. It seems a new bitter green or starchy product is becoming the vegetable du jour each week. Afraid to try your hand at kale or kohlrabi from the comforts of your own kitchen? Don’t worry, as many nearby restaurants are likely willing to do that experimenting for you.
• Spicy-sweet condiments. Salsa may have surpassed ketchup as a favorite dipping sauce, but many others are poised to take the top condiment prize. Savvy chefs are experimenting with a variety of hot and sweet flavor combinations. Expect to find more jams, jellies, rubs, dips and glazes with a spicy twist on your favorite foods.
• Communal drinks. Each person in a group ordering his or her own cocktail is not necessarily the norm anymore. Some establishments are concocting family-style punches that can be enjoyed by all guests pulling up a chair. Shared drinks may come in a pitcher or a spigot jar to enhance the festive and communal feel. Going out for a night on the town will enlighten diners to a series of new trends that are paving the way for unique experiences.