The Breeze Off-Campus Supplement

OFF-CAMPUS LIFE GUIDE

Houses with names? p. 4

Locations to live p. 10

Lease signing tips p. 15

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Thursday, November 18, 2010

breezejmu.org OFF-CAMPUS LIFE GUIDE

What’s inside

pass down creative 4 Students house names complexes to offer 9 Some all-inclusive rents

locations 10 Housing surrounding campus broke? Jamie Lose 12 Feeling shares money-saving tips to look for when 15 What signing your first lease MISSION The Breeze, the student-run newspaper of James Madison University, serves student, faculty and staff readership by reporting news involving the campus and local community. The Breeze strives to be impartial and fair in its reporting and firmly believes in First Amendment rights. Published Monday and Thursday mornings, The Breeze is distributed throughout James Madison University and the local Harrisonburg community. Comments and complaints should be addressed to Katie Thisdell, editor.

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G1 Anthony-Seeger Hall, MSC 6805 James Madison University Harrisonburg, Va. 22807 PHONE: 540-568-6127 FAX: 540-568-6736

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Thursday, November 18, 2010

The LOCAL Chop & Grill House welcome all JMU students, faculty and administration to celebrate the spirit of the City Produce Exchange with menu featuring LOCAL ingredients and fresh flavors.

- A Chop House with a Fresh Innovative twist.

- We strive to support our LOCAL farmers and growers.

- Handcrafted cocktails, small batch brewery beers and spirits.

We also feature a wine list that includes biodynamic, sustainable and organic wineries.

- Live music and darts in the LOCAL Bar. - Dinner Tuesday - Saturday, starting at 5 - LOCAL Bar opens at 4 - Call 540-801-0505 for reservations and directions We hope you will join us to experience and enjoy the wonderful flavors of freshly prepared LOCAL foods.

56 W. Gay St. Harrisonburg | 540.801.0505 www.localchops.com

Find us on

FACEBOOK. facebook.com/TheBreezeJMU

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breezejmu.org Off-campus life guide

every home has

a personality

By Kaleigh Somers | The Breeze

Many off-campus houses have adopted distinctive coloring, names and group affiliations. Many have been around for about 10 years —­­­ and some for even longer. The following is a guide to several of these houses.

The Funk House afia ukor / The Breeze

The Funk House, located on South Mason Street, is known for its handprint sunroom. Since the mid-‘90s, visitors and tenants have left their mark on the Funk House with a handprint, their name and the date.

Located on Mason Street, the house was named after Coldwell Banker Funkhouser Realtors more than 10 years ago, according to junior communication studies major Annie Lawrence. “We like to be funky and crazy and have fun, so I guess it partially describes what our house is like,” Lawrence

said. “The house isn’t really about the actual house. It’s about the people in the house and our love for each other.” Currently, nine girls live in the house. “I see funky as kind of crazy, not necessarily typical, but in a good way,” Lawrence said. She thinks the house describes the girls well.

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Thursday, November 18, 2010

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The White House Appropriately named because it’s big and white, the house is located on South Main Street. According to junior physics major Nathan DiDomenico, all of the rooms are named after rooms in the actual White House, including the Oval Office, the China Room and the Grand

Library. DiDomenico said he and his roommates all took pictures in 17th century-style white button-up shirts and wigs to look like George Washington. Past roommates also took similar pictures, and all of them are hung up on the walls. The house got its name more than 10 years ago.

photos by brandon payne / The Breeze

The Crayon Box “The idea is talking about how each of us are different, how we’ve been made different — how God has made us different — ­ but together we can work through our differences and use our differences to help each other and live comfortably together in unity,” said senior psychology and interdisciplinary liberal studies major Juli Tschinkel. Each year, the eight housemates have photos by meredyth kimm / Contributing Photographer

the chance to repaint their room a different color.

Tschinkel’s room is cornflower blue, but before that it has been lime green, hot pink and a deep red. The name originated more than eight years ago and is written on a sign in front of the house and several other places inside. The house is located on Mason Street.

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The Rock House Located on West View Street, this house was

named for the Bible verse Psalm :, according to senior computer information sciences and media arts and design double major Phil Ernst.

The inspirational passage reads, “The Lord is my rock, my refuge and my deliverer. My God, my

Thursday, November 18, 2010

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EBEN KNOWLTON / CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER

rock, in whom I take refuge.” The house has a rock on the front lawn and the verse is framed above the front door. The house was named in  by the original housemates. Right now, seven men who are all members of Campus Crusade for Christ live in the house.

The Rock House, annually hosts a Crusade Super Bowl party. Last year, then-senior Meg Allin and juniors Colleen Hogan, Juli Tschinkel, Jason Brown, Heather Gallagher and Stephen Gassaway celebrated that Sunday night after receiving notification that school would be canceled on Monday due to snow.

KRISTIN MCGREGOR / THE BREEZE

Barbie Dream Mansion According to junior social work major Anne Curtis, the name for the house was proposed two years ago as a joke, but it stuck with the housemates. “Livin’ the Dream” is painted on the dining room wall with rhinestones for added flair. The dining room is painted pink, though the rest of the house isn’t. Five of the nine housemates are volunteer leaders for Young Life.

KATIE BAROODY / THE BREEZE

Two years ago, the original housemates were the first to name the Barbie Dream Mansion, which is located on Paul Street.

CONTACT Kaleigh Somers at somerske@dukes.jmu.edu.

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Thursday, November 18, 2010

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NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR 2011-2012

Copper Beech Townhomes Units are available in our spacious 1, 2, 3 and 4 bedroom townhomes for 2011-2012 - 1, 2, 3 and 4 bedroom townhomes offer private bedrooms with their own private bathroom and a half bath on the main level.

- The largest clubhouse in Harrisonburg - A HUGE 24 hour Fitness Center - Two Pools and Jacuzzi - Game Room with computer lab, pool table, poker table, and foose ball table - Free tanning - 2 basketball courts and a volleyball court

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Phone: 540-438-0401 Fax 540-438-0403 www.cbeech.com

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Thursday, November 18, 2010

1 23 4

Duke Dog

1234 ABC St. #10 Harrisonburg, Va. 22801

PAY TO THE ORDER OF

9

DATE

$ 400.00 DOLLARS

MEMO

123 45 67890 098765 4 32 1 1 23 NATALIYA IOFFE / THE BREEZE

Three complexes to switch to all-inclusive rent

By EMILY WINTERS contributing writer

In an effort to help residents and attract more renters, some off-campus housing locations are switching to an all-inclusive rent.

“All-inclusive” means an apartment’s electricity, water, cable, internet and trash are covered by each roommate’s monthly rent. In fall , Ashby Crossing, The Mill and Pheasant Run will make this change.

“The key was basically convenience and to eliminate roommate disputes,” said Kim Young, the owner of Pheasant Run. “We surveyed our current residents and overall the response was really positive.”

Dave Melendez, a senior quantitative finance major who lived in Pheasant Run last year, doesn’t think it will be less expensive, but does see benefits in the change.

“I think it was cheaper in Pheasant Run when it wasn’t all-inclusive,” Melendez said. “But it is

also more convenient to write one check now that I’m at a different location [Stone Gate].”

The Mill has also had problems between roommates concerning utilities. In The Mill, one resident is required to sign up for an account with Harrisonburg Electric Commission and this can pose problems, according to manager Ron Turner.

“In most instances that worked fine, but in some cases there was one irresponsible roommate who wouldn’t pay,” Turner said. “So far, people seem to like the idea of having their utilities included.”

The Commons, North , South View and Stone Gate already include utilities in their monthly rent. Residents are given a monthly cap that averages $ per person for electricity and $ per person for water, which is based on each company’s lease agreement.

“We do a lot of laundry and watch a lot of TV at our apartment [in Stone Gate] but have yet to go over the cap,” said Bethany Reeve,

All-inclusive rent covers water, electricity, Internet, trash and cable in one bill.

Locations making the switch include:  Ashby Crossing  The Mill  Pheasant Run

The Commons, North 38, South View and Stone Gate already include utilities in their monthly rent. a sophomore social work major. “Part of me wonders how much our rent would go down if we had separate bills and tried to control our

water and electricity usage, but one bill is fine with me.”

Some students would rather have one base rent and not worry about getting money together for separate water, electricity, cable, Internet and trash bills.

“It’s convenient and more efficient to have a fixed rate,” said Ryan Pelais, a sophomore health services administration major. “College kids have so many other things to think about besides paying bills.”

When choosing which off-campus location to live in, the concept of an all-inclusive rent was, for some, a deciding factor.

“I would much rather know what I’m paying then have to think about it,” sophomore psychology major Sarah Cover said. “All-inclusive is more appealing to renters, and that is part of why I chose Pheasant Run for next year.”

CONTACT Emily Winters at winterer@dukes.jmu.edu.

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breezejmu.org OFF-CAMPUS LIFE GUIDE

Mapping Off-Campus Living NORTH 38

A visual breakdown of Harrisonburg with off-campus complexes highlighted.

DOWNTOWN & COURT SQUARE

APARTMENTS URBAN EXCHANGE

TOWNHOMES/CONDOS * areas are approximate and do not reflect exact property boundaries.

Ca n

ll A ve n

ue

th So u

CAMPUS VIEW/ MADISON SQUARE/ MADISON GARDENS

Ma

in

St re

et

tre

CAMPUS: QUAD, VILLAGE, LAKESIDE, HILLSIDE

rt Po

I-81

HARRISONBURG CROSSING

CAMPUS: ISAT, ECL, SKYLINE, FESTIVAL, E-HALL

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THE MILL

Ro ut e

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FOREST HILLS THE PARK APARTMENTS

HUNTER’S RIDGE

VALLEY MALL

STONE GATE

FOREST HILLS MANOR

SUNCHASE

PHEASANT RUN

SQUIRE HILL

ASHBY CROSSING CHARLESTON TOWNES 865 EAST

ue

n ve ff A e N

FOX HILLS

Reservoir Street

THE COMMONS

SOUTHVIEW

COPPER BEECH

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Thursday, November 18, 2010

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Thursday, November 18, 2010

JAMIE LOSE

breezejmu.org OFF-CAMPUS LIFE GUIDE

| keep the good times rolling

Remedies for ‘skinny wallets in hungry pockets’ Suggestions for surviving off campus include buffets, coupons, pre-gaming and of course, eating lots of Ramen.

By JAMIE LOSE The Breeze

Raise your hand if you’re broke and starving. O.K., that was too dramatic, but truthfully, who wouldn’t mind a couple of extra bucks to splurge on the  inch with extra cheese?

After moving off campus my junior year, I found myself surprised and appalled at the fact that food, evidently, costs money. What? But it’s a necessity. If I ran the country, all necessities would come free.

Some of you may be tricked into believing you aren’t actually spending money when you swipe your JACard. Don’t feel bad; I was deceived too. The difference in living off campus is that I actually see my money disappear this time rather then drain quietly and invisibly from school funds. Not only am I more aware of how much I’m spending on late night Campus Cookies runs, but I’ve also begun to realize how much crap I actually put into my body for no reason. It’s awful in every way.

I was discussing my concerns with a good friend when he came up with his solution for money saving eating habit: hot dogs. He may be on to something.

But here are my penny-pinching remedies for skinny wallets in hungry pockets.

Redefine your food pyramid

Pop-Tarts and Ramen are two of the four basic food groups. The other two are obviously beer and cheese, which are essential to college students’ survival. Don’t skip meals, and don’t cut corners. A little Ramen goes a long way, folks. You

can buy it with buttons and gum wrappers in certain food stores and it will last you through the winter.

Sodium levels be damned.

Take advantage of D-Hall

Make use of that all-you-caneat buffet you’ve already paid for.

Slide a little Tupperware under a sweatshirt, grab a little of this, a little of that and hustle your butt home to your refrigerator before it goes bad.

Voila — dinner for later.

Use all those coupons JMU bombards you with

Have you ever seriously looked at them? They’re amazing. I got a large Domino’s pizza, two chocolate desserts, cheesy bread and early onset heart failure for like  bucks.

That’s what you’d pay for one margarita at Chili’s. While we’re on that …

Pre-game, pre-game, pre-game

Especially before going to the bars. I thought turning  would mean I’m extra cool and would get to sit mysteriously in dim lit bars sipping from girly cocktails. Do you have any idea how expensive that lifestyle is? Buy a handle of Aristocrat and a liter of Dr Pepper and you’re set. No need to go crazy on the fancy hangovers just yet. Let’s wait until we’re required to wear ties and closed-toe shoes before our money goes to aged wine and Scotch.

Always go family-size when ordering Chinese

You’ll be full in two seconds anyway and want to lay on your

carpet for the rest of your life. This means you’ll have plenty left over to snack on when you’re hungry again in approximately  minutes.

Ladies, don’t offer it up to any guys when they come over. They’ll eat it all and then all your precious cheese wontons will be gone along with your cash.

Try to share

If you give up some of your popcorn, hopefully your roommates will feel obligated to split their Ben & Jerry’s and together you will make a complete meal full of carbs, dairy and Tums. Also attend as many potluck dinners as possible.

Invest in a coffee maker

For caffeine addicts like me, this is my main priority when factoring my nutrients for the day. I’ll admit I’ve had my fair share of mochachoco-lala-yayas, but eventually had to sell my soul and left kidney to keep it up. Buying your own coffee and coffee maker is the most economical way to keep that buzz going all day.

As I sit here guzzling my third homemade cup of coffee of the day I feel … content. Not rich, and I could certainly go for Outback Steakhouse, but I’ll just have to reason that my day soon shall come.

In the meantime, keep punching out those Dining Dollars Gold and dreaming of that Thanksgiving feast just around the corner.

Jamie Lose is a senior media arts & design major and a humor columnist at The Breeze. Contact her at losejl@dukes.jmu.edu.

NATE CARDEN / THE BREEZE

Jamie Lose suggests ordering family-size meals from restaurants to get the best deals and make every dollar last longer.

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JM’s Apartments- 1, 2, 3, and 4 bedroom apartments minutes from the JMU campus and Downtown Harrisonburg! Big bedrooms, electric baseboard heat, and unbeatable location and price! Rents start at $175/person! Call for more details!

Hillmont Apartments- 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom and 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom apartments off of Reservoir Street across from Copper Beach. All appliances, two independent wall units for heat/AC, lots of closet space! Great location! $525/month for 1 bedroom or $700/month for 2 bedrooms!

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This 14 bedroom, 4 bathroom house can be rented as a whole, or divided into three completely separate apartments with separate kitchens and bathrooms! Large rooms and hardwood floors!

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Devon Lane and Foxhills - We have a variety of Devon Lane and Foxhills townhouses for rent!

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Thursday, November 18, 2010

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Clubhouse with Fitness Center

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Live at the hottest spot in g!

Harrisonbur

Sparkling Pool with Built in Jets and Sundeck

Spacious Bedrooms

www.sunchase.net 540.442.4800

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Thursday, November 18, 2010

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Keeping an eye on the fine print in leases

By JEFF WADE The Breeze

With standard lease agreements sprawling with legal information, it’s natural to find that the particulars quickly fade from memory.

Ashby on rules Section 18.

“You and all guests and occupants must comply with any written apartment rules and community policies, including instructions for care of our property. Our rules are considered part of this Lease Contract. To the extent permitted by applicable law, we may make reasonable changes to written rules, if they are distributed and applicable to all units in the apartment community and do not change dollar amounts on page  of this Lease Contract and you have been given reasonable notice of the same.”

Section 33.

“Neither we nor any of our representatives have made any oral promises, representations,

or agreements. This Lease Contract is the entire agreement between you and us. Our representatives (including management personnel, employees and agents) have no authority to waive, amend or terminate this Lease Contract or any part of it unless in writing and no authority to make promises, representations or agreements that impose security duties or other obligations on us or our representatives unless in writing.”

In other words: The rules are the rules, except when they aren’t the rules. Then they’re the rules.

Charleston Townes on mysterious disappearances Section 10 d.

“Tenant shall give Landlord notice of any anticipated extended absence of Tenant from the Dwelling Unit in excess of seven () days.

During such absence of Tenant, Landlord may enter the Dwelling Unit at times reasonably necessary to protect the Dwelling Unit. If Tenant fails to give such notice, Landlord may recover from

Tenant any actual damages sustained, and shall have all other rights provided in the VRLTA. If Landlord cannot determine whether Tenant has abandoned the Dwelling Unit, Landlord may serve written notice on Tenant requiring Tenant to give Landlord written notice within seven days that Tenant intends to remain in occupancy of the Dwelling Unit. If by the end of such seven-day period Landlord has not received such notice or has otherwise determined that Tenant has abandoned the Dwelling Unit, the Dwelling Unit shall be presumed abandoned and this Lease shall be terminated as of such date.”

In other words: If you go missing, so does your apartment.

South View on staying safe Section 8.

“We may at any time, enter the premises for any reason we or the manager deem to be reasonable. The entry can be gained by use of a pass key or other means, to include disarming any intrusion alarm, if applicable, or by breaking a window

or other means if locks have been changed in violation of this Lease, and you will be responsible for any damage caused thereby.”

In other words: If it means keeping the unsavory types from breaking in, we reserve the right to break in.

Squire Hill on pets Section 3.

“Tenant agrees to pay a $ nonrefundable fee if an unauthorized pet is determined to be staying in Tenant’s apartment. Additionally, Tenant agrees to pay $ monthly per rent, retroactive to Tenant’s move in date, if an unauthorized pet is determined to be staying in Tenant’s apartment.”

In other words: Pets pay rent, too.

CONTACT Jeff Wade at wadeja@dukes.jmu.edu.

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