When it came to the Capitol Steps’ Saturday night performance at the State Theatre, I didn’t entirely know what to expect. I would consider myself a fan of both musical and political comedy, yet I had never heard of the group, despite the fact they’ve been performing since 1981. So, for the uninitiated, I did my best to summarize the group's act.
Imagine America as a summer camp. Government officials are the camp counselors. The Capitol Steps are the kids that put on the skits to lampoon said counselors. That description doesn’t necessarily do their show justice – it’s not comparable to the insipid J.C. Penney gag – but there are distinct stylistic parallels.
Is your interest piqued? Find out my other thoughts on The Capitol Steps after the jump.
If this goes down, would you go? I hear she's rumored to be a big deal.
As we round the turn into a new decade, the federal government is starting that tradition again of making you fill out the Census. To take care of the delinquents who don't, the Census Bureau is hiring census takers this spring. It's really a great job for college students; it doesn't involve dealing with crazy government bureaucracy as you might think when you hear the words "government job." It's a steal, really, because you get paid (in State College, at least) $11.75 an hour to go around to certain houses who didn't fill out their census forms and ask them the very same questions, but at the same time, it looks great on a résumé. You pretty much make your own hours, too, so you don't have to adjust from college time to working world time.
Find out more about the job and how to apply after the jump.
The Staff Profile series is a new feature at Onward State. Each Friday, we will provide a window into the life of one Onward Stater. Readers: meet our writers.
Our senior writer, Andy Goga, has shared his skills with Onward State since January 2009. He radiates brilliant ideas like fireworks and has written about nearly every topic imaginable.
Andy hails from New Kensington, a small city north of Pittsburgh, and he graduated from Burrell High School in 2008. A sophomore, he majors in Community, Environment, and Development, with a focus in environmental economics. In addition, he minors in English and geography.
On campus, Andy participates in Eco-Action, the Vegetarian Club, Fresh START, and is a member of the Schreyer Honors College. He enjoys reading books, riding bikes, growing beards, and talking to strangers. On a daily basis, he contemplates society, nature, and the universe, as well as his position within these aggregates.
Andy is completing a service learning project in India this summer and hopes to study abroad in South Africa next spring. He may attend graduate school, and he strives to gain knowledge and improve the world.
Some words of wisdom: "Hello, this is a message from the past to the future."
Have you always wanted to rival the Creamery with your ice-cream-making prowess? Your chance has arisen!
This weekend, the College of Agricultural Sciences is hosting "Ice Cream 101: Introduction to Frozen Desserts," a compact course that teaches the basics of ice cream composition, formulation, and processing.
Taught by past and present Penn State faculty, the course involves both lectures and hands-on exercises. According to the website, ice cream lovers, small-business owners, and entrepreneurs are welcome to attend.
When: Saturday, 7:45 am - Sunday, 5:30 pm
Where: Agricultural Science and Industries Building
Cost: $695
Yes, this two-day class actually costs $695. But if you truly love frozen flavored pasteurized homogenized bovine mammary secretions, it's worth every penny.
As I'm sure you all remember, the most important thing on students' minds last spring was not finals, term papers, or tanning in the quad (ed. note: we have quads?). It was whether Asher Roth was the right choice to headline Wallypallooza.
This year, though the UPUA is determined to organize another pre-finals music festival, the name is very much undecided. Since Mike Wallace resigned from his position as UPUA Programming Chairman, naming the festival after him makes even less sense than it did last year. Though Leanna Usnik has taken over the position, Usnikpalooza just does not have quite as good a ring
What should the new festival be called? Read on to find out a few other people we could name it after: