Cheap Dates in Club Med(ford)

One advantage to being a "lifer" here at Tufts/Fletcher is getting the scoop on all the free (or nearly free) entertainment in the area. In honor of this special, overly-commercialized Valentine's Day holiday, I am sharing with you this priceless information so that you can still be a romantic here at Club Med(ford) without taking out yet another loan.

For the movie buffs:

• $2 movies in Barnum Hall on weekends courtesy of Tufts Film Series. For details, check the Thursday issue of The Tufts Daily.
• Don’t pay $8 for an off-campus movie! You can buy discount tickets at the Campus Center Information Booth: $6 for Showcase cinemas or $5.25 for Loew’s/Sony cinemas. The only drawback is that the movie has to have been in theaters for at least 10 days: 617-627-3145.

• The Crafts Center, located in the bottom of Lewis Hall, offers free arts and crafts playtime evenings and weekend afternoons. Contact the Crafts House (former residence of singer Tracy Chapman) for details: 617-629-9908.
• Tufts' own Aidekman Art Gallery and Remis Sculpture court, located behind Cohen Auditorium/Jackson Gym, offer free admission to its exhibits. Call for details on what’s showing: 617-627-3518.
• Check out the glorious Museum of Fine Arts (Take the T: green line, E train to the Museum stop). Free or reduced admission with your Fletcher ID: 617-267-9300.
• For free admission to other museums in the Boston area, get a library card at the Somerville Library and "borrow" entrance passes. You may want to call ahead for availability—the Aquarium is always booked, but the Isabella Stewart Gardener (one of the most romantic places in the city) and Science Museums are usually available. Call the Somerville Library: 617-623-5000.

• Every Thursday at 12:30 is the Noon Hour Concert Series in Goddard Chapel right on Tufts campus. For details, call 617-627-3427.
• Brown and Brew, the Tufts coffeehouse at the Intersection of Death (a.k.a. College Ave. and Boston Ave.), offers live music every Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday evening. Half are Tufts student acts, and half are local jazz or folk groups.
• Hotung Café, the pizza/sports bar on the lower floor of the Campus Center, offers a DJ or rock band every Thursday night.

• Shige tells me that, after 5 p.m., you can get four doughnuts for a buck at the Dunkin' Donuts on Boston Ave.
• If you’re into free doughnuts, you can check out the doughnut hour after the 10 p.m. Sunday Catholic mass in Goddard Chapel. (This could score points by showing your prospective honey that you are in touch with your inner self).
• You can also exhibit your goodwill toward man by visiting the Oxfam Café (behind Miller Hall) for Indian food. All proceeds go to Oxfam. 617-627-3215, although no reservations are necessary.

• GO JUMBOS! There is nothing like going to a free basketball game to cheer on the home team. The winter sports schedule is available at the gym or the Campus Center. Games are played at Cousens Gym.
• There are pool tables on the main level of the Campus Center for just $1.50 per half hour. Drawback: you may have to wait for a table.
• Cousens Gym also offers squash, tennis and basketball courts to play some friendly games. To reserve a court, call 617-627-5069.

• Looking for a romantic weekend getaway? Then grab your sleeping bags and head to Woodstock, New Hampshire to the Tufts’ Loj. This brand new lodge is operated by the Tufts Mountain Club, and requires both reservations and an initial $12 membership fee. It is just $15 for two nights' lodging, a ride both ways and food. The primary drawback is that the Loj sleeps 35, so you may sacrifice some privacy, but hey—what do you expect for 15 bucks? Contact TMC president Sam Oberter for details: 617-627-7412.
• For a closer-to-home romantic outing, try a smooch atop the Tisch library roof. This offers a great view of the Boston skyline, and some stars, too.

• The Children’s Museum is only $1 admission on Fridays from 5 to 9 pm. More info available at 617-426-8855.
• Oxfam Café will soon offer the return of "Midnight Café" every Saturday evening, where every table has play-dough and crayons with open mike entertainment. For further details call 617-627-3215.
• Brown and Brew offers all your favorite childhood games, from Scrabble to Candyland. Just ask at the register.

• Join in a Jumbo tradition and paint the cannon next to Goddard Chapel in honor of your beloved. Don’t paint it too early in the night, or you’ll have to sleep outside guarding your artwork from the frat boy who had also planned on painting it.
• Splurge on a 30-minute massage at Health Services. $20 for 30 minutes of heaven will really put him/her in the mood. Appointments are necessary, and the therapist only comes in on Tuesdays. 617-627-3350.

Most questions about other free and fun activities can be answered by our friends at the Tufts Campus Center Information Booth (617-627-3145) or the Student Activities Office (617-627-3212). Happy Valentine’s Day!

Comments? Write us at letter@fletcherledger.com

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