April 13 - 18 -- FREE COFFEE @ McDonald's

In response (I can only assume) to Starbuck's April 15th free coffee day, McDonald's is offering FREE COFFEE EVERY DAY, and what I have heard, any size (unlike their normal free coffee giveaways that are only small coffees)!!

Their extra large is approximately a LITRE of coffee, so if you're taking advantage of Weldon's new 24-hour study space possibilities, show your UWO student card and you'll get a whole load of caffeine to last you the night...

* For those who don't know -- the closest Mcdonald's to campus is at Oxford and Wharncliffe (just a 2 minute #2 busride away!)

Mar 23 -- FREE Pastry day at Starbucks

Okay, this is nothing to do with Western, and in fact, you can't even use this on our on-campus "we proudly serve"s... BUT, it is still awesome, and their pastries are deeelish!

On March 23rd until 10:30 am, you get a FREE PASTRY with any beverage purchase at STARBUCKS. The closest one is at Oxford and Wharncliffe, or downtown at... Central? (I think) and Richmond. Doooo itttttt

You need to bring in a coupon though, printed or all hipsters can just flash it on your iPhones.
Get the coupon here: http://assets.starbucks.com/assets/1ac43f0b737a4b778Ba9c80ee14715ec.jpg

DYK Tip: How to Eat on Campus if you're Hungry and Poor

Meals for Three? Huh. Not exactly revolutionary. I've been eating meals for LESS than three for years on campus. I'm not saying that they're nutritious, but they'll satisfy... sort of.

Finding these rare deals has been a combination of behind-the-scenes work experience, trial-and-error, and careful research, and now, for the first time -- we're sharing!!



Here are some ideas if you are super hungry at the library and find yourself counting the quarters at the bottom of your backpack and still coming up short:


What? Toasted bacon sandwich

Where? Tim Horton's, any location that has sandwiches

Cost? ~$1.50, depends on the person who rings it in for some reason

How to Get it: Order this exactly: "A white/brown country bun (pause) toasted (pause) with bacon." They may or may not tell you that it's not possible to order this, because some of the cash registers won't let them ring it in (or they are new and don't know how) BUT, if you complain enough, they usually call the manager and they will ring it in manually. A country bun (if you want that on it's own with butter) should ring in at 89 cents, and if the manager has to type it in, bacon is an extra 50 cents. Then, if you're real adventurous, you can tell the sandwich person when they're making it to put mustard or something on it if you like. You can't order it with lettuce though (i've tried), because then they just charge you for a BLT (no tomato), which is like three bucks.... I discovered this little gem when I did an unfortunate 2-month stunt working there 2 summers ago.


What? Chips and Guac / Chips and fresh Salsa

Where? Burrito place at Nat Sci

Cost? $2.50

How to Get it: Simple, it's on the menu (i think). I like it because they give you a ton of chips, and its delicious and satisfies my hunger cravings unlike something like.. hmm... a muffin would, for example.


What? Bagel with cream cheese / Bagel with cheese and cucumbers / Everything Bagel w. butter

Where? Tim Horton's

Cost? $1.15 - $2.40

How to get it: Again, not really rocket science, these are some of the classic Timmy's offerings. BUT, if you're hungry, and have like a dollar... an everything bagel toasted with butter still gives you the satisfaction of a meal.. even though it isn't really (the onions kind of heat up when its toasted and have a flavour, unlike most things at Tim Horton's...) And, if you feel like a sammy, but can't afford it? Toasted sesame Bagel with garlic cheese and cucumber: you've got crunchy freshness of cukes, with the garlic flavour.... it's kind of satisfying?


What? Fries, Rice, Noodles, Potatoes, side dishes of all kinds of exciting variety

Where? Any campus residence (ideally Delaware because it's central)

Cost? THE BEST DEAL: ~$1.00 for a huge plate

How to get it: the actual challenge (if you don't live in residence) is getting in. Yes, ideally you have a friend who lives there and they sign you in as a guest, and sometimes I've told front desk staff I'm just using the caf and they let me in... but otherwise... use your imagination. The actual COST of everything if you don't have the Rez meal plan is pretty much double what kids in Rez pay, so most things are expensive... BUT, some things aren't. With a meal plan, a big plate of fries is 60 cents... without, it's $1.20 (still a deal). The same goes for most starch-based side dishes (as listed above). You just order them "to go", and order them alone, and they usually just fill the whole plate (aka: big enough for lunch). Ice cream is also cheap, if you feel so inclined. There might be other stuff, I just haven't lived in rez in a while, and don't really remember... ** Coffee is also $1.00 or less**


What? Toast, classic 2-eggs breakfast, grilled cheese, hamburger (by itself), and... a lot more

Where? The Grad Club

Cost? Under five bucks, (grilled cheese is particularly satisfying/cheap)

How to Get it: The hardest part is actually discovering this place or actually physically finding it. It is in the basement of Middlesex College. Just go down the stairs to the bottom level and walk down the hallway, it's kind of in the middle of the building-ish. It has signs posted all over the doors saying you need to be a member, etc etc... but you definitely don't. The MAIN draw about this place (for me) is that you can pay with credit card, so if you forget money entirely one day -- you're not screwed! (but you have to spend over $4 to use debit/credit)


... plus I'm sure a lot more hidden treasures! If you guys know of a cheap place/item that I haven't posted here -- shoot us an email (publications@usc-uwo.org) about it and we'll post it for all to see (on here!) !!!

DYK: FREE concerts on campus, who knew?

Hey everyone,

THE BEATLES ARE COMING TO PLAY A FREE CONCERT AT WESTERN!!!!!!

... just kidding, they're mostly not alive, BUT I just got this great tip from Josh (and it's almost as good)...



Apparently the faculty of music has an online events calendar where they post ALL of their events... so if you enjoy music at all--it's the place to be. Some of the city's (maybe even country? dare I say, world?'s) most talented musicians put on daily performances RIGHT ON CAMPUS. Check it out between class... after class... it's awesome! And apparently the last month of the academic year is their busiest time.

So, here's the DL:

Choose from 3+ recitals daily, free and conveniently on campus during your lunch break, dinner break, and in the evening.

http://events.uwo.ca/cgi-bin/events.pl?Op=ShowIt&CalendarName=MusicEventsCalendar

Josh tells me that the Percussion Ensemble this Friday 12:30 and 8pm at Paul Davenport Theatre is definitely one to check out. He said, "They tend to add a special piece at the end; I've seen three musicians once holding lighters and once sitting at a wooden door supported like a table. " --- Sweet.

Also:


There's some early/rare opera being performed March 19 & 20, 8pm, in Music Building room 104. I anticipate this being a little more special or theatrical than other voice recitals going on this month.



... and, on a totally random sidenote, did you know that they do screenings of opera performances at Silvercity!?!?!?! wtffff

well, check it out!

DYK Tip: The ULIMATE KEY to Picking Classes at Western

In choosing my courses I came across this AMAZINGGGG site that the university should clearly tell people about (but I've never heard about it before....). So, here it is, the USC working for the students --> This will save your life (or your GPA?).

Its like a legit ratemyprofessor.com, essentially, the online postings of those course evaluations we do at the end of every class. It has every prof and course taught since the evaluations started (1994?).

If you have to choose between 2 sections, its helpful in selecting a good prof... and also I've been choosing a lot of electives based on prof scores, but course scores are too difficult to find now that the university changed the numbering system recently, but it is stilll possible if you're willing to put in the effort

Oh! also look for % of class attended (it will show you if the course has mandatory attendance/participation or not) and expected grade (lots of high expectations will tell you that this is likely an easy course to get high marks in)

Good luck to everyone, and I hope this helps somebody... it sure helped me! (I wish I knew about it in first year!!!)

HERE'S THE LINK: https://www.ipb.uwo.ca/evaluation/search.php

DYK Tip: You could be famous!!

Talking. Music. Pop Culture. Current Events. Celebrities. Sports. Western. Songwriting. Journalism. Movies. Photography. Filmmaking. A successful career ahead of you...

If any of those things interest you at all, then you may be surprised to find out that the USC has ongoing training to support you, a Western student, in becoming a DJ, a news reporter, a journalist, a sports commentator, a photographer, a camera person, an interviewer, an editior, or one of a thousand different positions while you're at school through TV Western, CHRW or the Gazette.

CHRW TRAINING
They actually offer a fairly advanced training program, but also probably offer the most opportunites for involvement, since they require literally hundreds of volunteers to keep them on the air 24/7. I personally did a couple of "sessions" learning about recording, interviewing, and even turn table mixing with one of their night-time live-to-air-style DJs. They are always in need of new talent. Here are a couple of postings from their site, which give you an idea of the diversity of positions available, apparently they also offer internship credits!:

- Become a show host...
- Become a newscaster, host a talk show or broadcast live sports...
- Help find new music, new talent, and get into the world of marketing and advertising...
-
... or check out their website right now to out more about what 94.9 CHRW Volunteers do!
-----------------

TVWESTERN.CA TRAINING

Get involved with tvWestern and Rogers or one of the other shows!

Session 1: Intro to tvWestern.ca dates are available at tvWestern.ca studios - Room 266 UCC or e-mail kim@tvwestern.ca

Check out more positions/training opportunities online HERE: http://chrwradio.com/training/
---------------

THE GAZETTE
The GAzette is always looking for contibutors. I was a news intern for a couple weeks a few years ago and got published TWICE. It's pretty cool seeing your name in print, trust me. They need people for sports, arts, news, and even comics, so find your fit by shooting them an email or something...

From their website:

Visit us anytime in Room 263 in the University Community Centre and we will happily show you the ins and outs of working at The Gazette. The time commitment is up to you. If you’re burdened down with school work or have other commitments, no one will pressure you to pick up assignments; there is no “contribution quota.”
More info: http://www.westerngazette.ca/contributions/
--------------

FACULTY PUBLICATIONS
Most faculties have publications. I, for example, am in MIT, and I have contributed a few times to the MIT Zine, which was literally as simple as emailing the editor (I got their email from the MITSC website, which I Googled) and sending something in. No time limits, restrictions or whatever scary nonsense. My roommate's in engineering, and (talk about lack of constraints and censorship!) they have an awesome paper called the Purple Arm which is absolutely hilarious.

If you want to know more about your own faculty's publication, Google it!! (Google knows all). Or, drop me a line at publications@usc-uwo.org and I'll try to dig up some more info for you...

wweb D.Y.K. tip: Free Skating!!!

Free Skate – all day, every day and night!!!!

All bundled up and no place to go? You better have a pair of skates with you! Whether it’s a romantic evening, or a fieldtrip with your floormates, London’s outdoor skating rinks are a wonderful winter destination, better yet, they’re FREE!

The closest to campus is Victoria Park (right along Richmond Row, in the centre of town). The yearly tradition of ice skating in Victoria Park dates back to 1913 when the first lighted, outdoor skating rink was constructed. They’re officially open until 10 PM each night, and only close for a re-icing between 5:30 and 6:30 each day. Click HERE for more info.

The Covent Garden Market rink is most people I know’s preferred rink, but it’s a little farther. Just follow Talbot alllllll the way down to the John Labatt Centre. It says on their Website that it’s only open until 7 PM, but it’s not barred for access after that (all night long!!)

If you don’t have a pair of skates (I didn’t before a couple of weeks ago!!), check out the Oxford St. Goodwill store or, for better luck and a little more money, the Sports Store beside it. Just take the 4 or 17 bus towards Fanshawe, and you’ll see it on your right side (in the plaza with the Tim Horton’s).

Good luck and happy skating!!

wweb D.Y.K tip: Cheaper Taxis!!

Do you have a buspass? Though the LTC is on strike—it’s still handy to keep around!

Ever wonder what that strange table of values and letters is on the OTHER side of your bus pass? Okay, you’re not stupid, it’s obviously a table showing the flat rates for AboutTown Cabs in London. HOWEVER, people rarely use it.

What you probably didn’t know is that taking the time to figure out the letter of your coming and going A/B/C Zones could save you as much as TWENTY BUCKS or even more…

For example, a trip from Campus to Masonville mall usually costs about $13.00 on the meter, BUT, with your AboutTown Flatrate card, it’s only $8.25!! You could save $20+/WEEK using the flatrates instead!!

Apparently sometimes the drivers need some convincing, but if you figure out your Zones beforehand—you can convince with confidence! Here's how to works:

LOCATION (1st column): This is your destination. If you're going to Masonville, for example, your LOCATION would be Richmond & Fanshawe.

DROPOFF/PICKUP/POST (2nd column): This is just a description of stuff near there, some places that you might be going.

A,B,C, etc (3rd+ columns): These are the 'Zones', to see what zone you fall under, you have to look at the bottom of the card. Pretty much all of campus falls under Zone B, and the Thames River acts as a dividing line for Zone A.

TO READ IT ... find where you're going in Column 1, then follow that over towards the right until you reach the column where you live / you're leaving from.

To go back to the example, someone going to Masonville (Richmond & Fanshawe), from the UCC (Zone B), could follow the line over and find out that cab fare is only $8.25!

More details, and an online version of the Cab Card are available on Mustangs Moving Mustangs.

wweb D.Y.K. tip: FREE Shuttle Buses!!

Beat the LTC Strike! Whether you currently experience long waits... no seats left... too many bumpy stops.... or you fear the prospect of walking to school in less than a week, have no fear (or at least less fear)! Because Shuttle Buses are here (and they always have been)!

The many FREE (or cheap) shuttle routes around London are a bit of an urban 'myth'. Maybe you've heard a rumour about one from a friend-of-a-friend, or saw a fully-painted billboard-on-wheels cruise by brimming with happy shoppers and wondered "Huh." Well, you didn't just dream that drive-by -- They're real.

Most (if not all) of the shuttles don't even show up on Google (which, let's face it, is extremely dubious)... but here, for the first time ever, you can plan to explore the wild, exotic extremes of London, Ontario by Shuttle! I recommend calling the number beforehand if you plan on taking them... just to be sure (they are mysterious, after all)!

Shuttle #1: GroceryBus - FREE - (519)674-6111
This one was advertised in the Student Guide this year, but it's still faaairly elusive... and it could save you lugging your milk and veggies on the 13A! If you have your Guide, details are on Page 4, if you lost your Guide, here's the DL:
- It picks up from Alumni House, Elgin Hall, Essex Hall, London Hall, or Bayfield Hall on Saturdays at 1-ish & 2-ish, then it drops you off at the Fanshawe Market Loblaws up by Masonville Mall. Direct Route!
- They leave from Loblaws on the half hour at 1:30 or 2:30 and bring you right home!

Shuttle #2: ShoppingBus - FREE - Online Schedule
This was also in the Guide, but no details! Don't worry, the online schedule is pretty legit (see above). This works like so:
- It picks up at London Hall, Deliware, Elgin or Saugeen from 12 - 4 on Saturdays and drives right to White Oaks! You never have to drive through the sketchy neighbourhoods on the 13A again!
- It leaves White Oaks at 1, 3, and 5 PM and drives right back to campus -- no stops!

Shuttle #3: ClassBus - FREE - Online Schedule
You've probably seen the big blue buses on your way to class, and guess what? They're not mysterious at all -- they're free! You can get on them, you just need to get them to stop... These buses shuttle students between the affiliate colleges (King's/Brescia) and main campus, they're a great short-cut to class...
- They pick up at designated "AboutTown" bus stops around the campuses, NOT at the regular LTC ones (don't be fooled!). You can find a map of the stops HERE. From there, they run much like the regular buses, but on tiny, campus-confined routes.

Shuttle #4: BeachBus - $10 (I think...) - (519)455-7711 or (519)663-2091
This bus does cost a little money, but it's totally worth it -- it drives all the way to Grand Bend! If you don't know where that is, it's a beautiful beach with tons of fun other stuff going on in town, read up HERE. Anyway, I think this bus only runs in the summer, but if you're on a student budget and don't have a car... it's the best weekend summer trip to do in London. Give them a call if you're interested in a little winter beach action, but otherwise, tuck this tip away for the warmer seasons...
- It picks up at Norma Jean's (1332 Huron Street) and at Jack Astor's (Masonville) at 10 AM on Saturdays (again, possibly only in the summer). Give them a call to confirm though before you head out...
- It drops off at the Grand Bend Motorplex (about 40 minutes away), and for $3 extra you can get another shuttle that drops you off right on the beach!


STOP!!!! Okay, that's it for the shuttles, if you know of any other mysterious bus routes, let us all know in the comments, please! Or if you want to share your Norma Jeans Big Green Beach Bus horror stories, that's cool too.

And, until the LTC strike actually happens (November 16th), you can watch the cute little buses making their way to your stop in Real Time, by visiting THIS LINK, and choosing a route. and I have so much time, I sit at my computer refreshing to watch it move along the route... Cool, huh?

Check back for the next wweb Did You Know (DYK) Tip in the next issue of The Western Web!