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The opinions expressed in these blogs are solely those of the people who wrote them, and do not represent the views of WPSU or Penn State University.

Local Food Journey

Piper’s Peck in Bellefonte

Posted by Christina and Erin on 02/26 at 12:59 AM

Looking for quality homemade salsa and hot pepper jelly? Janet Robinson, owner of Piper’s Peck, started her pepper business in 1998. She grows nine different varieties of peppers at her farm in Bellefonte. Her products include salsas, pepper jellies, fruit jellies, sauces, relishes, and even fudge! Stop by one of the many local farmers markets to meet Janet, or order online at www.piperspeck.com.

Continue reading to see a video interview with Janet.

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Local Food Journey

Cooking Through the Cold

Posted by Erin Donahue on 02/24 at 10:49 AM

Winter cooking can be challenging, but take it as an opportunity to get creative and experiment with new ingredients and recipes. Use the “In Season” section of this site for inspiration. Local meat and poultry are always available, as are artisan cheeses. It’s also a good time to stock up on locally produced pantry goods like dried beans, pasta, and rice or preserved items like pickles and jams. During this final month of winter, think root vegetables, such as carrots, parsnips, and potatoes—they can be very versatile.

What are you cooking in February?

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Live Local Music

Students in the Spotlight for Friday’s Noontime Concert Series

Posted by Stephen Smith on 02/24 at 10:47 AM

This Friday, the SPA will host its first Student Showcase of the year at the HUB.  Starting at noon, the concert will feature Maura and Chris, Fred, Topher, Free Rollercoaster, and Eric Faust with Mike D. Mulligan.

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Live Local Music

Ivan Neville’s Dumpstaphunk Plays State Theatre Tonight

Posted by Alexandra Voigt on 02/23 at 04:13 PM

The New Orleans-based funk band attributed as Ivan Neville’s Dumpstaphunk will play The State Theatre tonight, Wednesday, February 23rd. The show begins at 8 p.m. with State College’s own reggae/rock band, Atlas Soundtrack, opening the night.

Dumpstaphunk formed on a whim in 2003 when keyboardist and vocalist, Ivan Neville, wanted to play a set at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. Turns out, the band’s idea of a side-project became the New York Times’ “best funk band from New Orleans.” Come check out the five talented musicians and you, too, will be absorbed in some of Louisiana’s authentic essence.

Who: Dumpstaphunk
When: Tonight, February 23rd at 8 p.m.
Where: The State Theatre

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Live Local Music

Matt Beilis Puts On Solid Show at Noontime Series

Posted by Stephen Smith on 02/22 at 04:09 PM

Maybe it was the excitement of THON. Maybe it was the unusually warm weather in a typically bitter February. Maybe it was the fast approaching weekend. Probably for all of these reasons, campus was humming with excitement on Friday. Flocks of students were decked in fluorescent shorts and T-shirts. The wheels from bikes and skateboards rolled through puddles of melted snow. The air was practically crawling with electricity.

New York musician Matt Beilis added to the voltage with his performance at noon on Friday in the HUB, continuing the Student Programming Association’s weekly Noontime Concert Series. Beilis and his supporting cast did not disappoint a fluctuating crowd of lunch-goers and passers-by. Looking around before the start of the show, I was a little disappointed that the audience was half comprised of SPA organizers. However, the attendance grew rapidly after the band’s lengthy and meticulous sound-check—an unfortunate side effect of the HUB’s open acoustics. Perhaps sensing the crowd’s apprehension, Matt jumped right into the show, starting the setlist without a word.

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Live Local Music

THON’s Limitless Music Entertainment

Posted by Alexandra Voigt on 02/17 at 12:12 PM

It’s crazy to believe that it’s here already, but this upcoming weekend—February 18-20th—Penn State’s 34th IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon Competition is taking place at the Bryce Jordan Center. During the 46 consecutive hours of dancing, an array of activities and events will ensue. Out of the eleven total music performers, the crowd-favorite cover band Go Go Gadget will play at 2:30pm on Sunday during the final four-hour countdown. And, after competing and winning the THON Band Bash, Dave Joyce and the Slow Pitch Band and 5 Cherry Lewis will also perform during the weekend. The schedule for other bands has not yet been determined, so check back in with the main THON website for the latest information!

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Live Local Music

Matt Beilis to Perform this Friday at SPA Noontime Concert Series

Posted by Stephen Smith on 02/16 at 03:22 PM

The Student Programming Association will continue its weekly Noontime Concert Series this Friday, February 18th. Matt Beilis will be performing at noon on the first level of the HUB.

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Local Food Journey

Steven Raichlen Grills in the State College Snow

Posted by Emily Wiley on 02/15 at 05:06 PM

Grill master Steven Raichlen left behind sunny Miami on Saturday for cold, windy, snowy State College. But he made the trip for a very worthy cause. The star of PBS’s Primal Grill and Barbecue University hosted WPSU’s 19th annual Connoisseur’s Dinner and Auction.

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Live Local Music

The Lowdown on Lowjack

Posted by Stephen Smith on 02/15 at 03:35 PM

The stage is buried in a small corner room in the basement of Bar Bleu.  The artfully painted walls support a low ceiling.  There are two booths along the back wall and tiny two-person tables lining the perimeter of the room.  This basement area also contains a second bar, an even smaller corner room for mingling, and a set of bathrooms.  All of this is located below the first level, which is more spacious with comfortable seating, a much larger bar, and half-a-dozen hi-def TVs. Such disparity between floors led me to believe that live entertainment was not highly valued at this sports bar.  But after listening to Lowjack perform, I see now that Bar Bleu knows what it’s doing.

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Local Food Journey

Pesto and Prosciutto Pizza

Posted by Christina Barkanic on 02/15 at 11:37 AM

Try homemade pizza tonight in place of delivery. It will be hot out of the oven in the same amount of time a cardboard box could arrive on your doorstep—and it’s much more satisfying.

What are your favorite pizza toppings?

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Local Food Journey

Valentine’s Day Dinner Ideas in State College

Posted by Christina Barkanic on 02/11 at 03:21 PM

Are you still looking for a way to spoil your sweetheart this Valentine’s Day? Why not dine out at a local restaurant that promises to serve fresh, seasonal food in a romantic setting? 

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Live Local Music

Lowjack to Play Bar Bleu Tonight (2/11) at 10:30pm

Posted by Stephen Smith on 02/11 at 02:57 PM

Local favorite Lowjack will be performing at Bar Bleu tonight at 10:30pm.  This Americana/folk rock band creates and imitates a variety of sounds by using an arsenal of diverse instruments rarely seen around State College.

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Local Food Journey

Local Gift Ideas for Your Valentine

Posted by Erin Donahue on 02/11 at 01:08 PM

Do you believe in love at first sight? I didn’t—until I walked into Chocolate Madness on West College Avenue in downtown State College. I immediately fell in love with the sweet scent of cocoa and the sight of luscious strawberries dipped in red and white chocolate.

Some might say Valentine’s Day is a time to spoil your significant other. Others might agree it’s all about the candy. Either way, consider supporting a local business while indulging in sweet temptations this February holiday.

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Live Local Music

Local Artist Profile: Greg Falatek

Posted by Mike Hobson on 02/11 at 11:14 AM

As State College anticipates the arrival of Lil Wayne’s “I Am Music II” tour at the Bryce Jordan Center this spring, rap music is very much in the collective musical consciousness of Penn State. Often overlooked, however, are local up-and-coming acts in the genre. One of these artists, Greg Falatek, has a mix tape titled “Higher Education” slated for arrival later this month. Material released thus far points to a promising future for the State College hip hop scene.

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Local Food Journey

Farming for the Future

Posted by Christina Barkanic on 02/10 at 05:44 PM

I had the pleasure of attending my first PASA (Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture) Conference at the Penn Stater last Friday. Farmers and environmentalists mingled with chefs and artists. Tables displayed everything from cheeses and jams to knitted socks and baby chicks. This place had it all – an energetic community with a common purpose: to farm with our futures in mind.

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