Local - What's Happening in the 607.

Food Not Bombs

Written by Jenni McEwen

What could be better than free food, right? How about free food that sends a message as well? That's the goal of Binghamton Food Not Bombs, to provide people with a wholesome vegetarian meal free of charge, while working to end hunger and to "stop the globalization of the economy, restrictions to the movements of people, (and to) end exploitation and the destruction of the earth."

Food Not Bombs is a worldwide organization that began in 1980 in Cambridge, MA by anti-nuclear activists and is currently active in the Americas, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Asia, Australia, and not to mention right here in our city of Binghamton. It is all volunteer and is dedicated to non-violent social change, they share food with the hungry and also protest war and poverty. They are out to make a difference one meal at a time.

Food Not Bombs chapters nationwide have been there for people through rough times and were even the first to provide hot meals to the rescue workers who responded to the September 11th World Trade Center attacks. Despite all the wonderful things they have and are trying to accomplish many groups are facing adversity and have been arrested while trying to help their fellow man. As their website states, "food is a right, not a privilege", and well, it's really hard to argue with that.

Binghamton's chapter was started a little over a year ago and is currently serving food at 1pm every Sunday at Columbus Park on Carroll Street . Food will be served indoors during the Winter months (it was held at the Beacon on Court St. last year, not sure about this year, but we will keep you updated when we find out more information). All meals are either grown or donated by local businesses including grocery stores and CHOW and as previously stated, are vegetarian in nature.

The groups have no set leaders and are always open to all input and participation and try to involve everyone in their decision making process. There are a number of ways to help our local chapter. Whether you'd like to donate food, or simply volunteer your time on distribution days, etc., they will be glad to have your support.

Also, Binghamton Food Not Bombs will be having their semi-annual benefit show on Saturday September 26th at 7pm in the basement of 4 Edwards St. in Binghamton. $3 cover. Come out and support a great cause!!

If you would like to learn more, or to find out how you can help their efforts, email binghamtonfoodnotbombs@gmail.com.

So You're Good At Beer Pong?

We know the headline just got your attention, and we couldn't be any happier about it (neither can you). Why? Well, because if you really are as good at the Pong as you say you are, you can make it down to Liquid on Friday night to try and win yourself some healthy scratch.

Club Liquid on State Street (down by the MetroCenter) is giving away a lot to welcome back Binghamton University and it's not just on the Pong table. Yes, admittedly we'd usually put this sort of news in our calendar and tell you to check it out but when something this big comes along, we need to let you know about it.

So what the hell is so special about Liquid on Friday night? Well, for starters they'll be giving away Budweiser Mugs from 10pm until close. $2 Mug Mixers to go in those mugs all night long. The first 50 ladies to walk through the doors with a college ID will get free mug. The $250 Beer Pong Tournament starts at 12 (giving you plenty of time to warm up the game)

The registration for the Pong Tournament will be from 10pm to 12pm at Club Liquid, and registration is $5 per person. No, this isn't a lame team thing where if you lose you can blame your best friend for not carrying his/her weight, it's only you. That's right! Head's up pong for a $250 prize with no excuses or anyone to yell at if you lose.

Sound good? We thought so. Besides, being in college doesn't mean you have to be poor all the time – especially if you have a good pong game!

Try.Fail.Repeat and Dropclutch Play Quarterback

So you're looking through our site trying to find the best thing to do on Saturday? Well, it's kind of obvious. You need to go get smashed at the Downtown Quarterback and catch not three, not four, but five bands.

The show features both Dropclutch and Try.Fail.Repeat, who is playing their first hometown show in quite some time. Let's just say the last two times these bands got together there were tons of people and great music throughout the night. Now, you take these two bands and throw in indie rockers Merit and Ruby Mae and you have a great night of music for sure.

Now the show is featuring the return of our boys from Try.Fail.Repeat who if you don't know are from Ithaca but have played in Binghamton quite a few times already. With a few EP Waking Dream and Drone Effect ('08) the band has been through a shuffling of members which is also the inspiration behind their name.

Alright so we don't tell you to go to a lot of shows - well, actually we do - but go to this one on Saturday. There are not too many guarentees in life, but when Dropclutch, Try.Fail.Repeat, Merit and Ruby Mae get together, it's the closest damn thing to one. Also, for the unemployed, looking through the couch cushions for money people out there, the show is only $8 so get down to the Downtown Quarterback.

Come To My Window

By Jenni McEwen

"Come to my window, crawl inside, wait by the light of the moon, come to my window, I'll be home soon..."

"Come To My Window", we've all heard it, and there's no doubt in my mind at least half of us have grabbed a friend and drunkenly slurred the 90's hit into a microphone in a crowded bar some where (and yes, I AM included in that half). Well now, you can sing along with the songstress herself not some cheesy backup vocals and you don't have to go any farther than the Vestal Parkway.

Where am I going with this you ask? In case you haven't figured it out multi-platinum singer/songwriter and breast cancer survivor Melissa Etheridge is coming to BU to "light-rock" our socks off.

Etheridge is best known for bestselling albums, chart topping hits and bold decision to return to the stage even after losing her hair from chemotherapy. Oh, and her sexual orientation was talked about a lot to, but really, what's important here is her dedication to her music and her uplifting role model stature. It's safe to say her journey and life battles have been a beacon of hope for many people worldwide.

Also, music-wise she's working on her 10th studio album this summer that she is co-producing with John Shanks.

If you want to catch a great show, Miss Etheridge will be hitting up the Ousterhout Concert Theatre at the Anderson Center on Sunday, August 23rd at 8pm as part of her "Live & Alone 2009" tour. Ticket prices are $60 for inside reserved and $30 lawn.