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Finding the college-life, everyday necessities

Matt Heistand Arizona Summer Wildcat Media Arts/Film junior Roberto Luna, a Casa Video employee, sorts through returned rentals. Casa Video is located at 2905 E. Speedway Blvd. and has a large selection of classics as well as new releases.

It's the first day of classes and thus far you've probably bought your Wildcats T-shirt, eaten day-old sushi at the Fig and actually went to orientation. By now you're sitting back in class thinking that you've literally been there, done that and bought the T-shirt for the city of Tucson.

True, our quaint little town does take a well-deserved share of abuse when it comes to providing its college-age students with night life and entertainment. Youngsters have only a few 18-and-over nights to choose from, and they're located on the other end of town. The beloved Gallagher Theatre has been closed indefinitely and while authorities promise flicks will be available at a new campus location later this year, students are left for the time being without their precious $2.50 midnight movies. And even die-hard fans know that football games only cover you for one night a week, a few weeks a year.

Of course you could study but really, who's kidding whom.

It may seem that boredom is inherently part of the Tucson living experience. However, your arts reporter friends at the Arizona Daily Wildcat have chosen their favorite stores, bars, restaurants and diversions in the Old Pueblo in order that your ennui will be alleviated and your listlessness lifted.

Best Local Laundromat

Located next to Subway, Yokohama Rice Bowl and Los Betos on East Speedway Boulevard and North Tyndall Avenue, Wildcat Wash Well is a blessing in disguise. For those college students too lazy to bother doing their own dirty laundry, the people of Wash Well will wash, dry and fold their clothes for them. It's a bit expensive, but when your clothes pile is taller than you, it's nice to let someone else take care of the problem.

- Casey Dexter

Best CD Store

Zia Record Exchange, located at 3370 E. Speedway Blvd., is the place for an avid music fan. There are plenty of Tucson stores that will provide the basic top 40 hits, such as Britney Spears, the Backstreet Boys and Jennifer Lopez, but for someone who desperately needs to get his/her hands on the most recent Japanese import of Creeper Lagoon's new single, Zia is the place to go. Both new and used records, cassettes and CD's are available and special orders for that impossible to find album are accepted.

- Barry McGuire

Best Hiking

What Tucson may lack in swinging night life, it compensates with beautiful scenery. Sabino Canyon isn't too far out of town. Just drive east on Speedway until it says "Sabino Canyon." It has gorgeous views and offers trails for both beginners and avid mountaineers. Plus, there's a swimming hole that's perfect for cooling off on a hot August day.

- Phil Villarreal

Best 18-and-Over Night

Life can suck when you're not 21, but with New West/Gotham's 18-and-over nights, even underclassmen can get their grooves on. The two separate rooms offer a variety of techno, hip hop, and Top 40 songs and when local radio stations sponsor, crazy contests ensue. Located at 4385 W. Ina Road, it's a bit of a schlepp, but worth it in a town short on clubs.

- Rebecca Missel

Best Movie Theater

When I moved down to Tucson I was shocked at the state of the movie theaters in town. No stadium seating, no student discounts and that funny stage-like thing in the front. But now the Old Pueblo has caught up to the rest of the world with the fabulous new Century El Con 20, 3601 E. Broadway Blvd. At press time there were 17 different movies showing for your viewing pleasure.

- Rebecca Missel

Best After-Hours Saturday Night Spot

Those who feel the need to get their groove on in the wee hours of the morning will appreciate what The Limelight has to offer, which is simply, good dancing and good times. The spacious club is an all-ages club until one in the morning when it becomes 18+, so there is no alcohol served here. That, however, should not stop anyone from enjoying the dance floor and pool tables. Located at the somewhat distant North Kolb Road and East 22nd Street, it is a long drive to make but well worth it.

- Graig Uhlin

Best Video Rentals

Looking for a copy of the movie the Pet Shop Boys made in the '80s? In the mood to rent a documentary about nuns? Want to impress your friends with your amazing knowledge of French films? Then Casa Video, 2905 E. Speedway Blvd., is the place for you. They have close to everything ever put on videocassette and free popcorn to boot. And don't worry - if obscure flicks just aren't your style, they have a good number of new releases ready for the renting as well.

- Annie Holub

Best On-Campus Act

Comedy Corner is the UA's very own comedic treasure, hidden in the depths of the Memorial Student Union Cellar. A sketch comedy and improv group (the first of its kind in the collegiate world) split the sides of their audience with laughter by cleverly skewering campus icons like UA President Peter Likins and the Associated Students. Comedy Corner performs every Friday at noon and to go once is to be hooked forever. You will find that you rearrange next semester's schedule so as to not have to miss a single show.

- Graig Uhlin

Best bookstore

Antigone Books at 411 N. Fourth Ave. has become one of the last independent bookstores in Tucson, but this specialty bookstore has the will to survive. They have a great poetry section, lots of new fiction, tons of interesting books and all sorts of other cool things like stickers and Antigone chocolate. Even if you don't have a professor who sends you to Antigone to get books, go there anyway.

- Annie Holub

Best used bookstores

The corner of East Grant Street and North Campbell Avenue has become the used bookstore Mecca of Tucson. On the southeast corner is Bookman's, 1930 E. Grant St., where you can not only find used books but used CDs, records, tapes, video games, sheet music and magazines. Just across the street going north is Bertrand's Books, 2404 N. Campbell Ave., who recently moved in this summer from a much smaller downtown location. Still can't find that one book you want? Keep going north on Campbell for a block or so to the Book Stop, 2504 N. Campbell Ave., a deliciously dusty and dark haven of books. With three great used bookstores within a few blocks of each other, you are guaranteed to find what you're looking for.

- Annie Holub

Best Pizza Joint

Depressed about Domino's? Pissed at Pizza Hut? Bored with Brooklyn? Then take a break from pizza monotony with No Anchovies. Boasting a variety of choices that rivals California Pizza Kitchen, reasonable prices and a great location at 870 E. University Blvd., make this a campus favorite. You can order just a slice or a whole pie to enjoy.

- Rebecca Missel