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Culture outside of the petrie dish

Most of us think of college as a place to meet new people, break away from home, party like crazy and sometimes study too. However, going away to school is also a chance to make yourself into a cultured adult who can sit through a black and white movie, read a book without pictures and maybe even attend an opera without falling asleep. Yes, it is possible to go from juvenile to connoisseur.

1. Make it a Blockbuster night. No She's All That, and the latest from Kevin Williamson doesn't count. To see men in drag get themselves into situations that are actually funny check out Some Like it Hot. Marilyn Monroe is a major star in this one to boot. Any flick by master of suspense, Alfred Hitchcock will satisfy your need for terror. Other classic flicks like All the King's Men demonstrate the corruption of political types before cigars and independent councils got involved.

2. Hit the museums. Did you know that on the top floor of the Memorial Student Union there's a gallery? Or that downtown Tucson holds tons of great little storehouses of art? The union Rotunda Gallery's latest exhibit, "Sacred Site," is a mixed media show by David Adix. Attending a Downtown Saturday Night is a great way to tour the historic and colorful area. You can learn about all the galleries on campus with a call to the Fine Arts Department at 621-6142.

3. Take a class. Sure you could start small with Underwater Basket Weaving (yes, it is offered at the Rec). Or you could go all out and learn ballroom dancing, French cuisine or stained glass making. Call Tucson Parks and Recreation at 791-4873 or check out the schedule of classes at http://www.catalog.arizona.edu to get an education.

4. Buy a new CD. Scope out the used selections at Zip's, CD Depot, Hears or Zia's in a genre you've never listened to before. Anything in Spanish is becoming increasingly trendy so try rockabilly, lounge or fusion to get into a fresh vibe. Who knows, maybe that $7 zydeco disc may become your all time favorite.

5. Read a book. It doesn't have to be 500 pages and by Dostoyevsky in order to broaden your horizons. A list of the "One Hundred Greatest Books" of all time was recently published with tomes by such diverse authors as Faulkner, Nabokov and Hemingway. For the creme de la creme of the literary crop click on www.pulitzer.org to view archives on the recipients of this prestigious award.

6. Ditch the brew. Yes, life is possible without malted beverages. Start small and substitute a bottle of microbrewery offerings instead of that can of Natty Lite. After a few weeks of training your palate you might even be ready for wine or cocktails. Watch out ladies!

7. Get out of the house, apartment, dorm room, etc. Travel some place besides Nogales this weekend. All you need is a car, a map and some friends to have a great day-trip to dozens of locations around Arizona. The adventurous and well-funded can take an incredible sojourn to Mount Everest, the Galapagos Islands or the African savanna instead of another trip to Aunt Selma's next summer.

8. Buy a ticket. The Fine Arts Department at UA Presents dozens of plays, choral and orchestral concerts, musicals and dance shows throughout the year. Plus, students get half-price tickets with their student ID. Additionally, such acts as Itzhak Perlman, the Alvin Ailey Dance Theater and Chicago will perform at Centennial Hall during the 1999-2000 season. Call the Box Office at 621-3341 for the complete schedule.

9. Two words: Fourth Avenue. Crammed into a few blocks just west of campus are some of the best thrift shops, indie bookstores and smoke shops in Tucson. Go during the daytime when most of the stores are open or check out the nighttime scene for plenty of local color. Also stop by the Sundance Bakery Cafe for the absolute best in vegan cuisine.