Boredom Solver

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Top coffee shops in the Tampa area

By Leda Alvim M U L T I M E D I A

E D I T O R

For any coffee lovers, finding the perfect coffee shop is a neverending adventure. Every coffee shop is a different experience, where each one of them seeks to offer a unique environment, great customer service and, of course, exceptional coffee to its customers. Tampa is surrounded by small businesses passionate about brewing coffee and sharing their unique flavors across the region. Here’s a list of coffee shops that everyone should visit at least once.

Buddy Brew Coffee A Tampa locally-owned coffee shop, Buddy Brew Coffee is one of the most beloved coffee shops in town. The coffee shop opened

its doors in 2010 by Dave and Susan Ward, a couple sharing the same love for coffee. Before creating Buddy Brew Coffee, the couple started roasting their own beans and distributing it to friends and family. Years after, the brand became a success all over Tampa. The shop currently has four different locations around Tampa and one in Sarasota, where customers can enjoy their fresh and special coffees at any time of the day. Besides brewing coffee with beans from different countries, Buddy Brew Coffee sells a variety of other items, varying from teas to food items.

The Lab Coffee For coffee lovers ready to expand their knowledge for coffee and experience new adventures, The Lab Coffee is the place to

go. With the idea of conceptual coffee, The Lab Coffee allows customers to create their own drink based on their tastes and preferences, including the coffee beans. Baristas are trained to engage in conversations with customers and come up with a drink that will satisfy every taste.

Felicitous Coffee & Tea Looking for an off-campus place to study while enjoying some coffee? Felicitous Coffee & Tea is the perfect spot for students located within a mile from campus. Voted as one of Tampa’s five best coffee shops

by The Culture Trip, Felicitous became one of the most beloved coffee shops among students for offering a cozy environment and products at affordable prices. The owner, a former

USF student, opened the coffee shop due to a lack of local, offcampus study spots for students.

Ever since then, the shop has attracted several students seeking a laid-back, relaxing atmosphere to concentrate on studying.

Students can visit Felicitous Coffee & Tea at 42nd street, located at Lark, or 51st street.

Mojo Books and Records Mojo Books and Records is one of a kind place to enjoy some coffee while reading books and looking through a wide selection of records. The coffee shop, described as a “powderedmix free zone” on their website, offers coffee, teas, expressos and even baked goods for all tastes, including for vegans. Most of the books sold are used, which makes it a good place to buy books for

an affordable price. Located on Fowler Ave., the store attracts customers from all ages either seeking to purchase records, used books or a good cup of coffee.

Bay Coffee and Tea Company What a better way to enjoy coffee without having to leave campus? Bay Coffee and Tea Company, located at Argos Exchange, offers coffee, lattes, smoothies and fresh baked goods 24-hours a day during the fall semester. Either pulling an allnighter or studying for a test, Bay Coffee and Tea Company is the perfect place to go without having to drive too far from campus. Meal plan holders also have the chance to use dining dollars when making purchases.

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2534 E Bearss Ave, Tampa, FL Phone: (813) 972-5919

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Five ways to enjoy your summer with a group of friends ●

By Alyssa Stewart E D I T O R

I N

C H I E F

American Escape Rooms If you are up to the challenge, American Escape Rooms is the perfect place to put your brain to the test. It is located on University Club Drive, a couple of minutes from campus. The objective of the game is for your group to solve all the puzzles and clues in the room before the 60-minute timer is up. The rooms to choose from at this location are called, “Cold War Crisis,” “Mad Professor’s Asylum” and “Zombie Apocalypse.” I wouldn’t wait to bring your friends here because they have amazing deals right now. You can save up to $130 on a private room for you and your friends to enjoy. For private rooms, a single player costs $18.75 Mon. - Thurs. and $22.50 Fri. Sun. Single players can get up to $10-14 off tickets. This deal is available until July 31. It is a great way to feel accomplished when it’s over and a way to bring you and your friends closer.

Armature Works For the friend groups that can’t decide on a place to eat, this one’s for you. Armature Works is a 73,000 square foot mixed-use, commercial space that houses events and numerous dining spots.

With options such as wood-fired pizza, shio ramen and Korean barbeque, there is bound to be a flavor that meets your needs.

Have a sweet tooth? Well, Astro Ice Cream Co. serves liquid nitrogen ice cream with over 30 flavors and toppings. After your meal, you

and your friends can relax in the courtyard area where there is a checkerboard floor plan for chess and lounge chair seating. You can also head up to the rooftop bar.

Rise early or come late because Armature Works is open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. most days of the week.

You Do The Dishes Unleash your creative side at the pottery painting store located off Amberly Drive. You Do The Dishes is the perfect place to relax with friends who have the same love for art as you do. The best part is that you get to keep your masterpiece when you are finished. Here’s how it works: When you come in, choose from an assortment of pottery, find a few colors you like, wait three to five days and pick up your finished piece when it’s ready. There is a flat fee of $8 for each painter and an individual cost for whichever pottery piece you choose. You Do The Dishes also has its own coffee shop inside so you can sip, relax and paint.

Free yoga at Wiregrass If you and your friends enjoy being outdoors or getting active, head over to Wiregrass Mall any Monday from 6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. in Center Court until Sept.

24. If you have never tried yoga before or you haven’t practiced in a while, no problem. The classes are offered free from beginner to intermediate level. Make sure to watch for alerts on the Wiregrass website or social media because

the event may be postponed due to bad weather. If that is the case, Energia Wellness Studio will offer a free class to take at their studio.

Keep up with the event page on www.theshopsatwiregrass.com.

Create a study group Although it is not on the top of everyone’s summer list, a study group could help you succeed in the long run. While there are no classes in session, create a study group if you have a huge exam approaching. Whether it be the General Educational Development (GED) or the Law School Admission Test (LSAT), find some of your like-minded American Escape Rooms has room options such as the “Cold friends and get a head start. It will War Crisis,” “Mad Professor’s Asylum” and “Zombie be less stressful since there is no Apocalypse.” SPECIAL TO THE ORACLE homework on the back of your mind, and you can have study partners you enjoy. Even if you are not studying for the same exam, having the company and support can push you to not lose focus.

Busch Gardens For some of you, it’s time to dust off the amusement park gear and head over the Busch Gardens.

Ride the new roller coaster, Tigris, which is Florida’s tallest launch coaster. Not going because of expensive tickets is not an excuse anymore. Instead of paying $179.88 for an annual ticket, you can go all year for $99. For a single ticket, students can enjoy a day for $60 instead of $109. Every USF student with an annual pass is eligible for free general parking, 10 percent Paint a piece of pottery at You Do The Dishes and get to keep off dining and shopping, and no your masterpiece at the end. SPECIAL TO THE ORACLE block out dates.

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Spend the summer appreciating the arts

By Jared Sellick C O L U M N I S T

This summer there are a number of opportunities to catch some amazing local performances. All over the Tampa area, theatre companies and comedy clubs are putting on productions open to the public. USF students can take advantage of student discounts and expand their sources of entertainment and watch some amazing productions. Here are seven of the many performances taking place in the Tampa Bay Area in the next few months.

No. 1 Constellations at Jobsite Theatre Located at the Shimberg Playhouse in the Straz Center in Downtown Tampa, Constellations is a critically acclaimed play written by Nick Payne. If you are looking for a night to experience the culture of the theatre and think deeply about the distinction between choice and destiny, then this is the play for you. There will be showings July 10 - Aug. 4. Tickets are available at jobsitetheater.org. Discounted tickets for students are available.

No. 2 4x6 Fest at ArtsExchange St. Pete Want to see some original artwork? Then you can’t miss this annual festival in St. Petersburg. Local artists from all over the Bay Area will be creating original works for this event taking place July 27. The

artists have 24 hours to write, produce and perform their original play. Join other theatergoers and be the first to see these original productions at ArtsXchange St. Pete. Tickets are available for purchase at 4x6fest. com.

No. 3 Tampa Improv Spend an evening in historic Ybor City and have a laugh at the Tampa Improv Comedy Theatre. A number of wellknown comedians will be performing, including Natasha Leggaro from Another Period and The Do-Over July 19 - 20, and Adele Givens from Boo! A Madea Halloween on July 26 - 27. Tickets are available for purchase at improvtampa.com.

No. 4 The Importance of Being Earnest in Carrollwood Enjoy a night out at the theatre with the Carrollwood players. This classic British play, written by Oscar Wilde, will be a fun evening full of laughter and culture. The Importance of Being Earnest follows the romantic exploits of two Englishmen only to be complicated by family matters. The production will take place from July 12 - Aug. 3rd. Tickets are available for purchase at www.tinyurl.com.

Discounted tickets for students are available.

No. 5 Curtains at Plant City Entertainment

Located at the historical theatre building in Plant City, Curtains is a musical parody of ‘50s “whodunit” mysteries. The original Broadway production is the winner of eight Tony awards, including best musical.

It is sure to make you laugh. The production will take place July 12 - 28. Tickets are available for purchase at pceshows.yapsody. com. Discounted tickets for students are available.

No. 6 Pippin at freeFall Theatre Produced by freefall theatre in St. Petersburg, Pippin is a musical about finding one’s purpose in life. It follows an unusual performance troupe telling the story of a young prince looking for his purpose.

The production runs July 13 Aug. 11. Tickets are available for purchase at freefalltheatre.com.

Student tickets are available.

No. 7 Fun Home at American Stage.

Located at American Stage in St. Petersburg, Fun Home tells the story of a young woman through various parts of her life. Fun Home, the first-ever Broadway musical to feature a lesbian protagonist, follows the main character on her journey of discovery. The productions are July 17 - Aug. 18. Tickets are available for purchase at americanstage.org. Student rush tickets are also available.

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WELCOME TO THE PHYLLIS P. MARSHALL STUDENT CENTER GET INVOLVED • MEET FRIENDS • STUDY • RELAX USF.EDU/MSC

/MARSHALLSTUDENTCENTER

@USF_MSC

GET TO KNOW US!

Stumped? Visit usf.edu/msc and browse through our services and amenities to help find the answers to the clues below.

1.

The MSC recently celebrated this milestone.

2.

Was established in 1984 and is the only student run, non-profit exhibition space in the state of Florida.

3.

Hosted by CSI, this tradition began in the Fall 1991. It happens every other Wednesday night on the Bookstore lawn.

4.

Houses the dean of students office, student government, student organizations, study abroad, programming and community development, leadership and civic engagement, and diversity center.

5.

Hosted by the MSC, this is one of the largest and oldest traditions at USF.

6.

Here you will find answers to many questions. This is also where lost and found items are located, valuable items are turned over to the USFPD.

7.

The main branch is located on USF Palm Drive. The MSC is home to a branch that is student-run and recently redesigned.

8.

This space includes a large lounge featuring study tables, large high-definition television, white-boards, vending machines, and a microwave. It also has an attached gaming room.

9.

With the capacity to accommodate 1,200 seats, some of the MSC’s biggest events are held here.

USING THE HIGHLIGHTED LETTERS ABOVE, FILL IN THE BLANKS TO COMPLETE THE SENTENCE.

THE MSC IS PROUD TO BE

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Spots to enjoy the summer weather

By Brian Hattab S P O R T S

E D I T O R

These are the dog days of summer.

There’s not much on television that’s enticing, and once you’ve finished binge-watching series like “Orange is the New Black” and “Stranger Things,” there are only so many things you can mindlessly watch.

Maybe it’s time to go outside.

The easiest outdoor activity is going to the beach. And with 35 miles of sandy beaches in Pinellas County alone, why shouldn’t it be?

But maybe you don’t like going to the beach, or perhaps you can only tolerate it so many times per summer.

There have to be other things to do outside, right? This is Florida — you can do practically everything outside if you try hard enough.

Here are just a few suggestions.

The Tampa Riverwalk — (mostly in) Downtown Tampa This 2.6-mile pedestrian trail runs along the Hillsborough River from the Tampa Heights neighborhood all the way to the still under construction Water Street district.

Highlights of the Riverwalk include statues of Tampa historical figures, several parks — including a dog park adjacent to Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park — restaurants and connections to other Tampa points of interest — including Sparkman Wharf, Armature Works and Amalie Arena.

The Riverwalk itself is dog and bike friendly, though there are some areas on the Riverwalk — such as the area adjacent to the Tampa Convention Center — where biking may not be practical, so use caution if you decide to bike it.

For more details on the Riverwalk, visit www. thetampariverwalk.com.

The Riverwalk is always open and there is no charge to visit. SPECIAL TO THE ORACLE

Sparkman Wharf — 615 Channelside Drive, Downtown Tampa Sparkman Wharf is one of the first features of the new Water Street project, spearheaded by Tampa Bay Lightning owner Jeff Vinik, to open.

Located between Amalie Arena and The Florida Aquarium, Sparkman Wharf occupies the site of the largelyfailed Channelside Bay Plaza.

Where Channelside failed — boring chain restaurants and not utilizing its waterfront in any meaningful capacity — Sparkman Wharf succeeds.

Sparkman Wharf features what Relax at Sparkman Wharf ’s “dining garden” food court or enjoy live it calls a “dining garden,” which music in the outdoor park. SPECIAL TO THE ORACLE is a food court filled with unique and local concepts, such as a tapas stand operated by Tampa’s Half of the original Sunshine Suncoast Trail — Lutzown Mise en Place, a Detroit- Skyway Bridge was destroyed in Hernando County style pizza booth and specialty- May 1980 when a freight ship ice-pop business Whatever Pops. collided with the bridge during a There are many recreational Sparkman Wharf also features sudden storm. Out of that tragedy trails in the Tampa Bay area. But an outdoor park that features arose not only the current iconic most of them tend to be very live music and other events, an cable-stayed bridge, but the urban in nature, especially the open-air Biergarten that features world’s longest fishing piers after Upper Tampa Bay and Pinellas Florida craft beers and — unlike the approaches to the original trails — the latter may as well be its failed predecessor — opens bridge were repurposed. ordinary sidewalk in portions of up toward the Garrison Channel, The Skyway Fishing Pier is St. Petersburg. offering lawn chairs to sit and the one thing on this list that is The Suncoast Trail, located eat or drink a stone’s throw away not free to enter. Not only will just west of the Suncoast from the water. you have to pay the toll on I-275 Parkway, is not that. While the Sparkman Wharf ’s hours to cross the Sunshine Skyway majority of the 42-mile trail does have varied throughout its first Bridge — $1.50 cash or $1.07 with run alongside State Road 589, year of operation, so visit www. SunPass — (though you do not the drastically under-utilized toll sparkmanwharf.com for current actually have to cross the bridge road’s traffic is hardly enough to hours. There is no fee to enter to reach one of the piers), the make it feel like an urban trail, Sparkman Wharf, however park itself costs $4 per vehicle and only major roads — such as parking in downtown may and an additional $4 per person SRs 54 and 52 — require at-grade require spending money. on top of that. However, that crossings. admission is good for 24 hours, The trail is free, though so you’re free to come and go as some trailheads may charge for Skyway Fishing Pier State you please. parking, and open every day Park — Tampa Bay from dawn to dusk.

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Research to Evaluate New Tinnitus Treatment Apps

We need your help if you: 

 

have bothersome tinnitus (ringing, rushing, roaring, buzzing or other sounds from the ears or head) that won’t go away are between 18 and 60 years old are a veteran or a non-veteran

Participation will include :

1 two-hour appointment  5 half-hour weekly visits  a comprehensive hearing evaluation  compensation  may help future patients Easy access. Free parking. 

Please contact us or share with a friend: 813-974-4148 or assl@usf.edu Auditory & Speech Sciences Laboratory 3802 Spectrum Blvd, Tampa, FL 33612 (Across from USF Embassy Suites) Principal Investigator: Dr. David A. Eddins USF IRB # Pro00024576

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Help us investigate a new suite of tinnitus treatment apps for active military, veterans and other tinnitus sufferers.

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Apply by 7/15/19 and save $150 on move-in costs!

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