Amherst 101 (Guide to Amherst and Surrounding Areas)

[allen]

I turned in at 10 PM and woke up at 4 for no fucking reason... GODDAMNIT. I have a playlist full of gangster rap, Infest, Germs (! FUGG YOU! WESTSYYYYDEEE) and Terror. Imma fuckin' do this shit.

But before I start:

1) Credit for 99% of the writing goes to Michael (but I'd rather give credit to Matt so i'm going to make his name bigger), I just brought the small description edits, the stupid ass additional comments, lots of "fuck"/"fucking"/"mother fucker"/"fuuucckkkkkks" and the bedroom mosh. Natch.
2) If you think I'm wrong in my opinion of anything of these places, call me the fuck out and I'll amend this shits.
3) I'm going to eventually transport all these into a Google Map the next sleepless night i have.
4) ADD! If I forgot anything post a reply and I'll add it to the guide.
5) 5 College students please participate with school specific good times places (student orgs, co-ops, campus secrets, etc)

Table Of Contents

I. [jump=amherst]Amherst[/jump]

• [jump=amherstmusic]Music[/jump]
• [jump=amherstfood]Eat[/jump]
• [jump=amherstother]Other[/jump]

II. [jump=umass]UMass[/jump]

• [jump=umassrsos]RSOs[/jump]
• [jump=umassfood]Eat[/jump]
• [jump=umasslib]Library[/jump]
• [jump=umassother]Other[/jump]

II. [jump=noho]Northampton[/jump]

• [jump=nohofood]Eat[/jump]
• [jump=nohoother]Other[/jump]
• [jump=nohoinfo]Misc. Info[/jump]

[anchor=amherst]Amherst 101[/anchor]

[anchor=amherstmusic]COOL PLACES TO BUY MUSIC:[/anchor]
[align=left]NEWBURY COMICS INC:

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Popular for a reason. People come from wide and far to downtown Amherst to buy DVDs, CDs, and records. Some come for the stupid toys too, so if thats your gig, then send us a message and tell us WHY. It blows our minds to this day. Amherst punx employed, so say hi and talk tons of core with kids who'll talk tons back. GO BUG THERRIEN AND MATT. THERRIEN LIKES SWEET HIP HOP. ASK HIM FOR RECOMMENDATIONS. MATT LIKES LOST AND WEEDS AND SO MANY GOOD TV SHOWS (NOT LOST). GET INTO IT.
- Website

MYSTERY TRAIN:
It's underground. No, literally, there's no windows once you step past the front doors. Located right next to Amherst Brewing Co. This place has tons of records and cassette tapes. So if you have tons of time to kill before a show (or just have tons of time to hangout in downtown Amherst) then you'll NEED it to browse this large collection of records. Records come and records go there fast, so it'll be like browsing a new place everytime.
- Website

[anchor=amherstfood]COOL (VEGAN) PLACES TO EAT:[/anchor]
[align=left]BUENO Y SANO:

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Found in downtown Amherst, and downtown Northampton, this is a legit Mexican restaurant (Allen & Erika note: Pfffftttftftftft) with heavenly burritos and tacos. Located right near Newbury Comics in Amherst, so that you can grab a record and eat all at the same time. (Don't get it on the record).
- Website
- Recommendations? Ask for the Will Kill which is a BBQ Seitan Burrito without Dairy and with guacamole.
- Other info? Delivery Express delivers Bueno Y Sano, it's priceyyyyy but so very needed when you're sick and miserable.

LONE WOLF:
Breakfast and Brunch only and open until 2 PM everyday but Breakfast is my favorite type of food so regardless, EPIC FUCKING WIN. Located across the street from Newbury Comics.
- Website
- Recommendations? Vegan french toast, Vegan breakfast burrito, Vegan panny cakes, Vegan Southwest scramble... It's allll good minus the Vegan tofu Benedict. Stay away from that one.
- Other info? Delivery Express delivers Bueno Y Sano, it's priceyyyyy but so very needed when you're sick and miserable.

RIVER SHARK CAFE:
Vegan Pizza. The end.
- Website (Menu)
- Recommendations? Shark Therapy with vegan cheese + Yves pepperoni + Tomatoes + Peppers + Onions + Spinach
- Other info? They deliver. Vegan fucking pizza delivered HOLY FUCKING SHIT, BATMAN! Until 2 AM on Fri and Sat if weather is good.

I'm going to take a C Walk break now.
Okay back.

BARTS ICE CREAM:
Ice cream, sorbet, and random desserts. Sandwiches too if you're into that, along with soups and vegan chili. Got your laptop in your messenger bag while walking downtown Amherst? They got free internet. Amherst ollllllllddddddie and punx employed. They have Vegan Chili and Vegan Sorbet.
- Website
- Recommendations? Lemon sorbet. Coconut sorbet.
- Other info? Open until midnight Fri and Sat.

RAO'S COFFEE:
Like being intellectual? Like pretending to be? Like a hot cup of local joe? Or delicious breakfast foods and desserts like granola bars and muffins? Hit. It. Up. Bring a laptop and hook up to the internet and cruise myspace. You know you will.
- Website
- Recommendations? I don't know, i had their vegan cake once, it was meh.

FRESH SIDE:
Main St. downtown Amherst is serving up tasty Asian food with great service to boot. Just check the name, it's fresh. Need I say more? Timmy has a huge crush on one of the waitresses. Next time you're in Freshside give her a picture of the timmy dickbear. Heh...
- Website
- Recommendations? Okay I'll admit... the entries can be on the bland side. The thing to get is the tea rolls, you can't go wrong with them, i love the Spicy Bean and Edo tea rolls. I generally order Vegan Pad Thai and ask for extra veggies + Miso soup. When you're cold and miserable it hits the spot perfect.
- Other info? Full disclosure: when it is super busy it might take awhile for your food to get to you. I've never had a bad experience, the service is wonderful each time I go and the waiters are super nice but Rob has had bad experiences there before in regards to the time it took to get food to him. The consistency of the food can also admittedly be widely varied from visit to visit. Regardless, I still rate it 9/10.

[anchor=amherstother]OTHER PLACES OF NOTE:[/anchor]
[align=left]AMHERST CINEMA:
This is my girlfriend. I'm serious. I love this theater to death. They pretty much do everything right. Go watch a movie there today if you haven't yet!
- Website
- Recommendations? Become a member! It will pay for itself within 4 month time, especially since it comes with six free popcorns/sodas

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- Other info? Nutritional-fucking-yeast for popcorn.

DEAD AIR STUDIOS:
Amherst Punx OWNED and run. Located in North Amherst, this studio is the ultimate in DIY recording studios with affordable rates and great end results. For more information on past bands that have recorded at Dead Air Studios, and how you can possibly set up your own band a recording session.
- Website

[anchor=umass]UMass 101[/anchor]
[align=left] A country unto itself. A huge portion of registered users go or went there. You can generally catch Mike ripping shit up on his sweet bike (camo grips, can't miss it), Nathan at the library, Timmy and myself arguing about Biggie vs. 2Pac (not even joking) Russ doing awesome food science experiments that will one day make him Willy Wonka and Edy snack-a-lackin'.
[align=center]Campus Map

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[anchor=umassrsos]Registered Student Organizations[/anchor]
(Link to directory of all RSOs)
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RADICAL STUDENT UNION
Constantinos says "The Radical Student Union is a non-hierarchical anti-authoritarian group of students working on various political causes. Consensus based decision making is used in meetings to determine future actions and causes. Some of the main issues that are dealt with are workers rights and class struggle, gender issues, race issues, animal liberation, police brutality, and lots of other stuff. The office is room 413B in the Student Union. "
- Website (Note: Outdated as of Spring '08)
- Other info? Constantinos says "We don't really have a website that is active or contains any information nor an e-mail. We do have a list-serve but that is for members of the group. I guess people should just come to our office and then come to a meeting."

[anchor=umassfood]COOL (VEGAN) PLACES TO EAT:[/anchor]
[align=left]PEOPLE'S MARKET

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Vegan cream cheese and earth balance + bagel = Awww shit. They started selling Synergy kombucha also. That's my jam.
- Website
- Location? Student Union. C3 on the map.

EARTHFOODS CAFE
I had vegan pot pie there once. It was good. Someone else should fill this out though. Nathan? I don't even think Nathan looks at the board.
- Website
- Location? Student Union. C3 on the map. Right next to People's Market.[INDENT]DINING COMMONS
Daily menu online. WARNING! There is only a 60-70% accuracy rate. Dining Commons staff are extremely nice and hospitable, if you ever want anything e-mail them, if you're ever unsure if something is vegan, ask! Dining commons are ranked in order from most vegan friendly to least:[INDENT]FRANKLIN

They have picked up big time this year and now have Nutritional Yeast(!), Earth Balance (!!) and vegan-friendly options almost everyday.
- Hours?
Monday to Friday 7:00 am to 9:00 pm
Saturday & Sunday 8:00 am to 9:00 pm
- Location? D4 on the campus map

WORCESTER
They have french bread to dip in olive oil and balsamic vinegar and... not much else going for it. I wish they would put Nutritional Yeast and Earth Balance in here. I should take my own advice and e-mail them....
- Hours?
Monday to Thursday 7:00 am to 11:00 pm
Friday 7:00 am to 9:00 pm
Saturday & Sunday 8:00 am to 9:00 pm
- Location? C2/D2 on the campus map

BERKSHIRE
Vegan? Abandon all hope ye who enter here. Vegan food maybe 30-40% of the time.
- Hours?
Monday to Thursday - 11:00 am to Midnight
Friday – 11:00 am to 9:00 pm
Saturday & Sunday - 11:00 am to 9:00 pm
- Location? B5 on the campus map

[/INDENT]

OTHER INFO YOU SHOULD KNOW RE: DINING COMMONS
- Grab and Go's are built into most meal plans, and are available generally around 11am-2pm. You get 1 to 2 swipes per day depending on your plan. They allow you to quickly pick up pre-packaged food in between classes but Franklin is the only one with vegan options. I use my Grab and Go swipes to keep my fridge stocked with soda/water, use it or loose it (you're paying for it regardless...)
- E-mail! Dining services are nothing but accommodating and nice as hell, chances are you will get what you ask for.
- Use coffee cups to take out snacks for later, they generally don't care and have never said anything when I've taken out 2 cups of trail mix and another cup of cereal.
- If anyone says they put laxatives or whatever in the food, punch them in the face. Dumbest fucking urban myth ever, that person deserves some pain for being so stupid.

[/INDENT]

[anchor=umasslib]LIBRARY[/anchor]
[align=center][align=left]HOW TO RENT DVDS
Step by step guide to how to rent DVDs, for when you have a last minute date or if you're super bored. The library has an excellent collection of Criterion DVDs (wiki) and documentaries though if you're looking for more modern/TV DVDs you're going to have to go to Amherst College.

1. Follow this link to the UMass library's search page, click UMass Amherst on the top right (where all the 5 colleges are listed) then click Advanced Search.
2. There is a drop down menu near the bottom/middle titled "Format", click it and select "DVDs".
3. To view all the DVDs at the library just click "GO", there is no need to add wild cards, the search page will automatically assume you're looking for "all documents". Otherwise, to view (for example) all the Criterion Collection DVDs the library has type in "criterion" in the "Keywords anywhere" field.
4. If you see a title you like, click it. Up top there should be a link titled "CLICK HERE FOR CALL NUMBERS AND AVAILABILITY" click that as well.
5. Bottom right is the call number, it should begin with DVD, for instance DVD 32 is the call number for In The Mood For Love (lost right now, unfortunately. FUCKERS.)
6. Bring the call number and your UMass ID to the 3rd floor of the UMass library, the reserve desk.
7. Enjoy the movie.

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[anchor=umassother]OTHER PLACES OF NOTE:[/anchor]

BIKE CO-OP
"Fixes your broken piece of shit bike. Sells and will order parts for your piece of shit, so it'll be less shitty. We will let you use the stand and tools for free. Free lube jobs!!!!! We'll lend you our mechanic knowledge (for free. but if we help you fix your bike, buy us snax or coffee or food or write us poems plzkthanks). Hottie bike babes hang out here. But for serious, we'll hook you up with cheap labor and cheap parts." -Dalia

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- Website
- Location? Student Union. C3 on the map. Between Earthfood's and Tix.

RADIO STATION (WMUA 91.1 FM)

Did you ever see the movie Pump Up the Volume? Remember the part when Mark puts on the Descendants and all the kids are like "OMFG! Mind = BLOWN!" Yeah, it's kinda like that. SoCal Wins Again!
- Website
- Recommendations? Erika has a show every Monday from 8-10 PM, there's also a metal show every Sunday from midnight to 3 AM that is legit.
- Location? Lincoln Campus Center (Hotel). C3 on the map. Go directly to the bottom (if you're where the Blue Wall/General Store is you need to go down one more level).

[anchor=noho]Northampton ("NoHo") 101[/anchor]

[anchor=nohofood]COOL (VEGAN) PLACES TO EAT:[/anchor]
[align=left]HAYMARKET CAFE:

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Michael wrote "Downtown Northampton is bringing you heavy duty specialty drinks and sandwiches. Frosty tasty drinks, coffee, and not your run of the mill sandwiches are this places gift to you." I say that's too long and all you need to know is that they make some bomb ass sammiches (I know what I wrote, goddamn you) and sometimes vegan deserts.
- Website (Yelp.com)
- Recommendations? If you want a hot sandwhich get the tempeh burger and ask for it without cheese, for a cold sandwich the baked tofu is a local favorite, and yes the cream sauce they use for the baked tofu is vegan. The vegan deserts they have are always spot on so just buy whatever looks good.
- Other info? Next to the hempest store, can't miss it. You buy the coffee/tea/desserts up top and walk down the stairs for the sandwiches. Desserts with the label (v) are the vegan ones. Also, like Freshside, the consistency of your sandwich is going to vary heavily depending on whose making it. I haven't gotten a bad sandwich before and i doubt you will either, but just don't expect the exact same sandwich time after time. Oh, there's free Wi-Fi too but it gets really crowded, I would honestly suggest another study spot (though, as an eating spot you can't go wrong!)

BUENO Y SANO:

Found in downtown Amherst, and downtown Northampton, this is a legit Mexican restaurant (Allen & Erika note: Pfffftttftftftft) with heavenly burritos and tacos. Located right near Newbury Comics in Amherst, so that you can grab a record and eat all at the same time. (Don't get it on the record).
- Website
- Recommendations? Ask for the Will Kill which is a BBQ Seitan Burrito without Dairy and with guacamole.
- Other info? Delivery Express delivers Bueno Y Sano, it's priceyyyyy but so very needed when you're sick and miserable.

SWEETIES CANDY STORE:
Michael says: "I know you have a sweet tooth. This is your jam and joint. A cute little corner store in downtown Northampton will make you wet your pants and your teeth fall out of your face with all the delicious fancy chocolates and sugar covered candies."
- Website
- Recommendations? VEGAN FUCKIN' CHOLOCATE BALLS FILLED WITH CANDY GOODNESS ON THE INSIDE. I DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY ARE CALLED JUST ASK FOR VEGAN CHOCOLATE BALLS OF WONDER.
- Other info? Staff is generally super nice, just ask what's vegan and they'll set you up.

PARADISO PIZZERIA
Vegan pizza again, this time in Noho. This is more uh, "gourmet" and can get pricey once you start adding toppings. I won't deny though, it is pretty tasty. Keep it in mind for vegan dates maybe?
- Website (Yelp.com)
- Recommendations? Note the price of your pizza when you're choosing toppings, we got receipt shock the first time we went.

EVOLUTION CAFE:
Michael says "Sunday Brunch is a treat amongst only the lucky. Sandwiches, desserts, and drinks that you just won't be able to get enough of. And everything they serve is 100% vegan. In downtown Florence, part of Northampton on route 9 past Smith College, many will say it's worth the 5 minute trip on a historical road to make a mark on your own life's history of food." I say shut the fuck up Michael! All the good people need to know is that they have cakes of the panny and cup variety. I want some now. Drive me.
- Website
- Recommendations? The grand slam combo (scramble, pancakes, sausage) and cupcakes get my dick hard. As of 6:46 AM I do not regret putting that in the recommendations, this will surely change when I am awake and read what I wrote with a horrified look on my face. Hahaha, suck it future allen.
- Other info? Full disclosure: They can be slow with the food... even when there are few customers. Look on the bright side though, the food is made fresh! Also yes, the food consistency can be extremely varied from trip to trip with the scramble tasting like heaven one day, a soggy mess the next. DON'T LET THIS SCARE YOU. It's still well worth the trip. We have brunch meetings sometimes. Matt Dinen works there! He rules. This is also the headquarter for Oh Sweet Mamas vegan baked goods. You have to get a cup cake, right now! Oh they also sell Sheese which is like Scottish vegan cheese, hands down the best vegan cheese there is. The consistency is spot on and you can actually spread it on crackers.

[anchor=nohoother]OTHER PLACES OF NOTE:[/anchor]
[align=left]PLEASANT ST THEATER (AMHERST CINEMA... NOHO?)
The guy who used to run Pleasant St. Theater packed it in, then some noho community members realized how superior Amherst Cinema was at running everything so they begged AC to take over. And AC was like "shit, we knows we pimps" and then took shit over. It is pretty sweet. Word on the street they are going to try and do upgrades to the theater like sound and seating. There may be extreme exaggerations and half truths in here. Who cares, AMHERST WINS AGAIN!
- Website
- Recommendations? Become a member! It will pay for itself within 4 month time, especially since it comes with six free popcorns/sodas
- Other info? Nutritional-fucking-yeast for popcorn. Also true story, before I knew any of you, all throughout freshman year, every weekend without fail I would head to noho and grab a sandwich or panda garden and then watch a movie. This was before amherst cinema was open. Fun times.

UNITE (SHOE STORE)
<!-- / icon and title --> <!-- message -->Mike says "Its a shoe store. Nice guys. Expensive shoes. People that shop there care too much about fashion. Don't go there...Just kidding. Its a pretty legit place. Dedicated to improving culture in noho. They have a good eye for art and fashion. They design their own shirts, have a gnarly skate team, and throw some killer parties in the store. Owned by a bitter 30 year old skate nerd. Hilarious."
- Website
- Review I found online with pictures of the shop
[align=center]
[anchor=nohoinfo]MISCELLANEOUS INFO:[/anchor]
[align=left]RE: PARKING BANS
Erika says "You can sign up for an email alert for parking bans at the northamptonma.gov home page, but they don't always send them out when there's a parking ban for whatever stupid reason. the only way to reliably know what's going on is to call the winter hotline number listed on there, which they update whenever a ban is in effect. you can't park in any city lots or on any city streets during snow emergencies, so your options are either to pay to park in the city garage, or keep your car in the armory street lot, which is the only snow emergency lot. the bans go into effect at midnight & are lifted at 6am, so as long as your car is not on the streets or in a city lot during those times, you're fine."
- Website
- Number: (413) 586-6969

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*More later, I'm going back to bed, i have a headache again. All you waking up to this... HA, suckers. Help me fill the rest out. Also eric is making new banners and templates and stuff to customize the board, should be up within a month or so.

OMFG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!O!$!JOJ#F$(QTUJR ZOOEY DESCHANEL AND M. WARD HAVE A BAND. YOU GUYS KNOW I DON'T GET CRUSHES BUT ZOOEY...

CRUSH CRUSH CRUSHHHHHHHHHH



The 1:34 mark on "Why do you..." where you can actually hear her smile... holllllllly fuck! heart out of chest, up the throat and gone. :blushing:

Update: I'm so goddamn sick of writing, i need to add haymarket and other places like wmua but arhghghghgh, no moreeee. Someone else do some today, you don't have to format it at all, i'll take care of that. All you have to do is like:

PLACE (note: all caps)
blah blah blah description
url (don't link, i'll do it, just give me the http://blahblahblah)
- Recommendations? (if applicable)
- Other info? (if applicable)
- Location? (if applicable)

Also someone seriously needs to go to Bueno and order a Will Kill. Where are Meghan and Will anyways?

Update 2/4/08 6:42 AM: Started noho, added wmua to umass, wish i could sleep. Can we talk about how ridiculously awesome Zooey is and how her voice is like honey?

[timmy]

if that waitress was shown the picture of the dickbear she would probably ask if she could see the uncensored version.

[erika]

"legit mexican restaurant", too funny.

also, umass student organizations = wmua. especially monday nights. cough.

[admin]

Please bear with me in regards to this general thread. The look might change from minute to minute.

We are implementing anchor BBcodes and there is general fuckery going on in the backgrounds, it'll make it so this thread can have a table of contents.

Fixed.

I am God.

[Michael]

Wait a second.


If you stole this from the amherst punx myspace profile, then 99% of the credit goes to me?

I did those descriptions and mentions and etc.etc. on a sleepless night of my own.!


If not, disregard.

[allen]

Yeah i'll fix it.

[Michael]

Also.

You know. Let's be honest. Disregarding shit because it's not vegan isn't fair. You got the vegan restaurants listed, fine; but why would you disregard other places that may be vegetarian and/or nothing, if it's still delicious?

Where's bruno's? That place is the jam, forever.

Or for others, antonio's, or wings, or etc.? Bart's is HARDLY a vegan option. And Therrien (ps. you spelled his name wrong, no a's; just e's.) eats at Antonio's relatively often, for it's vegetarian.


And, I'd assume they're may be an addition in the future to include Hadley and Northampton restaurants as well? (for, if you disregard butterfly, you're going against everything you all stand for.)


Some suggestions. And if you want help in the meat mouth department; I can help. aka. Suggest things for myself to eat, you conformist.

[allen]

Post a reply here when you're done writing and i'll add it.

DON'T FORMAT. It'll just make it a pain in the ass for me to copy and paste, JUST TEXT.

[Michael]

Never.

I'll Format.

[Michael]

Fuck. Can't hang with the changing of my all caps responses to all pretty and normal.

[allen]

Hahaha it's built into the board.

[KingMike]

wow, its good to know that everything to do in the region is located just in two towns! phew!

[allen]

KingMike Wrote:wow, its good to know that everything to do in the region is located just in two towns! phew!

It makes it easier for old men?

[KingMike]

like threatening gnatek on the internet!

[allen]

What does that even mean? That isn't even a coherent response. "Threatening gnatek on the internet is easier for old men." What?

[allen]

Dalia wrote a blurb for the bike co-op, i think it's funny

Notes to self:
- Add dining commons
- add in info about grab and go
- add unite shoe shop, glamourama, amherst cinema in noho, bucci for amherst, bike trail behind amherst college tennis courts, info about gyms at umass
- marry Zooey

[tylerforpants]

Paradise of India right across from Newbury Comics is a killer indian place with veg/vegan deals.

[joe perrier]

This thread needs more reviews of non-vegan friendly restaurants that are tasty so that I may venture out to one during my final semester.

[allen]

Made some updates, did some cleaning, constatinos is going to be writing about the RSU

Michael, you ever write your resturant guide?

[Michael]

Not yet. Been a tad busy.

However, until I do.

Bruno's. Non-stop. They got what you want.