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Inside Iowa State, a newspaper for faculty and staff, is published by the Office of University Relations.

Nov. 18, 2005

Guide to shopping on campus

Story by Samantha Beres and Photos by Bob Elbert

Want to avoid the crowds, the malls, even leaving your den this holiday season? Lots of gift ideas are right here under your nose (or at your fingertips), on campus.

iPod

Is it a necessity? Yes.

iPods at Computer Sales are el cheapo, comparatively speaking that is, at about $25 less than retail stores. They have the latest nano and video iPods, and other models (priced $179 to $369). Looking to spend less? The iPod shuffle is about $100. iPod accessories include cases, cables, flash sticks. Computer Sales, 191 Durham, M-F 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. 4-8357.

Oh, what a beautiful morning!

42nd Street, Eric Carle's The Very Hungry Caterpillar, Oklahoma and more remain for the 05-06 Season at Stephens. Check out the events at the Iowa State Center. Tickets and gift certificates are available at the ticket office in Stephens Auditorium, M-F 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., or at 4-2479.

Donations made from your recliner

Support ISU Alumni Association programs when you shop online. Log in and choose from more than 1,000 merchants. A percentage of the sale goes to scholarships and events for ISU alumni and students -- at no extra cost to you.

Campers

Hello Mutha, hello Fatha

Gift certificates for 4-H summer camp are available from the Iowa 4-H Center. Horse 'n Around, Junior Wranglers and Mystery Mayhem are just a few of the 20 or so camps for kids starting at age 6. Gift certificates can be purchased in any amount. Go to Iowa 4H Center, or call 795-3338.

MU Memories

The shot was heard

At the ground breaking of the Memorial Union in 1927, cannons were shot over Lake LaVerne. The boom took out windows of a local church. Just one memory in Memorial Union Memories, a booklet that contains history of The Memorial Union and Iowa State through the eyes of alumni, $4, main desk, MU.

Cycloneopoly

Go directly to academic probation

Monopoly meets the Cyclones in the game Cyclone-opoly, carried by the Iowa State University Book Store ($24.99). Here are a few other hot sellers at the bookstore this season: games for all ages; mobiles, invisible cards and dice; and small, affordable items like frames and journals.

Don't miss the bookstore's winter open house Nov. 30, all day. Cash in on free gift-wrapping between 4 and 7 p.m.

a pitcher

Can't afford a Van Gogh?

You still can buy original art for your loved ones. Attend the Art Mart where Ames and ISU artists will sell their stock: sculptures, pottery, blown glass from the ISU Gaffers Guild and prints from the ISU Print Club. Crafts include jewelry, scarves and holiday ornaments. Art Mart, Cardinal Room, MU, Nov. 29, noon to 5 p.m., Nov. 30, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

wrestlers

Stretch your dollar

Or at least pay to see others stretch. Tickets to wrestling and gymnastics events make great family outings. Wrestling ($8 adults, $5 youth) gymnastics ($7 adults, $5 youth). Of course, there always are basketball tickets too, available in singles or "mini-packs." Buy online or call 4-1816.

A creepy, crawly online auction

The "Mostly Entomological Auction" features more than 60 items including insect origami pictures, historical prints and other holiday items. Proceeds will go toward entomology scholarships for undergrads. Auction ends at 8 p.m., Nov.

Green and red

And we're not talking salsa here. It's the annual evergreen and poinsettia sales. The ISU Forestry club will sell fresh fir and pine trees and wreaths at the Reiman Gardens maintenance Shed, Nov. 26 and 27, Dec. 2-4, Dec. 9-11, on Fridays 3 to 6 p.m., Saturdays 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sundays noon to 6 p.m. The Hort Club will sell poinsettias Nov. 29, Curtiss Hall, 10 a.m. -- 5 p.m.; Nov. 30, Memorial Union 9 a.m.--7.30 p.m.; Dec. 1, Beardshear Hall, 10 a.m.--5 p.m.; Dec. 2 Union Drive Community Center, 10 a.m.--2:30 p.m.

Iowan hors doeuvres

The Block and Bridle Club is selling cheese and sausage now until Dec. 7. Holiday gift boxes include blocks of cheese and/or sausage ($12 to $18). All sausage is made in the ISU Meat Lab. Order forms at 120 Kildee. Contact: ssc@iastate.edu or 4-1865.

Cy figurine

Accentuate your hotdish

Don't forget the ISU Alumni Association Web site for those ISU specialty items. This year's top picks: granite coasters and trivets etched with Iowa State art and a collectable Cy figurine.

butterfly wand

For little nature lovers

Stop at Reiman Gardens gift shop to buy for the kids. A fancy magic bubble wand (pictured), shaped like a dragonfly or butterfly, will be a top seller this season ($13.25). It comes with a recipe for bubble mix. There also are butterfly pendant necklaces, bug bungalows and discovery putty with a surprise frog or butterfly inside. Check out puzzles for all ages and a great book selection for kids. Shop daily 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

tshirt

Wear public art

These T-shirts for art lovers have William King's famous sculpture, Forward, on the back. ($18 short-sleeved, $22 long-sleeved). The Brunnier Museum gift shop, Scheman Building, will hold a holiday sale Nov. 28 through Dec. 16. Everything in the store is 20 percent off.

From pigskin to feathers

All your favorite 4-H (stuffed) animals, including the rabbit, pig, chicken, goat, cow, and more, available for $10 each if you stop by the Extension 4-H Youth Building. When you order online there is a $2 shipping charge. Also this year "4-H Makes a Difference" wristbands sold individually for $1 when purchased at the 4-H building. Online purchase requires a minimum order of 5 wristbandsfor $7.

Gift certificates galore

Gifts that fit in an envelope, are quick, easy and practical:

  • Reiman Gardens -- family membership ($50), single ($35), 4-2710.
  • The Exercise Clinic -- semester membership ($60), 4-8257.
  • Lil' Clone Club -- 8th grade and under, admission to 80+ Cyclone sports events ($35).
  • University Museums -- memberships: family ($50), student ($10), 4-3342.
  • Joan Bice Underwood Tearoom -- increments of $5.50, 4-7474.
  • ISU Dining -- gift cards for cafes, dining halls and C-stores ($10 or $20), 4-6056.
  • The Workspace -- art classes, studio use or supplies (any amount), 4-0971.