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Show UP FOR DISCUSSION Column: Sterling Says THANK YOU WRITTEN Sterling Gray In April, I was burdened by finances. I owed rent, my car insurance was about to expire, and I didn't have enough cash to buy groceries. All the normal troubles of a college kid. At the beginning of the summer, I logged into my bank account to check on whatever paltry amount still existed. That's when the surprise came. There in my account sat a chunk of money that I didn't expect. It wasn't a lot, but in my situation, it seemed to make my computer screen glow. Upon further investigation, it turned out to be from UVU. A phone call to the financial aid department explained that I had received a grant. Here's the kicker: I didn't apply for this grant. I had never even heard of it. That night, hunkered over a sheet of paper that had a list of my debts and foreseeable expenses, I came to the conclusion that after two weeks, 90 percent of that grant would be gone from my account. I was depressed. How could that money disappear so quickly? I had entertained the possibility of a new pair of glasses, but I wasn't even going to have enough for that. I was in a hole. My depression quickly lifted when I realized that if I'd never received that money at all, I would be in a much deeper hole. Suddenly, instead of disappointment, I felt something else. Which brings me to this. I hope this thank you isn't too late. Or misdirected. I'm not even sure to whom I'm directing my gratitude. Maybe it's to President Obama, the figurehead of the government that maintains federal student aid programs for kids like me. Or maybe President Holland, the leader of the school that sent me the grant. Perhaps I was just in the right place at the right time, and I don't owe credit to any one person or institution. In all cases, when the bills were all paid and the money was gone, I knew I was very fortunate. So I guess I'll just say it to the universe, and hope it gets to the right place. Thank you. Art Through July 30 "The Hit" Hale Center Theater 225 W. 400 North, Orem Through August 30 Found Art exhibit Monday-Saturday 12-9:00 p.m. SCERA Center for the Arts 745 South State, Orem The price of your own pad WRITTEN Yvette Cruz Housing invokes a host of words: exciting, frustrating, liberating and in Utah Valley, restrictive. For many, even after college, student housing is the most affordable solution available. But student housing in Utah Valley is inseparably connected with unique stipulations. Many housing options boast "BYU-approval," and those options require people to abide by the honor code --a set of BYU rules --whether or not they attend the university or, more bothersome, share the same conservative standards. But why not look for housing options that are not BYU approved? BYU-approved housing offers a variety of amenities and are also cleaner and of better quality, in part because BYU imposes its rules in order to get approval. The Branbury, Crestwood, Riviera and Raintree Commons offer residents additional amenities such as a pool, hot tubs, free tanning, cable TV and Internet in addition to a long list of free activities. Entertainment Friday, July 22 6:30-8:00 p.m. Found Art artist reception SCERA Center for the Arts 745 South State, Orem July 26-30 World FolkFest Spring Acres Arts Park 620 S 1350 E, Springville Monday, July 25 8 p.m. Sawyer Brown SCERA Shell 745 South State, Orem July 18, 6:30 p.m. Northfield Food & Care Homeless Benefit Concert Food and Care Coalition 299 E 900 S, Provo Thursday, July 21 7 p.m. Twilight Concert Series The Decemberists / Typhoon Pioneer Park, SLC 300 S. 300 West 8 I theVmagazine In exchange these complexes require people to "avoid extreme hair color and styles," men cannot wear earrings, neither men nor women can have body piercings of any kind, bikinis are forbidden at the pool and "everyone [must] abstain from possessing tea and coffee at all times." For those who do not adhere to BYU standards, and even for some that do, the restrictions are patronizing. Property owners are insinuating that people who have body piercings are a negative influence and have low moral standards. It's also a bit ridiculous to compare coffee and tea to alcohol and drugs. Bottom line, the largest expense of BYU-approved housing may not be monetary. For some, the lifestyle is simply a steeper price than they are willing to pay. Affordable, safe housing should be available to every young person, but rules require that some settle for less. Saturday, July 23 7 pm Through The Window Glass murder mystery The Old Spaghetti Factory 575 E University Pkwy, Suite A-2 Thursday, July 28 9 p.m.-12 a.m. Salsa Dancing Basics Salsa Chocolate Night Club 116 W Center St., Provo Thursday, July 28 7 p.m. Twilight Concert Series Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros/ The Entrance Band Pioneer Park, SLC 300 S. 300 West |