Movies such as Animal House and Van Wilder can really distort the idea of college life; sometimes it just isn’t very exciting. There isn’t always a keg party to crash or functions to attend.
The MacArthur Campus certainly lacks some of these entertaining aspects, such as fraternities and sororities and Jupiter isn’t exactly the “college town”. Many students are tired of doing the same things over and over; going to the same mall, the same clubs, and the same beaches. However, with a bit of research, the UP was able to compile an entertainment guide for the MacArthur students with suggestions located directly around campus.
Within walking distance students can check out a baseball game at Roger Dean Stadium, located directly across from FAU at 4751 Main Street in Abacoa. Spring Training for the World Champion Florida Marlins and the St. Louis Cardinals kicks off March 1, 2005, with tickets as low as $7.
The St. Louis Cardinals will take on the FAU Fighting Owls on Wednesday March 2 at 1:05 p.m., make sure to come out and support your school. For more information and a full schedule, visit Roger Dean on the web at: http://www.rogerdeanstadium.com.
Also within walking distance from FAU is Go Van Gogh, a new Interactive Studio Cafí© where artists select blank ceramic pieces and paint them. Pottery pieces range from piggy banks to decorative plates and begin at $12. Studio fees are $8 an hour, which includes all materials; paint, brushes and firing. Refreshments are available such as cappuccino, wine, cheese and fish dip. There are also discount days, every Wednesday from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. everyone receives a 20% discount on studio fees. They also offer rainy day discounts, 2 for 1 date night, ladies night, and a monthly jam session where all acoustic performers are welcome as well as a monthly book club. Go Van Gogh is located at 1200 Town Center Drive Suite 117 in Abacoa. Call (561) 630-4350 or visit http://www.go-van-gogh.com for a complete list of events and discounts.
Also within Abacoa is a restaurant the UP reviewed last October. Jumby Bay, located at 1203 Town Center Drive, has become the place for drinks and gathering. Jumby Bay attracts a huge crowd on Wednesdays with flip night from 9 p.m. to midnight. For every drink ordered, the bartender flips a coin, call it, if you win, the drink if on the house. No penalty for losing, just pay as usual. There’s no cover charge. For cheap local drinking on Wednesdays, Jumby Bay has it covered.
A great facility to visit and volunteer at is the Busch Wildlife Sanctuary. Less than seven miles from the MacArthur Campus, the Busch Wildlife Sanctuary at 2500 Jupiter Park Drive is a non-profit facility dedicated to the care of sick, injured, and orphaned wildlife. Of the animals rescued 35-percent are rehabilitated and released, but many suffer permanent impairments and cannot survive on their own and some become residents of the sanctuary. The sanctuary is home to Florida panthers, alligators, deer, and otters. There are also free daily lectures with animal interaction. Volunteers are needed. Visit Busch Wildlife Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., admission is free and donations are encouraged. For more information or to volunteer visit http://www.buschwildlife.com. And if you find an animal in need of rescue call (561) 575-3399.
If the green fees at golf courses are beyond your budget, consider the driving range at The Golf Club of Jupiter. Located at 1800 Central Blvd, only four miles from campus, The Gulf Club of Jupiter is a par 70, 18-hole course with a driving range. Proper dress is required, no tank tops, jeans, or flip flops. A bucket of balls runs only $3 and there are clubs to borrow if you don’t have your own set. Simply go into the clubhouse and purchase tokens for the balls at the bar and ask about the clubs. For more information call (561) 747-6262.
A favorite hangout for locals in Jupiter is the waterfront bar, Castaways. Also known as the Square Grouper, or the Tiki Bar, Castaways is located at 1111 Love Street directly on the water overlooking the Jupiter Lighthouse. Casually set up with two tiki bars, serving bar, wine and food, Castaways has plenty of lounge chairs and tables set up to enjoy the scenery with your feet in the sand. It also offers free wireless Internet. This little bar was the location for Alan Jackson and Jimmy Buffett’s music video It’s Five O’clock Somewhere. Jackson has been known to make surprise appearances there, and also Kid Rock, whose dad lives in the area. There is no cover charge and the bar is open noon to midnight daily, and until 1 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. There is a strict 21+ only policy. For more info or directions call (561) 575-0252 or visit http://www.squaregrouper.net.
Moroso Motorsports Park, located 18 miles west from FAU, at 17047 Beeline Hwy in Jupiter is the only _ mile drag strip in Palm Beach County. Home of the jet cars, Moroso hosts national and local events, and also allows the public to race their own cars for $15 every other Wednesday night. There is also a serious go-cart course available to the public. For a complete schedule of events and go-cart information call (561) 622-1400 or visit http://www.morosomotorsportspark.com.
