BME@RPIENGINEERING Welcome to BME at RPI. We, the Biomedical Engineering Graduate Council (BMEGC), are excited that you will be joining us, and we look forward to meeting you. We’ve put together this booklet to help you get settled in Troy. If you need help, please feel free to email us ([email protected]). Also, here are some books you might find helpful.

Getting What You Came For: The Smart Student's Guide to Earning an M.A. or a Ph.D. by Robert Peters

The Ph.D. Process: A Student's Guide to Graduate School in the Sciences, by Dale F. Bloom, et al

Graduate Research: A Guide for Students in the Sciences, by Robert V. Smith contents living

Getting a place, utilities, phone, internet, and cable. faith school driving

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Houses of worship. Get to know the faculty Car maintenance. Winter and the campus. driving. Road Trips. shopping dining enjoy

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Groceries. Pets. Supplies. Our favorites. Summer and winter activities. Home Improvement. Malls. Music. Shows. Horse Races. [ FIND AN APARTMENT • TURN ON THE POWER • ACTIVATE OTHER SERVICES ]

Apartment and Relocating or simply moving out of the dorms to an apartment can easily Relocating become overwhelming. There so many things to consider. In this section of Resources welcome, we have listed all the top priorities and necessary information to make your relocation smoother. Renter’s Guide www.rentersguide albany.com First, you need to find a place to stay. There are many options for rental housing in the Capital District. We have listed several reputable apartment • complexes in the Troy and surrounding areas. Bear in mind, there are many Times Union lovely private homes and apartments available for rent as well. Since these timesunion.com listings fluctuate more than complexes, we recommend that you check the /classifieds Times Union (our local paper) for current listings. •

Apartment Guide Once you have an address, arrange to turn on all necessary utilities and apartmentguide.com services. These include electricity, gas (if your apartment has gas heat), local phone service, mobile phone service, internet connection, and cable. Don’t • forget to write down who you talk to (if you call these companies), the date, RPI Rentals order number, and important points discussed. www.rpirentals.com in an apartment

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The complexes on the list here have Troy been selected based on our -The Apartments at Brunswick experiences. At least one member of (518) 279-4946 $620-665 the Graduate Council is residing, has Pets allowed. resided, or viewed apartments in these -Cedar Park Apartments communities. Any comments are solely Not recommended. the product of an individual member’s -Park Ridge Apartments experience and opinions (so take them (518) 272-7445 $585-770 with a small grain of salt). All have off- Townhouses available. street parking and laundry facilities. -Troy Gardens (518) 272-4242 $650-700 Heat and hot water included.

Latham -Fenimore Trace (518) 273-1981 $735-800 Heat and hot water included. Pool. -Highland Club Apartments (518) 274-2600 $570-780 Pets allowed. Pool. Gym. Clubhouse. -Latham Village (518) 785-7635 $625-750 Pets allowed. North Colonie School District. utilities & services

ELECTRICITY AND GAS LOCAL PHONE SERVICE WIRELESS PHONE SERVICE The primary supplier of power and gas is For local phone service, you should Cingular Niagara Mohawk. You can place an contact Verizon. Verizon also supplies -www.cingular.com order to start service two ways: by long distance, DSL, and wireless -720 Hoosick St., Troy phone or online. services. (518) 271-1155 -201 Wolf Rd., Colonie Phone: 1-800-NIAGARA (642-4272) Phone: (518) 890-7100 (518) 489-2355 Online: Online: www.verizon.com -Crossgates Mall www.nationalgridus.com/niagaramohawk Sprint Follow the link for local phone service -www.sprint.com Have the following information available: under the Residential category. The - -Service address website will take you through a step-by- T-Mobile -Phone number step process to complete your order. -www.tmobile.com -Description of your building -18 Wolf Rd., Colonie -Meter location (518) 451-2000 -Two forms of ID -Crossgates Mall - Social Security Number or Verizon Taxpayer ID -www.verizonwireless.com - Driver’s License -1770 Central Ave., Albany - Credit Card (518) 452-8491 - Student ID -Crossgates Mall - Military ID renters insurance While some complexes require that you purchase a policy, others do not; regardless, buy it. These policies typically cover property damage, liability, and a litany of other things. For example, should there be a fire in your apartment, your landlord is not responsible for replacing your lost property. Furthermore, you can be sued for structural damages caused Qa by the fire (if it was your fault). And INTERNET CABLE where are you going to stay? This is Cable The main cable provider in this area is a financial disaster in the making. If -Road Runner Time Warner cable. You can contact you have renters insurance, your -1-866-520-5983 them by phone or online. belongings can be replaced. If you -www.rr.com/rdrun do get sued, it pays for that. Plus, DSL Phone: 1-866-321-2225 depending on your policy, it may offer -Verizon DSL Online: www.timewarnercable.com reimbursement for temporary -(518) 890-7100 housing expenses. All this for about -www.verizon.com $100 per year. Not a bad deal… so Dial-up make sure you get it. -AOL Allstate -1-800-392-5180 www. Allstate.com -1000’s of mailers -www.aol.com GEICO -Net Zero www.geico.com -1-888-349-0029 -www.netzero.net MetLife -RPI www.metlife.com -(518) 276-7777 -helpdesk.rpi.edu State Farm -This service is free. www.statefarm.com

[ LOCAL HOUSES OF WORSHIP • NOURISH YOUR SPIRIT]

Religious Resources Chaplin’s Office Troy area churches, synagogues, and mosques welcome RPI students into www.rpi.edu/dept/cha their communities of faith. Most religions are represented in close proximity to plains/public_html/ RPI including the First United Presbyterian Church of Troy, the First Baptist • Church, Temple Beth el, St. John's Episcopal Church, Beth Tephilah Synagogue, Al-Hidaya Mosque, St. Francis de Sales Roman Catholic Church, BASIC www.basicrpi.org and Memorial United Methodist Church.

• There are also many on-campus prayer opportunities. The Chapel and Hillel Cultural Center (C+CC) is the home of the Catholic community of RPI and its hillel.union.rpi.edu University parish of Christ Sun of Justice. Many students also choose to

• worship in small groups lead by the Protestant, Jewish, and Muslim Chaplains on campus, while other students attend the weekly Protestant Chapel Service Muslim Stud. Assoc. at Russell Sage College Chapel in downtown Troy. There are several religious msa.union.rpi.edu clubs present on campus including the Rensselaer Christian Association, • Hillel, Hindu Students Association, and the Newman Catholic Fellowship to

Newman Cath. Fwsp. name a few. newman.union.rpi.edu

•

Ren. Christ. Assoc. rca.union.rpi.edu Christian Science

First Church of Christ Scientist Route 2 and Maple Ave., Eagle Mills faith and spirit 279-1588 African Methodist Episcopal Zion Sixth Avenue Baptist Church 101st & 6th Ave., North Troy Fifth Avenue AME Zion Church 274-8080 Church of Christ 189 Fifth Ave., Troy 235-2700 Church of Christ 705 Pawling Ave., Troy Buddhist 283-7355

American Baptist KTC Buddhist Meditation and Church of God in Christ Study Center First Baptist Church of Troy 1270 Ruffner Rd., Niskayuna Holy Serenity Church of God in 82 Third St., Troy 374-1792 or 437-9645 Christ 273-8561 542 8th St., North Troy 271-9086 Mt. Ida Community Baptist Church 560 Congress St., Troy Christian 271-8589 Capital Christian Church Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- 5th Ave. and 101st St., North Troy Day Saints 235-1288 Apostolic Albany Ward & Latham Ward Community Church of Grafton 411 Loudon Rd., Loudonville Redemption Church of Christ of Blue Factory Rd., Cropseyville 434-6931 the Apostolic Faith 279-3871 230 2nd St., Troy 272-6679 Light of the World Christian Church Coptic Orthodox 28 Sparrowbush Rd., Latham Armenian St. Mary's and St. George's Coptic 786-3528 Orthodox Church Holy Cross Armenian Apostolic Redeeming Love Gospel Church 820 Madison Ave., Albany Church 42 Woodward Ave., Troy 489-2537 101 Spring Ave., Troy 272-0571 274-1477 Victorious Life Christian Church United Armenian Calvary Covenant 1838 5th Ave., Troy Congregational Church 272-4237 Eagle St., Troy Pleasantdale Covenant Church 274-1651 155 New Turnpike Rd., North Troy 235-5101 Christian-Disciples of Christ

Baptist Christian Church Disciples Eastern Catholic 177 Hoosick St., Troy Bethel Baptist Church 274-7517 or 658-3003 2165 5th Ave., Troy St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Hall: 272-9838 Church Office: 274-4303 2410 Fourth Ave., Watervliet Christian and Missionary Alliance 273-6752 Grace Baptist Church 736 5th Ave., Troy Green Hills Alliance Church 233-1334 761 Hoosick St., Troy Eastern Orthodox 279-9824 Oakgrove Baptist Church 514 7th Ave., North Troy St. Basil's Greek Orthodox Church 235-7249 909 River St., Troy 273-8923 St. Basil's Orthodox Church RPI-Sage Hillel Roman Catholic 15 Lansing Ave., Watervliet Chaplain's Office, Rensselaer Union 273-6262 (West Hall) Christ Sun of Justice 276-6517 2125 Burdett Ave., Troy (on campus) St. Nicholas Ukrainian Orthodox 274-7793 or 276-6517 Church Temple Beth El 376 Third St., Troy 411 Hoosick St., Troy 274-5482 272-6113 Salvation Army

Troy Temple Corps Episcopal Lutheran 410 River St., Troy 272-4901 Christ and St. Barnabas Church Faith Lutheran Church 2900 Fifth Ave., Troy 50 Leversee Rd., North Troy 273-5832 237-4641 United Church of Christ Church of the Holy Cross Poestentkill Evangelical Lutheran Episcopal Poestentkill United Armenian Calvary 142 Eighth St., Troy 283-6045 Congregational 272-1955 9th and Eagle St., Troy Prince of Peace Lutheran 274-1651 St. John's Episcopal Church 426 Third Ave., North Troy 146 First St., Troy 235-3664 274-5884 St. Timothy's Lutheran Church United Methodist St. Paul's Episcopal Church 470 Winter St. Ext., Wynantskill 58 Third St., Troy 283-1372 Center Brunswick United 273-7351 Methodist 990 Hoosick Rd., Troy Trinity Church of Lansingburgh 279-9705 585 Fourth Ave., North Troy New Testament 235-0223 Christ Church United Methodist Victorious Life Christian Church State St. and 5th Ave., Troy 1838 Fifth Ave., Troy 272-8392 272-4237 Islamic Mosque Hope United Methodist 566 Brunswick Rd., Troy Muslim House 279-1403 2339 15th St., Troy Presbyterian 274-0137 Memorial United Methodist Church First Presbyterian Church of 454 Hoosick St., Troy Brunswick 273-7664 White Church Ln., Brunswick Jehovah's Witnesses 279-3792 Pawling Avenue United Methodist 520 Pawling Ave., Troy Troy Congregation Kingdom Hall First Presbyterian Church of 273-6859 3-111th St., Troy Lansingburgh 235-8250 115th St. and Third Ave., North Troy 235-3851 Various Denominations First United Presbyterian Church Jewish Synagogues of Troy Good Ground Family Church 1915 Fifth Ave., Troy 444 Hoosick Rd., Troy Berith Sholom Congregation 272-2771 273-7471 167 Third St., Troy 272-8872 Oakwood Presbyterian Healing Waters Recovery Hoosick and 10th St., Troy Fellowship Beth Tephilah Synagogue 272-2434 403 Fulton St., Troy (Orthodox) 273-8589 82 River St., Troy Third Presbyterian Church 272-3182 113 Winter St., Troy Rock of Restoration Church 283-2420 443 Fifth Ave., Troy 235-3668 [ PLEASE DON’T HESITATE TO CONTACT US. WE’D LIKE TO HEAR FROM YOU ]

RPI Online Welcome to RPI and the Biomedical Engineering Department. When you first Resources arrive onto campus there are three people you absolutely must meet: your advisor, Lorrie Citarella, and Pam Zepf. These three people will guide you BME through academic course selection, registration, and payroll (plus they are www.bme.rpi.edu really great people). • You and your faculty advisor should talk about your field of interest, classes for Academic Calendar the upcoming semester and begin filling in your graduate plan of study (GPS). rpi.edu/dept/catalog /calendar.html Before you meet, look over the degree requirements and course offerings, and bring a course catalog and Graduate Plan of Study (GPS) form. Once you • have selected your classes head over to the Union bookstore to determine

Textbooks what textbooks you will need. www.half.com www.amazon.com During your first year, you will predominantly be taking classes and getting to know the faculty and their research. To jump start introductions, our • departmental website has faculty research summaries and the latest news Forms (GPS) about our department. rpi.edu/dept/ grad John Brunski, Professor Jan Stegemann, Asst. Professor Jonsson Engineering Center 7040 Center for Biotechnology 3139 Phone: (518) 276-6963 Phone: (518) 276-6962 Fax: (518) 276-3035 Fax: (518) 276-3035 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]

Lorrie Citarella, Student Affairs Deanna Thompson, Asst. Professor Jonsson Engineering Center 7049 Center for Biotechnology 3143 Phone: (518) 276-6547 Phone: (518) 276-6293 Fax: (518) 276-3035 Fax: (518) 276-3035 E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected]

Natacha DePaola, Department Head Deepak Vashishth, Assoc. Professor Jonsson Engineering Center 7052 Center for Biotechnology 3137 Center for Biotechnology 3141 Phone: (518) 276-4050 Phone: (518) 276-2154 Fax: (518) 276-3035 Fax: (518) 276-3035 E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected]

Eric Ledet, Asst. Professor Pam Zepf, Financial Manager Jonsson Engineering Center 7044 Jonsson Engineering Center 7049 Phone: (518) 276-6959 Phone: (518) 276-6548 Fax: (518) 276-3035 Fax: (518) 276-3035 Email: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected]

Jonathan Newell, Research Professor Department of Biomedical Engineering Jonsson Engineering Center 7038 Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Phone: (518) 276-6948 JEC 7049 Fax: (518) 276-3035 110 8th Street E-mail: [email protected] Troy, NY 12180

Robert Spilker, Professor Jonsson Engineering Center 7032 Phone: (518) 276-2170 Fax: (518) 276 – 3035 Email: [email protected] Auto Resources [ BE NICE TO YOUR CAR AND IT WILL TAKE YOU FAR ]

Times Union timesunion.com/cla ssifieds/autos.asp While public transportation is excellent in the Capitol District, most graduate • students opt to have a car. In this section, we tell you where to go to get a driver’s license, update your registration, and get an inspection. Edmund’s www.edmunds.com After getting a car, maintenance, especially in the winter months, is very • important. We’ve listed some places for maintenance, buying car parts, who Kelley Blue Book to call for help, and getting your car washed. www.kbb.com Most of the streets in this area are well-maintained, but sometimes during • large storms, driving can become treacherous. Make sure you read the Car Buying Tips section on winter driving even if you’ve lived with snow your whole life (it’s a carbuyingtips.com good refresher) and especially if you haven’t.

•

Carfax www.carfax.com emergency roadside assistance • We recommend that you subscribe to some kind of emergency roadside services, which may prove life-saving in the winter months. Hudson Valley AAA www.aaahv.com Most insurance companies provide emergency roadside assistance as part of your policy for a small fee (usually around $10-15). While it costs more, AAA • has added benefits such as free maps and travel-related discounts. If you decide to join AAA, we recommend upgrading to AAA Plus after the first year, Car Talk which will tow you 100 miles versus the regular 3 miles. www.cartalk.com in the winter Tire treads Maintenance should not Make sure before the be too worn your rear cold comes window defroster Make sure the works Know your windshield car’s handling wipers are in characteristics good shape Keep basic emergency supplies Keep your gas Cellular tank near full Ä phones are In emergencies, great for you will need it driving for heat. • Snow brush emergencies • Ice scraper • Shovel • Blanket Make sure When driving your in the snow, do windshield everything washer slowly • Bag of sand reservoir is full for traction •Extra windshield Clear off the washer fluid entire car so If you lose the snow control turn doesn’t fly off into the skid onto cars from cartalk.com behind you officially…

NYS LICENSE REGISTRATION You can exchange your valid out- To register your vehicle for the of-state or Canadian photo first time, go to the DMV office driver's license for a NYS driver's with the following items: license. - Proof of ownership - State Insurance FORMS Identification Card Complete MV-44 (available - Proof of identity and date of online). If you've been examined birth by an eye professional within the - Form MV-82 last six months, he can complete - Payment MV-619, or take a vision test at - Proof of sales tax payment, DMV Office. sales tax exemption, or purchase price. If you were not a resident POINTS OF I.D. of NYS when the car was Gather at least six points of ID purchased use form DTF-803 as (typically 4 points and a social proof of sales tax payment. security card). Additional information can be found on their At the DMV office you will website. receive: - current driver's license (2 pts) - Registration sticker - college ID and transcript (2 pts) - Registration documents - social security card (2 pts) - Two plates - credit card (1 pt) - Inspection extension sticker - military ID (3 pts) (optional) - passport (4 pts) - Certificate of Title (optional)

GO TO DMV SAFETY INSPECTION Bring completed forms, cash, Safety inspections are available check, money order, or credit at most car dealerships and card (to pay $10 and the driver's repair shops. You must have a license fee which varies by age), vehicle inspected at a DMV- and information listed above to a registered inspection station Department of Motor Vehicle within one week of registration. (DMV) Office. These inspection stations display a yellow and black sign that DMV reads, "Official Inspection Station.” While most places take 1600 7th Avenue , Troy, NY walk-ins, make an appointment 12180 anyway to avoid lines. The cost of M, T, W & F 8:30-4:15 Thursday inspection is $16. 8:30-7:15 518-270-2600 www.nydmv.state.ny.us car care

MAINTENANCE REPAIRS There are many places to take your car Due to the diversity of cars students for routine maintenance if you decide drive, we suggest you ask someone to not to do it yourself. For regular recommend a mechanic that maintenance, we’ve listed a few places specializes on your car make. that are close to campus. And don’t forget to wash it once in a while. For repairs, members of the Grad Council have had positive Jiffy Lube experiences with the following body 711 Troy-Schnectady Rd., Latham shops: (518) 783-5196 AutoMasters Valvoline (518) 274-3440 230 Hoosick St., Troy 644 Pawling Ave., Troy 518-272-1162 Clifton Park Auto Body Hoffman’s Car Wash (518) 383-0133 753 New Loudon Rd., Latham I-87 exit 9, 1625 Route 9, Clifton Park (518)785-1043 Owned and operated by the Canali family. The nicest people you will 672 Hoosick Rd., Troy ever meet. (518) 274-1165 Collision Experts Town and Country Car Wash (518) 383-3368 746 New Loudon Rd., Latham 390 Clifton Park Ctr Rd, Clifton Park (518) 785-4886 Top Notch Auto Repair (518) 453-9650 PARTS 38 Yardboro Ave. #B, Albany There are many places to buy car parts (unless you drive an expensive foreign make). We’ve listed the closest to campus.

Advanced Auto Parts 745 Pawling Ave., Troy (518) 283-8525

405 2nd Ave., Troy (518) 283-8525

AutoZone 720 Hoosick Rd., Troy (518) 383-6228 [ WHERE TO GET THE ESSENTIALS AND NON-ESSENTIALS]

We all have our favorite stores, and the list could go on forever, so we only included the biggies: malls, grocery stores, home improvement, and outlet plazas.

For everyday items, three popular discount chains and two discount clubs are readily accessible in the Capitol Region. We’ve listed the closer locations.

Target 675 Troy-Schenectady Rd., Latham 625 3rd Ave., Rensselaer 1440 Central Ave., Colonie

Walmart 579 Troy-Schenectady Rd., Latham 760 Hoosick Rd., Brunswick 279 Troy Rd., E. Greenbush* * supercenter

K-Mart 195 Troy-Schenectady Rd., Latham

BJ’s 1440 Central Ave., Albany

Sam’s Club 579 Troy-Schenectady Rd., Latham 141 Washington Ave. Ext., Albany shopping centers & malls

Colonie Center Latham Farms Intersection of Wolf Rd. and Troy-Schenectady Rd., Central Ave. Latham Mall: Macy’s, Boscov’s, Sear’s, Staples, PetSmart, , Christmas Tree Shops Ski Mart, and more.

Crossgates Commons Northway Mall Washington Ave. Ext. 1440 Central Ave., Albany Walmart, Tweeter, Circuit City, BJ’s, Target, Petco, JoAnn’s, Michael’s, and more. Marshall’s, and more.

Crossgates Mall Stuyvesant Plaza I -87 S to Crossgates Mall exit Intersection of Fuller Rd. and (one exit after I-90 exit) Western Ave. Mall: the area’s largest. Ann Taylor LOFT, Post Office, Macy’s, Filene’s, Best Buy, JC Circles, EMS, TGI Friday’s, Penney, and much more. and more.

Downtown Saratoga Wolf Road Broadway Albany, I-87S exit 2E. Main street with small shops There are a lot of chain restaurants, hotels, and stores here. grocery stores

Supermarkets Ethnic foods Farmer’s The two major chains for ASIAN groceries in this area are Asian Food Market market Hannaford and PriceChopper. 91 Colvin Ave., Albany From spring thru fall, the We’ve listed our favorite area’s farmers markets come locations for each. Lee’s Marketplace alive with the freshest produce 1170 Central Ave., Albany and other delectable items. Hannaford Also available are regional 579 Troy-Schenectady Rd., INDIAN wines, handmade soaps, wool Latham Halal Meat and yarns, and cut flowers. Our Grocery House of Spices favorite is the Troy Waterfront PriceChopper 644 New Loudon Rd., Latham Farmer’s Market. 716 Hoosick Rd., Brunswick India Spices Troy Dock and Marina, River 873 New Loudon Rd., Latham 10 Fuller Rd., Albany St., Troy Saturdays May thru Nov. 9-1 79 Vandenburg Pl. (Rte. 4), ITALIAN Troy Roma Importing Co. In the winter it moves to Uncle 9 Cobee Rd., Latham Sam’s Atrium: Corner of 3rd and Broadway, Troy Saturdays 10-2 home

Furniture Towels, Home Huck Finn’s Warehouse 25 Erie Blvd., Albany sheets, etc. improvement Bed Bath & Beyond Curtis Lumber Kincaid Home Furnishings 32 Wolf Road, Albany 885 Route 67, Ballston Spa 801 New Loudon Rd., Latham 435 Balltown Road, 11 Grove St., Delmar Schenectady The Old Brick Home Depot 2 River St., Troy Linens N Things 579 Troy-Schenectady Rd., 33 Warehouse Row, Albany 1440 Central Ave, Albany Latham 600 N. Greenbush Rd., Pottery Barn Tuesday Morning Rensselaer Crossgates Mall 2335 Watt St., Schenectady Lowe’s Taft Macy’s 800 Loudon Rd., Latham 1960 Central Ave., Albany 476 Route 146, Halfmoon Crossgates Mall Thomasville Home Sear’s Furnishings Filene’s Colonie Center 1440 Central Ave., Albany Crossgates Mall [ OUR FAVORITE PLACES TO EAT, DRINK, AND BE MERRY]

Dining Review When we were putting this section together for you, we were flooded with Resources suggestions. Instead of trying to rank our favorites or pick just a handful, we Metroland listed everyone’s suggestions. There’s a lot here, but it’s only the tip of the www.metroland.net iceberg.

• We have tried to divide the places by loose categories. Also, we’ve included Times Union some of our favorites from the menu, price ranges, or anything else that timesunion.com/life makes the place near and dear to our hearts. / food/index.asp

• We hope you enjoy these local favorites as much as we do. Here’s to good food, good company, and good spirits! Albany2go albany2go.com credit card and price key Credit Cards: Entrée Price Ranges (Dinner) AE American Express $ below $10 D Discover $$ $10 to $15 DC Diners Club $$$ $15 to $20 MC Mastercard $$$$ more than $20 VVISA

bars & pubs

ALBANY SARATOGA TROY

Albany Pump Station Gaffney’s The Ale House 19 Quackenbush Square 16 Caroline St. 680 River St. The menu includes meat loaf, blackened Casual gourmet dining with lots of Cozy Troy pub serving homemade snapper and shrimp, calamari and a variety; favorite dishes include filet soups and chili, clams, award-winning large offering of soups, salads and mignon, scallops Florentine and linguine wings, burgers and deli sandwiches. Full sandwiches. AE, CB, D, DC, MC, V. $$ pesto. Full bar. AE, MC, V. $$ bar, featuring microbrews and import drafts. Cash only. $ Big House Brewing Co. Saratoga Springs Brew Pub 90 N. Pearl St. This three-floor venue 14 Phila St. Brown’s Brewing Co. serves a wide variety of American fare. Saratoga’s only brew pub, with seven 417 River St. Wood-fired pizzas, pasta, seafood and, house brews on tap and food from wings Award-winning brewery offers 12 in-house brewed lagers and ales (over a and ribs to steaks and crab cakes. AE, different styles of fresh ales and lagers. dozen of the 20-plus varieties on tap at D, MC, V, ATM. $$ AE, MC, V. $ all times). Closed Sun-Mon. AE, D, MC, V. $ The Parting Glass RPI Clubhouse Pub 40-42 Lake Ave. Student Union Washington Tavern The menu features homemade specials Friday Happy Hour = Free Food. Must 250 Western Ave. including lamb stew, corned beef and have RPI ID. Closed Sun. Cash only. $ Although this spot is best known for its cabbage, as well as homemade soups traditional tavern fare, a dinner menu is and Irish dishes. Full bar with more than The Ruck also available evenings from 5 to 9. AE, 100 beers available, including Harp and 104 3rd St. MC, V. ATM on premises. $ Guinness. AE, MC, V. $ Mention their wings and watch our eyes glaze over with beautiful greasy nostalgia. A student favorite. Great wing burger. M/W 25¢ wings. $ light fare

Bailey’s Mrs. London’s Putnam Market Phila and Putnam streets, Saratoga 464 Broadway, Saratoga Springs, 581- 435 Broadway, Saratoga Springs, 587- Springs, 583-6060. This is two places 1834. Featuring exquisite homemade FOOD (3663). A gourmet marketplace in one, with the inside cafe serving pastries, desserts, sandwiches, soups with a deli and bakery, serving soups, salads and sandwiches, and an and salads, espresso and other hot sandwiches, prepared foods, soups outside patio bar and grill serving drinks. Takeout available. Serving 7 and salads to eat in or take out. Some grilled items such as barbecue chicken, AM-6 PM Tue-Thu and Sun, 7 AM-9 of the sandwich specials include the burgers, lobster rolls and grilled panini PM Fri and Sat, closed Mon; summer High Rock (in-house roasted turkey sandwiches. Relax in an Adirondack hours begin July 4. AE, MC, V, with cheddar and cranberry mayo), the chair while toasting s’mores at your personal checks. $ Putnam Street (smoked turkey with table. Serving 11 AM- midnight daily. Brie and honey mustard) and the AE, D, DC, MC, V. $$ Panera Bread Co. Karista (homemade fresh mozzarella Crossgates Commons, 161 with roasted red peppers and pesto Debbie’s Kitchen Washington Ave. Extension, Albany, mayo). Catering available. Serving 9 456 Madison Ave., Albany, 463-3829. 862-9281. Grab a quick lunch or a AM-7 PM Mon-Sat, 10-6 Sun. AE, MC, The downtown Albany hot spot for breakfast muffin or take advantage of V. $ soups, creatively constructed the comfortable surroundings and dally sandwiches and totally killer desserts. for a snack or extended meal. Just- Ravenous Chef Debbie Klauber and company baked bread and pastries, soups, 21 Phila St., Saratoga Springs, 581- weave a touch of color and crunch into salads and free refills on iced tea. 0560. Featuring a wide variety of the ordinary, as in their smoked-turkey- Serving Mon-Thu 6:30 AM-9 PM, Fri- savory and sweet crepes for lunch, breast sandwich with garlic mayo, Sat 6:30-10, Sun 7:30-7:30. AE, D, DC, dinner, dessert and weekend brunch; sliced pears, sunflower seeds, roasted MC, V. $ also known for the Belgian pommes onions and cheddar cheese. frites, fresh-cut french fries served in Vegetarian combos are always Peaches Café paper cones with dipping sauces. Beer, available, as are fresh salads and a Stuyvesant Plaza, Guilderland, 482- wine, espresso; takeout available. wide variety of ever-changing baked 3677. Full lunch and dinner menu Serving 11:30-8 Tue-Thu, 11:30-9 Fri, goods. Don’t leave without tasting one includes new appetizers and pastas. 10-9 Sat, Sun brunch 10-3. Closed on of Debbie’s brownies. Serving 10-9 Breakfast all day, every day, with fare M-T during the winter.MC,V. $ Mon-Fri, 11-6 Sat. Closed Sun. MC, V. such as Belgian waffles and specialty $ omelettes. Takeout available. Serving 8 AM-9:30 PM Mon-Thu, 8 AM-9 PM; dessert until 11 PM Fri-Sat, 8-7:30 Sun. AE, D, DC, MC, V. $ for richer…

Auberge Suisse Glen Sanders Mansion Longfellow’s Inn and Restaurant 1903 New Scotland Road, 1 Glen Ave., Scotia, 374-7262. 500 Union Ave., Saratoga Springs, Slingerlands, 439-3800. This restaurant glensandersmansion.com. Featuring 587-0108, www.longfellows.com. has an intimate atmosphere and gourmet cuisine and seasonal specials. Situated in an old country estate built in traditional French menu featuring rack Serving lunch 11:30-2 Mon-Fri; dinner the late 1800s, the inn prides itself on of lamb, beef Wellington, coq au vin, 5-10 Mon-Sat, 4-9 Sun; brunch 10:30- its warm and relaxing dining ambience. frog legs and fresh fish. Prix-fixe 1:30 Sun; pub menu 2 PM-10 PM Mon- The menu of American and mesquite dinners. Serving 5:30-close Wed-Sat. Fri, 5-10 Sat, 4-10 Sun. Reservations offerings includes an array of steaks, Sunday by reservation. Closed Mon- recommended. AE, D, DC, MC, V. bourbon-glazed salmon, fresh pastas Tue. Reservations suggested. MC, V. $$$$ and pan-roasted garlic shrimp. Full bar, $$$$ on-premises catering. Serving 5-10 The Inn at Saratoga Mon-Thu, 5-11 Fri-Sat, 4-9 Sun. Aubergine 231 Broadway, Saratoga Springs, 583- Takeout available. AE, D, DC, MC, V. Routes 22 and 23, Hillsdale, 325-3412, 1890. American cuisine is offered at a $$$$ www.aubergine.com. The approach to cozy Victorian inn. Bistro menu. Full food at this fine-dining establishment bar, catering and banquet facilities for Patroon House draws as much from New American up to 110. Serving dinner 5-9 Sun-Thu, 614 Route 9W, Glenmont, 463-5130. ideas as it does from the classical 5-10 Fri-Sat. Reservations suggested. www.patroonhouse.com. Featuring models. Specializing in seasonal items AE, D, DC, MC, V. $$$$ prime and choice cut steak, fresh hand- with an extensive wine list. High casual picked seafood, and a chef’s seasonal dress appreciated. Reservations Jack’s Oyster House tasting menu. Serving lunch 11:30-2 recommended. Serving dinner 5:30- 42 State St., Albany, 465-8854. Mon-Fri; dinner 4:30-9:30 Tue-Thu, close Wed-Sun. AE, DC, MC, V, Albany’s dining landmark since 1913 is 4:30-10:30 Fri-Sat; brunch 10:30-2 checks. $$$$ now in its third generation of family Sun. Closed Mon. AE, D, DC, MC, V. ownership, and now boasts the area’s $$$$ Daisy Baker’s only certified master chef. Savor 33 Second St., Troy, 266-9200. This seafood specials, steaks, veal or River Street Café downtown Troy establishment serves poultry in a classic setting. Full bar, 429 River St., Troy, 273-2740. The chef gourmet American fare as well as an banquet facilities, on- and off-premises and chef-owner give personal attention impressive array of seafood and pasta catering. Free parking. Serving 11:30- to each item on the seasonally items. Full bar, on-premises catering. 10 daily. Open 365 days a year—366 changing menu of fresh, New American Serving 11:30-10 Mon-Fri, 5-10 Sat. for leap year. Reservations suggested, fare. Beer and wine. Serving 5:30 PM- AE, D, MC, V. $$$$ especially on weekends and holidays. close Tue-Sat. Closed Sun-Mon. AE, CB, D, DC, MC, V. $$$ Reservations suggested. MC, V, personal checks. $$$ for poorer

Ali Baba Famous Lunch I Love NY Pizza 2243 15th St., Troy, 273-1170. Turkish 111 Congress St., Troy, 272-9481. 125 4th St., Troy. Don’t be fooled by cuisine and pizza, which means you Classic Americana with the best little the other I Love locations; they are a can get seasoned lamb on your pie. hot dogs on planet Earth. As you take a chain. This is the original and the best. Most meals come with puffy lavash seat, the waiter asks simply, "How This is the place to go for a creative bread. The kabobs are terrific; best of many?" For about $3 you get four with pizza. all is the durum-wrapped kabob, a onions, mustard, the mysterious "Zippy Turkish gyro. Serving 11 AM-midnight Sauce," and a soda. This is the kind of Manory’s Mon-Sat. AE, DC, MC, V. $ place Calvin Trillin used to write about Fourth and Congress streets, Troy, in his surveys of great diners and road 272-2422. Troy’s oldest restaurant has Bombers Burrito Bar food. been open since 1913. Menu features 258 Lark St., Albany, 463-9636. A breakfast all day, gourmet deli healthy-sized menu includes Gandhi Indian Restaurant1 Central sandwiches, wraps, appetizers, salads, vegetarian-friendly options, a creative Ave., Albany, 449-5577. At the homemade soups and desserts—such selection of sizable burritos and more epicenter of Albany’s Indian-restaurant as ice cream and pies. Serving 6:30 than a half-dozen styles of delicious neighborhood, serving Northern Indian AM-5 PM daily. AE, D, MC, V. $ chicken wings. Eat in the quaint dining food and offering a weekday lunch room offering a prime view of buffet from 11:30 to 2:30. Serving Smokey Bones BBQ & Sports Bar downtown Albany’s Lark Street—and 11:30-10:30 Mon-Thu, 11:30-11 Fri- 1557 Central Ave., Colonie, 464-9971. check out the killer jukebox. Takeout Sat, noon-10 Sun. AE, DC, MC, V. $ Featuring authentic great tasting available. Lunch delivery. Serving 11 barbecue complemented by a variety of AM-1 AM daily. Bar till close. AE, MC, Gus’s Hot Dog Stand other American favorites. Enjoy our V. $ 212 25th St., Watervliet. It is the warm and lively lodge setting where number-one stand in the area. They you can enjoy exciting sports viewing El Loco Mexican Café specialize in the "baby" dogs, which are while enjoying a complete selection of 465 Madison Ave., Albany, 436-1855. great - and cheap. Actually, as with beers and cocktails. Serving 11-11 An eccentric bistro where the most of the local stands, it is the sauce Sun-Thu, 11-midnight Fri-Sat. AE, D, specialties include quesadillas, chilis that covers the dogs at Gus' that is so MC, V. $ rellenos, Tex-Mex fare and many good. You cannot beat the prices. A hot vegetarian items. Takeout available. dog with the "works" (mustard, onions Serving 11:30-10 Tue-Thu, 11:30-11 and wonderful sauce) are only 50 cents Fri, noon-11 Sat, 4:30-10 Sun. Closed each. A burger with the meat sauce is Mon. Reservations suggested for large only 80 cents, and a sausage sandwich parties; reservations not accepted Fri- (sweet sausage, peppers, onions and Sat nights. AE, MC, V. $$ meat sauce) is only $1.10. dining out together…

Dining out together is one of the many activities shared by the graduate students and faculty. Sometimes there’s cause for celebration: advancements, passing the candidacy exam, or successfully defending THE dissertation. Other times there’s no need for a reason other than spending time together off-campus. nice ambience

The Chariot birdfeeders, the Elvis impersonator Sat; lunch and dinner noon-9 Sun. 5180 Western Turnpike, Guilderland, dinner shows, or the year-round mystery Reservations welcome. AE, DC, MC, V. 356-1116. Traditional Greek items are dinner theater. Full bar, takeout and $$$ featured on a menu that also includes banquet facilities. Private lakeview lamb, pasta, beef, chicken, veal and banquet room. Serving 11:30-9 Wed- Monument Square Café seafood entrées. Vegetarian selections. Mon. AE, CB, D, DC, MC, V. $$ 254 Broadway, Troy, 274-0167. Serving Full bar. On/off-premises catering and continental cuisine with Italian and banquet facilities. Takeout available. Hattie’s Mediterranean influences, using fresh Serving dinner 4-9 Tue-Thu, 4-10 Fri- 45 Phila St., Saratoga Springs, 584- ingredients with a strong focus on Sat, 4-8 Sun. Closed Mon. Reservations 4790, www.hattiesrestaurant.com. presentation. Appetizers, salads, pastas, suggested on weekends and necessary Serving authentic Southern and small plates and entrées such as for parties of six and over. AE, MC, V. Louisiana cuisine since 1938 in a rustic seafood paella and pork shank; desserts $$ and cozy brownstone. Come for the include bananas Foster crepes. Full bar. famous fried chicken and biscuits, or try Serving dinner 5-10 Mon-Sat. AE, D, Chianti il Ristorante the delicious New Orleans specials, MC, V. $$ 208 S. Broadway, Saratoga Springs, grilled seafood and vegetarian entrées. 580-0025. www.chiantiristorante.com. Full bar, takeout available, private My Linh Start with antipasto del Chianti and parties. Serving dinner 5-10 Wed-Sun, 272 Delaware Ave., Albany, 465-8899. discover how delectable such simple closed Mon-Tue. Open seven days Exquisite Vietnamese cuisine served by ingredients can be. Innovative Northern starting in July. AE, D, DC, MC, V. $$ the fireplace. Appetizers include Italian fare (with a good presence of handmade shrimp summer rolls. Try the garlic) served in a rustic Italian, newly Justin’s exotic soup, Canh Chua, with shrimp, expanded dining room. No reservations. 301 Lark St., Albany, 436-7008. Look for fresh tomatoes, and pineapple in a spicy Serving 5:30-9:30 Sun-Thu, 5:30-10 (or some offbeat ethnic dishes such as jerk tamarind broth. Serving dinner 5-9:30 so) Fri-Sat. AE, MC, V. $$$ chicken, on an inventive, often-changing Tue-Thu, 5-10 Fri-Sat, 5-9 Sun. Closed menu. Serving lunch 11:30-4 Mon-Sat, Mon. AE, MC, V. $$$. Clayton’s Caribbean Amer. Cuisine dinner 5-10 Sun-Thu, 5-10:30 Fri-Sat, 244 Washington Ave., Albany, 426- brunch 11-4 Sat-Sun. Reservations The Ripe Tomato American Grill 4360. Authentic Caribbean and Spanish suggested. AE, DC, MC, V. $$$ Routes 9 and 9P, Malta, 581-1530. food, including arroz con pollo, curry www.ripetomato.com Affordable four- chicken, jerk chicken, veggie fajitas and Koto Japanese Restaurant star dining in this Italian-American grill. a large variety of seafood and vegetarian 260 Wolf Road, Colonie, 869-8888. Try the award-winning shrimp and dishes. Student discount. Reservations Enjoy the show at the teppanyaki tables, scallop bisque. Specials daily. Full bar. suggested. Serving 11-11 Mon-Fri, sample sushi at the expansive bar or Takeout available. Reservations noon-11 Sat-Sun; all you can eat $5.99 explore the varied menu of tempura, recommended. Serving 11:30 AM-10 lunch buffet 11-2:30 Mon-Fri. teriyaki, noodle soups and much more. PM Mon-Thu, 11:30-11 Fri-Sat, 11-10 AE,D,MC,V. $$ Full bar, banquet facilities. Serving Sun; buffet brunch 11-2 Sun. Skidmore 11:30-10 Mon-Thu, 11:30-11 Fri-Sat, student meal cards accepted. AE, DC, Good Times Lakeview Restaurant 4:30-10 Sun. AE, D, MC, V. $$ MC, V. $$ 175 Lake Road, Ballston Lake, 399- 9976. www.goodtimesrestaurant.com. A Lillian’s The Wheat Fields varied menu with light fare to hearty 408 Broadway, Saratoga Springs, 587- 440 Broadway, Saratoga Springs, 587- dining, cheerful service and a an outdoor 7766. Nightly seafood specials include 0534. www.wheatfields.com. Serving panoramic lakeview veranda combine to baked stuffed shrimp and broiled catch fresh pasta and fine wine since 1988, help those good times along. Homestyle of the day; also aged, cut-on-premises along with veal, fish and chicken New England country cooking featuring steaks, sliced sirloin and pasta dishes. specials daily. Full bar; space for semi- homemade pastas, fresh seafood and Light menu available. Full bar and private parties available. Reservations chops. Early-bird specials, children’s banquet facilities. Serving lunch 11:30-4 accepted for parties of five+. Serving menu. Check out the birds at the Mon-Sat, dinner 5-10 Mon-Thu, 5-11 Fri- dinner 4:30-10 daily. AE, D, MC, V. $$ [ THE GREAT OUTDOORS • THE GREAT INDOORS • THE ARTS • ROADTRIPS]

Entertainment The Capital District is one of the most beautifully and conveniently located Resources communities. We are fortunate enough to be flanked by the Adirondacks, the Catskills, the Berkshires, and the slopes of Vermont. This is every RPI Union outdoorsman’s paradise. In the summer Saratoga comes alive with racing union.rpi.edu season. Go out and pick your favorite horse!! If you prefer staying indoors, • there’s lots to do here as well.

The Metroland Long weekends are a great time to travel. RPI is located less than three hours metroland.net away from three major cities: Montreal to the north, Boston to the east, and New York to the south. Three hours west will take you to the wine country in the : go wine tasting, sailing, or just enjoy some good weather outside.

In this section, we’ve just barely scratched the surface of fun things to do here and around here. We hope you will use it as a starting point, and let us know if you’ve discovered something we missed. the outing club camping • canoeing • caving • cross country skiing • hiking • ice climbing • kayaking • mountain biking • rafting • rock climbing • skiing • snowboarding • snowshoeing

One of our favorite clubs. If you would like more information about these activities, please visit the Outing Club’s website.

http://outingclub- alpha.union.rpi.ed u/main.php indoor fun…

Bowling Dancing Pool

Alpha Lanes Arthur Murray* Diamond Eight Billiards 326 5th Ave., Troy 704 New Loudon Rd., Latham 9 Johnson Rd., Latham 786-1468 786-8048 Bowler’s Club 1210 Troy-Schenectady Rd. Big House Louie’s Latham Billiards Latham 90 N. Pearl St., Albany 200 Troy- Schenectady Rd. bighouseonline.com Latham Latham Bowl 783-3320 374 Troy-Schenectady Rd. Fred Astaire* Latham 368 Troy-Schenectady Rd. One Pocket Billiards Latham 200 4th St., Troy Uncle Sam Lanes 783 3130 270-5133 600 Fulton Ave., Troy Jillian’s RPI Game Room 59 N. Pearl st., Albany The Union jillians.com Trick Shot Billiard Hall Nick’s Sneaky Pete’s 1602 Rte. 9, Clifton Park 711 Central Ave., Albany 383-8771 nickssneakypetes.com

*ballroom Rock Gyms Skating Soccer

Albany’s Indoor Rock Gym All 4 Fun Afrim’s Sports 4 Vatrano Rd., Albany 1050 Troy-Schenectady Rd. afrimsports.com 459-7625 Latham 636 Albany-Shaker, Colonie 785-5367 438-3131 The Court Club Jacqueline Ave., Latham 444 Sand Creek Rd., Albany Guptill’s Arena 220-5000 459-4444 RR 9 Latham 785-0660 Soccer Unlimited Electric City Rock Gym 1272 Central Ave., Albany 433 State St., Schenectady Starburst Entertainment 458-8326 388-2704 RR146 1570 Rte. 9, Clifton Park Clifton Park, NY 383-1026 371-1567 the arts

Movies Music Theatre There are many movie The live music scene in the There is an assortment of theatres in the area, but if you Capital Regions is fantastic. great shows throughout the are interested in the latest from year. Hollywood these two are a Northern Lights good place to start. For 1208 Rte. 146W, Clifton Park Capital Repertory Theatre discount admission to older 371-0012 111 N. Pearl St., Albany movies, UPAC sponsors capitalrep.org movies that are shown in the Pepsi Arena DCC. 51 S. Pearl St., Albany The Egg pepsiarena.com Empire State Plaza, Albany Regal Cinema 18 theegg.org Crossgates Mall Revolution Hall Albany 425 River St., Troy The Palace revolutionhall.com 19 Clinton Ave., Albany Regal Cinema 12 palacealbany.com Crossgates Mall Saratoga Performing Arts Albany Center (SPAC) Proctor’s Theatre 108 Ave. of the Pines 432 State St., Schenectady UPAC @ RPI Saratoga Springs, NY proctors.org Darren Communications Center, Troy, NY Troy Music Hall 7 State St., Troy troymusichall.org roadtrips

Boston Montreal New York City Genteel streets lined with Montréal is Canada's most When it comes to the art of elegant brick town houses, romantic metropolis, Québec's seduction, New York has two acres of public greens and largest city, and an important cards up its sleeve: charm and gardens, more colleges than port and financial center. It's a spontaneity. People often fall are found in many states, and tolerant place that over the in love with what they came a church on almost every years has made room for looking for -- the Empire State corner: Boston serves up millions of immigrants who Building, lit up in red, white, slices of history and culture at speak dozens of languages. and blue; Central Park under a every turn. More than ever, The city's gentle acceptance blanket of snow, its trees America's mother city serves has made it one of the world's sparkling as if encased in up the bold and new with the most livable cities. crystal; or the Statue of old and true -- reflecting Liberty, which neither cliché skyscrapers mirror Colonial Directions: nor cheap souvenir can render steeples, and expressways zip Take I-87N (Northway), which common. around buildings whose hand- becomes Autoroute 15 N. etched look recalls the Directions: scrimshaw era. Few places in Take I-87 S. America display their history so lovingly.

Directions: Take I-90 E. BMEGC

FELLOWSHIP • SCHOLARSHIP • SERVICE

A publication of the BMEGC.