Weekend Update

Emma Eccleston

Some delicious pizza!

This weekend I got to partake in one of my favorite parts about being a Fordham student: dinner on Arthur Avenue! Arthur Avenue, located in the Bronx, is known as the real Little Italy because it is a street lined with countless authentic Italian restaurants.  The best part is that this delicious secret is located within walking distance of campus, only taking about five minutes to get to! On Saturday night I was lucky enough to enjoy a delicious dinner with friends at one of my favorite restaurants, Zero Otto Nove.  It was great to catch up with my friends after all being on break while also enjoying some delicious pizza!

Our view from Central Park

Teresa Swindal

This weekend, my friends and I tried to take advantage of the long break and spend some quality time in the city! We got brunch at Le Pain Quotiden and explored the city for a while. Then, on Sunday, we had dinner at our very own Michaelanglo's on Arthur Ave (the Bronx's Little Italy!). New York has some of the best food and sightseeing in the world, which is one of my favorite parts of living here!

The city is always bustling!

Emily Tanner

This weekend, current members of the College Democrats and former members who have graduated met for dinner in the city at a diner called Good Enough to Eat. Featuring yummy comfort food, it was DELICIOUS and located on Columbus Avenue, on the Upper West Side, my favorite neighborhood. Afterwards, we took a cab to Lincoln Center to walk around for a bit. I love this area – it's absolutely beautiful!

It's Christmas time in the City

It's that time of year again - Christmas at Fordham!  Here at our Rose Hill campus, there are so many different ways to get into the holiday spirit. Here's a list of how the Fordham community is celebrating the holidays and giving thanks for our #Ramily this season.

Peer Educators is an on-campus group
that provides festivities for health and good cheer!

1. Holiday Fair

Every year, Fordham's Campus Activities Board puts on a Holiday Fair where students can take pictures with Santa and his elves, share some free treats, and even do a little gift-shopping.  This year, I helped table for Fashion for Philanthropy selling Candy-Cane Grams and painting festive nails - all proceeds went to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.  Students look forward to seeing the horse-drawn sleigh that rides throughout campus for several hours during class-time the day of the fair.  I remember the first time I saw the sleigh, I could not believe my eyes - it was a Christmas miracle!

Even the rain and gray skies can't stop the annual horse and carriage rides!

2. Volunteering

What better way to truly keep the joy in the Christmas season than to give back to the community?  Every year, Fordham sponsors toy/food/coat drives for those who are in most need during the chilly season.  I have already received so many emails about different different drives occurring on campus.  I think this not only retains the true value of the season, but also highlight's Fordham's Jesuit mission of men and women for others.  

My residence hall, Walsh, is having it's own Toy and Coat drive,
sponsored by the Residence Hall Association.

3. Arthur Avenue's "Little Italy"

Student's who are in need of a home-cooked hearty holiday meal will venture to Arthur Avenue, the "Little Italy" section of the Bronx.  Arthur Avenue is a tight-knit community with its own unique charm that is a mixture of the old and the new - it still has most of its original storefronts that have been passed down from generation to generation, while also attracting students, families, and tourists alike who want the best Italian food in NYC!  Also, every year, the Belmont community (where Arthur Ave is situated) has their own tree lighting and caroling that always is sure to put a smile on any passer-by's face!  I always look forward to having a Christmas dinner with friends to unwind during finals and prep for the next semester. 

Annual lights on Arthur Avenue to welcome all who visit!

4. NYC

Or if you want to experience some of the magic of Manhattan that occurs during this time, Fordham LC is just a quick 30 minute Ram Van ride away!  This will take students right to Columbus Circle where there are holiday lights that are like magic at each change of color.  This sophisticated yet quaint area of the NYC is sure to bring the Christmas spirit to full force with the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts just a short distance away where holiday-enthusiasts can see the Nutcracker!

These are just a few ways to partake in the holiday cheer, which there is certainly an abundance of here at Fordham.  Happy holidays to all!

Weekend Update: Thanksgiving Edition

Sara Power

Unfortunately I was not really home for the holidays; however, I definitely made up for it throughout my Sunday! I spent the morning picking out a tree with my family and then travelling back to the Bronx, where my roommate and I got into the Christmas spirit! We've filled our apartment with ivy, holly, cinnamon sticks, bows, miniature trees, you name it! These rams are ready to spread some Yuletide cheer as is the rest of campus, which is currently wrapped up like a present. Christmas is a wonderful time of the year, but Fordham has a particularly infectious holiday spirit that is sure to get every student excited!

Even a little Christmas tree can spread a lot of cheer!

Allison Misciagno-Bergin

This weekend, my friends and I hosted "friends-giving" in our apartment. We cooked all sorts of delicious thanksgiving food: turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and more. We also made custom appetizers with ingredients from our favorite Arthur Ave stores like Casa de la Mozzarella. Overall a great time spent celebrating with friends.

Some of our delicious Friends-giving food!

Deirdre Hynes

I spent the holiday weekend in New Jersey with family, enjoying a delicious Thanksgiving dinner, quality time with my little cousins, and some free time before the last few busy weeks of the semester!

You're never too old for arts and crafts!

Weekend Update

The rain couldn't dampen our school spirit!

Teresa Swindal

This weekend at Fordham was especially exciting because it was both Halloween and Parent's Weekend. Even though I live far away and my parents weren't able to visit, it was still really fun to see all the Fordham pride and maroon from family members all over campus! The football game was especially fun, and the Rams absolutely crushed Colgate 37-13. Afterwards, we went out to dinner on Arthur Avenue, which is always delicious. It was nice to take advantage of the beautiful Fall weather this weekend before winter comes!

Great desserts and even better company!

Jessica Timko

This weekend my friends and I went to Serendipity, a restaurant famous for their indulgent desserts, on the East Side of Manhattan.  While we were waiting for a table, we decided to take advantage of a beautiful day and walked over to the scenic East River.  This walk turned out to be a great way to burn off some of the calories from our decadent dinner of chocolate cake and ice cream sundaes.

Freddy, Jason, and Wednesday looking for some spooks!

Yuliana Veyberman

Halloween's the one day a year where we can be something totally unlike ourselves. This year, my roommates and I chose to embrace the spirit of the holiday - which came on a Friday! - and dressed up as our favorite horror characters. We were Jason Voorhees (with axe, not machete - oops?), Wednesday from the Addams Family (looking uncharacteristically terrified), and Freddy Krueger (just in case you're wondering, that claw made me the hit of every party...). I hope you all had super spooky Halloweens as well!

#FEARTHERAM

One of the coolest things about going to school at Fordham is the amount of school spirit we have on campus. Despite the fact that we are a medium sized school in the middle of a big city, Fordham is Division I for all of its varsity athletic teams, and students love supporting their fellow Rams at games and spirit events!

The gorgeous Rose Hill Gym is crowded with Rams! RAMTOWN2014!

Last night was a prime example of this: one of the biggest events of the fall semester is Ram Town, which kicks off the men’s and women’s basketball seasons. Think high school pep rally, but bigger and better! Students decked out in Fordham maroon pack the stands of the Rose Hill Gym, and have a great time cheering on their classmates.  There are also tons of games and competitions for fans to compete in, including a karaoke contest, relay races, shoot-outs, and dance-offs (Rams have some sick moves, fun fact!). In addition free tshirts for every person at the door, students are eligible for exciting prizes and giveaways, like iPads, TVs, and textbooks for a semester; this year one student won a free vacation in a free throw shooting contest!

Exciting athletics, crazy contests, and awesome prizes aside, fans attending Ram Town are also provided with an absurd amount of delicious, delicious food from Arthur Avenue (the Little Italy of the Bronx, which is right next door to Rose Hill’s campus), including pizza, pasta, wings, and desserts.  

Wasn't kidding about the free food - my friend Matt stocked up on
mozzarella sticks, wings - oh, and an entire box of pizza? Don't worry, he shared!

Ram Town is a great way to get pumped for the upcoming season, and a fantastic time is had by all in attendance! Go Rams!

Our mascot, the Fordham Ram!

Arthur Ave.

Dinner at Zero Otto Nove

Just beyond the gates of Fordham is a wonderful place called Arthur Ave.  Arthur Ave. has an endless amount of restaurants, bakeries, grocery and retail stores, along with off-campus student housing.  It is because of the various shops and eateries that Arthur Ave. serves as one of the largest off-campus social hub for Fordham students. 



Caesar Salad & Margherita Pizza at Michaelangelos



Arthur Ave. is known as the original Little Italy.  Lining the blocks are numerous authentic Italian restaurants with recipes that have been passed down for generations.  Two of my favorites are Michaelangelo’s and Zero Otto Nove.  When my family comes to visit, we usually choose one of these two places to catch up and have a fantastic meal.  Although Arthur Ave. is known to be mainly Italian, there are plenty of other options that are just as good!  Some of these include Estrellita’s, a Mexican restaurant, Umai Fusion, a great place to go if you’re in the mood for sushi, Full Moon Pizzeria, and Simon’s Deli.  Another great thing is that most of these places deliver to the residence halls on campus!  

Although Fordham has many eating options on campus, sometimes it is nice to branch out and try new things.  Arthur Ave. is the perfect place for Fordham students to do that!  It is relatively inexpensive and has a ton of variety. 

Me and some friends at Michaelangelo's

Weekend Update

One big happy family

Kaitlyn McWha

This weekend my entire family came to visit me at Fordham to celebrate my brother's birthday. My grandparents, aunt, uncles, and cousins came all the way from Massachusetts to see me at college! After a tour of the campus, we went to Michelangelo's on Arthur Avenue for my brother's birthday dinner. My family loves Fordham, and I was so happy to see all of them!

The playbill makes a great souvenir 

Deidre Hynes

This Saturday I went into Manhattan to see The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime on Broadway with my family, and it was amazing. Despite having to brave the rainy weather in the morning, it cleared up by the time we got out of the show, allowing us to walk around and enjoy the city afterwards!

Linda Mule

What a great environment to find my inner peace!

In a city where many think that nothing is free, you would be surprised when I tell you that I took and amazing yoga class, in a gorgeous studio in the East Village. Yoga To The People is a yoga studio with only one rule- to find your inner peace. The donation-based studio has multiple locations throughout the city and is open to all levels. I went with a couple of friends over the weekend and was warmly greeted by staff and other yoga students alike. What I loved about this studio was that although it is donation based, they do not pressure you into feeling as though you must give a donation, and they are very appreciative of whatever you can give. I would go back without a doubt; I especially want to try the hot yoga class in Chelsea!

(Wo)Man's best friend

Kristen Hefferan-Horner

My weekend was spent catching up on some very much needed rest and relaxation on Martyr's lawn and visiting with my family. Being from a close 20 minutes away in Westchester, I feel I have the best of both worlds. While at school, I have a strong sense of independence dorming and being with my friends. However, my family is a short car ride away when I need them...or when I need my dog!

Brenden Burke

The fun began on Friday night this past weekend when the Fordham football team hosted Lafayette, the defending Patriot League champions, for a game under the lights at Jack Coffey Field at Rose Hill.  The game began competitive, but the Rams really hit their stride in the second quarter and led 31-10 at the half.  Fordham went on to win 42-18, improving to 5-1 on the season!  Also, receiver Tebucky Jones Jr. was featured on the SportsCenter Top 10 with the #1 play of the night.

Fordham Foodies

Our late afternoon snack from Palombo's

One of Fordham's identifying features is of course the fact that it is located alongside Arthur Ave (aka the best Little Italy has to offer). However, food can get costly and so most students choose to venture into its heart when parents visit. For those of us working on a budget, there are still some awesome places on Arthur Ave, and just off it, to get some grade-A Fordham grub. Here are a few of my favorites!

Palombo's is ram-renowned for its desserts. They have quite the array, ranging in traditional Italian delicacies to the more run-of-the-mill brownies and cakes. It's one of the more affordable places on Arthur especially since they offer students a 10-15% discount off their final orders! Just last week, I caught up with my sister who also attends Fordham, over coffee and cake. With outdoor seating, it is the perfect place for a late afternoon meet up.

Simon's sweet potato fries in all their greasy glory

Next on my list is Bellini's: just off Arthur but just as amazing as its better-located fellow eateries. A particular favorite for students there is the Penne Alla Vodka slice, which is essentially your typical pizza amped up with pasta (ACTUAL PASTA) sprinkled on top. Yes: it is indeed as amazing as it sounds.

Just a block or two over from Bellini's is Simon's Deli, home to the best milkshakes the Bronx has to offer. Options include your classic chocolate and vanilla but can get as inventive as Cap'n Crunch or Vanilla Apple Pie. It doesn't hurt that they also have some of the best burgers around, not to mention their sweet potato fries.

Life lesson from Pugsley's: "Pizza is good, but love is it"

Last on my list is the heart and soul of Fordham students' dining experience: Pugsley's. The act of dining there is quite the experience. The walls are adorned with random pieces of art that seem to encompass the quirky spirit that students so associate with their college experience. It is quite literally, the stuff of sitcom legends, our very own MacLaren's Pub. Though it is closed during the summer, it is one of the first places students line up at to reunite in the early fall over a slice of pizza or their legendary chicken roll.

These are just a few of the Fordham hot spots for eating off campus. In order to find out more, you'll just have to adventure yourself!