Collegiate Times

this is a great idea, but whether or not it will pan out is a whole different story. i have been to other schools that friends go to and some of the most successful "clubs" are ones that are attached to pizza places. how much money could they make by serving drinks all night, and then at 2 am when they close, sell each kid 2 slices of pizza and a water for the walk home?

Maybe Bent Willies can come down to Tech. Or maybe better yet, we should push to get rid of these stupid liquor laws.

That's what we need, another watering troth: The number of students consuming alcohol—and the number of alcoholrelated violations—had steadily increased during the previous four years. In 2005, 79.8% of students at Virginia Tech consumed alcohol, with 58.4% of students having engaged in recent binge drinking. (In keeping with the standard, national definition, binge drinking is defined as the consumption of five or more drinks in one sitting.) In addition, alcohol use was measured at high levels for both underage and ofage students, with some student organizations facing heightened challenges in this area. For example, 75% of students in Greekletter organizations participated in bingedrinking activity. Finally, in relation to national averages, Virginia Tech students consumed more alcohol, and engaged more widely in bingedrinking practices, than peers at other schools. Blacksburg already won't clamp down on the apartment complexes for their indifference to binge drinking parties, now we just need another night club for the students to get really tanked at.

While I am also concerned with binge/underage drinking, you're arguing a Non Sequitur. If anything, the binge drinking and underage drinking is being done behind closed doors - at homes, dorms, house parties, etc Not in bars and restaurants. This is a major focus of the debate regarding amnesty for students getting help for other students who need medical help because of drinking. At many universities, students hesitate to get help for their friend out of fear of punishment for drinking underage. Some universities have changed their policies because of this. I lived in Blacksburg for almost 7 years. I disagree that the town has not been interested in curbing house parties. The difference between 2000 and 2007 is huge. As a freshman, I could get on the bus and go to development and by the end of the night have been to 10 - 12 keg parties where anyone could drink as much as they wanted for a couple bucks. Contrast this with an actual establishment such as a restuarant/bar/club where there is regulation and a safe environment with security. If anything, you should be supporting Ceritanos. Blacksburg has a great art culture, and there has been less and less venues for this. When artists/musicians/bands come to town, they love it and many come back. I don't know what the status of the Lantern is, but it was maybe the only proper music venue left in town. I hope Ceritano can make this happen.

Thanks for the logical explanation David. Music venues or night clubs (whatever you want to call them) have more of a legitimate control on alcohol abuse than say a house party/frat party...bottom line, its only logical to think so. Blacksburg also needs a legitimate music venue...Ceritanos providing this would be incredible for not only Blacksburg, but southwest Virginia, and even Virginia as a whole. It will also have the potential to prevent Blacksburg residents from traveling long distances to see artists that they love. Not that this is ever a problem or a bad thing...road trips are awesome...but choosing to do them every weekend can be a bit costly--money and time. All in all, I think the pros of this happening outweigh the cons tenfold.

How in the world can "CERITANO" open a nightclub when he is a felon and also has judgements against him leaving most of his family high and dry.... This is disturbing and the state needs to act now!