MMMMER 10F - The Michigan Daily - New Student Edition - Fall 2003 AnnAro n ~r the roeks By Emily Estadella For the Daily Black Velvet (left) and Irish Flag Conor O'Neill's on South Main Street offers delightful layered drinks appealing to both the taste buds and the eyes. As its name implies, the Irish Flag shot consists of three layers: Creme de Menthe on the bottom, Bailey's Irish Cream in the middle and Grand Marnier on top. One of the greatest things about this shot is that the chaser is included at the bottom. The shot is a creamy, minty blend that costs a cool five dollars. Another option to warm you up after the cold walk to Main is the Black Velvet. Also a layered drink, it sits in a nicely sized 20-ounce glass for a mere four and a half dollars. Light Irish Cider sits underneath the classic smoothness of Irish Guinness to appease two distinct tastes in one. Although it may seem more attractive to men, listen to me girls, you can handle this one. Have you ever set fire to a Blue Fer- rari? Or drenched yourself in a Purple Rain? The usual Vodka tonic and Jack and Coke have become sta-- ple alcoholic beverages among twenty-some- things.k Other than beer, these unimaginative, ordi- nary drinks are some of the most popular drinks students order when frequenting the bars.5 Meanwhile, every bar} on and around this campus has a drink unique to it that is not Anti-fris martini so common. Many bargoers are not aware of these options, not because they are not good, but rather, these drinks remain unknown because many students may have not been introduced to them. Whether you are looking for a cocktail that packs a powerful punch or something to tick- le the taste buds and catch the eye, every bar in Ann Arbor can provide you with something other than your typical beer. The next time you step into a bar, take a chance on something new and colorful to expand your tastes. If you feel uncom- fortable asking the bar- tender for a drink recommendation or if you cannot hear over the noise of the bar crowd, here is a sample of a few drinks you can find in Ann Arbor for the adventurous party-goer who wants to break out of the tra- ditional beer mold. So don't be afraid to stray from the comfort of your keg. Throw caution to the wind and take a walk on the wild side. I .4 Blue Ferrari The Necto, located on Liber- ty Street near Borders, has by far the most exciting drink, which you should treat more like business than pleasure. This caution is due to the fact that the drink is literally on fire and should be swallowed quick- ly, like a shot. The Blue Ferrari is a cool mix of Blue Curacao, 151 and cream with Khalua, which should be consumed before the two thin straws melt in the flames. By the time you get to the bot- tom of the martini glass, your throat is warm and honestly, you might not even remember drink- ing it. Five dollars is a small price to pay for so much fun. SHOP 'TIL YOU DROP: ANN. ARBOR STREETS GIVE YOU LOTS OF OPTIONS S3 is a safe, sexy place to shop SETH LOWER/Daily Apart from its large selection of apparel for both men and women, Urban Outfitters boasts a wide variety of housewares that prove useful to students when decorating their living quarters. Some of these items include lamps, rugs, and furniture. Urban outiis anyone, anytine By Charles Paradis Daily Weekend Editor Nestled snugly amid the vast number of shops along South Uni- versity Avenue, Ann Arbor's Safe Sex Store catches its fair share of inquisitive eyes from the pedestri- ans walking along the sidewalk. While almost everyone has seen the store, not all are aware of the store's mission and role in the community. The blue trimmed store is no dirty adult novelty shop that no one with a good reputation would dare be seen entering. On the contrary, upon entering one cannot help but notice that the store is the paragon of organization and cleanliness. The racks and shelves are set up in such a way as to allow the viewer to comfortably peruse the products on sale. And unlike some stores whose main goal is to provide enjoyment - something that can be found a plenty at the Safe Sex Store - this shop has a different goal. The cozy spot has had one simple goal since it opened eight years ago. "The biggest focus ever since the store opened is on education," Beth Karmeisool, owner of the Safe Sex Store said. "Our purpose is to form a safe comfortable environment for our guests to ask questions and feel safe about their purchases." Karmeisool says you would be hard pressed to find graphic nudity on dis- possible," Karmeisool said. This care is necessary because although the store is located near campus, it serves a wide variety of customers who shop there. "We have a lot of students, but it is really a mixed age group who come in here," Amanda Dotten, the store's manager, said. These different customers all bring different levels of comfort and sensitivity to the subject matter and the store is designed to make all of those who wish to shop there feel safe and respected. This philosophy applies not only to the products, but also and per- haps even imore importantly to the staff who work at the store. Karmeisool has four people who work for her and allare trained to make the customers feel as com- fortable as possible. Karmeisool puts a great emphasis on customer care and attention. Whenever a customer enters the store, they are greeted by one of the staff who typically asks icebreakers to make the customers feel welcome and alleviate any tensions they may have. "Our customers truly are friends," she said. Karmeisool says the majority of customers who come in are comfort- able before they walk in the door, but some are not. Any customer who is unsure if he or she will feel com- fortable in the store need not worry, because Karmeisool and her assembling a cornucopia of items- that fit your price range and your. comfort level. With the help of the staff you can create a unique gift to fit one's financial needs. "You don't need to spend a lot of money to enjoy the products,'" Karmeisool said. The store also has many repeat customers, some of whom go on to be employees - Karmeisool currently has two staffers who were customers first. All the employees of the Safe Sex Store are certified in sexual health and education by the Midwest AIDS Prevention Project. The Safe Sex Store's commit- ment to AIDS prevention and awareness extends beyond just training its employees. Part of the' proceeds from every sale the store makes is given to MAPP. The Safe Sex Store will also come to you in its "S3 at home" program. Representatives from the store will come to your home and demonstrate some of the stores most popular items. The sex toy parties are mostly bought by women for girls night out or bache- lorette parties. "We like to keep everything real discreet so as not to offend any- body," Karmeisool said. The store is not just all fun and games though. Karmeisool also holds seminars for sex education for college students. While the sex 4 By Katie Marie Gates Daily Arts Writer For those of us who emerged from the sheltered conformity of suburban high schools, the unique atmosphere and trendy merchandise of Urban Outfitters is a treasure chest beneath the State Theater. Colorful display tables and illuminated lanterns contradict the warehouse-like environment of this Ann Arbor favorite known for its distinctive offerings. Upbeat music rings in the background, making the brightly lit shop welcoming, especiaPy for some browsing between classes. Commended for both men's and women's clothing, Urban also outfits the home back corner, putting discounted material more central, near the check out. Women's merchandise outnumbers men's, showcasing every- thing from bathing suits to vintage looking skirts and a surplus of accessories. Less unique is the simplistic men's section, overrun with hooded sweaters (but, can guys really ever have too many?), button down shirts and a wall of jeans. A rainbow of tennis shoes is available in various styles, and Urban promis- es to even outfit the underwear. While the standard Puma, Adidas, Levis and Calvin Klein fill racks, it is the unique Urban style offered by lesser-known brands that draws students. "The clothes look like they were :