Tim C.

Sunrise Cinemas At Mizner Park

Tired of standing in the Muvico lines with a million teenagers all screaming in your ears? Want to taste some of the best buttered popcorn out there? Well, then Mizner Park Cinemas (part of www.sunrisecinemas.com) is the theater for you. It may only have 8 screens, but the shows never sell out and you are bound to always find a good seat at the theater. Their prices are reasonable and their service is great. They even do Indy films on various Sundays during the month!

Located on the first/second floor of Mizner Park, this theater is ideal for those trying to avoid the mass-marketing, gigantic lines offered at other cineplexes and offers an older, more authentic movie theater experience. Oh yeah, and its popcorn has been voted one of the best in South Florida movie theaters!

House Of Our Own

Hidden within Frat Row (or one of many on Penn's campus) is this quaint little two story building converted into a local bookstore. The store itself caters to many classes at Penn but is in itself a treat for anyone looking for a rare book find. The bookstore carries many hard to find books and the service is amazing. The people are very knowledgeable and the books are priced just right (and certainly cheaper than the giant mass-marketed Penn Bookstore).

Barrier Reef

This aquatic animals pet store has it all: fish, turtles, tanks, tank accessories, food, decorations, etc. The prices are fair, though certainly not cheap. They have an extensive collection of tanks available for purchase and customization. They have various fish and a limited amount of reptiles for purchase. They also sell live coral. Their selection of filters, however, is limited. In my experiene buying turtles, fish, and turtle food, they always have had what I was looking for in stock and at a fair--though not cheap--price.

The people are fairly friendly and very knowledgeable. You tell them what you are looking for and they are sure to find it. Their hours are limited but then again, they are a specialty store. Considering the fact that there are not many other stores in the area that sell fish and reptiles, they can set their hours and prices at will.

Victoria Maribell DDS

I've been going to Maribell since 1990. Since then, she has easily fixed over four root canals and ten cavities. She always makes room in her schedule to see me, even on an emergency and she always treats me professionally. Her schedule is packed and there's always a line outside. But aside from the wait time (which can be long) and the poor location (traffic is terrible and its almost impossible to find parking by the building), the people are friendly, bilingual, and very professional. Her prices are extremely fair; most root canals will cost you $600 and cavity fillings will be priced around $80. Cleanings are about $70.00.

Ms. Maribell is a sole practicioner with approximately 2 assistants and one receptionist. Wait time is approximately 1 hour or less (depending on the time of the day). She is open from 9-5 on Monday and Tuesday and from 11-7 from Wednesday through Friday. She is not open on the weekends. The entire office is fully fluent in Spanish. The office is nearby the Miami Airport and easily accessible from most highways.

Smithdeal & Barry Financial

Ever watched on Sunday morning a show called "Talk Money"? Remember seeing two guys named "Barry"? Well, those are the owners and founders of Barry Financial Group. This Group specializes in Mutual Funds for people seeking to invest in equities for the long term; their clients usually are investing over $500,000 and usually are seeking to retire or have retired already. Their investment strategy requires a commitment of 5-7 years and does not seek to balance portfolio's with bonds. Instead, cash flow/dividents is created through the sale of equities. Definitely not for the small investor, however.

Campus Shipping Ctr

Although they are almost next door to the big chain copy-center (ahem, Kinko), this local copy center is a great place to go for people who are knowledgeable and personable. The guys here really know what they are doing and they'll help you in any way possible (without charging you for their knowledge by the second). They specially in printing, design, creation, shipping and office supplies.

Their prices are less expensive than the local Kinko though their hours are not as flexible as that of Kinko's. Most Penn professors have their bulkpacks created and ready for pickup at this location; be forewarned that these bulkpacks can be picked up for a less expensive price at the Engineering copy center within Penn though.

Cinemagic At Penn Inc

I tend to support local movie theaters. They tend to have a more personal feeling and give you a better movie-theater experience. Unfortunately, Cinemagic tends to be the exception. Their seats are usually broken, their food selection is poor, their screens are often scratched or out-of-focus, and the floor (ugh) is always sticky and dirty. Once, they even closed the entire four rows of one of their theaters because of flooding. In fact, one of my friends to this day swears he saw a mouse running through the aisle.

Aside from their poor condition, their customer service is terrible. More often than not, you will see a gigantic line of people waiting to go inside. This line is never regulated and tends to make the waiting area of the theater hot and stuffy. Their selection is limited as they only have three screens and the movies they show often are limited to black comedies.

Overall, this theater is a disgrace and should only be resorted to as the last possible alternative.

Pennsylvania Book Ctr

A lot of Penn professors (in the liberal and social sciences) avoid ordering their books from the Official Barnes and Nobles bookstore and order their books here at the Penn Book Center. Why? Because they believe they are getting students a discount. The prices found at this store, however, are not cheaper. Moreover, they only order a limited quantity, so if you are not first in line, its likely you will not get the books for your class in time for the first class's reading.

Aside from textbooks, this store also sells books to the public. Their selection is small and their prices are average. The best reason to go to Penn Book Center is for their sidewalk sales. Every so often, they'll put some tables outside with bins full of books and sell random gems for as low as $0.99. So, if you are on your way to the law school or about to grab a bubble tea, stop by Penn Book Center and check out their sales bin!

Also, beware, they are VERY strict on their return policies.

PROS: Sometimes a discount.
CONS: The return polices.

Ifergan Salon

You need a hair cut? Coloring? Highlights? How about a full body massage? Waxing? Facials? Full-body facials? Chocolate-flavored Body Treatments? Nails? Pedicures? Spa treatments? Ifergan has it all. You go in to get your hair-cut and you'll leave with potential your hair colors, your nails done and an appointment next week to get a facial and a full-body auromatic treatment. The people there are incredibly friendly, professionaly and will pamper you to your heart's desire.

PROS: Full body massages!
CONS: Have to make an appointment.

Laser Quest

Ever wanted to shoot your husband? your boyfriend? your little brother? AND get away with it? Well, now's your chance. At Laser Quest, you will find a giant room where you can run around and shoot your friends and loved-ones. You heard me right, with the right padding, gun and helmet, you'll be allowed to run and shoot everyone around you. And after you get bored laser tagging, you can always step outside to their arcade. In their arcade, you'll find some old games and laser hockey (which is my personal favorite).

Aside from something different to do with your date (aside from going to dinner and a movie), you can also host birthday parties at Laser Quest. Not only can everyone have their own laser-shooting game, but they also have birthday rooms where you can eat pizza and blow the candles on the cake.

The place is mainly run by high school kids and feels a bit run-down but for the prize, its definitely worth checking out. Parking nor waitlines are never a problem.

PROS: Fun shooting friends.
CONS: Staff sucks.