This week I am going to take a stab at an issue that is more important to me than fashion faux pas, more important than hooker pants or socks with sandals. I am talking about being sober and having fun.

Don't get me wrong, I have not changed my name to Graham Spanier. I am concerned about the physical and mental well being of Penn State. Plain and simple, too much alcohol can kill you.

Do you have any idea what some of the long-term effects of alcohol are:

Liver disease

Heart disease

Cancer of the mouth, throat, voice box and breast

Pancreatitis

I know that it's my goal to die with a petrified liver, no breasts, an inflamed pancreas, and a tumor on my voice box. Over 1,400 college students suffer alcohol-related deaths every year. Since we are considered the "future of the world," it is time for students to catch on and realize that drinking is not the end all, be all.

Not every weekend you spend at Penn State should revolve around getting wasted and hugging the toilet bowl. How many more mornings can you wake up wondering how you ended up in your underwear in some random person's apartment and not think that there might be something wrong with your life?

Alcohol is a drain on the brain and the wallet. If I can't convince you to save your brain cells, then just think of how much money you would save by not drinking every night. On average, I believe that most students spend around an average of $20 to $30 on a night at the bars or on junk food. Just think what you could do with that money instead of a 2 a.m. run to Taco Bell.

I am putting out the plea for you to enjoy the arts. So many complain that there is nothing to do in State College, but when some arts really do show up, no one takes advantage of them. There are things in the world more entertaining then the Players Girls.

When is the last time that you went out with friends and can't remember not drinking? If you can't answer this question, then put down the shot of Jaegermeister and listen up.

Become a functioning member of the human race. Learn to use your brainpower for something other than calculating the alcohol content in malt beverages. Take advantage of any arts you possibly can. Also, your support of the arts will help out the community.

This weekend The Next Stage Inc. is putting on productions of The Clearing. This show is a stirring account of the human spirit's struggle for survival in a very dark time. All of the proceeds raised from their Sunday matinee performance at 2 p.m. in the Fairmount Avenue School Auditorium will be given to the Friedman State Theatre Fund.

The funds will help to turn the old State Movie Theatre on College Avenue into a new community theatre.

It will host live jazz and blues performances, small theatre productions and foreign/independent/art films.

No other venue in State College or in the surrounding area can offer this type of cultural enhancement.

Think about future generations of Penn State students.

Think of the poor music selections around the Centre region.

Think of having to watch foreign films in classrooms -- then realize we need to support this theatre.

Please give them your money so State College can gain some culture.

There are several other events happening this weekend that you could spend your money on instead of beer. This weekend is the annual Movin' On concert, which I am sure many of you would love to attend.

Jimmy Eat World will be headlining the night and there are plenty of other great bands to enjoy. Groups like Elbow, The Pharcyde, Lucky Boy's Confusion and Pete Yorn will be jamming and giving students a much needed alcohol free way to unwind before the stress of finals week commences.

If you are looking for something a bit more classical than Movin' On, The Emerson String Quartet will be performing at Schwab Eisenhower Auditorium on Saturday night.

Perhaps theatre is more what you crave. The show Angels of America will be staged at the Pavilion Theatre all weekend long. Also, the No Refund Theatre will be putting on a performance of Three Tall Women in the Forum Building -- their shows will not put a strain on the wallet because they are all free.

Students can also visit the Atherton courtyard next to the HUB-Robeson Center today and Sunday for a viewing of A Midsummer Night's Dream by the Schreyer Honors College.

I believe that it is quite apparent to anyone who can think for him or herself that there are plenty of events this weekend to take up your time and money other than the bars.

Instead of waking up Sunday morning with a monstrous hangover, you can wake up with the feeling that you supported the arts and enriched your life at the same time.

Do not spend the bulk of your college career in the bottom of a beer mug. Take this precious time in your life to appreciate your body, mind and the arts.