Many Reasons to Get Out and Start Tonight
January has a habit of closing in.
The days are shorter. The cold makes staying home feel logical. Screens quietly take over nights that once held plans. Before long, “we should get out more” becomes something we say instead of something we do.
You do not need a big plan. Just one night. Then maybe another.
Below are a few good places to start.
This AI Thing Is Not a Trend. It Is an Inflection Point in Human History.
We are living through one of the rare moments when the future bends in real time.
Artificial intelligence is not just changing tools or jobs. It is changing how nations think, how economies move, how knowledge spreads, and how people relate to one another. The most enlightened voices in the world are openly sharing ideas, warnings, hopes, and possibilities because the stakes are that high.
And yet, here is the quiet truth.
Big ideas still need small rooms.
From Renters to Owners: Restoring the Pathways That Make a Town Ours
A diagnostic look at why interdependence faded and why community ownership is quietly returning.
A Capable Town with a Hidden Gap
State College is a well-run, affluent, and highly capable college town. Emergencies are handled swiftly. Services are accessible. Institutions respond when needed. By conventional standards, the system performs well.
And yet, many residents quietly feel like renters in their own hometown rather than owners.
That feeling is not imagined. It is structural.
A Few Good Nights Are Waiting
Some weeks quietly offer a lot. Not the kind of busy that asks for effort, but the kind where a few doors are open and you can wander in, stay awhile, and leave feeling warmer than when you arrived.
Nothing here demands commitment. It’s all simply available, good music, good conversation, good room energy, if you feel like stepping out.
Hockey for Everyone: The Power of Partnership Between Penn State Varsity Hockey and the State College Coyotes
On January 18, 2026, Hockey Valley will once again host one of its most meaningful events, the 4th Annual Sled Hockey Classic. More than a game, the Classic has become the primary fundraiser for the State College Coyotes sled hockey team and a powerful symbol of what happens when able-bodied and adaptive athletes come together with a shared love of sport.
What to See, Do and Experience in Happy Valley
It is December 10. Finals are wrapping up. Lights are twinkling across Centre County. The energy in Happy Valley feels both nostalgic and electric. Whether you are a student squeezing in winter memories before heading home, a local building traditions or family returning for the holidays, this is one of the best weeks of the year to get out and enjoy the region.
With so much happening, it helps to have a curated list. Here are some of the best picks this week and next, the experiences worth bundling up for.
Christmas in Philipsburg is Epic
A billboard on the western edge of Philipsburg greets Route 322 motorists with a photo of Santa Claus exiting a bright yellow helicopter. The message above it: “Christmas in Philipsburg is Epic!”
Situated on the banks of the Moshannon Creek, Philipsburg is unlike any other town in Centre County. It’s an old coal town that still mines some coal. It’s a working-class town that’s still a little scrappy. It’s a town of deep history and immense heart. And it’s definitely a town of characters.
And so goes Philipsburg’s Christmas celebration.
December in Happy Valley: Your Guide to the Best Events of the Season
As the semester winds down, it’s the perfect moment to step outside, connect with friends, and enjoy what’s happening around Happy Valley. From live music and holiday traditions to theatre, sports, and New Year’s celebrations, December is packed with can’t-miss moments that showcase the warmth, creativity, and heartbeat of our region.
Hallmark Moments Await: Shop Small, Shop Local, Celebrate Downtown
Downtown State College is alive with excitement, and the holiday spirit fills the air. Lights twinkle spectacularly along Allen Street and beyond, creating Hallmark-style magic you cannot replicate with an app. It’s a feeling only those who come can experience.
