• Home
• News
  • News Briefs
• Arts & Entertainment
• Sports
• Opinion
• Multimedia
  • Video
  • Galleries
  • Interactive
• Blog

Beauty on a budget

The slumping economy shows no signs of letting up. Even the most committed “fashionistas” are considering ways to trim spending. That’s OK. You can keep your look, and your money.

“Style goes beyond fashion and beauty products,” says personal style expert Bobbie Thomas, who often appears on the “Today” show. “You can be stylish without spending a dollar.”

Here are five ways to pamper yourself while saving cash and maintaining your personal style.

1. Shop for beauty products in your kitchen.

Olive oil, essential oils, sugar and salt are just a few ingredients that do double duty.

2. Do your own manicures and pedicures.

It is surprisingly easy to create a relaxing, spa-like setting at home. Light some candles, grab a trashy magazine, a beverage of your choice, and relax. Let your totties soak while you catch up on the latest celebrity gossip.

3. Get your hair cut at a beauty/barber college.

All stylists have to start somewhere, and for many, that is beauty school. Places such as the Aveda Institute and Paul Mitchell are full service salons with great deals.

4. Shop smarter.

You needn’t deny yourself designer goods, just refocus your search, says expert Thomas. Stores such as TJ Maxx and Marshall’s can be packed with designer gear from previous seasons at discounted prices.

5. Pamper less often.

The quickest way to cut back on your grooming services budget is to increase time between appointments.

Don’t think it makes a difference? Check the math.

By Rachel Sutherland / McClatchy Tribune

Bulldog Game Day

No. 25 Fresno State Bulldogs at Rutgers Scarlet Knights

TELEVISION: ESPN (COMCAST CHANNEL 32)
RADIO: KMJ-AM 580 AND KGST-AM 1600 (ESPN DEPORTES)

Breakdown: Bulldogs

Fresno State has had a busy offseason, including the hiring of new offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier and a preseason top 25 ranking.

The nationally televised matchup with the Scarlet Knights will be the Bulldogs’ first opportunity to prove they belong in the Bowl Championship Series (BCS).

The Bulldogs return 10 starters on the offensive side of the ball and will be able to put points on the scoreboard on every team on their schedule, including Rutgers.

The key to the Bulldogs’ offensive success in the past has been the ability of the team to create mismatches and get athletes out in space.

Tight end Bear Pascoe will play a big part in the offensive success, since there is no way to cover him in the passing game and he is essentially another offensive linemen when the Bulldogs run.

The defense returns six starters from 2007 and will have to rely on the experienced secondary to lead the unit.

Junior safety Moses Harris will have to step up and give the defense something to be confident about early.

The Bulldogs will be put to the test in this matchup against Rutgers and can’t overlook the Scarlet Knights.

Breakdown: Scarlet Knights

The Rutgers Scarlet Knights are coming into the 2008 season after what some might call an “underperforming” showing last season.

After an 8-5 season, including a 3-4 record in Big East play last year, the Scarlet Knights are looking to get back into the top 25.

Running coach Greg Shiano’s offense is fifth-year senior quarterback Mike Teel. He will need to step up the passing game this season to fill the void left by three-year starting tailback Ray Rice.

Rice was Rutgers’ main source of offense for the past three seasons.

Easing the burden for Teel are junior Kenny Britt and senior Tiquan Underwood.

Both are explosive playmakers and each had over 1,000 yards receiving and seven scores.
Rutgers returns eight out of 11 players from last season on defense.

Leading the pack is safety Courtney Greene, who led the team with 101 tackles last season and was a second team all-conference selection.

Linebacker Kevin Malast is another force to be reckoned with on defense. He was 14th in the Big East with 92 tackles last season.

No doubt about it, Rutgers will be playing with a chip on its shoulder in the season opener and Fresno State won’t be sneaking up on anybody.

Gridiron glimpse in the Garden State

Rutgers Player to Watch:
Tiquan Underwood, Receiver

2007 Record: 8-5 overall, 3-4 Big East.

2007 Bowl Game: Beat Ball State 52-30 in International Bowl.
Head coach: Greg Shiano (Eighth season, 38-46)

Offense: Pro-Set

Defense: 4-3

Key players: QB Mike Teel, WR Kenny Britt, RB Mason Robinson, SS Courtney Greene, LB Kevin Malast

Series record: This is Fresno State’s first meeting with Rutgers and first time facing off against a Big East team.

Point Spread: Rutgers is favored by five points.

Keys to Victory

1. Establish the ground game early and often.
The Fresno State offense has always been centered on a strong running attack and 2008 will be no different.

2. No “Home Run Balls”.
Giving up points is inevitable, but the key is to avoid the big, downfield pass. Plays like that can devastate a defense, especially in the first game of the season.

3. Keep composure in hostile environment.
Rutgers Stadium can be intimidating and Monday’s contest is sold out. Fans will be loud on Labor Day.

Position Matchups

Fresno State Player to Watch:
Ryan Mathews, Tailback

When Fresno State runs:
Advantage – Fresno State
With a solid core of three tailbacks anchoring the backfield, the Bulldogs will be hard to stop, especially when they have seniors Bobby Lepori and Cole Popovich opening holes for them.

When Rutgers runs:
Advantage – Fresno State
With Ray Rice gone, the Scarlet Knights will have a tough time getting the ground game started with unproven tailback Mason Robinson.

When Fresno State passes:
Advantage – Fresno State
With weapons all over the field the most difficult decision for quarterback Tom Brandstater will be deciding who he wants to throw the ball to.

When Rutgers passes:
Advantage – Rutgers
The Scarlet Knights boast two Biletnikoff award nominees at receiver in Tiquan Underwood and Kenny Britt. Both of them had over 1,000 yards receiving last year.

Special teams:
Advantage – Rutgers
Fresno State has a new kicker and punter this season. Home teams usually hold the advantage here.

By Jimmy Graben and Logan Hopkins

Sean McManus brings winning resume to Valley

Track and field coach Scott Winsor announced the hiring of Sean McManus to take over the head coaching position for cross country and distance assistant for track and field.

“Sean is one of the best young distance coaches in the country and will help our program both athletically and academically,” Winsor said.

McManus joins the Bulldogs after spending three seasons as an assistant coach for Florida State University (FSU). While at FSU, McManus assisted coach Bob Braman, coaching the cross country teams as well as working with the distance runners in track and field. McManus played a key role in helping guide the Seminoles men’s track and field team to three consecutive NCAA Championships in 2006-2008, and six Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Championships.

Not only did he guide the men to a number of successful seasons, but also assisted in the women’s top 25 finishes at the NCAA Championships. During his stay at FSU, McManus’ athletes earned a variety of honors, including three NCAA individual titles, 22 ACC individual championships and 19 All-American accolades.

“I always come in with high expectations,” McManus said. “I hope we improve with each meet and have success both individually and as a team.”

McManus’ high expectations seem realistic as success has followed him everywhere he has gone. Prior to FSU, McManus was an assistant cross country and track coach at Notre Dame from 2001-2005.

McManus was vital in recruiting great athletes who were also great in the classroom.

“I feel it is important to have athletes who bring something more to the table than just their talent on the track,” McManus said.

During his time at Notre Dame, McManus coached 25 All-Americans, 64 All-Big East and 22 All-Great Lakes Region honors, as well as four Academic All-Americans. He helped produce 13 individual Big East champions and two Big East Athletes of the Year.

McManus is no stranger to the NCAA Championships scene as he has helped men’s and women’s cross country squads to multiple appearances. During McManus’ tenure he was also a part of a Notre Dame staff that earned two Big East Coaching Staff of the Year honors.

In addition, McManus served as a volunteer assistant at the University of Florida in 2002-2003 where he assisted the men’s and women’s cross country and distance programs. His resume grew as he helped produce six All-Southeastern Conference, five All-South Region, one All-American and one Academic All-District award winner. “For people who don’t know me, I’m a coach that cares both on and off the field about each individual,” McManus said.

McManus attended Notre Dame from 1996 to 2001 where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering. He competed four years in cross country and track. While running for the Irish, he helped his cross country team to four top-12 team finishes at the NCAA Championships.