SHOP `TILL YOU DROP

Attention Cambridge shoppers: blue-light specials abound--if you're willing to look around.

And, summer school students, now that you've got your room key and ID card, it's the perfect time to haul in the goods, making your palatial suite worthy of summer study.

If you're in the market for $9 pens, "I Love Cambridge" mugs and a staggering assortment of Harvard paraphenalia from sweatshirts to baby bottles, hit the Coop (rhymes with "poop" not "no top.")

The Coop has eliminated their housewares section, so you'll have to be overcharged for a fan elsewhere.

Consider, then, CVS (the bigger one, close to Store 24). You may want to start with toiletries since the price is right for tissues, soap, shampoo, sunscreen and (let's not forget) deodorant. And they do have fans ($15 and up).

Bargain hunters can pick up a lamp (top floor, all the way in the back), a trash can and a small fan--for a total of less than $25--at Dickson Brothers on JFK St.

For your stationery and school supplies, try Bob Slate on Church Street although CVS will certainly do. Definitely check out Buck-A-Book on JFK St. if you're in need of inexpensive birthday cards (2 for $1) for friends and relatives. It's a hidden gem of the Square.

For great gifts for new chums (or for yourself), explore the area's numerous music stores. Tower Records and HMV, the two music megastores of Harvard square, offer frequent bargains and a wide selection. In Your Ear, located on Mt. Auburn St., is an elusive haven for used music at affordable prices. And if you have a VCR, don't forget Video-Pros in The Garage--great selection, convenient location and reasonable rates.

If you're in the mood for summer reading (and Widener Library's tower of books seems too daunting), you've come to the right city; Cambridge is the proud home to dozens of eclectic bookstores. For the best variety, try either Wordsworth or the Harvard Bookstore (used books in the basement for 50percent off), although the specialty bookshops,like the Grolier Poetry Bookstore on Plympton St.,are also worth exploring.

And if you can brave the stacks of the Collegelibraries, go for it. The books there are free forthe taking--er--borrowing.

Renting appliances may be an option ofconvenience, especially if you don't want to lug anewly-bought refrigerator or bulky fan back to thehomestead once Aug. 15 rolls around. Check out theHarvard Student Agencies (HSA) Campus Store. HSAoffers deals for renting tall 30" fans ($15 plus$15 deposit), refrigerators ($55 plus $35deposit), microfridges ($105 plus $50 deposit),televisions and telephones. The Campus Store alsosells lamps ($9 and up), helpful for brighteninggloomy Yard accommodations.

Then, to cover up your bare walls, stop off atPix Poster Cellar (elusively located on the secondfloor of 1105 Mass. Ave.) and find some artsyprints. Newbury Comics on JFK St. is anotherposter palace.

And if you're desperately seeking clothes, lookno further than the Square. Between UrbanOutfitters, Structure and The Gap, you won't gonaked this summer (unless, of course, you're intothat). Frequent CitySports for athletic gear; theyoften offer spectacular sales on sneakers,t-shirts and rollerblades.

It's Worth the $1.70

Take the T to Porter Square and get thee toStar Market. Christy's on JFK Street and theBroadway Market on Broadway may be closer to theYard, but nothing can compare to Star Market'sselection and prices on food.

Once at Star, stop and fill out the applicationfor their free Advantage Card, entitling you toconsiderable discounts. Besides the freedom ofchoice--aisles of snack foods, cereals and icecream--Star Market features a 12-pack of Coca-Colafor $2.50. 'Nuff said.

Porter Square also boasts Boston Bed and Bath,where you can pick up a compact summer foldingchair for under $15, perfect for those balmy daysin the Yard. For those with less stringentbudgets, Pier I Imports is located just upstairs.

For the even more adventurous, try theCambridgeside Galleria (T: Lechmere on the GreenLine or #69 bus), your mall away from home. Spendhours browsing through over 90 stores, and escapeAnnenberg's monotony with a food court worthy ofvariety-lovers.

With a little persistence and comparisonshopping, your room will be inexpensively packedwith all of the comforts of home. Just do yourselfa favor and don't start purchasing lava lamps andloveseats, no matter how good of a deal you find.After all, you're only here for eight weeks

And if you can brave the stacks of the Collegelibraries, go for it. The books there are free forthe taking--er--borrowing.

Renting appliances may be an option ofconvenience, especially if you don't want to lug anewly-bought refrigerator or bulky fan back to thehomestead once Aug. 15 rolls around. Check out theHarvard Student Agencies (HSA) Campus Store. HSAoffers deals for renting tall 30" fans ($15 plus$15 deposit), refrigerators ($55 plus $35deposit), microfridges ($105 plus $50 deposit),televisions and telephones. The Campus Store alsosells lamps ($9 and up), helpful for brighteninggloomy Yard accommodations.

Then, to cover up your bare walls, stop off atPix Poster Cellar (elusively located on the secondfloor of 1105 Mass. Ave.) and find some artsyprints. Newbury Comics on JFK St. is anotherposter palace.

And if you're desperately seeking clothes, lookno further than the Square. Between UrbanOutfitters, Structure and The Gap, you won't gonaked this summer (unless, of course, you're intothat). Frequent CitySports for athletic gear; theyoften offer spectacular sales on sneakers,t-shirts and rollerblades.

It's Worth the $1.70

Take the T to Porter Square and get thee toStar Market. Christy's on JFK Street and theBroadway Market on Broadway may be closer to theYard, but nothing can compare to Star Market'sselection and prices on food.

Once at Star, stop and fill out the applicationfor their free Advantage Card, entitling you toconsiderable discounts. Besides the freedom ofchoice--aisles of snack foods, cereals and icecream--Star Market features a 12-pack of Coca-Colafor $2.50. 'Nuff said.

Porter Square also boasts Boston Bed and Bath,where you can pick up a compact summer foldingchair for under $15, perfect for those balmy daysin the Yard. For those with less stringentbudgets, Pier I Imports is located just upstairs.

For the even more adventurous, try theCambridgeside Galleria (T: Lechmere on the GreenLine or #69 bus), your mall away from home. Spendhours browsing through over 90 stores, and escapeAnnenberg's monotony with a food court worthy ofvariety-lovers.

With a little persistence and comparisonshopping, your room will be inexpensively packedwith all of the comforts of home. Just do yourselfa favor and don't start purchasing lava lamps andloveseats, no matter how good of a deal you find.After all, you're only here for eight weeks