This weekend marks the return of the Thin Line Film Fest. The Film Fest is an all documentary festival with film entries across the world. A unique feature of this Texas film fest, besides being the only all-documentary festival in Texas, is the entries to the festival are not required to be nonfiction. In fact, in many of the films, there is a thin line between nonfiction and fiction; you are left to decipher the truth.

By changing the event to late September rather than Labor Day, I think there will be a much better turn out this year. I hope that people will recognize not just the value of the films, but the value of where these films are shown. The main locations for the event will be the over-100-year-old Fine Arts Theater and the near-100-year-old Campus Theater, both of which are located on the historic downtown Denton square and have long since been retired from showing movies -- this is a rare opportunity to see a movie in these two historic old theaters.

Though the fest actually began last night, there are still many shows tonight, all day tomorrow and all day Sunday, as well as great workshops all day Saturday and Sunday. If you have eight bucks and two hours, please check this event out. If nothing else, check out the schedule: http://www.thinlinefilmfest.com/.

Will Hua is a doctoral student at North Texas and has created a great resource for some highlights in and around Denton. This information he distributes to all new students at UNT.

Tip #1 - Visit Something Weird

· The Place to Bury Secret Society Members I.O.O.F. Cemetery
What's weird: The fact that I.O.O.F. stands for the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, a national private group of men from small towns. Many of them are buried here! Many tombstones have the Masonic symbol on it; it is a creepier-than-normal cemetery. On top of that, there are several large stones around Denton that have the I.O.O.F. symbols on them... but who knows what they mean?

· Tie the Knot in Denton, Tx without Spurs TWU - Little Chapel in the Woods
The Texas Woman's University has a beautiful campus, but there is one area that is particularly awesome. Towards the edge of the campus there is a garden with a small chapel nearby. This chapel was actually designed by TWU students and dedicated to Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt. If you want to have a wedding before an Ignite show, this is the place.

· Local Animal Life for the BraveGoatman's Bridge
There's a tale about a man who is half goat. He owns a bridge off Teasley Ln...If you visit it at night, chances are you'll be scared s***less (ahem, that was 'selfless' for the kiddos.) Old bridge, imminent death...bring your sweetie to hold on tight : DDirections:Exit Teasley Ln. from I-35, and go west away from the 7-Eleven.You'll pass Eureka park and eventually reach a CVS:Turn right at this CVS, onto Teasley Ln/2181.Drive a looong way down until you pass Guyer High School.Turn right on Old Alton Rd.

· A Ghost Tale for UNT students
If you stay in Bruce Hall at UNT, you're a brave person! It is haunted by the ghosts Wanda and Boiler Room Bill. These two ghouls create some disturbances for the residents at this hall. If you have time for a little tale, below there is a link to an article in the North Texan, the school paper.

· Because New Books Cost $25
Recycled Books, Records, & CDsThis is the treasure cove for book nerds with small wallets. 3 levels of used books, shelves and shelves of DVDS and CDS and VINYL (HOLY GOD THEY HAVE VINYL!). Off the square, this place is a lifesaver. PLUS it has one of the largest theater book sections known to man.

· Rent Your Own Planetarium
The UNT Sky Theater offers original productions about our galaxy. The pollution haze and ambient light might prevent you from looking at real stars, but at the low, low price of $150.00 (75.00 weekdays) you can rent the entire theater for your own posse. If it were me with $150.00 to blow, I would use it as a date idea. Just imagine it: A large empty theater with just you, your sweet, the stars, and the projection operator.

· Learn more about Ignite Theatre Company
Get ready for a new kind of theatre company. 1, see shows unlike anything you've seen before. 2, real dialogue between you and our artists. 3, student discounts for the artistically hungry.(and financially empty)


Tip #2 - Get Some Grub at a Denton Restaurant

· Ferra's (Bari’s) A quaint house that serves delicious Italian favorites at affordable prices. Great atmosphere, a little romantic, very nice. I recommend the huge Calzones!

· SweetWater I enjoy a Guacamole Burger with a big Margarita, but you can order anything from Fried Pickles to Tex Mex. If you're thirsty for some sweetwater, their bartenders will take excellent care of you so you can take care of yourself .

· Fuzzy's Tacos Most people used to drive all the way down to TCU to enjoy Fuzzy's fish tacos and awesome burritos. Folks, we know people love Chipotle. I love Chipotle, too. But Fuzzy's has a larger selection and is a formidable foe. Go enjoy the food at Fuzzy's. Ok, it's been said before, so sorry; if you leave hungry, it's your own damn fault.

· Art Six Coffeehouse We're particularly fond of the guys at Art Six. Why? 2 of the founders Tommy and Olivia were theater majors! Art Six is the home to several live performances; several local artists get their works placed on the walls of Art Six; and most importantly they serve extremely awesome coffee that you can't find anywhere else. (they the "better than sex" latte, it comes very, very, close...)

· Rudy's BBQ It's not the only Rudy's in Texas, so I guess it's not exactly the most unique place, but it has the best BBQ ever! Plus it's a gas station and the meat is slowly cooked and fatty. YUM! Though, y'all can order lean!

· The Greenhouse Vegetarians, the mothership has arrived! Even meat lovers can love the vegetarian selections at the Greenhouse. PLUS they do serve meat, so don't rush to Rudy's BBQ just yet! The Chef at the Greenhouse also likes to create experimental dishes that you won't find anywhere else! Don't forget to take shots over a conversation about Global Warming at their full service bar! Truly a remarkable place!

· El Matador's MARGARITAS!! CHEAP CHEAP MARGARITAS!!! Great place where there are ads on the tables, the food is very affordable and very quick for the uber hungry! That's cool, but not as cool as CHEAP MARGARITAS!!!

· J&J's Pizza How could we forget J&J's!!! (Much love, Scarlett.) I used to be a big fan of The Tomato before it burned down in arson crime. I quickly learned about a place called J&J's, and it easily beats out Joey's, Ferra's, and even the Olive Branch!

· Hannah's Off the Square This is our favorite fancy place in Denton. If you have an expensive taste, feed it at Hannah's. Plates range from $20 - $30. It's steep, but it's one of the only places with fine dining from a celebrated chef. Enjoy this gem!

· Sweet Basil This is a great place that serves high end Thai food in a cozy atmosphere. If your tongue can take the heat, try their spiciest menu items. It might impress your date, but I'm going to go out on a limb and say your breath won't.

· Master Grill Come hungry, come loaded. At roughly $30 a person, you can eat delicious cuts of meat, Brazilian style! Great waiters, romantic atmosphere: this is a wonderful gem in Denton.

· Mazatlan Restaurant 1928 N Ruddell St, Denton, TX 76209 Folks who haven't stopped by this long-time, university-area staple since the Carter administration will find that Mazatlan has changed little over the years. In fact, bare walls, beer signs, and a gravel parking lot look like they always have. Fortunately for the loyal clientele, authentic Mexican fare hasn't changed much either - it's still as delicious as always. Familiar favorites like enchiladas, flautas, and huevos rancheros highlight the menu, and all are prepared using the freshest ingredients.

· Beth Marie's Old Fashioned Ice Cream and Soda Fountain 117 W Hickory St, Denton, TX 76201 A perfect place to sate your sweet tooth, this old timey ice cream parlor and sandwich shop features more than 60 scoopables - all homemade - to go along with other usual suspects: waffle cones, sundaes, splits, shakes, and malts. The place dresses for the part with cafe tables, black-and-white tiled floors, a circa-1939 jukebox, and a long wooden lunch counter. In addition to sweets, Beth Marie's serves tasty sandwiches, soups, stuffed baked potatoes, and hot dogs.

· Ruby's Diner on the Square 111 N Elm St, Denton, TX 76201 When you're in search of home-cooked fare, this eatery on the historic town square serves it in a casual, neighborly setting. A local fave, Ruby's is generally packed for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Area business types saddle up beside cowboy hat-wearing old-timers and enjoy chicken-fried steak, catfish dinners, and seasoned pork chops.

· Denton County Independent Hamburger Company 113 W Hickory St, Denton, TX 76201 If Denton has a legend in the food department, this locally-owned burger joint must be it. Specializing in custom-made burgers for any taste or appetite, Denton County rarely fails to draw raves from patrons. Menu highlights include basic, cheddar-covered monsters, as well as inventive offerings topped with chili or hickory sauce. And, of course, no burger is complete without an order of ever-popular fries - unpeeled and salted to perfection.

Tip #3 - Do something Free in Denton

· Thursday Night Twilight Tunes on the Square Because UNT has the no. 1 jazz program in America, Denton is considered a music haven. That's why the town folk decided to offer free concerts over the summer season. EVERY Thursday you can see a FREE concert .

· Culture Yourself The Greater Denton Arts Council knows the lowdown on some free events. It's everything from free museum exhibits to free classes about knitting. Go to the GDAC website below. If it doesn't have a $ by the description, no moolah required!

· Eureka Park, a park to just chill (Also known as the South Lakes Park.) It's surprising that some UNT and TWU students don't know about Eureka Park. It's a perfect place to jog, play some tennis or basketball, have a picnic, and even fish...Yup, you can fish at Eureka Park so long as you free the fish. Also, feel free to play in wooden playground. Some friends and I came late one night to have a water balloon war in that playground.

· North Lakes Park, a park for the athletic This is the mother load of all athletes. If you're not playing soccer on UNT's open field, you should be down here at one of their 9 soccer fields! Rugby and Softball players can also find some space here! And their one mile trail is perfect for biking!

· The North Texas Greenbelt Highway 380, Denton This is a beautiful State Park wilderness area with about 10 miles of trails through the forest for walking, biking, horeback riding, and kayaking. It is just on the outskirts of Denton proper.While hiking on the long trail, you may encounter some of the many animals and birds that inhabit the area. We often have seen deer, owls, hawks, and many other local birds. We also enjoy bike riding on the trail as well.

Tip #4 - Rock Out to Your Local Indie Darlings

You don't really get Denton's music scene until you've heard an up-and-coming band in one of Denton's major party houses.

· House of Tinnitus If your eardrums long for static crunches, this is the home of experimental music in DTOWN. They don't have a huge schedule, so frequently check their MySpace.

· SlutbangerNow, we've got two conflicting reports on this...some say that Slutbanger has been closed for good because of too much vandalism and drugs...but it might still be housing parties. If you're not really into hardcore partying, this is probably not your scene. 1729 Scripture Street

· Fra House For you indie lovers, the Fra House is down the street from Strawberry Fields. This is a place you'll usually find indie veterans like Shiny Around the Edges and The Baptist Generals.2127 W. Oak St.

Tip #5 - Get Trashed at a Local Bar

· The Loophole Best Drink Special:$1 domestic draft Mondays

· Hooligans Best Drink Specials:$1 Shiner drafts Tuesdays$2.50 Wells Wednesdays

· SweetWater Great prices on drinks, amazing Margarita's. (18+ bar.)

· The Drink If you're older than 28, you will probably look out of place. This is a hot spot on the famous Fry Street. Awesome dive!

· Beer Barn The beer barn has a drive thru. This is probably a bad idea, but it's perfect for a quick beer run. But don't drink and drive, just because you bought beer from a barn does not mean you should act like an idiot. We're still waiting for someone to sell beer from a pickup truck.

· Cool Beans Great rooftop space to eat, drink, and stare at the courthouse...the food is awesome with a mix of bar food and vegetarian-friendly stuff. Best Drink Specials$2.00 Wells Tuesdays & Saturdays$5.00 Double Captain Morgan's Rum Thursdays

· Rubber Gloves Great live bands at this joint. If you're into the music scene, you've heard of Rubber Gloves before! It has great recording studios in the same building. Get your drink on, then listen to some music. Sweet.

· R Bar A Dive is a DIVE, and that's ok. This is a no frill place for you to chug down your Natty Lights. Parking is sparse, but that's only because it's popular.Best Drink Specials:$1.75 Wells Mondays (plus BEER PONG!)$.50 Wells and $1.50 Longnecks Sundays$3 Long Island Iced Teas Every Night!

· Eskimo Hut When it's hot, come down to the Eskimo Hut to get some alcoholic SNOW CONES! BRILLIANT I LOVE IT! Nothing like it to beat off the heat.

· Wine x Wine Denton actually has a few places that will offer you a great selection of wine. Wine 2 beats them all by being the classiest and trendiest. You can also become a oenophile by taking one of their affordable wine courses. Go there, get some Merlot, enjoy your night : D

Museums & Displays

· The Bayless-Selby House Museum
Samuel A. Bayless and his wife, Mollie, came from Monroe County, Tennessee. Samuel purchased a two-roomed farmhouse, located at what we now know as 1301 Myrtle Street, Denton in 1884. That farmhouse is the one-story part of the museum. Samuel contracted to construct the two-story part of the house in 1898. It is in a very popular style from the late 19th century known as Queen Anne. Samuel died in 1919, and Mrs. Bayless chose not to continue to live in the house. Instead, she arranged with a neighboring nursery man, Mr. R. L. Selby, Sr. to exchange houses with her, and she and her family moved out of the house to enable the Selby family to move in on Thanksgiving Day. The museum hosts many historical displays, as well as lectures, classes and other events throughout the year.Location: 317 W. Mulberry Street, DentonMuseum Hours: Tues-Sat 10 - Noon & 1 - 3 p.m.Admission: Free (Most lectures and classes charge a modest fee)

· Denton County African American Museum
Location: 317 West Mulberry, Denton, TX 76201 Museum Hours: To Be Announced

· Courthouse-on-the-Square Museum
Museum archives and the Denton County Historical Commission records are available on the first floor of the Courthouse-on-the-Square. The Historical Commission maintains a continuing record of all cemeteries and burials in Denton County that is especially helpful to genealogists. Archival records also include documents and photographs of early Denton County people and places. The commission and museum library has dozens of volumes on local history, Texas history, and guides to antiques and collectibles available for on-site research. There are also several exhibits of historical interest.Location: 110 West Hickory -- Denton, TX 76201Hours: Monday- Friday, 10:00 am - 4:30 pmSaturday, 11:00 am - 3:00 pmClosed Holidays and Holiday WeekendsAdmission: Free

Miscellaneous

· The Campus Theater 214 West Hickory Street
This local theater, the Denton Community Theater, in the historic building just off the Square offers classic plays and musicals. We've enjoyed many of their productions.The building was originally a movie theater in 1949, and was then renovated to reopen in 1995. It is a unique landmark just off the Square.Tickets are between $10 and $18 depending on student, senior,child, or adult status.

· Denton Water Works Park

· Recycled Books
Corner of Locust and Hickory Streets on the Square
This locally-owned bookstore just celebrated its 25th anniversary. It has over 300,000 items including books in every subject, records, CDs, DVDs, VHS tapes as well as rare books. You can spend hours browsing through their big selection.