Drivers in California will no longer be legally allowed to send text messages while they drive starting in January 2009. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger recently signed SB 28 into law, a belated addition to the recent legislation regarding cell phones and motorists.

After months of discussion, the Davis City Council made progress towardapproving a living wage for some people employed by the city through contractors. The ordinance, which would only apply to contractors whomeet a certain threshold of business from the city, is being examined on a scale that would pay between $10 and $14.21 per hour. Currently, these employees may be paid as low as the state minimum wage, $8 per hour. People employed directly by the city are already on a living wage pay scale.

Imagine lifting all that emotional weight off your shoulders in one simple movement – according to Professor Emeritus Bobbie Bolden, this is an achievable goal. Bolden will be teaching a course starting Oct. 8 at the Davis Art Center about InterPlay, an international movement which aims to “to unlock the wisdom of the body,” according to the InterPlay Worldwide website.

TODAY Football ticket distribution 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aggie Stadium ticket office Go get tickets to the Oct. 4 football game before they run out! Aggie Pack T-shirts will also be distributed. Today is the last day to get tickets before the game!

The American Lung Association released a report last month that found that the smoking rate among college students is lower than ever before.Although one in five college students smoked cigarettes in2006,the lowest rate since1989,experts say the rate may increase again.

UC Davis studentswhowantto eat healthy without spending hours in the kitchen can achieve this at the Memorial Union. The Coffee House recently announced the removal of trans-fats from its menu – a process that began last year.

MUSIC Tim Williams Today, 12 p.m. The Quad Tim Williams has helped give a little bit of indie street cred to teen drama “One Tree Hill.” I can’t say much in favor for the show, but Williams’ music – solid indie acoustic – could be something to write home about. For any of you with class or any other prior engagements, fear not: he’ll also play at Sophia’s Thai Kitchen tonight.

The UC Davis music department will begin the year with its annual Noon Concert performance series, continuing with its long-time tradition of free weekly noontime concerts. The concerts are typically held in room 115 of the music building, a small performance-friendly room familiar to regular attendees of the midday showings.

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed the California2008-2009state budget Tuesday – an action that meant mixed news for the University of California,which faces numerous budget challenges in the upcoming year. While the finalized budget includedthe$100million in UC funding that was on the chopping block earlier this year,state funding for UC remains essentially flat.The budget does not provide for increased costs due to inflationor growing enrollment.As a result,the UC system will still face a net shortfall of$100million in state funding,according to a press release from the UC newsroom.

Scientists at UC Davis have discovered a rice protein that plays a major role in moderating the resistance to infectious disease,a discovery that may have important medical and agricultural applications around the world. A study led by plant pathology professor Pamela Ronald identified the protein XB15,a major player in the rice plant’s immune system that stops the immune response from overreacting and damaging the plant.

Even though UC Davis is safe from a major earthquake,one member of the campus community is preparing for the world’s worst.Ross Boulanger,Ph.D.,is an earthquake specialist in the Civil and Environmental Engineering department.Between teaching classes and overseeing major earthquake,dam and levee studies,he recently co-wrote and published a book on liquefaction,or the damage that happens underground when earthquakes hit.But don’t let that bring you down– this Canadian professor loves every quaking minute of his research and professorship!

With a new school year underway and campus filled with fresh faces,there’s change in the air.But sometimes it’s comforting to run into an old friend – or an old tradition like concerts in the Coffee House on campus.