It’s been a fun year being a columnist, all. I’ve enjoyed pounding out these columns of mine every Monday night, mere hours before I had to go in and edit. I kind of like having a byline and getting my picture in the paper.

Well the end of the year has finally approached and I have to bid farewell.I must say it’s been quite a ride for my column.This year was my first time I split a column into two parts (big deal,I know),my firstreal hate mail and my first (and failed) attempt at meeting readers.

The University of California and nearly 20,000 patient care technicians and service workers have returned to the bargaining table – for now. The American Federation of City, State and Local Employees Local 3299, which represents nearly 11,000 patient care technicians and 8,000 service workers, announced on May 23 that its members had almost unanimously approved a strike on June 4 and 5.

080603_op_parlan.CTitle: GratitudeBy REAGAN PARLAN Life is not significant if it is not historic and momentous. I can say that my two-plus years at UC Davis have made my existence more meaningful and memorable. Being my last column for this illustrious publication before I graduate from this great institution, I would like to use this space […]

School uniforms are legal in public schools, according to a decision last month by the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. The May 12 ruling in San Francisco was the result of an incident at a Las Vegas high school where a student wore a shirt with religious slogans instead of the school-sanctioned uniform of khakis and a solid color shirt with the school’s logo.

THURSDAY 129 missed calls A cell phone stolen over three months ago by a known suspect was finally reported on Olive Drive. Hotbox the Honda! Individuals were seen smoking marijuana in a vehicle on Gauguin Place.

Close to four months after a decisive win for New York Senator Hillary Clinton in theCalifornia Democratic primary election,the tide of public opinion may be shifting in favor of Illinois Senator Barack Obama. As the Democratic primary season draws to a close today,aLos Angeles Times/KTLA polllast week found Obama leading presumptive Republican nominee Arizona Senator John McCain in a hypothetical general election matchup.

n preparing next year’s budget,the Executive Office sought to minimize the impact of significant budget cuts to services that ASUCD provides for students,as well as student jobs.

To avid joggers, nature enthusiasts and couples looking for a romantic afternoon stroll, the UC Davis Arboretum is known for its beautiful trails and collection of diverse plants and wildlife. However, recent visitors to the arboretum may have noticed – and likely smelled – a nastier side of this usually pristine garden.

The spirit of Angelina Rose Malfitano lives on. The Prytanean Women’s Honor Society will host a car washon Saturday to raise money for a memorial scholarship fund in honor of Malfitano, a UC Davis student who passed away in spring 2006.

Students often neglect to realize how much of an impactthe Davis City Councilhas ontheireveryday lives.Every week,the council makes decisions that affect how difficult it is to find affordable and quality housing inDavis,how boring or exciting the downtown is,how much we must pay for our utility bills and how far we have to drive to purchase a pair of socks.

In an effort to mitigateCalifornia’s looming$15billion deficit,state lawmakers have been forced to look in unconventional places for money.State RepresentativeCharles Calderon (D-Montebello) has proposedAssembly Bill2914,which would place a25percent tax on the gross revenues ofthe adult entertainment industry.