Thin is beautiful – and nowadays it seems thin is healthy, too. We’re told an “obesity epidemic” of massive proportions is gripping the nation, and doctors are warning worried citizens about the dangers of being overweight – arthritis, heart disease, diabetes, cancer and more. More and more, the idea that thin equals healthy is being sold as by the media as common knowledge and established fact.

If you’ve ever wondered if a certain drug would make that biology lab class a little more bearable, you’re not alone. Evolutionary biologist and UCD professor Jonathan Eisen found the prospect all too entertaining, producing a fake study on the issue as an April fool’s joke. But when he’s not pulling pranks on the science community he manages to delve into the microscopic world of evolution and ecology offering both the community and his students a diverse and broad width of knowledge.

Fundraisers such as the Dollar-A-Day campaign and Schoolapalooza, as well as the passage of PropositionW in November (a parcel tax specifically aimed at maintaining school programs), have helped to maintain funding for teachers, librarians and science programs.

TODAY Free lunch 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. 312 A St. Econ 1A teaches there is no such thing as a free lunch. Watch Davis Christian Fellowship try and prove them wrong! Stop by for a free hot potato and make some new friends in 2009.

Many college students are using prescription ADHD medication such as Ritalin or Adderall to improve their academic performance, according to a new study. “The study was prompted by anecdotal reports from students about usage,” said coauthor Scott Swartzwelder, a Duke University professor. “My understanding is that the trend is relatively new and escalating.”

Baby2009has only just been catapulted squealing into our arms and already her diaper is loaded and in need of a change.Time moves fast.Deadlines approach.Quandaries call out for resolution.Even if the problems we face haven’t changed– culture wars,environmental deterioration,undying greed– we can use this new year as an opportunity to look at them with new eyes.

“[Expletive deleted]!” This basically sums up2008.You don’t need to read this column to realize it was besmirched with hard times.It saw the tragic deaths of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (don’t worry,they’re banks).The housing bubble popped,destroying the national money market and creating a credit crunch.

For the past few weeks,this column has spent a great deal of time criticizing government institutions and officials that,in my opinion,seek to curb the presence of self-determination in our society.I have pointed the finger at over-regulation and forced altruism,stating that such forms of collectivism rob men ofthere right to self-governance.

JAN.3 Santa came late A purse was dumped on a rooftop onValdora Street. Reforesting Davis Four male teenagers were placing Christmas trees in the middle of the road on J Street andDrexel Drive.

Have you ever been dating someone and felt that all of a sudden,you’ve gone farther than you should have? Well I don’t really know what that feels like since I was taught to always put out on the first date and it’s been working fine for me so far (note to self:start the binge eating tomorrow).But for those who do have a problem with it,I heard it is quite a sticky situation.

Gloria Steinem,the renowned feminist and political activist,has cancelled her scheduled speaking engagement at UC Davis. Steinem,who decided to bow out of her appearance to express support for UC service workers,was scheduled to speak at the Mondavi Center forthe Performing Arts on Jan.16.

If all goes according to plan,the Davis Joint Unified School District may soon sell its surplus property at the Grande School Site in North Davis. After decades of ownership,DJUSD has finally achieved a tenable design for the8.83acre property in collaboration with City Council and surrounding neighbors.