UC Davis Police are investigating an alleged hate crime that occurred Sunday night on the UC Davis Quad.
Two men yelled abusive comments at two other individuals about their race and sexual orientation. The suspects pushed and grabbed the victims and then left the area.
The suspects are described as one white male, 18 to 19 years old, with a muscular build and brown medium length hair, and one Hispanic male, 18 to 19 years old, with a heavy build and brown hair.
– Janelle Bitker
Summary of the 2009-10 school year
Student Judicial Affairs (SJA) received 1,053 cases – 549 involved alleged violations of the Code of Academic Conduct and 504 addressed alleged social misconduct. The primary source of referral for academic misconduct was cheating on an exam with 255 reports. There were 225 reports of plagiarism and 26 cases of unauthorized collaboration.
Advice from SJA
Although the 549 cases of reported academic misconduct do not likely reflect all instances of cheating, the level of faculty participation in referrals shows that the majority of students on campus do not cheat. To help prevent academic misconduct, students should report all instances of cheating on exams. If a student is stressed out about a test or assignment, seek help. SJA is located in Dutton Hall for those who need guidance.
CAMPUS JUDICIAL REPORTS are compiled by student members of Student Judicial Affairs.
Unitrans may bid farewell to one of the only existing open rear-decker buses in the world.
If UC Davis permits, the bus will be donated to the Ensignbus Transport Museum in London to be preserved as an antique rarity.
“It is a rare enough bus that means a lot to Unitrans,” said Unitrans general manager Geoff Straw. “We looked through many possible places to give it to, as a donation, but none had a tie to Unitrans and double-deckers.”
Any bus that is donated or sold to another company must have a connection to that region, Straw said.
The bus, RTL 1014, is historically connected to the Ensignbus Transport System. Steve Newman, a director of Ensignbus, is the son of the company owner who sold the vehicle to the city of Davis 43 years ago.
The vehicle was created in 1947 and sold to the city of Davis in 1967 by a company based in London. It returned to daily service in spring of 2006 after a three-year absence.
The RTL 1014 has not been permitted to run in Unitrans service since 2008 because of its failure to meet current emissions standards.
However, its rarity and antiquity has prohibited the Unitrans bus company from disposing of it, Straw said.
“It’s a 1950s bus with a pretty dirty engine that does not follow the standards of clean burning technology in California,” Straw said.
Members of the museum in London have negotiated with Unitrans service leaders and agreed that the bus will maintain its livery – the paint schemes and external markings which read “Unitrans” and “city of Davis” so that any citizen of Davis who visits the London museum will instantly recognize it. The bus’ transportation costs and arrangements will also be covered by the museum.
Straw pointed to another reason for wanting to preserve the bus – it remains one of the only buses that have maintained its original condition since its birth. The shifting transmission and engine have never been replaced or changed, which is uncommon for most buses.
On Sept. 24, ASUCD senate members voted 11-0-1 to have the bus donated. Some students suggested making it a monument on campus or creating a statue to commemorate the Davis symbol.
Caitlin Cardoza, senior communications and Spanish major, is a regular bus rider and supports the idea of creating a monument to represent the bus system, which she calls a prominent characteristic of Davis.
“I think it’s a really good idea to have a monument representing the bus systems in Davis, because we are the only student-run bus system among the UC campuses and should be proud of this,” she said.
Monica Lopez, senior psychology major, is also a regular Unitrans rider who believes that a monument of the vehicle on campus would be representative of the city.
“Although bicycles are popular in Davis, I think the bus system is also very representative of the city,” she said. “It would be nice to have a monument recognizing this.”
NOURA KHOURY can be reached at campus@theaggie.org.
At noon today, students, faculty and staff at UC Davis will organize on the patio of the quad, calling for the campus to walkout and rally for accessible and inclusive higher education.
The Day of Action – Walkout & Rally for Education, which will last from noon to 10 p.m., is occurring at other UC campuses as well. The event is reminiscent of the rally held in September of last year, where thousands walked-out and protested furloughs for UC employees and student fee increases. It’s also evocative of the March 4 Day of Action that sought to reverse fee hikes and decreases in state funding.
“We need to maintain our opposition to the Regents’ fee increases and once again tell our government that they can’t balance the budget on the backs of students,” reads the Facebook public event page. “If you have a midterm or other test on Thursday afternoon, ask your professor to reschedule and encourage her [or] him to join our coalition of students, workers and faculty members.”
Among the concerns of those attending the rally are reversing the 32 percent student fee increases approved last November and the restoration of state funding for the UC.
Brian Sparks, senior international relations major, cited the possibility of further fee increases – which was put off at the last UC regent meeting in September for possible consideration in November – as a point of contention.
He also mentioned the breakdown of union contract negotiations between the UC and the United Auto Workers 2865, a union which represents over 12,000 academic student employees. The union has charged the university of bargaining in bad faith.
“When students speak and the administration doesn’t listen it’s disillusioning,” Sparks said.
He has also argued that student fee hikes have threatened access to higher education for working and middle-class families.
“But with tuition and fees up to nearly $12,000 a year, and another fee increase set to be voted on this November, the UC is replacing the best and brightest students with those most able to pay. That’s not equality of opportunity,” he said in a post on the rally’s Facebook event page.
The rally is a culmination of pre-event rallies, including the first of several action meetings that was held at Wellman Hall on Monday, which focused on logistical planning, outreach and discussion of past and present challenges to public education.
There will also be a pre-rally teach-out held in front of Wellman Hall at 10 a.m. and another held at 2.pm.
ASUCD President Jack Zwald said he is glad that students are continuing to advocate for public higher education and that the rally is a great opportunity for campus to learn about problems confronting the university.
“Whether or not a student chooses to attend,” Zwald said in an email interview. “I hope that all students take some time to think about the future of California and how we can all be a part of moving our state forward.”
Chancellor Linda Katehi could not be reached for comment about the event, but Griselda Castro, assistant vice chancellor for student affairs, affirmed the university’s support for students’ rights to freedom of expression and campus safety.
While most students agree in their opposition of further fee increases, some feel walkouts and possible disruption to classes send the wrong message.
“How does skipping classes, when you have already paid for these classes, show that you are against fee increases?” said Justin Forth, a senior international relations major.
Forth said that as an out-of-state student he understands the high cost of education but argues that there are better ways for students to fight for this cause.
“If students want to show their anger, they should bring the fight directly to Sacramento, without bothering the students that are trying to reap the benefits of the education that they have already paid for.”
Sparks said he agrees Sacramento is part of the problem. He has already spoken to Rep. Anthony Portantino (D-Pasadena) and other representatives.
“If someone thinks it’s better to organize in Sacramento, I would say to them, ‘Go for it. I’ll go with you,'” Sparks said.
However, Sparks still sees the UC system’s decisions as serious threats that merit action.
LESLIE TSAN can be reached at campus@theaggie.org.
Evan Parker will perform at the Technocultural Studies Building on Monday at 7 p.m. Preceding the free concert will be a workshop at 4 p.m.
A saxophonist from England, Parker rarely comes to the U.S. Since he has done only a handful of concerts here, his performance at the TCS Building should be a treat for Aggies.
“Davis is quite lucky to have him,” said technocultural studies professor Bob Ostertag. “Evan is at the absolute top of his field in the last 50 years.”
Listing Coltrane as one of his influences, Parker has made a name for himself as a top-notch improvisational saxophonist. He embarked on his musical journey in the 1960s with the Spontaneous Music Ensemble, which was comprised of Derek Bailey on guitar, Kenny Wheeler on trumpet, Dave Holland on bass and John Stevens on drum.
Along with Derek Bailey and Tony Oxley, he founded Incus Records in the 1960s, which for 40 years was the world’s main record label that people looked to. Referred to as “the first independent, musician-run record company in Britain,” Incus Records was largely centered on improvisation. Since then, Parker has toured all over the world.
“Parker developed novel techniques for playing saxophone,” Ostertag said. “The saxophone has very rich history of intense exploration. It has been one of the main voices of the tradition of jazz, explored by a rich array of musicians. Parker has successfully mastered it.”
Among the artists Parker has recorded with are Parker/Guy/Lytton with bassist Barry Guy and drummer Paul Lytton, and the Schlippenbach Trio with pianist Alexander von Schlippenbach and drummer Paul Lovens. He has also recorded with Guy’s London Jazz Composers Orchestra, Anthony Braxton, Steve Lacy and Marilyn Crispell.
Ostertag said that Parker – having performed in mostly free settings – has not quite made the name for himself that such talent deserves.
“He is a master of circular breathing, and probably will not stop to take a breath the entire performance,” Ostertag said. “If you’ve never heard Evan play, hearing him give his performance will be surprising and astounding.”
Gareth Ewing, a senior music major, agreed with Ostertag that Parker has amazing mastery over extended techniques that have reinvented the instrument.
“His ability to create multiphonics while incorporating circular breathing techniques is one of the trademark features to his idiosyncratic style on the saxophone,” Ewing said. “You can expect to hear Parker layer melodic phrases with multiphonics making it sound as if there are multiple saxophonists playing without pause. His style adds a uniqueness and creative edge to improvised music that you won’t be able to find anywhere else. Students can expect to hear music that will oscillate from intense jarring dissonance to slow moving expansive ethereal soundscapes.”
TCS faculty member Jesse Drew said that the department emphasizes and highlights the kind of creative exploration and improvisation exemplified by Mr. Parker.
Hear the master of circular breathing for yourself this coming Monday at the TCS Building. More information can be found at the technocultural studies events page.
ELENI STEPHANIDES can be reached at arts@theaggie.org.
On Oct. 7, 1955, at a student-run gallery in San Francisco called Six Gallery, a poet named Allen Ginsberg read a poem entitled “Howl” which ignited a series of stimulating shocks and ultimately, a movement known today as The Beat Generation.
And decades later, the same artistic spirit and yearning continues. From Friday at 1p.m. through Saturday until 10p.m., Davis will host its 4th annual Jazz and Beat Festival downtown.
“It’s more about the now,” said Jesse Drew, a UC Davis technocultural studies professor who will be part of the panel discussion board along with filmmaker Craig Baldwin and poet David Meltzer. “That Bohemian sensibility is very much alive today-now.”
Amid the suppression of artists during the pivotal period in the late ’50s and early ’60s, The Beat Generation gave birth to a generation of artists yearning for spontaneous creativity and release.
The Beat Generation unified all forms of artistic mediums vocally, visually and politically; where an art space was no longer a mere place to display artwork, but rather a place where artists could proudly celebrate artistic freedom and non-conformity. The Beat Generation created a ground of multi-media for painters, artists, poets and musicians-especially jazz artists.
“It’s not about looking at that period as being a dead historical period,” Drew said. “The value of it is in providing inspiration to young people today to do that kind of work and think critically about the work they create. [The Beat Generation] wasn’t just an art movement but a political movement like Ginsberg’s poem”.
In addition to a panel discussion, there will be numerous performances by live jazz musicians such as the Ross Hammond Trio, Yolo Mambo, Tony Passarell trio, the Davis High School Jazz Band and many more. The Door’s keyboardist, Ray Manzarek, will also be featured in some performance.
But perhaps what is so intriguing about The Beat Generation and this festival is the synergy of combining art with music. During live jazz performances, artists such as painter Nancy Ostrovsky will be painting simultaneously with the music-raw creation unique to the moment. And event-goers will get to witness it all.
“It’s fun watching the piece of art forming,” said Fred Lange, music teacher and conductor of the Davis High School Jazz Band. “The artists create the art while we perform the music and it’s a synergetic experience where one compliments the other. It’s two different mediums mixed together.”
Sponsored by Armadillo Music, the Cultural Action Committee, Sudwerk Brewery, Hallmark, Nestware, Aveleda Winery, Davis Commons, KDVS, Dos Coyotes, Watermelon Music, All Star Rents,and the Buckhorn Steakhouse. Admission to the event is free. Food and drinks will be available.
October 8th: Beat Generation & Beyond Conference
1-3 p.m.: Presentation by filmmaker Craig Baldwin featuring the work of Bruce Conner and Stan Brakhage
3:30-5 p.m.: Panel discussion featuring filmmaker Craig Baldwin, poet David Meltzer and TCS professor Jesse Drew
7-8 p.m.: David Meltzer poetry reading, accompanied by the Tony Passarell Trio
7-9 p.m.: Opening Reception for Beat Exhibition at John Natsoulas Gallery: Reception with poetry by Michael McClure & music by Ray Manzarek and Jazz Painting Performance with Nancy Ostovskywith the Tony Passarell Trio
8-10 p.m.: Poetry readings by the winners of the Jack Kerouac Poetry Contest, Dr. Andy Jones MC, accompanied by the Tony Passarell Trio
October 9th: Davis Jazz FestivalDavis Commons Stage
12:15-1:00 p.m.: We! Bones with painter Myron Stephens
1:15-2:00 p.m.: Brubeck Institute with painter Stephanie Taylor
2:15-3:00 p.m.: Poetry reading by Michael McClure with the Door’s keyboardist Ray Manzarek and painter Nancy Ostrovsky
3:15-4:00 p.m.: Rio Americana Jazz Band with painter Jonqui Albin
4:15-5:00 p.m.: Davis High School Jazz Band with painter Jonqui Albin
Armadillo Music Stage (1st and E St.):
11:45 a.m.-2:30pm: Ross Hammond Trio
12:45-1:30 p.m.: Yolo Mambo
1:45-2:30 p.m.: Davis High School Jazz Combo
2:45-3:30 p.m.: CSUS Jazz Combo
3:45-4:30 p.m.: UC Davis Jazz Combo
4:45-5:45 p.m.: Boco do Rio
Boy Scout Cabin Stage (616 1st):
Noon: CJ and the Canyons/Tha Dirt Feeling
1:00 p.m.: Allegra Silberstein
1:15 p.m.: Indigo Moor
2:00 p.m.: Jaroba Jazz Trio
2:25 p.m.: Jaroba Jazz Trio with Brad Henderson
3:00 p.m.: Eskimo Pie
3:25 p.m.: Eve West Bessier
4:00 p.m.: Instagon
4:30 p.m.: Instagon with David Meltzer
For more information regarding scheduling or biographies of featured artists and musicians, visit www.davisjazz.com.
UYEN CAO can be reached at arts@theaggie.org.
Howl appears at first to be one of those quirky indie films that are so popular at Cannes right now because their low budget makes them feel honest, or less commercialized so to speak. Regardless of what genre Howl fits in, I believe that it is honest, and more importantly rich in both wisdom and human rights.
Howl endeavors to express the trials and tribulations that poet Allen Ginsberg so innovatively wrote by visually representing his poem, “Howl,” while interweaving it through a trial centered on freedom of speech.
Shortly after the publication of the poem, Ginsberg’s publisher was sued for publishing a work that had the potential to corrupt its readers with its licentious and explicitly vulgar content, specifically with references made to homosexual lifestyles.
It was obviously apparent that even in the conservative, suburban ’50s, the defendant would win the case on the clear grounds of that first American right to freedom of speech.
Channeling Aaron Sorkin-type court dramas, David Straithairn (the Bourne series) plays a quibbling and uncomfortable prosecutor protesting for American ignorance. On the defendant’s side, Jon Hamm (“Mad Men”) personifies America’s Bill of Rights, embodying freedom of speech and liberty.
With a host of cameos ranging from Mary Louise Parker to Jeff Daniels, the audience begins to understand the inherent question of the film: What qualifies as good art? This question poses several problems, mainly that one cannot set any limitations to or set any sort of guidelines on what qualifies as good art, including poetry.
In terms of relevance, I’d say that this conundrum is still teased out today.
However, the more important issue that the film portrayed very well was Ginsberg’s plight through living homosexually in a clearly heterosexual society.
Ginsberg, portrayed by the charming James Franco, cannot help but be attractive to me, a girl, despite his character’s sexual preferences. There’s no denying he’s a good-looking dude.
Yet his portrayal of Ginsberg was done flawlessly: a combination of conscientious idiosyncrasies and charismatic mannerisms one would identify with a homosexual artist in the ’50s.
What made the film so inspiring was more than just Franco’s interpretation on who Ginsberg was as a personality, but how they dealt with his subject matter in relation to that personality.
The film flashes from Ginsberg’s interview about the trial, in which he clearly shines as a brilliant mentor to any author or artist feeling discouraged in his work, to a younger Ginsberg reciting his poem to a young beatnik audience clearly moved by his electrifying and chaotic words. As he begins to read, the film shifts into a dream-like animation depicting those words in an illusionary form that is almost as incomprehensible as the actual poem itself.
The animation is a blend between computer-animated and hand drawings. To be fair, there is a definite theme to the visuals, and it clearly helps clarify the poetry. Despite its intrinsic insightful beauty, the animation was more than uncomfortable to watch.
The sheer magnitude of reproductive organs flashing across the screen was admittedly overwhelming, as well as the multiple graphic illustrations of sexual intercourse. Maybe I’m prude, but I just wasn’t quite prepared for that.
It is very difficult to understand any given word or phrase of the poem, even with the supplementary animation, but the meaning is quite clear. It expresses a human plight of freedom and liberation through an increasingly darkening and constricting world, among other issues.
This plight as an eternal struggle is what makes the film so relevant and so personal now. Despite the slightly awkward homosexual moments, mainly awkward because I wish I were the one making out with James Franco, Howl personifies, and actually proclaims to reach out to lost souls in an ever depressing world, and aims to touch those who are open to listen to its message.
Even if you are unfamiliar with homosexuality or poetry, Howl contains a relevant theme and message of freedom of speech and sexuality in a nation where those freedoms maintain to be questioned to this day.
BRITTANY PEARLMAN can be reached at arts@theaggie.org.
A pack of wild dogs took over and successfully ran a Wendy’s! The sewer people stole my skateboard! I once saw a baby give another baby a tattoo –
Oh, sorry. Let me close 30rockquotes.com before we go any further.
If there’s one thing you should know about me, it’s that I am obsessed with the NBC comedy genius that is “30 Rock,” in all its MILF Island, Kabletown, Kenneth “the Page”, Tracy Jordan glory. In the words of Liz Lemon, “I want to go to there.”
So you can imagine the fangirl squeal that erupted inside me when I opened my Gmail inbox last month and saw the following e-mail: “Conference Call ’30 Rock’ Star Jack McBrayer and EP Robert Carlock.”
What the what?!
As California Aggie arts editor and recipient of any e-mail – personal, spam, mass-sent or otherwise – that comes through the arts inbox, I’d gotten conference call invites before, but this was the mother lode. I couldn’t delete this one, not when there was actually the chance I could talk to Kenneth “the Page” Parcell and an executive producer of one of the funniest television shows of all time. I had to accept.
When the day of the call finally came, I was a nervous wreck. I waited, heart pounding, as reporters from around the country asked their questions.
The first question, from a guy from a celebrity news website, was one I’d wanted to ask: “How are you preparing for the live episode?” (yes, one episode this season will be performed live, a la “Saturday Night Live”). Executive producer Carlock answered that he’d just read a draft of the script and they’re considering having different actors play the main roles in flashbacks and jump cuts, because the actors can’t “teleport” from one set to the next. Awesome.
Asked what was in store for Kenneth in the upcoming season, Jack said we’ll get to see Kenneth wear something other than his page uniform, which, he added, laughing, would be “jarring.”
Suddenly, it was my turn. Praying that my voice wouldn’t tremble as much as my hands currently were, I said, “Jack, are there any similarities between you and your character, Kenneth?”
“Well, to some extent. I tend to be a people-pleaser and I try to be good at my job,” he said in his good-natured Southern drawl. “I’d love to think I’m not as annoying as Kenneth, but maybe my coworkers can say otherwise.”
“He refuses to take the costume off!” Robert Carlock chimed in.
“Yeah, they didn’t even dress me in that,” Jack said, giggling.
Was I dreaming? Were the star and executive producer of “30 Rock” actually joking around in response to a question I’d asked?!
Unfortunately, I completely lack the ability to banter, especially with famous people and even more especially when I’m nervous, so I merely laughed, said “Thank you,” and my turn was over.
Still shaking, but now with a huge grin plastered over my face, I sat in a daze as the conference continued around me. I hung around long enough to listen to an Israeli reporter try to convince Jack and Robert to film an episode in Israel before hanging up.
So, okay, I didn’t ask the most groundbreaking question, and I was too star-struck to join in the joking around and get a longer answer, but for my first celebrity interview it wasn’t half bad. Next time I’d be better, and I’d always have bragging rights that I’d made two comedians from my favorite TV show laugh, albeit indirectly.
When it’s time for my conference call with Johnny Depp, I’ll be ready. And until then, as Tracy Jordan would say, you gotta live every week like it’s Shark Week.
ROBIN MIGDOL can be reached at arts@theaggie.org.
Artist: Maroon 5
Album: Hands All Over
Label: A&M/Octone Records
Rating: 3
For all those people who still ache for the days when Maroon 5 had just released their brilliant first album, Songs About Jane, kiss those heartaches goodbye! Okay, well maybe not goodbye, but the sultry rock band’s new album, Hands All Over, is a definite improvement from their second album, even if nothing will ever compete with that first album’s unparalleled success. Hands All Over goes back to a more melodic, acoustic direction, much like their first album.
True, the songs are not as catchy, poignant, or, well, you remember how amazing that first album was. Still, their top charter, “Misery,” undeniably has a catchy beat and refreshing lyrics.
Despite some rare gems, the album overall is a slight disappointment because its sound is so reminiscent of the band’s original beat but the tracks fail to live up to this early promise.
Give these tracks a listen: “Misery,” “Never Gonna Leave This Bed,” “If I Ain’t Got You”
For Fans of: Kings of Leon, Neon Trees, John Mayer
– Brittany Pearlman
Artist: Two Door Cinema Club
Album: Tourist History
Label: Kitsuné
Rating: 4
Interesting fact: The name for this Irish trio came about when one of the band members mispronounced “Tudor Cinema,” the name of the local movie theater. This relatively lesser-known band has come out with a high-energy electropop/indie rock album that will keep you tuned in the whole way.
Two Door Cinema Club doesn’t offer any comedowns from the fast-paced electronic ride they place you on. With song names ranging from “I Can Talk” to “Undercover Martyn,” this album rests heavily on what the instrumentals contribute. Because their lyrics are concisely minimal, the background beats are what make the music. This often results in a few songs that sound indistinguishable, with no salient lyrics to set them apart. All in all though, a good find: not as well known, but stylistically similar to many popular favorites like Phoenix, Bloc Party and Passion Pit.
Give these tracks a listen: “Cigarettes In the Theatre,” “I Can Talk,” “Undercover Martyn”
For Fans of: Phoenix, Passion Pit, Bloc Party
– Eleni Stephanides
MUSIC
Kero One
Today, noon, free
UC Davis West Quad
Mellow hip-hop/rap MC Kero One descends on the quad for another EC-sponsored lunchtime concert. Hit songs include “Fly Fly Away,” “When the Sunshine Comes” and “Welcome to the Bay.” Many consider Kero One to be a nice alternative to harder rock and rap artists today, so don’t be shy – come see what he’s all about.
Shoenberg’s Trio for Strings
Today, 12:05 p.m., free
Music 115
The music department continues its noon concert tradition with a performance of Shoenberg’s Trio for Violin, Viola and Cello, op. 45 (1946). Terri Buane: violin, Ellen Ruth Rose: viola, Thalia Moore: cello.
The Head & The Heart and Fences
Tonight, 8:30 pm, $5
Sophia’s Thai Kitchen, 129 E St.
Tonight Sophia’s welcomes two Seattle-based indie bands for an early show. Though each group’s sound is unique, both rely on mellow, minimal acoustic instrumentation and soulful lyrics to create beautiful melodies.
Birds & Batteries
Friday, 6 p.m., free
Armadillo Music, 205 F St.
Birds & Batteries will also play Sophia’s Thai Kitchen at 9:30 p.m., but if you want to catch them a little earlier absolutely free, stop by Armadillo Music for an in-store performance at 6 p.m. The band hails from the Bay Area and describes its music as experimental indie pop.
Floater
Sunday, 7 p.m., free
Marilyn’s on K, 908 K St., Sacramento
If you find yourself in Sacramento on Sunday night and are hankering for some live music, check out Portland psychedelic guitar-rock band Floater at Marilyn’s on K.
AT THE MOVIES
Donnie Darko: Free Screening
Friday, 8 p.m., free
UC Davis East Quad
Jake Gyllenhaal stars as the titular character who is plagued by visions of a bunny rabbit who tells him to commit crimes in this indie fave. Also starring Drew Barrymore, Maggie Gyllenhaal and Patrick Swayze, it’s a film that you just have to see to believe.
THEATER/MONDAVI
Rising Stars of Opera w/ UC Davis Symphony
Saturday, 8 p.m., free
Mondavi Center, Jackson Hall
What, a free Mondavi Center concert?! Take advantage of this rare opportunity to listen to great music in Jackson Hall without opening your wallet. San Francisco Opera’s Adler Fellows are talented young opera singers, and two of them, tenor David Lomeli and soprano Karen Slack, will perform a recital accompanied by our own Symphony Orchestra. The program includes selections from “Tosca” and “La Boheme.”
Los Lobos
Wednesday, 8 p.m., $17.50
Mondavi Center, Jackson Hall
You’ve probably heard Tex-Mex pop/rock band Los Lobos on the radio more times than you can count over the years, and now they’re coming to the Mondavi Center. The performance will mark their first all-electric appearance at the Mondavi Center, so you know it’s gonna get loud.
ART/GALLERY
4th Annual Davis Jazz & Beat Festival
Friday and Saturday, noon to 10 p.m., free
John Natsoulas Gallery, 521 First St.
Celebrate Beat poetry and jazz music at this annual festival, which will feature poetry readings, painting improvisation, performances by dozens of jazz ensembles, kids’ activities and more. Much of the proceeds will benefit the Davis High School Jazz Band to continue the tradition of jazz music education. See preview in today’s Muse.
The Architecture of Thought
Through October 29, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday to Thursday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekends, free
UC Davis Craft Center Gallery
The Craft Center is currently displaying ceramics by wheel throwing instructor Latika Jain. Jain’s pieces take on unusual but highly architectural shapes, sizes and colors and will certainly inspire the artist within you to take one of Jain’s classes and learn how to create ceramic sculptures for yourself.
ROBIN MIGDOL can be reached at arts@theaggie.org.
In Ireland, Friday night revelers traipse from bar to bar sampling drinks in what’s known as a “pub crawl.”
But on the second Friday of every month in Davis, you can go on an art crawl, thanks to a Davis tradition called the 2nd Friday ArtAbout. This month’s ArtAbout will be held on Friday evening and includes 21 venues for participants to visit as well as free receptions and art to enjoy.
Melanie Glover, Davis Downtown Business Association’s ArtAbout coordinator, said at first only art galleries participated in ArtAbouts, but now other downtown businesses get in on the fun, too.
“It started out with just galleries having their opening receptions at the same time,” Glover said. “But now, businesses are part of it as well. There’s a lot going on.”
This Friday’s festivities include recycled art by Oliver Eddy, live music by Tyler Vincent and Mike Starchild at the Yolo SPCA Thrift store on Third Street and pastels by Kathryn Esterly at the Avid Reader bookstore on Second Street. Salons, restaurants and all art galleries will also have new works on display.
Glover said she recommends that ArtAbout participants begin their night outside of downtown, such as at the Davis Art Center, and then work their way through the downtown galleries and businesses that catch their eye. A schedule of events is available on the Davis Downtown Association’s website.
In addition to admiring the artwork, visitors may enjoy free receptions with food and drinks and mingle with the artists themselves.
“It’s a neat opportunity to meet the artists and hear them talk about their work,” Glover said.
Pence Gallery director Natalie Nelson said the Pence will display its latest traveling exhibit, “12 Voices,” on Friday.
“12 Voices” is a display of artistic quilts created by 12 different women that incorporate art, painting, photography and even poetry.
“These quilts aren’t meant for your bed,” Nelson said. “They’re challenging and neat to look at. Everybody can relate to quilts because people have them in their own families.”
Some of the artists will be at the gallery on Friday. There will be a free reception, including wine tasting, from 6 to 9 p.m., that is open to all.
Nelson said ArtAbouts are a valuable opportunity to show the public what the Pence Gallery is all about.
“We’re always trying to reach out to a new audience,” she said. “It’s a wonderful way to explore the community.”
The Artery, an artist cooperative that hosts changing exhibits by its members, will display ceramics and photography by Tom Post. Sara Wost, assistant manager at The Artery, said Post’s collage-style photography is fascinating to look at.
“It combines elements of other images to see how they relate to each other in other contexts,” Wost said. “Surprises evolve as new and unforeseen images develop. It’s really cool.”
Wost said that even though downtown Davis is composed largely of restaurants, ArtAbouts are a way to get the whole community involved in art.
“Artists come for their fellow artists. It’s usually really well attended,” she said. “It’s pretty festive. It’s quite a downtown event.”
ROBIN MIGDOL can be reached at arts@theaggie.org.
Could a bag of chicken scraps help protect an endangered species? The answer is yes.
A team of biologists recently uncovered an unknown population of the endangered Sierra Nevada red fox in the mountains east of Modesto using just a bag of chicken scraps.
Only there to photograph the wild animals, Sherri Lisius and Adam Rich, wildlife biologists from the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest and Stanislaus National Forest respectively, were using chicken to bait the animals into viewing area. So it came as quite a surprise when the endangered species of fox showed up with the bag of chicken in mouth.
“We got the pictures and we knew who the species experts were and contacted them immediately of course, and they asked if there was anything that might be available that would have DNA on it. We instantly thought of the bait sock because it had been chewed on,” said Rich. “It was very exciting for us.”
The biologists overnighted the bag of chicken – spit included – to a UC Davis lab and got the results within a few days.
Until now, only one small population of Sierra Nevada red fox at Lassen Volcanic National Park was known to exist. Those remaining 20 members were thought to be the last of this endangered species.
“Finding the Sierra red fox is an extraordinary claim, so we needed extraordinary evidence,” Rich said.
Wildlife genetics researchers Ben Sacks and Mark Statham at the UC Davis Veterinary Genetics Laboratory collected saliva off of the teeth punctures in the bag. They were very excited to confirm the identity of the animal as a Sierra Nevada red fox.
“It’s a second population when we thought we were down to one,” said Sacks. “That’s huge good news.”
Since 2006, Sacks and his lab have been analyzing California red fox DNA from the hair, saliva and fecal matter of live animals. He also has done extensive work on the bones and skin of museum specimens.
Statham echoed Sack’s excitement, emphasizing the significance of this find.
“It’s very rare that we get the holy grail of conservation,” Statham said.
More than that, the saliva confirmed that this population came from the same population that was there in the 1890s.
“We were able to compare the genetics of this individual to the late 1890s individuals and see that this comes from the same population that was historically there,” Sacks said.
This evidence both validates the population’s endurance and confirms that the fox was not just dropped off there, but is actually part of a population that has been living in that area for quite a while.
There have been no verified sightings of the Sierra Nevada red fox south of Mount Lassen since the mid-1990s. Rich hypothesizes that this population’s temperament may contribute to why there have been so few sightings.
“It seemed to be pretty wild,” said Rich. “It was not food conditioned; it wasn’t a beggar fox as some of the foxes found up in Lassen were.
His team has set up cameras to detect possible fox movement, but the foxes only come out at night.
“They appear to be very secretive,” Rich said.
Rich pointed to UC Davis as a main contributor to biologists’ knowledge of wildlife species and therefore effective conservational efforts.
“To have available research expertise and the facilities of UC Davis makes a world of a difference in how we are able to get good information so we can manage the land and species on it better,” Rich said.
Most importantly, finding this second population means this species is in less danger of extinction than originally thought.
“Learning about an additional subpopulation gives us hope that the species can continue to exist in California. Prior to that, there was just that one population in Lassen, and so it looked gloomy for the future for continuing to have the Sierra red fox,” said Rich. “Now we don’t have to write the fox off as if it’s going to go extinct … it gives us new hope.”
Cammie Rolle can be reached at science@theaggie.org.
Thirty-six million years ago, in the land of modern-day Peru, lived a five-foot tall penguin. Scientists announced on Friday the discovery of Inkayca paracacensis, a flightless seabird that makes today’s emperor penguins look shrimpy. Fossils of the giant penguin show that it had twice the body mass of an emperor penguin and a pointy beak about 23 centimeters long.
In a stroke of good luck, the fossils also held clues to the species’ coloration. By analyzing the fossilized impressions of color-holding microscopic structures called melasomes, the scientist learned that the giant penguin had gray and reddish-brown feathers.
“Before this fossil, we had no evidence about the feathers, colors and flipper shapes of ancient penguins,” Julia A. Clarke, a paleontologist at the University of Texas at Austin, said in a statement to the press.
Studying melasomes to analyze coloring in prehistoric animals is a relatively new technique. Last year, fossilized melasomes helped scientists discover the coloring of some feathered dinosaurs.
The scientists who discovered Inkayca paracacensis aren’t sure why the gray and red-brown birds evolved their modern tuxedo look. The transformation may have been due to pressure from new predators or a side-effect of the demands of underwater diving. Looking at fossils, we know the birds developed more streamlined bodies to aid in quick propulsion.
In the evolutionary march of the penguins, these were the tanks.
– Madeline McCurry-Schmidt
Last week we looked at whether it would be possible to clone Abraham Lincoln from the hair and blood samples preserved in a museum. Sadly, it wouldn’t (the DNA is probably too degraded). But the issue of cloning a celebrity brings up the age-old nature vs. nurture debate. How much of your personality is governed by your environment and how much do you owe to your genes?
In 2004, University of Virginia psychologist Erik Turkheimer declared, “The nature-nurture debate is over … All human behaviors are heritable.” Turkheimer’s studies of adoptees, siblings and twins show that the behaviors of people who share the same genes – but not necessarily the same environments – are oddly similar. A 1979 study by psychologist Thomas Bouchard supports Turkheimer’s claim. Bouchard compared scores from thousands of I.Q. tests and found that identical twins raised apart had a 76 percent correlation in I.Q. scores (very similar), while adopted children living together had a 0 percent correlation (very different).
In a recent article in The New York Times Magazine, cognitive psychologist Steven Pinker explored the genes that shape personality. Turns out genes play a huge part in human behavior, but our surroundings and desires can trump those genetic urgings. Pinker reported that while scientists can look at genetic sequences to predict your risk for diseases like Alzheimer’s, it is more difficult to pinpoint behavioral traits like intelligence. For example, in a recent study of 6,000 children, the gene found to have the greatest effect on I.Q. accounted for less than one-quarter of an I.Q. point.
Chemically-induced personality traits like depression are easier to track down. Scientists know that SERT, the molecule that reduces the amount of relaxing serotonin in the brain, is subject to genetic variation. The brain can produce two types of SERT, a long variation and a short variation, and a genetic switch controls which kind of SERT you get. People with the short SERT variation are more prone to depression and anxiety.
“Of course, genes can’t pull the levers of our brain directly,” writes Pinker. “But they affect the wirings and working of the brain, and the brain is the seat of our drives, temperaments and patterns of thought.”
So if Lincoln were cloned in 2010, would he still rock the stovepipe hat?
Maybe, maybe not. Depends who you ask.
Francisco Ayala, professor of biology and philosophy at UCLA, is well known for his research into evolutionary genetics. Ayala believes cloned Lincoln would be very different from original Lincoln.
“We are what we are as a result of the interactions between our genes and the environment,” Ayala said.
Ayala said that if he were to go and clone himself, baby Francisco’s personality would be shaped by his modern-day school, classmates, culture and environment in the womb.
“The individual that comes out would not be me,” he said.
The environment of the womb is an interesting factor to consider. Research shows that children with a low-birth-weight have an I.Q. about 4.9 points lower that normal-birth-weight children. We also know that pregnant women who take multivitamins can reduce their babies’ risk for birth defects in the brain and spinal cord. Lincoln was obviously healthy and intelligent, but these recent discoveries in prenatal care show that we are still learning about the environmental effects on genes.
On the other hand, some experts believe cloned Lincoln would be very similar.
Harold Holzer is a historian who has authored, co-authored or edited 36 books about the era of Lincoln. He believes a clone would share some traits with the original – that the strong personality that drove Lincoln was something innate.
He explained that when Lincoln’s stepmother first brought books home, Abe was fascinated. Here were Bible stories and a book of Aesop’s fables, yet despite this “nurture” factor, “there was a pilot-light burning already” in young Abe. Holzer said that while Americans today romanticize Lincoln’s humble origins, life in the woods of Illinois was unglamorously brutal.
“There had to have been some natural, extraordinary, God-given talent in him to enable him to survive that environment,” Holzer said.
Replace “God-given” with “genetically-linked” and Holzer sounds like many geneticists today.
Despite the data regarding similarities between twins, I agree with Ayala; environmental differences would produce a different man.
The new Abe Lincoln would be famous from birth, not because he did anything important, but because of his DNA, sort of like Suri Cruise. We would expect him to be a national symbol from day one. Wannabe politicians wouldn’t just want photo-ops kissing babies, they’d want photo-ops kissing baby Lincoln. Instead of the self-taught, modest lawyer of Lincoln-past, the new Lincoln wouldn’t have to work a day in his life. He’d have a McMansion instead of a log cabin.
This summer I was having dinner with some family friends when I learned that one of them, a man named John, was a direct descendant of Abraham Lincoln’s aunt. Suddenly, I saw it: John was the spit ‘n’ image of Honest Abe. Same eyes, same cheek-bones. It was crazy. Here were Lincoln’s genes, walking and talking in front of me.
I started watching for Lincoln’s personality – the quiet reserve he was known for. And sure, John wasn’t a loud-mouth, but did he pick that up through his environment or from his genes?
Geneticists would like to find out, but analyzing the three billion nucleotide pairs of the human genome takes time. Then again, no matter the combination of upbringing and genes, at least you can keep blaming your parents.
MADELINE McCURRY-SCHMIDT likes the image of baby Lincoln in a stovepipe hat. In fact, all babies should wear stovepipe hats – just to be cute. E-mail Madeline at science@theaggie.org.
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