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A Coachella 2010 preview

Arts & Culture

Arts Editor

January 21, 2010

With the announcement of this year’s Coachella lineup – a three-day festival in Indio beginning Apr. 16 – it’s hard to balance the pros and cons of spending $269+ for a three-day pass. If you haven’t seen the new Coachella lineup yet, the schedule for the festival is available at Coachella.com. Here are some exciting artists worthy of mention.

Friday, Apr. 16

Fever Ray

Among many of my favorite Swedish electronic artists is Karin Deijer Andersson, also known as Fever Ray and one half of The Knife. Andersson released the self-titled debut record early 2009 on Rabid Records, the label in which she and her brother (and second half of The Knife) Olof co-own. The artists rarely involve themselves with the media or the mainstream music scene, making it tricky to track their ongoings. Andersson announced earlier this month that her set at Coachella will be her only show for 2010.

The Avett Brothers

The North Carolina natives have been churning out endearing folk-rock songs since 2000. Since then, the foursome has built up quite an impressive anthology – releasing one to two albums per year since 2002. Their latest album, I and Love and You, was released in September of last year. Sweet lyrics are paired nicely with the lighthearted acoustic guitar and banjo blend as per usual.

Yeasayer

The experimental group originating from Brooklyn brought us what is now described as “Enya with bounce.” Yeasayer’s debut album, All Hour Cymbals (2007), is a collection of eleven tracks exploring features of world, electronic and psychedelic music. Their second album Odd Blood was unfortunately fated to an early release in December.

La Roux

After seeing this dreamy UK electropop artist earlier last year, I was convinced that they’d hit it big in the US by the end of next year. La Roux, a.k.a. Elly Jackson and Ben Langmaid, released their debut album on Polydor mid last year and has been spreading among electronic/rave fans faster than glow sticks bob up and down.

Saturday, Apr. 17

Camera Obscura

Throughout their long history, Camera Obscura has always been able to successfully pair maudlin lyrics with upbeat melodies – their 2009 release of My Maudlin Career is a perfect example of this. How Tracyanne makes being sad so happy, I will never know. For now I will more than gladly sing along as if my own heart were trampled on by a large stampede of untrustworthy men.

Beach House

Dream-pop artist Beach House, consisting of Victoria Legrand and Alex Scally, are releasing their much-anticipated third album Teen Dream next week. Since the release of Devotion in 2006, Legrand dabbled in various side projects including a collaboration with Grizzly Bear on their hit “Two Weeks.”

GIRLS

San Francisco-based artist Girls’ debut record entitled Album provided the end of the decade with a much-needed retrospective album. Tracks off of Album explore and intertwine themes of past and current romance with future hopes. More importantly, Girls would not be Girls without the band’s lead singer Christopher Owens.

Sunday, Apr. 18

Delphic

The trendy Manchester electro-rock-pop group Delphic released their debut album, Acolyte, two weeks ago and has already picked up a number of positive reviews. Though Delphic is currently more popular in the UK than in the states, there is no doubt that the four-piece will be collecting many new fans from now to Coachella weekend.

Miike Snow

Electro-pop artist Miike Snow consists of the very talented Swedish producers Bloodshy & Avant (a.k.a. Christian Karlsson and Pontus Winnberg) and American singer/songwriter Andrew Wyatt. Having seen Miike Snow live mid last year, I did not expect that Karlsson and Winnberg had worked with artists such as Britney Spears, Madonna and Kylie Minogue in the past, as Miike Snow’s music differs significantly, and perhaps for the better.

Matt & Kim

Brooklyn’s indie pop duo Matt & Kim have infiltrated the hearts of thousands with their self-titled release in 2006 and the release of Grand last year. Since “Daylight” was featured in a Bacardi Mojito ad a few months ago, I now associate the duo with that minty-fresh goodness.

SIMONE WAHNG can be reached at arts@theaggie.org.

CD review: Heidi Montag

Arts & Culture

Arts Editor

January 21, 2010

Artist: Heidi Montag

Album: Superficial

Record Label: 2010 Pratt Productions/ Warner Music Group

Rating: 1

If you thought Heidi Montag was annoying on MTV’s show “The Hills,” she is simply obnoxious as she attempts to sing. Although the fans of pop are admittedly lax about the quality of songs today, this is simply no excuse for what occurred here. Unlike the reigning Princess of Pop Britney Spears, Heidi Montag has neither the history nor the popularity to carry her through the attempt at creating music.

Her voice is so overproduced that it’s hard to distinguish a human voice. The beats are actually painful: they give the listener a headache within five minutes. Because this trend is so pardonable nowadays, this might not be enough evidence to condemn her, but unfortunately the lyrics are simply ridiculous as well. The words, reminiscent of every other D- pop star, just further detract from the overall catastrophe that “Spidey” dares call an album.

Give these tracks a listen: “Superficial,” “Twisted”

For Fans Of: Gwen Stefani, Ke$ha

– Brittany Pearlman

CD review: Cold War Kids

Arts & Culture

Arts Editor

January 21, 2010

Artist: Cold War Kids

Album: Behave Yourself EP

Record Label: Downtown Records

Rating: 2

SoCal natives Cold War Kids have done it again. Their new EP Behave Yourself is sure to bring another wave of half-hearted reviews of the bluesy punk band. Is the EP particularly good in the sense that it’s nothing that you have never heard before? Not really; every song sounds like their previously released music. But after what feels like 10 of the same Cold War Kids songs for the past four years, it feels like a fresh start for the band.

Audiences and critics have heard dozens of bands that sounds exactly like this, and one wonders why fans are eating this stuff right up. There is nothing new on this album – Nathan Willett still begs God for forgiveness and the guitars and piano interludes still barely screech by as being musically worthwhile. It is highly recommended that you cut your losses and listen to something with a little bit more soul.

Give these songs a listen: “Santa Ana Winds”, “Sermons”

For fans of: Kings of Leon, Death Cab for Cutie

– Anastasia Zhuravleva

CD review: Spoon

Arts & Culture

Arts Editor

January 21, 2010

Artist: Spoon

Album: Transference

Record label: Merge

Rating: 4

Spoon’s latest Transference is like the return of an old friend. At times robotic, the album airs on the side of experimental – seemingly forgetting its quirky Austin roots. Yet a certain element of dysfunction defines Spoon, and is entirely characteristic of the band’s ability to regenerate while remaining familiar with its garage birth 15 years ago. Traditionally jagged and free-flowing songs are sandwiched between the more digitized and clean beats. The transitions between the two Spoon-isms are smooth though. Each song is the last’s bizarre step-brother.

“Written in Reverse” insists upon itself with demanding off-key piano riffs and is a proud addition to the band’s bests. “Goodnight Laura” is the band’s first ballad – which isn’t their expertise, but isn’t bad either. The band is clearly confident in the old tricks that have come to define their sound.

Give these tracks a listen: “Written in reverse,” “I Saw the Light”

For fans of: Arcade Fire, The Rolling Stones

– Lauren Steussy

Birdstrike packs improv, laughs and quick wit

Arts & Culture

Arts Editor

January 21, 2010

Looking for a lively outlet that will break the monotony of a typical Tuesday evening? Birdstrike’s production of “Birdstrike + Princeton = Nirvana?” takes place at 8 p.m. this Tuesday, January 26 in 1001 Giedt, and it may be the answer you seek.

If you’re not already familiar with the group, Birdstrike is made up of 11 UC Davis graduates and undergraduates that perform Chicago-style long form improvisational and sketch comedy. Their performances are typically between one and 10 minutes long and presented in vignettes called sketches.

Birdstrike performs several small shows throughout the quarter, as well as one big quarterly show. In addition to having trained with improv groups such as Second City and IO Chicago Comedy Sportz, Birdstrike has also hosted workshops, shows and festivals in locations ranging from Davis to the Bay Area to Los Angeles.

Charles Uselman, president of Birdstrike and a senior at UC Davis, said that Birdstrike is a group of friends that comes together twice a week to make “the funny.”

“We’re a long form improv troupe, which is a form different from what most people are familiar with when it comes to improv,” Uselman said.

Uselman drew a distinction between traditional senses of improv and Birdstrike’s style of comedy.

“Most people think of the show Whose Line Is It Anyway? But we do this form that was pioneered 20 years ago in Chicago where basically we ask for a suggestion from our wonderful audience and then improvise small scenes based on that idea.”

When asked how Birdstrike came about, first-year troupe member James Sears said Birdstrike was originally created by an executive order issued by President Bill Clinton to increase the amount of humor on our lovely-yet-sometimes-too-serious campus.

A fact check with Uselman, however, said that the group was actually set up by two UCD students. Set on forming an improv group, UC Davis alumni Greg Gaye and Rachel Bogart began Birdstrike five years ago.

Although the shows usually have a theme, this upcoming show on the Jan. 26 does not. However, it will be different from Birdstrike’s other small shows on account of Princeton comedy troupe Quipfire, who will be joining Birdstrike for a collaborative effort. This will be Birdstrike’s first time working with Quipfire.

“Over the break, I got an e-mail from a friend of mine, who is a member of Quipfire,” Uselman said. “He told me that they were touring California and he was wondering if our troupes could do a show together. So I said of course – I’m really excited to work with these guys. I’ve seen two of their members improvise in Chicago and it was really good.”

Allison Stevenson, a junior Birdstrike member, shared Uselman’s enthusiasm for collaborating with another group.

“Improv groups generally have their own panache that they form after being together and practicing for a while, so it will be exciting to see what Quipfire’s style and humor is versus ours,” Stevenson said.

UCD students who have attended their shows can say that Birdstrike performances are at once enlivening, animated and quick-witted.

“Within the first 10 minutes, I knew it was something I was going to keep coming back to,” said Carlo Rosales, a sophomore chemistry major. “It is really impressive how quickly some students can come up with clever things to say. Being aware that the actors are improvising seems to add more authenticity to the performances.”

Rosales said that Birdstrike is one of those student groups that show that college is not just about lectures and homework. “It’s just a place where you can forget about your classes and release some stress through laughter.”

Cast members of Birdstrike seem to have just as much fun working on the shows as UCD students have watching it.

“I hope that I can speak for every Birdstriker when I say that our meetings are something we look forward to every week,” Uselman said.

“It’s like being a little kid again,” said Katelyn Hempstead, meeting organizer of Birdstrike and a UCD sophomore.

Members seem to unanimously embrace the camaraderie and creativity of such a group, where the bulk of their ideas arise casually and whimsically.

“We had to pitch ideas at this one meeting so I just started talking, and the first thing that came to my head was a sketch where a guy was arrested for eating a banana,” Sears said.

“I thought it was possibly the worst idea ever, but I guess someone liked it, since it ended up in our show,” he said. “In conclusion, people on Birdstrike can make even the dumbest ideas into hilarious sketches. “

Such comfort in spontaneity illustrates the tight-knit dynamics of Birdstrike.

“We get along really well as a group,” Stevenson said. “Like freakishly well. You might say we’re like a family of some sort.”

Upcoming Birdstrike shows will include mini shows on Feb. 5 and 19 at 8 p.m. in Kleiber Hall, as well as their “Big Quarterly Show” on Mar. 5. The theme of the big show will be MONEY.

For further updates on Birdstrike, join their Facebook group.

ELENI STEPHANIDES can be reached at arts@theaggie.org.

Artsweek

Arts & Culture

Arts Editor

January 21, 2010

ART / GALLERY

Missouri Mule, Not an Airplane

Today, 7 p.m., Free

John Natsoulas Gallery

As a part of John Natsoulas Gallery’s Thursday night concert series, Davis based Missouri Mule and Sacramento’s Not an Airplane will be playing tonight. The event is open to all ages and will be free (accepting donations).

El Chon, Water Cooler, Rilli Vanilli Spine

Friday, 8 p.m., Free

John Natsoulas Gallery

KDVS and the Natsoulas Gallery host a reunion between El Chon, Water Cooler and Rilli Vanilli Spine. This music will be performed at one of Davis’ most respected art venues.

AT THE MOVIES

The Man Who Knew Too Much

Monday, Jan. 25, 6 p.m.; 8 p.m., $5

Mondavi Center, Vanderhoef Studio Theatre

In Mondavi’s Focus on Film series, the Vanderhoef Studio will be playing a double bill of Alfred Hitchcock’s The Man Who Knew Too Much in its classic black and white 1934 debut at 6 p.m. and its color 1956 version at 8 p.m. Tickets are just $5 for students. To see what other films the Mondavi will be featuring this quarter, visit mondaviarts.org.

MUSIC

Birthday Dance Party

Friday, 7-11 p.m., free

Delta of Venus

KDVS Presents: Shannon and the Clams, Larry & the Angriest Generation, The American Splits and plenty more DJ’s to spin in between. Facebook already has 100 confirmed guests so this event is planning to be one in the books.

Composer Colloquium: Oscar Bianchi

Wednesday, Jan. 27, 3:10-5 p.m., Free

115 Music Building

Oscar Bianchi is from Columbia University and has quickly gained the respect of many as one of the most talented composers of his generation. Through a grant from Meet the Composer, this performance is able to take place at our University.

THEATER / MONDAVI

UC Davis Violin Festival-Recital

Friday, 7 p.m., $9

Mondavi Center, Vanderhoef Studio Theatre

Playing Mozart, Debussy and Brahams, Fritz Gearhart (violin) and John Cozza (piano) will be performing classical pieces directed by UC Davis faculty affiliates Dan Flanagan (concertmaster of Sacramento Philharmonic and opera) and Michael Sand (first musical director of the Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra of SF).

UC Davis Violin Festival-Baroque Recital

Saturday, 7 p.m., $18

Mondavi Center, Vanderhoef Studio Theatre

After performing the night before, Michael Sand and Dan Flanagan (festival directors) will be concentrating pieces from the Baroque period.

Spirit of Uganda

Sunday, Jan. 24, 3 p.m., $12.50

Mondavi Center, Jackson Hall

A company of 22 East African performers will be coming to the Mondavi Center this Sunday. The message of peace and the awareness of AIDS are expressed through dancing, music and the spirits of the children whose ages range from eight to 18. Returning for a third encore, Spirit of Uganda will be an impressionable message. There will also be a post-performance Q&A. Read our article in MUSE for more information.

Empyrean Ensemble: Program Two

Sunday, Jan. 24, 7 p.m., $9

Mondavi Center, Vanderhoef Studio Theatre

Featured ensemble members include Ellen Ruth Rose, Chris Froh and Tod Brody who are just a few of the highly talented performers in California. They will be performing reptorie by Pablo Ortiz, Laurie San Martin as well John MacCallum, Wayne Peterson and John Cage.

Morphoses/The Wheeldon Company

Tuesday, Jan. 26, 8 p.m., $12.50

Mondavi Center, Jackson Hall

Similar to Pilobolus, this dance company who hail from London, New York and many other internationally acclaimed ballets will be touring West Coast for the first time. As one of the Director’s Choices, Morphoses will also have a post-performance Q&A.

Miguel Zenón Septet

Wednesday-Saturday, Jan. 27-30, 8 p.m., $17.50

Mondavi Center, Vanderhoef Studio Theatre

Already very limited in tickets, Septet has won a fellowship from the MacArthur Foundation. He is recognized as an extremely talented jazz musician with high caliber. He is said to bring a different take on jazz in the genre. If you are curious as to what I am talking about, Youtube him – but be quick since seats are selling fast.

THIRDeYE Theatre Festival

Wednesday-Sunday, 8 p.m. and Sunday, 2 p.m., $14 general admission, $10 with a student ID

Wyatt Pavilion

The THIRDeYE Theatre Festival will be featuring three individual works by UC Davis students. For more information, read the preview in MUSE.

KAREN SONG can be reached at arts@theaggie.org.

Aggies trample Anteaters, inch by Roadrunners

Sports

Sports Editor

January 20, 2010

Like a well-oiled machine, UC Davis is firing on all cylinders.

Over the weekend, the Aggies extended their winning streak to five games with victories over UC Irvine and Cal State Bakersfield. As a result, UC Davis is tied with Cal Poly atop the Big West Conference standings.

“We’re in control of our own destiny,” said coach Sandy Simpson. “It’s still pretty early but it’s nice to know that we don’t have to depend on other teams losing. If we keep playing well and winning we’ll be fine.”

In these two most recent victories, the Aggies demonstrated that they are versatile enough to win games of any sort.

Thursday – UC Davis 77, UC Irvine 44

All season, UC Davis players and coaches have said that no Big West opponent will be easy to beat.

On Thursday, the Anteaters did their best to prove the Aggies wrong.

After taking a three-point lead with 16:20 left in the first half, UC Davis never let up as they dismantled UC Irvine by a score of 77-44.

“We had great intensity from start to finish,” Simpson said. “We adjusted well to their zone defense and hit our shots. We just played really well.”

The Aggies simply dominated in all facets of the game.

As a team, they bested the Anteaters in nearly every major statistical category including field goal percentage (46.8-31.5) and rebounds (38-32).

The only red flag in the UC Davis stat line was the high number of turnovers (21). Despite this, the Aggies believe there is nothing to worry about.

“We made some ill advised decisions late,” Simpson said. “While it’s not ideal, we know that it’s hard for either team to stay sharp at the end of a game like this.”

The Aggies not only played well as a team but also had some impressive individual performances.

Forward Paige Mintun led all players with eight rebounds, three assists and three blocks in just 22 minutes of play.

In addition, three Aggies scored in double figures. Sophomore Kasey Riecks led the way with 17 points, nine of which came from beyond the arc.

Due to the nature of the game, UC Davis was able to spread the playing time around as no Aggie played less than 15 or more than 25 minutes.

Monday – UC Davis 79, Cal State Bakersfield 76

In their final non-conference game of the season, the Aggies would have liked an easy win.

Instead, Bakersfield gave UC Davis all it could handle.

The Aggies would ultimately pull out the victory in a game that saw eight ties and 13 lead changes.

“It was a wild game,” Simpson said. “It was pretty defensive in the first half then it was a shoot-out in the second. We were really sharp offensively the whole time. The difference was that we made key stops at the end.”

The game was tied at 31 entering half time as no team led by more than four in the first period.

In the second half, the Aggies would lead by as much as eight. The Roadrunners responded by whittling the lead down and eventually taking a three-point lead with 1:53 left in the game.

Half a minute later, Mintun would drain a shot from long-distance to tie the game at 76.

Bakersfield tried their best to respond but the defensive prowess of guard Haylee Donaghe would lead to a steal and a Mintun layup to give UC Davis the lead for good.

Four Aggies would score in double-figures again led by Riecks’ 21. Junior Heidi Heintz had a great all-around game as she logged 17 points, seven boards and five assists.

MARK LING can be reached at sports@theaggie.org.

Women beat Pacific for first time in 10 years

Sports

Sports Editor

January 20, 2010

The UC Davis women’s team had not beaten Pacific in 10 years.

So much for recent history.

The Aggies started the new year with a 187-107 win over the Tigers, the first in almost a decade.

“This was a really big victory for us,” said coach Barbara Jahn. “This is the beginning of a new decade. It’s good to start off with a win.”

In the 200 breaststroke, Morgan Lee and Alyssa Britt recorded season-best times of 2:25.45 and 2:27.95, respectively. Jodi Hanson’s time of 2:15.09 in the 200 individual medley was also a season best while Kayleigh Foley broke a personal record in the 100 fly.

The women also swept the top three spots in the 50 freestyle with Chandler finishing first at 24.13, Foley coming in second at 24.28, and Jen Cadmus finishing at 24.86.

The men also had their way with Pacific, defeating the Tigers 151-125 to remain undefeated on the season at 5-0.

Having almost a month off between competitions didn’t seem to bother UC Davis.

“After six weeks off, we performed right on track,” said coach Pete Motekaitis. “We want to get better and better, culminating in a great conference championship.”

The Aggies were led by Matt Herman, who set a Schaal Aquatics Center record in the 1650 freestyle with a time of 15:39.17.

Russ Underwood came in first for the Aggies in the men’s 50 freestyle, outtouching Pacific’s Steven Woods by exactly one-tenth of a second.

Jimmy Fong, Kyle Anderson, Daniel Donnelly, and Russ Underwood combined for a time of 1:33.04. Alex Daneke and BJ Scoggan finished first and second in the 200 freestyle.

On Sunday, the women took to the pool once more facing off against San Jose State. The Aggies fell by a 195-103 score putting their record at 3-6 on the season.

The success that the women had on Saturday didn’t roll over to their meet against the Spartans, as weather conditions made swimming difficult.

“It rained the whole time,” Jahn said. “There was not much rest, and it was cold and wet.”

Despite the poor swimming conditions, Katelyn Griffin’s performance in the 200 freestyle was a season best. Lisa Bender also had a season best performance in the 200 breaststroke.

The women will continue competition when they join the Aggie men in a meet at Cal State Bakersfield on Saturday at 1 p.m.

MATT WANG can be reached at sports@theaggie.org.

Column: Life in the fast lane

Opinion

Opinion

January 20, 2010

I’m generally a pretty easygoing person. I wouldn’t consider myself particularly impatient. I tend to go with the flow in most cases. I attribute my laidback attitude to my desire to avoid confrontation at all costs. I never know the right thing to say in a heated face-to-face interaction, and more likely than not, I will just end up cowering away in shame. So why let it escalate that far, right?

However, like any normal human being, there is that one thing that gets my goat. The straw that breaks my camel’s back. To move away from animal expressions, the kryptonite to MY Clark Kent. That one irritating tendency, that single thing a person can do to royally piss me off is … walk slow.

I know. That was probably anti-climatic. You were probably hoping that I would say something heavy like A) genocide, B) litterers or C) bikers without a bike light. But my vice is simply slow walkers, and I will tell you why it should be yours, too.

The most obvious reason is life is short. Some people may like to mosey their life away and take their good, sweet time getting from A to B, but I prefer efficiency. When I have some place I need to be, I just want to be there already. If I could teleport there, I would – but the technology is just not available yet. So in the meantime, if I want to burn holes through my shoes power walking at six miles an hour, then people should allow me that right and get out of my freaking way.

I was on my way to class the other night. I prefer to get there 10 minutes early to avoid being that one awkward person sitting on the floor. All was going smoothly until I came up behind two friends lolly-gagging the night away and occupying the whole sidewalk. One might suggest I simply step off the sidewalk and go around them. Well, it had been raining, the street had puddles and I was wearing my canvas Converse shoes. Why should I risk gangrene when they could have either stepped aside courteously like slow walkers should do, or even better just move their legs a little faster?

A counter-argument to my position might be that I am an Amazon woman. Yes, I am 5-foot-10. How can I realistically expect everyone to cater to my needs and walk just as fast as I do? Well, I pose to you the anomaly that is my 5-foot-tall best friend. Only two inches separate her from being legally considered a midget and she is the speediest of speedy walkers. A shopping trip with her is actually an intense aerobic workout. I can barely keep the pace, and I usually end up dehydrated or with a pulled muscle.

If she can keep up, then I have complete faith in the rest of humanity. My suggestion to cure my slow walker woes – and alleviate this annoyance from everyone else’s life – is that speed laws be instated for pedestrians. Before you think I’m insane, remember it is just a suggestion. According to Wikipedia (the most valid of valid sources, I like to think), the average walking speed for a human being is three miles an hour. What a wonderful world it would be if someone walking below that speed could get ticketed!

Besides benefiting my life, I truly think it would benefit everyone in the long run. It’s a well-known fact that America has an obesity problem, so really, walking speed regulations would only help resolve the issue. We can post signs by the walking speed limit signs that read, “Pick up the pace, and drop the pounds!” It’s both encouraging and practical. I would fully support this.

If you want me to be realistic, then yes, I know this dream of mine will probably never come true. So in the meantime, can people just follow the same rules as vehicles and scoot to the right to let the faster traffic pass? Not only would it make my life easier, but it will save you from abiding by future walking laws I will in fact pursue if you continue to make my life hell.

AMANDA HARDWICK is going to start flat-tiring anyone who is not keeping the pace. If you don’t want her to (even though she probably will anyway), e-mail her at aghardwick@ucdavis.edu.

Column: Everyone poops

Opinion

Opinion

January 20, 2010

Happy hump day, everyone! I hope you all enjoyed your three-day weekend and are back to the books.

I spent the weekend in Boulder, Colo. with some old friends from home. We had a great time gallivanting in the snow – more like ice on the sidewalks – and enjoying the beautiful scenery.

On Friday night, we went to a burger joint called Dark Horse where you can get a burger, fries and a drink for only $5.50. (Burgers and Brew, are you reading this?) So of course when you have a drink the size of your head, you’re bound to have to use the toilet. And that’s exactly what I did.

Here’s the funny part. Imagine a restaurant covered floor to ceiling with wagons, animal heads, pictures and anything else that probably came from the 1800s (or from your grandma’s basement). I walked to the restroom, which was a bit hard to find. There were two doors. One had a picture of a man with the word “women” painted on his arm pointing to the right. The other door had a picture of a woman with the word “men” painted on her arm pointing to the left.

But all I saw were the words “women” and “men.” That’s right, I walked into the men’s room and witnessed a man standing over a urinal. I let out an “oh my god!” and quickly ran out. I don’t think he saw me. But the men standing at the bar did and I’m sure they got a good laugh at me.

This little mix up I had got me thinking about bathrooms, men, women and, of course, lines. Girls, don’t you just hate it when the line for the ladies’ room is twice, three times, sometimes four times as long as the men’s?

If you go anywhere, from concerts to bars, the women always have to wait. I went to a concert over the summer. When it was over, I had to go so badly it hurt.

I saw the line and laughed. It was about 100 women long, and there was no way I was going to make it. So being the sly person I am, I found the exit and snuck into a stall. An angry lady started knocking on the door, and I just stayed quiet doing my thing.

I can’t say this follows my morals, but a girl’s gotta do what a girl’s gotta do.

From the Davis bars to a random Starbucks in Beverly Hills, I have found myself waiting in line for the bathroom. As I stand waiting on any given day, I could probably count about three guys going into the men’s room.

This isn’t fair. So of course, I use the men’s room from time to time. It’s not a crime, so don’t shoot. (Or is it?)

It’s a great place to meet a guy. It makes for a great conversation starter. Maybe you can start with, “Oh, I’m sorry. Is this the men’s room?” Most guys probably won’t care if you “accidentally” go in the wrong bathroom. They may even ask you for your number.

In some cases, it’s impossible to avoid. My friend who recently graduated from UC Santa Cruz lived in co-ed dorms during his freshman year. He shared a somewhat embarrassing story with me.

He had a favorite stall he would always use, but this specific stall was the only one in the restroom with a sanitary napkin disposal. One day while he was taking care of business, a girl from his floor was waiting for him. He wasn’t sure why. There were plenty of other stalls to use. A few days later, it clicked and he realized why she was waiting. He also learned that everyone poops.

When you have to go, you have to go. But I just don’t understand why girls have to take so long. Maybe this is a great time to thank men for existing, because without you, us girls would probably be ripping each other’s hair out.

ERICA BETNUN climbed a snow-covered mountain last weekend. What did you do? Let her know at elbetnun@ucdavis.edu.

Roving Reporter

Features

Features Editor

January 20, 2010

1. “To make more music on my drum machine, but I’m finding it hard because in today’s music production world you need to be versed in a myriad programs. But look out for my album by the end of this year.” – Arjun Srivatsa, junior communication major

8. “To keep in contact with friends back home and read more for pleasure. It’s going well except the reading-for-pleasure part.” -Lauren Basta, sophomore human development major

9. “Drink less coffee, but that hasn’t been working because I’ve been drinking it twice a day.” – Brian Sparks, senior international relations major

13. “I’d like to save money for a trip to Cabo for spring break. It’s not going well so far, but we’ll see. Mom and pops may have to help out.” – Ryan Krause, sophomore international relations major

14. “I would like to get a puppy. But I don’t think it’d be possible yet – maybe for Christmas.” – Jenny Wang, sophomore communication major

– Text by VANNA LE

– Photos by EVAN DAVIS

Aggie Daily Calendar

Features

Features Editor

January 20, 2010

TODAY

Summer Abroad Info Session: Italy

4 to 5 p.m.

Education Abroad Center, Third and A streets

Learn about the comparative literature program in Florence, Italy! Get a program overview, ask questions and meet the instructor!

Obama Deception Screening

7 p.m.

Community Room of Davisville Apartments, 1221 Kennedy Place

Big Sheet Cinema presents the Obama Deception. The screening is free but donations are appreciated.

THURSDAY

Summer Abroad Info Session: Australia

1 to 2 p.m.

Education Abroad Center, Third and A streets

Interested in traveling abroad with an English program? Check out the Melbourne, Australia program!

Student Services and Fees Administrative Advisory Committee

3:10 to 4:30 p.m.

203 Mrak

Listen to the SSFAAC as they discuss the UC Davis budget!

PZ Myers Speech

7 p.m.

194 Chemistry

Celebrated biologist and blogger PZ Myers will be giving a speech brought to you by the Agnostic and Atheist Student Association.

Students for Nichiren Buddhism Meeting

8 p.m.

101 Olson

Learn about a new life philosophy and discuss issues of daily importance!

To receive placement in the AGGIE DAILY CALENDAR, e-mail dailycal@theaggie.org or stop by 25 Lower Freeborn by noon the day prior to your event. Due to space constraints, all event descriptions are subject to editing, and priority will be given to events that are free of charge and geared toward the campus community.

Tobacco report card gives Davis a ‘B’

City News

City Editor

January 20, 2010

Adopting and enforcing anti-smoking legislation for tobacco prevention in California needs improvement, according to the annual State of Tobacco Control report issued earlier this month by the American Lung Association of California.

The report graded 373 cities and 34 counties in California based on three categories: (1) smoke-free air, (2) smoke-free housing and (3) reducing sales of tobacco products. These factors were averaged to produce the city’s overall score.

Davis received an ‘A’ for smoke-free air and reducing sales of tobacco products. The city received a D in smoke-free housing, giving Davis an overall B grade.

Unincorporated areas of Yolo County did not do as well, as the county’s overall score was a D. Neighboring city Woodland received a D and Winters, an F.

Only four cities received an overall A grade – Richmond, Glendale, Albany and Calabasas. Davis was one of 15 cities in California that scored a B. Others included Oakland, Santa Monica and Belmont.

Major cities like Sacramento, San Francisco and Los Angeles all received C’s and 271 cities received an F.

“These results are disappointing,” said Paul Knepprath, vice president of advocacy and health initiatives for ALAC. “It shows we need to make a more united effort against Big Tobacco here in California. The majority of cities throughout California need to be less reluctant in recognizing this as a problem.”

Knepprath believes these three categories provide the best criteria to achieve policy change.

“We hope this report encourages leadership where improvement is needed,” Knepprath said. “There is no downside for city officials to adopt anti-smoking legislation, since it is an unhealthy and unpopular habit.”

Anti-smoking organizations like ALAC say they are at a tremendous disadvantage due to the vast resources available to tobacco companies.

The Campaign for TobaccoFree-Kids reported tobacco companies spend over $800,000,000 annually on marketing their product in California. State government, on the other hand, spends $79,000,000 in anti-smoking efforts per year.

Steve Jensen, the program coordinator of tobacco education at Yolo County health offices said the most effective goal would be to invest more money directly into prevention programs.

“Preventing someone from ever starting to smoke is much more effective than trying to help people quit,” Jensen said.

Currently, only 25 cents from each pack of cigarettes goes towards prevention programs.

Jensen, however, believes because the ALAC report is based on policy only it does not necessarily indicate the progress cities have made.

Nonetheless, Jensen and Knepprath both noticed Davis has been ahead of the curve for comprehensive smoking bans in the region.

“Davis has been passing policies long before it was the thing to do,” he said. “They strongly enforce the retail licensing laws, and have city codes that protect outdoor events, like the Farmers Market.”

Between 1989 and 2004, during the first 15 years of California’s campaign for tobacco control, an estimated $86,000,000,000 was saved in health care costs, according to a study done in 2008 at the UC San Francisco Center for Tobacco Control Research and Education.

Those on the other end of the debate are tobacco companies, such as Philip Morris and R.J. Reynolds, that declined to comment.

ALAC placed a ballot initiative for the November 2010 elections to raise the cigarette tax by $1 in California, in addition to providing more funds for tobacco prevention and control programs.

MICHAEL STEPANOV can be reached at city@theaggie.org.

Doors swing open for Westlake IGA Market

City News

City Editor

January 20, 2010

When the ribbon was cut and the speeches given, the Westlake IGA Market finally opened its doors for business.

The market welcomed the public on Friday, Jan. 15 with a ceremonial ribbon cutting at 9 a.m. The DeLano owners and Davis Mayer Ruth Asmundson were on site while customers anxiously entered the store and began filling their shopping carts with items.

“As it got closer to opening we realized how excited the community was for a grocer to open in West Davis, and that made it that much more exciting for us,” said Denice Harrington, store manager and daughter of grocery chain founder Harley DeLano.

In the early morning, senior citizens shopped the aisles, while nearby residents came around the lunch hour. College students and schoolchildren entered the market later in the afternoon ready to explore the new store.

“I think the market is really nice and clean and easily organized,” said sophomore chemistry major Katie Gronotte. “Living down the street made it really convenient for me to shop and get the few items that I needed, without having to drive all the way to Safeway.”

The West Davis store is located at 1260 Lake Blvd. in the Westlake Plaza. The market offers students a 5 percent discount daily with proof of their ID card and senior citizens a 5 percent discount once a week.

SAMANTHA BOSIO can be reached at city@theaggie.org.

Senator voices opinions on California Delta

City News

City Editor

January 20, 2010

After Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger passed a five-bill package in November 2009 regarding construction of the California Delta, Rep. Lois Wolk (D-Davis) stood up in opposition. Following this decision, Wolk lost five of the seven committee positions she once managed.

There is some debate over whether or not her opinion was related to the rearrangement of committee membership. She was also appointed to another committee, but according to Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg’s representatives, her loss of positions was not due to her opinion on the Delta.

“When I learned that the Conference Committee intended to alter key provisions of the bill, as well as other pieces of the water package, it was clear I could no longer carry this legislation,” Wolk said in a press release. “What began as a sincere effort to create a state and local partnership to restore the Delta and sustain the Delta communities and economy is becoming, day by day, amendment by amendment, a tool to assist water exporters who are primarily responsible for the Delta’s decline.”

After learning SB 458 created a Delta Conservancy that would contain stipulations she disagreed with, Wolk retracted her support. The senator disagreed in the bill’s call for a peripheral canal and told the Stockton Record that Senate President Pro Tem Steinberg’s role in the legislation is “disturbing” and that he threw Northern California Democrats “under the bus.”

In March 2009 Steinberg appointed Wolk as chair to the new committee aimed to maintain the sustainability and preservation of the Delta. Wolk was also assigned to serve on the state commission that allocated land use and resource control in the Delta.

However, on Jan. 8 Steinberg announced they would be cutting down on the membership of the Senate’s standing committees. After broadcasting the list of position changes, Wolk maintained the chairmanship of the Revenue and Taxation Committee and the Natural Resources and Water Committee. Though she picked up a new seat on the Food and Agriculture Committee, she lost her position on Appropriations, Budget and Fiscal Review, Health, Transportation and Housing and Local Government.

Alicia Trost, Steinberg’s spokeswoman said the modifications made in Wolk’s committee positions had nothing to do with her statements regarding the Delta bills.

“It’s consistent with our overall goal of reducing workload so members can focus on specific issue areas,” Trost said.

Last fall the governor signed his approval involving an $11.1 billion bond that paid for construction of a minor canal, more dams and the demolition of the Delta. Steinberg also praised the bills, claiming they would improve the surrounding environment while reestablishing the existing ecosystem and making California’s water supply more stable.

The transition in committee membership tried to create more efficiency in the legislative procedures and allow representatives to focus on their specific committee work, according to Steinberg’s office.

“Senators have a tremendous amount of talent and expertise,” Steinberg said in a press release. “The new committee structure will allow them to dedicate even more of their time and energy to the most pressing issues confronting California and provide greater oversight of state government operations.”

SAMANTHA BOSIO can be reached at city@theaggie.org.

Correction – January 25, 2010: The article incorrectly stated the governor signed his approval last fall involving an $11,000,000 bond to pay for construction of a minor canal, more dams and the demolition of the Delta. The amount of the bond was actually $11.1 billion.

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