Studio offering virtual yoga classes over Zoom 

Whether it’s to get your sweat on, to calm down after a stressful day or just to feel a sense of community, many Davis students turn to practicing yoga at Barefoot Yoga Studio, located downtown at 1015 Olive Dr. The studio offers an array of classes including vinyasa and gentle flows, as well as basic yoga classes and even kids yoga.

The studio, founded by Robert Boswell in 2005, is a staple of the Davis community, with 47.4% of Best of Davis voters choosing Barefoot as their favorite studio. And the appreciation goes both ways: Boswell said the atmosphere that college students bring to Davis and to Barefoot makes the community what it is.

 “Yoga perpetuates the idea that you are always a student, and I think having college students around adds to the energy [of yoga] that comes out in that age group, which is open and receptive,” he said.

The studio aims to make the practice of yoga accessible and to share the message that Boswell has found through yoga with Davis students, as well as the whole Davis community. Boswell, who found yoga after an injury that ended his running career, said the studio is brought to life by the diversity of Davis.

“The discipline of yoga brings a sense of happiness and freedom, which we try to encourage,” Boswell said. “We want a heart-felt, community based studio, and that’s what I like about college town studios — it brings diversity”

Nisha Marwaha, a recent UC Davis graduate who interned at Barefoot Yoga during her time at the university, said the community is what makes Barefoot such a special studio to practice at.

“It’s just kind of like a family there,” Marwaha said. “The community and the teachers […] were just a kind of family that I had in Davis when you’re in college and your family is far away. Just knowing that I always had their support and they watched me grow […] was just a wonderful opportunity.”

Shannon Mayhew, another Davis graduate and loyal Barefoot yogi who also previously interned at the studio, agreed that the people and the atmosphere at the studio make it a special place.  

“It’s kind of in a funky location, right across the street from In-n-Out, and it’s super hidden, but once you enter it’s kind of like a secret garden,” Mayhew said. “There’s plants and tapestries and posters and it smells amazing and you walk in and see all these smiling faces. In the community, everyone gets to know each other, and that’s what really kept me — that I was in the community with the fellow yogis as well as the teachers because they were so open.”

For those interested in supporting Barefoot Yoga Studio during the current COVID-19 crisis, patrons are able to practice with instructors and fellow yogis via their virtual zoom classes, available on their website.

Written by: Katie DeBenedetti — features@theaggie.org

Red 88 Noodle Bar makes the drink with vodka, gin, tequila, triple sec, Bacardi 151, Sprite and juice

Although the town of Davis may not be known for its nightlife, students have certainly found ways to entertain themselves over the years. The “Trinity” is a popular bar crawl among the 21+ crowd that has become a beloved ritual among undergraduate students.

The goal is to finish three different drinks from three different bars as fast as possible. According to DavisWiki, the average time it takes to complete all three is 90 minutes. Those ambitious enough to finish the trinity in 45 minutes, however, receive the “The Triple Crown” title. There are also variations of the Trinity, including the Holy Trinity. 

The drinks consist of The Devastator at Bistro 33, The FML at Red 88 Noodle Bar and the Wicky Wacky Woo at Bar Bernardo. These drinks have been determined to be some of the strongest at Davis, which is why the Trinity is such a revered rite of passage among students. 

According to the Best of Davis survey taken by Davis undergraduates, the most popular of the three drinks is the FML. Typically the last drink of the Trinity, the FML is made of vodka, gin, tequila, triple sec and Bacardi 151, then mixed with Sprite and juice. At $9.50 per drink, the FML is decently affordable for its strength. 

“The fruitiness of the FML masks the alcohol in it so it doesn’t taste too strong,” said fourth-year psychology major Elaina Jahanfard. She first had the FML on her 21st birthday while celebrating at Red 88 Noodle Bar. 

“I have really fond memories associated with this drink because all of my closest friends from different groups did it with me that night,” Jahanfard said. 

For those who drink, the FML is certainly something to try once bars and restaurants open back up. Strong but still tasty and affordable, the FML is a great way to finish up your Trinity experience or try the next time you go to Red 88 Noodle Bar. 

Written by: Alyssa Ilsley — arts@theaggie.org

Well, we’ve all got to go, and the best place to go on campus is the Mondavi Performing Arts Center, according to 35.6% of respondents. If someone is willing to go this far out of their way from campus to use a specific toilet, then that shows commitment to the business of doing business. For most of us, however, the Mondavi Center bathroom is most likely occupied during a show. 

Upon walking into the bathroom, the lighting is soft and perfectly dimmed to create an experience unlike the one felt in the campus bathrooms built in the 1950s when people were half our size and thought fluorescent lighting was inviting. Did I mention the large gap in the stalls that make the accidental eye gaze possible?

Mazze Whiteley, a second-year transfer and psychology major, expressed why he thinks the Mondavi Center bathroom is the fan favorite.

“It’s likely a favorite because they keep it very clean, it is newly designed and has the feel of a higher end bathroom suite,” Whiteley said. 

The bathroom in the Mondavi Center is clearly more clean and spacious than others on campus, and it looks like the bathroom on the first floor of an art museum (definitely mirror selfie worthy). And cleanliness and space is an important factor for students — the brand new California Hall bathroom took 33.9% of the votes.

The bathroom does make good use of the announcement system, which can make students feel like they’re not on a college campus but instead possibly a department store. Whiteley acknowledged that people may need the announcements during intermissions to let guests know when it’s time to return to their seats. 

Whichever throne you tweet from in the middle of the day, remember to wash your hands when you’re done. 

Written by: Josh Madrid — features@theaggie.org 

By JOSH MADRID — features@theaggie.org 

“Guad’s is the perfect college cuisine because it’s extremely affordable, packed with flavor and it has very fast service.”

Taqueria Guadalajara, better known as Guad’s to Davis locals, is this year’s winner for Best Tacos in Davis, offering delicious and affordable Mexican cuisine that draws UC Davis students and local residents alike. The taqueria — which has locations in North Davis, South Davis and Woodland — serves an array of Mexican dishes including burritos, tostadas and quesadillas. Its award-winning tacos are plated with a generous serving of meat, fresh cilantro and onions. They start at just under $2 a piece.  

No matter the order, Guad’s regularly brings together groups of Davis students to connect over a quick take-out dinner or a dine-in meal. Jeremy Inducil, a second-year mechanical engineering major at UC Davis whose go-to order is a super burrito with carnitas, said he loves Guad’s for the way it fosters community. 

“It epitomizes the Davis environment,” Inducil said. “A bunch of young college students having fun — eating delicious, affordable food.”

Ayush Garg, a second-year computer science and cognitive science double major at UC Davis, has a go-to order: a veggie burrito. Garg echoed the sentiment that Guad’s is a great option for Mexican food for UC Davis students. 

“Guad’s is the perfect college cuisine because it’s extremely affordable, packed with flavor and it has very fast service,” Garg said. “Also, it has one of the best salsa bars I’ve seen at a taqueria.” 

He added that it provides a sense of comfort during the school year.

“There’s something about being in college that makes [Guad’s] feel very homely,” Garg said. 

Guad’s is remaining open for take-out orders during the shelter-in-place order. 

Written by: Madeleine Payne — features@theaggie.or

Students say basketball games allow them to feel like they are part of a community

Whether it’s a chilly afternoon in late Fall Quarter or a cold night at any point throughout Winter Quarter, heading to The Pavilion and watching the Aggies play basketball is a staple for many students at UC Davis. 

Taking home 40% of the vote, basketball at UC Davis is one of the campus’ must-see attractions, largely due to the success that both the women’s and men’s programs have had in recent years. Both teams provide fans with thrilling finishes year in and year out, especially in the Big West Conference, where the majority of the contests are neck and neck. 

For second-year math major Sharon Sandoval, going to basketball games allows her to feel like she’s a part of the school community and to experience the thrill of the sport in a more compact environment. 

“I enjoy the atmosphere,” Sandoval said. “Being inside is a plus and I feel like, since it is, everyone in the crowd is closer, building a stronger front when supporting the team.”

Fourth-year history major Robert Henderson echoes the claim, explaining what separates a UC Davis basketball game from other sporting events.

“The atmosphere is insanely fun,” Henderson said. “If you get there early enough and grab a seat in the first row, you’re right on top of the action and you can feel the energy.” 

Being able to sit right near the action adds another unique element that is hard to replicate for fans of other sports. Both Sandoval and Henderson credit the up-beat style of play that each team utilizes at these games, making every moment of the games exciting. 

With both teams constantly right in the mix of the conference championship picture, basketball has become one of the most popular sports at UC Davis. The excellent coaching staff in place for both sides will make it take a lot to stop these programs in the near future. 

Written by: Omar Navarro — features@theaggie.org

“Liquid courage” goes a long way

It’s Thursday night and yet another three hours of your life have been sacrificed to the 24-hour room. Lost in thought, you’ve come to the conclusion that the only thing more boring than that Chem 2B textbook you’ve been glazing over is your love life. If you’re in need of a remedy to this dire situation, the Davisites have spoken, and with 43% of the vote, the bars are the top spot to meet singles and spice up your social life — beating out dating apps like Tinder and Hinge, which secured 35.4% of the vote. 

Tom Robey, a fourth-year neurobiology, physiology and biology major, touted Mojito Night at Bistro 33 with its open layout and laid back atmosphere as his favorite spot to spark a friendship.

“I’ve met a couple of people who I’m still friends with from Mojito and from bars in general,” Robey said. “There have been people who I’ve actually gotten really close to and our first conversation was over a pitcher.”

For a more low-key date night, Robey suggested checking out DeVere’s Whiskey Wednesdays, which offers intimate low lighting and half-priced whiskey drinks.

“If you wanted to take somebody there on a date or meet somebody new, I think that’s a good place to sit down and talk over whiskey drinks,” Robey said.

Brooke Kaplan, a fourth-year human development major, noted that the presence of a little bit of liquid courage goes a long way in getting people to loosen up and initiate novel conversations.

“I definitely have been approached by guys I’ve never met at the bars or just people In general,” Kaplan said. “The thing about the bars is everyone is drinking and when you’re drinking, you become a lot friendlier. You’re definitely more likely to meet people that you don’t know when there’s some alcohol involved.”

So once it’s safe to gather in groups again, grab your friends, stop swiping and head downtown to make a few genuine connections.

Written by: Andrew Williams — features@theaggie.org 

Sunflowers only in bloom during summer — so start breaking out the camera!

The sunflower fields took home the gold(en yellow) as this year’s best photo shoot location, with 36.8% of the votes. The sunflower fields, located in and around Davis, narrowly beat the Arboretum for the top spot. 

The sunflowers are only in bloom during the summer months, so now is the time to start breaking out the camera. 

Third-year managerial economics major Ashley Metcalfe visited the sunflower fields last July on a whim when driving from the Bay Area to Sacramento. 

“During the drive we passed acres of sunflowers along the highway,” Metcalfe said. “They were so beautiful, and it was the first time I saw them in person. Spontaneously, we decided to pull over at the 76 Gas Station in Dixon to take a few photos.”

The photos Metcalfe and her sister-in-law took that day are some of her favorite photos to date, and one of the pictures has been her Instagram profile picture for almost a year now. 

“I loved how bright the photo was,” Metcalfe said. “I happened to wear a yellow shirt that day which wasn’t planned at all, but I really liked how it matched with the sunflowers.”

Sunflowers are sure to make a splash on social media. 

I definitely got some great photos of both myself and my friend,” said Annabel Collins, a third-year animal science major. “I posted one on Instagram and I got a ton of compliments on that particular post, most likely because the sunset in the background made the sky look rainbow-colored and the flowers looked super cool against it.”

Collins recommends waiting to go until later in the summer because that’s when the flowers are in their best bloom, as well as waiting until sunset to snap a picture or two. 

“That’s the best time to go because the lighting is less harsh and gives people the ‘golden hour’ look,” Collins said. 

For those that head to the fields at high noon, Metcalfe recommends bringing sunglasses and wearing an outfit that will complement the flowers — neutral colors are a safe bet. 

Written by: Liz Jacobson — features@theaggie.org 

Restaurant offers numerous burger options as well as specialty entrée, fries

Although Davis’ culinary offerings are vast and varied, UC Davis students have voted Burgers and Brew as the best place in the city to take your parents.

Located on 403 3rd Street and normally open from 11 a.m to 10 p.m, the restaurant offers a number of burger options, ranging from hamburgers to garden burgers to chili cheeseburgers and more. The restaurant is known for offering a wide variety of specialty items, such as their turkey avocado melt, fish & chips and steak sandwich, as well as a number of specialty fries, including their Breakfast Fries with bacon and a fried egg, their New England Fries with jack cheese and clam chowder and their Gladiator Fries with grilled chicken, feta cheese and Caesar dressing.

Dr. Glen Fox, a professor of malting and brewing science, commented on the establishment’s “positive and helpful staff,” saying via email that there is always good service. 

“I enjoy the food and beer options, [and] the service is quick,” Fox said.

Burgers and Brew was first opened 15 years ago by two brothers “who wanted craft brew and a solid burger made with 100% Niman Ranch meats, and the freshest ingredients,” according to the restaurant’s website. Now, Burgers and Brew has five different locations in Northern California, including in Sacramento, West Sacramento, Chico and Davis. 

Whether you’re looking for a place to bring your parents or are simply seeking a good restaurant, Burgers and Brew has good customer service and a wide variety of food choices that are likely to please students and their families.

Written by: Shraddha Jhingan — features@theaggie.org

Fun competition without the usual accompanying physical difficulty

Intramural innertube water polo is a sport that takes the physical effort out of water polo and keeps all the fun, as players adhere to the same rules of a regular water polo game but do so while in their own innertubes. The sport was created at UC Davis and has since spread to other universities. Many organizations on campus and different groups of students form teams to play IM innertube water polo each spring. One organization includes the Welcome Center team, largely comprised of tour guides. 

Molly Doyle, a third-year design major and a current tour guide, said she joined the Welcome Center team for innertube water polo last spring. 

“I was pretty nervous, because I had never been with this group of people in an athletic setting,” she said.

Despite her initial nerves and lack of practices or meeting before the first game, Doyle said the experience ended up being very positive.

“It was super cool, because we all had no experience; it was kind of just like a free-for-all, so it was really fun to get into it,” Doyle said. “It gets pretty competitive, I think Victor and I and Cameron — another tour guide — all really got involved and so we got competitive with it.”

Victor Reyes, a fourth-year biological sciences major and the tour guide who suggested Doyle join the Welcome Center team, described having a lot of fun playing after feeling a “little scared” when first jumping into the pool.

“I had no idea what was going on and as I looked around neither did anyone else,” Reyes said via email. “It was a magical experience and a great sport that students, like myself, can use as a good distraction from school.” 

Like Doyle, Reyes has been a player on the Welcome Center team since his second year — organizing the tour guide team himself. He remembered the successes the team had in the last year.

“The first year I did tube polo, my team and I lost every game except for the ones that we had to forfeit,” Reyes said via email. “However, last season we won most games except for a few against the actual water polo teams.”  

Doyle recounted being on a team with her coworkers as “the best part” of playing the IM sport.

“We interact in a pretty casual setting being tour guides, anyway, but when you get to hang out with them after hours, that was when I got to form a lot of friendships with them outside of work,” Doyle said. “It’s just a cool experience to play with other college students who you wouldn’t normally see and then having that kind of comfort of being with your co-workers as well.”

Reyes echoed this sentiment and said the team was a great way to get to know some of his co-workers that he would have otherwise not spent time with.

“For example, my really good friend Molly, I would have never gotten to know her as well as I do now if it were not for tube polo,” Reyes said via email. 

Both Doyle and Reyes highly recommended other organizations on campus form teams to play if the sport comes back next spring provided that the threat from COVID-19 has been mitigated.

“It’s a great stress relief and during the spring,” Reyes said via email. “Why not try something that you can really only do in college?”

Written by: Sabrina Habchi — features@theaggie.org 

 “A good community gathering spot”

The results are in, and students named Yoloberry Yogurt as the best dessert place in Davis. Owner Lee Pflugraph credited the win to a mix of good vibes, tasty yogurt and friendly employees.

“It’s a good community gathering spot,” Pflugraph said. “We have 101 toppings and the highest quality yogurt. We have a fun atmosphere, and the employees are really nice.”

He explained that Yoloberry Yogurt is also an important event space for UC Davis student organizations, which host fundraisers and celebrations.

“We have a lot of Greek Life come and a lot of the clubs,” Pflugraph said. “We sponsor a lot of fundraisers for groups on the campus, and I noticed some of the coaches of various sports bring their teams in.”

The local staple has been a beloved part of the community for 13 years, and it is no stranger to praise. Yoloberry Yogurt also won The Aggie’s Best of Davis in 2017, and the Davis Enterprise has awarded this dessert shop the Readers’ Choice Best Frozen Yogurt for 11 years in a row. 

Yoloberry Yogurt’s website says the shop offers delicious yogurt at a reasonable price.

“Our products are made of the highest-quality ingredients, and we guarantee to only serve you with the freshest products available in Davis,” its website states. “Our prices are flexible and our yummy foodies will surely make you come back for more!”

Pflugraph added that along with its good environment, its central location and late-night hours make Yoloberry Yogurt a great place to hang out with friends. 

“We have a great atmosphere, my staff is courteous and friendly,” Pflugraph said. “We have a good vibe going. There’s not a lot of late-night places to go if you’re under 21 in Davis, so it’s a good meeting place for people. A lot of people want to meet their friends here. Everybody knows about it, and it’s right across from Central Park — it’s a good meeting area.”

Written by: Eden Winniford –– features@theaggie.org

Southwestern Tex-Mex option serves greatest “bang for your buck”

At the CoHo, located centrally on campus by the MU and the Quad, it is not uncommon to see students rushing to their favorite choices to beat the crowd before rushing off to their next class. With a variety of options, from bagels, salads, sushi and more, one option reigns supreme: TxMx. Winning 27.9% of the vote, with the Fickle Pickle’s sandwiches coming in a close second at 23.1%, it is clear that this Southwestern Tex-Mex restaurant is a UC Davis favorite.   

For second-year managerial economics major Isabelle Zuroske, there are a variety of reasons to love TxMx.

“I really like the taste of it, the guacamole is pretty good,” Zuroske said. “I also really like the tortillas; they are warmed which makes it a lot better. Also, the cheese is always melted on the burritos.” 

Besides the taste of the food, she considers it to be the CoHo with the best “bang for your buck.”

“It’s really good food, but the price is perfect,” Zuroske said. “If you go to the salad place, you have to spend $10 for a really good salad. But you can get a rice, bean, cheese burrito for $3 or a California burrito for $7.”

Zuroske likes TxMx because she knows she will always be filled up with enough energy for the rest of her day without breaking the bank. She does not, however, leave feeling overly stuffed, noting she can still feel full with lighter options.

“The California burrito is my go-to,” Zuroske said. “But if I don’t want something quite as heavy, I’ll go for a taco bowl. They still come with a lot of food and they are still filling. I like how they always give out apples too. It’s perfect; you can have a more balanced meal.”

Zuroske usually visits TxMx twice a week, depending on how often she is on campus. Although she anticipates a long line of other TxMx fans, she continues to keep coming back to her favorite CoHo restaurant.

“There is almost always a line during lunch hour,” Zuroske said. “I make sure I have an hour between classes, and I will devour my burrito in the CoHo. The line is long; you have to stand there for 20 minutes to get your food, but it’s worth it for me.” 

Written by: Caroline Rutten — arts@theaggie.org

 “The best snack on campus”

Sweet, airy, chewy and lip-smackingly tasty: That’s the CoHo Rice Krispie Treat.

This year, 26.6% of voters ranked this not-so-baked good the best baked good at the CoHo. The classic combination of Kellog’s Rice Krispies cereal, ooey gooey marshmallow and butter may be simple, but the size, ingredient ratio and texture of CoHo’s version makes this a cult favorite among Davis students. The coffee cake deserves a quick shout out, too, which came in as 26.2% of voters’ favorite CoHo goody. 

There’s debate over the true origins of the Rice Krispie Treat, and despite some brands offering similar sweet puffed rice snacks prior to the Kellogg recipe release in 1940, two women in a Kellogg kitchen in Michigan were the first (documented) to use marshmallow as the binding agent for the cereal. The recipe they coined that we see today on the side of the bright blue cereal box has never been changed — don’t fix what ain’t broke, as they say. 

The unique rise of the treat as a recipe recommendation is perhaps why the unique concoction has become a bake sale and coffee shop essential; civilians were making them at home for years before the (inferior) name-brand variant of the treat saw the supermarket shelves. 

With most Rice Krispie Treat production being homemade, it’s no surprise that the quality of the texturally-satisfying sweet varies across establishments offering their own version. The CoHo’s take on the classic lies on the high end of that scale. As a frequent Rice Krispie Treat consumer myself, I can say that they are some of the best I’ve ever tasted. And fellow students obviously agree.

“I’m all about the Rice Krispies at the CoHo,” said Bea Paolucci, a fourth-year agriculture and environmental education and Italian double major. “I really miss them. Not only are they huge, they are the perfect balance of marshmallow and cereal. They are strong and don’t fall apart when you eat them. They are the best snack on campus.”

 “The best snack on campus” is quite the statement. It seems these treats truly have something special about them.

For Nina Price, a second-year civil engineering major, it’s more than something special; the crisped rice snack is psychologically manipulative. 

“The Rice Krispie Treats from the CoHo are irresistible,” Price said. “I’ve pavloved myself into craving one with every cup of coffee.” 

That’s one way to run out of grocery money. It’s not clear whether this was an intentional experiment on herself or a trick played by the CoHo to which she fell victim. 

Either way, one thing’s for sure: These treats are the real deal, and if you haven’t tried them yet, do yourself a favor and cop a couple from the CoHo.

Written by: Allie Bailey — features@theaggie.org 

SCC houses LGBTQIA Resource Center, Cross Cultural Center, among others

The Student Community Center (SCC) is a valuable asset to the UC Davis campus and home to several student resource centers that provide a safe space for anybody looking to express themselves and meet new people. 

The SCC features many different centers, such as the LGBTQIA Resource Center, the Cross Cultural Center and the Women’s Resources and Research Center, among others — all of which aim to educate and empower students from various communities. 

Third-year Spanish and gender, sexuality and women’s studies major Maggie Luque is appreciative of the SCC and each of the different services its centers provide. 

“They all host social and educational events for people to further connect with their communities, make friends and learn,” Luque said. “I think that all of the community centers are indispensable and they all do important work to assess and address student needs.”

With two floors of seating and the CoHo South Cafe on the first floor, the SCC also serves as a good place to study, especially for anyone who prefers to have food options available or some background noise while working. 

The SCC also has several meeting rooms that are available for reservation by students, along with a computer room, which gives students access to computing and printing services. 

Senior psychology major Brianna De Anda reflected on how the SCC can be a helpful resource. 

“As a transfer student, it was a great place besides the transfer center to meet new people,” De Anda said. “I loved that in one building there were places to study, eat, relax and that there were easily accessible resources like the LGBT+ center, the undergraduate research center and the women’s resource center. It really made the transition to living in Davis so much easier.”

Written by: Rain Yekikian — features@theaggie.org