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Throwing it back to the classics

Arts Editor
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Throwing it back to the classics

UC Davis University Chorus performs at the Mondavi

Every Tuesday and Thursday afternoon, UC Davis students, faculty and community members gather to practice as the University Chorus. Together, they explore musical pieces that date from the Baroque period to the 21st century. This Friday, the University Chorus will hold its spring quarter performance at the Mondavi Center.

The performance also features the UC Davis Symphony Orchestra, which will accompany the chorus in bringing to life Austro-German works from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Throughout the evening, conductors Jeffrey Thomas and Garrett Rigsby are to trade command of different pieces.

Rigsby, a UC Davis graduate student in music conducting, assumes much more than the role of conductor for the evening. The spring quarter performance also serves as his graduate thesis performance.

Rigsby will head a trio of short works by Anton Bruckner and Josef Rheinberger, as well as a six-movement symphony by Gustav Mahler. Rigsby noted the significance behind Mahler’s Das Lied von der Erde.

“Das Lied von der Erde explores themes of life and death and I believe that this is [Mahler’s] greatest work, [which makes it] tragic that [he] did not live long enough to hear it performed,” Rigsby said. “I’m very excited to be conducting this work and also to be working with our two fabulous soloists, Agnes Vojtko, a mezzo-soprano, and Jonathan Nadel, a tenor.”

The complexity of classical music exercises different styles of interpretation, which Rigsby mentioned that the musicians have worked hard to collectively master.

“Besides perfecting the technical aspects of the music, [like] notes, rhythm [and] dynamics, [the chorus] also had to work on conveying the mood and meanings of the works,” Rigsby said.

Sarah Nitzan, a doctorate student in mechanical engineering and soprano singer, attested to the focus on dissecting each piece to its metaphorical core.

“This quarter, the challenges [faced were] less technical and [layed] more in understanding the meaning of each piece and emoting,” Nitzan said. “There’s nothing quite like Bruckner’s lush harmonies and dramatic phrases, though, so I’m looking forward to those songs.”

Schuyler Borges, a freshman soprano singer, also shared her take on complexity of the performance pieces.

“I look forward to singing the pieces by Bruckner the most because I just love the harmonies,” Borges said. “Whenever I sing pieces like those, I lose myself in the expansiveness of the songs. They’re so emotional and powerful and there’s so much room for interpretation and dynamics.”

While each member has his or her own unique connection to the music, members of the University Chorus collectively agree that the repertoire is rich in positive learning opportunities. Though many of the lessons come from the actual experience of singing, one also has a thing or two to discover from being a listener.

To illustrate the ways music transcends from performer to audience, Borges recalled a pivotal moment from one of her first performances with the University Chorus.

“I just looked around the room and thought how incredible it was to be around so many people who were feeling and hearing what [we, as singers, were] hearing,” Borges said.

To hear the University Chorus perform the classical pieces, head over to the Jackson Hall at the Mondavi Center on June 5 at 7 p.m. For further ticketing information, please visit www.mondaviarts.org.

Graphic by Sandra Bae. 

Rape? Yes I do want to talk about it

Opinion
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Rape? Yes I do want to talk about it

Closing

Sexual assault is a tricky topic to talk about.  It’s a topic that many people feel too uncomfortable to address in the first place. When they do decide to talk about it, they merely keep it at a surface level. Rape is uncomfortable and terrifying, and quite frankly I wish I didn’t have to talk about it either. But I do.

This isn’t because I’m a genius who’s done psychological research about the issue. I don’t have facts to tell you that you cannot find elsewhere. My experiences, unfortunately, are not even particularly unique.

But I am another number. I am one more person who has experienced the trauma of rape in college. I have seen what I believe are the worst things the world has to offer. I know what it’s like to be silenced. I have felt the sting of invalidating comments. And I have lived with overpowering wounds that hide behind big smiles and perfectly matching outfits.

Among those terrible things I have been given, I have also been given strength. I have discovered my power to open doors even when other ones have been so aggressively slammed in my face. I can be the one-millionth victim to try to bring awareness to the issue, and damn it if that doesn’t make even just ONE person stop to hear my words. I might not be able to change the world on my own. I know that as hard as I try, I cannot singlehandedly stop rape from happening, and from happening right here. But if I can touch just one life, if I can push just the first domino of the set – then all of the pain and vulnerability that has come with sharing my story is worth it. It is so worth it.

You know when you’re in math class and your teacher will repeat the same thing six times but then finally the seventh time it finally makes sense? It’s like it just wasn’t clicking and then all of a sudden he said it in a way that resonated with you. I guess what I’m getting at is: I know my writing isn’t perfect. Maybe I’m too bold sometimes and maybe you don’t like how light heartedly I can write about such a serious topic. But maybe my column was the seventh time you heard that math problem. And maybe, just maybe, this time you got it.

Although I’m sad that my column is coming to close, I’m blessed to have been given the opportunity to say what I did – to push the boundaries and, hopefully, inspire others to do the same. I guess the last thing I’d like to say is this: rape is never going to stop if we ignore it, shove it under a rug and pretend like it’s not that big of a deal. When we are divided, we are small.  But when we are together, our words echo in harmony. Our words are like waves with explosions of sound at impact. They are important. They can drown monsters. And so in the words of Barack Obama, from the quote that hangs in my room and shines light on me every single day, “Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time.  We are the ones we’ve been waiting for. We are the change that we seek.”

Liker her bluntness? Contact Maddy Pettit at mepettit@ucdavis.edu

Graphic by Jennifer Wu.

In Our Nature

Opinion
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In Our Nature

And in each breath, infinity

Look up.

A brisk night breeze sends a shiver down my spine as I stand under the the vast expanse of the winter sky. No clouds tonight, just the silhouette of my hand reaching into the midst of the teeming multitude of lights above me. My hand, in those stars. It’s incredible, isn’t it? Here I stand, face-to-face with the universe’s endless plane yet it all seems to rest right there at the tip of my fingers. Dwarfed by the cosmos, I somehow feel paradoxically larger than life. And as I gaze upward at this beautiful sky, I can’t help but wonder – who could want more? In the whole wondrous universe we call home, could anywhere offer a more magnificent sight? It is our place in the stars, our remarkable, serendipitous placement on this sweet green earth that’s gifted us  this view, and I couldn’t be more grateful.

Look out.

My tent door opens with a splitting zip and I step out into the light of the recently broken dawn. A hint of piney smoke lingers in the air, causing me to wistfully recall the warm campfire that had crackled and roared the night now past. Shuffling around the camp in search of what I need to start making my morning oatmeal and tea, I find myself irresistibly compelled to pause for a moment in the budding sunlight. Being out in the world of open air and simple truths can do that to you – overcoming your busy ways and your perpetual motion to suspend you in that sacred, precious moment. I look, I listen, I feel. Every tree, every boulder, the rushing creek and the great mountain by my side all are humming with the vibrancy of the very same life that courses through my body. Out here in the midst of it all, I know that this is how it feels to be connected. This is how it feels to be whole.

Look around.

Laying in the center of the Quad, the sky and the trees swirl into an impressionistic blur as I close my eyes. All around me, there are people. Some are happy, some are less than so.  Some are moving, and others are laying with me in the grass. But in every one of them there beats a heart that pumps their blood and keeps them going. One that quickens when they fall in love, and slows when they lay down to rest. It’s a rhythm, it’s a flow, and all across the world, the billions of heartbeats of all creatures great and small throb together in endless harmony. If you’re paying close attention, you’ll feel the earth’s chest as it rises and falls with us and through us. And in each breath lies an infinity of life.

What is in our nature? In these 10 columns, it is my hope that the perspectives I’ve shared have provided you all with many ways to look at the answer to this question. Nature means many different things to many different people, and I believe there is a meaning out there for everyone. Whether you’ve been attracted to the perspective, the exercise, or the adventure, I hope something I’ve said has inspired you to get outdoors and see a little more of this world we’re so blessed to inhabit.

But at the center of all those perspectives, ingrained deep in the heart of the earth, rests one great truth. You can find it when you go out into the wild, and you can find it when you lay in the midst of the living energy of the UC Davis quad. It’s there in every mighty redwood and every tiny bud of spring. All across our intricate patchwork planet, and echoed through the stars all around, the exuberant truth remains; this whole beautiful earth is ours to experience, cherish and love. It is our paradise, our incredible oasis in the great sea of the universe, and when we learn to live with and through it, it will live with and through us too. Because no matter how big the universe is, in the light of its grand visage we can be big too, and no matter how small our hearts may be, a whole universe of love is created as they beat side by side.

You and me; the sun and the stars; the sky above and the earth below; hope, adventure, friendship, love and the pulse of life resounding through it all. All these things and an infinity more are in our nature. Now let’s go find them.

Nick Jensen can be reached at njensen@ucdavis.edu.

Graphic by Sandra Bae.

Best of Davis 2015

Features Editor
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Best of Davis 2015

Best Burger: Burgers and Brew

 

A Davis favorite, Burgers and Brew takes the crown for Best Burger.

“All our beef is Diamond Ranch beef, same with our lamb,” said Sara Kronenberg, 25, manager of Burgers and Brew. “There are vegetarian options too. We can substitute any one of the patties for any of the burgers.”

A variety of menu options and fresh ingredients make Burgers and Brew an undeniable choice.

“My personal favorite is the lamb burger. It has a nice little mediterranean twist to it. It’s really good — the best burger in town in my opinion,” Kronenberg said.

Best Late-Night Snack: In-N-Out

In-N-Out Burger has a simple menu of selections as well as “secret” options. There are many versions of burgers and fries, such as animal style and the flying dutchman. In-N-Out also has its “special” sauce that is included in the burgers, and can also be ordered on the side in packets.

Best Place to Take a Date: UC Davis Arboretum

Dating as a college student inevitably means dating on a budget. Luckily for students, the city of Davis contains many lovely (and cheap) places to take a date. One such place is the Arboretum, winner of this year’s Best Place to Take a Date category. At the Arboretum, you can take in views of scenic Lake Spafford, ogle at the adorable ever present ducklings and enjoy a romantic picnic. The Davis Farmers Market, which is held in Central Park from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Wednesdays, and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays, came in a close second.

Best Place to Work On-Campus: Unitrans

Although Davis is generally associated with biking, the bus services offered by Unitrans continue to increase. Undergraduate students are able to take advantage of the bus system thanks to the ASUCD fees, which pay for Unitrans and allow students to ride the busses for free with a valid UC Davis student ID.

This year, voters selected Unitrans as the “Best place to work on campus,” beating out contenders such as the ARC and the ASUCD Coffee House.

Clint Kastrop is currently a clerk in the Unitrans office in the basement of South Hall where he communicates with customers who range from students to various members of the community. He has worked for the company for four years.

“Unitrans, our career staff, are very aware that we are students and that we have all these other responsibilities including school,” Kastrop said. “They work around our schedule and make us feel very welcome to talk about our issues and make sure that we are able to work for them and do as much as we can there.”

Drivers go through months of training to receive a class B license. Kastrop said that Unitrans focuses heavily on their employees due to the amount they have invested to train driver and other workers.

Other than a handful of career staff, Unitrans primarily employs students. This includes workers in the Unitrans office, bus drivers and support services. Even the maintenance staff employs a number of student mechanics.

Recently, Unitrans ridership has reached almost four million annually, serving campus and surround areas in the city.

“What makes it unique is that it’s such a big part of Davis,” Kastrop said. “Almost all of the calls I get are from routine customers who rely on Unitrans daily to get where they need to go. So it’s amazing being part of this organization that’s been around for decades that’s integral to the city itself, not just the campus.”

Best Bike Shop: Bike Barn

There are multiple bike shops in the city of Davis, but the Bike Barn is in a convenient location on campus near the Silo, and this year it was voted as the “Best Bike Shop” in Davis.

The Bike Barn began in it’s current location in 1971 and has served students, faculty and staff with bike repairs ever since. It’s address is TB (temporary building) 24 and it is one of the oldest buildings on campus. having been built in 1910.

David Canzoneri is a junior economics major and currently the business manager at the Bike Barn, where he has worked since the beginning of his freshman year.

“Bike shops in general can be kind of intimidating toward customers, especially customers who don’t really know about bikes. And by having a very friendly and inviting environment where we’re not trying to take advantage of them, just putting good service above everything else, I think that’s what sets us apart,” Canzoneri said.

He mentioned that the Bike Barn prides itself on its customer service, as well as its willingness and ability to do repairs on low-end bikes. It is unique in the amount and type of repairs the mechanics make.

“We do thousands of flat repairs every year, and there’s not really any other bike shops that do that many repairs,” Canzoneri said. “Most other shops, their main goal is selling bikes. As an on-campus bike shop marketed toward students, we don’t really have that option.”

The Bike Barn employs between 20 and 25 mechanics in a given year. It is open Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and even during the current construction.

Best Place to Dance: In My Room

 

Why do we hide ourselves from success? UC Davis’ favorite place to get funky with our bad selves is in the confines of our own homes, letting our pets, wallpaper, and neighbors be the audience to our off-beat stomping and unsynchronized crumping. The floor may shake, the music might be humiliating, but we shall dance on because quite literally, no one is watching.

Unlike public spaces, dancing in the privacy of our own rooms might conceal us from unwanted criticism. However, a bedroom is the place to express our true selves, whether that be through breakdancing on our unvacuumed carpets, shaking along to Top 40 on the radio, or swing dancing in the dark with our significant others at two in the morning. There is no social constraint, no etiquette and no embarrassment. In this way, dancing in our rooms is the most freeing experience of all.

So congratulations to those who dance in your rooms– you are revolutionizing how we see ourselves, as well as the show “So You Think You Can Dance.” Just don’t leave Baby in the corner.

Best Place to Nap: UC Davis Quad

 

Nothing beats finishing a Fickle Pickle sandwich on the cool grass as the sun shines on you. It’s in between classes, the Coffee House noise has died down from the lunch rush, you just finished a tough midterm and… you fall asleep.

So many of us have been victim to this, and the ramifications can be terrible– missed coffee dates and sprints to class are inevitable. But we risk it, because the space we are given on campus is too comfortable to resist. You can see hundreds of people a day spread across the quad, open books fallen on their faces and new tan lines forming from their capris. Passing by them on a particularly busy day can be infuriating, but when in that comfortable position, it’s all we want in the world.

Naps are a college given; it’s like we’re kindergarteners all over again. But what kindergartener can say that they’ve willingly napped on the grounds of one of the nation’s top university? Thank you, Memorial Union quad, for the naps you have given us, and the ones you will allow in the future.

Best Place to People Watch: UC Davis Quad

 

You can see just about anything imaginable on the quad on any given day. Just give it a go, sit out on one of the tables facing the spacious greens and find your entertainment. People slacklining, or at least attempting the feat, picturesque groups that look like they are straight out of a college brochure and cute dogs being walked through campus. You may find some interesting sights in places like the CoHo or Central Park. Still, if you are looking for prime people watching, why not do so while lounging in the sun on a beautiful day at the Quad!

Most Picturesque Location: UC Davis Arboretum

 

We’ve all been there: our parents are in town for a long weekend without a whole lot to do around Davis. What better place to visit than the UC Davis Arboretum, where your Dad can be inspired by the hundreds of labeled species of plants and your Mom can hastily attempt to photograph the otter that floats by. Bikers and joggers whisk around the pathways, people lay out on the grassy knolls and the wide variety of trees and plants glisten in the light. Go relax in the Arboretum if you are looking for the most picturesque spot in Davis.

Best Place to Study: Shields Library

 

With finals approaching at a frightening speed, and bringing with them stress, sheer terror and sleepless nights, a change of scenery could be a solution – or at least an aid – to these college created woes. Peter J. Shields Library, sandwiched between an avenue of the same name and Hutchinson Drive, offers four levels and the perfect atmosphere for sitting down and getting work done.

Equipped with a 24-hour study room, comfy couches, isolated desks, group study areas, countless books and resources, and even a designated lactation site, Shields Library is one of the most versatile buildings on campus. The cool interior climate lends to a setting where heat-caused drowsiness does not exist. And if the inside location proves to be too dull, an inner alcove provides a completely sheltered, secluded and peaceful outdoor setting found right in the heart of the library.

The light that oft-shines through the paned windows of Shields Library provides a beautiful and natural filter for all breeds of Instagram photos, and the CoHo is mere minutes away to complement the whole experience with any variety of sweet, cold or warm beverages.

Easily accessible by all, Shields Library is an essential destination for those in desperate need of grinding through insurmountable mountains of work, or even just regular-sized mountains of work. So stop by the Best Place to Study as voted by UC Davis students: Shields Library.

Best Japanese Cuisine: Mikuni

 

Residing in the popular Davis Commons, Mikuni Japanese Restaurant and Sushi Bar (generally referred to as Mikunis) stands tall as one of the most prominent establishments in Davis.  Since its opening in 2009, Mikunis has been at the forefront of Japanese cuisine in the city.

“Mikuni’s always comes up whenever deciding where my friends and I want to eat in Downtown.  With fresh and flavorful selections, Mikuni’s never disappoints,” said Rita Baljian, a UC Davis student and sushi enthusiast.

Boasting a plethora of handmade rolls and fresh ingredients, the reasons for Mikunis’ growth in popularity are clear.  Despite their discouraging prices, there is no doubt customers are getting what they pay for and a good time is always a guarantee.  Mikunis’ friendly service, quality ingredients and fiery ambience creates a trifecta of culinary excellence leading to an elite dining experience.

Best Pizza: Woodstock’s Pizza

 

Get ready to give your heart over to this year’s best pizza in Davis, Woodstock’s!

The restaurant, located on G Street in Downtown Davis, uses only the “best and most fresh ingredients.” This, along with their exceptional customer service, is why they are currently ranked No. 3 among independent pizzerias nationwide.

“[Our goal is] the ultimate pizza experience,” said Woodstock’s manager Ted Parks.

It was in the early 1980s when Chuck Woodstock fulfilled his dream of opening a pizzeria in the town of Davis, making this “ultimate pizza experience” a possibility.

“Friday and Saturday dinner-time are definitely our absolutely busiest times,” Parks said. “It kind of depends on what’s going on, we always get more people if something’s happening [in town].”

Parks said amongst customers, that “everything” on their menu is equally as popular. From their “Davis Classic” to their “All Meat Orgy,” Woodstock’s ensures to meet all pizza lovers’ cravings.

“It’s all about our awesome employees and the atmosphere,” Parks said.

Best Boba: Teabo

 

This year’s best Boba in Davis, Teabo, serves Davis students’ drink of choice at one of the highest qualities available.

“We aim to provide wholesome, high quality milk tea [and boba],” Teabo manager An Nguyen said.

As opposed to using powdered products, Teabo solely uses dairy products such as whole milk and half and half, while also providing non-dairy alternatives such as soy and almond milk. Boba is cooked with honey and brown sugar, and their drinks’ ice and water undergoes a filtration process to provide a clean, safe product.

Along with this, they brew loose tea leaves imported from Taiwan to ensure the best quality tea in the area for their customers.

After their opening in December 2011, Teabo grew to eventually becoming one of the most popular boba options in Davis.

“We’re most busiest at night and our busiest days are Thursdays and Sundays,” Nguyen said. “Basic black milk tea with boba is really popular, [also our] passion fruit green tea – we have different crowds that come in, so [the most popular items] vary.”

Best Coffee: Dutch Bros

 

With a variety of coffees, complemented with generous shots and friendly service at all hours of the day, Dutch Bros snags the Aggie’s Best of Davis award for Best Coffee.

Located on Olive Drive, Dutch Bros is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, making it a popular late night energizer. The Davis Dutch Bros was established in 2012 and also features a drive-thru. Its coffee is handcrafted and the smallest servings come with double shots. It also offers freezes, frosts, smoothies, teas, sodas, muffin tops and more.

Dutch Bros is well known among UC Davis students for its convenience, availability and highly rated service. Baristas are known to be ever cheerful while working odd hours, and Dutch Bros is rumored to provide free drinks to first-timers.

Best Dessert: CREAM

 

Picture this: warm, freshly baked cookies surrounding ice cream in a long list of yummy possibilities. Famous for its ice-cream sandwiches, CREAM wins Best Dessert in the Aggie’s Best of Davis competition.

The Davis CREAM opened in September 2013, and is located on F Street, right across from Regal Cinemas, making it a popular after-movie treat. CREAM’s specialty is its customizable ice-cream sandwiches, but it serves sundaes and milkshakes as well. Cream also participates in many community events and caters for schools and clubs around Davis.

“We’re unique because every visit, you can have a new experience,” CREAM manager Andrew Mackenzie said. “It’s totally customizable, and there are so many random combinations. There are always new desserts and new things for people to enjoy, and that’s the number one thing that makes people love CREAM.”

Voting was close in the Aggie’s Best Dessert contest, and Yolo Berry finished in second.

Best Thai Food: Thai Canteen

 

Discover high-quality, cheap Thai food that you can get at 1 a.m. to satisfy your college student stomach. Pay at the counter and get your food fairly quickly from one of the workers dressed sleekly in black. The modern designs, silver chairs, wooden tables and dim lighting make for an aesthetic experience. With an average of $8 a plate, you get the bang for the buck, though they won’t accept card unless you pay more than $10. It is closed on Mondays.

Best Burrito: Guadalajara

 

Word must have gotten out early. When I rolled up to Taqueria Guadalajara’s North Davis location yesterday to grab one of these babies, the place was packed. Every table was occupied, and a line stretched out of the door to block the sidewalk. Despite the overwhelming demand, I escaped with my burrito less than 15 minutes after ordering. It was gone in another 10.

“Guad’s” burrito simply meets all the classic qualifications — tasty, substantial and reasonably priced. Grab a regular burrito with meat, rice, beans and pico de gallo for $6 or shell out an extra dollar for sour cream, guacamole and cheese.

Best Evening Entertainment: The Mondavi Center

 

Located right by the UC Davis campus, the Mondavi Center is a beautiful venue for entertainment. Its location gives students easy access to the many different musical performances, plays, dances and famous entertainers that it brings to Davis.

This year, the Mondavi Center hosted a number of great acts including the San Francisco Symphony, musical act Belle & Sebastian and “Orange is the New Black’s” Laverne Cox, among many others.

“Laverne Cox’s words are so eloquent and inspiring…So many people attended and to have a face and voice like hers on a platform where she is very privileged to influence and inspire mass amounts of people is very important,” junior civil engineering major Aaron Keonorasak said.

As such a conveniently located and spectacular building to see performances, it is no wonder that the Mondavi Center was voted as this year’s Best Evening Entertainment.

Best Event: Picnic Day

 

This annual open house celebrates UC Davis and the community by hosting over 200 events throughout campus and is the largest student-run event on campus. With big events like the Doxie Derby, Battle of the Bands at the Arboretum, and a parade that goes through campus and downtown, there is fun for students and community members.

“Our Board of Directors works tirelessly from September until the event in April, and planning for the next year’s Picnic Day begins as soon as this one ends,” said junior neurobiology physiology and behavior major Annette Nguyen who was the parade director. “Picnic Day has a very far reach in terms of its positive impact, and there’s no other student-run event like it anywhere.”

Best Parent Friendly Restaurant: Burgers and Brew

 

We all know what it means when parents come to visit — finally getting to eat something other than frozen food. For a fun parent friendly restaurant, Burgers and Brew is a Davis must. Located at 403 3rd St., Burgers and Brew is perfectly situated downtown for a lively and delicious meal. With large portions and exciting menu options like breakfast fries (picture brunch on fries, who could resist?), students leave full and happy with their parents at their side.

Best Place to Buy Groceries: Trader Joe’s

Trader Joe’s is a specialty foods grocery store located at our local University Mall on Russell Boulevard. A grand majority of their merchandise is under the “Trader Joe’s” name,  which allows the store to have conveniently low prices and one-of-a kind products.

Besides its low prices, what makes Trader Joe’s a great grocery store is all it has to offer. There are many things you can purchase from fresh flowers, to fruits and vegetables, and they have many products for organic, vegan/vegetarian, and gluten-free eaters and other healthy options that are convenient for college students and other local shoppers.

They create a welcoming environment through their friendly Hawaiian-shirted staff who are always there to be of service for any of your questions. They are open Monday through Sunday, 8 to 10 p.m.

Best Place to Exercise: UC Davis ARC

UC Davis’ ARC wins “Best Place to Exercise” for Best of Davis 2015. With an indoor track, racquetball courts, a rock climbing wall and a variety of group exercise classes, the ARC offers many fun ways for students to get fit.

“The ARC is a favorite location for UCD students to work out [at] because it has something for everyone,” said Brian Luu, assistant director at the ARC’s Fitness and Wellness Center.

Luu adds that the ARC is unique because of the community it fosters.

“Look around and you will see that students don’t only work out here,” Luu said. “They spend time with their friends here and receive support here. It is a hub of wellness on campus.”

Best Volunteer Opportunity: Yolo County SPCA

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Complimentary photo by Becca Gimlett.

 

Best Indian Cuisine: Raja’s

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Best Sandwich: Zia’s

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Compiled by:

Ryan Reed

Brendan Chang

Amanda Ong

Alyssa Vandenberg

Demi Caceres

Kayla Zola

Melissa Dittrich

Nick Dias

Christine Hwang:

Nick Frederici

Emilie DeFazio

Eleanor Dierking

Neha Mannikar

Tristen Thalhuber

Eleanor Dierking

Bryan Sykes

Photos by Monkhmergen Tsogtbayar, Katie Lin, Ciera Pasturel, Angela Willis, Monica Chan, Johnny Ma, Samantha Hartmann, Jian Gelvezon, and Anisa Bashiri.

Graphic by Jennifer Wu.

 

Springtime calls for fruity flavors

Features Editor
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Springtime calls for fruity flavors

Five fresh and easy spring adult drinks

Spring is in the air, and now is the time to break out the alcohol with a few fruity cocktails to start the season. As a former bartender, there are a few tricks of the trade that I can share with you before going off into the drinks.

Cooking changes flavors of ingredients, as many of these are made into syrups and shrubs for drinks, so something to think about is having raw ingredients. The ingredients of these drinks call for fresh, raw fruit, and they will not taste as good with syrup substitutes.

While you may not have a cocktail shaker, there are a few substitutes, including a blender or a water bottle. With these things in mind, let’s get to my top five favorites for spring drinks.

Editor’s note: Please drink responsibly.

Blueberry Rum Smash (Cocktail)

This drink is simple and easy to make, consisting of a few simple ingredients that you can obtain at the grocery store.

To make 1 serving

Fresh (or frozen) blueberries

1 tablespoon brown sugar

¾  ounce fresh-squeezed lemon juice (about one lemon)

2 part rum

1 part ginger ale

Note: If you can’t find any fresh blueberries, frozen works as well. Just running them under some hot water with a strainer for a few minutes will thaw them out nicely.

You make this drink in a mason jar, however a regular glass suffices. Put the blueberries in first, making sure they cover the bottom of the cup. Add the brown sugar and lemon juice in, then smoosh (or muddle) the three ingredients with the back of a spoon until the sugar is melted. Keep in mind that you just want to break the skins of the blueberries, not turn them into juice. Fill the glass with crushed ice, then add the rum and ginger ale. Stir until blended.

English Rose (Martini)

One of my favorite types of alcohol is apricot brandy. It is a must-try if you haven’t had it, and it also an ingredient in this next drink.

To make 1 serving

2 ounces of gin

1 part dry vermouth

1 part apricot brandy

½ ounce of lemon juice (about half a lemon)

1 teaspoon grenadine

1 maraschino cherry for garnish (optional)

Pour all ingredients in a container and shake well. You’re supposed to strain the drink into a glass, so you can use a single fine mesh strainer if you have one at home, although any strainer will do. Strain the drink into a glass, garnish if you so choose, and enjoy.

Bees Knees (Honey Whiskey Sour)

Whiskey sours are a common, well-known drink in the bar scene. However, for spring, let’s sweeten it up a tad to make this drink more tasty to those who don’t have a taste for sour.

To make 1 serving

2 parts whiskey

3/4 oz lemon juice (about one lemon)

2 tablespoons of honey

1 part hot water

1 lemon slice for garnish (optional)

Let’s stress the importance of hot water for this recipe; it allows honey-water syrup to blend with the drink. Put the honey and hot water in the mixer. Stir until the two liquids blend to make the syrup. Pour in the other ingredients as well as ice. Shake well and strain into a glass. If you choose, add the garnish and drink up!

Strawberry Basil Margaritas

Margaritas tend to get a bad rap for being difficult to make. While being tasty, it is easier to go out and buy one rather than making it yourself. However, this recipe is simple, quick and easy to make. We are going to get technical in this recipe as it makes an entire pitcher instead of one glass.

To make 1 pitcher, or about 8 servers

1 can (12 ounces) frozen limeade concentrate

10-12 strawberries

8 basil leaves

2 ½ cups of tequila

Note: If you do not want the drink as strong, you can take up to a cup of tequila out.

Pour the concentrate into the pitcher and then pour 2 ½ cans of water (fill the can that contained the limeade with water) into the pitcher. Pour in the tequila. After this, rinse off the strawberries and cut off the stems. Place the flat side on the cutting board, and slice the strawberries into about 3 to 4 pieces. After each cut, add them to the pitcher. In order for the basil flavor to be released into the drink easier, crumple the leaves up into the pitcher. Now stir for about 1 to 2 minutes. Cover the pitcher with plastic wrap and place in the fridge for four hours. After about four hours, the drink will become a pale pink color and is ready to serve.

‘OH MY GOD MARIA’S LEG IS ON FIRE’

This is a drink found awhile back and the name was so outrageous, it needed to be tried. While there isn’t any real evidence if it is a real drink that can be found anywhere at a bar, or if the bartender who came up with it made it up on the spot, it’s actually quite a tasty blend of fruity flavors:

To make 1 serving

2 parts Maker’s Mark Bourbon

½ part Burnt Valencia Orange Syrup*

¼ part Cherry Heering

¼ part Pabst Blue Ribbon Beer

2 dashes cherry bitters

2 dashes orange bitters

Use these specific ingredients and brands as this brings out the best flavors. Specifically the beer, as just any beer will not be a substitute. Seriously.

*This drink requires you to make the Burnt Valencia Orange Syrup separately:

Burnt Valencia Orange Syrup

1 Valencia orange

16 ounces of water

1 cup sugar

Preheat the oven to 400° F. Peel the orange and slice the fruit in half. Place both the peel and fruit on a pan and bake for 10 minutes or until the peel has browned almost completely. Add the water and sugar to a small saucepan over low heat and bring to a simmer. Add the baked orange pieces and simmer for 10 minutes. Let it cool completely and strain.

Now to make the drink, add ingredients to a mixer with some ice (about 4 or 5 cubes per 8 ounces is recommended) and shake well. Strain into a glass that has one ice cube and you can garnish with the orange peel. A preferred glass to put this in would be a mini pilsner, which is a glass that looks like what a pint beer is typically served in at a bar.

While the last one was a little more complicated than the rest, you should go out and make some of these delightful and tasty drinks!

Graphic by Jennifer Wu.

Selfcare Warfare: Intersections Matter, Don’t Forget That

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Selfcare Warfare: Intersections Matter, Don’t Forget That

In this last installment of Selfcare Warfare, I want to talk about something that I think is  easily forgotten in conversations regarding privilege and social justice issues. It’s something that I’ve caught myself failing to account for and emphasize in every discussion of oppression I’ve attempted to engage in so far: intersectionality. Coined by black legal scholar Kimberlé Crenshaw in 1989, the concept and its accompanying theory has been abuzz amongst many involved with social justice work but has, from what I’ve seen, failed to reach the mainstream. Intersectionality is a difficult thing to think and talk about because of how it makes the many different identities we inhabit a reality. But hold on, I’m going to try and explain intersectionality to you and figure out how it fits within the concept of self-care that I’ve been blabbering on about these last nine weeks.

So what is intersectionality?

In the simplest of terms, intersectionality is a tool that looks at the ways in which various acts of oppression work together to shape our lived experiences. Because none of us hold only a single identity, intersectionality attempts to account for the ways that our gender, sexuality, race, ethnicity, citizenship status, nationality, ability, economic status, education level, etc., work together to both privilege and marginalise us. It recognizes, for instance, that I’m not just a queer person: I’m also Filipinx, college-educated, middle class, able-bodied, English-speaking and a whole host of other things I don’t have the time or room to list (though you should also start thinking about the multiple identities that you inhabit). These generate a specific lived experience.

So what exactly does intersectionality have to do with the process of unlearning that I’ve been calling “politicized selfcare” for the last nine weeks?

When we think of selfcare as a method of attempting to unlearn oppressive behaviours and ideologies, then intersectionality matters a lot. Because these oppressive ideas interact with one another to privilege certain lives over others and modes of being over others. For instance, linking together the columns I wrote regarding racism, femme-phobia and transphobia, when we talk about the death of trans women in the US we so often focus on the story of Leelah Alcorn. We erase the fact that long before Leelah Alcorn’s tragic suicide occurred, the trans women of color (mostly black trans women) like Islan Nettles, Zoraida Reyes, Yazmin Vash Payne or Penny Proud have experienced violence that either led to their murder or death. This is not to say that Leelah’s death wasn’t tragic  or that it doesn’t matter, but when the murders of various trans women of colour do not spark a larger conversation of trans rights and violence against the trans community there seems to be something larger at work.

What I want to say is that when we think about the movements that we support or the issues that we care about we so often forget to think critically about what is happening. When we participate in social justice movements that so often iconify white faces we forget that there are a diverse amount of experiences that are forgotten. We so often normalize the deaths and violences of people of colour and simplify issues like trans violence to only talking about suicide and death of family unacceptance that we forget that trans women on the streets are harassed, murdered and raped – and that this happens disproportionately to trans women of color than white trans women.  We so often talk about marriage equality as if it will become a huge win for the LGBTQIA+ community when marriage equality only benefits cisgender lesbian and gay individuals, and even then only a specific kind of cisgender lesbian or gay individual. We forget that the issues are more complex than how they already appear. We forget the intersecting nature of oppressions and how they reproduce and constitute one another in different forms.

We forget the messiness of it all.

But if we are to critically unlearn internalised oppressive ideas and behaviours we need to critically reflect and analyse ourselves and our understandings and how they intersect with one another. We need to think intersectionally and critically in order to foster better, more compassionate communities and selves.

On that note, I think I’ll end my column with this: we need to think more critically about ourselves and those around us, but not so harshly that we denigrate our own and others’ being. We need to think, understand and move on with that knowledge. I hope you’ve enjoyed this column as much as I have and I hope that this has been as reflective for y’all as it has been for me.

 

Contact Gilbert Gammad at gdgammad@ucdavis.edu

 

Men’s Athlete of the Quarter: Nick Lynch, baseball

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Men’s Athlete of the Quarter: Nick Lynch, baseball

UC Davis men’s baseball started off the season hot, going 26-16-1, before ending the year with only 4 out of 14 wins. At the forefront of their success was senior infielder Nick Lynch, who led the team in batting average and set the conference record for hitting doubles.

Lynch has had a successful career throughout his four years playing for the Aggies. During his freshman year, Lynch was named to the Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American team while making his way to the All-Big West Conference Second Team after hitting .302 with four home runs. The senior received All-Big West Conference Honorable Mention for his second and third years, while hitting .359 during his junior year.

This year, Lynch has continued fantastic play. He has hit .361 on 208 at bats while knocking home 34 RBIs and two home runs. Lynch’s batting average was the second best in the conference while his 34 RBI’s were just short of the top five. The senior has also become well known for his propensity for hitting doubles after setting a Big West record for doubles in a single season this year.

While the Aggies were unable to make it to the NCAA Regionals, Nick Lynch was extremely successful in his senior year. The team will have to replace a consistently good hitter, who has been in the top five of the Big West for batting average over the past two years.

Graphic by Jennifer Wu.

Women’s Team of the Quarter: Golf

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It is quite easy to quantify just how successful UC Davis women’s golf has been over the past year. Just look at Golfweek’s national women’s rankings, where the Aggies rank No. 20, and you can see a team that is competing with big guns like the University of Southern California, Arizona State University and UC Berkeley.

 

The Aggies have dominated during the spring season, landing in the top three of five of the six tournaments before the NCAA Regionals. UC Davis won the Big West Tournament, which they hosted, by 29 strokes while four of the five individual golfers were within the top five.

 

This team, which has won six straight Big West Championships, really separated itself during the NCAA Tournament. The Aggies fought their way to a fourth place finish in the Regionals, good enough to move on to the Finals. They found themselves as high as fifth in the Finals, making a cut after the third round before falling just six strokes short of making the top eight.

 

Individually, UC Davis has phenomenal golfers as well. Sophomore Paige Lee is currently ranked No. 40 in the country while junior Andrea Wong follows closely at No. 46. Two other Aggies, junior Betty Chen and senior Blair Lewis, are within the top 200.
UC Davis women’s golf is a powerhouse program at a school where that is not common. The Aggies did not even have a short course training facility until earlier this year and the team continually represents their University well. The Aggies have won six straight Big West Tournaments, made a name for themselves nationally, and are likely looking forward to another outstanding season with only two seniors leading the team. UC Davis women’s golf, for all of these reasons, are The Aggie’s Team of the Quarter.

Men’s Team of the Quarter: Golf

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The beginning of spring season was challenging for the UC Davis men’s golf team, but the Aggies showed significant resolve in how they closed out the year. Despite a No. 10 and No. 11 finish in the first and second tournaments, respectively, the Aggies were able to receive an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament where they had a strong showing in the Regionals.

 

UC Davis men’s golf has often had difficulty finishing tournaments, a problem that persisted in the Big West Tournament. In four straight tournaments between March and April, the Aggies dropped at least three spots in the leaderboards between the first and last rounds. During the Big West Championships, the Aggies nabbed first place after the second day, but ceded the spot to UC Irvine by one stroke.

 

Still, the Aggies had produced enough during the regular season that they received an at-large bid to play in the NCAA Regionals in Bremerton, Wash. The team played fantastically on the first day, with the Aggies at No. 7 and junior Luke Vivolo at No. 8 individually.  After slipping into ninth place on the second day, UC Davis was simply unable to capture enough magic to sneak into the top five and their season ended.
Despite not making it into the NCAA Finals, the season was extremely productive for the Aggies. The team ended the year ranked No. 61 nationally, according to Golf Week, while Vivolo is currently No. 127 individually. UC Davis will also benefit next year from junior Ben Corfee returning from a redshirt year. Despite an up-and-down season, UC Davis men’s golf is The Aggie’s Team of the Quarter because they have made a name for themselves nationally.

Aggies finish up season at NCAA tournament

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Marshall, Lambdin and others perform well

UC Davis track and field sent 15 athletes to Austin, Texas for several grueling days of competition in the NCAA Preliminary Championships. This included 10 athletes from the women’s team and five more from the men’s side.

 

Three of the seven Aggies competing on the first day successfully advanced in their respective races. Seniors Ashley Marshall, Cekkari Nixon and Racquel Lambdin each finished within the top 15, with Lambdin earning the highest place at No. 7 in the 1500. The senior set the UC Davis record for the 1500 at the Big West Championships with a time that would have been first in the first round of the Preliminary Championships.

 

While Marshall did not progress in the 100-meter, she advanced to the quarterfinals in the 200-meter with a time of 23.55 seconds. Nixon fell just short in both the first round of the 200-meter and the quarterfinals of the 400-meter, missing out on the finals by four spots. Senior Brandon Greenberg finished the shot put in 34th place, while senior Ben Parodi fouled during the hammer throw preliminaries.

 

The women competed in four different events on the final day of the NCAA Preliminary Championships. Marshall saw her run to the finals end prematurely after failing to make it past the quarterfinals in the 200-meter race and the 4×100-meter relay. Senior Veronica Smart fell in the preliminaries of the shot put after coming in 43rd place. For the men’s team, junior Trevor Halstead earned a No. 40 spot in the 5000-meter quarterfinal.


The only Aggie to advance past the NCAA Preliminaries was Lambdin, who finished in 12th overall in the 1500 with a time of 4:18.62. The senior will race on June 11, hoping to make the final two days later. A year ago, Lambdin advanced to the semifinal at the University of Oregon and finished in 12th place.

Senior Spotlight: Matt Seramin

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A future of greens and fairways

Growing up in Marin County about 200 yards from a golf course, it was only a matter of time before Matt Seramin decided to play. Now with graduation around the corner, it is time to reflect on the fifth-year senior’s career as an athlete for the UC Davis men’s golf team.

A consistent player from his freshman year onward, Seramin received an All-Big West Conference Honorable Mention for both his sophomore and junior years as an Aggie. He redshirted his fourth year before coming back early the following season to make a mark on UC Davis athletics.

The crowning moment of Seramin’s individual career came in the summer of 2014 during the 111th Northern California Golf Association Amateur Match Play Championship when he took home the championship trophy. Seramin competed at the world renowned Spyglass Hill Golf Course at Pebble Beach, Calif., where he played  eight rounds in six days. He was the first UC Davis athlete to win the prominent tournament while still in college.

“It was just a blur until after, when I got to reflect on it,” Seramin said.

Leading UC Davis in the Big West Championship during his second year and ultimately winning the Conference Championship has been his best memory with the team. After an entire season of struggling to perform well, the Aggies were not expected to come out on top. Instead, they pulled together and were able to win the title, ending at 6-under par.

By his own admission, Seramin didn’t have the most successful spring season this year, but he never let that phase him. The team was seeded tenth going into the NCAA Regionals, and believed that they could make it to the finals. The Aggies had played at the Bremerton, Wash., location during the Husky Invitational every fall, and were comfortable with the course. Unfortunately, things did not go as they had hoped and they finished the tournament ninth.

“You can’t live and die by every round,” Seramin said. “Sometimes you have it and sometimes you don’t.”

When playing such a mentally challenging sport, a bad performance can mar an entire career. It is a testament to the character of Seramin that he has been able to overcome that and continue to succeed.

Having the opportunity to play with some of the best players in the nation for the past five years is part of the reason why Seramin wants to continue to play after college.

“They might be a little better, but there are times when I go ‘I can compete with these guys and perform just as well as them,’” he said.

Especially following the recent NCGA, Seramin realized that he could definitely be a solid contender in the years to come.

With Seramin graduating at the end of the school year, the future holds much promise for him. He plans on playing as an amateur this summer, but when September rolls around he will turn in the paperwork and become a professional golfer.

“I’m going to turn pro and give it a shot,” said Seramin. “I figure that I’ve worked this hard, and am so close to doing good things. I just need to step it up a bit…It’s going to be hard, but golf is a lot of fun. It’s such a mental game – once you start believing that you can do it, it becomes a lot better. You just have to start believing.”

 

Coming of Age in the Digital Revolution

Opinion
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Life after Death Grips

We begin this week with a shameless reference to what is arguably the best rap-electronica group that’s ever walked our strange planet, but I promise you there’s a really good reason for this. We’ve entered the season of graduation, goodbyes and the resounding sound of a million ‘good lucks’ echoing throughout auditoriums everywhere. It’s an emotional time of year for sure, with a lot of people in transition and a lot of activity, uncertainty and general feels circulating about. What I love about this time of year is how it functions as a reminder that change is inevitable and growing up is a natural process. And believe me, as someone who oscillates between glee and terror when contemplating the post-college real world, I need all the reminding I can get. But that’s the thing about change; it’s this crazy phenomenon that uproots our lives, but in a way that can actually be really healthy, especially where social change is concerned.

Over the course of the past few months I’ve used this virtual space to explore my obsession with the social impact of technology on human beings – from the concept of digital ghosts to the kinds of virtual versus physical spaces we inhabit to technology’s role in shaping the future of education and the labor market. Seeing as the relationship between people and technology is such a complex and huge topic, there’s still a ton of research to be done. At the same time, I’ve appreciated having this space to play around with and work through my own biases, understandings, stereotypes, etc., surrounding the themes I’ve explored. That’s the thing about studying social change – it’s like running on a treadmill with your smartphone dangling on a stick in front your face. You’re trying to grab it but it’s just out of reach, so you keep running to keep up and your news feed refreshes constantly and eventually you can’t tell where the running stops and the newsfeed starts — and it’s exhausting. Trying to stay current with the tech world is like shooting at a moving target: the closer you get to understanding something, the faster old paradigms seem to shift and you’re right back where you started. But in some ways, you’re a tiny fraction closer to where you’re trying to go, because you’re learning along the way. Everyone has a unique schema with which they evaluate the world, and it’s precisely these schemas that make us so compelling as human beings.

And so, seeing as this is the final installment of Coming of Age in the Digital Revolution, I invite you to spend some time exploring  the ideas I’ve discussed over these past few months. How does the technology you use affect and/or influence your life for better or worse? How does your relationship to the electronics you own reflect and/or shape your relationships with the people around you? Where is the future of technology going, and how do you feel about it? The experience of writing this column has been cathartic to say the least, but it’s also left me hungry for more. I want to live in a world where my peers openly discuss the issues that concern/inspire them and feel comfortable doing so. I want to embrace the innovation, creativity and features of emerging technologies in a way that’s conscious, intentional, and most importantly, consensual. Our world is accelerating in a rapid way,  and I’m excited to be a part of that. I hope you are too.

Find Whitney hibernating for the summer at Shields, or email her at wmdavis@ucdavis.edu.

A musical ode to agriculture

Arts Editor
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A musical ode to agriculture

Concert and campus band to put on concert celebrating College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences

People are constantly referring to UC Davis as an agricultural haven. Around every corner you will find references to the rich tradition of agriculture on campus, from the official Aggie mascot to the unofficial cow mascot and the fact that the student store proudly sells UC Davis-made olive oil. The College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES) is highly ranked for a good reason. The concert bands of UC Davis hope to bring this to light and present an ode to this impressive part of the university’s culture.

Tomorrow,  June 3, at 7 p.m., the concert band and the campus band will hold their spring quarter concert at the Mondavi Center. Before the show and during intermission, there will be presentations and food tastings from the CAES, as well as other community, non-campus organizations. During the show, different members of the band community that are also entwined in agricultural and environmental sciences will give talks in between performances.

Both bands feature students and one faculty member of CAES. The director of the concert band, Pete Nowlen, came up with the idea after his students suggested songs for the concert that happened to fit the theme of agriculture.

“I thought if I do these two pieces then I could build a program around them that could be our salute to agriculture,” Nowlen said. “Then when I went and mentioned this to the band, which has several students in CAES, it built a lot of enthusiasm for the show.”

Grace Lewin, a first-year physics major and flute player in the campus band, was grateful for the opportunity to play music without having to be an intense student of music.

“I wanted to continue my flute playing in a relaxed manner even though I’m not a music major,” Lewin said. “[The campus band] gives me that opportunity without it being too time consuming.”

The campus band, as opposed to the concert band, is open to anyone without having to go through an audition. It practices once per week winter and spring quarters, whereas the concert band practices twice per week year round. This balance opens the music-playing experience to anyone interested in performing with a relaxed and passionate group of musicians.

Samantha Shaffer, a first-year electrical engineering major, plays the clarinet in the campus band and enjoys having found a community that provides an escape from the stress of difficult schoolwork.

“Playing music is fun, so it’s like a stress reliever,” Schaffer said. “At the end of the week, it’s nice to unwind and just get to play.”

Nowlen wants everyone to enjoy the music but also leave the concert with some knowledge about CAES.

“UC Davis is the number one university in agriculture for a reason and a lot of us know this fact but don’t really know some of the people and programs that have [contributed to the agriculture program’s success],” Nowlen said. “I’d like for people to better understand how a program like this is built.”

Tickets can be purchased at the door or online at the Mondavi Center’s event page.

Graphic by Jennifer Wu.

Being captain of a UC Davis club sports team

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Being captain of a UC Davis club sports team

Captains of club sports teams discuss responsibilities, pros and cons

What is a captain? To some, a captain is a leader, a motivator and an inspiration. For others, a captain is a friend, a mentor and much more. Not many people can exemplify these forms better than the UC Davis club sports team captains.

“I think [a captain] is…someone [the team] can look up to, someone that can help guide them,” said James Wang, a junior physics major and captain of the club table tennis team. “Whether bad or good, we’re always there supporting them, pushing them to keep them going, to let them know once they’ve done their best – that’s good enough.”

Like many other sports club players at Davis, Wang had previous experience in table tennis and decided to continue this interest when he got to university.

“It’s a sport I really love; for me it’s a balance between studying and doing something that’s not studying,” Wang said. “Table tennis is a way to get away from [school]. It pushes me because I’m practicing hard at table tennis, and I’m doing my studies also, so [they] kind of balance each other.”

Junior cell biology major and captain of the men’s club volleyball team Joshua Frost played volleyball for seven years before coming to Davis, and although it was not a deciding factor for his college decision, he was interested in pursuing the sport at Davis.

“I think there are different types of captains,” Frost said. “I think one of the major roles that captains play is acting as guidance for the team. Another important role is the captain [has] to be able to communicate to the coaches what the players are feeling, and vice versa – what the coaches want and being able to communicate that to their team.”

For senior electrical engineering major and club racquetball captain Lindsey Raven, being a part of a competitive sports team was something she hadn’t experienced in high school and was looking for in college.

After months of training and practice, Raven worked her way up from the women’s “C” league to the women’s “A” league, and is now playing in the men’s “B” league. Although only having played racquetball since her first year, she was appointed to captain position entering her third year at Davis.

“Whatever the captain does, the rest of the team’s going to do – if the captain isn’t responsible, the team isn’t going to be responsible,” Raven said. “A captain is someone who at all times should be considerate and understand the goals of the club. [A captain should] be there for when people need help and be there for when people want to learn and express interest.”

Sophomore entomology major and Judo club captain Keith Wong said an important part of leading a team is managing relationships and making sure all team members are accounted for.

“You’ll have people that [can be] a little overzealous on the mat so [captains] have to manage that,” Wong said. “On top of that we also have to make sure during away tournaments that everyone’s there and accounted for, on and off the mat. For Judo there are a lot of formalities, like you have to bow all the time – [making] sure that everyone knows how to do that [too].”

This year, the Judo team sent a team member to Tunisia and later to South Korea for an international collegiate tournament and another team member to Prague. Wong says in terms of California teams, the UC Davis Judo team is definitely one of the top three.

Although the captain of a sports team does everything they can to improve the morale and skills of other teammates, their position also involves a lot of managerial elements, such as transportation, emergency services and the team’s accommodations for away games and tournaments.

Frost said his experience as captain of men’s club volleyball has helped him improve his leadership ability.

“It’s important to know your players individually, and I think that’s something that transfers to any leadership position in general,” Frost said. “You need to know the personalities of the people [you’re working with], what jobs they’re going to be good at, and how to get them engaged and focused on the task ahead.”

Although leading a team can be a time-consuming task, the captains agreed that it is extremely rewarding and worth the commitment.

“The [most fun] part is getting to learn everybody’s skills,” Raven said. “As captain I get to match and pair people for when they practice, so it’s interesting because I get to see them grow as players and I get to say ‘oh, I had a part in that.’”

Wong said his favorite part of being table tennis captain is seeing everybody happy.

“I’ve really enjoyed [being captain] because I think of my club and my team as a family – so when the team does well and everyone’s happy, it makes me feel really happy,” Wang said. “[Being captain has] taught me a lot. I had some leadership coming into it, but growing from that – I feel stronger in a sense, since now I know how to lead a team.”

Graphic by Jennifer Wu.

How food trucks are revolutionizing Davis, one wheel at a time

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How food trucks are revolutionizing Davis, one wheel at a time

Street Food Rodeo rolls into town

Last Friday, the food trucks came to town once again.

Hosted by the Davis Dirt, the Street Food Rodeo is a biannual event that brings locals together for the sake of community, entertainment and gourmet street food.

Featuring the vendors Green Papaya, Puros Churros, Hefty Gyros, Local Kine Shave Ice and many more, the event returned to town in the Westlake Plaza parking lot on Lake Boulevard.

Annie Meckstroth helped organize the event, which celebrated its sixth appearance since 2012. As co-editor and owner of the Davis Dirt, Meckstroth hoped to provide the community with an evening of fun for the whole family, in a location that is accessible on a late Friday afternoon.

“This is the sixth Rodeo we’ve done, so we’ve tried to use [food trucks] that we know have good food,” Meckstroth said. “We [personally] select who we want, from [responses] we’ve heard in the past.”

With so many options available for the public, a variety of taste palettes could be satisfied at the event. Terry Jeski, owner of the little red truck for Volks Waffle, has been catering and selling his Belgian waffles since 1989 and since about 2005 in his truck at events like the Street Food Rodeo. This is his first year selling “Liège Dough Waffles,” a treat smothered in ice cream and chocolate, at the Rodeo.

“I’ve been doing this before anyone else,” Jeski said, “[My food is] different, [because] you can only take so much pizza!” Jeski said.

Miles Matsuoka, from the Slightly Skewed  truck, has sold grilled Asian-style skewers at the Street Food Rodeo three times since its inception, and has watched the Davis food scene grow over time.

“It’s like an outdoor food court but you are expecting a little higher quality stuff,” Matsuoka said.

The Street Food Rodeo gives Davis residents the opportunity to try items that they otherwise would not have sought out on thier own.

“I’m sure a lot of people haven’t heard of the stuff on our menu, there’s a bunch of food people haven’t tried that you may not order at a restaurant,” Matsuoka said. “But you come out here, you’re more inclined to try a bunch of stuff, so that’s kind of cool.”

Paul Grant, from Addy’s Paella, agrees with both Jeski and Matsuoka. Though his festival style tent is not a food truck, his experience as a vendor is not diminished.

“It’s interesting being a tent in a world of trucks, but it has its advantages,” Grant said. “We’re mobile in a different way and we’re really very nimble, and that allows us to take the jobs that sound good, that sound fun, and that way we get the greatest appreciation out of everything that we do.”

The Rodeo is unique because it serves quick, but gourmet mobile food.

“People want fast food, but restaurants are a commitment,” Grant said. “You can come here and try everything, and that is huge.”

The diversity of a food truck event is what carries the spirit of the Rodeo, as well as the SactoMoFo in Sacramento and Off the Grid in the Bay Area.

“You can get one of these and one of those; everybody tries what they like.” Grant said. “You can get a little bit on sensory overload here too, and that can be fun too. There are so  many things to try that it’s hard to pick.”

When it comes to the business behind the high windows, or under the awnings, Grant understands that his work does not go unappreciated.

“Everyone out here is here because they love food, not because they’re just trying to turn a dollar,” Grant said, “We love gourmet food as much as anyone who’s going to stand in line tonight. [Visitors are] happy to have all those choices, and really appreciate that and the work that goes into the food.”

The vendors are not the only ones who benefit from the Rodeo. Hundreds of people filed in line and waited patiently for the trucks to open long before the event even began, in anticipation for the taste, sounds and smells of a community event. When asked how the community responds to the Street Food Rodeo, Meckstroth explained that it’s all about the people.

“The best part for us is that it’s fun to hold a community event. It’s fun to bring people together that wouldn’t necessarily [come together], and it’s a part of their community,” Meckstroth said.

Grant grew up locally, and knows that Davis is the perfect place for food trucks to park and serve.

“This is a whole different community, and we’re certainly proud to be a part of it, because we believe in it and that’s why we got started,” Grant said. “This is a town that can really appreciate what the vendors are doing and put into it.”

Photos by Johnny Ma.

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