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volume 132, number 23
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2013
Textiles and clothing major withstands motion to close admissions Undergraduate Council considers future of textile program By LAUREN MASCARENHAS Aggie News Writer
The Undergraduate Council at UC Davis rejected a proposal to suspend admissions to the Textiles and Clothing program Feb. 15. The program is currently undergoing a review by the Academic Senate's Undergraduate Instruction and Program Review Committee (UPR). The Textiles and Clothing program is part of the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES) and heads two majors: textiles and clothing and fiber and polymer science. The program offers a number of classes for both graduate and undergraduate students. The division offers students the opportunity to earn a bachelors, masters or Ph.D. It is unique for a college program and the only one of its kind in the entire UC system, according to the Textiles and Clothing website. “The unique strength of our program de-
rives from disciplinary expertise in areas ranging from fiber chemistry, polymer science and textile engineering to consumer psychology and cultural studies as well as its interdisciplinary perspective on commodity-relevant issues,” the Textiles and Clothing website states. Former graduate student in the Textiles and Clothing division, Margot Bennet, attributes her success in finding a job as a production assistant now to her time in the program. “What I think is so extraordinary about our department is that we represent the importance not just of clothing but of textiles and the range of textile applications,” Bennett said in an email interview. “Textiles cross over with the agricultural sector, the chemicals industry among others, and have roots in the California economy. I think having a strong academic research program textiles is a no brainer and
New Harmony Davis businesses take Mutual Housing part in Sacramento opens in East Davis Beer Week
Pliny The Younger worshipped across Davis “Best Beer in the World”expected to appear at Burgers & Brew Looking for Pliny The Younger? Check back with Burgers & Brew. 403 Third St. (530) 750-3600
By JANELLE BITKER Editor in Chief
Yesterday morning, beer connoisseurs lined up outside The Davis Beer Shoppe to get a taste of the infamous Pliny The Younger. And it’s not too late to get in on the action. Santa Rosa’s Russian River Brewery’s Pliny The Younger is frequently heralded as “the best beer in the world,” consistently topping the rankings and praised for its hops and balance. It’s a triple India Pale Ale, meaning it has triple the amount of hops as most IPAs and is extra strong at 10.5 percent alcohol. Russian River touts that it’s more expensive, more difficult and more time-consuming to make than other IPAs, and therefore, they don’t make it often. Every year the brewery puts Pliny The Younger on tap for the first two weeks of February, and fans line up for hours. They release a very limited number of kegs to local bars and restaurants, who typically try to keep it secret — mayhem has been known to ensue. Jeff Kessler, a second-year PhD student in energy and climate policy, got to the Beer Shoppe before its 11 a.m. opening. “I had it last year at Russian River. I was in line for five hours — 500 to 2,000 people were waiting throughout the day,” he said. Kessler said the beer is worth the effort. “It’s really flavorful and hoppy, rich and aromatic. There are few beers that achieve that balance,” he said. Folks at the Beer Shoppe said they ran out of the beer at about 12:20 p.m., selling 8-ounce glasses for $5. It was the first time the bar obtained a coveted keg of Pliny, but it was not the first time the beer has made an appearance in Davis. Last year, Burgers & Brew had a keg which was tapped in about an hour, according to Veronica Eddy, a server and bartender. Folks dying to try Pliny should keep an eye on the Burgers & Brew Facebook page, where they are expected to announce what day they’ll be serving it later this week. “We do have the keg, but we’re not sure when we’ll be tapping it,” she said. Burgers & Brew will probably serve 8-ounce glasses for $6, as they did last year, she added. Vinnie Cilurzo, the Russian River brewmaster, will be paying the Introduction to Beer and Brewing (Food Science and Technology 3) class a visit this Thursday. He’s an old friend of professor Charlie Bamforth, who acknowledged that while Pliny is clearly a great beer, it might be overhyped. “I don’t understand why anyone would line up for hours for a beer. There are plenty of other excellent beers out there,” he said. “It’s a fascinating and interesting phenomenon.” For those who miss out, Pliny The Elder — Russian River’s double IPA — has been rumored
See PLINY, page 2
Today’s weather Breezy High 68 Low 38
Zach Land-Miller / Aggie
See TEXTILES, page 4 The UC Davis Textiles and Clothing program is housed in Everson Hall.
Events showcase best of Northern Californian brewing By JOE STEPTOE Aggie News Writer
The fourth annual Sacramento Beer Week commenced on Friday, initiating a week of festivities and business promotions to celebrate the thriving craft beer culture of Northern California. The event, which runs through March 3, offers experts and newcomers alike the opportunity to experience a wealth of different beers from some of the very best local breweries. While the majority of events take place in Sacramento, Sacramento Beer Week transcends city and county boundaries, encouraging businesses based in localities in the vicinity of the city to partake in the festivities. Organizers expressed the importance of a wider involvement in Sacramento Beer Week, given Northern California’s current prominence in the craft beer industry. “Northern California is the epicenter of the craft beer movement, and you’re incredibly lucky to be at this place at this time if you love good beer,” said Dan Scott, executive director of Sacramento Beer Week. “This
Housing complex uses solar panels to reduce costs
is the best place in the world right now to be trying cutting-edge, 21st century beer. We wouldn’t even consider making Sacramento Beer Week only about Sacramento County.” The importance of encouraging surrounding areas to participate was a sentiment echoed by beer experts in the field. “The brewing community in the region as a whole is vibrant. We have great brewers from as far west as Winters to as far east as Placerville — and the world’s best beer educators are in Davis,” said Charles Bamforth, Anheuser-Busch endowed professor of brewing science at UC Davis. Local Davis businesses have already been getting involved in the event, with Nugget Market on East Covell Boulevard and Sudwerk Brewery hosting tasting sessions last Friday and Monday, respectively. Both businesses are also hosting events this Friday. Nugget Market’s event will feature flights costing $5 from Deschutes Brewery & Boulevard Brewing Company,
New Harmony, a sustainable community for low-income families, opened on Feb. 13 in South Davis.
See BEER, page 4
See HARMONY, page 4
Madison Dunitz / Aggie
By MELISSA GAHERTY Aggie News Writer
New Harmony Mutual Housing Association at 3030 Cowell Blvd. held its grand opening on Feb. 13 and opened for residential move-in on Feb. 1. Since then, New Harmony has met 57 percent of its occupancy. There are 69 units available, made up of one-, twoand three-room apartments. To date, there are 200 residents. According to a Davis City
Council staff report, the city and its former redevelopment agency provided $8,434,391 for the project. Of the amount given, $6,643,895 was provided by the redevelopment agency and the remaining amount was given by federal HOME grants that the city receives to assist low-income households in Davis. New Harmony is wheelchair accessible and environmentally friendly. The housing complex features
News iN Brief
University administrators, ASUCD student leaders to hold press conference at UC Davis Jobs Initiative event University administrators and ASUCD student leaders are scheduled to hold a press conference today at the UC Davis Jobs Initiative event at 8 a.m. in front of Freeborn Hall. The press conference will include Interim Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Adela De La Torre, Provost Ralph J. Hexter, as well as ASUCD President Rebecca Sterling, according
to a Monday news release. The speakers will introduce the UC Davis Jobs Initiative. The Jobs Initiative event, which will take place from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., aims to assist undergraduate students acquire tools and information on pursuing a job after graduation. The event will be also be divided into two sections: “Building your
Experience” for first- and second-year students, which will assist students in developing strong resumes, and “Launching your Career” for upperclassmen, which will help anticipated graduates learn ways to market themselves to potential employers, the release states. — Muna Sadek
Day of Action information session today UC Davis students and workers are organizing a Day of Action information session today in the Memorial Union Art Conference Room. The one-hour session will address the Wednesday day of action, which opposes the University’s involveForecast
Whether you’re studying on the quad or taking midterms in the classroom, know that when you get done the weather will be there for you, at least for the near future...and not at night. But other than that, it will be very nice weather. Tyson Tilmont, atmospheric science major Aggie Forecasting Team
ment in fossil fuels, the laying off of employees, cuts to wages and UC executives receiving annual salaries of over $400,000, according to the online event webpage. Information sessions will be held from 5:10 to 6 p.m., 6:10 to 7 p.m.
Wednesday
Thursday
Clear
Clear
High 70 Low 38
High 73 Low 38
and 7:10 to 8 p.m. Protests will be held on Wednesday at the Activities and Recreation Center (ARC) and Whole Foods Market. — Muna Sadek
Freshman or senior, don’t forget to go to the UC Davis Jobs Initiative at Freeborn Hall today to meet employers! Joyce Berthelsen