Best of Davis: April 24, 2025

MRAK HALL

MISHKAS CAFE

PETER

SHIELDS

THE SILO

DAIRY

Best Davis-specific

Instagram Account:

@mydaviscalifornia

Proof that everything in Davis is just a click away

BY ABHINAYA KASAGANI feature@theaggie.org

If you ever fnd yourself wondering how to fll your days and are plagued by the prospect of being presented with more than one choice, you’re in luck. The Instagram account @ mydaviscalifornia caters to all — students, locals and visiting parents — who don’t quite know where to start.

Relatively small in breadth, Davis is large in its sweetness and wonder, making this wide-ranging and easy-tonavigate catalog helpful to those that are new here. Te account features everything from underrated menu options to updates on new store openings, weekly or one-time pop-up events and more. More than anything, the account succeeds in making Davis accessible to anyone that is curious, with updates on the weekly farmers market and community life around Davis.

“@mydaviscalifornia showcases the heart of the Davis community and its local events,” Ashley Wong, a second-year economics major, said. “It promotes local small businesses and highlights everything that gives Davis its unique, small college town charm.”

Te account cares for and takes students into consideration. For instance, it consists of a $20 section that suggests a plethora of ways that you can spend your money. Several deals and listings can also be found on the My

Davis California website, with discounts for local businesses and restaurants.

While some use the account to plan their downtown excursions, others primarily use it to scout for local food hotspots.

“I think @mydaviscalifornia is a great way to stay informed on new events and restaurants in Davis,” Maya Leonard, a second-year design and communication double major, said. “I love going out to eat, and I know I can always fnd something fun on their account.”

Quick video montages of downtown sushi spots or café circuits set the account apart from other static campus sources: perfect for engaging a busy college student always on the move.

“I like the constant content and their use of videos, especially the ones with food recommendations,”

Delaney Bright, a second-year human development major, said.

Te Best Davis-specifc Instagram Account is highly deserving of its title and does the work of continually reminding its residents that there is more to Davis than meets the eye. Whether you are attempting to get of the dining commons meal plan, looking for new study spots, trying to fll your Saturdays or simply curious about what is new in Davis, @mydaviscalifornia is a best friend dragging you downtown and loudly proclaiming that you “HAVE to try this.”

Best ASUCD Unit: Unitrans

Unitrans fosters a sense of community at UC Davis

BY ALLISON KELEHER feature@theaggie.org

Unitrans has been awarded the title of Best ASUCD Unit once again. T is ASUCD unit tasks itself with the transportation of thousands of undergraduates to and from campus and around the city of Davis. With two major bus terminals on campus, the Silo and the Memorial Union, Unitrans ofers several routes at each location for students to choose for their ride home.

Unitrans is largely utilized by undergraduate students, since it ofers convenient transportation to campus without the stress of weather conditions or payment for parking.

Diana Vazquez, a fourth-year geology major, has used Unitrans as her primary mode of transportation throughout her undergraduate career. Vazquez emphasized the easy access and reliability of the routes to get her to campus as reasons for her decision to ride Unitrans buses. Additionally, she noted that Unitrans is “always increasing stops and improving.”

When Vazquez started at UC Davis in fall 2021, the campus was bouncing back from COVID-19. Unitrans was no exception to this, facing a driver shortage and disruptions. However, over the past few years, Unitrans has been able to increase their drivers and improve their processes, which students like Vazquez have benefted from.

The growth of Unitrans since COVID-19 is largely due to its student staf, who make up the majority of the Unitrans workers. Tis job opportunity provides a premium pay to students who are willing to take on roles, including driving. Without the hard work from these student drivers and the rest of the

managing staf, Unitrans wouldn’t be able to provide quality service to UC Davis students. Tese reliable students work early mornings, late nights and even on holidays to ensure that there is transportation available for the UC Davis student body. Tough the buses are open to any member of the community, Unitrans is run by students and for students. Tis dynamic has created a sense of community around this particular ASUCD unit. Drivers can regularly be seen gathered outside of their buses before departure, engaging in conversation with one another. Ten, once a departure time comes around, they will scatter to their respective buses, only to meet back at the bus stop later. Meanwhile, on the buses, UC Davis students run into friends and have the opportunity to chat until their stop.

Ultimately, Unitrans provides all students with a safe way to get home and an opportunity to snag a ride across the city of Davis for free (with their student ID card). Te unit’s work culture and dedicated employees prove, without a doubt, why Unitrans was voted as the Best ASUCD Unit.

Best Student Resource Center on Campus: Women’s Resources and Research Center

Redefining what “welcome” means

BY NEVAEH KARRAKER

features@theaggie.org

For over half of a century, the Women’s Resources and Research Center (WRRC) has been a pivotal aspect of the Davis community. It has transitioned from a small place of simple but impactful peer counseling and support groups to a hub of programs dedicated to battling against gender violence, inequities and similar forms of oppression. One method the center employs is to indirectly challenge the patriarchal system by highlighting women’s individuality. For example, respelling words with the letter “x,” such as “womxn” and “hxstory,” actively includes any transgender, non-binary or femme individuals who do not identify as male. Tis feminist change illustrates the center’s value of social justice by decentering men and redefning gender stereotypes.

In light of the fact that UC Davis is considered a strong STEM university, several educational and personal obstacles are bound to arise. STEM felds are typically known to be maledominated, which can be frustrating for many women, who may encounter discriminatory attitudes from peers and professors. Rather than advocating exclusion,

though, the WRRC works to paint the picture of a community that everyone can strive for. Tis is projected by the center’s new graphic logo, which is brimming with color and harmony. It encompasses symbols for fre, water, earth and air, which represent the WRRC’s commitment and dedication toward their mission — representing a balance necessary for the life of history, learning, justice and love.

T e WRRC itself re f ects this ideogram; the “Righteous Babes’ Lounge” and the “Joy Fergoda Library” showcase the center’s devotion to awareness. Further, the combination of rooms where one can relax, study or receive support cultivates an intimate

space for all.

“I feel like it’s a living room vibe,” a fourth-year physics major, who wishes to remain anonymous, said. “I introduced [my housemate] here, too, and now she comes here and we just chill.

Best ARC Fitness Class: Yoga

Yoga has once again earned the highest honors

BY JHANA RHODES

features@theaggie.org

As the end of the school year approaches, navigating demanding spring quarter schedules while fnding time for rest can be daunting. However, the Activities and Recreation Center (ARC) ofers a much-needed sanctuary through its diverse yoga classes. Te ARC provides a variety of weekly yoga classes which caters to those looking to improve their physical and mental well-being while accommodating to schedules. It is no surprise that yoga has, once again, become a winning candidate for the best ARC ftness class.

Gentle yoga, hatha yoga and vinyasa yoga are the three classes ofered this spring. While each style ofers their own benefts, vinyasa yoga is a popular choice and is o f ered on Mondays, Wednesdays, Tursdays and Fridays.

Vinyasa is characterized by fowing sequences. Mary Sayer, a third-year English major and one of the instructors for vinyasa yoga, received her yoga certifcation in the summer and began teaching two to three classes a week in the fall. She focuses her instruction on “connecting breath to movement and fnding moments of stillness, balance and strength.” If you’re new to yoga, hearing words like “strength” and “balance” can make it seem like you have to be an expert to participate. However, it’s the complete opposite. One notable aspect of Sayer’s approach to teaching vinyasa yoga is her dedication to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment, no matter your skill level.

“You don’t have to be fexible to come to yoga, and there are no specifc body types or clothing requirements,” Sayer said. “Individuals can simply show

up as themselves to learn and grow.”

If you tend to avoid joining ftness classes or going to the gym because of how intimidating it can feel, having a welcoming instructor is incredibly important. Sayer fosters an inclusive environment through her thoughtful approach to individual and diverse needs.

“I ofer modifcations,” Sayer said. “If [students] are having rough days with their body and do not feel like they have energy, they can take it slower. And, for those who want more challenges, they can push themselves.”

Beyond the physical advantages, Sayer strongly believes in yoga’s mental health benefts and spoke from experience.

“[It’s a] safe place to return to whenever I felt uncomfortable or stressed, providing time and space to be in my body,” Sayer said. In a world with constant

Best Campus Animal: Cheeto

Meet the physics cat of UC Davis

BY MOLLY THOMPSON features@theaggie.org

UC Davis is famous for all of the animal life present on campus. From cows near the Tercero dorms, horses by the Arboretum and turkeys that haunt the pathways between lecture halls to therapy dogs that comfort students during fnals week and some very brave and very stupid squirrels that all have a death wish, UC Davis has everything you could want and more.

But perhaps most famous and most beloved by the student body (and beyond) is Cheeto, the scrufy orange cat that lives by the Physics Building. Cheeto is so popular that he has his own Instagram fanpage (@cheetodaily) that periodically posts endearing photos of the cat to brighten up all of our days.

Cheeto has been an adored character in Davis since 2011 and continues to roam the area around the Physics Department. He is fed and taken care of by the department staf and is given constant love by all who stumble across him. Cheeto can often be found napping in one of his various beds, snacking from his food bowl or lounging in the sun. No matter what he’s doing, Cheeto never fails to bring joy to UC Davis students.

Stella Baum, a second-year community and regional development major, said seeing Cheeto always lifts up her spirits.

“Seeing Cheeto is like spotting a unicorn [or] a four-leaf clover,” Baum said. “[It] puts me in the best mood and makes me feel special and lucky.”

A Cheeto spotting might be rare, but it’s always worth the patience. Cheeto’s adoring fans have solidifed his impact by creating a Rate My Professors profle for the orange feline (“Cheeto Physics Cat”). He has a perfect fvestar rating for teaching classes such as Loafng 101 and Head Pats 010. Te reviews speak for themselves: He has received comments such as “Te best cat I’ve ever had for a professor,” “Te only thing that gets me up in the morning” and “Te source of my weekly dose of serotonin.”

Needless to say, Cheeto is a renowned staple of UC Davis. His iconic bronze coat is easy to spot amongst the green foliage when he chooses to make an appearance, and his soft fur provides comfort for students and community members alike. He receives as much love as he gives — Davis adores Cheeto.

stimulation, Sayer hopes that yoga can ofer students a safe place to rest and fnd stillness without distractions from a phone or the outside world. Vinyasa yoga, gentle yoga and hatha yoga are all part of the Living Well program, which is available from March 31 to June 7. With a Campus Recreation membership or Group

Exercise pass, you can sign up for unlimited classes. If you are an active UC Davis student, you can apply for a Well-Being Fee Waiver, which makes recreation opportunities more accessible and afordable. If you are looking for a way to get involved on campus, taking yoga classes at the ARC is a great way to get started.

LANHUI ZHEN / AGGIE

The ‘W’ bus on the way to the Silo. (Christian Cendejas / Aggie)

NOVA MAI / AGGIE

LANHUI ZHEN / AGGIE

North Hall at UC Davis. (Photo by Quinn Spooner / Aggie)

DARXIA VARELA MEDRANO / AGGIE

NOVA MAI / AGGIE

Cheeto rests in the sun. (Julia Heron-Watts / Aggie)

Best Restaurant: Guads Tacos & Beer

Guads Tacos & Beer voted Best Restaurant in Davis

BY ALMA CULVERWELL features@theaggie.org

Guads Tacos & Beer, located at 231 3rd St., has been voted the Best Restaurant in Davis by UC Davis students. The popular restaurant, known for its afordable yet high-quality food and drink, has been serving the community since July 2021.

Guads, which was founded by brothers Rigo and Chris Hernandez, is a contemporary spin-o f of their family’s original Taqueria Guadalajara restaurants. Tey founded their frst business in Woodland in the early 1990s and have since expanded with locations in West Sacramento and Davis, earning a loyal following for their authentic Mexican cooking. Te name “Guads” was inspired by the nickname students often used to refer to the original restaurants.

With Guads, the brothers aimed to create a new space to cater specifcally to the college crowd. Te restaurant ofers a vibrant atmosphere and a wide selection of beers on tap, including their own Guads Blonde Ale.

Te restaurant ofers a variety of Mexican dishes, from street tacos and

burritos to breakfast items and mixed plates. Additionally, they provide an unlimited chips and salsa bar, increasing the appeal to many customers.

UC Davis students have expressed their fondness for Guads. Kayla Duggan, a third-year neurobiology, physiology and behavior major, explained why she loves the restaurant and what her go-to order is.

“I really love their quesabirria tacos,” Duggan said. “I always run into friends while I’m there.”

Merin Ovellil, a third-year nutrition science major, commented on why she has become a returning customer.

“I love the food and the vibes of Guads,” Ovellil said.

Brielle Oreta, a second-year international relations major, loves frequenting Guads and explained how she discovered the popular spot.

“I tried Guads for the frst time after all my friends were telling me about it,” Oreta said. “I have loved it ever since.”

Te restaurant’s close proximity to campus and its welcoming environment make it a favorite spot for students and community members alike to gather, enjoy a meal and connect with friends.

In addition to their location on University Avenue, Guads recently expanded their presence in Davis with the launch of a new food truck. Located near Volt Cofee on Olive Drive, the Guads food truck is now open daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

The mobile location offers a convenient option for community members to grab their favorite Guads items on the go. Te food truck provides another way for Guads fans to enjoy their favorite dishes, further solidifying Guads as a must-visit spot in Davis.

Best Sushi: Mikuni

Davis votes local Japanese chain, Mikuni, as Best Sushi for another consecutive year

BY GIA LOOMIS features@theaggie.org

Mikuni was voted the Best Sushi in Davis. Te local Japanese chain, located just of 1st Street in Davis Commons, serves a large selection of made-to-order sushi along with hot dishes. From their unique hand rolls to classic Japanese dishes, Mikuni has won this Best of Davis category for several years.

However, success is nothing new for this sushi restaurant. While they have grown to own 10 locations across Sacramento and surrounding areas, Mikuni still began with just one restaurant.

Back in 1985, the Arai family immigrated to the United States, settling in Sacramento. Te family shared their cooking at the First Japanese Baptist Church, which led them to open the frst Mikuni restaurant in 1987 in Fair Oaks.

After their start, Mikuni’s success stayed with them, leading them to open their second location in 1999 in Roseville. While a few locations have come and gone, the restaurant stands strong today with 10 locations, the most recent of which opened this April in El Dorado Hills.

Mikuni has maintained the same goal and commitment to give back to the community. Over the past 38 years, Mikuni has raised over $3.8 million for various organizations and causes.

The restaurant has created the Mikuni Charitable Organization, where diferent charities and people can request donations and fundraisers. Trough their organization, Mikuni has been able to support over 500 diferent organizations, including but not limited to: the UC Davis Foundation, the Sacramento Food Bank and Yolo Make It Happen.

Te Mikuni website details their charitable journey and goals.

“As a refection of our commitment to the communities that support us,” the website reads. “We at Mikuni maintain an ongoing focus on helping to improve and enrich the lives of the people who live here.”

Mikuni has maintained their commitment to give back to the community that supports it, and it seems that the community is returning the favor. Since Mikuni’s Davis location opened in 2009, students and families alike have enjoyed their sushi. In 2019, the restaurant’s demand pushed them to upgrade to the larger location in the Davis Commons.

Te popularity of the restaurant stems from delicious appetizers, unique sushi rolls and overall great plates. Karin Hahn, a frst-year biomedical engineering major, discussed how Mikuni has become a staple sushi spot for her.

Best Boba: Teaspoon

Its variety of drinks and authentic ingredients allow Teaspoon to stand out

BY YUENJO FAN features@theaggie.org

Te California Aggie’s Best of Davis series has voted Teaspoon, located at 110 F St. Suite D, as Davis’ Best Boba. Since it frst opened in January of 2024, Teaspoon has quickly become one of the most popular boba destinations in the city.

A boba chain that originated in the Bay Area, Teaspoon has grown in popularity through a diversifed menu of drinks, ranging from the classic House Milk Tea to signature teas such as the Matcha Royale and the Ladybug. Te menu has also expanded to add pastry options like brownies and macarons.

Lia Liu, a second-year design and cognitive science double major and Teaspoon barista, discussed why she believes the boba shop stands out.

“I feel our menu is more unique than others,” Liu said. “We have a lot of fruit teas like the Ladybug, which is really special in the global sense, and we also have mango favors that taste authentic where we actually use real mango pulp. We also remake any drinks that anybody wants while also providing the best customer service we can.”

Liu noted the Black Sugar Assam, Guava Sunset, Lychee on Lychee and the Ladybug as some of the more popular drinks with customers. Furthermore, Liu went on to mention that the best part of her job begins with the people.

Te team bond [at Teaspoon] is really good, and we also get a lot of loyal customers,” Liu said. “Just coming on shift and seeing the same customers, being friendly with them and getting to know the community. It’s really nice.”

Kaylin Lee, a UC Davis alumnus and Teaspoon shift lead, gave her perspective on how the shop diferentiates itself and provided her favorite favors.

“I think what makes Teaspoon special is that we use a lot of organic ingredients and a lot of natural ingredients, and a lot of our fruits are made with real fruit rather than syrups,” Lee said. “I personally really like the Grasshopper during summer, just because it’s refreshing. People see that as a controversy, but I really like it. And then right now, the Vietnamese Cofee is also really good.” Jacob Marinas, a fourth-year computer science major, gave a positive

critique of his Vietnamese Cofee order. “It reminds me of the Vietnamese cofee I had in high school back in [Southern California], so having this brings me close to home,” Marinas said. “It’s also good having this while I’m doing homework because it keeps me energized. It’s a pretty good and solid drink [...] and I’ll defnitely come back to Teaspoon for some more.” Teaspoon is located on 110 F St. and is open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. every day of the week. Orders can be made instore or online, and customers can add toppings, change sweetness levels and include other specifc customizations to their drinks.

“I frst tried Mikuni on my frst weekend moving into Davis in the fall,” Hahn

Best Bakery: Upper Crust Baking

Upper Crust is recognized as the best bakery in Davis for the third year in a row

BY OLIVIA HOKR features@theaggie.org

Over the past few years, Upper Crust Baking has earned the titles of Best Bakery and Best Pastries. Tey have once again been voted the Best Bakery in Davis for 2025. Located at 634 G St., Upper Crust Baking has grown to become a Davis staple. The family-owned bakery prioritizes quality and authenticity in their menu items, as well as providing a space for the community to come together. Lorin Kalisky, the owner and executive chef, took over the business from his parents in 2016. In its early years, the bakery was primarily a farmers market vendor. Kalisky wanted to expand to a physical location for customers to enjoy, which led him to open the Davis storefront in 2019.

“The bakery business is a hard business to be in — we work long hours, early hours, and no one is getting rich,” Kalisky said. “We do it because we love to bake, we love to feed people good food and we love to serve our community. It is very gratifying, and it makes it all worthwhile when we get compliments and accolades like this. We are proud of the work we do, and we are very grateful to the community for the recognition.” Te bakery ofers a wide variety of goods. From fresh-baked loaves,

baguettes and bagels to tarts, scones, croissants and cakes, Upper Crust has something for everyone. Tey also ofer seasonal menus. Tis year’s April specials include Easter- and Passover-themed desserts.

Kalisky shared more about his favorite products and the efort they put into ensuring authenticity.

“I think we make really amazing French bread and pastry,” Kalisky said. “My wife is French, and I lived in Paris for 14 years, so we have high standards for quality and authenticity. We make a special baguette — a regional specialty from Bordeaux — that is made with spelt four and sesame seeds, giving it a unique nutty favor. It’s split at each end — people think it looks like it has rabbit ears — in order to resemble the trimmings from grape vines after the harvest. Tese trimmings are called sarments de vigne, and so the baguette is called a sarmentine baguette.” Within the past year, the bakery expanded to provide an outdoor patio space for customers to enjoy.

Guads Tacos & Beer is a popular restaurant next to campus.

(Ojas Mishra / Aggie)

KAYLA TRAN / AGGIE

CRYSTAL CHEN / AGGIE

Customers dine in Mikuni’s patio. (Ojas Mishra / Aggie)

STEPHANIE CHAN / AGGIE

Upper Crust Baking serves freshly baked goods everyday. (Ojas MIshra / Aggie)

Teaspoon baristas make boba inside the shop. (Andrew Huang / Aggie)

Best Pub or Bar: Sophia’s Thai Kitchen

For the third consecutive year, the Thai restaurant was voted as a favorite amongst UC Davis students

BY MATTHEW MCELDOWNEY features@theaggie.org

Topping the list of hot spots in Davis’ bar scene, Sophia’s Tai Kitchen came out as a standout favorite. Te restaurant opened from the kitchen of another bar as Davis’ first Thai restaurant in 1995, but it was not until 2001 that the founder and owner, Kevin Wan, had the opportunity to open this bar with his college friends.

“What other opportunity are you going to have as a 22-year-old to open up a bar with your friends?” Wan said.

From the bar’s journey as a business made up of UC Davis alumni to today, Sophia’s Tai Kitchen has made its mark on the Davis bar scene. Sophia’s Tai Kitchen was the frst bar to have a mojito on its menu, the frst bar to host a trivia night and one of the few bars to outlast the pandemic. Tis success can be attributed to the bar’s outdoor space, music and overall good vibes, according to Wan.

“I think we cultivate that cozy vibe — a third space,” Wan said. “We have strived to be that place, whether it is [through] the lighting, the music, having comfortable chairs, a nice outdoor deck or being in the middle of downtown where it is not a far walk.”

Vikram Gopalan, a fourth-year materials science and engineering major, was not surprised that Sophia’s Tai Kitchen was voted to be Davis’ best bar.

“Te staf is just super super nice, and they have some fun drinks there, too,” Gopalan said.

In particular, Gopalan enjoyed the bar’s trivia nights, describing it as the best of Davis and in no small part due to its host: Wan. Gopalan described what sets Wan apart as a host from other

trivia spots in Davis.

“[Wan] is so awesome at reading the team names every single time we go,”

Gopalan said. “We have this running joke where we put one of our friends’ names down and have some contact information like their LinkedIn or their phone number, like they’re available — they’re single! And, [Wan] will actually do it.”

Angeline Gatchalian, a fourth-year

anthropology major, described her experience at Sophia’s Tai Kitchen.

“It’s always super energetic in there,” Gatchalian said. “I don’t go there very often, but when I do, the energy is up and it’s super nice to be there.”

As a longtime owner, Wan described this loyal, enduring support that Sophia’s Tai Kitchen has received.

“We just had Picnic Day, so a lot of [the time], alumni come back after a long time, and we saw some old faces — people that have not come to the bar in 20 years,” Wan said.

Best Non-food Shop

Downtown: The Avid Reader

How the local bookstore strengthens and celebrates the Davis community with books.

Customers browse through books at The Avid Reader bookstore. (Julia Heron-Watts / Aggie)

BY KATYA OKS features@theaggie.org

Located in Downtown Davis on 617 2nd St., Te Avid Reader is an alltime favorite for UC Davis students. With wide glass windows showcasing displays of books that span from national favorites to releases from local authors, the bookstore has played an integral part in creating the welcoming and familial atmosphere and attitude of the town of Davis.

Te Avid Reader is an “independent bookstore that has been serving the community since 1987 [...] a beloved local institution that offers a wide selection of books, gifts, toys, and children’s items,” according to their website.

Evalynn Farkas, a bookseller at Avid, recounts how she found out about Te Avid Reader and what drew her to fnd work at the store.

“I’ve always loved books my whole life,” Farkas said. “Te bookstore was the friendliest place; it was the frst place I went to visit [when I moved here.]”

Farkas explained how the welcoming environment of the bookstore has introduced her to a tightknit community of people who have become a safe space for her.

Te people here in the store have become my best friends,” Farkas said. Tey’re the best people to be with in town. [...] One of my coworkers even showed me how to bike and got me a bike.”

Te community between coworkers has also permeated the relations between workers and customers. Workers, such as Farkas, pride themselves on the personal connections that are made, which encourage deeper discussion

Best Dessert Shop: Davis Creamery

This local, family-owned business is set to debut a new flavor and a new trailer truck

BY RORY CONLON features@theaggie.org

Davis Creamery, an ice cream and dessert shop on 113 E. Street, has been a part of the community for nearly 14 years. Te Creamery was originally owned by David Robert, who opened the shop in its downtown location in 2011.

In 2016, Robert would sell the Davis Creamery to its current owners, Joe and Jen Schmidt, who had the vision of turning it into a family business.

“Both of us grew up in family businesses,” Joe Schmidt said. “I grew up on a farm and Jen’s father was in the book binding business. We took a lot away from growing up in family businesses, and so we decided to start one ourselves.”

Joe Schmidt said what sets Davis Creamery apart from other dessert shops is that they make the ice cream themselves.

“Our location is small and probably a third of it is the kitchen in the back, where we actually make our ice cream,” Schmidt said. “We make it in very small batches. Four gallons of ice cream are made per batch.”

Davis Creamery ofers a rotating selection of six to eight ice cream favors. Jen Schmidt said that customers have two clear favorites.

“Right now, I would say that brigadeiro and coffee oreo are our most popular favors that we have out,” Schmidt said. “Tose two stand out to me.”

Another thing that sets Davis Creamery apart from its competitors is the Bracketology tournament they hold each spring. Trough the Bracketology tournament, customers vote for new favors, and whichever one wins stays

on the menu year-round.

During the first stage of “Bracketology,” which usually begins in February, customers fll out slips describing their ideas for new ice cream favors. Jen Schmidt said she then sorts through these submissions with her family.

Tere’s hundreds of submissions,” Schmidt said. “I think this year, we had 400 and then we narrowed it down to 16.”

From there, those 16 favors are put into diferent brackets. Customers are invited to come taste the new favors at the Creamery and vote for their favorite favor to advance to the next round of the tournament.

Makena Wahl, the Schmidts’ daughter, manages Davis Creamery and runs the Bracketology competition. She said she makes each new ice cream favor through a process of trial and error.

“I’ll come up with a recipe, just of the top of my head, that I think will work,” Wahl said. “I’ll mix it up a bit, and then it’s all just tasting it.”

After having her employees taste the ice cream, she makes adjustments.

“Eight out of ten times it needs a little more of this, or a little more of that,” Wahl said. “Tis year, when I was making the cucumber lime sorbet, I thought I was going to nail it on the frst try, but I ended up having to double the lime.” Right now, customers are voting on whether Dutch Stroopwafe and Lavender Toasted Sesame will make it to the next round. Te Creamery will announce a new favor on its menu when the Bracketology tournament ends in May.

In addition to introducing new favors, Bracketology gives the Creamery a chance to market its brand and engage with its customer base. Jen Schmidt said

through and about storytelling.

“It’s nice to be able to actually have one-on-one moments with people and to be able to hear what they’re passionate about,” Farkas said. “Some of the [customers] are so willing to converse and teach you things too.”

In addition to having a friendly and welcoming community, Te Avid Reader has prioritized holding events to celebrate diversity. Each month, their official website and physical bookstore spotlight books that celebrate marginalized communities and their achievements, taking part in the observance of Autism Awareness Month, Women’s History Month, Muslim-American Heritage Month and many more.

Farkas highlighted how the bookstore has become a space for inclusivity, safety and a thriving community, not only for her but for the town of Davis as a whole. She loves to see the variety in topics and identities that are featured in the books they sell and believes it helps empower the Davis community as a whole.

“[The community] is also very LGBT-friendly,” Farkas said. “I come from a city where it wasn’t so friendly to be open about not being straight. It’s been really refreshing to have a community of people who are very welcoming, no matter who you are.”

Te Avid Reader has also become a hotspot for hosting local authors and events — allowing authors to share insight on their experiences and writing processes as well as bridging the gap between authors and customers.

Elliot George, a supervising manager for the

a big portion of that customer base is made up of UC Davis students.

“As soon as the college kids leave, we drop about 30% [in sales],” Schmidt said. “Our busiest times are spring and fall. We’re unusual for an ice cream store, where summer is not our busiest month. We’re lucky that we have university students to support our business year-round, not just in the summer.”

Joe Schmidt said that Wahl plans to expand Davis Creamery’s business even further.

“Makena [Wahl] is taking our ice cream on the road,” Schmidt said. “She’s recently purchased a trailer that we’re going to [use to] customize the Davis Creamery’s ofering. It’s going to be a separate business, but it’s an extension of Davis Creamery.”

Wahl estimates that she will get the trailer up and running by early fall. She said she wants to bring Davis Creamery’s ice cream to the UC Davis campus in the future.

“I love doing business with the university,” Wahl said. “Hopefully, there will be more opportunities for me to get on campus for things like Welcome Week, graduation festivities, stuf like that.”

Wahl, who has worked at the Davis Creamery for eight years now, said that when her parents frst purchased the store, they never expected it to become as successful as it has.

She said she appreciates the students who have supported the Creamery over the years.

“I think it’s very amazing how big our business has become for students,” Wahl said. “I love the involvement of not only the Davis community, but also all these new people that are joining our community with a common interest and love for the Creamery.”

store, talked about the impact of author events on the community and reading experience.

“[Hosting events] just present opportunities for people to come together,” George said. “Maybe not every single author is super-duper famous, but it’s so cool to be able to ask people about their experiences. [...] We had an author, a few weeks ago, who in the ‘70s or ‘80s had come up to Norway or some European country, to help out on a farm and [...] basically had to run the whole thing on their own. It was a really cool thing to hear from this person, of course, be able to talk to them and have their book here.”

George also said how the collaborative nature of their community has allowed for a more curated and personalized experience when shopping. In addition to many mainstream novels and books, Te Avid Reader also loves to fnd more niche and curated titles, as a refection of the broader Davis community.

Tere’s a book on the shelf, ‘Te Perfume Collector,’ that probably doesn’t get a lot of sales in other bookstores, but one of our previous staf members has been so passionate in promoting it, [...] she was out there, you know, getting people to read it,” George said. “We have the ability to promote a single title like that and be passionate about it.”

Farkas reiterated the importance of reading as a hobby and f nding community from that.

“I just hope that people, if anything, get to fnd refuge in books more than the onslaught of doomsday news,” Farkas said. “It’s nice to put down your phones sometimes and just read [to escape].”

Check out Te Avid Reader on 617 2nd St. and their ofcial website for upcoming events.

Best Dispensary: Club420

How a local dispensary has won the hearts of Davis residents

BY PIPER AWEEKA features@theaggie.org

Club420, formerly known as F Street Dispensary, remains a Davis favorite, winning the 2025 title of Best Dispensary in the city. With an additional location in Dixon, the dispensary remains a local operation with humble roots. As one of the few marijuana retailers in Davis, Club420 has a known reputation for both its positive customer service and its outstanding deals. Cheyenne Romero, general manager at the Davis location, elaborated on the origins of Club420.

“Mike and Rob [Read] are the actual owners,” Romero said. “Teir dad, I believe, actually owned a jewelry store here. Tey are the ones that kind of did everything. Tey actually switched the address. I believe it was 418 before, and they had it switched to 420. Tey do everything here in the store. Tey help build everything, they fx everything.”

Will Gilroy, an employee at Club420, described why the storefront has maintained its high regard in the community.

“We have a great sta f ,” Gilroy said. “Everyone’s very likeable, very knowledgeable. We have some great prices, great deals going on almost every time. A lot of places around here, they’ll just give you the base price, and then come to taxes afterwards, but we put our taxes right in the pricing.”

Tough located in the heart of a college town, Gilroy explained how Club420’s clientele is not limited to students.

“Because the school is so large, a lot of our clientele is students, but we get a wide variety from older people looking for sleep aid, to people just looking for help with back problems and stuf,” Gilroy said.

Daphne Boyd, a third-year student at UC Davis, explained why Club420 is so popular amongst her peers.

“F St. wins best dispensary by a landslide,” Boyd said. “Every time I stop by, they ofer personal recommendations and student discounts, and they always have a big [April 20] sale. Also, the staf are incredibly friendly.”

While customers appreciate the warm atmosphere Club420 offers, employees share a similar reverence. Gilroy shared his admiration for the work environment at Club420.

“Honestly, it’s a great gig, just hanging out with friends, selling weed,” Gilroy said. I’ve had a lot of bad jobs. Tis is defnitely not one of them.” Romero, as both a former client and current general manager, echoed Gilroy’s sentiment.

“Before I even started working here, I was a customer,” Romero said. “I’ve always felt that coming to Club420 here

Davis Creamery’s store-front sign. (Christian Cendejas / Aggie)

Sign for Sophia’s Thai Bar and Kitchen. (Jessie Baltaxe / Aggie)

Entrance to the Club420 dispensary. (Andrew Huang / Aggie)

STEPHANIE

/ AGGIE

DARIXA VARELA MEDRANO / AGGIE

STEPHANIE

Best Egghead: Bookhead

It might not be finals week yet, but we’re still going to praise this beloved statue

BY SAIRAKSHA

features@theaggie.org

In an egg-straordinary race against four formidable opponents, the Bookhead sculpture has been voted the Best Egghead on campus. Te sculpture depicts an egg with a humanlike face and its nose buried in a book, imitating a look similar to that of many students during fnals season.

Located outside of the Shields Library front entrance, Bookhead has served as a symbol of academia, creativity and even good luck to many students on campus over the years.

Students can be seen rubbing (or even kissing) the Bookhead in hopes of performing well on their exams.

Part of a series of f ve egghead installations, Bookhead was the frst egghead to be installed on campus in 1991. Te other eggheads include Eye on Mrak (also known as Fatal Laf), See No Evil/Hear No Evil, Yin & Yang and Stargazer.

Te late artist behind the eggheads, UC Davis Professor Robert Arneson,

made Bookhead the only one of the set painted in light blue as opposed to white so it would match the exterior of Shields Library.

After Bookhead’s installation, Arneson wrote in a letter to New York art dealers that “it’s ready for students to enrich it.” Since then, Bookhead and the other eggheads have served as sites of celebration and protests alike.

Te eggheads are not only unique pieces of contemporary art but are also a deviation from Arneson’s usual style which largely involved ceramic sculptures, much of which were selfportraits. He radicalized the view on ceramics as a medium for tools into a medium for art and sculpture.

Tough they don’t utilize the same ceramic medium which cemented much of Arneson’s legacy as an artist, some believe the eggheads to be a product of how Arneson viewed himself and his purpose as a professor. Tis is refected in the way the eggheads were installed as ground-level fxtures instead of on a pedestal, as initial sketches depicted. By placing the eggheads in areas easily accessible to students, he made it possible for them to connect with the

Best Date Spot: Davis Varsity Theatre

The Varsity Theatre voted UC Davis students’ favorite spot for romance

works by observing them up close or touching them.

Te sculptures have become objects of pride for Davis, as students, faculty and alumni alike have used the eggheads as creative photo opportunities to mark memorable moments in their lives.

Having marked the 30-year anniversary of the eggheads in 2024, Bookhead remains one of the most shell-sational eggheads through the decades. One can say it is indeed all it’s cracked up to be.

Best Coffee: Mishka’s Café

Beloved local spot voted Best Coffee by UC Davis students

BY RACHEL GAUER features@theaggie.org

It’s rare to enter Mishka’s Café without fnding bustling, intellectual conversations and students intently typing away at their computers. Located at 610 2nd St. in Downtown Davis, the space provides a cozy café space to both the student population and the Davis community as a whole.

Te café provides a versatile spot to those looking for a comfortable place for a long morning chat and to students for an inspiring place to study for hours on end. Its unique set-up includes long tables to maximize study space, smaller tables for two and several outdoor seats that line the café’s brick exterior.

Sophie Meissner, a fourth-year international relations major, said she almost always chooses Mishka’s when looking for an afternoon study spot.

“I like the atmosphere when I want to study and be productive,” Meissner said. “Tere’s always students there which makes it easy to concentrate and motivates me.”

Meissner, also a Davis native, highlighted Mishka’s comforting atmosphere.

“I do usually go to study, but I also go to sit and catch up with friends who I haven’t seen in a long time,” Meissner said. “If I have a friend visiting from out of town, I always take them there.” Mishka’s opened its doors in 1995 and has since grown into a community staple. Te café serves a wide range f ee and tea beverages as well as pastries and desserts that entice customers in their glass case.

BY EVELYN SANCHEZ features@theaggie.org

Open since 1950, the Davis Varsity Teatre, located at 616 2nd St., is a beautiful staple of the city of Davis. However, in 1990, the theater was almost torn down due to being unable to keep up with mainstream cinemas. Te Davis mayor at the time proposed to use the space as a performing arts center, and Varsity briefy leased itself out to the community of Davis — two years later, the movies returned. After some rearrangement, Varsity became an art house cinema, dedicated to showing independent flms.

Te theater presents a sanctuary to cinema-fanatic couples who are able to watch movies not shown in regular theaters. Showing titles like “Sacramento” and Oscar-winning flm

“No Other Land,” the theater is the perfect spot to fnd your favorite indie flm and be the frst to leave a rating on Letterboxd.

Wren Tran, a fourth-year art studio and Asian American studies double major, ofered their thoughts of the theater as a date spot.

“My partner and I have gone to Varsity a few times for a date,” Tran said.

“It’s usually [fit] into a day’s worth of activities, though. But it’s very beautiful.”

Te Streamline Moderne style of the quaint theater easily captures the common downtown stroller’s attention.

Te neon, purple sign held up by bright red lines running along the side of the building contribute to the old-timey feeling. T e Art Deco in f uence of its rounded corners and aerodynamic blast to the past. Even if you’re not an avid moviegoer, Varsity ofers enough atmosphere on looks alone.

“I saw ‘Past Lives’ with a guy at Varsity Teatre,” Juliana Sandoval, a fourth-year sustainable environmental design major, said. “Te movie was so depressing but the atmosphere was so good. Te seats were nice, and I like the old-timey atmosphere.”

For Sandoval, her sentiment refects the romantic rituals that occur within the cozy place.

“Something romantic is bound to happen in that theater,” Sandoval said. However, movies and popcorn aren’t the only things that Varsity have to ofer.

“Whenever my partner and I visit, I always have us go get gelato [at Varsity],” Yvette Carrillo, a UC Davis alumna, said. “I always tell him how that was my go-to dessert spot, and it’s a bonus that they let you eat gelato while watching a movie.”

Icekrimski Cafe, a quaint shop conveniently connected to the theater, offers hand-crafted, Italian-style gelato. Accessible through a window inside of the theater, couples don’t have to hop businesses to get a hold of something both sweet and savory.

With a rotating selection of daily favors, gelato wonderfully complements the big screen, according to Carrillo, providing a meaningful, brief getaway for couples in Davis.

Located just across other popular spots like the Avid & Co., Te Avid Reader and El Patio Fresh Mexican Grill, there is never a lack of things to do in the area. If you are ever stressing over a romantic evening out, look no further than 616 2nd Street.

atmosphere that sets it apart from other local cafés.

“I think that out of all of the cofee shops in Davis, Mishka’s has the most community feel to it,” Moreno said. “I fnd that it’s a pretty cozy and homey place, and it seems like other people do, too.”

If you find yourself returning morning after morning for a cappuccino or pastry, you certainly are not the only Mishka’s frequenter — Moreno emphasized the impact of the café’s regulars, which she fnds to be a special element of the job.

“I’d say the best thing about Mishka’s is the regulars,” Moreno said.

Best Study Spot: Shields Library

Shields Library remains one of the most popular study spots for Davis students

BY JESSICA YUNG features@theaggie.org

Shields Library, UC Davis’ largest building by square feet, has been voted the best study spot in Davis. Situated in the heart of campus, it has both indoor and outdoor areas to study, as well as its infamous study cages for graduate students to lock in — both literally and fguratively. With areas for diferent conversation volume levels, as well as nooks that probably have not been touched in decades, Shields Library is extremely versatile and is ideal for a wide range of study habits.

Built in 1940, Shields Library has a long history and has now accumulated over 10 million volumes. Ranked as one of the top 100 academic research libraries in North America, it has over 1.7 million visitors annually.

Erika Glass, a second-year sociology — organizational studies major, mentioned the diverse areas the library serves for its patrons.

“Each level has something new to ofer,” Glass said. “For me personally, I always go to the second foor because I can only study and get work done in a quiet space with no distractions. So I always go to the second foor where those individual desks are right by the window. And I sit in one of those desks and get work done.”

For University Librarian and Vice Provost of Digital Scholarship William Garrity, the variety of places to have conversation or study silently is important. “We don’t expect people to be

quiet,” Garrity said. “If you want to be quiet, we’ve got quiet areas in the upper foors, but if you want to engage loudly with your study groups, we’re all for that, and [we] try to support that.”

Glass said the library’s ambiance encapsulates the college experience.

“It just makes it feel so college,” Glass said. “Going to the library is just such a college thing to do. Doing that and reminding yourself that you are a college student, you’re trying to get your work done, you’re trying to be productive. Te library really helps with that.”

Garrity said the library reminds him of the collaborative experience of being at UC Davis.

“It’s incredibly dorky, but joy and happiness,” Garrity said. “Students are in here working hard or not working hard, working with their friends, their study groups, working alone, sitting in the courtyard, eating lunch, sitting in the courtyard, Zooming with their friends and family. It’s wonderful to me. I mean, I’ve been doing this business for a long, long time, and it’s wonderful to me to see how the library is like a community hub for students.”

While Garrity said he loves the library, he mentioned a few potential improvements in the future for everyone’s beneft.

“I am really personally driven to build a café in the building, because we’re open more hours than any other building on campus,” Garrity said.

“We’re open from 7:30 in the morning until midnight. People who spend a lot of time in here want that cofee drink and don’t necessarily want to walk to the

[Memorial Union] or the Silo to get it.” Besides a café, Garrity wants the library to have more group study areas, as well as better electricity and power outlets.

“People come to campus, to the library, to do their academic work, because there’s something, there’s a clue in their head that says, ‘Okay, I’m in Shields,’” Garrity said. “‘It’s time to buckle down on my notes,’ right? And you don’t get that kind of mental focus, that mental reset, if you’re sitting in your dorm room and your mates are walking around having fun, right?”

In terms of recent history, Shields Library has won Te California Aggie’s award for Best Study Spot in 2021, 2022 and 2024.

Gabriela Moreno, a fourth-year genetics and genomes major, has been working as a barista at the café for over two years. Moreno highlighted Mishka’s warm

Coffee and baked goods on display at Mishka’s Café. (Sacha Chickering / Aggie)

Bookhead, the egghead in front of Shields Library. (Jessie Baltaxe / Aggie)

NOVA MAI / AGGIE

DARIXA VARELA MEDRANO / AGGIE

Entrance to Peter J. Shields Library. (Sacha Chickering / Aggie)

The Varsity Theatre in Downtown Davis. (Aggie File)

STEPHANIE CHEN / AGGIE

Best Intramural or Club

Sport: ultimate frisbee

42.6% of students voted ultimate frisbee as the best on-campus recreational sport

BY EMME DUNNING features@theaggie.org

Ultimate frisbee is in many ways the quintessential college club sport.

Ofering students opportunities to get active in a welcoming and low-pressure environment, many have found a tightknit community through the sport. Te UC Davis community has taken note, with ultimate frisbee receiving 42.6% of votes to earn them the title of best club or intramural sport for 2025.

Cynthia Ju, a fourthyear biomedical engineering major, plays for the UC Davis women’s ultimate team — Rogue. Ju was introduced to ultimate frisbee in high school by her brother and fell in love with the unique culture it ofered.

“What really kept me going is that the sport is just so welcoming to all diferent experiences and all diferent backgrounds,” Ju said. “You get to meet everyone from all walks of life through the sport.”

Ultimate frisbee is self-ofciated, meaning there are no referees. Instead, players on both teams work together to uphold a shared set of rules and norms that keep the game running smoothly.

“It’s diferent from a lot of other traditional team sports where you might have referees on the field making sure that people keep their sportsmanship up,” Ju said. “In frisbee, you make sure that you follow the rules, and everyone keeps the spirit of the game very high.”

Trough what proponents of the sport call the “spirit of the game,” athletes themselves create a unique environment of mutual respect that their players have grown to love.

For Charlotte Noroian, a third-year plant sciences major, this has been a welcome change. Noroian grew up playing soccer and was used to the

hyper-competitive environment it can often bring. When she came to Davis, she joined ultimate without ever having played before and immediately noticed a shift in the way teammates and opponents treated each other.

“You can tell a diference in how people interact with each other,” Noroian said. “It’s a little bit more respectful, and it’s a little less cutthroat.”

Noroian also commented on the way this inclusive culture creates opportunities outside of just athletics.

“My favorite part is the community it fosters,” Noroian said. “I think doing sports and socializing go well together. It makes it easier to exercise, and the sport is obviously really fun, but I would say that the people are what make it amazing.”

Sofia Massingill, a third-year environmental policy analysis

and planning major and the current co-president for Rogue, asserted that this culture is something that the team works hard to maintain and teach the next generation of players.

“We try to be very cognizant of [being] an open community where everyone feels welcome to get a little bit active, learn something new and meet some new people,” Massingill said. By continuing to foster this unique culture, the team is conf dent that ultimate frisbee will thrive at UC Davis for years to come.

Best Student-run Organization or Club: Students for Justice in Palestine

On-campus student group dedicated to activism wins for second consecutive year

BY JALAN TEHRANIFAR features@theaggie.org

For the second consecutive year, Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) has been named UC Davis’ Best Studentrun Organization or Club — an award that comes as no surprise to many on campus given the group’s consistent presence, powerful organizing and unwavering commitment to Palestinian liberation. Te board members of the Students for Justice in Palestine organization are thankful for the recognition they have received from the UC Davis community.

“We are honored to receive this acknowledgement and humbled to be held to the high esteem of our peers,” the SJP board said. “Tis acknowledgment is not ours alone — it belongs to everyone who continues to show up, speak out and do the vital work in their communities. It is their dedication that shapes who we are.” Over the course of the 2024-25 academic year, SJP led some of the most prominent political organizing efforts at UC Davis. From packed rallies on the Quad to the multi-week encampment known as the Popular University for the Liberation of Palestine (PULP), the organization has galvanized students around issues of global justice and university accountability. Their advocacy, however, goes far beyond protest. Throughout the year, SJP

Best Local Band: Cowboys After Dark

The seven-piece act pairs musical versatility with magnetic stage presence

BY LAILA AZHAR

features@theaggie.org

Cowboys After Dark, Davis’ beloved cover band, wasn’t always known as Cowboys After Dark. As Bernadette Albano, a fourth-year biological sciences major and the band’s lead vocalist, recalled, they adopted the cowboy theme after an early show.

“We had a really weird few weeks where we were called ‘ T e Electric Turtles’ or something like that,” Albano said. “Ten we played a big night party where we all wore cowboy hats and stuf like that and we just thought: ‘Cowboys After Dark,’ and it stuck.”

Te band began four years ago when guitarist Eric Aguilar taped up fyers around town looking for musicians. Over the years, they have become a staple of the Davis music scene, being voted Best Local Band for the second year in a row.

The band can be found nearly anywhere in Davis: from fraternity basements to Woodstock’s Pizza to Te California Aggie’s very own Couch Concert. Their setlists span decades and genres; Teir repertoire includes Bill Withers and Grover Washington Jr’s “Just the Two of Us,” CeeLo Green’s “Fuck You” and the crowd-favorite closer, Gloria Gaynor’s “I Will Survive.” As a seven-member group, the band is capable of performing these diverse setlists.

Alongside Albano and Aguilar,

Cowboys After Dark includes Rose Mendoza, a fourth-year English and American studies double major, on the trumpet, Sam Dyer on keys and saxophone, Paul Zhu, a fourth-year psychology major and bassist, Mason Johnstone, a fourth-year biological sciences major and drummer, and Jacob Johnson, an animal behavior Ph.D. candidate, on the saxophone.

As Albano described, their best performances are often the ones which highlight the range of the band.

“We’ve played ‘Soul Sacrifice’ by Santana, and I really like that one because I feel like it really showcases everyone’s abilities,” Albano said. “We’ve got some really cool guitar solo stuf, the drums are very interesting, the horns take this cool James Bond-type line in the middle of it.”

Cowboys After Dark knows how to work a crowd. Teir performances are high-energy and interactive, sometimes including lighthearted rap breaks or impromptu conga lines. As Aguilar noted, audiences often respond to the energy of their performances.

“Any band can stand there, play guitar and sing,” Aguilar said. “Especially as a cover band, we don’t want to just play a song as-is. In our shows, we’re always jumping, sometimes falling down, dropping drinks, and I think the crowds respond to that.”

As Mendoza expressed, the chaos works because there’s trust built into it.

“We’ve known each other a long time, and we’re very comfortable playing with each other,” Mendoza said. “I think

hosted flm screenings, teach-ins and informational panels aimed at educating students on the historical and ongoing occupation of Palestine. They also continued to call out the University of California system’s f nancial ties to companies profting from violence against Palestinians — pressuring administrators to divest and pushing for transparency in how student tuition is spent.

Much of their work this year focused on the university’s inaction following the demands of the encampment. Tough student organizers faced harassment from outside agitators and endured extreme heat, they remained committed to the cause, ultimately donating food and supplies from the site to unhoused communities in Davis and Sacramento when the encampment ended SJP’s activism has drawn support from across coalitions. At an Oct. 7, 2024 rally, hundreds gathered alongside other student groups to protest UC ties to military contractors and to call out Chancellor Gary May’s involvement with Leidos, a company with defense contracts linked to Israel. Te rally, which was met by a small but vocal counter-protest, highlighted the charged atmosphere on campus — and SJP’s central role in shaping it

Despite the challenges, the group continues to expand its reach and infuence, building solidarity with other student organizations and connecting Palestine’s liberation to broader struggles across the globe.

“We must remember that our accomplishments are collective ones,” the SJP board said. “Yet, our work is never over, our struggle is slight compared to our brothers and sisters in Palestine. We will continue to be an educational and supportive community for those interested in the Palestinian cause. Palestine is our compass and we will continue our work until a liberated Palestine.”

SJP’s back-to-back recognition as Best Student-run Organization or Club refects not just the passion of its members, but the shifting landscape of student politics at UC Davis.

the shows that we do are a space where we’re not afraid to have a lot of fun on stage, everyone can express their personality, musically and performancewise, and I

UC Davis’ ultimate frisbee Rogue team in a huddle. (Kori Suzuki)

Tabling members discuss issues around Palestine after the teach-in.

(Kazim Jafri/ Aggie)

Members of Cowboys After Dark pose in front of an old train in West Davis. (JJ Noel / Courtesy)

LANHUI ZHEN / AGGIE

KAYLA TRAN / AGGIE

SAVANNAH BURGER / AGGIE

DARIXA VARELA MEDRANO / AGGIE

Best Graduation Photo Spot: the Arboretum

Students voted the newly restored, 100-acre area as the ideal location for capturing the UC Davis experience

BY SAVANNAH ANNO features@theaggie.org

Spring is upon us, meaning that as a UC Davis student, it’s almost criminal to not spend at least 50% of your time enjoying the sun and watching the newest batch of baby ducks waddle across the grass of the Arboretum.

Founded in 1936, the Arboretum has come to be known — by students and Davis locals alike — as the perfect place to host picnics, read a good book, bird watch and even hold the occasional folk music jam session.

Tis year, students have dubbed the Arboretum as the best spot on campus to take graduation photos.

With its rich variety of trees, blooming spring fowers and fowing waterways, there’s no shortage of golden photo opportunities for upcoming graduates looking for a nature-flled backdrop.

“Based on my experience, the [Redwood Grove] is defnitely the most popular for grad shoots,” Ara Casiano, a UC Davis alumna and graduation photographer, said. “It’s also a go-to spot for other sessions like family photos because of the beautiful trees and calm atmosphere.”

Perfect for fans of deep browns and greens, the Arboretum’s Redwood Grove thrives year-round and provides a shady respite from the early summer heat. Casiano also said the shade from the trees allows for great photos to be taken at almost any time of day prior to sunset.

If you’re looking for a more unique spot, however, try exploring some of the far corners of the Arboretum. After fnishing their waterway construction and refll milestones a year ahead of schedule, this spring quarter is an ideal opportunity to further appreciate the size and scale of the area.

Spots like the Arboretum’s Oak Grove, Ruth Risdon Storer Garden, Carolee Shields White Flower Garden and Gazebo and the Nature’s Gallery Court ceramic mural are all located at the far end of the large area, toward the School of Veterinary Medicine. While they may be a little farther away, the careful curation of plants and art serve as one-of-a-kind, colorful backgrounds. With countless choices of where in the Arboretum you can take your graduation photos, there’s no such thing as a wrong answer. Having so many locations in one means you’re able to move around, try diferent things and fnd the spot that best matches what you’re trying to capture as you celebrate such an important milestone.

Whatever place you settle on, Casiano and Sophie Beifuss, another graduation photographer and current graduate student, provided some helpful tips when it comes to both scheduling and shooting your photos.

“Book as early as possible,” Casiano said. “Slots fll up fast, especially with everyone wanting photos before their ceremonies. Editing usually takes one to two weeks, but sometimes longer depending on the photographer, so it’s best to plan ahead.”

Beifuss also added that booking early can help you avoid the heat that comes with shooting in May or June. Most graduation photographers can be found through Instagram or online and can be booked through direct contact or pre-made booking forms.

Casiano’s booking information can be found at her website, arathebellaofgrace. mypixieset.com, while Beifuss’ is located at @sophiebportraits on Instagram.

“For seniors who haven’t had their photos taken yet, I would say bring walking shoes for moving between locations, iron your stole and be confdent,” Beifuss said.

Best Trivia Night: Woodstock’s Pizza

BY IQRA AHMAD features@theaggie.org

What local hotspot was voted the Best Trivia Night by UC Davis students, serves up their renowned pizza and guarantees a night full of laughs, friendly competition and some serious brain busters? If you guessed Woodstock’s Pizza, then congratulations! You’re already on your way to trivia greatness.

Every Tursday at 9 p.m., trivia lovers, pizza fanatics and competitive geniuses in disguise pack into Woodstock’s for the ultimate showdown.

Te rules are simple: Gather a team of three to six friends, show up early (it’s frst come, frst serve) and get ready to fex those mental muscles. It’s the perfect way to wind down after a week of lectures and challenge yourself.

Now, let’s talk about the food.

Trivia and pizza go hand in hand at Woodstock’s, and you won’t leave hungry. Whether you’re a fan of classic cheese, a loaded salad or are craving something a little more out there, the menu has defnitely got you covered. Plus, don’t miss the wildebread with cheese — perfect for carb-loading before those big-hitter questions.

Te questions are fast, the slices are hot and the team names? Well those

Best Overnight Trip From Davis: Lake Tahoe

Just

BY BETH MUNRO-MORRIS

trails, and your night hopping between casinos, bars or cozy cabin fres. Rain or shine, summer or winter, Lake Tahoe invites both the nature lover and adrenaline junkie all year round. In its colder months, Lake Tahoe transforms into a snow-draped playground for skiers and snowboarders alike. Resorts such as Palisades and Heavenly draw seasoned skiers with steep, mogul-strewn runs. For those craving a more laid-back day on the slopes, or simply a more wallet-friendly experience, resorts like Sugar Bowl and Diamond Peak deliver

are all up to you. Whether you’re a pop culture encyclopedia, a history enthusiast or someone who just likes yelling out random answers with confdence, there’s always a spot for you at the table. Woodstock’s trivia night isn’t just your average quiz show. Temed rounds are a regular part of the action, and these categories often steal the show. Whether it’s ‘90s pop culture, classic rock anthems or bizarre world records, the variety keeps things cool and exciting. You never know what’s coming next, and that’s what makes it so much fun. One minute, you’re racking your brain for that obscure historical fact, and the next, you’re humming along to a music round where you have to guess the song based on a few lyrics. Te unpredictability is half the fun.

And while the trivia may test your limits, the ambience stays lighthearted

and the rewards (bragging rights and pizza) make it all the more worth it. Also, participating teams get $1 all pints. After all, there’ll always be something that’ll make you laugh, cringe or shout out your answer way too early. Of course, none of this would be possible without the team behind the scenes at Woodstock’s. From the staf serving up your pizza to the trivia hosts keeping the energy high, they make sure the night runs smoothly. Woodstock’s isn’t just about trivia — it’s about getting out, having a good time and enjoying the whole experience. Whether you’re there to compete or just hanging out with friends, the vibe is all about having fun, grabbing some great food and making Tursday night something to look forward to. So sharpen those pencils or, more realistically, just bring your best guesses and prepare for a battle of wits with a side of ranch.

breathtaking summit views without the steeper prices or crowds. Whether you’re chasing double black diamonds or here for the apres-ski scene, winter in Tahoe has something for every type of snow lover. As the snow melts, Tahoe reveals a whole new side: one marked by sapphire waters and secluded trails. Te hiking opportunities are endless. Consider Mount Tallac or Maggie’s Peak for a more strenuous climb met with panoramic views. If you’re looking for gentler loops that wind through forests and alongside streams, the Fallen Leaf or the Rainbow trail are ideal options, and both are under two miles. Many trails intersect with waterfalls or icy mountain streams, providing the perfect excuse to strip down and dive in after a long, demanding hike. If you’ve ever braved the chemical murkiness of Putah Creek, then Tahoe’s crystal-clear waters are an undeniable upgrade. With easy public access to beaches on both the north and south shores, Tahoe is a sun lover’s paradise. Don’t be fooled by its cooler temperatures as the generous high-altitude sun makes it prime territory for anyone committed to a good tan. And when you’re ready to trade lounging for adventure, the lake’s open waters welcome swimming, paddleboarding, kayaking and

parasailing — just take your pick.

No Tahoe trip is complete without a detour through Truckee: a charming, rugged town that feels plucked from the scenes of a Western flm. Bisected by a still-operating railway, Truckee feels frozen in time, from its weathered wooden architecture to its locally owned boutiques. From vintage stores and eclectic plant shops to family-owned bakeries and retro diners, everything in Truckee is perfectly curated to ofer a slower side of Tahoe’s region. And if you’re committed to the overnight part of your stay — which you should — the fun doesn’t stop when the sun sets. Tahoe’s nightlife can vary from wholesome campfre drinks and star-gazing to full-blown casino chaos. Over 21 and in the mood for “free” drinks? Ten head over to the Nevada side of town and immerse yourself in the classic allure of a casino town: fashing lights, slot machines and roulette wheels. Not every weekend should be spent in Shields Library, nose deep in assignments. Sometimes clarity comes from climbing a mountain, hitting the slopes or placing a lucky bet in a smoky and neon-lit room. So pack a bag, gather your friends and replace your cruiser with a mountain bike for the weekend.

Woodstock’s Pizza hosts a trivia night every Thursday. (Sacha Chickering / Aggie)

The UC Davis Arboretum path runs alongside Putah Creek.

(Andrew Huang / Aggie)

View of Emerald Bay in Lake Tahoe. (Soly Moses / Creative Commons)

LANHUI ZHEN / AGGIE

KAYLA TRAN / AGGIE

Best Late-Night Snack: In-N-Out

BY LORENA ALVAREZ features@theaggie.org

for its delicious food, but also for its white-and-red color scheme and vintage-style menus.

not just

Located in a college town, In-NOut is, of course, very popular with the young adult demographic of the Davis population. Juliana Vasquez, a

second-year English major, described the environment of the restaurant at night.

“[It’s] very comfy and steeped in the adolescent vibe you only see with college students,” Vasquez said. With its low prices — a

cheeseburger and fries together are under six dollars — In-N-Out is understandably desirable to college students looking to eat out without breaking the bank. It’s likely a huge part of why In-N-Out has remained popular.

Best Food Truck: Shah’s Halal Food

Middle Eastern cuisine takes the cake for the absolute must-try truck

BY ELIZABETH BUNT features@theaggie.org

Shah’s Halal Food is the epitome of a Davis classic: family-owned and family-run and beloved by students, faculty and locals alike. As one of the only restaurants in the area to specialize in Middle Eastern cuisine, Shah’s is the go-to spot for flavors and spice levels that are hard to find elsewhere in Davis. Tis year, and not for the first time, Shah’s has won the Best Food Truck award.

On any given day, the iconic bright red Shah’s trucks can be found at two locations around Davis. One truck is always stationed on campus beside the Silo and the other can be found beside the gas station on Russell Boulevard, though when the adjacent area is not under construction, the truck is parked closer to Trader Joe’s. No matter which location you visit, Shah’s is consistently busy. Out of the many food trucks that frequent the

is the one that will always have a line of repeat customers ready to order their favorites once again. Part of

is its simplicity. Tere are essentially only three menu choices: chicken, lamb or falafel. Tese can all be served either over rice or as a gyro. Customers have the option of ordering a spicy or mild version of each of these. In either form, the meal comes with a salad topped with a sour cream sauce to offset the spice. Any way you order, you are guaranteed delicious flavors and a well-balanced meal, as well as great value for the cost. Lauren Bledsoe, a fourth-year managerial economics major and regular customer of Shah’s, summed up why she keeps coming back to the food truck.

“I like Shah’s Halal because it’s very fast and the quality is the same every time, plus there’s always enough for lunch and dinner,” Bledsoe said.

In-N-Out also features a not-sosecret “secret menu” which features “animal style” burgers and fries, with extra cheese and a delicious secret sauce. Nara Sirakian, a second-year psychology major, said their secret menu is what makes In-N-Out outshine its other national burger competitors.

“Animal style is superior,” Sirakian said. “People from out of state don’t know.”

If you don’t have time to sit and enjoy your animal fries, you can also zip through the drive-thru. Te restaurant’s fast service makes both options easy, so it’s accessible to those on the go and those looking for that certain college-student atmosphere.

Tis isn’t the first time In-NOut has won Best Late-Night Snack, either. It has taken home the title for several years in a row, the undefeated champion of after-dark meals. Clearly, In-N-Out is an enduring favorite amongst UC Davis students.

So, what’s the verdict? Take it from UC Davis students and California locals alike: In-N-Out is the best latenight snack stop around. More than that, though, it’s a beloved restaurant chain even when the sun is up. So, next time you’re out late and feeling a little starved, you

“Also, you get a free drink every time you order a meal, so I feel like I’m really getting my money’s worth.” With all of these points in its favor, it’s not hard to see why Shah’s Halal consistently tops the charts for Best Food Truck in Davis. Reliable, affordable and delicious, Shah’s remains the Davis favorite for a pickme-up between classes or just a homecooked meal on the go. If you haven’t managed to stop by one of the trucks to taste Shah’s Halal’s incredible food, consider this as your sign to go pick up a spicy chicken bowl or a falafel gyro.

Best Grocery Store: Trader Joe’s Dumpling House

Yet again, UC Davis students voted for Trader Joe’s as the Best Grocery Store in Davis. Appreciated for its affordable prices, unique signature products and welcoming environment, Trader Joe’s remains one of the most revered grocery hubs to students. Amelia Lipcsei, a second-year mechanical and aerospace engineering major, described how the atmosphere in Trader Joe’s reflects that of the Davis community.

“Te store reflects the Davis community and culture, because it’s [mainly] only students that are shopping there,” Lipcsei said. “Everyone is so laid-back, nice and helpful, and that’s how it is at Davis, too. Everyone’s there to help one another — everyone’s just trying to get their grocery shopping done, same as people on campus: Everyone’s just trying to get their schoolwork done, so it’s a good comparison.”

Te location of Trader Joe’s in Davis on Russell Boulevard, along with its relatively low prices, also feels especially convenient for Davis students.

“It stands out to me because it’s so close to campus,” Lipcsei said. “It’s just the most convenient grocery store, and it’s so cheap compared to all the other ones.”

Each Trader Joe’s shopper likely has their personal favorite products that they gravitate toward when browsing.

Tey have this marinated Shawarma chicken, and they also have

this marinated herb chicken, and I really like it because I don’t have to season the chicken,” Lipcsei said. “I literally just pulled the chicken out of the packaging, put it on a pan [to] fry it, and it’s the easiest thing in the world, and it’s very cheap for me.”

Some of the most exciting products at Trader Joe’s arrive seasonally, for various holidays and times of year.

“For seasonal items, I always look forward to the JoJos, because they always have cool seasonal flavors, and then the tote bags,” Lipcsei said. “Tey released the tote bags this season, and they were so cute. I really like those. Tey [also] have really good seasonal juices and flavored lemonades that I like, too.”

Another fun aspect of shopping at Trader Joe’s is interacting with the employees, who are known to be

friendly and engaging.

“Every single time I’m in the checkout line, they’re always talking to me about something and it’s never awkward,” Lipcsei said. “Tey’re so relaxed and you can tell that they genuinely enjoy working there.”

Lipcsei feels that the location of Trader Joe’s in a college town like Davis also has its perks.

“I also feel that the overall vibe at the Trader Joe’s in Davis is so unique because it’s always just college students there, so I’m always running into people,” Lipcsei said. “I’m never stressed when I’m shopping there.”

Overall, students and shoppers appreciate the grocery store for its high-quality ingredients, even with typically low prices.

“Te ingredients are honestly really good quality,” Lipcsei said. “Te food is way cheaper than other stores, and Trader Joe’s is so nice because even when they could be raising prices, they don’t. I think they do their best to help out college kids and keep their items budget-friendly, and that’s why people are so loyal to them.”

Lipcsei outlined why this year’s Best of Davis pick felt right to her.

“I am not surprised that they were voted Best Grocery Store because that’s the grocery store that everyone goes to, and people genuinely really enjoy it,” Lipcsei said. “I always see people wearing [their] merch — Davis students are very loyal to Trader Joe’s and would much rather stop there than anywhere else, so it does not surprise me at all.”

Dumpling House has been deemed the best dumpling restaurant in Davis yet again, earning 70.8% of students’ votes in the category. Te restaurant, located at 129 E St., has been serving the Davis community for over two decades, offering students a cozy and inexpensive place to catch up, relax and experience authentic Chinese cuisine.

While the restaurant specializes in dumplings, it also sells crispy tofu, potstickers, wontons, egg rolls, noodles and fish dishes. Its ample vegetable-based options also provide choices to community members with vegetarian and plant-based diets.

Derrick Wu, a third-year computer science major, has found Dumpling House to be a comforting space, reminding him of his home.

“I am an international student, so I come from China, so dumplings are my traditional food,” Wu said. “When you eat [here], you can feel your culture.” Forest Sabbath, a second-year anthropology major, eats at Dumpling House often and also appreciates its take on Chinese dining.

“A lot of the Chinese restaurants in

Davis have quite a range of cuisines,” Sabbath said. “Some things you probably wouldn’t see elsewhere, and I think that’s a lot of [the time] due to the fact that we have a lot of actual international students here. When they go to a Chinese restaurant, they want to have something from home.” While Sabbath has explored the international restaurants throughout Davis, Dumpling House is a special place to him.

Te thing about the dumplings that I like is the ability to mix and match dumplings for a low price,” Sabbath said. “I just hope that they continue to be able to do their thing [and] can keep the prices low.”

Dumpling House’s prices, in addition to its short wait time, are part of what makes it an accessible restaurant and a necessity for busy college students. Dumpling House’s cozy atmosphere has also given students a space to meet and unwind throughout the busy quarter.

Leilani Jackson, a second-year biomedical engineering major, has bonded with her friends after going out to eat with them at Dumpling House after club meetings.

“I built stronger connections at Dumpling house,” Jackson said. “All my memories I have at the Dumpling House are me getting to know my friends better [during] my first year and I still talk to [them] today.”

Dumpling House also regularly sells at the weekly Davis Farmers Market, providing food options that shoppers can eat while browsing the stands. Regardless of what students choose to eat from Dumpling House, the restaurant will remain a staple of Davis culture and cuisine for years to come.

BY AMBER WARNKE

KAYLA TRAN / AGGIE

JASON XIE / AGGIE

DARIXA VARELA / AGGIE

DARIXA VARELA / AGGIE

The Davis In-N-Out at 11 p.m. (Christian Cendejas / Aggie)

Shah’s Halal Food truck parked at the Silo. (Jessie Baltaxe / Aggie)

Silo, Shah’s

the charm of Shah’s Halal

People enter Trader Joe’s to purchase groceries. (Justin Han / Aggie)

Davis Dumpling House in 2018. (Timothy Li / Aggie)

Sudoku

Enter digits from 1 to 9 into the blank spaces. Every row, column and 3x3 square must contain each digit. Each Sudoku has a unique solution that can be reached logically without guessing. Answer to previous puzzle 04/17/2025

Crossword

Best Davis Farmers Market Stall: Apple-A-Day

Students say the Apple-A-Day farmers market stall is a must-visit

BY MADELINE HASS features@theaggie.org

For over 50 years, the Davis Farmers Market has been an integral part of the Davis community. Hosted in Central Park every Wednesday and Saturday, the Davis Farmers Market serves as a hotspot for students and families alike. Time and time again, it has proven to be the heart of the community, with some of the best vendors and produce around. One of these vendors, Apple-A-Day, was voted the Best Davis Farmers Market Stall of 2025.

Melissa Caltacci, a second-year nutrition science major, shared the importance of the Davis Farmers Market.

“It’s a nice weekend tradition to interact with friendly vendors and splurge on high-quality produce,” Caltacci said. “Te farmers market is not only supporting local farmers but it is also a convenient spot to find organic items and fun treats all in one.”

A true fan favorite at the Davis Farmers Market is the Apple-A-Day stall run by Ratzlaff Ranch. Apple-ADay is a local and family-run business that serves fresh-made apple juice in pints, quarts, half-gallon and gallon sizes. For the past quarter century, the Ratzlaff Ranch has been growing Gravestein, Golden Delicious and Rome apples in order to supply the Davis community with their outstanding apple juice.

Tika Ghosh, a second-year neurobiology, physiology and behavior major, remarked on why she loves the Apple-A-Day stand.

“It’s by far one of my favorite stands and consistently one of the most popular ones at the farmers market,” Ghosh said. “Te owners are always super sweet and just happy to see everyone there.”

Teir juice is made from 100% pure premium apples with nothing else added in, according to Ratzlaff Ranch’s website. Once the juice is made, it is quickly chilled and stored in a freezer set to 10 degrees below zero. Te ice-cold aspect of the juice is a defining feature of their product, making it the perfect drink for a hot day in Davis.

Phoebe Anzanlone, a second-year American studies major, spoke on her love for the Apple-A-Day stand.

“I always look forward to going to the farmers market and when I do I make sure to pick up a gallon for me and my housemates,” Anzalone said.

“I’m a huge fan of apples, so it has been one of my favorite stands since

freshman year, and it’s some of the best apple juice I have ever had.”

Whether it’s getting a single-serve pint just for the day or stocking up for the week, you are bound to see members of the Davis community enjoying the Apple-A-Day stall. It’s something that all ages can enjoy while visiting the Davis Farmers Market and

it brings an important level of variety to the vendors on showcase. “I really appreciate the farmers market at Davis, honestly, because it’s an amazing place to get artisan goods,” Ghosh said. “I’m someone who loves little specialty items so going to the farmers market feels like such a treat when I get to go home with fresh fruit

or really nice, freezing apple cider that Saturday.”

Te Apple-A-Day stall’s incredible apple juice has continuously proven to be a staple and necessity at the Davis Farmers Market. Next time you visit, make sure to stop by to see for yourself what so many Davis community members are raving about.

Best-Dressed Professor: Ozcan Gulacar

This UC Davis instructor knows how to teach in style

BY NAREN KRISHNA JEGAN features@theaggie.org

Ozcan Gulacar, a chemistry professor at UC Davis, has recently been recognized as the university’s Best-Dressed Professor. His sharp style complements his dynamic presence in the classroom.

Gulacar primarily instructs two of the most populated general chemistry courses for undergraduates — CHE 002A and CHE 002B. Students appreciate Gulacar for his caring and supportive teaching approach. He provides ample resources, including practice exams and interactive tools like OLI Torus and OWL homework to aid student learning. His lectures are engaging and fast-paced, covering extensive material efficiently.

Max He, a first-year neurobiology, physiology and behavior major and former student in Gulacar’s CHE 002B class, recalled his experience with the course.

“Dr. Gulacar always has high expectations of students, and you can feel his passion for teaching when attending his lectures,” He said. “He always makes sure students are on the right track and always tries his best to guide us to success by teaching us a positive mindset and the ability to plan.”

Many students have also commented on Gulacar’s ability to motivate students. From weekly Piazza

messages focused on encouragement, self-reflection and a chance to communicate with other students as well as himself, his impact has

Best Place to Buy Plants: Davis Farmers Market

The Davis Farmers Market provides fresh plants, gardening resources and a strong sense of community

BY JULIE HUANG

features@theaggie.org

Te Davis Farmers Market is a year-round market held in Central Park on Wednesdays and Saturdays, boasting fresh produce alongside an assortment of other cute and eclectic goods. Notable among these offerings are the plants and gardening supplies available, allowing Davis students easy access to leafy home decor or resources to support a gardening hobby.

Jonathan Kim, a second-year psychology and design double major, said that the farmers market is a strong starting point for aspiring gardeners

and plant hobbyists who are learning the basics.

Te farmers market has vegetables, gardening [resources] and essential house plants,” Kim said. “It’s great for someone trying to get into planting and gardening.”

Kim added that the effortless shopping experience is accentuated by the farmers market’s inviting atmosphere, smattering of tasty food offerings and potential for positive face-to-face interaction between individuals.

Te farmers market is one of the cutest farmers markets I’ve been to, especially in the fall,” Kim said. “Teir apple juice and pastries is a Saturday must-try and it’s also right by the art

significantly changed the notion of chemistry being a weeder course. In addition to Gulacar’s academic responsibilities as an instructor, he

has a strong passion for chemical education. He actively researches how students learn chemistry, aiming to improve conceptual understanding

and problem-solving skills. He introduces chemistry education research and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals to undergraduates. His main research interests revolve around exploring interactions between cognitive and affective domains in the context of socio-scientific issues, sustainability, problem solving and knowledge structures.

Aside from teaching and running research projects, he has also developed and organized workshops on the implementation of social constructivist methods and effective use of technological tools in science classrooms for high school teachers and professors. He is also an American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) fellow of education, which is awarded to individuals who have made significant contributions to science education, research and leadership in advancing science. Currently, Gulacar is attending several conferences and delivering invited talks at various institutions regarding his research.

Gulacar’s dedication to advancing chemical education is one of the many reasons students admire him — not only is he stylish, but he is also deeply invested in making science more accessible and engaging.

market, so it’s a fun Davis hangout situation. Tere’s this one guy that gives you free fruits if you buy from him, [meaning that] he rounds down when you pay and if it’s close to the next number up, he adds a free fruit in there.”

Another notable aspect of the farmers market is its ability to bring different members of the Davis community together in an organic way.

“Apart from buying plants, I personally like going to the farmers market just to sit in the park and watch people live their life,” Kim said. “It’s the perfect spot for people watching.” Juliana Caldarelli, a second-year

English major, agreed that the main value of the farmers market is its community-building quality.

“While I do like a good pastry, and whenever that one cheese guy puts up his stand I go wild, it’s more about interacting with the community, hanging out with your friends and people watching for me,” Caldarelli said. “If you talk to the vendors, they’ll excitedly tell you about their stuff, like this one guy who made ladles with two sides that you can scoop from because he’s left handed.”

Offering a physical area for people of the community to gather together and engage in their hobbies, the farmers market could be thought of

as the physical manifestation of the Davis community spirit.

“Last time I went, I watched a gal learning to juggle, a dude continuously putting together and taking apart a sculpture, a bunch of runners stretching together and a dude singing and playing the guitar,” Caldarelli said. At the farmers market, both the produce and the people are genuine and delightful. With that in mind, visiting the Davis Farmers Market is an excellent choice for those looking to add to their plant collections or fuel their gardening hobby.

Tomato plants on sale at the Davis Farmers Market. (Christian Cendejas / Aggie)

Apple-A-Day apple cider from the Davis Farmers Market. (Aggie File)

DARIXA VARELA MEDRANO / AGGIE

FROM PAGE 2

Sometimes she takes a nap in the lounge or she has an interview on Zoom here.”

Yet, it’s not just the many resources that draw people in; it’s also the individuals who contribute to each thread of exposure to the WRRC. Te staf and volunteers, who are always eager to sing karaoke and emanate energy that can only be labeled as irresistibly inviting. Because they are also students, they harbor authentic relatability.

This particular feature is what furnishes this home. It unites minorities who have grappled with belonging and employees endeavoring to achieve goals of societal growth — all under the premise that we, as a human species, desire connection and, above all else, love. Tis sense of community and warmth is undoubtedly what has

awarded this resource center as the Best of Davis.

BESTBAKERY FROM PAGE 3

Kalinsky noted that there’s not much space inside the bakery, so the patio provides a space for the community to gather. Students also use the patio to study while snacking on a pastry. Julia Ing, a fourth-year managerial economics major, frequents Upper Crust because of its welcoming environment and lattes.

“I really like the lattes,” Ing said. “I haven’t really had many of their pastries. I’ve had a savory scone. I liked it! Tey also have good chocolate croissants.”

Allison Merz, a graduate student in the School of Management and frequent customer, said the bakery reminds her of home.

“All of their lattes are incredible,”

Merz said. “I’m from Oregon, and [the bakery] reminds me of central Oregon, so it has a very comfortable, homey feeling. And it smells so good.”

Upper Crust has also been selling at the Davis Farmers Market for nearly 40 years. Kalinsky shared that the farmers market has really supported the bakery’s ability to maintain its “farm-to-oven” approach. Tey try to source as many ingredients as possible from local farms and producers, ensuring fresh and quality baking.

Te storefront is open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday, and 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Sundays and sells at the Davis Farmers Market on Saturday mornings. If you haven’t yet, indulge in one of their freshly baked goods to understand why they are the consecutive winners of Davis’ Best Bakery.

BESTPUB FROM PAGE 4

While the COVID-19 pandemic had hit the bar scene in Davis hard, Wan is honored that Sophia’s T ai Kitchen has remained a mainstay. Moreover, Wan feels happy that this scene is healing as Davis begins to see a diverse group of new bars opening up and establishing themselves downtown.

“I’m encouraged now that there [are] more bars opening up now, because more bars in Davis is healthier for the whole scene,” Wan said. “Tere’s enough business in town for everybody.”

BESTCOFFEE FROM PAGE 5

“At any given time, there will be a few regulars in the café, and it’s nice to catch up with them and be on a frstname basis.”

In addition to its communityoriented atmosphere, Mishka’s stands out from other cafés in Davis due to its European-inspired ambiance. Meissner

commented on how the café mentally transports her to the city where she spent time studying abroad.

“Since I just got back from a year of studying in Paris, I fnd Mishka’s is the place that most resembles the cofee shops I studied at,” Meissner said. “It brings me a sense of comfort.”

Mishka’s fosters the European-café ambiance in many ways: Te outdoor space lined with tables resembles a classic Parisian street, and the soft jazz music hits customers’ ears as soon as they enter into the iconic brick building. With its red-orange walls and tall windows perfect for daydreaming and people watching, Mishka’s Café is not only a cofee staple in Davis but also serves as a community-oriented hub in the heart of downtown.

What if campus buildings were your classmates?

BY KATHERINE ONG keong@ucdavis.edu

LAUREN SWING

2025 Spring Elections: Meet the Candidates

Meet the students running to serve the UC Davis community

BY AALIYAH ESPAÑOL-RIVAS campus@theaggie.org

Tis ASUCD spring election cycle, there are two executive tickets, 12 candidates running for Senate, three for international student representative, three for transfer student representative, two for external afairs vice president and one for student advocate. Elections will be open from Monday, April 21 at 8 a.m. to Friday, April 25 at 8 p.m. Students can vote online at elections. ucdavis.edu.

Executive Ticket:

Amrita Julka and Dhilena Wickramasinghe (Bitches slate)

Amrita Julka:

Second-year political science and human development double major

Julka is running for ASUCD President alongside fellow Senator Dhilena Wickramasinghe. Julka is running with the Bitches slate, recognizing the marginalized communities on campus and the backlash they face to make their voices heard. Te slate aims to give power to those silenced. Her priorities are safety, equity and transparency, which she aims to fulfill through the protection of students with legal resources and providing access to basic needs. As a senator, Julka believes there needs to be an expansion for gender and sexuality within the student population and basic needs. She plans on developing a stronger sexual assault prevention program, a comprehensive Harassment and Discrimination Assistance Prevention Program reform,

increasing accessibility to free sexual health and menstrual products across campus and reworking the ASUCD budget website. Julka promises to unapologetically advocate for what is right regardless of any pushback from university administration.

“We are here to wholeheartedly support students and support what they want. We will never shy away from doing so.”

Dhilena Wickramasinghe:

Tird-year sociology major

Wickramasinghe is running for ASUCD Internal Vice President (IVP) with the Bitches slate alongside Julka. Wickramsinghe currently serves as an ASUCD Senator and has advocated for marginalized communities while pushing for ethical spending and transparency within ASUCD. She aims to do this by reworking the ASUCD’s budget website, breaking down line by line where money is going to and ofering students a sense of accountability regarding their student fees. She previously served as the pro tempore, presiding over Senate meetings and communicating regularly with the chancellor and vice chancellor. She was also a DJ for KDVS, worked at the Cofee House and has served as an ASUCD committee member, giving her a diverse perspective of the internal units of the ASUCD. Wickramasinghe wants to emphasize that student elected ofcials represent the interests of the students, with or without administration collaboration.

“These are elected positions by students, so we are here to represent student voices and their interests, not the [administration’s] interests.”

Aaminah Mohammad and Nanki Kaur (Unite slate)

Aaminah Mohammad: Tird-year international relations and biopsychology double major

Mohammad is running for ASUCD President, alongside current ASUCD Senator Nanki Kaur on the Unite slate. She currently serves as the IVP, spearheading diferent initiatives to improve student life, reforming hiring practices and ASUCD award funding programs. She believes that it is the ASUCD’s No. 1 priority to bridge any gaps between campus resources and what students need. Troughout her term, she has identifed three things that have been overlooked: connecting underrepresented students to campus resources, expanding and improving basic needs and expanding student engagement. She hopes to reach these goals while continuing to advocate projects she started this academic year. Tese include continuing programs like Aggie Aid, the satellite pantries and emergency housing taskers. In addition, she wants to work on installing nap pods on campus and ensuring menstrual products are consistently stocked. Lastly, she plans on creating an intake program with a community clinic for students who are uninsured or undocumented, along with a health equity fund.

“I have a good understanding of how ASUCD works and what platforms are actually feasible and what can actually be done. Everything we’re running on is realistic and things we can actually accomplish and deliver.”

Nanki Kaur:

Tird-year biomedical engineering major

Kaur is running for IVP, alongside current officeholder Aaminah Mohammad under the Unite slate. Kaur currently serves as an ASUCD Senator and hopes to provide outreach to students and registered student organizations (RSOs) to provide them with ASUCD resources. She believes her involvement in the Senate will provide valuable perspective as an IVP, ensuring transparent and consistent communication. She aims to expand and reimagine study spaces, adding murals and wellness resources. In addition, she hopes to bring together STEM students and the ASUCD. Kaur is a member of many RSOs at UC Davis and hopes to bring those perspectives to the table.

“I can bring both the perspective of a Senator and the perspectives from my community involvement to the IVP role. I bring a diverse perspective to this role and know what it takes to manage the Senate efciently to serve students.”

International Student Representative (ISR):

Robi Castaneda (Bitches slate): Tird-year political science and music double major

Castaneda is running with the Bitches slate because his priorities align with the campaign’s focus on safety, equity and transparency. Castaneda hopes to expand immigration law services for international students, as well as to create a micro loan program for those who may need help paying for visa processing fees or other paperwork, in addition to funds for legal consultations. Castaneda also plans on creating an emergency legal task force to provide a strong response team to any

student facing sudden legal challenges given recent political developments. Castaneda currently serves as an external afairs commissioner, working to expand resources with the Know Your Rights initiative. He hopes to also increase communication with the Academic Afairs Commission to fgure out a policy regarding the usage of language-translating websites being fagged as plagiarism. Moreover, he seeks to have “language hours” where native speakers and second-generation students can converse in a specifed language to teach one another. Te last thing international students should have to worry about is the ability to continue their studies. My priority is to ensure students can pursue an education without fear of repercussions.”

Alparslan Ege Erdogan (Empoderar slate): Second-year aerospace engineering major

Erdogan is running with the Empoderar slate, because he wants to fght to bring forth transparency and accountability to the Ofce of the ISR and ASUCD.

Spring 2025 ASUCD endorsements: consider the following

The Editorial Board encourages you to consider accountability, diversity and fiscal responsibility when casting your ballot

BY THE EDITORIAL BOARD

From April 21 to 25, the ASUCD spring elections are open for students to cast their ballots for six senators, one executive ticket and three measures, as well as a number of other elected ofcials. Te California Aggie’s Editorial Board encourages you to exercise your right to vote this election season, as the ASUCD directly afects your day-to-day life as well as the use of your student fees — you deserve to have a say in how your money is being spent.

The Editorial Board invited all candidates for an interview and endorsed those we believe will best represent the needs and interests of the student body. Regardless of who you choose on your ballot, we hope you vote this election season. Please consider the following:

While ASUCD elections use a ranked-choice system, the endorsed candidates below are not listed in order of preference. Te Editorial Board has ranked Senate candidates alphabetically for purposes of this article.

Presidential Ticket: Aaminah Mohammad & Nanki Kaur (Unite slate)

Aaminah Mohammad, a thirdyear biopsychology and international relations double major, and Nanki Kaur, a third-year biomedical engineering major, are running for president and internal vice president positions of the ASUCD, respectively, as part of the Unite slate. Tis presidential ticket’s platforms are instating comprehensive

wellness, afordability and accessibility programs, expanding healthcare outreach and equity and ensuring the student body has access to resources. Additionally, this ticket is focusing on outreach to STEM students and their representation within the administration. Mohammad and Kaur have actionable plans — such as extending free rides to of-campus students with disabilities and creating funding pathways for non-identitybased registered student organizations (RSOs). In addition to these, this presidential ticket has plans to utilize legal resources for undocumented students, expand and revamp study spaces and streamline the hiring process for ASUCD positions. With Mohammad’s experience as internal vice president and Kaur’s experience as a senator, as well as their understanding of the ASUCD’s fnancial outlook and potential budget cuts, the Editorial Board believes this presidential ticket to be in the best interest of ASUCD and the students of UC Davis.

External Afairs Vice President: Janani Sundaram (Bitches slate)

Janani Sundaram is a third-year political science — public service major with a minor in public health. Some of her primary campaign focuses include empowering students, creating equity in university policy and protecting the rights of students to protest. Additionally, Sundaram is a part of the Bitches slate, which prioritizes safety, transparency and equity. As an out-ofstate student, Sundaram has developed a diverse and understanding perspective. She is also committed to bringing more transparency and accountability to the ASUCD. Te Editorial Board

believes Sundaram is earnest about her advocacy eforts and equally committed to bringing her important sense of compassion to the table. We believe Sundaram would excel in the role of external afairs vice president.

Student Advocate: Inbar Schwartz (Independent)

A third-year economics and international relations double major, Inbar Schwartz has been with the Student Advocate Ofce (SAO) for two years. She has served as a case advisor and head of staf and currently serves as the vice student advocate, ensuring that students receive proper guidance in their dealings with the Ofce of Student Support and Judicial Afairs. Her dedication to students and advocating for their fair representation and defense was clear in her interview, as was her knowledge of the role and the duties therein. Tough the race for student advocate is unopposed, the Editorial Board has chosen to endorse Schwartz as a show of recognition of her hard work at SAO and her longtime commitment to student success.

International Student Representative: Robi Castaneda (Bitches slate)

Robi Castaneda, a third-year political science and music double major, is clearly passionate about protecting international students. Castaneda seeks to expand legal resources for students navigating the visa and immigration process and has called for the creation of a fund to help cover related paperwork costs. His well-rounded and thorough approach to having the Ofce of the International Student Representative

meet international students where they are, and on the issues most pressing to them, impressed the Editorial Board. His experience within ASUCD as an external afairs commissioner and his assertion that the student government should provide all of the support it can to its international students to ensure they can focus on their academic success also helped his campaign stand out.

Transfer Student Representative: Kelly Zamudio (Empoderar slate)

Kelly Zamudio is a third-year political science — public service and sociology double major, as well as a member of the Empoderar slate. In her interview, Kelly displayed a clear understanding of struggles that transfer students often go through during their collegiate transition. She also shared unwavering support for the transfer student community and their success, readily responding to questions with confidence and resolve. Zamudio emphasized pillars of community development, professional and academic growth and personal wellness that she plans to implement into creating inclusive spaces in collaboration with RSOs for students. An element of her interview that stood out in particular was her idea to ensure that there is transfer student representation on every ASUCD commission to ensure that their perspectives are properly represented. Zamudio’s clear-cut plans for the role, knowledge of the nontraditional-student experience and plans to advocate for transfer students across the Davis campus made her a very strong candidate — one that the Editorial Board has gladly decided to endorse.

Tianneh G.

is a firstgeneration, second-year political science and sociology double major, with an emphasis in law and society. Some of her campaign priorities include transparency and accountability, professionalism and collaboration and culture.

Senator: Tianneh G. Bonardi (Empoderar slate)

Bonardi

Aaminah Mohammad and Nanki Kaur are running for the executive office under the Unite slate. (Courtesy / Jack Wang)

Kelly Zamudio is running for Transfer Student Representative under the Empoderar slate. (Courtesy)

Robi Castaneda is running for International Student Representative under the Bitches slate. (Courtesy / Jack Wang)

Inbar Schwartz is running for Student Advocate. (Courtesy / Jack Wang)

Tianneh G. Bonardi is running for Senate under the Empoderar slate. (Courtesy)

Pattarin Khajornchaikul is running for Senate under the Unite slate. (Courtesy)

Aubri Lee is running for Senate under the Risers slate. (Courtesy / Jack Wang)

Hilda Cabello-Garcia is running for Senate. (Courtesy / Jack Wang)

Siena Dill-Cruz is running for Senate under the Bitches slate. (Courtesy / Jack Wang)

Luis Leonardo Garcia is running for Senate under the Empoderar slate. (Courtesy)

Read the rest of the Editorial Board’s endorsements online Read

Janani Sundaram is running for External Affairs Vice President under the Bitches slate. (Courtesy / Jack Wang)