When Jason Gardner announced in April that he would enter the NBA draft, the Arizona men's basketball team was dealt a potentially devastating blow. Wildcat fans held their breath, waiting to see if Gardner would withdraw his name.

As retail stores around UA enter the holiday shopping season, many businesses are seeing their sales increase after a period of economic decline.

"Everybody's been challenged by the (Sept. 11) events, but we've been really pleased with the sales comeback since Thanksgiving," said Dan Deaver, district manager for the Gap.

Coming into a season with high expectations, the Kansas basketball team received a rude awakening in its first game of the season. The No.8 Jayhawks were upended by underdog Ball State in the Maui Invitational, starting a flurry of questions as to just how good the team was going to be.

Editor's note: in an attempt to keep the Perspectives section an open forum, the Arizona Daily Wildcat accepts guest commentaries. Today, UA President Peter Likins addresses the university's concern with state budget shortfalls.

"My Fair Lady" is at the top of the work wish list for a majority of dialect coaches, according to a member of UA's theatre arts faculty.