MUSIC Tim Williams Today, 12 p.m. The Quad Tim Williams has helped give a little bit of indie street cred to teen drama “One Tree Hill.” I can’t say much in favor for the show, but Williams’ music – solid indie acoustic – could be something to write home about. For any of you with class or any other prior engagements, fear not: he’ll also play at Sophia’s Thai Kitchen tonight.

The UC Davis music department will begin the year with its annual Noon Concert performance series, continuing with its long-time tradition of free weekly noontime concerts. The concerts are typically held in room 115 of the music building, a small performance-friendly room familiar to regular attendees of the midday showings.

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed the California2008-2009state budget Tuesday – an action that meant mixed news for the University of California,which faces numerous budget challenges in the upcoming year. While the finalized budget includedthe$100million in UC funding that was on the chopping block earlier this year,state funding for UC remains essentially flat.The budget does not provide for increased costs due to inflationor growing enrollment.As a result,the UC system will still face a net shortfall of$100million in state funding,according to a press release from the UC newsroom.

Scientists at UC Davis have discovered a rice protein that plays a major role in moderating the resistance to infectious disease,a discovery that may have important medical and agricultural applications around the world. A study led by plant pathology professor Pamela Ronald identified the protein XB15,a major player in the rice plant’s immune system that stops the immune response from overreacting and damaging the plant.

Even though UC Davis is safe from a major earthquake,one member of the campus community is preparing for the world’s worst.Ross Boulanger,Ph.D.,is an earthquake specialist in the Civil and Environmental Engineering department.Between teaching classes and overseeing major earthquake,dam and levee studies,he recently co-wrote and published a book on liquefaction,or the damage that happens underground when earthquakes hit.But don’t let that bring you down– this Canadian professor loves every quaking minute of his research and professorship!

With a new school year underway and campus filled with fresh faces,there’s change in the air.But sometimes it’s comforting to run into an old friend – or an old tradition like concerts in the Coffee House on campus.

Mars Rover begins long journey to new crater NASA’s Mars rover Opportunity has a new destination:a13.7mile wide crater named Endeavor. Scientists anticipate Opportunity would be able to see deeper layers of rock in the crater,cluing into more information on Mars‘ geological past.

Police search for Davis bank robber Davis police announcedTuesday afternoon that they were in search of a bank robbery suspect. At approximately10:50a.m.Tuesday,a white male adult entered the US Bank office on F Street and handed a note to a teller demanding money,according to a DPD press release.The teller handed over the money and the suspect fled.

In the near future,freshmen won’t have to leave campus at the end of their first year to brave the distantDavis outskirts. UC Davis has just put the finishing touches on plans for the West Village,a new housing structure for university students,faculty and community college students.Officials predict it will open by fall2011.

Students now have anotheroption for computing on campus. The Department of Information & Educational Technology services recently opened their latest of eight open access computer labs on campus at182Shields Library,replacing the IT express help desk.

Teams:No.16UC Davis at No.18UC Irvine Records:Aggies,8-1-0 (0-0); Anteaters,7-0-2 (0-0) Where:Anteater Stadium – Irvine,Calif.

In a few months,you’ll be able grab an iced venti mocha or a cold sandwich right after working out. The ARC will open a fully-licensed,Sodexo-operated Starbucks – with genuine Starbucksdrinks,architecture and merchandise – onJan.5.ARC officials have been planning to introduce Starbucks for some time,though the move happensto come in a year when the5-year-old facility has made several cost-cutting moves.