Now the city of Davis is offering its own economic stimulus. The Davis City Council last week passed a package of three measures designed to help local businesses and development projects survive the current economic downturn.

UC Davis needed to beat Cal State Northridge to clinch the No.5seed in this week’s Big West Conference Tournament. The Aggies did exactly that,using great work on the boards and two clutch free throws to narrowly beat Northridge at the Matadome on Wednesday night,53-50.

Coach Jon Vochatzer knew he was going to return from the season opener in Berkeley with some solid qualifying marks.Specifically,marks for conference. Sophomore Thomas Phillipsandsenior Polly Gnepa,had more in mind,as bothhurdlerssuccessfully qualified for the NCAA West Regional Championships.

Sophomore Ashley Hearn highlighted the Aggies‘ performance at an unscored,five-way meet in Berkeley,as she earned a trip to the West Regional Championships in her discus season debut. Hearn threw a huge personal best of47.48m on her very first throw of the competition.Not only did she win by over four meters,but her other legal throw would havealsoeasily netted her the win.

Super Senior, Are you getting pressure from your parents to graduate? Are they disappointed that you haven’t finished college yet? What would you say your biggest reason for staying a fifth year would be? If you had the opportunity to stay a sixth year, would you? Future Super Senior

After the University of California Board of Regents approved the design plan last week, the construction of a new state of the art winery and Brewing and Food Science Laboratory is set to begin in June. Both the winery and laboratory aim to achieve the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design‘s (LEED) highest rating, the platinum certification. Achieving platinum certification through the U.S. Green Building Council will make this facility the first of its kind in the world.

Dancing off the jeebies of a recent police scare at a Sound Tribe Sector 9 show, I stumbled upon what could be one of the greater truths of our era. Modern American culture places a premium on being watched. To be seen or heard about through an artifice of media – be it Newsweek, Facebook, YouTube or a karaoke bar – is a desirable thing. Through repeated mass exposure, one stands to increase social stature. To live a more public, that is, less private, life is to be a person of covetable significance. The more strangers know of you, the better.

Drop off hazardous waste this weekend It’s time to get rid of that hazardous waste you’ve got lying around. The Yolo County Central Landfill will host free household hazardous waste drop-off days this weekend for Yolo County residents.

Let no one claim that economists are boring; for after attending the Stimulus SmackDown here at UC Davis on Wednesday night, I can certifiably say that while economics may make Rachael Ray look interesting by comparison, economists make Rachael Ray look,well, like Rachael Ray.

TODAY Folk Music Jam session Noon to 1 p.m. Wyatt Deck, Old Davis Road All folk musicians are welcome to join in for a little bluegrass, old-time blues, Celtic and other types of rockin’ music! All skill levels are welcome. If you don’t want to play, feel free to stop by and just listen (or dance)!

Interested in starting your own business? This could be your chance to do so and win cash. The Yolo Business Ascent Challenge, which will begin on Mar. 12, will be an opportunity for entrepreneurs to showcase their talents and their projects.

The UC Davis swimming and diving team was in the news again this week, as it picked up three of the Big West Conference’s six major awards. Juniors Heidi Kucera and Scott Weltz were named women’s and men’s athlete of the year, respectively, while Pete Motekaitis walked away as men’s coach of the year.