Davis’s Varsity Theater is holding an open house today to showcase the technological improvements and additions that make the movie experience all the more thrilling. The theater is celebrating a second screen and further renovations on Thursday, Mar. 11 at noon at the theater on 616 2nd St. The Varsity was originally a single-screen theater in 1950 and became two screens in 1976. In 1992 it was reopened as a center for performing arts. It reverted to a single screen in 2006 when it began showing mainly independent and art house films.

Following months of negotiations, the American Federation of Teachers union, representing University of California librarians, and the University of California system agreed to extend the labor contract currently in place. The union represents approximately 400 librarians from all of the UC campuses, including 50 librarians from UC Davis. Department heads fall outside of the union, but the librarians – not to be confused with library staff – associated with the American Federation of Teachers include those at reference desks or giving demonstrations to classes. The ratifications seen in the extended contract exclude most economic variables. The ratified contract, very similar to its prior self, includes changes such as a 1 percent increase in professional development money for librarians to use to further their education.

Event: Aggie Open Where: Woody Wilson Track When: Saturday, All Day Who to watch: After opening the indoor season by capturing first in the triple jump, senior Igor Seriba is determined to maintain his success. “He’s on a mission,” said coach Jon Vochatzer.

Following a meeting for the annual UC lobby day on Mar. 1, five students staged a sit-in in Rep. Jim Nielsen’s (R-Gerber) office. The students presented Nielsen with a document supporting increased funding for higher education and recruiting and retaining low-income students. The students refused to leave until he agreed to sign it, but Nielsen refused and the California Highway Patrol was called. UC director of gGovernment aAffairs Steve Juarez was present at the meeting that took place right before the sit-in.

Teams: UC Davis vs. Santa Clara; East Carolina; California Records: Aggies, (7-12); Broncos, (2-7); Pirates, (8-10); Golden Bears, (16-4) Where: La Rue Field; Levine-Fricke Field – Berkeley, Calif. When: Thursday at 1 p.m.; 3 p.m.; Saturday at 12:30 p.m.; Sunday at 1 p.m.; 3 p.m.

Quad-goers who closed their eyes and ignored the wind at their backs may have felt like they were in the library.

When most people go to a garage sale or thrift store, they see practical items sold for bargain prices. But sculptor and UC Davis Master of Fine Arts Ron Baron looks at those castoff objects and sees a work of art. Today, artists, aspiring artists and fans of art alike are invited to attend a free lecture given by Baron as part of the Art Studio Lecture Series. The lecture will be held in the main room of the Technocultural Studies Building from 4:30 to 6 p.m.

A week after student protestors attempted to block a freeway at UC Davis, questions remain about what actually happened in the clash between protestors and police. The group of about 250 students mobilized in support of education funding and access. They advanced through two skirmish lines of police on Old Davis Road before being stopped. The confrontation resulted in a number of minor injuries as police physically beat back protestors who tried to advance past the third and final skirmish line approximately 30 yards from the freeway on-ramp. The question of Taser use

In light of recent hate crimes that have swept UC campuses, the UC Office of the President (UCOP) has rolled out a program intended to help employees maintain a healthy work environment. The compliance briefing, titled “UC Ethical Values and Conduct,” was officially introduced online on Mar. 3 through the Office of Ethics, Compliance and Audit Services (ECAS), a subdivision of UCOP. The newly revised program will be implemented systemwide, although the individual campuses are allowed some leeway in determining such provisions as whether or not undergraduate student employees will be required to take the survey or what the consequences for non-compliance will be.

Colorful almond blossoms have been in bloom for the past two weeks, which means it’s time for the 95th Capay Valley Almond Festival. On Sunday, Esparto, Capay, Brooks, Guinda, Madison and Rumsey will all collaborate for a celebration spanning 22 miles throughout the region. \

Mark Payne wasn’t at the Pavilion on Feb. 10, 2010 when UC Davis beat Pacific for the first time in 70 years – a win that snapped a 49-game losing streak against the school. Instead, he was sitting in a hotel room with his mom just blocks from both his home in downtown Davis and Hamilton Court, watching UC Davis’ historic win unfold on television. \

Artist and former UC Davis art professor William T. Wiley has been honored by the Smithsonian Institution with a collection of his former works. The exhibit, entitled “What’s It All Mean: William T. Wiley in Retrospect,” will feature approximately 85 of his works from the late 1960s to the present, borrowed from public and private collections as well as from the artist. The exhibit will provide a serious overview of Wiley’s career while exploring important themes and ideas expressed in his work. On Mar. 20 at 10 a.m., NELSON ARTfriends members and students will have a unique opportunity to have a guided tour of the exhibit by Renny Pritikin, director of the Richard L. Nelson Gallery and Fine Art Collection. Student tickets are $20, and there is a limit of five students for this tour.