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  • Council Election Forum Coming March 29

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    (From press release) Join the League of Women Voters Davis Area and Davis Media Access for a candidates’ forum for the upcoming Davis City Council election for a new representative from District 3.

    The free Zoom event will be held from 7 to 8:15 p.m. March 29. District 3 represents residents in Central Davis. The elected councilmember will replace Lucas Frerichs, who was elected to the Yolo County Board of Supervisors in November. The all-mail ballot special election will be held May 2.

    The forum will feature candidates Donna Neville and Francesca Wright. Local LWV board member Michele Van Eyken will moderate the event.

    Audience members will be able to submit questions before and during the forum. To submit a question before the forum email your question to info@lwvdavisarea.org.

    The LWV is a non-partisan organization committed to voter registration and education. To learn more about the League and to sign up to this event, go to: www.lwvdavisarea.org.

  • Culture Wars in Education: March 12 Forum

    (From press release) Culture wars have been waged for decades in the U.S. but recently the battlefield has shifted dramatically to schools and education. Transgender children in school bathrooms and sports, critical race theory, the history of slavery, College Board AP course on African American history – – why are these topics suddenly so salient and controversial? What are the bounds of academic freedom and who decides school curriculum? We will explore these questions at the Contemporary Issues Forum at the Davis United Methodist Church on Sunday, March 12. The discussion will be led by Marty West, professor emerita from the UCD Law School. Marty also served on the Davis Board of Education for eight years. Come with an open mind to explore culture wars March 12 at 11:15 at Davis United Methodist Church, 1620 Anderson Road.

  • Free Tree Circus show at Davis Central Park, March 11th, 11:45am

    (From press release) You’ll never look at trees the same. Join Tree Davis and their friends from Tree Circus at 11:45am on California Arbor Day, Saturday, March 11 at Central Park to see the award-winning TreeCircus perform. The City of Davis has graciously agreed to sponsor the event at the park.

    Tree Circus members, Chad Brey – Two time North American Tree Climbing Champion, and TreeCircus arborist, Grayson Keating – TreeCircus naturalist and the first Naturalist at NC’s Gorges State Park. And, modern-day Johnny Appleseed, Tim Womick, is ringmaster.

    TreeCircus asks the question, “What do trees give us?“ And fast-paced hilarity and science collide to help audiences better understand the role trees play in our daily lives. Young and old alike delight in humorous TreeCircus antics. Trees are the oldest, hardest working members of most communities and shown to help urban residents live longer, happier, and healthier. “TREECIRCUS / TREESCIENCE / TREEFUN.”

    The Tree Circus show is a part of an all-day event sponsored by the Western Chapter of the International Society of Arboriculture, starting with a tour and discussion at the State Capitol Arboretum, a bike ride across the causeway, and a tour of Davis Great Trees lead by Tree Davis Board President, Dr. Greg McPherson.

    Dr. McPherson will be leading another Davis Great Trees Bike Tour on April 29th. Those interested in participating can learn more on the Tree Davis website and social media channels.

  • HOPE Resource Fair on March 4th!

    HOPE Fair + Drive FlyerHOPE@Davis is a student-run organization dedicated to supporting the underserved houseless population in Davis.  On March 4th (from 2pm – 4pm), we are holding a Resource Fair and plan to distribute supplies and resources at the Davis Community Church on 412 C Street, Davis, CA 95616.

    If you would like to help out with this resource fair and want to learn more about it, feel free to take a look at our flyer, attached to this post, and email us at hopeatdavis@gmail.com

    Currently, HOPE@Davis is accepting donations for the resource fair. We accept all kinds of supplies and resources, such as clothes, hygiene products, and more! Please keep in mind we plan to stop collecting donations this Thursday so we can organize all our supplies for this weekend's resource fair.

    For more info, see: https://hopeatdavis.org/

  • Davis must grow up, not out

    By Judy Corbett, Robert Thayer, Stephen Wheeler and James Zanetto

    The Feb. 5 Davis Enterprise article stating that the City Council will examine ways of pre-approving housing developments on sites at the periphery of Davis in order to meet the city’s long-term “regional housing needs” allocation runs counter to the entire momentum of urban development economics and city finance.

    It is well known that by building dense, vital downtowns, with multi-story housing and walkable amenities, cities may not only reduce greenhouse gas emissions but actually build more positive property tax flows. Building at the periphery does the exact opposite by reducing income per acre from property taxes while increasing infrastructure maintenance including roads, water, sewers, flood control, street trees, police, fire and garbage collection.

    Jeff Speck, author of “Walkable City Rules,” (Island Press, 2018) states that “communities that fund infrastructure with an eye to long-term return will invest in compact, mixed-use development — especially in historic districts — and not in sprawl.”

    Beginning with the 1974 “Costs of Sprawl,” considerable research studies have shown that dense urban areas return far more revenue per acre than peripheral, auto-oriented development; the former actually subsidize the latter. (See the case studies website of Urban3: https://www.urbanthree.com/case-study/ )

    Since the new Davis Downtown Plan addresses this, at least in the short term we need to avoid peripheral development that does not pay for its own ultimate financial impact on a wide range of city services. Portland, Ore., and the smaller California cities of Pasadena, Petaluma, Hercules and Lodi are examples of communities where the advantages of building strong downtowns can be observed today.

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  • Eight faculty from UCD honored as AAAS Fellows

    UCD AAAS Fellows

    (From press release) The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) has announced its most recent group of Fellows, and eight of them are from UC Davis.  From the AAAS website:

    AAAS Fellows are a distinguished cadre of scientists, engineers and innovators who have been recognized for their achievements across disciplines, from research, teaching, and technology, to administration in academia, industry and government, to excellence in communicating and interpreting science to the public.

    In a tradition stretching back to 1874, these individuals are elected annually by the AAAS Council. Newly elected Fellows are recognized for their extraordinary achievements at the ceremonial Fellows Forum, a time-honored event at the AAAS Annual Meeting where they are presented with a certificate and blue and gold rosette.

    Eligible nominees are members whose efforts on behalf of the advancement of science or its applications are scientifically or socially distinguished and who have been a continuous AAAS member for at least four years leading up to the year of nomination. Fellows have included Thomas Edison, W.E.B DuBois, Maria Mitchell, Steven Chu, Ellen Ochoa and Irwin M. Jacobs.

    Election as an AAAS Fellow is a lifetime honor and all Fellows are expected to meet the commonly held standards of professional ethics and scientific integrity.

    They are:

    Danika L. Bannasch
    Professor, Department of Population Health and Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine
    “For contributions across the study of genetics and genomics for the benefit of animal and human health, and service to the profession.”

    Annaliese Franz
    Professor, Department of Chemistry, College of Letters and Science
    “For contributions to catalysis and synthesis emphasizing organosilicon chemistry and biofuel production, and for the championship of diversity, equity and inclusion among faculty and students.”

    Sarah B. Hrdy
    Professor emerita, Department of Anthropology, College of Letters and Science
    “For distinguished contributions to the field of evolutionary anthropology, particularly for understanding mammalian reproductive strategies and the evolution of human families and societies.”

    Lynne A. Isbell
    Professor, Department of Anthropology, Evolutionary Wing, College of Letters and Science
    “For innovative scholarship and leadership in primatology and biological anthropology.”

    Pamela J. Lein
    Professor of Neurotoxicology, Department of Molecular Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine
    “For exceptional contributions to research in environmental toxicity and for sustained activity in advising and mentoring.”

    Maeli Melotto
    Professor, Department of Plant Sciences, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences
    “For distinguished contributions to the field of plant biology, particularly for interactions between plants and both pathogenic and nonpathogenic microbes and plant breeding for crop safety and resilience.”

    Roberta L. Millstein
    Professor Emerit, Department of Philosophy, College of Letters and Science
    “For distinguished scholarship and service to the history and philosophy of biology.”

    Frank E. Osterloh
    Professor, Department of Chemistry, College of Letters and Science
    “For contributions to inorganic and materials chemistry with applications in energy conversion.”

  • Davis Farm to School awards $11,000 in garden grants

    Lettuce

    Students at Pioneer Elementary School plant lettuce in the fall that was harvested in winter and made into salads. (Meghan Covert Russell/Courtesy photo)

    (From press release) Davis Farm to School recently awarded 22 garden grants ­– totaling more than $11,000 – to local schools.

    The grants, announced on Jan. 23, promote student learning about plants, insects, soil, composting and growing fresh and tasty food. Students plant in mosaic planters, raised beds, landscaped areas and more. The school gardens support California’s academic standards and provide important hands-on learning experiences.

    Funds for the grants were raised through its annual fundraiser, The Village Feast, which was in October at Great Bear Vineyards. The money enabled garden grants for every school in the Davis Joint Unified School District, as well as to private schools including Peregrine and Davis Waldorf.

    Strawberries

    Max Russell examines strawberries at the Harper Junior High School garden. His mom, Meghan, leads the Davis Farm to School program, part of the Davis Farmers Market Alliance. (Meghan Covert Russell/Courtesy photo)

    Meghan Covert Russell, executive director of Davis Farm to School, said, “This is the first year that we have been able to provide garden grants to every DJUSD campus, a step to helping all school gardens achieve equity in their maintenance and ability to serve students.”

    In addition to garden grants, Davis Farm to School offers farm field trips to DJUSD second graders, in cooperation with Fiery Ginger Farm; and Little Chefs Field Trips to third graders, in conjunction with The Davis Food Co-op.

    DJUSD Superintendent Matt Best said, “We are incredibly thankful for our close partnership with Davis Farm to School. Their support continues to provide our students with incredible hands-on learning experiences at our schools, as well as opportunities to explore our area’s farms, and learn about the ways to help preserve our planet.”

    Davis Farm to School supports garden-based education, farm visits for students, farm-fresh foods in school meals, and recycling and composting programs at all Davis schools, in partnership with DJUSD. DF2S is a project of the nonprofit Davis Farmers Market Alliance. For more information, visit https://www.davisfarmtoschool.org/.

  • Global Day of Climate Action: March 3

    Copy of 2023 03 GCS US - Instagram Post(5)(From press release) The global day of climate action is just one week away! We cannot wait to see everyone on Friday, March 3rd at E 14th and B Street at NOON! Our march will step off at 12:30 and we will march to Central Park for a demonstration and community discussion. 

    In one week, all of Davis is invited to join in this Global Climate Strike that will put pressure on our world leaders to end fossil finance. We need to make sure they know that tomorrow is too late to take action, they must act now. Fridays For Future Davis youth activists will be walking out of school with other youth around the world, and we need your support. We need you to join us in showing up and demanding action.

    Please visit our event page for all of the information on how Davis will be participating in this worldwide action for climate justice: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1wlvIupioT0hwQwjsCRXwsEsAfW3w8o6buoFhllHF1EA/edit?usp=sharing

    Pre-Strike fun! On Tuesday, February 28th from 3-5 at the Central Park Solidarity Space we will be making signs for the Global Climate Strike on Friday. Please join us for some fun sign making time and to learn all about how you can help our Earth survive climate change.

  • Updated theater gets the spotlight

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    Joseph Fletcher, manager at the Veterans Memorial Theatre leads members of the arts community on a tour of the upgraded facility at the Feb. 16 Arts Alliance Davis meeting. (Wendy Weitzel/Courtesy photo)

     

    By Wendy Weitzel

    More than 20 members of the arts community gathered Feb. 16 to see the newly improved Veterans Memorial Theatre and collaborate about their work.

    The occasion was the Arts Alliance Davis meeting, open to anyone interested in or involved with local arts.

    Joseph Fletcher, manager at the city’s Veterans Memorial Theatre, explained the recent upgrades to the city’s aging theater technology in the 1974-built facility. They include updated computer, video, lighting, and other electronics systems and technology.

    Fletcher was hired in October 2019 – shortly before the pandemic mandated closure of theater operations for nearly two years – and led the improvements at the facility. Rachel Hartsough, the city of Davis’ arts and culture manager, said, “Fletcher was incredible about using this down time that we unfortunately had from COVID to apply for and receive multiple grants. Nearly $100,000 of upgrades to the theater came from Shuttered Venue Operators grants, and it’s really transformed the usability of the theater.”

    That grant money went almost all into materials. Fletcher said he and his staff did much of the setup, saving the city what would have cost an additional 25 to 50 percent. Separately, the theater will get a much-needed new roof starting in March.

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  • Davis Responds to Climate Change

    Public Forum on CAAP Feb. 26

    Floods, droughts, wildfires, hurricanes….we all know that climate change is an existential threat, so what can we do?  The City of Davis declared a climate emergency and has drafted an updated Climate Action and Adaptation Plan (CAAP) that has aroused public concerns.  Are these concerns valid?  What does CAAP include and how might it impact you personally?  And what actions and regulations is the state proposing that will impact CAAP as well as you personally?  Come hear Kerry Daane Loux explain it all and answer your questions Sunday February 26 at 11:15 at Davis United Methodist Church, 1620 Anderson Road.  Kerry is Sustainability Coordinator for the City of Davis and project manager for CAAP.

    The Final Draft CAAP document and other information is available at:

    https://www.cityofdavis.org/sustainability/2020-climate-action-and-adaptation-plan-caap

    Of special note, the Overview and Context for the CAAP on pages 11-12 are useful information in advance of our discussion.

    FINAL DRAFT 2020-2040 Climate Action and Adaptation Plan (CAAP)  PDF

    Shared by Helen Roland Cramer