Davisite logo
Davisite Banner. Left side the bicycle obelisk at 3rd and University. Right side the trellis at the entrance to the Arboretum.

Author: davisite2

  • Dual Freeway/Bridge shutdowns a perfect traffic storm

    Double Bridge-Freeway shutdown to hit West Sac

    By Alan Hirsch, Yolo Mobility

    Image001 1203

    Seen Friday in West Sacramento at the tower bridge

    Both US 50 freeway in West Sac and the Tower Bridge look to be 100% shut down for periods this coming weekend. Combine this with likely congestion on Jefferson  blvd  entrance to 50 where freeway reopens, this could be a perfect storm for residents of West Sac who may not be able to leave their neighborhoods due to cut-thru Freeway traffic congesting local streets, a detour Caltrans suggests for freeway drivers in its press releases. Caltrans press release seems unaware the Tower bridge will also be shut for a charity event both Saturday and Sunday AM until 1pm.

    As reported previously here and here are reprinted Caltrans press releases reporting, east bound highway 50 freeway will be closed in West Sac from the 50-80 split at Enterprise Blvd to Jefferson Blvd. This beginning next Friday 3/14  at 9pm thru Monday, and opening only Tuesday 3/18  at 5am. This is for Caltrans pavement rehab work and is not related to widening to add the I-80 Yolo toll lane, whose construction is yet to begin. The press release seems to indicate east bound drivers can still go north on I-80 at the split to Natomas.

    (note- as told to me Monday night at YoloTD meeting, US 50 shut it may yet be put back again to another weekend-—when it will conflict with Baseball season openers at Sutter Health field.)

    (more…)

  • 1500 scientists and science-supporters rally state capitol

    By Alan “Lorax” Hirsch

    IMG_5169About 1500 people attended the science rally Friday March 7th at the Sacramento state capitol — 1/3 carrying unique home made signs. Who says scientists are not creative?! Evidence of people from UC Merced, Sac State, government agencies and of course UC Davis.

    Davis’s Beth Bourne seemed the only counter protestor. She was escorted off capitol grounds to the street side sidewalk by CHiP officers because of her disruptive chanting.

    IMG_5256
    IMG_5256
    IMG_5256
    IMG_5256
    IMG_5256
    IMG_5256
    IMG_5256

  • Complete Freeway Closure to Sac delayed by one week

    EB US 50 Closed Friday 3/14 9pm to Tues 3/18 5am

    (Weekday Causeway Bike Path closure also)

    By Caltrans & Alan Hirsch  

    Image006 102Released Wed. 3/5 begin: “Caltrans is alerting motorists that this weekend’s extended connector closure for the ongoing Yolo Interstate 80 (I-80) and U.S. Highway 50 (US-50) Pavement Rehabilitation Project has been postponed (emphasis added) because of the weather forecast for rain and cold temperatures. The work has been rescheduled for the following weekend.”

    AH Annotation #1: What Caltrans means to say is US 50 east bound in West Sac from I-80 split to Jefferson Ave will be 100% closed Friday 9pm thru Tuesday 5am 3/14 thu 3/18- a week later than stated in previous press release. Please use local streets in West Sacramento instead. “expect delays”. (see below)

    AH Annotation #2: The Yolo Causeway bicycle path also is scheduled to be closed all next week for repair work. Caltrans are not- but should be  –providing a bus “bike bridge” for that period. They bury this in press release.

    AH Annotation #3: This was announced late last week for this weekend but has been delayed by a decision of Caltrans and contractor.  That this will cause a major inconvenience to local residents & Tahoe traffic – who are likely planning their life around closure. This closure will also cause cut-thru traffic on local streets in all three Yolo County cities. Caltrans is even suggesting drivers use local street in West Sac as alternative to the 3 lane freeway. See below.

    AH Annotation #4. If you think Caltrans is treating public cavalierly, write “Chair and member, Yolo Transportation District board (YoloTD) and tell them at link below. Public has complained to board in the past about lack of information from Caltrans on I-80 construction. YoloTD gave Caltrans $100million to”fix” i-80 in May of 2024. clerk YoloTD public-comment@Yctd.org

    (more…)

  • 100% closure I-50 to Sacto next weekend

    Expect cut thru traffic in Davis, Woodland, West Sac

    By Alan “Lorax” Hirsch & Caltrans

    Image006 103

    Official Caltrans map routing Freeway Traffic onto local streets in West Sac

    The essence of Thursdays Caltrans press release is simple, but its repercussions to hundreds of thousands of people are wider ranging: “I-50 east bound to Sacto in West Sacramento will be 100% closed (after the split) for 3 1/2 days, from Fri. 3/7 9pm to Tues. 3/11 5am.

    Its impacts will be felt by hundreds of thousands of travelers- including Sac airport users from Yolo/Solano now facing congestion on I-5 causeway, workers on Monday, and of course Tahoe vacationers on Friday & Saturday. Those dependent on the bus will also be affected:

    80,000 cars cross the Yolo causeway– each direction — every day.

    There will also be an impact on local travel inside Davis, West Sacramento, and Woodland.  Local residents can expect cut thru traffic delays as, traffic is likely to backup over the causeway deep into Davis and traffic will cut up Pole Line and 113 and backup the I-5 Causeway to the airport as has happen on other occasions. And of course south Mace in Davis will likely be effected.  West Sac travel on West Capitol and Industrial & Jefferson will be “affected” as they parallel the closed freeway section- as will Yolo buses that use this segment.

     

    (more…)

  • Volunteer at the Community Mercantile in Davis, California!

    IMG_0144(From press release) Are you passionate about the environment and eager to make a difference in your community? The Community Mercantile in Davis, California, is looking for dedicated volunteers like you!

    Join Us in Our Mission

    At the Community Mercantile, we believe in the power of reuse and recycling. Our goal is to divert items from the waste stream and give them a second life, reducing environmental impact and promoting sustainability. We need community-minded individuals who share our vision and are ready to contribute to this important cause.

    How You Can Help

    (more…)

  • March for Science in Sacramento

    474871296_10160357991382191_7775486472176908709_n(From press release) On March 7, 2025, scientists, students, advocates, and community members across the country will rally to defend science as a public good and a cornerstone of social progress.

    Stand Up For Science 2025 is a national day of action calling for robust, interference-free scientific research and policies that ensure science serves everyone. In Washington, DC, state capitals, and cities around the country, people will gather to advocate for continued government support for science, defend against censorship, and push back on attacks against diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in research and education.

    The Sacramento area is participating!

    Event Details:
    📍 Where: Sacramento capitol building (west side)
    📅 When: Friday, March 7, 2025, 12 – 4pm PST
    🌍 Who: Scientists, advocates, and anyone whose life is better because of science

    For additional information and forthcoming local rally details, visit www.standupforscience2025.org or https://www.eventbrite.com/e/stand-up-for-science-2025-sacramento-ca-capitol-mall-west-side-tickets-1250788625449?aff=oddtdtcreator

  • Sierra Club Yolano Group Comments on Village Farms DEIR

    The following comments were emailed by the Sierra Club Yolano Group to Dara Dungworth, Principal Planner City of Davis Department of Community Development, on Feb 25. 2025, concerning the Village Farms DEIR. (See https://newdavisite.wordpress.com/2025/02/02/draft-eir-for-village-farms-released-for-public-comment/).

    1. Alternatives

      a) Recommend Consideration of Co-op Housing – Evidence suggests that a housing co-op model can provide stable, affordable workforce housing for individuals and families (see California Cooperatives: Today's Landscape of Worker, Housing and Childcare Cooperatives). Providing affordable local housing for people currently commuting to Davis from outside Davis will lessen the VMT and GHG emissions impact of this project and should be considered as an effective mitigation measure.

      We recommend that the FEIR analyze as a Project Alternative a co-op model (perhaps similar to Dos Pinos or Muir Woods) as a supplement to the proposed starter-home program to explore the environmental benefits that such a model could produce.

      b) Recommend Consideration of Alternative Only Below Channel A – On December 8, 2023, the County of Yolo Planning, Building, and Public Works Departments sent a letter to the City of Davis commenting on the Village Farms NOP which stated, "The Draft EIR should consider a reduced footprint alternative that defines the northern project boundary south of the existing Davis Drain and explores the opportunity for increased density, thereby maximizing housing options without compromising economic returns". Quoting from Cal. Code Regs. Tit. 14: "Because an EIR must identify ways to mitigate or avoid the significant effects that a project may have on the environment (Public Resources Code Section 21002.1), the discussion of alternatives shall focus on alternatives to the project or its location which are capable of avoiding or substantially lessening any significant effects of the project, even if these alternatives would impede to some degree the attainment of the project objectives, or would be more costly. "

      We similarly recommend that a reduced footprint alternative be examined with its northern project boundary south of the existing Davis Drain to determine if building 1,000 or more units on such a reduced footprint can provide increased density and maximize housing options while preserving more trees and habitat and still meeting project objectives.

    (more…)

  • Nonprofits: Apply to partner with Soroptimist

    (From press release) Soroptimist International of Davis is accepting applications from local nonprofit organizations for a chance to share profits from its next Soup Night & Silent Auction.

    Soup Night & Silent Auction is one of Soroptimist International of Davis’ largest fundraisers. It includes popular soups from local restaurants, salads, breads, desserts, local beer and wine, live music, and a silent auction. This year’s event is Thursday, Oct. 23 at Veterans Memorial Center in Davis. Last year, about 150 attended, and the club anticipates that number to grow.

    Each year, the club offers one local nonprofit the opportunity to partner with it in this endeavor. This organization should align with the Soroptimist mission, and must agree to support the event by:

    • Providing publicity through its mailing list and social media.
    • Providing at least 12 volunteer hours (minimum six people, two hours each) during the event.

    The partner organization will receive:

    • 20 percent of the net profit (estimated to be $3,000 but possibly more).
    • The opportunity to bring visibility to your organization by tabling and speaking at the event.

    The applications are available at https://www.sidavis.org/community-partnerships/partnership-application/. To apply, submit the completed application by April 15 to SI Davis, PO Box 472, Davis, CA 95617 or email to fundraising@sidavis.org.

    (more…)

  • Immigration Crisis-What You Can Do

    There are many immigrants throughout the country who have become frightened for their future due to recent changes in immigration policies.  Many of us are concerned about the impact of Trump’s new policies on our immigrant neighbors. We share Yolo County with a large number of immigrants and their families, and their contributions to our economy, agriculture, labor force, and rich diverse cultures are significant.  

    Please join us for “Immigrants at Risk-What You Can Do” to learn about the current immigration enforcement, how it is affecting our immigrant neighbors and how we can assist them during this stressful time.  The program will be on Monday, February 24 from 7-8:30 pm and is open to the public.  The evening will include a multi-speaker panel discussion covering the legal landscape, hearing firsthand from local immigrants and the director of a refugee center in Sacramento. The program is sponsored by the Social Justice Committee at Congregation of Bet Haverim along with support from Yolo Interfaith Immigration Network (YIIN).  Please register in advance here. The event will be at Congregation Bet Haverim at 1715 Anderson Road in Davis. The program is free, and donations are helpful to cover the costs.  Any questions can be directed to John Katonah at jckatonah@icloud.com. 

  • City admits liability for killing woman in Park

    By Alan “Lorax” Hirsch

    On February 23, 2021, a mother, Jennipher Comey,  was struck, pinned down and killed  by a failed city tree that stood beside the  sandbox in Slide Hill Park in east Davis. As also reported in the Enterprise Sunday, the event occurred  in front of her 3 year old daughter Marjory.   Two weeks ago, after four years, the city admitted its inadequate tree care, and thus liability. This admission only seems to have occurred after an under-oath deposition by the former city arborist of the time. Robb Cain. He stated there was no city record of this tree ever being pruned in past, no current plan to ever inspect it for safety- or any future schedule to even do any routine tree maintenance  pruning in the Slide Hill Park.  This according to Davey Resource Group lawyer, a codependent in the case and the company the city hired to do the city’s $250,000 urban forest master plan (UFMP) later in 2021.

    In contrast, professional arboriculture “standard of care” practice calls for paying heighten attention to trees that overhang a children’s play area or picnic tables- as the fallen one did.  Slide Hill Park’s trees were ignored, not even on the city’s minimal 7 year “block pruning” cycle street trees get according to Davey.

    The delay in admission meant the city seems to have made no payment to support the family over the last four years since the incident. During that period the now orphan girl and her surviving father left Davis and moved to Ohio to be near family for support not received in Davis.

    (more…)