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

Category: Events

  • 3rd Annual Paint for a Purpose on FEB. 7 

    Guests are led in creating a painting at Make It Happen for Yolo County’s Paint for a Purpose fundraiser last spring. Tickets are now on sale for this year’s event on Feb. 7.

    To raise funds for Yolo County transition age youth

    Fundraiser to benefit nonprofit Make It Happen for Yolo County 

    (From press release) Tickets are on sale for the 3rd Annual Paint for a Purpose happening Feb. 7 and benefiting nonprofit Make It Happen for Yolo County, which provides under-resourced transition age youth – many moving out on their own after foster care or homelessness – with furniture, household goods and essential items needed to establish a first home. Local artist Joanne Andresen will lead guests in creating a painting as they enjoy beverages, light fare and door prizes. The event will take place 2:00-5:30 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Davis, 27074 Patwin Road in Davis. Cost per ticket is $75, and tables of four are available for $300. Seating is limited. To purchase tickets: www.MIHYolo.org.

    “This event is such a beautiful opportunity to gather as a community to create artwork while also supporting the resilient youth in our community who are moving out on their own with very few resources,” said Cathi Schmidt, executive director, Make It Happen for Yolo County. “Paint for a Purpose will help us raise valuable funds to ensure every youth we serve this year has the items and support they need to create a home and successful path into adulthood.”

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  • Returning to Abraham: Reflections in Courage

    (From press release) The Celebration of Abraham was founded after 9-11 with the mission of creating a welcoming tent for all people in our community to nurture a sense of compassion, respect, and appreciation and to foster learning and understanding among the three Abrahamic traditions. In 2003 the Celebration of Abraham assembled for the first time. We met in Woodland, at Holy Rosary Catholic Church. This year the Celebration is excited to announce that we will again meet in Woodland, on Sunday, February 1, 3-5 PM, at the new beautiful Woodland Mosque and Islamic Center at 613 East Street in Woodland with the theme “Returning to Abraham: Reflections in Courage.” As we face these challenging times, we felt a need to return to the strengths our religious traditions can provide.

    Our speakers will be Rabbi Leah Julian, Director of Education and Youth, Congregation Bet Haverim; Father John Boll, Diocese of Sacramento, (retired); and Imam Riaz Ahmed Qadri of the Woodland Mosque and Muslim Center. As they present the stories of Abraham’s faith and courage, we will provide everyone with cards so that they can write down the questions talks raise for them. After the presentations, our speakers will address the questions that participants have raised. We will then spend time in table discussions on how we might individually address the challenges, uncertainties and fears we are facing.

    As in previous years, we will share in a ritual hand washing and sharing gluten free bread. Each year, the Celebration collects a free will offering for a non-profit that provides needed service to our community. This year we are collecting for Joshua’s House, a hospice home for the unhoused in Sacramento. The program will close with
    Randy Ferris leading us in an Acapella version of “Children of Abraham.”

    To help us plan, we hope you will preregister at https://celebrationofabraham.net. Please dress modestly (arms and legs covered) as we will be at the mosque, a sacred space.

    Draft of table question

    The speakers from the Jewish, Christian and Muslim traditions have presented stories of how Abraham courageously met challenges in the face of fear, uncertainty and sacrifice. Consider when you have faced a situation that required courage or trust? What helped you through it?

  • Tomorrow: ICE Protests in Davis and Woodland Alongside National Events

    Hosted by Indivisible Yolo

    (From press release)

    WHEN/WHERE:
    TOMORROW: Saturday, Jan. 10
    • 11:30am-1:00pm: Heritage Plaza, 710 Main Street, Woodland
    • 1:00-2:00pm: Davis Central Park, 401 C Street, Davis

    WHAT:
    Residents from across Yolo County will gather in Woodland and Davis for ICE Out For Good protests against ICE and the recent murder of Renee Good in Minneapolis along with all lives lost to ICE violence. The events will take place alongside protests across the country and will include protest signs, speakers and more.

    On Wednesday, Renee Good, an American citizen, was killed by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Minneapolis, Minnesota. This killing is part of a broader pattern of unchecked violence, impunity and abuse carried out by federal immigration enforcement agencies against members of our communities. Indivisible Yolo is joining a coalition of groups across the country for a coordinated Ice Out For Good Weekend of Action to demand accountability, honor the life lost and make visible the human cost of ICE’s actions.

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  • Celebration of Abraham: Save the Date

    (from press release) SAVE THE DATE

    Celebration of Abraham, 3 PM
    February 1, 2026

    Woodland Mosque and Islamic Center
    613 East Street
    Woodland, CA 95776

    More info to come!

    Celebration of Abraham is a tax-exempt, nonprofit organization that aims to increase understanding and respect among all faiths in Yolo County based on the principles of religious pluralism.

  • We the People Say No Kings: Second Yolo “No Kings” March and Rally to Take Place Oct. 18

    More than 4,000 Yolo County residents gathered in Woodland in June for the first NO KINGS march and rally. Indivisible Yolo is organizing the next NO KINGS event for Oct. 18 in Davis.

    Countywide event will be held alongside 5 million people and 2500 protests nationwide

    (From press release) Drawing on momentum from the first Yolo NO KINGS march and rally in June that gathered more than 4,000 participants, Indivisible Yolo and Davis Phoenix Coalition will host a second Yolo NO KINGS event Saturday, Oct. 18 from 1:30-3:30pm at Civic Center Park at 6th and B streets in Davis. The event, themed “We the People,” is part of a national mobilization expected to exceed 5 million nationwide as people gather to protest Trump administration policies and remind the president that America is a democracy.

    The event will begin with a march from Civic Center Park through downtown Davis, looping back to the park for the rally at approximately 2:30pm where Yolo County speakers will address the crowd. Learn more and RSVP: https://www.mobilize.us/indivisibleyolo/event/840116/.

    At least 4500 attendees are expected. Here is a list of speakers, with additional speakers are still being confirmed:

    • Gloria Partida, Davis Phoenix Coalition
    • U.S. Representative Mike Thompson (CA-4)
    • Dr. Dawnté Early, West Sacramento city council member
    • Deger Carda, UC Davis post-doc UAW 4811
    • Thomas Alvarez, UC Davis, Davis College Democrats
    • Steve Murphy, Indivisible Yolo

    Renowned activist and former U.S. secretary of labor, Robert Reich, sent a video message for Yolo County participants in the upcoming NO KINGS march on Oct. 18: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZFOb7fpIHY

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  • TODAY: Showing of new movie by Abby Martin – Earth’s Greatest Enemy

    (From press release) The just-released documentary Earth’s Greatest Enemy dramatically details the damage inflicted on the global environment by the U.S. military. The film director and producer, Abby Martin, is an American journalist, television presenter, and activist (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abby_Martin). Short introductory comments on the links between militarism and climate change will be presented by Veterans For Peace volunteers who are participating in the Wake Up to Climate Crisis and NO MAS (NO Military Air Shows) Tour – https://www.veteransforpeace.org/take-action/climatecrisis/wake-climate-crisis-tour   

    Free and open to the public!

    Where: Guild Theatre @ 2828 35th St. Sacramento, CA

    Time: 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm

    Date: Wed, Oct. 15, 2025

    Organizers are Veterans For Peace – Climate Crisis & Militarism Project Climate Crisis & Militarism Project | Veterans For Peace

  • Let’s celebrate the 4th of July another way

    The following open letter is posted here with consent of the author.

    Honorable Council Members and staff,

    It is that time of year again for me to respectfully ask that we permanently eliminate the use of fireworks in Davis.

    Now is the time to NOT enter into another contract to convert our tax money into terrifying explosions and toxic smoke in 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026* and beyond. (*please don’t make me cross out another and send this again next year)

    It is a disservice to our community to purposefully add air and noise pollution, litter and fire danger. Better, cleaner, safer ways to spend public funds include: Dancing, drone shows, musical performances or just free drinks and ice cream. How can we declare a climate emergency and then pay money to purposefully pollute the air merely for the entertainment of a few? We should not be celebrating a prettied-up depiction of war when there are genuine bombs currently “bursting in air” and killing people in real conflicts, using American-made bombs. The noise and pollution from a fireworks show is terrifying and deadly for the animals that live with us, and for wildlife. Your choice of patriotic entertainment is not appropriate in this era and this climate and with the knowledge we have.

    Other communities are managing to move away from this polluting spectacle. I’m running out of patience with the “other forms of entertainment are more expensive” mantra. Because supplying a full contingent of security and emergency personnel, plus the money for fireworks is also “more expensive” than not doing the fireworks show. But somehow, doing this destructive thing is deemed an appropriate use of sparse (we’re constantly told) tax money.

    Offer free (locally-made) ice cream. Offer free (local) live musical performances. Offer daylight fun that doesn’t terrify, injure and kill other things. Please spend my tax money more responsibly in a way that terrifies nobody.

    A final ask: Refrain from sending out patronizing official notices that seek to instruct me on how to protect my dog from this city-sponsored terrorism. There is no way to prevent her reaction: trembling, drooling and fearing for her life. I know how to take care of my dog. And there is no place in my home where she feels safe when the fireworks go off. She is terrified of the feel of them, as well as the sound.

    Please, let’s find an appropriate way for Davis to Celebrate our country’s independence next year. Burning up money and resources to celebrate war and endangering everybody is not the way.

    Darell Dickey

  • Fireworks Disaster in Yolo County? Cancel All 4th of July Fireworks in Yolo County!

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    Late Tuesday evening (yesterday, July 1st) the following – minus the images – was sent to the Yolo County Board of Supervisors, the Davis City Council, Davis Fire, UCD Fir, Davis PD, Yolo County Sherriff, local and regional media, relevant Commissions and advisors, and individuals active in climate and climate equity… – TE

    "Hi, I don't want to take more of your time than necessary due to the ongoing situation.
     
    People and property have been harmed. People have evacuated. First responders are taking risks – YSAQMD said that firework smoke is worse than wildfire smoke. First responders are and will be exhausted. 
     
    Do you think people who evacuated through toxic fireworks smoke will enjoy a show of toxic fireworks smoke?
     
    We already know the problems with fireworks shows: Danger to wild animals and pets, danger to people with PTSD. Pollution for everyone: The special colors in fireworks are not made of vegetable dye. 
     
    Screenshot 2025-07-02 8.51.34 AM
     
    We have an alternative going forward: Drone shows – such as at Celebrate Davis this year – or how about the money is used for true patriotism: I notice that Esparto has a single public Purple Air Monitor. (Compare this to Davis). What's the state of air equity in households there? Perhaps the money used to pollute can instead be used to clean the air of wildfire fallout and prescribed burns in households there.

    For now I call on all elected officials in Yolo County to immediately establish a complete ban of 4th of July fireworks shows in the County… and to not postpone them either! 

     
    Thank you,
    Todd Edelman,
    Davis

  • When hate masquerades as protest, we all lose

    Note: This article was originally published in the SF Chronicle and is reposted here with permission of the author. I think it expresses ideas that are very relevant for Davis, yet have been missing (as far as I know). -RM

    The attack on my cafe is an inexcusable act of violence. But even in the middle of this ugliness, there are many points of light

    By Manny Yekutiel

    The windows at Manny’s in San Francisco are boarded up on Thursday. In an act of violence, people vandalized the Mission District cafe on Monday night during protests against ICE actions.

    Earlier this week, protesters broke into Manny’s, my cafe and civic space in San Francisco’s Mission District, smashed the windows and spray-painted messages like “Intifada,” “Death 2 Israel is a Promise” and “Die Zionist” on my walls.

    It was violent. It was antisemitic. And it was heartbreaking.

    This kind of hatred has no place in San Francisco, the city that’s given me everything. And it has no place within the progressive movement — a movement I am a part of.

    I created Manny’s as a space for dialogue, for civic engagement and for tough conversations. I’ve seen what’s possible when people sit down with those they don’t agree with. I still believe in that work. But what happened on Monday night wasn’t dialogue. It was destruction intended to cause fear, and it crossed a line.

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  • #DisappearedinAmerica Protests TODAY in Davis, Woodland & West Sacramento

    Residents of Davis, Woodland & West Sacramento to participate in nationwide demonstrations on June 26 confronting the Trump administration’s illegal abductions, detentions, and deportations. #DisappearedinAmerica

    Screen Shot 2025-06-26 at 10.58.43 AM(From press release) Residents will gather 4:30 – 5:30 PM in:

    • Davis at City Hall, 23 Russell Blvd
    • Woodland at the Courthouse, 1000 Main St.
    • West Sacramento at City Hall, 1110 W. Capitol Ave.

    to speak out for people who have been disappeared by the Trump Administration and demand an end to vigilante terrorism.  No Vigilantes! No Masks! 

    On Thursday, June 26th, Yolo County residents will show up at three locations in Davis, Woodland and West Sacramento to join activists across the country for #DisappearedInAmerica, a national day of action led by a coalition of immigrant rights, faith, rule of law, and pro-democracy organizations. Together, Yolo County residents are mobilizing to shine a light on a disturbing reality: under Trump’s immigration agenda, people like Kilmar Abrego Garcia, Mahmoud Khalil, and Andry Hernandez Romero are being forcibly detained, deported, and disappeared. Yolo County residents are united in demanding transparency, accountability, and due process for all.

    With the Trump administration doubling down on its abuse of power and government overreach, everyday residents are sending a clear message: In America, we don’t let the government secretly detain or deport people without trial — it violates our Constitution and our way of life. This kind of lawless behavior isn’t just immoral, it’s un-American, and we must draw a clear line against it. 

     

    Indivisible Yolo is a chapter of the grassroots movement Indivisible (indivisible.org), which is based on the vision of a real democracy—of, by, and for the people. Indivisible Yolo’s mission is to promote progressive policies by activating people to engage in their democracy at all levels of government. We organize and advocate for our policy goals, and to get out the vote to elect candidates who pursue those policies. These complementary efforts ensure our democracy works for everyone and that those in power do, too.