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

Category: Events

  • 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.

    (more…)

  • #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.

  • Pictures from Pride 2025

    Here some photos from Saturday's Davis PrideFest, held in Civic Center Park. Thousands attended the event, which had the biggest turnout in the 11 years since it started.  All photo credits to Wendy Weitzel.

    Ellis Dee

    Drag queen Ellis Dee dances with the crowd at the Davis PrideFest on Saturday, June 7 in Civic Center Park in Davis.

     

    Proud wives

    Wives Sharon Hale, left, and Dawn Student show their pride at Davis PrideFest on Saturday, June 7 in Civic Center Park in Davis.
    NoiseViolationPride

    Noise Violation kicked off the Davis PrideFest music on Saturday, June 7 in Civic Center Park in Davis.

     

    Ada Vox

    Ada Vox (this picture and the next) was the headliner at the Davis PrideFest on Saturday, June 7 in Civic Center Park in Davis

    AdaVox 1

  • Davis Residents Invited to “No Kings” March and Rally in Woodland June 14

    Event will be held alongside protests across the country
     
    Indivisible Yolo Rally May

    Local residents gather in Davis for a rally on May Day with Indivisible Yolo alongside events across the country to protest the Trump administration. Indivisible Yolo and Sister District Yolo will hold a countywide “NO KINGS" march and rally in Woodland on June 14 to coincide with nationwide protests
     
    (From press release)  Indivisible Yolo and Sister District Yolo invite Davis residents and people across Yolo County to join its countywide, family-friendly “NO KINGS” march and rally in downtown Woodland on June 14 at 10 a.m. The march and rally will take place alongside more than 1,300 NO KINGS events across the state and country to protest the Trump administration and authoritarian rule on Flag Day, when Trump will host a military parade for his birthday using tax-payer dollars. Participants will gather at the new courthouse at 1000 E. Main Street in downtown Woodland and will march a route to the old courthouse at 725 Court Street for a rally that will include activities, speakers and entertainment. For more information and to RSVP: https://www.mobilize.us/indivisibleyolo/event/788262/.
     
    “This event brings together our community coalition in Yolo County for a national day of action to highlight the authoritarian excesses and corruption of the Trump administration, as well as the impacts being felt here in Yolo County,” said Steve Murphy, co-chair, Indivisible Yolo. “Trump thinks his rule is absolute, but we don’t do kings in America. From farmers to faculty, students to seniors, citizens to non-citizens, all people of every race, gender and ethnicity across the county are encouraged to join us as we remember this is our Flag Day – of the people, for the people and by the people.”

    (more…)

  • “The Future of Cache Creek” Presentation on June 2

    Welcome-to-Summer Potluck and a Presentation on

    The Future of Cache Creek – Past Problems and Proposed Solutions

    What-When-Where – The Sierra Club Yolano Group is sponsoring an in-person potluck dinner and presentation on Monday, June 2 from 7 to 9 pm in the Blanchard Room at the Yolo County Library, 314 E. 14th Street in Davis. You can also view the presentation via Zoom (see below for link).

    Cache creek

    Cache Creek looking west into the Capay Valley in the 1970s

    Who are the Presenters – For the evening’s presentation, we are pleased to welcome three knowledgeable and informed speakers who will discuss Lower Cache Creek’s troubled past, present problems, and a proposed new vision for a hopeful future.

    6:45 PM – Doors Open

    7:00 PM – Catherine Portman – Welcome and invitation to eat!

    7:15 PM – Alan Pryor (Chair of the Sierra Club Yolano Group Management Committee) – The History of Cache Creek, the Impacts of In-Channel and Off-Channel Mining, and the Status of Current Restoration Efforts in Off-Channel Mining Sites

    7:35 PM – Jim Barrett (Cache Creek Conservancy Board Member) – A New Vision to Use Natural Processes to Restore Former Mining Sites to Riparian Floodplain Habitat

    7:55 PM – Chris Alford (Interim Director of Yolo Habitat Conservancy) – Current Efforts by Yolo Habitat Conservancy to Protect, Enhance, and Restore Cache Creek Native Habitats

    8:15 PM – Q&A

    8:30 PM (+/-) – Adjourn and Clean-up
    _____________________________________

    Please join us for an evening of great food, good fellowship, and very interesting, informative, and inspiring presentations. If convenient, please bring your favorite dish to share but feel free to attend even if you don’t plan to eat or can’t bring a dish as there is always plenty to share. To help make this a “zero-waste” event, also please bring your own plates, cups, and utensils . The Yolano Group will provide plenty of reusable tableware and linen napkins for those who need it in addition to beverages.

    You can also view the presentation via Zoom (see below for links)

    (more…)

  • Rainbow crosswalks returning to Davis

    Crosswalk2024

    Davis Pride volunteers move stencils on May 26, 2024, after painting a crosswalk at Fifth and B streets in Davis. The area crosswalks will be painted again from 6 to 9 a.m. on Sunday, May 25. (Photo by Wendy Weitzel)

    (From press release) To set the tone for Pride Month in June, volunteers will paint rainbow crosswalks around Davis’ Central Park between 6 and 9 a.m. on Sunday, May 25.

    The nine crosswalks around Davis’ Central Park will be painted with a temporary spray chalk. Volunteers start at 6 a.m. at Fifth and C street and work counter-clockwise to the final crosswalk at Fourth and C streets.

    The rainbow crosswalks are the first of many Davis Pride events, including:

    May 25: Volunteers will paint rainbow crosswalks around Davis’ Central Park, from 6 to 9 a.m.

    June 5: Sing with Pride at the UC Davis Mondavi Center, 7 p.m.

    June 7: Pride is a Protest rally, Central Park, downtown Davis, 2 to 3 p.m.

    June 7: The 11th annual Davis PrideFest, a community fair and music festival, from 3 to 8 p.m. in Civic Center Park, Sixth and B streets, with title sponsors Dignity Health and Woodland Clinic Medical Group

    June 8: The 11th annual Run/Walk for Equality, 8 a.m. to noon from Central Park

    June 14: Skate with Pride, 7 to 9 p.m. in Central Park

    June 19: Drink with Pride trivia night 6 to 9 p.m. at Dunloe Brewing Co., 1606 Olive Drive

    June 27: Davis Pride Comedy Night presented by Laughs on the Lake, 5:30 to 9 p.m. Stonegate Country Club, 919 Lake Blvd.

    (more…)

  • Burrowing Owl Habitat Restoration Event on May 24

    (From press release) Please join the Burrowing Owl Preservation Society and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) for a Burrowing Owl Habitat Restoration Event at the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area on Saturday morning, May 24.

    Burrowingowlevent

    What: Volunteers are needed for a few hours of burrowing owl habitat restoration work. We’ll be restoring/resetting artificial burrows for our beloved feathered friends and removing surrounding vegetation for their security.

    When: May 24, 8 am – 11 am (only 2 hrs maximum work time is requested).

    Where: Yolo County, Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area (https://duckduckgo.com/?q=yolo+bypass+wildlife+area&atb=v315-1&iaxm=maps&source=places).

    Bring: Plan to bring Gloves, Hat, Sturdy Shoes, and Water. Note that there is no toilet at the site.

    Contact: Please email Catherine Portman (DuskBuster07@gmail.com) for site location details and directions.

  • YIIN community dinner and fundraiser

    YIIN(From press release) The Yolo Interfaith Immigration Network (YIIN) will host a fundraising dinner on Saturday, June 14 at the Yolo County Fairgrounds. The dinner will raise urgently needed money so YIIN can support local immigrants requiring funds for rent, legal assistance, and fees for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) applications. The dinner is also an opportunity to join with our immigrant neighbors and celebrate working together as a community for all. This will be YIIN’s first fundraiser since 2019, due to the precautions brought on by Covid.

    This special evening will begin at 5:30, and guests will be treated to an Indian dinner served buffet style with Mexican desserts made by immigrants who wish to show their appreciation to the community. The program includes a silent auction and music performed by Mariachi Puente. The Chief of Staff at UC Davis Global Affairs, Andrea Gaytan, will be the keynote speaker.

    Suggested donation: $75 per adult; $30per student; free for 12 youth. Tickets are available on Eventbrite or send a check to: YIIN P.O Box 74295 Davis, CA 95616. Questions can be directed to jckatonah@icloud.com.  

  • Ada Vox headlines 2025 Davis PrideFest

    Ada Vox publicity photo 2025

    Ada Vox was a Top 8 contestant on ABC’s “American Idol,” and runner up in 2022 on the Paramount+ drag queen singing competition “Queen of the Universe.” (Courtesy photo)

    Drag queen Ada Vox will be the headline performer at the 2025 Davis PrideFest on June 7. The event is just one of a month’s worth of local activities to celebrate LGBTQ+ pride, including a fun run, skate and comedy nights, and plenty of drag queens.

    The activities share the theme “Forever Loud and Proud!”

    The 11th annual Davis PrideFest is at Civic Center Park, at Sixth and B streets, behind Davis City Hall. The community-focused, family-friendly event includes a music festival, resources, vendors, food, drinks and more – from 3 to 8 p.m. on Saturday, June 7.

    AdaVox2022

    Ada Vox performs at the 2022 Davis Pride event. This year’s festival is June 7. (Photo by Wendy Weitzel)

    Ada Vox was a semi-finalist in ABC’s “American Idol” in 2018, and the runner up in 2022 on the Paramount+ drag queen singing competition “Queen of the Universe.” She performed at the 2022 Davis Pride event. The San Antonio-based singer lists her influences as Lady Gaga, Beyoncé, Aretha Franklin and Patti Labelle. Notable performances include The Animals’ “House of the Rising Sun,” Jennifer Holiday’s “And I am Telling You I am Not Going,” and Journey’s “Open Arms.” She was the first drag queen make the “American Idol” Top 8.

    (more…)

  • Hundreds Expected for May Day Protests in Davis, Woodland and West Sacramento

    Indivisible-mayday

    By Kari Peterson

    On May 1, local grassroots and labor organizations from across Yolo County will be marching in Davis and rallying in both West Sacramento and Woodland to join the MayDay Strong National Day of Action .

     Who, when and where:

    • Davis, 5:00 – 6:30PM: March begins in Central Park at 5 PM. Marchers will gather near the wall and then march through downtown Davis before returning to Central Park. In addition to Indivisible Yolo, Sister District Yolo, and the Davis Faculty Association, participating groups include Democratic Socialists of America (Yolo), Davis College Democrats, American Federation of Teachers – UC Davis, and the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement,Sacramento.
    • Woodland , 5:00 – 7:00PM: Rally is at the Courthouse on Main Street at 6th Street.
    • West Sacramento , 4:30: Rally at the corner of Park Boulevard and Jefferson.

    Why we’re mobilizing on May 1

    (more…)