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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: Food and Drink

  • Save Mart Funds Cooking Kits for Former Foster Youth Through Make It Happen for Yolo County

    Cathi Schmidt, executive director of Make It Happen for Yolo County, helps a local youth select cookware for his apartment. The nonprofit received a grant from Save Mart to provide cooking kits to under-resourced youth.

    (From press release) The Save Mart Companies CARES Foundation is providing food preparation items for 50 local youth moving out of foster care, homelessness or the juvenile justice system through a $5,000 grant to nonprofit Make It Happen for Yolo County. The nonprofit provides under-resourced youth moving out on their own with furniture, appliances and household items needed to fully furnish a small apartment. Each cooking kit includes bakeware, mixing bowls, pots and pans, cooking utensils and kitchen knives.

    “Kitchen supplies are the most frequently requested items among our clients, so we are especially grateful to Save Mart for recognizing this important need,” said Cathi Schmidt, executive director, Make It Happen for Yolo County. “Our cooking kits address a practical gap that has real health and financial implications. By providing the tools to cook at home, we can help youth save money, eat more nutritiously and develop essential skills for independence.”

    Make It Happen for Yolo County equips local transition-age youth ages 16–24 with essential furnishings and household goods to create safe, stable homes as they move into independent living, as well as bicycles for transportation. Serving young people emerging from foster care, the juvenile justice system or homelessness, the nonprofit provides items that turn an apartment into a place of comfort, dignity and belonging. Clients are referred through county agencies and community partners and receive personalized support along with connections to partner organizations and ongoing advocacy. Since its founding in 2014, Make It Happen for Yolo County has helped nearly 400 transition age youth and is the only organization in Yolo County offering these services. To make a financial or furniture donation, visit: www.MIHYolo.org.

    The Save Mart Companies CARES Foundation focus is building stronger communities through fresh foods, access to food, and programs that support youth and helping them thrive. For more information, visit: www.TheSaveMartCompanies.com/Community.

  • Davis Pride is ready to bring the rainbows and glitter back to the community

    The Davis PrideFest will include performances by local drag performers like Eva Changing. (Photo credit: Photos by Grey)

    (From press release) The 12th annual Davis Pride will bring a month of events to celebrate and support the local LGBTQ+ community, with Davis PrideFest, a fun run, trivia, and the annual comedy night.

    The month-long celebration will start with PrideFest, taking place at Civic Center Park, at 6th and B streets behind Davis City Hall, from 4:00 to 9:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 6. This family-friendly event features a music festival, community vendors, food trucks, drinks, and a drag revue.

    “At a time when nationwide we’re seeing attacks on LGBTQ+ rights and organizations turning their back on Pride events, we are proud to offer a community-driven event supported by local artists, businesses, and volunteers,” said Sandré Henriquez Nelson, Director of Pride Events for the Davis Phoenix Coalition.

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  • Picnic in the Park Returns to Davis Farmers Market April 1

    Beloved Wednesday evening tradition brings food, music, and community back to Central Park

    (From press release) The Davis Farmers Market is excited to announce the return of its popular Picnic in the Park season beginning Wednesday, April 1, 2026, and continuing every Wednesday through August 2026 in Central Park (Davis).

    During Picnic in the Park season, the Wednesday market expands from 3-6 p.m. to 4-8p.m. and features a variety of prepared food vendors, farm-fresh produce, and artisan goods, making it easy for visitors to build a delicious picnic dinner straight from the market. Guests can also enjoy local craft beer from rotating breweries, wine from local wineries, and, brand new to the market, we will also have mead available, offering a taste of the region’s vibrant food and beverage scene.

    Each week also includes live music performances and children’s activities, creating a festive atmosphere that has made Picnic in the Park one of Davis’s most cherished community traditions. Families, friends, and neighbors are invited to bring blankets, relax on the grass, and enjoy an evening in the park.

    Celebrating 50 Years of the Davis Farmers Market:

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  • Petition to end the security guards at the Davis Food Co-op

    By Roberta Millstein

    The Davis Food Co-op now has security guards. 

    How those security guards are dressed and armed and why they are there is the subject of some dispute — anyone interested in the variety of opinions on this subject can read the hundreds of comments I accidentally generated when I shared a picture of some sidewalk chalk concerning the guards (the first I had heard of it) on NextDoor.  There you can also read a variety of opinions about whether the guards are a good idea or not, count the number of reactions, etc.  Let's just say it was a classic NextDoor post.  Trying to look at the positives, it at least provided a platform for people to share their opinions and impressions.

    But that is not the point of this post.  The point of this post is to share a petition about the security guards, located here: https://www.change.org/p/end-the-militarized-security-presence-at-our-davis-food-co-op.  I have no involvement in creation of the petition, but whoever wrote it did a beautiful job.  It is well-written and thoughtful.

    I have signed, and I urge others to sign as well. Importantly, the petition not only calls for eliminating the security guards (and explains why) but also calls for the Management and Board of Directors of the Co-op to work creatively with the community — as member-owners of the Co-op — to find alternatives to deal with the recent challenges that the Co-op has had. 

    It is, after all, supposed to be a Co-op and not a just another business, just another grocery store.

    One thing that quickly became clear is how badly the Co-op bungled this.  At a minimum, it should have used its email newsletter to let people know about the problems and how they were thinking of handling them.  That would have saved a lot of fear, anger, and frustration on all sides. In fact, they still haven't sent out an email like this, instead putting up a sandwich board in front of the entrance with a relatively brief explanation.

    Davis Food Co-op, let's work together.  Community, let's urge them to do so.  Again, the petition is here.

  • Celebration of Abraham hosts a contemplative interfaith prayer vigil

    (From press release) People of faith must support all those who are suffering.

    As a first step, our community must come together, so the Celebration of Abraham is hosting a contemplative interfaith prayer vigil at the Davis United Methodist Church at 1620 Anderson Road on Tuesday, June 24th at 7pm. Abraham is inviting the entire community. We are hoping the people will bring snacks to share that they will stay and talk with others after the service. Many in our community are food insecure, so we are asking folks to bring a nonperishable food item that Abraham will collect and give to the local food bank.

  • 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.

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  • 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.

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  • DAVIS FREE SPEECH THREATENED

    Photos show how community & political group tabling is dying in Farmer Market’s in its new park location.

    By Alan “Lorax” Hirsch  ahirsch@dcn.org

    Community and political groups have been removed from tabling in the Farmers Market along the C street sidewalk to an isolated unshaded part of Central Park. This happened by edict on 4/22/25, a decision made with no community groups’ input. Groups are concerned there would be no foot traffic in new location…and make it a waste of their time to table. The city manager said 30+ people that do the volunteer tabling should just give market manager’s idea “a try.” (LINK  to background piece)

    The results are in from the first week of this experiment. Failure.

    This is a photo at 11am (peak shopping) shows just 3 people visiting at the 7 tables of groups that took the time to set up in the unshaded and unpaved grassy part of the park near B Street. We heard from wheelchair bound shoppers that these tables were no longer accessible, like families with children in strollers.

    2025-04-26 no visitors at community tables

    It’s of note that only 7 groups set up tables compared to an average of 14/week for the previous month. No reason to waste volunteer time if no one comes by.

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  • Free Speech Curtailed in Davis

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    The market shed is largely empty of vendor on Wednesday— this photo is 4/22. But the city has allow market manager the power to force community group to be table as far as possible from other farm even outside the shed in the Sun or rain. There are 2 community groups tabling behind the photographer in this photo.

     Farmers Market Discourages Community Engagement

    By Alan “Lorax” Hirsch

    (Alan passes out “love your neighbor” signs in the farmer’s market.)

    Just when you thought our political rights could not be more threatened, this Trumpian zeitgeist seems to have come to Davis.

    They are dramatically reducing visibility of community/free speech area at the Saturday farmer market by expelling these groups from their traditional tabling area along C street north of the restrooms. They will be displaced 1 block south and 2/3 of a block west to an unpaved part of Central Park.  They will be isolated from commercial vendors currently set on sidewalk next to C Street- community & political groups will be in an unpaved grass area close to B street.  An area that is unshaded and hot, so visitors won’t want to linger. This area is invisible to shoppers on C street as it will be hidden behind vendor’s trucks, banners and awnings. The Net: these Group’s tables won’t get any casual foot traffic.

    The now lively Saturday market community area may go the way of the Wednesday free speech/community tablers. DFMA Market management decided to displace Wednesday tablers from under the awning to a similarly isolated, sunny & hot area far away from the half-empty market shed.  These tablers got no foot traffic in that location – and the sun stressed the volunteers – so now there is little or no community tabling on Wednesdays.

    IMG_5637 1

    One of the alleged reason for moving community group/ free speech areas 1 1/2 block to the shadeless B street side of the park is there is not enough room in current area. Here is one of the three bike racks recently installed by city that takes up shaded space that could be available for community group tabling.

    Dropping the Bomb

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