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Category: Food and Drink

  • 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.

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    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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  • Picnic in the Park returns to Davis on May 7

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    Patrons enjoy the first Picnic in the Park of the 2024 season. The annual Davis Farmers Market tradition returns in May, and runs every Wednesday through September from 4 to 8 p.m. in Central Park. (Wendy Weitzel/Courtesy photos)

    (From press release) The music, food and family fun of Picnic in the Park returns to the Davis Farmers Market on Wednesday, May 7.

    The popular event is every Wednesday from 4 to 8 p.m., May through September. A local band plays each night. There’s children’s entertainment, loads of food vendors, and plenty of opportunity to gather as a community. October through April, there’s a traditional farmers market on Wednesdays, from 3 to 6 p.m.

    Bands on the 2025 Picnic in the Park schedule are: Cold Shot (dance party) on May 7; Kindred Spirits (folk rock) on May 14; The Teds (rock) on May 21; According to Bazooka (indie, folk, pop) on May 28; The Geoffrey Miller Band (rockabilly) on June 4; 5-Star Alcatraz (indie, alt rock) on June 11; Julie and the Jukes (classic blues) on June 18; Now and Then (“back in the day” covers) on June 25; The Hey Nows (folk rock, Americana) on July 2; It’s About Time (big band) on July 9; Stout Rebellion (Irish folk with a rock edge) on July 16; Vaca Jazz Society (big-band jazz) on July 23; Katalysst (indie folk rock) on July 30; Island Crew (beach tunes) on Aug. 6; The Ron Goldberg Quartet (classic covers) on Aug. 13; Wealth of Nations (classic rock, acoustic) on Aug. 20; New Harmony Jazz Band (big-band jazz) on Aug. 27; Odd Man Out (folk rock) on Sept. 3; The Teds (singable, danceable rock) on Sept. 10; sKeTcHy (rock, pop, folk) on Sept. 17; and Penny Lane (Beatles covers) on Sept. 24.

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  • Join the UC Davis Campus Safety Lighting Walk

    Help Brighten Our Community!
    When: Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025, 5-8 p.m.
    Where: UC Davis Memorial Union (MU) Quad Flagpole
    RSVP: UC Davis Campus Safety Lighting Walk

    (From press release) UC Davis Facilities Management invites all students, faculty, staff, and community members to participate in the annual Campus Safety Lighting Walk on Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025, from 5-8 p.m.

    For 15 years, the Campus Safety Lighting Walk has been a proactive community tradition at UC Davis.

    Participants assess lighting conditions around campus, identifying areas with low light, non-functional lighting, or obstructed light sources — such as those hidden by plant growth. Insights gathered during the walk will help guide repairs and improvements.

    Why Attend?

    • Make a Difference: Your observations will contribute to safety upgrades and future planning.
    • Free Food & Swag: Enjoy complimentary pizza (while supplies last) and snag free swag if you’re among the first 100 participants.
    • Volunteer Hours: Earn volunteer credit—perfect if you’re looking to meet service requirements.
    • Community Spirit: Join fellow Aggies in a fun and purposeful evening outdoors.

    The evening will kick off at the Memorial Union Quad Flagpole. Teams will be organized to cover various zones of campus, equipped with flashlights provided by event organizers. Please wear comfortable shoes and a warm jacket for the walk.

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  • Opportunities to help our homeless neighbors

    Hello fellow advocates for our homeless neighbors,

    Please see the letter below. We have created a "Compassion Fund" to provide motel rooms for people who need them this winter. The letter explains this more in detail, but if you can find it in your hearts to contribute, your donation will go a long way toward getting vulnerable folks off the street and into a warm, safe environment, at least temporarily. Each motel night costs $80-100, depending on size and amenities.  Donate here.

    Secondly, Davis Community Meals and Housing and HEART of Davis would like to make Christmas and New Year's Days special for the guests of the congregate Winter Shelter (1111 H Street). Please consider signing up to bring food for lunch and breakfast on those days. More information here:

    https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D4CAEAA23A46-53931782-christmas

    Additionally, we need 1 volunteer per shift to help out on Christmas day, Wednesday 12/25/2024 and New Years Day, Wednesday 1/1/2025. The volunteers need to be over  the age of 18. Responsibilities will be: passing out food and other resources and making sure no one but shelter guests enter Paul's Place.

    The shifts available on the 25th and 1st are:

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  • “Stuff the Bus” to collect donations for student-run pantry

    Unitrans Stuff-The-Bus Flyer(From press release – Julie Huang) Unitrans and the Davis Food Co-op will host the eighth annual “Stuff the Bus” event Saturday, Dec. 14, from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the parking lot of the Davis Food Co-op, at 620 G St.

    Unitrans, a service of the Associated Students of UC Davis, or ASUCD, and Davis Food Co-op come together to invite the community to pack one of Unitrans’ vintage double-decker red buses with food and other essential items. All donations go toward supplying The Pantry, a campus space managed by ASUCD that provides food and necessities to college students experiencing food scarcity.

    “The Pantry is looking to sustain student and employee well-being, so they don’t have to worry about their next meal,” said Andie Tarabzooni, director of The Pantry. “We hope to provide food and resources that benefit people and leave them energized and refreshed.”

    The Pantry’s most-needed food donations include soups, canned proteins, oats, seasoning spices, pasta, rice, beans, nuts, coffee blends, broth, purées of any kind, coconut milk, diced tomatoes, ramen, crackers, sauces, lentils, chickpeas, tomato paste and nonperishable food items of any kind.

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  • Gift Basket Central returns to the Davis Farmers Market

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    Randii MacNear shows a completed Davis Farmers Market gift basket in December 2023. (Wendy Weitzel/Courtesy photo)

    (From press release) The Davis Farmers Market’s Gift Basket Central is back, offering free baskets and wrapping of market items on Saturdays.

    On Saturdays, Dec. 7, 14 and 21, shoppers can compile items for custom gift baskets, and have them wrapped for free at the market’s Gift Basket Central station. There are red, green and blue tissue options, neutral and red baskets, cellophane wrapping and various colored ribbons. The service is available to anyone who purchases three or more items at the Davis Farmers Market, at 301 C St. in Central Park.

    The market is open regular hours (8 a.m. to 1 p.m.), every Saturday through the holidays. It will be closed on Wednesday, Dec. 25 and Wednesday, Jan. 1, but open on Saturday, Dec. 28.

    Looking for ideas? Besides the abundant produce, market sellers offer preserved jams and sauces, lemon curd, honey, balsamic vinegars, olive oils, dried herbs, nuts and nut butters. There are sweets like dried fruit or chocolate-covered almonds, pistachio brittle, and local wines. Other items include handmade soaps and lotions, wreaths, hats and scarves. Enjoy coffee and hot food, and peruse artisan crafts, market-logo merchandise, and surprising local ingredients for gift baskets.

    There’s also “The Davis Farmers Market Cookbook, Revised Edition,” which features seasonal recipes from market produce. Also at the Market Shed, there are shopping baskets, market-logo aprons, hats, totes, mugs and T-shirts. Shoppers have access to an ATM, and the Market Shed accepts credit and debit cards.

    Still need inspiration? Market staffers are prepared with a list of gift basket ideas for chefs, bakers, party hosts, chocolate lovers, and youths, or with themes like breakfast or relaxation.

    The rest of the year, the Davis Farmers Market is open from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays. Wednesday hours are 3 to 6 p.m. through April, and 4 to 8 p.m. May through September for Picnic in the Park.

    For more information, go to https://www.davisfarmersmarket.org/ or visit it on Facebook or Instagram.

  • Farmers market plans extended Pre-Thanksgiving event

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    A Davis Breads and Desserts employee shows a pumpkin and pecan pie on Nov. 22, 2023. The Davis Farmers Market’s annual Pre-Thanksgiving Market is from noon to 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 27. (Wendy Weitzel/Courtesy photo)

    (From press release) The day before Thanksgiving, the Davis Farmers Market extends its hours. This year’s annual Pre-Thanksgiving Market will be from noon to 5 p.m. in Central Park, 301 C St., Davis.

    On Wednesday, Nov. 27, the market will have a bounty of seasonal produce, flowers and table décor, olive oil, nuts, honey and wine from two wineries. Several bakeries will have fresh-baked items like pumpkin, apple, pecan and berry pies and pumpkin cheesecake; breads, rolls, stuffing mix and cookies. There will be dips and Kettle Corn too.

    The rest of the season, visit the market from 3 to 6 p.m. on Wednesdays, and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays. It will be closed on Wednesday, Dec. 25 and Wednesday, Jan. 1, but open on Saturday, Dec. 28. For more information, go to https//davisfarmersmarket.org or visit it on Facebook or Instagram.

  • Soroptimist Soup Night is Oct. 24 at Vets Memorial Center

    (From press release) Soroptimist International of Davis invites community members to join its annual Soup Night and Silent Auction, Thursday, Oct. 24 at Veterans Memorial Center. The event benefits two programs that serve local women’s causes: SI Davis and Thriving Pink.

    Due to the event’s popularity, organizers moved it to a larger venue: Veterans Memorial Center, 203 E. 14th St., Davis. The Soroptimist Soup Night and Silent Auction features unlimited soups from local restaurants as well as sides and dessert. Each ticket comes with a beverage ticket for a local beer, glass of wine or nonalcoholic drink. Music will be provided by the youth jazz band Lucky Strike.

    What makes the silent auction so popular? It’s the meticulously crafted themed baskets, each a labor of love from dedicated Soroptimists and generous local businesses. From artisanal gifts to unexpected experiences, the auction is a celebration of community generosity and creativity. It’s a great chance to get a jump start on holiday shopping too.

    General admission tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door. Students or children ages 6-17 are $15 in advance and $20 at the door. Children 5 and under are free. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Auction bidding ends at 7:30 p.m. and the event concludes at 8 p.m. For tickets or sponsorship information, visit https://www.sidavis.org/soupnight.

    The evening’s proceeds benefit SI Davis programs, and Thriving Pink’s work bettering the lives of breast cancer survivors and their families. Soroptimist is a global volunteer organization that provides women and girls with access to the education and training they need to achieve economic empowerment. Learn more about the service club at https://www.sidavis.org/ and about Thriving Pink at https://www.thrivingpink.org/.

  • Natalie’s Corner is topic of Sept. 4 Soroptimist talk

    (From press release) Former State Sen. Lois Wolk will be the speaker at the Wednesday, Sept. 4 meeting of Soroptimist International of Davis. She will discuss her work chairing the committee for Natalie’s Corner, the Central Park renovation named in memory of Davis police officer Natalie Corona.

    Officer Corona lost her life in the line of duty in 2019, not far from the park. The talk will be from 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. in the conference room at University Inn and Suites, 1111 Richards Blvd., Davis. Learn more about Natalie’s Corner at https://nataliescornerdavis.com/.

    The event is open to the public. Lunch from Dos Coyotes is available for $15. First-time attendees are free. Please RSVP by 5 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 2 for lunch by emailing president@sidavis.org. Guests are welcome to bring their own lunch.

    Soroptimist is a global volunteer organization that provides women and girls with access to the education and training they need to achieve economic empowerment. It was founded in 1921 in Alameda County. Soroptimist International of Davis was chartered in 1954. Local members join some 75,000 Soroptimists in 122 countries and territories to contribute time and financial support to community-based projects benefiting women and girls. Its core values are gender equality, empowerment, education, diversity and fellowship.

    SI Davis offers cash Live Your Dream Awards to female heads of household seeking education or training, and assists King High students through its Dream It, Be It: Career Support for Girls program. It also funds high school scholarships, and grants to nonprofits that align with the Soroptimist mission.

    SI Davis members meet twice a month on Wednesdays – once at lunchtime and once in the evening – and connect for other fun activities and service. Learn more at https://www.sidavis.org/.