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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.

  • Prizes offered if you Shop Small on Thanksgiving weekend

    (From press release) To encourage area residents to support local businesses this holiday season, Davis Downtown will give some shoppers a prize for doing so.

    For the three days after Thanksgiving, many merchants in downtown Davis will celebrate Shop Small Weekend. The promotion begins on Black Friday, Nov. 24 and continues through Sunday, Nov. 26. Those who make purchases at participating businesses can turn in tickets toward prize drawings worth up to $500.

    Dozens of downtown businesses will take part in the event. Shoppers receive a ticket for every $10 they spend at a participating merchant. Each customer may earn up to 10 tickets per business*. Prizes range from $50 to $500.

    “Bring your family to downtown Davis to kick off your holiday shopping,” DDBA Executive Director Brett Maresca said. “You’ll feel good knowing your money stays local, and supports small businesses that give so much to our community year-round.”

    Check the Davis Downtown website at www.davisdowntown.com/shop-small-2023 for more information as it develops. That’s where interested shoppers will find a list of participating businesses, family-friendly activities and entertainment in downtown Davis over the Shop Small Weekend.

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  • I’m Heading Over to the Riley Gaines Shˆt Show

    Go Free Speech!

    Untitled 12

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    I love a good shit show!

    I wonder how many cops in riot gear we'll have this time?   (I counted 100 at Charlie Kirk)

    I wonder how many Proud Boys will show up?  (I didn't see any at Charlie Kirk)

    I wonder how many protestors there will be?  (I counted 50 swelling to 100 at Charlie Kirk)

    I wonder how much property damage and confrontations with the police there will be?  (I observed at Charlie Kirk protestors aligned with Cops Off Campus threw eggs at cops, taunted cops with chants against cops, blocks people from entering, insulted attendees as racists and bigots, threw objects such as water bottles at attendees leaving, and as captured on film, smashed in the glass windows on the doors to the RecHall

    Across from the Mondavi Center – Protest begins in the grassy area at 5:30pm, Doors 6:15pm or earlier, Riley Show 7-9pm, After-Crap 9pm.

    Go free speech!   Go non-violet protest!  Protest in any other color!

    Do you also enjoy a good Shit Show?  See you there!

     

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  • A Letter from Biden, Israeli and Palestinian Humanity, but the Bombing Continues

    Thousandsofvoices

    Picture of part of the thousands of voices calling for ceasefire, led by Jewish Voices for Peace, at New York's Penn Station. 10/30/23. 

    By Scott Steward

    The White House has acknowledged that there is a war against Hamas. There are also many encouraging humanitarian words for Palestinians and Israelis contained in the November 1st letter from Joe Biden. (see letter below).

    The murder of Israeli's is unconscionable, but how many more thousands of penned up unarmed, starving Palestinian women and children will have to die, at the hands of one of the world's most sophisticated military nations, before ceasefire?   

    While the President’s reply is far better than the inflammatory language coming from much of our leadership, Joe Biden's letter is not enough to deter the conviction that we need to continue to make space for Palestinian voices – today and tomorrow – for everyone's sake.

    The United States policy toward the Israeli, and the Palestinian people, has not contributed to a sincere and consequential path to peace.  Most suggested concessions to the Palestinians have been, in the majority, equated with treason to Israel.  That sanctimonious position is a mistake and has justified 75 years of oppression and has fostered and allowed extremists, who are willing to resort to violence and terrorism, to determine much of the circumstances of Israel and Palestine.

    We need to speak to the humanity of the Palestinian right to exist in peace and speak to the security of Israel to live in peace.  We need to listen to the voices of peace that exist on both sides (and around the world).

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  • Soup, shopping are stars of Soroptimist event

    (From press release) Soroptimist International of Davis invites community members to join its annual Soup Night and Silent Auction, Thursday, Nov. 16 at the Davis Odd Fellows Hall.

    The service club traditionally hosts the event a week before Thanksgiving. Soroptimists provide free soups, desserts, lively conversation and pre-holiday shopping opportunities. The event will be in the upper hall of Odd Fellows Lodge, 415 Second St. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. The silent auction closes at 7 p.m.

    Fill up on members’ best soups, breads and desserts while getting a jump start on holiday gifts. There will be themed gift baskets, experiences, gift certificates to local stores and eateries, and more. Beer and wine will be available for purchase in the lower hall, along with non-alcoholic beverages. Cash, checks and credit cards will be accepted.

    The evening’s proceeds benefit SI Davis programs and projects. Soroptimist is a global volunteer organization that provides women and girls with access to the education and training they need to achieve economic empowerment. Soroptimist 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 (applications due Nov. 15), and assists King High students through its Dream It, Be It: Career Support for Girls program. It also funds high school scholarships, grants to nonprofits that align with the Soroptimist mission, and anti-trafficking efforts.

    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/.

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  • In Shocking Press Release, Davis College Republicans Oppose Calls of Violence Against People of Jewish Descent

    I found this on the Facebook page of a group calling itself "Davis College Republicans".  This group is stating its opposition to calls of violence against people of Jewish descent and condemns posts by an assistant professor calling for attacks on 'pro-Israel' journalists and their children. 

    Furthermore, this group is doubling-down on its commitment to the principles of free speech and open dialogue, but also believes that there are limits to these principles when the speech includes threats of violence and harm against any group or individual. 

    Most shockingly, this group says that it remains dedicated to upholding the values of civil discourse, open debate, and respectful dialogue, and firmly believes that disagreements should be met with discussion and understanding, not with threats or intimidation.

    Now that we are aware that a group exists on the UC Davis Campus with values such as these, and openly states these values, the question for all of us in Davis is:  what are 'we' going to 'do' about 'it' ?  😐

    If you don't believe me that a group with such values could exist so close to us, on our beloved UC Davis Campus, here is their press release, in their own words:

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

    Davis College Republicans
    October 23, 2023
    Contact: James Murray, Communications Director
    daviscollegerepublican@email.com

    Davis College Republicans Oppose Calls of Violence Against People of Jewish Descent

    DAVIS, CA- In the past week, Assistant Professor of American Studies Jemma Decristo posted tweets advocating for attacks against, pro-Israel Journalists, and their children. Davis College Republicans unequivocally denounce and condemn these posts.

    On October 10, Decristo posted a tweet containing disturbing language expressing threats to "Zionist journalists" who "have houses with address, kids in school" and "they should fear us more," ending the post with emojis of a knife, an axe, and blood.

    The Davis College Republicans wish to make it abundantly clear that we unequivocally denounce and condemn these posts. While we hold firm to the principles of free speech and open dialogue, we also believe that there are limits to these principles. Threats of violence and harm against any group or individual are entirely unacceptable and fall far outside the parameters of protected speech.

    We stand in agreement with the official statement released by UC Davis, emphasizing the importance of protected speech within our community. However, it is crucial to stress that the tweets in question do not align with this protection, as they promote violence and fear. In order to maintain a respectful and intellectual discourse within our society, we must collectively reject such violent rhetoric.

    Davis College Republicans remain dedicated to upholding the values of civil discourse, open debate, and respectful dialogue. We firmly believe that disagreements should be met with discussion and understanding, not with threats or intimidation.

    DCR is a local College Republican organization dedicated to growing the conservative movement on the UC Davis campus and in surrounding counties. For more information visit our Facebook and Instagram pages @DavisCollege Republicans.

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  • Local artists strategize ideas for inclusivity

    AllianceSandra101823

    Sandra Violet Clark adds a sticky note to an idea board at the Oct. 18 meeting of Arts Alliance Davis as Chris Zdunkiewicz watches. (Wendy Weitzel/Courtesy photo)

    By Wendy Weitzel

    Members of Arts Alliance Davis met on Oct. 18, brainstorming strategies for supporting local artists and their programs, boosting big ideas and ensuring that everyone has access to see or partake in the community’s creativity.

    Arts Alliance Davis meetings are open to anyone interested in or involved with local arts and culture. Its most recent gathering, at the City’s Dresbach-Hunt-Boyer House at 604 Second St., drew more than a dozen participants.

    This meeting operated like a mini strategic planning workshop, where attendees took stock of accomplishments, analyzed areas of achievement and looked at ways each person could contribute to a more vital, collaborative, destination-worthy community. After surveying the broader picture, members narrowed the focus to the next year, and two things they hoped to improve on by the end of 2024.

    First, the group wanted to explore how to solve the lack of affordability of artists’ working and living spaces. Many young people and emerging artists cannot afford to live in Davis or set up a studio here, they said. Shelly Gilbride, director of International House Davis said UC Davis is losing out on talent because of the high cost of housing in Davis.

    Costly housing further compounds another problem: the lack of diversity in a predominantly white town. Natalie Nelson, director of the Pence Gallery, said the group has a lot to celebrate “but we also have so far to go. There needs to be a category of where we are failing, like diversity. What do we need to work on?”

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  • Ceasefire

    By Scott Steward

    As of yesterday’s UN, report there are over 5,000 dead in Gaza, 14,000 injured,1,000 missing. Instead of a ceasefire, more bombs. The tragedy is leading to a multi-regional war.

    Visiting-garamendi

    Dean Johansson, Karahan Mete (behind the sign) Alan Hirsch (also behind sign) Scott Steward Mohammed Mohammed (not a typo – the name is first and last) and Ed Diggs. I don't know the name of the person in the plaid

    The US has the power to stop this, but if you don’t speak up for peace, you will find we are primed for war. Look at how we declared a war on Iraq under false pretense. We entered Afghanistan after the Russians spent two decades failing to quell anti-west fundamentalism, that before we even started our twenty-year war there also ending in retreat (better that than continue).  

    What amount of good work could have been done with $21Trillion dollars over those 20 years? (the cost of the Iraq and Afghan wars). How much more understanding and common ground could have been gained with people wearing or not wearing hijabs. What amount of good work could we do for Palestinians and Israelites with the hundreds of billions and tens of thousands of lives we are about to lose on a war there?

    For some in the US, the Israeli Palestinian conflict is the way into a war with Iran. US troops are all about the conflict zone and surely some will be killed.  Self-defense could then be cited as the rational for our further involvement.  Correctly or not, Iran will be identified as the source of hostility and loss of life. The Arabophobic hegemony will have its war with Iran. That plan is obvious and stupidly tragic. The lives of Palestinians and Israelis would be an afterthought.  Israelis, Palestinians, Iranians, Americans – everyone needs to condemn this plan.

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  • I-80 Whistleblower: Caltrans Steamrolls Eviro-Laws to Widen Freeways

    Caltrrans whistleblower Jeanie ward-waller

    Jeanie Ward-Waller, former Caltrans deputy director of Planning and Mode Development until she noted likely environmental violation on I-80 project

     

    By Alan Hirsch, YoloMobility

    News of a high-level Caltrans whistleblower hit the national media in recent weeks with stories in the Sacramento Bee, LA Times and Politico. But when you meet former Caltrans Deputy Director of Planning and Modal programs Jeanie Ward-Waller, you learn that she was forced out of Caltrans and into a public whistleblowing role by just one action.

    She spoke via Zoom at a meeting of the Environmental Council of Sacramento (ECOS) on Thursday 10/19. In her opening remarks she said:

    • She misses her colleagues of six years who are doing good work to evolve Caltrans.
    • “We need good people in government.”
    • Caltrans has an important role in maintaining our existing highways.
    • Achieving a well-functioning transportation system is her life’s work and she misses being engaged.

    She said her demotion and effective firing were a total surprise. Her story of how it happened started when she noted that Caltrans District 3 seemed to have misappropriated extra funds from a pavement rehab project to rebuild shoulders in a wider and more expensive way so that they could be easily converted to extra lanes. Technically it would not count as widening until the stripes for these lanes are painted. Widening the freeway had not been approved by elected officials or undergone the required public and environmental review process.  One thing she didn’t mention: the amount of misappropriated funds in question is likely on the order of tens of millions dollars — part of the $240 million I-80 Yolo Causeway pavement rehab project, which is separate from the I-80 widening project.

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  • Think PG&E Rates Are Too High? They Are in Imminent Danger of Skyrocketing Into the Stratosphere

    By Dan Cornford

    Davisites should be aware of what I was not aware of until a week or so ago.  Your PG & E bills are set to go way up and proposals are being made to further dis-incentivize solar power.  We are about to be a hit with a barrage of proposals that took me some time to disentangle.   PG & E and other major utilities are hitting consumers from three different angles.  In two instance the CPUC will likely make a final decision on proposals at its November 2 meeting.  So, if you share my concern, please read this article and take some of the actions I suggest at the end of it—most will take only a few minutes of your time.

    I am sure I need not regale you with info on PG & E moral and legal culpability for a whole series of recent fires going back to 2017, but PG & E culpability for such events ( read the entry on PG & E in Wikipedia) goes back decades not to mention the San Bruno pipeline explosions of 2010 that killed 8 people and injured 58.

    After the rash of major fires, 2017-2022 and findings of PG & E’s legal culpability, there appeared to be some brief prospect of meaningful state intervention by Governor Newsom and the state legislature as PG & faced the prospect of bankruptcy and our governor threatened a public takeover of PG & E.   But this came to nothing, and unsurprisingly in view of the fact that PG & E has regularly made large donations to the campaigns of Governor Newsom and many others in the state legislature.

    https://www.abc10.com/article/news/investigations/governor-newsom-most-state-lawmakers-took-money-from-convicted-felon-pge/103-2414790f-3a19-4411-92c2-fe23b519d646

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  • Listen! Peace for Israel and Palestine

    By Scott Steward

    There have been multiple events, locally and regionally, voicing support for an end to violence in Israel and Palestine.  These voices are American voices.  These Americans do not agree with the unwavering support of Israel's government, and they have all condemned the killing of innocent civilians. 

    The recent conflict was sparked on October 7 by Hamas firing thousands of rockets toward southern and central Israel in conjunction with Hamas militants, many on motorcycles, who stormed blockaded areas of the Gaza Strip, shooting at Jewish settlers and slaughtering people at kibbutzim and small towns, reportedly taking Israeli citizens as hostages (source).  Israel has retaliated with massive airstrikes; Palestinian civilians have also been killed.

    Photos of Yesterday's Rally

    Photos of Yesterday's Rally

     

    Rally2

    Yesterday several hundred people attended the Sacramento Regional Coalition for Palestinian Rights demonstration yesterday in front of the State capital.

     

    Last Saturday ten thousand people marched through San Francisco to demand an end to the genocide in Gaza and support the Palestinian people in their struggle against apartheid and occupation.

    On October 18th several community and campus organizations hosted an Emergency Teach In: Palestine Now that was a standing room only event in Young Hall.

    The voices at these rallies all want Israel to exist in harmony. The dominant message peace and freedom for all.  Ultimately it is up to Israeli's and Palestinians and the nations around them to sort out peace.  Our government needs to stop contributing to the long festering conflict. Current policy asks us to reinforce Zionistic goals of racial/religious dominance, and this has greatly reinforced extremism at home.

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