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.

(From press release) Eleven nonprofit social service groups in Yolo County have received grants totaling $15,950 from a fund established by Congregation Bet Haverim, Jewish Fellowship of Davis. The Biberstein Social Action Fund was established in 2002 to honor longtime Davis residents Ernie and Hannah Biberstein for their contributions to community service and social justice. (Hannah Biberstein passed away in April of 2011.)  The fund sponsors efforts to address problems related to poverty, discriminations, abuse and neglect.

The following organizations were funded:

• Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA)
• Downtown Streets Team (DST)
• Grace in Action
• HEART of Davis, formerly Interfaith Rotating Winter Shelter
• iDream – The Mac Give Back Project
• Make It Happen Yolo County
• Meals on Wheels Yolo County (MOW Yolo)
• Mercer Veterinary Clinic
• Personal Care Pantry (WUMC)
• Yolo Community Care Continuum (YCCC)
• Yolo Interfaith Immigration Network (YIIN)

“We are very happy to make these awards,” said Ernie Biberstein. “We think they will make a meaningful difference to the organizations selected and to the Yolo County community.

The winners, who were chosen by a committee of Bet Haverim members, will be recognized at a ceremony at the Bet Haverim Religious School in Davis in February.

“In the current uncertain environment, we feel that it is even more important to show our religious school students, and the community at large, the value of supporting the needs of those who are most vulnerable,” continued Biberstein.

Biberstein Social Action Fund awards are given annually on the basis of proposals made to the synagogue committee. Contributions to the fund may be made through Congregation Bet Haverim, 1715 Anderson Road, Davis, CA 95616. Please note that the donation is for the Biberstein Social Action Fund.

(From press release) The sixth annual Zombie Bike Parade Festival, held from Friday, October 25th through Sunday, October 27th, was a spectacular success, bringing together thousands of participants for a weekend of Halloween-themed festivities, community engagement, and charitable giving. Orchestrated and hosted by the Davis Odd Fellows with huge contributions from The Bike Campaign, Davis Bike Club, and Hallmark Properties, the event raised significant funds for local non-profits while showcasing the vibrant spirit of Davis.

Festival Highlights:

The festival kicked off with a variety of events, including the Mirror Image Dance Company’s Trunk-or-Treat on Saturday afternoon and the sold-out Zombie Ball on Saturday evening. At the Zombie Ball, the Davis Odd Fellows Lodge was transformed into a popular destination for Halloween enthusiasts, and costumed partygoers danced to music by DJ Duc Jones, enjoyed themed drinks, and participated in a thrilling costume showcase. 

The main event on Sunday saw over 1,000 bicyclists join the traditional Zombie Bike Parade, riding from Community Park to Mace Ranch Park and back. Nearly 2,000 participants gathered throughout the day for festival activities, which culminated in the awe-inspiring zombie skydiving grand finale at Community Park.

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.

By Dan Carson

On Monday, Davis community radio station KDRT began airing an half-hour radio program by local journalist Bill Buchanan examining a proposal by Davis Mayor Josh Chapman and Councilmember Bapu Vaitla to change the current authority that city commissions have to set their own agenda and send proposals forward to the council for its consideration.   Elaine Roberts Musser and I have publicly called for the proposal to be rejected because it is neither legal nor good government.

Buchanan says, “This week’s subject is narrow, but contains a question worth considering. It involves one of the ways that ideas emerge and ultimately shape public life in Davis. This specific path involves the Davis citizen commissions that advise the City Council on subjects including city spending, planning, police accountability, and several other areas.”

The show will air periodically on KDRT over a two-week period. A link to Buchanan's description of the show and a recording that can be heard at any time can be found below:

https://kdrt.org/audio/davisville-nov-11-2024-deciding-what-davis-citizen-commissions-should-talk-about

Please feel free to share this information with other Davis residents so that they can hear firsthand what is being said on both sides about this controversial proposal that we fear will damage an important aspect of Davis democracy, its system of volunteer experts who serve on city commissions.

By Dan Carson and Elaine Roberts Musser

This fall, Davis Mayor Josh Chapman and Councilmember Bapu Vaitla asked our city commissioners for feedback on a proposal they offered for “clarification of how items are placed on a commission meeting agenda.” Their plan, which may come before council in the coming weeks, would empower even a single councilmember to sidetrack any commission-initiated proposal he or she didn’t like, for any reason.

Commissioners pushed back against the proposal in a recent series of commission hearings:

David Sandino, Fiscal Commission: “The danger of this is [it] is pretty bureaucratic … I would personally be comfortable with the chairperson working with staff to craft agendas, and not have to have additional review by a council subcommittee or a council liaison…It seems to me too many cooks in the kitchen… I’d hate to stifle commission thought and initiative because you had a few major examples that have ruffled some feathers.”

Mitchell Marubayashi, Fiscal Commission: “I don't really understand… the problem that this is solving…”

John Reuter, Climate & Environmental Justice Commission: “This is something the whole city is going to have to live with… If someone has to check on every agenda item, this is a logistics nightmare…an outrageous effort and waste of time…. I think we should be allowed to set [our] own agenda… If you go down that flow chart…where does the commission’s point of view come in?”

Davisites, you can vote at the following locations until 8 PM tonight (Nov 5):

Dropboxes:

• UC Davis Campus, 282 Tennis Court Lane, Davis
• Davis City Hall, 23 Russell Boulevard

Vote centers:

• Veterans Memorial Center - Multipurpose Room, 203 E 14th Street, Davis
• UC Davis ARC - Ballrooms A & B, 760 Orchard Road, Davis
• Montgomery Elementary School – Multipurpose Rm., 1441 Danbury Street, Davis
• Emerson Junior High School – Indoor Commons 1, 2121 Calaveras Avenue, Davis

More info here: https://ace.yolocounty.gov/305/Vote-Centers-Ballot-Drop-Boxes-Locations

Every vote counts!  There is a lot at stake in this election at the local, state, and federal levels.  I urge everyone to let their voices be heard.

Today's article is a video against Measure Q.  This was going to be my testimony before the Davis City Council, but they didn't meet last week.  Or the week before that.  Or next week.  What do they think this is, summer break? 

Here's the three-minute video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i2mXBTMCgRo

Of course, as always at Al's Corner, other subjects welcome!  ;-)

Davis Citizen  (sung to the tune of "Witchita Lineman" by Glen Campbell)

I am a citizen of Davis
And I bike the main roads
Searching in the street for another pah-ah-ot hole

I hear far-lefties call “more taxes!”
I can hear the fire fighters whine
They say the City budget
Is still on the line!

You say we have to save the planet
Cuz it don't look like rain
And the more we subsidize housing
The more the budget won't stand the strain

You say you need Q more than want Q
And you need Q for for all time
But this doubling of the local sales tax
Is all a lie!

Vote NO on Measure Q, Mildred!

(Original Glen Campbell version:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8P_xTBpAcY )

(From press release) Dillan Horton, a candidate for Davis City Council’s District 2, is proud to announce that he has received endorsement from the Collective PAC, a political action committee aiming to build Black political power. The Collective PAC endorses federal, state, and municipal candidates across the nation that will elevate Black representation in federal, state, and local governments. It is no coincidence that Dillan also received endorsements from Black community leaders across Davis, including former organizer of Parents of African American Children - Davis Dzokerayi Mukome, former President of DJUSD Board of Trustees Cindy Pickett, Chief Emeritus of UC Davis Police Calvin Handy, founder and director of the Culture C.O-O.P Sandy Holman, former member of the Davis Human Relations Commission Rev. Tim Malone, and many others. Their endorsements demonstrate Dillan’s commitment and strength in reforming city government and fighting for racial justice.

As potentially the first Black Councilmember in Davis, Dillan will not only bring needed representation to the City Council, but also fight for equal opportunity for all Davisites. He will make it easier to start Black-owned, other minority-owned & women-owned small businesses, along with expanding the availability of quality-affordable housing in Davis, particularly expanding workforce housing. In addition, Dillan’s successful experience in criminal justice reform has equipped him to tackle implicit racial biases in policing, such as reforming traffic enforcement, where Black Davisites report persistent racial bias.

Part 2 – Recent Salary Increases to the Firefighters

By the No on Measure Q Campaign

Introduction

We recently reported that the City of Davis used flawed and misleading data to award excessive compensation increase to the City Manger. (See https://www.davisite.org/2024/10/the-city-council-used-misleading-comparisons-of-compensation-from-other-cities-to-award-excessive-sa.html). They did so by using compensation data from 12 regional cities against which to compare the Davis City Manager's compensation. Claiming this data showed our City Manager was under-compensated, in July of 2024 the Davis City Council awarded him a 2% annual salary increase retroactive to January 1 of this year, an annual 3.0% bonus retroactive for 2023 and another 3% bonus for the uncompleted 2024 year. 

However, in that article we showed that if the comparative compensation data from only 6 regional cities of comparable size were otherwise used, our City Manager earned between 3% and 30% greater than the City Managers of any of those six comparable-sized cities in 2023 - and this was before the Council awarded bonuses to our City Manager for both 2023 and 2024.

In May, 2024 the Davis City Council similarly approved a 6.0% increase in base salary for all firefighters retroactive to July 1, 2023. The ostensible reason given for the salary increase was that the total compensation for the average Firefighter II position was 6.0% LESS than the median total compensation earned by Firefighter II-equivalent positions in twelve regional cities and fire protection agencies; and thus a raise to ALL firefighters was appropriate to keep their compensation competitive. However, the Council again based their analysis on misleading data.

Unfortunately, similar to the comparative analysis of compensation of our City Manager, the Davis Firefighter II compensation was also compared to that in ten purportedly “comparable” local cities and two fire protection agencies in the region.  However, many of those ten cities are much larger than Davis, and include Sacramento (population of 525,000), Roseville (population 190,000), and Fairfield (population 119, 000).  Davis’ population is only about 67,000.

An Alternative Fair Comparison with Comparable-Sized Cities