Davisville

Thai, froyo, Sac connections: Davisville looks at the Davis restaurant scene

Bill Buchanan — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 17:30:00 -0800

Why does Davis have so many Thai restaurants? Why does it have so many restaurants, period? Mark Anderson (pictured) helps explain these and other apparent puzzles of the local restaurant business on today’s Davisville.

Anderson has been a reporter since the mid-1990s for the Sacramento Business Journal, where he writes about areas of the regional economy ranging from banking and venture capital to tourism and hospitality--and restaurants.

On Davisville, he discusses elements common to such food trends as Thai, frozen yogurt and bagels (appealing, and hard to make at home); why public inspections help independent restaurants (you no longer need a recognized brand to assure cleanliness); and the connection between Davis and Sacramento restaurants. Many Sacramento restaurants are opening locations in Davis, but as Anderson points out, many restaurants that started in Davis have also expanded to Sacramento.

Matthew Harral: An emerging artist who paints with coffee

Bill Buchanan — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 17:30:00 -0800

Matthew Harral paints – with coffee, at present – and depending on where you buy books or coffee in Davis, you might have seen his art. He first exhibited at Logos Books last summer. From November 2011 through January 2012 he has shown his work at the Cloud Forest Café (the painting shown here, Unsinkable, comes from that display). His work is also available at the Pence Gallery, and more exhibits are pending.

Harral, who also plays guitar, has lived a varied life. He left his hometown, Redding, for Davis at 18 to help a friend illustrate T-shirts in Old Sacramento. He has worked as a limousine driver, karaoke host, in radio, in landscape design, and as a cosmetics salesperson at the Arden Fair Sears. After nearly dying in a car crash three years ago, he decided to start showing his work. On today’s Davisville, Harral talks about why he paints, why he uses coffee, his work and themes, what draws him to Davis (he currently lives in West Sacramento to save on rent), and what's coming next.

Davis' first election for 2012: The latest schools tax

Bill Buchanan — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 17:30:00 -0800

One of the first major civic questions facing Davis in 2012 is Measure C, the latest local tax measure to benefit Davis public schools. If at least two-thirds of voters approve it--the election occurs by mail in February and March--then Measure C will replace two existing parcel taxes that expire in June. The new levy would raise $6.5 million per year.

Numbers are a big part of this subject, but the larger story concerns the size, variety and nature of public education in Davis. Susan Lovenburg, president of the Davis school board, comes by Davisville to discuss the numbers, and what they mean for the district’s 8,400 students.

Stories for the end of 2011, on Davisville

Bill Buchanan — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 17:30:00 -0800

The mornings are cold. Dusk arrives at a time that would barely qualify as late afternoon in July. The holidays are diverting the usual business of life, bringing people back home for celebrations or visits, in memory if not in practice. It’s a fine time for stories. And so, for the last Davisville of the year I asked three people with some of the best voices in town to read out 2011 with a story, or part of a story, that means something to them.

We hear from:

Rebecca Plack (right), a classically trained singer and voice teacher who grew up in Davis. She chose part of a story that she often re-reads in December.
Jeff Hudson, a freelance reporter whose venues include Capital Public Radio, and who chose poems by California poet Robinson Jeffers.
Anne Hance, a co-founder of the Explorit Science Center and former teacher. She selected a recent short story written by an author who is, like her, from Great Britain.

I thank all three for helping Davisville end the year well—and I thank all of you for tuning in. Happy new year, and see you again in 2012.

Year-end movies, Davis festivals, & tentpoles: A chat with critic Derrick Bang

Bill Buchanan — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 17:30:00 -0800

Today’s guest is Derrick Bang, a film critic and author who lives in Davis, pens reviews for his Derrick Bang on Film blog and the Davis Enterprise, is an expert on Peanuts, and recently finished writing a biography of jazz musician Vince Guaraldi. We talk about movies this December, the film festivals in Davis, his book, and his take on the state of movie-making in general.

Archive alert: Bang last visited Davisville for a two-part interview a year ago, where the topics included his previous jobs--as entertainment editor for the Enterprise and as owner of the downtown store The Game Preserve--and a legend-worthy Davis publicity stunt: the giant Monopoly game he staged on a city block 30 years ago, where the Farmers Market is now. Part 1 and Part 2.

‘Hunt, Gather, Cook’ on Davisville

Bill Buchanan — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 17:30:00 -0800

Hank Shaw has written an unconventional book that takes a primal approach to obtaining food. His “Hunt, Gather, Cook: Finding the Forgotten Feast” says we should consider foraging, fishing and hunting for more of what we eat, not to fulfill a social agenda or political movement, but because it’s a healthier, satisfying, and more vivid way to live.

The book struck me for its clear, persuasive writing, diverse appeal, and insight into the outdoors. When he writes, “North America is home to so many native fruits that all but the most obsessive of foragers will never taste them all,” that sounds like Eden. I haven’t thought of our continent that way.

On Davisville we talk about foraging – including good places in the Davis area – the thrill and horror of hunting, how much time he spends hunting/foraging/fishing during the average week (about 8 hours), and the fact he hasn’t bought meat in a store, except for pork fat, since 2005. We talk about the

Occupy Davis, on Davisville

Bill Buchanan — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 17:30:00 -0800

Occupy Wall Street began in New York as a protest against greed. Then it spread and came to Davis in October, complete with a camp in Central Park.

Like many folks, I wondered … why Davis? Is Occupy Davis pursuing specific changes in Davis, or is this only a local expression of a protest occurring elsewhere? The Davis Wiki page has a good discussion (although the discussion falls off sharply after mid-October), and there’s more on the Davis Occupy Facebook page. The Enterprise, Aggie and Vanguard have all published articles and comments about Occupy Davis. Clearly, an interview with some Davis participants could be useful.

And that’s what this edition of Davisville is: a discussion with UC Davis students Artem Raskin, left, and Sean Zweifler, right. They talk about Occupy Davis--what they and other participants are doing, how the group works, how it connects to the larger movement, its size, and, among other subjects, the purpose behind the campout. Which, now that the weather has turned cold and wet, includes a big tarp over most of the tents.

Zombies! The most American of monsters, on Davisville

Bill Buchanan — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 17:30:00 -0700

This show is a Halloween treat. UC Davis instructor Sarah Juliet Lauro (pictured), who co-edited the new book "Better off Dead: The Evolution of the Zombie as Post-Human," appears on Davisville this week to talk about the book, zombies, how she got interested in zombies, what our interest in zombies says about our culture – and why she came to UC Davis to get her PhD in English.

The book’s essays range in tone from seriously scholarly to accessible for non-academics. The chapters discuss zombies in old radio shows, zombies in movies, public zombie walks, the evolution of zombies (there are nine types), the origin of zombies – unlike Frankenstein and Dracula, for instance, they did not originate in Europe. If you tune in, you’ll learn why.

Barry Melton, Yolo attorney and veteran of Monterey Pop, visits Davisville

Bill Buchanan — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 17:30:00 -0700

We cover a lot of ground in Davisville this time out. That’s no surprise, considering how much territory guest Barry Melton has covered over the years, and how easily he talks about it on this week’s show.

In Davis, there are two main reasons you would have heard of Melton: he’s an attorney who spent 10 years as Yolo County public defender, and he’s an accomplished musician who, when he was still a teenager, co-founded Country Joe and the Fish as the lead guitarist. He continues to play, and on Oct. 20 he’ll perform at the Odd Fellows Hall in a benefit for Habitat for Humanity.

Build another parking garage downtown? Why?

Bill Buchanan — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 17:30:00 -0700

A few weeks ago, Michael Bisch and Rosalie Paine wrote an article in the Enterprise that backs plans to build a parking garage and 12,000 square feet of new shopping space between E, F, 3rd and 4th streets. Today's show focuses on the idea.

The basic question is why downtown needs another parking garage when it already has two; plus lots at the Amtrak station, behind the former Border’s, and next to the E Street Plaza; plus street parking; plus the tree-shaded lot that exists (see photo) where the new garage would be built. The answers lie in a discussion of where downtown is headed, in terms of growth (UC Davis’ plan to add 5,000 students in five years is a factor), civic policy, and other development ideas. Those other ideas include creating a new E Street promenade which, in one version, would close E to cars from 1st to the new garage.

Engaging students with Twitter, plus a well-read 9/11 poem at the end

Bill Buchanan — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 17:30:00 -0700

This week we have a return visit with Andy Jones, who is not easily summarized. He is a lecturer and educational technologist at UC Davis, savvy about social media, one of Davis’ best-known poets, a bit of a showman, a trivia host … you get the point.

New technology is typically bewildering, but Jones makes good use of tech. On this program he discusses how he used Twitter to engage students in one of his UC Davis literature classes. (He wrote the experience into a chapter for “Teaching Arts and Science with the New Social Media,” a 2011 book edited by Charles Wankel of St. John’s University.)

In August, the Sacramento News and Review interviewed him for an article on “Facebook fatigue” (http://www.newsreview.com/sacramento/facebook-fatigue/content?oid=335642...), and we discuss his views on Facebook too.

Veterans in Davis, on Davisville

Bill Buchanan — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 17:30:00 -0700

Davis isn’t known for its military connections, but 4,500 U.S. military veterans live in town, as do 2,000 more who currently serve. What do veterans want from Davis? Do they get it? On this edition we discuss those questions, plus broader ones involving all U.S. veterans, with Ted Puntillo and Rich Dryden.

Puntillo, a former Davis postmaster and City Council member, became veterans service officer for Solano County on Aug. 1. He held the same job in Yolo County from 2003 to 2008. Dryden is executive director of the California Disabled Veteran Business Alliance – a group with a growing constituency, due to the U.S. wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and to the advances in medicine that help combat veterans live through what would have once been fatal wounds.

We cover a lot of ground in this interview. Among other points, Dryden explains why some vets are better employers than employees. Puntillo notes that he talks to every person he sees who holds a "homeless veteran" sign.

Happy new school year! Ready to talk money again?

Bill Buchanan — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 17:30:00 -0700

The state’s budget problems continue to shape and degrade the education available to Davis students. The district is relatively OK for now, thanks to cuts and extra taxes repeatedly OK'd by Davis voters. But the schools face major financial decisions in the new instructional year that starts Aug. 23 – and a lot will depend on the state’s hopeful gamble that California’s economy is improving.

On this Davisville, return guest Jeff Hudson – he writes about education for the Davis Enterprise -- discusses the budget and decisions facing the Davis school district in 2011-12.

Two of the topics we covered had significant developments after KDRT recorded this interview. The federal government

Analyst sizes up the regional jobs market on Davisville

Bill Buchanan — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 17:30:00 -0700

The regional job market is looking better, says employment market analyst Rick Reed on this edition of Davisville.

Reed has surveyed area employers several times a year since 1992 for what is now a quarterly employment forecast, the Pacific Staffing Employment Trends Survey. Among other questions, he asks his contacts if they’re hiring, as well as why or why not.

In our talk, Reed discussed trends, what he thinks employers want to see before they accelerate hiring, fields with the best job prospects, how agriculture helps the area job market, and more.

Davis’ unemployment rate of 7.6 percent for May falls in the middle of regional cities, as measured by the state Employment Development Department. Davis’ rate is better than

Stan Forbes and redistricting (repeat of March 2011 program)

Bill Buchanan — Mon, 18 Jul 2011 17:30:00 -0700

I was on vacation in early July, so we're re-airing this program from spring 2011 when Stan Forbes discussed the state citizens' redistricting commission. Forbes, former Davis City Council member, is the only member of the commission from our part of the state. If you've wondered what the district does, and why it matters to the average Californian, tune in for an explanation.

How'd we get here? Davisville looks at proposal to triple water rates by 2016

Bill Buchanan — Mon, 04 Jul 2011 17:30:00 -0700

Basic civic infrastructure usually attracts scant popular interest, but the triple-your-rates impact has made the proposed city water project an exception this summer. The prospect of the average Davis household paying another $700 to $800 per year for water by 2016 has brought the issue front and center in Davis.

On the current Davisville, Bob Clarke, interim Davis public works director and city engineer, and Diane Phillips, public works engineer and Davis’ project manager for the surface water project, discuss what’s behind the cost, some alternatives, city water quality, and why Davis concluded that it needs the project.

Clarke and Phillips also discuss project details, prospects for savings, the possible ratepayers’ protest vote that would block the rate increase, and what comes next.

What's the job of a Christian church in Davis? John Oda has some ideas

Bill Buchanan — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 17:30:00 -0700

John Oda has been pastor of the Davis United Methodist Church for two years. On the latest “Davisville” he talks about the role of a Christian church in Davis; Christianity and gay rights; different ways of interpreting Scripture; last month’s failed prediction of the Rapture by Harold Camping, which became a nationwide story; and Oda's impression of the town he is about to leave, among other subjects.

Oda will depart Davis UMC for a church in Oakland at the end of June, the time each year when United Methodist pastors usually receive new assignments.

Not rich, but doing OK: The Aggie wraps up 2010-11

Bill Buchanan — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 17:30:00 -0700

A print newspaper for college students might seem anachronistic, but The Aggie made $50,000 more this year than it expected. On the latest Davisville, two students who edited the UC Davis paper for 2010-11 discuss how it continues to find its audience despite the shift to digital media.

The guests are Mark Ling, editor for 2010-11, and Becky Peterson, who was city editor and will return as managing editor in 2011-12.

The Aggie earns much less than it did several years ago, but cuts in expenses, easy access to copies on campus, and a steady focus on its audience have kept the paper a solvent part of UC Davis student life.

Joy Cohan talks about downtown on ‘Davisville’

Bill Buchanan — Mon, 23 May 2011 17:30:00 -0700

Joy Cohan, who steps down as director of the Davis Downtown Business Association on July 1, discusses the state of the city's main commercial district and what she has learned from four years on the job on the current “Davisville.”

Among other subjects, she talks about initiatives to draw more people downtown, the “Community Covenant” to reduce the drunken excesses of Picnic Day, the gift card program that has so far produced $125,000 in sales, paid parking, and what she’s doing next.

Two of the creators of the 'Davis State of Mind' video drop by Davisville

Bill Buchanan — Mon, 09 May 2011 17:30:00 -0700

Alex Pacheco and Daniel Watts, whose “Davis State of Mind” spoof has made “middle class in the middle of nowhere” a local catchphrase this spring, talk about the video, why they made it, life in Davis, the reactions they’ve heard, and more on the latest episode of “Davisville.”

Pacheco and Watts graduate from the UC Davis School of Law this year. Their video, which parodies

Former Davisite, author Peter Grandbois, featured on Davisville

Bill Buchanan — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 17:30:00 -0700

Author Peter Grandbois, formerly of Davis, returns to “Davisville” this month.

Grandbois, now an assistant professor of creative writing and contemporary literature at Denison University in Ohio, read from his new book at the Avid Reader on Picnic Day. Called Nahoonkara and set in 19th century Wisconsin and Colorado, it presents dozens of characters but focuses on three brothers as they work to remake their lives.

On “Davisville,” he also discusses how the places where he has lived show up in his work, and looks ahead to his next projects, including a book told from the perspective of the creature in the 1950s science-fiction movie “The Creature from the Black Lagoon.”

The digital Davis Enterprise, with guest Jonathan Edwards Apr 11th, 2011

Bill Buchanan — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 17:30:00 -0700

Davisville Checks in on Picnic Day, Mar 28th, 2011

Bill Buchanan — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 17:30:00 -0700

Picnic Day, on April 16, is getting close. Last year’s event was plagued by off-campus drunkenness, arrests, and general obnoxiousness. This year the city, merchants and UC Davis have taken steps to inhibit that behavior.

Will the countermeasures work? On this edition of “Davisville,” Entertainment Director Mac Walker and Parade Director Jennifer Mappus, both members of the student-run Picnic Day board, discuss this year’s plans, entertainment lineup, parade, and other attractions.

At the end, they discuss how they will be able to tell if Picnic Day met its goals this year, and how they'll spend the day themselves.

Davisville Mar 14th, 2011

Bill Buchanan — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 17:30:00 -0700

Davisville Feb 28th, 2011

Bill Buchanan — Mon, 28 Feb 2011 17:30:00 -0800

Davisville Feb 14th, 2011

Bill Buchanan — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 17:30:00 -0800

Davisville Jan 31st, 2011

Bill Buchanan — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 17:30:00 -0800

Davisville Jan 17th, 2011

Bill Buchanan — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 17:30:00 -0800

Davisville Jan 10th, 2011

Bill Buchanan — Mon, 10 Jan 2011 17:30:00 -0800

Davisville Dec. 20, 2010: Derrick Bang part 2

Bill Buchanan — Mon, 20 Dec 2010 17:30:00 -0800