The Davis Enterprise Friday, June 2, 2023

Pride month kicks off with big celebration — Page A4-A8

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Crosswalks and controversy

By Monica Stark and Aaron Geerts

Enterprise staff writers

At the break of dawn on Sunday, dozens of volunteers from the Davis Phoenix Coalition gathered at Central Park to paint the crosswalks for LGBTQ+ Pride Month. While this has been a tradition that began about nine years ago, this year, in addition to the colors of the rainbow, pink and blue have been added in support of the transgender community. Nearing the end, the paint supply was dwindling, prompting a decision to add pink and blue to the rainbow crosswalk on C Street.

After a couple of hours of painting, volunteers of all ages posed for photographs to celebrate gender identity acceptance.

As the stencils were lifted, volunteers literally jumped for joy in the crosswalks.

“We always need more paint, but I think I think this is good,”

Gloria Partida, councilmember and Davis Phoenix Coalition founder, said after the painting was complete. “It's just such a happy event, and I think the community really enjoys it,” Partida said.

Painting the crosswalks sends a message that the community supports all kids and families, local mother Mily Ron said.

“Putting the painting of the

crosswalk with rainbow or the trans flag colors is sending these messages loud and clear without hurting anybody's feelings. It shouldn't hurt anybody's feelings because there's nothing besides a message that we are supporting and loving. And you're all welcome, and you're all safe.”

A graduate student at the Institute of Transportation Studies at UC Davis, Noah Thoron, attended to support the queer

community and also learn a little bit about how sidewalks are painted. When the painting was completed, Thoron said, “It’s just lovely to paint some sidewalks, and also, I love making them more visible for pedestrians.”

To one of the two protesters that showed up, Beth Bourne called the colorful crosswalks “a danger to pedestrians, to young children, to the elderly, to people that have limited mobility when

they don't see a crosswalk, as required by our standards of code of what a crosswalk should look like, which is white stripes, on a dark background.” She came to protest the event, stating while she wanted “support gays and lesbians,” she didn’t want children to believe they could be born in the wrong body.

Volunteer Mily Ron fears messages like Bourne’s as reflective of our nation going backward and

‘Beautiful souls’: Couple killed in DUI crash remembered at sentencing

By Lauren Keene Enterprise staff writer

WOODLAND — On the night they perished in a West Sacramento collision, Rasul and Anila Afzili attended a family dinner to celebrate Rasul’s 37th birthday.

As they drove home along Jefferson Boulevard, 29-year-old Gabriel Poletti, with a blood-alcohol content more than three times the legal limit and two prior DUI arrests in his past, crossed the center divider and struck their vehicle head-on.

Relatives who’d also attended the party happened

upon the fiery crash scene, at first unaware their loved ones were involved.

“Hey, did you see this accident happen?” Qaseem Afzili, Rasul’s younger brother, wanted to ask his brother when he called him. But neither he nor Anila answered their phones.

“Something told me to walk down the street and see for myself,” said Afzili, who recalled finding the wreckage of his brother’s car, the mortally wounded couple and their two young children, ages 3 and 7 months, injured but miraculously alive.

“It’s something I have to live with forever,” Afzili told Yolo Superior Court Judge Peter Williams on Tuesday, shortly before Poletti’s sentencing to 22 years to life in state prison.

It was an outcome to which prosecutors and victims’ relatives objected.

Poletti, whose previous DUI conviction exposed him to murder charges in the event of a future alcohol-related crash resulting in death, pleaded guilty last month to two counts each of murder and gross vehicular manslaughter while

See COUPLE, Page A5

gay rights stripped. "We are a two mothers family and parenting is very important to me. Kids need unconditional love and not judgment in anything they’re going through. This is what a loving parent does: allow kids to be where they are, whether they are thinking they might be gay or trans.”

Also countering Bourne, volunteer Becky Oskin, a long time science writer, said, “There is no scientific basis in published research that says there are only two genders.” A parent of two and a Davis resident for 15 years, Oskin said, “(Davis) is a great place to raise kids, and I love that my kids get exposed to this kind of learning in school. I think it's really important for kids not to feel isolated and alone.”

In April, evolutionary biologist Colin Wright held a speaking event at the Mary L. Stephens Davis Library who posited that because there are only two sexes in humans, sex is binary. The talk drew LGBTQ+ activists, including Davis-based attorney Jessica, whose last name is being withheld for her safety. She said her photo was taken that day and posted online with discriminatory slurs. “The First Amendment: there are limitations for hate speech. There are limitations for slander; there are limitations

Blue Devils Shine Bright at DHS Senior Awards Night

By Aaron Geerts Enterprise staff writer

As the class of 2023 nears the end of its tenure at Davis High School, it wouldn’t be complete without the Senior Awards Night that took place on Tuesday, May 30.

It was a temperate, spring evening and the Richard Brunelle Performance Hall was filled to capacity with dozens of Blue Devils and even more of their friends and family members. With years of hard work and dedication put into their schooling and extracurricular activities, it was

finally time for muchneeded recognition.

Unfortunately, principal Bryce Geigle was unable to attend the event, but he kicked off the evening with a video recording singing the praises of this exceptional batch of Blue Devils.

Following suit was the awarding of a litany of different scholarships including the Aaron Aronson Memorial Scholarship, the Armstrong Family Education Scholarship, the Barbara Hubbard Memorial Scholarship, the See AWARDS, Page A4

Wendy Weitzel/Courtesy photo

Volunteers spray colored chalk for a rainbow crosswalk at Third and C streets on Sunday as two protesters hold a sign in the background.

Who is watching the watchers?

As I brought the mail in from our humble East Davis mailbox the other day, I was stunned to see that one envelope had a plastic picture window that revealed there was cash inside.

Now who would be sending us money?

I hid it from the rest of the family so we wouldn't have a full-on brawl on the living room floor.

With four kids slated to be in college at the same time next fall, cash is at a premium these days.

I suppose we should have seen this coming several decades ago, but no one told us all those kids would grow up at the same time.

When I was sure I was alone, I tore open the envelope to see how much more cash was hiding behind the picture of George Washington that was visible through the plastic window.

Turns out George came alone.

So, it was just a lone dollar bill. Laugh if you will, but that's not chump change on the same side of the tracks where the city decided a Dollar Tree should be located while the upscale Trader Joe's was assigned greener pastures on the

other side of town.

Unfortunately, even the Dollar Tree hasn't escaped inflation, so nothing is just a dollar anymore.

The name was changed, but now everyone calls it the Dollar-and-aQuarter Tree.

The dollar bill in the mail was a gift from Nielsen, sent via First Class Mail for 46 cents.

We all know Nielsen as the survey taker for radio and television, as in the Nielsen Ratings that can make or break your favorite show.

"Enclosed is a small, cash gift," Nielsen begins, as if I hadn't noticed.

"This is a friendly reminder to participate in our survey about radio listening, newspaper reading and TV viewing." if I forget to fill out the survey

will you send me another friendly reminder with a small, cash gift?

But, hey, I didn't know you were in charge of surveying newspaper readership, too.

"We will send you an additional $5 once we receive your completed survey."

Holy guacamole, honey, we're going to be able to pay the mortgage after all.

"Please have the adult in your household who has had the most recent birthday complete and return this survey in the postagepaid envelope."

Our neighbors tend to think there are no adults in our household.

"Which types of TV/cable network programs did you watch in the past 7 days?"

I think we watched the Lakers lose four times in a row. Now that was fun.

Which of the following ways have you listened to music in the past 30 days?"

It's mostly when someone's singing in the shower and has forgotten to close the bathroom door.

"What sex were you assigned on

your original birth certificate?"

What does that have to do with my opinions?

"What is your age? What is your race?"

This is getting very personal.

Besides, I can't seem to find a single question about what newspaper I read or who is my favorite columnist. But maybe those are questions you ask in the $10 survey and we're stuck in the $5 category.

"Do you or does anyone living in this household work for a TV/ radio station, cable/satellite company or newspaper?"

Well, since I'm writing about this, I'll let you decide if anyone in our household writes for a newspaper.

But if I do write for a newspaper, does that mean I won't get the five dollars? You did say I'd get the cash if I completed the survey and this was the very last question, so I'll expect a visit from Abe Lincoln.

The sooner the better.

— Reach Bob Dunning at bdunning@davisenterprise.net.

Get outside and explore with Solano Land Trust

Vallejo. The hike level is moderate to moderately strenuous.

9 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 9:

Patwino Worrtla Kodoi

Dihi Open Space Park Community Science Volunteer Outing: The outing will include tending to oak seedlings, removing vegetation, and weeding. If time permits, volunteers may also be graduating the oak seedlings to bigger cages.

Water, sunscreen, a hat, and gloves are suggested. These activities will occur on a sunny slope and will involve some bending.

Meet in the parking lot at 9 a.m.

9 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 10:

Patwino Worrtla Kodoi

Dihi Open Space Park Nature Hike: Explore the

hills between Suisun Valley and Green Valley and see sweeping views of Solano County and beyond. It's a moderately strenuous hike between four and six miles. Rain or extreme weather cancels the event.

9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

June 10: Lynch Canyon Open Space Trail Crew Volunteer Opportunity: Join Solano Land Trust Trail Crew in partnership with Solano County Parks to work on trails and projects at Lynch Canyon Open Space. rojects include improving trails, fixing fences, weeding, and more.

10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

June 17: Get the Rush is a series of fun, free activities for the whole family, offered the third Saturday of each month at Rush Ranch. Guests can visit the

blacksmith shop, Pop-Up shops, Access Adventure wagon rides, and various exhibit tables. All ages and mobility levels are welcome.

The Marsh Walk begins at 10:30 a.m.

9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Rush

Ranch Community Science

Volunteer Outing: Tasks include removing skeletonweed. Meet at Rush Ranch in the native plant garden, which is past the barn, near the group of buildings. Bring water and sunscreen.

Layering advised.

8:30 to 11:30 p.m. June 23: Astronomy Night at Rush Ranch. This month's topic is hazards from space that affect the Earth. Wear layers and bring strong bug spray for mosquitoes. If you have your own telescope and are familiar with

using it, you may bring it.

9 a.m. to noon June 24:

Patwino Worrtla Kodoi

Dihi Open Space Park Trail

Crew Volunteer Opportunity. Get a sneak peek of the park before it opens to the publ. Participants will drive through the main gate in the parking lot.

9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. June 24: Lynch Canyon

Open Space Nature Hike: This hike will take visitors westward along Middle Valley Trail leading to Prairie Ridge. Registration is required for all events except for Get the Rush. Registration is needed for the marsh walk at that event. For information on meeting locations, directions, and registration, visit the events page at solanolandtrust.org/events.

Beating treated as a hate crime

By Lauren Keene

Enterprise staff writer

A South Davis resident allegedly attacked an elderly man with his own cane Tuesday, an incident police have classified as a hate crime.

Bret William Davis, 57, targeted the 73-year-old victim over his sexual orientation, according to Davis police Lt. James MacNiven. Both are residents of a Cowell Boulevard apartment complex.

Officers responded to the complex at about 4:20 p.m. after Davis allegedly confronted the victim in the front office.

“He made derogatory remarks at the victim regarding his sexual orientation and made threats to kill him,” MacNiven said.

When the victim walked away, Davis “followed him to the parking lot, took his cane and struck him multiple times in the upper body.”

Medical personnel

Obituaries

transported the victim to a local hospital with injuries described as non-lifethreatening.

Davis “exhibited symptoms of intoxication” with officers who contacted him at the scene, MacNiven said. He was arrested on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon, elder abuse, criminal threats and violation of civil rights by force or threats of force.

Yolo County prosecutors added hate-crime enhancements to the counts Thursday at Davis’ arraignment hearing, where Davis pleaded not guilty to the allegations and was appointed a public defender pending his hiring of a private attorney.

Yolo Superior Court Judge Dan Wolk set Davis’ bail at $50,000, despite Deputy District Attorney Martha Wais’ request to boost that amount.

“We do have grave concerns,” Wais said, noting that police received five prior reports of Davis

James Albert Eaton

Jim Eaton, 74, died on March 22, 2023, at home, with his wife, life partner and soulmate Wendy Cohen by his side. He was content and peaceful.

Interrupting his parents' best fishing trip of the year, Jim was born at Mare Island Naval Shipyard on Sept. 15, 1948. His love of the outdoors was first instilled by his parents, Claud and Lillian Eaton. He learned his love of rocks from his mother, who would take him and his brother Bud Eaton on frequent trips searching for elusive gemstones.

Jim’s involvement in conservation began in 1966 at UC Davis where his Aggie Villa roommate Bob Schneider suggested Jim work to protect wilderness so Bob could go climbing. As Jim said “Working on wilderness issues was eminently more pleasurable than reading, studying, writing and taking tests.” Despite all odds, Jim earned a bachelor’s degree in geology from UC Davis in 1970.

Police investigate rash of vehicle crimes

making unprovoked attacks and threats against the victim.

One incident just last month involved the victim reporting Davis for driving under the influence, which Wais said resulted in Davis’ arrest with a 0.30 bloodalcohol content.

“The alcohol concerns are high in this situation,” said Wais, who requested a criminal protective order that requires Davis to stay away from the victim and refrain from using or possessing alcohol.

Wolk granted that order but kept Davis’ bail at $50,000 after Deputy Public Defender Dan Hutchinson said that, while the allegations in the case are serious, “I don’t believe the court has been presented anything to justify going above (scheduled) bail.”

Davis returns to court on June 15 for further proceedings.

— Reach Lauren Keene at lkeene@davisenterprise .net.

In 1976, Jim co-founded the California Wilderness Coalition, a grassroots organization dedicated to permanently protecting wilderness areas in California. He travelled the State organizing wilderness groups, teaching grassroots organizing, and leading trips to wild areas. His zeal for wilderness, humor, genuine warmth, and willingness to teach others inspired a generation of passionate conservationists. A love of storytelling, intimate understanding of the land, remarkable memory, unparalleled ability to connect with others, and jovial nature made him an indispensable figure in every major California wilderness protection battle from the late 1970s through the 1990s.

Jim met Wendy at a Sierra Club meeting in Oakland in December 1977. Jim invited Wendy on a group backpack trip in the desert, but the others dropped out so it was just the two of them and Jim’s dog Stickeen.

Carole Plack

May 3, 1944 — May 29, 2023

Carole Plack died on May 29, 2023, at her home in Davis, at the age of 79. She passed peacefully in her sleep after a long illness, with support from Yolo Cares hospice during her last few weeks. She was the beloved wife of James L. Faulkner.

Carole was born May 3, 1944, in Pittsburgh, Pa., to A.J. and Gertrude Levin. She and her older sister Barbara were raised in Glassport and McKeesport, Pa., surrounded by extended family. She graduated from McKeesport High School in 1962, and from the University of Pittsburgh in 1966, where she majored in English, minored in Spanish, and earned a teaching credential. She was elected president of her sorority, a position she accepted on the condition that her roommate be admitted: even then, she was generous, loyal, and a true friend.

Carole moved to Davis in 1980 with her two children, Rebecca and Joshua. She volunteered in their classrooms, joined the Jewish Fellowship of Davis (now Congregation Bet Haverim), and earned her M.S. in Speech Pathology and Audiology from CSU Sacramento. She went to work for the Davis Joint Unified School District where she was rapidly promoted, first to Director of Itinerant Programs and then Principal of the Greengate School. She then accepted new responsibilities as Director of Human Resources for Yolo County Office of Education, a job in which she excelled.

Carole met James, the

love of her life, in 2001. They married in November, 2003, and spent happy years together gardening, traveling, and sharing their lives with their beloved children and grandchildren.

Carole did everything with zest and joy.

She is survived by her husband, James L. Faulkner, their children, Rebecca (Adam Gottlieb) and Joshua (Joan Malcolm), JeanMarie Faulkner and Christine Faulkner (Dave Cava), grandchildren Daniel and Cameron Cava, and Margo and Jonah Gottlieb; her sister and brother-in-law, Barbara and B. Charles Herring;

By Lauren Keene Enterprise staff writer

Multiple vehicle owners reported a rash of vandalisms and break-ins in West Davis over the Memorial Day weekend, Davis police said.

The reports, which included window smashes, thefts and rummaging incidents, occurred on Shasta Drive, Calaveras Avenue, Imperial Avenue and at the Portage Bay Apartments, 2949 Portage Bay West. Police had

no suspect information as of Wednesday.

Anyone who witnessed any of these crimes or has any other details is asked to contact the Davis Police Department at 530-7475400.

Memorial planned Saturday for Breaux

By Lauren Keene Enterprsie staff writer

The community is invited to a memorial for David Breaux, Davis’ affectionately named “Compassion Guy,” at 1 p.m. Saturday, June 3, at Third and C streets. Speakers include Davis Mayor Will Arnold, former Mayor Robb Davis, former UC Davis professor Marina Oshana and Maria Breaux, David’s sister.

“There also will be an ‘open mic’ session during which people are invited to read from David's book

So began a lifetime of meaningful work, companionship, and travel, plus three more great dogs (Inyo, Coso and Yuki) and a cat (Whitney). They backpacked in many wilderness and roadless areas in California during their first 25 years. In 2003, they got a popup camper and drove it to Alaska on a 4-week, 7,800-mile trip and saw many wild places. Over the next 20 years, they explored and camped throughout the West. They also travelled farther afield to Australia, New Zealand, Chile, Galapagos Islands, and Hawaii.

Jim was especially connected to a few special areas. He discovered the magnificent Point Reyes National Seashore in college and spent more time there than any other wild place. He worked with other activists in the late 1960s to get the funding to finish buying the seashore, fight schemes to develop the land, and preserve half the park as wilderness. Jim

and many beloved cousins, nieces and nephews, all of whom adored her, plus cherished friends from every decade of her life.

of compassion definitions, share their own, or share poetry, music or memories of David,” his family said.

Breaux, 50, was the victim of a fatal stabbing on April 27 at Central Park. He arrived in Davis over a decade ago and was best known for spreading awareness of compassion, inspired by a talk by former nun Karen Armstrong.

"At that moment, I had rarely thought of my own concept of compassion," Breaux told The Davis Enterprise in 2011. "Over the course of a week, I was

helped stop Forest Highway 100 from Fresno to Mammoth, now blocked by the Ansel Adams Wilderness. He was instrumental in passage of the California Wilderness Act of 1984 that included the Snow Mountain Wilderness, another place he loved. He was a key leader and organizer for the 1994 Desert Protection Act, the largest land conservation bill ever in the continental US, protecting more than 9.6 millions acres of desert wild lands and establishing Death Valley and Joshua Tree National Parks and the Mojave Natural Preserve.

Jim “retired” in 1997 at age 48 and then continued his conservation work as a volunteer. He helped found Tuleyome, which works to conserve and restore lands and waters in northwestern California. He was involved in the Rewilding Institute, whose mission is to explore and share tactics and strategies to advance continental-scale conservation and restoration in North America and beyond. He served on the Board of the Resources Legacy Fund Foundation, where he provided

A memorial service was set for on Wednesday, May 31, at Congregation Bet Haverim, 1710 Anderson Road, in Davis. A luncheon of condolence followed. All are welcome.

In lieu of flowers, the family invites donations to Congregation Bet Haverim or to Meals on Wheels Yolo County.

dissatisfied with it. That is when I began to get a collective definition."

Breaux ultimately moved from the Bay Area to Davis and continued his project, gathering definitions from thousands of people that he compiled into a book "Compassion Davis, CA: A Compilation of Concepts on Compassion." He later embarked on a Compassion Tour, a yearlong endeavor during which Breaux traveled to 12 cities around the country, chosen based on their commitment to compassion.

expertise and advice in spending a $150 million grant over 5 years to protect California wild lands and waters.

Jim was close to and spent quality time with his sister-in-law Lenore Cohen and his 5 nieces (both born and chosen) Melanie Eaton, Rachel and Miriam Cohen, and Allie and Emmie Gunther. Uncle Jim was supportive, eager to teach, genuinely interested in their lives, and always there for special occasions. The nieces also shared his love of rocks! His Village Homes neighbors appreciated his friendship and cooking at countless potlucks and yappy hours. With his passion for wilderness, music, gardening, cooking, and so many other wide-ranging interests, Jim was a true Renaissance man.

To honor Jim, we ask that you plant a tree, shrub, flower, or other vegetation to benefit wild creatures of all kinds. To share your memories of Jim, visit his memorial page at memorialsource/memorial/jim-eaton.

Jim’s spirit will be with us always!

PLACK

Sept. 15, 1948 — March 22, 2023

EATON

AWARDS: Blue Devils gather for some well-deserved recognition

Beeghly-Merritt Memorial Scholarship, the Bob Dunning Journalism Scholarship, the Bobby Jones “For the Love of the Game” Memorial Awards, the California Retired Teachers Association Scholarships, the California School Employees Association Scholarship, the Davis Blue Devil Athletic Boosters Scholarships, the Davis Chamber of Commerce Scholarships, the Davis Sunrise Rotary Club Scholarship, the Davis Rotary Bob Jordan Scholarship, the Davis Teachers Association Scholarship, the Dewey Halden Family Team Player Awards, the Dowling Family Charitable Foundation Scholarships, the Jacob Cole Schneider Memorial Scholarships, the John Barvetto Memorial Scholarship, the Katie Sallee Memorial

Scholarship, the Kiwanis Club of Davis Scholarship, the Novozymes Biotechnology Scholarship, the Officer Natalie Corona Memorial Scholarship, the Paul Makley Memorial Scholarship, the Petersen Family Scholarship, the R.L. Dick and Marilyn Mansfield Scholarship, the Saylor Fam-

ily Scholarship, the Soroptimists of Greater Davis Scholarships, the Teo Villanueva Memorial Scholarship, the Barbara Neu Memorial Scholarship, the Todd Erickson Memorial Scholarship, the Travis Credit Union Community Impact Scholarship, the Tre Moynihan Memorial Scholarship,

COUPLE: Victims’ family crowds courtroom to witness sentencing

ever, was the Gordon H. True Service Cup – the highest honor bestowed upon two seniors by their teachers and fellow students. It recognizes students who possess the greatest degree of school spirit, contributions to a positive school climate and outstanding citizenship. Principal Geigle made another video presentation to announce the two winners, Max Davis-Housefield and Mollie Dyer.

From Page A1

intoxicated, among other counts, in connection with the Feb. 15, 2021, collision.

Williams handed down the prison term after hearing nearly an hour of victim-impact statements from the Afzilis’ family and friends, who nearly filled the courtroom for Poletti’s sentencing.

beautiful souls who have touched the lives of many.”

Relatives called the couple “the backbone” of their large, tightknit family, both in the United States and in Pakistan, where 29-year-old Anila Afzili’s parents continue to grieve her loss.

family to send a message by sentencing Polettii to life without the possibility of parole, Williams moved ahead with his intended term.

the Tri Counties Bank Scholarship and the Yolo Masonic Lodge Scholarships — among many other awards.

The athletes of the year were none other than Holt Klineberg and Malaya Wright.

Perhaps the most prestigious award given out that night, how-

“I love Davis High, and it’s been such an incredible experience to grow up here in Davis,” said Davis-Housefield. “This award feels like the culmination of a lot of hard work I’ve put into everything, and it just feels incredible.”

“It feels really amazing to have won. I just know that I couldn’t have done it without my peers and my teachers and my parents

With them were the victims’ orphaned children, Jannah and Azaan, who received their own life sentence of growing up without their parents, their family said.

“These children will never know how beautiful, kindhearted and loving their parents were,” said Naeema Afzili, Rasul’s sister, who adopted the children.

“They will only hear stories and continue to dream of the two

Poletti, who’d incurred his second DUI arrest just 13 days before the fatal crash, hung his head during most of the impact statements. He offered an apology afterward “for all the pain and sorrow that I caused with my actions.”

“If there was any way possible that I could take back the pain and return loved ones to their family, I would not hesitate to do whatever is necessary to accomplish that,” Poletti added. “I am truly sorry.”

Despite pleas from the Afzili

He noted that while the sentence gives Poletti a chance at parole, his release is not guaranteed.

“Mr. Poletti, you’re going to be an old man when you get out, if you get out,” Williams said, urging him to “think about what you’ve done, and fully understand what you’ve done, so that someday, if you get out, you’ll have a chance to redeem yourself for this horrific event.”

— Reach Lauren Keene at lkeene@davisenterprise.net. Follow her on Twitter at @laurenkeene

AAron Geerts/enterprise photos

Max Davis-Housefield, left, and Mollie Dyer took home the Gordon H. True cup on Senior Awards Night.

Anila and Rasul Afzili, their arms around one another in the back row, at a family gathering in October 2020.

CROSSWALKS: Activists rally for respect as pressure builds up

for libel.” Despite that happening, she still made it out to paint the crosswalks, as she’s done for years now.

She said she feels like more trans people are comfortable coming out. “We saw during the pandemic that people had a chance to take some time to think about their lives. Trans acceptance became a little bit more mainstream to a large degree. There was a point where transitioning was like a career and personal death sentence. So if you transitioned, you'd be ostracized from your community and many, many things.”

Because it was evident that the crosswalk painting would go as planned despite Bourne’s insistence on painting them rainbow colors, Bourne had inquired about applying to the City of Davis for a permit/approval to have several intersections in downtown Davis painted with Old Glory’s stars and stripes to celebrate Independence Day and patriotism.

Police Chief Darren Pytel responded to Bourne back in March that there had been no legitimate basis for the Davis Police Department to change course. “Should you have actual evidence that should be considered, feel free to share it. But the moral outrage you speak of is not evidence, nor do we find it compelling in any way.”

Pytel responded, stating her proposal was challenging in that vehicles would be driving over our nation’s flag or the colors of our national flag on or around Independence Day. “The flag, or a depiction of the flag, should only be displayed with the utmost respect and in accordance with the Flag Code (See Title 4, USC). I hope you appreciate my concern.”

“I hardly noticed them,” Partida said of the two protesters at the crosswalk

painting. “I think there were so many people here that were so happy that it just didn't it didn't even register that they were there.”

The annual Pride Festival is scheduled for Sunday at Central Park and is a target for protesters, but Partida keeps a positive attitude. “It's always disappointing to see people that are protesting. I think the overwhelming positivity of the event washes it all out, so it's not a big deal.”

She said police have instructed Pride Festival organizers to set up a free speech area so the protesters can be at the free speech area. “We have decided that that area will be over by the compassion bench. We think they need some compassion.”

There were also pride colors painted on the crosswalk in front of Birch Lane Elementary School. However, Bourne along with several other individuals raised their concerns about the potential safety hazard painting on the crosswalk presented.

According to Police Chief, Pytel the crosswalk painted in front of the school did raise a few issues.

“The first thing is the city was not contacted nor did they receive any word from us on how crosswalks need to be painted. Painting rainbows on crosswalks is okay and allowable under the Caltrans recommendations, however, you can’t cross the white lines or yellow lines of crosswalks – and yellow crosswalks are in front of schools,” said Pytel. “In this particular case, the colors they used did go across the yellow lines for the crosswalk which makes it fall outside the recommendations from the uniform traffic manual and does create safety problems if the crosswalk is not visible.”

Pytel went on to mention despite the rainbow colors downtown, all the crosswalk

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lines are still clearly visible with contrasting colors in between the lines which is the approved way to go about it.

Pytel also went on to mention that one must reach out to the city before any street painting to be done in conjunction with the city.

“For the rainbows in crosswalks downtown, the city council issues a proclamation every year that says we’re basically a partner in doing the rainbow crosswalks and we make sure they’re done in conformity to the safety code,” added Pytel.

For Birch Lane Elementary, the street painting was not approved of nor was it done in conjunction with the city.

Therefore, the crosswalk covered in chalk paint in front of Birch Lane Elementary had to be washed immediately due to the potential safety hazard. The erasure was done by a couple of pub-

lic works employees with pressure washers. However, when the pressure washers couldn’t remove the chalk paint, the crosswalk had to be repainted its original colors.

When the Davis Joint Unified School District (DJUSD) was contacted in regard to the topic, the District simply stated the DJUSD did not wash away the rainbow colors in the Birch Lane Elementary School crosswalk.

I f y o u a r e l o o k i n g f o r q u a l i f i e d a n d e x p e r i e n c e d c a r egivers for your elde r l y l o v e d o n e s , p l e a s e c a l l u s a t S i e r r a S e n i o r C a r e W e c a n f ac i l i t a t e m o s t o f your in home careg i v i n g n e e d s W e o f f e r m i l i t a r y a n d first responder discounts Please call f o r a n e s

or warranty, express or implied regarding title possession or encumbrances to p a y t h e r e m a i n i n g p r i n c i p a l s u m o f th e N o t e ( s ) s e c u r e d b y said Deed of Trust with interest thereon as provided in said N o t e ( s ) a d v a n c e s i f a n y u n d e r t h e t e r m s o f t h e D e e d o f Trust, estimated fees, charges and expenses of the Trustee a n d o f t h e t r u s t s c r e a t e d b y s a i d D e e d o f T r u s t T h e t o t a l amount of the unpaid balance of the obligations secured by the property to be sold and reasonable estimated costs, expenses and advances at the time of the initial publication of this Notice of T rustee’s Sale is estimated to be $536 300 74 ( E s t i m a t e d ) H o w e v e r , p r e p a y m e n t p r e m i u m s , a c c r u e d i nterest and advances will increase this figure prior to sale Ben e f i c i a r y ’ s b i d a t s a i d s a l e m a y i n c l u d e a l l o r p a r t o f s a i d amount In addition to cash the Trustee will accept a cashier s check drawn on a state or national bank a check drawn by a state or federal credit union or a check drawn by a state or federal savings and loan association savings association or savings bank specified in Section 5102 of the California Financial Code and authorized to do business in California, or other such funds as may be acceptable to the Trustee In the event tender other than cash is accepted the Trustee may withhold the issuance of the Trustee s Deed Upon Sale until funds become available to the payee or endorsee as a matter of right The property offered for sale excludes all funds held on account by the property receiver if applicable If the Trustee is unable to convey title for any reason the successful bidder s sole and exclusive remedy shall be the return of monies paid to the Trustee and the successful bidder shall have no further recourse Notice to Potential Bidders If you are considering bidding on this property lien, you should understand that there are risks involved in bidding at a Trustee auction You will be bidding on a lien not on the property itself Placing the highest bid at a Trustee auction does not automatically entitle you to free and clear ownership of the property You should also be aware that the lien being auctioned off may be a junior lien If you are the highest bidder at the auction you are or may be responsible for paying off all liens senior to the lien being auctioned off, before you can receive clear title to the property You are encouraged to investigate the existence priority and size of outstanding liens that may exist on this property by c o n t a c t i n g t h e c o u n t y r e c o r d e r s o f f i c e o r a t i t l e i n s u r a n c e company either of which may charge you a fee for t his information If you consult either of these resources you should be aware that the same Lender may hold more than one mortg a g e o r D e e d o f T r u s t o n t h e p r o p e r t y N o t i c e t o P r o p e r t y

Owner The sale date shown on this Notice of Sale may be postponed one or more times by the Mortgagee Beneficiary Trustee or a court pursuant to Section 2924g of the California Civil Code The law requires that in formation about Trustee Sale postponements be made available to you and to the public as a courtesy to those not present at the sale If you w i s h t o l e a r n w h e t h e r y o u r s a l e d a t e h a s b e e n p o s t p o n e d and if applicable the rescheduled time and date for the sale of this property you may call Nationwide Posting & Publication at 916 939 0772 for information regarding the Trustee s Sale or visit the Internet Website www nationwideposting com for information regarding the sale of this property, using the file number assigned to this case CA08001284-22-1 Information about postponements that are very short in duration or that occur close in time to the scheduled sale may not immediately be reflected in the telephone information or on the Internet Website The best way to verify postponement information is to attend the scheduled sale Notice to Tenant NOTICE T O

2021 You may have a right to purchase this property after the trustee auction pursuant to Section 2924m of the California Civil Code If you are an “eligible tenant buyer ” you can purc h a s e t h e p r o p e r t y i f y o u m a t c h t h e l a s t a n d h i g h e s t b i d placed at the trustee auction If you are an eligible bidder you may be able to purchase the property if you exceed the last and highest bid placed at the trustee auction There are three steps to exercising this right of purchase First 48 hours after the date of the trustee sale you can call

Wendy Weitzel/Courtesy photo

Gloria Partida, Jessica Uzarski, Lucas Frerichs and Mily Ron celebrate Sunday after they and many other volunteers finished painting the last crosswalk at C and Fourth streets.

Skate night, run, festival celebrate LGBTQ+ Month

By Wendy Weitzel

Special to The Enterprise

June is International LGBTQ+ Month, and locals can enjoy a series of events, culminating with the annual Davis Pride Festival on Sunday.

The Davis Phoenix Coalition presents Davis Pride 2023, an allinclusive celebration for members and supporters of the LGBTQ community. The communityfocused, family-friendly weekend includes a skate night, fun run, music festival, drag queens, vendors and more – June 3 and 4.

Those in Davis will notice the rainbow crosswalks around Davis’ Central Park, which were painted on May 28. It sets the celebratory tone for the upcoming events, which include:

■ Skate with Pride, from 7 to 9 p.m. on Saturday. The free night will include a disc jockey, disco lights and food trucks. Skating

will be under the Davis Farmers Market Pavilion in Central Park, Fourth and C streets, downtown.

Bring your skates for family fun.

■ Run for Equality at 8 a.m. on Sunday. It includes a 5K and 1K run/walk from Central Park. Registration is $30.

■ Davis Pride Festival kicks off after the run, with a community fair from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday in Central Park. The fair portion includes educational booths, food, drink, and vendors coordinated with the assistance of Davis Craft and Vintage Market. There are even special activity zones for youths, teens and seniors.

The highlight of Sunday’s festival is the musical entertainment, which will be from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Headlining is 1980s tribute band Tainted Love, performing from 2:30 to 4 p.m.

Second billing goes to the drag revue that starts at noon, hosted by Mercury Rising and featuring

Nayasha Lopez, along with Shay D, Xena CyberGoth and Tilly Creams. The event will explain the importance and history of drag in the LGBTQ community, and will pay tribute to a drag icon. Other performers include Cheer Sacramento at 11:50 a.m., the Sacramento Women’s Chorus at 1 p.m. and Sacramento Gay Men’s Chorus at 1:30 p.m.

■ Later in the month, on Friday, June 23, there’s a Ride with Pride bike party excursion, with participants meeting at Central Park at 6 p.m. and leaving about 30 minutes later.

■ Businesses hosting local pride events, to raise money for and promote Davis Pride. To host an event at a business or to learn more, visit https://www.davispride.org/host.

The events, produced by the Davis Phoenix Coalition, follow the theme “I am Davis Pride.” This year, Davis Pride’s presenting

sponsor is BluPeak Credit Union. Davis Pride events are coordinated by an all-volunteer community formed by the Davis Phoenix Coalition, a nonprofit that works to foster diversity, eliminate intolerance, prevent hate-motivated violence, and support LGBTQ+ youths in Davis and surrounding communities.

The coalition was founded in the aftermath of a 2013 anti-gay attack on Davis resident “Mikey” Partida. Proceeds from Davis Pride events support the coalition’s anti-racism and anti-bullying campaigns, support to LGBTQ+ youths and their families, and outreach with area police departments, churches and schools. To donate, go to https:// davisphoenixco.org/donate. For more information about the event, visit https://www.davispride.org/. To learn details as they unfold, follow Davis Pride on Facebook and Instagram.

Davis Pride events

• Saturday: The free Skate with Pride, 7 to 9 p.m. in Central Park, Fourth and C streets.

• Sunday: The annual Run for Equality begins at 8 a.m.

• Sunday: The ninth annual Davis Pride Festival kicks off after the run, with a community fair from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Central Park, and live music from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. See the story for the entertainment lineup.

• Friday, June 23: A Ride with Pride bike party excursion meeting at Central Park at 6 p.m.

TOP LEFT: Siblings Mikey and Vivian Partida pose after the 2018 Race for Equality. Jerry AlvAr Ado/ Courtesy photo FAR LEFT: Festivalgoers walk through the community fair at the 2021 Davis Pride Festival. robin FAdtke/ Courtesy photo BELOW LEFT: Someone wore the perfect skates to the Skate with Pride night in 2021. This year’s event is Saturday. Wendy Weitzel/ Courtesy photo

Tainted Love headlines Davis Pride Festival

Special to The Enterprise Eighties tribute band Tainted

Love will headline the June 4 Davis Pride Festival. The music is part of a weekend of activities in downtown Davis that celebrate International LGBTQ+ Month.

Watermelon concert celebrates trans pride

Special to The Enterprise

Indie folk singer-songwriter

Eli Conley and soulful folk rock artist KC Shane will play a Transgender Pride show on Friday, June 2, at Watermelon Music, 1970 Lake Blvd, Suite 1, in Davis. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. and the show starts at 8 pm. Tickets are $20, and the show is all ages and wheelchair accessible.

Conley will be celebrating the release of his new album, “Searching For What’s True,” with a full string band that includes cello, mandolin, violin and upright bass. A singersongwriter, teaching artist, and activist based in Sacramento, Eli makes music for queer and trans folks, justice seekers, and anyone who doesn’t fit easily in a box. His voice is tender and heartfelt, with melodies and that can leave you teary-eyed yet hopeful. As a queer transgender man from the South, his songs tell stories that aren’t always reflected in roots music.

Eli founded Queer Country West Coast, a regular series featuring LGBTQ+ blues, folk, and country artists in California. He has opened for Carsie Blanton, Heather Mae, and Grammywinner Kimya Dawson, and been featured in the Huffington Post and the Advocate.

“Searching for What's True” is Eli's first release since being diagnosed with a serious repetitive stress injury that forced him to stop playing music for many months. After wrist surgery and careful rehab, he came back to songwriting with a renewed sense of purpose. On the album's first single "Making Something New" he declares “I love trans folks with all my being / we paint our lives in vibrant hues / scribble outside the lines we’re given / and we make our own damn dancing shoes.” His deep belief in the transformative power of creativity stems not only from his own experiences, but his many years teaching singing and songwriting classes for queer

and transgender people and allies.

Opening the show is KC Shane, an award-nominated singer-songwriter, poet, artist and social-justice advocate. He has been living and working in Sacramento since 2012, when he moved from a small town in Indiana. KC is a proud transgender bisexual queer man and he uses the stage to advocate for the rights and protections of marginalized communities, for mental health wellness, and the importance of taking care of each other. Through sharing his songs and stories he empowers listeners by reminding them of their worth and power. He creates music from the heart and soul in an acoustic genre fusion with powerhouse vocals mixing folk, soul, blues, rock, and more that is sure to move you and get you in your feelings.

Tickets for this show are available at https://watermelon music.com/event_details.php? products_id=52543.

“A Tainted Love performance is like reliving the ’80s,” its promotional material states. “The band will take you back in time while keeping the party going.”

Based in San Francisco, Tainted Love — the Best of the ’80s Live performs at major clubs, ballrooms and rock venues across the country. Its high-energy show has a loyal fan base, and is appreciated by every generation.

The band’s name is inspired by the 1981 Soft Cell hit “Tainted Love,” but it plays a wide variety

of hits from the 1980s, including “Don’t Stop Believing” by Journey, “Jesse’s Girl” by Rick Springfield, “Don’t you Forget About Me” by Simple Minds, and “Beat It” by Michael Jackson. Other covers include songs by Billy Idol, Bon Jovi, John (Cougar) Mellencamp, Madonna, Phil Collins, Prince, The Police, Van Halen and others. The music festival, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. that Sunday, includes several local and international bands, choirs and a drag queen revue. It’s just part of the ninth annual Davis Pride Festival and related events. The community-focused, family-friendly weekend includes a skate night, fun run, music festival, drag queens, vendors and more – June 3 and 4.

Courtesy photo

Tainted Love will bring the best of 1980s music to the Davis Pride Festival on Sunday.

UC Davis musical explores contemporary relationships

By Michael G. French Special to The Enterprise

A vibrant and timely musical that explores romance in all forms, “Open, Stay” will be presented by the UC Davis department of theatre and dance from June 7 to 10 at the Vanderhoef Studio Theatre in the Robert and Margrit Mondavi Center for the Performing Arts.

“Open, Stay” is a musical celebration of the human connection that we all crave.

In one very busy cafe in a small college town, watch 10 interwoven stories that navigate love, heartbreak, and what it means to grow up throughout your 20s. Endearingly awkward love confessions, gaslighting, grief, humor, true love — “Open, Stay” has it all. Pull up a chair at the Luv U a Latte Café, and experience a new musical.

Created by composer and lyricist Anna DeNoia and arranged and orchestrated by Joshua Villa, the production was developed with gender neutrality in mind. The performance encourages casts of different gender expressions and the entire company has been formed through gender-blind casting.

DeNoia has developed her songwriting training through the 2022 Johnny Mercer Foundation Songwriters Project

at Northwestern University and the BMI Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Writing Workshop in New York.

“Rarely has a new work jumped off the page and inspired me so powerfully,” said Professor Mindy Cooper, who is directing the musical. “I knew quickly and without uncertainty that the Department of Theatre and Dance had to bring this wonderful show to the stage, with our passionate and creative students! It is an evening of powerful music and emotion that touches all generations.”

“Open, Stay” features music direction by Graham Sobelman. The performing company and production team are comprised of undergraduate students who are being mentored by faculty and staff.

Performances are June 7-9 at 7 p.m. and June 10 at 2 p.m.

Tickets: adult $15, faculty/staff $12, student/senior $5. Available at the Mondavi Center Ticket Office in person or by calling 530-754-2787 between noon and 5 p.m., Tuesday–Friday, or online at Tickets.MondaviArts.org.

The department of theatre and dance is part of the College of Letters and Science at UC Davis. For information about other department productions, visit theatredance.ucdavis.edu.

Local spring concert season wrapping up soon

By Jeff Hudson Enterprise staff writer

The spring concert season concludes over the next 10 days with several local performances:

Chamber Music Society

Soprano Clarissa Lyons

— a 2002 graduate of Davis High School, who sang in the Davis High School Madrigal Singers — returns to her hometown as the guest artist with the Chamber Music Society of

Sacramento on Sat., June 3 at 7:30 p.m. at the Episcopal Church of St. Martin, 640 Hawthorn Lane in Davis.

After high school, Lyons attended UC Berkeley as an undergrad, then went on to the Manhattan School of Music and the music program at Bard College for master's degrees. She was picked for the Metropolitan Opera Lindemann Young Artist Development Program, and made her Metropolitan Opera debut in 2016, and subsequently appeared in additional

Metropolitan Opera productions as well. She has also performed as a soloist with the Boston Symphony (at Tanglewood) and the Cleveland Orchestra, among others.

For her appearance in Davis this Saturday, Lyons will be joined by pianist Ryan McCullough (a Northern California native

who's performed at the Mondavi Center and the Pitzer Center at UC Davis). They'll be doing songs for voice and piano composed by Nadia Boulanger, Clara Schumann, Adela Maddison, and Franz Schubert. String players from the Chamber Music Society and McCullough will also perform Schubert's "Trout" Quintet. Tickets are $30 general, $25 seniors, $12

students with ID, free for children under 18, CMSSacto.org and at the door. The program will also repeat on Sun. June 4 at 4 p.m. at Trinity Episcopal, 2620 Capitol Ave. in Sacramento.

Rodrigo y Gabriela

performs at the Mondavi Center on Sunday, June 4, at 7:30 p.m.. As of Monday (Memorial Day), this performance was very nearly sold out, with only about 50 seats still available in the lofty Upper Tier. Rodrigo Sánchez and Gabriela Quintero were born in the Mexico in the early 1970s, and grew up in

See CONCERTS, Page B2

Ainsley O’Bryan, Chenyu “Jack” Yang and Jenna Rodriguez star in “Open, Stay” by the UC Davis theater department.

Katherine hung/ Courtesy photo

‘Reality’ gives audiences a tantalizing mystery

Superb acting highlights this slice of recent American history

By Derrick Bang Enterprise staff writer

Following a brief prologue, as a young woman drives to her home with a load of groceries, a text block informs us that “The FBI documented the following events with an audio recorder. The dialogue in this movie is taken entirely from the transcript of that recording.”

Director Tina Satter’s fascinating little film isn’t a documentary; it’s a drama built from an unconventional “script” … and also is adapted from her 2019 play, “This Is a Room.” (That must’ve been riveting, given the intensity of a live stage performance.)

This version is fueled by a powerful performance from Sydney Sweeney, who recently competed against herself with Emmy Award nominations for “The White Lotus” and “Euphoria” (losing both, alas).

It’s impossible to take your eyes off her, whether in group shots or cinematographer Paul Yee’s probing close-ups. Sweeney’s expressions and posture range from blithely unconcerned to cheerfully animated, defiant to guiltridden. What’s most mesmerizing — and horrifying — is the degree to which her very “being” is incrementally taken apart, as these events proceed: like a jigsaw puzzle being disassembled, piece by piece.

The date is June 3, 2017, the setting Augusta, G. The improbably named Reality Leigh Winner (Sweeney), 26 years old, has just returned from the aforementioned shopping trip. She’s greeted by two men who identify themselves as FBI agents Garrick (Josh Hamilton) and Taylor (Marchánt Davis).

They have questions.

Garrick, establishing himself as the congenial point guy, hastens to ensure that Reality understands her cooperation is

TV-MA, for dramatic

Starring: Sydney Sweeney, Josh Hamilton, Marchánt Davis, Benny Elledge

Available via: HBO and MAX

voluntary (but never suggests that she contact a lawyer). He and Taylor further explain that they have a search warrant for her home (which they don’t bother to show her).

Reality is agreeable and cooperative; her gaze suggests confusion, bewilderment and just the right amount of concern. She seems an honest citizen, who wants to do the right thing … and yet she also doesn’t quite mask the undercurrent of terror that folks often experience, in the presence of unexpected authority.

Besides, the dynamic is just a little off. Garrick and Taylor appear to be going from some invisible, carefully rehearsed script. Despite the former’s jovial smile, they radiate censure and mild hostility. What are they after? What did she do … if anything?

(This incident flew beneath my radar, in the summer of 2017; ergo, Satter’s film remained an intriguing mystery until its third act, which won’t be the case with anybody who remembers how things went down back then. But if you’re similarly unaware, don’t spoil the suspense by researching Winner ahead of time.)

Garrick is friendly and sympathetic, particularly when Reality expresses concern about her pets: a frisky dog that “doesn’t like men” — Taylor snaps to wary attention — and a cat that won’t come out from under her bed. The two agents soon are joined by several carloads more, most notably a hulking guy (Benny Elledge) whose bored expression suggests impatience regarding the “dance” being choreographed by Garrick and Taylor.

Reality nonetheless is allowed to secure her pets (for which we are profoundly grateful).

The two agents carefully shade their queries, when asking if Reality owns guns; indeed, she admits to having quite a little arsenal. Just as we’re wondering, who the heck is this woman, the interrogation turns toward her career: six-year U.S. Air Force veteran, with intelligence training as a cryptologic linguist, fluent in Dari and Pashto; honored with a Commendation Medal; currently employed — thanks to her topsecret security clearance — by Pluribus International Corp., under contract to the NSA.

In other words, a pretty smart cookie.

By this point, the “conversation” has moved into a large and clumsily unfinished room some previous owner tacked onto the back of the house. Reality is uncomfortable there, apologizing because it’s so “dirty”; Garrick, astutely aware of this psychological advantage, exploits the absence of furniture by making her stand, back to one wall. (This is the “room” of Satter’s

original play.)

Then Garrick plays her, for the next 40 minutes or so, like an experienced angler: pulling her in a bit, letting her out again — giving her increasingly panicky bursts of hope — and then pulling her in a little further.

Some of her responses occasionally “blip out” into dreamy flashes of color, due to redacted portions of the original FBI recording. This is a clever touch, deftly reflecting Reality’s increasing disorientation.

These “live” events occasionally are intercut with news segments, photographs, actual media posts and images of the transcript being typed: all pieces of an increasingly captivating mystery.

So … is Reality a Russian spy?

A budding, home-grown insurrectionist? Something else?

Hamilton, an extremely busy character actor who’s been all over TV and the big screen since the mid-’80s, has never been better. His congenial smile turns predatory in the blink of an eye, the surface bonhomie always laced with guile. Garrick probes, pushes, cajoles and wheedles,

never quite ratcheting into fullblown interrogation. He has the patience and shrewdness of a parent who knows his daughter has done something wrong, but wants her to admit it.

Taylor serves mostly as a grim presence, responding as necessary to some of his partner’s maneuvers, but mostly staring quietly at Reality. When Davis’ arms cross, he becomes quite intimidating.

Nathan Micay’s score is purely atmospheric: never melodic, and extremely unsettling.

The answer eventually comes, of course, after which Satter concludes her film with a series of argumentative film clips. Talkinghead reactions in the moment are much harsher than the verdict likely rendered by history … but that’ll be up to each viewer’s political sensibilities.

That aside, this is a mesmerizing depiction of recent American events, and an acting tour-deforce by Sweeney.

— Read more of Derrick Bang’s film criticism at http://derrickbang.blogspot.com. Comment on this review at www.davisenterprise.com.

Acme Theatre Company delivers its own brand of ‘Satisfaction’

By Jennifer Goldman Enterprise staff writer

Acme theatre brings twists and turns to the stage with their contemporary period-piece play, “The Lady Demands Satisfaction, written by Arthur M. Jolly and directed by 2001 Acme Alum Emily Henderson.

It was a gorgeous night on the lawn of the Davis Community Church as picnickers finished their meals and families gathered to see the youth led production of the annual Memorial Day Weekend show. The show featured lots of impressive sword fighting right from the start, which was taught by the stage choreographer Dan Renkin.

The play seems to be set sometime in the past, somewhere reminiscent of England. Fifteen-year-old, naive Trothe (Mara Nittner) learns from her father’s best friend, Lord Abernathy (Sawyer Spann), that her master-swordsman father has been killed during a duel. Now that she has lost both parents, she learns she will have to give up her estate and perhaps live in a nunnery (Shakespearean or otherwise) unless she can fend off any swordsman who might challenge her for the property.

Throthe’s two servants Penelope (Ari Ramirez) and Tilly (Drew DenDulk) devise a plan for her to marry a great swordsman

or become one herself before she reaches her 16th birthday. They send for the greatest single swordsman (Luitger) they’ve heard of from far off Prussia, but no one can understand him since they don’t speak the same language. However, Trothe is in love with the poet Osric (Milo Olivari) and wants to marry him instead. Trothe’s aunt, Duchess Theodosia (Alisa Clayton), is also a master swordswoman and has her own plans to save her niece and the estate.

The accents were fun and the German was done especially well. All of the actors did well in their comedic style and excellent acting. The show was laugh out loud hilarious. The

costumes were the best I have seen for this company and the sound with mics was crisp and clear. The lighting was great, especially considering the show started in daylight and

CONCERTS: Mexican duo learned to love metal

From Page A1

middle class families in that nation’s capital city. As teenagers, they started listening to their parents’ eclectic album collections (including flamenco, jazz and rock). On their own, Rodrigo y Gabriela developed a taste for American heavy metal bands from the 1980s like Metallica and Megadeth, as well as thunderous British bands from the late 1960s/early 1970s like Led Zeppelin.

Rodrigo y Gabriela wery members of a heavy metal band in Mexico in the early 1900s, and eventually they formed an instrumental duo on their own. In the late 1990s, they relocated to Ireland, performing in pubs, and playing concert gigs as an opening act for more established performers. Their first album (“Rodrigo y Gabriela,” 2006) led to international

attention, including American exposure on MTV, late night chat shows hosted by David Letterman and Jay Leno, the TV series “Breaking Bad,” and more.

Rodrigo y Gabriela’s concert at Mondavi on June 4 will feature material from their sixth studio album, “In Between Thoughts ... A New World,” released in April 2023. Tickets for the remaining Upper Tier seats are $49 general, MondaviArts.org.

UCD ensembles

Several UCD musical ensembles are presenting their final concerts of the 2022-2023 academic year:

n The UC Davis Symphony Orchestra performs at the Mondavi Center on Saturday, June 3, at 7 p.m. And conductor Christian Baldini has picked three popular works... the Violin Concerto No. 1 by contem-

porary American composer Philip Glass (featuring Northern California professional violinist Chase Spruill), the Tchaikovsky Fifth Symphony, and the first movement of Haydn Trumpet Concerto (featuring UCD student Katie Sharp, winner of this year’s UCDSO Concerto Competition). $24 general, $12 students with ID and children, MondaviArts.org and at the door.

n The Jazz Big Bands of UC Davis plays at the Pitzer Center on Tuesday, June 6, at 7 p.m. $24 general, $12 students with ID and children, MondaviArts.org and at the door.

n The Choruses of UC Davis will sing at the Mondavi Center on Thursday, June 8, at 7 p.m., directed by Erik Peregrine. 20th/21st Century works by American composers Florence Price, Amy Beach and Stephen Paulus, as well

as German composers from centuries past (J.S. Bach and Hildegard von Bingen. $24 general, $12 students with ID and children, MondaviArts.org and at the door.

Vocal Art Ensemble

The Vocal Art Ensemble is a Davis-based community choir, directed by Tracia Barbieri, that will give three performances this weekend of a diverse program titled “Savor” at Davis United Methodist Church, 1620 Anderson Road. This group’s concerts are semitheatrical in style, with the singers often wearing costumes and combining a bit of visual storytelling along with the music. Performances are Fri. June 2 and Sat. June 3 at 7:30 p.m., and Sun. June 4 at 4 p.m. Suggested donation $10$25, VAE-Choir.com and at the door.

ended long after sunset.

The real draw of the show was the sword fighting and stage stunts. Actors learned how to duck, jump, and roll using epées and knives. It was amazing that every person in the cast, including the shadow fighters Max Donner and Eden McCoy, had numerous very challenging sword fights full of rolls and jumps. I really appreciated how the dialogue explained the scoring and different rules of the fights. The script was interesting and modern in its philosophy. There was a lot of cross dressing and a surprise ending.

This show explored the few rights women had back in the day. Servants were at the mercy of their estates

owners and were rarely educated at all. The phrase “her head will get overheated from thinking” was commonly used throughout the performance. A woman was expected to marry and then become her husband’s property. At a time when workers rights, women’s rights and homelessness are some of societies current issues, this play felt very relevant. These themes were much easier to digest in the form of a such a wonderful comedy! You can catch ACME’s next show this summer, “Dear Harvey,” which is about the life of California’s own gay activist and politician Harvey Milk from July 21 to 30.

DMTC presents Young Performers’ Showcase

Special to The Enterprise Davis Musical Theatre Company (DMTC) presents its Young Performers’ Theatre production of its “YPT Showcase” at 7 p.m. Saturday, June 3, at the Jean Henderson Performing Arts Center (607 Pena Drive, No. 10) in Davis.

Join DMTC for the 2023 Young Performers’ Theatre (YPT) Showcase. This one-night event is a high energy show put on by the young performers division.

It will include a wide variety of performances including solos and duets of musical theatre and large ensemble song and dance numbers.

Audiences won’t want to miss unique numbers such as “A Book Report on DMTC” which is a

mash-up of every show produced by our youth since the pandemic.

There will also be a raffle featuring items themed from each show during the 2022-2023 YPT season (Alice in Wonderland, Descendants, Lion King Jr, Matilda Jr.). The showcase helps to fund DMTC’s annual Theatre Arts Award for graduating seniors.

ickets are $8 for all ages. They can be purchased online at dmtc. org or by calling (530) 756-3682. (There is a $2 facility fee per ticket on a purchase, cash, charge, phone, internet, or in person.)

For additional information, visit dmtc.org or call (530)756-3682.

Courtesy photo

It begins innocuously, as FBI agents Garrick (Josh Hamilton, left) and Taylor (Marchánt Davis) discuss little more than superficial topics with Reality Leigh Winner (Sydney Sweeney). But the tone soon becomes much more serious …

Courtesy photo

Acme’s “The Lady Demands Satisfaction” brought plenty of swashbuckling derring-do

Same mineral comes in different, dazzling colors

By Sara Thompson Special to the Enterprise

Found in all three types of rock, corundom is formed under high temperatures and is most commonly found in metamorphic rocks. It is rated nine on the Mohs scale, which means only diamonds are harder.

Its chemical formula is made up of aluminum and oxygen, Al2O3. Like any mineral, a trace amount of another element can cause the color to change slightly. Due to these traces corundum comes in a variety of colors, but two specific varieties are considered gem worthy and are the most sought after, rubies and sapphires.

Rubies are made when

Commentary

corundum has trace amounts of chromium. It can range from a pale red, almost pink, to a deep, blood-red color. Large ruby mines are found in several areas in Asia, Australia, and Africa, with a few smaller ones found in North America. It is possible to treat rubies with extreme heat to improve their clarity and deepen their color.

Sapphires are another variety of corundum gemstone. Unlike rubies which are classified by their red color, sapphires can come in a variety of colors, with blue being the most recognized. Trace elements of chromium, iron, magne-

sium, or titanium can create colors of blues, pinks, yellows, greens, purples, and even clear. Similar to rubies, sapphire mines are found in places in Asia, Africa, Australia, and even a few small North American locations. Sapphires can also undergo heat treatments to make the gemstone’s color deepen and clear.

Corundum also has an industrial use. For minerals that are not considered “gem-grade” are used for abrasive purposes. Because corundum is second only to diamonds in hardness, corundum is often used for rock saws and drilling equipment because it can scratch through other rock types. It is also used for glass cutting, grinding

Students challenge Pepsi contract

By Monica Stark Enterprise staff writer

About two dozen UC Davis students concerned about the health and environmental impacts of PepsiCo’s operations and products marched in front of Mrak Hall, protesting against efforts to procure a new exclusive pouring rights contract with the multinational food and beverage corporation. Holding signs with slogans like “Pour Out Pepsi,”

“Pepsi Pollutes,” “Pepsi Off Campus,” and “Bye Bye Pepsi,” the students say they won’t stand for a contract that limits student choice and supports the second largest plastic polluter in the world.

After about 10 minutes outside Mrak chanting, they returned to the Quad where they sat in a line with their signs answering any questions passersby might have had. During that time, prospective UCD students

were touring the campus, and one said to a friend, “I guess they don’t like Pepsi.”

The contract expires on Aug. 31, 2024. Still, the UC Davis Beverage Rights Industry Working Group, comprised mostly of staff members and management from various departments, including athletics, dining, and health, will decide whether to pursue a Request for Proposal for a new Pouring Rights Contract in June.

wheels, metal polish, and some sandpapers. It is strange to think that some of the most popular gemstones are caused by an “impurity”, but trance amounts of other elements in minerals are common. Gemstone value is a manmade construct and has caused incredible harm to people and the environment. Corundum used as both gemstones and industrial uses are

beginning to be produced synthetically in labs. This reduces the ethical grayareas of mining worldwide, reduces shipping needs, and creates a greater number of uniform stones and minerals for different uses. This also helps consumer’s pocketbooks, as synthetic minerals and gemstones tend to be less expensive.

Explorit's coming events:

n New Summer Camp session is available! June 19-23 from 1 to 4 p.m. Price is $185. Explorit Members and $210 for Non-Members. Register online at https://www. explorit.org/camps.

n Visit our exhibit “Explorit Rocks!”. Open to the public on Fridays from 1 to 4 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Admission is $5 per person.

Schools need better transit

By Georgina Rodriguez

Special to CalMatters

Graduation season is always a bittersweet time for me. It serves as a reminder of all that I’ve accomplished and how proud I am of how far I’ve come. But it’s also a reminder of how close I came to not graduating from high school.

I grew up in a family that experienced homelessness. My parents, two sisters and I constantly moved from one shelter to another, struggling to find stability. Eventually, my sisters and I ended up in the foster care system. Given how much we moved around, getting to school every day was one of my biggest challenges. Transportation often prevented me from going to school.

Today, chronic absenteeism in California schools is worse than it was before the pandemic. For so many children in California, chronic absenteeism isn’t a result of not wanting to go to school — it’s simply that they can’t get there.

In California, we invest a lot of money in our school bus system, which is an essential part of the way kids get to school. But the reality is that yellow buses don’t work for every child, especially for kids in foster care. With absenteeism on the rise, it’s more important than ever that we find ways to get every kid to school.

This isn’t for lack of trying from our representatives and school leaders. Last year, California received historic funding for transportation. Everyone agrees that school transportation is critical for kids and that it is a key factor in whether or not they can be successful in school. This time of year, we have an urgent opportunity to get students to school every single day to meet attendance and graduation goals.

But there’s a bill moving through the California Legislature, Senate Bill 88, which would force transportation options that serve students with specialized needs to meet complicated, illogical and almost impossible requirements. If Oakland state Sen. Nancy Skinner’s proposal becomes law, these vital transportations options that help fill the gaps could struggle to exist.

When I was moved into the foster care system, I desperately wanted to attend my school of origin so I could see my sisters, who were living in a different home. But there was no school bus or public transportation that could get me there, leaving me separated from the most important people in my life.

Commentary Letters

Compassion is the way forward

Over Mother’s Day weekend, friends and neighbors flocked to Community Park for the annual Celebrate Davis event.

At the same time, the UC Davis Quad was packed for the Whole Earth Festival. All of this would’ve seemed impossible just a few weeks ago, when tragedies gripped our city. Each passing day is another step toward recovery.

Over the years, we have stood together to increase housing, improve transportation, prevent the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, and establish Hate-Free Together. We joined together again over the last month, this time for different reasons, when extreme violence left our community shaken.

I’d like to take a moment and thank our partners at the city of Davis, including Mayor Will Arnold, Police Chief Darren Pytel, Fire Chief Joe Tenney, members of the city council, and city staff. I’m

grateful we were united again as we navigated many days of fear and unease.

The profound loss and tragedy in our community this year has weighed heavily on our hearts and minds. Together, we’re working to move forward. That included coordinating with the city to plan a Davis Day of Reflection on June 1.

The day was meant to meet a widely expressed need to gather, informally, to reflect on these losses and their impact on us individually and collectively. Community members were invited to mourn our losses together, to

share the many ways we care about and uplift each other, and to envision ways we can move forward. At planned reflection points, participants could join in public art and offer their own messages of grief, connection and hope. Participants were encouraged to contribute to the event at their own comfort level and pace.

The map included moments to pause and leave messages or ribbons (each location varied) at the Student Community Center, Wyatt Deck, Redwood Grove in the Arboretum, The GATEway Garden, the Compassion Bench, and Sycamore Park. On hand Thursday at these locations were professionals and students from the Health 34 initiative, Aggie Mental Health Ambassadors, and UC Davis Wellness

Ambassadors. For those who couldn’t join on Thursday, the route will remain marked for some time. It includes the campus areas listed above and loops through downtown Davis. Participants can leave messages of remembrance at designated spots along the way. All of us heal at our own pace. Whether you are grieving, feeling overwhelmed or even joyful, it’s OK. It’s OK to still be seeking answers and clarity. We are all in this together, and coming together can help ease our burdens, as we learned from the pandemic. Davis is a great place to live and learn. That remains unchanged. The way our community members look out for one another, the lengths we go to show compassion and kindness — this defines who we are.

— Gary May is the chancellor of UC Davis; his column is published monthly.

In the span of one year, my sisters and I moved homes five times and I attended three different schools. Every time I changed schools, some of my coursework didn’t transfer. I thought I wasn’t going to graduate. In fact, I thought about quitting altogether.

For a while, I tried taking a two-hour public bus ride to go to school with my sisters, but I couldn’t maintain the schedule. I was falling apart mentally and falling behind in school.

Eventually, my social worker alerted me to another option called HopSkipDrive, which works with school districts and other agencies to arrange rides for students who need extra help getting to school. It changed everything. The service cut the ride to just 30 minutes, and allowed my sisters and I to ride to school together.

I got lucky, but I don’t want other kids in foster care to have to go through what I went through before that. Kids who are in the system already can feel like they aren’t wanted and don’t belong, and there are so many things that they have to deal with on a daily basis.

With so much instability at home, getting to school safely and consistently is one less thing to worry about.

SB 88 could make it much more difficult for services like this to survive, prompting school districts and county education offices across California to oppose the bill. At this time of year, and in this time for our state, we need to be looking for every solution to get kids to school.

I hope more people will hear my story and think about the thousands of students like me across California. We need to expand options for kids, not shrink them.

— Georgina Rodriguez is an advocate for students in California, particularly vulnerable youths. She wrote this for CalMatters, a public interest journalism venture committed to explaining how California’s Capitol works and why it matters.

Caltrans to negate Davis climate plan

Davis’s Climate Action Plan is on the auction block at the June 6 City Council meeting.

Caltrans wants Davis to use our “good” GHG-reducing projects to justify the additional GHG caused by the freeway widening. Caltrans is offering funding (amount unknown) to help developers of both the Nishi housing development and the housing proposed in downtown Davis; Caltrans would use the lower carbon footprint of these projects (planned for car-free living) to offset the vehicle miles traveled (VMT) from the I-80 widening. VMT is the accepted measure of the environmental impact of driving.

Caltrans needs to offset an increase of 72,000 tons of GHG, according to the UC Davis model forecasting the additional driving from a wider I-80. This GHG increase is more than the city of Winters produces. Caltrans is also asking other Yolo County cities for similar projects to use as GHG offsets.

If the Davis City Council accepts the Caltrans approach, our community will move further away from carbon neutrality.

Caltrans is also offering Davis money to fund the popular idea of nearly-free taxi service in town, a micro transit program. Caltrans will subsidize this service at a cost of over $30 a trip.

Our city’s political leaders so far have been silent on the freeway widening’s climate impact. Only our current Mayor, Will Arnold, has questioned if it will eliminate congestion, as its proponents

Foy S. McNaughton President and CEO R. Burt McNaughton Publisher

CA 95617.

suggest. He echoed what transportation scientists from UC Davis stated publicly 18 months ago, that this widening will not fix the congestion for long, but it will dramatically increase VMT, which means an increase in GHG emissions.

Will the city of Davis kick the can down the road on achieving carbon neutrality?

The first test will be at the June 6 city council meeting.

Alan Hirsch Davis

Support trans youths

There is a nationwide, right-wing effort to undermine the rights of transgender people, particularly transgender youths, in an attempt to translate transphobia into campaign contributions, and votes. This orchestrated fight is playing out in state legislatures. Simultaneously, and painfully, the rights of transgender youths are being questioned at our local DJUSD school board and City Council meetings.

Trans youths exist. They deserve to be believed, trusted, supported, and loved.

It can be disconcerting, even painful, for parents when their child does not conform to the gender that a parent originally envisioned. However, children do not exist to conform to parental expectations.

Ultimately, the journeys of trans youths are their own. How they define their identity and express their gender are their decisions to make. Their voices deserve to be centered when community decisions are made that impact their well-being.

As attacks against transgender people continue on the national, state, and local level, we do need to increase our active support of our trans youths.

224-3553; email: https://www.padilla .senate.gov/contact/contact-form/

Here are steps we can take:

1. If we know trans or gender nonconforming youths, check in. How are the national and local anti-trans efforts impacting their well-being?

2. Listen to the leadership vision that trans youths continue to offer during public comment.

3. Educate ourselves about gender.

“The Transgender Child” by Rachel Pepper, “The Gender Book” by Mel Reiff Hill and Jay Mays, and thetrevorproject.org have all been useful for me.

4. Think creatively in our PTAs, bookclubs, non-profits, and faith organizations about how we can better support trans youths in our region.

5. Donate regularly to organizations that support trans youths. Locally, Davis Phoenix Coalition — with their programs like Yolo Rainbow Families, the Davis Queer Teen Youth Group, and our local Pride Festival coming up on Sunday, June 4 in Central Park — deserves our support, monthly donations and volunteer time. Check out davisphoenixco.org for more info.

We don’t need to change, control or infantilize trans youths. We need to build a world where all humans of gender identities are valued, protected, recognized as fully human, and entitled to equal human rights.

Emily M. Henderson Davis

We welcome your letters

Addresses and phone numbers should be included for verification purposes; they will not be published. Limit letters to 350 words. Anonymous letters will not be accepted. We reserve the right to edit all letters for brevity or clarity.

California Senate

President The Hon. Joe Biden, The White House, Washington, D.C., 20500; 202-456-1111 (comments), 202-456-1414 (switchboard); email: http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact

U.S. Senate

Sen. Dianne Feinstein, 331 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C., 20510; 202224-3841; email: http://feinstein.senate. gov/public/index.cfm/e-mail-me

California

House of Representatives

Rep. Mike Thompson, 268 Cannon Office Building, Washington, D.C., 20515; 202225-3311. District office: 622 Main Street, Suite 106, Woodland, CA 95695; 530-7535301; email: https:// https://mikethomp sonforms.house.gov/contact/

Sen. Bill Dodd, State Capitol, Room 5063, Sacramento, CA 95814; 916-651-4003; fax: 916-651-4903; email: visit sd03.senate.ca. gov. District office: 555 Mason St., Suite 275, Vacaville, CA 95688; 707-454-3808; fax: 707-454-3811.

California Assembly

Sen. Alex Padilla, 112 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C., 20510; 202-

Governor Gov. Gavin Newsom, State Capitol, Suite 1173, Sacramento, CA 95814; 916-4452841; email: visit https://govapps.gov. ca.gov/gov40mail/

Assemblywoman Cecilia Aguiar-Curry, State Capitol, P.O. Box 942849, Sacramento, CA 94249-0004; 916-319-2004; fax: 916319-2104; email: visit www.asm.ca.gov/ aguiar-curry. District office: 600 A St., Suite D, Davis, CA 95616; 530-757-1034

UC Davis grad students’ work takes center stage

By Laura Compton and Jeffrey Day

Special to The Enterprise

Many universities hold annual master of fine arts exhibitions showing what students have accomplished during their studies. The model is more expansive at UC Davis, showcasing the breadth of work from students in departments across the College of Letters and Science.

At this year’s Arts and Humanities Graduate Exhibition, on view June 8 to 25 at the Jan Shrem and Maria Manetti Shrem Museum of Art, students in history, performance studies, creative writing and English as well as design and art will take part. A free, public opening celebration will take place June 8 from 6 to 9 p.m. Art history students will present their research the following day. In all, 30 Master of Fine Arts, Master of Arts and doctoral students are participating.

“The graduate student exhibition is a wonderful example of what the College of Letters and Science is all about,” said Dean Estella Atekwana. “It shows how the college is a creative, supportive environment where students can find innovative avenues to explore without boundaries. As a geoscientist, I see how the exhibition reveals the many layers of the college and how they are connected. This unique multidisciplinary exhibition is always a place to find the unexpected.”

Many students take on pressing issues of our time, including racism, the implications of artificial intelligence and humans’

environmental impact, offering both practical and idealistic ways of thinking about and solving problems. Others engage with personal experiences, memory and aesthetic practices. Many do both.

“This exhibition showcases the exciting projects and scholarship UC Davis graduate students produce and how they choose to present it,” said Rachel Teagle, the museum’s founding director. “We are proud to serve alongside the

Office of the Chancellor and Provost and the College of Letters and Science Dean’s Office to promote and celebrate students’ graduate work in the arts and humanities.”

A sampling of what the public will see and experience:

Allison Fulton and Grace Hayes (English) have created an artist’s book that interweaves text, hand embroidery and sewing to explore new approaches to literary theory. At the opening event, they will lead a hands-on workshop on making zines from 6 to 7 p.m.

Zehra Ilhan (history) will illustrate how Ottoman-era book and album paintings from the 15th through 17th centuries represented women and shed light on cultural expectations for women during the time.

Maurice Moore (performance studies) creates videos that draw on movement and voice, visual poems and music that employ and explore Black, queer and trans mark-making and theory.

Sam Rathbun (art studio) is a painter and sculptor whose art ruminates on rural life and how it has been depicted in art, often challenging those portrayals. Her work reveals aspects of agriculture that are raw and brutal, as well as tender and seductive, and the interconnectedness between humans and the natural world.

Quinessa Stibbins (design) makes clothing that combines function, aesthetics and storytelling — in this case, garments that

protect protesters and reference images connected to the murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis police.

Srdan Tunic (art history) will present his research into the work of illustrator and fine artist Mary Foley Benson, who worked at UC Davis from 1964 to 1972. Tunić will give a talk at 7:45 p.m. during the opening event.

Luka Vergoz (art studio) collects, alters and arranges items found in dumpsters and on the streets into installations that explore ideas of scale, language, physics and queerness.

Rova Cigdem Yilmaz (design) develops clothing for space travel that is aesthetically pleasing, comfortable, and has resistance capabilities to combat muscle and bone atrophy.

Three prizes to be awarded

The winners of the LeShelle & Gary May Art Purchase Prize, the Keister & Allen Art Purchase Prize, and the Savageau Award in the Department of Design will be announced at the June 8 opening celebration. The art prizes enable the museum to purchase graduate student work for the university’s Fine Arts Collection.

Art history M.A. students will present their work at a colloquium at the museum from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. on Friday, June 9.

Keep kids occupied on long car trips

Metro

Special to The Enterprise

Road trips and self-driving vacations tend to produce their own unique moments and memories, but that doesn’t mean they don’t share certain characteristics. Lately, those characteristics might be high gas prices and more traffic as many vacationers drive in an effort to circumvent the escalating cost of air travel. For parents, one component of road trips to count on like clockwork is the moment when kids ask, “Are we there yet?”

A frustration moms and dads from all walks of life and across all generations can share, bored children calling out from the backseat can try any parent’s patience. Thankfully, parents can utilize these four strategies to keep kids occupied on long car trips.

Take out the tablet

Unlike their own parents, modern moms and dads have a reliable ally in the fight against backseat boredom. Tablets can be loaded with all sorts of entertainment, from e-books to movies to

interactive activities to school lessons. Rules governing device usage may be a part of life at home, but parents can relax those rules on the road to ensure kids stay occupied until the family arrives at its destination.

Encourage kids to scrapbook the trip

If a road trip involves visiting multiple destinations, parents can encourage kids to spend some time scrapbooking their experiences in the backseat. Kids can write about the previous day’s activities and paste ticket stubs and other mementos from the trip into their book.

Turn the backseat into a play area

Parents may prefer their vehicles remain toy-free most of the time, but transforming the backseat into a play area can ensure kids have plenty of things to do and less time to dwell on how long it’s taking to get from point

A to point B. Avoid packing anything that can be turned into a projectile, especially for children who aren’t yet school-aged. But be sure to include some books, puzzles, dolls/action figures, and handheld games.

Time the trip well

Of course, kids don’t necessar-

ily need to be actively engaged in an activity in order to be occupied during a road trip. If possible, depart in the wee small hours of the morning, which can pay a host of dividends. Leaving before sunrise reduces the chances of being stuck in traffic, thus cutting back on the amount of time the family spends in the car. Leaving

Useful strategies to keep kids occupied on long car trips can make such excursions much more enjoyable for everyone.

Courtesy photo

early also increases the chances that kids will spend a good portion of the trip sleeping in the backseat.

Road trips with young kids in tow can try any parent’s patience. But some useful strategies to keep kids occupied on long car trips can make such excursions much more enjoyable for everyone.

Luka Vergoz/Courtesy photo

Art studio MFA student Luka Vergoz collects, alters, and arranges scraps from various local dumpsters, creating installations that include sculpture, painting, drawing, and sound. The arrangements draw upon ideas in scale, language, physics, and queerness.

YOLOlaughs

Charles M. Schulz

UCD football ranked in two preseason polls

Enterprise staff

The UC Davis football team is three months away from taking its first snap of the season.

But on Thursday, the Aggies were recognized in two preseason polls for the upcoming 2023 season.

UCD checked in at No. 14 in the Athlon Sports’ Preseason FCS Top 25 and No. 18 in the 2023 HERO Sports Preseason poll.

UC Davis went 6-5 in the 2022 season, marking the fourth winning season in the last five years under head coach Dan Hawkins.

With five regular season home games this season, UCD will have a homecoming matchup against 2022 FCS Playoff contender Montana and conclude the regular season with the 69th annual Causeway Classic against Sacramento State.

The 2023 Aggies return a lot of pieces from a year ago, including Big Sky passing leader Miles Hastings.

UCD also returns All-Big Sky firstteamers Rex Connors, Zach Kennedy and Lan Larison.

Second-team selection Jordan Ford returns and is joined by third teamers Chubba Maae, Teddye Buchanan and Jehiel Budgett.

UC Davis will open this season at Texas A&M — Commerce on Thursday, Aug. 31, in Commerce, Texas.

After playing at Oregon State on Saturday, Sept. 9, the Aggies will play back-toback home games.

The first one is welcoming Southern Utah University on Saturday, Sept. 16 at UC Davis Health Stadium.

Then Eastern Washington takes on UCD on Saturday, Sept. 23.

Aggies baseball

Two UCD players were honored with Big West Conference postseason awards

after being announced by conference officials Thursday, highlighted by the selection of Alex Gouveia as an All-Big West Second Team member.

In addition to Gouveia, relief pitcher Danny Carrion picked up Big West AllConference Honorable Mention recognition for his efforts out of the bullpen all season.

Gouveia, a junior from Manteca, was a hit machine all season at the top of the Aggie lineup. Tied for the conference lead in doubles with 20, Gouveia collected 65 total hits, and posted a slash line of .313/.345/.462.

The Aggie had a .313 batting average, and recorded hits in 35 games this season. Among those 35 games, Gouveia had multiple hits in 21 of them, leading the Aggies in this department.

Gouveia was the toughest batter among all Big West hitters to strikeout, and 25th toughest batter to strike out in all of Division I baseball, going 11.6 at bats between each one of his strikeouts. He only was fanned 18 times in 208 at bats this year.

He was a lockdown at second base all year with his glove providing a .977 fielding percentage and a part of 29 double plays.

Carrion, also a junior, thrived in relief and was a key contributor to every Aggie weekend series.

Posting a 3-3 record with a team-high

2.45 ERA in 29.1 innings pitched, he struck out 34 batters.

Carrion limited opposing hitters to just a .231 batting average against. His threegame stretch from April 16 through April 23, the Winters native pick up three consecutive wins, with the most important one coming in the series finale against UCLA, which was ranked No. 19 in the country at the time.

UC Davis concluded the year with a 17-37 overall record.

START: Another home game June 10

From Page B8

When the teams faced off last season, Lamorinda United notched a 2-0 win at Playfields Park.

The goalkeeper responsible for shutting out the Lionesses was Jackie Kelly, who returned to Orinda this summer following her junior year at McNeese State in Louisiana.

As FC Davis prepares for its most high-profile

matchup so far this season, the club is training without a full team as several colleges are still in session.

“When all of our players finish finals and we are able to train more as a group it will greatly help the team as they continue to gel,” Sullivan said.

Following Saturday’s game, the Lionesses will return home to play the Fresno Freeze on Saturday, June 10 at the

UC Davis Dairy Complex at 6 p.m.

Then FC Davis will the California Storm on Wednesday, June 14 at the Davis Legacy Soccer Complex. Game time is 7 p.m.

— Henry Krueger is a Gonzaga University and working as a correspondent for The Enterprise this spring and summer. He was an intern at the newspaper in 2022. Follow him on Twitter: @henrykrveger.

Mike Bush/enterprise fiLe photo

Aggies quarterback Miles Hastings gets ready to pass the football in a game against Weber State at UC Davis Health Stadium on Sept. 24, 2022.

Football

DHS taking part at passing tournament on Saturday

Enterprise staff

The Davis High football team will be in action on Saturday.

The Blue Devils will play three games.

One might be thinking that’s a lot of games. But not if it’s 7-on-7.

Davis head coach Nick Garratt and his squad will compete in the Sacramento State 7-on-7 Passing Tournament.

The 32-team will take part in the oneday tournament will be played at Hornets Stadium, plus Sacramento State’s intramural and practice fields around the stadium.

Pool play games are scheduled to start at 9:15 a.m. and last until 11:45 a.m.

Playoff seeds for the Sweet 16 rounds will be determined by round robin record and points if there is a tie.

After all the teams have lunch at 12:15 p.m., teams will begin action again in the Sweet 16 rounds at 1:15 p.m.

There will be three rounds of Sweet 16, shrinking down to Final Four that is scheduled to start at 3:30 p.m.

The championship games are scheduled to go at 4:15 p.m.

There will be an award ceremony at

the tournament, scheduled at 5 p.m.

In Davis’ pool are Casa Roble of Orangevale, Pitman of Turlock and Capital Chrisitan of Sacramento.

Davis will start the tournament against Pitman at 9:45 a.m., then play Capital Christian at 10:45 a.m. and end pool play against Casa Roble at 11:15 a.m.

Each pool play game will consist of two 12-minute halves with a 4-minute halftime. There will be a running clock, but each team will be allowed one 30-second timeout per half.

One of Davis’ Delta League foes is also taking part in the tournament in Cosumnes Oaks of Elk Grove.

Other high school football teams in the Sac-Joaquin Section scheduled to compete are Rocklin, Tracy, Downey of Modesto, Monterey Trail of Elk Grove, Weston Ranch of Stockton, Folsom, Mira Loma, Kimball of Tracy, Vista del Lago of Folsom, Armijo of Fairfield, Edison of Stockton, Stagg of Stockton and Mountain House.

The rest of the teams in the tournament are coming from the Fresno and Bay areas.

FC Davis women looking to continue impressive start

By Henry Krueger Enterprise correspondent

After a two-week break, the FC Davis women’s soccer team will look to maintain its impressive start to the season when it travels to play Lamorinda United on Saturday.

The Lionesses (2-1-0) and Lamorinda United (1-0-0) are set to face off at 7:30 p.m. at Wilder Field Complex in Orinda.

FC Davis is coming off a 2-1 victory over the San Francisco Nighthawks that ended in dramatic fashion. The match was decided by a last-minute goal from forward Lexi Zandonella, who scored off a pass from midfielder Leela Srinivasan.

Lionesses head coach Zach Sullivan has employed a balanced scoring attack, which has led to five different players registering a goal across three games this season.

“The talent in our player pool is amazing and everyone is selfless and really bought into the team concept,” Sullivan said. “It is a coach’s dream to be able to work with players that are so coachable and willing to play whatever role they are asked.”

While FC Davis has a few games of experience playing together, Lamorinda United opened its season last Saturday with a 2-1 win over the Nighthawks.

But even with a single match under its belt, Lamorinda United has historically been one the top teams in the Pac North Conference. The club won the league in 2021 and finished second last season.

The 2022 squad led the conference with 38 goals scored, while their seven goals allowed was tied for the top mark. In comparison, FC Davis both registered and surrendered 15 goals.

See START, Page B7

Rangers edge Pirates for AA title

By Henry Krueger Enterprise correspondent

Entrusted to pitch the final inning and protect a 1-0 lead, Owen Phister had the game in his hands when he took the mound for the Rangers in the Davis Little League Double-A Championship on Wednesday.

The pressure was not too much for Phister, who struck out two hitters and secured the Rangers’ win over the Pirates in front of a packed crowd at the DLL Complex. Phister impacted the game in more ways than one, including when he drove in his team’s only run on a double that plated Rex Pittlelow in the bottom of the first inning.

With both teams going scoreless for the final five innings, Rangers head coach David Shapiro was proud of his players for staying concentrated.

“The focus was unbelievable on this team,” Shapiro said of the group of 7 and 8-year olds. “I told them the two most important things are to have fun and be focused and they did both of those things.”

Keeping the Pirates off the board required dominant pitching from the Rangers, who saw three players

toe the rubber. Starting pitcher Matthew Mehner allowed one hit and struck out one batter over two innings, before Micah Shapiro entered in relief. Micah went three innings and struck out five batters, setting up the final inning for Phister.

The Rangers also benefited from stellar defense, which helped its pitchers hold the Pirates to just two hits.

“We probably made 10 defensive outs,” David Shapiro said. “Normally in a good Double-A game you get two defensive outs. Both teams played unbelievable defense. It was really fun to see.”

One of the more notable defensive plays came in the third inning when Pirates first baseman Ellis Filliquist made a strong throw to catcher Levi Anderson, who tagged William Kahle out at home.

Aside from his defensive prowess, Filliquist was the only Pirates player to reach base during the game. He went 2-for-2 at the plate with a pair of singles.

After Phister recorded the final out and the Rangers were named Double-A champions, both teams took part in a ring ceremony that honored each players’ hard work

and dedication during the season.

For Shapiro, it was a chance to reflect on the significant progress his team made since its first practice.

“Three months ago we had kids that didn’t know what hand to put their gloves on or how to put on their cleats, but every one of these kids learned the game.”

This has made coaching Little League a rewarding experience for Shapiro, who values more than just his team’s on-field performance.

“It’s been very special,” Shapiro said. “I only knew three other kids besides my son coming into the season. Eight of them I had no idea who they were or who their parents were, but the group just came together and became good friends and that’s what it’s about.”

— Henry Krueger is a Gonzaga University and working as a correspondent for The Enterprise this spring and summer. He was an intern at the newspaper in 2022. Follow him on Twitter: @henrykrveger.

Mike trask/enterprise File photo

A group of Davis High football players go through a blocking drill during spring practices that were held toward the end of May.

Fc Davis soccer/courtesy photo FC Davis’ Lexi Zandonella looks for a teammate to move the soccer ball during a game this season.

christoph lossin/enterprise photo

Rangers first baseman Owen Phister gets the baseball as Pirates baserunner Matthew Silbaugh touches the bag in the Davis Little League AA Championship Game on Wednesday.