The Davis Enterprise Friday, June 16, 2023

The pups are up

— Page B2

DAVISt

— B2

Blue Devils continue to build rhythm

Page B6

Supreme Court won’t review Marsh murder case

By Lauren Keene Enterprise staff writer

Illustration generated via artificial intelligence program Midjourney, and finalized with Adobe Photoshop (Beta).

CalMatters iMage

Professors put AI to the test

By Rocky Walker CalMatters

This spring, as debates were raging on college campuses about the proper role of generative AI in higher education, Diablo Valley College adjunct professor Frako Loden created an assignment to see how students in her American Cinema class interacted with ChatGPT.

For their final opinion piece of the semester, they were to pick a discussion question about the 1950’s movie “A Place in the Sun,” insert it into ChatGPT as a prompt, and then grade the response themselves. The AI got key details of the plot wrong in some cases, Loden said.

In the film, for example, protagonist George takes his

girlfriend to a lake and she falls in and accidentally drowns, but ChatGPT says that he purposely killed her there. “That may be a subtle point, but it really does figure at the end when you evaluate his character,” said Loden, “ChatGPT kind of runs rough over that and suggests that he was planning it from the start and that he’s an evil dude.”

Loden’s assignment shows

Beach Hut serves up ohana atmosphere

By Aaron Geerts Enterprise staff writer

Beach Hut Deli is far more than a place to chow down on delicious sandwiches. Rather, it’s a reprieve from the world one leaves behind as soon as they step through the doors. Luckily for Davis and Vacaville, Sierra Bennett is at the helm of both deli locations along with her brimming ambition to perpetuate those chill, island vibes in the restaurants’ atmosphere and customer service.

The very first Beach Hut Deli was opened back in 1981 in Granite Bay. Since

then, the deli franchise has earned a reputation for its Hawaiian beach ambiance, its unique and delicious sandwiches served on frisbees and — of course — the beers on tap.

Bennett — a Roseville native — got her start eight years ago at the original Granite Bay location, and it was the ohana atmosphere and work environment — and sensational sandwiches — that enraptured and inspired her to climb up the ranks and eventually become an owner.

“I’ve always had friends

See OHANA, Page A3

not only the limitations of ChatGPT — Loden said she found in her own research that many details of movie plots it gives are not only false, but “ideologically loaded” and “maybe even racist” — but how professors are increasingly experimenting with its use in the classroom. California’s public higher

See AI, Page A5

Another California court has shot down Davis killer Daniel Marsh’s pursuit of resentencing for his double-murder conviction.

On Wednesday, the California Supreme Court denied Marsh’s petition to review an appellate-court ruling issued in March, which says a 2019 state law granting relief to juvenile offenders doesn’t apply to his case.

Whether this marks an end to Marsh’s lengthy appeal process, ongoing since his 2014 conviction, remains unclear.

"All I can say at this point is that we are studying Mr. Marsh’s legal options," Mark Greenberg, Marsh's appellate attorney, said Thursday.

Yolo County District Attorney Jeff Reisig, whose office prosecuted thenjuvenile Marsh as an adult for the April 2013 stabbing murders of local attorney Oliver “Chip” Northup and his wife Claudia Maupin, called the Supreme Court’s decision a relief “for the family and our community.”

“But for the timing of the rulings in

See MARSH, Page A3

photo Sierra Bennett gets the maximum from the ohana vibe at Beach Hut Deli.

All this stuff I didn’t know I wanted

My dad loved being a dad, but he was not fond of Father's Day. He passed those traits on to me.

Being a husband and father are far and away the best parts of my life. Nothing else comes close.

But my Sweetheart and I agreed long ago that there would be no presents on Mother's Day or Father's Day. Instead, how about a hike and a picnic at a destination near or far.

Then again, in case anyone decides to break the rules this year, there was a compelling article at CNN Underscored titled "47 practical Father's Day gifts your dad will actually use" that caught my eye the other day.

Since I don't have 47 kids, I don't need 47 gifts, practical or not, but I read on to see what gifts the folks at CNN seem to think I'd like to use.

"The Moon Pod is a cloudlike chair designed to mimic the sensations of flotation therapy," came the glowing review for a chair listed at $299.

I am not familiar with flotation therapy, but I did note that the person so convincingly modeling

the Moon Pod was a woman who was presumably not a dad.

The Knock Knock Original Personal Library Kit claims "There's no greater pleasure than sharing beloved books, but no crueler pain than losing them for good."

I don't own any books, so I'm feeling no pain.

For $10, I can be gifted with the Oxo Good 3-in-1 avocado slicer, but trust me, if you are old enough to be a dad and don't yet know how to make avocado toast all by yourself, no gadget can save you.

The Tushy Classic 3.0 is CNN's pick "for the best bidet attachment" ever, but I'm not sure how you actually give this as a "gift" to anyone.

Gee, thanks kids, just what I needed. How did you know?

Odd Fellows bingo raises $1,900 for Community Employment Services

Enterprise staff

The Davis Odd Fellows Lodge’s monthly Sunday bingo on June 11 raised over $1,900 for Community Employment Services, a Davisbased organization providing support services for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Last Sunday’s games also drew the largest crowd to date, with 118 players.

Proceeds from Odd Fellows bingo, held on the second Sunday of each month, go to local community and charitable organizations, totaling more than $100,000 since its 2007 start.

The Davis Encampment, a branch of the Odd Fellows, has been selected as the beneficiary of the July 9 bingo games, held at the Odd Fellows Lodge, 415 Second St.

Players must be at least 18, and game winners are paid in cash (prizes total up to $250).

Doors open at noon, with games beginning at 1 p.m. For more information, visit www. davisbingo.com.

Yamaroku Shoyu Pure Artisan Japanese Soy Sauce is "aged for 4 years in traditional wooden containers." Which is fine, but I'm sure we already have a bottle of soy sauce that has been hanging around in a traditional wooden cupboard for four years now.

The TubShroom Tub Hair Catcher is only 12 bucks, but I'm sorry to say I don't need a tub hair catcher at the moment. (See photo above).

The display on the $22 Jall

Wooden Digital Alarm Clock shows the time at 7 a.m., the relative humidity at 60 percent and the room temperature at 26 degrees Fahrenheit. Sounds like this dad needs a space heater, not an alarm clock.

The Executioner Fly Killer Racket, not endorsed by John McEnroe, can kill small pests and maybe even small pets. Perfect for playing pickleball on those summer evenings when swarms of mosquitos are out.

The Kynup Digital Caliper is "an essential tool for auto repair, woodworking and metalworking" and is "a helpful tool any handy

dad would love."

Unless, of course, dad does not do auto repair, woodworking or metalworking.

I could, however, use the Ego Power Lithium-Ion Cordless Chainsaw to cut down the messy city-mandated Hackberry tree in the front yard, but for $242 I could probably hire someone to do the job right.

The White Fang golf net "makes an absolutely genius gift for the golf dad who likes to practice his putting in the backyard." And never mind that the dad pictured appears to be hitting a tee shot with his driver.

The Yeti Rambler Lowball "keeps drinks cold for hours, so the only thing limiting your alcohol consumption is your tolerance!"

Holy exclamation points, let's get dad loaded.

There are more gifts. Many, many more.

But I'm sure you know by now why I'm so looking forward to a hike and a picnic, no gifts allowed.

— Reach Bob Dunning at bdunning@davisenterprise.net.

Hate-crime defendant faces new allegations

By Lauren Keene

Enterprise staff writer

A Davis man charged with the hate-crime beating of his neighbor appeared Thursday in Yolo Superior Court, where he now faces two additional criminal cases.

Bret William Davis, 57, previously pleaded not guilty to the May 30 assault. Davis

police say he attacked the 73-year-old victim with his own cane because of the elder man’s sexual orientation. That case also carries charges of elder abuse, criminal threats and violation of civil rights.

Before that, police had contacted Davis for an alleged drunken-driving offense on April 14 and for public intoxication on May 7, according to

online court records. Prosecutors have since filed two new cases stemming from those incidents.

Davis, currently free on a $50,000 bail bond, requested more time to retain a private attorney to represent him. Judge Sonia Cortés ordered him back to court July 13 to enter pleas to the new charges.

Suspect arrested in Community Park assault

By Lauren Keene Enterprise staff writer

A random attack at Community Park landed a man in jail on felony assault charges Tuesday, according to Davis police.

Lt. Dan Beckwith said multiple officers responded to the park shortly before 8:30 a.m. after receiving reports of a

man “shoving and hitting people” at the park.

“Officers located a victim who told them that a man, who was not known to the victim, had tackled him to the ground on the bike path,” Beckwith said. “The man struck the victim several times, causing injury.”

A witness to the incident directed police to the Rainbow City playground, where they took suspect Daniel Jesus Serrano Sr., 39, into custody. He was booked into the Yolo County Jail on charges of assault with a deadly weapon and possession of drug paraphernalia, Beckwith said.

MARSH: Family relieved as killer sees appeal denied

this case, a violent serial killer would be walking free at age 25 due to a very dangerous and misguided change in the law,” Reisig said. “Others have already suffered because of this fact and more victims and families will suffer in the future. Sometimes reforms go too far. That’s the case here.”

“I never thought the word DENIED would have such a positive impact on my heart. Our hearts,” said Sarah Rice, Maupin’s granddaughter. “My mom and I just had a really good cry — but a cry for relief and joy. Relief that we can finally rest in the memories of Granza and Chip. And joy, because Daniel Marsh stays where he belongs: prison. Our family is safe and the community is safe.”

Marsh, now 26, continues to serve his 52-years-to-life sentence at the R.J. Donovan Correctional Facility in San Diego.

At issue in Marsh’s latest appeal was whether he qualifies to seek a lesser sentence under Senate Bill 1391, a bill signed into law by then-Gov. Jerry Brown that banned 14- and 15-year-olds from being tried as adults in

California, regardless of the circumstances of the crime.

Marsh was several weeks shy of his 16th birthday when he carried out the killings in the couple’s Cowell Boulevard home, brutally stabbing each victim more than 60 times each in an act he described to investigators as “exhilarating.”

Much of the appeal centered around the issue of finality — that is, whether Marsh’s sentence was final when the new law took effect, more than four years after his sentencing hearing in Yolo Superior Court.

The Third District Court of Appeal answered “yes” to that question back in 2021, saying Marsh’s sentence became final well before SB 1391 went into effect.

Marsh’s appeal had proceeded before the state Supreme Court last summer when that court issued a ruling in a similar matter, prompting the Marsh case to revert back to the appellate court for review in light of the decision.

The other matter, People v. Padilla, involved a 1982 murder case that also explored the finality issue and whether recent law should retroactively apply.

In Padilla, the court granted a 40-year-old defendant a juvenilecourt fitness hearing under Proposition 57, approved by voters in 2016, which repealed prosecutors’ ability to file juvenile cases directly in adult court.

Under that law, Marsh received a retroactive fitness hearing before Yolo County Judge Samuel McAdam, who affirmed the case’s suitability for adult court and rejected Marsh’s resentencing bid. The Third District Court of Appeal later backed his ruling.

In a March 3 decision, the appellate court noted the Padilla

OHANA: Cool eats and lots of brews proved a winning formula

From Page A1

that worked at Beach Hut

growing up, and I was 17 when I first started. I also loved Beach Hut because of how big the sandwiches are! Any time I went to another sandwich place I was wanting more meat, so when I found Beach Hut, it was filling, a perfect sandwich and I just fell in love with it,” Bennett explained.

“It’s more the vibes, too. All the people I work with are family to me. Becoming an owner happened so fast, too. At first I was a shift lead, then I was a manager at Granite Bay for three years before I got my deli in Davis. I’ve owned that one for about a year-and-a-half and was nervous when I started because I was only 23 at the time.”

Whether she was nervous or not, Bennett has clearly been doing something right as she’s recently become the owner of the Vacaville Beach Hut Deli as well.

Although the Vacaville location radiates those island vibes and serves up the top-tier sandwiches the Deli’s known for, Bennett maintains there’s a lot of hard work on the horizon to further incorporate her deli into the community.

“I love this Vacaville

store, but it needs to get built up the same way that we built Davis up. It’s going to take some elbow grease and love. We’ve also been doing a lot of community outreach, donating and giving back to other local businesses. My goal for the Vacaville store is 90 trays in 90 days. Basically, everyday I’ve been calling up a local business and offering free party trays of sandwiches. And that’s what it’s about,” said Bennett.

“Beach Hut is unique because of the genuine customer service. Like I said before, it’s like a family here and when a customer walks in, you can feel that ohana aspect. You just feel like you’re part of the crew, so we have a lot of regulars who just come in to drink some beers and hang out with us. Any Beach Hut you go to you’ll get that vibe.”

For Bennett, her favorite part of being an owner is training her employees. With many being teenagers getting their first taste of the work world, Bennett thoroughly enjoys getting to know them on a personal basis, making a positive impact on them while instilling a steadfast work ethic they’ll carry with them the rest of their lives.

“My favorite sandwich

here is definitely the Surfin’ Bird. That’s what we’re known for, the cream cheese, avocado, bacon and French roll. We make our bread fresh every day and all our ingredients are locally sourced too!” said Bennett.

“And just so everyone knows, we do discounts for military members, firefighters, police, teachers and students as well.”

With only two months of owning the Vacaville location, Bennett is ready as ever to continue serving up perfect sandwiches and make everyone happy who comes in.

To learn more about Beach Hut Deli, its catering services or anything else for that matter, one can visit their website at beachhutdeli.com.

One can also visit the Davis Beach Hut Deli at 4515 Fermi Pl and reach it at 530-756-1601.

The Vacaville Beach Hut Deli is at B 2091 Harbison Drive No. 2 and can be reached at 707-451-7644.

Visit both storefronts’ social media accounts by searching @beachhut delivacaville and @beach hutdelidavis on Instagram and Facebook.

case involved a sentence that had been vacated on a habeas corpus petition two weeks before Prop. 57’s approval, which prompted the Supreme Court to rule the measure applied to that case for resentencing.

“We conclude Padilla is inapposite. In Padilla, the defendant’s sentence was vacated, the trial court regained the jurisdiction and duty to consider what punishment was appropriate for him, and the defendant regained the right to appeal whatever new sentence was imposed, thereby rendering his judgment nonfinal,”

the ruling says.

“Here, however, the court … only conditionally reversed the judgment, the trial court did not regain the jurisdiction or duty to resentence (because the juvenile court determined that transfer to adult court was appropriate), the trial court reinstated the judgment without change … and defendant did not regain a right to appeal a new sentence.

“Because defendant’s judgment was final before Senate Bill 1391 went into effect, we will dismiss this appeal,” the court concluded.

Mary Northup, Oliver Northup's daughter, could not be reached for comment about Wednesday's development in the case.

But she previously hailed the appellate court ruling, telling The Davis Enterprise back in March: "I had the confidence that the system would recognize the original point of the law," to guard against the disproportionate treatment of youths of color in the juvenile justice system.

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

intro to me

Please send letter and resume to dnpoulos@urcad org Debbie Nichols Poulos

Newpane is hiring individuals who are ready to work installing windows & patio doors Looking f o r h a r d w o r k i n g i n d i v i d u a l s t h a t w i l l p r o v i d e g r e a t c u s t o m e r s e r v i c e J o b d u t i e s i n c l u d e b u t n o t l i m i t e d t o m o v i n g a n d l i f t i n g m a t e r i a l s , i n s t a l l i n g a n d r e m o v i n g w i n d o w s a n d p a t i o d o o r s , c a u l k i n g , o p e r a t i n g p o w e r t o o l s , s e t t i n g u p & b r e a k i n g d o w n a n d c l e a n i n g u p a t t h e j o b s i t e M U S T b e r e l i a b l e and have reliable transportation to our shop, in Dixon W e p a y f o r d a i l y l u n c h e s & d r i v e t i m e t o a n d f r o m j o b - s i t e s , a n d a l s o o f f e r m e d i c a l a f t e r 9 0 d a y s D e p e n d i n g o n e x p e r i e n c e , p a y r a t e i s b e t w e e n $ 1 8 0 0 - $ 2 1 0 0 p e r h o u r N o e x p e r ie n c

Fred Gladdis/enterprise File photo

Daniel Marsh took the stand at a 2018 hearing in Yolo Superior Court, where a judge rejected his bid for re-sentencing in juvenile court.

AI: ‘The world is shifting’; colleges find ways to cope

education systems have not yet created a formal policy regarding the use of generative AI, which can create images and text that are nearly indistinguishable from those made by humans.

That leaves professors in the role of watchdog, preventing breaches of academic integrity. While some focus on cracking down on cheaters, a growing number have decided that the technology is here to stay, and are assigning work that seeks to convey to students the benefits of AI as a research tool while acknowledging its limitations and propensity for error.

“Faculty have to come to a decision, whether it’s in California or nationwide. And the decision is, do you want to adopt?” said Tony Kashani, a professor of education at Antioch University who is writing a book about the use of AI in the classroom. “On campus there’s a lot of contention about this.”

When it comes to AI, technology has moved more quickly than ethics and policy, said Kashani. He said bots like ChatGPT show great promise as a “writing consultant” for students. “It’s not often that students have a chance to sit down with a professor and have long discussions about how to go about this paper, that paper, how to approach research on this topic and that topic. But ChatGPT can do that for them, provided…they know how to use the right ethics, to use it as a tool and not a replacement for their work.”

That’s the approach taken by Stanford sociology professor David Grusky, whose syllabus for a recent public policy class allowed the use of AI-generated text in assignments under the stipulation they be cited in the same way a conversation with a human would be.

“It’s a conversation that can be evoked at will. But it’s not different in the content,” said Grusky. “You still have to evaluate what someone says and whether or not it’s sensible.”

He believes that AI can help teach students to evaluate the quality of sources, serving academia well in the long term. “I believe our job typically in kind of the world of undergraduate instruction is to try to help people become more thoughtful, more rigorous, more analytic.”

Stanford, after a push from professors, created a baseline policy forbidding the use of AI to aid in the completion of assignments unless otherwise allowed in a class syllabus. And some California college professors remain skeptical.

“I see it more of a problem than a benefit,” said Santa Rosa Junior College

history and political science instructor Johannes Van Gorp.

The advent of generative AI has increased the workload of instructors who seek to stop cheating, he said, especially since software that checks for AIgenerated content is imperfect.

Van Gorp has adopted a policy forbidding the use of artificial intelligence in his classes, running nearly every assignment that gets turned in through three different AI checkers to build confidence in the results he gets.

“At first I was reporting (AI use) through the system, but it was so ubiquitous that I just started, as bad as it sounds, giving zeros on the assignments with a note: ‘This is AI generated.’”

Still, Van Gorp said he has to acknowledge that “the world is shifting.”

“Things like (the grammar-checking tool) Grammarly or whatnot, those are AI programs as well. And so where do you draw the line? And I’m not quite sure I’ve figured that one out. And certainly the institutions haven’t.”

California State University’s Academic Senate, which represents faculty, passed a resolution in March calling for a working group on artificial intelligence in higher education, to be formed by the end of August. The working group would examine AI’s limitations, opportunities for professional development of faculty, and how to ensure academic integrity, coordinating the university’s response across campuses.

To make their point, faculty used ChatGPT to draft part of the resolution itself. “What level of academic dishonesty would this constitute on a CSU campus?” the writers asked, adding, “This resolution calls upon the CSU to consider how best to leverage this technology, understanding that AI will inevitably change the nature of education independent of any action the system takes.”

Generative AI is out there and will be here in the future, said Academic Senate Chair Beth Steffel in an interview. “If we ignore it or try to ban it, it is probably to everyone’s detriment.”

Faculty at the California Community Colleges have also pledged to develop a framework that colleges can use to create policies on AI by spring 2024. The

University of California has had an AI working group since 2020, which has in the past recommended the technology’s use in counseling, student retention, admissions and even test proctoring, as well as calling for individual UC campuses to set up councils to oversee their use of AI.

A March survey by the college-ranking website BestColleges found that 43% of college students say they have experience using AI, such as Chat GPT, with 22% saying they’ve used it to complete exams or assignments.

“I imagine that number is going to grow,” said Camille Crittenden, executive director at UC Berkeley’s Center for Information Technology Research in the Interest of Society and a member of the UC workgroup. “So the teachers might as well be involved in helping them to use it responsibly, figuring out how to actually double check citations and make sure that they’re real.”

As universities grapple with setting policy, professors are flocking to social media to vent and ask questions. Many of the conversations show a split between professors who want to integrate the use of

AI and those who fear allowing it into the classroom.

“I just caught a student using ChatGPT to answer questions on online quizzes,” one professor posted to Pandemic Pedagogy, a Facebook group made to assist faculty in navigating online teaching. “On my syllabus, I say that students’ work must be their own and plagiarism will result in a failing grade, but I don’t mention using these kinds of platforms…What should I do?”

(The Facebook group is invitation-only, but some posters gave CalMatters permission to cite their comments.)

Some wrote about the seeming futility of trying to catch cheaters, given the unreliability of software designed to flag AI-generated content.

“We should avoid assignments that try to ‘harness’ ChatGPT or other AI’s,” another commenter argued, adding that the services might not remain free of charge and could start returning answers that are shaped to benefit advertisers.

Illustration generated via artificial intelligence program Midjourney, and finalized with Adobe

Photoshop (Beta)

Elizabeth Blakey, an associate professor of journalism at Cal State Northridge, allowed master’s students in her mass communications class to use ChatGPT to help draft research proposals. “It’ll give you information, it’ll give you names, maybe some ideas or vocabulary words that you didn’t think of,” she said in an interview.

“And then you can take it from there and use your own creativity and your own further research to build on that.”

She believes it helped reduce her students’ anxiety about the tool and taught them a new skill they can take into the workforce.

Beatrice Barros, one of Blakey’s students, said ChatGPT came in handy when she changed her project topic halfway through the semester but was nervous about not having enough time to complete it. Using the AI, she said, “helped me with the head start, like a motivation.”

But she learned how to navigate what the AI gave her with skepticism.

“Sometimes it was very, very wrong,” she said. “It made me more aware that ChatGPT can sometimes trick you, maybe get you in trouble if you don’t read content.”

Her overall takeaway?

“Sometimes it’s better to do your homework.”

Blakey’s colleague David Blumenkrantz gave students in his visual communications class a choice about whether to use AI to design a magazine. They could write their magazine’s proposal and premise, or have ChatGPT write it for them. AI-generated images could grace the magazine’s cover, with students adding in the typeface and titles over it. The only stipulation: that

students explain which parts were AI-generated and why.

About a third of the class chose to use AI for the assignment, he said.

Blumenkrantz said he is currently partnering with a Nairobi University in Kenya to build up their photojournalism program and that his 63-page curriculum was mostly compiled from AI-generated content. He gave ChatGPT prompts, changed the responses to go more in depth into each topic, and fact checked them, he said. He spent weeks making the curriculum, he said, when it would have taken months without the AI-generated research, a result he called “astonishing.”

Jenae Cohn, the executive director of the UC Berkeley Center for Teaching & Learning, which helps professors design effective instruction, said she and her staff often hear from faculty like Blumenkrantz, who “want to understand better how to use AI in creative ways in their teaching.”

“On the other end of the spectrum, we have a lot of questions about how students are using AI to cheat. There’s a lot of concerns about academic integrity.”

As for her own take, she said, “I don’t think that AI is going to necessarily destroy education. I don’t think it’s going to revolutionize education, either. I think it’s just going to sort of expand the toolbox of what’s possible in our classrooms.”

Walker is a fellow with the CalMatters College Journalism Network, a collaboration between CalMatters and student journalists from across California. This story and other higher education coverage are supported by the College Futures Foundation.

CalMatters iMage

Illustration generated via artificial intelligence program Midjourney, and finalized with Adobe Photoshop (Beta).

Gift ideas for all types

Metro Special to the Express

This Father’s Day, families will gather to thank dads for all they do. Gifts often are part of Father’s Day celebrations, and here’s a list of gift ideas for dads with various interests.

Gaming Dad

The draw of popular video games doesn’t abate for some men as they get older. If your dad is at home with game controller in hand, then gifts that feed his hobby can be ideal.

Memorable ways to celebrate Dad

Metro Special to the Express

Dads do a lot for their families, and Father’s Day is the perfect time to acknowledge those efforts.

The days when dads would receive a colorful necktie for Father’s Day are largely (and, for fathers, thankfully) a relic of the past.

Modern Father’s Day celebrations tend to involve more careful planning, and the following are some ways to make this year’s day for dads one to remember.

■ Take Dad on a tour through his own history.

The popularity of genealogy has skyrocketed over the last decade-plus, as various firms have made it easier than ever for individuals to trace their family histories. If Dad counts himself among the millions across the globe interested in their family histories, moms and kids can work together to create a virtual tour through that history.

Present the history as a printed book or as a video, sharing interesting things you learned about Dad’s ancestors but also high-

lighting key moments in his life. This presentation can be accompanied by a subscription to a genealogy service and a tour of some of Dad’s childhood haunts before the family enjoys brunch or dinner in the neighborhood where Dad grew up.

■ Take to the great outdoors. Father’s Day is celebrated in mid-June, making the day a perfect time to enjoy the great outdoors (weather permitting). Plan a day around Dad’s favorite outdoor activity. If Dad is an avid fisherman, book a family outing on a charter boat so Dad can focus on catching fish and not navigating. If Dad loves being in natural settings, camp out the night before Father’s Day so he can wake up to the sound of birds chirping in the crisp morning air. If Dad has a favorite baseball team, take him out to the ballgame so he can soak up some Father’s Day sun.

■ Book a private chef. If Dad has a fascination with food, perhaps nothing can make Father’s Day more memorable than a delicious

meal served by a private chef. Private chefs will do all the work, giving moms and kids more time to spend with Dad throughout the day, and then the whole family can enjoy a special meal made by someone whose specialty is crafting delicious dinners. Offerings vary, but many private chefs handle all the cooking and cleaning. Identify Dad’s favorite dish and then look for a chef who specializes in that type of cuisine.

■ Appeal to Dad’s inner adventurer. Some Dads may just want to relax on Father’s Day, while others may prefer a more adventurous celebration. If Dad falls into the latter group, book a fun and adventurous activity the whole family can enjoy together. A kayaking trip, a skydiving session, a round of paintball, or even tickets to a rock concert on Father’s Day weekend can connect Dad with his inner adventurer.

There’s no shortage of ways for families to make this Father’s Day one Dad won’t soon forget.

Virtual reality has made great strides. Devices that enable VR game play and other entertainment may appeal to Dad. There are a few options on the market, like the Oculus, Pico Neo, HTC Vive, and Valve Index.

Another option is to gift the Nintendo Switch Console, which enables your dad to play at home connected to the television or on the go with the handheld controller and screen combination so he never misses a chance to engage in game play.

Sports Dad

Tap into your father’s love of sports with gifts tailored to his passion. Baseball and soccer are played during warm months, so tickets to a game is something dads and their children can do together. You also can cheer his team on in front of a new big-screen television he gets for being such a great dad.

Outdoorsman Dad

If your dad is most at home with a fishing pole and tackle box, kayaking a nearby body of water, or hiding in a tree stand during hunting season, then gifts that cater to his love of the great outdoors are perfect. Insulated thermoses, waterproof bags for storing phones or wallets,

multitools, backpacks, and hiking boots make great gifts.

Techy Dad

Does the idea of the latest “smart” offering get your father all revved up? Then purchase gifts that cater to his love of gadgets. Maybe he can use a new tablet or laptop that bridges the gap between home and office. Could it be time to upgrade his smartphone? A doorbell camera or home security kit can help Dad keep an eye on the comings and goings around the house when he’s away. Or help him create surround lighting effects that can react to content on the screen or music being played with LED smart lighting strips.

Practical Dad

Some fathers don’t want flashy gifts, instead preferring ones that can be used every day. Think about a new paper shredder or identity block roller stamp to keep sensitive information safe. If Dad takes long road trips, then he might be able to use a car visor extender or a smartphone holder. Shelving, racks or storage straps for the garage also may put a smile on Dad’s face.

Adobe/Stock photo

Father’s Day is celebrated in mid-June, making the day a perfect time to enjoy the great outdoors.

‘Elemental’: Pixar’s latest work burns brightly

Clever fantasy deftly channels tolerance and inclusiveness

By Derrick Bang Enterprise film critic

Pixar’s new fantasy is just as sneakily subversive as 2015’s “Inside Out.”

I continue to be impressed by the way the animation studio’s writers — in this case, Peter Sohn, John Hoberg, Kat Likkel and Brenda Hsueh — work so much real-world relevance into their wildly imaginative stories. On top of which, the strong note of “working hard to get along” is sorely needed these days.

Ember Lumen (voiced by Leah Lewis) is a second-generation transplant to the metropolis of Element City, a realm of Fire-, Water-, Air- and Earth-residents. Her parents — Bernie (Ronnie Del Carmen) and Cinder (Shila Ommi) — left their native Fireland decades ago, in order to grant their daughter a better life. They arrived with little more than a blue flame representing their heritage, and worked hard to turn their new shop, Fireplace, into a popular success.

Bernie is nearing retirement age, and has long promised that Ember will inherit the family business. Unfortunately, the impatient and (ahem) hotheaded young woman has an explosive temper that isn’t conducive to customer interactions.

Some structural mishaps bring their shop to the attention of city inspector Wade Ripple (Mamoudou Athie), a Water guy who takes his job seriously. That said, such responsibilities frequently conflict with his compassionate nature; issuing tickets often makes him burst into tears.

(“He’s the type of character that’ll cry at a diaper commercial,” notes director Peter Sohn.)

Circumstances — and a city-

PG,

for no particular

Starring: Mamoudou Athie, Ronnie Del Carmen, Shila Ommi, Wendi McLendon-Covey, Catherine O’Hara, Mason Wertheimer, Joe Pera

Available via: Movie theaters

wide mystery — force Ember and Wade together, despite the danger that they pose to each other. And while their slowly developing relationship mirrors countless romantic comedies that begin with an oil-and-vinegar couple, the writers here have far more on their minds.

Wade is as laid back and gentle as Ember is uptight and passionate. But Wade also is a perceptive listener: a “mirror character” who allows Ember to see herself better. This is crucial, because she has long suppressed a talented artistic side. Truth be told, she doesn’t really want to take over the family business … but she also doesn’t want to disrespect her old-school parents.

What’s a loving daughter to do?

Yep, we once again have the push/pull that finds a young adult caught between personal ambition — a desire to blaze one’s own trail — and parental expectations. This is handled poignantly, and with gentle good humor; the same is true of the parallel narrative that finds Ember and Wade struggling to look beyond their (blatantly obvious) surface differences, to forge a bond.

Although Ember is afraid to disclose this relationship to her parents, she quickly meets Wade’s easygoing clan, led by his progressive mother, Brook (Catherine O’Hara). They’re a hilariously emotional and weepy bunch,

given to frequent gushes of tears that could fill bathtubs.

Other key characters include Wade’s boss, Gale (Wendi McLendon-Covey), a blustery Air element with an outsized personality and fluffy pink complexion; Clod (Mason Wertheimer), a cheeky, street-smart Earth kid with a crush on Ember; and Fern (Joe Pera), an overworked, slowmoving, vine-covered Earth bureaucrat who literally has grown into his job (an amusing visual).

Lewis and Athie inhabit their characters expressively, the latter particularly attuned to Wade’s patient and generous nature. But Del Carmen gets my vote for best voice actor here; his handling of Bernie’s pride, passion and tradition-minded nature is sublime.

The many character dynamics take place against the deepening mystery, which soon becomes threatening; heroics prove necessary.

Element City itself is a breathtaking display of color and imagination, with four distinct districts. That said, the metropolis was founded by Water elements; a canal system — dubbed

Attend the tale of ‘Sweeney Todd’ at DMTC

Enterprise staff

Davis Musical Theatre Company presents “Sweeney Todd” (underwritten by Sharon Joyce) from June 23 through July 16 at the Jean Henderson Performing Arts Center, 607 Pena Drive, No. 10, in Davis.

“Sweeney Todd” is Stephen Sondheim’s chilling, heart-pounding masterpiece of murderous “barber-ism” and culinary crime. It tells the infamous tale of the unjustly exiled barber who returns to 19th century London seeking revenge against the lecherous judge who framed him.

Featuring a lush, com-

plex musical score, with clever and memorable songs such as “The Worst Pies in London,” “Johanna,” “Not While I’m Around,” “City on Fire” and “Pretty Women,” “Sweeney Todd” is a show — and a man — you won’t soon forget!

The musical is not anything like the 2007 Johnny Depp movie, which eliminated the ensemble and changed many characters.

Steve Isaacson will direct, with musical direction by Boris Karpuk. The cast features James Croghan as Sweeney Todd, Sofia Rosario as Mrs. Lovett, Kat Fio as Johanna and Hugo Figueroa as

Anthony Hope.

“Sweeney Todd” plays on Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. from June 23 through July 16. All performances are at the Jean Henderson Performing Arts Center, 607 Pena Drive in Davis. Tickets are $18 General, $16 Students & Seniors (55 and over) and $14 each for groups of 10 or more. (There is a $2 facility fee per ticket on a purchase, cash, charge, phone, internet, or in person.)

Purchase tickets at http://dmtc.org. For information, visit dmtc. org or call 530-756-3682.

the Wetro — is the central mode of transportation. As a result, most of the city wasn’t built with Fire people in mind; Ember must navigate some streets very carefully.

Districts are color-coded to their residents: Fire is red and orange; Water is cool blue; Earth is green and brown; Air is pink and purple. The Earth district features vegetation-laden terraces and tree-like buildings; the Air district is filled with propellers, clouds and other means of visualizing flow. Waterfalls and translucent structures fill the Water district, while Fire is laden with sooty streets of metal and stone (materials these citizens can use without causing damage).

The character animation is equally captivating. Ember and her parents are fire; they’re not beings “on fire.” Similarly, Wade is water, not some sort of vessel holding water. Their movements and behavior persuasively radiate from that premise.

The story builds to a great climax, with only one odd hiccup along the way. A brief sidebar takes us to Cyclone Stadium, where the Windbreakers — Gale’s

favorite team — have made the playoffs; everything depends on the team’s star player. But this detour has nothing to do with the rest of the story, and feels like a sequence lifted from some other film.

Fortunately, it’s easily forgotten as we reach the final scene, which brings moving closure to an anecdote Bernie shares in the first act. By which point, we’ve become so attached to these characters, that they may as well be real.

The cherry on top: Reviving a tradition not seen since the Academy Award-winning short, “Bao,” accompanied the 2018 release of “The Incredibles 2,” “Elemental” is joined by “Carl’s Date,” another delightful romp with the crotchety Carl and his talking dog, Dug. Voicing Carl here, as he did in 2009’s “Up” and numerous other “Dug Days” shorts, was the last assignment Ed Asner completed before he died in the summer of 2021.

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

Courtesy photo

While watery Wade looks on happily, fiery Ember does her best to handle his mother Brook’s effusive greeting.

Courtesy photo

Mrs. Lovett (played by Sofia Rosario) and Sweeney Todd (played by James Croghan) close Act 1 with the murderous song, “Have A Little Priest,” in DMTC’s production of the Stephen Sondheim masterpiece musical, “Sweeney Todd.”

Courtesy photo

James Croghan, as Sweeney Todd, gets reaquanted with an old friend in DMTC’s production of the Stephen Sondheim masterpiece musical, “Sweeney Todd.”

Courtesy photo

Mrs. Lovett (played by Sofia Rosario) coaxes Sweeney Todd (played by James Croghan) to become a barber again.

Pets of the week

Enterprise staff

Lots of animals are waiting for “forever homes” at the Yolo County Animal Shelter, 2640 E. Gibson Road in Woodland.

Among them is Star (A201660), an intelligent, beautiful 2-year-old Anatolian shepherd. Star is a big girl with a soft fluffy coat and loves to be petted or take long walks. Star's sensitive gentle personality is what makes her so special. Star has a darling mischievous side too. She can be an escape artist and has been known to find her way out of even the most secure of yards. Star's new family will have to be diligent about keeping her safe and secure, but her loving personality more than makes up for her little Houdini tendencies.

Also hoping for a good home is Goku (A201921), a gentle, 50-pound, 3-year-old husky who loves to go jogging and is always eager for a belly rub. Goku is a calm, friendly and outgoing dog. Goku is athletic too and looking for an exercise partner. Goku also likes to snuggle up on the couch and watch movies.

For information on adopting, contact adoptycas@gmail.com. All shelter animals are upto-date on vaccinations, microchipped, and spayed or neutered.

Staff is available to assist via phone during business hours at 530668-5287. Shelter hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Friday, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays. To meet any adoptable YCAS animals, visit friendsofycas.org. To volunteer, sign up at tinyurl. com/yolovolunteerapp. Follow on at @ycas.shelter and Instagram at @ yoloanimalshelter.

At Rotts of Friends Animal Rescue, you’ll find Tinker, a 7-monthold adorable spayed female Rottweiler. She was apparently well cared for in her last home. She just needs a refresher in her obedience training which

What secrets are in Rover’s DNA?

By Evelyn Dale Special to The Enterprise

Have you had a pet’s DNA checked? Did the results include a “street dog”?

When Bertie Wooster was adopted from Yolo County Animal services in 2007, he looked like a large rat terrier and his Yolo County Animal Services paperwork identified him as a terrier mix. Sixteen years later, Wooster’s DNA test was surprising. His Wisdom Panel results found he’s a mix of 20 different breeds. Most surprising?

Rotts offers adopters for free. Tinker is peopleand dog-friendly. She loves to play and will make a wonderful companion for some lucky person.

This adorable male 3-week-old pup is one of a litter of seven Anatolian shepherd mixes — two males and five females.

He’s 3% Fijian “street dog.”

Today, DNA testing of dogs has gone beyond modern breeds to include street or village dogs who are indigenous to specific geographic regions. Dogs like these have cohabited with humans for 20,000plus years, are found all over the world, and make up 75% of the world’s population of dogs.

Interestingly, there are many street dog breeds with their own unique DNA. How is this possible? Over time free-ranging, free-breeding village dogs living in a specific geographic area develop their own unique DNA naturally.

adaptable, highly foodmotivated, independent, and friendly once they know you. While some live independently scavenging at dumps, others are highly trainable and help people with hunting, herding and protecting.

theory of evolution.

Happy Tails

They are all rolly-poly, happy carefree pups in a variety of colors from white to dark brown. They come spayed/neutered, microchipped and up to date on vaccines. Also free lifetime obedience training classes. They will be ready to go to their new homes in about 4 weeks but they can be adopted prior to that time. Come fill out a puppy application and be among the first in line to reserve one.

The next Rotts of Friends adoption event is from 8 to 11 a.m. Saturday, June 17, at 34505 County Road 29 in Woodland. Come by 10 a.m., as it takes at least an hour to meet and adopt a dog; everyone who will be living with the dog should come out to meet it.

Bring proof of homeownership, such as a mortgage statement or property tax bill. If you rent, bring proof that you are allowed to have a dog in your home, such as a pet clause in your lease or a note from your landlord.

All dogs adopted from Rotts of Friends are healthy, microchipped, up-to-date on their vaccines and come with free lifetime obedience-training classes. For information, visit facebook.com/ rottsoffriends.

Street dogs usually live near humans, and are medium sized with pointed muzzles, and erect ears. Climate necessarily impacts their fur. Laika dogs living in Northern Russia and European street dogs living in cold mountainous regions have thick fur while street dogs living in warmer climates like Africa have shorter, less thick fur. While they come in a variety of sizes, shapes and temperaments, most are mid-sized with tan or brindled fur.

Mexican street dogs are an exception. According to Wisdom Panel, they are especially diverse in appearance ranging from 2 to 66 lbs, 6 to 24 inches tall with fur that varies in length and color, and have a lifespan of 8 to 18 years.

Street dogs’ temperaments vary, but in general they are intelligent,

Street dogs may form specialized packs. For instance, Moscow has three different kinds of dog packs: feral scavengers, opportunistic beggars, and metro dogs that ride along with commuters and navigate the city’s subway system with ease.

Street dogs are especially interesting to researchers studying the origin of domesticated dogs because their DNA is more diverse and, therefore, better represents the original Canis lupus familiaris that transitioned from wolf to domesticated dog than do modern dog breeds. Examining street dogs’ genetic structure also helps researchers understand how and where this transition took place. Finally, studying street dogs who live in specific geographical areas provides opportunities to better understand Charles Darwin’s

In 2018, the Dale family was looking to adopt a dog. Searching online, Chris and Sarah found a puppy rescued from the streets of Taipei, Taiwan and contacted the rescue organization to learn more. After consulting with their sons, Theo and Miles, they agreed to adopt the puppy.

“Professor Basil Brush,” aka “Bazzy,” was a 3-month old puppy when he arrived at the San Francisco airport.

Theo, who is in high school, observes, “When we first got him, he was about 2½ feet tall. Over the course of a year he grew so tall that he could rest his chin on the table and beg for food.” Chris chimes in to say, “Fortunately, he’s very well behaved and is more sniffer than snatcher.” Theo continues, “He’s a very silly dog who loves to chase squirrels. He also swims next to us when we go kayaking.”

Miles, now twelve, loves Bazzy because “He’s very snuggly on my bed or the couch while I’m reading or

watching TV. When we first got him, we had to teach him how to go up and down stairs and to walk on leash. His rescue in Taiwan had taught him commands in Taiwanese so he also needed to learn commands in English like ‘Sit’ and ‘Stay.’ Sometimes Bazzy gets scared and barks at loud scooters that drive by.”

Like other Taiwan tugo (native) street dogs, Bazzy is affectionate with his family. Although reserved with strangers, he warms to them when his family tells him they’re okay. He adapts well to changes in day-to-day life, likes to chase squirrels, and lets his family know when someone’s at the door.

So it’s not surprising that Bazzy, who is 100% Taiwan street dog, is greatly loved and gets along with all the people and dogs in his extended family including Wooster who is 3% Fijian street dog.

Evelyn Dale of Davis is a volunteer and advocate for shelter animal welfare. Contact her at pawsforthought.comments@gmail.com This column appears monthly.

Songwriter Jim Fowler featured at Performers’ Circle

Special to The Enterprise

Jim Fowler will play guitar and sing selections from his album “People and Places” at the Village Homes Performers’ Circle, Tuesday June 27, in Davis.

The featured performer is a singer, songwriter and teacher living in Davis. He has received awards for performance and composition. His songs have been aired on National Public Radio as well as regional stations in California. He earned a B.A. in music from Sonoma State College and is a member of the West Coast Songwriters Association. Jim Fowler has a talent for capturing the essence of a person’s life in a song. In his featured performance he will celebrate significant people and events in his life.

His music can be characterized as folk/rock with a twist of classical and a slice of country.

Sample it at https:// www.jimfowlersongs.com/

The Village Homes Performers’ Circle is a free event that welcomes performers of all levels as well as audience members who simply come to enjoy the performances. No tickets or reservations are required. It is held the fourth Tuesday of each month, except

December.

The event begins with an open mike from 7:15 to 8:15 pm and concludes with the featured performance from 8:30 to 9 pm. Signups begin at 6:45 for the short performances (less than 5 minutes per act). The emcee this month will be George Haver, and the event will be held inside the Village Homes Community Center, 2661 Portage Bay East, Davis.

The audience is encouraged to wear masks in the well-ventilated space. For information visit https:// www.facebook.com/ villagehomesperformers.

Courtesy photo

Out for a walk, 100% Taiwan street dog “Bazzy” (right) and 3% Fijian street dog “Wooster” enjoy a quiet moment together.

Courtesy photo

Jim Fowler will play at Village Homes on June 27.

Goku Tinker

Star

might matter to GOP

Governor can help California farmworkers

Belinda Hernandez-Arriaga

Special to CalMatters

Nearly six decades ago, the late Senator Robert F. Kennedy came to California and gave a resounding speech on the virtues of decency that holds permanence today.

“If there is one overriding reality in this country,” he proclaimed, “it is the danger that we have an erosion of a sense of national decency.” Famously, he continued, “Poverty in this country is indecent.”

With news of a $31.5 billion budget deficit reverberating across the California, there is no better time to summon the late senator’s words and place them in the context of Gov. Gavin Newsom’s proposal to address it.

In a state so full of riches and wealth, poverty is a policy choice. I see it every day in Half Moon Bay, a luxurious coastal enclave where the farmworker community perpetually struggles to afford a basic living.

In the coming days, the budget decisions this governor and Legislature make will shape the contours of morality for the next generation to emulate.

Already, Newsom’s latest announcement that California will provide $95 million to undocumented flood victims is a bold and necessary move to alleviate the pain that many farmworkers faced due to lost wages and displacement. It is also welcome news that California will invest $16 million in farmworker homeownership in places like Half Moon Bay, a moral action that Newsom is taking after visiting our community in the wake of a mass shooting in January.

And while these are good signs that we are serious about strengthening the social safety net, including expanding Medi-Cal to eligible noncitizens last year, the budget still falls short of honoring Senator Kennedy’s vision of a dignified nation.

Chief among them is the refusal to expand the California Food Assistance Program, CalFresh, to all income-eligible noncitizens under 55 years of age.

Through my work, I sit under a great irony of serving people who harvest our food but themselves suffer from food insecurity.

After record-setting rainfall and flooding earlier this year, these workers and their families struggled to recover. Combined with crushing inflation, the rising costs of food further weakened their ability to feed their families and drove them deeper into poverty.

Roughly three-quarters of farmworkers are undocumented, and most are excluded from many of California’s social safety net programs, including its food assistance program. It is part of why 1 in 3 farmworkers also live in poverty. And yet, it took a mass shooting in Half Moon Bay for the world to realize the dire circumstances our farmworkers experience on a daily basis.

In his second inaugural address, Newsom ended his speech reminding Californians that Kennedy once said that we will be judged by what we contribute to our communities. As a lifelong admirer of the late senator, the governor knows that it was Kennedy who brought light to the painful problem of hunger in America and decried its effects on children and families.

Our farmworkers are already dealing with enormous stressors in their day-to-day lives, including the impacts of climate change, poverty wages, poor housing conditions and language and cultural barriers that altogether challenge their mental health.

Our farmworkers deserve better. Removing exclusions to the state’s food assistance program would be a major step in the right direction. Expanding unemployment insurance to them would be another.

Newsom must no longer just invoke the promise Kennedy offered our nation but rather finish his march for decency, one our state and nation deserve.

— Belinda Hernandez-Arriaga is the founder and executive director of Ayudando Latinos A Soñar, a nonprofit serving the farmworker community in Half Moon Bay. She wrote this for CalMatters, a public interest journalism venture committed to explaining how California's Capitol works and why it matters.

At this early date, about nine months before next spring’s California primary election and seven months before Republicans in Iowa caucuses begin the only polling that actually counts, there appears a decent chance Californians will have a key role in choosing the next GOP presidential nominee.

Barring a disabling felony conviction, it now seems the contest here will essentially pit the twice indicted former President Donald Trump against Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, by far the early leader among other Republicans.

For both men, it’s highly ironic that California could be decisive. Trump has never won a general election in this state. Both times he ran for President, California provided the votes to inflict national popular vote defeats upon him.

While in office, he did all he could to exact revenge on California, from trying to skew Census results to minimize the state’s population to acting slowly on getting relief funding for wildfire victims, and more.

DeSantis, meanwhile, publicly feuds with California Gov. Gavin Newsom over everything from tactics for dealing with the coronavirus to sending undocumented immigrants from Texas to California. He also seeks to harm the Walt Disney Co., one of California’s largest corporations

and Florida’s biggest private employer, with huge operations near Orlando.

But reality says California could be key to the outcome. Republicans changed their primary election rules to give three delegates to whichever Republican does best in every congressional district, and California has 52. So 156 of this state’s delegates to the Republican National Convention will be known after Primary Day next March, more than 12 percent of the 1,276 needed to win the GOP nomination.

The vast majority of those delegates will come from the 40 California districts represented by Democrats in Congress. So Republican voters living in liberal California districts might decide the GOP nomination.

This process may matter more than the results of the Democratic primary, because Democratic Party rules mean the “winner” will only get some of California’s Democratic convention

delegates. In 2000, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders “won” the state’s primary with 35 percent of the vote but got far less than a majority of its delegates, helping Joe Biden become president.

The GOP rules also mean any big winner in the party’s primary here could pick up vast momentum by doing well in most districts, plus picking up 13 more votes from party officials who get automatic delegate slots.

In 2016, the last time a GOP primary here was seriously contested, Trump polled 74 percent and won all the state’s delegates. John Kasich, the former Ohio governor and congressman who finished second with 11 percent, got none, because no one polling under 20 percent wins anything.

California would have far more GOP delegates if the party performed more strongly here than it has; the GOP gives “bonus delegates” to states where its candidates fare best electorally.

But there may be great significance to the 12 percent of delegates needed to win the nomination that will be decided in districts here. That prospect has been enough to bring DeSantis to California more than once, even if he’s held his nose because he so disdains this place.

Early polling performed prior to the latest Trump

indictment suggests DeSantis might get a fair number of those California delegates. Recent polls on the primary showed only DeSantis and Trump over the 20 percent level needed to win any delegates at all.

DeSantis figures to raise more money here than Trump, as one survey — from the UC Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies — found DeSantis leading among college graduates by 39-23 percent.

Generally, college graduates provide more campaign dollars than others. The Berkeley poll surveyed more than 7,500 likely voters, one of the largest samplings in recent years.

Yet, neither Trump nor DeSantis has much chance of carrying California in November of next year, no matter how the primary turns out. No Republican presidential candidate has won here since George H.W. Bush beat Michael Dukakis by 51-48 percent in 1988.

All of which means, very ironically, that the most strongly Democratic state in America just might be among the most influential in Republican politics next year. Go figure.

— Email Thomas Elias at tdelias@aol.com. For more Elias columns, visit www.californiafocus.net

Letters

On miracles

I am writing this on Saturday, June 10. Tomorrow is the feast of Corpus Christi, a celebration of the Holy Eucharist.

Recently there has been a small controversy over Eucharistic theology in The Enterprise so this is a good time to tell the story of the Miracle of Lanciano, which inspired the creation of the feast of Corpus Christi.

In the 8th century a monk, who must have also been a priest, was celebrating Mass. He doubted that the Eucharist was really the body and blood of Christ, until the host, an unleavened wafer, suddenly revealed its true nature, human flesh, and began to bleed. The host and the dried blood have been preserved to this day.

Eventually this inspired the Catholic Church to declare the feast of Corpus Christi, in English the body of Christ.

In a Catholic Mass, the Eucharist is transformed in a process called transubstantiation into the actual body Christ, while retaining its original appearance.

Over the centuries God has confirmed this teaching through Eucharistic miracles. One of the most recent occurred in Argentina in the diocese of Pope Francis

Speak out

President

before he became Pope.

Scientific analysis always reveals that the flesh is from a human heart muscle and the blood type is always AB.

The consecrated Eucharist is both the real body and blood of Jesus and a symbol of the body and blood of Jesus.

God does miracles to confirm his truths. For example, Pentecostals/Charismatics believe that their apparent babbling is actually the Holy Spirit speaking through them. They frequently report that someone heard another person speaking in tongues praising God in a language that the listener knows but the speaker did not know.

I knew three people in Davis who reported that they had heard this happen. In one case it was an American speaking French, in another a Taiwanese man speaking Japanese, and most impressively an American speaking Swahili.

Pentecostal/Charismatic theology is an approved spiritual practice in most major Christian denominations including the Catholic Church.

Richard Bruce Davis

De-risking China

The EU should take care that it does

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

President and CEO

Publisher

U.S. Senate

Sen. Dianne Feinstein, 331 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C., 20510; 202-224-3841; email: https://www. feinstein.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/ e-mail-me

Sen. Alex Padilla, 112 Hart Senate Office

not repeat a grave mistake, and deal with China in the same way in which it dealt with Russia prior to its invasion of Ukraine. The EU’s former “de-risking” policy towards Russia resembles closely the “de-risking” strategy it is now employing against China.

The theory behind “de-risking” is that by maintaining robust economic ties rather than, for instance, cutting them or imposing sanctions, nations like Russia and China would gradually change in positive ways due to growing economic integration with the rest of the world. That is, by maintaining full economic and diplomatic ties, nations like Russia and China would become more open, more democratic, more likely to recognize human rights and less likely to infringe upon them, etc.

In the case of Russia, projects like the Nordstrom pipelines were developed relying upon such a “de-risking” calculation. As we have seen, the “de-risking” strategy the EU employed towards Russia has proven to be a failure of catastrophic proportions. The question is, are there any compelling reasons to believe that employing the same “de-risking” strategy towards China will work any better?

Andrew Majeske Davis

Building, Washington, D.C., 20510; 202224-3553; email: https://www.padilla. senate.gov/contact/contact-form/

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; 530-753-5301; email: https:// https:// mikethompsonforms.house.gov/contact/

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

Jerry

YOLOlaughs

By Charles M. Schulz

River Cats too much for Space Cowboys

Enterprise staff

SUGAR LAND, Texas — Thursday night marked the first Pacific Coast League win for Kyle Harrison, and his effort combined with the Sacramento River Cats offense propelled them to an impressive 10-3 win over the Sugar Land Space Cowboys at Constellation Field

Harrison (1-2) was in a groove early for the River Cats (31-35), and despite working a full count to his first hitter wound up retiring each of the first six Space Cowboys (30-36) he faced. Among those were a pair of strikeouts which he used to end the first frame.

He received run support starting in the second, as Sacramento had a pair of runners in scoring position with no outs following a leadoff walk and a double down the left-field line by Clint Coulter.

In the next at-bat, Ford Proctor put a ball on the ground to short for an RBI that scored the first run of the game, but Proctor also reached on a throwing error.

Following a strikeout, Will Wilson continued his hot month of June by lining a double over the head of the center fielder that scored both runners for a 3-0 lead, and gave him his first extra base hit

in the month of June that wasn’t a homer.

Wednesday saw a break in power for the River Cats, but they got back on the dinger train to start the third inning.

In his second plate appearance, Tyler Fitzgerald drove a ball to left field that hit high off the wall and ricocheted away from Sugar Land’s left fielder Joe Perez.

Showing off his wheels, Fitzgerald turned on the speed and raced all the way around the bases for Sacramento’s first inside-the-park home run since Orlando Calixte hit one at Sutter Health Park on May 26, 2018 against Albuquerque. That was also a leadoff home run but came in the eighth to help pad a 2-0 victory.

Another run crossed later in the inning thanks to a sacrifice fly from Ricardo Genoves.

Sugar Land tallied its first hit in the contest to lead off their half of the third, a single through the middle by Justin Dirden.

Two batters later he would come around to score on a swing of the bat by Shay Whitcomb, who crushed a big fly to left field that cut the lead to 5-2. Despite the home run, Harrison recorded all three outs in the third via the strikeout.

During the fourth the River Cats

DHS: Who wins 2024 NBA title?

From Page B6

Plus, the rivals play each other again in Los Angeles and San Francisco toward the end of September and early October.

How the Giants and Dodgers do after the AllStar Game, which will be played at T-Mobile Park in Seattle on Tuesday, July 11, should give us an idea of what type of run they could make against division-leader Arizona.

n Prediction: By this

time in 2024, the Sacramento Kings or the Boston Celtics will be celebrating an NBA championship.

n If you’re still looking for a gift for Father’s Day, I’d like to make these suggestions.

One, do not get him a tie. To me, a tie of any kind is the most boring gift in the world.

Two, one of his gifts could be a shirt or jersey of his favorite MLB, National Football League, National Basket-

ball Association and/or National Hockey League teams.

Three, take him out to dinner at his favorite restaurant.

No matter what you do for your father on Sunday, just make sure it’s a day he, his family and those close to him will remember for many years to come.

— Contact Mike Bush at mike@davisenterprise.net. Follow on Twitter: @MBDavisSports.

responded with a more traditional home run as Wilson left the yard on a 1-0 pitch to left field for his own two-run blast.

For Wilson it was his 11th blast of the campaign, his fifth in the past seven games, and gave him four RBI on the night as it also scored Michael Gigliotti who had walked and stole second.

Overcoming his last inning, Harrison bookended the fourth inning with a pair of punchouts, then returned to the mound for the home half of the fifth. Though he fanned the first hitter of the frame, he did allow three base runners in the inning after a single and pair of walks.

However, he received help from behind the dish as Genoves picked off a runner at first base for the second out.

That allowed Harrison to regroup and blow a 93-mph fastball past his final hitter for his eighth punchout of the night. It marked his 12th consecutive outing with at least five punchouts, which was already the longest such Triple-A streak this year and tied the longest from last season (Ryan Pepiot, OKC).

A wild pitch allowed Sugar Land to tally one more run in the seventh, but it was hardly a match for Sacramento as back-to-back RBI knocks from Genoves

and Gigliotti resulted in a couple of runs. Genoves came up big once more by lacing a double into left center, while Gigliotti provided a single through the middle. Finally, it was a wild pitch that allowed the third run of the inning to cross, leading the contest to its final resting score of 10-3.

In both their final two trips to the plate Sugar Land put runners aboard, but Sacramento relievers Chris Wright and Nick Avila held strong and secured the victory. It officially cemented the first Triple-A win for Harrison, tossing a season-high 5.0 innings while allowing two earned runs on three hits while walking three. A pair of River Cats had multi-hit nights in Wilson and Coulter, with Wilson driving in four on his 11th homer of the year and a double, while Coulter had a pair of two-baggers and scored twice. Five others also tallied a hit, which included Genoves driving in two while going 1-for4.

Now holding a 2-1 edge in this six-game set, Sacramento looks for at least a split of the series when these two teams line up for game four today at 5:05 p.m.

RHYTHM: College tours for Hasson

From Page B6

Colorado State, Boise State, Air Force, UC Davis and several other Division I programs. He’s a two-year starter at tight end and defensive tackle/end but will be moved to offensive tackle this upcoming season, according to Garratt.

Following Tuesday’s scrimmages and competitions, Garratt and his team plan to study the tape in preparation for another joint practice

next week.

“The best thing about it is we got a lot of good film,” Garratt said. “We’re going to be able to learn from these mistakes and move on from there.

The Blue Devils will host more 7-on-7 games and linemen challenges next Tuesday from 5 to 7 p.m. Davis will open its season at Vacaville on Friday, Aug. 18.

Then the Blue Devils will have non-league games at home against

Del Campo of Fair Oaks, at Oakmont of Roseville and wrap up entertaining Fairfield. Davis will open Delta League play against Franklin at Cosumnes Oaks on Friday, Sept. 15. — 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.

Girls flag football is coming to DHS

My random thoughts as we head into Father’s Day weekend.

n As you’ve read the headline, girls flag football is coming to Davis High this fall.

The California Interscholastic Federation, the statewide body that governs high school athletics in the state, voted unanimously in approving the sport in February.

Davis High Athletic Director Jeff Lorensen said Santiago Gonzalez, a classified employee who is Blue Devil girls wrestling head coach, has been offered the position to be the first-ever girls flag football head coach. Gonzalez is pending board approval through the Davis Joint Unified School District.

Toward the end of July and entering early August, DHS will have the following

Soccer

fall sports: Football, volleyball, crosscountry, water polo, girls field hockey, girls golf, girls tennis and now girls flag football.

More to come regarding the DHS girls

Storm runs past FC Davis women

By Henry Krueger Enterprise correspondent

Several hours after Eleanor Dale was named the Women's Premier Soccer League's West Region Player of the Week, the California Storm forward took the field and made a compelling case to win the award consecutively.

Dale scored two goals and dished out one assist to lead California (3-1-0) to a 5-0 victory over FC Davis (2-3-1) on Wednesday at the Davis Legacy Soccer Complex.

Coming off a three-goal performance last Saturday, Dale resumed her scoring spree in the 20th minute, putting the Storm ahead 1-0 off an assist from Elizabeth Hutchison.

California continued to pressure FC Davis’ defense, but the score did not change before halftime.

The Storm capitalized on more of their opportunities in the second half, which began with Dale setting up Paloma Daubert for a goal in the 46th minute.

Mistakes from the Lionesses also helped the Storm, who extended their lead to 3-0 after Dale intercepted a misplayed pass in the penalty box and drilled a shot into the top right corner of the goal in the 80th minute.

Dale’s second score opened up the floodgates for California’s offense, which scored twice more on goals from Lindsay Porter and Molly Silva in the 87th and 89th minutes, respectively.

The win was the Storm’s third in a row, propelling them to second place in the Pacific North Conference standings behind the Fresno Freeze. The Lionesses fell to No. 6.

Following his team’s loss, FC Davis head coach Zach Sullivan had nothing but admiration for the Storm.

“They just have so much pace everywhere and also the chemistry they have is just unreal,” Sullivan said.

Sullivan also noted that defensive errors were a difference-maker in the match.

“Three of the goals were just our mistakes and they punished us,” Sullivan said.

The Lionesses return to the UC Davis Dairy Complex to play San Ramon FC (1-3-0) on June 24 and the Diablo Valley Wolves (0-3-0) on July 1.

— 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.

flag football team in upcoming weeks and months.

n There is one more new DHS head coach entering the fall sports season.

Aria Lindsay has been picked the new Blue Devil girls water polo head coach. She takes over for Doug Wright, who stepped down after running the program since its inception in 1995. Wright will continue to teach art classes at DHS.

n If you’re a UC Davis football fan, you’re probably counting down the days toward the season opener, right?

The Aggies will open at Texas A&M University — Commerce on Thursday, Aug. 31. Game time has not been announced at this time.

After playing at Oregon State on Saturday, Sept. 9, the Aggies play their first home game of the season against South-

ern Utah University at the UC Davis Health Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 16.

Then the Aggies welcome Eastern Washington on Saturday, Sept. 23.

In October, the Aggies will entertain Montana. The Aggies will have road games throughout the same month.

In November, UCD will host Portland State and Causeway Classic rival Sacramento State.

n The San Francisco Giants are sitting in third place in the National League’s West Division with a 36-32 record entering today’s three-game road series at the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Dodgers are in second place at 38-30. Too early to determine if this series could have playoff implications.

See DHS, Page B5

Blue Devils continue to build rhythm

By Henry Krueger Enterprise correspondent

The high school football season is more than two months away, but the Davis High Blue Devils have already begun facing real competition.

Davis hosted Winters, Woodland, Woodland Christian, Pioneer, Esparto and Dixon in 7-on-7 games and linemen challenges at Ron and Mary Brown Stadium on Tuesday.

The 7-on-7 scrimmages featured a passing-only, non-contact style of play that allowed teams to practice offensive concepts and defensive coverages.

“7-on-7 isn’t really football,” said second-year DHS head coach Nick Garratt. “It’s more about… creating the rhythm and the relationships between the receivers and the quarterback.”

Taking all of the reps at quarter-

back for Davis was senior Sawyer Schoen, who is expected to start at the position after mostly playing wide receiver and cornerback last season. Schoen successfully led the Blue Devils down the field on multiple occasions, including a 30-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Tyson Zuniga against Dixon.

“This is his first time having good competition with other players, other teams, so he had a lot of looks that we don’t normally get in our own practice and I thought he threw a lot of really good balls,” Garratt said of Schoen.

However, it was not all smooth sailing for the Blue Devils, whose offense struggled against Woodland Christian. The Cardinals’ defense was overwhelming and disruptive, generating similar results from when they faced Davis in a 7-on-7 passing tournament at Sacramento State earlier this month.

“Woodland Christian was the best team we faced today,” Zuniga said. “We played them at Sac State and they beat us there too.”

More encouraging for Davis was its performance in the linemen challenges, which included tug-ofwar, among other competitions. The Blue Devils’ strength in the trenches was on display, as their linemen overpowered Winters and Pioneer in tug-of-war at the 50-yard line.

“That’s the strength of our team,” Garratt said of his linemen. “That’s where our games will be won and lost.”

Davis returns several starting linemen, most notably AJ Hasson, whose 6-foot-4, 275-pound frame makes him a powerful force at the line of scrimmage. Hasson has offers from Washington State,

chriS toph LoSSin/enterpriSe photo

FC Davis women’s soccer player Julia Betti (right) battles for possession of the ball in Wednesday’s game at Davis Legacy Soccer Complex.

chriS toph LoSSin/enterpriSe photo

Davis defensive back Marqus Cooper (right) tries to keep a Dixon wide receiver from reaching the end zone in Tuesday’s 7-on-7 passing games among Yolo County high school football teams at Ron and Mary Brown Stadium.

Blue Devil linemen (front to back) Giovanni Ruiz, CJ Millican, Howie Smith, Diego Munguia and Andrew Pike take part in a tug-of-war with another group of linemen from a Yolo County high football team contest during 7-on-7 games at Ron and Mary Brown Stadium on Tuesday.