We’re Getting On emerged from James Kaelan’s skepticism of the direction this country is moving environmentally and technologically. The novel isn’t a cautionary tale or a polemic, necessarily, but it reflects his uneasiness—even his fear—of what sort of country we’ll be living in a few decades from now. Kaelan wanted, therefore, to do something positive to promote the novel.

About a year ago he started wondering, “What if there was a way to manufacture and promote a product in this country that not only didn’t harm the environment, but actually improved it?” That birthed the idea of a book that could grow into a tree. And a book that grows into a tree not only offsets its own production emissions, it also, technically, creates the material to produce new books.

In light of the oil spill—an environmental disaster perpetrated by an industry that trades in environmental catastrophes—We’re Getting On and Flatmancrooked’s Zero Emission Book project operates as an antidote to destructive business practices

When: Tuesday- July 19th, 2010 – 7:30 PM

Where: The Avid Reader
617 Second St.
Davis, California 95616

Every third Friday, starting May 21 through September 17, 2010 Downtown Davis workers supporting the program can earn a free lunch & an entry to win a new bike by cycling to work.

As a customer, YOU win by enjoying more Downtown parking a Downtown with fewer cars & vehicle trips.

Downtown businesses and organizations with employees participating this Friday, May 21 include: Shuz of Davis, Fleet Feet, Davis Food Co-op, Bay Area Economics, Wiscombe Funeral Home, First Northern Bank, Apex Cycles and Service, the Davis Enterprise, Armadillo Music and the National Forest Foundation.

Eateries supporting the program with free lunch donations are: Fuzio, Habit Burger, Chipotle, Woodstock’s, Tommy J’s and the Davis Food Co-op.

Questions about Bike Fridays?  Want to participate or donate?  Please contact DDBA Director Joy Cohan at joy@davisdowntown.com, or (530) 756-8763.

Cyrus
(click on title for official site)
Coming Friday, July 16th

Show times for July 16-22

With John’s social life at a standstill and his ex-wife about to get remarried, a down on his luck divorcee finally meets the woman of his dreams, only to discover she has another man in her life – her son.

Director: Jay Duplass, Mark Duplass
Cast: Catherine Keener, Jonah Hill, Marisa Tomei, John C. Riley
Language: English
Rating: R for language and some sexual material
Run Time: 1hr 32mins

Exit Through the Gift Shop
(click on title for official site)
Coming Soon, Postponed until late July

Four-time Academy Award® nominee JEFF BRIDGES stars as the richly comic, semi-tragic romantic anti-hero Bad Blake in the debut feature film CRAZY HEART from writer-director Scott Cooper. Bad Blake…

Exit Through the Gift Shop, the first film by renowned graffiti artist Banksy, became the hottest ticket at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival where it made its world debut. Banksy is a graffiti artist with a global reputation whose work can be seen on walls from post—hurricane New Orleans to the separation barrier on the Palestinian West Bank. Fiercely guarding his anonymity to avoid prosecution, Banksy has so far resisted all attempts to be captured on film. Exit Through the Gift Shop tells the incredible true story of how an eccentric French shop keeper turned documentary maker attempted to locate and befriend Banksy, only to have the artist turn the camera back on its owner – with spectacular results. The film contains exclusive footage of Banksy, Shepard Fairey, Invader and many of the world’s most infamous graffiti artists at work, on walls and in interview. As Banksy describes it, “It’s basically the story of how one man set out to film the un—filmable. And failed.”

“That rarest of art documentaries, one that actually leaves viewers with a better sense of the gifted versus the phony.” ~Joshua Rothkopf, Time Out New York

“Subversive, provocative and unexpected, Exit Through the Gift Shop delights in taking you by surprise, starting quietly but ending up in a hall of mirrors as unsettling as anything Lewis Carroll’s Alice ever experienced.” ~Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times

Director: Banksy, Shepard Fairey
Cast: Banksy, Shepard Fairey
Language: English
Rating: R for some language
Run Time: 1 hour 27 minutes

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Micmacs à tire-larigot
(click on title for official site)
Coming Soon, Date uncertain

Four-time Academy Award® nominee JEFF BRIDGES stars as the richly comic, semi-tragic romantic anti-hero Bad Blake in the debut feature film CRAZY HEART from writer-director Scott Cooper. Bad Blake… A man and his friends come up with an intricate and original plan to destroy two big weapons manufacturers.

Director: Jean-Pierre Jeunet
Cast:
Language: French
Rating: R for some sexuality and brief violence
Run Time: 1 hour 45 minutes

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Winter’s Bone
(click on title for official site)
Tentative Date, Friday July 23rd


An unflinching Ozark Mountain girl hacks through dangerous social terrain as she hunts down her drug-dealing father while trying to keep her family intact.

Director: Debra Granik
Cast:
Language: English
Rating:

R for some drug material, language and violent content.
Run Time: 1 hour 40 minutes

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UCD Libraries  Public Library  City Hall  Teen Center  Senior Center  ARC

Davis has a lot of free public access. This page will tell you how to get it, which access points are heavily used, and what the rules are so you can do what you want without getting in trouble, and perhaps losing your public access privileges.

UC Davis Libraries

The UC Davis library system has lots of public access and you are welcome to use the library even if you are not associated with the UC Davis.

The 3rd week before finals of Fall, Winter, and Spring quarters the termials are heavily used, because that is the week that students tend to finish term papers. Perhaps all the computers will be used, but I have never observed that myself.

There are rules for using the computers you can find them here.

University Library hours
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Public Library

The public library has 14 public access computers connected to the Internet. You are limited to two sessions a day. On the eleven regular adult Internet public access computers the sessions are at most one hour. On the two express computers the sessions are limited to twenty minutes. The express computers should require less waiting. There is also a childrens Internet computer. In addition to these there is one adult computer not connected to the Internet where you can do word processing and other basic computer applications. You can get prints for a fee.

When the library moves back to its old location the number of computers will doubled and the machines will be new.

In the past one reason for having libraries was to encourage people to learn to read and provide them material to practice reading. Public access to the Internet not only provides more reading material it also gives people practice writing, particularly e-mail. So now the library facilitates the whole range of language skills not just reading. E-mail should be seen as educational. Writing e-mail is far more educational than reading the latest best seller if you are an adult who normally spends an hour or more a day reading cheap novels.

Note that the public library in Davis has temporarily moved to second street near the rail road tracks. It is in the same building as Explorit. Check their web site for directions.
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The Senior Center

There is an Internet computer in a small room across from the receptionists office. There is also another computer that is not connected to the Internet in the same small room. Both computers are limited to seniors, 55 years old and older.

Seniors can sign up in advance to use the computer for up to a two hour block between 8:30-2:00 Monday thru Friday. The sign up callendar is on the door. 2:00-4:30 are drop in hours, first come first serve.

The Internet computer in the small room works very well. In the past it was usually free and was perhaps the great unused resource in public access in Davis, perhaps it still is. People over 55 should definitely use this machine.

Seniors, over 55, can do their word processing at the Senior Center which would also help the crowding on the public library computers. A public access computer that is not connected to the Internet, still helps those who do want to use the Internet by freeing up dual use computers at the library.

Sometimes UC Davis students are available by appointment to teach seniors how to use the Internet, and perhaps some software, see the receptionist and perhaps Katacha the resource person for details.

The Senior Center is open 8:30 to 4:30 weekdays and is not open on weekends.
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City Hall

They have two good computers but they are limited to 20 minutes. I am told that they are used, when I last visited both were free. Both computers now have a normal Windows system. The computers are in the main hallway.
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The Teen Center

For teens the Teen Center at 3rd and B has a computer. Only teens allowed. It would be great if teens would use it more to free up the other computers.

They recently got a new computer at the teen center and it seems to be working very well. It is my impression that it is usually available.

Teen Center
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ARC

The ARC has eight terminals according to Davis Wiki. These can be used by anyone, and do not require a student card or password. The ARC in general is not to be used by the general public. For some reason these computers are an exception. I phoned to confirm this. At any rate they are limited to 15 minutes and then they automatically log you off. They are supposed to be used for quick e-mail checks and quick searches for information. I have not seen these myself. I base this on Davis Wiki and a phone call.

The second annual Davis High School, Blue and White Foundation will hold its  Concert on the Green.  This even is sponsored by Watermelon Music and featuring Special Interest, One Eyed Ryhno, Hotwire, J Street Jazz Cats and Yolo Mambo. The concert is open to golfers, and non-golfers alike.

The Concert on the Green commences at 5pm with the local Davis band Yolo Mambo.

Tri-Tip sandwiches from the Davis Graduate, Burritos from Dos Coyotes, and Pizza from Woodstock’s pizza will be sold at Concert on the Green.  Jamba Juice and The Davis Creamery will be serving cold deserts. Guests are encouraged to bring picnic blankets and low profile lawn chairs.

Concert tickets are available at Watermelon Music and guests are encouraged to purchase their tickets early for express entry into the concert.  Tickets may also be purchased at the door. Adults are $10; children 10 and under are $5. Bikes or carpools are recommended.

When: Saturday, June 5th – 5PM  to 10PM
Where: Wild Horse Golf Club

8:50 pm
SPECIAL INTEREST is a cover rock, R&B and blues experience, vocally led by the high-octane Chris Farnum and the soulful Katie Ijams. They lead stylized arrangements driven by the tasty guitar work of Peter Kellison and powered by an insanely tight rhythm section– Nick Louizos on bass and Chris Mowrer on drums. As seasoned players who have played a seriously wide range of events for over a decade, these five musicians know music drives the show, but performance drives the crowd. They leave any audience wanting more.

7:50 PM
One Eyed Rhyno has been rockin’ with their original (classic rock/blues) songs and their covers that range from The Doors to Alice in Chains to the Goo Goo Dolls for almost six years now; this is a band you do not want to miss. James Hunter, singer/songwriter/guitarist, started OER in 2004 playing classic and original rock at venues all over the Sacramento and Bay Area. His sister Elaine, drummer/back-up vocals, does her own jazzy piano and vocal set as well. Andrew Daniels is the original bass player for OER and sings some back- up vocals as well. OER has recently been signed to UnderAge Records and they recently won the Jammies Competition in Sacramento and spent 10 hours recording in Pus Cavern Studios in Sacramento.

7:00 PM
Hotwire is a young band who rock beyond their years. Comprised of three elementary students and a junior high student, Hotwire has performed at a wide variety of venues including the 2009 and 2010 Jammies Finals at Crest Theater. The band consists of Brady Corcoran (lead vocals/rhythm guitar); Cole Morse (lead guitar, backup vocals); Theo Farnum (bass, backup vocals), and Riley Donahue (drums, backup vocals). The band writes and performs both original music and covers, with influences listed as Green Day, Weezer, and Pearl Jam.

6:00 PM
The J Street Jazz Cats is a group of 7th through 11th graders that plays traditional Jazz, Light Rock, and Swing Tunes. Up to 11 performers will take the stage. The Jazz Cats recently will have just finished playing a four day Jazz Festival in Old Sacramento over the Memorial Day weekend.

5:10 PM
Yolo Mambo delivers world music with a Western pop undercurrent consisting of Catherine LeBlanc, vocals; Phil Summers, guitar; Steve O’Neill, bass; and Carla Campbell, percussion. Summers and LeBlanc both are familiar members of the world music group !Akimbo. O’Neill has played bass in numerous groups. Campbell will be recognized from her work with the Diane Patterson Xtet. Influences include Carlos Jobim, Kirsty MacColl, Sting, and the music of Africa and the Caribbean. If you like Putamayo music label, you will love their music!

Between Acts
Conor Kellicut wonders about the simple things in life. Why is his dog so happy? Why do we do the jobs we do? And what is that smell? Starting out in theater when he was 5, Conor graduated to Stand-up Comedy in San Francisco at 21 at the Legendary Holy City Zoo. Quickly becoming a regular at The Punchline and Cobb’s Comedy Club, and taking second place in the Comedy Central Laugh Riot Semi Finals, Conor has focused on finding just the right words and putting them in just the right order to keep his audiences laughing! Conor is currently writing and performing for the internet show ‘Bait N Switch’ as well as hosting the new TV Show ‘Eating Out Cheap’!

Conor has worked with Dave Chappelle, Jake Johansen, Dave Attell, Tracy Morgan, Chris Titus, Dana Carvey, Robin williams, Greg Poops, Arj Barker, Patton Oswald, Greg Geraldo, Jay Mohr, Ralphy May and a bunch of people you have never heard of but are still hilarious!

This Friday, May 7th, we are opening the film Clash of the Titans 3D starring Sam Worthington, Liam Neeson, Ralph Fiennes. We are also opening the film Chloe starring Liam Neeson, Julianne Moore, Amanda Seyfried, Max Thieriot.

We are keeping the swedish thriller, based on the best selling novel, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo for yet another week. This movie has received an amazing response from viewers and continues to do well!

This Wednesday & Thursday, May 5th & 6th, will be your last chance to see the films Greenberg and Alice in Wonderland 3D.

Other films on the horizon include Babies, City Island, Exit Through the Gift Shop, and The Secret in their Eyes.

Don’t forget to check out our new opera in cinema series. Our next presentation will be of Don Giovanni. Screening this Saturday and Sunday, May 8th & 9th, at 12:00 noon each day. Tickets will be $20 and are available now at the Varsity Theatre Box Office.

Thank you for supporting the Varsity Theatre.

The Davis Varsity Theater is located at 514 Second Street in Downtown Davis, California. Click Here for current showtimes.

Lead in paint is a hidden, very dangerous threat to many.   April 22, 2010 is the date that changes everything in home renovation for contractors.  This is the date that the new EPA law goes into effect regarding lead.  All pre 1978 homes have the potential to have lead paint present. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has long made it a priority to reduce exposure to lead, especially for young children.  Exposure to high levels of lead can be particularly damaging to children whose nervous systems are still developing and to pregnant women, whose unborn children are growing.  Children with these high lead levels can suffer from nervous system damage, behavioral problems, learning problems, slowed growth, headaches and other debilitating conditions. The Environmental Protection Agency has been working for three decades to reduce exposure to lead in lead paint, and on April 22, 2010, new federal laws will require all contractors “performing renovation, repair or painting projects that disturb lead based paint…to be certified and to follow specific work practices to prevent lead contamination.”

Contractors today must jump through numerous hurdles to guarantee that they are meeting these rigorous safety standards when working with lead paint in homes, businesses and other child related facilities. Thousands of workers performing renovations will have to be trained and certified as “Renovators” by EPA-accredited trainers. Paint professionals and other home improvement professionals will be trained in how to effectively protect household items and how to seal floor coverings from potential contamination while work is in progress. In addition, training will be given in how to use high-powered equipment while working with lead paint and how to contain the dust that accumulates during renovations.  The EPA in its wisdom, has estimated the additional cost per contract will only be $36.00.  Unfortunately this is far from true, the cost of working on pre 1978 homes where lead is present will greatly increase the cost to the homeowner.  While they have greatly underestimated the cost, the safety concerns they have are very accurate.

The process is to educate the homeowner.  A contractor is required to give the homeowner or property owner the new EPA “Renovate Right” pamphlet. Then there is testing with a lead paint test kit.  The contractor will slice an area of paint and swab the area with the tester.  It will immediately tell you if there are levels of unsafe lead present.  When the work is being done it is all about containing the dust, chips, and potentially hazardous material.  The containment process is the most critical part of the process, as it is directly related to property owners exposure.

This new law is all the more reason to check out any contractor that you are hiring.  Do your homework on the companies you hire, the internet provides a wealth of information on them.  If you have a pre 1978 home, the contractor must be certified.  Ask them to show you their certification, as they are required to show it.  If they are not certified then thank them for them time, and move on to a contractor that is.  Due to the high cost to become certified, many contractors are avoiding the new regulations.  It is critical for you protection that the contractor is certified, and it is the law.  Feel free to call the staff at Brooks Painting for answers to your questions concerning this new law.  Brooks Painting is already a certified lead paint renovator.   Call for more information at  530-753-5074

Brooks Painting
2860 West Covell Boulevard
Davis, CA 95616

Habitat for Humanity in Yolo County is looking for local volunteers for work on a preliminary site.  The work site is located at Heidrich Ranch in Woodland, CA (on the corner of Farmer’s Central and Brubaker Street).

Dates: April 24th and May 1st
Time: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm

Interested? Send your Full Name, Address, Phone Number and Email addy to: hfhyolo@dcn.org or call the Yolo County Habitat for Humanity Office at: 530.688.4301

The competition challenged high school teams from Sacramento and the Bay Area to design and build a robot that demonstrates mechanical effectiveness, teamwork and dedication. The top teams will earn a chance to compete in the national FIRST Championship April 15 in Atlanta, Georgia.

Learn more about this annual event here.

Don’t let the rain ruin your Friday evening on the town. View some wonderful art — regional & from afar – as you take shelter in our warm Downtown galleries and participating ArtAbout venues tonight.

As usual, all receptions are free of charge and open to the public. Most include snacks and/or refreshments… not to mention great conversation!

Below is the list of the ArtAbout stops for March 12. Click here for an additional map. (And don’t forget to go to next month’s event, April 9!)

B Street

• ciocolat, 301 B Street, 753-3088
  6-8 p.m. James Colligan, black and white photography.
• USE Credit Union, 200 B Street, 758-3306
  5:30-6:30 p.m. “A Half Dozen,” David Nasater, black and white photography.

D Street

• Antiques Plus, 222 D Street, Suite 1, 916-947-1444
  7-9 p.m. Joanne Andresen, local oil landscapes.
• Pence Gallery, 212 D Street, 758-3370
  6-9 p.m. “Heaven and Earth: Sculpture & Drawings by John Connell” – ink drawings, sketches, mixed media & bronze sculptures of Buddhist and Hindu figures; “Avery Palmer: Quirky Circumstances” – pencil drawings and figurative ceramic sculptures; “Youth Art Month” (upstairs).

E Street

"Nino," Kevin Koblik, Five Figs Couture.

• Five Figs Couture, 231 E Street, 756-3500
  6-9 p.m. “Peru & Sky-Scapes: Abstracts,” Sean Nolan & Kevin Koblik, photography.

F Street

• Hallmark Inn, 110 F Street, 753-3600
  5-8 p.m. “People, Places & Pets,” Harriet Blodgett, oil paintings.

G Street

• The Artery, 207 G Street, Davis, 530-758-8330
  7-9 p.m. “All Creatures Great and Small,” Artery members group show with paintings, renditions in clay, jewelry, and multi-media.
• nestware, 204 G Street, Davis, 757-6400                                             
  6-9 p.m. Miles Hermann, landscape oil paintings.

1st Street

• John Natsoulas Gallery, 521 First Street, 756-3938
  6-10 p.m. “The Art of Painting in the 21st Century,” works by Philip Pearlstein, Deborah Oropallo, Tom Holland, David Hollowell, Boyd Gavin, Raimonds Staprans, Peter Selz and Gladys Nilsson.

2nd Street

• Avid Reader, 617 2nd Street, 530-758-4040
  5:30-7 p.m. Beth Winfield, oil paintings.

3rd Street

• Yolo County SPCA Thrift Store, 920 3rd Street, 758-0544            
  3-7 p.m. Jason Ruggles, Jeremy Boulding, Justin Earley & Alfonso, flash acrylic paintings. Live music at reception.

"Mighty Juniper," acrylic painting, Thomas Watts, Rominger West.

Beyond Downtown

• International House, 10 College Park, 753-5007
  6-8 p.m. “Elements and Seasons” – multiple media by Nina Thomson; “Jeffrey Granett: Inspired by the Crocker” – linoleum block printing with brushed ink wash for color.
• Rominger West Winery, 4602 Second St., Suite 4 (near Mace Blvd at I-80) 747-2044
  5:30- 8 p.m. Thomas Watts, oil & acrylic paintings with artist’s reception and wine tasting.