Upcoming Davis Events

Vanguard Soliciting Help for Davis Neighbors Night Out

As many know, the City of Davis is having "Davis Neighbors Night Out" on October 20, 2007 from noon until 9 pm. This is an annual event whereby many neighborhoods have block parties and invite all of their neighbors and really anyone in the Davis community. When I last spoke with Davis city staff, there were well over 60 parties scheduled.

The Vanguard would like to create an on-line journal that includes accounts of various parties around town and photos from those parties. Obviously this is not a one, two, or even five person job.

We are thus asking for help from all of our readers.

If you are going to a block party and have a digital camera--send us pictures, a paragraph write up, your name, and your location. We are hoping to get correspondence from a number of different parties that we were unable to personally get to.

Please let me know in advance if you will be attending a party, what party you want to attend, and whether you will be assisting us.

Davis History Buffs: Top Most Important Events in Davis History

Round Table Discussion "The Top 10 Most Important Events in Davis History: Debate and Ranking"

Brown Bag Lunch

Date: Wednesday 10, 2007

Time: Noon

Location: Hattie Webber Museum, 445 C Street, Davis (Corner of C and 5th, NE Corner of Central Park)

---Doug Paul Davis reporting

Thursday Briefs and Events Announcements

Last week's peace rally draws criticism

A letter to the editor last night from our old friend Bob Glynn criticizes the co-sponsorship of last week's peace rally by Code Pink. Glynn was last seen railing against the Davis HRC and opposing the City Council's resolution that asked for our withdrawal from the war in December of 2005.

Last night he writes:

The real supporters of peace

Last Friday night, a vigil co-sponsored by Code Pink was was held in Central Park. I want to direct your attention to an article dated Aug. 25, 2005, titled "Anti-War Protests Target Wounded at Army Hospital." You can find it at CNSNews.com. Conservative supporters of the war called the protests "shameless." "Code Pink has a controversial leader and affiliations," the article states, reporting that Code Pink's co-founder supports the Communists in Southeast Asia and Cuba.

Ask yourself if this is the kind of people we want influencing our children in Davis. My son is going back to Iraq for his fourth tour of duty in January and if anyone wants peace, it is me. I think the full-page ad on Page D6 of Sunday's Enterprise sums it up beautifully, "They Have Sworn, Never to Leave a Man Behind, We've Done the Same."

Bob Glynn

Davis

I respond to this statement: "Ask yourself if this is the kind of people we want influencing our children in Davis."

Mr. Glynn was not at the rally last Friday. If he were, would have realized that Code Pink had a representative to the rally, but it was but a small part of the rally itself. The majority of the people at this rally were a group of Davis High School students who were part of the campus Teach Peace, Dave Dionisi of Teach Peace, Hamza Al-Nahkal representing the Muslim community, a student representing the Muslim Student Association on the UC Davis campus, a number of UC Davis students who helped to put this meeting together. The message was one of peace and of working together to try to end the war.

Mr. Glynn has no idea what was said or who was at this particular event because he was not there, but he was able to tie a local event, made up of local people to communists in SE Asia and Cuba. He was able to attempt character assassination. And yet, he has no idea what went on or how the rally was structured. In the future, I suggest Mr. Glynn talk to the organizers or attend the event before he attempts to attack those who attended or suggest that certain people that he considers objectionable are influencing our children.

Muslim Fast-a-Thon TOMORROW

The Davis High School Muslim Students Association PRESENTS: Fast-a-Thon

Cosponsored by the Islamic Center of Davis, the UC Davis Muslim Students Association, and the Council for American Islamic Relations

Learn about Ramadan

Try fasting for one day: Avoid eating and drinking during daylight; Break the fast with the community and a delicious, FREE dinner; Hear outstanding guest speakers; Congressional prayer for Muslims

When: Friday, September 28th; 6:30 to 8:00 PM
Where: Davis High School Multipurpose Room; 315 W. 14th St, Davis CA 95616

Democratic County Central Committee Bean Feed--SATURDAY

Yolo County Democratic Central Committee's

31st Annual Bean Feed

Major Sponsors:

Congressman Mike Thompson

Assemblymember Lois Wolk

West Sacramento Mayor Christopher Cabaldon


Great BBQ Dinner with Chicken and Ribs!

Saturday, September 29th, 2007

Veterans Memorial Center
203 East 14th St., Davis

6:00 pm - No-host social hour
7:00 pm - Dinner and program

Tickets: $35

Sponsorships still available!

$1000 - 10 tickets, $500 - 10 tickets,

$250 - 4 tickets, $100 - 2 tickets

Contact: Andrew Ramos
(707) 330-0697

---Doug Paul Davis reporting

Sunday Notes: Day of Peace and Choice Voting

International Day of Peace Comes to Davis

In 1981 the United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution declaring an International Day of Peace. In 2001, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a new resolution declaring 21 September of each year as the International Day of Peace.

The resolution:

"Declares that the International Day of Peace shall henceforth be observed as a day of global ceasefire and non-violence, an invitation to all nations and people to honour a cessation of hostilities for the duration of the Day...

“Invites all Member States, organizations of the United Nations system, and non-governmental organizations and individuals to commemorate, in an appropriate manner, the International Day of Peace, including through education and public awareness, and to cooperate with the United Nations in the establishment of the global ceasefire.”

Around the world, many different communities and nations gathered for a celebration of peace. Unfortunately, the day was marred by continued violence in Afghanistan, Iraq, and many other locations across the world further illustrating the need for peace and reconciliation.

Friday evening in Davis, a small but dedicated group of Davisites gathered at Central Park in support of peace. Around 30 to 40 people from a diverse cross-section of the Davis citizenry attended the event which was marked by careful reflection and information.

A number of local peace groups attended the event which was co-sponsored by Code Pink. Also attending was Dave Dionsi from Teach Peace, several Davis High School students from the high school chapter, Hamza Al-Nakhal was representing the Davis Muslim Community, there was also a student from the Muslim Student Association on the Davis High School Campus.

The event was organized by UC Davis students Katie Davalos and Lauren Frederic.

Choice Voting Bill Passes the Legislature and Moves to Governor's Desk

As many may know, I still have reservations about Choice Voting. However, since it would appear that the voters in Davis are in support of it, to some degree at least given the advisory last year, and the city of Davis will be looking to implement it, AB 1294 could be very useful.

Under existing laws, General Law cities such as Davis cannot implement choice voting. The city of Davis would have to become a charter city in order to do so. That is by itself a complicated procedure that concerns a number of people who otherwise have few objections to the Choice Voting. For progressives, the idea of allowing the current council majority to write the City's Charter, is laced with potholes and other problematic aspects.

That would be solved if the Governor signs AB 1294, a bill that was considered a long shot a few months ago. AB 1294 would allow all California cities and counties to use choice voting regardless of their charter status.

For more information including background about the bill and ways to urge the Governor to sign it, go to the Californians for Electoral Reform website.

Valley Oak Charter School Informational Meeting

This is going to be a key week for the Valley Oak Charter School.

• Tomorrow morning, we will have an interview with teacher Bill Storm about the process.
• Tomorrow evening there will be an important meeting where those who have been working on establishing a charter school will update us on the plan and provide time for questions and answers.

Below, is more information:

Valley Oak Charter School Informational Meeting

When: Monday, September 24, 2007

Location: Valley Oak Multi-purpose Room

Time: 7:00 to 8:30 PM

There will be a presentation about the charter and a question and answer period afterwards. Spanish translation provided. Light refreshments will be provided. And for those who need it, childcare will be provided on site too.

Again, this is a crucial step for Valley Oak, please if you are interested in learning more about the current process log in to the Vanguard tomorrow morning and then go to this meeting tomorrow night.

---Doug Paul Davis reporting

Sunday Afternoon Events and Action Items

If you have any events that you want posted: email the Vanguard

Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Protection Act

Marriage Equality USA and Equality California are co-sponsoring statewide rallies on Tuesday, September 18, 2007 to urge Governor Schwarzenegger to sign AB 43, the Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Protection Act, Assemblymember Mark Leno's Marriage Equality legislation.

Equality California thinks we have a chance to get him to sign it. This is our opportunity to let him know how important it is.

We deserve the right to be wed if we want to do so. We are entitled to have the same rights as our coworkers, as our neighbors, as our sisters and brothers, and as our parents who taught us the values of commitment. Our children deserve the protections and benefits that their schoolmates and cousins are afforded. Civil marriage is our right. Now is the time to change the course of history. This is our civil rights battle. Don't stand on the sideline - Help to win it. We are not second class citizens. We are Americans. Enough is enough!

Here's the info on the Sacramento action:

WHAT: Rally urging Governor Schwarzenegger to sign AB 43
WHEN: Tuesday, September 18, 2007, 5:30-7:00 PM
WHERE: West side of the California State Capitol, 11th and L Streets
PARKING: Public garage on 10th St just off of L St. Street parking free of charge after 6:00 PM

For further information please contact MEUSA Sacramento Chapter Leader Lysa Twardosz or Christine Allen at 916-455-4256 or Shelly Bailes/Ellen Pontac or 530 753 8283.

In the meantime, please call the Governor's office at 916 445 2841 or FAX a note 916 445 4633 and/or sign Equality California's on-line petition at http://www.eqca.org

Varsity Theater Showing of "No End in Sight"

The Varsity Theater will be showing "No End in Sight." The film comes highly recommended, for a preview, click below



For times, please log on to: Varsity Theater

---Doug Paul Davis reporting