Townhall with Congressman Thompson and Senator Cabaldon | | |
Earlier this week, Congressman Mike Thompson, Senator Christopher Cabaldon, and I hosted a Town Hall at Yolo Cares' Galileo Place in South Davis. It was an important opportunity to hear feedback from community members and answer questions about pressing items.
It will not surprise many people that many of the questions we received were about housing and services for unhoused community members. This is a vital policy area and there is work being done at the federal, state, and local level to address our housing need. Congressman Thompson provided an update about the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act which passed into law earlier this year. The bill works to address major barriers to housing affordability by streamlining construction and approval requirements and creating new grant opportunities for housing. Senator Cabaldon and I also emphasized the importance of the Veterans and Affordable Housing Bond Act which was placed on the ballot as Proposition 1 this election. Prop 1 would allow the state to borrow up to $11.25 billion in general obligation bonds to support affordable housing programs and projects across the state. There are an estimated 40,000 "shovel ready" housing projects in California which Prop 1 could provide funding for, including in Yolo County.
As we approach election day, some members of the community also expressed concerns about maintaining the integrity of our elections, especially in the face of possible federal interference. Elections are one of the many functions of county government and Yolo County is fortunate to have Jesse Salinas as our Assessor/Clerk-Recorder/Registrar of Voters. Jesse is a former president of the California Association of Clerks and Election Officials. He has worked closely across the state and nationally to ensure election integrity and he recently gave an interview with ABC 10 detailing how Yolo County is preparing for election night. One of the main points of public information that Jesse shared in his interview, and that Congressman Thompson highlighted at the Town Hall, is to return your ballots to a secure voting location (listed at this link). Returning your ballot to a ballot drop box or vote center, as opposed to mailing it, ensures it goes directly to the elections office for processing. Importantly if you have any concerns about election fraud or other election-related unlawful activity, the California Secretary of States' Office has a Voter Complaint page on their website (linked here) and you can also call (800) 345-8683.
In my introductory remarks I spoke about how Yolo County and our health system partners are preparing for the implementation of HR1 policies that will deny coverage for some and make it more difficult for many others in our community to remain on Medi-Cal and CalFresh food assistance. We provided a handout (linked here) to share information. If you or someone you know needs assistance, our service center in Davis is located at 600 A Street and is open from Monday through Friday from 8 am to 4 pm.
Our conversation at the Town Hall also covered education, the importance of CalFresh and Medi-Cal benefits, recent $90 Medicare reimbursement checks, antisemitism in our community, and more. There are so many important issues facing Yolo County residents and I was grateful for the opportunity to address people's concerns alongside my colleagues at the State and Federal levels. I was pleased to also see at the Town Hall Davis Mayor Donna Neville and Davis School Board Trustee Elizabeth Moon. Partnership across the levels of government is one of the strengths we enjoy in Yolo County. I am glad to contribute to that collaboration. I am also grateful to Yolo Cares for hosting the gathering.
| | Supervisor Allen and new Explorit Executive Director Kristen Koenig. | |
I was so thrilled that Explorit has hired a new Executive Director and will be moving forward to bring the Explorit Science Center back into operation in our community. I served on the Explorit Board of Directors from 2012 to 2022, including 5 years as president of the board. Explorit is an essential community resource as it provides our children with hands-on scientific learning experiences, inspiring the next generation of scientists. I was disappointed when Explorit closed its doors last year and I look forward to Kristen Koenig's work to restore programming and expand offerings to older children and the community as the new Executive Director. I am glad to share an update from Kristen here:
"After an extensive process of community meetings and listening sessions with Davis residents, Explorit Science Center has begun the process of relaunching a reimagined STEAM Education Hub. With significant community support, Explorit was able to raise funds to hire a full time Executive Director for the first time in over a decade. After a competitive search, the board has hired Kristen Koenig, Ph.D. Kristen is a Sacramento native who has spent the last twenty years as a research scientist and community arts organizer. She started in September and has been blowing off the dust on the books to get the Center up and running again. In the next three months, Explorit plans to start launching new programming, with the hope of establishing a full schedule of events in 2027. Keep an eye out for the Community Cyanotype Workshops, which will teach the creative joy and beauty of cyanotypes and the history of the native plants in the Davis area. Explorit is also looking for the community to get involved. If you are interested in supporting the Center or have ideas at the intersection of science, art and curiosity, please reach out. You can fill out the volunteer interest form here or donate here."
When I stepped off of the Explorit Board in 2022, I emphasized the importance of the collaboration between the community, staff, board members, and partners. I look forward to working as a partner to see Explorit into a new era.
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This Halloween season, I am happy to again sponsor the Davis Zombie Bike Parade. The parade is organized by the Davis Odd Fellows and supported by dozens of community leaders, businesses, nonprofits, and other partners. It is truly a collaboration across the entire Davis community.
The parade and festival will occur on Halloween (October 31) along with a slate of other events, primarily split between Community Park and Mace Ranch Park. The festival itinerary can be seen in the image above or at this link. Supervisor Frerichs and I are sponsoring free rides on the Toys for Tots Halloween Train around Community Park from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm during the festival.
The parade will run from about 11:00 am through 12:30 pm, traveling from Community Park to Mace Ranch Park and back. The parade route is available below or at this link. After the parade and festivities in Community Park, the zombie horde will head to Downtown Davis for some trick-or-treating.
The fun isn't limited to Halloween day. The Zombie Bike Parade is highlighting events all month long. You can check out the Zombie Bike Parade website (linked here) for more information about the festival and parade, as well as a full calendar of activities.
| Celebrating Hate-Free Together's Season of Connection | | |
I am glad to share that Hate-Free Together (HFT)'s "Season of Connection" has begun. As we enter Autumn, HFT is working to highlight events which unite our community while showcasing the wonderful diversity that is present in Yolo County.
Events included in the Season of Connection include: showings on October 10th and 11th of Superior California a play recognizing the life of Basil Campbell, one of Yolo County's first black residents and once one of the wealthiest men in California; the community singalong "Davis Sings Together on October 17th; United Against Hate Week from October 18th to 24th; a number of Dia de Los Muertos celebrations within our community at the end of October; and plenty more events to engage with. You can view the full list of events on the Hate-Free Together website (linked here) to see how you can connect with your Yolo Community.
Hate-Free Together is continuing with its efforts to bring people together and I look forward to sharing more updates about their work soon.
| | Supervisor Allen hosted her yearly Davis Neighbors Night Out get together in her Mace Ranch neighborhood and was glad to receive visits from Congressman Mike Thompson and the Davis Fire Department, along with their impressive ladder truck. The gathering was also joined by Councilmember Gloria Partida and Brielle Jamros from the Yolo-Solano Air Quality Management District | | Supervisor Allen was glad to attend the Yolo Basin Foundation's annual Bucks for Ducks fundraiser at the El Macero Country Club (in District 4)! Attendees at the event raised money for the Basin Foundation's programs, including funding over 240 educational field trips to the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area for students in our community. At the event, Supervisor Allen was glad to catch up with Winters Councilmember Jesse Loren, Congressman Mike Thompson, Jan Thompson, and Supervisor Lucas Frerichs (below). | | Supervisor Allen recently spoke to the Davis Progressive Business Exchange, providing an update on the county and taking questions from audience members. | | A dog with a job! Deputy Supervisor Oliver Snow poses with Berty, Yolo County's Agricultural Detector Dog. Berty and her handler Chris Tyler help protect Yolo County against pests and diseases. With Berty's assistance, Yolo County for the 13th year in a row topped the charts for pests intercepted through the USPS in the state of California. Of the 1,310 high risk shipments identified in Yolo County, the Agriculture Detector Dog team identified 938 of them. Berty and Chris attended the latest Board of Supervisors meeting to assist with the delivery of Yolo County's annual Agricultural Crop Report for 2025. | | Licensed Contractor? The Yolo Healthy Aging Alliance Needs Your Help! | | |
The Yolo Healthy Aging Alliance (YHAA) is seeking licensed contractor volunteers to assist with the YHAA Grab Bar Program. The program provides free grab bars (including installation) to older adults in Yolo County to help prevent falls in the bathroom. The bars are paid for by YHAA, but installation is done by volunteer contractors.
If you are (or know) a licensed contractor and are willing to help out, please email District4@yolocounty.gov.
| | Enroll in Valley Clean Energy's Ultragreen Option To Protect the Planet | | |
The Yolo County Climate Action and Adaptation Plan (CAAP) is a roadmap that outlines how Yolo County will meet greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction goals. The Dashboard also provides opportunities for members of the community to track their own impacts through the use of pledges. You can visit the CAAP Dashboard and learn more at this link: https://climateaction.yolocounty.gov/about/overview
For just 1.5 cents more per kilowatt hour, you can power your house with super-clean energy and make a big difference in your community. UltraGreen energy is 100% renewable and 100% carbon free. Learn more on the Valley Clean Energy Website (linked here). If 100 residents commit to the pledge, we reduce 109 MT of CO2e a year, which is the same number of emissions as driving a car from Woodland to Esparto 26,210 times.
Learn more or sign the pledge by clicking the image above or visiting: https://climateaction.yolocounty.gov/pledges/vce-ultragreen.
| | Upcoming Community Events and Announcements | | Friends of Meals on Wheels' Dickens in the Valley Holiday Home Tour | | |
Support senior nutrition in Yolo County beginning this Thursday, October 1 with your purchase of tickets to Friends of Meals on Wheels' 24th annual "Dickens in the Valley Holiday Home Tour," taking place Saturday, December 5, 9:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. This year's event will feature seven meticulously decorated homes in El Macero and Woodland, as well as a special holiday display at the Historic Woodland Train Depot.
Dickens in the Valley is a seasonal tradition supporting Meals on Wheels Yolo County's mission to nourish and engage local older adults with home delivered meals and congregate dining experiences, currently addressing both malnutrition and social isolation for as many as 1,200 seniors in Davis and countywide.
Advance tickets are $40 and will be available online at https://friendsofmowyolo.org/dickens-in-the-valley or in-person in Davis at Good Home Group RE/MAX Gold, 334 Madson Place, and in Woodland at Embellish Decor and Gifts, 540 Main Street or Corner Drug Co., 602 Main Street. Tickets will rise to $45 on event day, if still available.
For further event information, including addresses of the homes on tour, please visit https://friendsofmowyolo.org/dickens-in-the-valley or contact Julie Mast at 916-801-9963.
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| Provide Your Input for the City of Davis' Economic Branding | | |
The City of Davis is inviting the community, businesses, developers and others with an interest in Davis to share their perspectives as the City begins developing an economic development brand and marketing strategy.
An online survey, available through October 31, asks participants how they view Davis today, what they see as strengths and challenges and what they would like Davis to be known for 10 years from now. The City is seeking perspectives from residents, students, businesses, commercial property owners, developers, investors, funders and others who live, work, visit or have an interest in Davis.
The survey takes a few minutes to complete and will be open until 4 p.m. on October 31 at: www.surveymonkey.com/r/DavisBrandSurvey.
For more information about the City of Davis’ economic development efforts, visit: www.cityofdavis.org/city-hall/economic-development.
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| Davis International House Newcomer Welcome Guide | | |
International House Davis has launched the Newcomer Welcome Guide, a free, online resource developed by the fellows serving in the AmeriCorps Neighbor to Neighbor Program. This free online guide helps new residents navigate essentials like utilities and local services,and daily life in Davis and the greater Yolo County.
This effort supports the Hate Free Together initiative and strengthens the goals of building a safe, welcoming community for all. By reducing confusion and isolation, the guide offers newcomers a warm, confident start, reflecting I - House's commitment to belonging and community connection.
To learn more about the Newcomer Welcome Guide and I - House Davis, please visit: https://internationalhousedavis.org/.
| | CalFresh and Medi-Cal Program Overview | |
YoloWorks Financial Education Workshops | | |
YoloWorks!, in collaboration with BMO Bank, invites you to participate in a series of free workshops about financial literacy to learn how to better manage your money and strengthen your economic stability.
Alongside new dates and classes, YoloWorks also has new hours. First Thursday of every month from 5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. at 25 N. Cottonwood St. Woodland, CA 95695.
The workshops include teachings on: Budgets and Mortgages (7/2), How to Invest Through Your work (8/6), and Family Planning for Educational Costs (9/3).
Register through the QR Code in the flyer or through this link.
| | Undocumented Adults - Keep Your Medi-Cal | | Adultos Indocumentados - Mantenga Su Medi-Cal | |
Mental Health Resources
Click either flyer for more details
| | Maternal Mental Health Hotline | | 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline | | Report Unlawful Activity by Federal Agents | | |
Thank you to Assembly Majority Leader Cecilia Aguiar-Curry for sharing information about this new tool to report federal violations.
The State of California recently launched an online tool you can use to report possible misconduct by federal agents working in California. This tool helps to document possible incidents and protect the rights and safety of Californians.
Federal agents have the authority to carry out their jobs, but they are required to follow the law in the execution of their duties. If you suspect a federal agent has acted unlawfully, including through the use of excessive force, engaging in misconduct, or other illegal behavior, you can use the tool to share photos, videos, or information with the California Department of Justice.
ONLINE REPORTING TOOL LINKED HERE
While this tool can be used to report potential unlawful activities, the California Department of Justice cannot represent individuals or provide legal advice. For legal assistance, you can contact Legal Services of Northern California (website linked here) by calling (530) 662-1065 (Woodland/Yolo Office). You can also visit LawHelpCA.org or call the State Bar of California's referral service at (866) 442-2529.
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