enterprise THE DAVIS
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2022
Downtown plan heads to council By Anne Ternus-Bellamy
Jingle all the way Annual Home For The Holidays concert is comin’ to town again By Aaron Geerts Enterprise staff writer
Enterprise staff writer The Downtown Davis Specific Plan will go before the City Council on Tuesday for final approval. Five years in the making, with extensive citizen input, the plan will guide the longterm development of downtown Davis, establishing a vision for downtown and implementing a form-based code for the area. That code will replace existing zoning for properties, making development more predictable by focusing on physical form, rather than uses, for buildings. The plan, covering a 32-block area, envisions up to 1,000 new residential units and up to 600,000 square feet of new commercial space downtown, with more intense development — and taller buildings — in the core area and less intensity going outwards. The Davis Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval of the plan at its last meeting, but some controversy remains over building heights in two locations — the Hibbert Lumber property at Fifth and G streets and the west side of the 600 block of G Street. The Hibbert Lumber location, as contained currently in the plan,
See DOWNTOWN, Page A3
There are many great holiday traditions, but none are quite like the Home for the Holidays concert here in Davis. Going on its 19th year, this annual concert is a simultaneous celebration of local music, holiday spirit, creativity and community. Started back in 2003, the Home for the Holidays concert was created by longtime Davis local, Bill Fairfield — who also happens to be part of the musical group Mumbo Gumbo. A lifelong lover and purveyor of music, Fairfield’s inspiration to create this concert was in full synchronicity with the seasonal themes of giving and cheer. “I realized that all the musicians themselves were home for the holidays. A lot of them are out gigging and touring and local musicians don’t get to see each other much unless they’re on the same bill at some festival,” Fairfield explained. “During the holidays,
everyone’s home, so it was a way to come back and play for a good, local cause because a lot of them have kids in Davis schools and went to Davis schools themselves. It’s a way to give back to the schools and help inspire more kids with music and art.” The cause Fairfield refers to is the concert’s proceeds going directly to the Davis Schools Arts Foundation. To him, it’s a proverbial “win-win” with money generated for the DSAF and the community coming together to enjoy music and merriment. The à-la-carte of it
all is the inspiration that radiates from the musicians to the audience like a fireplace’s warmth. “It’s all about enriching the community. These musicians are donating their time to give back, to keep the cycle going and to help fund DSAF projects that inspire creativity. Perhaps a young Davis student will want to pick up an instrument, a paintbrush or learn to dance,” Fairfield said, before sharing some of his favorite moments in the concert’s 19-year tenure. “Having Dorothy Morrison lead a sing-a-long of ‘Oh Happy Day’ just like she did with the Edwin Hawkins singers in 1969, the many wonderful performances by the DHS Madrigals, Little Charlie’s many years of jazzy swing guitar interpretations of holiday classics. There have been so many great performances by all the various musicians over the years.” The lineup includes The Tyro-beys, the Rita Hoskins Trio, Alaina Rose, Way Out West, Misner and Smith, Brian Rivers, Hattie Craven and Joe Craven and Boot Juice. In Fairfield’s eyes, it’s
Beating suspect may plead insanity By Lauren Keene Enterprise staff writer WOODLAND — The suspect in the brutal beating of a homeless woman in Davis last year may plead insanity in his case. Joseph Michael Granken’s public defender, Joseph Gocke, mentioned the development Friday during a court hearing initially scheduled for a potential plea agreement. Granken, 29, faces attempted murder, assault and battery charges in connection with the April 27, 2021, assault on Heidi Young outside the Nugget supermarket in South Davis. Asked by Yolo Superior Court Judge Peter Williams
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whether the case had indeed resolved, Gocke requested a new court date of Jan. 17, 2023. “We are still doing investigation on our end relating to the possible entry of an additional plea,” Gocke said. Pressed further by Williams, Gocke said his client may plead not guilty by reason of insanity in addition to his current notguilty plea. Under the insanity plea, a defendant contends that, due to mental disease or defect, they are not responsible for their actions because they did not understand the nature of the offense, or that was legally and morally wrong.
WEATHER Today: Showers likely. High 53. Low 39.
Granken already underwent nearly a year of psychiatric treatment following several court appearances punctuated by loud vocal outbursts in which he demanded FBI intervention in his case and claiming authorities made alterations to his body from “illegal surgery.” His lawyer at the time questioned Granken’s mental competency to stand trial, and a psychologist’s evaluation led to his placement with the California Department of State Hospitals. Granken’s court proceedings resumed in September following his hospital release, and for a time
See SUSPECT, Page A7
UC and students’ union head toward mediation By Monica Stark Enterprise staff writer After months of negotiations and seven formal requests by the University of California to engage a private mediator, the United Auto Workers agreed Thursday, Dec. 9 to enter mediation with the University. On Thursday afternoon, UC negotiators told the UAW bargaining team they would no longer be making new proposals in bargaining, reiterating their request for voluntary mediation to resolve outstanding issues. The UAW bargaining teams met Friday
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not so much a handful of acts, but a family of musicians with many coming back to perform again. The concert will begin at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 21, at the Veterans Memorial Theater, 203 E. 14th St. in Davis. Buy tickets at Armadillo Music, 207 F St.; Watermelon Music, 1970 Lake Blvd. No. 1 or online at Eventbrite.com. For information, visit www. billyfairfield.com or call 530758-2455. “I love seeing the joy on people’s faces when the show’s over,” Fairfield said. “The musicians are happy and the crowd’s happy. There are also comical moments where people act out things on stage, but it’s just a casual, fun atmosphere.” — Reach Aaron Geerts at aaron.geerts@ mcnaughton.media.
morning to consider this offer, and a majority voted to proceed with voluntary mediation. The mediator’s name has not yet been released, and UC stated a timeline for mediation will be arranged soon. At that time, bargaining units from UC and UAW will not be allowed to speak publicly about negotiations. “The University is pleased that the UAW has agreed to neutral private mediation so that we may resolve our differences and end the strike that has been impacting our
See MEDIATION, Page A5
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