Winters Express: Wednesday, March 18, 2026

Grapes remain rooted in local agricultural

Express staff

While much of the region’s agricultural identity has long centered on stone fruits, nuts and tomatoes, grapes and vineyards have remained a consistent — if sometimes overlooked — part of Winters’ agricultural story for more than a century.

Though nuts and stone fruits are often what people think of first, vineyards have been part of Winters’ agricultural landscape since the earliest settlers, according to Corinne Martinez, president and chief operating officer of Berryessa Gap Vineyards.

Deep roots along Putah Creek

Grape growing in the Winters area dates back to the 1840s, when early settler John Wolfskill began planting along Putah Creek. Historical accounts indicate vineyards were part of early ranch operations even before the town of Winters was established, with grapes used for both winemaking and sale.

Over time, commercial wine production declined, though small-scale grape growing and home winemaking continued for decades.

A modern resurgence began in the

early 1980s, when Dave Storer opened Winters Winery on Main Street after receiving a permit in 1981. A more sustained revival followed around 2000, when new vineyards were planted for commercial production.

Berryessa Gap Vineyards produced its first commercial vintage in 2002, with wines released in 2004, helping to reestablish Winters as a wine-producing region. Additional wineries, including Turkovich Family Wines, followed in the years after.

AVA designation brings recognition

A major milestone came in September 2023, when the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau designated the Winters Highlands as an official AVA, recognizing a distinct grape-growing region spanning portions of Yolo and Solano counties.

The designation allows wineries to use “Winters Highlands” on labels when the grapes are grown within the region.

“As wineries we’re putting the AVA on our bottles now as allowed,” Martinez said. “It has to be grapes from the AVA.”

She added that local producers are also be-

ginning to see broader recognition.

“I was in Napa, and talking to a lot of people who have heard of it,” Martinez said.

“People in Napa know we’re right over the hill.”

The AVA has also begun appearing in broader wine publications, including a recent updated California wine map by Wine Folly.

Local wineries within the AVA include Berryessa Gap Vineyards, Turkovich Family Wines, Collina de Bella Winery and Fjord Oak Winery, with additional vineyard development underway, including on the Solano County side of the boundary.

A legacy beyond the vineyard

In addition to wine production, Winters

has played a significant role in the wine industry through grapevine rootstock.

Martinez Orchards, founded in 1969 as the Yolo Hills Viticulture Society, produces disease-resistant rootstock used by vineyards throughout California. The business grew from a partnership between a local grower and wine historian Ernie Peninou, who identified the area’s soil along Putah Creek as ideal for high-quality rootstock.

“The best possible soil is along Putah Creek,” Martinez said. While not the largest nursery in the state, Martinez Orchards is known within the industry for premium-quality vines used in high-end wine production.

“It isn’t the wine

itself, it’s where it starts,” Martinez said.

“It’s the roots.”

In February 2025, Martinez Orchards expanded its operations by acquiring Guillaume Grapevine Nursery, a respected producer of certified grapevine plant material. The acquisition broadens the company’s product offerings and production capacity, strengthening its position as a national leader in premium grapevine propagation. Martinez said the expansion underscores Winters’ ongoing role in supporting quality wine production across California. Looking ahead

New vineyard plantings and winery projects continue to emerge in and around the Winters Highlands AVA. Some growers are also selling grapes from the region to winemakers outside the area, expanding the reach of Winters-grown fruit.

For Martinez, the focus remains on both quality and awareness.

“It’s all about quality in the wine industry,” she said.

As Winters agriculture continues to evolve, grapes remain a steady presence — rooted in the region’s history and increasingly part of its future.

Solano ag powers local economy

By Todd R. Hansen McNaughton Media

Solano County agriculture contributes more than $460 million annually to the local economy. It “supports thousands of jobs in farming, processing, transportation and related support services,” the staff report to the Board of Supervisors said.

Those are big reasons why the board, with Supervisor John Vasquez missing his fifth straight meeting due to his health, adopted a resolution recognizing March 24 as National Agriculture Day, with National Agriculture Week observed across the country March 15-21.

Supervisor Wanda Williams, who made the presentation, said agriculture is the “heritage here in Solano County,” adding she

has learned to think about the work put in by farmers and ranchers when she is walking through the grocery store.

“National Agriculture Day is recognized nationwide as a time to celebrate the abundance provided by agriculture, and each year farmers and ranchers, agricultural associations, businesses, educational institutions, government agencies, and community members join to promote and recognize the many contributions of agriculture,” the resolution states.

The county produces as many as 90 crops and commodities, and exports to 41 countries.

“What is most striking to me, are the people,” Ag Commissioner Ed King told the board about the county’s ag producers, “... and how much they care about

Solano County agriculture” beyond their own farms and ranches.

The gross agriculture value for 2024 was $437.94 million, the second highest ever despite a $22.45 million decrease from 2023. The top crop, with a value of $78.35 million, was almonds.

However, Cliff Howard, president of the Solano County Farm Bureau, said the benefit to the county could be even more if the county – and California in general – could lose the tag of specialty crops for many of its commodities.

He pointed specifically to fruits and nuts, with 75 percent produced in the United States coming from California. He said by calling them specialty crops, the greatest share of federal funding goes to crops like wheat, corn and soy

beans. The U.S. Agriculture Department defines specialty crops as fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits and horticulture/nursery crops.

California produces 99 percent of the almonds and walnuts – the seventh largest crop in Solano at $14.49 million gross production value (2024) – grown in the country.

Processing tomatoes (Solano’s No. 2 crop, $55.8 million), nursery stock (No. 4, $8.28 million) and wine grapes (No. 5, $30.55 million) also are on the list of specialty crops.

Howard, who owns and operates Tolenas Winery, said it would also help if people got used to eating seasonally, again; that it is OK not to have oranges year-round, so there is less dependence on importing those items.

Howard was meeting today (March 11) with U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson, D-St. Helena, and others in a roundtable discussion on agriculture. He will ask that the tag of specialty crops be lifted on at least some commodities. In the meantime, the supervisors were applauding all things agriculture in the county.

“With such a rich agricultural heritage and remarkable diversity of production, Ag Day and Ag Week offer an ideal time to learn more about the significance of agriculture and to celebrate the hardworking farmers and ranchers who sustain Solano County’s economy, environment, and communities,” the staff report states.

Ag Week celebrates 250 years of farming progress

Express staff

While American agriculture marks 250 years of innovation and growth, the city of Winters celebrates more than 150 years of its own rich agricultural history. From early wheat fields and orchards along Putah Creek to today’s diverse farms producing nuts, fruits, and

row crops, Winters’ farms continue to feed communities, support local economies, and carry forward a tradition of stewardship and innovation.

Agriculture in Winters has long been a family affair. Generations of local families have cultivated the fertile soils, planting orchards, vineyards, and groves that

shaped the region’s economy and identity. The city’s microclimates and fertile land allowed crops to thrive and reach markets far beyond the region, establishing Winters as a hub of early-season produce and specialty crops.

On March 24, local farms join a nationwide celebration of agriculture as the Agriculture Council of America observes National Agriculture Day, themed “Together We Grow.”

The observance also commemorates 250 years of progress in American agriculture. National Ag Day activities in Washington, D.C., will feature in-person events with a core leadership team of college students, alongside representatives of na-

tional farm and commodity organizations and members of the food, fuel, and fiber communities.

“Students are interested in advocating on behalf of agriculture and their future roles in the industry,” said Jenny Pickett, ACA president. “Their participation in National Ag Day activities provides a glimpse of the future of agriculture. It’s exciting to learn from the students what they think agriculture will be like in the years ahead, and how their involvement will shape the industry and America as a whole.”

Pickett noted that the industry increasingly relies on careers beyond traditional farming, including scientists, biologists, food safety techni-

cians, livestock nutrition specialists, arborists, and conservationists.

“From the food we eat and the fuel for our vehicles, to the fiber in the clothes we wear, and the oil used to make kids’ crayons, agriculture touches everyone in some way,” she said.

Locally, Winters’ agricultural story reflects this diversity. Early settlers planted wheat and other row crops, while orchards of stone fruits, almonds, and walnuts took root along Putah Creek. The region’s fertile soils and microclimates allowed crops to flourish and reach markets across the nation. Today, farms continue to produce a mix of row crops, nuts, fruits, and specialty products

that support the local economy and provide food, fiber, and fuel for communities far beyond Winters.

National Ag Day encourages Americans to understand how food, fiber, and fuel products are produced, appreciate the role agriculture plays in providing safe and affordable products, value agriculture’s role in a strong economy, and explore career opportunities in the industry.

In addition to the March 24 events, Ag Day also offers an essay contest for students. Participants create video essays on the topic of American agriculture and its future, with winning entries presented during the observance.

Students reveal 2026 Youth Day honorees, new youth award

Local students serving on the Winters Youth City Council and Youth Board of Trustees announced the community’s 2026 Youth Day honorees during youth-led public meetings earlier this month, highlighting local leaders who support and inspire youth.

Parade Marshals

At the Youth City Council meeting on March 5, Youth City Manager Hawk Selleck announced Zach and Sterling Davis as the 2026 Youth Day Grand Marshals. The honor recognizes community members who have made a lasting impact on local youth.

The couple was selected following community nominations and final review by the Winters Youth Day board.

“Zach and Sterling have made a lasting impact on youth in Winters. They founded the Winters Youth Basketball League, giving local children a place to learn teamwork, build confidence, and develop a love of sports,” Selleck said as part of his Youth City Manager report.

Zach Davis continues to advocate for equitable access to youth sports and re-

cently proposed a new format for the basketball program. Sterling Davis serves on the school board and coaches the Winters High School cheer team. Both regularly volunteer at Winters Combined PTA events and on school committees.

This year also marks the introduction of a new honor: the Youth Grand Marshal award. Created by the Winters Youth Day board, the award recognizes a young person who demonstrates leadership, service and dedication to the community.

Selleck announced Winters High School student Violet Tuel as the inaugural recipient. Her nomination, originally submitted as part of the Grand Marshal process, helped inspire the creation of the new award.

Tuel has served as a youth referee for Winters AYSO soccer, mentored younger players and organized a downtown youth soccer festival to increase access for families. She also serves on the AYSO board as a youth representative, volunteers with Meals on Wheels through the PAWS program and contributed

See AWARDS, Page 5

City council addresses fire safety, Senior Center

Girl Scouts join in celebrating Women’s History Month

By Sonora Slater Express Staff Writer

The average age of attendees in the council chamber during the March 3 meeting was notably lower than usual, with three troops of Girl Scouts filling the seats to accept a proclamation recognizing March as Women’s History Month.

Council member Jesse Loren introduced the proclamation and shared a list of several women who currently live in or have lived in Winters and have contributed to making the city what it is today. She then read the proclamation for the chamber,

recounting the history of the month-long celebration and how female leadership has been significant to the development of Winters.

“In Winters, we have a long history of female leaders in different roles, including mayors, council members, school board presidents, school board members, Chamber of Commerce presidents, women in the assembly and many, many more,” Loren read.

Crystal Apilado, the editor-in-chief of the Winters Express and a Girl Scout troop leader, accepted the award on behalf of the Girl Scouts, acknowledging the many women in Winters she’s seen organize, advocate, mentor, fundraise and step forward when there’s something that needs to be done.

“Women’s History Month reminds us that history isn’t

By Logan Chrisp Express Staff Writer

Before taking an extended recess for spring break, the Winters Joint Unified School District Board of Trustees met for a regular meeting on March 5 to hear budget and construction updates, as well as public hearings and board policy updates from district staff.

Demographic study

King Consulting Director of Demographics Rob Murray once again presented the

results of the annual demographic study and updated enrollment projections for the coming years. According to Murray, the study suggests that Winters JUSD is expected to grow, even without new housing development, due to “built-in” population trends. With new single-family housing, about 43 percent of new homes are projected to generate students, up from the previously projected 33 percent.

Major developments, including Farmstead and the North

only made in grand gestures — it’s made in living rooms, at school meetings and council chambers, at community events and around tables where women are using their voices,” Apilado said. “That’s why it means so much that the Girl Scouts are here with me tonight. They’re not just future leaders. They are leaders right now, earning badges to serve their neighborhoods, speaking up and learning that their ideas matter and that there’s a whole world of possibilities around them.”

Homeowners’ insurance updates, guidance

Durriya Syed, an outreach specialist with the California Department of Insurance, provided updates to the city on homeowners’ insurance, Girl Scouts from three Winters troops accept the Women’s History Month proclamation from city council on behalf of women and girl leaders in the community, March 3.

See CITY, Page 5

Schools face enrollment, budget challenges

Winters Specific Plan, could potentially add around 200 students by the end of 2032. Murray projects that Winters JUSD would reach roughly 1,900 students by the end of 2032. High school enrollment alone could exceed 600 students by the 2032–33 school year, based on current middle school cohorts. These projections rely heavily on the completion of the two housing projects, meaning any

See SCHOOLS, Page 5

Lake Berryessa water levels up

Express staff

The water level of Lake Berryessa increased by 0.06 feet over the past week, resulting in a difference of 1,129 acre-feet of water storage, according to Eric Johnson, Operations at Solano Irrigation District – Putah Diversion Office. On the morning of Tuesday, March 17, he reported that the lake elevation was

439.37 feet above sea level, with the water storage behind the Monticello Dam calculated at 1,539,418 acre-feet. The SID released 217 cubic feet per second into the Putah South Canal, with 46 cubic feet flowing into lower Putah Creek at the Diversion Dam. Evaporation from the lake averaged 142 acre-feet of water per day.

Coffeehouse Chat March 20

Express staff

The next Express Coffeehouse Chat is Friday, March 20. Recent topics have included city ordinances, fire services, school facility use and how to report concerns. Held the third Friday of each month at 8 a.m. at Steady Eddy’s Coffee Shop, these informal gatherings connect community members with City Manager Jeremy Craig, Superintendent Rody Boonchouy and other local leaders. Winters Fire Chief Jack S. Snyder III

will be available to answer questions about the weed abatement ordinance. Stop by to connect with the people working behind the scenes to keep Winters thriving. Hosted by the Express editor-in-chief, the chats are designed to be approachable and informal — a chance to share ideas, raise concerns and build relationships in a relaxed setting. Whether you have a specific question or simply want to listen in, all are welcome to take part in the conversation.

Public Safety Report

City of Winters

Fire

Mar. 5: Morgan Street, EMS call – excluding vehicle accident with injury

~Apricot Avenue, EMS call – excluding vehicle accident with injury

~E. Baker Street, EMS call – excluding vehicle accident with injury

Mar. 6: Chapman Street, EMS call – excluding vehicle accident with injury

~Creekside Way, EMS call – excluding

vehicle accident with injury

~Creekside Way, EMS call – excluding vehicle accident with injury

~Creekside Way, EMS call – excluding vehicle accident with injury

~Creekside Way, EMS call – excluding vehicle accident with injury

Mar. 8: W. Main Street, EMS call – excluding vehicle accident with injury

~Vasey Street and Graf Way, Smoke Investigation

Mar. 10: El Camino,

EMS call – excluding vehicle accident with injury

~Main Street, EMS call – excluding vehicle accident with injury

~East Street, False alarm or false call (other)

View the Winters Fire Activity and Call Log at https://cityofwinters. org/157/Fire.

Police Report Log

Mar. 3: 5:30 p.m., 1000 block of Hamakawa Street, Violation of custody decree (misdemeanor)

Mar. 9: 4:20 p.m., 1100 block of Griffin Way, Obtaining money by false pretenses – $400 or more (felony)

View the Winters Police Department Arrest and Report Logs, visit www. cityofwinters.org/289/ Report-Arrest-Log

130 Years Ago

March 21, 1896

The opening of the Hotel DeVilbiss last Sunday under the management of Jos. Legler was attended with much eclat.

Winters Union High School Literary Society, March 13th, installed the following officers: President, Herm Wolfskill; vice president, Roy Brinck; secretary, May Ritchie; and critic, Tom Smith.

J. Newman, the Main Street shoe maker, gives notice that he will half-sole men’s shoes for 50 cents a pair and will use as good leather and do as good work as is done for 60 cents elsewhere.

George North shipped the first peas of the season from his Mt. Glenwood farm on Tuesday last. He also brought a lot to town for sale in the store.

Day & Warren have had a new floor laid in the front part of their drug store during the week.

The appointment of Mrs. Mary Bryce as postmistress of this place was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on Wednesday last.

Mr. and Mrs. E. Dafoe of Monticello visited their daughter, Mrs. D. O. Judy of this place last Saturday and Sunday.

G.W. Chapman returned on Wednesday morning’s train from a business trip below.

95 Years Ago

March 20, 1931

The ballots for high school trustees will have printed on them the names

Picked by Charley Wallace

MODEL HOME: The first two of 63 homes in the Village of Putah Creek was under construction in 1993 on Creekside Way. One of the homes is sold and the other will be used as a model home, according to Mort VandenBerghe of VandenBerghe-Christie Construction. The

Years Ago

Dispatches from the Express archives.

of Mrs. J.L. Crouch and F.C. Hemenway as candidates. Mrs. Crouch is to succeed Mr. J.W. Chapman who is voluntarily retiring and Hemenway to succeed himself.

On Thursday, March 26, the Wolfskill Farm Home Department will hold a meeting on egg cookery at the home of Mrs. M. Pena. John Fredericks, John Dutton and Wayne Ireland were on the Capay-Guinda road last Sunday afternoon, when the “wishbone” of Fredericks’ car came loose. As a result, the car turned over. Wayne was the only one injured.

Miss Maggie Baker has been visiting the past two weeks with her sister, Mrs. McCune at Dixon.

Miss Mildred Pleasants, Junior College student, Sacramento, was home over the weekend.

Misses Alice Dexter and Vivian and Dorothy Young, all students at U.C. spent the weekend with their parents, the E.L. Dexters and W. B. Youngs.

Harold McGarr came home from Woodland Clinic on Tuesday, his injured finger decidely on the improve.

Mrs. T.F. Sutliff entertained the wives of the officers of the Masonic lodge while the lodge was in session Thursday night.

Mrs. S.C. Sanborn and Mrs. A.P. Pleasants were dinner guests of Dorothy Niemann at the College of Agriculture, Davis, Thursday eve-

45 Years Ago

March 19, 1981

The 120th anniversary of the First Baptist Church of Winters was held on Sunday, March 15, and was a memorable occasion. There was a large turnout of members, visitors and dignitaries despite the rain. Seventy members and 23 visitors attended for a total of 93.

The FFA donkey basketball game held on Friday the 13th was a huge success with the Winters Chapter beating the Dixon Chapter by two points. The game was well attended by both Winters and Dixon supporters.

The U.S. Census Bureau reported this week that the 1980 census showed the City of Winters had 2650 people, two more than the preliminary figure issued last summer, and 231 more than in 1970. The Census also revealed that Winters has 981 housing units, compared with 774 in 1970.

In a property transaction recorded in Woodland last week, the Buckeye Masonic Lodge, No. 195 sold their buildings on Main Street to Mr. and Mrs. John Greenwood. Included in the sale was the building housing the School District office. which was built in the 1890’s, and the building occupied by Greenwood’s store, built in the 1920’s.

any delays or cancellations could significantly affect future enrollment numbers.

Board President Joedy Michael suggested the board use the most conservative estimates when planning, noting that neither the North Winters Plan nor the Farmstead project has broken ground.

“With no new growth, there are no shovels in the dirt; it’s got to be a little bit more stagnant than any kind of moderate projection,” Michael said.

Murray said future presentations may include a “no development” scenario for comparison with projections that assume new housing developments.

Second interim budget report

Assistant Superintendent of Business Services Russ Barrington presented the second interim budget report, showing that the district will continue to meet its obligations for the next three years with a positive financial certification.

The report projects a current fund balance of about 7.6 percent, declining to roughly 3.7 percent in the coming years due

CITY

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offering comments on the current landscape and advice for those seeking coverage.

“I know that it’s a challenging time for homeowners’ insurance,” Syed said. “There are so many factors that go into that — inflation, climate events, and more.”

Part of her presentation covered current problems in the insurance industry, including her view of the FAIR Plan — a program established more than 50 years ago to provide basic fire insurance coverage for high-risk properties when traditional insurers will not. It is not a public entity and is not funded by taxpayers. Instead, it functions as a pool of all licensed property insurers in California, who participate in the profits and losses of the plan in proportion to their market share of business written in the state.

It is intended to be an insurer of last resort, but Syed said that in today’s increasingly high-risk landscape, it’s becoming the insurer of first resort for many people. The policy has a higher premium than many other plans and has limits, not functioning as a comprehensive policy.

“There are lots of people who shouldn’t be on the FAIR Plan who are, and the whole idea is how do we move them back [to the traditional market],” Syed said.

One way the Cali-

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to rising costs for staffing, transportation, services, and adjusted enrollment assumptions.

Trustees unanimously approved the district’s second interim budget report for the 2025–26 school year. Barrington will return in May to present the estimated actuals and budget options for 2026–27.

The board also approved a resolution updating development fees on residential, commercial, and industrial projects, which help fund the construction and modernization of school facilities.

Facilities update

Van Pelt Construction Services Program Manager Ashley Del Rio reported steady progress on multiple construction projects, particularly at Waggoner Elementary School and Winters Middle School.

At Waggoner, construction is nearing completion, with interior finishes such as flooring installed and landscaping underway. Additional infrastructure upgrades, including electrical improvements, are scheduled for June to avoid disrupting school operations.

At the middle school, crews have transitioned into

vertical construction, with walls now going up after months of groundwork.

Financially, the district reported approximately $4.3 million remaining in bond funds, with projections indicating about $2 million will remain after current projects are completed.

Personnel services

Trustees approved “sunshine” proposals from both the district and the California School Employees Association (CSEA), formally opening negotiations for the 2026–27 school year.

Human Resources Director Lisa Dennis said negotiations will focus on employee compensation and benefits, including pay structures and health coverage.

The board also approved a resolution to reduce certain classified staff positions due to changing needs and funding constraints.

The reductions include:

• A campus monitor position added to support safety during construction

• A partial reduction in an instructional assistant position tied to enrollment shifts “These positions—the campus

fornia Department of Insurance seeks to do this, Syed said, is by incentivizing fire risk mitigation by homeowners to help their properties become more attractive to traditional insurance companies.

“How can we lower the risk that the insurance company thinks there is?” Syed explained. “And how can we incentivize people to mitigate?”

The answer: insurance rate discounts in exchange for certain mitigation measures.

Syed also provided an update on recent insurance-related legislation in California. This includes the “Eliminate the List Act,” effective Jan. 1, 2026, which requires insurance companies to pay 60 percent of personal property coverage limits, covering damaged, stolen, or destroyed belongings even without a detailed list of items. Previously, a detailed list of all destroyed property was required for reimbursement. Customers who maintain a list of belongings and their value will continue to receive full reimbursement, and Syed recommended taking a video walkthrough of your home and emailing it to yourself to make claims easier after a disaster.

Other recent legislation creates grants for low-income homeowners in high fire hazard areas to financially assist them in mitigating risk.

Syed acknowledged that finding good insurance at a reasonable rate can be

monitor was for this year for Waggoner to ensure the additional adult presence, given all the construction happening,” Dennis said. “The instructional assistant is being reduced due to class size changes.”

Dennis said the changes will save approximately $61,000 annually.

Trustees unanimously approved the staff reductions.

Additionally, trustees approved the elimination of a temporary elementary music teacher position at the end of the current school year. The position was created to fill an unexpected vacancy.

Board policy updates

Superintendent Rody Boonchouy provided trustees with a first reading of 16 policy updates, mostly involving minor language revisions or updates reflecting changes in state law.

These updates will return for final approval at the March 26 meeting. The second school board meeting of March is scheduled for the fourth week, instead of the usual third Thursday of the month. See the meeting agenda and packet once they are posted online at wintersjusd.org.

difficult, especially for rural areas like Winters, which may be considered higher risk for fire. She encouraged people to shop around, talk to brokers about options, or contact her department for guidance.

Mayor Albert Vallecillo said he is currently seeking a new homeowners’ insurance policy after his previous policy doubled in cost and noted that mitigation discounts were less than helpful.

“Earlier you talked about how we get the list of little mitigation

AWARDS

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to a downtown mural, all while participating in three sports and maintaining a 4.0 grade-point average.

“Together, the Grand Marshal and Youth Grand Marshal represent the spirit of Youth Day — honoring both the adults who dedicate themselves to uplifting youth and the young leaders who are shaping the future of our community,” Selleck said.

Student election results

Additional Youth Day honorees were announced March 12 during the Youth Board of Trustees meeting.

Youth Superintendent Cyrus Laughter announced that Daniel Ward, athletic director and physical education teacher at Winters High School, was selected by students as the 2026 Educator of the Year.

Ward teaches physical education to ninth- and 10th-grade students, leads the school’s weights program, serves as athletic director and is head coach of the football team.

“Mr. Ward works hard to support all Winters High School student-athletes. He sets high expectations for sportsmanship, academic success and positive behavior on campus. He also checks in with players, teachers and families to help make sure students are doing well both in the classroom and on the field,” Laughter said.

As athletic director, Ward oversees 15 sports teams and coordinates schedules, transportation, facilities and other logistics throughout the year.

“Through his dedication and leadership, Coach

Weed abatement ordinance first reading

Fire Chief Jack S. Snyder III presented the first reading of an ordinance standardizing weed abatement policies in Winters during the meeting, after introducing the item Feb. 17. The ordinance aims to allow the fire department to mitigate weeds on a complaint-driven basis year-round, based on code compliance, and clarify expectations for property owners to help them plan for annual abate-

“It’s not just going to be hearsay. We’ll go out, verify complaints, and try to work with the property. We’ll have the ability to mitigate a lot more, a lot faster.”

Jack S. Snyder III, fire chief

discounts,” Vallecillo said. “Those discounts are like pennies, pennies on the dollar. I went to the list and did all those, and once I qualified, it saved me $18, which was like an insult from the insurance companies.”

Syed acknowledged that the discount amount can be disappointing but said the other benefit of completing mitigation tasks is knowing your property is less at risk.

“If I get health insurance, I don’t want to use it,” Syed said. “So if I have mitigated my property, (at least) I’m on the less risky side than before.”

ment.

Snyder said the goal of these efforts is to help the community become more fire prepared, including connections to insurance rates.

He noted that one of the biggest questions about the policy has been tree requirements, which include a six-foot clearance from the ground with no branches or brush to prevent trees from catching fire if a low grass fire occurs. This policy was developed after research on what nearby municipalities are doing to reduce fire risk and improve the city’s insurance hazard rating.

Ward helps create opportunities for student-athletes and supports a strong athletics program at Winters High School,” Laughter said.

The Youth Board of Trustees also announced Winters High School sophomore Camila Martinez as the 2026 Youth of the Year, an award recognizing a student’s leadership, service and resilience.

“Camila is known for her motivation and strong leadership skills. She helps guide and support her peers and younger students, and she leads by example in both school and community activities. She is a role model who demonstrates reliability, accountability and trustworthiness in everything she does,” Laughter said.

Beginning this year, Educator of the Year candidates are nominated by school leadership and students at Winters High School, with the award set to rotate annually among district campuses. Waggoner Elementary School will be featured in 2027. Youth of the Year nominees are submitted by staff at Winters Middle School and Winters High School, with students across the Winters Joint Unified School District voting on both honors. All honorees will be formally recognized during the 88th Youth Day Opening Ceremonies on Main Street in downtown Winters on Friday, April 25. Event details, including the ceremony time, will be announced at a later date. Winters Youth Day is an annual community celebration that highlights youth leadership and civic engagement, culminating in a downtown parade and student-led activities.

“All our beautiful trees can still maintain their height,” Snyder said. “We’ll just have a clearance from zero to six feet off the ground to help mitigate wildfire risk and hopefully keep insurance rates lower.”

The department will conduct its typical walk-around assessments of high-risk areas but will also work complaint-driven to ensure compliance throughout the year.

“It’s not just going to be hearsay,” Snyder said. “We’ll go out, verify complaints, and try to work with the property. We’ll have the ability to mitigate a lot more, a lot faster.”

Community member Kate Laddish asked how young trees under six feet will be handled and how residents will be notified of the mitigation season.

Snyder said young trees will be evaluated case by case, and that yearly mitigation timelines will be shared on social media. Parcels with a history of weed abatement issues will receive reminders from the fire department. Notices will be sent to property owners even if they do not currently reside at the Winters address.

The council agreed to move to a second reading, which occurred March 17 and will be covered in a future issue of the Winters Express Senior center grant application

Next, the city discussed its grant application for the

senior center project, which has been in development for many years. Last year, the city applied for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, but the funds were already exhausted before Winters’ application was reviewed.

This year’s application deadline is April 3. If successful, the city could be awarded $3.3 million in grant funding. The goal of the March 3 meeting was to establish public support as part of the official grant process.

Resident Tina Lowden spoke on behalf of herself and her husband in support of the senior center.

“I think we have over 3,000 seniors here in Winters, and growing, so yes,” Lowden said. “We need it.”

Kate Laddish also spoke in favor of the project. The need for the senior center was officially established, and city staff will submit the final grant application.

The council also introduced an ordinance to create an entertainment zone in downtown Winters during certain days and hours, allowing community members of legal age to carry open containers of alcohol from licensed businesses within the designated area.

The entertainment zone proposal was covered in the March 11 edition of the Winters Express

Eventos hispanos

Propuesta para el centro crearía nueva Zona de Entretenimiento

Por Sonora Slater

Traducido por Carol Alfonso

Como parte del esfuerzo continuo de la ciudad para dirigir el flujo de peatones hacia Main Street y los negocios del centro, el concejo ha presentado el marco legal para una “zona de entretenimiento” en el centro de la ciudad, donde los negocios con licencia podrían vender bebidas alcohólicas para que los clientes las consuman al aire libre durante ciertas horas. El gobernador de California, Gavin Newsom, autorizó zonas de entretenimiento como esta en todo el estado en Septiembre del 2024, como parte de los esfuerzos de recuperación para las pequeñas empresas tras la pandemia de COVID-19. La ordenanza, leída en la reunión del 3 de Marzo, establece las normas y límites propuestos para los negocios que decidan participar en la zona de entretenimiento; dicha zona, una vez activada,

estaría delimitada por First Street, Edwards Street, Railroad Avenue, Abbey Street, Elliott Street, E. Main Street y Russell Street. Una vez operativa, la Zona de Entretenimiento permitiría que cualquier bebida alcohólica adquirida en un negocio con licencia sea transportada por la zona en recipientes que no sean de vidrio ni de metal, y que sean compostables o reutilizables, siempre y cuando la persona que la consume haya recibido y porte una pulsera estandarizada que certifique que es mayor de edad. No se permitirá el ingreso de alcohol proveniente del exterior

“Este es un gran paso adelante para nuestra ciudad, ya que ayuda al centro urbano a conservar lo que, en cierto modo, se creó por casualidad durante la pandemia de COVID-19. Además, como negocio con licencia, nos comprometemos a mantener este lugar como un espacio comunitario seguro, un lugar donde las familias y los niños puedan venir y sentirse a gusto.”

mente demarcada con señalización en sus límites. El horario de funcionamiento sugerido actualmente abarca de Viernes a Domingo, desde las 12 p.m. hasta las 11:59 p.m., del 1 de Marzo al 31 de Octubre; así como las tardes de los Jueves, de 12 p.m. a 11:59 p.m., durante los meses de

La zona estará clara-

Junio, Julio y Agosto, para dar cabida a la serie de conciertos de verano en el parque. Seguirá prohibido fumar en toda la Zona de Entretenimiento, salvo en los callejones, tal como lo establece la política habitual de la ciudad. Hasta la fecha, 12 negocios del centro han confirmado su participación, entre ellos Buckhorn Steakhouse, Putah Creek Cafe, Preserve, Hotel Winters, Berryessa Gap Vineyards, Hooby’s Brewing y otros. Corinne Martinez, propietaria de varios negocios locales, incluyendo su cargo como presidenta y directora de operaciones (COO)

de Berryessa Gap Vineyards, se pronunció a favor de la ordenanza. “Este es un gran paso para nuestra ciudad, ya que ayuda al centro a preservar aquello que, en cierto modo, creó por accidente durante la pandemia de COVID”, afirmó Martinez. “Y, como negocio con licencia, nos comprometemos a mantener este lugar como un espacio comunitario seguro, un espacio al que las familias y los niños puedan acudir con tranquilidad.” La ordenanza pasará ahora a una audiencia pública para recabar más comentarios de la comunidad antes de someterse a votación.

Los detalles están disponibles en el paquete de documentos de la reunión del Concejo Municipal de Winters, el cual puede consultarse públicamente en línea, en la sección «Available Archives» (Archivos disponibles), en http:// www.cityofwinters.org/194/ Meetings.

Los líderes californianos ensalzaron a César Chávez — Ahora, se enfrentan a un ajuste de cuentas con su pasado

Por

Ryan Sabalow, Jeanne

Kuang, Nadia Lathan y Yue Stella Yu CalMatters

Este artículo fue publicado originalmente por CalMatters.

César Chávez, el legendario activista californiano por los derechos de los trabajadores agrícolas e ícono de los derechos civiles de los mexicoamericanos, ha sido durante décadas una figura estrechamente ligada a la política demócrata, tanto a nivel estatal como nacional.

El expresidente Joe Biden tenía un busto de Chávez en la Casa Blanca. El gobernador Gavin Newsom declaró a la prensa que una fotografía en blanco y negro de Chávez y su estrecho aliado, el senador Robert Kennedy, es la primera imagen que ve cada mañana en su casa.

En California, el nombre de Chávez está intrínsecamente ligado a la vida cotidiana. Decenas, si no cientos, de escuelas públicas, bulevares, centros comunitarios y plazas llevan su nombre. Incluso forma parte del currículo oficial de las escuelas de California. Ahora, a menos de dos semanas de que California celebrara el día festivo estatal en honor al cumpleaños del difunto líder sindical, los demócratas estatales y nacionales se enfrentan a la impactante revelación de que varias mujeres han denunciado que Chávez las violó. Una de esas mujeres fue su compañera en el movimiento, Dolores Huerta. El miércoles, The New York Times publicó una investigación en la que se mencionan los nombres de tres mujeres que acusan a Chávez de haber abusado sexualmente de ellas, aprovechando su posición de pod-

er. Dos de ellas eran hijas de líderes sindicales y declararon al Times que habían sufrido abusos cuando eran niñas. La otra era Huerta, un ícono del movimiento obrero, cofundadora del sindicato de trabajadores agrícolas junto a Chávez, quien popularizó el lema “Sí, se puede” y que sigue siendo una figura clave en la política demócrata. En el artículo del Times, Huerta afirmó que Chávez la había violado y que había dado a luz a dos hijos tras encuentros con él.

“Lamentablemente, utilizó su gran liderazgo para abusar de mujeres y niños; es realmente terrible”, declaró Huerta, de 95 años, al Times. Las repercusiones de las revelaciones fueron inmediatas, ya que los políticos demócratas y los activistas sindicales se apresuraron a reaccionar ante la mancha irreparable en la imagen de uno de sus héroes.

“Cuántos días he marchado, cuántas veces he estado con estudiantes hablando del movimiento, cuántas fotografías tengo en mi casa de Bobby Kennedy y César Chávez”, dijo Newsom a los periodistas en una conferencia de prensa. “Ha sido difícil asimilarlo”. Su esposa, Jennifer Siebel Newsom, sobreviviente de una agresión sexual y directora de varias películas sobre igualdad de género, declaró entre lágrimas a los periodistas que estaba “un poco conmovida por Dolores y estas jóvenes”.

“Las mujeres están en nuestros corazones”, dijo en español. El sindicato United Farm Workers, fundado por Chávez, calificó las acusaciones de “indefendibles” y can-

celó sus eventos del Día de César Chávez. Hace apenas cuatro años, el sindicato recreó su emblemática Marcha a Sacramento para presionar a Newsom para que firmara una ley que facilitaría la afiliación de miembros . California comienza a borrar el nombre de Chávez

Mientras tanto, otros líderes políticos estatales, miembros del Congreso y candidatos demócratas a gobernador, emitieron comunicados condenando las acusaciones y mostrando su apoyo a las mujeres que alzaron la voz.

“Para los sobrevivientes y sus familias, el peso de su dolor es real y constante”, declaró el presidente demócrata de la Asamblea, Robert Rivas, en un comunicado que no mencionaba a Chávez. “El movimiento de los trabajadores agrícolas nunca se ha centrado en un solo hombre; es más grande que cualquier persona, y sus valores de dignidad y justicia son más importantes ahora que nunca. A quienes han tenido el valor de denunciar, les envío mi más sincero apoyo”.

Rivas, al igual que muchos demócratas californianos que forman parte de la Legislatura, tiene estrechos vínculos con el movimiento obrero y es un antiguo miembro de un sindicato. Rivas creció en viviendas para trabajadores agrícolas y desde hace mucho tiempo ha incluido a Chávez en su trayectoria política. En 2024 , fue homenajeado en la Fundación César Chávez junto a Jane Fonda.

La oficina de Rivas no respondió a CalMatters cuando se le preguntó si la Legis-

latura aceleraría la aprobación de la ley para cambiar el nombre del feriado estatal a tiempo para el 31 de marzo. La Legislatura lo declaró feriado oficial en el año 2000. Para cambiar el nombre, la Legislatura tendría que aprobar un proyecto de ley que Newsom tendría que promulgar. Newsom declaró a los periodistas que estaba abierto a la idea, pero que los líderes necesitan tiempo para asimilar la noticia.

“Tenemos que analizar todo esto a fondo, profundizar un poco más para comprenderlo, antes de dar los siguientes pasos”, dijo. “Hay una sensación de urgencia en este sentido, dado que este es el mes en que celebramos la vida y la obra de una figura a la que hemos admirado y venerado durante mucho tiempo”.

El grupo parlamentario latino de la Legislatura también está debatiendo qué hacer, dijo Mark González, asambleísta demócrata de Los Ángeles.

“Se están considerando cuidadosamente todas las opciones en respuesta a las acusaciones de violencia sexual que involucran a César Chávez, incluyendo la posibilidad de cambiar el nombre del feriado estatal”, dijo en un comunicado. “Este es un momento que exige atención, rendición de cuentas y un compromiso para apoyar a las sobrevivientes de violencia sexual”.

Al mismo tiempo, los líderes locales también estaban considerando eliminar el nombre de Chávez de sus monumentos.

Las ciudades revisan los nombres de los parques y las calles Según el portavoz Dave Rolland, las au-

toridades de San Diego podrían cambiar el nombre de la avenida César Chávez. “Las acusaciones de abuso contra César Chávez son impactantes y perturbadoras”, declaró el alcalde Todd Gloria, demócrata, en un comunicado. “Nuestra principal preocupación debe ser con las sobrevivientes que se han atrevido a denunciar y con quienes no pudieron hacerlo”. La ciudad, que es la segunda más poblada del estado, cuenta con un parque y una avenida que llevan el nombre del líder de los derechos civiles. En Sacramento, donde la Plaza César Chávez se encuentra a pocas cuadras del Capitolio, los líderes también están tomando medidas para cambiar el nombre de este lugar emblemático. El alcalde Kevin McCarty, un exlegislador demócrata que afirma haber participado en las marchas de la UFW y del Día de Chávez durante 30 años, estaba convocando un subcomité para trabajar en el cambio de nombre.

“Nos tomamos estas acusaciones muy en serio y nos aseguraremos de que la denominación de las instalaciones de nuestra ciudad esté en consonancia con nuestros valores”, afirmó en un comunicado.

Conexiones personales con Chávez

La senadora demócrata de California, Eloise Gómez Reyes, de San Bernardino, calificó a Huerta como “una querida amiga”. En un comunicado, expresó sentir una mezcla de “rabia, tristeza y decepción” tras enterarse de lo que Huerta y las demás mujeres contaron a The Times. “Estas revelaciones son profundamente dolorosas”, dijo Reyes. “Exigen que busquemos la rendición de cuentas mediante el debido proceso conforme a la ley, y que afrontemos una verdad profundamente incómoda: jamás debemos poner a ningún individuo por encima de toda crítica”.

Según Digital Democracy, Huerta se ha dirigido a los legisladores al menos cinco veces desde 2024. Pero las acusaciones también brindan a los políticos la oportunidad de ensalzar a las mujeres que fueron víctimas de las dinámicas de poder y reconocer a otros líderes latinos que han contribuido al movimiento obrero durante décadas, según politólogos. Eliminar el nombre de Chávez de las escuelas y las señales de tráfico, dijo Phillips, es “lo básico y obvio”.

Regional News

Yolo DA seeks reversal of molester’s parole decision

By Lauren Keene McNaughton Media

Yolo County District

Attorney Jeff Reisig has asked Gov. Gavin Newsom to intervene in a California Board of Parole Hearings’ decision recommending the release of a convicted child molester under the state’s Elderly Parole Program.

Israel Vargas Ceja, 63, has been serving a 139-year state prison sentence since 2000, when a Yolo County jury found him guilty of multiple counts of forcible rape, child endangerment, lewd acts with a child and assault with a firearm, all involving his stepdaughter.

According to the DA’s Office, Ceja began molesting the girl, then 11 and already a victim of prior sex abuse, after marrying her mother in 1993. The abuse by Ceja continued until l999, when the then-teen learned she was pregnant with his child.

“Investigation determined that he had tried to make her jump from the house and a truck ramp to try to induce miscarriage,” DA officials said in a news release. They also said Ceja once pointed a gun at the victim, “ac-

Special to the Express

Davis-based nonprofit professional Liane Moody will take the helm as the executive director of Meals on Wheels Yolo County effective Monday, April 13. She replaces the present Executive Director Joy Cohan, who’s retiring on Friday, April 3, following more than four years of leadership.

Currently, Moody is the executive director of Short Term Emergency Aid Committee, a nonprofit providing low-income Yolo County families and individuals assistance with basic necessities. She has served STEAC for seven years, doubling the organization’s budget via fundraising activities aimed at simultaneous program growth and fiscal stability.

“Liane has proven her ability to grow a nonprofit organization by identifying needs and utilizing her collaborative and communications skills to achieve positive outcomes,” stated Bridget Levich, MOW Yolo Board of Directors chair. “The MOW Yolo Board is thrilled to welcome Liane and looks forward to working with her to continue

cused her of looking at other men, then pulled the trigger. Fortunately, it did not fire, and the victim was able to escape.”

California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation online records show Ceja became eligible for parole in January 2021 but stipulated to his unsuitability for release for a three-year period in February 2022. In October 2024, he waived his right to a parole hearing for another year.

His Jan. 29 parole hearing at San Quentin State Prison was conducted under the state’s Elderly Parole Program, which targets prisoners who are not condemned or serving sentences of life without the possibility of parole.

To apply for the program, prisoners must have been incarcerated for at least 20 continuous years and reached the age of 50, or incarcerated for at least 25 continuous years and reached the age of 60.

The DA’s Office, which opposed Ceja’s release at the hearing, said Parole Board Commissioner Neil Schneider and Deputy Commissioner Letiz-

organizational growth, and the opportunity to engage and nourish yet more food-insecure, isolated seniors in Yolo County.”

During Cohan’s tenure as executive director, MOW Yolo experienced more than 350 percent growth in the number of seniors connected with meals and social contact, a 5,300 square foot institutional meal production facility was established, and social enterprise was introduced as a viable revenue stream to supplement private philanthropy. These efforts emerged from the Board of Directors’ development of a multi-year strategic plan, which will now guide the objectives and outcomes of Moody’s oversight of the organization.

“I could not be more thrilled to have this opportunity to continue the incredible work that Joy and the Board, staff, and volunteers at MOW Yolo have done to ensure that all food-insecure seniors in our county are fed and supported,” Moody shared. “Their commitment to bold and tireless work to expand to meet senior needs with innovation and collabora-

ia Pinitore concluded that Ceja “no longer posed an unreasonable risk to society if released,” citing his rehabilitative programming, lack of misconduct and “genuine” plans for parole.

“Ceja admitted in the same hearing that he suffered from the ‘disorder’ of being attracted to young girls,” DA officials said. “He also indicated that his primary way of controlling his pedophilic urges is ‘praying.’”

The victim was not present for the hearing and ruling, which now goes before Gov. Newsom for review and a final decision whether to accept or reject the board’s recommendation.

In a March 13 letter, Reisig asked Gov. Newsom to exercise his authority to return Ceja’s case to the Board of Hearings for an “en banc” review — reconsideration by the full 21-member board.

“I believe that this grant of parole was not only improvident, but reckless, considering the violence of these forcible rapes of a child and the record of this parole hearing,” Reisig wrote. “He is a pedophile convicted of violent child rapes who

tion has made a real impact upon vulnerable members of our community. I look forward to leading this dynamic team, building upon MOW Yolo’s successes, and helping unite our community to care for the most vulnerable.”

Fortifying Moody’s approach will be her ongoing participation in the Leadership Longevity Fellowship offered by New Sector Alliance. The nine-month program launched last June, bringing together 16 mission-driven professionals from across the United States for an innovative leadership development experience focused

acknowledges these urges and his best coping mechanism is praying.”

Meanwhile, a bill now before the state Assembly seeks to amend the Elderly Parole Program to exclude those convicted of certain serious sex offenses.

Assembly Bill 2727, introduced by Assemblywoman Stephanie Nguyen, D-Elk Grove, says that “persons convicted of various sexual offenses, including rape, sodomy, or aggravated sexual assault of a child, or sentenced pursuant to a provision applicable where the crimes involved had multiple victims, as specified, are not suitable for parole under the Elderly Parole Program.”

It adds: “The bill would allow certain persons convicted of other specified sex offenses to be eligible for parole only if the person is 75 years of age or older and has served a minimum of 30 years of continuous incarceration on their current sentence.”

The bill currently sits before the Assembly’s public safety committee.

upon career and life design, health and wellness, and creating a supportive community of peers.

“I’m excited to bring back to Yolo County and to MOW Yolo the knowledge gained from these professionals nationwide,” Moody said.

Before arriving at STEAC, Moody was the project coordinator for the ¡Intercambio! Adult Language Exchange Program for five years, serving both Spanish and English-speaking parents at Davis’ Marguerite Montgomery Elementary School in coordination with the Davis Joint Unified School District and UC Davis. The program was honored by the city of Davis in 2017 with the Thong Hy Huynh Award for Excellence in Community Involvement.

To ensure a seamless executive transition between Cohan and Moody, MOW Yolo has launched a “Transitions” fundraising initiative. To learn more about the campaign and offer support, visit mowyolo. org/donate-2, or contact MOW Yolo at engagement@mowyolo. org or 530-662-7035.

Solano County gets $37M for behavioral health

By Todd R. Hansen McNaughton Media

Solano County has been awarded more than $37 million from the state Behavioral Health Continuum Infrastructure Program for the development of a new Solano Behavioral Health Recovery Campus in Fairfield.

It was one of three Solano projects to receive the state funding. Awards also went to NorthBay Health, $14 million, and Bayside Haven Rehabilitation Center, $17 million.

The addition of the county recovery campus will significantly expand access to mental health and substance use crisis services in the county.

“This investment will allow Solano County to significantly expand access to crisis stabilization and recovery services for residents experiencing mental health or substance use challenges,” Emery Cowan, director of Solano County Health and Social Services, said in a statement released Friday.

“By co-locating these services in one campus, we can improve coordination of care and create smoother ‘warm handoffs’ between programs so individuals receive the right level of support at the right time.”

The campus will include a 26-bed Crisis Stabilization Unit, expanding from the current 12 beds available; the county’s first Peer Respite program, with 20 beds; and the county’s first Sobering Center with 12 service slots.

“A peer respite is a short-term, one to two days, voluntary residential program that supports individuals experiencing emotional distress or a behavioral health crisis staffed primarily by trained and certified peer specialists with lived recovery experience,” Cowan stated.

A Sobering Center is a short-term, supervised program where individuals who are acutely intoxicated can safely recover from alcohol or drug use in a monitored setting rather than being taken to

an emergency department or jail. Sobering centers provide observation, basic medical screening, hydration, and supportive care, typically for stays of several hours up to about 24 hours, while ensuring individuals are stable and safe,” Cowan added.

It will be at 2271 S. Watney Way in Fairfield, part of the Beck Campus, adjacent to the county’s new mental health residential facility.

“The campus is designed to centralize behavioral health crisis services in one location, strengthening the county’s ability to provide immediate care and longer-term recovery support for individuals with the highest needs,” the county statement said.

After design, permitting and hiring a contractor this year, construction is expected to begin in 2027 and be completed by December 2028.

The Governor’s Office announced the award this week as part of Round 2 of the Behavioral Health Continuum Infrastructure Program, a statewide initiative funded by California’s Proposition 1 behavioral health bond.

The other two behavioral health initiatives to receive BHCIP included:

• NorthBay Health received $14 million to develop a Behavioral Health Urgent Care and Outpatient Center in Fairfield.

• Bayside Haven Rehabilitation Center received $17 million to develop a psychiatric health facility in Vallejo.

“Together, these investments will strengthen the behavioral health care system across Solano County and expand local capacity to treat mental health and substance use disorders,” the county stated.

The BHCIP program is administered by the California Department of Health Care Services. Information about the Behavioral Health Continuum Infrastructure Program is at www.dhcs. ca.gov/BHCIP/Pages/ BHCIP-Home.aspx.

West Side Glory wins at Quiz Show

Special to the Express

For the second time in two years, West Side Glory won the Winters Friends of the Library Quiz Show last Friday at the Opera House. Megan Bettis, Colin Bettis, Bill McKenzie, Flavio Gallo and Kathleen Gallo beat the second-place team, the Rotary Rogues and Reprobates, in the final round to win the $200 prize and the title of Quiz Show Champions. They generously donated their prize money back to WFoL.

The Rotary Rogues and Reprobates, with team members Kelli Villanueva, Gar House, Chris Kelch, Steve Ackley and Dani Fusco, were fierce competitors but didn’t have as much trivial knowledge as West Side Glory.

The two other teams were Quizteama Aguilera, who also played last year, made up of Karen Long, Teo Preciado, Julian Garcia, Jordan Garcia and Melissa Lonso; and The Last-Minute Leftovers, cobbled together from audience members that evening, consisting of Matt Achibeque, Pinky Dahn, Barry Parker and Jeff TenPas.

The game included three rounds of questions from a dozen categories. The teams answered more than 80 questions in the two-hour game. Four teams competed in the first two rounds; the two highest-scoring teams advanced to the final set, head-to-head.

Much laughter and appreciative applause filled the audience as team members invented funny answers when the correct one was elusive. Judges tossed Snickers bars to those who made them laugh. With categories covering many subjects, having a well-rounded team with members knowledgeable in

music, history or, this year’s favorite, science and nature, proved important.

Since its inception in 2004, this was the 17th competition put on by WFoL as a fundraiser for the Winters Library. Judges were Jack Young, Mary Lou Linvill and Margaret Bailey. Scorekeepers were Megan Evans and Carol Scianna. Emcee was Woody Fridae, and timekeeper was Sally Brown. Many other volunteers helped make the event a success.

Here are some sample questions from the game:

Winters trivia: According to their sign on the corner, within five years, what year did Pisanis’ start their business?

Food and drink: Saccharin, still used as a zero-calorie sweetener today, was invented in the late 1800s. From what substance is it derived: coal tar, pine tree sap or yam tubers?

History: The ancient city of Constantinople is now known as what? Answers: 1959; coal tar; Istanbul, Turkey.

Women’s history at WCC event

Special to the Express

About 100 students, community members and leaders gathered to discuss “Civic Women’s History and Civic Engagement” on Thursday, March 5, at Woodland Community College.

The event was part of Women’s History Month and was hosted by Chicana/o Studies at WCC, with co-sponsorship from Political Science at WCC, the League of Women Voters of Yolo County, the Yolo County Office of Education and the Yolo County Assessor, Clerk-Recorder and Elections Office.

The program included the “Women of Yolo County Civically Engaged Panel” and the “Women of Yolo County in Action Exhibit,” recognizing the legacy and contributions of women to the betterment of communities across Yolo County.

Opening remarks were delivered by Woodland Mayor Martha Guerrero, with closing remarks from Yolo County Supervi-

sor Sheila Allen. Panelists included Norma Alcala, West Sacramento city councilmember; Jesse Loren, Winters city councilmember; Xochitl Rodriguez, former Woodland mayor; and Mayra Vega, Woodland mayor pro tempore.

“As women in public life, we were asked to reflect on politics and cultural issues. My focus was belonging — who gets to shape that narrative, how dangerous it is not to be included, and who gets to claim their place in it,” Loren said.

Alcala shared that her mother and Dolores Huerta inspired her commitment to service. Rodriguez said her leadership was influenced by Mariko Yamada and other women in her life. Vega noted her immigrant family played a major role in her leadership development. All panelists acknowledged inspiration from Assemblywoman Cecilia Aguiar-Curry.

Students in attendance said they felt inspired to get involved, were motivated to find mentors, and expressed interest in attending more events like this.

Additional attendees included elected leaders Tania Garcia Cadena, Deborah Zavala, Jesse Ortiz, Jesse Salinas, Noel Rodriguez, and Lucas Frerichs. Retired Yolo County firefighter Emily Ho also attended.

In addition to the panel, the exhibit “Women of Yolo County in Action” opened and will remain on display in Room 101 through March 25, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. The exhibit features more than 50 pieces.

Featured artists include Elyse Doyle-Martinez, Stephanie Thayer and TANA. Additional contributions were provided by Laura Brubaker, Tania Garcia Cadena and the League of Women Voters.

Turn lane work begins at Hwy. 16, County Road 95

Special to the Express Construction has begun on a safety improvement project along California State Route 16 near Woodland. The California Department of Transportation began work March 9 to install new left-turn lanes at Highway 16 and County Road 95, about 3 miles west of Woodland. The project will add left-turn pockets on Highway 16 for vehicles turning onto County Road 95. Crews will also install warning signs and flashing beacons to improve visibility and alert drivers to the intersection. Construction is expected to continue through the early summer.

Drivers should expect intermittent lane closures on Highway 16 and at the County Road 95 intersection during construction. Work is scheduled Monday through Friday during daytime hours, with the roadway reopening fully each evening.

Farms find success in vertical integration

By Caleb Hampton California Farm Bureau

Full Belly Farm co-owner Amon Muller grew up traveling between his family’s diversified farm in rural Yolo County and farmers markets across the Bay Area. Some of the region’s top chefs purchased ingredients from the farm, and a few hired Muller to work as a prep chef in their restaurants.

“I really enjoyed my time there, but I quickly realized that I like being outside,” Muller said. “I was drawn back to the farm.”

In 2016, the third-generation farmer put his culinary skills to work at Full Belly, opening a commercial kitchen to manufacture value-added products at the 450-acre farm in Capay Valley. Today, the kitchen operates year-round, producing tomato sauce, jam, cakes, pasta, olive oil and other items from the farm’s organic fruits, nuts, grains, eggs and vegetables.

“It’s a really interesting model,” said Kristin Kiesel, an agricultural and resource economics professor at UC Davis who has partnered with Full

Belly in her research.

“They’re a good example of a farm that vertically integrated and built a brand.”

According to experts, trends in the food supply chain and changes in consumer behavior could incentivize more farms to do the same.

For decades, farmers have seen a declining share of the money consumers spend on food. Since 1950, that figure declined from around 40 cents of every food dollar to around 9 cents, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, with the value of farm products increasingly captured by processors, retailers and food service.

“Everyone essentially puts their hand in the cookie jar and takes something out,” Kiesel said.

In recent years, she added, “dramatically increased” consolidation in the processing and retail sectors has further diminished farmers’ bargaining power as their market access is dictated by a handful of companies.

“The increased concentration further downstream is an incentive for farms to vertically integrate— to capture some of that added value,” Kiesel said.

However, farmers often encounter barriers when it comes to vertically integrating.

For many, it can be a challenge to access the capital needed to invest in new equipment or infrastructure, hire skilled personnel, develop new marketing relationships and build name recognition for their brand.

“Running a farm in itself is a challenge,” Muller said. He added that making and marketing value-added products is essentially “a whole other business enterprise.”

Farms can also struggle to achieve the scale they need in their value-added business to make the investment worth it. Until their brand gains a following, they may need to pay a broker to get into major retail chains, stock some of their products for free or pay “slotting” fees for shelf space in stores.

“It’s a very difficult process in the beginning,” said Noel Rosa, co-owner of Rosa Brothers Milk Company, a Kings County dairy that in 2012 built its own creamery nearby in Tulare. “It gets easier as your brand gets

FARMS, Page 10

Farms that succeed in vertically integrating can benefit in various ways.

At Full Belly, the farm’s branded products provide an outlet for off-grade fruit, and the shelf-stable goods generate year-round cash flow.

“It can be quite valuable for a farm” to find uses for unsold products, Muller said. “It’s another revenue stream.” Vertical integration can also help insulate farms from risks that affect raw commodity markets.

Steve Chinchiolo, who grows organic apples in San Joaquin County, in recent years sold his offgrade fruit—around a quarter of the crop— to Manzana Products Co., which made it into juice and applesauce at its cannery in Sebastopol. But Manzana announced it will close the North Bay processing plant next year and relocate to Washington state.

“We’re going to lose a big buyer,” Chinchiolo said.

Fortunately, the farm has another outlet for its fruit at Far West Cider Co., a Richmond-based cidery Chinchiolo’s children opened in 2018 to make

ciders with fruit from the farm. While the cidery is still scaling up, Chinchiolo said, “ultimately, we’re hoping to be able to utilize all of that fruit.”

Farmers aren’t the only ones who benefit from vertical integration in agriculture. Kiesel, the UC Davis researcher, said that when farms own more of the supply chain, it can have communitywide impacts.

“By vertically integrating, you can ensure some of those dollars stay within the community,” she said.

Rosa Brothers, which is the only creamery in the nation’s largest dairy-producing county, employs 10 people at its dairy and 50 people at the creamery.

“We’re providing some really good jobs,” Rosa said, with positions ranging from marketing and logistics to truck driving. In addition, he said, “We’re able to sell products statewide and bring those dollars back into a low-income community.”

The third-generation dairy farmer said the creamery, which makes ice cream and bottled milk, “allowed us to keep our farm going and viable.”

The dairy has remained about the same size—it has around 1,000 Hol-

Open Friday - Monday 11am - 7pm to satisfy the need of our communities established.”

steins—while profits from the creamery enabled the family to purchase adjacent land to grow feed crops. “A lot of good has come from it,” Rosa said.

Crystal Whitelaw, associate director for sustainable food economies at the UC Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program, or SAREP, said the program was developing a stronger focus on

vertical integration as a way for small- and mid-sized farms to remain economically viable.

“This is something we are tasked with looking more into,” Whitelaw said. “There are many logistical benefits and strategic advantages.”

Farmers interested in vertical integration can receive support and resources from UC SAREP, she said. They can also

apply for USDA’s Value-Added Producer Grant program, which helps farmers establish value-added enterprises.

At the moment, farms branching out into manufacturing may also benefit from shifting consumer priorities. With shoppers increasingly skeptical of ultraprocessed foods, Whitelaw said, desire for less processed, locally sourced foods

could boost demand for farm-made products.

“More consumers are vested in the food supply chain,” she said. “Now more than ever, folks want to have a relationship with their food and know where it comes from.”

This article was originally published in the Jan. 28, 2026, issue of Ag Alert, and is reprinted with permission of the California Farm Bureau.

Vet

Thursday, March 19

Winters Open Mic Night, 6 p.m. (sign-ups begin at 5:30 p.m.), Winters Opera House (13 Main St.), Visit wintersopenmic.org

Thursdays

Eat Well Yolo Food Distribution, first and third Thursdays, 10 a.m. As supplies last, RISE, Inc., 417 Haven St., 530-668-0690, https://yolofoodbank.org/find-food

Friday, March 20

Express Coffeehouse Chat, 8 a.m., Steady Eddy's Coffee House

Saturday, March 21

Eat Well Yolo Drive – Through Food Distribution, Saturdays, 11 a.m. As supplies last, Winters High student parking lot, off Railroad Avenue, https://yolofoodbank.org/find-food

Tuesday, March 24

Winters Planning Commission Meeting, 6:30 p.m.,City Hall Large Conference Room (Abbey Street entrance), Zoom Meeting info, check www.cityofwinters.org/planning-commission/

Library Services

Winters Library Open to Public (School in Session), Winters Community Library, Mon/Wed: 8 a.m.–6 p.m., Tue/Thu: 8 a.m.–8 p.m., Fri: 8 a.m.–5 p.m. , Sat: 1–5 p.m.

Teen Tuesday (ages 12-18), Second Tuesdays, 2 p.m., Winters Community Library

Bilingual Storytime (ages 0-5), Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m., Winters Community Library

Virtual English Conversation Group Tuesdays, 2-3 p.m., One time registration required: Contact Nancy Pacheco 530-666-8019 or nancy.pacheco@yolocounty.org

Mangonada Monday (ages 6-12), fourth Monday, 3:30 p.m. Tech Thursdays, Thursdays, 2-7:30 p.m., call 530-6668005 to schedule an appointment. Bilingual sessions available upon request.

Movie Matinee, Fourth Friday, 2-4 p.m., Winters Community Library

All You Need is Love Romance Book Club, Second Saturday, 4 p.m., Hooby’s Brewing

Older Adult Programs

Winters Senior Foundation Chair Yoga Class for Seniors Wednesdays, 9:30-11 a.m., St. Anthony Parish Hall (511 W. Main St.)

Cafe Yolo Social Dining, Thurdays, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Winters Community Center (201 Railroad Ave.), Reservations required 24 hours in advance at 530-662-7035 or welcome@mowyolo.org

Winters Senior Foundation Social Gathering, Thurdays, 12:30-3 p.m., Winters Community Center (201 Railroad Ave.)

Ongoing

View the Winters community events calendar at https://bit.ly/WintersCommunityEvents

Winters Friends of the Library meeting, first Monday, 7 p.m., Winters Community Library, Margaret Parsons Room, wfol.org

Winters Fortnightly meeting, second Tuesdays (September thru May), 1 p.m., St. Anthony Parish Hall, 511 W. Main St.

Rotary Club of Winters meeting, Thursdays, Noon, The Buckhorn

Winters Museum public hours Thursday thru Sunday, 1-5 p.m., 13 Russell St., historicalsocietyofwinters.org

Saved & Sober program, Thursdays, 7p.m., The Rock Church West, 201 Main St. Winters Open Mic, third Thursday, 6 p.m. (sign-ups begin at 5:30 p.m.), Winters Opera House (13 Main St.), Visit wintersopenmic.org

12-Step Bonfire meeting, third Friday, 6:30 p.m. fellowship, 7 p.m. meeting, LuNita Ranch, 8189 Olive School Ln, Winters, Bring a camp chair.

Kiwanis Club of Winters meeting, fourth Wednesday, 6 p.m., Turkovich Family Wines - Boss Lounge, kiwanisclubofwinters@gmail.com

Democracy Winters meeting, third Saturdays, 10 a.m.Noon, Meeting details in newsletter, contact info@ democracywinters.org

Alcoholics Anonymous meetings:

» St. Anthony Parish Hall, 511 Main St. (back entrance) Tuesdays, 7-8 a.m. and Fridays, 7-8 a.m. » Yolo Housing office building, 62 Shams Way: Thursdays, 7-8 p.m. and Sundays, 9 a.m.

Sales rise as rates ease in February HOMES, Page 2

Baseball squad starts season SPORTS, Page 3

movie picks A&E, Page 8

Forum highlights housing needs, barriers

By Rebecca Wasik McNaughton Media

Last Thursday evening, the League of Women Voters Yolo County held a forum titled, “Affordable Housing: How Do We Build It” at the Woodland Community and Senior Center.

This free event featured a panel discussion with executive director of the Yolo Land Trust John Currey, executive director of the Yolo County Housing Authority Ian Evans and executive director of Yolo Community Builders Bill Pride.

It was co-sponsored by Davis Community Action Network, with Interfaith Housing Justice Davis working as an event partner. Partners tabling the event included Davis Community Action Network, Davis Community Meals and Housing, Interfaith Housing Justice Davis, League of Women Voters Yolo County, Yolo Community Builders, Fourth and Hope,Heart of Davis Safe Parking and more.

The goal of the forum was to educate voters on the unique needs and priorities of multiple communities and residents across the county.

Questions from the LWVYC were presented to the panel for discussion by the LWVYC Housing Committee co-chair, Kate Curry. Audience questions were also taken for the panel.

A question posed to Currey focused on the importance of agricultural land to Yolo County. Currey explained that 100% of America’s almonds come from California, as well as 95% of tomatoes, 80% of wine grapes and 40% of organic production.

The protected ag lands, says Currey, need to be balanced by the needs of our community. Currey says farmers are also concerned about housing for their workforce and the decline in rural housing in general.

Evans explained that “capital A affordable housing” is for extremely low and very low income populations, 30% or 50% AMI (area median income). Currently in Yolo County, 30% AMI for a family of four is $37,750 and 50% AMI for a family of four is $62,950.

There are about 1,600 individuals in Yolo County at any given time using the Yolo Housing Authority’s Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8 Program). This is about $1.9 million that is being paid to landlords throughout the com-

By Jeremy Craig Special to the Express

Restaurants commonly mark up wine by roughly twice the retail price, so a versatile home collection is a smart way to enjoy your favorite bottles and age special ones. It doesn’t need to be a major expense; a few simple guidelines can help you get started with your collection. Key considerations are storage, favorite cuisines, and versatile varietals that pair well with food or drink on their own. Your first step is proper storage. Wine hates warm temperatures, jostling, and sunlight. In California, most collectors invest in a small wine fridge. An economical 48-bottle unit can be purchased for a few hundred dollars and will keep your wine at the correct temperature, protect it from light, and hold bottles stable. Unless you are storing wine for 10 years or more, this solution fits the bill. Now the fun part, filling it up! Before you do, consider your

munity for extremely low and very low income individuals to remain housed.

The YCHA also has 431 public housing units throughout the county. These are subsidized through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

“HUD continues to disinvest in public housing, so it becomes more and more difficult to maintain which is why we are trying to work to get out of public housing and build more voucher properties so that we can move those households in,” said Evans.

When it comes to obstacles to building affordable housing, Evans says you used to be able to build a project with one to three funding sources. Now you are lucky if you can build a project with five. All of these funding sources have different requirements for tenants, which makes things even more difficult.

“The average per unit cost for affordable housing to build in Yolo is anywhere from $500,000 to $700,000 per door,” said Evans. “Affordable housing is affordable for the end user, affordable for the people we are serving, it is not affordable to build.”

This is due to the many rules and regulations that must be followed by affordable housing developers that market rate developers do not have to follow.

Educating the community is another important factor of getting affordable housing built, says Evans. Part of this is because of NIMBYism (not in my backyard).

“Hearing concerns, speaking about our specific project, what our project is going to do, what it will address, how it’s going to help the community, what different aspects are go-

cuisine preferences. As I mentioned in a previous article, “what grows together goes together.” If Italian cooking is your go-to, look to the regions your favorite recipes come from. Meat-and-potatoes households should look to classic beef pairings: Cabernet, Malbec, and Petit Sirah. Seafood lovers should explore coastal wines such as Albariño and cool-climate Chardonnay, as well as fruit-forward reds like Beaujolais and Pinot Noir. Pro tip: buy a few bottles at a time and experiment with your usual meals to dial in your favorites.

For a solid starter collection, always keep sparkling wines on hand, such as a lighter Prosecco for easy drinking and a classic Champagne for celebrations.

Riesling is a high-acid white wine that pairs well with a wide range of foods and is very affordable. Chardonnay deserves a place too, though it’s

ing to be built as part of that project, hopefully that helps reduce some of those barriers or that NIMBYism,” said Evans.

In-lieu fees can be paid by developers if they choose to not build any affordable housing as part of their project. Davis currently has the highest in-lieu fees in the county, according to Evans, at $215,000.

This incentivizes developers to build affordable housing as part of their projects.

Affordable housing projects currently underway in the county include Freeman Gardens in Woodland, Mosaic Gardens in West Sacramento and Bretton Woods in Davis.

Paul’s Place in Davis also opened in 2023, which Pride was instrumental in.

Pride says with Paul’s Place, he was determined to have each unit include its own kitchen and shower as he has seen in his career that it leads to better success for individuals.

Getting into affordable housing can be very discriminatory against individuals, according to Pride.

“If you’ve got a drug conviction and the housing program has HUD funding, you can’t house them,” Pride explained. “Some funding streams will not let you have an eviction on your record, can’t house them then. If you’ve got a credit to debt ratio that’s too high… the list goes on and on.”

This is part of why Pride wanted to create a place like Paul’s Place that could help individuals to thrive in their community without so many obstacles.

The California Department of Housing and Community Development allows

made in several distinct styles (look for a future article on that grape alone). Round out your White wines with Albariño or Sauvignon Blanc for shellfish, seafood, and salads.

For Reds, your personal preferences really matter. I’d recommend stocking across the weight spectrum: an easy-drinking fruity red (Beaujolais or Grenache), a mediumbodied option (Sangiovese or Pinot Noir), and a heavier red (Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Sirah, or Malbec). Red blends are a particular favorite of mine for their versatility across many dishes — consider Bordeaux, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, or Rioja for different but balanced profiles.

One important note: start with single bottles across a range of varietals before buying in quantity. Many wine drinkers find their tastes evolve as they explore the wine world, so get to know your preferences first. Why not start your collection by visiting

one of Winters’ great downtown tasting rooms? I asked Chris Turkovich of Turkovich Winery which three bottles of his we would recommend for a starter collection: “2022 Syrah-Viognier — a ready-to-drink wine with bright fruit and a touch of oak that still has plenty of ageability. The 2022 GSM — one of the most versatile food-pairing reds, always a good option across a wide range of cuisine. The 2024 Roussanne — a full-bodied white and a great alternative to Chardonnay for someone looking to broaden their cellar.”

Happy hunting!

Building a collection is great fun and can lead to years of enjoyment.

Have a wine or wine-related question? Reach out at FindURwine@gmail. com. You may even see your question used in a future article.

—Jeremy Craig, a WSET Level 3 certified wine enthusiast, shares his wine journey on Instagram at www.instagram.com/findurwine.

State home sales, prices rise in February as mortgage rates ease

California Association of Realtors

Special to the Express

California home sales increased in February as slightly more favorable mortgage rates improved affordability and encouraged more buyers to reenter the market, the California Association of Realtors said Tuesday. Closed escrow sales of existing, single-family detached homes in California reached a seasonally adjusted annualized rate of 274,820 in February, according to data collected by CAR from more than 90 local Realtor associations and multiple listing services statewide. This annualized figure reflects the number of homes that would be sold in 2026 if February’s pace continued throughout the year, adjusted for seasonal patterns.

February sales were up from 256,910 in January and down 0.3 percent from 275,600 in February 2025. Despite the uptick, the streak of sub300,000 seasonally adjusted annualized sales continued for the 41st consecutive month, underscoring the market’s persistent weakness in recent years. While a stronger-than-usual increase in pending sales offers some hope for improvement in

March, a recent spike in mortgage rates may dampen buyer momentum and keep activity subdued in the near term.

“Following a soft start to the year, the housing market regained momentum in February, with both sales and prices showing solid gains,” said 2026 CAR President Tamara Suminski, a Southern California broker and Realtor.

“The conflict in the Middle East is creating some uncertainty for the broader economy and financial markets, which could lead to some short-term hesitation in the housing market. We remain hopeful, though, that the situation will stabilize in the weeks ahead, allowing market fundamentals and buyer and seller confidence to reassert themselves.”

California’s median home price rose in February from both the prior month and a year earlier, climbing to $830,370 from a 23-month low in January. The statewide median price increased 0.9 percent from January, outpacing the long-run average decline of 0.3 percent typically observed between January and February.

On a year-over-year basis, the median price increased following two consecutive months of annual

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California’s seasonally adjusted annualized home sales climbed in February from January but were essentially flat compared with a year earlier, as the statewide median home price posted modest monthly and annual gains, according to the California Association of Realtors.

declines and posted its strongest growth rate in five months.

While prices are expected to rise as the market approaches the spring homebuying season, lingering concerns about the broader economy could constrain gains in the months ahead.

“While mortgage rates remain below year-ago levels, they recently jumped to their highest level in seven months and could temper buyer momentum as we head into the spring homebuying season,” said CAR Senior Vice President and Chief Economist Jordan Levine.

“However, many homeowners remain locked into historically low rates, and inventory remains tight,

so any stabilization in rates could help bolster home prices despite ongoing affordability and economic challenges.”

Housing report key points

Other key points from CAR’s February 2026 resale housing report include:

year-over-year median price increases. Trinity led with a 225.4 percent gain, followed by Mono at 74.1 percent. Plumas ranked third at 34.9 percent. Twenty-eight counties posted declines, while Siskiyou was unchanged. Lassen recorded the steepest drop at 30.1 percent, followed by Santa Barbara at 19.8 percent and Napa at 17.8 percent.

• Housing inventory pulled back in February, declining from the prior month and remaining unchanged from a year earlier as slower activity and economic uncertainty weighed on seller confidence. The unsold inventory index was 4.0 months in February, down from 4.4 months in January and unchanged from February 2025.

• At the county level, 27 of the 53 counties tracked by CAR posted year-over-year sales gains in February, with 14 recording double-digit increases. Mariposa led with a 57.1 percent increase, followed by Tehama at 53.8 percent and Santa Cruz at 53.6 percent.

Sales in Contra Costa and Sonoma counties were unchanged. Twenty-four counties posted declines, including 15 with drops of more than 10 percent. Mono fell 57.1 percent, followed by Plumas at 28.6 percent and Siskiyou at 20.8 percent.

• Only two of California’s five major regions recorded year-over-year median home price growth.

• At the regional level, three of California’s five major regions recorded yearover-year increases in non-seasonally adjusted home sales. The Central Coast led with a 6.2 percent gain, followed by the San Francisco Bay Area at 4.0 percent and the Central Valley at 0.6 percent. The Far North declined 2.9 percent, followed by Southern California, down 0.6 percent.

The San Francisco Bay Area led with a 2.8 percent gain, followed by the Central Coast at 0.8 percent.

• While active listings increased from the previous month, they fell year over year for the first time in 25 months. The break in the inventory growth streak suggests some homeowners may be delaying listing decisions as mortgage rates rise amid geopolitical uncertainty.

• The median number of days to sell a California single-family home was 29 days in February, up from 26 days in February 2025.

• CAR’s statewide sales-price-to-listprice ratio was 99.3 percent in February 2026, compared with 98.0 percent in February 2025.

• The statewide median price per square foot for an existing single-family home was $424, up from $421 a year earlier.

The Far North posted the largest decline at 2.1 percent, followed by the Central Valley at 2.0 percent and Southern California at 0.5 percent.

• At the county level, 24 counties recorded

• The 30-year fixed mortgage interest rate averaged 6.05 percent in February, down from 6.84 percent in February 2025, according to CAR’s calculations based on Freddie Mac’s weekly survey data.

Baseball opens strong, splits tournament games

By Sydney Andrade Express staff writer

The Winters High School varsity baseball team delivered an impressive allaround performance on Monday, March 9, defeating Live Oak by a score of 11–1.

The Warriors set the tone early with aggressive base running and timely hitting, finishing the game with 11 runs on eight hits while taking five walks and striking out just once as a team.

Leading the Warriors at bat was Everett Beason, who went a perfect 2-for-3 at the plate with two runs scored. Aidan Baylor added to the momentum, collecting a hit, driving in two runs and scoring four runs thanks to two walks. Tracy Kalish also contributed to the score with a hit and two RBIs, while Jordan Calvert added one hit and two RBIs to the Warriors’ total on the day.

Joe Hawkins and Jake Woods each added a hit and a run scored, while Carson Alvarado chipped in with an RBI. The team’s aggressive approach on the bases paid off, highlighted by multiple stolen bases, including three from Hawkins and two from Beason. On the mound, Calvert performed extremely well. He threw a complete five-inning game, allowing just one hit and one run while striking out eight batters, despite giving up four walks.

Defensively, Winters backed its pitcher with solid infield play, limiting Live Oak to just a single hit and keeping the pressure on throughout the game.

With strong pitching, an excellent day at the plate and smart base running, Winters performed extremely well and will work to mirror its performance

against Live Oak entering league games.

The Warriors had a busy week. Following their game against Live Oak, they competed in a threeday tournament where they faced Gridley, Colusa and Durham. Despite their best efforts, it was a rough weekend, with the Warriors winning only one of their three tournament games.

On Friday, March 13, the Warriors lost to Gridley High School by a score of 0-7. Following this loss, the Warriors played their next two games in the tournament on Saturday, March 14, against Colusa and Durham. The Warriors lost their third game of the tournament against Durham but walked away with a win in their second game, with a final score of 8–7 against Colusa High School.

With an extremely close score, the Warriors fought

until the very end, battling at the plate and demonstrating aggressive base running. The Warriors totaled eight runs on seven hits, capitalizing on key opportunities to stay just ahead of Colusa.

Leading the Warriors at bat was Cole Jordling, who delivered a standout performance at the plate, going 3-for-4 with two runs scored and an RBI. Jordling also accounted for the team’s lone extra-base hit with a double and led all players in total bases.

Baylor also made a significant impact despite limited at-bats, recording a hit and driving in two runs while also crossing the plate twice. Kalish contributed with a hit, two runs scored and an RBI.

Additional contributions came from Alvarado and Cameron Bermudez, who each added a hit and an

RBI, while Bermudez also scored a run. Beason added to the scoreboard with a run scored. The Warriors continued to show smart base movement. Baylor and Hawkins each stole two bases, while Kalish added another stolen base, consistently putting pressure on the Colusa defense.

Woods and Beason both took the mound against Colusa. Woods threw three innings, allowing five hits and four runs, while walking three and striking out three batters. Beason threw two innings, allowing one hit, one run, four walks and three strikeouts. Baylor finished off the game, giving up two runs and three walks.

The Warriors have another very busy week and will face off against St. Helena, Gridley, Napa and Buckingham Charter.

Track team starts positively in its first league meet

By Hawk Selleck Express sports correspondent

Last Wednesday, Winters High School hosted its first track and field league meet of the season. The Warriors posted several season and personal bests while earning high placements across running and field events.

Running events

100 meters

• Varsity boys: Jayden Clifford placed third in 11.6 seconds.

• Varsity girls: Varenna Terronez won in 13.0; Ava Muir-Vickrey was fifth in 13.5.

• Junior varsity boys: Jack Jordling was second in 12.1; Kennedy Brown third in 12.3; Levi Reyes fourth in 12.4.

• Junior varsity girls: Andrea Reyes won in 13.3.

jurisdictions to apply to become “pro-housing” designated community. Woodland was recently awarded this status.

200 meters

• Varsity girls: Alexys Penunuri placed fifth in 29.3.

• Junior varsity boys: Jack Jordling was second in 25.0; Kennedy Brown fourth in 26.0.

400 meters

• Varsity boys: Gavin Pisani finished fifth in 1:02.4.

• Varsity girls: Stephanie Campos placed fourth in 1:13.2.

• Junior varsity girls: Angie Polk won in 1:11.4; Anita Guzman was second in 1:12.0. 800 meters

• Varsity girls: Angelina Passantino placed second in 2:42.3.

• Junior varsity girls: Angie Polk won in

Evans says this helps immensely when applying for funding sources as it gives “bonus points” on applications. When it comes to how much affordable housing is needed in our community, Evans says it can be challenging to really know. He says a point in time count was done at the end of January and should be available in April.

2:54.8.

1,600 meters

• Junior varsity boys: Elijah Sarro placed third in 5:31.7.

• Junior varsity girls: Alice Wales won in 6:01.0; Carmella Wroten was fourth in 6:46.0.

3,200 meters

• Varsity girls: Lupe Pedraza placed third in 16:26.1.

110-meter hurdles

• Varsity boys: Jayden Clifford placed second in 17.2.

• Junior varsity boys: Levi Reyes won in 17.8; Jack Jordling was second in 18.9.

100-meter hurdles

• Junior varsity girls: Addison Thach won in 19.5.

The 2024 Yolo County point-in-time count had 932 individuals. This number is always undercounted however, says Evans.

300-meter hurdles

• Junior varsity girls: Carmella Wroten finished third in 1:01.5.

Relays

4x100 relay

• Varsity girls: Winters A team (Idaly Lopez Sanchez, Alexys Penunuri, Varenna Terronez, Ava Muir-Vickrey) won in 52.4.

• Junior varsity boys: Winters A team (Kennedy Brown, Jack Jordling, Elijah Sarro, Joaquin Ramos Bermudez) placed fifth in 51.3.

• Junior varsity girls: Winters A team (Yesenia Aguilar, Camila Martinez, Anita Guzman, Andrea Reyes) placed second in 56.6. 4x400 relay

• Junior varsity boys: Winters A team (Jacob Arce, Elijah Sarro, Brandon Herrera, Levi Reyes) won in 4:20.8.

• Junior varsity

A $10 billion housing bond will likely be on the ballot in November. The majority of the bond money, says Evans, would go to programs that HCD operates.

In California there are 40,000 affordable housing units ready to get shovels in the ground but are missing final gap funding. Evans would like to see $4 billion, which is the total of the gap funding, to be used from the bond to complete these projects.

girls: Winters A team (Alice Wales, Addison Thach, Carmella Wroten, Nahomi Campuzano) won in 5:01.9.

Field events

Shot put

• Varsity boys: Ramon Lopez won with 44-9; Gavyn Moore was fourth at 37-5.5.

• Junior varsity boys: Anthony Garcia placed fifth at 33-11.5.

• Junior varsity girls: Nahomi Campuzano placed fifth at 20-4.75.

Discus

• Varsity boys: Gavyn Moore won with 140-5; Ramon Lopez was second at 131-8.

High jump

• Varsity girls: Ava Muir-Vickrey won at 4-8.

• Junior varsity boys: Ezequiel Guerrero placed third at 4-8.

• Junior varsity girls: Angie Polk won at 4-4. Long jump

• Junior varsity boys: Julian Bermudez

says this could change with the May revise.

In January, the 2026 HUD budget was passed, cutting $800 million from the public housing program nationwide. This, says Evans, means several hundred thousand dollars cut from the programs in Yolo County.

placed fourth at 11-9.5.

• Junior varsity girls: Alice Wales placed fifth at 11-10.5.

Triple jump

• Varsity girls: Ava Muir-Vickrey won at 32-2.

• Junior varsity boys: Noah Thach placed third at 23-5.5. Winters showed strong effort across running and field events, posting several personal and season-best marks. The team will next compete at the Vern Regier Invitational at Pleasant Valley High School in Chico, with field events starting at 11 a.m. and running events at noon.

Go Warriors! —Hawk Selleck is a senior at Winters High School. He’s a sports enthusiast and participates in the school band, and many other things on campus. He enjoys music, baseball, and track and field.

is undocumented, no assistance would be provided. Evans encourages members of the community to submit public comment on this through April 21.

You can comment by visiting https://www. regulations.gov/document/HUD-2026-01990001.

Evans also mentioned that the governor’s proposed budget from January has no new money set aside for housing in it. He

A proposed HUD rule would give no HUD assistance to mixed-status families, meaning if even one member of the family

To watch the full livestream of the forum, visit https:// www.youtube.com/ watch?v=kye2o35aA0.

Horoscopes

ARIES (Mar 21/Apr 20)

Sometime this week you may discover a hidden talent you didn’t know you have, Aries. Embrace this new aspect of your identity and put it to good use.

TAURUS (Apr 21/May 21)

This is a time when you might feel grounded and secure, Taurus. Your inner strength will allow you to take a calculated risk that will pay off, either with your finances or relationships.

GEMINI (May 22/Jun 21)

You might find that this week a mental fog will lift, leaving you with a crystal-clear vision for the future, Gemini. Start moving toward your goals as soon as possible.

CANCER (Jun 22/Jul 22)

Your emotional intelligence is your greatest asset right now, Cancer. You help a friend navigate a tricky situation with ease midweek, and by the weekend you’re still going strong.

LEO (Jul 23/Aug 23)

Right now your confidence is unshakable, Leo. Use all of your energy to advocate for something you fully believe in. Chances are you will evoke some change as a result.

VIRGO (Aug 24/Sept 22)

Virgo, order brings you joy, which means you may want to tackle transforming your work space into a more detailed operation. This will boost your mood and your performance.

LIBRA (Sept 23/Oct 23)

Romance is a priority right now, Libra. Whether you are single or in a relationship, expect a moment this week when the spark is ignited once more.

SCORPIO (Oct 24/Nov 22)

A small change in your routine may lead to a big increase in energy, Scorpio. Try rearranging your schedule to see what works best for you, and then make it a habit.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov 23/Dec 21)

Sagittarius, a dream you had is more attainable than you might think. Take the first step and quickly the path will open up for you. Enlist friends to push you even further along.

CAPRICORN (Dec 22/Jan 20)

Leadership comes naturally to you now, Capricorn. People will be looking to you for guidance this week. Try to deliver it with kindness and no sense of ego.

AQUARIUS (Jan 21/Feb 18)

Your “Eureka!” moment might come sooner than you would imagine, Aquarius. Pay attention to the details this week and tune your way of thinking toward innovation.

PISCES (Feb 19/Mar 20)

Nature walks or creative hobbies may nourish your soul this week, Pisces. You might find yourself deeply attuned to the world around you and the beauty you discover.

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Express Yourself

It is getting expensive just to live

Winters has long been an expensive place to live and it isn’t going to get any cheaper. We have always paid a few cents more for gasoline and groceries, our water bills fund the city budget and we tax ourselves to keep our police, fire and schools functioning.

We used to have affordable housing, but the new homes sold for over $700,000. A fixer-upper in Winters costs over $400,000, which drives up the cost of rentals. We don’t seem to be building small homes on smaller lots, and even if we do, I’ll bet the cost still

won’t be what I consider affordable. If my numbers are close, a $700,000 home with a 20 percent down payment ($140,000), plus tax and insurance, will cost you about $4,250 a month. You would need to make at least $168,000 a year to make your payments and that doesn’t consider maintenance. Maybe $168,000 isn’t that much anymore, but it seems like a lot to me.

They are finally moving along on the Valadez development, across from the baseball field. I live close enough to get the legal notices and they are asking for variances on setbacks so they can build single-story homes on smaller lots. I don’t object to packing in the homes and I would hope that it will help keep the cost down, but I wouldn’t count on it.

The war on Iran is driving up the price of fuel, which will raise the cost of everything that arrives on a truck. In California, we already pay a dollar more

than the rest of the country for a gallon of gasoline. Lorenzo’s had fuel for $4.29 two weeks ago, and I looked at my fuel gauge and decided to wait until I needed to fill up. Well, I paid $4.99 on Saturday, which is still cheaper than the discount gas at Costco ($5.17 per gallon for regular).

When people think about moving out of California or the United States, the cost of living is a big decision-maker. A friend, who is right of Attila the Hun, decided to stay in California because he would only save 10 percent by moving to Arizona. If you have been in your home for years, a low property tax is a bigger cost saving than no state in-

Legislative Ledger 2: October–December 2025

By Richard Casavecchia

Special to the Express

There is not much to report for Q4 due to the state legislative calendar and holidays.

City of Winters

Building Standards

Code:

(Nov. 18, 2025)

This was an amendment to the state building code, adopting updates and one local amendment reducing the square footage required for

Commentary

fire sprinklers.

• Aye: Biasi, Loren, Vallecillo, Scianna

• No: Casavecchia

Grant Avenue/Highway 128 bike and pedestrian improvement project: (Dec. 16, 2025)

Mandatory Environmental Impact study for the planned 505 pedestrian overcrossing and Grant Avenue walking path. Approval moves the project forward.

• Aye: Biasi, Casavecchia, Loren, Vallecillo, Scianna

• No: None

Yolo County: Supervisor Frerichs

Extension of 45 day stop on approvals of New Agriculture Wells for an additional 10.5 months: (Oct. 7, 2025)

• Aye

Amendment of 10.5 Month stop on approvals of New Agriculture Wells to allow for certain replacements:

(Nov. 18, 2025)

• Aye – Approved with no amendments to proposed language

State

AB 1261: Provides legal counsel to unaccompanied minors in the care and custody of Federal Office of Refugee Resettlement present in California.

• Aguiar-Curry: Aye

• Cabaldon: Aye

Resources

The following resources were used in

IN YOLO COUNTY CLERK S OFFICE Jesse Salinas Yolo County Clerk/Recorder

with

Jesse Salinas, County Clerk/Recorder, State of California County of Yolo MARCH 18 25 APRIL 1 8 2026 #88028

come tax.

I’m hoping that President Trump’s plan for a free Iran works, but at what cost? I guess the question is: How much are we willing to pay for a stable Middle East? Is it a trillion dollars in military expenditures or an extra $1.50 to $2 per gallon of fuel? Maybe a few points of higher inflation, too. I’m willing to pay the cost, but if it doesn’t work for the people, in and around Iran, it will be just another lost cause that costs too much money, not to mention human lives, on both sides of the conflict.

Fill up the tires on your bicycle and have a good week.

Need to publish a Notice? Send an email to legals@wintersexpress.com

researching and retrieving information on the above legislation: Legiscan.com, leginfo.legislature. ca.gov, cityofwinters. org, yolocounty.gov, calmatters.org, californiaglobe.com and calcog.org

Express Yourself

True journalism tells real stories, not YouTube fables for money Commentary

By Dan Walters CalMatters

This commentary was originally published by CalMatters.

YouTube and other internet media sites are loaded with videos in which self-proclaimed truth tellers claim to have uncovered some startling facts that mainstream journalists have either ignored or purposely hidden.

They will, for example, pluck one of the hundreds of bills introduced each year in the state Legislature, portray it as something that’s already been enacted rather than just proposed, and warn viewers about its supposedly devastating effect on their personal finances.

The videos, not unsurprisingly, often end with a plea for donations to support further investigations into nefarious plots.

They are fables posing as journalism, just the sort of propagandistic misinformation that their purveyors

pretend to be uncovering.

Meanwhile, real journalists are reporting real stories about real situations that officialdom is really trying to conceal or minimize, as a few recent examples demonstrate.

We’ll begin with nearly a year of reportage by CalMatters.org on the shameful failure of the state Department of Motor Vehicles to lift the licenses of “dangerous drivers with horrifying histories” who have had multiple crashes, some of them fatal, or arrests for drunken driving.

The series is dubbed “Licensed to Kill” and details, case by case, how the DMV routinely allows such menaces to continuing driving.

The series has spurred legislative efforts to tighten up an obviously intolerable system. But this week, when DMV Director Steve Gordon appeared at a hearing on the issue, his answers were evasive — mirroring

his unwillingness to talk with CalMatters reporters.

Abridged, a newly minted Sacramento website launched by public television station KVIE, had a similar experience with another state agency, the Department of Transportation.

Abridged discovered that Caltrans had kept secret the reason for a two-year delay in the completion of a project to improve Highway 50, one of Saramento’s busiest freeways.

After obtaining and perusing 2,000 pages of reports and emails, plus lawsuit documents, Abridged found that “a concrete mixture used for new HOV lanes and concrete replacement on Highway 50 did not meet Caltrans strength standards, leading to the reconstruction of a section of the highway in East Sacramento and a delay in the construction’s completion.”

Instead of telling the public why the project was delayed, “the transportation agency had blamed the

delays on heavy winter rains, crashes on the highway and the discovery that the preexisting concrete on Highway 50 was in worse condition than expected.”

On a local level, school districts and counties have paid billions of dollars to settle claims of child abuse under a state law that allowed supposed victims to cite instances going back decades. But the Los Angeles Times “found a practice of paying for plaintiffs among a nebulous network of vendors, who usher people desperate for cash toward a law firm that could profit significantly from their business.”

In other words, local government officials could have done what the Times reporters did but were hoodwinked, wanted to erase the shame and failed to diligently examine the claims.

Back in Sacramento, as the state budget leaks red ink, the Legislature is spending hundreds of millions of dollars, perhaps over $1 billion, to build

itself a new annex to the state Capitol and being ultra-secret about the details, even requiring confidentiality agreements to avoid information leaks.

However one television reporter, KCRA’s Ashley Zavala, has pestered officials constantly, including Gov. Gavin Newsom, about what is happening behind the fences, how much is being spent and what is being purchased and has aired a series of reports about her discoveries. Her reportage finally cracked the wall of secrecy and legislative officials issued a sketchy summary about the project. These are examples of real journalism, not the phony YouTube videos, and the public should understand and value the difference.

— CalMatters is a public interest journalism venture committed to explaining how California’s state Capitol works and why it matters. For more stories by Dan Walters, go to “California Voices.”

When home insurance fails, communities feel the fallout

By Marcella Cranford

Special to CalMatters

This commentary was originally published by CalMatters.

Ididn’t lose my home to a wildfire. I lost my homeowners’ insurance to one. The letter arrived without much explanation, a notice from my insurance company saying my policy would not be renewed. The reason, they said, was straightforward: the program was no longer available in California because of the increasing frequency and severity of wildfires. No appeal. No alternatives offered. Just a deadline and a warning that coverage would soon disappear. This house was never just an investment to my family. My mother worked hard to afford it, making sacrifices so we could have stability. For her this home represented safety and progress, something solid to pass on to her daughter. Now what once felt like a source of pride increasingly feels like a liability, shaped by forces far beyond my con-

Commentary

trol.

What happened to me is no longer rare. Across California and the country, climate-fueled disasters are destabilizing the home insurance market. Insurers are raising premiums far faster than inflation, canceling policies or leaving entire states altogether, as wildfires and similar natural disasters grow more frequent and destructive. In California alone, nearly 400,000 insurance policies have been canceled since 2021.

After the devastating Palisades Fire in 2025, insurers faced an estimated $40 billion in claims. Their response wasn’t to stay and adapt; it was to pull back even further. Homeowners were left scrambling, forced into expensive last-resort plans or pushed out of coverage entirely.

Insurance companies exist to price risk. But climate change has made that risk too unpredictable. What were once considered

once-in-a-generation disasters now happen every year. Federal data shows disaster declarations linked to climate events have doubled compared with historical averages, while insurance premiums

cial risk or leave communities they’ve spent decades building. For many homeowners, the fear isn’t just losing coverage, it’s knowing that if disaster strikes without it, recovery may be impossible.

“I worry I could be one wildfire away from financial ruin — not because I was careless, but because the system meant to protect people like me is breaking down.”

nationwide rose nearly 9% faster than inflation between 2018 and 2022.

The math that once underpinned the insurance system isn’t working the way it used to.

When insurance fails, the fallout spreads quickly. Homes without coverage can become un-mortgageable. Property values decline. Communities that have stood for decades begin to be hollowed out.

Families are forced to make impossible choices: absorb soaring premiums, take on catastrophic finan-

That’s the fear that keeps me up at night. If rates continue to climb, or coverage becomes even harder to find, I worry I could be one wildfire away from financial ruin — not because I was careless, but because the system meant to protect people like me is breaking down. This fear is most acute for moderateand low-income families, but it no longer stops there.

Across the country, rising insurance costs are already forcing homeowners to make painful tradeoffs about where — and wheth-

er — they can afford to live. Young families are reconsidering buying their first home. Retirees are weighing whether they can afford to stay. The crisis is widening. This is not just an environmental problem. It is an economic one. A housing one. A stability one. It touches everything from mortgage markets to municipal budgets to family financial security. And yet, it’s homeowners that are being asked to shoulder the costs of a crisis we did not create.

Climate change didn’t arrive for me as a headline; it arrived as a cancellation notice. Without meaningful and bold solutions, millions more will face the same reality. We need stronger protections for homeowners. We need to fix broken insurance markets. And we need to make those who fueled this crisis help pay for its consequences.

—Marcella Cranford is an actress and former preschool teacher who lives in Los Angeles

Recycled plastic food packaging beats some alternatives Commentary

By Kevin Kelly Special to CalMatters

This commentary was originally published by CalMatters.

Californians care about reducing plastic waste. Growers, packers and food companies do too.

That’s why many in the fresh produce industry and even their packaging suppliers supported California’s landmark packaging law — The Plastic Pollution Prevention and Packaging Producer Responsibility Act (Senate Bill 54) — when it was introduced and signed in 2022.

The original goal of the law was simple: reduce waste and improve recycling without compromising food safety and affordability. However, the latest version of the regulation, released in January by the state’s CalRecycle agency, puts those goals at risk by ignoring how food moves from farm to families. The revisions call for, essentially, a sweeping ban on plastics via the food supply chain by 2027.

As a packaging industry executive, I would like nothing more than to dis-

cover the magic bullet that gives us a realistic way to eliminate plastic in the food supply chain. I’ve been trying to do that for almost 25 years.

But the facts of the current supply chain can’t be wished away. And neglecting this reality will risk the health of Californians, while increasing food prices, limiting food selection and putting small businesses and family farmers out of operation.

Here’s why CalRecycle’s proposed ban is short-sighted: Most people only notice packaging when they open it at home. But what people don’t usually consider is that by then, it has already done nearly all its work.

Packaging protects fresh produce from bacteria, dirt and damage as it is harvested, cooled, shipped and stocked. It prevents cross-contamination, extends shelf life and thereby reduces food waste.

Fresh produce is alive and reactive to its environment even after it is picked. The science embedded in the package extends its life by letting oxygen in

and carbon dioxide out, so packaging must comply with federal food safety laws, FDA food-contact standards and California regulations.

Absent packaging, study after study shows, food is thrown away — along with the water, fuel, labor and money used to produce it.

More greenhouse gases are emitted from food waste

It may seem ironic, but plastics are still our most sustainable option. We are still decades away from finding other packaging that performs as well as plastic does when it comes to food safety and waste.

Compostable materials, for instance, can’t match the shelf-life function of plastics, and producing them at scale will also

“The science embedded in the package extends its life by letting oxygen in and carbon dioxide out, so packaging must comply with federal food safety laws, FDA food-contact standards and California regulations.”

than from the production of plastics, according to a 2017 study by the state of Oregon Department of Environmental Quality. The authors’ recommendation? Use plastic. The produce industry constantly evaluates new materials, but most alternatives do not provide the same protection against contamination and spoilage as current packaging.

take a decade or more. Moreover, according to a recently released Canadian government study, compostables cost so much they’d increase grocery produce prices by 5-10 percent.

CalRecycle’s revisions to SB 54 ignore these facts in favor of a foolhardy and dangerous ethos that is a de facto ban on plastics: “If we mandate it, industry will follow.”

This attitude passes the buck away from CalRecycle’s own limitations onto the backs of small businesses and family farmers. The problem is not that fresh produce packaging can’t be recycled. It’s that the recycling systems needed to handle these materials need major investment to get there.

The produce industry isn’t asking to junk the law. Instead, we’re asking that produce packages governed by federal rules or guidelines on safety and shelf-life extension be excluded from the recycling rates proposed by CalRecycle. Such exclusions have been part of other versions of the proposed regulations but were left out in the latest. We need time. Alternative technologies don’t exist yet. Ironically, CalRecycle may end up taking a law designed to protect the environment and allow it instead to increase food waste and greenhouse emissions and reduce affordability. It’s time to create reality-based regulations instead of ones that put Californians at risk.

My own Academy Awards top-10 movie list

The Academy Awards were televised last Sunday evening. It’s the biggest awards show for the film industry. And once again, I had not seen any of the nominated movies. But I did see people all over the internet sharing their “all-time top 10” movie lists.

So I thought I’d share mine.

It is a bit odd for me to write about my favorite movies, because I’ve seen so few. It’s difficult to explain why, but I’ve probably seen fewer than 10 movies in the past 30 years. But I do have favorites — just a few films that I have watched multiple times. Here is my list, undoubtedly much different from yours.

Journey to the Center of the Earth (1959) is the first movie I

remember seeing. I was a 6-year-old, completely captivated by the carnage of the Cretaceous era and the thundering, terrible Tyrannosaurus rex.

I did not see  Lawrence of Arabia (1962) when it was released, but I saw it years later after I had spent two very hot summers working in Saudi Arabia. I felt an immediate connection with this thrilling adventure, having lived in the grueling heat of the Arabian Peninsula.

Gandhi (1982) gave us the incredible performance of Ben

Kingsley, dressed in just a bedsheet for most of the movie, in the spellbinding story of my favorite lawyer, Mohandas K. Gandhi. It is a powerful biographical film. When I first saw The Time Machine (1960), I was far too young to notice the lovely star actress Yvette Mimieux. But I was definitely impacted by the hideous and scary Morlocks, the hostile, subterranean humanoid creatures in this classic H. G. Wells story. This film is one of the all-time great science fiction movies.

War of the Worlds (1953), another wonderful H. G. Wells tale, is always my first choice for the best alien spacecraft ever designed for a movie. The original version, with Gene Barry and Ann Robinson, features Earthlings in a long battle against the alien enemy. I’ll always remember the unexpected con-

tribution from our unsung and unseen companions — bacteria — that destroyed the ruthless Martian invaders.

I’m from the generation that watched The Wizard of Oz (1939) on national TV once every year throughout my childhood. I still remember the thrill early in the movie, when it transformed from black and white to color. The following day at school, all we talked about was the Cowardly Lion, Tin Man, Scarecrow and the frightening flying monkeys.

French Kiss (1995) is my favorite romance/ comedy movie. Starring Meg Ryan, my only screen actress crush, it is also the only film I have ever purchased.

The Comedian Harmonists (1997) is an obscure movie about an immensely popular choral group of six Jewish men singing together in mid-1930s Germany. The movie tells their uplifting and then terrifying story during the rise of Adolf Hitler, who eventually stopped them from performing.

The first Star Trek movie was so boring

and sluggish it almost killed the franchise.

But  Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982) was a huge success. Ricardo Montalban starred as the superhuman villain, Khan. The movie was a sequel to one of the most memorable episodes from the original 1960s TV series, where Montalban created the Khan character. And boldly going where no starship had gone before, Star Trek II shocked fans with the dramatic death of Mr. Spock.

Under Siege (1992) starred Steven Seagal as Casey Ryback, a mild-mannered cook on a U.S. Navy ship who thwarts a terrorist attempt to steal nuclear missiles. Mr. Seagal is a delightfully terrible, emotionless actor, using his martial arts skills to triumph over a large force of bad guys, including Tommy Lee Jones and Gary Busey. (You could also substitute Under Siege 2: Dark Territory (1995), which is essentially the same movie, only with Mr. Seagal on a train instead of a ship.)

Gigi (1958) is one of my favorite musi-

cals. The now rarely seen movie starred Leslie Caron, Maurice Chevalier, Louis Jourdan and Eva Gabor, and featured a magical soundtrack of songs by Lerner and Loewe, who also wrote My Fair Lady and Camelot. And if you’ve been counting, that is indeed 11 movies. Hey, it’s my column, my math.

Many of you are wondering: Where are the famous movies like  Gone With the Wind, Casablanca, Psycho and  The Godfather? Why aren’t they on this list? Well, for good reason — I’ve never seen them. The same goes for Forrest Gump, Ghost and The Graduate. And somehow, I also missed Silence of the Lambs, Titanic, The Lion King, Jaws, Frozen and Star Wars. I can’t list a movie I haven’t seen!

Perhaps you have your own top-11 list of greatest movies. Let me know which movies are on your list, and perhaps I’ll write another column about them. Email me at Starbase27@ gmail.com with your best-ever movie list.

Katalysst brings folk-rock to Performers’ Circle

Special to the Express

The group Katalysst will showcase their signature folk-inflected rock illuminating heartfelt, contemporary commentary on Tuesday, March 24, at Odd Fellows Hall in Davis.

The core songwriters, Kat Austin and Alyssa Sanders, met in 2019 at the Whole Earth Festival in Davis and began writing music in 2020. While

attending a series of protests, they set out to write music that reflected the times. Austin moonlights as a classical singer with the San Francisco Symphony and operas in the region while Sanders initially cut her teeth as an indie-rock bassist.

Their partnership and combined writing styles create a nostalgic sound reminiscent of the past but also undeniably rooted in the now.

Go to www. wearekatalysst.com to read their story, sample their CD “Ignited We Stand,” preview a recent song release, and see their performance schedule in northern California and beyond.

The 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 mic from 7 to 8:15 p.m. and concludes with the featured performance from 8:30 to 9 p.m. Signups begin at 6:45 p.m. for the short performances (less than 5 minutes per act).

The emcee this month will be George Haver.

Davis Odd Fellows Hall is at 415 Second St. in downtown Davis. Masks are welcome. For information visit www.facebook.com/ villagehomesperformers.

Warning signs of emerging kidney issues

Metro Special to the Express

The prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) may surprise those unfamiliar with issues affecting these vital organs that help to purify the blood.

According to the National Kidney Foundation, one in 10 people across the globe is affected by CKD.

The NKF estimates that as many as 35.5 million adults in the United States have kidney disease, while the Kidney Foundation of Canada reports roughly four million people in Canada have kidney disease. It’s not uncommon to have kidney disease but not know it, as Dr. Joseph Vassalotti, Chief Medical Officer of the NKF notes that symptoms often do not appear until the late stages of the disease. But two tests, the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and the urine albumin-creatinine ration (uACR), are two easy ways to determine if you have kidney disease or not. The NKF recommends yearly blood tests to determine if you have kidney disease, and such tests, along with urine tests that may be part of annual wellness exams, might indicate if a person has kidney

disease. Individuals also can keep an eye out for various warning signs that suggest kidney function may not be normal.

• Less energy or difficulty concentrating: Malfunctioning kidneys can contribute to a buildup of toxins and impurities in the blood that results in fatigue and difficulty with concentration. Kidney disease also can cause anemia, which is typically accompanied by fatigue.

• Difficulty sleeping: The NKF notes that kidney disease affects the organs’ ability to filter toxins in the blood, which can make it difficult to sleep.

• Dry and itchy skin: Few may think that malfunctioning kidneys can adversely affect the skin, but it’s true. The NKF notes that when kidneys can no longer help the body maintain an appropriate balance of minerals and nutrients in the blood, that can lead to chronic kidney disease-associated pruritis, a hallmark of which is itchy skin. This is typically found in people with advanced kidney disease.

• Frequent urination: Kidney disease damages the kidneys’ filtration system, and that can lead to a need to urinate with greater

frequency. However, the NKF notes that a need to urinate more often also might indicate a urinary infection or an enlarged prostate in men.

• Blood in the urine: Blood cells can leak into the urine when the kidney’s filters are damaged and not filtering waste from the blood as effectively as they should be.

• Foamy urine: The NKF notes kidney disease sometimes produces urine so foamy a toilet must be flushed several times before the bubbles go away. That foam is a sign that a protein known as albumin is in the urine.

Additional signs that you might have CKD include persistent puffiness around the eyes, swollen

ankles and feet, loss of appetite, and muscle cramping. Each of these symptoms might also indicate other health issues, so each should be brought to the attention of a physician. CKD is a global health problem, and individuals may need to be their own first line of defense. More information is available at kidney.org.

What health care professionals say about youth and devices

Metro Special to the Express

The ubiquity of devices in twenty-first century life is hard to miss. Whether it’s smartphones, tablets or laptops, devices are seemingly everywhere in modern life. That’s even true with young children, who have a tendency to bring tablets along during car trips or nights out at a restaurant. Parents walk a tightrope regarding screen time and children. Though media use is often, and understandably, discussed in terms of its potentially harmful impact on young minds, the issue is not exactly as one-sided as it may seem. For example, children are naturally curious, and parents may not always have the answers to youngsters’ questions. In such instances, devices can fill the gaps by encouraging children to explore topics that interest them and find answers. Device usage also can teach children digital literacy, which can help to prepare them for life in an increasingly digital world and also provide a way for children to employ lessons about internet safety emphasized by parents and educators. The danger of devices in regard to young minds largely concerns overuse. Parents uncertain about how to help children reap the rewards of media use without overdoing it can consider these recommendations courtesy of the American Academy of Pediatrics.

“Be sure children are watching interactive,

educational, and pro-social media.”

end also can help children make the most of their limited screen time.

to the educational utility of devices, it also can complicate parents’ efforts to minimize screen time, particularly if children take tablets or laptops home from school each day. The AAP urges parents to make sure children five and older are not missing out on sleep, family time and exercise due to their device usage. The AAP also recommends that parents monitor children’ media usage to ensure they’re safe and watching appropriate content.

• Greatly limit device usage and access with children under age two. The AAP notes that children two and younger learn best when they interact with other people, including

parents, siblings, caregivers, and others. The AAP also notes that children two and younger do not easily understand what they see on a screen and how it relates to their world, which makes screens a less useful educational tool for such youngsters than parents may realize. If parents of children between the ages of 18 and 24 months want to introduce screens to their kids, the AAP advises watching only high-quality programming and watching along with them. Reteaching lessons when programs

DIY portable energy booster

tein bar at the store, it’s also possible to make your own at home. Anyone interested in doing so can try their hands at this recipe for “Homemade Protein Bars With Peanut Butter and Hemp Protein” courtesy of Lines+Angles.

• Limit screen time to no more than one hour per day for children between the ages of two and five. Children between ages two and five can utilize devices to build their vocabulary, and quality programming like “Sesame Street” can instill valuable social, language and reading skills. The AAP recommends co-viewing with youngsters in this age bracket as well, and be sure children are watching interactive, nonviolent, educational, and pro-social media.

• Don’t allow devices to become older children’s go-to activity. Many schools now supply devices to children from kindergarten on. While that’s a testament

• Discuss media usage with teens and tweens. Teens and tweens typically consume media without oversight. But the AAP emphasizes the importance of engaging teens and tweens in a dialogue regarding media use, digital citizenship and online content, whether it’s read or viewed. It’s also important that parents keep track of who teens and tweens are communicating with while on their devices. It’s not easy for parents to navigate their children’s device usage. But the right approach can ensure children are safe and reaping the rewards of engaging with their world through their devices.

Annie Lederman @ 9:15pm Cobb's Comedy Club, San Fran‐cisco

Gel Printing Workshop with Sara Post @ 9:30am / $190 Try out gel printing in this one-day workshop with artist Sara Post! Pence Gallery, 212 D Street, Davis. pencesocialmedia@gmail.com, 530-758-3370

Art Exhibit - Linda Fleming, A Library of Ideas @ 12pm Linda Fleming, A Library of Ideasan exhibition of the artist’s sculp‐ture maquettes, offering an inti‐mate look at the small-scale mod‐els that precede and inform her celebrated large-scale works. Marilyn Citron O’Rourke Art Gallery, Benicia Public Library, 150 East L Street, Benicia. hbowles@ci.beni cia.ca.us, 707-746-4343

Luenell @ 3:30pm Punch Line Comedy Club - Sacra‐mento, Sacramento San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus @ 7:30pm Curran Theatre, San Francisco

Dave Nach‐manoff New Music Showcase at Watermelon Music

@ 8pm / $30

Internationally acclaimed musician and Davis, Cali‐fornia local, Dave Nach‐manoff, will be playing a concert at The Melon Ball at Watermelon Music showcasing new music from his new album to be recorded. Watermelon Music, 1970 Lake Boule‐vard, Davis

Harry Styles Night

@ 9pm The Regency Ballroom, 1300 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco

Power From Hell/ Old Coven/ Slege

@ 9pm Neck of the Woods, San Francisco

HELP ME LOSE MY MIND

A Tribute Party to Fred Again, Disclosure, and More (21+ Event)

@ 9pm The Great Northern, 119 Utah Street, San Francisco

Comedy Allstars - in the Callback Bar

@ 9:45pm Punch Line Sacramento Callback Bar, Sacramento

Will C. Wood's Spring Craft Fair @ 10am Join us for Will C. Wood's INDOOR Spring Craft Fair. This event is rain or shine, as the shopping and activi‐ties will be taking place indoors! Parking is close for all shoppers and ven‐dors. 998 Marshall Rd, 998 Marshall Road, Vacaville. breannes@vacav illeusd.org, 949-933-6213

Art Exhibit - Linda Fleming, A Library of Ideas

@ 12pm Linda Fleming, A Library of Ideasan exhibition of the artist’s sculp‐ture maquettes, offering an inti‐mate look at the small-scale mod‐els that precede and inform her celebrated large-scale works. Marilyn Citron O’Rourke Art Gallery, Benicia Public Library, 150 East L Street, Benicia. hbowles@ci.beni cia.ca.us, 707-746-4343

California Symphony: Northern Lights @ 4pm / $50-$110 California Symphony’s March con‐certs feature contemplative and calming music by Northern and Eastern European composers spanning the last century. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek. info@californi asymphony.org, 925-943-7469

Hippie Sabotage @ 7:30pm South Shore Showroom - Harrah's Lake Tahoe, 15 Highway 50, State‐line

Hippie Sabotage Ticket + Hotel Deals @ 7:30pm South Shore Room at Harrah's Lake Tahoe, Lake Tahoe

Kinfolk Comedy - in the Callback Bar @ 7:30pm Punch Line Sacramento Callback Bar, Sacramento

Unbroken Chain: A Celebration of the Life and Music of Phil Lesh @ 8pm The Fillmore, San Francisco

Radium Dolls @ 8pm Brick & Mortar Music Hall, 1710

Mission Street, San Francisco

Candlelight: Tribute to Fleetwood Mac @ 8:45pm / $33.50 California State Railroad Museum, 125 I St, Sacramento. fever@ eventvesta.com

Tai Chi Classes for Beginners @ 8:50am Beginning tai chi classes offered at eh Woodland Community & Senior Center Woodland Community & Senior Center, 2001 East Street, Woodland. tina�tness68@ gmail.com

Rotary Club of Davis Weekly Lunch & Program @ 12pm See website for details. ro‐taryclubofdavis.com Davis Com‐munity Church, 421 D Street, Davis. spshoe@mac.com

Strength & Balance Class @ 1:15pm Strength & Balance class at the Davis Lutheran Church Davis Lutheran Church ELCA, 317 East 8th Street, Davis. tina�tness68@ gmail.com

Richard Bona Presents: Asante Trio (Early Show)

@ 6pm Swedish American Hall, San Fran‐cisco

His Lordship @ 7pm Uptown Theatre Napa, 1350 3rd St, Napa

Marissa Nadler @ 7pm Cafe Colonial, 3520 Stockton Blvd, Sacramento

Gracie and Rachel

@ 7pm Cafe Colonial, 3520 Stockton Blvd, Sacramento

Cake @ 8pm Channel 24, 1800 24th Street, Sacra‐mento

Johnny Marr @ 8pm Uptown Theatre Napa, 1350 3rd Street, Napa

Dirty Three @ 8pm Great American Music Hall, San Francisco

Richard Bona Presents: Asante Trio (Late Show) @ 8:30pm Swedish American Hall, San Fran‐cisco

Slow Crush @ 12am Mar 24th - Mar 23rd Harlow's Night Club - Main Room, 2708 J Street, Sacramento

Beginning Tai Chi @ 10:15am Tai chi classes suitable for begin‐ning practitioners Davis Arts Cen‐ter, 1919 F Street, Davis. tina�t ness68@gmail.com

Art Exhibit - Linda Fleming, A Library of Ideas @ 12pm Linda Fleming, A Library of Ideasan exhibition of the artist’s sculp‐ture maquettes, offering an inti‐mate look at the small-scale mod‐els that precede and inform her celebrated large-scale works. Marilyn Citron O’Rourke Art Gallery, Benicia Public Library, 150 East L Street, Benicia. hbowles@ci.beni cia.ca.us, 707-746-4343

The Neverending Story @ 7pm Crest Theater, Sacramento

Eli Miller @ 7:45pm Rickshaw Stop, 155 Fell Street, San Francisco

Johnny Marr @ 8pm Great American Music Hall, San Francisco

Sunday Mar 29th

Villains! Bene�t Concert @ 6pm / $20 Dixon Community Performing Arts Center, 555 College Way, Dixon. kellypidgeonj@icloud.com, 707-997-1284

Villains is a one-night-only, cabaret-style concert featuring many accom‐plished, local vocal artists performing a variety of the most iconic and noto‐rious songs to ever grace the theatrical stage.

The Belair Lip Bombs @ 8pm

& Mortar Music Hall, 1710 Mission Street, San Francisco

Father John Misty

@ 8pm The Castro Theatre, 429 Castro Street, San Francisco

Alexsucks @ 8pm Harlow's Night Club - The Starlet Room, 2708 J Street, Sacramento

HEAVY HALO

@ 7pm Great American Music Hall, 859 O'‐farrell St, San Francisco

Die Sexual @ 7pm Great American Music Hall, 859 O'‐farrell St, San Francisco

My Life with the Thrill Kill Kult @ 7pm Great American Music Hall, San Francisco

Neck of the Woods SF Open Mic Wednesdays @ 7:30pm Neck of the Woods, San Francisco

Hippie Sabotage: Give and Take Tour @ 8pm

Channel 24, Sacramento

Hippie Sabotage @ 8pm

Channel 24, 1800 24th Street, Sacramento

Bre Kennedy (21+ Event)

@ 8pm Cafe Du Nord, 2170 Market Street, San Francisco

MX Lonely/ Sour Widows/ Badvril

@ 8pm Neck of the Woods, San Francisco

King Dream @ 8pm Rickshaw Stop, 155 Fell Street, San Francisco

Intermediate Tai Chi @ 10:15am Tai chi classes for intermediate practitioners Davis Arts Center, 1919 F Street, Davis. tina�tness68 @gmail.com

Art Exhibit - Linda Fleming, A Library of Ideas @ 12pm Linda Fleming, A Library of Ideasan exhibition of the artist’s sculp‐ture maquettes, offering an inti‐mate look at the small-scale mod‐els that precede and inform her celebrated large-scale works. Mar‐ilyn Citron O’Rourke Art Gallery, Benicia Public Library, 150 East L Street, Benicia. hbowles@ci.beni cia.ca.us, 707-746-4343

VUP at Black Cat Jazz Supper Club

@ 7pm / $30

Black Cat Jazz Supper Club, 400 Eddy St, San Francisco. info@black catsf.com

Dressed to Kill - in the Callback Bar

@ 7pm Punch Line Sacramento Callback Bar, Sacramento Perfume Genius Glory @ 8pm The Castro Theatre, 429 Castro Street, San Francisco

Big Gay Circus @ 8pm Great Star Theater, 636 Jackson Street, San Francisco

Molina @ 8:45pm Rickshaw Stop, 155 Fell Street, San Francisco

Hippie Sabotage @ 9pm 1015 Folsom, 1015 Folsom St, San Francisco

Hippie Sabotage (21+ Event)

Craig Conant @ 9:15pm Punch Line Comedy ClubSacra‐mento, Sacramento

Intermediate Tai Chi @ 9am Tai chi classes offered at the Woodland Community & Senior Center Woodland Community & Senior Center, 2001 East Street, Woodland. tina�tness68@ gmail.com

The Pence Joins Yolo Fest This Spring! @ 11:30am Mar 27th - Mar 29th

Art Exhibit - Linda Fleming, A Library of Ideas @ 12pm Linda Fleming, A Library of Ideasan exhibition of the artist’s sculp‐ture maquettes, offering an inti‐mate look at the small-scale mod‐els that precede and inform her celebrated large-scale works. Marilyn Citron O’Rourke Art Gallery, Benicia Public Library, 150 East L Street, Benicia. hbowles@ci.beni cia.ca.us, 707-746-4343

Men Having Babies 2026 West Coast Surrogacy Conference & Expo @ 5pm / $40 Mar 27th - Mar 29th MHB conference for gay men who are thinking about becoming par‐ents: learn how surrogacy works, how to budget the process, and how to access �nancial assistance and other community resources Marines' Memorial Club & Hotel, 609 Sutter Street, San Francisco. team@menhavingbabies.org

Irwin Hall: The Global Sounds of John Coltrane @ 7pm / $40 Mar 27th - Mar 29th Black Cat Jazz Supper Club, 400 Eddy St, San Francisco. info@ blackcatsf.com

Comedy Allstars - in the Callback Bar @ 7:30pm Punch Line Sacramento Callback Bar, Sacramento

Big Gay Circus @ 8pm Great Star Theater, 636 Jackson Street, San Francisco

Andrew Callaghan: All Gas No Brakes x Channel 5 "Carnival" @ 9:30pm Palace of Fine Arts, San Francisco

Can I Finish? - in the Callback Bar @ 9:45pm Punch Line Sacramento Callback Bar, Sacramento

3/28

@ 9pm 1015 Folsom, San Francisco Fri 3/27

Yolo Fest at The HIVE @ 10:30am Enjoy a series of FREE events and live music celebrating the bounty of Yolo County! The HIVE Tasting Room and Kitchen, 1221 Harter Avenue, Woodland. thehive@zspe