autumn's blog

By Autumn Labbé-Renault, Executive Director

In 2016, I convinced the board at Davis Media Access (DMA) that we needed a media lab. There was $225,000 in restricted capital funds sitting at the City. They couldn’t touch it, as it was earmarked for community media purposes. We’d never had bandwidth to consider its possible uses, until I proposed it be used to remodel the facility in order to build a media lab that could be used to further serve the community. So I pitched my idea to City Council and staff, and got the money—eight years ago. And then:

• Because the money was passed through the City, it was subject to prevailing wage, meaning that anyone who worked with DMA on this project would also be subject to significantly more paperwork and regulations

• As a result, we were declined many times over by architects unwilling to take that on for what was a relatively small commercial project. In 2018, then-board member Valerie Jones twisted the arm of Bruce Playle at Indigo Hammond+Playle Architects, and he was instrumental in moving the project forward (thank you, Bruce!)

• We then experienced a similar hiccup in hiring a contractor, but in the end signed a contract with Joe at Albertazzi Construction Inc. We were scheduled to start the remodel in April 2020, and you can guess how that went.

• The next couple of years were governed by the pandemic, and influenced by things like supply chain issues, contractor availability, and a 30 percent increase in the cost of materials. In 2022, we were able to regrade, resurface and otherwise make amendments to our parking lot as required by the City.

Last month we welcomed Eva Spiegel to our board of directors. Eva is a strategic communications consultant with decades of experience in nonprofit, journalism, local government and small business communication. Her portfolio of work comprises a wide range of products including reporting, writing, editing, strategy, messaging, scripting, social media and press relations.

Eva began her career in the nonprofit sector working with a small organization that was funded by major national foundations to improve the quality of commercial broadcast radio with stories airing on CBS Radio’s “The Osgood File.” She transitioned to public affairs communications working largely with local government at the League of California Cities.

Eva currently works for Kearns & West, a California-based, national firm specializing in stakeholder facilitation, mediation and public engagement. A long-time Davis resident and UC Davis graduate, Eva first moved to Davis in 1979. She left for a decade after college but returned in 2001.

July was one for the record books, with a heat wave that just wouldn’t end. At Davis Media Access (DMA), we watched as various contractors worked through that heat to put up drywall and paint it; reroute and add new ductwork, and otherwise complete some of the heaviest work of the remodel project. It’s interesting to work under ceilings still open to all the ductwork and insulation, but when I gave a tour to a couple of volunteers this week, they echoed my own feelings: it’s starting to feel real. 

Elsewhere, my summer is centered on pursuing funding for the community information needs assessment phase of our envisioned civic information project. For the moment, I am gratified to have earned early support from Yolo County Supervisors Lucas Frerichs and Jim Provenza, and from the City of Davis. Each has contributed $5,000 towards seeding the countywide assessment effort. The Supervisors’ contributions are made from their American Rescue Plan Community Benefit Funds, and the City’s support was made with the support of all five council members.

If you’re wondering why DMA is pursuing this project in stages, it’s because civic media practice includes connecting with community stakeholders to find out what information they need, how and when they will access it, and what’s important to them. And so this next phase of our work is about creating an inclusive process, asking strategic questions and listening deeply. I’m personally driven to create something meaningful and with lasting impact, and proud to be leading this effort.

In community,

Autumn Labbé-Renault, Executive Director

This here is a tale about a good guy from Slatter's Court, that storied, somewhat seedy enclave down by the train tracks in Davis, CA. A modest man who wrote outsider poetry and lyrics, and who amused many and brightened plenty of average days in his various guises.

A well-known figure in the Davis musicians’ community, Bob was a gifted guitar player, songwriter and singer. He played in several bands, including Fun Attic, Anywhere But Iowa, Polyester Jones, ChickeeBob and B&K Roadshow as well as performing solo as “Bobnoxious.” A prodigious composer of original music and lyrics, his songs were clever, wry and expressive of his real-life experiences and observations. He enjoyed organizing “Bobbapalooza” concerts where he performed music and provided free beer for his many fans.

This column was originally published under the title "Pondering, should I stay or should I go?'  in the "Davis Enterprise" on June 9, 2024.

By Autumn Labbe-Renault


It’s been a chaotic few weeks for this newspaper and community. In the wake of other departures, I’ve had people ask me if I’ll continue to write this column.

I’m here, so the answer is yes. I write not as an individual but on behalf on an organization, so it’s not my choice alone. I write for free, and The Enterprise has published my writing for 25 years, helping to give voice and visibility to our nonprofit.

I’m also in the process of developing a community information needs assessment for Yolo County, and it deserves the visibility this column in the Enterprise can help deliver. I’ve publicly stated that a primary goal is not to replace local newspapers, but to fill in the gaps in civic information, and to utilize technology and technological expertise that is Davis Media Access (DMA’s) bread and butter.

Though based in Davis, DMA is the only noncommercial media center in Yolo County. We are in year four of an ongoing project supporting Woodland Community College's eLearning Suite. We work with elected officials, candidates for office, and nonprofits throughout the county, and our community radio station KDRT 95.7FM has had tremendous regional impact.

By Autumn Labbé-Renault, Executive Director

May 9, 2024

As the Davis Enterprise continues to recede, something has to evolve as a source of community information and news. We think Davis Media Access (DMA) can offer part of the solution.

With journalistic expertise at staff, board and volunteer levels, we’ve been talking internally about Davis’ growing news drought at DMA for months before the Enterprise made its latest cut — the stunning layoff of Bob Dunning, who wrote a column and sports stories for the paper for 55 years.

(You might have noticed another new hole at the Enterprise, by the way — Bruce Gallaudet hasn’t had a story in the paper since April 28, when he wrote “goodbye, all!” at the end of his story that Sunday. This is a big loss for covering local sports.)

Since last fall, DMA has been developing an idea for a Civic Information Hub—not to supplant local news, but to fill in the gaps in our local information ecosystem. I’ve met with dozens of journalists, elected officials, librarians, educators and other community leaders towards that end. You can listen to a very early discussion about the idea on the KDRT program Davisville, although I want to emphasize the word “early.”

By Autumn Labbe-Renault
, Executive Director

This column was originally published in The Davis Enterprise

It not only feels like I’ve been writing about the pending remodel at Davis Media Access (DMA) for years, I have actually been writing about it for years. My board and staff have heard me say “0/10  - I don’t recommended trying to start a remodel at the start of a global pandemic.” It’s been complicated, to say the least.

But today (May 1, 2024) as I write, Joe Albertazzi and his crew at Albertazzi Construction have begun demolition work at the media center at 1623 Fifth St. In my book, this is cause for celebration.

How did we get here, and what does it have to do with noncommercial community media?

Davis Mayor Josh Chapman is the guest on the most recent episode of "The City Considers." The show aims to provide discussion and insight into the people and services behind City government. 

Elected to the Davis City Council in 2020, Chapman began his term as mayor in January of this year. He is the owner and manager of Armadillo Music in Downtown Davis, and has served on a variety of community boards and planning efforts.

"In the Studio," host Tim Gaffaney talks with Gregory Wada, founder and executive director of the Davis Cherry Blossom Festiva,l which takes place April 13-14. They discuss what prompted him to start the festival; its conitinuing mission, the cultural role of Taiko and the groups that will perform at the festival. Also discussed: special food and beer, and the makers' fair with over 60 booths offering visual arts and crafts. Although admission is free, each year the festival identifies charities to which they funnel donations that are made at the festival, and new this year, they are accepting in-kind donations. Wtach the episode here, and for more information visit the festival website

What: 'Open Country' film debuts in Davis benefits KDRT

When: 3/10/24

Where: Davis Odd Fellows Hall, 415 Second St., Davis

Tickets online or at the door

Davis residents Glenda and Jesse Drew recently completed a documentary film on the history and politics of country music, an effort that's been a labor of love for the couple for many years. It is a gift, they say, to "community organizations, down-home music venues, alternative film spaces, union halls, and grassroots projects, as a means to spread the word and to help generate some funds and resources to continue doing the good work you do."