autumn's blog

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."

By Bill Buchanan for Davis Media Access

Posted 10 a.m. Wednesday, March 6

Measure N, the latest school parcel tax to go before Davis school district voters, is winning — but not by much.

The results won’t be final until the Yolo Elections Office counts all ballots, including ones that voters mailed on or before March 5 but don’t arrive for a few days after. The office explains the process in “Why it can take time to certify an election.”

As of this morning (March 6), the measure to impose a $768 tax per parcel of property in the Davis Joint Unified School District has received 7,194 yes votes, or 66.91 percent of the total counted so far, against 3,557 no votes, or 33.09 percent.

The measure needs two-thirds approval to pass, and has cleared that hurdle by less than one-third of 1 percent so far. For now, that margin of victory works out to about three dozen votes.

In other words, the outcome is too close to call as of March 6. Measure N supporters quoted in a story today by Monica Stark of the Davis Enterprise were hopeful. A story by David Greenwald in the Davis Vanguard called it a nailbiter.

Other Yolo results

Each election season, DMA produces candidate and position statements for contested local races. This season's lineup includes 17 candidates running for: Congressional 4th, Senate 3rd; Yolo County Supervisor Districts 3,4,5; Superior Court Judge Dept 14; and position statements for Measure N in Davis. DMA's coverage is nonpartisan and a free service for candidates and the community; we take no position and make no endorsements. https://dctv.davismedia.org/collections/election

Appreciating this recent article about DMA's multi-year partnership with Woodland Community College on its E-Learning Studio.

Few nonprofits have a media arm, so it makes sense that many in Yolo County turn to Davis Media Access (DMA) for help in documenting important community events. Helping others amplify their work is a big part of our work! We were happy to assist the Davis Futures Forum (a project of Cool Davis) with its  I-80 Teach-In on Dec. 7.  #nonprofits #DavisCA  #climateaction #communitymedia