The Davis Voice

This Weekend in the People's Republic

June in Davis is a magical time. It is a time of transition and of celebration. For some, it means graduation and the beginning of a life elsewhere...for others, it means incorporation into the Davis community. Whether you're departing, arriving or sticking around, discover your love for our idyllic town for the first time or all over again.

Summertime means less people. Take advantage of the barren streets and go for a bike ride, or read up on the events I think you'll love; they're after the jump. 

Google Street View Launched in Davis

Is that a GPS-enabled panoramic camera or is GoogleMaps just excited to see Davis?

A little over a year ago, my buddy Brian and I attended the Where2.0 Conference.  It's the annual mecca for all things GPS/GIS related.  We were stoked to be in the audience when the good folks at Google announced the launch of 'Street View' on their GoogleMaps platform.  At the time, you could simply type in an address in SF or NYC and get a 360 degree, panaromic, street level view rather than a tired old map.

Now, to little or no fanfare Google has added this option in our own little burg.

Direct your web portal browser thingy to: maps.google.com and type in a Davis address, click on "Street View" in the upper right hand corner, then click on the little yellow man on the map and prepare to be amazed. 

ALSO, in the directions portion of the site, be sure to also check out the "Public Transit" option.  Google will tell you how to get from Point A to Point B in Davis via public transportation.

After the jump, more musings about this fancy new technology.

This Weekend in the People's Republic

Did you know that there is something interesting going on every day of the week? Every weekend, there are at least a dozen activities that might interest any given person. There are so many resources at our fingertips (literally...it's all over the internet!). If you're into music like I am, undietacos.org and the Mondavi Center's and Sophia's music calendars are great places to check for performances. If you're into Davis politics and would like to attend Planning Commission and City Council meetings, dcn.org is the best place to check. My favorite place on the web for all things Davis?  The daviswiki.org Events Page! With all of these wonderful opportunities for entertainment and community involvement at such a close distance, what are you waiting for?

Stay with me until after the jump, and I'll tell you about my picks for this weekend.

This Weekend in the People's Republic

With the weather heating up fast, Davisites are likely finding themselves keeping indoors with the AC rocking. You know what else is rocking? This weekend's event calendar!

Stay indoors during the day if you want, but as the daytime heat yields to warm breezy nights, come out and enjoy what this weekend has to offer. My picks are after the jump.

This Weekend in the People's Republic

Whole Earth Festival weekend is my favorite weekend of the year. Every year I anticipate this weekend more than my birthday, Hanukkah, and Halloween; Craft vendors from all over sell their ecologically responsible wares, musicians big and small entertain the masses, children frolic with wonderment and mirth...it really doesn't get any more 'Davis' than this.

While I plan to spend the majority of the weekend dancing at the DJ Stage or relaxing with out-of-town friends in a shady spot and indulging in gourmet 'good-for-yous,' others can find entertainment and enrichment at any of the other various events going on around town this weekend. Find out my picks after the jump.

Whole Earth Festival

There is a Hippie Inside All of Us

Do you like hand crafted, artisan products?  How about folky, jam band music played by an amorphous collection of families that live in a bus half of the year?  Do local, organic foods cooked to order and served on reusable plates in the great out of doors turn you on?  Have you ever dreamed of having dreadlocks?  Do you enjoy learning about progressive issues in temporary geodesic domes? If you answered yes to any of the above questions, then get ready for a fantastic weekend in The People's Republic.

Whole Earth Festival (WEF) is many things to many people.  For your editor, it's better than Picnic Day because there is little in the way of schedule and the expectation of hosting a killer house party is much lower.  Also, it is a chill, blissed-out weekend to embrace the inner hippie in us all.

WEF is a cooperative event that can only run with the help of volunteers.  So, point your browser thingy here and sign up for a couple of hours.  Your editor will be washing dishes on Sunday.

For all of the details for some funky fun in the sun, click here.

This Weekend in the People's Republic

It's May...and that means Bike Month. Whether you're a commuter cyclist or you just appreciate the occasional ride, it's as good a time as any to dust off that seat, lube up that chain, and Get Thee Outside! Log your miles at www.mayisbikemonth.com.

Ride nowhere in particular or to any of the various events I've handpicked for you this weekend. They're just after the jump.

This Weekend in the People's Republic

Hooray, the weekend is upon us again! It's a time to brush elbows with your neighbors at the farmer's market, catch up on projects, and spend some extra time with friends and family either relaxing at home or at any of the great events we have coming up.

After the jump, read about my favorites.

This Weekend in The People's Republic

When I first came to Davis I was under the impression that life in a smallish college town couldn’t offer one much in the way of entertainment. I’m not exactly sure what I pictured the people of Davis doing, but I was half prepared to be spending a lot of time in movie theaters and reading in cafes to stave off boredom. I’ve since opened my eyes and I am still discovering new and enriching ways to spend my time. This is Davis people! Get outside and enjoy our wacky little People's Republic.

This Saturday is Picnic Day and whether you’re looking for university-oriented activities or to stay off campus altogether, there are just too many great things happening to list in today’s post.  Stay tuned to Kemble's Picnic Day choices.  After the jump, get the details on the non-Picnic Day events that I’ve chosen to highlight.

This Weekend in the People's Republic

Whether you’re looking for fun in the sun, a night of dancing, or a musical performance you’re in for a treat this weekend. There’s plenty of opportunity for recreation and entertainment this weekend. After the jump, you'll find my picks.