Hello Davis!

Today on Hello Davis!, Dr. Gabi Kirk talks with David Abramson about our beloved Arboretum in Davis and its militarism in the past.

The Militarized Campus Arboretum research and teaching project explores the histories of everyday militarism hidden in plain sight at the University of California, Davis. From her website: "Our project aims to teach UC Davis campus affiliates, Davis community members, and visitors about the multiple militarized legacies of UC Davis and the land grant university as a whole. The research project was started to explore the use of UC Davis campus facilities as a training school for the Western Signal Corps School during World War II (1943-1944), but has expanded to analyze how U.S. imperialism overseas is intimately linked to domestic policing and settler colonialism." 

Did you know that the Davis Senior Center offers a non-contact boxing class for people with Parkinson's disease? It is led by Steve Bonnel, a Davis physical fitness Instructor. Today on Hello Davis!, Community Services Supervisor Maria Lucchesi interviews Steve regarding this program.

For many people with Parkinson's disease, non-contact boxing programs can offer surprisingly broad benefits — physically, mentally, and socially. Programs are usually adapted specifically for Parkinson’s patients and focus on movement, coordination, balance, and conditioning, rather than fighting. Participants say the emotional lift is just as important as the physical benefits.

This week on Hello Davis!, host David Abramson speaks with Nelson Hawkins, a regenerative farmer, community food-system advocate, and founder/co-owner of We Grow Farms (also called We Grow Urban Farm) based in West Sacramento. Hawkins combines urban farming, food access, land stewardship, and social equity. Public profiles describe him as focused on building a regenerative local food system that “heals the land and people.” 

We Grow Farms began through the West Sac Urban Farm program. The farm transformed underused land into productive growing space, and it supplies seasonal produce to nearby communities. They grow dozens of varieties of fruits and vegetables.

Hawkins has been recognized for helping expand opportunities for BIPOC and historically underserved farmers. He has also been involved with the Ujamaa Farmer Collective, a Black-led, farmer-centered initiative focused on affordable land access, cooperative economics, and shared resources for farmers. He uses farming not just to grow food, but to grow community, opportunity, and environmental resilience in the Sacramento region.

Hello Davis! welcomes Brett Lee, Davis Downtown Business Association, in conversation with Daryel Dunston, City of Davis' city manager. Daryel brings a unique path to public service, starting as a firefighter and EMT, and going on to lead major initiatives in cities like Oakland and Santa Rosa, tackling challenges from housing and homelessness to emergency response. Now, here in Davis, he’s at the center of how our city plans, grows, and responds to the needs of its community. Today, we talk about what it means to manage a town like Davis, the priorities ahead, and how local government connects with the people it serves. Listen up for Hello Davis! Wednesdays at 5:30 p.m. Pacific on KDRT 95.7fm + KDRT.org. Stream anytime via the web.