That's Life

Lois Richter’s format for That’s Life is mostly interviews. Recurring topics include Davis activities and groups; work and life choices; philosophy and theory; plus birding, cooking, art, and other passions. Lois occasionally breaks into music — from ballads to the slack key sounds of Hawaii to golden oldies rock 'n' roll — but mostly there is just talk.

To suggest a topic for discussion or a person to interview, text Lois or leave a message in the comments here.

Lois seldom (but occasionally) updates her other website. Check it out at https://BirdingWithLois.global 

DJ(s): 
Replays Thursday 11am-12pm
Podcast
Music programs are only online for two weeks after they are broadcast.

That's Housing Help

Today's guests are Roberto Jimenez from Mutual Housing California and Lisa Baker from Yolo Housing. We hear about the state of housing in Davis and in our region generally -- finding out percentages of home ownership, rental, and homelessness.  Did you know that MOST people in California RENT rather than own their own home?  Houses, duplexes and aprtments are all part of the rental landscape; and affording to live in one is a challenge for many people.  

Cooperatives and Davis

Co-ops are GREAT! And Davis has lots of them.  Today we hear from Kim Coontz, executive director for the California Center for Cooperative Development (CCCD) about coöperatives in general and housing coöps in detail.

The Davis Food Coop is only one of many co-operatives we have in town. And only one KIND of coöp common in California.  Ag coöps and housing coöps are the most prevalent.  Worker-owned businessed are also common.

CCCD is a non-profit organization which promotes the creation of co-ops and helps folks who are setting up or running one.  A great group.

That's a Hawaiian Surprise

Na Leo produced a CD for a tourist company to sell in Japan.  After they were done, fans in Hawaii asked if they would also do those songs for the hometown crowd, so they created "I Miss You My Hawai" for the locals -- which is where Lois found it.  These sentimental songs about living in, visiting, or leaving the Hawaiian Islands are written by many well-known island artists and skillfully rendered by this trio of lovely-voiced ladies.  Enjoy!

We also had time for a few songs by Ken Emerson and Jim 'Kimo' West from their "Slackers in Paradise" CD of instrumental guitar duets. (There will be more on a later show.)

PS: The first few songs from the Na Leo CD were in my show the previous week (09/27/2018) -- about 35 minutes into that show with Marissa Juehler -- at https://kdrt.org/audio/thats-yolo-county-landfill  .

That's the Yolo County Landfill

Marissa Juehler's actual title is "Waste Reduction and Sustainability Manager" for Yolo County.  Her office is at the Yolo County Landfill (NE of Davis) and she is, among other things, managing the Big Blue Barn!   She tells us about the hazardous waste facility out there where you can drop off light bulbs and batteries, old paint and pesticides, and any other hazardous material.  They ALSO have a pick-up service for seniors (over 65) and disabled folks  anywhere in the county who want to properly dispose of such items but cannot get to the landfill on their own. They can even take old medications -- or you can drop those off at a kiosk at the Police Station (on Fifth).

That's Tree Davis -- times three

Tree Davis was well represented today with THREE voices!  Executive director Erin Donley Marineau brought along program manager Michelle Blair Medeiros and boardmember Greg McPherson to explain the goals, roles, and projects of this non-profit organization whose mission is to enhance and expand the urban forest by teaching people to plant and care for trees.  "Trees and people need each other to survive in an urban environment. Trees benefit people in many ways. They shade our homes, clean our air and water, help to feed us, provide shelter, and much more. But trees need people too! It takes a community to plant and care for an urban forest. Tree Davis has been educating volunteers on how to plant, prune, care, and monitor trees for over twenty years."

That's "Scratchboarding" with Ann Ranlett

Ann Ranlett is an artist.  A SCRATCHBOARD artist.  What's that, you say?  Listen to today's show and find out! 

Lois found Ann while researching a 'drawing' to be donated to the Friends of Art for their auction at the Yolo County Fair.  (Anyone know a local artist named "H. Friend" who was been making things in 1972?)  Once Lois figuring out this was not a drawing, but actually a scratchboard; she tried to find a gathering place of such folks to see if anyone know more about artist Friend.  Although she ddi find the group, alas, no one knew that artist.

But during those communications, Lois discovered that Ann Ranlett lived in northern California and was willing to come and be interviewed!  Which brings us to this show.

That's Peiter Pastoor

Peiter Pastoor, one of the many hosts and DJs on KDRT, shares his personal history and the evolution of his KDRT show -- Listening Lyrics -- in this lively discussion with Lois. 

Did you know that "Dutch", "Holland" and "The Netherlands" all refer to the same place/people? His family left Holland when Peiter was 7, but couldn't get in to the USA. So they moved to Canada and lived there for many years before immigrating to the American plains.

Peiter's stories are fun and fascinating. AND he writes poetry!

That's Dan Carson, new Council Member (8/23/18)

A new member of the Davis City Council, Dan Carson has lots to talk about. First Lois asked him how he came to be a Council Member. (His history is interestering.) Then she wanted to know what he saw as the two biggest problems affecting our City in the future. (Long-term finances and University-City arrangements.) What is one thing we could improve immediately to help us make all the other decisions? (Communication! Between segments in town when projects are suggested; between residents and City officials; and between larger entities.)

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Comments

I love listening to your Hawaiian music choices and your comments on Hawaii when you play Hawaiian music. :-)

-- Arielle

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 11/15/2012 - 1:16pm

I forgot about all this great music...thanks for reminding me.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 11/16/2009 - 10:42am

Great show! Never knew so much about green building...great guest. [Casa Verde]

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 08/24/2009 - 10:31am

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