Dear Friends of the Pub Quiz,
I received the nicest email today from Carrie Dyer, a City of Davis employee who works tirelessly to put on and support City-sponsored events. When I asked her if there would be a holiday parade this year, she responded that there wouldn’t:
“I hope you are well. Unfortunately, there is not a parade this year. When we needed to make the decision a few months ago, it was pre-vaccine availability for kids, and we didn’t want to gather large amounts of people. Hence no large stage, carriage rides, or in person Santa visits. However, we are attempting to do some fun and festive things in lieu of those.”
We will still get to see local notables in downtown Davis tonight. According to the city’s press release: “Mayor Gloria Partida is looking forward to this year’s event and said, ‘While we still are taking precautions with gatherings, we are looking forward for an opportunity to celebrate with modified festivities. If it is safe for you, and you are comfortable to come downtown, there will be local performance groups and the chance to support our favorite stores.’”
I do have favorite stores downtown – one thinks of Newsbeat, The Avid Reader, and Fleet Feet – but I also find that I am not buying as much stuff as I once did. It’ll be interesting to see if the pandemic convinces all of us to purchase less stuff, and what that will do to our local economy. Amazon has made it too easy for Prime members to just expect immediate delivery of bargains from afar, even though we might encounter friends and favorite salespeople if we head downtown.
So even though the parade has been cancelled, holiday excitement will be in the air tonight. The press release continues: “Beginning at 6:00 p.m. musical performances will begin in the plaza and the annual countdown to lighting the tree will take place at 6:30 p.m. Performances will continue throughout the evening both at the plaza and in front of the Hunt Boyer Mansion located at 604 Second Street. Local groups scheduled to perform are: the Davis Children’s Chorale, the Davis High School Jazz Choir, the Davis High School Madrigals and Mariachi Del Valle.”
That Hunt Boyer Mansion seems more like the people’s house now that the familiar names of so many friends and notables have been carved into bricks in front of it. My perpetual valentine to my wife Kate is carved into the very street I walk to get to Mishka’s and The Varsity.
Speaking of the Varsity, our own arthouse cinema, “Free screenings of the short film “Merry Madagascar” will be shown at the Varsity Theatre located at 616 Second Street at 6:00 p.m., 6:40 p.m. and 7:20 p.m.” I bet the Varsity still does well from these free screening from all the popcorn that Davisites will be purchasing.
And while Santa’s lap will be unoccupiable, the jolly Christmas elf will be waving to children from a safe distance Evidently volunteers will also be protecting themselves in Frosty the Snowman and Grinch costumes, as well, so it might be safe to embrace them, or at least post for a picture.
I’m doing my part, as well. Tonight at 7, right after the tree lighting, I will be introducing two poets: Susie Meserve (from Berkeley) and Mercedes Ibanez (from Peru, via Davis). Maybe you will get to see them perform at the Natsoulas Gallery tonight, December 2nd at 7 PM.
If you are curious, Susie Meserve’s debut poetry collection, Little Prayers, won a Blue Light Book Award from Blue Light Press and was published in 2018. She is also the author of a chapbook, Faith. A longtime Berkeleyite, she is a 2021 Civic Arts Program grantee writing about ancestry and motherhood. Susie is also one of my preferred collaborators at the San Francisco Writers Conference.
Mercedes Ibanez is a poet and retired psychologist who was born in Peru, but who has lived in Davis since 1976. The author of five books of poetry, Ibanez won the National Award in Literature (Peru) in 1971. Ibanez’s translation of Ezra Pound’s “Hugh Selwyn Mauberley” was published in 1973. Her 1977 book Caterpillars/Collective was introduced by Kate Millett. The mother of two daughters, and a grandmother of four, Ibanez is a crowd-favorite at the Poetry Night Reading Series, and of mine in particular.
Dr. Jane Beal will also join us to play some seasonal music on her flute. Beal’s poetry collections include Sanctuary (Finishing Line Press, 2008), Rising: Poems for America (Wipf and Stock, 2015) and Song of the Selkie (Aubade, 2020), as well as three recording projects combining music and poetry: “Songs from the Secret Life,” “Love-Song,” and “The Jazz Bird.” Like very few flutists, Jane has published more than 20 books!
An open mic will follow the two poets. Maybe you would like to perform something? Find details at http://www.poetryindavis.com. Find the Facebook page for this event at https://www.facebook.com/events/631978581569752
And speaking of the holidays, plan now to join us for our holiday show on December 16. A surprise celebrity guest named Lucas Frerichs will read a famous holiday poem, and then I will perform from “A Child’s Christmas in Wales” by Dylan Thomas. This event will be a fundraiser for the Yolo Food Bank, though you need not donate to attend. You can also donate without attending!
I would love to see you in December!
Tonight’s Pub Quiz will feature questions on topics raised above, as well as on the following: Hanukkah, cavemen, languages, social media, Minnesota, words in the Bible, names, All-American honors, Spotify, slapdashery, fiery paths, Lyndon Johnson, marine mammals, young Roses, unemployment, trips that start in Dublin, Generals, cholesterol, warriors, dog breeds, people who drive, 19th century phenomena, White House traditions, grand plazas, bambini, the example of Earl, checkers, popular TV shows, Canadian Provinces, southern cities, famous brothers, Godiva chocolates and such, current events, and Shaksepeare.
Thanks to all my regular supporters whose subscriptions on Patreon make my quizzes and these newsletters possible. Please add your name to the list! And speaking of supporters, Catriona McPherson “won” NaNoWriMo, meaning that she contributed 50,000 words to a book project last month. Congratulations to Catriona and to all the other NaNoWriMo winners.
Dr. Andy
P.S. Here are three questions from last week’s quiz:
- Books and Authors. What major American-British author wrote novellas with the provocative titles of The Passionate Pilgrim and The Turn of the Screw? Henry James
- Film. The title of a 2017 Pixar film about Mexican culture, especially the Day of the Dead, comes from the name of which of the following: a city, a dog, a great-grandmother, a song? Answer: The name Cocois that of Miguel’s great-grandmother
- Job Titles. What three-syllable word do we use for an individual who offers secured loans to people, with items of personal property used as collateral? Pawnbroker
P.P.S. “It is better to lead from behind and to put others in front, especially when you celebrate victory when nice things occur. You take the front line when there is danger. Then people will appreciate your leadership.” Nelson Mandela