EDITOR’S NOTE

•The rainy winter has led to a superbloom our eyes can’t drink enough of. Beautiful on the mountainside, but maybe annoying in our lawn?

If you’re seeing more native flowers and growth in your yard right now, we have a request: keep it.

No Mow May was created by Bee City USA to bring awareness to the need of native plants for our pollinators by pausing mowing—allowing flowers to bloom.

We’re digging even deeper into that idea this month, with a look at how to create a native-plant, drought tolerant landscape in your own outdoor space. Join us on page 18 and learn how to harness the beauty of Mother Nature in a sustainable way.

Speaking of mothers, Davis celebrates Mother’s Day like nowhere else. Both Mother Earth and human mothers are honored in a weekendlong, zero-waste festival that takes over the Quad on UCD’s Campus with art and entertainment. That may be an understatement: Whole Earth Festival is a whole experience.

We’re also talking about sustainability in terms of landfill diversion this month. We meet a pair of friends stopping at nothing to keep functional items out of the dump. Community Mercantile opened in Davis opened six-months ago with this goal in mind and it’s quickly risen to one of our favorite places to shop. More on their mission (and how you can help) on page 6.

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Finally, 2nd Friday ArtAbout is really blooming into something beautiful this spring. This month, nine venues are exhibiting in the citywide walking art tour. See you there?

WHOLE EARTH FESTIVAL

WATERMELON MUSIC

MOTHER’S DAY GIFT GUIDES 8

THIS MONTH’S EVENTS 9

ARTABOUT GUIDE 16

SUSTAINABLE LANDSCAPING 18

WEF, which was founded in 1969, is completely run by students. In this month’s issue of The Dirt, we take a look back at some of the incredible student art they’ve featured in their festival posters over the years.

HANNA NAKANO Editor & Publisher @thedirt.davis @hannanakano

THE DIRT • DAVIS

Vol 14 • No. 05 • May 2023 thedirt.online

PUBLISHER/EDITOR

Hanna Nakano

COPY EDITOR

Elizabeth Ellison

INTERN

Allie Wydick

DESIGNER Kyle Dyer

On The Cover

Drought resistant landscaping at the home of Haven Kiers, Assistant Professor of Landscape Architecture in the Human Ecology Department at UCD.

Kiers talks with The Dirt about how to transform front lawns into vibrant, native- plant focused sanctuaries for local pollinators, while reserving water with drought resistant plant choices.

“Drought tolerant gardens are both sustainable and beautiful,” Keirs explains. More about this on page 18.

WEBSITE Spadefoot Studios

CONTACT hanna@thedirt.online

Supported, in part, by a grant from the City of Davis Arts & Cultural Affairs program.

THE DIRT’S MISSION IS TO SHOWCASE DAVIS & YOLO COUNTY’S UNIQUE PEOPLE, PLACES & EVENTS, INSPIRING READERS & PROMOTING LOCAL ARTS, CULTURE & COMMUNITY.

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What the Manetti Shrem Museum is doing with their Art Spark program is really something special. This isn’t just painting and it isn’t just for kids: artists of all ages get hands-on experience with really interesting art mediums and techniques. From 12p–4p Saturdays & Sundays.

Celebrate Free Comic Book Day at Bizzaro World this month. Swing by on Saturday April, 6 and pick up a free comic book—no purchase necessary.

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Jamie Wonders: About the Tooth Fairy is a story of curiosity. Written by Davis local Zia Quill Kay, you can pick up a signed copy at Avid Reader.

For people dealing with anxiety, depression or grieving a loss, the Healing Arts workshop at the Pence Gallery provides a safe, creative respite. Each class is guided by an art therapist. All materials provided; register online in advance.