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The Yolo-Solano Air Quality District announced a “Don\’t Light Tonight” advisory for today.

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Don\’t Light Tonight is a voluntary winter pollution reduction program. Particle matter pollution (PM 2.5) is forecast to be 25 micrograms per cubic meter or higher and burning wood is discouraged.

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On winter nights when inversion layers are strong and air pollution levels are high, wood smoke from residential fires can create a significant portion of the particle pollution in urban areas, a district news release said.

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“If you must burn wood to heat your home, use an EPA-certified appliance — fireplace insert, wood stove or pellet-fueled device,” the release said.

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Contractor cuts plea deal

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A Granite Bay man who contracted without a license in Yolo County pleaded no contest in Yolo Superior Court this week to felony theft from an elder, as well as misdemeanor charges for contracting violations, according to the Yolo County District Attorney\’s Office.

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Christopher David Boley, 36, faces anywhere from probation and jail time to four years in prison at his Jan. 14 sentencing hearing, Chief Deputy District Attorney Jonathan Raven said.

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Prosecutors said Boley lacked a contractor\’s license when an El Macero couple hired him to perform extensive work on their home.

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“When problems began surfacing, the victims discovered that Boley was not licensed,” Raven said in a news release. “The work already done by Boley did not satisfy building codes and had to be redone at great expense.” A subsequent investigation by the Contractors State License Board led to the filing of criminal charges.

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City invites kids to Winter Workshop

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Kids can get into the festive holiday spirit at the city of Davis\’ Winter Workshop, enjoying games, crafts and gift making, wrapping and fun while their parents are out doing their holiday shopping.

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The workshop is for children ages 6-12, and children will be divided into age groups. It will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. The cost is $44 per person, and includes lunch.

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City recreation staff members will supervise while children make five gifts to give their family and friends this holiday season. Festive holiday recipe jars, personalized ornaments, and dinner table decor are planned.

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The course number is 4645 S1. To register, stop by the city\’s Community Services Department at City Hall, 23 Russell Blvd.; call (530) 757-5627; or visit http://www.cityofdavis.org/cs.

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Oprah contributor returns to local radio

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“How She Really Does It,” a radio talk show with Koren Motekaitis, airs live from 10 to 11 a.m. Fridays on KDRT 95.7 FM or by live webstreaming at http://www.howshereallydoesit.com.

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The guest is Peter Walsh, a New York Times bestselling author, contributor to “Oprah,” and host of a TV series “Enough Already!” on the OWN network launching Jan. 1. He also has an upcoming new book ”Lighten UP” which focuses on living with less and finding happiness.

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All past shows are available online or from iTunes.

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Neuropathy group meets for support

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Do you or someone you care for have burning, tingling or numbness in the feet and or hands? If so, this may stem from a form of neuropathy which can have many causes.

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To learn more from others with similar symptoms and to receive support, you are invited to attend the next meeting of the Davis Peripheral Neuropathy Information and Support Group from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Davis Senior Center, 646 A St.

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The meeting features a video of Dr. Peter Skaff speaking on “Peripheral Neuropathy: What It Is.”

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For information, call Mary Sprifke at (530) 756-5102 or Retta Gilbert at (530) 747-0186.

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Photo club gets together Tuesday

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The Photography Club of Davis will meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday in the Sequoia Conference Room at the Hallmark Inn, 110 F St. in downtown Davis.

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Jim Dunn, the evening\’s speaker, will discuss “how to” techniques and equipment for wild bird photography.

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Dunn is a wildlife photographer living in West Sacramento. His presentation will focus on the techniques and equipment that can be used to improve and enhance wild bird photography. Dunn\’s website can be viewed at http://www.avian-images.com.

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The public is invited to the meeting.

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Kids abuzz about bee art project

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Kids can get up close and personal — safely — with live bees at a KidsCreate program from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday at the Pence Gallery, 212 D St.

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Eric Mussen of UC Davis will bring a section of a beehive, and families will learn how to paint the different sections of the bee using watercolors with artist Jed Alexander.

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The cost is $5 general and $4 for Pence members. RSVPs are suggested; call (530) 758-3370.

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The program is partially funded by the city of Davis.

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Early birds get deal on Grad Night tickets

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Grad Night tickets are available for purchase online for $75, but the price will increase to $90 on Jan. 1.

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For more information about Grad Night 2011 — an all-night, safe celebration for all graduating seniors from Davis, Da Vinci and King high schools and the Davis School for Independent Study — visit http://davisgradnight.org.

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Radio show looks at theater of the mind

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Theater and psychology, what do they have in common? Russell St. Clair, who teaches acting at Woodland Community College, will discuss this question when he appears on “Heart to Heart” at noon Friday on KDRT, 95.7 FM. The show is hosted by Gitane, a psychotherapist and life coach.

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The Garret a cozy place to gather

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Local residents who are looking for an intimate and cozy place to sit and enjoy the company of friends, or to conduct a casual meeting, may be interested in The Garret.

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It\’s an upstairs gathering space in downtown Davis that will celebrate its grand opening from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.

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The space has a “vintage world traveler vibe, without the noise or hustle and bustle of a café or restaurant,” says Nina Gatewood, owner of Haute Again Consignment. The Garret is upstairs above Haute Again, 129 E St., Suite B-1.

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The Garret has a seating area and round table that is perfect for book clubs, knitters groups, alone-time mom groups, poetry gatherings and more, Gatewood says. For more information, contact Gatewood at [email protected] or (530) 753-7008.

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Curves collects food, cash for STEAC

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Curves Davis West is collecting food and monetary donations for the Short-Term Emergency Aid Committee\’s family adoption program. The women\’s gym has adopted seven low-income families and “will be happy to deliver any other donations from the community to STEAC,” the gym\’s owner said.

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Food donations and checks made out to “STEAC” may be dropped off to Curves Davis West, 1260 Lake Blvd., Suite 106, from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. Mondays though Fridays and 8 a.m. to noon Saturdays.

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For more information, call the gym at (530) 297-0812. Curves must deliver all donations to STEAC by Thursday, Dec. 16.

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Ace gathers bakers for cookie cook-off

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Calling all bakers! Davis Ace Hardware will host its second annual Holiday Cookie Competition from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday at the store in the 200 block of G Street downtown.

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Contest details and entry forms are available at the checkout stands in the store\’s housewares department. Judging will be by local celebrities.

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All cookies will be donated to Davis Community Meals.

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Food Bank sets distribution dates

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The Food Bank of Yolo County will distribute food to eligible Davis residents on Wednesday at:

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* Davisville Apartments on Kennedy Place, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.;

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* Davis Senior Center, 646 A St., from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; and

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* Owendale Community, 3023 Albany Ave., from 6 to 7 p.m.

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Eligible participants may receive food at only one site and are asked to bring a bag to carry food home. For information, call the Food Bank at (530) 668-0690.

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Salvation Army looks for bell-ringers

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Volunteers are needed to ring the Salvation Army\’s red kettle bell this holiday season.

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Money collected is used for the back-to-school shopping spree in August for 75 underprivileged Davis children and for food, clothing, gasoline and emergency housing needs for Davis families.

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To volunteer, contact Toni Smith at (530) 758-9244 or [email protected]

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