Name: Jon Fenske
E-Mail: jon@thedavisvarsity.com
Office: planet Earth
I am the co-proprietor of the new Davis Varsity Art House Cinema. I've loved the building, and the period in American culture it represents, since I moved to Davis - 13 years ago. Plus, being an ex-film student, I thought I'd "Follow That Dream" as my favorite Elvis song goes. It's been fun, some of the time, and definitely a learning/growing experience. The local politics can be brutal.
I'm amazed I've been in Davis so long. I didn't plan it that way. But like John Lennon said "Life is what happens, when you're busy making other plans". Anyway, this town has really grown on me. The more I go to that sprawling suburb that is Sacramento County, the more I appreciate a town where the locals actually have a grasp of municipal planning.
I work as a Civil Engineer downtown; I've also taught Physics and Astronomy at Sac City, played guitar at The G St Pub. Now, I live in west Davis . The past year I've gotten married and welcomed an amazing, beautiful baby girl (b. Oct 23, 2007) into the world.
My Personal Davis Lists
Top 10 favorite things about Davis
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The Varsity Theatre (of course)
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The abundance of locals who are borderline psychotic when it comes to protecting the quality of life here.
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The blackbirds in the walnut trees on west Russell Blvd.
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Riding downtown from West Davis, past the airport, adjacent to Putah Creek, and through the Arboretum.
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Sitting on the bench under the big oak tree at Farmers Market.
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Having a cappuccino at Mishka's and reading the NY Times.
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Reading letters to the editor in the Enterprise.
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Businesses like the Hotdogger, Delta Venus, Aquarius, Hibbert Lumber, Natural Food Works, and the Food Coop.
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Those big palm trees next to the Amtrak station.
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The improvements they made on 3rd St with the trees, and lights.
Top 10 architectural/design catastrophes in downtown.
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Chipotle why? I mean I liked the Jetsons too, but what does that have to do with Mexican food?
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The cage around the building on the NE corner of Second and E. Theres nothing like providing employees a prison-like ambiance. Though the owner of the building is one of the true heroes of the town.
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The Jack in the Box on G St. Please tear it down and put in one of those 3-story mixed use structures NOW. Anything is an improvement.
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The SBC building on C St. Way beyond ugly. It has to be something out of the 70's.
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The empty dirt lot behind the Cantina on F St. Why is there an empty dirt lot on F St?
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The clock tower fountain at E St plaza. Man, this is something that could have been so cool.
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The black and white bow tie benches in front of the Varsity Theatre...The good is news is that someone made them disappear...
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The fake brick crosswalks etched into the asphalt on 3rd St. I think people can tell the difference.
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That black metal "art" structure on the Davis Commons is a bit disturbing.
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The Union 76 station's (5th and F) decision to move all of their auto repair work off-site....not really a design catastrophe, but a bad decision none the less.
Comments:
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2006-03-06 10:31:37 Hey, I am interested in the job opportunity at the Varsity. Would there be any openings for a high school student going into his senior year? My email is iwannabearockstar@gmail.com Thanks! —JulienBiewerElstob
Hi Julien. There are definitely openings. If you have a chance, drop off a letter of interest/resume at Mishka's Cafe. All the hiring decisions are up to my partner Sinisa (who will be the general manager), but it is certainly worth a try. Thanks.—JonFenske
2006-03-09 21:26:52 Hey Jon, good to see you on here, and it's very cool what you're doing with Varsity! Glad you like the site. —MikeIvanov
2006-03-10 01:28:09 I think the SBC building is quite pretty, although it was prettier when it was Pacific Bell. I think the yellow, red, and brown tiles are very nice and subtle, but the blue SBC logo is much worse with them than the Pacific Bell logo. In addition, the building has lots of nice tall trees around it and I think large trees make any building look better. Also, I really agree with you about the clock fountain. —NickSchmalenberger
As for the the SBC building. I walked by it again today. Yep, I still think it is hideous; but that what it is great about art/design - it is all in the eyes of the beholder. As for the clock water fountain; it's time to tear it down and start over from scratch. — JonFenske.
2006-04-24 22:31:31 Jon, are you sure about the times listed for the Varsity? I know as of now, the 2.45, 5.00, 7.05, and 9.15 are the times TYFS plays, but is this changing in the near future? I would like to know, just so I personally don't get confused at work. Thanks! —JulienBiewerElstob
2006-04-24 22:42:55 Jon, In that shot of the varsity taken on April 7th, (Im presuming that you took it..) was there someone in the booth? Or is that just my eyes being sleepy? —JulienBiewerElstob
2006-04-24 23:48:50 Hi Julien, We're changing to 5,7,9 this Friday. And 3,5,7,9 Sunday only —JonFenske
2006-04-24 23:50:36 Yeah, it is a ghost - or Liam or Sinisa - threading film in the projector —JonFenske
2006-05-01 15:41:08 Hey, Jon — I had removed your comment and integrated it into the entry (look up in the Varsity Theatre entry, and you'll see a note about the seats). Just in case you wondered what happened to the first time you posted the comment. —JabberWokky
2006-05-30 00:17:21 Jon, you need to be on the Planning Commission. I have actually been on record in several public settings pointing out how horrible Jack N the Box is. Using it as an example for the need for more Mixed Used buildings downtown. —RobRoy
2006-06-06 22:56:51 "Later in June 30"? Meaning later that day, or later that month, or what? —MaxMikalonis
2006-06-07 00:08:53 Thanks Max. I've been asked so many times when "An Inconvenient Truth" is opening my head is spinning. The truth is I don't know. Proabably June 23, maybe June 30. We're listed as June 30 on the movie web site, but there's a good chance we'll go earlier. —JonFenske
2006-07-24 12:51:30 Why must you keep pushing back the Strangers With Candy movie? I've been waiting so hard to see it! Please don't make me drive all the way to Sac. —AllisonEriksen
2006-07-29 11:48:49 Strangers with Candy will definitely be playing next Friday. The reason it was pushed back was because the box office for An Inconvenient Truth actually grew from week to week, which was very unusual. Please don't go to Sac : )....Man, we need another screen... —JonFenske
2006-08-27 13:13:14 Hey Jon, I really dig your active and responsible wikizenship. You're a good example to other business owners in town! —KenjiYamada
2007-02-17 00:29:17 I saw you biking today! You are agregious because you took all 3 volver posters! or at least Liam told me you had dibs. My friend really wanted one... —StevenDaubert
2007-03-03 18:53:05 2nd 1/4th of the marquee is unlit (from the left) —StevenDaubert
2008-09-09 23:14:27 What up big john
hey man update the catastrophe list downtown! Union 76 is no more, Hauffman has his automotive complex on 2nd so he is happy, and isn't there something going in the lot where Cantina is? Fuzios moving there / confernce center? —StevenDaubert
