A successful launch, thanks to you

Here’s a wrap-up of Saturday’s party, in case you missed it

“I started this thing called Comings & Goings out of frustration, when reporters wouldn’t always cover what I thought was newsworthy. Now – out of frustration again ­– look where it’s landed me.” – from Saturday’s speech

At left, I point to my brother in the crowd. At right, Bob emcees the event. (Photos by Patrick Collins)

Thanks to everyone who came to my Comings & Goings launch party on Saturday afternoon. We estimated there were between 125 and 150 of you filling the upper hall of Davis Odd Fellows. I got many notes from people who were out of town and couldn’t attend. Here’s a wrap-up of what you missed, and a round-up for those who were there.

It was so much fun! I enjoyed meeting new people and greeting those I already knew. It was great to see such a diverse mix of well-wishers. Attendees included City Councilwoman Gloria Partida, Yolo County Supervisor Sheila Allen, and Pulitzer Prize winning political cartoonist Jack Ohman, who is now on Substack. Former Sacramento Bee music writer Chris Macias was there, as well as Bill Buchanan, who hosts the excellent “Davisville” show on KDRT Radio.

There were business owners, loyal tipsters (you know who you are), and people of all ages who have followed my column through the years. A few treated me like a star, asking for a selfie. Some wanted to learn how to sign up for this newsletter, so I showed them the website address.

Looking back on the last two months, I think Bob Dunning and I are actually grateful he got laid off. It helped us discover this new venture. While it was a scary and emotional transition, we are both in a better place than we were in early May. What was initially anger was converted into passionate action, as the community rallied around him and then me.

That passion and energy is contagious. We feel reinvigorated, willing to put in a little extra. It’s amazing what can happen with a little support. I’m stopping to take more photos, for example. Bob’s covering new things in exciting ways too.

Thanks to Bob for emceeing the event, and for his many kind words. He’s a legend, and I am honored to be his colleague. His wife Shelley, who is also on Substack, has been amazingly supportive as well.

I thanked others and recapped our journey in my speech. Below is the text:

I always begin speeches with a disclaimer: I’m a writer and editor at heart. Words flow easier from my fingertips than from my lips.

I’ve been writing Comings & Goings for 23 years. I’ve spoken to a few service clubs, so some of you may have heard that disclaimer. I used to use speaking opportunities to encourage supporting The Davis Enterprise. While I fully support its hard-working reporters, the owners have made some unethical decisions of late.

When they laid Bob off after 54-plus years, I was shocked, especially when I learned there was no severance. I got one in 2008 after 10 years, and kept writing Comings & Goings.

Last month, I decided to leave that freelance gig, in support of Bob. I hoped to continue covering business changes somehow, but if it didn’t work out, I figured it was a good run.

The paper printed my farewell column on May 19. The editor censored it a bit, removing references to my personal website and to McNaughton Media – whose owners live in town.

But soon after it printed, that column was removed from the website. And they never paid me for it.

Good newspapers don’t censor criticism. The Washington Post covered the controversies going on with its leadership, without Jeff Bezos getting in the way. Here in Davis, I suspect there were lots of letters to the editor about Bob’s layoff, but only one ran.

Most of that farewell column reminisced about my good memories of paper, like working with Debbie Davis, who is here this afternoon, and helping Bob Dunning with the internet. …  I’m still here for you, Bob.         

Comings & Goings is part of my identity. Many assume it’s my job, like, full-time. But for years, I was paid by the column, no matter how many hours I put in. My contract work doing PR for the Davis Farmers Market, Davis Pride and others are what paid the bills. Happy Pride, by the way!

I started this thing called Comings & Goings out of frustration, when reporters wouldn’t always cover what I thought was newsworthy. Now – out of frustration again ­– look where it’s landed me. 

I’ve always said you must support local news to have local news. I never guessed it would look like this. You are all proof that is possible. Your paid subscriptions show me my reporting has value.

Most people haven’t blinked at paying $50 a year, especially when they see the product. Substack is super clean and reader-friendly, with no ads or pop-ups and, with that, no perceived conflicts of interest.

Being on Substack means I am no longer bound by the constraints of print journalism. There’s no Friday morning deadline for the Sunday business page. I don’t have to worry about covering news that overlaps with other reporters’ beats, and I will no longer be bothered when they cover – or even copy­ – mine.

Thank you to tech entrepreneur Brian Bolz for helping us get this going so quickly, and April Donald for preparing the slide show and drinks. Gratitude to Lorin Kalisky of Upper Crust Baking for the yummy cookies. And my friend Carol MacDonald for keeping them stocked. (Carol wore her hair like me on Saturday, and had four people come up to her at the party and tell her how much they enjoyed her column.)

And it means a lot that so many business owners are here. You are the best!

Many of you are like family. I have Soroptimist sisters here. There are a couple blood relatives too. My not-so-little brother Brian and sister-in-law Ann came from Roseville. Our parents died too young but they left us with an appreciation for small, local businesses. Their little Honda shop put us through college.

Our son Evan is here – all the way from the college streets of Davis. Our younger son Brock isn’t – he’s in grad school in Hawaii, poor guy. The most thanks go to my husband of nearly 35 years, Scott Wetzlich, for putting up with my rants, mopping the floors, planning our travel adventures, and having one steady job at UC Davis for the last 35 years. Thanks to his fellow Odd Fellows for hosting and serving us. Those are all volunteers at the bar. Show them some love.

I am so grateful for the community’s support. It was a leap to leave the paper, but you all caught me, and lifted me to a whole new dimension. Thank you.

It was fun meeting subscribers at Saturday's launch party. (Photos by Patrick Collins)

Left, Pulitzer Prize-winning political cartoonist Jack Ohman shakes hands with Bob at the event. At right, Upper Crust Baking provided fresh-baked cookies. (Photos by Patrick Collins)

Here I am visiting with friends, including Sandra Bachand, center, and Carol MacDonald, in green. My brother Brian Weitzel is on the left. Four people mistook Carol for me, telling her they liked her column. (Photo by Patrick Collins)

Left, Bob and I chat with people after my speech. Right, my husband Scott Wetzlich and I speak with biotech leader Pam Marrone. (Photos by Patrick Collins)

I was happy to finally get a beer after my speech. Here I speak with Bill Buchanan of Davis Media Access, left, political cartoonist Jack Ohman, and tech entrepreneur Brian Bolz, who is helping Bob and me. (Photo by Patrick Collins)

– I welcome your comments below. If you know of a business coming or going in the area – or if you see a typo above – email wendy@comingsandgoings.news. If you’re on Facebook and Instagram, please follow along.