'Overwhelming' interest in UC Davis West Village

More than 250 people visited the UC Davis West Village residential leasing office during its first two weeks of being open, according to the developer.

The university owns the land under West Village but is not developing it. That job falls to private enterprise, the West Village Community Partnership, under the terms of a ground lease with the university.

The partnership’s first apartment complex, The Ramble, is under construction — due to open as student housing in the fall — and a model unit is not expected to be ready until mid-February.

As an alternative, the partnership remodeled the interior of a house in downtown Davis to show some of what the inside of the new apartments will look like.

The leasing office is in the house, and the West Village Community Partnership staged an open house there on Jan. 6. More than 100 people visitors that day filled out information cards.

Including the first day’s count, 257 people had visited as of closing time Jan. 19.

“The level of interest in this project has been overwhelming so far, judging from the number of people coming to visit the leasing office and the number of students committing to lease at The Ramble next fall,” said Nolan Zail, senior vice president of development for Carmel Partners, one of the partners in the West Village Community Partnership.

“Davis students are really responding to the quality of the project and the idea of being part of a zero net energy community."

The leasing office (with the replica apartment) is at 409 Third St. Hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. More information.

AdMan conference registration opens Feb. 1

The Administrative Management Group, or AdMan, announced that its Mid-Management Conference will be held Wednesday, March 9. The theme is "From Survival to Success: Change = Opportunity.”

AdMan presents the conference annually to address current topics of interest to campus managers, find ways to improve and simplify business operations at all levels, promote professional growth of all department and unit administrators and managers, and encourage work-life enrichment through training and understanding.

The conference runs from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the ballroom at the Activities and Recreation Center.

Organizers said Kathleen Passanisi, motivational speaker and humorist, will be the guest presenter for the second consecutive year, by popular demand, and will be accompanied by Annie Passanisi, her daughter, as co-presenter.

Registration opens Feb. 1, and the organizers advised that the conference usually fills fast. They said priority will be given to staff at the PPS Grade E level and above, or AA III title code and above. If you do not meet these criteria, you are still encouraged to register, and your name will be put on a waiting list — to be accepted into the conference on a first-come, first-served basis.

Fees: $90 if you register by Feb. 22, or $115 through the close of registration, Feb. 28, payable only by departmental recharge. Fees include a buffet breakfast, morning and afternoon breaks, and a sit-down lunch.

More information.

Meditation group starts Feb. 9

The Academic and Staff Assistance Program is launching a new meditation group, free of charge, for staff and faculty of all meditation levels, from beginner to advanced.

The group is scheduled to meet during the noon hour, once a week for eight consecutive weeks starting Feb. 9. All the meeting days but one are Wednesdays; the lone exception is Thursday, March 3.

Organizers said ASAP Director Beth Cohen, a licensed clinical psychologist and certified meditation instructor, will lead the group in deepening techniques, breathing and mindfulness exercises, and discussion on a variety of meditation-related topics.

The meeting space is the Emergency Operations Center, which can hold 100 people. If the past is any indication, the class will fill up — so people are advised to sign up early.

For more information, or to sign up, contact Sharon Ree at (530) 752-2727 or slree@ucdavis.edu. Some participants will need to undergo prescreening, organizers said.