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By Eric Johnson
Published Jun 03, 2024

A typically joyful scene in the pool at the city of Sacramento's Clunie Community Center. A typically joyful scene in the pool at the city of Sacramento's Clunie Community Center. Image credit: Eric Johnson

Celebrating California's Diversity, Homegrown Food, and DTLA

I posted the above photo to the family text thread on Saturday and received a reply that reminded me that I'm glad I live in California. Gretchen, my sister-in-law, who lives in a leafy and perfecly lovely suburb outside Washington DC, texted back: “I love that Sacramento has community pools. Virginia only has membership-only pools. Leftover from its anti-integration history.”

In fact, one of the things my wife and I love about the pool at the Clunie Center is that it draws folks from every corner of this city. We love that we live in the most diverse state in the nation, and in one of California's most diverse cities. 

So: In this week’s edition of The Newsletter, as we often do, we celebrate some of the good stuff we get to enjoy here in the Golden State. Elsewhere, you may be rage-reading about an unapologetic felon and his defenders … here today we’re going to look toward the light.


AAPI Heritage Month Extended

May was Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, and last week we celebrated with the publication of a list that might surprise you. Sure, there's Kamala Harris and Tiger Woods. But you may also be delighted to meet Dr. Chien-Shiung Wu, Dalip Singh Saund and many more.


25 AAPI Leaders From California

Dalip Singh Saund,  the first Sikh, Indian American and Asian American to be elected to Congress and Kamala Harris, the first Asian American vice president.
California has been home to many Asian American and Pacific Islanders who have transcended barriers and reshaped society, from education to advocacy, art to sports, politics, and beyond.


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El Dorado County's Homepage

Direct your browser to https://eldorado.californialocal.com/ to catch up on the latest news in California and El Dorado County. Bookmark the link and visit often, there's a lot happening in your community!


DTLA

Our colleague Chris Neklason and his family ventured to the land down under, that is, southern California.

He has thoughts about Downtown LA, or DTLA, as the civic hipsters call it.


DTLA: A Good Thing Gets Better

A large neon art installation gracing one of the entrances to the Grand Central Market in DTLA.
Downtown LA is turning into a good thing.

Happy Birthday SDG!

Happy sixth anniversary to Debbie and Kathy at Sacramento Digs Gardening, who've been posting an article a day since June 1, 2018. Wow!


Time for cake! SDG hits another milestone

This citrus cake is ideal for any celebration. See the blog post for a link to the recipe.
Daily gardening blog reaches its sixth anniversary -- thanks to our readers!

Recipe of the Week

Our friends at Sacramento Digs Gardening publish a recipe from their gardens every Sunday, which we feature here so you can start your week with some yum.

See more recipes in their Taste Spring! cookbook.


Bayou country, spring vegetables inspire shrimp pot pie

What's below the crust? Shrimp and a delicious collection of fresh vegetables.
New! Shrimp pot pie with fresh peas, carrots and spring onions


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Get to Know a Group

Golden Empire Council logo Golden Empire Council

The Golden Empire Council of the Boy Scouts of America pursues the mission of this national organization to “instill values in young people and prepare them to make ethical choices during their lifetimes, to take leadership roles as adults, and to reach their full potential.”

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From Our Media Allies

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Tahoe Daily Tribune logo Forest Service Prepares for 2024 Fire Season

Across California, fire crews and managers are already preparing for fire season. Despite two years of average to above-average precipitation, USDA Forest Service Pacific Southwest Region Fire Director, Jaime Gamboa, knows just how quickly wildfire season can take off.

Tahoe Daily Tribune logo East Shore Express Returning for 2024 Summer Season

Tahoe Transportation District announced the return of the East Shore Express Service beginning June 28, 2024.

Sierra Sun logo 19th Annual Tahoe Bike Month Kicks Off June 1

The 19th annual Tahoe Bike Month is set to begin on June 1, featuring a full month of bicycling events throughout the Lake Tahoe Basin.

Tahoe Daily Tribune logo South Lake Local Takes on New Role as CEO

Julie Gardner, who was born and raised in South Lake Tahoe, has recently taken over as CEO of California's most prominent employment social enterprise non-profits, Downtown Streets Team.

Folsom Times logo Folsom’s “Castle Park” Could Be Saved by $1.1M From City Reserve Funds

For several months now, the community, along with officials from Folsom Parks and Recreation and Folsom City Council have had discussions regarding the condition and the future of one of the city’s longtime favorite parks.

Folsom Times logo Folsom Council Gives Sales Tax Measure a Green Light for November Ballot

A special sales tax measure will officially be on the ballot for Folsom voters to decide on, following the May 28 Folsom City Council meeting where council members took the next steps to put the option on the ballot for …

Tahoe Daily Tribune logo First of Its Kind Defensible Space Software Brings Significant Improvements to the Entire Tahoe Basin

With support from the Tahoe Fund and Parasol Tahoe Community Foundation, every local fire agency in the Tahoe Basin now has access to Fire Aside, a software platform that makes defensible space and home hardening evaluations significantly faster to carry …

Tahoe Daily Tribune logo Tahoe Bear Shot and Killed on Memorial Day in Self Defense, Some Skeptical

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife Law Enforcement Division have filed no charges against a homeowner who shot and killed a yearling bear after it entered his house through a backdoor on Memorial Day.

Tahoe Daily Tribune logo El Dorado County Declares Wildfire Awareness Season as May-October 2024

At its regular meeting on May 21, 2024, the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors proclaimed the period of May through October 2024 as Wildfire Awareness Season as a call for residents in El Dorado County to prepare for wildfire.

Tahoe Daily Tribune logo El Dorado County Hosts Community Workshops for the Tahoe El Dorado Area Plan

El Dorado County is hosting a series of four in-person community workshops for its Tahoe El Dorado Area Plan effort on June 3-6, 2024.

Sacramento News and Review logo El Dorado County Residents in Crisis as Insurance Companies Leave the State

Diana Still had faithfully paid her home insurance for years. But recently, the Placerville resident received notice that her insurer was dropping her.

KSQD logo Student Protestor Voices on Israel-Gaza-Palestine

In this field-produced, bonus episode, the Moment of Truth team interviews pro-Palestinian, student protestors and campers at university and college encampments.

Tahoe Daily Tribune logo Lake Tahoe Unified School District Awarded $4.7 Million Community Schools Grant

South Tahoe Education Association President Jodi Dayberry announced that Lake Tahoe Unified School District was awarded a $4.7 million Community Schools Grant during the May 9 Board of Directors meeting.

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Recent Local News

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• Tiny Homes in Grizzly Flats Approved

The El Dorado County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved an ordinance allowing some residents of Grizzly Flats whose homes were destroyed in the Caldor Fire to build tiny homes.

(05/31/2024) → Mountain Democrat

• Huge Housing Projects Inch Forward

The Lime Rock Valley and Village of Marble Valley projects went before the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors who approved an amended contract with the consultant preparing the environmental review.

(05/31/2024) → Village Life

• Mosquito Road Bridge Construction Advances

With the underground work and massive footers poured, forms for the support columns are being constructed for another massive cement pour of the project which began in September 2022 and is slated to be complete in late 2025 or early 2026.

(05/31/2024) → Mountain Democrat

• Thousands of Tree Seedlings Planted

The Sugar Pine Foundation announced that partner agencies and volunteers had planted 16,800 pine seedlings were planted this spring in the Caldor Fire scar area, Buron Creek State Park and around South Lake Tahoe.

(05/29/2024) → South Tahoe Now

• Permanent Homeless Shelter Proposal Advances

In their May 21 meeting, the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors approved a proposal to develop a permanent homeless shelter on a 1-acre lot on Forni Road in Placerville.

(05/29/2024) → Mountain Democrat

• Gardening in Rattlesnake Country

Advice for local gardeners now that winter is over and rattlesnakes are out and about.

(05/29/2024) → Mountain Democrat

• El Dorado County Updating Parks and Trails Master Plan

Following public workshops and resident feedback, El Dorado County is updating the 10 year County Parks and Trails Master Plan.

(05/28/2024) → Georgetown Gazette
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Recent Statewide News

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• New Research Indicates More Massive California Flooding in Past

Cal State Fullerton researchers released findings of ancient floods in Southern California which indicate the state may be more prone to mega flooding than previously thought.

(06/01/2024) → Los Angeles Times

• Why a Bay Area Transit Rescue Plan Is on Hold

A Bay Area transit funding bill is delayed so supporters can seek consensus on how the money will be raised and distributed.

(05/31/2024) → CalMatters

• Raising Kids in California? They May Have College Savings Accounts You Don’t Know About.

The state is directly investing money for low-income students and all newborns to attend college. After two years, the program is still not widely known by the students who need the most financial assistance.

(05/30/2024) → CalMatters

• California Sides With Big Utilities, Trimming Incentives for Community Solar Projects

These community projects can give renters and low-income homeowners a chance to go solar, but the PUC’s action is unlikely to give them the option.

(05/30/2024) → CalMatters

• California’s Runoff Flows Down the Drain. Can More Be Captured?

Researchers say if California could collect and treat more stormwater in cities, it could provide enough water to supply a quarter of the state’s urban population.

(05/30/2024) → CalMatters

• Democrats Kill California Homeless Camp Ban, Again

A bill to ban homeless encampments statewide near parks, schools and transit hubs failed to get out of the same legislative committee as last year.

(05/29/2024) → CalMatters

• Planets on Parade in June

An alignment known as a “planetary parade” will march across night skies starting June 3.

(05/28/2024) → Los Angeles Times

• As Key Deadlines Loom, Newsom and California Lawmakers Have Dozens of Deals to Make

It’s time for the folks in California’s Capitol to play let’s-make-a-deal – or actually, many deals.

(05/28/2024) → CalMatters

• UC Student Workers Expand Strike to Two More Campuses as They Demand Amnesty for Protestors

After University of California students were arrested or suspended for protests, student workers are striking at three campuses. The Office of President says the strike violates the union contract.

(05/28/2024) → CalMatters

• ‘We Have to Do Less With Less’: Cal State Faces Extra $500 Million Budget Gap

Two major forces are at play: Gov. Gavin Newsom scaled back his promise of increased financial support for Cal State, while university officials agreed to 5% salary increases earlier this year.

(05/27/2024) → CalMatters

• California Wants to Be Carbon-Neutral by 2045. What Does That Mean for Its Big Economic Drivers?

California’s governor, Gavin Newsom, flew more 6,000 miles to Rome this month to deliver a brief speech on climate change at a Vatican-sponsored conference.

(05/27/2024) → CalMatters
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Government Announcements

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Image of United States seal. United States   (05/30/2024)

Fresh Start Produce Sales Initiates Recall of Whole Cucumbers Because of Possible Health Risk

Fresh Start Produce Sales Inc. of Delray, Florida, is recalling whole cucumbers shipped to certain states from May 17th through May 21st, 2024, due to the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella, an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elder
Image of United States seal. United States   (05/30/2024)

Heinen's Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Pecans in Heinen's Tuscan Salad Bowls

May 30th, 2024. Heinen's of Warrensville Heights, OH is voluntarily recalling Heinen's Tuscan Salad Bowls, due to the possibility that it may contain undeclared Pecans. While no reports of injury have occurred, out of an abundance of caution people who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to Pecans
Image of State of California seal. State of California   (05/24/2024)

Joe Patterson CA Assembly 05:
Assemblyman Joe Patterson Honors Family of Fallen Hero Sergeant Nicole Gee

Image of United States seal. United States   (05/23/2024)

Dairy Manufacturers Inc. Issues Voluntary Recall of Products Due to Non-Compliance with Requirements Under the 21 CFR 106.110 New Infant Formula Registration

Dairy Manufacturers Inc., of Prosper, TX - 5/24/24, is voluntarily recalling all lot codes for infant formulas available in the US: Crecelac Infant 0-12, Farmalac 0-12 and Farmalac 0-12 Low lactose to the retail and wholesale level. The products have been found in non-compliance with the requirement
Image of United States seal. United States   (05/22/2024)

AMB Food Inc. Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Wheat in Product

AMB Food Inc. in Brooklyn NY is recalling 8 oz bags of Pop a Nosh Mix Munch Regular and Honey BBQ snacks because it contains pretzels, but does not list Wheat as an allergen. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to wheat run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if th
Image of United States seal. United States   (05/21/2024)

World Green Nutrition, Inc. Expands Recall of Tejocote Products Due to the Presence of Yellow Oleander

World Green Nutrition, Inc is announcing the expansion of their April 03, 2024 recall to include more lot numbers of the products GREEN ELV NUTRITION brand Elv Control Herbal Supplement 90 capsules and ELV ALIPOTEC brand Mexican Tejocote Root Supplement Pieces (Raiz de Tejocote Mexicano Suplemento e
Image of United States seal. United States   (05/20/2024)

County Road Seafood Issues Allergy Alert of Undeclared Egg in 4 Oz Packages of County Road Seafood Crab Cake

County Road Seafood, LLC., of Belhaven, NC - May 21, 2024, is voluntarily recalling County Road Seafood Crab Cake 2 Pack 4 Ounce package because this product contains undeclared egg. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to egg run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction
Image of United States seal. United States   (05/17/2024)

Reser's Fine Foods Announces Voluntary Recall of Single Batch of Aldi Macaroni 32 oz Salad with Use By Date of Jun/03/24 Due to Unlabeled Wheat Allergen

Reser's Fine Foods is voluntarily recalling a single item with a specific use by date, produced at a regional facility and distributed to ALDI. The product is the Aldi Deli Macaroni Salad 32 oz, with a Use By Date of Jun/03/24 due to an incorrect label. The incorrect label does not include an all
Image of United States seal. United States   (05/17/2024)

United Supermarkets Advises Guests in New Mexico and Texas of Palmer Candy's Voluntary Recall of White Coated Confectionary Items Due to Possible Salmonella Contamination

United Supermarkets is advising guests about a recall by its supplier Palmer Candy of its white coated confectionary items due to possible Salmonella contamination. Palmer Candy was notified by its liquid coating supplier that there was a potential for contamination with Salmonella from an ingredie
Image of United States seal. United States   (05/17/2024)

Irvington Seafood Recalls "Crabmeat: Jumbo, Lump, Finger, and Claw Meat" Because of Possible Health Risk

Irvington Seafood of Irvington, AL, is recalling its 1 lb. packages of "Crabmeat: Jumbo, Lump, Finger, and Claw meat" because they have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly