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By Eric Johnson
Published Mar 25, 2024

At the McKinley Park Rose Garden in Sacramento, the first rose of 2024. At the McKinley Park Rose Garden in Sacramento, the first rose of 2024. Image credit: Eric Johnson

Four Good Things about Spring

We have a slightly humorous tradition in our family: At the beginning of every season, one of us will say something like, “Winter in California is amazing, and I’m going to miss going up to the snow—but spring really is the best season.” Or "yeah sure summer is fun with the swimming and all, but ahhh the colors of fall—obviolusly the best season."

I realize this is not all that funny, but what makes it a little bit funny (to us) is that we say it at the beginning of every single season, and have been doing so for many years. And we kind of mean it every single time. Because every new season holds the promise that it'll be better than the last.

This winter, as you know, was cold and wet. I am a nature-worshiping Californian who’s been living through a deadly drought, so I stopped complaining about the rain more than a decade ago … until this year. Last week’s warm sun and long evenings made me feel better than I have felt in months.

So: In this week’s edition of The Newsletter, four things, all related to the very best season: Spring!

Product Launch from CALocal: 1GT

The beginning of Spring is a great time to launch stuff. Which is one reason we chose last week to release a new California Local feature that we are calling One Good Thing (which we've already started abbreviating as 1GT). This was CALocal co-founder and product guy Chris Neklason’s idea, and here he briefly explains why 1GT is a good thing.

One Good Thing

Every now and then, it's important to focus on good things.
We announce a new initiative and invite our members to contribute.

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

Spring in the Valley

For our first One Good Thing, Chris takes you on a short journey to Yosemite Valley to witness a fleeting and amazing phenomenon.

The Rainbows of Yosemite Falls

Yosemite Falls in Yosemite Valley.
Yosemite Valley is extraordinary, and in certain places at certain times of the day, magical. A brief insider's guide to a special place and time in Yosemite National Park, including a short video of the springtime rainbows of Yosemite Falls.

An Ode to the Season

If you already know everything about the Vernal Equinox, our friend Kathy Morrison of Sacramento Digs Gardening brings you a delightful reminder: Eostre, the goddess of fertility and spring, has a rabbit as a spirit animal—and over the millennia, Eostre’s rabbit morphed into our Easter Bunny. More fun facts (plus a FREE cookbook, Taste Spring!) on the other side of the link.

First day of spring is cause for celebration

Cherry blossoms herald the start of spring. The warm, sunny weather is expected to continue through Thursday.
Plenty of sunshine and flowers welcome start of new season

Product Launch from Hilltromper: BloomTracker

As you may have noticed, we do not tire of singing the praises of California, and Hilltromper (which is kind of CALocal's sister-site) focuses on our state's awesome natural beauty. For our final piece of appreciation today we present the coolest wildflower-finding tool you've ever seen, which was launched last week by our friend Mike Kahn. 

BloomTracker: Wildflower Finder & Protector from Hilltromper


Over at Hilltromper, “The Nature-worshiping, Fun-Loving Adventure Guide” that serves the South Bay Area, Santa Cruz County, and anyone who visits these beautiful places, our friend Mike Kahn has just launched a new product he named BloomTracker—“an online resource that helps you find the best places to see wildflowers, in real time, and helps reduce impacts on parks and other open spaces.”

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 Winter! cookbook.

This easy chicken dish puts zesty zing in spring

Chicken thighs achieve crispy deliciousness when marinated and baked at high heat.
NEW Baked lemon-Dijon chicken thighs with herbs

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Community Emergency Response Volunteers logo Community Emergency Response Volunteers

Community Emergency Response Volunteers of the Monterey Peninsula's mission is “to support local CERT programs, build public awareness about emergency preparedness, and promote the community's capacity to respond to natural disasters and man-made emergencies.”

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From Our Media Allies

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Salinas Valley Tribune logo New Alert and Warning System Enhances Safety for Monterey County Residents

Monterey County’s Department of Emergency Management has announced the implementation of a cutting-edge Alert and Warning System designed to ensure the safety and well-being of all residents.
Monterey County Weekly logo Pacific Grove City Council Votes Again to Stop a Skatepark Project.

The Pacific Grove City Council voted 4-2 on Wednesday, March 20 to once again stop a proposed skatepark project.
Monterey County Weekly logo Miles of Palo Colorado Road Have Been Closed Since 2017. Progress Is Happening, but Slowly.

In January 2017, Monterey County was hit with an onslaught of storms, exacerbating damage in Big Sur and Carmel Valley from the 2016 Soberanes Fire, which left burn scars on 132,127 acres that were more prone to erosion and runoff.
Monterey County Weekly logo A Frustrated Community Demands the PVUSD School Board Bring Back an Ethnic Studies Consultant.

About 100 people rallied outside of a Pajaro Valley Unified School District board meeting on Wednesday, March 13, demanding the district bring back Community Responsive Education.
Salinas Valley Tribune logo Los Coches Animal Hospital in Soledad Announces Closure

After serving the Salinas Valley community for the past 90 years, Los Coches Animal Hospital has announced that it will be closing its Soledad location effective April 1.
King City Rustler logo King City High Softball Program Receives $1,500 Donation

Salinas Valley State Prison EAC recently donated $1,500 to the King City High School softball program.

Monterey County Weekly logo Montage Health Launches a Fund for Teacher Health Care Grants

Montage Health announced the creation of the Montage Health Fund for Teachers, which will be open to teachers in any Monterey County school—public or private, any grade level from K-12—to receive grants of up to $1,000 toward their costs of …
King City Rustler logo Community Food Pantry of King City Announces Spring Goodwill Collection Drive

Community Food Pantry of King City is again partnering with Goodwill Industries for another collection drive in April.
King City Rustler logo Community Network Meeting Focuses on Youth Safety and Well-Being in South Monterey County

Vista Verde Middle School in Greenfield recently hosted a community network meeting aimed at fostering a nurturing and safe environment for local youth, families and communities across South Monterey County.
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Recent Local News

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• Laguna Seca Raceway Lawsuit Settled

The Highway 68 Coalition suit against the County of Monterey over operation of the Laguna Seca Raceway has been settled.

 (03/22/2024) → Monterey Herald

• PG Council Votes to Reduce Council Seats

The Pacific Grove City Council voted to place a measure on the November ballot to reduce council seats from six to four members.

 (03/22/2024) → Monterey Herald

• Panetta Secures Funds for Carmel River Floodplain Project

U.S. Representative Jimmy Panetta has secured $3 million in federal funding for the Floodplain Restoration and Environmental Enhancement Project on the Carmel River.

 (03/21/2024) → Monterey Herald

• Joby Delivers on U.S. Air Force Contract

Joby Aviation announced it will be delivering the second and third of three aircraft produced at its Pilot Production Line in Marina as part of a contract with the U.S. Air Force.

 (03/19/2024) → Monterey Herald

• Bay of Life Exhibit Opens at CSUMB

Monterey Bay residents Frans Lanting and Chris Eckstrom, renowned for their work documenting nature, have opened a new exhibit titled "Bay of Life: From Wind To Whales" at California State University, Monterey Bay (CSUMB) .

 (03/19/2024) → The Lutrinae
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Recent Statewide News

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• Reps. Gaetz and Greene Lawsuit Against Cities Where Political Rally Was Canceled Can Move Forward

A judge ruled GOP Reps. Matt Gaetz and Marjorie Taylor Greene can move forward with their lawsuit against two California cities where rallies were canceled.

 (03/25/2024) → Los Angeles Times

• At Stake in Mifepristone Case: Abortion, FDA’s Authority, and Return to 1873 Obscenity Law

Lawyers from the conservative Christian group that won the case to overturn Roe v. Wade are returning to the U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday in pursuit of an urgent priority: shutting down access to abortion pills for women across the country.

 (03/25/2024) → KFF Health News

• California Forever Denies Reports of Shady Tactics Outside Bay Area Target

Rumors are flying that California Forever is using dodgy tactics to gather signatures.

 (03/24/2024) → SF Gate

• California Speeds Plans to Empty San Quentin's Death Row

California prison officials announced they will move the last 457 condemned prisoners out of San Quentin's death row by summer. They will be transferred to other state prisons and housed in the general population.

 (03/18/2024) → Los Angeles Times
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Government Announcements

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Image of United States seal. United States   (03/21/2024)

FSIS Issues Public Health Alert for Ineligible Frozen Siluriformes Products Imported from the People's Republic of China
WASHINGTON, March. 21, 2024 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is issuing a public health alert for imported frozen Siluriformes products that were illegally...
Image of City of Seaside seal. City of Seaside   (03/20/2024)

Celebrating Our Cultural Heritage Exhibition April 29 – June 27, 2024
Seaside's Avery Gallery, in collaboration with JEDI, is proud to announce the Celebrating Our Cultural Heritage Exhibition which runs April 29 - June 27, 2024, located inside City Hall. The Reception on May 17, 7-9 PM is free and open to the public.
Image of City of Marina seal. City of Marina   (03/20/2024)

Recreation Online Registration and Payment System
The Recreation & Cultural Services Department is launching a online registration and payment system.
Image of City of Pacific Grove seal. City of Pacific Grove   (03/20/2024)

4/6 ARBOR DAY TREE PLANTING CELEBRATION
Image of State of California seal. State of California   (03/19/2024)

John Laird CA Senate 17:
Senator Laird Introduces Legislation to Promote Safe Drinking Water
SACRAMENTO, CA Today, State Senator John Laird (D - Santa Cruz) unveiled Senate Bill 1188 to promote safe and reliable drinking water for Californians by assuring small water systems meet minimum standards of operation. Access to safe and affordable water is a human right that over 900,000 Californians lack, said Senator Laird. Senate Bill 1188 helps safeguard this fundamental right …
Image of City of Monterey seal. City of Monterey   (03/18/2024)

AB481 Military Equipment Town Hall, Monday, March 25, 2024
Image of City of Gonzales seal. City of Gonzales   (03/18/2024)

Get Involved & Join One of Our Committees! We still have openings on Measure K. Contact us for more information or complete the application below and send it in.
Image of United States seal. United States   (03/16/2024)

Wenders LLC Recalls Trader Joes Nuts - 50% Less Sodium Roasted & Salted Whole Cashews Because of Possible Health Risk
Wenders LLC of Dublin, CA is recalling specific production lots of Trader Joes Nuts - 50% Less Sodium Roasted & Salted Whole Cashews - (SKU Number - 37884) Lot# T12139, T12140, T12141, and T12142 because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella, an organism which can cause serious
Image of City of Marina seal. City of Marina   (03/15/2024)

CITY OPENS APPLICATION PROCESS FOR 3 COMMISSION
The City of Marina is accepting applications for three (3) Commissions. Interested individuals for City Commissions must be residents and registered voters of the incorporated area of the City of Marina.
Image of City of Seaside seal. City of Seaside   (03/15/2024)

2024 Fireworks Booth Permit Application/ Solicitud de permiso para puesto de fuegos artificiales