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By Eric Johnson
Published Apr 21, 2024

Earth Day: Resilience vs. Disaster

Happy Earth Day! Today we celebrate the efforts our fellow humans (including some powerful Californians) have made and are making to help heal our planet and connect us, while we simultaneously consider what we must do to protect our communities as the climate crisis worsens. We begin with a tribute to a man who is given credit for lighting the spark that led to this holiday.

Below, as always, find a carefully curated selection of local news; a short tribute to a local nonprofit, and a tasty recipe.


Seeing the World Anew

Just a few months before Apollo 8 astronaut Bill Anders took the "Earthrise" photo above, Stewart Brand convinced NASA to release the first color photo of the earth that had ever been seen. He believed people would be deeply affected by that image and he was right: The founders of Earth Day cite that photo as their inspiration. Here are several other ways this former Merry Prankster changed the world.


Stewart Brand’s ‘Whole Earth’ and its Place in the Universe


Meet the hippie intellectual who changed the world with the first published photograph of our entire planet.


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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!


Organizing Against Disaster

Worsening winter storms and the lengthining wildfire season are forcing us to confront unprecedented challenges. Here's how communities are coping and some ways you can help.


Budgeting for Resilience

West Cliff Drive in Santa Cruz, California, following a storm in January 2023. Throughout the state, communities are being forced to budget for disaster.
California communities are focusing resources in response to the effects of climate change and other challenges.

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.


These scones won’t curb your enthusiasm

These strawberry and cream scones are perfect for a spring brunch or tea.
NEW Strawberries and cream scones with orange zest


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Get to Know a Group

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.”

→ Learn more

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Upcoming Community Ally Events

Arts Council of Monterey County logo Open Studios Art Tour
Saturday October 12 2024   All Day
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From Our Media Allies

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Monterey County Weekly logo A Report From the 'Mecca of Cycling,' Aka Sea Otter Classic.

Sea Otter Classic is underway at Laguna Seca Recreation Area, and often-solitary trails all over Fort Ord National Monument are alive with cyclists. Look out over the rolling hills, and where you might catch a glimpse of a mountain biker…

Monterey County Weekly logo Upheaval in Seaside Continues as the City Council Places the City Manager on Administrative Leave.

Numerous top staffers have left Seaside City Hall in recent weeks, and now it appears City Manager Jaime Fontes might be on his way out too.

Monterey County Weekly logo Narcan Dispensers Are Now Publicly Available at Spots in Monterey.

To combat the rising number of drug overdoses, the Monterey Police Department and Central Coast Overdose Prevention coalition have installed boxes at three areas in Monterey that dispense lifesaving medication known as Narcan.

Salinas Valley Tribune logo Community Workshops Exploring Region’s Water Use Underway in Salinas Valley

Salinas Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency is hosting multiple workshops this spring to provide residents and businesses of the Salinas Valley with an opportunity to learn about water use and management in the region.

Monterey County Weekly logo Two State Grants Totaling $11.2 Million Are Meant to Help South County Cities Alleviate Homeless Encampments.

Two grants from the State of California's encampment resolution funding program to the County of Monterey will go toward helping two South Monterey County cities alleviate homeless encampments.

Salinas Valley Tribune logo Hartnell College Foundation Anchors Bright Futures Program

The Bright Futures Education Partnership is now a cradle-to-career partnership anchored at the Hartnell College Foundation.

Monterey County Weekly logo Carmel Valley Residents Won a Housing Unit Cap in Court. New State Laws Are Going to Break It.

In 2010, the County of Monterey approved a master plan that would limit the number of new housing units in Carmel Valley to 266. It was too many for residents’ group Carmel Valley Association.

Monterey County Weekly logo With Planning Commission’s Blessing, PacRep Moves Forward on Theater Remodel.

Pacific Repertory Theatre amended its Golden Bough Theatre renovation project, resolving all existing issues in front of the Carmel Planning Commission on March 13.

Monterey County Weekly logo East Garrison’s ‘Town Center’ Is Coming, Allegedly. But the Rollout Has Been Messy.

Will East Garrison, a planned community on the northeastern edge of the former Fort Ord, ever have a “town center,” as envisioned when it was approved nearly 20 years ago? Maybe. But, as always with East Garrison, it’s complicated.

Monterey County Weekly logo Salinas City Council Will Decide How to Fill a Vacancy, Through Election or Appointment.

Salinas City Councilmember Steve McShane brought tomato seedlings to a council meeting on Tuesday, April 9 to give to his colleagues, “to spread goodwill,” he said. Then he announced his resignation, effective May 10.

Salinas Valley Tribune logo Cal Water Secures $83M in State Funding to Relieve Customers of Past-Due Balances Accumulated During Pandemic

Cal Water applied for and has received more than $83 million through the California Extended Water and Wastewater Arrearage Payment Program to relieve residential and commercial customers of past-due balances incurred during the pandemic.

Monterey County Weekly logo CSUMB Offers a 'Back-Up Scholarship' and the State Creates a Workaround in the Wake of Major FAFSA Delays.

CSU Monterey Bay announced it is offering $4,000 "guaranteed back-up scholarships" to incoming students negatively impacted by delays in the Free Application for Student Aid, or FAFSA, process.

Hilltromper Silicon Valley logo Peak Whale Watching in Northern California Can Be Now

Humpback whales return to our waters just in time for Earth Day and WhaleFest in Pacifica, while whale watchers in Monterey Bay are seeing cetaceans in droves.

Monterey County Weekly logo San Ardo Taps Into Fiber Internet, With More Areas to Soon Get Connected.

Piece by piece, the County of Monterey is closing the yawning digital divide, recently connecting San Ardo and areas of Prunedale to the fiber network.

Salinas Valley Tribune logo Community Foundation for Monterey County Names Dr. Cabrera, Claypool and Cullen to Its Board of Directors

Community Foundation for Monterey County (CFMC) has announced the addition of Dr. Rolando Cabrera, Mary Claypool and Robert Cullen to its Board of Directors.

Salinas Valley Tribune logo Deadline Nears for Monterey County Artists to Apply for Individual Artists Grant

Applications are closing soon for an Individual Artists Grant through the Arts Council for Monterey County (Arts4MC).

Monterey County Weekly logo Carmel Bach Festival Hires a New Executive Director.

The upcoming 87th Carmel Bach Festival is rolling out on June 13 and runs until June 27.

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Recent Local News

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• Examining the Cal State Monterey Bay Inclusive Sustainability Plan

A look at the progress made toward the goals outlined in the CSUMB Inclusive Sustainability Plan created in 2020.

(04/22/2024) → The Lutrinae

• Fireworks Coming to Seaside November Ballot

In its April 18 meeting, the Seaside City Council voted to put a measure to ban fireworks on the November ballot.

(04/19/2024) → Monterey Herald

• CalTrans Makes Progress on Landslides

A report on CalTrans progress on three Highway 1 landslides south of the Rocky Creek Bridge slip-out.

(04/16/2024) → Monterey Herald
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Recent Statewide News

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• Newsom Calls Out Republican Abortion Policies in New Ad Running in Alabama

California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s new ad blasts GOP efforts to make it harder for people to leave states with abortion bans and seek treatment elsewhere.

(04/21/2024) → Los Angeles Times

• As Salmon Are Released Into the Klamath River, Tribal Leaders See a 'Symbol of Hope'

California has released 500,000 salmon into the Klamath River. As dams are removed, the fish will be some of the first to return to a free-flowing river.

(04/20/2024) → Los Angeles Times

• A Private Calif. Ranch Holds Important State History — And It Might Be in Danger

Some residents fear development could destroy parts of the historic land.

(04/19/2024) → SF Gate

• After Previously Being Cleared, Three Alameda Police Officers Now Face Manslaughter Charges

The Alameda County District Attorney’s Office has charged three East Bay police officers with involuntary manslaughter in the 2021 death of 26-year-old Mario Gonzalez.

(04/19/2024) → SF Gate

• A Plan to Change Your Utility Rates Is Dividing California Environmentalists. Here’s Why

The California Public Utilities Commission will consider on May 9 a new proposal that would change how Californians pay for electricity.

(04/18/2024) → CalMatters

• California Sets Nation’s First Water Standard for Cancer-Causing Contaminant

Water suppliers say the costs will be massive, with rates increasing for many consumers. Known as the “Erin Brockovich” chemical, hexavalent chromium is found statewide.

(04/17/2024) → CalMatters

• Senate Impeachment Trial Begins for Homeland Security Secretary Mayorkas

Alejandro N. Mayorkas, a Cuban immigrant who grew up in California, is the first U.S. Cabinet official impeached in nearly 150 years.

(04/17/2024) → Los Angeles Times

• Paris Hilton Speaks Up for California’s ‘Troubled’ Teens

Heiress Paris Hilton is on a mission to shine a light on the "troubled teen industry," a largely unregulated multibillion-dollar industry that is gaining public scrutiny for alleged abuse of vulnerable youths.

(04/17/2024) → California Healthline

• In San Francisco’s Chinatown, a CEO Works With the Community to Bolster Hospital

Chinese Hospital, located in the heart of this city's legendary Chinatown, struggles with many of the same financial and demographic challenges that plague small independent hospitals in underserved areas across the country.

(04/16/2024) → California Healthline
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Government Announcements

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Image of City of Monterey seal. City of Monterey   (04/22/2024)

Large Open Recruitment for Monterey's Boards, Commissions, and Committees

Image of United States seal. United States   (04/20/2024)

FSIS Issues Public Health Alert for Ground Beef Products Due to Possible E. Coli O157:H7 Contamination

WASHINGTON, April 20, 2024 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is issuing a public health alert for ground beef products that may be contaminated...
Image of United States seal. United States   (04/19/2024)

Primal Kitchen Issues Voluntary Recall of Primal Kitchen Avocado Oil (750mL Glass) Due to Packaging Issue

Primal Kitchen is announcing a voluntary recall of approximately 2,060 cases of three code dates of Primal Kitchen Avocado Oil (750mL) because the glass may be prone to breakage, causing the product to spill.
Image of United States seal. United States   (04/19/2024)

Infinite Herbs, LLC Expands Recall of Fresh Organic Basil to Include Melissa's Brand Organic Basil Received by Illinois and Missouri Retailer

Infinite Herbs LLC of Miami, Florida, is expanding its April 18th recall to include Melissa's brand fresh organic basil in 2.0 oz ( 96 packages, UPC 0 45255 14142 9) and 4.0 oz packages (24 packages, UPC 0 45255 14439 0) available for sale at Dierberg's stores in Illinois and Missouri between Febru
Image of City of Del Rey Oaks seal. City of Del Rey Oaks   (04/19/2024)

PG&E road work on CDR between Via Verde and Carlton till April 26th

PG&E road work on CDR between Via Verde and Carlton till April 26th vince.f@civicp... Fri, 04/19/2024 - 7:07 AM Microsite Public Works Department State Route 218: Via Verde Carlton Drive One-way traffic controls will be in place along eastbound and westbound State Route 218 (Canyon Del Rey Boulevard) between Via Verde and Carlton Drive for utility work from 8:30 am …
Image of City of Del Rey Oaks seal. City of Del Rey Oaks   (04/19/2024)

League of Women Voters "Del Rey Oaks FORTAG Trail" Live streamed Zoom Meeting at Noon on April 13

Image of City of Del Rey Oaks seal. City of Del Rey Oaks   (04/19/2024)

Housing Element

Image of City of Del Rey Oaks seal. City of Del Rey Oaks   (04/19/2024)

City Manager's Reports

City Manager Reports In the spirit of keeping an open and transparent government, we are pleased to make the City Manager's Reports available.
Image of City of Del Rey Oaks seal. City of Del Rey Oaks   (04/19/2024)

City Manager's Report, September 2019

Click here to view the September 2019 City Manager's Report.
Image of United States seal. United States   (04/18/2024)

Sammy's Milk Providing a Warning Against the Use of Goat Milk Toddler Formula as Infant Formula

Newport Beach, California - Sammy's Milk, a local company, has been asked by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to provide a warning against the use of its Goat Milk Toddler Formula as an infant formula because the FDA is concerned that the formula may not meet all FDA requirements for infant fo