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By Eric Johnson
Published May 06, 2024

California Forever's proposed city (in blue) is located roughly halfway between San Francisco and Sacramento. California Forever's proposed city (in blue) is located roughly halfway between San Francisco and Sacramento.

The California Exodus and California Forever, Redux

On January 29, The Newsletter ran a piece under the headline “The California Exodus and ‘California Forever’.” Both of these big stories moved significantly over the past week, and we revisit them today. 

Also, as always: Peruse your cureated local News Feed; learn about a local nonprofit doing good work; and check out our Recipe of the Week.


Brand New City on the Delta Takes a Step Forward

Last Tuesday, the company that plans to build a high-tech, green, walkable city of 400,000 in rural Solano County announced that it had gathered enough signatures to qualify for the November ballot. The story involves an insane amount of money, some insanely powerful billionaires, and a detailed set of plans that appear to be quite sane, if not visionary. Here, amid well-earned controversy, we offer two pieces that consider the project on its own terms. 


California Forever: Building a New Community From the Ground Up

A view of the Helen Madere Memorial Bridge crossing the Sacramento River at Rio Vista in Solano County, California.
We take a closer look at ambitious plans to build a new community of up to 400,000 residents in Solano County.

California Forever CEO on Democracy and City Planning

California Forever CEO Jan Sramek announces that he has gathered enough signatures to get his plan on the November ballot in Solano County.
Jan Sramek disavows techno-libertarian 'Network State,' explains why master-planned cities are All-American, and talks of his love for walkable communities.


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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!


They're Coming Back to Cali

The California Department of Finance announced this week that the state’s population rose last year, after declining in both 2021 and 2022. 


Is the ‘California Exodus’ Over?

San Jose is finally working to fix its housing shortage, as are many California cities. This could help quell the hoards heading out of state.
Despite predictions that the party on the West Coast is winding down, California’s population increased last year for the first time since 2020.

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.


Happy Cinco de Mayo! Time to dig into this fruity salsa

Fresh strawberries combine with oranges and chilies for a fruity spring salsa
NEW! Fresh strawberry-orange salsa with green onions


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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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KSQD logo Organic Rising: Central Coast Farmers Featured in New Film

Anthony Saua, director of Organic Rising, talks about the rise of organic agriculture and its importance to health, the environment and slowing global warming,

KSQD logo Female Lowriders Celebrated in Watsonville

Filmmaker Gloria Morán discusses her film, Unique Ladies about an all-female lowrider club in San Diego. Her screening is part of a five-day Cinco de Mayo celebration in Watsonville of lowrider culture.

King City Rustler logo Farmworker Housing Study Oversight Committee Convenes to Review Progress

Despite significant progress since the release of a landmark 2018 farmworker housing study quantifying critically overcrowded housing conditions for agricultural workers in the region, thousands more homes are needed.

Monterey County Weekly logo Disused Office Properties on Garden Road Are Finally Turning Into Something Useful: Homes.

On a recent morning, the whirs of construction carry through the air at 2300 Garden Road in Monterey, and Brad Slama, a developer, leads the way through a massive former office building that he’s converting into 64 apartments.

Monterey County Weekly logo The Salinas Valley Health Board Is Evaluating Three Candidates for the CEO Spot.

The Salinas Valley Health board of directors is getting closer to choosing a replacement for former president and CEO Pete Delgado, who stepped down in October 2023 after 10 years. In a closed session meeting on Thursday, April 25, the…

Monterey County Weekly logo Salinas Begins Cracking Down on an Increased Presence of Unpermitted Street Food Vendors.

Over the past few months, Salinas residents have seen an increase in street vendors in high-traffic areas, including food trucks. This can make it easy to grab a bite to eat, but also comes with issues. Residents have been calling…

Monterey County Weekly logo Costly Rent Is Forcing All-In Monterey County to Look for More Affordable Options.

For the past four years, All-In Monterey County has helped distribute food, clothing and more to thousands of residents every month.

Salinas Valley Tribune logo Hundreds Attend Groundbreaking of Community Center Complex in Gonzales

A groundbreaking was held Saturday for Phase 1 of the Dennis and Janice Caprara Community Center Complex in Gonzales.

Salinas Valley Tribune logo Guitars Not Guns Makes Historic Donation of 200 Guitars to South Monterey County Schools

The Monterey County Chapter of Guitars Not Guns, in conjunction with the Monterey County Office of Education, distributed 200 Keith Urban Yamaha Guitars, along with Gator guitar cases, to 10 school districts in South Monterey County on April 22.

Salinas Valley Tribune logo Monterey County Superior Court Announces Retirement of Judge Anderson

Monterey County Superior Court Presiding Judge Carrie Panetta has announced the retirement of Judge Marla Anderson, effective April 30, after nearly 30 years of service on the Monterey County Superior Court.

Monterey County Weekly logo Joby Aviation Is Building for a Future in the Air, and Marina Is an Important Part of That Picture.

Joby Aviation sees the future of mobility as up in the air—not figuratively, but literally.

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Recent Statewide News

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• Metal Detectors, Fear, Frustration. College Commencements Altered Amid Gaza War Protests

At many universities across the country, graduation for the Class of 2024 will feel more like making it through airport security than a procession through a free-flowing campus green or a cheering stadium crowd.

(05/04/2024) → Los Angeles Times

• How Congress Is Letting Die an Internet Connectivity Lifeline for Millions

More than half of the U.S. House supports a bill to extend the funds, but it can’t get out of committee.

(05/04/2024) → CalMatters

• California's Population Increased Last Year for First Time Since 2020

During the much-ballyhooed “California exodus” amid the pandemic, remote workers moved to other states where they could live for a fraction of the cost compared to cities like Los Angeles or San Francisco.

(04/29/2024) → Los Angeles Times
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Government Announcements

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

Palmer Candy Company Recalls White Confectionary Products Because of Possible Health Risk

Palmer Candy Company, Sioux City, Iowa, is recalling its "White Coated Confectionary Items" because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immu
Image of United States seal. United States   (05/03/2024)

Chuao Chocolatier Recalls Its: .39 oz /11 Gram Potato Chip Mini Bar Lot 4022 Due to Undeclared Hazelnuts

May 3, 2024, Chuao Chocolatier is voluntarily recalling a single production of Potato Chip mini bar .39oz/11 gram LOT 4022 because some packages may contain undeclared hazelnut. People who are sensitive or have allergies to hazelnut could be at risk of a serious or life-threatening allergic reactio
Image of United States seal. United States   (05/03/2024)

Hormel Foods Sales, LLC Recalls a Limited Number of Planters® Honey Roasted Peanuts 4 Oz. and Planters® Deluxe Lightly Salted Mixed Nuts 8.75 Oz. Because of Possible Health Risk

Hormel Foods Sales, LLC is voluntarily recalling a limited number of two PLANTERS products that were produced at one of its facilities in April. This recall only impacts two retailers in five states. These products are being recalled because they have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria
Image of City of Del Rey Oaks seal. City of Del Rey Oaks   (05/03/2024)

Notice of Intent To Award

The City of Del Rey Oaks intends to award the contract to ClearSource Financial Consulting for a Comprehensive Fee Study
Image of City of Marina seal. City of Marina   (05/02/2024)

Two Cold Case Homicides Solved

Monterey County District Attorney and the Marina Police Department announce resolution of cold case homicide cases.
Image of City of Seaside seal. City of Seaside   (05/02/2024)

Sign up for Seaside City Newsletter!

Stay informed about what's going on around the City of Seaside by signing up for our Seaside City News Weekly Newsletter.
Image of United States seal. United States   (05/02/2024)

FSIS Issues Public Health Alert for Raw Pork Chorizo Products Due to Possible Foreign Matter Contamination

WASHINGTON, May. 2, 2024 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is issuing a public health alert due to concerns of raw pork chorizo products...
Image of City of Monterey seal. City of Monterey   (05/02/2024)

Final Push to Complete Lighthouse Avenue Roadwork Next Week: Motorists Should Expect Delays as Major Project Nears Completion

Image of United States seal. United States   (05/01/2024)

Cargill Meat Solutions Recalls Ground Beef Products Due to Possible E. coli O157:H7 Contamination

WASHINGTON, May 1, 2024 - Cargill Meat Solutions, a Hazleton, Pa., establishment, is recalling approximately 16,243 pounds of raw ground beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7...
Image of United States seal. United States   (04/30/2024)

Gibson Farms Voluntarily Recalls Organic Light Halves and Pieces Shelled Walnuts Because of Possible Health Risk

On 04/26/2024, Gibson Farms recalled Organic Light Halves and Pieces shelled walnuts because Gibson Farms received information that they may have the potential to be contaminated with E. Coli 0157:H7. E. coli O157:H7 causes a diarrheal illness often with bloody stools. Although most healthy adults c