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By Chris Neklason
Published May 13, 2024

People are nearby to throw you a line if you feel you are sinking. People are nearby to throw you a line if you feel you are sinking. Image credit: CoolR   Shutterstock/standard

May is Mental Health Month

This week, we note that May is Mental Health Month.  If you live in one of the 10 counties in our coverage area, we include links to groups focusing on supporting your health and well-being below. If not, know that your community has resources available to assist you with information a web search away.

Most importantly, if you or someone in your family is in crisis or having suicidal thoughts, call the California Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Crisis Lifeline at 988.

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.

California's Mental Health History

A harrowing number of young people report living in despair, while we witness thousands of our neighbors suffering in the streets. Jon Vankin on the unintended consequenses of a misguided health-care reform effort.

UPDATE: California’s Mental Health Crisis: How We Got Here

The California mental health crisis is tied to both homelessness and rising crime.
How the California mental health crisis emerged out of the state’s history of deinstitutionalization and laws designed to protect the mentally ill, as well as the communities around them.

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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!

Mental Health Resources in Monterey County

Life is the hardest job there is. Luckily, nobody's in it on their own.

Every community is home to a network of helpers to assist when things become more than one can handle alone.

We’ve gathered a list of Monterey County nonprofit community groups with a mission to help people through times of crisis,  ill health and the challenges of aging or past service in the military.

If things are feeling too heavy or out of control, reach out.

And if you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts, call the California suicide prevention and mental health lifeline now at 988.

A Visitation from the Northern Lights

A mega-storm on the sun and earth's magenetic field collabroated on a show over the weekend.

Aurora Borealis in the Santa Cruz Mountains


The Northern Lights appeared in Northern and Central California Saturday night.

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.

Chilled asparagus soup an elegantly cool dish

Serve the soup chilled but not ice-cold for best flavor. Top with crème fraîche, chopped chives and a blanched asparagus top.
New! Spring asparagus blends well with green garlic

Impact Report Image for decorative use

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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From Our Media Allies

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Monterey County Weekly logo Amazon Confirms It Is Revisiting Salinas Plans After a Developer Buys Property for $14.7 Million.

Two years after Amazon backed out of a massive warehouse project in Salinas, the online retail and web services giant confirmed it is revisiting its plans to build in Monterey County’s largest city.
Salinas Valley Tribune logo Families Turn Out for Back-to-Back Celebrations at Gonzales Central Park

Gonzales residents gathered at Central Park for consecutive Sunday celebrations with Dia del Niño (Day of the Child) followed by Cinco de Mayo (May 5).
King City Rustler logo More Than 150 Children Cast Lines at Fort Hunter Liggett’s 22nd Annual Youth Fishing Derby

More than 150 children ages 2-15 registered in Fort Hunter Liggett’s 22nd annual Youth Fishing Derby last Saturday at the Del Venturi Reservoir.
Good Times logo Salinas River Beach State Park Hike

During my brief running phase, I ran in the Santa Cruz to Capitola Wharf to Wharf Race. I was dead last. The guy who was right in front of me, second to last, starts making fun of me.
Hilltromper Silicon Valley logo Tips on Ticks for Lyme Disease Awareness Month

Partly due to global warming and the proliferation of ticks, Lyme disease is the fastest growing infectious disease in the US. Here’s how to protect yourself.
Monterey County Weekly logo Another Disaster in Big Sur Claims a Beloved Community Gathering Place, Big Sur Bakery.

Big Sur just cannot catch a break. Sara Rubin here, thinking about many perfect scones I’ve enjoyed over the years on the rustic deck of the Big Sur Bakery. The beloved restaurant burned down in a kitchen fire on Friday…
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Recent Local News

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• Civil Grand Jury Issues Report on Monterey Regional Airport

Following a noise complaint, the Monterey County Civil Grand Jury investigated and released a report with recommendations for the Monterey Regional Airport.

 (05/13/2024) → Monterey Herald

• Monterey County Fentanyl Response Criticized

A report released by the Monterey County Civil Grand Jury found that there was no plan to allocate opioid settlement funds received by the county in 2022 or 2023.

 (05/10/2024) → Monterey Herald

• Dozens March in Pro-Palestine Rally at CSUMB

Dozens of students, faculty and members of the community marched on May 7 in a pro-Palestinian rally and announced a list of 7 demands for CSUMB administration.

 (05/07/2024) → The Lutrinae

• Joby Testing and Production Advances

At a ground-breaking ceremony for the expansion of its Marina manufacturing facility, Joby announced the successful flight testing of of its pre-production prototype all-electric air taxi.

 (05/07/2024) → Monterey Herald
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Government Announcements

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Image of United States seal. United States   (05/10/2024)

Healthwest Minerals Inc. DBA Mt Capra Products Recalls Goat Milk Formula Recipe Kit and Warns Consumers Against the Use of Product as Infant Formula
Healthwest Minerals, Inc. d/b/a Mt. Capra Products of Chehalis, Washington, is recalling 1,506 boxes of Goat Milk Formula Recipe Kit on the recommendation of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and advises consumers to immediately discontinue use of the product as infant formula. The FDA is conc
Image of United States seal. United States   (05/10/2024)

Western Mixers Produce & Nuts, Inc. Recalls Yogurt Covered Pretzels Because of Possible Health Risk
Western Mixers Produce & Nuts, Inc. of Ontario, CA is recalling Yogurt Covered Pretzels, because the yogurt coating has 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 wea
Image of United States seal. United States   (05/10/2024)

Voluntary Recall of Select Great Value Organic Black Chia Seeds Due to The Possible Presence of Salmonella
Natural Sourcing International is initiating a voluntary recall of one lot of Great Value Organic Black Chia Seeds 32 oz. due to the potential presence of Salmonella that may be in some of the finished products. Salmonella can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or
Image of State of California seal. State of California   (05/10/2024)

Robert Rivas CA Assembly 29:
May Revise Response - Joint Statement from Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas and Budget Chair Jesse Gabriel
May Revise Response - Joint Statement from Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas and Budget Chair Jesse Gabriel hagamasc Fri, 05/10/2024 - 11:53 Title Press Secretary Email Cynthia.Moreno@asm.ca.gov Phone 916-319-2029 Friday, May 10, 2024 Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas, Budget Chair Jesse Gabriel Respond to Governors May Revision SACRAMENTO, CA On Friday, Speaker of the Assembly Robert Rivas (D-Salinas) and Assembly Budget Committee …
Image of City of Del Rey Oaks seal. City of Del Rey Oaks   (05/10/2024)

Message from the Mayor
Image of City of Monterey seal. City of Monterey   (05/10/2024)

Monterey-Salinas Transit (MST) and the City of Monterey Continue Partnership to Provide Monterey Summer Trolley Service for Next 10 Years
Image of City of Monterey seal. City of Monterey   (05/09/2024)

Registration Open for Monterey Recreation Camp Quien Sabe Youth Overnight Camp Program
Image of United States seal. United States   (05/08/2024)

Texas Pecan Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Tree Nuts (Not Named Individually), Soy, Dairy(Milk), Sesame and Wheat Not Named in Product
Texas Pecan of Dallas TX is recalling 1 Lb and 8 oz products because it may contain an undeclared allergen. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to (tree nuts, peanuts, almonds, brazils, cashews, filberts, macadamias, pistachios, pecans, pine nuts, walnuts, soy, dairy (milk), sesame and
Image of United States seal. United States   (05/08/2024)

DaVinci Laboratories Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Shellfish Allergen in Amyloid Complete Product Lot 549853001
DaVinci Laboratories, a division of FoodScience, LLC of Williston, Vermont is recalling 72 bottles of Amyloid Complete because it may contain undeclared shellfish (Shrimp and Crab). People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to shellfish run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic rea
Image of City of Marina seal. City of Marina   (05/07/2024)

Marina Equestrian Center Open House
Join us on Sunday, May 26, 2024!