Every so often a book aligns so closely with national headlines it almost seems that its publication was timed. Such is the case with Who Is Government?, from author and editor Michael Lewis, which comes to the defense of a federal workforce currently under attack.
One of the eight heroic government workers profiled in this book is Ron Walters, head of the VA’s National Cemetery Administration. I knew before I read the chapter about Walters that I wanted to write about this book, but my resolve to do so deepened after I read about him and his profoundly important work.
As it happens, my beloved sister-in-law works for VA (the Department of Veterans Affairs), and has worked for the federal government for many years. Over much of that time, I have witnessed her dedication to the missions of the departments she has served, and heard stories about her colleagues who were equally committed. In recent weeks, on the family text thread, I learned about sad and scary stuff that later showed up in the headlines.
In this week’s edition of The Newsletter, we bring you the second of a two-part series about books that confront topics we hold dear. As always, below, a News Digest that delivers information of relevance to you and the place you call home. Also, as always, a local community group doing good work in your county, and a recipe to nourish your body and soul.
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By Eric Johnson
Published Mar 31, 2025
The VA’s National Cemetery Administration cares for the graves of 4 million veterans, including those at Gettysburg, the world's first military cemetery.
Image credit: Courtesy National Parks Service
Who Is Government?
What Good is Government?
Michael Lewis is a journalist closely associated with Brad Pitt—who starred in two movies made from Lewis’s previous books Moneyball and The Big Short. Will this new book about government workers spawn a Hollywood blockbuster? Will it spawn an uprising to defend much-maligned federal employees? We shall see.
Unlikely Tales of Bureaucratic Heroism
‘Who is Government?’ An army of selfless individuals working on problems the private sector doesn’t care about.
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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! | |
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.
Winter meets spring in strawberry-orange compote
New! Fruit enhances an orange-scented puffy German pancake
Get to Know a Group
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Ecology Action |
Ecology Action states its mission concisely: “Reduce emissions.” The nonprofit group advocates for innovative energy, water, and transportation solutions in communities across California.
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From Our Media Allies |
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King City Police Department Mourns Loss of Sgt. Kenedy |
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King City Police Department is mourning the unexpected passing of Police Sgt. Ryan Kenedy, who died while on duty March 25 at about 12:45 a.m. after experiencing a medical emergency. |
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Donations Provide a New Dining Area at Salvation Army |
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Donations from local agencies have led to the completion of a new outdoor dining area at the Salvation Army in Watsonville. |
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Isaura Arreguin Steps Up to Represent Her Community on the Salinas Valley Health Board. |
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Isaura Arreguin says she had her two daughters in mind, as well as many other Latina girls and young women, when she applied to fulfill an unexpired elected term on the Salinas Valley Health Board of Directors. |
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The Housing Authority Finally Issued More Vouchers, but HUD Now Wants It to Stop. |
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Earlier this month, Zulieka Boykin, executive director of the Housing Authority of the County of Monterey, sat before the Monterey County Board of Supervisors with some good news – finally. |
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Salinas Union Is Working on How to Spend $130 Million on Facility Upgrades Across Its Schools. |
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Salinas Union High School District is working on updating its facilities master plan across its 13 schools. Officials so far have hosted several town hall meetings, tours and study sessions, identifying numerous projects including new classrooms, air conditioning, ADA accessibility … |
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After a Failed Sale of Cali Roots to a Big Producer, the Founder Sues, Alleging Fraud. |
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The California Roots Music and Arts Festival has come a long way from humble beginnings in 2010. “When it first started it was meant to just be your backyard barbecue type of event,” says founder Jeff Monser, who lived in … |
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Arts Council for Monterey County and Partners Secure $250K Grant for Local Arts |
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Arts Council for Monterey County, along with its partners — San Benito County Arts Council and Arts Council Santa Cruz County — have been selected as one of 36 recipients in a competitive grant program designed to boost economic growth … |
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CHP Celebrates Largest Academy Graduation |
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The California Highway Patrol (CHP) promoted 125 cadets to the rank of officer. The graduation ceremony on March 21 marked the successful completion of a 26-week intensive training schedule at the California Highway Patrol Academy in West Sacramento. |
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Monterey County’s Substance Use Response Team Benefits From National Opioid Settlement |
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The County of Monterey has received its initial funding from a historic national opioid settlement, aimed at combating the devastating opioid crisis. |
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Recent Local News |
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Currently serving military personnel and veterans will be attending the 2025 Veterans Stand Down and Resource Fair at the Monterey County Veterans Services Offices on April 18. Service providers and vendors are invited to participate and to apply with an online form. Read more.
(04/01/2025) Monterey Herald
After reflection and discussions with family and colleagues, Monterey Peninsula Unified School District Superintendent PK Diffenbaugh announced he was rescinding the resignation notice he had delivered in February. Read more.
(03/31/2025) Monterey Herald
The nonprofit Veterans Transition Center's Lightfighter Village in Marina has been completed, and the 71-unit veterans transitional living facility is welcoming its first tenants. Read more.
(03/28/2025) Monterey Herald
In their March 25 meeting, Monterey County Supervisors received an update on the 2025-2026 budget indicating looming gaps between revenues and expenses, driven by increasing staffing costs and general fund subsidies. Read more.
(03/27/2025) Monterey Herald
Work is focusing on the south side of the Imjin Parkway in Marina as the second phase of the Imjin Parkway Widening and Roundabout Project advances. Read more.
(03/27/2025) Monterey Herald
Representative Jimmy Paneta has held 13 public forums so far and getting an earful from constituents about the layoffs and cuts being undertaken by the current administration. Read more.
(03/26/2025) Monterey Herald
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Recent Statewide News |
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Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond has regularly worked side jobs at Bay Area nonprofits to earn extra income because he says the state pay is insufficient. Read more.
(04/01/2025) CalMatters
● ‘Broke Their Own Promise’: Republican Reparations Bill Is a Bad Sign for California’s Black Caucus
At a time when the political climate calls for strong and steady leadership, many Black Californians are losing faith in the lawmakers they sent to Sacramento to deliver on a justice agenda anchored by reparations. Read more.
(04/01/2025) CalMatters
Infrastructure issues at California’s public universities are hindering students and faculty’s ability to learn and work on campus. Lawmakers and system leaders are hoping more state support can help them bring down the $17 billion price tag to fix their academic buildings. Read more.
(03/31/2025) CalMatters
Californians accused of crimes have the right to an appointed defense attorney if they can’t afford to hire their own. In that way they are just like criminal defendants in every other state — protected, at least in theory, by the Sixth Amendment’s right to counsel. Read more.
(03/30/2025) CalMatters
The California Air Resources Board is going to spend $100 million to track greenhouse gas emissions with satellites. Read more.
(03/28/2025) The Mercury News
At 90% of the state historical average, the Sierra Nevada snowpack is far better than last year. But it’s nothing like the record-smashing 2023. Read more.
(03/28/2025) CalMatters
A handful of legislators rallied near the state Capitol Thursday to promote what they’re calling an “extremely unsexy,” but important, bipartisan bill package intended to put California’s housing development into overdrive. Read more.
(03/28/2025) CalMatters
Democrats in the state legislature are leaving the X social media platform, citing the increase in hate speech and discomfort in relying on the private service to communicate with constituents. Read more.
(03/27/2025) The Sacramento Bee
Applications are open for $43 million in PG&E grant funding to develop microgrids in vulnerable communities in central and southern California. Read more.
(03/27/2025) The Union
More than 17,400 high school seniors last fall got the sweetest news any anxious student can get: Congratulations, because of your high school GPA, you’re automatically admitted to one of 10 California State University campuses of your choice — and they’re all relatively affordable. Read more.
(03/27/2025) CalMatters
The Trump administration clawed back hundreds of millions of dollars in grants to California health agencies, likely affecting investigations into disease outbreaks and other public health services. Read more.
(03/27/2025) CalMatters
Food aid is one of numerous competing priorities California lawmakers will have to juggle in the face of steep potential federal cuts. Read more.
(03/26/2025) CalMatters
In the recurring legislative fight between YIMBY legislators and defenders of California’s signature environmental law, one bill could be a final legislative showdown. Read more.
(03/26/2025) CalMatters
Thousands of Uber and Lyft drivers seek back pay, damages in wage claims they filed with California before industry-backed gig worker law took effect. Read more.
(03/26/2025) CalMatters
Voter guides in various languages at a polling site at Modoc Hall in Sacramento State in Sacramento on March 5, 2024. Photo by Miguel Gutierrez Jr., CalMatters Read more.
(03/26/2025) CalMatters
Across California, only one in five eligible college students receive CalFresh due to complicated requirements and an arduous application process. With two-thirds of students experiencing food insecurity, many campuses have started helping them apply for CalFresh. Read more.
(03/25/2025) CalMatters
As businesses like SpaceX and Amazon seek to undo the National Labor Relations Board, California unions are trying a novel tactic to preserve labor organizing rights. Read more.
(03/25/2025) CalMatters
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Government Announcements |
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Soledad City Council Proclamations |
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During City Council meetings, the Council passes Resolutions in honor of someone or a date. Here are the resolutions from the meeting on March 19. Trans Day of Remembrance: Cesar ...
The post Soledad City Council Proclamations appeared first on City of Soledad.
City of Soledad (03/31/2025)
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LCP Community Field Trip re: Access and Bio. Resources, April 21 |
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City of Marina (03/31/2025)
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Undeclared Allergen in Trader Joe's Hot Honey Mustard Dressing with Use By Date of 05/27/2025 Issued by Fresh Creative Foods |
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Fresh Creative Foods is voluntarily recalling a single item with a specific use by date, produced at a regional facility and distributed to limited Trader Joe's locations. The product is Trader Joe's Hot Honey Mustard Dressing, with a Use By Date of 05/27/2025 due to labeling error. The incorrect
United States (03/30/2025)
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Front Street Maintenance Project -Street Closures |
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The City will soon begin paving operations for the Front Street Maintenance Project! Over the next few days, construction crews will be working along Front Street, including the Highway 101 ...
The post Front Street Maintenance Project -Street Closures appeared first on City of Soledad.
City of Soledad (03/28/2025)
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Attempted Murder Arrest |
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City of Monterey (03/28/2025)
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Naturalization & DACA Clinic |
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Join the UFW Foundation at this great event taking place on Saturday April 5th at the Soledad Education Center Community Roon 109! (Soledad Hartnell College)
The post Naturalization & DACA Clinic appeared first on City of Soledad.
City of Soledad (03/27/2025)
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Cromer Food Services, Inc. Recalls Chicken Salad on White Sandwich Due to Undeclared Milk Allergen |
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Cromer Food Services, Inc. is recalling all lots of our CFS Cromer Food Service brand Chicken Salad on White Sandwich with UPC 31166 & UPC 13172 because it contains undeclared milk.
United States (03/27/2025)
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Encampment Resolution Fund Update |
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Town Hall on Homelessness on November 30, 2023 Encampment Resolution Fund Update In 2024, the County of Monterey, in partnership with the City of Soledad, was awarded the Encampment Resolution ...
The post Encampment Resolution Fund Update appeared first on City of Soledad.
City of Soledad (03/26/2025)
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Frito-Lay Issues Limited Recall for Tostitos Cantina Traditional Yellow Corn Tortilla Chips for Undeclared Milk |
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Frito-Lay today issued a recall of a limited number of 13 oz. bags of Tostitos Cantina Traditional Yellow Corn Tortilla Chips that could include nacho cheese tortilla chips, and therefore may contain undeclared milk.
United States (03/26/2025)
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California Tsunami Preparedness Week, March 22-30, 2025 - Encouraging Residents to Stay Informed |
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City of Monterey (03/26/2025)
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