By Eric Johnson
Published Apr 08, 2024

The Douglas iris is a wildflower native to central and northern California and parts of southern Oregon. Image credit: Traci Hukill

Greetings & Spring Things from Santa Cruz

(Blogpost extra: In a last-minute addition to this edition of The Newsletter, I share some thoughts on today's eclipse. See below.)

The first time I recall encountering a field of Douglas irises, which may have been at Wilder Ranch State Park just north of Santa Cruz, I looked around for the ruins of a homestead. It didn't occur to me that these could be wildflowers—I figured they had to be remnants of some long-ago-planted garden.

I grew up ten miles from Manhattan in New Jersey, which is known as the Garden State, and deserves that nickname outside the brutalized swath that is the Turnpike. But the woods that flanked the Hackensack River and surrounded the Oradell Reservoir, my childhood nature refuges, had nothing to compare with the Douglas iris. Or the California poppy. Or, to my knowledge, the Calochortus lily (see below). All of California is special in my eyes, and Santa Cruz maybe especially so.

I write as always from my beloved home in the urban forest that is Midtown Sacramento, and take you today to another of my hometowns.

A Spring Guide, a Garden, and a Bunch of Pretty Murals

Even if you aren't planning to visit Santa Cruz this spring, you might enjoy this virtual visit.

Natural Wonders of Santa Cruz ... Spring Renewal

When walking around this spring, keep an eye out for the stunning Calochortus lily.

The Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History has some tips on what to see in the blossoming new season, from wildflowers to migrating shorebirds to humpback whales.

A Native-Plant Garden Helps Transform a Neighborhood

Felicia Van Stolk in her museum's front-yard garden.

On Hilltromper, a conversation with Felicia Van Stolk of the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History about her Garden Learning Center.

Santa Cruz Murals

An online gallery of the murals of Santa Cruz County.

Santa Cruz County is home to amazing murals. One amazing person is working to document them in one place.

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

Eclipse 2024: Coincidence or Miracle?

Three pieces in the nation's two biggest newspapers on Sunday investigated the eclipse, the emotion we call "awe," and the meaning of the universe.

The Universe Winks

A total solar eclipse can offer a rare opportunity to see stars and planets during the day.

There is no scientific explanation for the conditions that make an eclipse inevitable. It’s a coincidence. Or a miracle.

Get to Know a Group

Truckee Tahoe Community Chorus

Supporting local singers by building, promoting, and nurturing vocal music programs, the Truckee Tahoe Community Chorus hosts two annual concert series that feature music from a range of genres, such as classical, Broadway, and contemporary hits.

→ Learn more

From Our Media Allies

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	Truckee Chamber of Commerce to Host Job Fair
	The Truckee Chamber of Commerce, through its Truckee Jobs Collective, program, is hosting a Truckee Job Fair on Wednesday, May 1, 2024, from 3-5:30PM at the Truckee Community Recreation Center in the north parking lot.

	Town of Truckee Proclaims April as Arts, Culture & Creativity Month; Cultural District Offers Mini Grants for Artist
	On March 26, the Town of Truckee proclaimed April as Arts, Culture & Creativity Month, aligning with the State proclamation and the County of Nevada. This proclamation sets the stage for a month-long celebration of the creative sector and precedes …

	Spring Into Reading: How Your Local Library Welcomes the Season of Renewal
	As the winter frost begins to thaw and nature bursts back to life, your local libraries are also abuzz with activity, offering a host of programs and resources to help you embrace the spirit of changing seasons.

	2024 Sierra Snowpack Reaches ‘The Elusive Normal’
	March storms have pushed Tahoe and Truckee snowpacks to just above normal springtime peaks, according to the Natural Resources Conservation Service. The service reported this finding after an April 1 survey of SNOTEL sites.

	Forest Service Announces Decision for Burke Creek Restoration
	The USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit in partnership with the Nevada Tahoe Conservation District, issued the final decision for proposed restoration of Burke Creek on Lake Tahoe's southeastern shore.

	Springtime Means Defensible Space Time
	Signs of springtime are in the air even though snow is still on the ground and spring cleaning inside and outside is typical for Tahoe. That means getting homes ready for the summer by creating or cleaning up defensible space …

	Town of Truckee Asks Residents to Join the Conversation About River Revitalization Efforts
	The Truckee River is an integral part of the community, an ecological gem that also provides a prime spot for recreation and fun. That is why Truckee Town Council established the River Revitalization Steering Committee (R2SC) in May 2023, as …

	Town of Truckee Urging Residents to Embrace the Night, Launches Dark Skies Rebate Program
	The Town of Truckee is launching a $50,000 dollar rebate program to encourage responsible outdoor lighting and to facilitate a switch to new fixtures for homeowners and business owners.

	Over $3 Million Available for Projects That Improve Air Quality in Placer County
	The Placer County Air Pollution Control District is accepting applications for projects that reduce localized air pollution.

	Northstar Wood Energy Facility Gets $250,000 Boost From Tahoe Fund, Vail Resorts EpicPromise
	The Tahoe Fund and Vail Resorts today announced a contribution of $200,000 in support of the new Northstar Community Services District Wood Energy Facility.

	Truckee Chamber Board Seeks New Members
	The Truckee Chamber of Commerce is seeking three passionate individuals to join its Board of Directors.

	Forest Service Seeks Tahoe Volunteers for Desolation Wilderness
	Do you love Desolation Wilderness? Can you help preserve this special place of breathtaking beauty and keep it wild? Would you enjoy doing something meaningful by joining volunteers who spend time "giving back" to ensure this unique area will remain …

	Young Climate Activists Create Over 100 Snowmen on Truckee’s Eagle Monument Plaza, Demand Climate Action.
	On Sunday, March 24, young climate activists, members of the Tahoe Youth Action Team (TYAT), staged a unique "snowmen protest" in Truckee's Eagle Monument Plaza.

Recent Local News

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• NID: 'Drought Level Conditions'

An update of progress in repairs to the Spaulding Powerhouse by the Nevada Irrigation District.

(04/08/2024) → The Union

• Spaulding Powerhouse Repairs To Take Longer

PG&E reported that inspections revealed more extensive damage than previously thought, and extended the date to full repair to late summer or fall.

(04/04/2024) → YubaNet

• CHIRP Trail Progresses

Trail building and fuel reduction on the 32-acre property along Deer Creek.

(04/01/2024) → YubaNet

Recent Statewide News

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• California Fails to Adequately Help Blind and Deaf Prisoners, US Judge Rules

Thirty years after prisoners with disabilities sued the state of California and 25 years after a federal court first ordered accommodations, a judge found that state prison and parole officials still are not doing enough to help deaf and blind prisoners.

(04/08/2024) → California Healthline

• Business Groups and Lawmakers Battle Over Ballot Measure to Limit California Tax Increases

Anti-tax groups in California have qualified a measure for the November ballot that would make raising state and local taxes much more difficult. It’s a showdown that’s been building for nearly five decades.

(04/08/2024) → CalMatters

• Opinion: I've Covered California's Homeless Since Before the Word Was Used. This Is What I Learned

I thought my journalism and others’ could change policy, perhaps even inspire a New Deal-style response equal to the challenge. Such was my naiveté.

(04/06/2024) → Los Angeles Times

• These Californians Just Got Protection From Big Rent Hikes

Tenants in many new privately owned, low-income units will be protected from double-digit increases. So will some in existing units, after a state committee on affordable housing imposed a rent cap.

(04/05/2024) → CalMatters

• CA Budget Deal Gets Early Start on Deficit

Not filling open positions in state government, cutting a school facilities program and several climate initiatives, delaying funding for public transit — these are some of the first steps that California officials plan to take to deal with a looming multibillion-dollar budget deficit.

(04/05/2024) → CalMatters

• Bill to Mandate ‘Science of Reading’ in California Schools Faces Teachers Union Opposition

The move puts the fate of AB 2222 in question, but supporters insist that there is room to negotiate changes that can help tackle the state's literacy crisis.

(04/04/2024) → EdSource

• Photographers Capture Spectacular Streaking Lights of Southern California

It quickly became clear that Elon Musk’s SpaceX was responsible for the show. The lights were a Falcon 9 rocket carrying 22 new Starlink satellites into orbit. The rocket blasted off from Vandenberg Space Force Base at 7:30 p.m., and it’s trail was visible from Los Angeles to Joshua Tree National Park.

(04/02/2024) → SF Gate

Government Announcements

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	United States (04/05/2024) Global Mix, Inc Recalls Tejocote Products Because of Possible Health Risk
Global Mix, Inc. of New York, is recalling tejocote products to include the following brands: Eva Nutrition, Science of Alpha, Niwali, NWL Nutra. The recalled products are labeled as tejocote root but are toxic yellow oleander. Ingestion of yellow oleander can cause neurologic, gastrointestinal, an

	State of California (04/05/2024) Megan Dahle CA Assembly 01: Honoring Lieutenant Commander Lou Conter
Greetings Today I write with a heavy heart as we collectively mourn the passing of a true American hero Lieutenant Commander Lou Conter the last living survivor of the USS Arizona and resident of Californias 1st Assembly District. Many of you may remember our privilege of honoring Lieutenant Commander Conter during our celebration of Armed [...] The post Honoring Lieutenant …

	United States (04/02/2024) World Green Nutrition, Inc. Announces Expansion of Recall of Tejocote Products Due to the Presence of Yellow Oleander
World Green Nutrition, Inc is announcing the expansion of their January 12, 2024 recall to include GREEN ELV NUTRITION brand Elv Control Herbal Supplement 90 capsules, due to the presence of yellow oleander. These additional products have been found via random FDA testing to contain yellow oleander,

	United States (04/02/2024) Abdallah Candies Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Almond in Abdallahs 8 oz. Sea Salt Almond Alligators
Abdallah Candies of Apple Valley, MN is voluntarily recalling a limited quantity of Abdallah Candies 8 oz. sea salt almond alligators. The products have a chocolate covered cherries label with code 0315 on the bottom of the box. The boxes do contain sea salt almond alligators but have an incorrect i

State of California (04/01/2024)

Megan Dahle CA Assembly 01:
Update from the Capitol

Greetings Last week was spring recess signifying a break in legislative session. Nonetheless March was filled with engagements with lobbyists constituents and various organizations all sharing their perspectives on different policies. Some recent meetings from the Capitol include: California Tahoe Alliance: Team Dahle convened with this group to delve into legislative priorities. They presented a comprehensive [...] The post Update …

	United States (03/29/2024) Lidl Voluntarily Recalls Deluxe Branded Macarons Party Edition Due to Undeclared Allergens
Lidl US has announced a voluntary recall of Deluxe branded Macarons Party Edition due to undeclared allergens. The recall was issued due to undeclared wheat, soy, egg, milk, and tree nuts (almonds, pistachios, and coconut) in the products as a result of non-English ingredient labeling. People who ha

	United States (03/29/2024) Tropicale Foods Recalls Helados Mexico Mini Cream Variety Pack Because of Possible Health Risk
Tropicale Foods of Modesto, CA is voluntarily recalling 5,224 units of Helados Mexico Mini Cream Variety Pack with best by date of "MO Best By 10/11/2025", because the mango bars in the variety pack have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella, an organism which can cause serious and someti

	United States (03/28/2024) Shawnee Milling Company Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Milk and Egg in "5lb. Food Club All Purpose Flour"
Shawnee Milling Company of Shawnee, Oklahoma is recalling 5 lb.Food Club brand All Purpose Flour with Best if Used by date 03/07/2025, because it may contain undeclared milk and egg. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to eggs or milk run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic

	United States (03/27/2024) Geisslers Supermarket Inc. Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Egg, Wheat, and Milk in Sushi Product
Geisslers Supermarket Inc. of East Windsor CT has issued a recall of all Sushi products produced by EZnoble Sushi for Geisslers Supermarket Inc. produced or purchased on 3/26/2024, and 3/27/2024, with a sell by date of 3/27/2024, and 3/28/2024. They may contain undeclared egg, wheat and milk. Custom

	State of California (03/27/2024) Brian Dahle CA Senate 01: Senator Dahle Sheds Light on Democrats’ Dark Solar Scheme
Senator Dahle Sheds Light on Democrats Dark Solar Scheme SREPweb Wed, 03/27/2024 - 11:21

Greetings & Spring Things from Santa Cruz

A Spring Guide, a Garden, and a Bunch of Pretty Murals

Nevada County's Homepage

Eclipse 2024: Coincidence or Miracle?

Get to Know a Group

From Our Media Allies

Recent Local News

Recent Statewide News

Government Announcements