I often say that I love California the way only someone from New Jersey can love California—partly because I grew up spending summers at the Jersey shore. I forgive you if you’re smirking, but please forget the television show. Yes, much of the shore is heavily commercialized, but New Jersey has some very beautiful beaches, and like many Jerseyans, I fell in love with the ocean at a young age.
As you might imagine, as soon as I laid eyes on the pristine beaches of California, which happened along the stretch of Highway 1 north of Santa Cruz, I was smitten. And here’s the thing: When I was growing up, many of the most beautiful beaches in New Jersey were private and off-limits. That remained true until four years ago, when Gov. Phil Murphy, invoking the Public Trust Doctrine codified by the Roman Emperor Justinian around 500 CE, signed legislation ensuring that the public has access to New Jersey’s shorelines and tidal waters.
If as a Californian, the idea of a private beach appalls you, I want you to consider that the public beach did not happen by accident. The notion of a private beach is unfathomable here because in California, with enough effort, the government can often be made to work for the people. As you will see in Jon Vankin’s article below, it was citizen activism that created the California Coastal Commission, which has worked to ensure that all California beaches are open to the public—and that the California coast does not look like the Jersey shore.
And: What happens when a big clean-energy plan challenges our notions of a pristine coastline? We shall see.
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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.
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• Program Focuses on Depolarizing Political Conversations
Learning to speak with respect and civility with people we disagree with is the goal of a special program, “De-Polarizing Political Conversations,” scheduled for Nov. 16th at Sierra College and presented by the Nevada County League of Women Voters with other local groups.
(10/23/2023) → YubaNet
• How to Participate in the Board of Supervisors’ Vested Rights Hearing
The Nevada County Board of Supervisors on Dec. 13 will hear Rise Grass Valley’s petition for recognition of vested rights to conduct mining operations at the Idaho Maryland Mine.
(10/20/2023) → YubaNet
• Bright Futures for Youth Celebrates Opening of NEO Youth Center
The NEO Youth Center on Litton Hill in Grass Valley will open Oct. 26, providing a safe and supervised space for young people.
(10/20/2023) → YubaNet
• Sierra College NCC and Nevada City Rancheria Nisenan Tribe Come Together
The Nevada City Rancheria, in partnership with Sierra College NCC, will celebrate Nisenan Heritage Day on Nov. 4.
(10/20/2023) → YubaNet
• Nevada City Approves Plans for Wildfire Prevention. Funded by Sales Tax
Councilmembers in Nevada City took steps to place a 0.5% special sales tax measure on the ballot of the General Municipal Election scheduled for March 5, 2024.
(10/20/2023) → Read the full The Union report
• Support for a Skatepark in Nevada City Ramps Up
Nevada City’s Park Initiative Committee held a meeting to discuss the possible reallocation of grant funds to create a skatepark. More than 75 people attended the meeting.
(10/16/2023) → YubaNet
• Grass Valley City Council Declares Fiscal Emergency
By a unanimous vote, the Grass Valley City Council declared a fiscal emergency “due to the lack of necessary funding for fire personnel and land management required to combat wildfires and extreme weather conditions.” This was a necessary step to place a general sales tax measure on the March 5, 2024 ballot.
(10/16/2023) → YubaNet
