Before we get into the serious fun of continuing the conversation about the Oscars: a reminder.
We know from the clicks that many of you are aware that this newsletter contains a news digest featuring stories from the California Local Media Alliance and other news outlets you can trust. See below.
Of course, you will also find access to local nonprofits that are doing important work in your community, and also our fledgling Good Business Directory of local businesses at work on community-building. And as always, a tasty recipe that you can find only here.
Let’s proceed…
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By Eric Johnson
Published Mar 11, 2024
Political Economics and the Movies
Movies as Politics
Art is not trivial. The visual arts, literature, theater, music—all allow us to touch the deepest parts of the human condition. Movies at their best bring all of the other arts together, and put them in a place where we can all access them pretty easily.
Four of the contenders for Best Picture last night tackle big political issues—and, not incidentally, sexual politics.
Oppenheimer offers a smart (if bombastic IMJ) story of the man who gave humanity the means for total global annihilation—and also delves into his relationships with the women in his life.
Killers of the Flower Moon confronts one of our nation's darkest sins—the mass murder of the land’s Indigenous population—while also considering the politics of one marriage, and one woman’s love for the man who ultimately kills her.
Poor Things investigates sexual politics via the story of a “woman” (created by a man) who is unburdened by society’s proscriptions.
And Barbie (my choice for Best Picture, which as of this writing feels like a long shot) maps a devastating takedown of the patriarchy itself on a delightful piece of pink fluff that feels a little bit like Pee-wee's Big Adventure, but is way more dangerous.
This next article may be moot but I hope you'll find it edifying.
Why ‘Barbie’ Deserved a Best Picture Oscar
From now on, girls will learn from Barbie that they live in a world where men subjugate women. They will receive this truth during a joyous cinematic spectacle.
Big Movie Money
Here in California, movies are one of our most important cultural exports, and are one of the ways California leads the world. They are also big business, and rival Silicon Valley, ag and defense as a backbone of the state's economy. Here is exactly how that happeneed.
Hooray For Hollywood: All About California’s Most Glamorous Industry
From its early days of hard-charging, Jewish immigrant moguls to today's domination by megacorporations, here's how Hollywood continues to hold its place as one of California's most important industries.
Help for Hospice Patients in the Sacramento Region
YoloCares offers help for families in Yolo, Sacramento, Placer and El Dorado counties who are dealing with end-of-life issues.
For more than four decades, YoloCares has helped families navigate life’s final stages.
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 Winter! cookbook.
Old-fashioned chili – warm taste of summer on a chilly night
Recipe: Mom’s chili and beans with grated cheese and onions
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Placer County's Homepage |
| Our overview page for Placer County is updated daily with the latest state and local news, weather alerts, local government announcements and local blog posts and news snippets from community groups and individuals. | |
| Direct your browser to placer.californialocal.com to catch up on the latest news in California and Placer County. Bookmark the link and visit often, there's a lot happening in your community! | |
Get to Know a Group
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Big Brothers Big Sisters |
Big Brother Big Sisters provides children facing adversity with strong, enduring, professionally supported mentorship. The chapter serves Sacramento and Yolo counties, as well as southern Placer County.
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From Our Media Allies |
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Soroptimist Awards $5,000 |
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Soroptimist International of Truckee Donner was able to support both Awaken and Sierra Community House with $2,500 each due to the generous support of the Whittier Trust. |
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Sugar Bowl Resort Announces Season Extension, Discounted Spring Lift Access |
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With persistent mid-winter conditions and a deep snowpack of nearly 15 feet at its summit, Sugar Bowl Resort announced today that its ski season has been extended by three weeks. |
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City of Auburn Names Volunteer City Historian |
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The city named Carol Cramer the official City Historian last month. |
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Colfax Approves Funding for Skate Park |
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In an effort to move the nine year and counting skate park project forward, the Colfax City Council approved a funding request during its meeting |
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Golden State Natural Resources’ Wood Pellet Project and the Debate Over California’s Forests |
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Golden State Natural Resources (GSNR) is initiating a project aimed at enhancing the resilience of California's forestlands by acquiring and processing surplus biomass into pelletized fuel. |
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County Accepting Public Comment on Housing Element Amendment |
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An amendment to Placer County’s 2021-29 Housing Element has been released for public review and comment. The amendment addresses changes that have occurred since the May 2021 adoption of the Housing Element, including revisions to the Regional Housing Needs Allocation … |
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Truckee Optimist Club Supports Youth Teams |
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The Truckee High School Boys and Girls Basketball teams were presented with checks at the last home games of the season from the Truckee Optimist Club for $1,000 each. Presenters were club members Cindy and Dan Flores, and Dan O'Gorman. |
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Truckee Donner PUD Recognized for Transparency in Finance |
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Truckee Donner Public Utility District was recently awarded the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA). The award was for TDPUD's annual comprehensive financial report for … |
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Recent Local News |
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• Placer County Seeks Community Input on Wildfire Mitigation Strategies at Upcoming Forums
Placer County residents are invited to participate in a series of upcoming community forums focusing on mitigating wildfire risk to communities
(03/06/2024) → Placer Sentinel|
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Recent Statewide News |
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• California Attorney General Boosts Bill Banning Medical Debt From Credit Reports
California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced Monday that he is throwing his weight behind legislation to bar medical debt from showing up on consumer credit reports, a Democratic-led effort to offer protection to patients squeezed by health care bills.
(03/10/2024) → California Healthline• California Law Enforcement Transparency Legislation Signed Into Law
After receiving bipartisan support, California Senate Bill 400, legislation intended to increase law enforcement transparency, was signed into law by Gov. Gavin Newsom.
(03/09/2024) → Davis Vanguard• San Francisco Voters Pass Police & Drug Ballot Measures
Proposition E broadens police surveillance powers and Proposition F mandates drug screening and treatment for people receiving county welfare benefits who are suspected of drug use.
(03/08/2024) → Los Angeles Times• New Website Features Information on Care of Backyard Chickens, Sheep, Goats
The University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources advisors has published a new website with information resources for small acreage landowners raising livestock.
(03/07/2024) → YubaNet• CA Legislature Could Set a New Record for Women
The number of women elected to the state Senate and Assembly is 50 of 120 after the 2022 election. And based on the primary results so far, it’s expected to increase to at least 55 women after the November election.
(03/07/2024) → CalMatters• Fewer Students, Higher Absenteeism Affect California Public School Financing
California’s public schools depend on state aid for the lion’s share of their operational income. Two trends – declining enrollment and high absenteeism – are creating financial headaches.
(03/07/2024) → CalMatters• California Agrees to Cuts of Colorado River Water
California, Arizona and Nevada would cut their allocations about 20% when reservoir levels drop. But other states have their own more aggressive plan. Now the federal government has to decide how to manage the drought-plagued river.
(03/06/2024) → CalMatters• Californians Face Higher Costs for Goods and Services Than Before the Pandemic Despite Inflation Slowing
The consumer price index shows services are mostly responsible for persistent inflation, but prices for food and other goods in California remain high.
(03/05/2024) → CalMatters• California is Seeing a Historic Rise in the Number of Black Women Running for Office
At least 24 Black women are running for seats in the California Legislature this year, resulting from years of work cultivating new leaders and growing confidence among voters.
(03/04/2024) → CalMatters• California Schools Gained Billions During COVID-19. Now the Money is Running Out
California schools got $23.4 billion in federal pandemic relief money. Low-income schools that got the most may be hardest hit when the funds expire this year.
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Government Announcements |
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United States (03/10/2024) Jen's Breakfast Burritos, LLC, Recalls Ready to Eat Breakfast Burrito Products Due to Possible Listeria Contamination |
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WASHINGTON, March 10, 2024 - Jen's Breakfast Burritos, LLC, an Auburn, Wash. establishment, is recalling approximately 144 pounds of ready-to-eat (RTE) breakfast burrito products that may be adulterated with Listeria...
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City of Auburn (03/08/2024) Notice: Request for Proposals |
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for Information Technology Support and Consulting Services
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United States (03/07/2024) Wesco, Inc. Issues Voluntary Recall and Allergy Alert on Undeclared Peanut in Wesco Mint No Bake Cookie Bites |
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Wesco, Inc. of Muskegon, MI is recalling 750 units of Wesco Mint No Bake Cookie Bites, because it may contain undeclared peanut. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to peanuts run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products. The affected Wesc
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State of California (03/07/2024) Brian Dahle CA Senate 01: |
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Update from Senator Dahle - 03.07.2024
SREPweb
Thu, 03/07/2024 - 14:19
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United States (03/07/2024) Salm Partners, LLC, Recalls Johnsonville Polish Kielbasa Turkey Sausage Products Due to Possible Foreign Matter Contamination |
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WASHINGTON, March 7, 2024 - Salm Partners, LLC, a Denmark, Wis., establishment, is recalling approximately 35,430 pounds of Johnsonville turkey kielbasa sausage that may be contaminated with foreign materials, specifically...
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United States (03/06/2024) Stonewall Kitchen Issues Allergy Alert for Wheat in Limited Quantity of Gluten Free Cinnamon Sugar Doughnut Mix |
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Stonewall Kitchen of York, Maine is voluntarily recalling a limited amount of their Gluten Free Cinnamon Sugar Doughnut Mix because it may contain an undeclared allergen, wheat. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to wheat (which contains gluten) may risk serious allergic reaction if t
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United States (03/06/2024) El Chilar Rodriguez LLC. Issues Voluntary Recall of El Chilar Ground Cinnamon "Canela Molida" Due to Elevated Lead Levels |
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El Chilar Rodriguez LLC of Apopka, FL is recalling 127 cases (12 bags/case) of El Chilar Ground Cinnamon "Canela Molida" (1.25 oz bag), because it may contain traces of lead.
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United States (03/06/2024) Colonna Brothers, Inc. Issues a Voluntary Recall for "1.5oz Marcum Ground Cinnamon & 2.25oz Supreme Tradition Ground Cinnamon" Because of Possible Health Risk Due to Elevated Lead Levels |
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Colonna Brothers of North Bergen, NJ is recalling its 1.5oz Marcum Ground Cinnamon & 2.25oz Supreme Tradition Ground Cinnamon because of a possible health risk due to elevated lead levels. Short term exposures to very low levels of lead may not elicit any symptoms. It is possible that increased bloo
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Town of Loomis (03/06/2024) Sunrise Loomis Park Ribbon Cutting Ceremony |
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The post Sunrise Loomis Park Ribbon Cutting Ceremony appeared first on Loomis, CA.
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United States (03/06/2024) Expanded Press Release - Kalo Foods, LLC Recalls Single Slice Carrot Cake and Chocolate Cake Due to Undeclared Soy Allergen |
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KALO Foods, LLC is recalling Single Slice Carrot Cake UPC 8 53407 00418 4 and Single Slice Chocolate Cake UPC 8 53407 00418 4 due to a undeclared soy.
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