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By Eric Johnson
Published Jun 10, 2024

The Importance of Planning

Before we get to our featured article and all the other good stuff, I need to own up to a mistake that illustrates a point about planning. In the May 28 edition of The Newsletter, I announced the publication of our first book, How California Works: Building Democracy in the Golden State, by the great Jon Vankin. If you missed the big announcement, that’s on me, because I scheduled it for the day after Memorial Day. Not the best timing for a book launch.

In my defense, some last-minute snafus had delayed publication, and I was eager to let you know about the book as soon as that was possible. This is a hopeful book that can be an antidote to the dire news we are confronted with daily—it’s filled with true stories about the ways, at its best, California is leading the world toward a better future

I also forgot to say this last month: Here's how to empower yourself as a citizen AND support local journalism: Find How California Works on Amazon; available in hardcover, softcover and digital (Kindle). 

The General Plan: Your Community’s Map to the Future

I say How California Works is a hopeful book because when you really see how local government functions, you have to be a little bit amazed. Our friend and colleague Chris Neklason has written about how building the database underlying California Local—discovering the elected bodies and volunteer boards that safeguard your tax dollars—hipped him to The Genius of Democracy. 

This week Chris explains how a  General Plan serves as the “constitution” of every incorporated community in the state—enumerating the long-term vision, priorities, goals, objectives and policies informing community governance—especially with regard to land use decisions. Good stuff to know.

The Central Role of Planning in California Government

Incorporated communities in California must manage local resources and your tax dollars according to a plan.
General Plans, mandated by the state and carried out by local counties, cities, and other municipalities, serve as a locality’s ‘constitution'.

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Direct your browser to https://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!

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.

Grilled corn the base for a delicious salad

A cilantro-lime dressing ties together the grilled vegetables in this salad. Add sliced grilled chicken or other protein to make it an entree dish.
New! Late-spring combination works for summer cookouts, too

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Get to Know a Group

Big Brothers Big Sisters logo 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.

→ Learn more

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From Our Media Allies

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Auburn Journal logo Auburn State Theatre Begins Series on American West

Auburn State Theatre is excited to announce a new series presented by History Expeditions, who discover tales and trails of the American West.
Loomis News logo Heritage Trail Museum Tour Features Free History All Summer

History lovers and the curious are invited to explore the various museum offerings throughout Placer County this summer as Placer County Museums kicks off the Heritage Trail Museum Tour in June.
Sierra Sun logo Nevada County Office of Emergency Services Receives the CAL FIRE Partnership Award

Last week, the CAL FIRE Nevada-Yuba-Placer (NEU) unit hosted their annual all hands meeting in Nevada County. The Nevada County Office of Emergency Services (OES) received the Partnership Award from NEU leadership.
Auburn Journal logo Placer County Public Health Launches New Alzheimer's Campaign, Community Event

Coinciding with Alzheimer's and Brain Awareness Month in June, Placer County’s Healthy Brain Initiative is launching a new advertising campaign and hosting a community event aimed at promoting healthy brain habits and encouraging dementia screening across the county.
Placer Herald logo Loomis Library Hosts Open House for New Demonstration Garden

Loomis Library hosted an open house for its new demonstration garden on June 1.
A crowd of about 150 wandered around the garden to see the activities and plants. The garden committee had information tables set up on various topics …
Placer Herald logo 25th Annual Downtown Tuesday Nights Begin in Roseville

Roseville's 25th annual Downtown Tuesday Nights have begun.
The series runs every Tuesday from June 4 through July 30 from 5:30 to 9 p.m. This event is free to attend.
Loomis News logo Rocklin Council Studies Budget Ahead of Adoption

The Rocklin City Council previewed a balanced budget last week, ahead of the scheduled budget adoption June 25.
Lincoln News Messenger logo 4th of July Breakfast in Lincoln Announced

The annual 4th of July Pancake Breakfast is on the way and is presented by the Lincoln-area parlors of the Native Sons of the Golden West, and the Native Daughters of the Golden West.
Auburn Journal logo Colfax Considers Amendment to Mixed-Use Zoning District

The Colfax City Council on May 22 approved the introduction of an amendment to the mixed-use MU-1 zoning district, which allows for pedestrian-oriented uses on the ground floor or street-frontage spaces on Main Street.
Auburn Journal logo Colfax Approves Short-Term Rental Ordinance Introduction

In an effort to have regulations for short-term rentals within city limits, the Colfax City Council approved the introduction of an ordinance to allow for a permitting process during its May 22 meeting.
Loomis News logo Loomis Library Tax Extension on November Ballot

The Loomis Town Council approved a November ballot measure to extend the “Library Tax” set to expire in 2026.
Sierra Sun logo Placer County Public Health Launches New Alzheimer’s Campaign and Community Event

Coinciding with Alzheimer's and Brain Awareness Month in June, Placer County's Healthy Brain Initiative is launching a new advertising campaign and hosting a community event aimed at promoting healthy brain habits and encouraging dementia screening across the county.
Tahoe Guide logo Tim’s Tips: Safely Using Tahoe’s Paved Trails

The Lake Tahoe region is blessed with an extensive and elaborate system of multiuse trails providing access to great views of the lake, the Truckee River and the peaks of the Sierra. But those trails are narrow and, during the …
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Recent Local News

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• Roseville Free Summer Meals Program Begins

The City of Roseville School District's annual free summer meals program has begun, offering free meals to children age 1-18, through August 2.

 (06/04/2024) → Roseville Today
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Recent Statewide News

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• Sports Complex Unveiled as Part of California Forever

A rendering for a Solano Sports Complex development with facilities for baseball, basketball, football, swimming, tennis, volleyball, pickleball and other sports was released as part of the California Forever project in east Solano County.

 (06/07/2024) → SF Gate

• CalMatters Hosts Big Ideas Festival

The two-day CalMatters Ideas Festival wrapped on June 6 with more than a dozen events examining critical policy issues impacting the lives of millions of Californians.

 (06/07/2024) → CalMatters

• The California Maternity Wards That Are Staying Open

Over the last decade, nearly 50 maternity wards have closed across California, with more than half shutting down in just the last four years.

 (06/06/2024) → CalMatters

• Land Trust Announces Opposition to California Forever

On June 6, the Solano Land Trust announced its opposition to the California Forever project to build a new community housing up to 400,000 people in the county.

 (06/06/2024) → The Mercury News

• How Best to Reduce California Homelessness?

A panel at the CalMatters Ideas Festival debates how to reduce homelessness without punishing poverty. There’s worry about a potential $1 billion cut in state funding.

 (06/06/2024) → CalMatters

• The Future for California Workers Is Apprenticeships

A panel of labor experts at the CalMatters Ideas Festival say California workers should have more access to more apprenticeships that pay more. Barriers still exist, especially for women and low-income Californians.

 (06/06/2024) → CalMatters

• New Reservoir Project Advances

The $4.5 billion Sites Reservoir project is advancing after a judge dismissed a lawsuit filed by environmental groups.

 (06/05/2024) → The Mercury News

• A Look at Police dispatches to Schools

EdSource reports that police are dispatched thousands of times per school day across California.

 (06/05/2024) → EdSource

• California Seeks a More Resilient Water Supply as Familiar Sides Battle for Access

A new study, conducted by researchers at three University of California campuses, projects that a combination of factors will reduce California’s water supply by up to 9 million acre-feet a year.

 (06/05/2024) → CalMatters

• California Made It Easier to Vote, but Some With Disabilities Still Face Barriers

California is hailed as a national leader for voting access. But visually impaired voters and their advocates say they still face unnecessary barriers, despite bills and lawsuits. Some election officials raise security concerns.

 (06/04/2024) → CalMatters

• California Homelessness Funding Is on the Chopping Block. Will It Make the Final Budget?

It’s the billion-dollar question. That’s how much cities and other local governments have been receiving from the state each year to deal with California's ever-increasing population of homeless people.

 (06/04/2024) → CalMatters

• Why CA Families Are Getting a Tax Surprise for Health Care

For families seeking affordable health insurance, the state’s health insurance marketplace, Covered California, can provide major relief. But if they’re not careful, they can get hit by an unexpected federal tax bill.

 (06/04/2024) → CalMatters
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Government Announcements

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Image of United States seal. United States   (06/07/2024)

Green Life Farms Issues Voluntary Recall of Baby Arugula Because of Possible Health Risk
Lake Worth, FL (June 7, 2024) - Green Life Farms is voluntarily recalling one lot of its 4-ounce containers of Baby Arugula because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. Symptoms of Salmonella may include diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps. Illness usually occurs within 12 t
Image of State of California seal. State of California   (06/07/2024)

Brian Dahle CA Senate 01:
Camp Fire Collaborative Named 2024 Nonprofit of the Year for Senate District 1
Camp Fire Collaborative Named 2024 Nonprofit of the Year for Senate District 1 SREPweb Fri, 06/07/2024 - 10:05
Image of United States seal. United States   (06/07/2024)

FSIS Issues Public Health Alert for Frozen Ready-To-Eat Bao Curry Chicken Products Due to Misbranding and Undeclared Allergens
WASHINGTON, June 7, 2024 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is issuing a public health alert for product labeled as bao Thai-style curry chicken...
Image of State of California seal. State of California   (06/06/2024)

Joe Patterson CA Assembly 05:
Lawmakers demanding answers from Caltrans about freeway damage claim denials
Image of State of California seal. State of California   (06/06/2024)

Joe Patterson CA Assembly 05:
California lawmaker makes another push to prohibit the use of NDAs in state lawmaking process
Image of City of Auburn seal. City of Auburn   (06/05/2024)

Winning the Brick and Mortar Game
The City of Auburn invited Michele Reeves of Civilis Consultants to bring their 20 plus years of private sector experience improving Main Street economics to help make Downtown and Old Town even more prosperous.
Image of United States seal. United States   (06/04/2024)

New Seasons Market Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Almonds in Strawberry Rhubarb Bakewell Tart
June 4, 2024, New Seasons Market of Portland, Oregon is recalling Strawberry Rhubarb Bakewell Tart, because it contains undeclared almond. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to almond run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume this product.
Image of State of California seal. State of California   (06/04/2024)

Brian Dahle CA Senate 01:
Update from Senator Dahle - 06.04.2024
Update from Senator Dahle - 06.04.2024 SREPweb Tue, 06/04/2024 - 11:26
Image of United States seal. United States   (06/04/2024)

South American Meat Inc. Recalls Frozen Raw Beef Products Imported Without Benefit of Import Reinspection
WASHINGTON, June 4, 2024 - South American Meat Inc., also known as 5Gogi LLC, an importer located in Commerce, Calif., is recalling approximately 20,111 pounds of various eligible frozen raw...
Image of City of Colfax seal. City of Colfax   (06/04/2024)

COLFAX CONNECTIONS, June 2024
Colfax Connections is a newsletter with community news and event information from around Colfax. The post COLFAX CONNECTIONS, June 2024 appeared first on City of Colfax.