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By Sharan Street
Published Jan 22, 2024

Highway 1 near Elk stays scenic partly due to the efforts of the California Coastal Conservancy. Image credit: Sharan Street California Local

Reasons to Take a Road Trip

There are some California experiences that shouldn’t be missed. Big Sur. Yosemite Valley. The serene blue expanse of Lake Tahoe. The Eastern Sierra’s craggy escarpments. Such sights are among the natural wonders that make California a top destination for road-tripping tourists.

But just as important for those who live in California is the protection of land near to where they live and work. And that’s why state legislators have created 10 conservancies for different parts of the state—including urban areas. As Jonathan Vankin writes in a story just posted over the weekend, the main function of these government agencies is to “protect land for public recreational use, making sure Californians have access to the state’s undeveloped, natural environment.”

From the Low Desert to the High Sierra

The first to come into being was the California Coastal Conservancy, established in 1976, which helps all residents of the state access our scenic beaches—not just those who own homes on the sand. Next came the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy, which ensures that residents of heavily urbanized Los Angeles have natural places to enjoy near their homes. The eight other agencies are spread across the state, from the Coachella Valley to Lake Tahoe.

California’s 10 State Conservancies: How They Protect Parks and Open Land

The Baldwin Hills area in South Los Angeles is one region where a state conservancy would keep open land accessible to the public.

How California’s 10 state conservancies buy up open land and shield it from developers to preserve the natural environment for public use.

More Roadside Attractions

Other landmarks that make California attractive to tourists can be harder to protect. Despite the best work of historic preservationists, our human-made environment is vulnerable to the ravages of time. This month, the Central Coast lost a beloved roadside attraction when Pea Soup Andersen’s closed its doors with no notice, just months shy of its 100th anniversary. We mourned the loss—and set out to create a bucket list of other classic California eateries that have already celebrated their centennial and are still serving tourists and locals alike.

At California Local, we love exploring our state—not only its policies and politics, but also its cultural treasures—and we put local newspapers into that category. Meet Hanna Nakano, who is a couple weeks away from marking her first year as publisher of The Dirt. Her monthly newspaper covers the city of Davis that has more than 66,850 residents—more than 38,000 of them students at UC Davis. Veronica Yoo interviews Nakano, who talks about how she uses her publication to give voice to a creative, well-educated readership.

Century Club: A Tour of Classic California Eateries

Though Pea Soup Anderson’s signs may be a bit worn, the restaurant exterior retains its homey charm.

Pea Soup Anderson’s closed before its 100th birthday. Here are 24 restaurants 100 years or older that you can still visit.

Publisher Q&A: Digging Into ‘The Dirt’ in Davis

Next month marks one year since Hanna Nakano took over as publisher of The Dirt, a monthly in the city of Davis.

Hanna Nakano says her monthly newspaper raises the voices of local residents through “the power of documentation and the power of publishing.”

Updates to Government Announcements

We’ve been importing and publishing government announcements and press releases for some time now. They’re displayed on the county overviews and in the Announcement & Press Releases page linked in the dropdown Government Menu on the California Local website, and also in this newsletter, towards the bottom,

But you knew all that already.

The big news is that we’ve started importing U.S. Government food recall announcements (who knew there were so many?) and announcements and press releases from your elected representatives in the California state Assembly and Senate.

Local, state and federal entities publish a lot of useful and important information. These new additions will help keep you safer and more informed.

	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

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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	Two Incumbent Supervisors Vie for District 5 Seat
	There are two incumbents out of the four candidates vying for the 5th district Supervisor seat in Placer County, which includes Tahoe City and Kings Beach.

	Apres Pop, Popcorn Made With Truckee, Tahoe in Mind
	Truckee resident Daniel Feldman grew up snacking on popcorn. It was a nightly snack for him and his dad.

	Nevada Senator Rosen Introduces Bill to Add 14 Acres to Incline Village
	Senator Jacky Rosen introduced the Truckee Meadows Public Lands Management Act, which would transfer public land to local governments, including the Incline Village General Improvement District.

	Auburn Union Interim Superintendent to Step Down at End of School Year
	Lucci Garcia began serving as superintendent designee in February 2023 and was named interim superintendent last June.

	Friends of Loomis Library Schedule Annual Book Sale
	Hundreds of used books for every taste will be sold at bargain discount rates Jan. 26-27.

	County Approves Agreement With Deputy DA’s Sssociation
	In an effort to prioritize recruitment and retention, the Placer County Board of Supervisors approved the inaugural memorandum of understanding with the Placer County Prosecutor’s Association.

	Vision Zero Strategy Aims to Make Tahoe Roads Safer
	From 2013 to 2021, there were 41 fatalities and 183 serious injuries on Tahoe's roadways. To help prevent these tragic crashes, the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency released a draft Vision Zero Strategy.

	Save Clover Valley Battle Continues in Western Placer
	The 20-acre wetland supports the California black rail, a threatened bird species, and there is a Swainson’s hawk critical foraging habitat.

	Future Destination Hot Spot Roseville Junction Breaks Ground
	The Roseville Junction project will be an “entertainment and hospitality destination” located near 290 Conference Center Drive.

	Roseville Community Cuts Ribbon as Jayna Gyro Opens
	Beloved Sacramento restaurant Jayna Gyro opened a new location in Roseville at 1132 Galleria Blvd.

	150 ‘Grinches’ Arrested During Roseville Police Operation
	The Roseville Police Department released a set of statistics in relation to Operation Grinch, a task force assembled to crack down on various thefts and burglaries that spike during the holiday season.

	Skittenz Provides Literal Handheld Maps of Tahoe Ski Resorts
	A Colorado-based company is helping lost skiers and snowboarders find their way while at popular resort destinations like Heavenly Village.

	Auburn Approves Design Work for Old Town Plaza
	The Auburn City Council approved an amendment for its on-call engineer, moving forward with a potential central gathering center in Old Town Auburn.

	1,000-plus Acres Protected at El Dorado Ranch
	American River Conservancy recently announced the completed purchase of 1,025 acres of riparian habitat and oak woodland habitat near the Cosumnes River in El Dorado County.

	Placer Supervisor Jones Selected as Board Chair for 2024
	Placer County District 4 Supervisor Suzanne Jones was chosen by fellow board members to serve as the chair for 2024. District 1 Supervisor Bonnie Gore was named as vice chair.

	Feedback Sought on Employee Housing
	The Sierra Sun, Tahoe Truckee Community Foundation and the Mountain Housing Council are looking for feedback from the community on several housing related issues.

Recent Statewide News

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• Key Takeaways From U.S. Senate Debate

The four leading U.S. Senate contenders in California tried to use 90 minutes of free air time to solidify their pitches to voters—and also to set themselves apart from their opponents.

(01/22/2024) → CalMatters

• Will $20 Minimum Wage Crush Fast Food in California?

Fast food lives in a consumer sweet spot: demand, convenience and relative affordability. And this pay hike—equal to minimum wage increases during the past five years—will create grand economic unknowns.

(01/22/2024) → Daily Democrat

• How California Budget Rules Can Prevent Saving for a Rainy Day—and Why Newsom Wants to Change That

The swing from a $100 billion surplus to a deficit somewhere between $38 and $68 billion in just two years illustrates the volatility of California’s tax system.

(01/21/2024) → CapPublicRadio

• California Picks Its Next Governor in More Than 1,000 Days. Why the Race Is Already So Crowded

More than two years until the first votes are cast, Senate leader Toni Atkins becomes the fourth big-name Democrat to jump into the governor’s race. She is seeking to become the first female and openly gay chief executive.

(01/19/2024) → CalMatters

• California Court Ruling Could Threaten Key Source of Funding for Disputed Delta Water Tunnel Project

A California judge says a nearly 65-year-old law does not give the state permission to borrow the billions of dollars it would need to build a large water project.

(01/19/2024) → CapPublicRadio

• California Panel Holds Up Studies on Psychedelics. Some Researchers Want It Gone

At the Pacific Neuroscience Institute in Santa Monica, scientists are eager to explore whether a psychedelic chemical found in a toad could help people with depression. But research has been put on hold by the state.

(01/19/2024) → Santa Cruz Sentinel

• Where Do the Major Senate Candidates Stand on the Economy, Crime and the Border?

The five major contenders have different track records and proposals on some of California’s biggest issues. They’re trying to position themselves to appeal to sizable voting blocs.

(01/17/2024) → CalMatters

• Homelessness Is on the California Ballot This March. Will Conditions Change?

Prop. 1 would funnel more money into housing and treatment for homeless Californians struggling with mental illness and addiction. But it’s far from a one-stop solution.

(01/17/2024) → CalMatters

Government Announcements

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	United States (01/20/2024) Al Amir Fresh Foods Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Sesame in Hummus Dip Products and Undeclared Milk in Tzatziki Cucumber Yogurt
Al Amir Fresh Foods of Milwaukie, Oregon is recalling Al Amir brand hummus dip products due to undeclared sesame and Tzatziki Cucumber Yogurt due to undeclared milk.

	County of Placer (01/19/2024) Infrastructure work for future Sac State Placer Center making progress
Placer Countys $28 million investment into a west Placer infrastructure project is making progress and is on target to accommodate development of Placer One the future home of a Sacramento State satellite campus.

	State of California (01/19/2024) Megan Dahle CA Assembly 01: North Cow Creek School Visits the Capitol
Greetings For years Team Dahle has had the pleasure of hosting the North Cow Creek 8th graders from Shasta County during their annual trip to the California State Capitol. Their teacher Damon Donnelley who has coordinated the trip since the beginning says the trip has had a lasting impact on the students. In preparation for [...] The post North Cow …

City of Auburn (01/18/2024)

View the latest City Council agenda here

	United States (01/18/2024) FSIS Issues Public Health Alert for Raw Frozen Pork Dumpling Products Produced without Benefit of Inspection
WASHINGTON, Jan. 18, 2024 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is issuing a public health alert because Dim Sum Factory Inc., a Flushing, N.Y...

	United States (01/17/2024) Hans Kissle Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Soy & Egg in "Hans Kissle Mexican Style Quinoa Salad"
Hans Kissle of Haverhill, MA, is recalling its 7-ounce packages of MEXICAN STYLE QUINOA SALAD, deli salad, because the product contains undeclared egg and soy. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to egg and/or soy run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they con

	United States (01/17/2024) Whitley's Peanut Factory Issues an Allergy Alert on Undeclared Peanuts, Milk, Soy, Wheat, and Sesame for Limited Units of Deluxe Nut Mix 12oz (340g)
Whitley's Peanut Factory of Hayes, Virginia is recalling 12oz Deluxe Nut Mix with specific code dates because they may contain undeclared peanuts, milk, soy, wheat, and sesame. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to these ingredients run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic

	County of Placer (01/17/2024) Auburn Human Services offices will soon relocate
The Auburn Human Services and Employment Services office locations will be moving in February.

	City of Colfax (01/17/2024) Agency Report of Public Official Appointments (Form 806) has been updated for 2024
The City of Colfax adheres to the standards of transparency and open government policy. To that end the Agency Report of Public Official Appointments: Form 806 is posted here. The post Agency Report of Public Official Appointments (Form 806) has been updated for 2024 appeared first on City of Colfax.

	State of California (01/17/2024) Brian Dahle CA Senate 01: Senator Dahle Introduces State of Emergency Tax Exemption Bill
Senator Dahle Introduces State of Emergency Tax Exemption Bill communications Wed, 01/17/2024 - 15:43

Reasons to Take a Road Trip

From the Low Desert to the High Sierra

More Roadside Attractions

Updates to Government Announcements

Placer County's Homepage

Get to Know a Group

From Our Media Allies

Recent Statewide News

Government Announcements