California Local Managing Editor
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Sharan Street majored in journalism at UC Santa Cruz, spending as much time at the student newspaper as she did in class. She has written and edited for alternative newsweeklies, community newspapers, trade publications and websites, including Metro in San Jose and the LA Weekly. A California local herself, Sharan cherishes her home state’s natural beauty and is excited to work on a platform that celebrates it.

My Milestones

My Articles

• A Brief History of the Pajaro River (Published March 15, 2023)
    On March 10, the Pajaro River flooded the small agricultural town on its banks. Professor Dustin Mulvaney traces the turbulent history of the Central Coast’s second largest watershed.
  
• State Rejects Groundwater Plans in San Joaquin Valley (Published March 11, 2023)
    The San Joaquin Valley plans, serving low-income Latino communities, were deemed inadequate for preventing dry wells and sinking land.
  
• California Storm Paradox: Too Much Water in Reservoirs, Too Soon (Published March 11, 2023)
    When warm storms melt snowpack early, reservoir managers must release water to prevent flooding—which sends this precious resource into the ocean.
  
• 03-06-23: Brave New Burbs (Published March 6, 2023)
    Some say California equals suburbia, but the truth is more nuanced.
  
• Lawmakers Explore Ways to Repair Fractured Neighborhoods (Published March 3, 2023)
    California lawmakers are exploring ways to reconnect urban neighborhoods torn asunder during the interstate highway construction boom of the 1950s and ’60s.
  
• 02-13-23: The Justice League (Published February 13, 2023)
    Thirty African Americans who made the world a better place.
  
• 02-06-23: Trust Issues (Published February 5, 2023)
    Start spreading the news...and stop supporting disinformation.
  
• 01-30-23: Greener Together (Published January 30, 2023)
    Though the climate crisis can seem overwhelming, there are steps individuals can take to make a difference.
  
• The Power of the San Lorenzo River ... A Short History (Published January 26, 2023)
    During January’s destructive storms, environmental studies professor Dustin Mulvaney created a concise, riveting timeline of the San Lorenzo River.
  
• 01-23-23: Bouncing Back (Published January 22, 2023)
    Santa Cruz County’s long history of disasters proves that recovery is not only possible but certain.
  
• From Lochs to Levees: Flooding Terms Defined (Published January 22, 2023)
    Spillways, levees, reservoirs … the list of water management-related jargon flows on. Good Times reporter Erin Malsbury explains it all.
  
• 01-16-23: River Stories (Published January 16, 2023)
    Reading the past and predicting the future.
  
• 01-09-23: Ten Emergency-Preparedness Tips (Published January 9, 2023)
    Here's how to be fully armed to defend yourself as the storm-train continues to deliver numerous threats of destruction.
  
• 12-26-22: Harbingers of Winter (Published December 26, 2022)
    Shades of evergreen and sunsets of gold.
  
• 12-19-22: Past, Future ... and a Present (Published December 19, 2022)
    Santa Cruz County gets an early holiday gift.
  
• 12-12-22: Our Sooner State (Published December 12, 2022)
    Call us early adaptors here in the Golden State.
  
• 12-5-22: Fall Cleaning (Published December 5, 2022)
    In the wake of the election, we’re tidying up our government directories.
  
• 11-28-22: Living Document (Published November 28, 2022)
    The story behind how California became a state.
  
• Battle of Natividad Remembered (Published November 27, 2022)
    David Schmaltz outlines a pivotal point in California history in his Monterey County Weekly cover story on the Battle of Natividad.
  
• 11-21-22: Giving More Than Thanks (Published November 21, 2022)
    As the holiday season kicks off, so does Santa Cruz Gives, a program that benefits 63 local groups.
  
• 11-14-22: By the Numbers (Published November 14, 2022)
    It’s all over but the counting...
  
• 11-07-22: Saluting Vets Every Day (Published November 7, 2022)
    Veterans Day is Nov. 11, but for some, it's always the right time to serve those who served.
  
• 10-31-22: Helter Shelter (Published October 31, 2022)
    Big changes are coming to downtown Santa Cruz, no matter how the voting goes Nov. 8.
  
• 10-24-22: Your Best Bet (Published October 24, 2022)
    There’s a lot at stake on the Nov. 8 ballot.
  
• 10-17-22: What’s in Your Ballot? (Published October 17, 2022)
    It’s time to make your mark.
  
• 10-10-22: Quest for Fire (Published October 10, 2022)
    Humanity’s promethean feat of harnessing fire happened about 1.5 million years ago. Now, we’re facing the downside of millennia spent burning fossil fuels.
  
• 10-3-22: On the Books (Published October 3, 2022)
    A look at some of California’s newest laws.
  
• 9-26-22: On the Move (Published September 26, 2022)
    It’s migration season, so watch for new arrivals from the north. And if you’re migrating yourself, be careful out there!
  
• 9-19-22: Talking Trash (Published September 19, 2022)
    Ecology Action has worked for 52 years to make the future more sustainable.
  
• About San Benito County and California Local (Published September 17, 2022)
    Rural San Benito County, located just south of populous Silicon Valley, is under pressure to grow. California Local keeps residents informed and connected.
  
• About Nevada County and California Local (Published September 16, 2022)
    Nevada County is home to historic Gold Rush towns and some of the state’s most scenic views. California Local keeps Nevada County locals informed and connected.
  
• About El Dorado County and California Local (Published September 16, 2022)
    From its western suburbs to the city of South Lake Tahoe, El Dorado County encompasses diverse areas. California Local keeps residents informed and connected.
  
• About Placer County and California Local (Published September 16, 2022)
    Placer County is experiencing rapid growth, which brings both opportunities and challenges. California Local keeps Placer County locals informed and connected.
  
• 9-12-22: Fair Weather Ahead (Published September 12, 2022)
    Good news for gardeners—the Santa Cruz County Fair is coming, and we’s like to introduce you to two master gardeners.
  
• 9-5-22: Advanced Citizenship (Published September 6, 2022)
    Proponents of civic engagement have plenty of homework this month, as hundreds of bills move out of the Legislature and onto the governor’s desk.
  
• 8-29-22: How to Be Your Own Hero (Published August 29, 2022)
    First responders are there for us—but we can help them out by being better prepared for emergencies.
  
• 8-22-22: Who’s Helping the Unhoused? (Published August 22, 2022)
    Everyone talks about homelessness, but who’s actually doing something about it? The answer: county and city governments, and a robust array of community groups.
  
• 8-8-22: The Jury’s In (Published August 8, 2022)
    What’s more arcane—the Mystery Spot, or Santa Cruz’s local government?
  
• 8-1-22: Sacramento Matters (Published August 1, 2022)
    An informed citizenry needs a steady diet of carefully reported, unbiased news stories on state government. CalMatters is on the job.
  
• 7-25-22: Santa Cruz Hipstory (Published July 25, 2022)
    Just being a college town doesn’t entirely explain how Santa Cruz serves as a magnet for agents of change.
  
• 7-18-22: The Original Stewards of the Land (Published July 18, 2022)
    Read about three Indigenous tribes—the Chumash, Esselen and Amah Mutsun—and the natural wonders they seek to protect.
  
• 7-11-22: Cultural Evolution (Published July 11, 2022)
    Sometimes it seems like the future is approaching way too quickly. On a pleasant summer day, why not take a deep breath and celebrate some things that haven’t changed?
  
• 7-4-22: Fireworks and Courtroom Pyrotechnics (Published July 4, 2022)
    It’s Independence Day. Celebrate your substantive rights ... while you still have them.
  
• 6-20-22: The Longest Day (Published June 20, 2022)
    ...and ways to celebrate it.
  
• 6-6-22: Proudly Local (Published June 6, 2022)
    We want to help build a better community, one member at a time.
  
• 5-30-22: Decrypting Crypto (Published May 30, 2022)
    No stocks or bonds will be traded on Memorial Day. But the crypto market will be open for business, despite the recent crash.
  
• 5-23-22: Measuring the Ballot (Published May 23, 2022)
    With just two weeks left before the June 7 election, it’s time to read up about what, and who, is on the ballot.
  
• 5-16-22: Mapping Civic Engagement (Published May 16, 2022)
    Use California Local’s maps of the Santa Cruz area to learn more about the community and to get around quickly, safely and comfortably.
  
• 5-9-22: Free Speech for All (Who Can Afford to Buy It) (Published May 9, 2022)
    A look inside the billionaire boys’ club behind much of the world’s media platforms.
  
• 5-2-22: Home Is Where We Want to Be (Published May 2, 2022)
    California Local often covers issues related to homelessness. But this week’s newsletter is aimed toward those who do have homes.
  
• 4-25-22: Do Look Up! (Published April 25, 2022)
    Happy belated Earth Day. And enjoy the rest of International Dark Sky Week!
  
• 4-18-22: Piecing Together the History of California Gun Laws (Published April 18, 2022)
    A look back at the loaded issue of gun rights in the Golden State.
  
• 4-11-22: A Mental Health Crisis of Pandemic Proportions (Published April 11, 2022)
    California Local reports on the mental health crisis—its historical roots, a new approach proposed by Gov. Gavin Newsom, as well as a guide to local mental health resources.
  
• 4-4-22: Three Trains of Thought on the Past, Present & Future of Rail Travel (Published April 4, 2022)
    In this week’s newsletter, we present three articles that touch on rail transportation in different ways.
  
• 3-29-22: Celebrating César Chávez Day. Plus, Defense Contracts and California Libraries (Published March 29, 2022)
    March 31 is a state holiday dedicated to one of the state’s most prominent labor leaders. Many turn it into a day of service.
  
• 3-20-22: Looking Ahead to the Primary and Back at Women’s History (Published March 20, 2022)
    With the filing deadline past for the June 7 primary, election season is in full swing. But March also is a time for looking back and celebrating the achievements of groundbreaking California women.
  
• 3-13-22 Newsletter: Time Clocks, Gas Pumps, and a Member Survey (Published March 13, 2022)
    Welcome to the second-ever newsletter for California Local members in Santa Cruz County. It’s time to spring forward!
  
• Caldor Fire Now Stretches Over More Than 53,000 Acres (Published August 17, 2021)
    Media outlets are reporting on the troubling growth in the Caldor Fire, which has grown to more than 53,000 acres.
  
• While Building California Local, We're Also Building a Shared Reality (Published August 7, 2021)
    And I know you have one as well. Let’s compare notes.
  
• Kings Beach Art Tour Brings Together 20 Artists for Aug. 7-8 Open Studio Event (Published July 27, 2021)
    The Kings Beach Art Tour offers not only a reason to get out of the house, but also an opportunity to freshen up those walls we’ve been staring at.
  
• Signal Booster: The Story Behind California’s State Gemstone (Published July 22, 2021)
    BenitoLink.com explores the history of benitoite, California’s state gemstone, and offers tips for rockhounds in search of the ultra-rare crystal.
  
• Moonshine Ink Shines a Light on Tahoe Economy in Special Issue (Published July 21, 2021)
    In a series of articles, Moonshine Ink delves into the economy of the Tahoe-Truckee region, and the problems faced by locals.