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By Eric Johnson
Published Mar 25, 2024

At the McKinley Park Rose Garden in Sacramento, the first rose of 2024. At the McKinley Park Rose Garden in Sacramento, the first rose of 2024. Image credit: Eric Johnson

Four Good Things about Spring

We have a slightly humorous tradition in our family: At the beginning of every season, one of us will say something like, “Winter in California is amazing, and I’m going to miss going up to the snow—but spring really is the best season.” Or "yeah sure summer is fun with the swimming and all, but ahhh the colors of fall—obviolusly the best season."

I realize this is not all that funny, but what makes it a little bit funny (to us) is that we say it at the beginning of every single season, and have been doing so for many years. And we kind of mean it every single time. Because every new season holds the promise that it'll be better than the last.

This winter, as you know, was cold and wet. I am a nature-worshiping Californian who’s been living through a deadly drought, so I stopped complaining about the rain more than a decade ago … until this year. Last week’s warm sun and long evenings made me feel better than I have felt in months.

So: In this week’s edition of The Newsletter, four things, all related to the very best season: Spring!


Product Launch from CALocal: 1GT

The beginning of Spring is a great time to launch stuff. Which is one reason we chose last week to release a new California Local feature that we are calling One Good Thing (which we've already started abbreviating as 1GT). This was CALocal co-founder and product guy Chris Neklason’s idea, and here he briefly explains why 1GT is a good thing.


One Good Thing

Every now and then, it's important to focus on good things.
We announce a new initiative and invite our members to contribute.


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Sacramento County's Homepage

Direct your browser to https://sacramento.californialocal.com/ to catch up on the latest news in California and Sacramento County. Bookmark the link and visit often, there's a lot happening in your community!


Spring in the Valley

For our first One Good Thing, Chris takes you on a short journey to Yosemite Valley to witness a fleeting and amazing phenomenon.


The Rainbows of Yosemite Falls

Yosemite Falls in Yosemite Valley.
Yosemite Valley is extraordinary, and in certain places at certain times of the day, magical. A brief insider's guide to a special place and time in Yosemite National Park, including a short video of the springtime rainbows of Yosemite Falls.

An Ode to the Season

If you already know everything about the Vernal Equinox, our friend Kathy Morrison of Sacramento Digs Gardening brings you a delightful reminder: Eostre, the goddess of fertility and spring, has a rabbit as a spirit animal—and over the millennia, Eostre’s rabbit morphed into our Easter Bunny. More fun facts (plus a FREE cookbook, Taste Spring!) on the other side of the link.


First day of spring is cause for celebration

Cherry blossoms herald the start of spring. The warm, sunny weather is expected to continue through Thursday.
Plenty of sunshine and flowers welcome start of new season

Product Launch from Hilltromper: BloomTracker

As you may have noticed, we do not tire of singing the praises of California, and Hilltromper (which is kind of CALocal's sister-site) focuses on our state's awesome natural beauty. For our final piece of appreciation today we present the coolest wildflower-finding tool you've ever seen, which was launched last week by our friend Mike Kahn. 


BloomTracker: Wildflower Finder & Protector from Hilltromper


Over at Hilltromper, “The Nature-worshiping, Fun-Loving Adventure Guide” that serves the South Bay Area, Santa Cruz County, and anyone who visits these beautiful places, our friend Mike Kahn has just launched a new product he named BloomTracker—“an online resource that helps you find the best places to see wildflowers, in real time, and helps reduce impacts on parks and other open spaces.”

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.


This easy chicken dish puts zesty zing in spring

Chicken thighs achieve crispy deliciousness when marinated and baked at high heat.
NEW Baked lemon-Dijon chicken thighs with herbs


Impact Report Image for decorative use


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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.

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New Affordable Housing Community Offers Path to Homeownership in South Sacramento

The Cornerstone affordable housing community of 108 apartments and 18 single family homes built in partnership with Habitat for Humanity offers services for formerly unhoused local residents and home ownership opportunities.

(03/24/2024) → The Sacramento Observer

Elk Grove Unified Schools Considers Bond Measure

Elk Grove Unified School District trustees are exploring whether and how to put a $600M bond measure on the November ballot to finance the repair and building of new facilities in the district.

(03/24/2024) → Elk Grove News Net

Sacramento City Council District 2 Seat to be Decided in November

With 44% of votes in the March 5 election, Roger Dickinson will face Stephen Walton in the November election for the District 2 seat vacated by indicted former City Councilmember Sean Loolole.

(03/23/2024) → Elk Grove News Net

Information About Sacramento Zoo Relocation Project to Elk Grove Released

The City of Elk Grove has released information about the financing for the $400M multi-phase project to move the Sacramento Zoo to Elk Grove, but questions remain.

(03/23/2024) → Elk Grove News Net

“Incredibly Strong” Steelhead Returns This Year

Unlike the record low Chinook salmon returns on the Sacramento River this year, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife noted a new record for the number of steelhead returning to the Mokelumne River.

(03/23/2024) → Elk Grove News Net

Rosario Rodriguez Wins Election to Sacramento County Board of Supervisors District 4

The latest vote tallies show Folsom City Councilmember Rosario Rodriguez with 51% of the vote, securing the District 4 seat on the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors formerly held by Sue Frost.

(03/23/2024) → Elk Grove News Net

Mountain Lion Attack in El Dorado County

A man was fatally attacked and his brother injured by a mountain lion in a remote area near Georgetown.

(03/23/2024) → Village Life

Urban League Lobbies to Limit Pretextual Traffic Stops

Leaders from the National Urban League and four California chapters gathered March 13 at the Capitol to lobby for a bill that aims to restrict police from making traffic stops for certain low-level offenses.

(03/22/2024) → The Sacramento Observer

Top Two in Closely Contested Sacramento Mayor Race Advance to November Election

Political newcomer Dr. Flo Cofer received the most votes in the primary election and will face second place runner-up Assemblymember Kevin McCarty in the November general election,

(03/22/2024) → Elk Grove News Net

Former Sacramento Councilman Sean Loloee Faces New Federal Charges

The former council member and owner of the Viva Supermarket chain had charges of filing false tax documents and wage theft added to his December indictment.

(03/22/2024) → The Sacramento Bee

Micro Food Hall Coming to North Natomas

A new Local Kitchens "takeout-first micro food hall" is opening at 2610 Arena Boulevard in North Natomas and will feature cuisine from six local restaurateurs.

(03/22/2024) → The Sacramento Bee

First California Distillery to Make Rare Vietnamese Rice Liquor Is Opening in Sacramento

Dao Distillery plans to open to the public this summer at 11460 Sunrise Gold Circle, Suite C, in Rancho Cordova. Currently, only one company produces Vietnamese rice liquor, known as rượu đế, in the United States: SuTi Craft Distillery, based in Kennedale, Texas.

(03/21/2024) → The Sacramento Bee

South Natomas Library to Close Temporarily

According to an email sent to library patrons and posts on social media, the library will be closed March 30-April 12.

(03/21/2024) → The Natomas Buzz

Bee Poll: Best Longstanding Business

The Sacramento Bee is asking residents to share input on the best longstanding business in the area.

(03/21/2024) → The Sacramento Bee
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Recent Statewide News

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Reps. Gaetz and Greene Lawsuit Against Cities Where Political Rally Was Canceled Can Move Forward

A judge ruled GOP Reps. Matt Gaetz and Marjorie Taylor Greene can move forward with their lawsuit against two California cities where rallies were canceled.

(03/25/2024) → Los Angeles Times

At Stake in Mifepristone Case: Abortion, FDA’s Authority, and Return to 1873 Obscenity Law

Lawyers from the conservative Christian group that won the case to overturn Roe v. Wade are returning to the U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday in pursuit of an urgent priority: shutting down access to abortion pills for women across the country.

(03/25/2024) → KFF Health News

California Forever Denies Reports of Shady Tactics Outside Bay Area Target

Rumors are flying that California Forever is using dodgy tactics to gather signatures.

(03/24/2024) → SF Gate

California Speeds Plans to Empty San Quentin's Death Row

California prison officials announced they will move the last 457 condemned prisoners out of San Quentin's death row by summer. They will be transferred to other state prisons and housed in the general population.

(03/18/2024) → Los Angeles Times
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Roger Niello CA Senate 06:
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Traffic Advisory: Running of the Elk 5K/10K

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See how Front Street Animal Shelter responded to a 30% surge in animal intake in 2023

The Citys Front Street Animal Shelter saw more than 9,000 animals in the past year, an increase of almost 30% from 2022, as detailed in its 2023 Annual Report released by the shelter's Animal Care team. According to the report, and similar to other shelters across the country, Front Street has seen a shortage of [...] The post See how …
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Data Report: How the City responded to homelessness March 11-17

The City of Sacramento has released its weekly progress report for the Citys Incident Management Team responding to homelessness. From March 11-17, the City of Sacramento received 750 calls to 311 customer service related to unsheltered individuals. Through the work of the IMT, 933 calls were closed, meaning that either the issue was remedied, compliance was achieved, [...] The post …