At the McKinley Park Rose Garden in Sacramento, the first rose of 2024.
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 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.”
• 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
At the McKinley Park Rose Garden in Sacramento, the first rose of 2024.
