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By Eric Johnson
Published Mar 03, 2025

'Engaged California' and Digital Democracy

Happy Monday, Team CALocal supporters! This week, I bring you evidence that WE are WINNING.

By WE, I mean those of us who believe in democracy, and are working together to find ways to protect and improve our means of self-governance. (I realize there’s also evidence this week that this system is breaking down—you can find that elsewhere in your news feed. True, sadly, but NOT the whole story.)

By WINNING—I point to three good and true things.

1: Big news (for big fans of self governance): The state of California is launching a “digital democracy” tool that will allow all of us to participate in policy-making in new ways. More on this below.

2: A report from the Nieman Lab about “emergent civic media systems,” showing that local outlets are proliferating nationwide that make it easier for citizens to find information about their communities.

3: News about “a policy agenda for local news that treats public-interest journalism and civic information like the public goods they are” by “infusing values of community, equity and sustainability into policy.”

Of course, as always, you can find cool stuff about a local nonprofit community group, and a recipe, just a scroll downscreen AND: Unless you follow every news source in your county (we do), you are likely to learn something interesting and maybe important in our News Digest, which is also just down there a little ways.


Taking Politics Online For Real

Audrey Tang built a web tool that helped her county heal its political wounds. Now, it's coming to California. 


Engaged California Aims for ‘Rough Consensus’

Audrey Tang is bringing her revolutionary online civic engagement tool to California.
The state’s new digital deliberation platform, modeled by a Taiwanese champion of democracy, is meant to fight polarization with conversation.


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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!


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.


Put that citrus to work for dinner

Not the usual winter dish, this entree is essentially deconstructed kebabs: grilled chicken pieces with vegetables, all flavored with an orange juice marinade. Too wet outside to grill? Use the broiler.
New! This orange chicken is healthier than fast food


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From Our Media Allies

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Carmichael Times logo California Comment on Latest Small Business Optimism Index

Small business optimism across the nation fell a bit in January but for the third consecutive month, came in higher than its 51-year average, according to the release Feb. 11 of the monthly Small Business Optimism Index by the National …

West Sacramento Sun logo Tickets Now on Sale for the 2025 California Capital Airshow

The 2025 California Capital Airshow, presented by Sacramento County in partnership with the City of Rancho Cordova, returns to Mather Airport on March 22 and 23.

Folsom Times logo City of Folsom Seeks Participants for 2nd Annual Earth Day Event

The City of Folsom is preparing for its second annual Earth Day celebration and is inviting vendors and exhibitors to participate in the event, which highlights environmental stewardship and sustainability. The free, family-friendly event is set for Saturday, April 26, …

Folsom Times logo Folsom’s Interpretive Garden Grows;Rotarians Raise Gazebo

The multi-year interpretive gardens and native plant nursery project just off the shores of Folsom’s Lake Natoma reached an important milestone this week with the completion of a new gazebo, at Black Miners Bar State Park, a key addition that …

Folsom Times logo Cordova Police Continue Sideshow Crackdowns on Folsom Blvd.

The Rancho Cordova Police Department is continuing its efforts to curb dangerous sideshow activity, a growing problem that puts public safety at risk.

Folsom Times logo Dignity Health Awards Over $1M in Community Grants to Area Non-Profits

Folsom Lake College among recipients with $100,000 grant awarded

Folsom Times logo Local HOT Team, No Address Movie expands Perspective to Homelessness in Single Week

This past week, I had the opportunity to walk alongside Folsom’s Homeless Outreach Team (HOT) and witness firsthand the tireless and often thankless work they do to address the city’s homeless encampments.

Folsom Times logo Community Celebrates as Locally Filmed ‘No Address’ Hits Theaters

The curtain rose on the much anticipated feature film No Address on February 27 with a special invitational red carpet premiere in nearby Placer County. The event welcomed community leaders, dignitaries and members of the local media from Sacramento and …

Folsom Telegraph logo Annual Friends of the Folsom Library Spring Book Sale Set for March 7-9

The Roseville City Council renewed a 5-year agreement to share city park sites with local high schools, and vice versa.

Folsom Telegraph logo Project Will Bring Intermittent Closures of Bike Trail

California State Parks, in collaboration with the Sacramento Municipal Utilities District (SMUD), will intermittently close a segment of the American River Bike Trail within Folsom Lake State Recreation Area for a utility undergrounding project.

Folsom Telegraph logo Dynamic Visions of City's Potential Future Come to Life in Choose Folsom Event

City officials and other community leaders and residents attended the event at Folsom’s Bayside Church on Wednesday, Feb. 19, to discuss the latest insights into ambitious development projects in Folsom: the River District and Central Business District.

Folsom Times logo Folsom’s Homeless Camp Clean Up Efforts Showing Success

City’s ongoing efforts to tackle homelessness and clean-up ecampments is becoming a community wide success.

Sacramento News and Review logo The Sacramento and American Rivers Face Impacts as the Trump White House Rescinds Rules Implementing the National Environmental Policy Act

The Trump administration’s assault on the nation’s environmental laws continues at an unprecedented pace, with its latest target being the landmark National Environmental Policy Act, or NEPA.

On Feb. 19, the White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) eliminated all …

Folsom Times logo Folsom VFW Honors Local Vet With Long-Awaited Recognition

With 50 people in attendance, Cpl. Robert “Bob” Jack Calvillo was honored with the USAF Non-Commissioned Officers Association Korean War medal, presented by USAF CMSgt Jim Sullivan (Ret.) at Carlton Senior Living Orangevale.

Rancho Cordova Grapevine Independent logo City’s Education Future Discussed

During the Rancho Cordova City Council meeting on Feb. 18, the future of public education within the city was discussed. The conversation centered on concerns about school services and the feasibility of creating a standalone school district for Rancho Cordova …

Rancho Cordova Grapevine Independent logo Spay and Neuter Services Offered

During Spay and Neuter Awareness Month, the city is reminding Rancho Cordovan pet owners how they can champion this month with free services.

Rancho Cordova Grapevine Independent logo Building a Safer, Stronger Future

Rancho Cordova Public Works Director Albert Stricker gave updates on ongoing projects aimed at improving the community at the Cordova Community Council’s and the Rancho Cordova Area Chamber of Commerce’s monthly luncheon on Feb. 21.

Carmichael Times logo San Juan Unified Seeks Curriculum Committee Members

Applications for San Juan Unified’s Curriculum Adoption Committees are open now through March 3 for parents/guardians, staff and community members.

Carmichael Times logo Breakfast for the Birds

Effie Yeaw Nature Center’s popular Bird and Breakfast fundraiser has for almost 40 years proven that there’s more to ornithology than ogling birds.

In acreage resonant with morning song, experts will lead safaris to view busy birds on Saturday, March …

Sacramento News and Review logo Future of Sacramento Makerspace Hinges on $45K Fundraiser

There are few places where independent creators and small-business owners in Sacramento can go for affordable access to high-tech equipment, coworking space, retail opportunities and to learn new skills. MADE Studio is one of those spaces — and it might …

Carmichael Times logo Drumming Up History

Musician and community activist Martin Ross marked Black History Month (February) with a presentation detailing the evolution of Black percussion at Carmichael’s Albert Schweitzer Elementary School.

Rancho Cordova Grapevine Independent logo Drain After Rain to Prevent Mosquitoes

The recent rain has left behind stagnant water. Since temperatures are expected to increase over the next few days, this can create the perfect combination for mosquitoes to breed, according to the Sacramento-Yolo Mosquito and Vector Control District on Feb. …

Rancho Cordova Grapevine Independent logo Commemorating 175 Years of Service

​​​​​​This year marks a significant milestone in the history of Sacramento County as it celebrates its 175th anniversary, also known as its demisemiseptcentennial.

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Newsom’s Homeless Funding Tracker Website Holds Counties Accountable for Housing Goals

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With Reservoir Levels in Good Shape, State’s Water Managers Increase Delivery Forecasts

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Government Announcements

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Image of United States seal. AKT Trading Inc. Recalls Prepared Vegetable Products Because of Possible Health Risk
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United States   (03/03/2025)
Image of City of Sacramento seal. City adopts plan to improve walking, biking, and public transit access
The Sacramento City Council last week approved the Neighborhood Connections Plan, a key initiative aimed at expanding the Citys active transportation network by creating low-stress routes for walking, biking, and rolling. The plan, developed over two years with extensive community input, will serve as a foundational element of the broader Streets for People Active Transportation [...] The post City adopts …
City of Sacramento   (03/03/2025)
Image of City of Elk Grove seal. Digital Newsletter For March/April 2025 Now Available
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Image of City of Sacramento seal. Sacramento City Council takes action to lower budget deficit
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