Every so often a book aligns so closely with national headlines it almost seems that its publication was timed. Such is the case with Who Is Government?, from author and editor Michael Lewis, which comes to the defense of a federal workforce currently under attack.
One of the eight heroic government workers profiled in this book is Ron Walters, head of the VA’s National Cemetery Administration. I knew before I read the chapter about Walters that I wanted to write about this book, but my resolve to do so deepened after I read about him and his profoundly important work.
As it happens, my beloved sister-in-law works for VA (the Department of Veterans Affairs), and has worked for the federal government for many years. Over much of that time, I have witnessed her dedication to the missions of the departments she has served, and heard stories about her colleagues who were equally committed. In recent weeks, on the family text thread, I learned about sad and scary stuff that later showed up in the headlines.
In this week’s edition of The Newsletter, we bring you the second of a two-part series about books that confront topics we hold dear. As always, below, a News Digest that delivers information of relevance to you and the place you call home. Also, as always, a local community group doing good work in your county, and a recipe to nourish your body and soul.
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By Eric Johnson
Published Mar 31, 2025
Who Is Government?
What Good is Government?
Michael Lewis is a journalist closely associated with Brad Pitt—who starred in two movies made from Lewis’s previous books Moneyball and The Big Short. Will this new book about government workers spawn a Hollywood blockbuster? Will it spawn an uprising to defend much-maligned federal employees? We shall see.
Unlikely Tales of Bureaucratic Heroism
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 Spring! cookbook.
Winter meets spring in strawberry-orange compote
Get to Know a Group
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Hands4Hope - Youth Making A Difference |
Hands 4 Hope inspires young people to develop their leadership skills and give service to the community. The nonprofit offers school programs, outreach programs, and youth committees.
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From Our Media Allies |
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April Theater Roundup: Spring Into in-Person Arts With These Local Theater Productions |
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April is arguably the most beautiful time of year for Sacramento. The sun is out, the trees and flowers are bursting back in bloom, and it’s not yet so hot that you need to hide out at home all day. … |
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Folsom Awarded $3.7M in Federal Funds for Bridge Maintenance |
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The City of Folsom has secured approximately $3.7 million in federal Highway Bridge Program funding to support its Bridge Preventative Maintenance Program, providing a significant boost to the city’s infrastructure. |
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Continued Mailbox Break-Ins in Natomas Highlight a Crime Trend Felt Across the Region |
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Cluster mailboxes are those group postal boxes one sees in apartment complexes and along sidewalks in newer residential neighborhoods. Break-ins of these mailboxes, and mail theft in general, have been increasingly commonplace since the Covid-19 lockdowns. Now, it’s increasingly becoming … |
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3 Folsom-Cordova Schools Named California Distinguished Schools for 2025 |
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Three Folsom Cordova Unified School District schools have earned prestigious recognition as 2025 California Distinguished Schools by the California Department of Education. Mangini Ranch Elementary, Russell Ranch Elementary, and Riverview STEM Academy were selected for their outstanding achievements in closing … |
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Spring Arts and Crafts Fair Returns to Historic Folsom for 56th Year |
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A beloved springtime tradition is set to return to the streets of Historic Folsom as the Spring Arts and Crafts Fair marks its 56th year on Sunday, April 13.. The annual event will transform Sutter Street into a bustling marketplace … |
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City of Folsom Donates Housing Funds to Habitat for Humanity Project |
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The Folsom City Council on Tuesday approved $810,000 in Permanent Local Housing Allocation funds toward Habitat for Humanity to build the low-income, sweat-equity homes on Persifer Street. |
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Final Map Approved for Folsom Ranch Subdivision |
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The city of Folsom approved the 83-unit Toll Brothers at Folsom Ranch Phase 2D subdivision south of Highway 50. |
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Community Welcomes Anindell to Folsom With Official Ribbon Cutting |
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Community members, local leaders, and representatives from both the Choose Folsom and the El Dorado Hills Chamber gathered Thursday afternoon to celebrate the grand opening of Anindell, Folsom’s newest luxury living facility for adults aged 55 and over. |
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Can Drink-Spiking Test Kits Make a Dent in Sacramento’s Roofie Problem? |
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Alexis Smart, a philosophy student who used to work as a bartender, was in downtown Sacramento when a friend started showing all the signs of being drugged. |
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Soroptimists Receive Women’s History Month Proclamation |
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Rancho Cordova Mayor Siri Pulipati presented the Soroptimist International of Rancho Cordova and Gold River Club with a proclamation honoring Women’s History Month during the March 17 City Council meeting. |
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All Aboard for ‘Water Works’ |
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Batten down the hatches and hoist the anchor because the Rancho Cordova River City Concert Band is making waves with its upcoming free concert, “Water Works.” |
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Crocker Art Museum’s Javier Plasencia on the Benefits of Arts Education and Accessibility in Sacramento |
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Javier “Javi” Plasencia is the newly appointed director of education at Crocker Art Museum. His role, which he took on in October, consists of overseeing the planning of more than 300 public programs. |
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Sacramento County Reports Progress on Homeless Outreach Efforts |
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The Sacramento County Departments of Homeless Services and Housing, and Health Services, presented their biannual report to the Board of Supervisors this week, detailing outreach and engagement efforts to the unhoused population in unincorporated Sacramento County and along the American … |
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Sacramento State Professor Restores Dormant Campus Herbarium |
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For nearly two decades, Sacramento State University’s campus herbarium lay dormant, its plant specimens hidden and nearly forgotten inside a shuttered lab in Sequoia Hall. |
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California Capital Airshow Educates Next Generation |
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Mather Airport hosted its 19th annual California Capital Airshow through Saturday, March 22 and Sunday, March 23, where families from throughout the Sacramento region viewed stunning flight performances and learned hands-on about the aircrafts soaring in the sky. |
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CHP Celebrates Largest Academy Graduation |
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The California Highway Patrol (CHP) promoted 125 cadets to the rank of officer. The graduation ceremony on March 21 marked the successful completion of a 26-week intensive training schedule at the California Highway Patrol Academy in West Sacramento. |
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Capital Airshow Reports Record Breaking Attendance Both Days |
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Over 140,000 spectators attended event that spanned 204 acres and enlisted 1,024 volunteers |
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Friends of Folsom Parkways Removing Fuel From the Fire |
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Volunteers sought for upcoming ladder fuel trail area clean up days April 12 and 16. |
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Recent Local News |
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Recent Statewide News |
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Government Announcements |
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Undeclared Allergen in Trader Joe's Hot Honey Mustard Dressing with Use By Date of 05/27/2025 Issued by Fresh Creative Foods |
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Fresh Creative Foods is voluntarily recalling a single item with a specific use by date, produced at a regional facility and distributed to limited Trader Joe's locations. The product is Trader Joe's Hot Honey Mustard Dressing, with a Use By Date of 05/27/2025 due to labeling error. The incorrect
United States (03/30/2025)
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Cromer Food Services, Inc. Recalls Chicken Salad on White Sandwich Due to Undeclared Milk Allergen |
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Cromer Food Services, Inc. is recalling all lots of our CFS Cromer Food Service brand Chicken Salad on White Sandwich with UPC 31166 & UPC 13172 because it contains undeclared milk.
United States (03/27/2025)
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Frito-Lay Issues Limited Recall for Tostitos Cantina Traditional Yellow Corn Tortilla Chips for Undeclared Milk |
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Frito-Lay today issued a recall of a limited number of 13 oz. bags of Tostitos Cantina Traditional Yellow Corn Tortilla Chips that could include nacho cheese tortilla chips, and therefore may contain undeclared milk.
United States (03/26/2025)
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The Bakery Group Issues Allergen Alert on Undeclared Milk, Soy and Yellow FD&C #5 In Specific Bread and Hamburger Buns |
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The Bakery Group of Dallas, Tx is recalling 629 cases of Dense Brioche Pullman loaves, #654203 and 104 cases of 4.5in Brioche HB Buns, #54500 because they may contain undeclared Milk, Soy and Yellow FD&C#5. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to Soy, Wheat Milk or Yellow FD&C#5 run the
United States (03/25/2025)
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Dessert Holdings Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Tree Nut Allergen in Favorite Day(TM) Gourmet New York Style Cheesecake 6oz/2ct |
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Dessert Holdings LLC is recalling Target brand Favorite Day(TM) Gourmet New York Style Cheesecake 6oz/2ct, Lot code 25028A1 000039133 UPC 0 85239 09690 1 due to product mislabeling resulting in undeclared pecans. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to pecans run the risk of serious or life
United States (03/19/2025)
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Nestlé USA Announces Voluntary Recall of a Limited Quantity of Lean Cuisine® and STOUFFER'S® Frozen Meals Due to Potential Presence of Foreign Material |
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ARLINGTON, VA., March 17, 2025 - Nestle USA is initiating a voluntary recall of a limited quantity of Lean Cuisine and STOUFFER'S frozen meals due to the potential presence of wood-like material.
United States (03/17/2025)
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Seabear Company Recalls Smoked Salmon Chowder and Alehouse Clam Chowder Because of Possible Health Risk |
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SeaBear Company of Anacortes, Washington is recalling two variations of seafood chowder (Smoked Salmon Chowder & Alehouse Clam Chowder), because it has the potential to be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum, a bacterium which can cause life-threatening illness or death.
United States (03/15/2025)
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C.H. Guenther & Son LLC Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Egg in "365 Whole Foods Market Small Bites Macaroni & Cheese" |
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C.H. Guenther & Son LLC of San Antonio, TX, is recalling its 365 Whole Foods Market Small Bites Macaroni & Cheese because it may contain undeclared eggs and meat ingredients.
United States (03/14/2025)
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Har Maspeth Corp Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Eggs in "Jinga Glass Noodles w/ Vegetables (Japche)" |
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HAR Maspeth Corp, Maspeth NY, is recalling its 8 ounce and 12 ounce packages of "JINGA GLASS NOODLES W/ VEGETABLES (Japche)" because they contain undeclared eggs.
United States (03/14/2025)
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Liaoning Cheng Da USA Inc. of San Gabriel, California is Recalling Hot Pot Sauce Because it May Contain Undeclared Peanut, Soy, Sesame, and Wheat |
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On March 11, 2025, Liaoning Cheng Da USA Inc. of San Gabriel, California is recalling Hot Pot Sauce Because it may contain undeclared peanut, soy, sesame, and wheat. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to peanut, soy, sesame, and wheat run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergi
United States (03/11/2025)
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