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By Michael Gelbman 1
Published Jan 08, 2024

Image credit: Ekkasit Rakrotchit, Shutterstock

Celebrating the Giving Season

In this week’s edition of The Newsletter, we celebrate local nonprofit community groups, and give appreciation to the individuals and businesses that support them. We also look at some partnerships between media companies and nonprofit community organizations, and the success they've had. 

And, we announce the launch of the Good Business Directory, which is a place to find local businesses that give back to your community. (And, if you work for or own such a business, a place to share stories of your good work.)

As we roll into the second week of the new year, with resolutions still fresh in our heads, let’s take a moment to recap the recent Giving Period. 

The Giving Period, which for many nonprofits begins during the last week of November on “Giving Tuesday,” is a time when organizations reach out to the community for donations so that they can continue to provide their services. This is a time when individuals and businesses choose to contribute to a cause that is near and dear to their hearts.

When I was the publisher of the Sierra Sun, I felt that the newspaper had a responsibility to give voice to the nonprofit community. I was fortunate to help create the Give Back Tahoe program with my partner Stacy Caldwell, the CEO of the Tahoe Truckee Community Foundation. 

Part of the initial success of the program was that throughout the year, the Sun provided space to participating organizations to tell their stories. This was an opportunity to speak to donors and say: “Because you gave, here are the great things we’ve been able to do.” This had the effect of keeping the organization relevant throughout the year.

I am excited to let you know that the 2023 TTCF Give Back program raised more than $620,000.

Giving back is not just about the end-of-year Giving Period. It’s about commitment throughout the year—whether through financial support, volunteering or helping to spread the word.

So while resolutions are still fresh, I ask that you consider adding the resolution of giving.


Good News for Central Coast Nonprofits

Two weekly newspapers on the Monterey Bay are rallying their readers and sponsors to give millions to local community groups.


Give Back: Read All About It


How two Central Coast media companies help thousands of people give millions to local nonprofit groups.


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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!


Doing Well by Doing Good

Most local businesses know that social responsibility and sustainable profit go hand in hand. In every community there are scores of companies that contribute considerable time and money to help local nonprofits. Unfortunately this is not a universally known fact. We want to fix that.


Announcing the California Local Good Business Directory

Good corporate citizenship is tasty.
We're making it easy for local businesses to tell the story about how they give back to the community.


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Get to Know a Group

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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From Our Media Allies

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Folsom Telegraph logo Folsom Lake Water Level at 112% of Normal

After a slow start for foothill rain this season, the annual autumn decline of Folsom Lake has finally leveled off and the reservoir is beginning to fill again.

Sacramento News and Review logo Creativity in the Capital

Burlesque dancer ChaCha Burnadette and theater director Danielle Mercado talk about the importance of venues and lessons from Wu-Tang Clan.

Rancho Cordova Grapevine Independent logo How Sac County Meets the Needs of Older Adults

According to the California Department of Aging, the population of Sacramento County residents over age 60 will increase 187% from 2010 to 2060. Conversely, the population of younger residents is decreasing.

Sacramento News and Review logo Census Reports 30% of Sacramentans Spend Half of Income on Rent

The cost of rent in Sacramento has made living unsustainable for many residents, the latest census data show.

Sacramento News and Review logo California Mandates to Improve Pay and Benefits Will Take Effect in 2024

Minimum wages to rise statewide, with larger gains for fast food and health workers.

Tahoe Daily Tribune logo Fun Ways to Spend the First Day of the New Year

While Jan. 1 may be a bit more quiet than New Year’s Eve, there are still plenty of ways to enjoy the first day of the year.

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Recent Local News

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Residents Facing Eviction at Senior Living Complex in Citrus Heights

Residents of a low-income senior living complex in Citrus Heights are claiming they are being evicted from a place once described by the recently arrested former CEO of the regional Goodwill Industries as “a space for people to live out their dreams.”

(01/06/2024) → Citrus Heights Sentinel

How Sacramento Organizations Prepare People to Serve in Office

Nueva Epoca is one of several Sacramento programs that prepare people from underrepresented communities to serve in public office.

(01/04/2024) → CapPublicRadio

Advancing Health Education and Equity

The California Black Health Network is the only organization committed to advancing health equity for African Americans and Black immigrants in the Golden State.

(01/03/2024) → The Sacramento Observer

Grant Helps Entrepreneur Take Care of Business

The holidays weren’t looking all that sweet for baker Jamie Mack, who recently had to make some hard decisions to keep his business, SpiderMonkey Dessert Studio at Arden Fair.

(01/03/2024) → The Sacramento Observer

So Glad We Made It: A Look Back at the Year

Sacramento Observer columnist reviews five events that made an impact in the community in 2023.

(01/02/2024) → The Sacramento Observer

UC Davis Launches Mobile Clinic to Help Students

A new 24/7 mobile team at UC Davis is working to prevent crises before they happen, answering calls every day from students experiencing overwhelming stress and food and housing insecurity.

(01/01/2024) → CapPublicRadio
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Recent Statewide News

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Newsom Sets March 19 Special Election to Fill McCarthy’s Seat

Gov. Gavin Newsom has called for a March 19 primary to elect a replacement for Rep. Kevin McCarthy, who resigned from Congress in December. If a candidate doesn’t win outright, a runoff will be held on May 21.

(01/08/2024) → Sacramento Bee

State Trying to Use Generative AI to Reduce Traffic

Caltrans has set a Jan. 25 deadline for tech companies to show how generative artificial intelligence might reduce traffic congestion in the state. This follows an executive order that Gov. Gavin Newsom signed in September related to this type of AI.

(01/08/2024) → LA Times

New Year Brings Protections for Deep-Sea Corals and Ocean Fishing Opportunities

New rules took effect Jan. 1 permanently protecting the most fragile deep sea corals off Southern California. Simultaneously, more than 4,500 square miles of ocean waters are now reopened to fishing after more than 20 years of closures.

(01/08/2024) → YubaNet

Homeowners Who Sued to Build a Seawall Could Reshape California’s Coast

Raging storms brought major damage to California’s coastline last winter. But in Half Moon Bay, a different kind of coastal upheaval is gaining momentum—one that could decide the fate of billions of dollars of property and affect hundreds of public beaches.

(01/07/2024) → Monterey Herald

WWII-Era Dump Site Found Off LA Coast

Munition boxes, depth charges and smoke floats have been found 3,000 feet underwater off the coast of Los Angeles. More than 100 square miles of ocean might be contaminated.

(01/05/2024) → Los Angeles Times

Repairing Sidewalks Can Cost Property Owners Big in California

California state law dictates that property owners are responsible for repairing damaged sidewalks. In Sacramento, this has left some owners facing bills of thousands of dollars or tax assessments from the city.

(01/04/2024) → Sacramento Bee

Avian Flu Outbreak Hammers California Poultry Industry

An outbreak of the avian flu that began in California in October has killed 5.5 million birds throughout the Golden State. About 20% of the deaths have come in Sonoma County.

(01/04/2024) → SFGate

The Chickadee in the Snowbank

Research shows that a mountain chickadee facing deep snow is like a canary in a coal mine—its survivability tells us about the challenges ahead.

(01/04/2024) → YubaNet

Sacramento Councilman Under Federal Indictment Resigns from Office

Sean Loloee, a first-term Sacramento councilmember, has resigned from office—a move that came weeks after he was federally indicted on charges related to his business Viva Supermarkets.

(01/04/2024) → Sacramento Bee

California Community College Students Helping Peers

Two-thirds of community college students in California admit to struggling to meet basic needs. The California Community Colleges’ Student Ambassador Program has empowered more than 50 students to act as resource guides to help them.

(01/03/2024) → EdSource

Group to Sue California AG Over Title of Ballot Initiative Seeking to Prohibit Gender-Affirming Care for Trans Youth

Leaders of a parental rights advocacy group announced they’re planning to sue California Attorney General Rob Bonta over the way his office has characterized a 2024 ballot initiative they authored.

(01/03/2024) → CapPublicRadio

Sierra Snowpack at 25% of Usual Levels

The California Department of Water Resources has found that the snowpack in the Sierra Nevada mountains is at just 25% of normal levels for this time of year. This could potentially impact water supply and wildfire protection.

(01/02/2024) → Sacramento Bee

Hospitals Seeing More People with COVID-19 and Flu

Los Angeles County has entered the medium category of COVID-19 hospitalization defined by the CDC, with providers warning that illnesses like RSV like to travel in tandem with the virus. Officials are urging the public to mask when visiting hospitals or other indoor facilities.

(01/02/2024) → Los Angeles Times

CA Minimum Wage Hits $16 an Hour

The dawn of 2024 meant that California’s minimum wage rose from $15.50 to $16 an hour. That puts the Golden State at the second-highest minimum wage for a U.S. state, trailing only Washington state at $16.28 an hour.

(01/02/2024) → New York Times

Law Goes Into Effect Blocking Guns in Many California Public Places

A law passed by the California legislature in 2023 has gone into effect banning licensed gun holders from bringing their firearms to places like playgrounds, churches and casinos. The law faces an ongoing challenge in the federal court system.

(01/02/2024) → Los Angeles Times
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Government Announcements

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Image of City of Citrus Heights seal. City of Citrus Heights   (01/05/2024)

2023 ACFR and PAFR Available

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Josh Hoover CA Assembly 07:
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Data Report: How the City responded to homelessness Dec. 25-31

The City of Sacramento has released its weekly progress report for City’s Incident Management Team responding to homelessness. From Dec. 25-31, the City of Sacramento received 827 calls to 311 customer service related to unsheltered individuals. Through the work of the IMT, 1,052 calls were closed, meaning that either the issue was remedied, compliance was [...] The post Data Report: …
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Josh Hoover CA Assembly 07:
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ToYou Snacks, of Winter Garden, Florida is recalling TOYOU branded snack bars in flavors Coconut Mocha, Chocolate Mango, Salted caramel dark chocolate, Mint Dark chocolate, Banana foster, Mango Yogurt because they contain undeclared soy. People who have an allergy or sensitivity to soy run risk of
Image of United States seal. United States   (01/05/2024)

TOYOU SNACKS Issues Allergy Alert On ToYou Snacks Snack Bars Due to Undeclared Soy

ToYou Snacks, of Winter Garden, Florida is recalling TOYOU branded snack bars in flavors Coconut Mocha, Chocolate Mango, Salted caramel dark chocolate, Mint Dark chocolate, Banana foster, Mango Yogurt because they contain undeclared soy. People who have an allergy or sensitivity to soy run risk of
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Roger Niello CA Senate 06:
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City to open new shelter-and-service campus for people experiencing homelessness

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World Variety Produce, Inc. Recalls Kimchi Hot Because of Possible Health Risk

World Variety Produce, Inc. of Los Angeles, CA is recalling Melissa's Kimchi Hot 14 oz, because of mislabeling of allergen ingredient "Fish" was not listed in the ingredient panel within the allergen information panel. Food allergic reactions vary in severity from mild symptoms involving hives and l
Image of City of Galt seal. City of Galt   (01/04/2024)

Project Update:

Make sure your feedback is included! The City of Galt invites you to participate in the next phase of the Gora Aquatic Center Waterslide Replacement and Chabolla Skate Park Design projects. Over the past several months, the City of Galt has...