Our Journalism Needs Your Support

By Eric Johnson
Published Nov 18, 2024

The Chumash National Marine Sanctuary Image credit: Robert Schwemmer/NOAA

The Life Aquatic: Resilience and ... Aquarium Webcams!

This week, you might appreciate some reasons to believe that it's reasonable to hold out hope for the future—I'm just guessing. And you may also be ripe to be remindeed that there are some good things happening in this real world, while elsewhere things are getting weirder than ever. I feel fortunate to bring you three pieces of truly good news.

And yes, a reminder: If you hopescroll a bit here, you will find a recipe that you might use to make yourself and your loved ones more happy, AND links to true news articles about stuff that is happening where you live, so you can actually participate in building democracy. (Sorry ... don't mean to sound preachy ... and ... you're welcome.)

People Have the Power

Here’s a good story with a happy ending: A decade ago, the Chumash Tribal Council, led by Chief Fred Collins, proposed to federal authorities that the coastal waters offshore of their ancestral homeland be designated as a National Marine Sanctuary. In October, that wish came to be. (See below.)

The Chumash people found an ally in the state of California, and also in federal agencies. Sometimes–not always–government works. In this case, definitely yes.

Meanwhile, up the coast in Santa Cruz County, the California State Parks department is working to democratize decisions about rebuilding a state beach and campground that were decimated by storm damage in 2023. The Seacliff Resilience Project is holding public meetings and collecting input—"reimagining" ways to guard against the twin threats of megastorms and rising sea-levels. This could be a new thing statewide and beyond.

And the life of the sea abides: The Monterey Bay Aquarium is a California treasure of global significance. Among the myriad gifts it brings the world are its webcams. Please do yourself a favor and hit the link and watch -- the otters. Or the moon jellies. Or (deep breath) the kelp forest. Face it: Things are not all bad.

The Chumash National Marine Sanctuary

The newest of the 17 U.S. marine sanctuaries is being stewarded by the people who know it best.

Thousands of square miles of ocean and coastal habitat are now preserved for future generations.

Crowdsourcing Plans for Resilience

Seacliff State Beach was obliterated by storms in 2023. California State Parks is mobilizing the public to reimagine its future.

One Good Thing: Monterey Bay Aquarium Webcams

The gentle waving back and forth of the kelp forest has entranced visitors since the aquarium opened.

Have a desire to watch a kelp forest, or some moon jellies, or some otters, or sharks, or birds? Not a problem thanks to these amazing live webcams.

	San Benito County's Homepage
Direct your browser to https://sanbenito.californialocal.com/ to catch up on the latest news in California and San Benito 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 Fall! cookbook.

Persimmons add flavor to fruity fall scones

The firmer Fuyu persimmon is the fruit featured in this delicious scone.

New! Persimmon-raisin scones with fresh Fuyu persimmon

Get to Know a Group

Central Coast Community Energy

Central Coast Community Energy is a Community Choice Energy Agency established to source clean and renewable electricity for Monterey, San Benito and Santa Cruz counties and parts of San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties while retaining local utility providers’ traditional role delivering power and maintaining electric infrastructure as well as billing.

→ Learn more

From Our Media Allies

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	Hollister to Lose Expected Revenue Following Amazon’s Change of Plans
	The city of Hollister will lose significant expected sales tax revenue from the nearly complete Amazon project after the company announced on Nov. 12 that it changed how it plans to use the million-square foot facility.

	Veterans Day Celebration Well Attended
	The Veterans Appreciation Ceremony/Parade was held on Nov. 11. More then 14 people received VFW Post banners and about 65 organizations participated in the parade. It was the first fall rainy day, but that didn't stop the parade or the …

	UC Santa Cruz Announces a New 2,400-Acre UC Reserve in San Benito County
	UC Santa Cruz proudly announces the establishment of the Strathearn Ranch Natural Reserve, following approval today by the UC Board of Regents. The reserve, made possible by an anonymous estate gift to the campus, will provide invaluable ecological, educational, and …

	County Supervisors Tackle Key Issues in Marathon Session
	In a 10-hour meeting on Nov. 12, the San Benito County Board of Supervisors decided on projects and policies that have been in the spotlight for the past several months.

	Kathy Johnson Named Interim Foundation CEO
	The Community Foundation for San Benito County this week announced its board has appointed Kathy Johnson as its interim CEO.

	Downtown Gilroy Celebrates Gourmet Alley
	Downtown Gilroy’s new Gourmet Alley, designed to be a pedestrian friendly corridor, officially opened to the public on Nov. 8.

	When Fish Are Free: Hundreds of Salmon Are Now Spawning in Klamath River and Tributaries After Dam Removal Completed
	Hundreds of fall-run Chinook salmon are now spawning on the Klamath River and its tributaries both above and below the former sites...

	Sierra Nevada May Hold Key to Meet California’s Ambitious 30×30 Goal
	California's 30 X 30 goal was a topic at the Sierra Nevada Alliance Conservation Conference held at Lake Tahoe Community College, Nov. 7-8. In 2020, California Governor Gavin Newsom committed the state to conserving 30% of lands and coastal waters …

	Voters Make Political Shift on Hollister City Council
	All but one Hollister City Council race is determined, with candidates for District 4 separated by 141 votes. Candidates who campaigned on slowing growth could sweep the election and have ensured a political shift on the dais for the next …

	Letter: A Heartfelt Thank You From County Registrar of Voters
	Open letter to San Benito County residents, Nov. 8:

	Initiative Decisions Will Help Shape San Benito County’s Future
	San Benito County voters on Nov. 5 were presented with local measures that could have lasting impacts in the community in land use, education, and healthcare. With some measures still too close to call, the controversial Measure A appears to …

Recent Statewide News

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• Fewer Kids Are Going to California Public Schools. Is There a Right Way to Close Campuses?

Declining enrollment, the end of pandemic relief funding and uncertain state funding are forcing school districts to make some difficult decisions.

(11/14/2024) → CalMatters

• California Schools Brace for Trump’s Attacks on Immigrants, Trans Students and ‘Woke’ Curriculum

More than 115,000 children in California were undocumented in the most recent census count, and it’s estimated almost half of California children have at least one immigrant parent.

(11/13/2024) → CalMatters

• UC Faces Half-Billion-Dollar Budget Shortfall and Eyes Tuition Increase for New Nonresident Students

The University of California anticipates more than a $500 million budget gap next summer, so It’s considering a $3,402 jump in tuition for new nonresident students next fall. Meanwhile, the system is planning billions in construction projects.

(11/13/2024) → CalMatters

• Trump Has Promised to ‘End’ Offshore Wind. What Will That Mean for California’s Big Bet?

Trump’s promise to “end” the offshore wind industry could threaten CA’s renewable energy goals, potentially cutting off federal funding.

(11/13/2024) → CalMatters

• Trump’s Proposed Tariffs, Especially on China and Mexico, Could Hit California Hard

Trump has threatened new, higher tariffs on two of California’s biggest trade partners, China and Mexico. The state’s workers and economy could feel the most impact.

(11/12/2024) → CalMatters

Government Announcements

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	United States (11/16/2024) Grimmway Farms Recalls Organic Whole and Select Organic Baby Carrots That May Be in Consumers' Homes Due to Potential E. coli Contamination
Grimmway Farms has issued a recall of select organic whole carrots and organic baby carrots that should no longer be in grocery stores but may be in consumers' refrigerators or freezers.

	United States (11/11/2024) Gilster - Mary Lee Corp. Issues a Recall for Undeclared Egg Allergen in Bowl & Basket Onion Soup Mix
Gilster-Mary Lee, 520 Old St. Mary's Road, of Perryville, Missouri, is voluntarily recalling two lots of Bowl & Basket Onion Soup Mix, UPC 41190-08394 at the consumer level because it may contain undeclared egg. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to egg run the risk of serious or lif

	United States (11/09/2024) Yu Shang Food Inc. Recalls Ready-to-Eat Meat and Poultry Products Due to Possible Listeria Contamination
WASHINGTON, Nov. 9, 2024 - Yu Shang Food, Inc, a Spartanburg, SC, establishment, is recalling approximately 4,589 pounds of ready-to-eat (RTE) meat and poultry products out of an abundance of...

	United States (11/07/2024) Wegmans Food Markets, Inc. Announces Voluntary Recall of Large Asian Sesame Salad with Chicken Due to Presence of Undeclared Egg Allergen
Possible Undeclared Egg Allergen

	United States (11/05/2024) CIBUS Fresh, is Recalling CIBUS Fresh Products Containing Glenview Farms Spreadable Brie, 2/3lb Due to Supplier Notification of a Possible Listeria Monocytogenes
Use or consumption of products contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe he

	United States (11/04/2024) Babcock Dairy Recalls Orange Custard Chocolate Chip and Chocolate Peanut Butter Due to Undeclared Egg
Babcock Dairy of Madison, Wisconsin, is voluntarily recalling approximately 41 cases of Orange Custard Chocolate Chip ice cream that may be labeled as Chocolate Peanut Butter. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to eggs or yellow #5 run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic r

	United States (11/03/2024) Savencia Cheese USA Announces an Expanded Voluntary Recall of Select Soft Ripened Cheeses
Savencia Cheese USA is recalling select soft ripened cheeses manufactured in our Lena manufacturing facility because it has the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and

	United States (11/02/2024) Savencia Cheese USA Announces Voluntary Recall of Select Soft Ripened Cheeses
Savencia Cheese USA is recalling select soft ripened cheeses manufactured in our Lena manufacturing facility because it has the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and

	United States (10/31/2024) HH Fresh Trading Corp Recalls Taiwan Enoki 200gx25pk Because of Possible Health Risk
Because they have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms suc

	United States (10/31/2024) Elevation Foods Issues Recall Due to Undeclared Soy in Hannaford Seafood Salad
Danvers, Massachusetts. R. Walters LLC dba Elevation Foods is recalling 1,668 units of mislabeled Hannaford Seafood Salad 12oz because it contains an undeclared Soy allergen. Consumers with an allergy or severe sensitivity to soy run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they

The Life Aquatic: Resilience and ... Aquarium Webcams!

People Have the Power

San Benito County's Homepage

Recipe of the Week

Get to Know a Group

From Our Media Allies

Recent Statewide News

Government Announcements