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By Eric Johnson
Published Oct 09, 2023

Our New Book & Goodbye, Columbus

Before I make an important announcement, I want to briefly celebrate the fact that here in California and in 16 other states, today is Indigenous Peoples’ Day. When he became the first president to recognize the holiday, Joe Biden said this: “The story of America’s Indigenous peoples is a story of their resilience and survival; of their persistent commitment to their right to self-governance; and of their determination to preserve cultures, identities, and ways of life.”

The book that you’re about to hear about shows proper respect in its telling of the story of our state.

What Californians Need to Know

Our friend and colleague Jon Vankin has spent the past couple of years working on a series of stories that add up to one big story. It has unfurled on California Local week after week, in a series of Explainers that run under headlines like “From Chaos to Confusion to Compromise: Why California Government is Set up This Way,” or “Joint Powers Authorities: Building Airports and Highways in the Dark,” or “Welcome to the Justice System.”

I am pleased to announce that we’ve gathered the best of this work, 47 chapters in all, and compiled them into the book How California Works: True Stories from the Golden State. The book will be available next month.

Jon explains why you might love this book in a short blogpost below, which is followed by a sample chapter with a fresh perspective on our state.

‘How California Works’—a Synopsis of California Local’s First Book

California is one of the most complex political entities in the world. California Local’s upcoming book explains it all in 46 fascinating chapters.
California Local enters the world of book publishing with its upcoming book, ‘How California Works,’ explaining the inner workings of this ‘most American state.’

California: The Most American State

How the American story begins in California, and continues to play out here.
California is the most American of all states, both setting the direction for the rest of the country, and acting as a mirror of what the U.S. is today. Here’s why, and how it got that way.

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Some Real California Heroes

In this installment of the California Canon, we present some people (and one horse) who deserve a statue—probably more than Christopher Columbus does. 

10 Californians Deserving of Statues

A statue of Ishi, the last of the Yahi, would serve to honor an Indigenous man who survived the brutalities of the pioneer era.
Many statues can be found in California of its pioneers, but other historical figures are also deserving. Here are 10 who made the Golden State shine.

Get to Know a Group

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Since 1957, the Historical Society has devoted itself to collecting and preserving materials pertaining to the San Benito County of yesteryear.

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From Our Media Allies

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SanBenitocom logo West Nile Virus Found in North San Benito County Mosquitoes

Mosquitoes that tested positive for the West Nile virus have been found in a small unincorporated area of San Benito County.
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Recent Local News

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• Saison Cellar & Wine Bar to Open in Scotts Valley

Sommelier Mark Bright wants to bring a taste of Europe to the Santa Cruz Mountains. You might know his name from Saison, the Michelin-starred restaurant he opened in San Francisco in 2009.

 (10/10/2023) → Edible Monterey Bay

• San Juan Bautista to Begin $18 Million Wastewater Project

The city of San Juan Bautista held a groundbreaking ceremony to celebrate the beginning of construction of an $18 million project to hook up the city to the Hollister Wastewater Treatment plant.

 (10/08/2023) → Benito Link

• Photography Exhibit Showcases Contemporary Indigenous Culture of California’s South Coast Range

“Indigenous Voices of California’s South Coast Range” is a project showcasing photography and short films of elders and culture-bearers from tribal nations, councils, and communities along California’s Southern Coast Range.

 (10/06/2023) → Benito Link

• San Juan Bautista Planners Approve Duplex Apartment Design

Two new projects for San Juan Bautista were considered by the city’s Historic Resources Board. The first was a gas station project at the corner of Hwy 156 and The Alameda. The second was the demolition of existing buildings at 45 Washington Street to be followed by the construction of four duplex units within two two-story apartment buildings.

 (10/05/2023) → Benito Link

• Winemakers Anticipate ‘Exceptional’ Quality in 2023 Vintage

After an unseasonably cool start to the year and now a mini heatwave in October, winemakers said this weather pattern is having an interesting impact on their grape harvest—in a good way.

 (10/04/2023) → Read the full KSBW NBC/ABC report

• SBC Releases Landfill Expansion Final EIR

San Benito County released the final environmental impact report for the John Smith Road Landfill Expansion, and released notice of a Planning Commission special meeting on Oct. 11.

 (10/03/2023) → Benito Link

• Anderson Homes Announces ‘Giving Back Starts at Home’

Between Oct. 1, and Dec. 10, homeowners who purchase from Anderson Homes choose one of these nonprofits to be awarded a donation: San Benito County Arts Council, Youth Alliance, San Benito County Chamber of Commerce, BenitoLink and the Community Foundation for San Benito County.

 (10/02/2023) → Benito Link
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Recent Statewide News

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• California Becomes First State to Ban More Than 2 Dozen Chemicals Used in Popular Cosmetics

A new California law will ban over two dozen chemicals from fragrances and cosmetics. It’s another first-in-the-nation law—and another instance of California following European Union regulators.

 (10/09/2023) → CalMatters

• Climate Change Took Them to ‘Dark Places.’ Now These Californians are Doing Something About it

The facts of climate change can lead to feelings of hopelessness and despair. Some California activists are creating communities for people to talk about those feelings.

 (10/09/2023) → CalMatters

• To Make Water Conservation a ‘California Way of Life,’ the Price Tag is $13 Billion

Water providers say rebates for residential areas are costly and residents may refuse to remove their lawns. The rules aim to save enough water for more than a million households a year.

 (10/04/2023) → CalMatters

• Cal Poly Humboldt Tree Research Will Help PG&E Reduce Outages, Wildfires

In an effort to reduce the risk of wildfire, Cal Poly Humboldt faculty and students have embarked on a three-year study to investigate tree health.

 (10/03/2023) → YubaNet

• Cal State Student Workers to Vote on Joining Union

Student workers at the 23-campus system say their pay is low, their hours are restricted and they get no sick pay. They are hoping to join the employees union to fix that.

 (10/03/2023) → CalMatters

• California May Ban Additives in Some Candies—But Not Skittles

The European Union has banned certain additives that are used in American candies and baked goods. California is on the cusp of prohibiting their sale by 2027.

 (10/02/2023) → CalMatters