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By Chris Neklason
Published May 13, 2024

People are nearby to throw you a line if you feel you are sinking. Image credit: CoolR Shutterstock/standard

May is Mental Health Month

This week, we note that May is Mental Health Month. If you live in one of the 10 counties in our coverage area, we include links to groups focusing on supporting your health and well-being below. If not, know that your community has resources available to assist you with information a web search away.

Most importantly, if you or someone in your family is in crisis or having suicidal thoughts, call the California Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Crisis Lifeline at 988.

Also, as always: Peruse your cureated local News Feed; learn about a local nonprofit doing good work; and check out our Recipe of the Week.

California's Mental Health History

A harrowing number of young people report living in despair, while we witness thousands of our neighbors suffering in the streets. Jon Vankin on the unintended consequenses of a misguided health-care reform effort.

UPDATE: California’s Mental Health Crisis: How We Got Here

The California mental health crisis is tied to both homelessness and rising crime.

How the California mental health crisis emerged out of the state’s history of deinstitutionalization and laws designed to protect the mentally ill, as well as the communities around them.

A Visitation from the Northern Lights

A mega-storm on the sun and earth's magenetic field collabroated on a show over the weekend.

Aurora Borealis in the Santa Cruz Mountains

The Northern Lights appeared in Northern and Central California Saturday night.

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.

Chilled asparagus soup an elegantly cool dish

Serve the soup chilled but not ice-cold for best flavor. Top with crème fraîche, chopped chives and a blanched asparagus top.

New! Spring asparagus blends well with green garlic

Get to Know a Group

Santa Clara County Democratic Party

The Santa Clara County Democratic Party serves as a resource for the local community while striving to enable Democratic candidates to win elections.

→ Learn more

From Our Media Allies

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	Santa Clara County Struggles to Improve Internet in Underserved Areas
	County officials want to provide broadband internet service in underserved neighborhoods, contrary to a long-awaited report that dismisses the idea.

	Santa Clara One Step Closer to State Housing Approval
	Santa Clara’s housing plans are still out of compliance with the state, but the city hopes its newest draft will be the final effort.

	San Jose Commissioners Oppose Diverting Housing Funds
	San Jose housing commissioners had blistering words for a proposal to divert affordable housing money to shelters and sweeps.

	Here Are Final Official Results for 16th Congressional District
	California Secretary of State Shirley Weber today posted a revised Statement of Vote for the March 5 primary.

	Morgan Hill Proposes Two-Year Budget That Tops $205M
	The City of Morgan Hill this week released its recommended two-year budget for the fiscal years starting this fall, and officials are urging members of the public to attend a series of upcoming meetings to learn more about the spending …

	Sunnyvale Selects New City Attorney and Interim Manager
	Two long-tenured Sunnyvale officials are moving up the ranks of local government.

	Santa Clara Considers Bond to Tackle Millions in Infrastructure Upgrades
	Santa Clara has more than half a billion dollars in needed infrastructure improvements and officials hope residents will pay to get those projects done.

	Pete McCloskey, Republican Who Tried to Unseat Nixon, Is Dead at 96
	An antiwar California congressman, McCloskey defeated Shirley Temple Black in a special election before launching a long-shot bid for the 1972 G.O.P. nomination.

	Los Gatos Residents Vote for School Parcel Tax Bump
	A West Valley school district is on its way to boosting teacher salaries.

	Tips on Ticks for Lyme Disease Awareness Month
	Partly due to global warming and the proliferation of ticks, Lyme disease is the fastest growing infectious disease in the US. Here’s how to protect yourself.

	San Jose Neighborhood Fights to Preserve Its Identity
	After decades of residents requesting historic status, San Jose is starting the process to create a new city landmark district — the first since 2007.

	San Jose Mulls Diverting Affordable Housing Funds — Again
	San Jose needs millions of dollars it doesn't have to clear homeless residents from city waterways and place them into temporary shelter. Officials are considering raiding an affordable housing fund to make it happen.

Recent Local News

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• Palo Alto Served by Single Fire Engine Crew

In its May 14 meeting, the Palo Alto City Council heard from the fire department chief about plans to staff an additional engine at the College Terrace station by July 1.

(05/13/2024) → Daily Post

• Palo Alto Adding Restrooms to Four Local Parks

The City of Palo Alto is upgrading and building new restroom facilities at four local parks over the next several months.

(05/13/2024) → Palo Alto Online

• Palo Alto Budget Outlook Improves

Palo Alto is considering a $1 billion increased spending plan as a result of improved city revenues.

(05/09/2024) → Palo Alto Online

• Ice Skating Complex Proposed for Gilroy

A massive ice sports complex to be operated by the San Jose Sharks is a proposed addition to the Gilroy Sports Park.

(05/07/2024) → The Mercury News

• Santa Clara County Closes Budget Deficit

Despite bleak fiscal forecast, the county managed to close the deficit in its $12.4 billion 2024-2025 budget.

(05/07/2024) → The Mercury News

• San Jose Proposes $120 million Homelessness Spending in Budget

Plans include more tiny home shelters, sanctioned camps, bus tickets out of town.

(05/07/2024) → The Mercury News

• Palo Alto Condos Approved

In their May 6 meeting, the Palo Alto City Council approved a 75-unit condominium complex on San Antonio Road.

(05/07/2024) → Palo Alto Online

Government Announcements

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	United States (05/10/2024) Healthwest Minerals Inc. DBA Mt Capra Products Recalls Goat Milk Formula Recipe Kit and Warns Consumers Against the Use of Product as Infant Formula
Healthwest Minerals, Inc. d/b/a Mt. Capra Products of Chehalis, Washington, is recalling 1,506 boxes of Goat Milk Formula Recipe Kit on the recommendation of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and advises consumers to immediately discontinue use of the product as infant formula. The FDA is conc

	United States (05/10/2024) Western Mixers Produce & Nuts, Inc. Recalls Yogurt Covered Pretzels Because of Possible Health Risk
Western Mixers Produce & Nuts, Inc. of Ontario, CA is recalling Yogurt Covered Pretzels, because the yogurt coating has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with wea

	United States (05/10/2024) Voluntary Recall of Select Great Value Organic Black Chia Seeds Due to The Possible Presence of Salmonella
Natural Sourcing International is initiating a voluntary recall of one lot of Great Value Organic Black Chia Seeds 32 oz. due to the potential presence of Salmonella that may be in some of the finished products. Salmonella can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or

	United States (05/08/2024) Texas Pecan Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Tree Nuts (Not Named Individually), Soy, Dairy(Milk), Sesame and Wheat Not Named in Product
Texas Pecan of Dallas TX is recalling 1 Lb and 8 oz products because it may contain an undeclared allergen. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to (tree nuts, peanuts, almonds, brazils, cashews, filberts, macadamias, pistachios, pecans, pine nuts, walnuts, soy, dairy (milk), sesame and

	United States (05/08/2024) DaVinci Laboratories Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Shellfish Allergen in Amyloid Complete Product Lot 549853001
DaVinci Laboratories, a division of FoodScience, LLC of Williston, Vermont is recalling 72 bottles of Amyloid Complete because it may contain undeclared shellfish (Shrimp and Crab). People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to shellfish run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic rea

	United States (05/06/2024) Recall_Supplier Recalls Impact Two Hy-Vee Products Third-Party Manufacturers Alert Retailer of Potential for Contamination; No Illnesses Reported
Hy-Vee, Inc., based in West Des Moines, Iowa, is voluntarily recalling two varieties of its Hy-Vee Cream Cheese Spread out of an abundance of caution due to the potential for contamination with Salmonella. Additionally, Hy-Vee is voluntarily recalling its bulk-packaged Cookies & Cream Mix out of an

	United States (05/05/2024) Palmer Candy Company Recalls White Confectionary Products Because of Possible Health Risk
Palmer Candy Company, Sioux City, Iowa, is recalling its "White Coated Confectionary Items" because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immu

	United States (05/03/2024) Chuao Chocolatier Recalls Its: .39 oz /11 Gram Potato Chip Mini Bar Lot 4022 Due to Undeclared Hazelnuts
May 3, 2024, Chuao Chocolatier is voluntarily recalling a single production of Potato Chip mini bar .39oz/11 gram LOT 4022 because some packages may contain undeclared hazelnut. People who are sensitive or have allergies to hazelnut could be at risk of a serious or life-threatening allergic reactio

	United States (05/03/2024) Hormel Foods Sales, LLC Recalls a Limited Number of Planters® Honey Roasted Peanuts 4 Oz. and Planters® Deluxe Lightly Salted Mixed Nuts 8.75 Oz. Because of Possible Health Risk
Hormel Foods Sales, LLC is voluntarily recalling a limited number of two PLANTERS products that were produced at one of its facilities in April. This recall only impacts two retailers in five states. These products are being recalled because they have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria

	United States (05/02/2024) FSIS Issues Public Health Alert for Raw Pork Chorizo Products Due to Possible Foreign Matter Contamination
WASHINGTON, May. 2, 2024 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is issuing a public health alert due to concerns of raw pork chorizo products...