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Graphic which spells out The Newsletter.


By Chris Neklason
Published Aug 05, 2024

A screenshot of the CalFire active incidents web page from August 4, 2024. Yikes. A screenshot of the CalFire active incidents web page from August 4, 2024. Yikes. Image credit: CalFire   Public Domain

California Fire Season Grinds On

I hate to be a broken record droning on and on about wildfires, but California is breaking records with the hottest July ever, leading to possibly the worst fire season ever.

Global average temperatures are fast approaching 1.5°Celsius above pre-industrial levels—a tipping point—and the extreme weather predicted by climate scientists is already upon us.

We've previously written about how communities are devoting resources to prepare for and respond to extreme events, and in this issue of The Newsletter we want to shine a spotlight on a partnership building community resilience in North Tahoe.


The Tahoe Truckee COAD—Community Organizations Active in Disaster

Our friends at the Tahoe Truckee Community Foundation are working to keep Tahoe blue, green, and resilient.


Building Community Resilience in North Tahoe

A CalFire tanker aircraft drops a plume of fire retardant on a forest.
The Tahoe Truckee Community Foundation develops partnerships to prepare and respond to emergencies with its COAD (Community Organizations Active in Disaster).


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Santa Clara County's Homepage

Direct your browser to https://santaclara.californialocal.com/ to catch up on the latest news in California and Santa Clara County. Bookmark the link and visit often, there's a lot happening in your community!


Become a Watch Duty Sponsor or Volunteer

You will no doubt remember our article about the Watch Duty app which provides a one-stop portal for active wildfire information. 

This fire season is straining these volunteer fire-watchers' resources as they continue to inform local communities facing nearby wildfires. 

Please consider donating or volunteering to help them help you stay informed and prepared.

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 Summer! cookbook.


Marinate smaller zucchini for a cool summer salad

Herbs added just before serving finish off this  salad that makes use of smaller zucchini and summer squash.
New! Lemon, garlic and herbs flavor this no-cook side dish


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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 organization believes that all children can achieve success when given the proper tools and resources—and volunteer mentors are among the most important of those resources.

→ Learn more

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From Our Media Allies

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San Jose Spotlight logo Health Advocates Want to Pause San Jose Hospital Expansion

A San Jose hospital wants to construct two new hospital wings in a more than 1 million-square-foot expansion to satisfy California earthquake mandates — but health care equity concerns are also rising to the surface.

Gilroy Dispatch logo OSA Secures $800k in Federal Funds for Local Preserve Improvements

The Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority this week celebrated an $800,000 federal allocation that will pay for accessibility improvements to a trail and other facilities at the Coyote Valley Open Space Preserve in Morgan Hill.

San Jose Spotlight logo San Jose Allows Sale of Backyard Homes as Condos

With the average house in San Jose costing more than $1 million, the city has jumped at implementing a new state law that could bring more homes to market.

San Jose Spotlight logo Santa Clara County Candidates Fill Their Campaign War Chests

The race for Santa Clara County’s most powerful governing body has candidates pulling in hundreds of thousands of dollars to represent San Jose and the West Valley on the Board of Supervisors.

Gilroy Dispatch logo Developer Sues Gilroy for Not Approving 501-Unit Housing Proposal

The Gilroy City Council this week narrowly voted to defend the city against a lawsuit that claims it has violated state housing laws by declining, so far, to approve a 501-unit residential project proposed on Las Animas Avenue.

Morgan Hill Times logo Challengers Consider Running for MHUSD Board of Education Seats

According to an unofficial candidate list supplied by the Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters, three potential challengers have shown interest in running to unseat incumbents on the Morgan Hill Unified School District of Board of Trustees.

San Jose Spotlight logo San Jose School Bond Could Fund Teacher Housing

San Jose's largest school district is counting on voters to approve more than $1 billion to upgrade facilities and house employees, which community advocates say is needed. 

Los Gatan logo An Afternoon Meeting With a Prospective Congressman

On a recent Wednesday afternoon, I was sitting inside Los Gatos Coffee Roasting Co., waiting for State Assemblymember Evan Low to appear, when I received a text informing me he was running a few minutes behind.

San Jose Spotlight logo Cupertino to Upgrade Bike Lanes Along Major Road

Cupertino is gearing up to give cyclists a safety boost on one of its busiest roads.

San Jose Spotlight logo Lack of West Valley Homeless Shelters Prompts Action

The Campbell City Council unanimously supported a $100,000 West Valley shelter feasibility study earlier this month using some of its remaining American Rescue Plan (ARPA) funds. The study is one of the first in the West Valley to explore creating …

Hilltromper Silicon Valley logo Kids2Parks: The Power of Field Trips

Title 1 schools have until August 18 to sign up for field trips, with guidance from State Parks staff and transportation funding provided.

San Jose Spotlight logo Sunnyvale on Solid Footing While Neighbor Strapped for Cash

While one Santa Clara County city pinches pennies to make ends meet and juggles budget shortfalls, its neighbor to the west sits on a surplus that can easily cover its deficit.

San Jose Inside logo Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority Named Outstanding Public Transportation System

The top industry award from the American Public Transportation Association honors a public transportation system member that has demonstrated achievement in efficiency and effectiveness.

San Jose Spotlight logo Potential Cupertino Development Irks Residents

A potential multi-family housing project is creating a stir in a quiet Cupertino neighborhood, signaling an intolerance for large housing developments.

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Recent Local News

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Unregulated Group Homes Cause for Concern

Over a hundred unregulated group homes in Santa Clara County are housing formerly incarcerated people on parole or those released from mental health or addiction programs, often in overcrowded or unsanitary conditions.

(08/03/2024) → The Mercury News

Hundreds of Homes Proposed for North San Jose

A 25 acre lot in north San Jose once considered for an office campus is being proposed for development of housing, including more than 100 affordable units.

(08/01/2024) → The Mercury News

Arson Suspected in Santa Cruz Mountain Fires

Arson is the suspected cause of four Santa Cruz Mountain fires over 11 days.

(08/01/2024) → The Mercury News

Palo Alto Forward Supports Housing Element

The City of Palo Alto's latest Housing Element plan has support from a longtime critic.

(07/31/2024) → Palo Alto Online

Mountain View Housing Proposal

Mountain View parcels which have low-density apartments and a single family home are proposed to be redeveloped into a 4-story 42 unit housing complex.

(07/30/2024) → Mountain View Voice

Los Altos Stacked Housing to Rise After Wrecking Ball

An abandoned three-story office complex on El Camino Real in Los Altos was demolished, to be replaced by 129 units of housing.

(07/30/2024) → Los Altos Town Crier

Los Alto Hills Residents Urged to Create and Maintain Defensible Spaces

The Los Altos Hills County Fire District is urging residents to take steps to create and maintain defensible spaces around their homes.

(07/30/2024) → Los Altos Town Crier
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Recent Statewide News

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• Rent Drives Up CA Cost of Living

Many landlords in California can only raise the rent a certain amount. On August 1, they — and their tenants — found out how high.

(08/02/2024) → CalMatters

• A Soil Fungus That Can Kill Is on the Rise in California: What to Know About Valley Fever

About 80 Californians die every year after contracting Valley fever, a fungal disease that typically affects the lungs. A recent outbreak was traced to a music festival in Kern County.

(08/01/2024) → CalMatters

• California Lawmakers Negotiating Sweeping Package to Speed Up Solar, Wind Energy

Legislators and Gov. Newsom are working behind the scenes to draft energy legislation before the end-of-the-month deadline.

(08/01/2024) → CalMatters

• What CA Voters Should Know on Minimum Wage, Health Tax Props

A voter at a polling center at Santa Ana College in Santa Ana on March 5, 2024. Photo by Lauren Justice for CalMatters

(08/01/2024) → CalMatters

• California’s Voters Face Competing Ballot Measures as Interest Groups Clash

Although the initiative process — proposing new laws via ballot measures — has been in California’s constitution for more than a century, its use was fairly uncommon until the 1970s.

(07/30/2024) → CalMatters
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Government Announcements

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Image of City of Campbell seal. City of Campbell   (08/02/2024)

Pre-School 2024-2025 Openings

Image of City of Campbell seal. City of Campbell   (08/02/2024)

Oktoberfest Fun Run/Walk 10K, 5K & Kids' Dash

Image of United States seal. United States   (08/01/2024)

Metro Produce Distributors Inc. Recalls Fresh Guacamole Because of Possible Health Risk

Metro Produce Distributors Inc. of Minneapolis, Minnesota, is voluntarily recalling all Lunds & Byerlys fresh guacamole products with a use-by date of August 2, 2024, because they have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fat
Image of Town of Los Gatos seal. Town of Los Gatos   (08/01/2024)

Leadership Los Gatos Now Accepting Applications!

The Town is now accepting applications for Leadership Los Gatos 2024/25!
Image of Town of Los Gatos seal. Town of Los Gatos   (08/01/2024)

LGS Recreation Fall Program Guide Now Available

LGS Recreation Fall 2024 programs are now live!
Image of Town of Los Gatos seal. Town of Los Gatos   (08/01/2024)

County Webinars: How to Help a Friend or Loved One Access Behavioral Health Care

The Santa Clara County Behavioral Health Services Department and El Camino Health's Chinese Health Initiative are hosting a free webinar series called How to Help a Friend or Loved One Access Behavioral Health Care.
Image of City of Saratoga seal. City of Saratoga   (08/01/2024)

Seeking Clean Water Advocates

West Valley Clean Water Authority is seeking participants for a roundtable discussion on August 8 in Saratoga to discuss water-related issues in Saratoga.
Image of City of Gilroy seal. City of Gilroy   (08/01/2024)

Regarding an Application to Construct an Apartment Complex at 315 Las Animas Avenue

A press release regarding an application to construct an apartment complex at 315 Las Animas Avenue.
Image of City of Milpitas seal. City of Milpitas   (07/31/2024)

Learn more about Maintaining Milpitas' Quality of Life & Essential Services

The City is exploring all options to maintain core local services, including voter re-authorization of current local funds that do NOT raise current tax rates.
Image of City of Milpitas seal. City of Milpitas   (07/31/2024)

Emergency Declaration – Security Improvements at the McCarthy Ranch Sewer Lift Station

This memorandum serves to inform the City Council about emergency security upgrades to the McCarthy Ranch Lift Station (Main Lift)