At the McKinley Park Rose Garden in Sacramento, the first rose of 2024.
We have a slightly humorous tradition in our family: At the beginning of every season, one of us will say something like, “Winter in California is amazing, and I’m going to miss going up to the snow—but spring really is the best season.” Or "yeah sure summer is fun with the swimming and all, but ahhh the colors of fall—obviolusly the best season."
I realize this is not all that funny, but what makes it a little bit funny (to us) is that we say it at the beginning of every single season, and have been doing so for many years. And we kind of mean it every single time. Because every new season holds the promise that it'll be better than the last.
This winter, as you know, was cold and wet. I am a nature-worshiping Californian who’s been living through a deadly drought, so I stopped complaining about the rain more than a decade ago … until this year. Last week’s warm sun and long evenings made me feel better than I have felt in months.
So: In this week’s edition of The Newsletter, four things, all related to the very best season: Spring!
Product Launch from Hilltromper: BloomTracker
As you may have noticed, we do not tire of singing the praises of California, and Hilltromper (which is kind of CALocal's sister-site) focuses on our state's awesome natural beauty. For our final piece of appreciation today we present the coolest wildflower-finding tool you've ever seen, which was launched last week by our friend Mike Kahn.
BloomTracker: Wildflower Finder & Protector from Hilltromper
Over at Hilltromper, “The Nature-worshiping, Fun-Loving Adventure Guide” that serves the South Bay Area, Santa Cruz County, and anyone who visits these beautiful places, our friend Mike Kahn has just launched a new product he named BloomTracker—“an online resource that helps you find the best places to see wildflowers, in real time, and helps reduce impacts on parks and other open spaces.”
• Opposition to Proposed Expansion of Marine Protections
Local opposition is growing in response to a petition before the California Fish and Game Commission to establish a new marine reserve off Pleasure Point and expand an existing reserve next to Natural Bridges State Beach.
(03/25/2024) → Lookout Local
• New General Manager Selected for Soquel Creek Water District
The Soquel Creek Water District board of directors voted unanimously to appoint veteran staff Melanie Mow Schumacher as general manager.
(03/22/2024) → Santa Cruz Sentinel
• California Senate Bill 1395 " Interim Housing Act " Advances
Legislation would fast-track approval for temporary or relocatable housing on vacant land when local shelter emergencies arise.
(03/21/2024) → Santa Cruz Sentinel
• County Supervisor Zach Friend Honored at Luncheon
The retiring District 2 County Supervisor received the Al Smith Friend of Agriculture Award from the Santa Cruz County Farm Bureau and Agri-Culture at the National Agriculture Day Spring Luncheon.
(03/21/2024) → Santa Cruz Sentinel
• 2024 Health Rankings and Roadmaps Report Ranks Santa Cruz
Local reaction to the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute's "Health Rankings and Roadmaps" 2024 ranking for Santa Cruz County.
(03/21/2024) → Santa Cruz Sentinel
• CEQA Lawsuit Targets Caltrans Highway 1 Project
Suit claims deficiencies in Environmental Impact Report for Highway 1 widening and Coastal Rail Trail Segment 12 construction.
(03/20/2024) → Santa Cruz Sentinel
• Joby Delivers on U.S. Air Force Contract
Joby Aviation announced it will be delivering the second and third of three aircraft produced at its Pilot Production Line in Marina as part of a contract with the U.S. Air Force.
(03/19/2024) → Monterey Herald
• 15 Stories of Incredible Santa Cruz County Women
A celebration of Women’s History Month highlighting 15 Santa Cruz County women.
(03/19/2024) → Lookout Local
At the McKinley Park Rose Garden in Sacramento, the first rose of 2024.
