Before we get into a story that involves dams, reservoirs, and irony: A reminder that this edition of The Newsletter includes, as always, a carefully curated news digest that makes it easy for you to quickly find the most important stories happening in your community this week. Also: A brief intro to a nonprofit doing good work AND a seasonal recipe. It's an effortless scroll—but first:
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By Eric Johnson
Published Sep 16, 2024
Loch Lomond, the reservoir that supplies the city of Santa Cruz with a significant portion of its drinking water, is also a beautiful recreational and natural resource.
Dams and Reservoirs: Up and Down
California Dams Get Raised and Razed
As a lifelong sworn environmentalist, I have always felt a little bit guilty about the fact that I love reservoirs—and if I'm honest the dams that create them. As a kid growing up in New Jersey just outside Manhattan, the Oradell Reservoir was my refuge, and the place where I discovered nature. When I moved to the Santa Cruz Mountains soon after high school, the Loch Lomond reservoir was walking distance from my home and became another refuge.
I saw my first eagle at the Oradell Reservoir when I was 16, and my first mountain lion at Loch Lomond when I was 19. I mention this not out of pure nostalgia, but to pont out that beyond their intended benefit of storing water for human use, reservoirs can be inherently good, in that they support rich and healthy ecosystems. And yes: Dams throughout California and the West have massively disrupted fisheries and threaten keystone species such as Chinook salmon with extinction.
So this week, a nuanced look at some dams throughout the state that are going up and coming down.
The Ups and Downs of California Dams
We check in on efforts to raise some dams in the state to store more water, and to raze some dams to to let water run free.
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Santa Cruz County's Homepage |
| Direct your browser to https://santacruz.californialocal.com/ to catch up on the latest news in California and Santa Cruz 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.
Get to Know a Group
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Santa Cruz Baroque Festival |
The Santa Cruz Baroque Festival has been active since 1974, presenting early music as it sounded in its own era. Members strive for artistic excellence while transmitting the joy of Baroque music to future generations.
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From Our Media Allies |
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Open Studios: Past, Present, and Future! |
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On Talk of the Bay, host Suki Wessling welcomes Ann Osterman, outgoing producer of Santa Cruz County's acclaimed Open Studios Art Tour, collage artist Bree Karpavage, past artist and incoming producer, and painter Jason Cohen, first time presenter in the … |
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City Staff Seeks Input on Short-Term West Cliff Plans in Santa Cruz |
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A “community vision” for West Cliff over the next 50 years was released in March. After the Santa Cruz City Council signaled it did not want one-way traffic on West Cliff Drive in April, a revised document was released later … |
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Scotts Valley State of the City Set for Thursday |
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The 2024 Scotts Valley State of the City takes place Thursday, Sept. 19, from 4-6:15pm at the new Scotts Valley Cultural and Performing Arts Center, next to the public library on Kings Village Road. |
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Scotts Valley Multicultural Fair Provides Glimpse Into Far-Flung Locales |
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The third annual Scotts Valley Multicultural Fair once again provided a venue where people of all ages could learn about different cultures last Saturday. |
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Scotts Valley Supports 100% Affordable Housing Project |
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Scotts Valley threw its weight behind a proposal for a 100% affordable housing project for 4444 Scotts Valley Drive, at the regularly scheduled City Council meeting Sept. 4. |
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A Santa Cruz Thing: Santa Cruz Wharf to Natural Bridges Hike |
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My wife, Julie, says West Cliff Drive is her favorite place to walk because it is so easy: “You just park your car and start walking and listen to the waves crash against the rocks.” That is a magic feature … |
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Santa Cruz Takes a Stance Against Homeless Drop-Offs |
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Santa Cruz Mayor Fred Keeley sent a clear message last week during an early morning press conference: Santa Cruz will not take on other cities’ unhoused populations. Accompanied by city and county officials, Keeley convened the media to unveil a … |
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Santa Cruz Pump Tracks Bring Mountain Biking to the City |
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These parks let MTB and BMX riders of all ages practice their skills and get some air—without even pedaling. |
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6-Story Apartment Proposal in Midtown Santa Cruz Prompts Sept. 16 Meeting |
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Eighty apartments are proposed at a vacant lot at Soquel Avenue and Cayuga Street in Santa Cruz. |
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Recent Local News |
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One September 17, a groundbreaking ceremony was held for the start of construction of a 120 unit supportive housing development in the Harvey West neighborhood in Santa Cruz.
(09/17/2024) Santa Cruz Sentinel
Three community meetings will be hosted by the City of Santa Cruz as it develops a five-year roadmap for West Cliff Drive.
(09/17/2024) Lookout Local
Despite concerns, the increase in use of e-bikes in Santa Cruz hasn't led to a significant uptick in serious accidents.
(09/16/2024) Lookout Local
On September 12, the California Coastal Commission approved moving forward with a new hotel development on the corner of Front and Laurel Streets in downtown Santa Cruz.
(09/16/2024) Lookout Local
An introduction to Monica Martinez, CEO of Encompass Community Services and candidate for the District 5 seat on the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors.
(09/14/2024) Lookout Local
An introduction to Christopher Bradford, candidate for the District 5 seat on the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors.
(09/14/2024) Lookout Local
A public forum about the future of Seacliff and New Brighton state beaches will be held on September 26, hosted by California State Parks and Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks.
(09/14/2024) Times Publishing Group
The completion of a project to improve the floating walkway and signs on the Neary Lagoon Wildlife Refuge Interpretive Trail is being celebrated with a ribbon cutting ceremony on September 17.
(09/12/2024) Lookout Local
In their September 10 meeting, the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors approved an ordinance allowing home kitchens for commercial food use.
(09/11/2024) Lookout Local
Following three separate critical county civil grand jury reports, the Santa Cruz City Council voted in their September 10 meeting to seek additional time to respond thoroughly to each.
(09/11/2024) Santa Cruz Sentinel
In their September 10, the Santa Cruz City Council heard an update on repairs to 11 separate sites on scenic West Cliff Drive.
(09/11/2024) Santa Cruz Sentinel
In their September 10 meeting, the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors heard how the Human Services Department was addressing the shift in the homeless population from Santa Cruz to Watsonville.
(09/11/2024) Lookout Local
The grand opening of the newly rebuilt Capitola Wharf is scheduled for September 25.
(09/10/2024) Times Publishing Group
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Recent Statewide News |
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Over the last five years, the state government has spent some $24 billion to ameliorate homelessness, which, according to polls, is California’s most troublesome issue.
(09/17/2024) CalMatters
The California surgeon general is launching a campaign today to spread awareness about health conditions that contribute to pregnancy-related deaths, such as heart disease.
(09/17/2024) CalMatters
The Sacramento Bee explains the Proposition 4 climate resiliency bond measure on the November ballot.
(09/17/2024) The Sacramento Bee
The Sacramento Bee explains the Proposition 36 anti-crime measure on the November ballot.
(09/17/2024) The Sacramento Bee
The Sacramento Bee explains the Proposition 32 minimum wage measure on the November Ballot.
(09/17/2024) The Sacramento Bee
● Homeless Students Can Sleep Safely in Their Cars at This California College. Other Campuses Say No
Failed legislative bills have attempted to create safe parking programs for students to sleep in their cars on California campuses while awaiting housing. Meanwhile, Long Beach City College allows homeless students to park overnight.
(09/17/2024) CalMatters
California’s new cap on health care cost increases is regarded as the most aggressive in the nation. It includes potential fines against companies that exceed the limit.
(09/17/2024) CalMatters
In compliance of state law, the University of California Regents will be considering the attached audit of inventory and use of military equipment by UC police and a budget request for additional items.
(09/15/2024) University of California
California’s inland regions are experiencing dangerous heat waves, exacerbated by rapid population growth. As more people move away from the expensive coastal areas to more affordable inland communities, these regions are seeing significant demographic changes and spiking electricity bills.
(09/13/2024) CalMatters
For five years, California officials responding to the homelessness crisis had to work around one big restriction imposed by the federal courts: Because they didn’t have enough shelter beds, cities generally couldn’t make homeless camps illegal.
(09/13/2024) CalMatters
More than two-dozen California cities passed, strengthened or are considering ordinances that penalize people for sleeping outside, after the U.S. Supreme Court allowed cities to crack down.
(09/11/2024) CalMatters
California’s public schools have a numbers problem —and it’s not just that their students don’t score very highly in national tests of mathematics ability.
(09/11/2024) CalMatters
H5N1 bird flu has been reported in three California dairy herds.
(09/11/2024) Los Angeles Times
An exclusive CalMatters analysis of the latest California homeless count reveals some good news and bad news: Though the growth rate of homelessness appears to be slowing, the overall number of unhoused Californians increased from two years ago.
(09/10/2024) CalMatters
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Government Announcements |
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Construction Continues on Highway 1 From Bay/Porter to Park Avenue in Capitola |
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A project to construct north and southbound auxiliary lanes and bus-on-shoulder improvements on Hwy. 1 between the Bay Avenue/Porter Street and State Park Drive Interchanges continues with construction activities within this corridor. The reconstruction of the Capitola Avenue Overcrossing which was demolished this past April continues with completion expected in November 2025 weather permitting. The [...]
The post Construction Continues …
Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission (09/16/2024)
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9/16/2024 - Traffic Advisory: Park Haven Plaza Project to Cause Traffic Delays on Park Avenue |
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County of Santa Cruz (09/16/2024)
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Child Food Insecurity |
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Dear community member, Child food insecurity is on the rise nationwide for the second consecutive year, and we know the need in our community is even greater. In Santa Cruz County, about 1 in 4 youth face food insecurity. And recently released data from the USDA shows the rate of hunger among youth in our [...]
The post Child Food …
Santa Cruz County Office of Education (09/13/2024)
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Fire Prevention Month: Essential Tips from Watsonville Fire |
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City of Watsonville (09/12/2024)
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Dearborn Sausage Company, Inc. Recalls Wiener Products Due to Misbranding and Undeclared Allergens |
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WASHINGTON, Sept. 12, 2024 - Dearborn Sausage Company, Inc., a Dearborn, Mich. establishment, is recalling approximately 1,944 pounds of ready-to-eat (RTE) wiener products due to misbranding and undeclared allergens, the...
United States (09/12/2024)
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Robert Rivas CA Assembly 29: New Retail Theft & Property Crime Legislation, Authored by Speaker Robert Rivas, Signed by Governor Newsom |
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New Retail Theft & Property Crime Legislation, Authored by Speaker Robert Rivas, Signed by Governor Newsom
robbee
Thu, 09/12/2024 - 09:57
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Press Secretary
Email
Cynthia.Moreno@asm.ca.gov
Phone
916-319-2029
Thursday, September 12, 2024
SACRAMENTO, CA - In response to the organized smash-and-grab and dangerous robberies that have devastated California businesses and workers, legislation authored by Speaker Robert Rivas (D-Salinas) which holds …
State of California (09/12/2024)
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Robert Rivas CA Assembly 29: FAQ on California’s Special Session to Prevent Gas Price Spikes |
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FAQ on Californias Special Session to Prevent Gas Price Spikes
robbee
Thu, 09/12/2024 - 08:51
Title
Press Secretary
Email
Cynthia.Moreno@asm.ca.gov
Phone
916-319-2029
Thursday, September 12, 2024
California Governor Gavin Newsom announced a special session of the Legislature on August 31, focusing on reducing spikes in gas prices, and with his proclamation came many questions. The goal of this document is …
State of California (09/12/2024)
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9/12/2024 - "Fall in Love" Pet Adoption Special (Adoption-ready Dogs and Cats Only $30 September 12-14, 2024) |
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County of Santa Cruz (09/12/2024)
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9/11/2024 - Call to Artists – Floral Park Public Art Project |
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County of Santa Cruz (09/11/2024)
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Coastal Cleanup Day - Saturday, September 21st 9am-12pm |
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The largest cleanup event of the year is happening this month. Bring your friends and family to help clean up our Plaza, the Ohlone Loop Trail, and West Struve Slough.
City of Watsonville (09/10/2024)
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