Santa Cruz County News, Traffic & Weather


All the Santa Cruz News, Traffic and Weather, with directories of local Government, Community Groups & Nonprofits in one place!
Image caption: Gov. Gavin Newsom looking troubled in a file photo.
State of the State? We'll See.

Prop 1, Gov. Gavin Newsom's signature plan to confront the twin problems of homelessness and the mental health crisis, was expected to cruise to victory. It did not.

Image caption:
Political Economics and the Movies

In the wake of the Oscars, we consider the role film plays in helping us understand ourselves and our culture, and reveal the story of Hollywood's role in our state's history and economy.

Image caption:
Why ‘Barbie’ Deserved a Best Picture Oscar

From now on, girls will learn from Barbie that they live in a world where men subjugate women. They will receive this truth during a joyous cinematic spectacle.

Image caption: California almond orchard in bloom. The state produces the vast majority of the world’s almond supply—about 80 percent. That number has skyrocketed over the past decade
Will the End of the Almond Boom Save California Water?

LA Times report, ‘After years of rapid growth, California’s almond industry struggles amid low prices,’ suggests bankruptcies may represent an opportunity.

Image caption: Poll workers Twyla Carpenter, left, and Regina Jasperse inspect the lock on a mail ballot drop box at a polling station at the American Legion in Shasta County on Nov. 7, 2023.
California Election Workers Return After COVID and Conspiracy Theories

They had to get through the pandemic, election denial and scary envelopes. While some left, counties now say they’re having better luck recruiting poll workers.

Image caption: The Swanton Berry Farm, on Highway 1 north of Santa Cruz, became California's first organic commercial strawberry farm when it was launched in 1983.
March 4, 2024: Food—Fast, Slow and Plenty

Fast food workers in California will soon earn a minimum of $20 an hour, thanks to a new state law. To celebrate, we take a look at the chains that got their start in the Golden State—and other ways we …

Image caption: The city of Downey is home to the oldest McDonald’s restaurant still in operation.
Beyond the Burger

McDonald’s might be the biggest fast-food chain to get cooking in California, but many others have followed, serving up hot dogs, tacos, and more.

Image caption: Terrie Tabb, who joined the SSHH program with a friend in 2010, says, “They took us in and gave us our first place to stay.”
How Sacramento Self-Help Housing Became a Force

Founding CEO John Foley and others speak about SSHH’s roots and early successes.

Image caption: Downtown Sacramento, seen from  Sutter's Landing Park in Midtown.
California’s Awesome Capital City

If you have a hard time understanding why in the world anyone would choose to place the seat of California government where they did—you don't know Sacramento.

Image caption: Sign up for a free spin through the Capitol Building and its gardens.
20 Free Things to Do in Sacramento County

Home to the state capital, Sacramento County offers many amusements for visitors and locals alike. But only some require no cash outlay.

Image caption:
Publishing in Paradise

Based in California’s most iconic vacation spot, Katherine Hill celebrates Tahoe Guide’s 42nd birthday.

Image caption: The 1965 law known as the Williamson Act has been responsible for keeping about half of California's farmland out of the hands of developers.
The Williamson Act: How the Law That Protects California’s Farmland Works

The Williamson Act, passed in 1965, now keeps more than 16 million acres of farmland out of the hands of developers. Here's how the law puts the brakes on the development of California agricultural properties.

Image caption: Mark Oden was among the thousands of chronically homeless people helped by Sacramento Self-Help Housing prior to the organization’s failure.
The Collapse of Sacramento Self-Help Housing

A once-groundbreaking nonprofit working with chronically homeless people in California’s capital closed and filed for bankruptcy in 2023.

Image caption:
Feb. 19, 2024: CEQA, Housing and Black Books

Sacramento has more homeless residents than San Francisco. One story about why that happened, and another about an attempt to help. And: Black literature, California style.

Image caption:
February Reading List

Mark Black History Month by reading these novels, nonfiction books and collections that feature Black voices exploring the Black experience in the Golden State.

Image caption: Does California’s signature environmental law protect the state’s scenic beauty, or cause more problems than it solves?
CEQA: The Surprising Story of CA’s Key Environmental Law

The California Environmental Quality Act, CEQA, is both the state’s signature environmental legislation, and is also often named as the villain in the state’s housing shortage. But the story may not be that simple.

Image caption: John Kelly Chocolates, based in Los Angeles, expanded its color palette to include ruby cacao, a new chocolate variety created by European chocolatier Barry Callebaut in 2017.
Feb. 12, 2024: State of (Chocolate) Nirvana

In honor of Valentine’s Day, we’ve assembled a travel guide to California chocolate.

Image caption: From its factory on the San Francisco Peninsula, Guittard makes chocolates that are used by professional pastry chefs and confectioners, including See’s Candies.
Beans, Bars and Bonbons: A Guide to California Chocolate

From giant companies with roots in the Gold Rush days to local microproducers with a focus on fair trade, California is ground zero for high-end chocolate.

California Local Pin Marker   Bulletin Board
📌
03/19/2024

Friday 3/22: Salinas Protest Rally: Ceasefire in Gaza Now!

County of Monterey Government Center, 142 West Alisal, Salinas

📌
03/18/2024

Alan Ritch – Lost (Dartmoor)

Alan Ritch found himself lost on Dartmoor.

📌
03/18/2024

Finding Sacredness in the Mundane with Andrusa Lawson

Today we celebrate the 250th official podcast of the Dream Journal by replaying a popular show which just happens to be with my brand designer Andrusa Lawson of Divine by Design. Urban shamanism a...

📌
03/18/2024

How to Defend the Natural World

It’s another glorious day here on the Pacific Plate, golden light bathing the eucalyptus and oak trees overlooking the lagoon. An eagle pair has been hanging out in the trees lately, dive bombing ...

📌
03/18/2024

“Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes Are High”

"Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes Are High" by Joseph Grenny, Kerry Patterson, Ron McMillan, and Al Switzler is a highly regarded book that offers insights into navigating diff...

Join Us Today!