By Eric Johnson
Published Sep 23, 2024

How We Helped Create a National Monument

Greetings from your friendly pro-democracy, pro-community, anti-pessimism Newsletter. As always—local news from YOUR community below. Along with other good news, and a recipe! (I do not get tired of saying this.)

Also this week, as we often do, we bring you a true story about something good that worked. In this case, it's a first-person story—first-person plural, as in: “we.”

The “we” that you will read about here, if you’re curious enough to click, includes myself, my wife and business partner Traci Hukill, and our colleague Mike Kahn. This “we” also includes the oldest land trust in California, the current mayor of Santa Cruz, tens of thousands of Santa Cruz County residents, and one of America’s greatest environmental heroes: former Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt. (I am leaving a lot of folks out for lack of space.)

What did we do that deserves memorializing here? We convinced Pres. Barack Obama to protect a beautiful piece of land on Santa Cruz County’s North Coast in perpetuity, and make it available for visitors to love.

The Cotoni Coast Dairies National Monument, named to honor the people who lived there for 7,000 years (pronounced cha-toni) and to recognize the ranchers who worked there for more than 100 years, will forever be protected, and it will soon be open to the public. I got to visit the place a couple weeks ago, and you'll find a short story about how this all happened, along with a virtual tour, by scrolling and clicking your device. ;-)

The Making of a National Monument

More than a dozen years ago, Traci Hukill and I sat in an office in Los Altos, California, and were pitched on an idea by two powerful friends—Reed Holderman, director of the Sempervirens Fund, and Fred Keeley, that organization's board chair. Thier plan was to create a National Monument to protect a big chunk of rare property north of Santa Cruz, and they wanted our help spreading the word. Here's what happened next.

A Collective, Monumental Effort

The author, left, with Hilltromper Managing Director Mike Kahn at the Cotoni Coast Dairies National Monument.

The Cotoni Coast Dairies National Monument, just north of Santa Cruz, brought a community together.

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.

Squash and carrots team in flavorful fritters

These squash and carrot fritters make a great side dish, but also can be cooked mini-size for appetizers.

New! End-of-summer squash in a side dish or appetizer

Recent Statewide News

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● Cal State Campuses Brace for ‘Severe Consequences’ as Budget Gap Looms

Cal State officials are projecting a 2025-26 budget hole of about $400 million to $800 million. They are warning of layoffs and academic cuts.

(09/24/2024) CalMatters

● New California Law Gives Tenants More Time to Respond to Eviction Notices

Tenant advocates say giving renters 10 days to respond to eviction notices, up from 5, will help those who live in rural areas and have trouble finding legal help. Some landlords argue it will increase their costs.

(09/24/2024) CalMatters

● Only 1 in 5 California Community College Students Makes It to a University, Audit Says

Community colleges are designed to help students get an associate degree and transfer to a four-year university. Most community college students never graduate or transfer, a state audit found.

(09/24/2024) CalMatters

● A New California Law Will Scrub Most Medical Debt From Credit Reports

About 4 in 10 Californians are believed to be carrying medical debt, which can harm their chances of landing a mortgage or an apartment if it shows up on credit reports.

(09/24/2024) CalMatters

● Nonprofits Seek to Get More Women Into Construction Trades

Jessica Alvarez Castañeda was sick of low-paying jobs. For years, the 39-year-old mother of four had been “breaking her back for almost nothing” as a cashier, nursing assistant, babysitter, house cleaner and cook.

(09/22/2024) CalMatters

● California Rolls Out Career Path Grants to Schools – Nearly a Year Late

After delays and mishaps, California announces $450 million for high school career pathways.

(09/19/2024) CalMatters

● UC Approves New Less-Lethal Arms for Its Police Force Amid Protest

The UC Regents approved campus requests for more tools for UC police months after campus protesters clashed with law enforcement.

(09/19/2024) CalMatters

● Why Ricardo Lara Says His Plan to Fix California’s Insurance Crisis Will Work

At a CalMatters event, California’s insurance commissioner says the changes he’s making will help homeowners and business owners. One idea: A state grant for those who spend money to protect their property from wildfires.

(09/19/2024) CalMatters

● California Drivers Can Get Mobile Licenses on Their iPhones — But They Need Physical Ones Too

California is the seventh U.S. state to adopt mobile driver’s licenses for iPhones, part of a growing push by businesses and governments to make digital IDs commonplace.

(09/19/2024) CalMatters

● Election Explainer: Proposition 33

The Sacramento Bee takes a look at the Proposition 33 rent-control measure on the November ballot.

(09/18/2024) https://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/election/voter-guide/article2912

● 6 Myths About California Crime as Voters Weigh Ballot Measure on Drugs, Retail Theft

Worries about retail theft and fentanyl deaths shaped a November ballot measure that would toughen some criminal penalties. Here are the facts about California crime trends.

(09/18/2024) CalMatters

● CalPERS CEO to Earn More Than $1 Million for the First Time Thanks to a Big Performance Bonus

The California Public Employees’ Retirement system is the nation’s largest state-backed pension fund. It awarded its chief executive $667,000 bonus after a successful investment year.

(09/18/2024) CalMatters

● Disorganization, City-County Feuds Impede California’s Efforts to Reduce Homelessness

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

● Most Maternal Deaths Can Be Prevented. Here’s How California Aims to Cut Them in Half

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

● Election Explainer: Proposition 4

The Sacramento Bee explains the Proposition 4 climate resiliency bond measure on the November ballot.

(09/17/2024) The Sacramento Bee

● Election Explainer: Proposition 36

The Sacramento Bee explains the Proposition 36 anti-crime measure on the November ballot.

(09/17/2024) The Sacramento Bee

● Election Explainer: Proposition 32

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 Cap on Health Care Costs Is the Nation’s Strongest. But Will Patients Notice?

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

Government Announcements

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	ANSWERS Pet Food Voluntarily Withdrawals Certain Limited Lots of Beef and Chicken Dog Foods Due to Potential Salmonella and Listeria
Lystn, LLC d.b.a./ANSWERS Pet Food of Fleetwood, PA, is voluntarily withdrawing certain lots of ANSWERS Detailed Beef Formula for Dogs, ANSWERS Straight Beef Formula for Dogs, and ANSWERS Straight Chicken Formula for Dogs out of an abundance of caution after samples collected by the U.S. Food and Dr United States (09/22/2024)

	Avole Inc. Emite Aviso de Retiro del Mercado su Producto Bacalaitos Criollos Mezcla para Freír Bacalao por Falta de Declaración del Nombre Común Pescado (Pollock)
Avole Inc., localizado en San Sebastian, Puerto Rico esta retirando del mercado fundas de 7 onzas de Bacalaitos Criollos Mezcla para freir Bacalao, porque pueden contener falta de declaracion del nombre comun Pescado (Pollock) en la declaracion de ingredientes o contenido. Las personas que tienen al United States (09/22/2024)

	Grace Imports, LLC Issues Allergy Alert of Undeclared Wheat in Kara Boondh, Kerala Mixture and Spicy Murukku
Grace Imports, LLC., of Tucker, GA - September 20, 2024, is voluntarily recalling 250g bags of Kara Boondhi, Batch No. 2Al488 UPC 8 904123 53706, 300g bags of Kerala Mixture, Batch No. 2Al564 UPC 8 904123 500329 and 250g bag Spicy Murukku Batch No. 2Al504 UPC 8 904123 because these products contain United States (09/20/2024)

	Avole Inc. Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Fish in Bacalaitos Criollos Codfish Mix
Avole Inc., located in San Sebastian, Puerto Rico is recalling 7-ounce bags of Bacalaitos Criollos Codfish Frying Mix because it may contain undeclared Fish (Pollock). People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to fish run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consu United States (09/19/2024)

	Dearborn Sausage Company, Inc. Recalls Wiener Products Due to Misbranding and Undeclared Allergens
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)

	Hickory Hollow Jerky Recalls Ready-To-Eat Jerky Products Produced Without Benefit of Inspection
WASHINGTON, Aug. 30, 2024 - Hickory Hollow Jerky, a Eufaula, Ala., establishment, is recalling approximately 6,229 pounds of ready-to-eat jerky products that were produced without the benefit of federal inspection... United States (08/30/2024)

	FSIS Issues Public Health Alert For Ineligible Meat and Poultry Products Illegally Imported From the Republic of the Union of Myanmar
WASHINGTON, Aug. 16, 2024 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is issuing a public health alert for various meat and poultry products that were... United States (08/16/2024)

	Perdue Foods LLC, Recalls Frozen, Ready-To-Eat Chicken Breast Nugget and Tender Products Due to Possible Foreign Matter Contamination
WASHINGTON, Aug. 16, 2024 - Perdue Foods LLC, a Perry, Ga. establishment, is recalling approximately 167,171 pounds of frozen, ready-to-eat chicken breast nugget and tender products that may be contaminated... United States (08/16/2024)

	FSIS Issues Public Health Alert for Ineligible Meat and Poultry Products Illegally Imported from the Republic of the Union of Myanmar
WASHINGTON, Aug. 16, 2024 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is issuing a public health alert for various meat and poultry products that were... United States (08/16/2024)

	Perdue Foods LLC, Recalls Frozen, Ready-To-Eat Chicken Breast Nugget and Tender Products Due to Possible Foreign Matter Contamination
WASHINGTON, Aug. 16, 2024 - Perdue Foods LLC, a Perry, Ga. establishment, is recalling approximately 167,171 pounds of frozen, ready-to-eat chicken breast nugget and tender products that may be contaminated... United States (08/16/2024)