Our Journalism Needs Your Support

By Eric Johnson
Published Nov 11, 2024

Thank you for your service.

Service to Country and Community

This Veterans Day we feature two articles about organizations that provide services to the men and women who have served in the United States Armed Forces.

The first is the latest installment in Chris Neklason‘s Doing Good series of articles about “service clubs,” from the Soroptimists to Rotary International, which employ countless volunteers who together wage a vast, ongoing campaign of civic improvement.

This week, appropriately, Chris tells the fascinating story of the American Legion, the organization that brought us Veterans Day.

Also on the Veterans Day theme: a useful compendium of information about services available to California veterans. If you are a vet, or a friend or family member of a vet, you might find this information valuable and might want to keep it handy.

But first, we present a perspective on last week’s election that contains a surprising piece of hope.

Defending Democracy

In defining the justifications for the use of armed power in the world, former US National Security Advisor Anthony Lake put forward what can be seen as the primary mission of the United States military: “To preserve, promote and defend democracy, which enhances our security and the spread of our values.“

As an independent, non-partisan journalistic enterprise, California Local is nevertheless not neutral on the subject of democracy. As most of you know, we are also obsessively fond of the structures and institutions of democracy—including, for instance, the vast army of men and women who make up the federal workforce.

As both the concept of democracy and our democratic institutions themselves face a very real threat, we offer an appreciation of what’s at risk.

The Formula for the Days Ahead

The recipe for democracy is simple, with few ingredients, but requires time and our best energy.

The way forward is simple but not easy. Can we count on you?

Doing Good: The American Legion

Hundreds of soldiers came together in Paris in 1919 to build something bigger than the sum of its parts.

The organization responsible for the GI Bill and Veterans Day continues to help service members, veterans, and their families.

Celebrating Veterans Every Day

About 1.8 million veterans live in California. Here are some organizations dedicated to serving the needs of those who served America.

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.

Pumpkin enhances a classic cookie

This version of the recipe uses chocolate chips, but other excellent mix-ins include raisins, dried cranberries, toasted chopped nuts or caramel chips.

New! Autumn spices and mix-ins boost the fall vibe

Recent Statewide News

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• CA Workers Could Lose Deportation Protections

Immigration advocates are sounding the alarm over the prospect of mass deportations upending California immigrant communities, which Donald Trump has vowed to initiate when he returns to the White House in January.

(11/11/2024) → CalMatters

• California Empowered Immigrants to Speak Up at Work. Trump Could End Their Protections

California wants to protect witnesses in workplace investigations from deportation, but the Biden administration program for undocumented employees is at risk with Donald Trump’s return to the White House.

(11/10/2024) → CalMatters

• California Enacts New Climate Rules — which Could Boost Gas Prices

Experts don’t know how much gas prices may rise from the revised California climate program, which tightens standards and gives incentives for low-carbon fuels. The board ordered an annual review of the cost impacts.

(11/08/2024) → CalMatters

• What Trump’s Border Policies Mean for California

President-elect Donald Trump campaigned on implementing a sweeping border crackdown and undertaking the largest-scale deportation effort in history. If carried out, his proposed initiatives will have profound consequences in California, which shares a 140-mile border with Mexico.

(11/08/2024) → CalMatters

• Here We Go Again: California Prepares to Battle Trump Over Environmental Policies

A lot is at stake with the new Trump administration: California’s water projects, its unique authority to clean its air, federal support for offshore wind and disaster aid for wildfires.

(11/07/2024) → CalMatters

• Newsom Calls Special Session to ‘Trump-Proof’ California

Newsom wants the new Legislature to ‘protect’ California from Donald Trump on civil rights, reproductive freedom, climate action, and immigrant families. The session will start Dec. 2.

(11/07/2024) → CalMatters

• The California Legislature Set a Record for Women in Office and Could See Historic Gender Parity

California’s Senate will reach gender parity, but depending on the outcome of some close contests, that could extend to the whole Legislature.

(11/07/2024) → CalMatters

• Proposition 4 $10 Billion Climate Bond Passes

Learn more about how the just-passed $10 billion climate bond measure will fund resiliency projects across the state.

(11/05/2024) → The Sacramento Bee

• GivingTuesday Explained

Learn more about the annual fundraising day on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, this year falling on December 3.

(11/04/2024) → Monterey Herald

Government Announcements

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	United States (11/09/2024) Yu Shang Food Inc. Recalls Ready-to-Eat Meat and Poultry Products Due to Possible Listeria Contamination
WASHINGTON, Nov. 9, 2024 - Yu Shang Food, Inc, a Spartanburg, SC, establishment, is recalling approximately 4,589 pounds of ready-to-eat (RTE) meat and poultry products out of an abundance of...

	United States (11/07/2024) Wegmans Food Markets, Inc. Announces Voluntary Recall of Large Asian Sesame Salad with Chicken Due to Presence of Undeclared Egg Allergen
Possible Undeclared Egg Allergen

	United States (11/05/2024) CIBUS Fresh, is Recalling CIBUS Fresh Products Containing Glenview Farms Spreadable Brie, 2/3lb Due to Supplier Notification of a Possible Listeria Monocytogenes
Use or consumption of products contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe he

	United States (11/04/2024) Babcock Dairy Recalls Orange Custard Chocolate Chip and Chocolate Peanut Butter Due to Undeclared Egg
Babcock Dairy of Madison, Wisconsin, is voluntarily recalling approximately 41 cases of Orange Custard Chocolate Chip ice cream that may be labeled as Chocolate Peanut Butter. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to eggs or yellow #5 run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic r

	United States (11/03/2024) Savencia Cheese USA Announces an Expanded Voluntary Recall of Select Soft Ripened Cheeses
Savencia Cheese USA is recalling select soft ripened cheeses manufactured in our Lena manufacturing facility because it has the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and

	United States (11/02/2024) Savencia Cheese USA Announces Voluntary Recall of Select Soft Ripened Cheeses
Savencia Cheese USA is recalling select soft ripened cheeses manufactured in our Lena manufacturing facility because it has the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and

	United States (10/31/2024) HH Fresh Trading Corp Recalls Taiwan Enoki 200gx25pk Because of Possible Health Risk
Because they have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms suc

	United States (10/31/2024) Elevation Foods Issues Recall Due to Undeclared Soy in Hannaford Seafood Salad
Danvers, Massachusetts. R. Walters LLC dba Elevation Foods is recalling 1,668 units of mislabeled Hannaford Seafood Salad 12oz because it contains an undeclared Soy allergen. Consumers with an allergy or severe sensitivity to soy run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they

	United States (10/29/2024) A Tu Gusto, LLC Recalls Frozen Croquette Products Produced Without the Benefit of Inspection and Undeclared Allergens
WASHINGTON, Oct. 29, 2024 - A Tu Gusto, LLC, a Lehigh Acres, Fla. firm, is recalling approximately 7,630 pounds of frozen meat and poultry croquette products that were produced without...

	United States (10/28/2024) Dynarex Corporation Expands Recall to Include Additional Products Due to Possible Health Risk
Dynarex Corporation is expanding the recall initiated on September 19, 2024, to include an additional 373 cases of item number 4875, Dynacare Baby Powder, 14 oz., as well as 647 cases of item number 4874, Dynacare Baby Powder, 4 oz., because they have the potential to be contaminated with asbestos.