By Eric Johnson
Published Jun 03, 2024

A typically joyful scene in the pool at the city of Sacramento's Clunie Community Center. Image credit: Eric Johnson

Celebrating California's Diversity, Homegrown Food, and DTLA

I posted the above photo to the family text thread on Saturday and received a reply that reminded me that I'm glad I live in California. Gretchen, my sister-in-law, who lives in a leafy and perfecly lovely suburb outside Washington DC, texted back: “I love that Sacramento has community pools. Virginia only has membership-only pools. Leftover from its anti-integration history.”

In fact, one of the things my wife and I love about the pool at the Clunie Center is that it draws folks from every corner of this city. We love that we live in the most diverse state in the nation, and in one of California's most diverse cities.

So: In this week’s edition of The Newsletter, as we often do, we celebrate some of the good stuff we get to enjoy here in the Golden State. Elsewhere, you may be rage-reading about an unapologetic felon and his defenders … here today we’re going to look toward the light.

AAPI Heritage Month Extended

May was Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, and last week we celebrated with the publication of a list that might surprise you. Sure, there's Kamala Harris and Tiger Woods. But you may also be delighted to meet Dr. Chien-Shiung Wu, Dalip Singh Saund and many more.

25 AAPI Leaders From California

Dalip Singh Saund, the first Sikh, Indian American and Asian American to be elected to Congress and Kamala Harris, the first Asian American vice president.

California has been home to many Asian American and Pacific Islanders who have transcended barriers and reshaped society, from education to advocacy, art to sports, politics, and beyond.

DTLA

Our colleague Chris Neklason and his family ventured to the land down under, that is, southern California.

He has thoughts about Downtown LA, or DTLA, as the civic hipsters call it.

DTLA: A Good Thing Gets Better

A large neon art installation gracing one of the entrances to the Grand Central Market in DTLA.

Downtown LA is turning into a good thing.

Happy Birthday SDG!

Happy sixth anniversary to Debbie and Kathy at Sacramento Digs Gardening, who've been posting an article a day since June 1, 2018. Wow!

Time for cake! SDG hits another milestone

This citrus cake is ideal for any celebration. See the blog post for a link to the recipe.

Daily gardening blog reaches its sixth anniversary -- thanks to our readers!

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 Spring! cookbook.

Bayou country, spring vegetables inspire shrimp pot pie

What's below the crust? Shrimp and a delicious collection of fresh vegetables.

New! Shrimp pot pie with fresh peas, carrots and spring onions

From Our Media Allies

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	Forest Service Prepares for 2024 Fire Season
	Across California, fire crews and managers are already preparing for fire season. Despite two years of average to above-average precipitation, USDA Forest Service Pacific Southwest Region Fire Director, Jaime Gamboa, knows just how quickly wildfire season can take off.

	East Shore Express Returning for 2024 Summer Season
	Tahoe Transportation District announced the return of the East Shore Express Service beginning June 28, 2024.

	Colfax Questions, but Approves, Funding for 3rd of July Fireworks
	The Colfax City Council approved $10,000 in funding for the 3rd of July celebration during its May 22 meeting.

	Placer County Historical Society Marks History With New Signs
	If you have driven down Nevada Street lately, you might have noticed two new signs – one for Spanish Flat and one for the Auburn Fruit Sheds.

	Olympic Valley Public Service District Adopts Rate Increases
	The Olympic Valley Public Service District Board of Directors unanimously approved new water, sewer, and garbage service rates for the fiscal year 2024-2025.

	19th Annual Tahoe Bike Month Kicks Off June 1
	The 19th annual Tahoe Bike Month is set to begin on June 1, featuring a full month of bicycling events throughout the Lake Tahoe Basin.

	South Lake Local Takes on New Role as CEO
	Julie Gardner, who was born and raised in South Lake Tahoe, has recently taken over as CEO of California's most prominent employment social enterprise non-profits, Downtown Streets Team.

Roseville, Rocklin, Lincoln Half-Cent Sales Tax Moves Closer to November Ballot

The citizens of Roseville, Rocklin and Lincoln are one step closer toward potentially deciding upon a half-cent sales tax to improve transportation in south Placer County in November.

	Kids 'Meet the Machines' in Rocklin
	Rocklin celebrated National Public Works Week with a free kids interactive event “Meet the Machines” on May 23 at the city's Corporation Yard.

	Roseville Hosts 'Walk of Remembrance' to Honor Sgt. Nicole Gee, Fallen Veterans
	Changing Cadence Foundation hosted a Walk of Remembrance to honor Sgt. Nicole Gee and other fallen veterans in Roseville last Saturday, May 25, at Nela Luken Park.

	Folsom’s “Castle Park” Could Be Saved by $1.1M From City Reserve Funds
	For several months now, the community, along with officials from Folsom Parks and Recreation and Folsom City Council have had discussions regarding the condition and the future of one of the city’s longtime favorite parks.

	Folsom Council Gives Sales Tax Measure a Green Light for November Ballot
	A special sales tax measure will officially be on the ballot for Folsom voters to decide on, following the May 28 Folsom City Council meeting where council members took the next steps to put the option on the ballot for …

	First of Its Kind Defensible Space Software Brings Significant Improvements to the Entire Tahoe Basin
	With support from the Tahoe Fund and Parasol Tahoe Community Foundation, every local fire agency in the Tahoe Basin now has access to Fire Aside, a software platform that makes defensible space and home hardening evaluations significantly faster to carry …

	Tahoe Bear Shot and Killed on Memorial Day in Self Defense, Some Skeptical
	The California Department of Fish and Wildlife Law Enforcement Division have filed no charges against a homeowner who shot and killed a yearling bear after it entered his house through a backdoor on Memorial Day.

	El Dorado County Declares Wildfire Awareness Season as May-October 2024
	At its regular meeting on May 21, 2024, the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors proclaimed the period of May through October 2024 as Wildfire Awareness Season as a call for residents in El Dorado County to prepare for wildfire.

	Braddock Philanthropies, TTCF Join Forces for $10 Million Investment in Tahoe Truckee
	The Tahoe Truckee Community Foundation announced a groundbreaking $10 million commitment from Braddock Philanthropies in support of TTCF's strategic initiatives over the next five years.

	Placer Supervisors Appoint New County Executive Officer
	The Placer County Board of Supervisors unanimously voted today to appoint Acting County Executive Officer Daniel Chatigny as the county's next CEO and authorize a three-year employment agreement.

	Day Hiker: Waddle Ranch Preserve Takes Hikers to a Higher Place
	Waddle Ranch Preserve is accessed via Martis Dam Road off Highway 267 by the airport in Martis Valley near Truckee.

	Downtown Auburn Hosts Music in Central Square
	From June through September, the Downtown Business Association is hosting live music at Central Square Fridays at 7PM.

	Preservation Groups Partner to Protect 1,500 Acres Along Lake Clementine, North Fork of American River
	Placer Land Trust and Trust for Public Land recently announced the protection of more than 1,500 acres of significant river canyon along Lake Clementine and the North Fork American River in the Sierra Nevada foothills.

	El Dorado County Hosts Community Workshops for the Tahoe El Dorado Area Plan
	El Dorado County is hosting a series of four in-person community workshops for its Tahoe El Dorado Area Plan effort on June 3-6, 2024.

	El Dorado County Residents in Crisis as Insurance Companies Leave the State
	Diana Still had faithfully paid her home insurance for years. But recently, the Placerville resident received notice that her insurer was dropping her.

	Alpenglow Sports Launches Fourth Annual Community Book Initiative
	Now through June 10, Alpenglow Sports is encouraging people to take part in its fourth annual Community Book Initiative.

	Student Protestor Voices on Israel-Gaza-Palestine
	In this field-produced, bonus episode, the Moment of Truth team interviews pro-Palestinian, student protestors and campers at university and college encampments.

	Lake Tahoe Unified School District Awarded $4.7 Million Community Schools Grant
	South Tahoe Education Association President Jodi Dayberry announced that Lake Tahoe Unified School District was awarded a $4.7 million Community Schools Grant during the May 9 Board of Directors meeting.

	TAMBA Expands Roster of Tahoe Mountain Bike Events
	While the Tahoe Area Mountain Biking Association (TAMBA) has a consistent roster of signature events including the Tahoe Mountain Bike Festival and the impressively grueling Rose to Toads ride, this year it will add more educational and inclusive events on …

Recent Local News

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• Dry Creek Community Park Welcomes... Goats

Placer County is using 2,000 goats to reduce fire risk at Dry Creek Community Park.

(06/03/2024) → Roseville Today

• Tiny Homes in Grizzly Flats Approved

The El Dorado County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved an ordinance allowing some residents of Grizzly Flats whose homes were destroyed in the Caldor Fire to build tiny homes.

(05/31/2024) → Mountain Democrat

• Huge Housing Projects Inch Forward

The Lime Rock Valley and Village of Marble Valley projects went before the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors who approved an amended contract with the consultant preparing the environmental review.

(05/31/2024) → Village Life

• Mosquito Road Bridge Construction Advances

With the underground work and massive footers poured, forms for the support columns are being constructed for another massive cement pour of the project which began in September 2022 and is slated to be complete in late 2025 or early 2026.

(05/31/2024) → Mountain Democrat

• Thousands of Tree Seedlings Planted

The Sugar Pine Foundation announced that partner agencies and volunteers had planted 16,800 pine seedlings were planted this spring in the Caldor Fire scar area, Buron Creek State Park and around South Lake Tahoe.

(05/29/2024) → South Tahoe Now

• Permanent Homeless Shelter Proposal Advances

In their May 21 meeting, the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors approved a proposal to develop a permanent homeless shelter on a 1-acre lot on Forni Road in Placerville.

(05/29/2024) → Mountain Democrat

• Gardening in Rattlesnake Country

Advice for local gardeners now that winter is over and rattlesnakes are out and about.

(05/29/2024) → Mountain Democrat

• El Dorado County Updating Parks and Trails Master Plan

Following public workshops and resident feedback, El Dorado County is updating the 10 year County Parks and Trails Master Plan.

(05/28/2024) → Georgetown Gazette

Recent Statewide News

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• New Research Indicates More Massive California Flooding in Past

Cal State Fullerton researchers released findings of ancient floods in Southern California which indicate the state may be more prone to mega flooding than previously thought.

(06/01/2024) → Los Angeles Times

• Why a Bay Area Transit Rescue Plan Is on Hold

A Bay Area transit funding bill is delayed so supporters can seek consensus on how the money will be raised and distributed.

(05/31/2024) → CalMatters

• Raising Kids in California? They May Have College Savings Accounts You Don’t Know About.

The state is directly investing money for low-income students and all newborns to attend college. After two years, the program is still not widely known by the students who need the most financial assistance.

(05/30/2024) → CalMatters

• California Sides With Big Utilities, Trimming Incentives for Community Solar Projects

These community projects can give renters and low-income homeowners a chance to go solar, but the PUC’s action is unlikely to give them the option.

(05/30/2024) → CalMatters

• California’s Runoff Flows Down the Drain. Can More Be Captured?

Researchers say if California could collect and treat more stormwater in cities, it could provide enough water to supply a quarter of the state’s urban population.

(05/30/2024) → CalMatters

• Democrats Kill California Homeless Camp Ban, Again

A bill to ban homeless encampments statewide near parks, schools and transit hubs failed to get out of the same legislative committee as last year.

(05/29/2024) → CalMatters

• Planets on Parade in June

An alignment known as a “planetary parade” will march across night skies starting June 3.

(05/28/2024) → Los Angeles Times

• As Key Deadlines Loom, Newsom and California Lawmakers Have Dozens of Deals to Make

It’s time for the folks in California’s Capitol to play let’s-make-a-deal – or actually, many deals.

(05/28/2024) → CalMatters

• UC Student Workers Expand Strike to Two More Campuses as They Demand Amnesty for Protestors

After University of California students were arrested or suspended for protests, student workers are striking at three campuses. The Office of President says the strike violates the union contract.

(05/28/2024) → CalMatters

• ‘We Have to Do Less With Less’: Cal State Faces Extra $500 Million Budget Gap

Two major forces are at play: Gov. Gavin Newsom scaled back his promise of increased financial support for Cal State, while university officials agreed to 5% salary increases earlier this year.

(05/27/2024) → CalMatters

• California Wants to Be Carbon-Neutral by 2045. What Does That Mean for Its Big Economic Drivers?

California’s governor, Gavin Newsom, flew more 6,000 miles to Rome this month to deliver a brief speech on climate change at a Vatican-sponsored conference.

(05/27/2024) → CalMatters

Government Announcements

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	United States (05/30/2024) Fresh Start Produce Sales Initiates Recall of Whole Cucumbers Because of Possible Health Risk
Fresh Start Produce Sales Inc. of Delray, Florida, is recalling whole cucumbers shipped to certain states from May 17th through May 21st, 2024, due to the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella, an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elder

	United States (05/30/2024) Heinen's Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Pecans in Heinen's Tuscan Salad Bowls
May 30th, 2024. Heinen's of Warrensville Heights, OH is voluntarily recalling Heinen's Tuscan Salad Bowls, due to the possibility that it may contain undeclared Pecans. While no reports of injury have occurred, out of an abundance of caution people who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to Pecans

	United States (05/23/2024) Dairy Manufacturers Inc. Issues Voluntary Recall of Products Due to Non-Compliance with Requirements Under the 21 CFR 106.110 New Infant Formula Registration
Dairy Manufacturers Inc., of Prosper, TX - 5/24/24, is voluntarily recalling all lot codes for infant formulas available in the US: Crecelac Infant 0-12, Farmalac 0-12 and Farmalac 0-12 Low lactose to the retail and wholesale level. The products have been found in non-compliance with the requirement

	United States (05/22/2024) AMB Food Inc. Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Wheat in Product
AMB Food Inc. in Brooklyn NY is recalling 8 oz bags of Pop a Nosh Mix Munch Regular and Honey BBQ snacks because it contains pretzels, but does not list Wheat as an allergen. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to wheat run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if th

	United States (05/21/2024) World Green Nutrition, Inc. Expands Recall of Tejocote Products Due to the Presence of Yellow Oleander
World Green Nutrition, Inc is announcing the expansion of their April 03, 2024 recall to include more lot numbers of the products GREEN ELV NUTRITION brand Elv Control Herbal Supplement 90 capsules and ELV ALIPOTEC brand Mexican Tejocote Root Supplement Pieces (Raiz de Tejocote Mexicano Suplemento e

	United States (05/20/2024) County Road Seafood Issues Allergy Alert of Undeclared Egg in 4 Oz Packages of County Road Seafood Crab Cake
County Road Seafood, LLC., of Belhaven, NC - May 21, 2024, is voluntarily recalling County Road Seafood Crab Cake 2 Pack 4 Ounce package because this product contains undeclared egg. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to egg run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction

	United States (05/17/2024) Reser's Fine Foods Announces Voluntary Recall of Single Batch of Aldi Macaroni 32 oz Salad with Use By Date of Jun/03/24 Due to Unlabeled Wheat Allergen
Reser's Fine Foods is voluntarily recalling a single item with a specific use by date, produced at a regional facility and distributed to ALDI. The product is the Aldi Deli Macaroni Salad 32 oz, with a Use By Date of Jun/03/24 due to an incorrect label. The incorrect label does not include an all

	United States (05/17/2024) United Supermarkets Advises Guests in New Mexico and Texas of Palmer Candy's Voluntary Recall of White Coated Confectionary Items Due to Possible Salmonella Contamination
United Supermarkets is advising guests about a recall by its supplier Palmer Candy of its white coated confectionary items due to possible Salmonella contamination. Palmer Candy was notified by its liquid coating supplier that there was a potential for contamination with Salmonella from an ingredie

	United States (05/17/2024) Irvington Seafood Recalls "Crabmeat: Jumbo, Lump, Finger, and Claw Meat" Because of Possible Health Risk
Irvington Seafood of Irvington, AL, is recalling its 1 lb. packages of "Crabmeat: Jumbo, Lump, Finger, and Claw meat" 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

	United States (05/16/2024) Mars Petcare US, Inc. Voluntarily Recalls 315 Bags of PEDIGREE® Adult Complete Nutrition Grilled Steak & Vegetable Flavor Dry Dog Food, 44 lb. Bag Size
Mars Petcare US is voluntarily recalling 315 bags of PEDIGREE Adult Complete Nutrition Grilled Steak & Vegetable Flavor Dry Dog Food in the 44 lb. bag size only, due to the potential presence of loose metal pieces in the bag. The affected products have a Best By Date of March 4, 2025 and Lot Code 4