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. ;-)
• Property Owners Invited to Property Burn Plan Workshop
A public workshop hosted by the El Dorado Amador Prescribed Burn Association on September 28 will cover how to set up a burn plan for your property.
(09/20/2024) → Mountain Democrat
• El Dorado County Wildfire Plan Open to Public Inut
The Western El Dorado Community Wildfire Protection Plan has been updated and the public is invited to give comments and input.
(09/20/2024) → Mountain Democrat
• South Lake Tahoe & County Recycling Rollout Procedes
Answers to questions about the rollout of new blue and green recycling barrels underway in South Lake Tahoe and other areas of the county.
(09/18/2024) → South Tahoe Now
• Candidate Profile: Noelle Mattock
Currently serving on the El Dorado Hills Community Services District Board of Directors, Noelle Mattock is seeking another four-year term in the November election.
(09/17/2024) → Village Life
• Candidate Profile: Chuck King
A introduction to Check King, running for a seat on the El Dorado Hills Community Services District in the November election.
(09/17/2024) → Village Life
• Candidate Profile: Steve Gutierrez
An introduction to Steve Gutierrez, running for a seat on the El Dorado Hills Community Services District in the November election.
(09/17/2024) → Village Life
• El Dorado County Offers Free Flu Shots
A list of locations and dates of free flu shots in El Dorado County in September through November.
(09/17/2024) → Village Life
• El Dorado Hills is Topic of Community Conversation
The public is invited to a community conversation about the future of El Dorado Hills to be held on September 24.
(09/17/2024) → Village Life
• Candidate Profile: Dan Donelli
An introduction to Dan Donelli, who is running for a seat on the El Dorado Hills Fire Board in the November election.
(09/17/2024) → Village Life
• Candidate Profile: Mike Hillhouse
An introduction to appointed board member Mike Hillhouse, who is running for a full terms on the El Dorado Hills Fire Board in the November election.
(09/17/2024) → Village Life
• Candidate Profile: Esther Beckman
An introduction to Esther Beckman who is running for a seat on the El Dorado Hills Fire Board in the November election.
(09/17/2024) → Village Life
• Candidate Profile: Bobbi Bennett
An introduction to current board member, Bobbi Bennett who is running for another term on the El Dorado Hills Fire Board in the November election.
(09/17/2024) → Village Life
• Help Feed the Hungry With Bread & Broth
Bread and Broth, the nonprofit organization working to alleviate hunger in the Lake Tahoe South Shore area, is seeking volunteers for several positions.
(09/17/2024) → South Tahoe Now
• Pacer County Moving Forward With Hidden Falls Regional Park Expansion
In their September 10 meeting, the Placer County Board of Supervisors approved the expansion of Hidden Falls Regional Park by 600 acres and the construction of an additional 8 miles of trails.
(09/16/2024) → Roseville Today
• 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
• 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
