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

From Our Media Allies

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	Tahoe Truckee Community Foundation Hosts Discussion on Aging in Place in Truckee
	On Friday, Nov. 8, the Tahoe Truckee Community Foundation hosted a community discussion titled "Achievable Housing for All: For Now and the Future," focusing on the housing needs of older adults in the Truckee area. The discussion, part of the …

	Solid Waste Collection Rates Could Be Going Up for South Lake Tahoe
	Among other rate increases from Liberty Utilities and Southwest Gas, the city of South Lake Tahoe announced a proposed rate increase for solid waste collection. The city is part of the Joint Powers Authority (JPA) called the South Lake Tahoe …

	Agencies ‘Excitingly’ Remove Taylor Tallac Creek Bottom Barriers, Still More Work to Do
	Under the gaze of the freshly powdered Mt. Tallac, workers wade through Taylor Creek and Tallac Creek to pull up rebar, sand bags and what appear to be large black tarps.

	‘This Is Honestly Terrifying to Me’: El Dorado County’s Snow Removal Services Are Drastically Cut Back This Winter
	A restless crowd demanded answers and solutions from the district offices of El Dorado County on Thursday night, after learning that snow removal services would be far more limited than in years past. The main reason for these limited operations …

	Veterans Day in Folsom, What’s Closed and What’s Happening
	Monday marks Veterans Day, a federal holiday honoring U.S. service members, and many City of Folsom services will be affected. All non-essential government offices will be closed, though some services will remain operational.

	Placer Supervisors Expand Hidden Falls Regional Park With Big Hill Preserve
	The long-awaited Hidden Falls Regional Park Expansion Project moved closer to reality Tuesday with the Placer County Board of Supervisors taking action to ensure the expansion is well managed for users and neighbors when opened to the public in 2025.

	Election 2024: County, Special Districts, Measures Results
	Initial results for the General Election have been updated as of 2:06 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 6, according to the online results published by the Placer County Elections Office.

	Election 2024: Auburn-Area Results
	Initial results for the General Election on Tuesday have been updated as of 3:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 8. According to the online results published by the Placer County Elections Office, the results reflect 291,674 voters, bringing the total count of …

	Folsom Firefighters Deployed to Help Fight Raging Mountain Fire
	As Southern California grapples with an unrelenting fire season, Folsom firefighters have joined the battle against the fierce Mountain Fire that has ravaged Ventura County. This massive blaze, fanned by powerful Santa Ana winds, has scorched over 20,000 acres, destroyed …

	Sierra Senior Services: Fighting Loneliness and Food Insecurity Through Community Support
	"We all get old, and sometimes we need help. Being a widow and living on one income—it has really helped, especially with the state of the economy," a client receiving food from Meals on Wheels said.

	Measure N Fails to Pass, Nearly 74% Vote No
	One of the most widely discussed topics on the ballot this election was Measure N. And though it would have needed a majority to pass as a citizen's initiative, the majority appears to reject it soundly.

	City Council Meets as Usual on Election Day, Discusses Annexations
	Election Day on Nov. 5, didn't keep City Council from meeting. It was business as usual Tuesday morning in the City of South Lake Tahoe council chambers where Mayor Cody Bass, Mayor Pro Tem Tamara Wallace, and Councilmembers Scott Robbins …

	Election 2024: Rocklin Results
	Initial results for the General Election on Tuesday have been released as of 12:07 a.m. Wednesday. Online results published by the Placer County Elections Office reflect 150,500 voters, bringing the total count of ballots to 150,500. Learn more about provisional …

	Election 2024: Loomis Results
	Initial results for the General Election on Tuesday have been released as of 12:07 a.m. Nov. 6. Online results published by the Placer County Elections Office reflect 150,500 voters, bringing the total count of ballots to 150,500. Learn more about …

	Folsom Veterans Day Parade Steps Off Nov. 11
	Folsom folks will gather to honor the nation's military veterans at the 24th annual Wayne Spence Folsom Veterans Day Parade on Monday, Nov. 11.

	Folsom Council to Review Central Business District Vision Plan
	Public welcomed to attend ad engage in meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 12

	City of South Lake Tahoe Proceeds With Heavenly Annexation
	The City Council for the City of South Lake Tahoe initiated proceedings for the annexation of parcels incorporating the Heavenly area at their meeting Tuesday, Nov. 5.

	Affordable Housing Waitlist Report Presented to City Council
	939 people are on the waitlist for the eight affordable housing properties in the City of South Lake Tahoe, according to the most recent report from analyst Lydia Zuniga. It's a small increase from the 891 people on the waitlist …

	Sacramento County Partners With Citrus Heights to Expand Animal Services
	Sacramento County’s Bradshaw Animal Shelter has announced a new partnership with the City of Citrus Heights to provide comprehensive animal services to the local community. The new agreement will offer Citrus Heights residents access to a wide array of animal …

	LTUSD Responds to Post-Election Threats
	School districts across the country have been receiving reports of potential threats following the election.

	Tahoe Transportation District Seeking Public Input on Next Five Years
	The Tahoe Transportation District is seeking input on their next five years by providing a public comment period on its Short Range Transit Plan, or SRTP.

	Deadline Nears for Soroptimist Award Applications
	To fulfill its mission of providing women and girls with access to the education and training they need to achieve economic empowerment, Soroptimist International of Loomis Basin offers grants for high school and college students as well as elementary school …

	Auburn Veterans Day Parade to Honor Cold War Vets on Nov. 11
	On Monday, Nov. 11, come rain or shine, Auburn will honor all its veterans with the greatest pancake breakfast, Veterans Day Parade and ceremony ever.

	Auburn State Theatre's Día De Los Muertos Event a Great Success
	A celebratory crowd turned out for Auburn State Theatre’s second annual Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebration sponsored by Arts Council of Placer County and hosted by New Auburn Cemetery.

	Placer Artists Tour Celebrates 31 Years
	What is your favorite style of art? Chances are, you’ll find it during the 31st annual Placer Artists Tour. Art of every imaginable medium and genre will be on display during this annual event, scheduled from Friday through Sunday, Nov. …

Placer County Honors Veterans Through Proclamation

The Placer County Board of Supervisors on Oct. 22 approved a proclamation supporting Operation Greenlight in honor of veterans.

The National Association of Counties (NACo) describes Operation Greenlight as a way for the nation’s 3,069 counties, parishes and boroughs to …

	Sac County Supervisors Adopt Ordinance to Curb Unlawful Camping
	The Board of Supervisors took a new step toward addressing safety with the adoption of an ordinance amendment curbing unlawful camping on public property during their regular meeting on November 5.

	Folsom Gears Up for 24th Annual Veteran’s Parade Monday
	Local resident, Col. Joseph Shriber named grand marshal as 2000 participants expected

	Forest Service Keeps Certain Facilities Open Later This Year
	As both the leaves and temperatures fall, the USDA Forest Service typically prepares its recreation sites around Tahoe for winter by closing down parking areas, restrooms and amenities around mid-October, but this year, their keeping a few select sites open …

	New Book Unveils Lake Tahoe’s Forgotten Era of Luxury
	When Paul Nelson first explored the abandoned grounds of the Brockway Hot Springs Hotel in 1968, he couldn't have known that decades later he would become the chronicler of Lake Tahoe's lost golden age of grand resorts.

	Soroptimist International Now Accepting Applications for Two Grant/Scholarship Programs to Empower Women
	Soroptimist International announced that applications are now open for two impactful grant and scholarship programs aimed at supporting women in their pursuit of education and training.

	Rising Folsom Lake College Science Building on Schedule for 2025
	Construction on Folsom Lake College’s expansive new science building is making significant progress just one year after breaking ground and continues to remain on schedule to host students in 2025.

	Placer Launches $1.5M Grant Program to Support Domestic Violence, Human Trafficking Nonprofits
	Placer County is making up to $1.5 million in funding available to area nonprofits working on the prevention or support of survivors of domestic violence or human trafficking.

	Bread & Broth Seeks Donations for Thanksgiving Dinner
	Bread & Broth will be hosting its annual Thanksgiving dinner on Monday, November 25. This event will be held at St. Theresa Catholic Church, Grace Hall at 1041 Lyons Avenue, South Lake Tahoe, from 4-6 p.m. All members of the …

Recent Local News

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● El Dorado County Election Results

Official updated election results from the El Dorado County Elections Department.

(11/10/2024) El Dorado County Elections Department

● El Dorado County Election Results

Official updated election results from the El Dorado County Elections Department.

(11/10/2024) El Dorado County Elections Department

● Placer County Election Results

Updated official election results from the Placer County Elections Department.

(11/10/2024) Placer County Elections Department

● Election Results Update: Placer County

Provisional results as of November 8 for ballots cast for candidates and ballot measures from the Placer County elections office.

(11/09/2024) Roseville Today

● Election Results Update: South Lake Tahoe Area

A summary of the latest count from the El Dorado County elections office for South Lake Tahoe related candidates and ballot measures as of Friday, November 8.

(11/08/2024) South Tahoe Now

● Veterans Day Ceremony on November 11

Learn more about the ceremony honoring veterans which will take place at 11AM on November 11 in Placerville.

(11/08/2024) Village Life

● Election Results Update: El Dorado County

Unofficial election results as of Friday, November 8 from the El Dorado County elections department.

(11/08/2024) Mountain Democrat

● Winter Approaches But Snow Removal Staffing Falls Short

Learn more about snow removal staffing shortages which will affect unincorporated parts of El Dorado County in the coming months.

(11/07/2024) South Tahoe Now

● American Legion Invites Public to Veterans Day Ceremony in South Lake Tahoe

Learn more about Veterans Day and the ceremony to be hosted by American Legion Post 795 in South Lake Tahoe at 11AM on November 11.

(11/07/2024) South Tahoe Now

● Eldorado National Forest Mosquito Fire Recovery Update

A report on the progress of recover of the Eldorado National Forest two years after the devastating Mosquito Fire of 2022.

(11/07/2024) Georgetown Gazette

● Apply for Inclusive Outdoor Program Grants

Applications are open for California Department of Fish and Wildlife Vamos a Pescar grants to support outdoor multi-lingual outdoor programs.

(11/06/2024) Mountain Democrat

● Lake Tahoe Area Prescribed Fires Resume

A look at ongoing fuel reduction efforts in the Lake Tahoe region as autumn progresses.

(11/05/2024) South Tahoe Now

Recent Statewide News

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● Trump’s Proposed Tariffs, Especially on China and Mexico, Could Hit California Hard

Trump has threatened new, higher tariffs on two of California’s biggest trade partners, China and Mexico. The state’s workers and economy could feel the most impact.

(11/12/2024) CalMatters

● 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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	Gilster - Mary Lee Corp. Issues a Recall for Undeclared Egg Allergen in Bowl & Basket Onion Soup Mix
Gilster-Mary Lee, 520 Old St. Mary's Road, of Perryville, Missouri, is voluntarily recalling two lots of Bowl & Basket Onion Soup Mix, UPC 41190-08394 at the consumer level because it may contain undeclared egg. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to egg run the risk of serious or lif United States (11/11/2024)

	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 (11/09/2024)

	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 (11/07/2024)

	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 (11/05/2024)

	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 (11/04/2024)

	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 (11/03/2024)

	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 (11/02/2024)

	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 (10/31/2024)

	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 (10/29/2024)