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By Eric Johnson
Published Feb 05, 2024

The celebrated sci-fi author and futurist Octavia E. Butler said we are changed when we work for positive change. The celebrated sci-fi author and futurist Octavia E. Butler said we are changed when we work for positive change. Image credit: Nikolas Coukouma   CC BY-SA 2.5 DEED

Black History and Black Futurism

In The Newsletter this week we celebrate the start of Black History Month with a guide to California organizions working to help the state deliver on the promises of equal rights and social justice to its African American residents. 

Also: ICYMI, a list of 30 great Black California heroes who helped create the best of California, from the abolitionist millionaire Mary Ellen Pleasant (c. 1814-1904) to the Boyz n the Hood filmmaker John Singleton (1968-2019). And as always: A curated collection of local news you can use, and the Recipe of the Week.


Black Californians Working for Justice

Last week I happened to hear Baratunde Thurston, host of the “How to Citizen” podcast and “America Outdoors” on PBS, pose this question to Ava DuVernay, the director of Origin, as well as the MLK biopic Selma and the documentary 13th

“I want to ask you about your belief and your faith in the human capacity to change,” Thurston said to DuVernay. “Because so many of the stories you're telling … are about revealing some deep intransigence in the human condition—commitments to discrimination, [and] to systems of hierarchy and unfairness.

“As you wrestle with these ideas, where do you stand on our capacity to not just recognize these systems, but to alter them for the better?”

DuVernay took the question in a direction likely informed by its source—whether he’s talking about political activism or tree-climbing, Bararunde generally begins and ends in a deeply personal place.

DuVernay: “Let me say, yeah, I believe, I believe in change. I believe Octavia Butler, the great writer and futurist, talked about ‘all that you touch changes you.’ And, and so that is a daily process, that is an ongoing engagement—holding hands with the world. And to think that that change is not possible, to think that you are not changed by what you encounter, what you say, what you do, what is said and done to you, is I think a pedestrian way to think about life.

So for me, absolutely. Not only is change possible—it’s inevitable, and it’s happening in every moment.”

Here are some individuals and organizations working for positive change in California.


Bending the Arc of History


Here’s a short list of just some of the organizations working to build better futures for African Americans in California.

California Pioneers

Clockwise from upper right: Architect Paul R. Williams, Assemblyman Frederick Madison Roberts, abolitionist Mary Ellen Pleasant, and Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley (with President Gerald Ford).
Black History Month provides an opportunity to remember the achievements of African Americans who fought for equality in the Golden State.

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.

As an extra bonus, we're also including a link to their new cookbook of seasonal recipes! 


Slab apple tart a no-sugar treat

Thinly sliced apples top this slab tart, which makes a lovely dessert for a dinner or potluck.
Recipe: Make bourbon apple butter for extra flavorful filling

‘Taste Winter!’ cookbook shows how to make the most of your cool-season harvest

Fresh-off-the-tree oranges mean winter to those of us lucky enough to live in California. Find several citrus-based recipes in the "Taste Winter! cookbook.
Enjoy winter fruit and vegetables with these home-grown recipes


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From Our Media Allies

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Tahoe Daily Tribune logo Slow Down, Move Over

A new study from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety sheds light on the daily risks encountered by tow truck drivers, mobile mechanics, and roadside technicians.

Sierra Sun logo Community Collaborative Asks Residents to Participate in Survey

The Community Collaborative of Tahoe Truckee is measuring quality of life, community engagement, and behavioral health needs in a survey of local residents.

Sierra Sun logo February Purchases at Alpenglow Gallery Will Support Tahoe Fund

Alpenglow Gallery owners Douglas DeVore and Justin Majeczky will donate 100% of their profits to the Tahoe Fund.

Sierra Sun logo North Tahoe Community Alliance Accepting Applications for Event Funding

The North Tahoe Community Alliance will consider events that are scheduled to take place in North Lake Tahoe between Aug. 1 and Dec. 31.

Placer Herald logo Local Film Aims to Humanize Those Experiencing Homelessness

The Northern California film scene locally is growing as a big-feature movie was in Auburn to complete production. “No Address,” about homelessness, was filmed throughout the area, and is produced by Rocklin-based Robert Craig Films.

Auburn Journal logo Colfax Reviews Downtown Connectivity, Improvement Plan

The Colfax City Council held a workshop for its Draft Downtown Connectivity/Main Street Improvement Plan during its Jan. 24 meeting.

Tahoe Daily Tribune logo Douglas County VHR Ban: Property Owners, Organizations ‘Put Up a Fight’

Multiple property owners and a rental management company have filed a lawsuit against Douglas County on Jan. 16, less than a month after the Board of Commissioners passed an ordinance banning vacation home rentals north of Cave Rock.

Sierra Sun logo Proposed North Lake Tahoe Recreation and Aquatics Center Initiative Faces Setback

At a joint North Tahoe Public Utility District and Tahoe City Public Utility District meeting, both boards gave a green light to continue to discuss putting a tax measure to fund a North Lake Tahoe Recreation and Aquatics Center on …

Loomis News logo Board of Supervisors District 3 Candidates Face Off in Q&A

The newly drawn District 3 represents Rocklin, Loomis, Penryn and a portion of Newcastle. There is no incumbent, and three candidates are going head to head. The two top vote-getters will advance to the November ballot.

Lincoln News Messenger logo Lincoln City Treasurer Announces City Council Campaign

“Governance and civic involvement has been in my blood for decades,” City Treasurer Richard Pearl said. “As a consultant I spent most of my career assisting cities and counties govern more effectively.”

Folsom Times logo Folsom Assemblyman Hoover Pens Legislation to Combat Fentanyl in Schools

Assembly Bill 2045 would increase penalties on fentanyl crimes involving minors and add sentence enhancements for criminals who traffick fentanyl within 1,000 feet of school grounds.

Sierra Sun logo Tahoe City Downtown Access Improvements Project Needs Additional $500k

The Tahoe City Downtown Access Improvements project is seeking to add to a $1,099,000 commitment from the North Tahoe Community Alliance.

Tahoe Daily Tribune logo City Council: Increased Fines for Vacation Home Rental Citations

The South Lake Tahoe City Council passed a motion increasing fines for vacation home rental citations to the highest fines allowed under state law.

Folsom Times logo 35th Folsom Festival Was 1st Under New Leadership

Saturday’s Folsom Jazz Festival marked the event’s 35th anniversary—and the first under the direction of Folsom High School music director Gaw Williams.

Sierra Sun logo Design Committee Wants Kings Beach 8-Unit Project to Adjust Aesthetics

The Tahoe Basin Design Review Committee asked a Kings Beach multi-family residential housing project developer to come back and present implemented suggestions at a future meeting.

Auburn Journal logo New Auburn Bakery Cooks Up Gourmet Doughnuts

Hula Buns Bakery specializes in brioche doughnuts and Hawaiian-inspired Malasadas that are hand crafted with all fresh ingredients.

Tahoe Daily Tribune logo Local Celebrity Creates Tahoe-centric Branding for Cancer Cause

A former Tahoe television host living with terminal cancer is inspiring cancer patients lake-wide and beyond.

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Recent Local News

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• Former CSU Professor Admits to Setting Blazes Near Dixie Fire in 2021

The ex-professor pleaded guilty to multiple arson charges in court.

(02/02/2024) → SF Gate

• County Puts Hold on New Tobacco Retail

The hold on accepting tobacco retailer business applications in unincorporated areas became effective Jan. 30, after the Board of Supervisors approved an interim moratorium.

(02/02/2024) → Village Life

• Nevada City Rancheria Nisenan Tribe Raising Funds to Reestablish Homeland

The Nevada City Rancheria Nisenan Tribe has a time-limited opportunity to purchase 232 acres on a Nisenan Village site called Yulića—the tribe’s best opportunity to re-establish a homeland in more than half a century.

(02/01/2024) → YubaNet

• Reorganization Aims to Relieve Planning and Building

The latest conversation in improving El Dorado County’s Planning and Building Department and its processes resulted in both approved and conceptual organization changes.

(01/31/2024) → Mountain Democrat

• Imperiled Monarch Butterflies Cling to Survival in California

Monarch butterflies have a long way to go before reaching stable population numbers.

(01/30/2024) → SF Gate

• Sacramento Joins San Francisco as California’s Slowest Cities to Recover From the Pandemic

San Francisco is coping with a “doom loop” of declining employment and business activity in its downtown core, but a new study suggests Sacramento may be in worse shape.

(01/30/2024) → CalMatters

• Caregiver Series Coming to Placerville

The El Dorado County Health and Human Services Agency, Family Caregiver Support Program, Marshall Medical Center and the Alzheimer’s Association of Sacramento will present a free, three-part series in February on senior caregiving.

(01/29/2024) → Mountain Democrat

• Bass Lake Park Plans Up for Public Review

El Dorado Hills residents shared opinions about safety and amenities at Bass Lake Park during the Jan. 23 draft environmental impact report scoping meeting.

(01/29/2024) → Mountain Democrat
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Recent Statewide News

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• Mike McGuire Wants to ‘Lift Up Every Person’ as New California Senate Leader

Sen. Mike McGuire of Healdsburg takes over as Democratic leader in the state Senate from Sen. Toni Atkins. He terms out in 2026, so has limited time to push his agenda.

(02/05/2024) → CalMatters

• Is Housing Health Care? State Medicaid Programs Increasingly Say ‘Yes’

States are plowing billions of dollars into a high-stakes health care experiment that’s exploding around the country: using scarce public health insurance money to provide housing for the poorest and sickest Americans.

(02/05/2024) → California Healthline

• The Terrifying Forces That Created a California Monster Storm

The storm fed off of unusually warm waters as it grew. It also reached “bomb cyclone” status as it neared California.

(02/05/2024) → Los Angeles Times

• Darrell Steinberg: Return of State Workers Helps, But Sacramento’s Transformation is Well Underway

Downtown Sacramento faces many challenges, but the growing number of small businesses, hotels, homes and other major developments signal its transformation, says the city’s mayor.

(02/05/2024) → CalMatters

• Despite Disbanding in 1995, Grateful Dead Make Billboard History

The Grateful Dead have broken the record for the most Top 40 albums to chart on the Billboard 200.

(02/05/2024) → Daily Democrat

• Some Experts Are Proposing a Category 6 Storm Rating

A handful of super powerful tropical storms in the last decade and the prospect of more to come has a couple of experts proposing a new category of whopper hurricanes: Category 6.

(02/05/2024) → Daily Democrat

• California Universities Are Required to Offer Students Abortion Pills. A Lot Just Don’t Mention It

One year after California became the first state to require its public universities to provide the abortion pill to students, basic information on where or how students can obtain the medication is lacking.

(02/04/2024) → CapPublicRadio

• New ‘Toothless’ Walrus Discovered Along California Coast

An extinct species of walrus was unearthed in Santa Cruz County, evoking a time when California was teeming with odd creatures that feel closer to fantasy than reality, researchers said.

(02/01/2024) → SF Gate

• Back From COP28, California Climate Leaders Talk Health Impacts of Warming

As Californians increasingly feel the health effects of climate change, state leaders are adopting sweeping policies they hope will fend off the worst impacts.

(01/31/2024) → California Healthline

• ‘Just the Beginning’: California Reparations Backers Applaud Bills, Even Without Big Cash Payouts

Lawmakers introduced a package of bills designed to tackle some forms of reparations. The measures may face budget constraints and opposition.

(01/31/2024) → CalMatters

• Saving Salmon: Newsom Unveils Blueprint for Ending Decades-Long Decline

Chinook and other salmon runs are collapsing. Conservation groups call it too little, too late. Plan includes dam removals and restoring river flows.

(01/30/2024) → CalMatters

• Advice From Former Superintendents on Retaining Those Still on the Job

Five former California superintendents shared potential solutions for reducing the increasing turnover rate in their profession.

(01/30/2024) → EdSource

• Will More Outdoor Drinking Give CA Economy a Buzz?

State Sen. Scott Wiener wants to allow California cities and counties to designate “entertainment zones” where bars and restaurants could serve alcoholic drinks that people can consume on public streets and sidewalks.

(01/29/2024) → CalMatters

• New Pickleball Equipment Takes a Swing at the Sport’s Noise Problem

The “pop, pop, pop” that’s become synonymous with Pickleball may soon be a racket of the past. That’s the goal promised by a new generation of equipment developed to lessen the overall acoustic burden of the sport.

(01/29/2024) → Daily Democrat
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Government Announcements

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Image of United States seal. United States   (02/03/2024)

Hormel Foods Recalls Ready-To-Eat Spiced Deli Ham Products Due to Misbranding and Undeclared Allergen

WASHINGTON, Feb. 3, 2024 - Hormel Foods, an Austin, Minn. establishment, is recalling approximately 945 pounds of ready-to-eat spiced deli ham products due to misbranding and undeclared allergen, the U.S...
Image of United States seal. United States   (02/02/2024)

Summer Fresh Salads Inc. Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Sesame in Wegmans Harissa Hummus Topped with Harissa

Summer Fresh Salads Inc. of Woodbridge, Ontario, Canada is recalling its Wegmans Harissa Hummus Topped With Harissa because they may contain undeclared sesame. People who have allergies to sesame run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products. The recal
Image of United States seal. United States   (02/02/2024)

Macgregors Meat and Seafood Ltd Recalls Frozen Ready-To-Eat Pork Products Imported Without Benefit of Import Reinspection

WASHINGTON, Feb. 2, 2024 - Macgregors Meat and Seafood Ltd, a Woodbridge, Ontario, Canada establishment, is recalling approximately 2,745 pounds of frozen, ready-to-eat pork products that were not presented for...
Image of United States seal. United States   (02/01/2024)

Hearty Acquisitions Llc Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Soy in Tomato Basil with Rice Exp 3/22/2024

Hearty Acquisitions Inc. of Brooklyn, NY, is recalling its pints of "Tomato Basil with Rice EXP 3/22/2024" 16 Oz containers because they contain Butternut Squash Bisque resulting in soy being undeclared on the label. People who have allergies to soy run the risk of serious or life-threatening allerg
Image of United States seal. United States   (02/01/2024)

Nam & Son of MD Recalls Soybean Sprouts Because of Possible Health Risk

Nam & Son of MD, Jessup, MD is recalling one-pound bags of soybean sprouts, with the sell-by date of December 21, 2023, because it has the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.
Image of United States seal. United States   (01/30/2024)

Byrne Dairy Recalls Mighty Fine Chocolate Ice Cream in Half Gallons Dated 10/4/2024 Due to Undeclared Peanuts

Byrne Dairy, Inc. of Syracuse, New York is voluntarily recalling its Byrne Dairy Mighty Fine Chocolate Ice Cream in half gallon cartons with a Last Date of Sale of 10/4/2024 because it may contain undeclared peanuts. People who have allergies to peanuts run the risk of serious or life-threatening al
Image of United States seal. United States   (01/28/2024)

Truong Giang Distributor Corp Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Sulfites in Dried Mango

TRUONG GIANG DISTRIBUTOR CORP of Philadelphia, PA is recalling Golden Owl Dried Mango, because it may contain undeclared sulfites. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to sulfites run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products. Product was d
Image of United States seal. United States   (01/24/2024)

Utz Quality Foods Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Milk in Utz® Wavy Original Potato Chips in Metro New York Area

Utz Quality Foods, LLC., is issuing a voluntary recall for 88 cases of Utz 2.75 oz. Wavy Original Potato Chips due to an undeclared milk allergen. This recall was initiated after Utz learned that approximately 1200 single-serve bags contained Utz Wavy Original Potato Chips flavored with seasoning
Image of United States seal. United States   (01/20/2024)

Al Amir Fresh Foods Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Sesame in Hummus Dip Products and Undeclared Milk in Tzatziki Cucumber Yogurt

Al Amir Fresh Foods of Milwaukie, Oregon is recalling Al Amir brand hummus dip products due to undeclared sesame and Tzatziki Cucumber Yogurt due to undeclared milk.
Image of United States seal. United States   (01/18/2024)

FSIS Issues Public Health Alert for Raw Frozen Pork Dumpling Products Produced without Benefit of Inspection

WASHINGTON, Jan. 18, 2024 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is issuing a public health alert because Dim Sum Factory Inc., a Flushing, N.Y...