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Giving Locally Tuesday

A movement started just 12 years ago has gone global—and local. Meanwhile, one of the oldest and largest philanthropic enterprises in the world continues to serve.

Image caption: The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, which began life as a drinking club before becoming a major philanthropic organization, still toasts their fallen members at every meeting and social event.
Elks Helping Kids; and Giraffes on Webcam!

Week One of the charismatic-megafauna segment of our Doing Good series features the BPOE Elks. And: San Diego Zoo cams!

Image caption: The Chumash National Marine Sanctuary
The Life Aquatic: Resilience and ... Aquarium Webcams!

Two plans to protect the ocean and its beaches—and the coolest marine-life webcams on the planet.

Image caption: Thank you for your service.
Service to Country and Community

This Veterans Day, we pay tribute to those who have given parts of their lives to our armed services, and those who serve in our nation's army of government workers.

Image caption: Barricades being installed outside the U.S. Naval Observatory in Washington, D.C., on Nov. 3, 2024,
A Cure for Election Anxiety

As white-hot rhetoric and threats of political violence bring many voters to the edge of madness, we offer a hopeful reminder.

Image caption: The Sacramento San Joaquin Delta, which covers 1,153 square miles, is one of the largest estuaries in western North America. It supplies California with half of its fresh water, and is facing ecological collapse.
The Big Truth, and 'The Tunnel Vision'

Democratic institutions are at work statewide, dealing with local issues and big stuff including the California Delta.

Image caption: Rotarians fete foreign diplomats, Washington, D.C.,  February 24, 1937,  On the left and right are the presidents of two local Rotary clubs, along with the ambassadors of Russia, Italy and Germany.
Meet the Radical Rotarians

An international network of business leaders are working to build local alliances and solve global problems.

Image caption: The California Treasurer's Office
Billions in Bonds on Your Ballot

Californians are being asked to approve two bond measures totaling $20 billion in the election now underway. What does that mean, and how does it work? Find out here.

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Ballots Are in the Mail: It's Democracy Week

As voters receive their ballots for the 2024 presidential election and important statewide and local races, we look at efforts to build democracy, and efforts to weaken it.

Image caption: A road in Florida flooded by the massive rains brought by Hurricane Helene.
A History of Mutual Aid

Volunteering and looking out for one another is central to community life.

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How We Helped Create a National Monument

A spectacular piece of land north of Santa Cruz shows what a determined group of people, with the help of a tenacious little media company, can do.

Image caption: Loch Lomond, the reservoir that supplies the city of Santa Cruz with a significant portion of its drinking water, is also a beautiful recreational and natural resource.
Dams and Reservoirs: Up and Down

California's first big reservoir project in decades is underway, as the state finally gets rid of some old dams. Environmental responsibility meets aridification.

Image caption: The council chambers in Santa Cruz City Hall has been the scene of countless heated political battles, and at least one melee.
It Takes a Village to Run a Village: Developing Leadership

As some municipalities struggle to find people to run for elected offices and advisory boards, we look at the civic engagement pipeline.

Image caption: A relaxing nap can be a good way to spend the holiday which honors workers.
Happy Labor Day to All Who Celebrate

In which we salute the hard workers who make California the fifth largest economy on the planet.

Image caption: The Memorial Rose Garden at McKinley Park in Sacramento. Built and maintained by everyday citizens as a gift to their city.
How Citizenship is Like Gardening

For one thing, "citizen," like "garden," can be used as a verb.

Image caption: Gov. Gavin Newsom walks through a homeless camp with a garbage bag.
California Cracks Down on Homeless Camps & Crime

In the midst of charges that California, and its favorite daughter Kamala Harris, are soft on crime, lawmakers step up in the name of public safety.

Image caption: Humpback whales lunge feeding in Monterey Bay.
Biden Comes Through for the Monterey Bay Area

Joe Biden visited the Santa Cruz County beach towns of Aptos and Capitola following bad storms a couple winters ago. Last week, his administration delivered a big pile of money to help these communities and their neighbors build resilience.

Image caption: A screenshot of the CalFire active incidents web page from August 4, 2024. Yikes.
California Fire Season Grinds On

As July goes down in the history books as the hottest ever recorded, the 2024 California fire season has already burned more than 30 times as much acreage as in 2023.

Image caption: Will Kamala Harris become the first Californian since Richard Nixon to lead the nation?
Statecraft takes time: Kamala Harris & Gavin Newsom

This week: Two examples of ways people in and around government and politics worked behind the scenes, and in the state house, to make things better.

Image caption: Look! The government is spending our money! (Courtesy 'Atlas Shrugged III,')
Money and Politics: The Good News

If you've ever wondered how your governments raise and spend your tax money, here's a primer.

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