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By Eric Johnson
Published Mar 11, 2024

Political Economics and the Movies

Before we get into the serious fun of continuing the conversation about the Oscars: a reminder.

We know from the clicks that many of you are aware that this newsletter contains a news digest featuring stories from the California Local Media Alliance and other news outlets you can trust. See below.

Of course, you will also find access to local nonprofits that are doing important work in your community, and also our fledgling Good Business Directory of local businesses at work on community-building. And as always, a tasty recipe that you can find only here.

Let’s proceed…


Movies as Politics

Art is not trivial. The visual arts, literature, theater, music—all allow us to touch the deepest parts of the human condition. Movies at their best bring all of the other arts together, and put them in a place where we can all access them pretty easily.

Four of the contenders for Best Picture last night tackle big political issues—and, not incidentally, sexual politics.

Oppenheimer offers a smart (if bombastic IMJ) story of the man who gave humanity the means for total global annihilation—and also delves into his relationships with the women in his life.

Killers of the Flower Moon confronts one of our nation's darkest sins—the mass murder of the land’s Indigenous population—while also considering the politics of one marriage, and one woman’s love for the man who ultimately kills her.

Poor Things investigates sexual politics via the story of a “woman” (created by a man) who is unburdened by society’s proscriptions.

And Barbie (my choice for Best Picture, which as of this writing feels like a long shot) maps a devastating takedown of the patriarchy itself on a delightful piece of pink fluff that feels a little bit like Pee-wee's Big Adventure, but is way more dangerous.

This next article may be moot but I hope you'll find it edifying.


Why ‘Barbie’ Deserved a Best Picture Oscar


From now on, girls will learn from Barbie that they live in a world where men subjugate women. They will receive this truth during a joyous cinematic spectacle.


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Yolo County's Homepage

Direct your browser to https://yolo.californialocal.com/ to catch up on the latest news in California and Yolo County. Bookmark the link and visit often, there's a lot happening in your community!


Big Movie Money

Here in California, movies are one of our most important cultural exports, and are one of the ways California leads the world. They are also big business, and rival Silicon Valley, ag and defense as a backbone of the state's economy. Here is exactly how that happeneed.


Hooray For Hollywood: All About California’s Most Glamorous Industry

From its earliest days, Hollywood has reigned as California's most glamorous industry.
From its early days of hard-charging, Jewish immigrant moguls to today's domination by megacorporations, here's how Hollywood continues to hold its place as one of California's most important industries.

Help for Hospice Patients in the Sacramento Region

YoloCares offers help for families in Yolo, Sacramento, Placer and El Dorado counties who are dealing with end-of-life issues.


The Better End

With spaces to relax and socialize, YoloCares facilities support patients along their care journey—not just the end of life.
For more than four decades, YoloCares has helped families navigate life’s final stages.

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 Winter! cookbook.


Old-fashioned chili – warm taste of summer on a chilly night

Warm up on a late winter night with chili and beans, made with last summer's tomatoes (or purchased canned tomatoes).
Recipe: Mom’s chili and beans with grated cheese and onions


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Get to Know a Group

Big Brothers Big Sisters logo Big Brothers Big Sisters

Big Brother Big Sisters provides children facing adversity with strong, enduring, professionally supported mentorship. The chapter serves Sacramento and Yolo counties, as well as southern Placer County.

→ Learn more

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From Our Media Allies

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The Dirt logo Reading List: Women’s History Month

The team at Avid Reader Bookstore rounded up more than a dozen non-fiction books on notable women in history, or that focus on women’s struggles.

  California Local Pin Marker  

Recent Local News

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Woodland Volunteers Plant 80 Trees for Arbor Day

80 shade trees at Crawford, Tredway and Traynham Parks were planted by dozens of volunteers Saturday morning in Woodland as part of the "city of trees" Arbor Day celebration.

(03/10/2024) → Daily Democrat

Citrus Circuits Wins Robotics Event

Davis robotics team "Citrus Circuits" wins the regional championship, and advances to the international FIRST robotics competition.

(03/08/2024) → Davis Enterprise

Four Tribes in California Receive Federal Funds to Boost Access to Electricity

For many living on the Yurok Tribe’s reservation, which lies in and around Humboldt County, access to electricity has been spotty for years — if that access has existed at all. 

(03/07/2024) → CapPublicRadio
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Recent Statewide News

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• California Attorney General Boosts Bill Banning Medical Debt From Credit Reports

California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced Monday that he is throwing his weight behind legislation to bar medical debt from showing up on consumer credit reports, a Democratic-led effort to offer protection to patients squeezed by health care bills.

(03/10/2024) → California Healthline

• California Law Enforcement Transparency Legislation Signed Into Law

After receiving bipartisan support, California Senate Bill 400, legislation intended to increase law enforcement transparency, was signed into law by Gov. Gavin Newsom.

(03/09/2024) → Davis Vanguard

• San Francisco Voters Pass Police & Drug Ballot Measures

Proposition E broadens police surveillance powers and Proposition F mandates drug screening and treatment for people receiving county welfare benefits who are suspected of drug use.

(03/08/2024) → Los Angeles Times

• New Website Features Information on Care of Backyard Chickens, Sheep, Goats

The University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources advisors has published a new website with information resources for small acreage landowners raising livestock.

(03/07/2024) → YubaNet

• CA Legislature Could Set a New Record for Women

The number of women elected to the state Senate and Assembly is 50 of 120 after the 2022 election. And based on the primary results so far, it’s expected to increase to at least 55 women after the November election.

(03/07/2024) → CalMatters

• Fewer Students, Higher Absenteeism Affect California Public School Financing

California’s public schools depend on state aid for the lion’s share of their operational income. Two trends – declining enrollment and high absenteeism – are creating financial headaches.

(03/07/2024) → CalMatters

• California Agrees to Cuts of Colorado River Water

California, Arizona and Nevada would cut their allocations about 20% when reservoir levels drop. But other states have their own more aggressive plan. Now the federal government has to decide how to manage the drought-plagued river.

(03/06/2024) → CalMatters

• Californians Face Higher Costs for Goods and Services Than Before the Pandemic Despite Inflation Slowing

The consumer price index shows services are mostly responsible for persistent inflation, but prices for food and other goods in California remain high.

(03/05/2024) → CalMatters

• California is Seeing a Historic Rise in the Number of Black Women Running for Office

At least 24 Black women are running for seats in the California Legislature this year, resulting from years of work cultivating new leaders and growing confidence among voters.

(03/04/2024) → CalMatters

• California Schools Gained Billions During COVID-19. Now the Money is Running Out

California schools got $23.4 billion in federal pandemic relief money. Low-income schools that got the most may be hardest hit when the funds expire this year.

(03/04/2024) → CalMatters
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Government Announcements

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Image of City of Davis seal. City of Davis   (03/11/2024)

Hate-Free Together Launches New Website

Image of City of Davis seal. City of Davis   (03/11/2024)

NEW "What Do You Do" Episode: Interview with Volunteer Coordinator Kellie Vitaich

Image of United States seal. United States   (03/10/2024)

Jen's Breakfast Burritos, LLC, Recalls Ready to Eat Breakfast Burrito Products Due to Possible Listeria Contamination

WASHINGTON, March 10, 2024 - Jen's Breakfast Burritos, LLC, an Auburn, Wash. establishment, is recalling approximately 144 pounds of ready-to-eat (RTE) breakfast burrito products that may be adulterated with Listeria...
Image of United States seal. United States   (03/07/2024)

Wesco, Inc. Issues Voluntary Recall and Allergy Alert on Undeclared Peanut in Wesco Mint No Bake Cookie Bites

Wesco, Inc. of Muskegon, MI is recalling 750 units of Wesco Mint No Bake Cookie Bites, because it may contain undeclared peanut. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to peanuts run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products. The affected Wesc
Image of City of Woodland seal. City of Woodland   (03/07/2024)

You’re Invited to the “Spring Thing” at the Woodland Regional Park Preserve

March 23 event is co-hosted by Tuleyome and the City of Woodland
Image of City of Woodland seal. City of Woodland   (03/07/2024)

Join Woodland’s César Chávez Celebration on Thursday, March 28

Essay contest submissions due March 14
Image of State of California seal. State of California   (03/07/2024)

Bill Dodd CA Senate 03:
Sen. Dodd: Rhonda Morningstar Pope Flores is Yolo Woman of the Year

Thursday, March 7, 2024 WEST SACRAMENTO Rhonda Morningstar Pope Flores, chair of the Buena Vista Rancheria of Me-Wuk Indians, has played a central role in improving services for Native Americans and residents of West Sacramento, most recently opening the Bryte and Broderick Community Center. For her many community contributions, she has been named Yolo County Woman of the Year by …
Image of State of California seal. State of California   (03/07/2024)

Bill Dodd CA Senate 03:
Sen. Dodd Names Rebecca Barrett Contra Costa Woman of the Year

Thursday, March 7, 2024 MARTINEZ Rebecca Barrett, president of the Contra Costa County Community College District board and champion of public education, the underserved and first-generation college students, has been named Contra Costa County Woman of the Year by Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa. Rebecca has an impressive track record of supporting young people from all backgrounds as they fulfill their …
Image of United States seal. United States   (03/07/2024)

Salm Partners, LLC, Recalls Johnsonville Polish Kielbasa Turkey Sausage Products Due to Possible Foreign Matter Contamination

WASHINGTON, March 7, 2024 - Salm Partners, LLC, a Denmark, Wis., establishment, is recalling approximately 35,430 pounds of Johnsonville turkey kielbasa sausage that may be contaminated with foreign materials, specifically...
Image of United States seal. United States   (03/06/2024)

Stonewall Kitchen Issues Allergy Alert for Wheat in Limited Quantity of Gluten Free Cinnamon Sugar Doughnut Mix

Stonewall Kitchen of York, Maine is voluntarily recalling a limited amount of their Gluten Free Cinnamon Sugar Doughnut Mix because it may contain an undeclared allergen, wheat. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to wheat (which contains gluten) may risk serious allergic reaction if t