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By Eric Johnson
Published Apr 29, 2024

On Photography and Politics

Happy Monday! A reminder that below this week's featured offerings you will find a local news digest designed to help you easily keep up with important stuff that's happening in your backyard. And: A seasonal recipe to bring some delicious to your week.  


Art and Community

This week, we focus on a Californian who found a creative way to contribute to his community. Robert Buelteman is a fine art photographer who devoted much of his career to protecting the wild lands around his home on the San Francisco Peninsula. By beautifully documenting redwood forests, oak studded hillsides and a watershed that were under massive pressure of development, he helped two environmental organizations preserve more than 140,000 acres of land from Santa Cruz to San Francisco.

This all occurred during the decades when the place once known as the "Valley of Heart's Delight" exploded to become became Silicon Valley. And, in his later career, Buelteman invented a new form of imaging technology that was celebrated in nationwide publications, including Wired magazine. His inspring, brief recounting is a very "California" story.


The Making of ‘The Unseen Peninsula’

This image, titled 'Montara Mountain,' was used on the cover of 'The Unseen Peninsula.'
A celebrated photographer reflects on the life that led to his first book, which captures a secret paradise in the heart of the San Francisco Peninsula.

Robert Buelteman Captures the Secret Beauty of Plants

Field Flowers (2010) by Robert Buelteman
Before he started making images without a camera, Robert Buelteman was a celebrated nature photographer who worked primarily in black-and-white film.

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 Spring! cookbook.


Rhub-berry cake does a flip for spring

Rhubarb stripes are accented with blueberries on top of this easy spring cake.
NEW Upside-down cake features stripes of rhubarb, dots of blueberries


Impact Report Image for decorative use


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Santa Clara County's Homepage

Our overview page for Santa Clara County is updated daily with the latest state and local news, weather alerts, local government announcements and local blog posts and news snippets from community groups and individuals.
Direct your browser to santaclara.californialocal.com to catch up on the latest news in California and Santa Clara County. Bookmark the link and visit often, there's a lot happening in your community!


Get to Know a Group

Community Emergency Response Volunteers logo Community Emergency Response Volunteers

Community Emergency Response Volunteers of the Monterey Peninsula's mission is “to support local CERT programs, build public awareness about emergency preparedness, and promote the community's capacity to respond to natural disasters and man-made emergencies.”

→ Learn more

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From Our Media Allies

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Salinas Valley Tribune logo Pacific Grove Student Named Monterey County’s Next Youth Poet Laureate

After a competitive selection process, the Arts Council for Monterey County has announced Maram Haddad as the 2024-25 Monterey County Youth Poet Laureate.

Salinas Valley Tribune logo Arroyo Seco Road Reopens Following Slide Safeguard Work

Arroyo Seco Road has reopened to the public after major stabilization work, and motorists will see additional repairs occurring over the next month.

The Pajaronian logo Homeless Shelter Project in Watsonville to Break Ground in June

Construction will begin in June on a 34-unit community of small temporary dwellings based at Westview Presbyterian Church in Watsonville, after the Monterey County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved agreements to build and manage the facility.

King City Rustler logo Broadband Access Expands to San Ardo and North Monterey County, Bridging Digital Divide for More Than 1,000 Households

Two rural areas in Monterey County are marking milestones as the County of Monterey expands essential internet services.

Salinas Valley Tribune logo Military Ordnance Found in Soledad Prompts Evacuation, Bomb Squad Response

Officers from the Soledad Police Department were responding to a call for service on April 15 when they were notified of a potential threat to the community — a possible bomb in the bed of a nearby truck.

Monterey County Weekly logo Historic or Just Old? A Housing Project in Monterey Hinges on the Answer.

Usually, Monterey’s history is an asset, something to highlight, but in some cases, it’s complicated.

Monterey County Weekly logo A Pump Track and Skate Park Concept in Salinas Inches Forward After Years of Dreaming.

A BMX pump track and skate park has been on the radar of the Monterey County Board of Supervisors since 2017.

Monterey County Weekly logo Soledad City Council Will Decide How to Proceed With District Elections After a Referendum.

Soledad residents worked for months to bring a referendum to the ballot and motivate voters to reject a five-district map the City Council selected last year.

Monterey County Weekly logo Salinas City Council Decides to Fill a Vacancy in District 3 by Appointment.

Dozens of people showed up at Salinas City Hall on Tuesday night, April 23 to talk about elections even though it is not yet election season.

King City Rustler logo Pinnacles National Park Takes on Massive Paving Project This Spring, Early Summer

Pinnacles National Park will break ground on a park-wide paving project beginning at the end of April, resulting in some closures for visitors during the late spring and early summer period.

Salinas Valley Tribune logo Monterey County Secures $11M in State Grants to Combat Homelessness in King City and Soledad

The County of Monterey has been awarded two significant grants under California’s Encampment Resolution Funding program, allocating more than $11 million to address homelessness in King City and Soledad.

King City Rustler logo Grant Empowers Alliance on Aging to Promote Age- And Disability-Friendly Communities in Monterey County

With the support of a pivotal grant from the California Department of Aging, the Alliance on Aging (AOA) is embarking on a transformative journey to foster age- and disability-friendly communities across Salinas, North and South Monterey County.

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Recent Local News

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• Big Sur Highway 1 Convoys Open to the Public

CalTrans announced convoys through the Rocky Creek slip-out on Highway 1 are open to the general public twice daily at 7-8AM and 5-6PM.

(04/28/2024) → Monterey Herald

• Land Trust Purchase Enhances Watershed

The Big Sur Land Trust purchase of the 84-acre parcel protects and enhances the Canyon Del Rey watershed.

(04/25/2024) → Monterey Herald

• Highway 1 Repair On Track

CalTrans continues to work toward a May 27 reopening of Highway 1 at the Rocky Creek slip-out.

(04/25/2024) → Monterey Herald

• Monterey County Affordable Housing Lags

An update on efforts by the County of Monterey to meet state mandated levels of affordable housing shows lack of significant progress.

(04/24/2024) → Monterey Herald

• Police Chief Appointed Acting City Manager

The Seaside City Council appointed Police Chief Nick Borges as acting City Manager.

(04/23/2024) → Monterey Herald

• Examining the Cal State Monterey Bay Inclusive Sustainability Plan

A look at the progress made toward the goals outlined in the CSUMB Inclusive Sustainability Plan created in 2020.

(04/22/2024) → The Lutrinae
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Recent Statewide News

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• California's Population Increased Last Year for First Time Since 2020

During the much-ballyhooed “California exodus” amid the pandemic, remote workers moved to other states where they could live for a fraction of the cost compared to cities like Los Angeles or San Francisco.

(04/29/2024) → Los Angeles Times

• Chuckwalla National Monument Would Protect Swath of California Desert and Preserve a Sacred Land

Indigenous Californians want President Biden to establish a national monument in a stretch of desert that is both an ecological wonder and a window into their cultures.

(04/27/2024) → Los Angeles Times

• Who Killed CA Utility Bill Legislation?

A bill to rein in a proposed monthly fee on California electric bills would let California’s largest for-profit utility companies charge customers $24 per month — with fees as low as $6 for lower-income customers — as a kind of membership fee for the power grid.

(04/26/2024) → CalMatters

• Rural Counties Far From Universities Struggle to Recruit Teachers

Nine counties located more than an hour away from universities with teacher preparation programs face particular difficulties.

(04/25/2024) → EdSource

• California Wants Better Animal Shelter Conditions, Stray Population Curbed

Several bills making their way through the California Legislature seek to address overcrowded animal shelters and streamline how animals receive care.

(04/24/2024) → Los Angeles Times

• Bill Would Allow Arizona Abortion Providers to Practice in California Temporarily

Newsom-backed bill would allow Arizona abortion providers to practice in California as the Republican-led state restricts access.

(04/24/2024) → Los Angeles Times
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Government Announcements

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Image of United States seal. United States   (04/27/2024)

H-E-B Issues Voluntary Recall for 3-Ounce Cups of Creamy Creations Ice Cream in Select Flavors

Committed to the safety and quality of its products, H-E-B is voluntarily issuing a recall for 12-count packages of 3-ounce cups of Creamy Creations ice cream in select flavors for potential metal. The affected products were distributed to all H-E-B stores in Texas and Mexico and Central Market, Joe
Image of State of California seal. State of California   (04/26/2024)

Gail Pellerin CA Assembly 28:
Assemblymember Pellerin Comments on AB 2654 (Fong) from the Assembly Elections Committee

Assemblymember Pellerin Comments on AB 2654 (Fong) from the Assembly Elections Committee robbee Fri, 04/26/2024 - 12:15 Phone 916-319-2028 Friday, April 26, 2024 Assemblymember Gail Pellerin made the following comments during Assembly Elections Committee yesterday, April 25, 2024. Additionally, Assemblymember Pellerin provides the following statement: I have not spoken to the Governor or any members of his team about AB …
Image of City of Morgan Hill seal. City of Morgan Hill   (04/26/2024)

National River Clean Up Day in MH

May 18, 2024 is National River Cleanup Day! Join the Environmental Services team for its biannual creek cleanup at 100 Edes Ct., 9 a.m. to noon to keep our environment healthy and clean! Register through Eventbrite and we'll see you out in the field!
Image of United States seal. United States   (04/26/2024)

802 VT Frozen Recalls Frozen Meat Pizza Products Due to Misbranding and Undeclared Allergens

WASHINGTON, April 26, 2024 - 802 VT Frozen, a Newport, Vt. establishment, is recalling approximately 8,221 pounds of frozen meat pizza due to misbranding and undeclared allergens, the U.S. Department...
Image of State of California seal. State of California   (04/26/2024)

Gail Pellerin CA Assembly 28:
Support AB 2839 - Deepfake Disinformation

Support AB 2839 - Deepfake Disinformation robbee Fri, 04/26/2024 - 09:50 Friday, April 26, 2024
Image of State of California seal. State of California   (04/26/2024)

Dawn Addis CA Assembly 30:
Press Conference with Governor Newsom and the California Legislative Women's Caucus

Wednesday, April 24, 2024 Assemblymember Addis spoke at a press conference held with Governor Newsom and Members of the California Legislative Women's Caucus regarding the Arizona Abortion Bill.
Image of City of Milpitas seal. City of Milpitas   (04/25/2024)

Community Town Hall Budget meeting

Join us for an important gathering at our upcoming Budget Meeting Townhall! Your voice matters, and we want to ensure that every member of the Milpitas community has the opportunity to be heard and participate in the decision-making process.
Image of State of California seal. State of California   (04/25/2024)

Ash Kalra CA Assembly 25:
Assemblymember Kalra Celebrates Passage of AB 2441 to Reduce Harmful Police Referrals in K-12 Schools

Assemblymember Kalra Celebrates Passage of AB 2441 to Reduce Harmful Police Referrals in K-12 Schools hallakze Thu, 04/25/2024 - 15:17 Thursday, April 25, 2024 SACRAMENTO Assemblymember Ash Kalra (D-San Jose) and AB 2441 co-sponsors celebrate the bills passage out of the Assembly Education Committee yesterday. AB 2441 will decrease law enforcement involvement in student behavioral issues at school and provide …
Image of City of Saratoga seal. City of Saratoga   (04/25/2024)

Spring Cleanup! Household Hazardous Waste Event

Make an appointment online to bring household hazardous waste items and unused medications to a special event at City Hall on May 11, 8 a.m. - noon.
Image of United States seal. United States   (04/24/2024)

Tama Corporation Recalls Product Because of Possible Health Risk

Tama Corporation of Doral FL is recalling 24-ounce containers of "Oueso de Mano PAISA" have contamination with Listeria monocytogenes, a bacterium that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy indivi