At the McKinley Park Rose Garden in Sacramento, the first rose of 2024.
We have a slightly humorous tradition in our family: At the beginning of every season, one of us will say something like, “Winter in California is amazing, and I’m going to miss going up to the snow—but spring really is the best season.” Or "yeah sure summer is fun with the swimming and all, but ahhh the colors of fall—obviolusly the best season."
I realize this is not all that funny, but what makes it a little bit funny (to us) is that we say it at the beginning of every single season, and have been doing so for many years. And we kind of mean it every single time. Because every new season holds the promise that it'll be better than the last.
This winter, as you know, was cold and wet. I am a nature-worshiping Californian who’s been living through a deadly drought, so I stopped complaining about the rain more than a decade ago … until this year. Last week’s warm sun and long evenings made me feel better than I have felt in months.
So: In this week’s edition of The Newsletter, four things, all related to the very best season: Spring!
Product Launch from Hilltromper: BloomTracker
As you may have noticed, we do not tire of singing the praises of California, and Hilltromper (which is kind of CALocal's sister-site) focuses on our state's awesome natural beauty. For our final piece of appreciation today we present the coolest wildflower-finding tool you've ever seen, which was launched last week by our friend Mike Kahn.
BloomTracker: Wildflower Finder & Protector from Hilltromper
Over at Hilltromper, “The Nature-worshiping, Fun-Loving Adventure Guide” that serves the South Bay Area, Santa Cruz County, and anyone who visits these beautiful places, our friend Mike Kahn has just launched a new product he named BloomTracker—“an online resource that helps you find the best places to see wildflowers, in real time, and helps reduce impacts on parks and other open spaces.”
• Energy Consultants Lower Power Bills
As energy costs go up and awareness of the environmental footprint increases, people are turning to energy consultants for energy audits and advice.
(03/25/2024) → Mountain View Voice
• Funding Sought for Free Shakespeare in the Park in Cupertino
The nonprofit San Francisco Shakespeare Festival has produced free 90-minute shows in Cupertino's Memorial Park every summer for decades but now faces a budget shortfall.
(03/25/2024) → The Mercury News
• Palo Alto and Stanford Consider Bus Road
The City of Palo and Stanford University are considering an option of converting a strip through El Camino Park into a road for buses.
(03/25/2024) → Mountain View Voice
• School Kitchens Experience Staffing Shortages
As school meal programs expand, school kitchens are experiencing struggles hiring and retaining food workers.
(03/24/2024) → The Mercury News
• City of Palo Alto Review Questions Safety of CalTrans El Camino Bike Lanes
A report commissioned by the City of Palo Alto noted serious safety concerns for users of CalTrans designed bike lanes based on the high speed vehicular traffic on El Camino Real.
(03/23/2024) → Mountain View Voice
• Semiconductor Equipment Manufacturer Applied Materials Acquires Properties
Applied Materials adds to $250M+ spent on South Bay properties with purchase of two more office and research buildings in Sunnyvale.
(03/22/2024) → The Mercury News
• Name That Tunnel Boring Machine
As part of the BART Silicon Valley Phase II Extension Project, the Valley Transportation Authority has announced a contest to name the tunnel boring machine.
(03/22/2024) → Silicon Valley Voice
• MVLA Superintendent to Retire
After serving for five years as Mountain View Los Altos Union High School District Superintendent, Nellie Meyer announced plans to retire at the end of the school year.
(03/22/2024) → Mountain View Voice
• Office Tower to Housing Project Underway
A permit application has been filed to convert the historic Bank of Italy office tower in San Jose to 100+ units of housing.
(03/21/2024) → The Mercury News
• Bloomberg Backs Liccardo
Michael Bloomberg has contributed $500K to a super PAC supporting former San Jose Mayor Sam Licacardo's run for U.S. Congress representing District 16.
(03/21/2024) → The Mercury News
• Silicon Valley Janitors Rally in Support of in Support of AB 2364
The State Assembly bill would address complaints of overwork by members of the Service Employees International Union-United Service Workers West union.
(03/21/2024) → The Mercury News
• San Jose Mayor Mahan Supports Anti-Displacement Ordinance
San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan is adding his support for a local ordinance drafted to assist low-income tenants in San Jose remain in their neighborhoods.
(03/21/2024) → The Mercury News
• San Jose Water Seeks Rate Increases
San Jose Water is proposing hike rates of 20 percent or more over the next three years to cover inflation and higher operating costs.
(03/21/2024) → The Mercury News
• Menlo Park Housing Development Proposed
Alliant Strategic Development has applied to build 88 apartments at the site of the former Flood School in Menlo Park at 321 Sheridan Drive.
(03/21/2024) → Daily Post
• Mountain View Office Buildings Are Foreclosed
Two office buildings located at 515 and 545 North Whisman Road in Mountain View have been foreclosed by their lender, adding to other recent foreclosures in the region.
(03/21/2024) → The Mercury News
• Palo Alto Mayor Touts $52M for Affordable Housing Since 2017
Mayer Greer Stone says the city is committed to building 6,000 homes over the next decade, including downtown on California Avenue and in other areas.
(03/21/2024) → The Mercury News