It's Tuesday. We're celebrating stories about life in California, beyond breaking news. Plus, an exhibit spotlighting Los Angeles's underrecognized artists comes to the Hammer Museum. |
 | | Cliffs, coastal redwoods and an unfettered horizon along the Pacific Ocean conjure a majestic experience that the writer Henry Miller once described as "almost painful to behold."Ian Bates for The New York Times |
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As reporters, we go where the news is. |
That means we're often showing up in cities and towns after the unimaginable has happened. Writing about places on their very worst days, after a shooting, a hurricane or some other catastrophe that has upended the way of life. |
This is a painful lens through which to see the world, for journalists, readers and the residents of these communities. I wish it weren't the case that I've spent time in places like San Bernardino and Santa Rosa mainly to report on tragedy. And it saddens me that many people's understanding of Thousand Oaks, where I grew up, comes solely from coverage of a mass shooting there in 2018. |
So The New York Times has recently been trying to broaden that lens, to report on what life is like in towns and cities across America on more normal days. |
Last fall, between reporting on extreme heat and on monkeypox, I spent a few days hiking through the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest of California, home to what's believed to be, at 4,800 years, the oldest tree in the world. |
I wrote about these gnarled, otherworldly trees and how they complete California's "tree-fecta": The Golden State is home to not only the world's oldest trees, but also the largest and the tallest. Taking the time to learn about these seemingly immortal living things and to contemplate California's identity was a rejuvenating experience for me as a reporter, and I like to think it was refreshing for readers, too. |
Across the Country has often told stories about life in California, and I highly recommend reading any that strike your fancy. Enjoy: |
Enjoy all of The New York Times in one subscription — the original reporting and analysis, plus puzzles from Games, recipes from Cooking, product reviews from Wirecutter and sports journalism from The Athletic. Experience it all with a New York Times All Access subscription. |
 | | Gov. Gavin Newsom speaking in Beverly Hills in May. Patrick T. Fallon/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images |
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- California lawmakers will decide this week whether to place a pair of measures on the March 2024 ballot that would generate $4.68 billion to build mental health facilities that would provide care for 10,000 patients, The Los Angeles Times reports.
- Tucked into a State Senate bill revising aspects of the Medical Board of California is a clause undoing a law that was intended to curb "dissemination of misinformation or disinformation related to Covid-19," The Los Angeles Times reports.
- A judge in San Francisco ordered the two factions of Senator Dianne Feinstein's family fighting over the estate of her late husband, the financier Richard C. Blum, to try to settle the case through mediation.
- Labor groups and fast-food companies in California reached an agreement over the weekend that will pave the way for workers in the industry to receive a minimum wage of $20 an hour.
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- A group of Los Angeles Unified School District employees collected more than $750,000 combined in extra pay over three years, prompting investigations, The Los Angeles Times reports.
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- Clovis Unified School District parents and others spoke for almost an hour at a school board meeting, demanding a written policy to notify parents when students decide to change their pronouns, names and gender identity, The Fresno Bee reports.
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 | | Torii Landing overlooking the reflecting pond in the Japanese Garden at Lotusland in Montecito.Pamela Hassell/Associated Press |
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Today's tip comes from Jane Abrams, who lives in the Pacific Palisades. Jane recommends visiting Lotusland, a botanical garden in Montecito: |
"Lotusland is amazing! It's a horticultural wonderland blending whimsy and fantasy with exceptional beauty, according to the brochure. Around 37 acres of 18 different gardens, including Japanese, rose, topiary, tropical, water, fern and succulent gardens to name just a few. Docent-led, two-hour tours explain the fascinating history of Lotusland and the various gardens. You need reservations! We stayed in Summerland, a small charming town about 10 minutes away. Had a terrific dinner at Lucky's Italian restaurant in Montecito." |
Tell us about your favorite places to visit in California. Email your suggestions to CAtoday@nytimes.com. We'll be sharing more in upcoming editions of the newsletter. |
Today we're asking about love: not whom you love, but what you love about your corner of California. |
Email us a love letter to your California city, neighborhood or region — or to the Golden State as a whole — and we may share it in an upcoming newsletter. You can reach the team at CAtoday@nytimes.com. |
 | | Goat Rock Beach, along the Sonoma County coastline near Jenner.Michael Macor/San Francisco Chronicle, via Getty Images |
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And before you go, some good news |
Marin, Sonoma and Mendocino Counties have begun a three-year campaign to keep their renowned coastal lands clean. |
Called the "Cleaner California Coast" initiative, the new campaign asks visitors to abide by "leave no trace" rules, packing out waste brought in or generated in an area, or using reusable and compostable items instead. The project represents a new tack for the three counties, whose waste management systems have been recently overwhelmed by an influx of tourism. |
The goal is to reduce pollution and keep native ecosystems healthy by keeping the area's picturesque beaches clean. "It's kind of a simple message: If you're at the coast, come prepared," said Cristina Torresan, the communications manager at Marin County Parks and Open Space. |
In its inaugural year, the project is focused on local awareness, but organizers plan to expand the marketing campaign to the greater Bay Area in the coming years. |
Thanks for reading. I'll be back tomorrow. — Soumya |
Maia Coleman, Briana Scalia and Shivani Gonzalez contributed to California Today. You can reach the team at CAtoday@nytimes.com. |
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