California Today: What you’re looking forward to in 2024

Graduating from Harvard, trips abroad, a 75th birthday and more.

View in browser|nytimes.com Continue reading the main story January 11, 2024 By Soumya Karlamangla California Today, Writer It's Thursday. Readers share their plans for the new year. Plus, Pasadena made The New York Times's list of places to visit in 2024. A girl looks through a telescope at Griffith Observatory to downtown Los Angeles. Beth Coller for The New York Times January is a month for feeling hopeful. The year is new and offering us all a chance to re-evaluate and reset. In fact, my colleague Steven Kurutz argues that January is the best month, because of the sense of calm it offers after the flurry of holiday obligations that we all get caught up in. In honor of the fresh start, I'm sharing a few of the notes that readers have been sending me about what you're looking forward to in 2024, which were all delightful to read. "My big pandemic project was completing a master's degree entirely online. I just finished it and I get to enjoy my commencement at Harvard in May, having never been on campus at all." — Cameo Wood, San Francisco Continue reading the main story ADVERTISEMENT "I am looking forward to a year of fun, free of the worries of caring for my 97-year-old mother who passed in September. It was an honor to spend the last five years near her and to donate some of her life earnings to deserving charities per her wishes. So far, I have three international trips planned and one local adventure. Like many of my active friends, I'm anxious to enjoy traveling while I'm still able." — Jan Foster, Auburn "It is going to be a big year! I am taking my licensure exam to become a licensed clinical social worker and getting married in April. I am excited for lots of good things to come." — Hayley Iwig, Los Angeles "I'm looking forward to celebrating my 75th birthday in March. The plan is to take a bus tour of Hollywood, have dinner at the historic restaurant Musso and Frank, and conclude with the musical 'Chicago' at the Pantages Theater. My wife of 50 years and our daughter's family will join me." — Bill Bescoby, Rancho Cucamonga "I am looking forward to cooking new stews and casseroles, taking myriad cat photos, gawking at oak trees while tuned in to audiobooks in the nearby park, and continuing my voter registration and voter encouragement work leading up to Election Day on Nov. 5." — Pamela Beck, Sacramento Continue reading the main story ADVERTISEMENT "The best part of my 2023 was rediscovering my love of running and competing as an athlete. After more than 10 years away from a sport that I dedicated my entire school career to, I found an amazing, diverse community of athletes and people who are building community. See you all out on the trails in 2024!" — Ryan Lester, Oakland Tanveer Badal for The New York Times If you read one story, make it this Fifty-two places to visit in 2024. We hope you've enjoyed this newsletter, which is made possible through subscriber support. Subscribe to The New York Times. Continue reading the main story ADVERTISEMENT Gov. Gavin Newsom discussed his state budget proposal in Sacramento on Wednesday. Jim Wilson/The New York Times The rest of the news Gov. Gavin Newsom announced that California was facing a $37.9 billion budget deficit and asked state lawmakers to cover the shortfall by cutting spending and tapping reserves. A bill that would ban tackle football for children under 12 passed its first legislative hurdle, a State Assembly committee vote that sent it to the full chamber, The Associated Press reports. The Assembly has until the end of January to approve or reject the bill. The engine manufacturer Cummins has agreed to pay a $1.675 billion penalty as part of a federal and state settlement of charges that it illegally equipped pickup trucks with devices meant to circumvent California's emission standards, the Justice Department said. Southern California A May trial date has been set for the former Los Angeles lawyer Tom Girardi, who faces federal charges that he embezzled millions of dollars from clients, The Orange County Register reports. Central California A 17-year-old girl was arrested in connection with four homicides in Reedley, The Fresno Bee reports. The teenager's mother and her boyfriend were also arrested and accused of being accessories after the fact. Northern California An avalanche at a popular ski resort near Lake Tahoe killed one person and injured another. Amazon is laying off hundreds of employees at its studio division as well as its subsidiary Twitch, based in San Francisco, to reduce costs. WHAT WE'RE EATING David Malosh for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Cyd Raftus McDowell. Broccoli With Sizzled Nuts and Dates By Sohla El-Waylly 30 minutes Makes 2 to 4 servings Jasmine Rae de Lung's cakes are as much about the process of creating them as they are the final product. Sasha Arutyunova for The New York Times And before you go, some good news Jasmine Rae de Lung, a baker in San Francisco, has made a name for herself in the cake-making industry with unusual and dynamic creations that mimic the natural world and its unpredictability. De Lung, who primarily makes wedding cakes, studied art in high school and eventually pursued a master's degree in psychology. Her cakes, which typically cost $5,000 to $10,000 for local weddings, reflect that background: They're often abstract in form and decorated with unusual techniques, like using craggy rice paper to make flowers or stretching fondant to create a rough, skinlike texture. The final product reflects de Lung's surroundings and the baking process itself. The photographer Sasha Arutyunova and the writer Anna Diamond profiled de Lung for The New York Times in an article last month about her business and her artistic practice. The inspiration for her cakes, de Lung said, comes from "surrendering to what's going on, as opposed to designing and creating every last detail." She added, "You're buying the process, not the product." Thanks for reading. I'll be back tomorrow. — Soumya P.S. Here's today's Mini Crossword. Maia Coleman and Briana Scalia contributed to California Today. You can reach the team at CAtoday@nytimes.com. Sign up here to get this newsletter in your inbox. Continue reading the main story Need help? Review our newsletter help page or contact us for assistance. You received this email because you signed up for California Today from The New York Times. To stop receiving California Today, unsubscribe. 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