Don’t Bug Me

“An open mind, like an open window, should be screened to keep the bugs out.”–Virginia Hutchinson    Read more »

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Politics on Tap — “All Politics Are Local”

Assemblymember Nancy Skinner , a Berkeley Democrat;  Jan Emerson-Shea, vice president of external affairs of the California Hospital Association, West Sacramento Mayor Christopher Cabaldon    Read more »

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A Different Kind of Capitol Fundraiser

Of the at least 96 fundraisers scheduled during the final weeks of the legislative session, there’s one that only costs $250 instead of the usual $1,000-a-head.

And the money doesn’t pad some candidate’s campaign coffers.

The $250 buys college textbooks for foster kids.   

The event – 5 pm, Tuesday, August 27, Chicory Café, 11th and L Streets – benefits The John Burton Foundation for Children without Homes.    Read more »

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Appreciate the Update, Alan

My first August district work period has been a great experience. This work period marks the end of my first 8 months in Congress — a whirlwind experience to say the least — and the beginning of a month-long stay back home in California, interacting directly with the citizens of the 47th District.    Read more »

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Jerry Brown Repeals California’s Subversive Organization Registration Act

 Obscure Statute Recalls the Golden State’s Red-Scare Years and Its Grand Inquisitor, Jack B. Tenney

During California’s 1941 January-to-June legislative session, Germany had conquered Western Europe and was preparing to invade Russia.

America had not officially been drawn into World War II because Japan had yet to bomb Pearl Harbor. But it had approved the Lend-Lease program to aid Great Britain and Russia.    Read more »

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Burgess Meredith Reads Ray Bradbury

The following — Meredith’s reading of Bradbury’s ‘There Will Come Soft Rains” — is Side 1 of a 1962 album of the same name. Bradbury’s story was first published in Collier’s on May 6, 1950 and included in The Martian Chronicles, also published in 1950. 

In the original story, the action takes place in Allendale California on April 28, 1985.    Read more »

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Go With the Flow

“To swim a fast 100 meters, it’s better to swim with the tide than to work on your stroke.”

–Warren Buffett

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Six Gun-Related Bills Place “Your Privacy, Your Freedom and Your Right to Self Defense” at Risk, Says the NRA

In a mailer sent to GOP and independent voters during the week of August 12, the National Rifle Association says California lawmakers would “steamroll” the rights of gun owners by passing six measures that include a ban on magazines with more than 10 rounds and requiring background checks for ammunition purchases.    Read more »

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Arrogate

Verb: “To claim or seize without justification. Claim on behalf of another, ascribe.”

Used in a Sentence: “My client would argue that the administration has improperly arrogated time-honored legislative prerogative, Madam Chair.”

-30-    Read more »

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A California Place Name Neither Indian, Spanish Nor Civil War

Lake Almanor is one of Plumas County’s prime recreation areas. It’s a reservoir with a capacity of 1.3 million acre-feet.

One acre-foot is about 326,00 gallons, roughly the water a family of four uses each year.

Now owned by Pacific Gas & Electric, the reservoir, about 90 feet deep, was built by Great Western Power by damming the North Fork of the Feather River.    Read more »

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