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The Valley Citizen
(Not) Just another Black and White Bird
For most anyone else, the black-and-white bird that flew in front of Harold and Sharon Reeve on May 20 as they were driving along a country road in northeastern Stanislaus County might not have seemed unusual. For the two veteran birders, it was a singular event. “Eastern Kingbird,” shouted Harold,...
HAVEN: Safety for those in Need Since 1977
Healthy Alternative to Violent Environments (HAVEN) is a Stanislaus County-centered catalyst for individual empowerment and societal change, advocating for those impacted by domestic violence, sexual assault, or human trafficking and working to end gender-based violence. It was only weeks into the pandemic and people were dying by the thousands across...
#25 in Learn 100 Common Valley Birds (Species 39, 40 & 41)
Educator, naturalist, and photographer supreme, Jim Gain’s Reflections of the Natural World offers a trove of concise lessons in natural history as well as excursions into the beautiful world of avian diversity as revealed in images as far away as Central and South America and as close to home as your own back yard. We’re proud to publish episode number 25 in Jim’s series, Learn 100 Common Valley Birds. ed.
Modesto City Councilmember Favors Safe Sleeping Sites
In a Thursday morning meeting with members of MOCAG, a local citizens’ activist group, Modesto City Councilmember Jeremiah Williams said he favored safe sleeping sites for homeless people as long as supervision of the site was contracted out to service providers. The meeting was held on May 18 in a city council conference room in downtown Modesto.
Still no Homeless Management Plan for City of Modesto
As homeless numbers continue to grow throughout California, the disconnect between people on the ground and state and local leaders also continues to grow. That widening gap between those who work almost daily with homeless people and those who set policy was starkly evident during a meeting of the Modesto City Council on May 9.
Learn 100 Common Valley Birds #23 and 24: Tits, Nuts, and Creeps
Educator, naturalist, and photographer supreme, Jim Gain’s Reflections of the Natural World offers a trove of concise lessons in natural history as well as excursions into the beautiful world of avian diversity as revealed in images as far away as Central and South America and as close to home as your own back yard. We’re proud to publish episodes number 23 and 24 in Jim’s series, Learn 100 Common Valley Birds. ed.
Can’t Solve Homelessness? Follow the Money
For people on the ground among the homeless in California, there’s no mystery why homeless numbers continue to increase despite the expenditure of billions of dollars. The problem is a complete lack of comprehension among federal, state, and local leaders about the true nature of homelessness. Rather than a...
“River Islands”: The Ultimate Bad Idea for Residential Development
Listeners to Bay Area radio stations frequently hear advertisements for a massive Lathrop residential project called “River Islands.” The advertisements tout home construction by a group of award-winning homebuilders on secluded islands in the San Joaquin River Delta. The ads go on to boast six restaurants to serve residents, one new fire station and a new police station, as well as a plethora of recreational activities.
Modesto May Make Newsom Right about Cities and Homelessness
California Governor Gavin Newsom has been justly criticized for his policies on homelessness, especially his reliance on sweeps as the chief tactic for managing California’s growing homeless population. Many of the sweeps chase homeless people from freeway margins and underpasses into cities, with the result that Newsom has continued to blame the state’s mayors for failing on homelessness — a form of blame-shifting that fails to recognize realities like housing shortages, holes in the health care safety net, and a lack of resources for the mentally ill.
Coot and Gallinule: # 22 in “Learn 100 Valley Birds” (Species #34 and 35)
An educator and naturalist, Jim Gain is also a superb photographer. We’re proud to publish his series, “Learn 100 Common Valley Birds.” Here is post #22. Be sure to visit Reflections of the Natural World for more of Jim’s fine work. ed. American Coot – Species...
Learn 100 Valley Birds #21: Swainson’s Hawk (species #33)
An educator and naturalist, Jim Gain is also a superb photographer. We’re proud to publish his series, “Learn 100 Common Valley Birds.” Here is post #21. Be sure to visit Reflections of the Natural World for more of Jim’s fine work. ed. Swainson’s Hawk (Buteo swainsoni)...
Homeless: The False Promise of “Affordable” Housing
California needs affordable housing now, but no one should be led into thinking affordable housing will bring a solution to the state’s widespread homelessness. We need affordable housing because even working people with good jobs have been priced out of California’s housing market. A great many homeless people,...
Learn 100 Valley Birds #20: Two Warblers and a Vireo (#30, 31, and 32)
Jim Gain is one of the San Joaquin Valley’s most accomplished amateur naturalists and photographers. His Reflections of the Natural World website is trove of spectacular nature photography, including species from places like Belize and Yucatan. We’re proud to present Jim’s “Learn 100 Common Valley Birds” series here. ed.
Homeless: Where there’s Law without Order
One simple fact — homeless people have nowhere to go — continues to befuddle public officials everywhere and has led to the wasteful expenditure of billions of dollars. Thus it is that while homeless camps may appear to disappear after government-ordered sweeps, the presence of small groups and individual homeless people continues to increase. Sweeps don’t make them go away; they just force them to another location.
Learn 100 Common Valley Birds # 19: Burrowing Owl – (Species #29)
An educator and naturalist, Jim Gain is also a superb photographer. We’re proud to publish his series, “Learn 100 Common Valley Birds.” Here is post #19. Be sure to visit Reflections of the Natural World for more of Jim’s fine work. ed. The Burrowing Owl (Athene...
“We are in compliance,” says Conagra about alleged Stanislaus River Pollution
In an email dated March 29, a Conagra spokesperson wrote, “Conagra has the proper permits from the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board and we are in compliance with the regulatory requirements as specified in the permits. This includes managing the flow of water from our facility, proper monitoring and completing reporting procedures.”
Fanciful Flycatchers: #18 in “Learn 100 Common Valley Birds” (Species 27 and 28/100)
An educator and naturalist, Jim Gain is also a superb photographer. We’re proud to publish his series, “Learn 100 Common Valley Birds.” Here is post #18. Be sure to visit Reflections of the Natural World for more of Jim’s fine work. ed. Ash-throated Flycatcher: Species #...
Did ConAgra Wastewater Pollute the Stanislaus River?
Last October, we received a report from an anonymous whistle blower that wastewater from the ConAgra food-processing plant in Oakdale was being dumped into the Stanislaus River. The anonymous tipster provided water samples taken from a drain channel that flows indirectly to the river that showed high levels of pollutants.
Learn 100 Common Valley Birds #17: Colorful Spring Migrants
An educator and naturalist, Jim Gain is also a superb photographer. We’re proud to publish his series, “Learn 100 Common Valley Birds.” Here is post #17. Be sure to visit Reflections of the Natural World for more of Jim’s fine work. ed. Bullock’s Oriole – Species...
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