Newsletter: Essential California: Fire forces Kern County residents to flee their homes
Good morning. It is Saturday, June 25. Here’s what you don’t want to miss this weekend:
TOP STORIES
Dangerous fire: For Kern County residents forced to flee for their lives, the Erskine fire felt like it appeared out of nowhere. Drought conditions, heat and strong winds gave the fire enough fuel to consume 19,000 acres, 100 structures and two lives so far. “It was apocalyptic. I can’t even remember what I was doing. All I remember is seeing the fire and realizing I needed to run,” said Chelsea Hunt of Squirrel Valley. Los Angeles Times
Museum plans: Director George Lucas will build his $700-million art museum in California instead of Chicago, which won the bid two years ago. Since that time, the Windy City project has been tied up in legal complications related to Lucas’ demand that his museum be built on the shores of Lake Michigan. Museum officials are now considering sites in San Francisco and Los Angeles. Los Angeles Times
Inside politics: There is some bizarre drama happening inside Santa Ana City Hall. The city manager’s false accusation of sexual harassment against a councilwoman is probably the strangest finding in a new report. “An outside investigation found (City Manager David) Cavazos’ story had no merit and that (Councilwoman Michele) Martinez had no romantic interest in the city manager — witnesses said she never even mentioned him being attractive.” Voice of OC
Alternative transportation: San Diego is undertaking an ambitious plan to build more protected bicycle lanes and pedestrian promenades. “It’s time to give pedestrians and cyclists equal priority with the almighty car,” said Stephen Haase, vice-chairman of the San Diego Planning Commission. The plan will cost $62.5 million over 30 years. San Diego Union-Tribune
Land use policy: As the city of Los Angeles overhauls its zoning guide, urban planners are discovering some bizarre land use classifications. Pigeon keeping. Baby gym. “The reality, says re:code LA, is that in order to prevent ‘unfortunate land pairings,’ the Use List has to plan for just about everything, from raising chinchillas to ‘gator farming.’” Curbed LA
Pay gap: Farmers Insurance will pay $4 million to resolve the pay disparities between its male and female attorneys. The insurance company will be monitored for three years to ensure compliance, writes columnist Robin Abcarian. “It’s not that women were being demoted. But a man would get groomed and promoted. Basically, there is male favoritism, which is probably unintentional,” said attorney Lori Andrus. Los Angeles Times
Public art: These are the top 10 Millard Sheets public art projects to see in person. “This highlights some of the very best among the close to 200 works of public or corporate art created by Millard Sheets and his studio of artists between 1939 and the early 1980s.” KCET
Up in the sky: Take in this 360-degree view of Los Angeles from atop the U.S. Bank building. Los Angeles Times
THIS WEEK’S MOST POPULAR STORIES IN ESSENTIAL CALIFORNIA
1. The history of In-N-Out and its delicious hamburgers actually has a lot of tragedy. KCET
2. Hang onto your lunch. The new Skyslide at the U.S. Bank building is open outside the 70th floor. Curbed LA
3. When did nightly glasses of wine become the California way of life? New York Times
4. The housing is expensive. The taxes are high. The commutes are unbearable. In the Bay Area, more and more people are living for greener pastures in other states. San Jose Mercury News
5. This map shows which communities San Francisco’s workforce call home. SFist
ICYMI, HERE ARE THIS WEEK’S GREAT READS
Living in fear: Actor Aziz Ansari reflects on how it feels to be a Muslim American at a time when presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump is suggesting Muslims are terrorists who should be banned from country. “Prejudice is reaching new levels. It’s visceral, and scary, and it affects how people live, work and pray. It makes me afraid for my family. It also makes no sense,” he writes. New York Times
Food finds: One group in the San Fernando Valley is trying to keep fruit from going to waste. “Waste is the underside of everything that’s uplifting about food. We’re much more comfortable with the idea of frugality.” Los Angeles Magazine
Violence worldwide: Terrorism touched Southern California last December with the San Bernardino shootings. But that was just one small chapter. This review provided a grim snapshot of societies living with the ever-present threat of violent death, in restaurants and markets, buses and stadiums, government offices and houses of worship. Los Angeles Times
Recovering from trauma: In the wake of Orlando, an examination of how communities recover from mass shootings, including San Ysidro, where a gunman killed 21 at a McDonald’s restaurant in 1984. Los Angeles Times
LOOKING AHEAD
Tuesday: The Riverside County Board of Supervisors will hold a hearing on anticipated budget deficits.
Thursday: The Coachella Valley Water District will host a hearing in Palm Desert on the future of the Salton Sea.
Friday: The Grammy Museum will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Beatles’ arrival in the United States.
Please let us know what we can do to make this newsletter more useful to you. Send comments, complaints and ideas to Alice Walton or Shelby Grad.
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