Can California legislate its way to happiness?

Former Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon is committed to trying, though he puts his own happiness at only two out of 10 (ask him again after November, he told CalMatters).

After being forced to hand over his leadership post last summer, the Lakewood Democrat became the chairperson of the newly formed Select Committee on Happiness and Public Policy Outcomes, telling Politico last October that lawmakers “don’t take happiness seriously.”

At the committee’s first meeting Tuesday, Rendon said he was inspired to take on the topic after watching the 2011 documentary “Happy” 14 times in a two-day period. This committee is at least 11 years in the making, he said.

Roko Belic, the filmmaker and first witness in the three-hour hearing, said from his visits to 14 countries, the keys to happiness are nurturing strong interpersonal and communal relationships; leading a life that includes meaning, play or novelty; and a sense of gratitude. Other experts also mentioned economic stability (but not necessarily economic wealth); a connection to the environment; and resilience.

How happy are Californians?

Mark Baldassare, the Public Policy Institute of California’s survey director, cited the organization’s September 2023 survey, which found 58% of Californian adults said they were “pretty happy,” 16% “very happy” and 26% “not too happy.” But with the number of “not too happy” Californians growing, Baldassare suggested that legislators should “pay attention” to younger adults and lower-income residents who were less happy than others.

California comes in seventh for the happiest U.S. state according to WalletHub, and three of its cities appear in the top five happiest, with Fremont topping the list overall. Fremont Mayor Lily Mei was invited to the hearing and touted the city’s “vibrant” cultural community, economic opportunities and inclusivity.

So how to get to a happier place?

In addition to abstract theories that were tossed around — including nods to Buddhism, Aristotle and Maslow — panelists floated some potential policy solutions. These ranged from the very ambitious (universal healthcare) to the more minor (increasing urban green spaces).

And while Rendon told CalMatters that not all ways to boost happiness would be a “government directive,” a country that ranks high in happiness with a strong social safety net “pretty much jives with my political ideology.”

The hearing was, for the most part, optimistic: Panelists espoused how increasing happiness benefited the greater good: Happy people live longer, are healthier, more successful at work and are more likely to volunteer.

But at times, the grave consequences of an unhappy public came to the forefront — particularly when legislators spoke about the “ripple effects” on mental health, depression and crime.

Said Assemblymember Pilar Schiavo, a Santa Clarita Valley Democrat and committee member: “You don’t have kids walking into schools with guns to shoot people if they’re happy, you know?”

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CalMatters.org is a nonprofit, nonpartisan media venture explaining California policies and politics.

Facing criticism over their ambitious plan to curb urban water use, California’s regulators yesterday weakened the proposed rules — giving water providers more years and flexibility to comply.

Cities and urban water districts welcome the changes to the state’s draft conservation rules, which they said would have been too costly for ratepayers, estimated at $13.5 billion, and too difficult to achieve.

But environmentalists are dismayed by the revisions, which they said won’t save enough water to weather shortages as climate change continues to squeeze supplies.

“It’s really looking like this is a ‘do nothing’ regulation,” said Tracy Quinn, CEO and president of Heal the Bay, a Los Angeles County environmental group. “The updated standards are weak, and the regulation includes semi-truck sized loopholes that make it too easy for water suppliers to shirk their obligation to use water more efficiently.”

Mandated by a package of laws enacted in 2018, the rules from the State Water Resources Control Board aim to make “water conservation a California way of life” by mandating cuts in water use among more than 400 cities and water agencies that supply the vast majority of Californians.

The regulation won’t set mandatory conservation targets for individuals. Instead, it creates water budgets for cities and districts, which would meet them through rebates, new rate structures and other efforts to cut their customers’ use.

The Legislative Analyst’s Office, in a January report, heavily criticized the original rules, saying they would set “such stringent standards for outdoor use that suppliers will not have much ‘wiggle room’ in complying.”

Warning that the costs may outweigh the benefits, the analysts recommended relaxing several of the requirements, such as the residential outdoor standard, and extending deadlines.

The board’s new revisions delay the start date for enforcing compliance with the water budgets by two years, until 2027 — largely because the water board is behind schedule in adopting the regulation, its executive director, Eric Oppenheimer, said. Water suppliers also are granted an extra five years, until 2035, to meet targets ramping down outdoor water use, and are given until 2040 for reductions originally planned for 2035.

The latest version would conserve about 520,000 acre-feet of water a year starting in 2040, according to the water board’s estimates. That’s 170,000 acre-feet less than the previous version, enough to serve more than half a million households for a year.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom has called for at least 500,000 acre-feet in annual conservation by 2030.

When the rules are finalized, each water supplier must meet individualized conservation goals, calculated from a complex formula based on standards for indoor and outdoor residential water use and certain commercial landscapes, as well as losses like leaks. Other variables such as the presence of livestock in a region or availability of recycled water can factor into the calculation.

“You still have to meet your objective, whatever that may be. But you get more time to get there — in some cases, substantially more time.”
— Eric Pppenheimer, State Water Resources Control Board

The water board said it would vote on the updated plan in July, following public comment, and it would take effect at the beginning of next year.

Statewide, 63 water suppliers, serving about 9% of the population where household incomes are below the state median, will be required to cut water use by more than 20%. Under the revisions, they could cut use by only 1% per year and still be deemed in compliance provided they meet other requirements. Another 19 suppliers in wealthier regions facing cuts of 30% or more could cut use by only 2% per year and still comply.

“You still have to meet your objective, whatever that may be. But you get more time to get there — in some cases, substantially more time,” Oppenheimer said.

“That would mean that if your ultimate compliance target was 30%, you’d have 30 years to get there,” compared to approximately 15 years under the old version, Oppenheimer said.

Water suppliers welcomed the extended deadlines because they would have more time to coax customers with rebates and other programs into making lasting changes to irrigated landscapes without harming shade trees and disadvantaged communities.

The changes will allow “urban retail water suppliers to thoughtfully and cost effectively implement programs,” said Chelsea Haines of the Association of California Water Agencies, which represents more than 450 public agencies. “I hope that we see this additional time not as a delay, but as an opportunity.”

The water board does not have an updated cost estimate for the revised rules to compare to the $13.5 billion estimate for the old version. The costs come largely because cities and agencies would offer rebates and rate cuts to those who conserve.The benefits were estimated to reach about $15.6 billion, in large part because suppliers and customers will buy less water.

The changes will allow “urban retail water suppliers to thoughtfully and cost effectively implement programs. I hope that we see this additional time not as a delay, but as an opportunity.”
— Chelsea Haines, Association of California Water Agencies

Environmentalists say the delays belie the urgency of preparing for the next, inevitable drought and will force more drastic changes to landscapes when emergency conservation measures are needed once again.

“The fact that we aren’t taking steps as quickly as possible to invest in more climate resilient landscapes that will be able to survive those future droughts is unthinkable. Quite frankly, it’s reckless,” Quinn said.

Heather Cooley, director of research for the Pacific Institute, said conservation is cheaper than developing new supplies by, for instance, desalination or recycling — a burden that customers would eventually bear.

“By weakening the standard, we’re making water more expensive,” Cooley said.

Under a previous version of the rules, about 18% percent of suppliers — serving about a quarter of the state’s population — wouldn’t have to reduce their customers’ use to meet the 2035 standards, according to the board’s estimates last September. Now, under the new version, 37% of suppliers — serving 42% of the state’s population — wouldn’t have to change their water use by 2035. And by 2040, 31% could still maintain their status quo, according to water board data.

Asked if they were concerned about the reduced savings under the latest version, Oppenheimer said flexibility and feasibility are important.

“We think 500,000 acre feet of saved project savings is a substantial amount,” he said. “More is always better, but that needs to be balanced against providing enough flexibility to the water suppliers, and the feasibility of meeting those standards.”

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CalMatters.org is a nonprofit, nonpartisan media venture explaining California policies and politics.

Garth Ian Sherwood Hudson
‘Keeper of the Garden’
Aka Mr. Garth Culti-Vader
May 17, 1978,  Salinas, California
February 14, 2024, Eureka, California.

Garth passed away from sudden cardiac arrest on Feb 14, 2024 in Eureka.

Garth was born at Natividad Hospital Salinas and grew up on the Monterey Peninsula.

He attended Robert Down Elementary School, Pacific Grove Middle School then Carmel Middle School, graduating from Carmel High School in 1997.

Garth held various jobs over the years, but music and creating his lyrics were his passion. This was where he dedicated most of his time. Garth became interested in rapping and hip hop from an early age. It was his therapy and the way he shared his thoughts. “Pen & Ink are my own personal shrink,” was his slogan.

Garth always used music and lyrics as his avenue for communicating his thoughts and feelings, having his first song produced and played on a local Monterey radio station while he was in junior high. Later on, Garth made soundtracks for several extreme sport videos including “Slednecks” and “Urban Street Bike Warriors,” as well as being featured in the movie ‘Sea of Green’.

Garth moved to Humboldt County soon after graduation and immediately became involved in the local hip hop underground movement that was beginning to take shape in the mid-1990s, initially joining an up-and-coming group of musicians and MC’s called the Humboldt County Freestyle Kings. Garth went on to create music and perform with an impressive and extensive list of performers and musicians over the years — too many to list here, but they know who they are.

Garth has produced and released several full albums and singles over the years which are currently available through most streaming music platforms. In his performing/music world - Garth was first known as “Mac G.” In his late teens was “Hurricane Hudson” and then “Garth Vader,” and finally becoming Mr. Garth Culti-Vader. Garth’s name literally means “Keeper of the Garden.”

There have also been a couple great articles written about Garth as his music career has developed over the years you can view here:

North Coast Journal, Feb. 14, 2008

North Coast Journal, Sept. 9, 2007

While Garth created music for himself, it turned out there were others that connected and appreciated his writing because they related and felt many of the same feelings.

The ability to recognize when someone, or some animal, needed comforting was a very special gift Garth had. He had a way of making sure if someone felt alone — they knew he was there as a friend and that they mattered.

He was an avid nature enthusiast — agate hunter, lizard catcher, frog & tadpole sleuth — as well as a creative snowcone-maker and cook. He was a digital dragon creator, airbrush fan and relentless gardener. He was inquisitive, articulate and funny with a strong sense of social justice.

Around 2013, Garth moved to Klamath Falls, Oregon where he continued to make his music, garden and spend time with his family. More recently he was most excited about creating a garden space for the community and to spend time with his children in the “secret garden.” In September 2023 he returned to Humboldt County to dodge the Oregon winter and be with “his people” with plans to return in the spring to finish developing the community garden.

Garth is survived by: His mother Barbara Hudson, Sister Sequoyah Hudson (Ronnie Franklin), Children: Taurean Ian Nisbet-Hudson and Luana Joy Hudson, Nieces Krystal Fortman (Daughter Lola), Vanisty White, Kyra Franklin and Nephew Ronnie Franklin Jr, and cousins Brandon Hudson (Patrick, Joseph & Benjamin), Kim LaBruno, Ruby Strange and Chris Strange and many Chicago-area cousins & relatives.

There will be a celebration of life for Garth on Taco Tuesday,  4 p.m.-10 p.m., on March 19, 2024 at the Humboldt Bay Social Club, 900 New Navy Base Rd Samoa, Ca. 95564. Please bring a lawn chair or something to sit on and GOOD VIBES.

Humboldt Cremation and Funeral Services are managing all final arrangements.

In lieu of flowers or cards, the family suggests you make a contribution in Garth’s name to Humboldt Hip Hop Congress or Hip Hop For Hope (Both DreamMaker projects of The INK People Non-Profit) or a group in your area that supports hip hop for youth. Please also plant a flower in your own garden to remind yourself that you are loved, needed and that you matter.

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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Garth Hudson’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here.

Todd Michael Mikkelsen was born April 21, 1962 to Stanley and Valerie Mikkelsen in Eureka, and passed away February 26, 2024 after a two year battle with Merkel cell carcinoma. Todd had said if Jimmy Buffet and his money couldn’t win this battle, he might have a problem.

Todd’s initial appearance in life was large, arriving at 9 pounds 3 oz., and his large appearance in life continued over the years. Todd was a special man.

Todd attended Ridgewood and Cutten Elementary, Winship Middle School, and then graduated high school from St. Bernard’s in 1980. While attending school Todd played all sports – baseball was his love, but he was especially proud of his punting capabilities on the St. Bernard’s football field. Todd started working for the family mill in high school, and continued in the lumber industry until he went to work for Humboldt Creamery in 1994. He started in general labor and worked his way up to eventually becoming the logistics coordinator. Todd worked for the Creamery for 25 years, and often referred to his co-workers as his second family. After leaving the Creamery, he was a terminal manager for Central Transport for three years, before having to take early retirement due to medical issues.

Todd’s favorite thing to do was tell stories, many of which started at a young age when he would go with Nono Monighetti searching for greens in the forest that would then be sold to the local flower shops. He started driving for these adventures at the age of 12. He also spent a great deal of time in Ferndale with his Mikkelsen grandparents – he often talked of the piano lessons that were at best tolerable. Todd’s early adult years were spent fishing on the Eel River with his brothers Mark and Chris, camping at Briceland with family, which included the Marcuz and McSweeney cousins; riding motorcycles behind Winship School with the neighborhood gang, and then as he got older, deer hunting on the Wildcat — every single night after work when it was deer season. If you were ever fortunate enough to hear Todd’s hunting stories, you know they were told with the utmost pride. But not with more pride than the hunting stories he shared of Nick, Kelsey, and Wyatt’s hunting adventures.

Todd was introduced to his love Melissa through dear friends Bart and Wendy Heard and the rest is history.

While working for the Creamery, Todd often went up town to have lunch with his Ferndale buddies at Papa Joe’s. To Todd, there was no age limit on who could be his friend. He had a gift for gab, and could talk to anyone for hours, often finding some deep-rooted connection between family and friends. He was active in bowling, and bowled League with his good friend Bart Heard for many years. Todd and his good friend Willie had numerous adventures playing softball, working on race cars, and countless rounds of golf. Todd was always a part of Willie’s family before Melissa came along. Brendee often joked that Todd was her bonus husband. He spent a lot of time with Bart and Wendy Heard, Martin Traverse and Cousin Jerry Marcuz – they had many good times with lots of memories shared. As he got older, golf became his pastime – his Sunday golf games and trips to Mexico with his golf buddies from Redwood Empire Golf and Country Club were some of his best times.

Todd’s love of sports spread to his children, and he spent years coaching both Nick and Kelsey. He continued his connection with St. Bernard’s when both his children Nick and Kelsey attended. Todd coached softball and was active with the Crusader Athletic Board spending numerous hours at the school with fundraising and attending all sporting events. Many years were spent chasing Nick across California watching him play baseball from All Stars all the way through his college years. When Nick was done playing sports, Todd decided it was time to continue in the sports field but as a football official. He officiated for 10 years for both youth and high school football – and often talked of the camaraderie among the officials and always had a good story to tell. One thing Todd picked up by default was his daughter Kelsey’s love of horses. Todd spent numerous hours at the barn with Kelsey and her horses, watching her ride and caring for them – it was a love they shared and spent much quality time together, even into her adult years. Todd and his family and friends spent a great deal of time at their cabin at Ruth Lake, and spent countless hours on the lake, where he often showed no mercy when pulling his kids and their friends on the tube. Lots of good times and some laugh till you cry moments were shared up there.

This summer we had a family camping trip at Trinity Lake and Todd got to see Colten catch his first fish – that meant the world to him. When Todd became a grandfather, his heart softened and grew two sizes – he always said that Colten was his best buddy and then when granddaughters Kinzlee and Macie came along, they were his snuggles.

Todd was the definition of a family man – he was truly one of the good ones.

Survived by his wife, Melissa Mikkelsen; children Nicholas Mikkelsen and Kelsey (Wyatt) Meng; Grandchildren Colten and Kinzlee Mikkelsen & Macie Meng; brothers Mark (Teri) Mikkelsen, Christopher Mikkelsen, Uncle Jon Mikkelsen; Mother and Father in law Bob and Helen Stewart; brother in law Ernie (Kristen) Stewart; Nieces and Nephews: Sara (Brandon) Fletcher; Megan (Andrew) Rosenthal; Andrew (Katelyn) Mikkelsen; Samantha Stewart; Benjamin Mikkelsen; Andrew Stewart; Emaleigh Mikkelsen; Finley Mikkelsen; and the Casagande, Marcuz, and McSweeney cousins.

Todd was predeceased in death by his parents Stanley and Valerie Mikkelsen, maternal grandparents Tosca and Alfred Monighetti, paternal grandparents Catherine and Herbert Mikkelsen, Uncle Fred Monighetti and Aunt, Linda Mikkelsen.

Todd had many loyal friends over the years and his family thanks you.

The family would like to thank the Nurses on Providence/St Joe’s Oncology Unit – I am sure that George Jetson will be their joke for years to come.

The family would also like to thank Hospice of Humboldt, and In Home Support Services; the special people that work there made Todd’s last days much easier and allowed him to stay in his home.

There will be a celebration of life Sunday, April 7, 2024 at 1:30 p.m. at the Wharfinger Building.

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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Todd Mikkelsen’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here.

Cricket Hollenbeck was born on September 20, 1952 in Corpus Christi, Texas to her parents, Joanna & Michael. She attended Costa Mesa high school, and grew up in Orange County, California. As a teen, Cricket loved to spend her days at the beach, swimming and surfing with her friends. After high school, she moved to Humboldt County and began her lifelong career in healthcare.

She met her now ex- husband, Loni Hollenbeck, in 1979, and together, they opened a care facility for developmentally disabled adults in the quaint, beach community of King Salmon. In 1985, they had their only child, Antonia “Toni” Baya, who now resides in Colorado with her husband and their two children.

Cricket went on to work at another care facility in Eureka until 2017 when she then took on her final job as an in-home care provider to two clients. She was a true caretaker and loved every one of the people whom she provided care to over the years. She devoted her life to looking after others, even at the detriment of her own health. She was the hardest working person that many had ever known, and she never missed a day of work in her life.

She loved animals, the beach, music, Mexican food, antique furniture, eclectic jewelry, road trips and a good margarita.

Cricket is survived by her daughter, Toni Baya, her son in law, Kevan Baya, and her granddaughters, Alexia and Gianna. Also, her sister, Julie Cartier, her ex-husband, Loni Hollenbeck and her caregiver of over six years, Randee Shwaika.

Douglas Lowell Crowl
Nov 28, 1936 to March 4, 2024

Doug was born November 28, 1936 at home on Williams Creek near Ferndale. He attended a one-room school there and later graduated from Ferndale High School.

He worked most of his life as a carpenter. He built his home in Fortuna in the early 1960s and resided there for the rest of his life. He was a proud veteran of the US Army and a loyal 49er fan.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Edgar Crow Sr. and Mildred Crowl, and his brothers and sisters Thelma Dickson, Evelyn Lee, Edgar Crowl Jr., Earl Crowl, Daniel Crowl, Wendall Crowl, and Orin Crowl

He survived by his brothers and sisters, Margie Wilson, Clifford Crowl, Gary Crowl, Kathleen Crowl, and by very special longtime friend Glenda Ward. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

The family would also like to thank Kathy for helping to take care of him in his final years, a graveside service will be held March 14 at 1 p.m. at the old Pioneer Cemetery on Kenmar Road, Fortuna. A gathering to honor Doug’s life will be held at a later date.

Following an accident involving a car overturning in the water last week, the Arcata Fire District wants to remind the public that having a window breaker in your vehicle might  save your life.

Alyssa Alvarez, public information officer for the Arcata Fire District, told the Outpost that the fire district got a call on Sunday, Mar. 3 at around 2:30 p.m. for a medical rescue on the Highway 101 South off-ramp in Arcata at Samoa Boulevard. A car had gone off the road and overturned in the water-filled ditch on the side of the highway and the driver was trapped inside of the vehicle. 

But by the time the responders arrived, the driver had managed to escape from the vehicle by using a window breaker that they had attached to their keychain to break and escape from the window. And though first responders arrived at the scene very quickly, Alvarez said, the driver likely would not have survived if they didn’t have that window breaker handy. 

“That person knows how lucky they are,” Alvarez said in a phone interview Tuesday afternoon. “They know if they didn’t have that window breaker, the outcome would have been very different.” 

If you don’t recall, the weather was very dicey on March 3, with on and off hail storms and heavy rain. The weather was likely the biggest factor in the accident, Alvarez said, making the road very slippery and causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle. Because of the weather, the ditch the car went into was completely flooded and when the car overturned, the driver was entirely submerged in water. 

Alvarez is not sure exactly how long it took the driver to extricate themself from the vehicle, but it must have been relatively quickly, since they had already escaped by the time the responders arrived. But even a very short amount of time can seem like a pretty long time, when you’re trapped underwater. 

“Think about how long you can hold your breath,” Alvarez said to illustrate how dire the situation was. “Now, how long could you hold it while you were panicking?” 

It’s because the driver had their window breaker in such an accessible position (on their keychain) that they were able to escape in time, Alvarez said. The message the Arcata Fire District really wants to drive home is that having a window breaker in an accessible place in your vehicle is really important! So go get one! 

Window breakers, sometimes called emergency escape hammers, are widely available online and can be as little as $5 a piece. Many window breakers also include a seatbelt cutter (Alvarez is not sure if the driver in this incident had one or not) another incredibly useful tool for if you are trapped in your vehicle and unable to unbuckle the seat belt. This is also the reason a window breaker is critical – although you may sometimes be able to kick out a window or use something else in the vehicle to break it, depending on how you are positioned, or what damage was caused to you or your vehicle, you might not be able to use any of these other methods. 

Alvarez said that she and the fire district wanted to share this message because of the hazardous driving conditions we often face, especially during times of inclement weather. It’s only March, so there will likely be more days of heavy rain ahead, and Alvarez wants to make sure everyone is prepared. Make sure to get a window breaker/seatbelt cutter and put it somewhere easily accessible and where it won’t move during an accident, such as your keychain or in the middle console. And be sure to drive with extra caution during rain, hail or snow. 

“Keep your headlights on, maintain safe speeds and keep and move over for emergency services on the side of the road,” she said.