Category: Far North

Multi-instrumentalists, Grammy winners and married duo Mark and Maggie O’Connor bring their bluegrass and beyond virtuosity to the Van Duzer Theatre tonight at 7 p.m., where they will showcase Mark’s holiday vision, An Appalachian Christmas. The title rather says it all but still, there’s a frisson between the players as they trade off instrumental and vocal performances written to evoke the traditions of the mountain fiddle reels married to the sound and spirit of Christmas. This is a fine gig to kick off the yuletide season ($50 general, $15 far balcony)…

The leaders of the state Legislature have a message for voters: We know you’re frustrated with how expensive California is — and we’re going to fix it. After a painful election that sparked recriminations and soul-searching among Democrats across the country, state Senate President Pro Tem Mike McGuire and Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas are returning to Sacramento recommitted to addressing the affordability issues that appear to have pushed more voters toward the Republican Party in November. As a new two-year legislative session kicks off today at the state Capitol, McGuire and Rivas told CalMatters in separate interviews that the priority will be advancing policies that lower the cost of living for working Californians, including by building more housing, making energy cheaper and improving public infrastructure. “Our only way forward is to acknowledge that we have to do better,” Rivas, a Salinas Democrat, said. “It’s clear — we haven’t done enough.” Just don’t expect any dramatic changes under the dome. Despite losing a handful of seats, both leaders are adamant that returning Democratic supermajorities signal that voters are still on board with their values, if not