State Parks Attendance Skyrockets

California has some of the most beautiful parks in the world, but modern life in the Golden State keeps us so busy that we find it hard to take a necessary break to enjoy the therapeutic nature that our state parks provide. 

More Californians are now making the time.

California State Parks Aide Eric Whitebread took some time to speak with me this weekend about the current increase in state parks attendance. 

"Ahead of the approaching closure of up to 100 facilities, people are flocking to our state parks.  It used to be busier just on the weekends but, lately, attendance has been way up on the weekdays too.", said Whitebread.

When I asked why he thinks parks attendance has increased, Whitebread replied, "I guess Californians are appreciating California a little more these days.  With state park closures ahead, people are realizing more of what we have in our state."

Eric Whitebread is busy these days, working at four different state park facilities in the Los Angeles area.  His demeanor is open and friendly, but very professional despite his youth.  Whitebread is training to be a park ranger, a position which he is excited about.

I asked what kind of recreational activities people can find at California's state parks.  Whitebread suggested a great variety of activities which include bicycling, nature walks and hiking, along with the Junior Rangers program for kids.

I wanted to know if Whitebread could tell me of any particular place in his jurisdiction which was uniquely enjoyable for him.  He answered, "Well, many folks really enjoy the tide pools at Malibu's Leo Carrillo State Park, myself included."

Whitebread informed me about the state parks volunteer program.  Participating volunteers are rewarded with free passes and an experience to be remembered forever.  Cool!  He reminded me that military veterans/POWs have free admission to all of California's state parks.

The California State Parks website offers a ton of fascinating travel ideas which have convinced me to enjoy my next vacation right here in California.  There's so much more to see and reservations can even be made online.

I really appreciate the time Eric Whitebread took to further educate me on California's state parks and all that they have to offer us.  He will be an outstanding park ranger for sure.

Let's enjoy our fun and beautiful California State Parks!

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California's Renaissance Begins

California has always been about constant upheaval, dramatic cycles and radical change.  Californians have little patience for wallowing in misery, deprivation and depressing stagnation.  Go, California!

Our golden California is about to get re-polished.

I talk to, literally, hundreds of Californians each month, most of whom are in the Los Angeles area where I live.  I strike up conversations with strangers at public places like malls, supermarkets and gas stations.  We Californians love to express our opinions!

What are some typical Californians saying lately?  Here are some quotes:

• "I am so over this boring recession.  It is so lame!"
• "This is California!  We've gotta move on again."
• "I'm seriously thinking of running for office now."
• "California always reinvents itself.  Every time."
• "We will turn this whole state economy around."
• "California will show America how it's done."
• "Enough negative doom-saying already.  We will make it."
• "We must take California back now."
• "40-million Californians cannot be stopped."
• "I'm starting a new business, regardless."
• "My staff is inventing new technologies for market."
• "I'm hearing a lot of great, new ideas around town lately."
• "We really expected too much from Sacramento."
• "California is making some needed changes at last."
• "California is on the comeback trail, totally."
• "We will be way more successful than before."
• "Something positive is definitely starting again here in Cali."

Real California candidness is totally refreshing.  This past week, something has snapped inside of people.  The tone has changed.  The fear is fading.

Californians are, once more, craving the overt optimism that California is famous for.

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California Blogger Mark Lorier

Mark Lorier, known globally as The California Blogger, has lived in the Golden State for more than four decades.

Lorier moved to California as a child during the Cultural Revolution of 1966, when the Hippie counterculture and Reagan conservatism simultaneously exploded.

Mark Lorier has enjoyed strategic, behind-the-scenes roles in publishing, entertainment, theology, broadcasting, news, politics, international diplomacy and law.

Lorier is the publisher of Californiality, the Internet's most popular California blog about the culture, society, business, music and politics of America's most powerful state and global trendsetter.

Mark Lorier lives along the Pacific coast, blogging from his offices in Hollywood, Santa Barbara and Silicon Valley.

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California Blog Privacy Policy

Californiality.com's Privacy Policy recognizes how important and valuable your online privacy is.

As a California-based blog covering the Golden State, Californiality.com makes every effort to comply with the stringent privacy laws of the State of California.

Californiality.com, itself, does not attempt to collect any personally identifiable information from any visitors at any time.  This blog does not, however, exercise control over the sites that it links to.

Other sites accessed from Californiality.com may place their own cookies, muffins or other files on your computer, collect data or solicit personal information from you.  Each site has its own privacy policy available for your review. 

This blog complies with various contractual agreements with Google Inc., a corporation headquartered in California.

Californiality.com utilizes software, technology and services provided by Google in its operation as a globally accessed California blog.

• Google owns Blogger, the blogging platform on which Californiality.com is hosted.
• Google owns YouTube, which hosts videos featured on Californiality.com blog posts, though the "no cookie" option is always selected before a video is embedded into the posts on this blog.
• Google owns Picasa, which hosts the images which Californiality.com features.
• Google Analytics software is utilized on Californiality.com for the purpose of researching anonymous visiting patterns, trends and statistics.

Google's privacy policy 

A comprehensive and extensive hub of the privacy policies of Google, Inc. and its subsidiary companies can be accessed and reviewed from on the Google Privacy Center website.

Please feel free to direct any questions or concerns regarding Google's privacy policy or the company's treatment of personal information by contacting them through their web site or by writing to them at:

Privacy Matters
c/o Google Inc.
1600 Amphitheatre Parkway
Mountain View, California, 94043
USA

If you have any questions about the privacy policy of this California blog, please contact Californiality by email.

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California Blog FAQ

Californiality is the premier statewide California blog covering the most intriguing aspects of the Golden State, including the state's government, people and philosophies.

The most frequently asked questions about California's most independent and outspoken blog are addressed below.

Feel free to email the Californiality publisher with your own questions or comments.

California Blog FAQ

What is Californiality, the California blog, all about?

It is a popular statewide daily weblog covering the culture, society, politics, business, economy, government, music, spirituality and personalities of the world's most famous state, plus very strong editorials.

What does the term, "Californiality" mean, exactly?

The definition of Californiality is: "the quality, essence or philosophy of California, or of a Californian".

What type of readers visit the California blog?

Visitors include government agencies, universities, churches, corporations, legislators, voters, nonprofits, candidates, PR firms, think tanks, law firms, ad agencies, the music industry, news networks, the White House, the UN and the Vatican.

What are some reader demographics?

• 50 percent are Californians, 40 percent are Americans and 10 percent are international visitors.  
• 55 percent are female, 45 percent are male.  
• Surprising to many, demographics reflect a solid readership block of ages 30 to 90, with an average annual income of $253,000.
• Every political party, spiritual faith and ethnic heritage is equally represented among Californiality visitors.

Where is this blog published and by whom?

Californiality is published in Los Angeles and owned by Mark Lorier, a Callifornia resident of 40 years, who has enjoyed several strategic, behind-the-scenes roles in sectors that have him currently serving as a private adviser.

Who are the California bloggers?

The voluntary content contributors are California experts collected from 25 years of professional relationships with this blog's publisher.  They do not want fame through this blog as they have already made names for themselves.

The writers for Californiality each have a professional background in law, government, news, public affairs, psychiatry, entertainment, politics, publishing, economics, marketing, research, broadcasting, religion, education, business or international relations.

All blog posts are approved by the publisher before publication.

Is this blog affiliated with any organization or agency?

Californiality is independent.  No political party, corporate entity, media group nor government agency controls nor influences the content on this blog.

What influence has Californiality had in the Golden State?

Since August 2009, the #1 California blog has been in the trenches, defiantly wielding authoritative perspectives while witnessing the following:

• Political campaigns changed
• Elections influenced
• New businesses launched
• Voters informed, educated and empowered
• Communities transformed
• Innovation encouraged and promoted
• Faith activated, energized, strengthened and directed
• Songs about California recorded and released worldwide
• California's global influence maximized
• The comeback of the $2 trillion California economy

In between the California songs and the humor, there are strong editorials on this blog.  Powerful perspective is a hallmark of Californiality, where the light of the California Dream perpetually shines.

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We Are Planet California

California.  What exactly is it?  Why are Californians so different?  What motivates so many people to leave everything behind to come to the Golden State?  Why California?

I've heard the old California legend, over many years, about the eastern migration of Asian pioneers across the Bering land bridge.  After settling in Alaska, the new Americans apparently headed south to thaw out.

According to the legend, the large tribe was split on which way to go once the mountains became dangerous to cross.  Half headed east across the northern Rocky Mountains while the others chose to trek down the Pacific coast.

The new west coast immigrants continued south to California, picking flowers, berries and leaves along the way until they settled in a perfect year-round climate.  Sun worship, scanty clothing and herbs became as regular as the earthquakes and fires.  A precarious paradise had been found.

Vegan, sunbathing, herb-consuming, flesh-flashing Californians (with flowers in their hair) have been around for centuries.  The pacifist, nature-loving California stereotype lives on into the 21st century.

We Californians cherish our Edenic setting along with the winds of freedom, individuality and unrestrained creativity.  We are every race, language, creed, faith, philosophy, invention and innovation under a single sun in an endless summer of Californiality.  We shine brightly.

We come from every state, nation and continent.  We are pioneers, seekers and survivors who have come to the end of the earth to test our visions, philosophies and ideals.  Success rewards the brave in California.

Some dreams have simply cost too much to give up on, so we boldly forge ahead into the future.  We are golden, and the universe has only just begun to see what we can do together.

We are Planet California, and we're totally cool with that.

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