Find your way back to the little things that matter.

Don’t let joint pain put life on hold or remove you from the day-to-day you once knew. When the pain is gone, the little things feel far more special—like enjoying your morning coffee with two sugars and no painkiller.

At Dignity Health, we can help show you the way back to the things you’ve been missing. Two of our hospitals are among only 17 in California certified by The Joint Commission for Advanced Total Hip and Total Knee Replacement, offering the highest quality of personalized care for a full range of conditions. Learn more about our services at DignityHealth.org/SacramentoOrtho

After withering public criticism, the commission chairman denied any plan to ban gas stoves. The White House said President Biden doesn’t want a ban. But climate-driven, progressive cities— including Sacramento—are doing it anyway.

Proponents of the ban argue that gas stoves are a major source of air pollution, and that they are a major contributor to climate change. Gas stoves emit carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides and other pollutants into the air. Ban proponents say gas stoves are inefficient and waste energy and money.

But pollution comes from cooking with poor ventilation, not from natural gas. Electric range-tops carry the “hidden hazard” of potential burns.

Opponents of the ban argue gas stoves are a necessary part of life, an important part of the state’s culture and economy. Gas stoves are used in many restaurants and homes and are a major source of employment. Also, gas stoves are a relatively inexpensive and convenient way to cook.

The debate over banning gas fuel in California continues. The state has taken steps to reduce its carbon footprint, such as implementing a capand-trade system and increasing the use of renewable energy sources. However, it’s unclear whether banning gas fuel would be an effective way to reduce air pollution and climate change.

Ultimately, it should be up to the people of California to decide whether they want to ban gas residential service. Sadly, the citizens of Sacramento had little voice in the ban that their city imposed on them without meaningful community input.

Ironically, last summer, I was warned by SMUD not to recharge my electric car or turn on my air conditioner during peak hours. The state’s electrical grid was overloaded. No one seems interested in talking about the failure of our electrical grid, or our city becoming overdependent on electricity as a sole source of fuel.

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Cecily Hastings can be reached at publisher@insidepublications.com. Previous columns can be found and shared at InsideSacramento.com. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram: @insidesacramento. n

Dear Readers: I’m working on a short documentary film about the personal costs of the pandemic lockdowns on Sacramento residents. Please share with me your experience by answering the question: Which aspect of the response to COVID affected you most on a personal level?

Please limit your response to 75 words and email to publisher@insidepublications. com. Your privacy will be honored.

Thank you. Cecily Hastings