The 530 area code encompasses some of the most beautiful areas of California, as well as some of its most dynamic communities. Part of what makes our home so unique is the balance of opposites: It’s a place where Teslas share the road with rusty pickups. Your neighbors all know your name, yet you can go hear world class musical acts or ski some of the best powder in the west. Then there’s the troubled legacy of the Gold Rush that continues to inform life here, even as major demographic shifts bring new money and modern challenges.
We launched thefivethreeo.com to celebrate and strengthen our community through inquiry and thoughtful journalism. Whether we're covering local politics in a nonpartisan fashion, or reporting on arts and culture-makers, we hope our stories stimulate conversation and promote civic engagement. Bringing a fresh perspective, we aim to give voice to people and issues not regularly covered in local media. We also like to have fun, because not everything is deadly serious, and hope you will join us.
Please reach out if you feel there is a story you’d like to see covered on the thefivethreeo.com.
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Who We Are
Joseph Hudson is an education student, writer, and musician. He’s written for New Noise Magazine, the Macdonald-Laurier Institute think tank, and others. Over the last ten years, he has worked as a studio and touring musician, and released two solo albums. Now, he spends most of his time studying and writing and enjoying the natural beauty of Nevada County. He has lived in Grass Valley since 2001.
Lessley Anderson is a journalist and certified high school English teacher, whose work has appeared in The New York Times, The Verge, The San Francisco Chronicle, Playboy, The Best American Foodwriting Anthology, VanityFair.com, and many more. A true generalist, she has written about everything from internet start-ups to religious cults, with enjoyable side trips in beer criticism and arts and culture coverage. She lives in Nevada City, and in her spare time enjoys long distance trail running, baking cookies with her 10 year old son, taking her Bernedoodle to Pioneer Park, and writing and recording music. Her favorite thing about the 530 is the smell of warm pine trees in the summer.
Julia Park Tracey is an award-winning author, journalist and blogger. She has been blogging since 2003 and has been recognized by the California Newspaper Publishers Assn. and San Francisco Press Club for her work in editing and writing. She is the author of three novels, two women’s history compilations and a collection of poetry. She was Poet Laureate of Alameda, CA, from 2014-2017. Her work has appeared in the San Francisco Chronicle, Huffington Post, Salon, Good Housekeeping, Scary Mommy and Thrillist. Julia moved to Grass Valley in 2020 after a lifetime in the Bay Area, from birth, college, and raising children. She lives with her husband, cats, dog, and bees in a restored Victorian at the edge of town. She loves hot summers, occasional snow days, history and the library.
