SEASIDE, BOUND… History takes time, and so does documenting it. Three years after launching the Seaside History Project, Stanford historian Carol McKibben’s book, Seaside – part of Arcadia Publishing’s Images of America series – hits shelves March 23. The book, which features historical photos donated from local residents, traces the city’s cultural shifts from the late 19th century to the present. McKibben is also the author of a book on Sicilian women in Monterey. [KA]

RULES SUSPENDED… Labor Secretary Hilda Solis announced March 13 that she will suspend controversial changes to an agricultural guest worker program, potentially putting some Salinas-based growers in a bind. The Bush administration introduced midnight regulations for the H-2A program that would have made it easier and cheaper for ag companies to use foreign workers for temporary jobs. The United Farm Workers union, which last month filed a complaint against Jorge Castro Farms for seeking foreign workers under H-2A instead of hiring Salinas strawberry harvesters, hailed Solis’ nine-month suspension as a key step in undoing the harmful farmworker rules. [ZS]

PINK SLIP PROTEST… Support for Monterey Peninsula Unified School District’s teachers has grown since the Weekly broke news that the district issued more than 100 layoff notices in late February. While the local Education Foundation collects donations to keep the district’s music programs alive, nearly 150 school supporters took to the streets in Monterey March 13, wearing pink and waving signs to protest the statewide education cuts. [KA]

SALMON SINKING… Monterey Bay salmon fishermen are out of work for another year. During its April 5-9 meeting in Millbrae, the Pacific Fishery Management Council will finalize the rules for California’s 2009 salmon season. Commercial ocean salmon fishing will be off-limits, the council reports, while sport fishing options range from a complete closure to a 10-day late summer opening in the Eureka area. [KA]

WHO’S COUNTING… Despite lawmakers’ efforts to close a $42 billion deficit, the state is still $8 billion in the hole, says budget analyst Mac Taylor: “Without corrective actions, the state’s huge operating shortfalls will reappear in future years – growing from $12.6 billion in 2010 – 11 to $26 billion in 2013 – 14.” Read the report online, www.lao.ca.gov/laoapp/PubDetails.aspx?id=1967[JL]