The story of California begins with water. Without the mass import of the wet stuff from parts north and east, much of Southern and Central California would be barely inhabitable. No one tells the story of water in California’s heartland in more detail, or with more tenacity, than Lois Henry. She’s a former Bakersfield Californian columnist who six years ago launched SJVWater.org. Mega-farmers, environmentalists and everyday folk read her site to learn about arcane water district policies, the effect of those policies on farmland and fish and for insights on the political intrigue that powers the San Joaquin Valley.