Sierra mountains get lots of snow last few days

Next, finding our way out of here.

San Francisco Chronicle/SF Gate/Hamed Aleaziz, 2/28/15.  "Storm drops welcome snow on Sierra resorts."

....  "Squaw Valley received 27 inches and Alpine Meadows recorded 25 inches of snow since early Friday, she said.  ....  Elsewhere, Kingvale received 9.5 inches, Donner Peak recorded 13 inches, and Northstar resort had up to 9 inches of fresh snowfall, said Courtney Obergfell, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Sacramento. The Sierra was expected to receive another 2 to 5 inches of snow above 5,000 feet Saturday, with an additional inch or 2 predicted for Sunday morning, she said.

.... Bay Area rainfall totals are expected to be light, with less than a half inch of rain predicted. .... after a slight chance of scattered showers Monday and Tuesday, the forecast calls for dry weather throughout the week." Read more, includes 13 slides.

Related -  Squaw Valley Resort, Olympic Valley, CA.  Location maps, Snow forecast.com.

Note photograph from Squaw Valley Snowfall tracker.  

Posted by Kathy Meeh

Planning Commission meeting cancellation, Monday 3/2/15

Memo: City of Daly City to Pacifica, hello?

Planning Commission Cancellation Notice, pdf pages 1.

"Notice is hereby given that the regularly scheduled meeting of the Planning Commission of March 2, 2015 has been cancelled.

Tina Wehrmeister, Interim Planning Director, 2/23/15 "

----
Note graphic not so funny cartoon from Clean up City of St Augustine, FL. 

Posted by Kathy Meeh

Economic forecast, Spring 2015

Becon Economics, Spring 2015, "U.S. Forecast:  Nation to be economic powerhouse in 2015."

"Domestic Demand: Across the U.S., increased business spending, rising incomes, cheaper oil prices, and low interest rates will all help push national GDP growth into the 3% range in 2015.

Frothy Financial Markets? Although the markets are beginning to trend in a ‘frothy’ direction, none of the numbers suggest a significant misalignment at the moment.

Interest Rates Hold In Place: The Fed has little reason to "even consider" raising short-term interest rates. Beacon Economics does not expect any movement on rates until the end of the year at the earliest.

Consumers Not Moved By Gas Prices: Falling prices at the pump have not boosted U.S. consumer spending growth. The average U.S. household will save $700 to $900 this year due to price declines but consumers will move slowly to increase spending as they wait to see how permanent the changes will be."

Related news article -  Business Insider/Miles Udland, 2/27/15, "America's fourth quarter could've been worse." ".... The second estimate for Q4 GDP showed the economy grew at an annualized rate of 2.2%, down from the first estimate for 2.6% growth. ....  For all of 2014, the economy grew by 2.4% compared to growth of 2.2% in 2013."  Referenced source:  Bureau of Economic Analysis, US Department of Commerce News Release, 2/27/15, pdf pages 16.

Related GDP information  -  Investopedia/Staff, "What is GDP and Why is it so important?" "The gross domestic product (GDP) is one the primary indicators used to gauge the health of a country's economy. It represents the total dollar value of all goods and services produced over a specific time period - you can think of it as the size of the economy. Usually, GDP is expressed as a comparison to the previous quarter or year. For example, if the year-to-year GDP is up 3%, this is thought to mean that the economy has grown by 3% over the last year."

CNBC/Mark Koba, 11/3/11, "Gross Domestic Product:  CNBC explains." "What is nominal GDP and what is real GDP?" ..."... nominal GDP does not take into account inflation, and real GDP does. But it is an important distinction because this is why some GDP reports get revised..... "How does the GDP affect the average citizen?" "When the economy is healthy, there is usually low unemployment and wage increases, as businesses demand labor to meet the growing economy. However, if the GDP growth rate is speeding up too fast, the Federal Reserve may raise interest rates to stem inflation—or the rising of prices for good and services. That could mean loans for cars and homes would be more expensive. Businesses too would find the cost of borrowing for expansion and hiring to be on the rise. If GDP is slowing down, or is negative, it can lead to fears of a recession which means layoffs and unemployment and declining business revenues and consumer spending. The GDP report is also a way to look at which sectors of the economy are growing and which are declining. It can also help gear workers toward training in those sectors that are growing" 

Posted by Kathy Meeh

Palmetto Avenue Business District

There was a fund to develop Palmetto

Pacifica Tribune/Horace Hinshaw, Editor, 2/24/15. "This is the way I see it.."  From public comments at City Council Goal Setting, 2/20/15, Palmetto Avenue Business owner.

Palmetto on life support 20 years

"Rita Anderson of In the Attic questioned the councilmembers on the Palmetto Avenue project, saying, "I have owned two businesses on Palmetto Avenue for the last 10 years and have listened to the promise of redevelopment of Palmetto for close to 20 years now. Palmetto is the lost street of Pacifica; it was supposed to have been redeveloped as a historic district. We would like to know when, because we have suffered lost business since construction began. There are no signs on the highway to indicate a business district. I call it the lost street because it's the street vehicles exit onto when trying to find how to get somewhere else."

Rita Anderson, along with four other attendees questioned the sign ordinance, said that taking away sandwich-type sign boards, which are placed in front of their stores, is hurting business. Coourtney Conlon, representing the Chamber, added, "Several of our members, as well as other businesses throughout Pacifica are very upset over the recently enforced sign ordinance. I've checked with my colleagues throughout the county, and yes, all cities have sign ordinances. So, what the Chamber wants to do is to explore options by talking to some of those cities and see how they've handled the ordinance. We then would make a proposal to the City to open up dialogue on how to make our city more business friendly and at the same time make the city in compliance with the sign ordinance."  Read article.

Worried about signs, wake up Pacifica

Related development article -  The Examiner/Brendan P. Bartholomew, 1/20/15, "Pacifica pushes forward in plan for mixed-use project at former wastewater treatment site."  .... "For the project to move forward, the city must rezone the property -- which sits in the coastal zone -- from public use to mixed use, and it must receive the approval of the California Coastal Commission. According to commission enforcement program supervisor Nancy Cave, the commission recently responded in writing to a city request for input regarding the Beach Boulevard project proposal.  ....  Councilman Mike O'Neil said he's in favor of the development, partly because it could provide the city with about $500,000 in annual revenues."   

Relate business organization view to visitors - Pacifica Chamber of Commerce/Visit Pacifica. "The natural beauty and unparalleled serenity of Pacifica has beckoned travelers to this coastal gem for more than 100 years. Located just 15 minutes south of San Francisco, Pacifica feels worlds away from the most vibrant, international communities on the West Coast, yet is easily accessible from Highway 1. Its rich cultural heritage and bohemian-esque personality make it an original destination worth uncovering.  The natural beauty and unparalled serenity of Pacifica has beckoned travelers to this coastal gem for more than 100 years.  Pacifica feels worlds away from the most vibrant, international communities on the on the West Coast, yet is easily accessible from Highway 1.  Its rich cultural heritage and bohemian-esque personality makes it an original destination worth uncovering."

The natural beauty and unparalleled serenity of Pacifica has beckoned travelers to this coastal gem for more than 100 years. Located just 15 minutes south of San Francisco, Pacifica feels worlds away from the most vibrant, international communities on the West Coast, yet is easily accessible from Highway 1. Its rich cultural heritage and bohemian-esque personality make it an original destination worth uncovering. - See more at: http://www.visitpacifica.com/#sthash.cW4K748E.dpuf

Related City Council venue-  Fix Pacifica reprint article, City Council Goal Setting Study Session Agenda, 2/20/15 and 2/21/15.

Note photographs.  Ambulance from  ABC 7 News, 2/8/15.  Old waste water treatment plant from the related Examiner article. Sign by Todd Bray (artist) from Pacifica Riptide, 7/22/11. 

Posted by Kathy Meeh

City Council Goals, 2015

Big elephants in the room bypassed.
Build the quarry, widening Highway 1
at the 1.3 mile traffic bottleneck.

Pacifica Tribune/Jane Northrop, Staff Writer, 2/24/15.  "City staff and council set goals."

Among the main goals, "Maintain fiscal sustainability -- finish the general plan update, work on economic development, hire an economic development manager, hear small business issues, create a business plan for Palmetto Avenue, complete the Palmetto Avenue streetscape and the Beach Boulevard development with a new library, establish a 10 percent reserve fund and an emergency reserve fund, work with the Chamber of Commerce to increase tourism, enhance grant opportunities."

From public comments.  "Tom Clifford said he thought the planning department and economic development department should work together often." And, "have a planning subcommittee work on affordable housing," he suggested."   Read article.

Note comment from Tom Clifford not covered in the Tribune article:  "I also suggested that the Planning Commission and the Economic Development Committee form a joint sub-committee on how Planning & E.D.C. can ease the way for new business to get started and old businesses to grow." (From the comment section of this article, 2/26/15, 4:44 p.m.). Thanks Tom!

Note photograph by Bob Pilgrim from Pacifica (Anti) quarry Organization, "No on L campaign." 

Posted by Kathy Meeh

Uber business shark bit customer

NBC News/South Bay/Jean Elle, 2/26/15. "South Bay passenger frustrated over $452 Uber Fare."

Uber business flaw, ouch!

San Jose Sharks vs. Los Angeles Kings,
Levi's Stadium, Santa Clara

"A South Bay man is asking ride-sharing service Uber to reduce his fare after he was charged $452 for a 30-minute, 12-mile ride. 

Rafael Hernandez, a San Jose, California, resident, used the Uber service Saturday after the San Jose Sharks game at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara. He said he opted for Uber, knowing surge pricing was in effect, due to the light rail being overcrowded.

....  "I would recommend to not use Uber at big event because that's what I did -- and I learned the hard way," Hernandez said."   Read more, includes 2:17 minute video. 

Related Sharks game.  Mercury News/David Pollak, 2/21/15, "Kings edge Sharks at Levi's Stadium." .... "With a sellout crowd of 70,205 fans cramming Levi's Stadium for Northern California's first outdoor NHL game, the Sharks dropped a 2-1 decision to the Los Angeles Kings in a game that was instrumental for San Jose's playoff hopes."  San Jose Mercury News/Sports/David Pollak, 2/20/15, "San Jose Sharks awed by Levi's Stadium setting."  

Related Uber San Jose.  Uber.com,  Yelp/Uber.   

Note photographs Levi's Stadium by Ray Hartjen from Sports Out West; sign from Silicon Valley Live.

Posted by Kathy Meeh

San Mateo County may try to improve life for everyone

The Daily News/San Mateo County/Bill Silverfarb, 2/24/15. "Budget outlines lofty goals: San Mateo County Manager John Maltbie has initiative to end homelessness."

"San Mateo County Manager John Maltbie wants to invent a future where homelessness ends, children read at grade level and every foster child goes to college.

Good year for a better future

....  Maltbie sat down with the Daily Journal Monday to discuss the goals he says the county can achieve by 2020 in light of a budget surplus of more than $366 million out of a $1.5 billion general fund budget. The county mandates that 10 percent of the budget is put into reserve but that number is now closer to 20 percent.  ....  The Board of Supervisors has already started to study a living wage ordinance and Maltbie is recommending the board also study a rent stabilization ordinance.

 With a relatively low homeless population of about 1,800 in the county, Maltbie said the resources are available to put them in housing or provide them with the skills needed to succeed in life.  Many homeless in the county, he said, are the working poor who are not unemployed. .... Maltbie uses Martin Luther King Jr.’s quote, “the best way to predict the future is to invent it,” to reflect his own thoughts and to inspire the board toward action."   Read article.  The article includes relevant County budget detail.

Note photograph by Murdo Macleod from The Guardian, UK.  Related - Boston Globe/Lloyd Young, "Chinese New Year 2015", "The Chinese Lunar New Year began Feb. 19 ushering in the Year of the Sheep, according to the Chinese zodiac."

Posted by Kathy Meeh

GGNRA master management plan, Montara

Half Moon Bay Review/Mark Noack, 2/19/15.  "New plan envisions changes for Rancho Corral de Tierra, GGNRA management plan sets out vision for parks."

More from the local GGNRA
open space takeover, and
the Agency's future speak potential

What?

"The Golden Gate National Recreation Area last week unveiled a new general management plan, a master playbook of its vision for the portfolio of parks.

.... Under its preferred plan, the federal park system anticipates it could spend up to $6.4 million on improvements to Rancho Corral. The agency’s top projects include about $3.6 million in upgrades to develop a better trail system through the landscape as well as improving the existing horse ranches.   

....  The GGNRA staff also included other alternatives, most of which scaled back the modifications to the Rancho Corral property. One plan focused on preserving the coastal habitat and called for removing all four horse ranches from the property and converting fire roads into trails. Another plan — the “no-action” alternative — would keep limited public access for hiking and horseback riding. ....  The general management plan did not address the rules on dog walking, an issue that has generated huge public interest.  Read more.

Reference -  National Park Service home page,  Rancho Corral de Tierra property.

Note photographs: Rancho Coral de Tierra trail sign (bicycling, horseback riding, no dogs, no off terrain or other motorized vehicles) by Bill Bechtel from Half Moon Bay Review, 411/13. Otter from Science Blogs. 

Posted by Kathy Meeh

Sea level rise, Pedro Point Community Association Forum, Sunday, March 1, 2015

Pedro Point hotel got built, but
no worries, we still get our park. 

Pacifica Tribune/Meetings, 2/18/15, "Community Forum on sea level rise and Pacifica infrastructure projects."

"Sunday, March 1, 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Pedro Point Firehouse, 1227 Danmann Avenue.

The Pedro Point Community Association hosts Pacifica City Councilmen Mike O'Neill and John Keener in a special community presentation about topics that impact the local community (open to the public).  

Impact of sea level rise on future development in Pacifica: San Pedro Creek widening at Pedro Point; Retention basin front of Linda Mar; proposed Caltrans Highway 1 widening project; Beach Blvd property; Old waste water treatment plant/Palmetto Avenue streetscaping project;  Library project. 

No cost to attend, open to the public. Space is limited, please arrive early to ensure seating."

Photograph from Every Life Secure, Emergency preparedness blog. 

Posted by Kathy Meeh

Local man has perfect job

Pacifica Tribune print version/Jean Bartlett/Bartlett's column, 2/18/15.  "Asked at Donut Time in the Linda Mar Shopping Center."  Two who responded the question below were 1) a lineman, and 2) a six year old girl.

My perfect job

"What job would you love to have?

Adam Escamilla. 'I have the perfect job now.  I am a lineman, high voltage.  I like the adventure of it. It's always a challenge and it's something different every day.  I work with a diverse group of people, including helicopter pilots.'

Ava, age 6.  'I would like to be a ballerina. I have taken ballet, and I liked it.'"

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Related - 664 Freedom blog, "High power-lineman, a high risk occupation." This new electrical power work is more hazardous than telegraph or telephone work because of the risk of electrocution.  Linemen may perform a number of tasks associated with power lines, including installation or replacement of  capacitor banks, distribution transformers on poles, insulators, fuses, etc.  ....  Such work is often done from helicopters and is considered a highly specialized area of line work; few linemen have the special training to perform it."  Note helicopter and linemen photograph from this related article.

Posted by Kathy Meeh

Reminder City Council tonight, Monday, February 23, 2015

Oscar Monday

Attend in person, 2212 Beach Boulevard, 2nd floor.  Or, view on local television or live feed Pacificcoast.TV, (formerly pct26.com).  If you miss civic meetings, view on  PCT 26 You Tube!  The city council meeting begins at 7 p.m., or shortly there following.   City council updates and archives are available on the City website.         

Fix Pacifica City Council Agenda article, 2/23/15.      City Council Agenda, 2/23/15. 

Note:  Oscar trophy from face page of Imgkid.com. 

Posted by Kathy Meeh

Extra work for those with phones calling within area code 415

Easy solution, dial 1-415 first

NBC Bay Area local News/Lisa Fernandez, 2/20/15. "415 area code overlaid with 628 for parts of Marin, San Mateo Counties."

.... "Beginning on Saturday (2/21/15), the 415 area code will be "overlaid" by the 628 in these cities: the county of San Francisco, most of Marin County and a small portion of San Mateo County, serving the communities of Belvedere, Brisbane, Corte Madera, Daly City, Fairfax, Ignacio, Inverness, Larkspur, Mill Valley, Nicasio, Novato, Point Reyes, Ross, San Anselmo, San Francisco, San Rafael, Sausalito, Stinson Beach and Tiburon.  

So, if you had 415, you won't lose it. But if you get a new number, you're likely to get assigned to 628. That means next- door neighbors might have different area codes. Plus, everyone in the 415 area code will need to add the “415” to make a call. If you’re calling from a landline, you’ll have to add a “1” at the beginning."  Read more,  history of area 415 and other local area codes included.

Note:  photograph/graphic from Ebay selling coach.

Posted by Kathy Meeh

State has right to stock trout in lakes confirmed, 5 years later

San Francisco Chronicle/Tom Stienstra, 2/14/15. "Outdoors:  Court rules that trout stocking can continue."

"A story that barely registered as a blip in the mainstream media last week is a landmark moment for trout fishing in California. At the state Court of Appeal in Sacramento, the Center for Biological Diversity LOST its lawsuit to stop the Department of Fish and Wildlife from stocking trout in the state’s lakes.

Hundreds of lakes and reservoirs, including those in the Bay Area, would have no trout if they were not stocked, and hundreds of private ponds on ranches would not have bass, bluegill and catfish if they weren’t planted, either.

The Center for Biological Diversity was able to block trout plants temporarily in 2008 when it argued that the state must complete environmental studies that show potential impacts before any plants are permitted, such as to the red-legged frog, for instance, even if frogs didn’t exist in the lakes being planted."  Read Article.

We've got fish, and not
one red-legged frog affected,
even if they don't exist here.

Reference - California Department of Fish and Wildlife News, 2/11/15. "CDFW wins lawsuit defending attack on hatcheries." "The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) was victorious in the Third District Court of Appeal yesterday when the court upheld the agency’s statewide Environmental Impact Report (EIR) on its hatchery and fish stocking program. In 2006, CDFW embarked on a years-long, multimillion dollar public process to create the statewide EIR for the hatchery and stocking program, which had been providing recreational fishing opportunities along with economic opportunities for related businesses to California’s anglers for more than 100 years.
Once it was completed and filed in January of 2010, two groups attacked the EIR and the CDFW program in Superior Court alleging that the EIR was insufficient under California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) standards. They lost that case and then appealed that loss. Yesterday, the court found that the measures adopted by CDFW in 2010 are comprehensive and sufficiently protective of the state’s natural resources while providing recreational opportunities to anglers. The court found for CDFW and against the plaintiffs on all CEQA allegations. This victory by CDFW means hatchery operations will continue to benefit anglers across the state without further modifications, unless the losing parties choose to appeal."

Center for Biological Diversity.  Interesting, there doesn't seem to be any information about this lawsuit or any other failed lawsuits on the CBD website.  Is the State still paying groups that sue and loose environmental lawsuits?

Note fish stocking photographs.  From the spout by Ashley Smith/Times-News Magic Valley/Times-News; looking on from Casitas Municipal Water District/Fish Stocking.

Posted by Kathy Meeh