Treasure Island development, land transfer from Navy to San Francisco

San Francisco acquires a new neighborhood, Treasure Island

Real Estate Rama, Government and Public Real Estate News, 5/29/15. "Mayor Lee announces first mayor transfer of Treasure Island/Yerba Buena Island from U.S. Navy to City. Transfer of Land Marks official start to redevelopment of Treasure Island/Yerba Buena Island to build new homes and transform neighborhood."

 

"Mayor Edwin M. Lee today announced that the City has accepted the transfer of nearly 300 acres of Treasure Island/Yerba Buena Island from the U.S. Navy in anticipation of the redevelopment that will create 8,000 homes, 25 percent of them affordable, and jobs and parks and open space. The transformation of the former naval base is one of the most important development projects in the City's history.

.... Plans for the redevelopment of Treasure Island and Yerba Buena Island include the construction of new infrastructure and public facilities, including roads, utilities and the creation of 300 acres of parks and open space.  The mixed-use, high-density project will include up to 8,000 homes, 500,000 square feet of commercial, retail and office space, and up to 500 hotel rooms.  A new ferry terminal supporting ferry services between Treasure Island to San Francisco will be the cornerstone of the islands' transportation program.  

 Ferry Terminal easy commute to SF downtown

Development on Treasure Island will be concentrated along the western edge of the island looking out towards the City and along the southeastern edge of the island adjoining an expanded Clipper Cove Marina with views of the new eastern span of the Bay Bridge and the East Bay hills.  The entire community will be walkable, bikeable and built in accordance with the most current sustainability guidelines."  Read more.

San Francisco, CA – May 29, 2015 – (RealEstateRama) — Mayor Edwin M. Lee today announced that the City has accepted the transfer of nearly 300 acres of Treasure Island/Yerba Buena Island from the U.S. Navy in anticipation of the redevelopment that will create 8,000 homes, 25 percent of them affordable, and jobs and parks and open space. The transformation of the former naval base is one of the most important development projects in the City’s history.
“The U.S. Navy’s transfer of land to the City marks a major milestone in the redevelopment and revitalization of Treasure Island,” said Mayor Lee. “It’s taken almost two decades to get to this point, and we’re eager to transform this former naval base into a vibrant community with more housing, jobs and economic opportunities for our residents. I thank leaders such as Senator Dianne Feinstein, Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, Navy Secretary Ray Mabus, and Lieutenant Governor Gavin Newsom for providing the necessary leadership to undertake this transformative process for our City.”
- See more at: http://california.realestaterama.com/2015/05/29/mayor-lee-announces-first-major-transfer-of-treasure-islandyerba-buena-island-from-u-s-navy-to-city-ID03461.html#sthash.g8UGVJbo.dpuf

San Francisco, CA – May 29, 2015 – (RealEstateRama) — Mayor Edwin M. Lee today announced that the City has accepted the transfer of nearly 300 acres of Treasure Island/Yerba Buena Island from the U.S. Navy in anticipation of the redevelopment that will create 8,000 homes, 25 percent of them affordable, and jobs and parks and open space. The transformation of the former naval base is one of the most important development projects in the City’s history.
“The U.S. Navy’s transfer of land to the City marks a major milestone in the redevelopment and revitalization of Treasure Island,” said Mayor Lee. “It’s taken almost two decades to get to this point, and we’re eager to transform this former naval base into a vibrant community with more housing, jobs and economic opportunities for our residents. I thank leaders such as Senator Dianne Feinstein, Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, Navy Secretary Ray Mabus, and Lieutenant Governor Gavin Newsom for providing the necessary leadership to undertake this transformative process for our City.”
- See more at: http://california.realestaterama.com/2015/05/29/mayor-lee-announces-first-major-transfer-of-treasure-islandyerba-buena-island-from-u-s-navy-to-city-ID03461.html#sthash.g8UGVJbo.dpuf

Mayor Edwin M. Lee today announced that the City has accepted the transfer of nearly 300 acres of Treasure Island/Yerba Buena Island from the U.S. Navy in anticipation of the redevelopment that will create 8,000 homes, 25 percent of them affordable, and jobs and parks and open space. The transformation of the former naval base is one of the most important development projects in the City’s history. - See more at: http://california.realestaterama.com/2015/05/29/mayor-lee-announces-first-major-transfer-of-treasure-islandyerba-buena-island-from-u-s-navy-to-city-ID03461.html#sthash.g8UGVJbo.dpuf

San Francisco, CA – May 29, 2015 – (RealEstateRama) — Mayor Edwin M. Lee today announced that the City has accepted the transfer of nearly 300 acres of Treasure Island/Yerba Buena Island from the U.S. Navy in anticipation of the redevelopment that will create 8,000 homes, 25 percent of them affordable, and jobs and parks and open space. The transformation of the former naval base is one of the most important development projects in the City’s history.
“The U.S. Navy’s transfer of land to the City marks a major milestone in the redevelopment and revitalization of Treasure Island,” said Mayor Lee. “It’s taken almost two decades to get to this point, and we’re eager to transform this former naval base into a vibrant community with more housing, jobs and economic opportunities for our residents. I thank leaders such as Senator Dianne Feinstein, Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, Navy Secretary Ray Mabus, and Lieutenant Governor Gavin Newsom for providing the necessary leadership to undertake this transformative process for our City.”
- See more at: http://california.realestaterama.com/2015/05/29/mayor-lee-announces-first-major-transfer-of-treasure-islandyerba-buena-island-from-u-s-navy-to-city-ID03461.html#sthash.g8UGVJbo.dpuf

Related development article - San Francisco Business Journal/Cory Weinberg, 5/29/15, "Navy's move speeds up 8,000 units in Treasure Island pipeline." ....  "The exchange allows for developers Lennar Urban and Wilson Meany to start building infrastructure and streets by next year and construction on the first phase of 500 housing units around Clipper Cove by 2017. .... The $1.5 billion project has grinded along for more than a decade through a complicated development agreement, environmental lawsuits and concerns about radiation contamination. Now, it’s full steam ahead after the the state court ruled in favor of the developers. .... The Navy base closed in 1997, and the island now has about 2,000 residents and 160 commercial tenants. Land will continue to transfer from the Navy over the next seven years. The Navy will get $55 million over the next 10 years from the city and Treasure Island Community Development."

Related lawsuit articles  - San Francisco Chronicle/SF Gate/Bob Egelko, 10/23/14, "Court shuns opponents of big Treasure Island development."  "... Wednesday (5/27/15).. the state Supreme Court turned aside an appeal of the city’s environmental review of the project. City supervisors approved plans for the former Navy base and adjoining Yerba Buena Island in 2011. The project, scheduled to take 15 to 20 years... A group called Citizens for a Sustainable Treasure Island, led by former Supervisor Aaron Peskin, filed a lawsuit claiming San Francisco’s environmental study was inadequate. .... Citizens for a Sustainable Treasure Island isn’t giving up and has asked federal officials to reconsider their environmental review of the project, said Saul Bloom, who also directs the environmental nonprofit Arc Ecology. ...Chris Meany of the firm Wilson Meany, one of the developers, said the court order was what he expected. “After 31/2 years of unnecessary delay, we can (start to) reclaim this old military base and turn it into a real neighborhood of San Francisco,” he said. The case is Citizens for a Sustainable Treasure Island vs. San Francisco, S220652."  Remy, Moose, Manley, LLP (land use and environmental law), representing Treasure Island Community Development, LLP, summary of project court case, appeal. 

Note photographic renderings of Treasure Island development.  Island from City and County of San Francisco/Treasure Island Development Authority/House and Urban Design.  Island Ferry Terminal from the related San Francisco Business Journal article.

Posted by Kathy Meeh

City Council meeting, Thursday, June 4, 2015

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. 

Interactive City Council Agenda, 6/4/15.             Full Agenda, pdf pages 127.

Item 5. Achieving City deficit balance

6:00 p.m. Study Session.  Joint City Council and Open Space and Parkland Advisory Committee Annual Report. 

7:00 p.m. Open Session.  Call to order, roll call, salute to flag, Closed Session report.

Consent Calendar
1.   Approval of disbursements, FY 2014-15:  5/5/15 - 5/14/15.

2.   Approval of Minutes:   5/11/15.

3.   California Fire Assistance Agreement (CFAA), mutual aid and reimbursement, report and Resolution, pdf pages 5.

Special Presentations

.    1)   San Mateo County all mail ballot election pilot program, Mark Church, San Mateo County Chief Elections Officer and Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder (elected).

.    2)   Proclamation - American Legion volunteers.

Public Hearings

4.   Proposed City fees and charges, 2015-16, report.  Schedule, pdf pages 34.

Council communications, Oral (citizen) communications

Consideration

5.   General Fund Budget, 2015-16, report.  a) General Fund Summary, pdf pages 1, b) All Funds Summary/description, pdf pages 5.

6.   In Lieu Funds development capital improvement fee overview, includes 1) from residential for park land (Fund 26), 2) Rockaway Beach redevelopment area parking (Fund 25), 3) 8-unit housing affordable inclusion Title 9, Chapter 4 fee, (Fund 24), see page 3 of report, pdf pages 4.  Fees collected statement, pdf pages 1.

7.   Pacifica Police Department, Annual Report, 2014, pdf pages 8.

Adjourn

----

Related, deficit/debt. Marketplace/Whiteboard/Paddy Hirsch, 6/10/14, includes a risky investment video, 2:11 minutes. "The difference between debt and deficit: an explainer." "If you spend more money than you make, that's a deficit. And if you run a deficit, you have a choice: you can either borrow money and go into debt, or you can go bust, or default."    Note graphic by Michael Morgenstern from The Economist.

Posted by Kathy Meeh

Lehman bankruptcy settlement with San Mateo County

"The County of San Mateo and other California public entities reached a $6.5 million settlement with Lehman Brothers auditors Ernst & Young, successfully concluding its legal efforts to recoup its losses from the 2008 Lehman bankruptcy.

Thanks for waiting for your
money, 'cause I'm out of here.

Sorry, but "greed was good" for me.

.... Steve Fuentes, associate superintendent of business services, Jefferson Union High School District, said, "We are getting repaid 43 cents on the dollar. We were paid back $1.1 million over the last few years, but we lost $2.5 million in 2009." Pacifica Tribune, 5/27/15. "County of San Mateo settles with Lehman Brothers auditors."

 ....  "Lehman's failure spelled a $155 million loss to the County's Investment Pool which held funds for the county, school districts, special districts, and other public agencies in more than 1,050 different accounts. The County's Investment Pool ultimately recovered more than $71 million -- or 46 percent of losses -- through bankruptcy proceedings and litigation against Lehman Brothers' directors and officers and Lehman's auditors, Ernst & Young."  Half Moon Bay Review/Staff, 5/21/15, "County settles Lehman claim." 

...." In November 2013, county officials had announced a $5.2 million settlement with the former officers and directors of Lehman Brothers through a lawsuit filed after the Wall Street firm’s bankruptcy in the midst of the nation’s economic collapse leeched more than $155 million from the local investment pool. Unlike bankruptcy proceedings, the county’s litigation targeted the personal assets of specific executives like former CEO Richard Fuld, holding them responsible for the firm’s financial failure. That lawsuit claimed Lehman executives knowingly misled investors leading up to its bankruptcy and used accounting gimmicks to keep entities from selling before the entire firm collapsed in September 2008."  The Daily Journal (San Mateo), Staff, 5/19/15. "County reaches $6.5M settlement with Lehman Brothers auditors."

Note graphic/photograph from "snowball" on Histomat: adventures in historical materialism blog.  Running from MCS Healthcare Public Relations.

Posted by Kathy Meeh

San Mateo County Harbor Board Commission reorganizes

Sabrina Brennan stays on Harbor Board, but steps down as President.

Half Moon Bay Review/Ester Hahn, 5/27/15. "Brennan resigns presidency of Harbor Commission."

It's me, I'm here...

It's me, I've left...

.... "San Mateo County Harbor Commission President Sabrina Brennan decided to pass the gavel to fellow Commissioner Tom Mattusch on Tuesday. The move came just before the Commission planned to wrest the presidency from her. 

....  Before the board voted to confirm Mattusch’s new post, Bernardo and Commissioners Nicole David and Pietro Parravano voiced their opinions. The three were in agreement that Brennan had disrupted the board’s efficacy from her allegedly offensive manner, most recently aimed toward Interim General Manager Glenn Lazof, according to memos from Lazof.
“It’s not just between Sabrina and Lazof,” David said. She claimed that Brennan had harassed her in the past, as well.

“There’s a disturbing pattern of behavior,” Bernardo added, blaming Brennan for the recent rise in tension from the surf event organizers. “Truly, enough is enough.” .... The harbor board passed the motion to make Mattusch the new president in a 5-0 vote. David was voted the new vice president."  Read article.

They don't love me,
but I'm still here...

Related article, one week prior -  Half Moon Bay Review/Clay Lambert, 5/21/15, "Harbor commissioners seek to remove Brennan from presidency."

....  "Brennan has feuded with the district’s professional staff, including former General Manager Peter Grenell. Harbor Director of Finance Debra Galarza has a pending civil complaint against her, and last week, only days after taking office, interim General Manager Glenn Lazof issued a pair of damning memos telling staff to steer clear of Brennan and that the commissioner was a threat to his health. He said she told him that she promised to “make your life a living hell.”

“Enough is enough,” Bernardo said on Thursday. “President Brennan is a walking lawsuit.” He went on to call relations with Brennan a “disaster” and a “fiasco.”
The only business listed on Tuesday’s meeting (5/27/15) is “reorganization of Harbor Commission: Selection of Officers.” Bernardo said commissioners have been working with the Harbor District attorney “every step of the way” and plan to strip Brennan of her presidency. The president’s role is largely ceremonial. All commissioners get one vote, though the president typically leads the meetings and sometimes has more interaction with the audience."

Reference, San Mateo County Harbor District:  The Board,  The District.  Background.  News/Press Releases.

Note photographs. Disruptive robot from Info Tech Research Group. Shattering glass, face page to Recruitment Process Outsourcing Association. Dinosaur, face page to Top 14 quotes from Daze of Disruption!

Posted by Kathy Meeh

Economic development tools: increase taxes and business potential

From Pacifica Tribune/Jane Northrop, Staff Writer, 5/27/15 print newspaper. "First ever economic development manager hired to boost business."

Time to get focused
on City revenue, Pacifica

 ....  "City Council recently established that position to help boost Pacifica's business climate.  City Manager Lorie Tinfow chose Anne Stedler to fill the position (of Economic Development Manager) three weeks ago.

....  .. "It starts now because of the urgency of improving Pacifica's revenues by growing the tax base. 'We have to grow our tax base by 50 percent just to cover police and fire,' she said.  She is working on several fronts to improve the tax base. She's looking at ways to to increase sales tax, property tax and temporary occupancy tax. 

 ---- 'We should make it easier for business decision makers to invest in Pacifica,' she said, 'and and target businesses that are the best fits for Pacifica.'"

Reference -  City of Pacifica Agenda 10/27/14 Summary Report, pdf pages 5. Item 8. "Establish a new Economic Development division within the City Manager's Office and approve a new Economic Development Manager position."  City of Pacifica/Resolution 1578, adopted 10/27/14 unanimously by City Council:  Len Stone, Sue Digre, Mary Ann Nihart, Karen Ervin, Mike O'Neill. 

Related Fix Pacifica articles - "Meet new Economic Development Director," by Victor Spano, 5/22/15.  City Council Agenda, 10/27/14.

Note photograph from the front page of a Washington Examiner article by Paul Bedard, 5/24/15.

Posted by Kathy Meeh

Recent Chamber of Commerce advocacy for business and city progress

Pacifica Tribune/Courtney Conlon, CEO, 5/26/15. "Advocating and supporting local business and promoting Pacifica."

 Views, people, and the City with business

"Over this past month, your Chamber has been very active.  ....  Represented the Chamber at the April 2015 California Coastal Commission hearing regarding Sharp Park Golf Course.  Voiced the Chamber's support for the Harmony @ One project at April Planning Commission meeting.  Attended Joint Study Session with City Council and Planning Commission regarding updates to the General Plan.

.... Met with City Manager, Lorie Tinfow, (standing monthly lunch meeting), to discuss various issues affecting the business community including sign ordinance and code enforcement, congestion fees, fire inspection fees, and exploring locations for food trucks.

Arranged meeting with City of Pacifica's new Economic Development Manager, Anne Stedler, to provide an overview of what the Chamber's strategic focus is for economic development and marketing Pacifica as a tourist destination. .... Welcomed two new Board Members — Brad Wittke and Victor Spano. 

.... Contacted and organized Pacifica's restaurants and logistics in preparation for the Chamber's 13th Annual Taste of Pacifica, Saturday, June 6, 12 noon to 3 pm, Nick's Restaurant....  Read more. 

Reference -  Pacifica Chamber of Commerce.   Note photograph view from Zillow, view from 174 Beachview Avenue. 

Posted by Kathy Meeh

Private property owner dreams systematically mangled, Half Moon Bay

Half Moon Bay Review/Ester Hahn, 5/21/15. "Wavecrest property violates city, county codes. Improper use draws criticism, hefty fines." 

450 Wavecrest Road

.... "The address has brought public interest in the past while under the ownership of Don Heinz, a founding member of the Half Moon Bay Open Space Trust and a former member of the city's Planning Commission. “I bought that property in 1980 or ’81, and I was going to put up a barn and farm,” Heinz said in a phone interview from his current home in Massachusetts. “The city stopped that and wanted to put it into eminent domain.”

Local voters thwarted plans to develop the land in 1995, and a consequential Environmental Impact Report effectively limited the area’s development by private landowners, as well. In 2007, the city forced Heinz to vacate his land after he attempted to live there without sewage. He also violated zoning codes by allegedly repairing automobiles on the property zoned for agriculture.

Heinz leased out the land to Steve Melo and his local landscaping business. Melo recently purchased the land in November 2014, according to Heinz, although public records show that the land was purchased by a limited liability company. Heinz claimed that Melo used the land to store broken down vehicles since the lease began.  .... Environmental Health issued a notice of violation to the property owner on April 2, for violating state hazardous materials storage and disposal regulations.  .... Environmental Health officials say they believe that the property owner is addressing the violations and that the issues will be resolved in the next few weeks."  Read article.

Next door, 460 Wavecrest Road

Reference, 450 Wavecrest Road, Half Moon Bay.  Sphinxaur.com, Heinz Auto Service map (Between Highway 1 and the Pacific Ocean, Half Moon Bay south, across the street from Wavecrest Open Space.  Google, street view.  Spokeo, property value $80,000.

Related article - Coastsider 8/16/07, "POST is buying Wavecrest." "Wavecrest has been planned for development since 1947, but the current era began in 1995 [timeline] and picked up steam when the school district decided to build a new middle school on the site. The site was the center of wrangling between pro-development and slow-growth forces until November 2005, when the district finally acknowledged that it couldn't afford to build there. However, the real blow to Wavecrest came a year earlier in August 2004 when the site was determined by the US Fish and Wildlife Service to be California red-legged frog habitat. The project became mired in the federal endangered species habitat process. It became clear that the site was a long way from being developable, regardless of what happened in Half Moon Bay." 

Related land area description - Realtor.com,"Off of Wavecrest." Property details, 1.5 acres, $105,000. Beautiful parcel of land near protected open space land closeby Wavecrest. The parcel may not be buildable at this time. Contact Half Moon Bay Building Department regarding use and variances. The land is level with some trees. This maybe the perfect place to fly a kite or picnic. Enjoy walking and hiking trails that are nearby in the Wavecrest area that Peninsula Open Space Trust cares for. The fresh ocean air lifts your senses while the scenery is breath taking. Seller financing is available."

Note photographs. 450 Wavecrest Road by Dean Coppola from the Half Moon Bay article. 460 Wavecrest Road, face page to Walk Score.

Posted by Kathy Meeh

Sonoma County whale washes ashore

The Press Democrat/Clark Mason, 5/23/15. "Dead whale washes up at Portuguese Beach in Sonoma County."

Gray whale dinner for scavenger shorebirds

A dead, juvenile gray whale washed up on the Sonoma Coast this weekend at Portuguese Beach. The 28-foot whale appeared to have been dead for some time and was in a state of obvious decomposition, according to California State Parks Ranger Damien Jones.

....  Jones said State Parks did not plan to remove the whale from the beach, which is about halfway between Jenner and Bodega Bay. He said the tide could carry it out to sea again.“Generally we leave dead and sick animals where they are and let nature take its course,” he said.

May is the tail end of the gray whale northern migration from their breeding and birthing lagoons in Mexico back to their feeding grounds in Alaska. Although thousands of whales make the approximate 5,000-mile journey, including the newborn calves and their mothers, some of the cetaceans, especially juveniles, are believed to stay closer year-round to a more confined area.

There has been a series of dead whales washing up on Northern California beaches over the past five weeks.  Read article.

Gray whale migration destination, Alaska  

Related articles - The Daily Journal/Bay City News Service, 5/26/16. "Another whale washes ashore, one of several in recent months." "A volunteer from the Marine Mammal Center took a tissue sample from the whale on Sunday, according to spokeswoman Yvette Koth. .. .. The dead whale washed ashore at Portuguese Beach in Sonoma County Sunday, a state park ranger said Monday. ....  State parks officials do not have plans to remove the whale carcass from the beach, Stinson said. Tech Times/Ted Ranosa, 5/25/15, Dead gray whale found washed up on Portuguese Beach." "Damien Jones, a ranger from the California State Parks, said the whale carcass does not show any injuries caused by trauma such as being hit by a ship. A tissue sample was sent to the Marine Mammal Center to further investigate what could have killed the animal. The Times Gazette/Sumitha Mani, 5/25/15. "Seventh dead whale washes ashore in 2015 on Sonoma County Beach." This one is number seven. The seventh dead whale this year washed ashore on a beach in the California bay area." 

Photograph of the dead whale from KRON4 News/Ana Verayo, l2/26/15. Gray whale jumping by Tom Brakefield/Getty Images, from USA Today/Travel/Seattle.

Posted by Kathy Meeh

City Manager presents ‘City Update’ to Rotary

City Manager Lori Tinfow will present a ‘City Update’ address to the Rotary Club of Pacifica at its Tuesday evening meeting on Tuesday, June 2nd starting at 6:30pm at Sharp Park Restaurant at the Sharp Park Golf Course. Rotary, a breakfast meeting club, now meets the first Tuesday evening of the month to provide an opportunity for those who cannot make the early morning weekly meetings to benefit from the fellowship and community service experiences that Pacifica Rotarians enjoy.

Manager Tinfow will discuss Council’s process to develop the 2015-16 Work Plan and highlight some of the projects and initiatives included in the plan.  This is a wonderful opportunity to learn about the community and its future direction.  Time is always set aside for questions from the audience.

Interested individuals are invited to attend the meeting, meet the City Manager and learn more about the work of the Rotary Club of Pacifica.  Dinner is $20 or you can enjoy coffee only for $5.  RSVP by calling President Linda Jonas at 650-438-4848.

Rotary International is a leadership organization that promotes fellowship and focuses on service to the local and international communities.  We also welcome guests to visit Rotary any other Tuesday morning for our breakfast meeting from 7:15am to 8:30am at Sharp Park Restaurant.  Delicious breakfasts are available for $15 and coffee only for $5 at our meetings.  Visit www.rotaryclubofpacifica.com or Facebook.com/Pacifica Rotary or call 650-438-4848 for further information.

Submitted by Victor Spano

Stalemate in solving existing Coastside water shortage

Maybe it is "rocket science" to affect
Government and Agencies moving forward.

Half Moon Bay Review/Esther Hahn, 5/21/15. "Recycled water remains pipe dream. Local water agencies agree to work together, again."

"It’s been a decade since Half Moon Bay voters overwhelmingly approved a measure supporting recycled water and now the state is locked in record-breaking drought. Yet Coastside agencies responsible for bringing recycled water to the area remain in the early planning stages.

In 2005, a city ballot measure recorded the local electorate’s 84 percent approval rating for a cooperative local approach to recycling water. But water managers and directors of wastewater treatment provider Sewer Authority Mid-coastside have only recently committed to work together.

Last October, officials with SAM and the Coastside County Water District sounded as though they had worked out their jurisdictional issues in regard to production and distribution of recycled water. They signed a letter of intent and guiding principles in January. “This is clearly a doable thing,” said Allan Alifano, the former Half Moon Bay City Councilman and former vice chair of the SAM board of directors. “This is not new. It’s not rocket science. If we’re truly committed, we can make it happen,” he said last year near the end of his term.   Read article.

Note photograph from Bill Whittle Dot.Com, the common sense resistance year two.

Posted by Kathy Meeh

Memorial Day, Monday, May 25, 2015

From USA Today/Allison Sylte, KSDK-TV, St. Louis, MO, 5/23/15.  "10 historical facts about Memorial Day."

A day to remember soldiers who
gave their lives for America.

... "Memorial Day, a holiday honoring American soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country: ....

Civil War: Approximately 620,000 Americans died. The Union lost almost 365,000 troops and the Confederacy about 260,000. More than half of these deaths were caused by disease.
World War I: 116,516 Americans died, more than half from disease.
World War II: 405,399 Americans died.
Korean War: 36,574 Americans died.
Vietnam Conflict: 58,220 Americans died. More than 47,000 Americans were killed in action and nearly 11,000 died of other causes.
Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm: 148 U.S. battle deaths and 145 non-battle deaths.
Operation Iraqi Freedom: 4,422 U.S. service members died.
Operation New Dawn: 66 U.S. service members died.
Operation Enduring Freedom: 2,318 U.S. service members have died as of May."

And beyond these deaths, many more returning soldiers and their families have been permanently injured in so many ways. 

Reference - History.com, includes videos. "Memorial Day, an American holiday observed on the last Monday of May, honors men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military. Originally known as Decoration Day, it originated in the years following the Civil War and became an official federal holiday in 1971. Many Americans observe Memorial Day by visiting cemeteries or memorials, holding family gatherings and participating in parades. Unofficially, at least, it marks the beginning of summer."   US Memorial Day, from About. "This site was created in the fall of 1994 to be a central point of information about Memorial Day in the United States of America, help restore its original intent, and to provide others a chance to share their feelings, pride, respect, and honor for those that gave their all. ....  Memorial Day started off as a somber day of remembrance; a day when Americans went to cemeteries and placed flags or flowers on the graves of our war dead. It was a day to remember ancestors, family members, and loved ones who gave the ultimate sacrifice.  ... How do we honor the 1.8 million that gave their life for America since 1775? How do we thank them for their sacrifice? We believe Memorial Day is one day to remember."

Note graphic from All latest HD images, clip Art.

Posted by Kathy Meeh

Bad tuna, not ours

CA Department of Public Health, 2/21/15. "CA Department of Public Health announces salmonella cases investigation."

Not a tuna, but fresh to begin with 

"California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Director Dr. Karen Smith today announced that CDPH is investigating a cluster of Salmonella cases that has so far sickened 31 California residents in six counties.  The California cluster is part of a multi-state Salmonella Paratyphi B outbreak that is likely linked to consumption of raw tuna commonly used in sushi. As of May 21, 2015, 53 cases have been reported in nine states, including 31 in California.

"As the investigation continues, this is a good reminder to Californians that there are sometimes risks when eating raw or undercooked meats, fish or poultry,” said Dr. Smith. “This is particularly true for young children, the elderly, or people with compromised immune systems who may be at an increased risk of severe illness.”

Most of the patients reported eating sushi containing raw tuna. To date, 10 patients have been hospitalized. No deaths have been reported. The outbreak appears to be ongoing. The California case-patients reside in six Southern California counties, including Los Angeles (nine), Orange (six), Riverside (four), San Diego (seven), Santa Barbara (one), and Ventura (four). Illness dates have ranged from March 5, 2015 through May 13, 2015. The ages of the patients range from less than one to 83 years.

Not a tuna, and so not fresh later 

CDPH, state and local health departments, including the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), are continuing to investigate the source of the outbreak. CDPH’s Division of Communicable Disease Control will continue to monitor for additional cases with a matching strain, coordinate follow-up of possible cases and review epidemiological data to further evaluate the source of the outbreak. CDPH’s Food and Drug Branch, in coordination with FDA and food safety partners in other state and local health departments are continuing efforts to trace food distributors and sources from sushi restaurants named by case patients.

Salmonella symptoms include diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps 12 to 72 hours after infection. Most patients recover without any treatment, however, some patients may need to be hospitalized because of the severity of the diarrhea. The disease can cause death if not treated promptly.
For more information about Salmonella, visit CDPH’s website. For information about the FDA investigation visit: http://www.fda.gov/Food/RecallsOutbreaksEmergencies/Outbreaks/ucm447742.htm .

Related news article -  KTLA.com/Kennedy Ryan, 5/22/15. "Salmonella outbreak that has sickened at least 31 in California linked to raw tuna."

Note:  Cafe Sushi from Cambridge USA. Chef by Thaddeus Zwolfe from Man I love films. Tuna Sushi  by Tony Cenicola from New York Times/Dining and Wine.  Unrelated Humpback whale necropsy (autopsy) photographs upper right by Lisa Fernandez from NBC Bay Area; lower right by Ryan Berger from Point Blue Conservation science.  The whale pictures are a last jab at the City for not taking care of the rotting whale problem.   

Posted by Kathy Meeh