Local REALTOR Attacked by Vicious Skunk

 

It comes to my attention that a Pacifica, realtor was attacked by a skunk today.  Bill Haskins, was showing a home to some clients and was surprised in the garage.

San Mateo County animal control quickly arrived on the scene and captured the skunk. Both Bill, and the skunk where tested for rabies and it won't be known till late next week which one had rabies.

Submitted by Jim "Skunky-J" Alex

Follow-up blogmaster's note - Received the following from Bill Haskins, who informed us that the above account isn't quite accurate: "While John the Barber (Jim's dad) was cutting my hair I was telling his father about an incident that happened to me while showing a home for sale in Fairmont on Monday. I opened a door to a storage area under the stairs of a vacant house and right there in front of my eyes was a skunk. The buyers freaked out. I closed the door and headed out of the house through the garage. The skunk didn't spray us. I went in the following morning and blocked off the area it was entering with some bricks."

Chlormine in drinking water next topic at Pacifica Democrats' meeting

Pacifica Tribune
San Jose Mercury News (California)
November 9, 2010

Just how safe the drinking water in Pacifica is, by the chlorimination of our water supply, will be the main topic of discussion when Linda Corwin visits the Pacifica Democrats' Nov. 20th breakfast meeting, being held in the banquet room of the Sharp Park Golf Course Restaurant (Francisco and Sharp Park Blvds in Pacifica). Corwin is the Vice President of the Citizens Concerned About Chloramine, a grassroots organization that was formed by people who were sickened after chloramine was introduced to the San Francisco Peninsula in 2004.

On Feb. 2, 2004, the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission changed the disinfectant for the water system from chlorine to chloramine, which is a combination of chlorine and ammonia.

According to an article, published in the July 27, 2005 Pacifica Tribune by Violet Gotelli, former NCCWD Water Board Director, there was no opportunity for either input or dissent from the water districts that would be affected by this change.

Consequently, according to the Gotelli article there were several ramifications from adding chloramine to the water supply, including, but not limited to, the following: 1) Hospitals, at the cost of tens of thousands of dollars, had to replace all kidney dialysis filtration systems. 2) Cases of adverse health effects attributed to chloramine, such as severe skin problems, respiratory problems and digestive disorders, were reported. 3) Chloramine reportedly killed fish, amphibians and reptiles. Many residents lost their aquatic pets. 4) People with suppressed immune systems were asked by the World Health Organization to boil their drinking water for over 10 minutes if there was chloramine in their water system. 5) Chloramine was found to be corrosive to lead and copper pipes, and rubber plumbing parts. 6) Since chloramine is very persistent in water, it is almost impossible to remove or filter out, putting those sensitive to chloramine at risk.

In the July 27, 2005 article, Gotelli reported that there had been no studies done on the health effects from chloramine itself, no dermal or inhalant studies done by the Environmental Protection Agency, the World Health Organization or by any other agency at that time.

On Nov. 20, 2010, Corwin will speak on the up-to-date knowledge and actions concerning the use of chloramine in our water supply and invites all Pacificans to come, listen and learn. It is neither necessary to be a club member nor a Democrat to attend this meeting.

The general public is invited to all Pacifica Democrats meetings.

A full breakfast is available for $12; continental for $6; coffee for $3. Doors open at 9 a.m. Attendees are requested to arrive between 9:00 a.m. and 9:30 a.m., so that all guests may be seated by 9:30 a.m.

The meeting runs from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. RSVPs, though not required, are greatly appreciated.

For further information, please contact Barbara Arietta, club president, at 415-246-0775 or email: barietta@hotmail.com .
 

Posted by Steve Sinai

Veterans Day 11/11/2010 - honoring those who have served in our military

Classic editorial tribute, University flag raising ceremony, and newspaper pictures

From Pittsburgh Tribune.  "...a reprint of a very special Tribune editorial. Today should remind all Americans that we owe a debt too profound for mere dollars to repay -- our debt of gratitude for the sacrifices made by those in our nation's military. We certainly owe our veterans sustained focus on their needs, not just the one-day spotlight that shines on the Nov. 11 speeches, ceremonies and parades they so richly deserve. Thus, Veterans Day challenges us all to take action that translates solemn rhetoric about America's sacred obligations to all who wear its uniform into something more than just words. Whatever form that action takes, it must be inspired by humble thankfulness for our veterans' astonishing courage and selflessness. We must tell them how grateful we are to them, volunteer time and give money to help them, ensure the best possible care for our wounded warriors, comfort those whose loved ones made the ultimate sacrifice and reach out to those serving now -- the veterans of tomorrow. Our veterans exemplify what's best about America. So, too, must our caring and concern for them. It is the only currency with which we can repay that debt of gratitude owed to all who've put their lives on the line for our sake."
 
Veteran challenges returning to higher education, University of Massachusetts Chancellor Marty Meehan, flag raising ceremony. Video (5.40 minutes).

Pictures from San Francisco Chronicle (SF Gate), and Seattle Times. 

Posted by Kathy Meeh

Dealing with Urban Wildlife - Alameda (Island City)

How can this population be humanely reduced?

Driving Linda Mar Boulevard on the way home Wednesday night, within 1 mile a young skunk and an adult deer ran across the road.  We live with wild life in Pacifica. Raccoons jump over our fences, enter our pet doors, get into our garbage cans and are a general nuisance, but they have plenty of room to roam, don't think they are attacking us.  

From SF Gate 11/11/2010, re-posted on fwix. "....  Nine raccoon attacks have been reported since June. In the latest, five raccoons went after an Alamedan woman as she was walking through Washington Park Sunday night (four actually came out of a tree to run after her), which must have been like being stalked by a pack of small dogs. Very scary. So far the San Jose Mercury News, the The Los Angeles Times, and Minnesota Public Radio have all reported on the story. 

 

The problem, according to a (video) KTVU report, is that while raccoon populations are exploding all over the Bay Area, Alameda is "landlocked" (it's actually surrounded by water, of course), so the raccoons can't spread out. That makes them more territorial and more aggressive. And in an interview with Patch posted this morning, vector control officer David Gould reports that in each of the attacks reported in Alameda this year, dogs barking triggered the raccoons' aggressive responses. Apparently sticks are the best things to ward off raccoons. But I'm thinking if we have to carry sticks when we walk our dogs at night, things have gotten to a pretty bad state." 

Posted by Kathy Meeh

Grocer hiring for local launch

By George Avalos
Contra Costa Times

Posted: 11/10/2010 04:06:12 PM PST

Updated: 11/11/2010 11:06:40 AM PST

Fresh & Easy said Wednesday that it will hire about 270 people in the next few months to work at soon-to-open Bay Area stores -- a move that comes on the heels of a new land deal in Vallejo by the grocery chain.

"We are currently hiring for these stores, all set to open early next year," said Brendan Wonnacott, a spokesman for Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market. "Each store will employ between 20 to 25 people."

All told, 12 stores in the Bay Area and nearby Stanislaus County are seeking to hire workers, Wonnacott said. That would equate to 240 to 300 workers for the dozen markets combined. Fresh & Easy is a unit of United Kingdom-based supermarket behemoth Tesco.

"We offer competitive pay, which includes a quarterly bonus of up to 10 percent," he said. "All Fresh & Easy employees are given the opportunity to work at least 20 hours per week, which entitles them to comprehensive and affordable health care."

The Fresh & Easy stores that need workers will be located in Concord, Danville, Hayward, Modesto, Napa, Pacifica, Pleasanton, San Francisco, San Jose, Vacaville and Walnut Creek. San Jose is getting two stores.

The retailer, though, appears to hunger for more locations beyond these dozen sites, which the company first revealed in 2008.

On Oct. 18, Fresh & Easy Property Co. bought a parcel in Vallejo, according to Solano County property files. The sellers were Ilia and Stella Lerner.

Read more...

Posted by Steve Sinai

Half Moon Bay forced to farm out police services

By Julia Scott

julia.scott@bayareanewsgroup.com

Posted: 11/10/2010 06:00:36 PM PST

Updated: 11/10/2010 10:00:03 PM PST

Hope has faded for Half Moon Bay to overcome its budget deficit after the defeat of a crucial sales tax measure, the city's last chance to retain its own police department.

"The city is going to have to contract for police services, period," Half Moon Bay City Manager Michael Dolder said after an emergency meeting last week at which City Council members contemplated having to cut roughly $1.2 million out of the city's general fund by June -- money they were counting on before voters defeated Measure K, a 1-cent sales tax increase that would have raised as much as $1.4 million for the city each year. 

The City Council asked interim Police Chief Lee Violett to begin drawing up a request for proposals to send to other police agencies.

Overwhelmed by mounting deficits, lack of local revenue and the rising cost of benefits for personnel, the City Council has already cut 17 positions and $2.6 million from its $9.2 million annual budget. 

City officials have spoken of disincorporation as a last-ditch solution, but it's more likely that the city will be forced to contract its police department to another agency, just as it has contracted its fire services to Cal Fire.

Council members have also talked about scrapping the entire Recreation Services Department, as well as contracting out what remains of its Planning and Public Works departments. But the Police Department accounts for nearly 40 percent of the city budget, and it has been preserved with most of its personnel intact -- until now. 

Read more...

Posted by Steve Sinai 

Yee running for San Francisco mayor; speculation begins over his Peninsula Senate seat

By Mike Rosenberg

mrosenberg@bayareanewsgroup.com

Posted: 11/10/2010 09:15:06 PM PST

Updated: 11/10/2010 09:15:22 PM PST

State Sen. Leland Yee, who represents most of San Mateo County in Sacramento, said Wednesday he will run for mayor of San Francisco, setting up a rush of local politicians angling to take his seat if it becomes available.

Already, pundits are pointing to potential replacements for his Senate seat and think the favorites are Democratic Assembly members Jerry Hill, of San Mateo, and Fiona Ma, of San Francisco. Yee's Senate term runs through 2014 and would need to be filled through a special election.
 
A San Francisco native, Yee announced the formation of an exploratory committee for the position, which will become vacant in January when current Mayor Gavin Newsom leaves to become lieutenant governor.

"We need experienced leadership that can bring us together as one community," Yee said, citing encouragement from his family and supporters.

Yee is gunning for the November 2011 election, and if he wins, would begin his mayoral term in January 2012. San Francisco supervisors could appoint a mayor to fill the remainder of Newsom's term and, though Yee won't be lobbying for the job that soon, he is open to taking it if offered, his spokesman said.

 Read more...

Posted by Steve Sinai

State Senator Leland Yee Appears Ready to Join Race for San Francisco Mayor

http://www.baycitizen.org/blogs/pulse-of-the-bay/yee-run-sf-mayor-1/

Posted by Steve Sinai

Pacifica cracks down on off-leash dogs to protect western snowy plover

By Julia Scott

julia.scott@bayareanewsgroup.com

Posted: 11/09/2010 05:20:06 PM PST

Updated: 11/09/2010 05:58:54 PM PST

PACIFICA -- The City Council vowed to protect the tiny, endangered western snowy plover Monday night with new rules cracking down on off-leash dogs and other harms on Pacifica State Beach. 

Capping two years of fierce debate between dog owners and wildlife advocates, the City Council unanimously adopted a policy that would enforce existing leash laws on the beach and install signs and fencing in areas where the snowy plovers are known to roost in the winter.

The decision fell short of the stricter protections sought by some environmentalists.

"I would be a lot more open to allowing dogs on parts of the beach if the city ever showed a semblance of control or enforcement at this location," Dyer Crouch said after the meeting. Crouch is co-chairman of the Pacifica Open Space Committee, which recommended that the city ban dogs from the sandy area of the beach north of Crespi Drive to avoid disturbing snowy plovers.

Easily mistaken for a fluffy cotton ball, the western snowy plover was listed as a federally endangered species in 1993. A host of urban threats have contributed to the birds' decline, including humans trampling their small, exposed nests, built into dunes along the seashore; dogs; predatory birds; and non-native grasses that disrupt their habitat.

Read more...

 
Posted by Steve Sinai

Taj Mahal Palace and Tower hotel, Mumbai, India

and the India view of President Obama's trip

The Taj Mahal Palace and Tower is  the historic hotel (1903) where President Obama is staying in Mumbai, India. The hotel  was restored and re-opened 8/15/2010 following the  terrorist attack of 11/26/10. This hotel of the same name should not be confused with the historic Taj Mahal mausoleum (tomb) in Agra, India, which dates back to 1630AD. 
   
"Trip Advisor". Following the lead from Blogmaster, Steve Sinai, I searched for Taj Mahal hotel Trip Advisor reviews.  Easily discovered was an extensive 10/17/10 review from the wife of an international businessman  (the couple lives in New York):

World class hotel - could we put it somewhere else?"  From that review, "We stayed at the Taj Mahal Palace. This is my kind of place. A sophisticated hotel that offers real luxury, character and world-class service....If you do visit, don’t even think of walking around outside. The heat and humidity are generally overpowering. Impoverished locals have turned many sidewalks into their personal residences, shopping malls and restrooms. Traffic is chaotic. Many intersections lack traffic lights and so turn into giant games of chicken with everyone driving in hopes that the other drivers slam on the brakes at the last second before glass-shattering impact. Drivers ignore crosswalks. While Mumbai pedestrians take this in stride, I saw several Westerners enjoy close calls with death as they jumped, shaking with terror, out of the way of speeding traffic. Unless you plan to spend an entire day in the hotel (not a bad option at the Taj!), arrange to have one of the Taj hotel cars on call at all times. They are clean. The seat belts work. The Taj drivers are skillful and courteous. They cost, but how much is your life worth?  I will never return to Mumbai. I am instructing my Dearest (referring to her husband) to avoid all future India projects at work and dedicate himself to business located in places that are nice to visit, such as Italy."

India's view of President Obama's trip. NewsX India TV discussion (video 13:57 minutes), and related videos.  The NewsX panel considers outside country investment (including American) in India, the moderator seems concerned about loss of "outsourcing" from the USA. 

Posted by Kathy Meeh   

About the (GOP) Tea Party "President's Trip" rumor

Want respect? How about you give us facts?

The rumors
Anderson Cooper Report 11/5/10. Congresswoman Michelle Bachmann (Minnesota 6th district) flunked credibility, intelligence and accountability when  she was asked by Anderson Cooper (11/4/10) whether her proposed Federal cost cutting measures included Medicare. Bachmann's disconnected response:  "the President's trip to India will cost $200 million daily"..."these are the numbers coming-out in the press". 
Source by "Anonymous", no verification.  Turns out the President's trip cost to Asia rumor "source" was from India TV through a comment made by an anonymous person, who may or may not have been an  India official, but certainly in no way was connected with the US government, or its Accountability Office. 
No attempt at fact-finding. No attempt was made by Bachmann or other Tea Party representatives to clarify, understand or correct the false information rumor. In fact, Tea Party "opinion news" chose to embellished the rumor through pundits such as Rush Limbaugh, Glenn Beck, Michael Savage and others.  Limbaugh pounded the excessive trip cost, Beck promoted the trip as a vacation, Savage referred to the trip as a "royalist visit." 

The reality
Length of the trip, countries. The President's diplomatic business trip begins Saturday, November 6th. He is traveling to 4 Asian countries (India, Indonesia, South Korea and Japan). The trip will continue over 9 days (10 days also reported may account for timezone variations).
The trip is no vacation.  PBS 11/5/10 News Hour. "He (President Obama) plans to meet with world leaders, participate in the G-20 and APEC economic summits, and give a speech on U.S. outreach to the Muslim community."  The  mission of the trip is clearly diplomatic, to secure and advance USA business interests and international security relations.
Cost and security. The exact cost of the trip is not known, but  based upon prior Presidential trips overseas, cost might be about $5.5 million dollars daily, total cost about $50 million dollars .*
Bill O'Reilly? "The Factor doesn't use blind sources, and we know that ($200 million daily) figure is nuts." Video from Media Matters 11/5/10.

Recent Articles, references
The White House. 11/05/2010, "Attacks on President going to Asia" A Long Trip from Reality". 
The Economist, 11/06/2010, "Bachmann and others have a responsibility to back up statistics they cite." claim of 34 ships and an aircraft carrier is "comical" (Pentagon spokesman),  .
Miami Herald, 11/05/2010, general article (includes Air Force Times trip cost estimate).*
The Washington Post. 11/04/2010, goals of the trip. 
CNN World. 11/06/2010, First day of trip:  $10 billion in new contracts for US exports.  

Posted by Kathy Meeh

City Council Agenda 11/08/2010

http://www.cityofpacifica.org/civica/filebank/blobdload.asp?BlobID=4038

Submitted by Jim Alex

Patch story - City Council Members Continue to Cash Out Benefits

http://pacifica.patch.com/articles/city-council-members-continue-to-cash-out-benefits

Submitted by Lionel Emde

Jim Wagners Letter to the Editor

FRACTURED (FOREST) FAIRY TALES

There was a show in the 60’s called “Rocky and Bullwinkle”. The show had lots of odd and entertaining snippets. One of my favorites was Fractured Fairy Tales. An odd skit where common fairy tales are twisted to make a point about modern day news stories. 

I enjoyed one of those episodes last week. Not on the TV show, in our own Trib. Nancy Hall’s fractured fairy tale letter wandered all over trying to make some point that escaped me. She proceeded to fracture the history of her failed bio-diesel refinery. In fact, this was a compound fractured fairy tale. Why is it that every time you post a letter here you seem to lose touch with the reality of history and proceed to make up wild tales that are never really all true.

Bio-diesel truth: the city contracts with an unknown, untested company from Washington State to build a “state of the art” bio-diesel plant based on the due diligence and influence of Ms Hall. The company violates state law, skips town to avoid fines, then the city picks up the tab and is out over $100,000. In addition, the State Air Resource Board kicked in $100,000, or more, to fund this ill-fated experiment. We taxpayers get double-dipped. All this because Nancy had a vision while riding on Neil Young’s fun bus. 

She then jumps on the Chamber of Commerce for not doing anything to promote local business. Well, fellow self-confessed staunch enviro, Julie Lancelle was council liaison to that chamber for many years. During that time, council happy talked about Palmetto Ave, a state of the art 21^st century library, beach parking revenue, and what did it accomplish? Zero!

Nancy, you make good music, write good songs. Stick with what you’re good at.

Jim Wagner

Submitted by Jim Alex

A few more pictures from the Giants parade this morning

Madison Bumgarner's in the front

Mixed nuts - don't ask

Crazy Crab declawed

Posted by Steve Sinai

A few pictures from the Giants parade this morning

Cody Ross is at the front of the fake cable car

The World Series trophy blocked by arms

Colma BART around 9 AM

Lobby of my client's office

Posted by Steve Sinai

County Board of Supes seat

MEMBER, BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, 3RD DISTRICT

Completed Precincts: 457 of 457

	Vote Count	Percentage
DON HORSLEY	73,234	56.5%
APRIL VARGAS	56,391	43.5%

Pacifica School District Board

PACIFICA SCHOOL DISTRICT MEMBERS, GOVERNING BOARD

Number To Vote For: 3

Completed Precincts: 29 of 29

	Vote Count	Percentage
MIKE O'NEILL	5,492	27.6%
RICHARD B. FAUST	5,389	27.1%
JOAN WEIDEMAN	5,376	27.0%
KALIMAH SALAHUDDIN	3,628	18.2%

High School Parcel Tax Results

JEFFERSON UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT MEASURE P - PARCEL TAX FOR ACADEMICS (2/3)

Completed Precincts: 73 of 73

	Vote Count	Percentage
YES	15,364	65.7%
NO	8,023	34.3%

Term Limits Results

CITY OF PACIFICA MEASURE V - TERM LIMITS FOR CITY COUNCIL (50%+1)

Completed Precincts: 29 of 29

	Vote Count	Percentage
YES	4,962	51.4%
NO	4,695	48.6%

Hotel Tax Results

CITY OF PACIFICA MEASURE R - HOTEL TAX INCREASE (50%+1)

Completed Precincts: 29 of 29

	Vote Count	Percentage
YES	5,788	59.1%
NO	4,001	40.9%

City Council Results

CITY OF PACIFICA MEMBERS, CITY COUNCIL

Number To Vote For: 3

Completed Precincts: 29 of 29

	Vote Count	Percentage
LEN STONE	4,137	16.3%
SUE DIGRE	3,792	15.0%
JIM VREELAND	3,731	14.7%
WILLIAM "LEO" LEON	3,280	12.9%
SUSAN VELLONE	3,180	12.5%
BARBARA ARIETTA	2,426	9.6%
THOMAS H. CLIFFORD	2,062	8.1%
HEATHER TANNER	1,724	6.8%
KARL F. DAVIDSON	1,009	4.0%

Ongoing voting results

From San Mateo County Elections Office:

http://www.shapethefuture.org/elections/results/nov2010/results.asp#c-806

Posted by Steve Sinai

Vote!

Please remember to vote today.
This vote is important to the health and vitality of Pacifica.
I recommend Sue Velone and Len Stone for council.
Both local business people with the experience to lead Pacifica out of this financial mess we find ourselves in and end the cronyism that seems to be endemic of this current council.
I would also recommend voting for Measure P. Our schools are woefully underfunded through no fault of their own.
 

Thanks
Jim Wagner

After Halloween spooky story - other than the election of course

Cyclist report seeing the ghost of Stow Lake in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco.  Apparently the forlorn ghost is searching for a lost child. 

From fwix.com  bay Area hyperbolic news 11/1/10, San Francisco Stow Lake ghost sighting 10/31/10. For more than 100 years visitors to Golden Gate Park have spotted a ghostly apparition hovering around Stow Lake. Sunday morning a group of cyclists observed the woman-in-white during a ride through the park. Rick Helf, one of the organizers of the NOPA VELO cycling troupe, said they decided to circle Stow Lake off JFK Drive at about 10:30 in the morning when the sighting occurred.

"Once we were half-way around the lake, someone shouted, 'There's the ghost, across the water near the pagoda.' We all stopped and sure enough a woman in a white flowing gown was pushing through the reeds like she was looking for something. We all heard a distinctive, eerie wailing as if someone was in deep distress or mourning. We knew the lake was supposed to be haunted, but we had no idea we'd actually see the ghost!" 

Helf said his group called out to the eerie woman who kept wailing and gesturing. They also saw tourists with small children approach the pagoda only to make a quick retreat once they saw the distraught ethereal presence. One child ran up the hillside for safety. After another ten minutes the ghost disappeared into the shadows.

Posted by Kathy Meeh