The California license plate that will fund wildlife, open space, and outdoor recreation:
NEW CALIFORNIA VANITY PLATE FOR ENVIRONMENT
The site promoting the plates is: HELP SUPPORT BAY AREA NATURE
The program that will disperse the funds, if enough people sign up, is the San Francisco Bay Area Conservancy Program of the State Coastal Conservancy.
[FROM JAKE SIGG'S NATURE NEWS]
Save The Bay's Watershed Education Program seeks energetic part-time Field Educators to lead on-the-water Canoes In Sloughs and Discover The Bay programs for middle and high school students, community and corporate groups, and other Bay Area residents. Educators will co-lead educational programming related to wetlands, watersheds, and the San Francisco Bay while maintaining a fun and safe environment for groups in canoes. To find out more, please visit SAVE THE BAY
Yes, it is a brown towhee feeding its 2-month-old in Pacifica (Bill Collins photo).
WARNING: I am taking a break from Riptide Comments this weekend. I need a mental health pause from all the nit-picking, infighting, and name calling. I will be out of town and offline for about 36 hours, not reading or posting any comments. So in the nicest possible way I want to say, please take a hike or go jump in the lake or take a chill pill. Meanwhile, catch up on your Riptide reading. We have lots of interesting content on our main editorial site, and some of it is about things other than City Council and biodiesel. Thank you all for your passion and participation in Riptide, but for a little while this weekend, let's all take a timeout. Breathe!
JOHN MAYBURY
EDITOR AND PUBLISHER
PACIFICA RIPTIDE
Our science correspondent Summer Rhodes says that at a business meeting the other day, someone quoted Chief Seattle about the web of life. Looking for more information, Summer found Chief Seattle's message, as relevant and vital today as it was 150 years ago when he delivered it to the United States Government that sought to "buy" ancestral lands from the chief's Native American people. Here is one of several versions of the speech that can be found on the Internet:
THE WEB OF LIFE
How can you buy the sky?
How can you own the rain and the wind?
My mother told me,
Every part of this earth is sacred to our people.
Every pine needle.
Every sandy shore.
Every mist in the dark woods.
Every meadow and humming insect.
All are holy in the memory of our people.
My father said to me,
I know the sap that courses through the trees
As I know the blood that flows in my veins.
We are part of the earth and it is part of us.
The perfumed flowers are our sisters.
The bear, the deer, the great eagle, these are our brothers
The rocky crests, the meadows,
The ponies - all belong to the same family.
The voice of my ancestors said to me,
The shining water that moves in the rivers and streams,
Is not simply water, but the blood of your grandfatherâs grandfather.
Each ghostly reflection in the clear waters of the lakes tell
Of memories in the life of our people.
The water's murmur is the voice of your great - great grandmother.
The rivers are our brothers. They quench our thirst.
They carry our canoes and feed our children.
You must give to the rivers the kindness you would give to any brother.
The voice of my grandfather said to me
The air is precious. It shares its spirit with all the life it supports.
The wind that gives me my first breath also receives my last sigh.
You must keep the land and air apart and sacred, as a place where one can go to taste the wind that is sweetened by the meadow flowers.
When the last Red Man and Woman have vanished with their wilderness
And their memory is only the shadow of a cloud moving across the prairie, will the shore and forest still be there?
Will there be any of the spirit of my people left?
My ancestors said to me. This we know:
The earth does not belong to us. We belong to the earth.
The voice of my grandmother said to me,
Teach your children what you have been taught.
The earth is our mother.
What befalls the earth befalls all the sons and daughters of the earth.
Hear my voice and the voice of my ancestors, Chief Seattle said.
The destiny of your people is a mystery to us.
What will happen when the buffalo are all slaughtered?
The wild horses tamed?
What will happen when the secret corners of the forest are heavy with the scent of many men?
When the view of the ripe hills is blotted by talking wires?
Where will the thicket be? Gone!
Where will the eagle be? Gone!
And what will happen when we say goodbye to the swift pony and the Bull?
It will be the end of living and the beginning of survival.
This we all know: All things are connected like the blood that unites us.
We did not weave the web of life.
We are merely a strand in it.
Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves.
We love this earth as a newborn loves its motherâs heartbeat.
If we sell you the land, care for it as we have cared for it.
Hold in your mind the memory of the land, as it is when you receive it.
Preserve the land and the air and the rivers for your children's children and love it as we have loved it.
Master Gardener Help Line, Mondays and Thursdays, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., 650-726-9059 x 107
Email mgvhelpline@ucdavis.edu
Master Gardeners are part of the University of California Cooperative Extension Program: SAN MATEO/SAN FRANCISCO WEB SITE
Why not hear public comment on each item on the agenda before or during consideration of that item?
There are serious concerns about the liability for this biodiesel plant that have not been addressed. The Coastal Commission has addressed those liabilities in their conditions. I found out this morning that on Monday night the city is voting ON THE CONSENT CALENDAR to amend the lease agreement to accept specifically those liabilities and all that Whole Energy has to do is to "indemnify" the city.
Now what exactly does that mean to us? Perhaps if there is an accident of some sort with the chemicals at the plant, or in the processing of the oil, or human error that proves too expensive for Whole Energy to handle, they go bankrupt. The amendment says the city accepts that liability as the owner of the land. WHAT? That's right, you, me, your neighbor, we're all on the hook for any future liability problems. Obviously, the Coastal Commission wants some deep pockets to fix things. Oh by the way, if anyone sues the Coastal Commission for issuing a faulty permit, we could be on the hook to pay the commission's legal fees if Whole Energy skips.
This was placed on the consent calendar (meaning no discussion) at Mayor Vreeland's insistence. HE'S ON VACATION! Open and transparent government? Where? When? Please, if you are concerned about once again putting our broke town in harm's way, please contact City Hall and request that this item be continued to a future meeting in a public discussion concerning the ramifications involved. WE ARE LANDLORDS, NOT PARTNERS!
The public needs to be aware of what is going on here. I receive the agenda by email on the Thursday before the Monday meeting. If you don't get an agenda, this would be a done deal and approved Monday night before you saw anything in print. Please share this with those in your address book who care what our council does.
AGENT 99
In Half Moon Bay @ Shoreline Station
Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
In Pacifica @ Rockaway Beach
Wednesdays, 2:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Join us for summer session at Sanchez Art Center! We are accepting registrations. There are classes for kids, teens, and adults. For more information: SANCHEZ ART CENTER CLASSES
You also can request a brochure by emailing classes@sanchezartcenter.org.
John Nico, Program Director
650.355.1894
In our Categories (right sidebar), click CITY OF PACIFICA and PACIFICA TRIBUNE for news, events, announcements, and agendas of upcoming meetings, city business, and other Very Important Stuff.
Pacifica Performances presents Bobbe Norris & Larry Dunlap, Saturday, July 26, 7:30 p.m., at Sanchez Concert Hall, 1220 Linda Mar Blvd., Pacifica, in the building with the colorful mural. Vocalist Bobbe Norris and pianist Larry Dunlap return with their eclectic mix of music from America and other parts of the world. Their blend of jazz and cabaret is both familiar and adventurous, based on a colorful pool of musical experiences. With Seward McCain on bass and Jason Lewis on drums. Audience requests will be taken. Tickets are on sale at the door or in advance by phone with Visa or MasterCard, 650-355-1882, seats reserved for parties of four or more. Admission: General $20; Seniors/Students with current I.D. $15; Members $15; Senior or Student Members $12. Youths under 18 are free. Doors open 30 minutes before show. For more information or to request a schedule, call 650-355-1882 or email info@pacificaperformances.org
Buy Extreme Pizza and raise money for Pacifica Beach Coalition: July 27-28, August 3- 4. Eat in, order out, or call for delivery. Mention Pacifica Beach Coalition (PBC) and Extreme Pizza donates 20 percent of all your purchases to PBC (tax excluded). Click coupon to enlarge.
California Coastal Cleanup Day, Saturday, September 20, from 9 to 11:30 a.m. (12 noon celebration follows at Sharp Park). This is the cleanup where litter is counted to help advocate legislation. Mark your calendar now. Join Pacifica Beach Coalition at all beaches, creeks, and bluffs of Pacifica. Group, family, and team sign-ups for the site of your choice available now!
NEW THIS YEAR! Help us protect our coast. Pick up a bag and tally form at the Farmers Market 8/29, 9/10, or 9/17 and pick up and record the litter in front of your house or on your walks in advance and enter your data into the mix!
Pacifica Beach Coalition meetings are scheduled for August 12 and September 2, all at 7 p.m. in the Pacifica Library, 104 Hilton Way, Community Room. Do you want to do more for the beaches, ocean, and environment? Join Pacifica Beach Coalition and put your special talents to work. Become a Beach Steward for your favorite beach and lead or assist with cleanups. Help with record keeping, writing articles and taking photograph for the Pacifica Tribune and Pacifica Riptide, coordinating a student PBC, making presentations at schools, assisting with media, communications, fundraising, grant writing, and more. Join us at any of the upcoming meetings or email PickItupPacifica@gmail.com to sign up.
PACIFICA EARTH DAY 2008 SETS RECORDS
Pacifica Beach Coalition is proud to report that this year’s Earth Day of Action on April 19 had a record number 1,512 volunteers, including a record number 65 community groups and 55 businesses complete Earth Day projects in Pacifica and around San Mateo County. An estimated 11,521 pounds of litter and recycles were removed from 97 city sites, including five beaches, six bluffs, five shopping centers, 25 streets, three schools, and five Pacifica Childcare Centers. This year, work extended into threee other cities, with projects in San Mateo, Half Moon Bay, and Princeton. Eight habitat restoration/garden projects were completed, including work at Milagra Ridge, Pacifica State Beach, Vista Mar Street, Cabrillo, Ocean Shore, and Pacifica Community Gardens. As you know, 45-mph winds, frigid temperatures, and sandblasted faces at the beaches could not stop volunteers from participating and proving just how committed Pacificans and their friends are to taking action for the earth. On behalf of the Pacifica Beach Coalition, I would like to thank you for participating in the cleanup and habitat restoration projects, for joining together to financially support the event, and for being part of a community to be proud of!
LYNN ADAMS
Riptide is out there where the rubber meets the road. So post your news and pictures to editor@pacificariptide.com
WESTERN FIELD ORNITHOLOGISTS annual meeting, San Mateo Marriott, October 9-12
NASA has produced an animated MAP that illustrates changes in global temperatures between meteorological years 1891 and 2006. Our tax dollars doing something useful. Thank you, NASA!
SUMMER RHODES
Riptide Science Correspondent
It's after midnight and you need to order a CD, but all the stores are closed—or are they? One store is still open in Pacifica. In fact, it is open 24 hours a day: Amazon.com, right here on our right sidebar. Scroll down and shop anytime. And when you buy from Amazon.com on Riptide, we get a percentage to help pay our bills. So make globalization work for you! Shop Amazon.com on Riptide.
Coastside Scavenger has been recycling phones, pagers, etc., through the County of San Mateo for years. This collection benefits the battered-women shelter program of the county. Just leave your items at the recycling yard at 1046 Palmetto Avenue six days a week (51 hours). Also, remember that we are open on Wednesday night until 7 during Daylight Saving Time.
CHRIS PORTER
COASTSIDE SCAVENGER
As we all know by now, on July 11 the Coastal Commission approved the bi-diesel refinery project at the sewage plant. Some in this community consider that a validation of their environmental consciousness and some consider it an economic, environmental, and safety boondoggle. What everyone should be aware of is the potential liability that two of the conditions of this approval put our city in. I have spoken with city officials about the public/private perception that percolated throughout this process and was told in no uncertain terms that our city is in no way a partner in this project and specifically so as to mitigate liability for mishaps at the plant. Those of you who believe I’m blowing air, I urge you to make the call to City Hall and ask the city manager to verify.
Standard Condition #5
These terms and conditions shall be perpetual and it is the intention of the Commission and the applicant to bind all future owners and possessors of the subject property to the terms and conditions.
Special Condition #2
By acceptance of this permit, the applicant acknowledges and agrees, on behalf of itself and all successors and assigns: (i) that the project site may be subject to hazards from seismic events, liquefaction, storms, waves, floods and erosion; (ii) to assume the risks to the applicant and the property that is the subject of this permit of injury and damage from such hazards in connection with this permitted development; and (iii) to unconditionally waive any claim of damage or liability against the Commission, its officers, agents, and employees for injury or damages from such hazards.
Condition #3 states that the applicant will reimburse the commission for all attorney fees.
What’s this all mean? It appears to me to mean that if anything bad happens and Whole Energy can’t handle it, the city has to step to the plate. Why in the world should the city accept the liability for a private enterprise? Why should every citizen in Pacifica be liable for potential damages and the inevitable lawsuits? To say that Whole Energy can bond the city or indemnify the city is a reach. I would strongly suggest that our elected officials refuse to accept the liability from this private venture under any terms.
JIM WAGNER
Pacifica Performances presents classical chamber music: Trio Arcadia performs Saturday, August 23, 7:30 p.m. at the Sanchez Concert Hall, 1220 Linda Mar Blvd., Pacifica, in the building with the colorful mural.
Bassoonist Kathleen Johannessen, pianist Elizabeth Lee and clarinetist/composer Michael Kimbell, performing on three different sizes of clarinet, will present trios by composers William Hurlstone, Carl Maria von Weber, and Carl Reinecke as well as Michael Kimbell’s Rondo.
Tickets are on sale at the door starting 30 minutes before show, or in advance by phone with Visa or MasterCard, 650.355.1882, minimum advance ticket purchase required, includes reserved seats. Admission: General $20; Seniors/Students with current I.D. $15; Members $15; Senior or Student Members $12. Youths under 18 are free. Doors open 30 minutes before show.
For more information, or to request a schedule, call 650.355.1882 or email info@pacificaperformances.org
CALIFORNIA COASTAL COMMISSION BIODIESEL HEARING VIDEO (Larry Rosenstein)
AND ANOTHER VIDEO OF THE SAME HEARING (click July 11 on official CCC site)
Cheap gas? You gotta be kidding me! Yes, I know, it sounds like an oxymoron. Nevertheless, in these days of rapidly rising gas prices, help is available in the San Francisco Chronicle/SF Gate daily updates at CHEAP GAS?
Check out Scott Groot's new baseball coaching Web site. Anyone who loves the game will appreciate the thought that he has put into launching this business. Good stuff in here for young baseball players, their parents, and their coaches. This site covers baseball fundamentals, skills, the psychology of the game, and much more.
Jeff Simons photos (BlackBerry)
Antlered resident of San Pedro Creek leaves a message across from the Creekside townhouses in Linda Mar (Wayne Jiang photos).
From 7 to 9 p.m. one Friday a month, community potluck and Kirtan or devotional chanting and singing, a great way to restore your energy, raise your vibration, and have some fun while connecting and sharing with the community over a delicious feast! Click our Web site link below for details, updates, and scheduled events.
Friday "free" informational evening from 7 to 8:30 p.m. once a month. The science of living foods, cleansing, and detoxing. This particular evening we will discuss the science of raw or living foods and the importance of seasonal cleansing and detox programs. Always interesting! Come to receive valuable health info and stay for the treats. There are also hands-on treatments and complimentary consultations with our AbunDance health professionals.
Karma Yoga, by donation every Wednesday 3:30 to 4:45 p.m. This is a community-based yoga class for all levels. Our way of reaching out and offering classes to those who may not have the resources to receive the teachings and benefits of this wonderful healing practice!
We offer free consultations to support people in discovering a yoga practice designed for particular needs, level, wellness goals, and health conditions, helping to educate folks about the different styles and applications of yoga so they can choose a class that's safe and right for them. As a total resource for healing, we may also suggest other resources and practitioners in our community to support and guide folks during a transition toward a healthier lifestyle. We offer flexible scheduling; call the studio to make an appointment!
ABUNDANCE
1-877-OM4-YOGA
1610 Francisco Boulevard in Sharp Park, Pacifica
Click link to download PDF on raw food soulstice: Download rawpdf.pdf
Is it a lobster swimming upstream in San Pedro Creek near Capistrano. Or could it be a crayfish? (Wayne Jiang photos)
When the city issues permits to developers, it doesn’t include authorization to affix their signs on city traffic lights and street signs.
Several sellers/developers have been using city signs as posts for their signs, and one in particular, Connemara, has dozens of signs that appear Saturday mornings, and then are removed before city staff is back on the job Monday morning. This has been going on since late June.
Connemara has hired a company that puts dozens of signs along Skyline Boulevard, Mori Ridge, along Highway 1, on highway off-ramps, stop signs, speed limit signs, street signs, at the bus stop in front of Safeway in the Manor area, and at the corner of Oceana and Manor.
City staff aren’t fooled by the Monday morning removal of the signs, and have informed Connemara that it may not place its signs on city property. Oceana High School told Connemara to remove its signs from its property, and after two requests, the developer complied.
Pacificans who want to help keep Pacifica scenic should report illegally placed signs to the Planning Department at 738-7341. The placement of freestanding signs typically used for open houses is not prohibited.
SAMOS
We were looking for a "different" place for dinner Sunday night and happened upon the 3 Zero Cafe at the Half Moon Bay airport. Widely known for daily breakfast and lunch, it is now open on weekends for dinner. Very good food and reasonable prices, Well worth a try, with a unique setting and great staff (especially if you have Mark).
GLENN AND SUSAN PIERSON
Who would know about this little guy if National Georaphic didn't publish his (her?!) amazing image. Get an email each month from National Geographic about the world around you: NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC
SUMMER RHODES
RIPTIDE SCIENCE CORRESPONDENT
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T (John Maybury)
The Trail Keeper Program is an exciting new volunteer opportunity for park lovers and trail enthusiasts. This program provides a flexible schedule, regular exercise, and the opportunity to develop outdoor skills. While hiking, Trail Keepers take notes on trail use and maintenance issues, providing important information to park staff. Trail Keepers also interact with park visitors by offering informational materials and friendly assistance. If you are interested in becoming a Trail Keeper in the Presidio or Lands End, please attend the summer orientation and one of our hikes.
Orientation
Summer: Saturday, July 26 (9 a.m. to 12 noon, lunch provided)
Reservations required: 415-561-3054 or trailsforever@parksconservancy.org
President Bush is rehearsing his speech, using the teleprompter, for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. He begins: "Oh! Oh! Oh! Oh! Oh!"
Immediately his speech writer rushes over to the lectern and whispers in the president's ear: "Mister President, those are the Olympic rings. Your speech is underneath."
(We're sure gonna miss him next year, aren't we?)
For details on the two lawsuits we have posted here on Riptide (ROCKAWAY PARTNERS and MAUREEN LENNON ), see Jane Northrop's stories in the Pacifica Tribune (July 23). Also see Elaine Larsen's LEAD STORY on the City Council debate over civility in oral communications.
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