Pacifica Riptide

Weed Watchers: Citizen Scientists

WEED WATCHERS - Become a citizen scientist - a volunteer-based invasive plant early detection program. As a weed watcher you will learn to identify invasive plants of the region and report your findings. Weed Watchers patrol the roads and trails of the national parks in San Mateo, San Francisco, and Marin counties, detecting weeds as they first invade. Discovering weeds before they become well-established is critical to reducing damage to ecosystem integrity, preventing the loss of habitat for rare plants and animals, and preventing costly natural resource management. Deepen your understanding of the natural world while playing an important role in the protection of the unique resources at the park.

GET THE SCOOP ON THE WEED WATCHERS

PCT 26: Pacifica Community Television

PCT 26 COMMUNITY TELEVISION

Pacifica's community access television station now streams live on the Internet, and still broadcasts on Comcast cable channel 26.

Tsunami Sirens: Linda Mar Pending, Rockaway and Sharp Park Now Testing

"On another front, the city of Pacifica is making strides toward installing two sirens in town which could be sounded in the event of an impending tsunami. The Pacifica Planning Commission just approved two sirens to be installed on Hilton Way in Sharp Park and the public parking lot in Rockaway Beach. Each solar-powered siren will be installed on a 37-foot wooden pole. The sirens, which can be heard about a mile in either direction, are intended mostly to warn tourists and other newcomers to the area. In addition to a siren, they can also transmit voice messages. A third location at the Highway 1 pump station at Linda Mar is pending Coastal Commission approval. Those three locations in town coincide with the town's highest tsunami risk zones." (Pacifica Tribune, 10/10/07)

The warning sirens were tested for the first time last week during the day. This was a volume test for the new sirens that lasted for 15 seconds each. The sirens will be tested on the first Wednesday of every month at 10 a.m. These monthly tests will last for 15 seconds, and will  occur simultaneously with both sirens. The above information will appear in the Pacifica Tribune, San Mateo County Times, and Half Moon Bay Review for the next several weeks in an effort to notify the public about the tests.

(Please note that you read about this first on Pacifica Riptide. WE COVER THE WATERFRONT!)

Want to get on the county alert system? SIGN UP FOR ALERTS at your home, office, computer, and mobile device, and follow instructions for new users.

Ian Butler: Bruce Latimer Show Gets an 800 #

800. It’s a really big number. If you don’t believe me, just count up to it—go ahead, I’ll wait (cue Jeopardy theme here)—Done yet? I didn’t think so. As you can see, 800 of anything is a lot, especially when you are talking about TV shows (which I am). Do you know how many TV shows have lasted up to 800 episodes? Neither do I, but it can’t be very many, that’s for sure. In fact, I can only think of two—Pacifica’s own “The Bruce Latimer Show,” and that test pattern with the Indian head.

The laid-back host, Bruce Latimer-Show, has all the qualities necessary to host a long-running production: the ability to continuously show up, a willingness to bring snacks, and the desire to play with his turtle in public. Like Cal Ripken Jr., Johnny Carson, and Jeffrey Dahmer before him, Bruce has found something he truly loves, and has done it more than anyone else.

Recently, he retired from his day job as a mortician (no, I am not going to make any jokes about that, in case the deceased can read) and moved to Blue Lake to catch up on his breathing. You see, tragically, Bruce is allergic to Pacifica, or at least the moldy parts. But he still drives down here on Wednesdays to perform and interview some amazing talent between sniffles.

There is another side to Bruce that a lucky few get to experience, a side that I call “late night phone call Bruce.” His calls usually begin with a deadpan non sequitur, and digress exponentially from there. It’s like being a guest on a talk show in an alternate universe. I have gotten many such calls over the years and believe me, they are as entertaining as his TV show. As a local musician once put it, “He spends his day being normal and before he goes to sleep he has to let his crazy out.” And once a week, on The Bruce Latimer show, he helps us all let our crazy out.

Did you know that, technically, anyone can make a public access show on PCT 26? It’s true, that’s why they call it public access. It’s like YouTube without the ten-minute limit, and now it’s even streaming online. I’m surprised that there aren’t thousands of TV shows right here in Pacifica. Heck, I’m surprised that you personally don’t have one. What’s your passion? Cooking? Recycling? Drinking? Drinking your recycled cooking? Whatever it is, you can make a show about it. Well, except for drinking, that one’s already been done.

It was called “The Cocktail Hour,” and it consisted of two guys making cocktails, drinking cocktails, and talking about making and drinking cocktails. They taped two 1-hour shows back to back, so as you can imagine, by the end of the second taping they were pretty hammered. That’s when they would do stuff like stand in front of the word “tail” on the “Cocktail Hour” sign. (This seemed like the funniest thing in the world to them at the time.) Eventually they got cancelled for taking shots off underage female body parts, which led to a “no alcohol” policy at the station. Somebody always has to spoil it for everybody else.

So drinking is out, and don’t even think about producing “The Biker Crank Hour” or “The Hairy Naked Middle-Aged Guy Hour” either, but no reasonable show will be denied, provided you are willing to jump through the necessary hoops, such as taking workshops, working on other shows, and bribing the station manager. (Just kidding, but he does love chocolate, FYI.)

Our city can take pride in the fact that Pacifica Community Television, AKA “The Little Station That Could,” is the nation’s oldest public access television station. It started out as a steam-powered hieroglyphic feed on Channel 8 before the invention of the two-digit channel, upgrading to 8-track videotape and bell-bottoms in the 70s.

The station actually won an Emmy in 1972, in the category of “Stations that no one will ever believe won an Emmy.” Since then there have been more award-winning programs than I am personally willing to count, but only one of them has reached the lofty number of 800 shows. (None of our test patterns has even come close.)

So thanks, Bruce. Thanks for all the magical moments over the years, including the wildly entertaining phone calls. I would love to toast your achievement, but ever since I had those guys over from “The Cocktail Hour,” there is a “no alcohol” policy in my home.

------------------

Ian Butler is host of Laugh Locally on—you guessed it—PCT 26 PACIFICA COMMUNITY TELEVISION. Send your best ideas for saving the world to ianbutler@netzero.net

Todd Bray Clarifies Position on Biodiesel Refinery

I raised the issue recently of whether the slab for the proposed biodiesel refinery was permitted. I offered my two cents purely as background, not as fodder. I've heard from several sources that some people are taking my postings out of context to further their own agenda. As such, I am compelled to clarify the issue I've raised to defang these few and put the issue of the slab's legality to rest.

A Coastal Commission staff member called me recently to go over the issue. The slab was done with a permit. It was done legally as far as explained and I personally have no further issue regarding the legitimacy of the slab itself. Anyone who does should not use any written posting of mine as part of their arguments against the biodiesel project, the slab, or any persons or departments I may have naively and unintentionally brought into biodiesel refinery discussion.

It is unfortunate that a handful of people have used my postings as fodder for their own amusement, but having done so they should also recant any statements they may have made based on my postings and insist the slab is a legally permitted structure. To not do so would only cast aspersions on their cause and character.

I apologize for any harm or hurt or extra paperwork my postings have caused to any person or department as a result of my comments made on Riptide or in emails to a selected few. It was never my intend to cause harm or extra workloads to anyone or any department. Please forgive me if I have. It was never my intent to cause harm.

TODD MCCUNE BRAY

Gas May Hit $4 This Summer

[ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO]

Average national retail gasoline prices rose overnight to $3.161 a gallon, according to AAA and the Oil Price Information Service.   Prices are within 7 cents of May's record of $3.227 a gallon.   But the Energy Department expects prices to peak near $3.40 a gallon this spring.   And many analysts think prices will rise much higher than that.

Tom Kloza, chief oil analyst at the Oil Price Information Service, told the New York Times that prices could peak around $3.50-$3.75 nationwide after a "big jump" this summer.

Geoff Sundstrom, of AAA, says that $4 a gallon gasoline is possible this summer.

Don't tell that to Californians.   Prices at some service stations in California are already verging on touching the $5 a gallon mark.

The Associated Press moved several photos TODAY of a Shell station in the San Francisco Bay Area city of San Mateo where prices are $4.23.9 for regular, $4.33.9 for midgrade, and $4.43.9 for premium gas.

Yesterday, AP ran shots of another Shell station in Los Angeles, where prices are $3.69.9 for regular, $3.89.9 for midgrade, and $3.99.9 for premium gasoline.

GAS PRICE SHOCK PHOTOS

Pacifica Military Moms

PACIFICA MILITARY MOMS

Opinion: Come Together to Solve City's Problems

I want to put in my 2 cents on the biofuel issue.

Fact #1 that I think everyone in Pacifica can agree on: We need to make some changes. When considering the impact of our lifestyle on the resources that sustain us, our legacy passed on to the children, cultures, and species around the globe—this just isn't working. Statistics show that collectively we are sicker, more in debt, and more unfulfilled than we have ever been. Every single indicator is flashing red "Danger!"

Fact #2 that I think everyone in Pacifica can agree on: There are no Silver Bullet solutions. A simple understanding of science confirms that nothing can replace the energy contained in fossil fuels. Oil, especially, is an incredibly precious resource. One gallon of gasoline contains the energy equivalent of 500 hours of human work output. Think how long it would take to push your car 25 miles, whereas it takes about a gallon of gasoline to do the same thing. Nothing—not solar, not wind, not biofuel—can compare. We need multiple strategies, or a diversified  energy portfolio to transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy.

Fact #3 that I think everyone in Pacifica can agree on: We need to start somewhere. If the majority of the community can agree on Facts #1 and #2, then we should also be able to agree that we need to start somewhere.
    * Should we start a community-wide solar program as Berkeley has done? Yes.
    * Should we consider a wind farm to catch our constant ocean breeze? Yes.
    * Should we start weatherproofing our homes and conserving? Yes.
    * Should we recycle our waste and turn it into useful local products? Yes.
    * Do all of these strategies have pros and cons? Yes. 
    * Are they controversial? Yes. 
    * Have they been tried in other places? Yes.
    * Do they work? Yes.
    * Do they have problems that are manageable? Yes.
    * Are any of these complete solutions? No.

The point is, we need to start innovating a range of solutions to the problem and we need to start now. It's time for the community to find common ground. If we had a crisis—a significant earthquake, a major road closure, no access to clean drinking water—we would come together to find solutions. Again, by every single indicator, the crisis is now.

Fact #4 that I think everyone in Pacifica can agree on: We need to work together. Deeper exploration of the economic, social, and environmental issues point us toward the heart of the change that is needed—and it won't be easy.

We need to:
    * Localize our basic requirements and resources: food, water, energy, health care
    * Simplify our need to drive long distances
    * Cut the need for every person to have a vehicle
    * Look for opportunities to share resources
    * Incubate meaningful jobs in Pacifica

If we can come together around these issues, we will have more local security, a healthier local economy, feel more connected, and make a contribution to the whole.

KELLEY RAJALA

Opinion: An Inconvenient Truth

Having just finished reading the report, "Status of the San Francisco Garter Snake," I can add a relevant quote to Jane Northrup's news story about it (Pacifica Tribune, February 27).

"This survey cannot determine negative findings for (the San Francisco garter snake) SFGS or indicate that the snakes are absent from the site; SFGS are known to occur on the site from past studies and suitable habitat is present."

Mr. Grimm's confusion and Mr. Crabtree's assertion ("This report is meaningless until a development is proposed") are reactions that indicate an unwillingness to understand a very straightforward and readable scientific paper.

The Calera Creek watershed is chock-full of California red-legged frogs, another threatened species and the favored prey of the SFGS.

As a condition of the building of the wastewater treatment plant, mitigation ponds were created on the creek. Those ponds and the area surrounding were among the richest habitat for the frog and can be considered a success, in my opinion.

It's time for all true environmentalists to stand up and be counted. The quarry is unsuitable to development of any kind. This includes a biodiesel refinery on the banks of the Calera that is slated to ultimately produce 3 million gallons of fuel per year.

The city should not be in the business of risking habitat for fuel. It's counterproductive at the least, and is potentially catastrophic.

LIONEL EMDE

 

 

Ian Butler: Oily Responder

I am a criminal. There, I’ve said it.  My crime? Cleaning tar balls off the beach against OSHA regulations. Nothing against “occupational safety” per se, nobody wants workers falling in vats of acid or getting nasty paper cuts willy-nilly. But in actual practice - let’s face it, they go a little overboard.

After the Cosco Busan oil spill I wanted to help, so I went to the training session at the community center to learn the official way to clean up the oil. The first thing the instructor told us was that fresh bunker fuel is toxic and dangerous stuff, but the oil we would be cleaning up was old and weathered and now basically asphalt.

This implies the same safety precautions as pothole fillers: wearing orange vests and leaning on shovels. But according to the regulations, it means wearing HazMat suits appropriate for a more dangerous material, such as cyanide or Chinese toothpaste. It also means we aren’t allowed within 15 feet of the water without a life jacket. Afterward, the garment must be removed by men in special garments who put the garments in special bags, which are collected and buried in an enormous hazardous-garment landfill. The instructor did an excellent job explaining this stuff with a straight face.

I decided to try my hand at beach cleanup both as a covert freelancer, and as a regulation-following, oath-taking volunteer.

The freelance method was pretty straightforward; I just got some rubber gloves and tiptoed past the “Beach Closed” signs. My heart raced and the Mission Impossible theme played in my head as I darted across the sand in search of illicit black balls, pooper-scooper in hand. I felt like a fearless renegade, until a couple came by with their dog, followed by some barefoot kids and a tourist. I suddenly felt less “renegade” and more “surrounded by idiots.” I collected a bucketful of tar in about an hour, and managed to keep it off myself, which is more than I can say about the tourist.

The tricky part was disposing of the oil. It has to go in special receptacles, and since you aren’t supposed to collect the stuff, no one wants to tell you where they are – it’s like trying to get directions to Bolinas. Finally, a worker squealed, and I furtively dropped off my contraband, like a teenage mother dropping off an unwanted baby behind the hospital.

The next day I went to Ocean Beach, to give the government’s method a try. After a lengthy checking in, they duct-taped us into our disposable HazMat suits, roughly the equivalent of dressing for a moonwalk. A special MUNI bus took us to the site, the weirdest-dressed bunch of MUNI riders you ever saw. They set us loose armed with plastic forks, Dixie cups, and—in a real Bay Area gesture—oil-absorbing mats made of human hair on which they will grow oil-loving oyster mushrooms, to compensate for all the dead oil-hating oysters.

We felt like the last kids at the Easter egg hunt, as the pickings were pretty slim. About 100 volunteers scattered about in random trajectories, desperately seeking a rapidly dwindling treasure. We collected what oil there was in the first hour, but kept going for three hours more, just in case a whole bunch suddenly washed ashore.

Add in the training, and that’s 8 hours, one disposable HazMat suit, two disposable shoe covers, four disposable gloves, and enough duct tape to censor a libertarian (plus 2 gallons of gas and one dangerously full bladder), for 2 Dixie cups full of black goo.

No, it doesn’t seem like much, but if you multiply it by 100 volunteers, it equals 200 Dixie cups of goo, just in our group. And just a little of the stuff can really ruin a bird’s day (tarring and feathering was a medieval punishment for a reason). Of course, it also equals one 100 landfill-bound HazMat suits, necessitating another shipment from Asia.

Now I’m moving on to the future of beach cleanup: plastic – as in litter. It’s just as ugly and harmful as tar balls, but you don’t need special clothes, there’s no law against collecting it, and there’s an endless supply! I’ll see you on the beaches, just as soon as this rash clears up.

----------------------------

Ian Butler is the host of Laugh Locally on PCT CHANNEL 26. He in no way endorses illegal selfless acts of love, except by inference. This classic column first appeared in the Pacifica Tribune and is reprinted here by permission.

Email ianbutler@netzero.net

IAN BUTLER WEB SITE

Mojo's Coast: Shore Break

MOJO'S COAST

When General Motors Execs Say Dumb Things

I hate to keep dumping on General Motors, but when their top people say dumb things, or try to go against the public good, I just cannot help myself. This time GM Vice Chairman Robert Lutz decided to speak his mind, and what a mind it is.

In the February 25, 2008 issue of Automotive News, Bob Lutz (as he is commonly known) tries to defend his view that global warming is a "total crock of shit."  Not exactly what you would expect to hear from an auto exec who is trying to convince the North American auto-buying world that his company is green.

Never mind that Mr. Lutz's opinion flies in the face of overwhelming scientific opinion. What is particularly galling to me is that he defends having this asinine opinion while at the same time promoting a green agenda for GM. In a posting at FAST LANE, Lutz states, "My beliefs are mine and I have a right to them, just as you have a right to yours. But among my strongest beliefs is that my job is to do what makes the most business sense for GM."  So Lutz is willing to push his beliefs to the back to further his company's goals. He must really be a man of principle. Personally, I liken Mr. Lutz to a mercenary, a soldier of fortune, selling his services and his soul to the highest bidder.

Lutz is a gung-ho ex-Marine pilot (from 1954 through 1959), who earned both his BA and MBA from UC Berkeley (now that is a strange combination, the Jarhead and Berkeley). Since graduating, Lutz has bounced around from automaker to automaker. He started at GM in '63, moved to BMW in '71, then to Ford in '74, where he stayed until Lee Iacocca lured him to Chrysler in '86. In '98, he went to battery producer Exide, and then in 2002 GM called again. Not exactly a stable career.

I also have worked for many employers, but there is one big difference between Robert Lutz and Bruce Hotchkiss: I will not work for someone, or on a project, that goes against my core beliefs.

General Motors builds some damn fine vehicles but its apparent lack of commitment to addressing the future of this planet worries me. Rick Waggoner tells his dealers to lobby Sacramento to kill our attempt to regulate CO2 emissions. Lutz says global warming is bunk but wants us to believe he will do the right thing for the environment. How can we trust a corporation that does not truly believe in what it is trying to sell us?

I accept contradictions. Heck, I am a hot rodder at heart. I have two cars that no matter how well they run pollute more in a day than a brand-new Corvette does in a year. I love my big V8s with their four-barrel carburetors, but I accept that the day is coming when muscle cars will be restricted to museums. I know that the environment will not take much more and I will move on.

General Motors, and every other automaker, needs to believe that its products, no matter how necessary, are a huge part of the problem. I do not think we will ever be without personal transportation. The automakers that succeed will be those that have looked into the future and seen a new world, not those that lust after a bygone time.

Keep those questions coming folks. I enjoy trying to solve your problems. Are you thinking of buying a new car, or one new to you? Give me some pointers on your needs and I will give you some suggestions. Do you have a repair problem? I might be able to help (no, I will not come to your house and fix it for you). If you have a question, I may have an answer, or at least an opinion. Email me at editor@pacificariptide.com

BRUCE HOTCHKISS

Don't Clone My Burger

CONSUMER TIP OF THE WEEK: 
CLONED MEAT NOW IN U.S. FOOD SUPPLY
Although the USDA only recently removed a voluntary market sale moratorium on foods from cloned animals, a Kansas cattleman claims these products are already in the U.S. food supply. "I have sold offspring of cloned animals into feedlots, and they are in the food chain," said Donald Coover, a cattleman and veterinarian. Coover says he has sold semen from clones to many US meat producers in the past few years, and that others have been doing the same. Despite strong public opposition, the FDA has announced that these foods do not need to be labeled as such, so consumers buying meat dairy and eggs don't know if the product came from a cloned animal. Fortunately, the USDA has clarified that foods labeled as "organic" cannot come from cloned animals. 
Learn more: ORGANIC CONSUMERS

Opinion: Special Interests Control Government

The real power is found in special interests, such as corporations, the wealthy, the religious right, the military (the largest corporation in the world), organized crime (which is more and more difficult to tell from the government), and the Cuban community in Florida. Also, there are vicious, independent, right-wing organizations whipping up fervor across the U.S. This is the center of capitalism, where the most power and money reside, and so Washington attracts the power mad like mad, and some get close to the wheels of government, and some get elected, and all who are elected owe whoever supports them, and like JFK and RFK, risk being offed if they don't toe the line. One side kills, the other bargains.
    For example, it's estimated that monetary support for churches could be as high as $250 billion a year. When that money gets focused on an election, it is very influential, and in the long run, can prove decisive. The policy of separating Church and State breaks down at a most basic level.   
    It's a question of people with money pitting paid lawyers against volunteer groups. The monied oligarchy almost always gets its way. They own most of the major media, at least from my viewpoint. These monied insiders influence policy at the most basic level, while grassroots movements, unless very powerful indeed, are almost always fighting rearguard actions. Once a policy is whispered into the ears of our representatives, it might take millions of voters years to fight to regain just the former position. But volunteers, without a salary or time, often grow exhausted, while many of even the most dedicated volunteers may opt out at any time. Capitalism works to keep capitalism going, and money talks. Idealism is too often a bright cloud vanishing on a sunny day. 

JAMES LECUYER

Classic Dylan: Subterranean Homesick Blues

SIGN LANGUAGE

Mr. Green: Just Say No to To-Go Clutter

When you pick up food to go, ask the guy at the front counter to hold the napkins, plastic utensils, and plastic bags. Join the campaign for less-wasteful takeout at ECO TO GO.

Jake Sigg of Nature News forwarded the above item from Mr. Green's column in the March-April issue of Sierra magazine. "Hey Mr. Green: Sierra Magazine's Answer Guy Tackles Your Toughest Green Living Questions" is coming out in book form. To preorder at a special price, go to HEY, MR. GREEN before June 30. There you'll also find Mr. Green's column archives and an opportunity to submit your own questions.

Former Mayor Questions Coastal Commission Staff Recommendation on Beach Blvd. Condos

Friday, March 7, 2008
Agenda Item 6.a. Appeal No. A-2-PAC-07-22 (Pacifica Beach LLC, Pacifica)
Peter Loeb
California Coastal Commission
North Central Coast District Office
45 Fremont Street, Suite 2000
San Francisco, CA 94105-2219

Regarding the Beach Blvd appeal, the Commission found that “a substantial issue was raised regarding whether: 1) the approved project would be constructed in a high hazard area in a manner that assured that risks to life and property had been minimized as required by LCP 26(a).” LCP Policy 26(a) states, “New development shall (a) Minimize risks to life and property in areas of high geologic, flood and fire hazard.”

The 9-unit condominium project design had a retaining wall and raised Beach Blvd by 2 feet (effectively raising the seawall) in order to protect the project from flooding and wave action. As these were determined by Commission staff to be inconsistent with the LCP (although the city of Pacifica approved them), the project was “redesigned” to eliminate these features, thus eliminating these protections from flooding and wave action. The “redesign” does not minimize risk. Rather, the project “redesign” increases the risks of damage from flooding and wave action.

The staff report acknowledges the risks to life and property of the proposed project. It describes the “inherently hazardous nature of the project site” and says that “there is no question that the project is located in a hazardous area. The local government records, correspondence and photographs indicate that wave overtopping during storm events and tsunami events pose a real hazard along Beach Blvd.” The staff report also states that “wave overtopping has the potential to put lives and property at risk.” Proposed Condition 6 requires that “The Permittee acknowledges and agrees, on behalf of itself and all successors and assigns: (i) that the site is subject to hazards from episodic and long-term bluff retreat and coastal erosion, stream erosion and scour, wave and storm events, bluff and other geologic instability, and the interaction of same.” This condition acknowledges that there is likely to be future damage to the site.

The staff report states “Special Condition B5 requires that the landowners … agree to remove the condominiums should the bluff retreat reach the point where a government agency has ordered that the structure not be occupied.” This proposed condition recognizes the likelihood that erosion will be great enough to render the project uninhabitable within its lifetime and the condominiums will have to be removed. That is certainly a significant risk to life and property.

The staff report states that “The acknowledged periodic flooding and risk from tsunamis and extreme storm events… cannot be further significantly mitigated by altering the design of the project short of a major downsizing.” [Emphasis added.] Indeed, the staff report says “Downsizing the project could incrementally lessen the risk to life and property…. This site was previously the location of a two story single family residence with a detached garage.”

The project redesign that would maximize conformity with the spirit and intent of LCP Policy 26(a) and minimize risks to life and property would be a redesign that minimizes the size of the project and maximizes its setback from the seawall.

Respectfully submitted,

PETER LOEB

Cell Hell for Georgie Boy

THE W STANDS FOR WIRETAP

Cry Foul: Tell Senator Yee This Bill Stinks

SENATE BILL No. 1295
Introduced by Senator Ducheny, February 19, 2008. An act to amend Section 30625 of the Public Resources Code, relating to coastal resources. Legislative counsel’s digest. SB 1295, as introduced, Ducheny. California Coastal Act of 1976, coastal development permit: appeal. The California Coastal Act of 1976 provides for the planning and regulation of development, under a coastal development permit process, within the coastal zone, as defined. Existing law provides that, after certification of a local program, any appealable action on a coastal development permit or claim of exemption for any development by a local government or port governing body may be appealed to the California Coastal Commission by an applicant for a permit, any aggrieved person, or any 2 members of the commission. This bill would revise that provision to eliminate an appeal by 2 members of the California Coastal Commission. Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes. State-mandated local program: no. The people of the State of California do enact as follows:

SECTION 1. Section 30625 of the Public Resources Code is amended to read: 30625. (a) Except as otherwise specifically provided in subdivision (a) of Section 30602, any appealable action on a coastal development permit or claim of exemption for any development by a local government or port governing body may be appealed to the commission by an applicant, any or an aggrieved person, or any two members of the commission. The commission may approve, modify, or deny such proposed development, and if no action is taken within the time limit specified in Sections 30621 and 30622, the decision of the local government or port governing body, as the case may be, shall become final, unless the time limit in Section 30621 or 30622 is waived by the applicant.
(b) The commission shall hear an appeal unless it determines the following: (1) With respect to appeals pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 30602, that no substantial issue exists as to conformity with Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 30200). (2) With respect to appeals to the commission after certification of a local coastal program, that no substantial issue exists with
respect to the grounds on which an appeal has been filed pursuant to Section 30603. (3) With respect to appeals to the commission after certification of a port master plan, that no substantial issue exists as to conformity with the certified port master plan. (c) Decisions of the commission, where applicable, shall guide local governments or port governing bodies in their future actions
under this division.

------------

PLEASE CONTACT SENATOR YEE TO VOTE NO ON SB 1295 BECAUSE IT WOULD GUT THE COASTAL COMMISSION, WHICH PROTECTS OUR COASTLINE:

Capitol Office
State Capitol, Room 4048
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: (916) 651-4008

San Francisco Office
455 Golden Gate Avenue, Suite 14200
San Francisco, CA 94102
Phone: (415) 557-7857

San Mateo Office
400 South El Camino Real, Suite 630
San Mateo, CA 94402
Phone: (650) 340-8840

Diebold Accidentally Leaks 2008 Election Results

OOPS

Former Planning Commish Tells Coastal Comm. Why He Voted Against Beach Blvd. Condos

Dear Michael,                       F 6a
A2-PAC-07-022

Thank you for the opportunity to comment on this item.
I hope this email is sufficient to comment on agenda
item F 6a, CDP A2 PAC 07 022. If I am required to send
a letter via the US Postal Service, please advise to
that requirement.

I was the lone NO vote on this project when it came
before the Pacifica Planning Commission. My reasons
were the safety of the occupants and the overall
massiveness of the design. I still feel the project
puts potential occupants at unnecessary risk and that
it is out of character with the surrounding
neighborhood.

I feel this project is too large and will risk the
occupants' health and safety. One of the conditions of
approval is to indemnify the CCC from any harm done to
the property or occupants. To me that says the CCC
staff feels the same. I question staff's recommendation
to approve the CDP for this project. Staff's
recommendation seems to contradict staff's  beliefs
about the long-term safety and survivability of this
project.

Another condition of approval is that no rebuilding
can happen if and when the Pacific Ocean tops the sea
wall and causes damage to the buildings. To me that
says CCC staff acknowledges the condo project is
likely to be overcome at some point during the life of
the project. Again, staff's recommendation to approve
the CDP seems to contradict what staff believes is the
long-term survivability of the project.

Another condition of approval requires a deed
restriction that no sea wall improvements can be
permitted in the future, ever. This to me condemns the
project to be overrun by the ocean sooner rather than
later. It is another contradiction where staff is
recommending approval but acknowledging the dangers to
occupants of the project.

I respectfully ask the members of the California
Coastal Commission to vote AGAINST staff's
recommendation to approve agenda item F 6a,  A2 PAC 07
022 and DENY the CDP for the Beach Blvd condos. The
conditions of approval clearly show a contradiction
in staff's beliefs in the survivability and safety of
this project.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Yours

TODD MCCUNE BRAY
Pacifica

Cat Owners Less Likely to Die of Heart Attacks

Owning a Cat Good for the Heart? Study Shows Cat Owners Less Likely to Die From Heart Attacks

By Charlene Laino
WebMD Medical News
Reviewed By Louise Chang, MD

CATS ARE GOOD FOR YOUR HEART   

Feb. 21, 2008 (New Orleans) -- Your cat may bring you a lot more than unconditional love after a tough day. A new study shows that cat owners are less likely to die of a heart attack and other cardiovascular diseases than people who have never had a pet cat.

Coast Line Country Dancers: Pedro Point Firehouse

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, ALL!!!!!

We would just like to take the time to THANK ALL who attended our dance last Friday. We not only made the rent, we made up $90 of the $100 we were short in January. Thank you to those who put in a little extra, we greatly appreciate this and a BIG THANK YOU for all of your support. We will continue this dance as long as we can, all we need is 25 dancers to make the rent on the old firehouse.

To those who could not come, we fully understand, this flu season has been horrible and of course we understand when "life" gets in the way (darn it) of line dancing and other commitments come up. We thank you for your support and hope to see you soon. These dances can happen only with your support. We really enjoy putting them on not only for the dancing but for the socializing with old and dear friends. It was great to see Al, Frank, Jerry, Jackie, Sherry, Anna, Margaret, John, Mary, and Julie—all our past and new dancers. We hope you all will come often and enjoy the oldies dances we all love. Frank, you missed the slappin' leather!! LOL

So till next month, we hope everyone has a wonderful month ahead and watch your email for the evite coming the third week in March! Again, thank you, all, you make us really want to go forward with this fun dance. See you all soon.

Sincerely,

Matt and Carol    
Coast "Line" Country Dancers

[photo by Mary Sheppard]

Mojo's Coast: Let's Go Scaup It Out

MOJO'S COAST

Coastal Comm. Staff: Yes on Beach Blvd. Condos

Coastal Commission staff recommends approval of the Beach Boulevard project in Pacifica, with the following conditions:

(1)  Require redesign of the project consistent with the applicant's revised
project description to eliminate the retaining wall and the raising of Beach
Blvd in front of the project. (Special Condition B1).
(2)  Require the permittee to assume the risk of developing in a hazardous
location, and waive liability for any such claims of injury or damage against
the Commission. (Special Condition B6).
(3)  Require the permittee to waive any right to additional shoreline
protection device beyond what currently exists for the life of the project. (Special
Condition B5).
(4)  Require recordation of a deed restriction that binds Applicants and all
successors to the property to the terms and conditions of this permit.
(Special Condition B7).
(5)  Plan for signage and information for residents and visitors regarding
exit routes and procedures for storms and Tsunamis and control of stormwater
runoff. (Special Condition B3).
(6)  Require a plan for the proper maintenance of the driveway and garage
drains. (Special Condition B2).

***********
The Beach Boulevard Condo project is scheduled for Friday, March 7, Item 6a on the agenda. The meeting starts at 9 a.m. It is advisable to be there promptly because other items may (and probably will) move quickly. The hearing is at Rancho Canada Golf Club, 4860 Carmel Valley Road in Carmel. Members of the public (whether or not they "participated" at the local level) are generally allowed to speak for 2 minutes each, though time is always at the discretion of the Chair.

The following guidelines apply to submission of written materials:

> Written comments should be submitted to Commission staff no later than 3 working days before the hearing (staff will distribute your materials to the Commission).

> Mark the agenda number of your item (F 6a), the application number (A-2-PAC-07-022), your name and your position in favor or OPPOSITION to the project on the upper right hand corner of the first page of your submission.

> You are requested to summarize the reasons for your position in no more than two or three pages, if possible. You may attach as many exhibits as you feel are necessary.

Address your request to:

Mr. Michael Endicott
California Coastal Commission
Northern Central Coast District Office
45 Fremont Street, Suite 2000
San Francisco, CA 94105-2219
(415) 904-5260

Please direct questions to Michael at the address above. It can't hurt for him to know the level of local interest and opposition to the project!

The staff report: WHAT IS AT STAKE ON BEACH BOULEVARD

Ralph, There You Go Again

Once again the hubris of my former hero Ralph Nader threatens to divide the liberal vote. I guess Ralph didn't have any friends left this time around to beg him not to run for president. Now he must just listen to his own inner ego driving him on toward the abyss. Run, Ralph, run, because it's all you know how to do anymore. How sad. How far you have fallen. From such great heights as an impassioned crusader for consumer rights, you now pursue an empty cause without reason or supporters.

DOLORES DE CABEZA

One Man's Fight to Stop Pesticide Spraying

Rarely do I get political and 99.99% of the time I am asleep at 2:30 AM, but reading up on this issue provides some outlet for my incredulity and outrage that this aerial spraying not only occurred in Monterey and Santa Cruz Counties but that concrete plans are being made to spray the SF Bay Area. I kind of feel like Mel Gibson's character in the movie "Conspiracy Theory."

I was heartened by legislative actions taken yesterday (2/22/08) by Assemblymembers John Laird (D-Santa Cruz), Loni Hancock (D-Berkeley/Oakland), Mark Leno (D-San Francisco) and Jared   Huffman (D-San Rafael) who introduced a 4-bill legislative package to address the eradication effort for the Light Brown Apple Moth (LBAM).   NO-SPRAY BILLS   

In doing some further online research: The CEO of the firm that manufactures Checkmate gave $143,000 to the Schwarzenegger campaign (personally unverified, but...). A simple administrative declaration of an "emergency" is allowing an"agricultural pesticide with unknown impacts on human health to be sprayed over urban residential areas.  State estimates suggest that the LBAM may already have been in California for 10 years. It has been in Hawaii for approximately 100 years. 

Surprisingly, I've read only one mention of the potentially severe adverse impact on SF Bay Area summer tourism - a bread and butter economic issue. I posit that many tourists, particularly Europeans, will avoid San Francisco due to the aerial spraying. I would. 

The micro-encapsulated spray will be like a "light mist" according to state officials.  The spray could feasibly remain airborne for many days past the spray date. Extremely small particulate matter (PM) sizes are easily inhaled, thus the reason air quality regulations exist for Particulate Matter (PM) sizes 10 and 2.5 due to adverse impacts on lung function.

I respectfully ask just one thing of you in your capacity as a newsman: Can you please solicit detailed position statements on this matter from Leland Yee and Jackie Speier in which they hopefully identify specific actions they will initiate on our behalf to stop this aerial spraying? For me and possibly others, their opposition and action on this issue will equate to a check/punch next to their name on the next election ballot. 

John, your acknowledgment of this issue as a concern is personally validating. Many people in the area to whom I have spoken are either oblivious to the issue or simply ambivalent. 

I feel better already.

PATRICK LANGSJOEN

 

Old Yeller: Pacifica Does Acacia Proud

Photos by Vincent Van Mayflower, who wants you to notice that even the little Jeep parked under the acacia tree is turning yellow.

Moth Spraying Likely to Harm More Than Help

READ THE BUGMAN'S FULL COLUMN HERE

Saturday, February 23, 2008 (SF Chronicle)
Moth spraying likely to harm more than help
Richard Fagerlund

Q: We live in the Bay Area. The insecticide Checkmate is scheduled to be sprayed over our city to interrupt the mating cycle of the light brown apple moth. Naturally, we're concerned about its possible effects on humans, as well as the fish in our pond. Do you know how safe Checkmate is?

A: This appears to be a very troubling issue for many Californians. My mailbox is almost full every day from inquiries about the light brown apple moth project. California officials are worried that the larvae of the light brown apple moth could extensively damage the state's agricultural industry....

CLICK THE LINK AT THE TOP TO SEE ENTIRE FAGERLUND COLUMN!

....What is the answer? Contact your U.S. senators and representatives and ask
them to intervene. Call and write the governor until he listens to the
commonsense arguments against this nonsense. Contact the McCain, Clinton
and Obama presidential campaigns and ask for their input on this. It may
get national attention, which would be helpful.

   Richard Fagerlund is a pest management specialist who promotes non-toxic
methods of pest control. See THE BUGMAN.

Copyright 2008 SF Chronicle

The Persian Paradox: Iranians Like Americans

IRANIANS LIKE AMERICANS AND EVERYTHING AMERICAN, EXCEPT OUR CURRENT LEADERSHIP