bears on the lam

Pray for bears? Pray for more bears?

        The pastor of Incline Village Church asked parishners to pray for the capture of a 700lb. Bruin, called The Peanut Butter Bandit, that has caused concern among all local residents.  No sightings have been reported lately, despite his/her having spent considerable time @ church eating Christmas goodies,ie. 22 jars of peanut butter.  No doubt, he/she will learn that churches are a great place to find foodstuffs w/o  the necessity of tearing open the minivan doors.

       I expect Tahoma Bear Rescue teams will find the miscreant in short order.  I have been reassured by their staff that churches on the West Shore have nothing to worry about.  However, we advise a sharp lookout for 700 pounders lurking in the forests.  The wildlife managers @ Fish & Game are of the opinion that this behavior is one result of the severity of the present recession: this bear is probably unemployed and has exhausted his unemployed benefits, his skills are not in great demand, and he's worried about his family.  He's praying,too, asking for Divine intervention and maybe a turkey carcass or two.

       Should you see a sow bear outside of any church with her cubs, don't intervene; she's giving instructions on survival techniques during a recession.

Skiing on Turkey Day

The storm is on the radar and it looks like a good one.  Forecasters are looking @ 1'-3' of new powder.  Snow level to 1500' with very high winds at upper elevations.  These winds should abate by Sat. afternoon(no guarantee here).

     Temps will be in the 20's, so it should stick.  Friday drivers will have challenges coming up the Hill.  Be patient, be careful, be smart.

      Wednesday's snow was insignificant, w/ barely 1/2" @ lake level.  But, better than nothing.  The fish bite is off, w/ anglers reporting no action.  It could be awhile before things change.  Builders are keeping the weather eye out, but working normally otherwise.  Highway workers have topped off their tanks and have made ready for night operations Fri/Sat.

Want info?  Go to CHP site, CalTrans, or NOAA Weather for updates.  Lake monitoring stations might be helpful to some: UCDavis/CalTech provides streaming data from 6 stations.

Firewood

      It's that time again.  Complaints are arriving with regularity about delivery of "short" cords of wood among town folks.   It seems woodcutters down the hill are sending more short cut pieces than we remember.( short pieces are anything under 16 inches).

Points to remember when purchasing a Cord  of wood:

1. the measure is of volume

2. it is NOT nominal: the measure is constant: 4' X 4'X 8'= 128 cubic feet

3. wood is tightly packed, not dumped in a pile(on site or in yard).

4. wood should be delivered and stacked for accuracy; or stacked tightly on the delivery truck; or picked up at yard where it has been stacked!

What does a 6" shortage equal? 16 cubic feet! or more than 10% of a cord.

Pay attention and question any delivery/sale that doesn't measure up- it's your money, spend it wisely.

Bear Alert!

     Reports out of Incline Village mention repeated sightings of a very large brown bear.  While we take these seriously, no photos have been forthcoming(@ a time when everybody has a camera cell phone).  Usual precautions are advised.  Bear Control services notified by mayor's office.  Stay tuned.

Down the hill:weekend

Flew down the mountain early Wednesday for the late afternoon NCS soccer match in Santa Rosa. It was a D-5 game Roseland Prep vs. Oakland's College prep.  The Roseland team possessed great skills and easily outscored their opponents.  The game was played under the lights ifo a small crowd.  It was followed by a D1 game :Elsie Allen vs. Montgomery.  We didn't stay.  Mike G., Chris L. and the mayor had to drive back to Marin. Roseland won,4-nil.   They played on the turf field, which is nice for all.

       Friday breakfast @ Raintree cafe was well attended.  Hank M. noted that he was going to Tahoma on assignment for his Production Co, staying in a lakeside chalet that is going to be featured in local publications.  More PR for Tahoma town!  He consented to a ride by the Mayor's office for a "pass-in-review".

       Friday night at the flicks.  Saw "SKIN" @ the Rafael Theater.  This film is well done.  Shot in South Africa, it tells a true story of growing up in a family torn by racial differences in an Afrikaaner life.  The time capsule captures the end of apartheid and the new individual freedoms restored to citizens who lived under its boot for over 50 years.  The star actor is a noted performer with many credits to her name.   An emotional drama, it underscores traditional values with a new reality.  4 stars by Minister of Culture , Tahoma.

Sunnyside construction

Talked with my friend Ken, from the Peninsula.  His project is coming along.  He was in the process of installing a new lockset in an exterior door on the garage unit: a beautiful fir door, craftsman style, w/3 lights.  We talked about salvage wood fromold SF warehouses, how we both passed on great sources of old growth VG fir.Oh well.  His wife was supervising, and it was time for the Mayor to head for the office.

November's Child

Fall back, as they say.  With daylight saving time extended, it seems like fall lasts a longer time than I remember.  But, I'll take it!  The last few days at lakeside have demonstrated the incredible beauty of the Tahoe environent.  The days and nights have been warm, clear, windless:serene comes to mind.  Having the opportunity to extend any stay now, seems  to offer the best life has to offer.  Most visitors now appreciate the quiet,  the lack of traffic and noise, and the ready access to trails and beaches.   Where is everybody?  I feel most people would enjoy the lake right now , if they could.

        After breakfast at the Firesign cafe, the mayor and his chief of staff returned to headquarters. After a few small jobs on the plant, the chief left town for a few days of staff meetings off site.  Then the mayor loaded the town marine launch for a water front inspection.  A simple insert was made near Blackwood beach.  The water was glassy and air temp was about 70 degrees.  Remarkable.  There wasn't  another craft of any type to be seen.  A few gulls kept me company as I cruised by Sunnyside and then some.  I met a couple from Truckee out in their new kayaks.  We agreed it is a great fall day to be on the water.   After a 2 hour run(and 5 miles by GPS pts), I returned to the beach, now in shadows, deserted.  My wet clothes became an issue, and I was grateful for the dry clothes in the Chevy.  While loading the boat, a dude parked his JEEP,  off loaded the canoe, and began setting up for some trolling.  We chatted and agreed:it's the experience, not the fish.  They're just an added bonus.  He set out and I headed home.

         More work awaited.  The CEO is always working.  Light cans in the kitchen needed the freshly painted trim kits installed. Done.  Then on to Westside Pizza for some World series: Game 4.  (It's close: 4-4 in the 8th).

       Joaquin, the owner, came in ,said hello.  Mentioned the Halloween party.  Said the music was good, crowd light, and lots of fun.  Mentioned the recent family trip to Ventura County, Monterey, and Morro Bay.  Sounds like he could live there.  He told me he's going to B.A. next month for his Granny's 90th bday.  He enjoys his birth place, but wouldn't want to live there.

So, November, welcome.  Keep up the good work.