Thursday last, the mayor's office received a request for assistance in a local contest down hill, near the Big Blue. The parties involved anticipated a challenging event that could escalate to a confrontation if an arbiter was not available. The mayor stepped up and proceeded to referee the contest, which ended in a tie, neither side scoring any points. While the outcome did not satisfy either party involved, both were able to walk away with their pride intact. This contest was between Tamalpais and Novato High's soccer teams. The Mayor was ably assisted by a traveling beef salesman(Prather Co.) He did an excellent job.
Tomorrow, there's a possibility of rain, but, conditions can change dramatically on the local scene.
Monday, April 26, 2010
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Still Snowing
Yes, that white stuff falling is the same stuff: snow! Late winter/early spring snow. It will soon be summer. Will it ever arrive?
Don't despair, the above average snowfall always has a long term benefit: lots of water runoff into the Lake. This we all agree is a good thing.
So, keep your chin up, be patient, full spring will be here shortly.
Civic notes
Police report
The investigation into the details surrounding the shooting in Meeks Bay is continuing. No new details have emerged and the El Dorado County Sheriff is working closely with Placer County to solve this crime. We will continue to follow this very important case.
Animal Control
A bruin was spotted in a vehicle near Sugar Pine Point early Sunday morning. The animal was small, maybe a year old, more or less, and appeared healthy and at normal weight for spring. Remember: these locals are cut, but they are WILD,WILD, WILD. They are not cartoon characters and have not been on TV. Generally, they'll move of their own accord without harassment. When in doubt, call animal control.
Sportsmen Arrive
With the end of ski season giving way to summer outdoor activities, be aware of cars & trucks hauling trailers, campers, boats, ATV's,etc. They move slowly, as they should around the lake, and often are not the most experienced drivers. Welcome them.
Spring Cleanup efforts
As property owners open cabins for the next season, be aware of the Truckee Landfill. They have a recycling center that accepts the usual items: glass, aluminum cans, yard waste, appliances, and large bulk items. Better there than in the basin.
Don't despair, the above average snowfall always has a long term benefit: lots of water runoff into the Lake. This we all agree is a good thing.
So, keep your chin up, be patient, full spring will be here shortly.
Civic notes
Police report
The investigation into the details surrounding the shooting in Meeks Bay is continuing. No new details have emerged and the El Dorado County Sheriff is working closely with Placer County to solve this crime. We will continue to follow this very important case.
Animal Control
A bruin was spotted in a vehicle near Sugar Pine Point early Sunday morning. The animal was small, maybe a year old, more or less, and appeared healthy and at normal weight for spring. Remember: these locals are cut, but they are WILD,WILD, WILD. They are not cartoon characters and have not been on TV. Generally, they'll move of their own accord without harassment. When in doubt, call animal control.
Sportsmen Arrive
With the end of ski season giving way to summer outdoor activities, be aware of cars & trucks hauling trailers, campers, boats, ATV's,etc. They move slowly, as they should around the lake, and often are not the most experienced drivers. Welcome them.
Spring Cleanup efforts
As property owners open cabins for the next season, be aware of the Truckee Landfill. They have a recycling center that accepts the usual items: glass, aluminum cans, yard waste, appliances, and large bulk items. Better there than in the basin.
Front Page Publicity:Again
Giddy locals reacted to today's Chronicle front page story. Entitled"New help to save'Jewel of Sierra', the article, w/ byline Carolyn Lochhead, outlines recent Congressional efforts to improve water clarity and quality, and to improve the basin environment, to include reduction in fire fuels,ie. deadwood; reduce infestation of Asian clams, and a similar invasion of quagga and zebra mussels.
The bill was pushed through by California's own Babs Boxer, our fearless little chihuahua from San Francisco. With support from Sens. DiFi, Johnny Ensign from Nevada and majority leader, Sen. Harry(Don't Call Me Hank)Reid, the bill is certainly going forward, despite the recession and its snail-like recovery.
The article notes the vast sums already spent since 1968: State of Cal.:$612.mil;Nev.$87 mil.;local govs.$59mil;and private sector$250.mil. The Feds have spent $424. millions with$68 millions left. Lady DiFi noted that the North
lake Tahoe Resort Assoc. has committed to $250 millions in private contributions. This Senate bill joins a House bill introduced in November '09 sponsored by Rep. Dean Heller of Nevada. This bill allocates more than $310 millions to help restore wetlands, control erosion, and control storm runoff(?).
So, friends, the Mayor's Office expects to see lots of money being thrown to the lakeshore soon. Get out your biggest nets to grab some of this free government money. Why? It's money that they took from you in the first place!: your tax dollars, coming Home.
Isn't that nice of 'em?
Stay tuned as we watch these bills go through the torturous process of passage into law.
The bill was pushed through by California's own Babs Boxer, our fearless little chihuahua from San Francisco. With support from Sens. DiFi, Johnny Ensign from Nevada and majority leader, Sen. Harry(Don't Call Me Hank)Reid, the bill is certainly going forward, despite the recession and its snail-like recovery.
The article notes the vast sums already spent since 1968: State of Cal.:$612.mil;Nev.$87 mil.;local govs.$59mil;and private sector$250.mil. The Feds have spent $424. millions with$68 millions left. Lady DiFi noted that the North
lake Tahoe Resort Assoc. has committed to $250 millions in private contributions. This Senate bill joins a House bill introduced in November '09 sponsored by Rep. Dean Heller of Nevada. This bill allocates more than $310 millions to help restore wetlands, control erosion, and control storm runoff(?).
So, friends, the Mayor's Office expects to see lots of money being thrown to the lakeshore soon. Get out your biggest nets to grab some of this free government money. Why? It's money that they took from you in the first place!: your tax dollars, coming Home.
Isn't that nice of 'em?
Stay tuned as we watch these bills go through the torturous process of passage into law.
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Movie Review: VINCERE
Italian movie hits mark with side story of Fascist Era and Dictator Benito Mussolini. Director Mezzogiorno artfully mixed archival footage from the pre-WW II era when the dictator was flexing his muscles and attempting to restore some lost glory to the Italian peninsula. The story is focused not on his regime, but on his private life and the shameful details of a love affair early during his rise to power. The relationship produced a child that was essentially rejected by his father. The mother was harassed by authorities and institutionalized with the complicity of the Vatican, a newly formed independent state as a result of the dictator's Lateran Treaty of 1929.
The sad quest of the abandoned mother and child illustrates the inconvenience of personal histories when confronted by powerful political forces. Mussolini had a public marraige and fathered 4 more children. Later, he took another mistress who died with him near the end of the world war.
The film ran more than 2 hours and 5 minutes and was accompanied by blaring sound effects. It could easily have been cut to less than 100 minutes w/o great loss. The acting was superb and the editing was effective in aiding the depiction of power: Church and State in combination. The close ties of the King of Italy and the government of the country itself with the Pope is readily understood with the footage from the period between the wars.
This historical docudrama is well worth the time and effort.
Rated by the Minister of Culture: ****!
The sad quest of the abandoned mother and child illustrates the inconvenience of personal histories when confronted by powerful political forces. Mussolini had a public marraige and fathered 4 more children. Later, he took another mistress who died with him near the end of the world war.
The film ran more than 2 hours and 5 minutes and was accompanied by blaring sound effects. It could easily have been cut to less than 100 minutes w/o great loss. The acting was superb and the editing was effective in aiding the depiction of power: Church and State in combination. The close ties of the King of Italy and the government of the country itself with the Pope is readily understood with the footage from the period between the wars.
This historical docudrama is well worth the time and effort.
Rated by the Minister of Culture: ****!
Vandals Strike at Meeks Bay
A very disturbing act of vandalism was reported to El Do County Sheriff this weekend. A resident returned home to find his windows had been shot out, along with the glass in several doors. Nobody was home when this violent attack occurred. The home owner, unidentified, was perplexed as to why his home was selected from all others in the neighborhood. Speculation pointed to a contractor recently fired from a project at the house. This is really a stretch as no work has been done at the home for over 3 months.
A reward has been offered for information that could help the sheriff find the suspect(s).
The neighbors are asked to keep alert for suspicious activity in and around Meeks Bay. Damage to the home is in the thousands and temporary repairs will secure the residence from weather effects.
For info, call the El Dorado County Sheriff.
A reward has been offered for information that could help the sheriff find the suspect(s).
The neighbors are asked to keep alert for suspicious activity in and around Meeks Bay. Damage to the home is in the thousands and temporary repairs will secure the residence from weather effects.
For info, call the El Dorado County Sheriff.
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Brasil Report
The Minister of Latin American Affairs reported to the Mayor's Office that all is calm in Sao Paolo, and conditions in Rio Di Janiero are expected to improve as the weather changes. Government agencies have responded to assist those unfortunates who have lost their homes and livelihoods due to storm damage and mudslides.
After this recent storm in the Basin, spring melt off will commence again so: keep your safe driving habits up to snuff and be wary of all changing road conditions as temps edge upward.
Look for a wet spring as our little buddy,aka El Nino, moves on.
After this recent storm in the Basin, spring melt off will commence again so: keep your safe driving habits up to snuff and be wary of all changing road conditions as temps edge upward.
Look for a wet spring as our little buddy,aka El Nino, moves on.
Italian Club Steps Out
The Salesian Boys and Girls Club of San Francisco held their annual fund raiser @ Hotel St. Francis at Union square in SF. It was a great evening for all the 750 in attendance. When 700+ Italians gather it's going to be something to watch and listen to. Nobody was disappointed.
After introductions, state of the club notes and plans, long time member Joe Martino, was presented the Man of the Year Award. It was a small token of appreciation to an individual who has contributed greatly to the club's many successful years.
The fine dinner was followed by music and dancing for all. And of course, it was like old home week as members sought out old friends from bygone days. The silent auction part provided additional interest and it was easy to see the many community connections developed over the last 100 years.
The Mayor and his Chief of Staff enjoyed the festivities but, alas, due to budget considerations , did not bid on any items. Maybe next year.
After introductions, state of the club notes and plans, long time member Joe Martino, was presented the Man of the Year Award. It was a small token of appreciation to an individual who has contributed greatly to the club's many successful years.
The fine dinner was followed by music and dancing for all. And of course, it was like old home week as members sought out old friends from bygone days. The silent auction part provided additional interest and it was easy to see the many community connections developed over the last 100 years.
The Mayor and his Chief of Staff enjoyed the festivities but, alas, due to budget considerations , did not bid on any items. Maybe next year.
Why We Fight: the Movie
Minister of Culture advised seeing a documentary on current international situation. This film was shown at the Sundance Festival of 2005 and won the Grand Jury Prize. It is the work of director Eugene Jarecki and follows the very public warning of President Eisenhower as he departed the White House after 8 years. In a speech that was televised nationally he gave a stern warning that the military-industrial complex currently stretching its tentacles across the land could erode the principles of Democracy found in our Constitution.
He graphically makes his case as he follows our late 20th-early 21st century military interventions around the world. Hardly a continent has been spared the onslaught of a modern military force, backed by some of the most avaricious corporations in existence. Very simply put, his warning came true as we have witnessed the transformation of a national defense force to one of aggressive pre-emptive intervention wherever the military/corp complex believes THEIR interests are threatened in fact or in theory.
This film should be widely watched and commented on by all thinking Americans. The mechinations of the Pentagon are presented in full view. Pres't's Clinton, Nixon, Johnson, Kennedy, Bush I, Bush II, and Reagan are all there. Jimmy Carter didn't make the cut-must of been down on the peanut farm.
It was funded by the BBC, of all sponsors.
He graphically makes his case as he follows our late 20th-early 21st century military interventions around the world. Hardly a continent has been spared the onslaught of a modern military force, backed by some of the most avaricious corporations in existence. Very simply put, his warning came true as we have witnessed the transformation of a national defense force to one of aggressive pre-emptive intervention wherever the military/corp complex believes THEIR interests are threatened in fact or in theory.
This film should be widely watched and commented on by all thinking Americans. The mechinations of the Pentagon are presented in full view. Pres't's Clinton, Nixon, Johnson, Kennedy, Bush I, Bush II, and Reagan are all there. Jimmy Carter didn't make the cut-must of been down on the peanut farm.
It was funded by the BBC, of all sponsors.
Smoke in the Area
US Forest service announced contol burns in the vic.of Tahoma on Monday, April 12, 2010. With recent heavy snowfall, it seems as though it is a good time for these fire prevention ops. Meeks Bay and environs will be the focus, MBF will be notified.
So, if you see the evidence, stay calm, keep your eyes on the road, and watch your tax dollars at work.
Tahoe City PUD: rate hikes take effect
See your bill, it has a 31% sewer rate increase added in, as approved by rate payers in '09. As part of stepped increases, this will put locals on a path to see a 100% rate increase in 5 years. Repeat: 100% rate gain in 5 years. Once again, 100% rate increase in rates in 5 years. Welcome to life w/i the Basin! All these rates will in effect make life more dear for locals and our visitors who try to get away for a few days from the rat race down the mountain.
More snow?
Yes, more of the white stuff. Normal, and it will stop, sooner rather than later.
So, if you see the evidence, stay calm, keep your eyes on the road, and watch your tax dollars at work.
Tahoe City PUD: rate hikes take effect
See your bill, it has a 31% sewer rate increase added in, as approved by rate payers in '09. As part of stepped increases, this will put locals on a path to see a 100% rate increase in 5 years. Repeat: 100% rate gain in 5 years. Once again, 100% rate increase in rates in 5 years. Welcome to life w/i the Basin! All these rates will in effect make life more dear for locals and our visitors who try to get away for a few days from the rat race down the mountain.
More snow?
Yes, more of the white stuff. Normal, and it will stop, sooner rather than later.
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Movie review
The Cultural Minister escorted the Mayor to College Of Marin Latino Film Festival for the final night's presentation of "La Luce Prodigioso".
This marvelous film was developed on the premise that Spanish author Federico garcia Lorca survived his assassination by Franco's troops in 1936. With time shifting of scenes, it required close observation. The acting was superb, scenes were dramatic, and the modern era was thoughtfully arranged. The recent exhumation of Lorca's body lent a twist to the story: was it really him?
The photography was excellent and the old city parts of Granada felt as if you were walking those narrow streets.
This film had subtitles, but the meaning of the dialogue hardly needed translation. This darkest of dark periods of modern Spain continues to produce great art by writers, actors,and film makers. See it if you can; but this film probably will not be generally released in the USA.
This marvelous film was developed on the premise that Spanish author Federico garcia Lorca survived his assassination by Franco's troops in 1936. With time shifting of scenes, it required close observation. The acting was superb, scenes were dramatic, and the modern era was thoughtfully arranged. The recent exhumation of Lorca's body lent a twist to the story: was it really him?
The photography was excellent and the old city parts of Granada felt as if you were walking those narrow streets.
This film had subtitles, but the meaning of the dialogue hardly needed translation. This darkest of dark periods of modern Spain continues to produce great art by writers, actors,and film makers. See it if you can; but this film probably will not be generally released in the USA.
Tahoma Minister Goes East
Tahoma Minister of Engineering and design was sent to Connecticut to inspect a factory and gather info that will be critical to a local California manufacturing operation. This very technical mission underscores the need for full participation of all Tahoma in the modern economy. While we say West Shore, Best Shore, we intimate that we're provincial, and inward looking. We will continue to look outward and expand the horizons for Tahoma beyond the West Shore.
A full report will be presented upon the return of the team assigned to this very important mission. Because of business security measures, it can only be reported as involving the manufacture of aviation specialty components. Security needs require the strictest measures in today's corporate environment. These will be followed by all Tahoma ministers.
A full report will be presented upon the return of the team assigned to this very important mission. Because of business security measures, it can only be reported as involving the manufacture of aviation specialty components. Security needs require the strictest measures in today's corporate environment. These will be followed by all Tahoma ministers.
Easter?
Yes, there was an Easter. Somewhat subdued. Could it be the ongoing story of scandal that is rocking the halls of the Vatican? Or could it be other factors: fewer attendees at services( I missed the sunrise services in the Presidio)But, the older generation, they celebrated, as always.
Sometimes, tradition trumps lethargy and apathy: Do something, anything!
We had a little family reunion, gathering around the matriarch, gabbing away about this and that, catching up on in laws, outlaws, and scofflaws. There was some rain to deal with, but it passed after a few hours(about an inch). It was nice to see parts of the family unseen in many moons. We all missed those who couldn't make it, and looked forward to seeing them at another venue soon.
Sometimes, tradition trumps lethargy and apathy: Do something, anything!
We had a little family reunion, gathering around the matriarch, gabbing away about this and that, catching up on in laws, outlaws, and scofflaws. There was some rain to deal with, but it passed after a few hours(about an inch). It was nice to see parts of the family unseen in many moons. We all missed those who couldn't make it, and looked forward to seeing them at another venue soon.
Sports Fest Ends
March madness has ended. Mourners can only be consoled by recalling some of the terrific contests during the run up to Monday and Tuesday finals. The Monday final was highly rated. How could it not be? A hoosier home town team, defying reason on their way to it's first final? Indianapolis certainly benefited having a participant from across town. The Butler Bulldogs played like champions and came w/i a hair's breadth of pulling off a great upset. It truly was a memorable game, right down to the letter sweater of the mascot:Butler Blue II. He held his head high throughout. The Blue Devils can return to Nor. Carolina and tout their national title as well deserved, fitting, and just. But, we know that the Duke 88 will stay in their holes and avoid the sunlight , as they should.
Stanford women on the other hand, didn't really come close, despite having a lead of 8 points at one time(half). Once UConn got the lead, it was over. Maybe next year.
Now, it's time for baseball, spring skiing, Lacrosse, track, and whatever else you like to do before summer rolls around. And don't forget the first salmon season in 3 years: try your luck, but get a license.
Stanford women on the other hand, didn't really come close, despite having a lead of 8 points at one time(half). Once UConn got the lead, it was over. Maybe next year.
Now, it's time for baseball, spring skiing, Lacrosse, track, and whatever else you like to do before summer rolls around. And don't forget the first salmon season in 3 years: try your luck, but get a license.
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