Poem 5

Among the rain
and lights
I saw the figure 5
in gold
on a red
firetruck
moving
tense
unheeded
to gong clangs
siren howls
and wheels rumbling
through the dark city

written by modernist poet William Carlos Williams on a warm July night in Manhattan, in 1921.   In 1928, painter Charles Demuth, a friend of the poet, painted a canvas  deploying cubist fragmentation and layering, and containing numbers and letters.  The painting includes red blocks with shifting edges which form the fire truck.  From the center, the concentric fives radiate forward, the smallest in back is bright yellow, the middle five in gold leaf, and the largest is shadowed with tan.  All very effective.   This is a brief description which is part of a review in the WSJ, 12/29/12, by John Wilmerding.  The painting hangs in the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Drone Alert

     There were a few special gifts under the tree this year-TOYS!  It's only right, Christmas is for kids, no matter what their age.  So, the 3 little boys put their respective helicopter flyers into the air.  That's indoor air.   These palm sized copters are designed to fly indoors or out, but they fly best indoors.  Open, cathedral ceilings can accommodate quite a few copters at one time.  We have video!
     In no time, the yellow model is chasing the blue one, and the silver is chasing the red one.  Oh, the chaos.  Of course, there is a learning curve, and some are more fragile than others, and some pilots are more skilled than some others with the expected results- a few copters ended up in the shop after a few hours of limited service.   Many smiles, much laughter, and more than a few hours of collective regressing to the days of one's youth.   Such is Christmas.
        Gone are the everyday cares, gone are the trials and tribulations of routine living.   The holidays are here and we are taking advantage.

Ski Season is OPEN
     With a couple of fine weather days under the belts of resort owners, the pursed lips of concern are turning into smiles as skiers flock to the slopes to try out their new equipment, from boards, to skis, to snow shoes, to cross-country skis.  It's all there, as it should be.
     It will be a good holiday week.

TARP and Your Tax Dollars

      TARP has published the inaugural issue of "Tahoe In Depth"- a newsprint rag dedicated to keep basin residents, homeowners, and visitors informed of the efforts of TARP.  It is funded by TARP, Nevada State Land Division, the US Forest Service, and US Fish and Wildlife Service.  Aren't we lucky.  No doubt the agency feels they can do a better job getting "Their" message out  than all the local newspapers around the lake, including the Chronicle, the Sacramento Bee, The Reno Gazette, the Sierra Sun, and others around the counties.  maybe, just maybe, they didn't like the reporting results.  And maybe, just maybe, they don't have to worry about income, profit, or loss(es).  Lucky them, they have YOUR tax dollars to spend as they see fit.

In Depth Funding
       Included in this issue is a request for readers to subscribe to this house organ.  What chutzpah!   They take your taxes, then send you the 'house organ promoting their cause, and in the same breath, ask you to pay for it, again.  Government, gotta love it.   If you subscribe they'll send you a sticker, just like kindergarten.   No doubt some of the staff were duly impressed with the technique when 5 years old.   How many suckers will take them up on the offer?  Who knows?  They have no idea.

Crayfish, Get Yur Fresh Crayfish

       Yup, they're going after the lowly crayfish.  A non-native, the little bug has been targeted for removal.  Yes, all 8 million pounds of them(8,000,000 lbs).  3 firms have been licensed to collect them because, yes because, they poop in the lake.  The nerve of the bugs.   They might be the reason clarity has been less than it was(when we were children).   Sudeep Chandra, a leading lake scientist said removal of the crayfish could help reduce algae around the inshore =areas.
Crayfish @ $11./lb.   I'd buy them and cook 'em up  Louisisana -style(boiled in Old Bay spices).
We'll see, won't we?

Christmas 2012

        The skies opened up and a little sun shone through, allowing many guests to arrive in time to celebrate as per their various plans.   Resorts were very nervous, but, in the end, it has worked out fairly well.
     Sadly, it has been reported that a Truckee resident has died in an avalanche incident in the ski resort area(Alpine Meadows)  .  A resident of Hirshdale, on the river, was a member of the ski patrol on avalanche control duty.  Other members said the victim was overwhelmed by a snow slide in an area where he was working.   Another victim, a snowboarder, died the same week in bounds area at Donner Ski ranch.  Warnings have been posted all over to be alert to changing conditions, especially as more snow is predicted tomorrow night( the 28th, and on the 29th).  With the base of over 5' on the ground, conditions could become extreme, especially in off run/off trail back areas. There are reports of snow depths over 10' at the higher elevs.   Be Careful!
     Tom Stienstra, outdoor columnists @ the Chronicle has written an article today explaining many of the rules of safety on the slopes.  He also provides a listing of several sites for current snow conditions: Truckee area, avalanche hotline,(530) 587-3558; sierraavalanchecenter.org;Mt. Shasta, avalanche hotline(530) 926-9613, shasta avalanche .org;National Avalanche Center, avalanche.org.

     The Chronicle published a story on avalanche awareness on Dec. 16, '12.  It is archived @ sfgate.com, entitled,"Whumph!"---The sound of avalanche danger and how to avoid it".   Worth reading.
Royal Gorge is up and running under new ownership, with 45 groomed tracks available that total 111 kilometers!  Yes, 111 kms.   Olympian Marcus nash will teach skate skiing Saturday for $35.

Snow Fall 2011

     The Sunday New York Times includes a timely report of an incident that occurred in the state of Washington last winter-2011.  It is a tragic story with a sad ending.  The reporter(s) knew the outcome going in after the fact.  Like any tragedy, the examination of the circumstances can often lead to wiser decisions when one is faced with a similar situation.
      This story involves an avalanche and a number of skiers, all experienced, all familiar with the terrain, and almost all willing to accept a certain amount of risk with their decision.   What makes this story so timely is the current snow falling in and around our neighborhood: Lake Tahoe.  Could an avalanche occur here?  Of course, happens all the time; but they do not involve multiple deaths.  They happen, and skiers remain aware of dangers on the slopes.
     The writers talked with survivors, families of the victims, rescuers, scientists, and resort operator(s).   The story is complete with photos of the site; graphics of the event created for the article, and photos of some of the group of skiers who participated.   Details are very complete, excluding post mortems on the victims' remains.
    One piece of information that is key:  the area of the event was not a regular run; it was an area out of bounds with appropriate signage with warnings.
     There are many lessons here, perhaps a few would take hold among our skier community.
Read it.

White Highway 80

   The down side of snow storms: highway chaos.  I-80 is now closed, eastbound @ Colfax due to big rig incident east of Colfax, near Applegate.  West bound stopped at Blue Canyon.  All subject to change.  Snow levels down to 1500' +/-.  Stormy weather through Sunday is the expected time frame.
Listen to current conditions, keep chains available as necessary.  Be careful, travel only when you have to travel.

White Christmas YES!

       Skiers, boarders, sledders, dishers, snow shoers, and those hardy cross country types: your prayers have been answered.   Snow is on the way, and lots of it.
     Locals: lay up the wood, the lamps, the generators, the foodstuffs, the candy, the popcorn, the movies, the music.  Make a space in the garage for the Jeep.   Tune up the snowblowers,too.  Start them, check the gas and oil.  Rock salt?  Won't need it yet.
     Maybe, just maybe, if you haven't finished seasonal shopping efforts, Monday and Tuesday might be OK.
      How much snow?   Well, let's say more than 3' at this point, but predictions are difficult.  
    Yesterday, we saw clear skies and rising temps throughout the day.  The morning was cold: a FedEx big rig was on its side on Hwy 80, eastbound, about 2 miles below the summit.  It must have hit some black ice around 7am.  If the driver had his seat belt on, he's probably Ok.  It looked survivable.   CHP on scene and the jumbo tow truck there for righting ops.
      Donner Lake looked serene: not a ripple across its wide surface.  Not a wake, not a circle, not a zephyr anywhere, just the reflection of the landscape.   A winter treat.
     All will change tonight, when the first of 3 storms moves into the Sierra.  Got a good book?  There are lots out there, waiting for the housebound reader.   Sunday night football has a good one: 49ers vs. Seattle, moved into the coveted night game slot after the Jets horrible performance last week.  Good.
    Careful on the Highway:  icy conditions will be a factor.  Only last week, a rash of ice caused collisions peppered the West Shore.  Not fun.

Book Review: Justinian Caire and Santa Cruz Island

      Family feuds: nothing new here.  Families have been feuding since, well, since the beginning.   Pick a family, find a feud.   The book was written by the grandson of Justinian Caire, the patriarch of a French family that immigrated to San Francisco in 1851.   Not so long ago.  He started a very successful business selling supplies to the mining companies getting established all over California.  With his profits, he bought an island.  Not just any island, but the largest island off the coast of California-Santa Cruz or the Island of the Holy Cross, formerly part of a Spanish land grant.  The island is about 100 sq. miles in size and is about 18 miles south of Santa Barbara.
      Mr. Caire started ranching operations with both sheep and cattle, establishing several different  sites around the island.   Soon he was marketing his products to customers in Santa Barbara and Los Angeles.   After a few years, he added grape vines and began a winery on the island.   This multi-faceted operation was just part of the family business run from its San Francisco HQ.   During this time, he and his wife, Albina, had 6 children: 4 daughters and 2 sons.  During the summer, the entire family would travel south and live for 3 months or more off the coast, a few hours by schooner from SB.   Life was good as the 19th century came to a close.  And then, Justinian died unexpectedly.  Despite his estate planning(signed last will and testament), trouble began almost immediately.
More later

Life Of Pi- the Sea

       Thoughts of the Sea
     The movie, "The Life of Pi", gets considerable mileage from the oceanic environment.  That is, life at sea, on a very small boat, a life boat.  Changing conditions are incorporated in the story, photographed and enhanced with digital special effects.  Quite a few segments are filmed from under the surface with the ambient light refracted by the water.   With modern technology, the visual effects are amazing and on the big screen, absorbing to the viewer in his seat.   Of course, some of the visuals are fantastic, literally, dream like, wild, monstrous, with colors that defy description.
     The character, Pi, has to come to grips with the ocean and all its physical qualities: saline and undrinkable; violent and dangerous; life giving and supportive of a menagerie of sea creatures both mammalian and cold blooded; and of incomprehensible size.
     Having spent a year on the Pacific Ocean, the scenes conjured up many images of that year: calm, glassy surfaces; violent, wind-whipped waves; thunderous lightning strikes; flying fish by the 100's; dolphins by the dozen; phosphorescence that mesmerizes the observer; and both sunrises and sunsets that compete for the best ever.   Man has described life at sea since he learned to write, and descriptions abound in literature, both ancient and modern.  But Ang Lee, the director, has added something new- digital technology to a known commodity that has to be seen to be believed-the enhanced version.
     Despite its length, the movie does wonders in explaining life at sea: the struggle to survive.  How does one accomplish this?  Watch the scenes as we learn along with Pi:  collecting rainwater; trapping fish; dealing with sharks;  dealing with solar rays and heat; and surviving storms and violent winds and waves.  It's all there.
     So, while enjoying the story, enjoy the ocean, it's a great part of the story that few viewers know.

More white stuff

      Finally, we received an allotment of snow that appears to be sticking around.  About time!   It might not be prime time, but it is a start to the holiday ski season on which the basin depends for its livelihood. Traffic was light on 89, and there was ice in spots which caused a few accidents on West Shore Blvd.   No serious injuries were reported, although sheriff and CHP were on scene.
      Where We Met was open for business, looking forward to an upsurge for the weekend.  Always nice to see Liz and Polpi.
     Still time to lay up some firewood.  Also, propane.  About propane: prices are down this season, almost half from a year ago-0.78 cents versus $1.38. So, negotiate with those providers.   They can give lower prices just for the asking, as they should.

TRPA Meeting
      The regional planning body was to hold a meeting Wednesday to finally approve the Plan for the Next 20- a document to guide development in the basin in the near future, a VERY IMPORTANT document as it affects all residents, visitors, business and government alike.
    Results will be posted when available.  Stay tuned.

CalFire Fee
    By now, all property owners have received the bill for the fire protection fee.  If not, call the assessor's office.   This bill must be paid to the State Board of Equalization.  Fines are assessed for none payment after 30 days, with increases and lien attachments in short order.   Many residents have filed protests, and many have gained satisfaction(removal).  However, until the lawsuits are settled, it must be paid.   Here in Tahoma/Meeks Bay,there is a $15. reduction for those in the fire district.  Oh, boy.
When will people say enough?  When will Sacramento get the message?  Wasn't Prop.30 enough with its income tax hikes, and sales tax hikes?   Apparently,our Sacramento Solons are emboldened:  Mark Leno has introduced a request to examine Prop. 13.   Maybe this effort willwake folks up to the runaway train we call the California One party political machine.

Maybe the fact that the Meeks Bay fire district has the highest salaries in the state will help property owners understand what's happening in their own backyard.

Movie Review: The Life of Pi

    Didn't read the book.   I had heard of it, most liked it.  Unlike "Lincoln", which I had read, "The Life of Pi" never showed up on the nightstand- that ubiquitis repository of suburban reading material.  However, a cold, rainy day seemed like a perfect movie day.  After scanning the offerings, our group decided on a mid-day screening of "The Life of Pi".  This movie is available in 3D or not, an option I was unaware of.   The noon showing was in 2D! Ok.
     We had the screen to ourselves- mid day-mid week crowd, and a little popcorn to take off the hunger edge.   I had heard of the lifeboat, the tiger, and the young man as the lead character, but that was all.   Well,what an unexpected treat, visually and emotionally.  The story sucks you in, bit by bit.  Other lifeboat stories abound, not the least"Titanic", "Lifeboat", and most recently,"Unbroken", the book no one can put until finished.  Readers have any number of books about the sea to choose from that detail the lives of sailors, ancient and modern.  This story provides new elements, and the movie takes these elements to visual heights never seen before.  And this was in 2D!
    While a bit fantastic, it becomes compelling as the relationship with tiger and sea develop.  Soon, as might be expected, rations dwindle, rescue seems unlikely, and the end appears to be near for man and tiger.   Then, unexpected intervention: a refuge appears,survival seems within grasp, and is almost assured.  And finally, land and survival.
      All told,the graphics are amazing.  They are spaced strategically and in a timely style to add a dimension to a film that complements the storyline.   I will have to see it again, in 3D!  It could be even better.   That is something I have not said before.
      Ang Lee did a wonderful job, and the graphic artists outdid themselves.  I think it is appropriate for children.
      It is awarded 5 stars*****!  And not just for visuals.

The Fiscal Cliff

      The Fiscal Cliff.  Is that a new energy bar?  Does it combine nuts, ice cold molasses, unidentified fried objects, and or other ingredients too numerous to mention?  The mayor is not afraid of the fiscal cliff, not should members of the Tahoma community be afraid either.   Few residents will feel any short term effects, and probably fewer long term effects.
      Will we have to pay more taxes?  Payroll taxes will go BACK to were they were pre- Obama tax cut(postponement).  Maybe unemployment bennies will be terminated, after 99 weeks.  Come on, do you want to be sitting around forever, waiting for the right job to hit you in the face?  No.
     Will Obamacare be terminated?  No, it's the law of the land, ala the Supremes.  It will just take another year to be FULLY implemented.  Again, Obamacare is coming to a city/town near you in all its glory of Socialized medicine.  Perhaps we can then afford medical like the rest of the 1st world.  Wouldn't that be nice?
     Ooooooohhhh, the defense department might get cuts.  Oh, dear, maybe they'll have to build one less drone or two.  Or maybe one less spy plane will be flying over Los Angeles every night?  Who cares?   They can waste more money on weapons system than any ten sovereign govs can waste on palaces in 30 years!
       So, don't be afraid, despite the press and its screeching "cliff" headlines and endless worrisome stories.  Pshaw. BS, etc.

Dave Brubeck, Jazz Icon

     The family of Dave Brubeck announced his passing this week at age 91.   The face of a branch of modern jazz enthralled audiences across the country for 5 decades.   He was a California native, growing up in the Bay Area.  A father of 5, his 3 sons have been part of his jazz legacy, playing alongside their famous father for many years.  At times, Dave Brubeck played 250 bookings in one year.  His compositions were appreciated by legions of fans, many new to the genre of American made music.   His "Take Five" of 1962 sold millions and enshrined his name in the heavens of modern jazz.
     He continued to play and compose until recently.  His widow, Iola, and Mr. Brubeck were married for almost 70 years.  Could be a record for a musician.  His many albums are a testimony to his creativity, his hard work, and his love of jazz.  His influence is extensive, from traditional to post modern jazz.  His position was further solidified when a chair was named in his honor at Oberlin University, a place of academic music training and instruction.
       He will be missed by all who knew him, but his music will live forever.
R.I.P.
Dave Brubeck, master of jazz

Where's the white stuff?

      The weather is not cooperating at all.  Forecasters predict fair weather for at least the next week.  The nerve!  How can we ski on rocks and dirt?  It's not fair, I tell you.  Oh, well, such is life in Tahoma/Meeks Bay/Homewood/Rubicon/Emerald Bay.
     I'm betting on a big storm around the 19th or the 20th.  That should satisfy the locals.  Who cares how much as long as it covers the landscape and "looks" like Christmas.  Then the flatlanders will think "SKI".  And all will be well.

April 10,1865: the 2nd Inaugural Address

A. Lincoln
April 10, 1865

FELLOW COUNTRYMEN:  At this second appearing to take the oath of the presidential office, there is less occasion for an extended address than there was at the first.  Then, a statement, somewhat in detail, of a course to be pursued, seemed fitting and proper.  Now, at the expiration of four years, during which public declarations have been constantly called forth, on every point and phase of the great contest which still absorbs the attention, and engrosses the energies of the nation, little that is new could be presented.  The progress of our arms, upon which all else chiefly depends, is as well known to the public as to myself; and it is, I trust, reasonably satisfactory and encouraging to all.  With high hope for the future, no prediction in regard to it is ventured.

On the occasion corresponding to this four years ago, all thoughts were anxiously directed to an impending civil war.  All dreaded it--all thought to avert it.  While the inaugural address was being delivered from this place, devoted altogether to saving the Union without war, insurgent agents were in the city seeking to destroy it without was-- seeking to dissolve the Union, and divide effects, by negotiation.  Both parties deprecated war; but one of them would make rather than let the nation survive; and the other would accept war rather than let it perish.  And the war came.

One-eighth of the whole population were colored slaves, not distributed generally over the Union, but localized in the southern part of it.  These slaves constituted a peculiar, and powerful interest.  All knew that this interest was, somehow, the cause of the war.  To strengthen, perpetuate and extend this interest, was the object for which insurgents would rend the Union, even by war; while the government claimed no right to do more, than to restrict the territorial enlargement of it.  Neither party expected for the war, the magnitude, or the duration, which it has already attained.  Neither anticipated that the cause of the conflict might cease with, or even before, the conflict itself should cease.  Each looked for an easier triumph, and a result less fundamental and astounding.  Both read the same Bible, and pray to the same God; and each invokes His aid against the other.  It may seem strange that any men should dare to ask a just God's assistance in wringing their bread from the sweat of other men's faces; but let us judge not, that we be not judged.  The prayers of both could not be answered-- that of neither, has been answered fully.  The Almighty has His own purposes.  "Woe unto the world because of offences!  for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh."  If we shall suppose that American slavery is one of those offences which, in the providence of God, must needs come, but which, having continued through His appointed time, He now wills to remove; and that He gives to both north and south this terrible war, as the woe due to those by whom the offence came, shall we discern therein any departure from those divine attributes which the believers in a living God always ascribe to Him?  Fondly do we hope--fervently do we pray-- that this mighty scourge of war may speedily pass away.  Yet, if God wills that it continue until all the wealth piled by the bondsman's two hundred and fifty years of unrequited toil shall be sunk, and until every drop of blood drawn with the lash, shall be paid by another drawn with the sword, as was said three thousand years ago, so still it must be said, " the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether."

With malice toward none; with charity for all; with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in; to bind up the nation's wounds; to care for him who shall borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan-- to do all which may achieve and cherish, a just and a lasting peace, among ourselves, and with all nations.

printed reading copy of the address

LINCOLN: The Movie, 2012

      Steven Spielberg has done it again: created a visual experience that has all the elements of a masterpiece: amazing performances by gifted actors; photography that matches the landscape; a script worthy of the topic; and a fundamentally accurate basis in the book by historian Doris Kearns Goodwin.
       Abraham Lincoln is no doubt the most studied of Americans with over 15,000 books devoted to his life and times.  Fortunately, Lincoln himself was an able communicator, giving posterity clear examples of his written prose and personal philosophy.  In addition, he lived at a time when photography had become a new and accepted media, although not quite available to the masses.  We know and have known images of Lincoln all our lives: that, tall, gaunt figure walking with the stovepipe hat and scraggly beard.  We understand those pursed lips as he dealt with the Civil War and the issue of slavery in our country; and his thoughts on the future of a post war America and her place in the world, a world wracked with revolutions across the oceans.
      Often overlooked, unmentioned, and deemed less important, is the topic of Lincoln as family man, father, and husband.   All of these topics are present in the Goodwin book and the Spielberg movie.   Combined with the issue of African-American soldiers, the Emancipation Proclamation, and Grant's conduct of the war, the family portrait completes a very effective portrayal of an American icon.
      My next entry includes Lincoln's 2nd inaugural address, a document as American as the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.
     The movie runs about 150 minutes, just about right.  Enjoy.
Rating of Mayor: 5 stars out of 5.