Crescent City Festivities 2013

      It's Super Bowl Weekend and New Orleans is in the spotlight.   Just recently, NOLA made the papers when former mayor, Ray Nagin was indicted by the Feds for several counts of accepting bribes from local contractors doing business with the city.  But now, it's all about the Harbaugh brothers, Jim and John, coaches of the Baltimore Ravens and the San Francisco 49ers.
     New Orleans knows how to party and this is no exception.  As the focus of a major slice of the population, NOLA will put her best foot forward.   The weather appears to be cooperating and the fans have descended en masse on the French Quarter and just about every other quarter of the city.
     Don't try to eat anywhere without a reservation, and even then, expect to wait.   Of course, locals know that Mardi Gras is just around the corner, so crewes and krewes are in earnest preparation for that run  also.   Not that this puts any strain on the locals, they're used to it.
      It's New Orleans!

CalFire makes news, again

      Continuing the state's firefighting effort, the WSJ posts a well documented story about CalFire and its use of "special funding for its efforts.  Apparently, in the course of chasing down funds, CalFire has gone after private companies for recovery of costs relating to firefighting activities.  Sierra Pacific is named in particular after they settled a suit, paying $55 millions to settle.
    But the primary concern is a privately managed fund with 2-3millions involved, that does not appear to be identified in CalFire audits.   The management company, run by the California District Attorney's Assoc., has dissolved the agreement with CalFire to manage the account, called WiFiter.
Deputy State CalFire director, Ms. Janet Upton, said CalFire was in the process of transfering the funds to the state general fund.
     There is the possibility that these activities have run afoul of state law, which prohibits establishing accounts without the knowledge of the Finance Dept. which did not know of the WiFiter account.
      CalFire is the same branch of state government that recently sent bills for fire protection services to over 100,000 property owners throughout rural California, pulling in $82 millions!!!!!!
Yes, $82 MILLIONS.  And then officials were shocked that unemployment jumped in these statewide areas. 

Amelia Earhart and the Electra

      The Mayor visited Gnoss Field in Novato yesterday on business for the Minister of Aviation.   While walking about the airport, the Mayor noticed a vintage, twin engine, tail dragger with an unusual design: it lacked the customary single rudder assembly.  The highly polished aluminum body sparkled in the bright afternoon sunlight.  The plane was tied down, parked facing west, looking very distinguished.
    A gentleman began taking closeup photos of the aircraft, and upon questioning he explained:  this famous aircraft had been flown at one time by Amelia Earhart, the famous American aviator, lost at sea on an around the world flight before World War II.  After walking up close and peering into the side windows, it was apparent that the plane was in beautiful shape.  The man informed the Mayor that the plane was recently sold on ebay for $1.2 million to the Boeing Company for their museum in Seattle!
     What a treat to be able to see this amazing relic, parked on this small air facility in Northern California before she arrives at her museum location.  This aircraft was in private hands and fully restored by a local mechanic.  It had been used in several films, including a recent film,"Amelia", about the career and disappearance of Amelia Earhart.  
     The aircraft has 2 -450hp Pratt & Whitney radial engines; ser.#1015; wing #NC14900.

Real Estate at the Lake

     Friday's Wall St. Journal featured an article that included a great photo of the lake from the lakeshore near Incline Village on the Nevada side.  It was used to bolster the article on prices around the lake, that have apparently started to stabilize.   One property, selling for $25.5millions, is supposed to be illustrative of an improving market.
    Well, the photo is nice, but it hardly reflects current market reality.   High end sales rarely affect the over market.  But, again, the photo is well done and the mayor can almost see Tahoma, off in the distance, across the lake.

Channel Islands National Park HQ

       The Mayor finally had the opportunity to stop over at the Channel Islands Park visitor center located at the harbor in Oxnard, Ca.  After a winding, somewhat disjointed path, we arrived at the facility perched at the end of the harbor breakwater entrance.  Constructed of wood siding, the low profile structure makes an impressive statement among the masts and pier-head gates  that surround its location.
      The atrium at the entrance features table top relief maps of all the islands, including Santa Barbara.   Santa Rosa, Santa Cruz, San Miguel, and Anacapa are laid out so the viewer gets a bird's eye perspective of each.   For the first time I was able to appreciate the layout and relation of each to the other.   Who knew that Santa Cruz is cleaved almost in half by a major fault line running the entire interior length?  But there it is, in bold relief.
    The on duty ranger suggested we watch the 20 minute film getting ready to be shown in the theater.  This film is a well done, professional glimpse of life on the islands, including the submarine near shore environment that that is home to a vast collection of marine life, including one of the largest kelp forests on the planet.
    There is an aquarium available for a close up look at the marine environment located adjacent to the atrium.   An information desk completes the building, including a small bookstore.

Zamperini Field, Torrance,CA

      While visiting the Minister of Industrial Production and his partner, the Minister of Metallurgy, we had occasion to visit the aviation site of the city of Torrance: Zamperini Field.  This general aviation field, formerly known as Lomita Field, was dedicated to native son, Louis Zamperini, in 1946, after he returned from the Pacific and Japan, where he spent almost 2 years as a prisoner of war after being captured in the South Pacific in 1943.
      Louis Zamperini will now occupy his own place in American history as the subject of one of the most read biographies of all time:"Unbroken", written by Laura Hillebrand.   His story often reads like a novel; how could any human survive his ordeal(s)?   Each episode of those several years of his youth reads like a long, harrowing nightmare.   His near death experience(s) expose the random chances of surviving under extreme conditions again and again.
      Also found at the airport is the Western Air Museum, a facility operated privately that reflects the local aviation industry that thrived in southern California before and after WWII and including today's Robinson Helicopter center located next to the museum.
     Many examples of aviation artifacts are on site, including a F-5, single seat, twin engine jet fighter; a Stearman biplane once owned by Steve McQueen; and a T-6 prop plane used for years as a primary trainer.  It is painted with Navy colors and is flyable.
     The main terminal holds a number of historical photos and a large scale model of a twin fuselage P-38 fighter from WWII.
    Well worth a stop when near LAX or Torrance, California.   Incidentally, Universal Studios has produced the movie of Unbroken, with Angelina Jolie as director/producer.  Release date unknown at this time.

LACMA in SoCal; a visit

     While on a southern California trip, the Mayor and the Deputy Mayor decided to visit LACMA to view a traveling exhibition of Renaissance Master works, Caravaggio in particular.  Although the actual number of his works totaled only 8, they were accompanied by triple the number of pieces either inspired by Caravaggio or painted in his style years later.
      It was very well done in layout, description, and composition.   Caravaggio, aka Michelangelo Merisi, from the town of Caravaggio, initiated a new style that was immediately embraced.  Despite his short life and limited production his influence was startling, especially given the competition for patrons and their commissions.
      Caravaggio was not the most serene personality, and on more than one occasion, had to flee his location to avoid arrest and likely incarceration.  His volatile temper and determined nature often led to brawls and assaults.   This interrupted his schedule for completion of commissions and sullied his reputation.  He was known to be difficult!
      Despite his personal life problems, he was able to paint with genius and lasting effect. His admirers through the centuries have contributed to his place among the great masters, and museums worldwide seek his work for their collections.

The LACMA
      The LA county museum is an example of post modern architecture, complete with soaring glass-enclosed spaces, open atrium space(s), suitable landscaping; user-friendly accommodations; on sight parking(underground); and the usual bookstore/gift shop.   After visiting the Caravaggio exhibit, we opted to view a most interesting installation devoted to the life and works of Stanley Kubrick, the iconic director of many significant film epics.   The installation included many multimedia formats with video, still photos, written story boards, director's notes, production stills, and technical tools of the trade:cameras, lens, props, and wardrobe examples.
      This was an unexpected surprise and well worth the price of admission.  I would recommend it to all film buffs, history buffs, and those camera geeks who like tech stuff. 
    A few of his films include: Paths of Glory(1957); 2001-A SPace Odyssey, (1968); Full Metal Jacket, 1987; and The Shining, with Jack Nicholson, 1980.

Homewood Resort Court Ruling-II

      The presiding judge hearing the case involving developer JMA & Assoc.  vs. WestShore Citizens ruled(after 13 months) that the developer must submit more environmental data reflecting a scaled down version/ less impacting design in addition to that already approved by Placer County.
    The developer and the county said this is a positive ruling and will require some "tweaking" of the proposed design already approved.  This could take some time, of course; but representatives of the county and the developer group stated that this was not a major obstacle to the complete project.  No doubt they feel that they can overcome considerable changes required and still go forward.
     The "Sierra Sun" carried a complete article on the ruling with a reference to the entire 125 page court document given to parties involved.
      It may still get done; but maybe not before interest rates go up again.  The price of lumber has already gone up over 50% in the last year, along with other building materials.  Labor costs continue to stay low as few construction workers are able to find work in the Tahoe/Reno region.

Paul Fussell, author, soldier

     The NYT published an obituary for an American man of letters: Paul Fussell, age 88.  He died of natural causes in Medford, Oregon in May, 2012.   He spent a number of his retirement years in Portland, OR before moving to a care facility in Medford.
    In brief, he was a native Californian,, born in Pasedena.  He went to Pomona College for 2 years then joined the Army during WW II.   He missed the Normandy landings, but fought across Europe.  He was wounded twice, and received a Bronze Star for his actions.
     He returned to school on the GI Bill, eventually receiving a PhD. from Harvard.  He then began teaching at the college level.  He also began writing, using literary criticism as his topic initially.  But after a few years, his focus returned to his  war experience and his later writings focused on a variety of related topics.  His most famous title," The Great War and Modern Memory" launched his career as a literary writer  of important stature.  Historians credit him with creating a new method of looking at post war literature related to the battle experience.  He continued writing in this vain and enhanced his own reputation.
     His work could be classified as anti-war; but also as anti -war romanticism, which he declared was part of government's continued glorification of men-at-arms.   He taught for many years, and was a respected professor of English and history.
     His published titles are numerous and impressive in their depth and scope of topics.  He will be read by many for a long time to come.
     He fought as an Army lieutenant barely 21 years old, a very impressionable age.  He earned a combat infantryman's badge, that blue badge with raised silver long rifle, given to a mere 10% of army personnel.   He had two children and left his wife of many years. 

A Big Brown Trout for 2013

      Locals know about lake trout; some visitors know about lake trout.  But Gene St. Denis of South Lake knows about giant Browns.   While fishing with his son off Cave Rock after launching at Zephyr Cove, he hooked and landed a monster fish: a 15 pound,9 ounce Brown trout, only 5 ounces short of the record! The fish was 33 inches long,tail to lip.   Not tight lipped, he used a 5 1/2 " Trophy Stick, colored Tui Chub, covered w/ ProCure Trophy Trout Gel.  They were trolling @ 3mph.  Stomach contents included mysis shrimp and baby crawdads.  No surprises here.
      His son, Eric, future Marine, caught a 28lb Mackinaw 2 weeks ago in the same area.  These results reflect the change in local conditions brought on by heavy precipitation w/i the basin: 6"+ in 24 hours delivered a flood of runoff from the Upper Truckee watershed.  This in turn brought abundant food into the  lake, which was sent east by high winds, which brought fish close to the surface from their customary haunts far below.  The near record fish was caught at only 15' in depth!
     Gene runs Blue Ribbon Fishing Charters and evidently knows what he's doing.
     Another fish story; another Lake story.
HAPPY NEW YEAR.

Professor Duilio a casa sua

      The Mayor made contact by phone with the Minister of Italian Language and Culture.  He has finally returned from another month long trip to Firenze, Arezzo, and Cortona.  His presence was requested by the Cultural Exchange Council of Florence so they could present him with their annual Distinguished Man of Letters and Culture.  He was singled out for his tireless efforts in promoting Italian culture in the US and in California.  Finally, he is getting his long overdue recognition.
     He has been retired from full time teaching for over 20 years, but he has continued to represent Santa Clara County, the city of San Jose and other local entities in their relations with the province of Tuscany.  He has been an advisor to various groups and individuals, including Francis and Ed Mayes, his friends from San Francisco(state university).
     A bit under the weather after his return trip, he has been recuperating at his home after spending Christmas with his family.
     Congratulations, Professore!

Book Review: No Easy Day- Bio of a navy SEAL

        What really happened to Osama Bin Laden?  Who pulled the trigger during the climatic raid on his compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan?   How did it happen?   Read it all in this fine book written by a Navy SEAL participant.   Mark Owen(not his real name) and Kevin Maurer, a writer by trade, collaborated on this work telling the story of this modern, daring raid that took place on May 1, 2011(May Day across a wide swath of the world).
       The author details his  career experience as a SEAL leading up to his participation in the raid as a member of a 24 man team that was delivered to Osama's housing compound adjacent to the Pakistani Military Academy.   Many books have been written that detail the rigors of elite force training regimens, whether Green Berets, Army Rangers, Marine Recon, or Navy SEALs.   Needless to say, many fail to make the cut along the way, and among SEAL aspirants, the washout rate is higher than bootcamp.
       In the modern era, small wars seem to be the norm, with anti-terrorist activities dominant.   The SEALs have been enlisted to engage the likes of Al Queda, jihadists, Islamist radicals, and Somali pirates and warlords.   The actions are most often clandestine and rarely explained in detail to the public.   This raid was different: it was carefully controlled by Pres. Barack Obama in real time.  It took about an hour, start to finish, the finish being the removal of Osama's body back to Afghanistan for positive identification and disposal(burial at sea from an aircraft carrier!).   The raid is chronicled in detail, down to the smallest fact.  It is absorbing for any reader to follow the raiders as they search the house for the most wanted man in the world.
     It is a great, quick read, with minute details and sparse extraneous material.  A civilian with a non-military background can appreciate all the aspects of the story.  Photos and great graphics complete the book.
Mayor rating **** 1/2 stars 

Mindfulness

     Mindfulness, a more profound awareness, is not something that we can direct, that we can create with our thinking self.  Mindfulness is a state of existence that arises as we become more aware of our habitual impulses, our conditioned nature, our patterns of thought and behavior, and begin to stop allowing these habits to dictate how we respond to the world.  Mindfulness does not automatically make me one feel less invaded by thoughts and memories, but rather it helps one live in a more harmonious relationship with them.
       By placing one's awareness on the breath, one comes to see thoughts as just thoughts-----that they shift and change, coming and going like passing clouds.   We can easily get caught up in our thoughts, trapped in the illusion that they are reality.   By focusing on the breath, one becomes an observer of one's thoughts, feelings, and perceptions, neither attaching to them nor rejecting them.  This is the practice of  MINDFULNESS. 
       This is the practice that leads to liberation and peace.
   Mindfulness definition comes from the book by Claude Anshin Thomas, "At Hell's Gate, A Soldier's Journey from War to Peace". Shambhala, Boston, 2004.

Buon Anno; Feliz Ano Nuevo 2013

     Beautiful dawn this morning over the Nevada side of basin.   A mist drifted over the water at Meeks Bay.   A few clouds hung over the western peaks as the sun rose, bathing the eastern face in bright sunlight.
      It promises to be a banner day as the groomers finish prepping the runs around the resorts, from Heavenly Valley, Squaw Valley, Diamond Peak, Northstar, Alpine Meadows, and Boreal Ridge.   All the cross-country sites will be welcoming the hoards of guests with their new equipment.
      Today will be a wonderful beginning for 2013.