Aerial Entertainment: Meeks Bay

      While gazing across the Lake saturday evening, we watched the dips and dives of a forest service helicopter providing support for fire fighting efforts near the Desolation Wilderness and Ward Canyon.   Evidently, lightning strikes started a few brush fires in some remote areas nearby.  The "bird" carried its bucket on a sling under the belly and dipped low over the lake for a fill.  
       It's an interesting process and the risks are not readily apparent to the casual observer; but the Minister of Aviation, with vast experience in helicopter operations expressed the comment that flying with sling load(especially liquids) can be very, very dangerous for many reasons, not the least flying with external weight at high altitude!
     Apparently the efforts were successful- no fire trucks were dispatched from meeks Bay Fire.

Book review: Deep Leadership- Dr. Joe McInnes

      Leadership-that oft mentioned quality that makes a difference in man's activities, is a topic written about by legions of writers, trying to explain the qualities found in recognized leaders around the world.   Whether military, corporate, academic, or individual cases, common traits are found in each scenario.
     Dr. McInnes brings unique experience, extensive training, and profound thoughts to this subject.   Many of us can rattle off a list of famous leaders among politicians, generals, industrialists, and business executives.   Modern lists might include Barack Obama, Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, and Warren Buffet.
     But that list could include many, many other names, and many of those from abroad.  Dr. McInnes makes quite a bit of James Cameron, the photographer, movie producer associated with the Titanic rediscovery and exploration.   Dr. Joe provides details od deep dives that involved risky, subsurface, Arctic ocean dives in northern Canada, pioneering efforts never attempted before.  These team efforts involved scientists, geologists, technicians, and support staff.   All had to be managed and controlled by leaders with a broad grasp of what is needed to accomplish imagined and anticipated results.  Often the efforts involved searching for a lost ship or a lost sub with limited information as to location and depth.
     But Dr. McInnes did not limit his research to divers only, but also astronauts, newsmen, and modern soldiers on the battlefields in Afghanistan and Iraq.  Lt. Gen. Hal Moore, U.S. Army(ret) gave insights based on his long military career.
     This book is different: it offers more than just a narrative, it offers examples from many disciplines giving the topic a wider scope with wider insights.
This book is highly recommended to those aspiring leaders in any field of endeavor.
Pub. in 2012 by A. Knopf, Canada.

Birthday Wishes; Bear news

     The Mayor turned another year older last week!   Where did the year go?  And all the others logged?   Not older-Better!  A grand "Festa" was held in Berkeley with renowned Italiana chef, Rosetta Costantino, an Italian native living in Berkeley with her husband, Lino, and their 2 children.
     22 guests enjoyed authentic Calabrian specialties prepared by Rosetta and her Mother, Maria.   Guests were able to assist in the preparation in the commercial kitchen set up for the event.
     It truly was the Mayor's "BIG NIGHT".
     The food was excellent, and the homemade ricotta gelato incomparable.   The vino rosso flowed freely, as did the Knob Creek small batch bourbon.   Rosetta delivered her message of home grown ingredients prepared with skill and patience as the keys to extraordinary flavors.
    Everybody enjoyed the entire experience.  It was a night to remember!

Deputy Mayor Gives Bruin What For
     The Deputy Mayor opened the front door to see our local bruin sauntering by: she immediately verbally accosted the lumbering oaf, sending it scurrying for shelter in the forest.   The alarm sounded, the Mayor and staff hounded the animal with rocks and heaps of abuse.   The bruin disappeared among the pines, seeking relief from the tirade.  Watch when walking during the summer season: bears on the loose.

Southlake Phenomenon

     The Mayor drove down to Southlake Thursday to pickup the Minister of Aviation and Aeronautics at the airport.   The weather was overcast and thunderstorms were in the forecast.  At about 1pm, the pilot texted a message that he was over Truckee airport and was looking at a window over the lake, an opportunity.  He landed as it began to rain-hard!  For the next  hour plus, it rained all over the area, sending water down streets and gullies into the creeks.
     It was quite a show: Lightning strikes were abundant as we lunched at the Irish Pub where it seemed we were sitting in a drum being struck by mad men.   Beach goers at Meeks Bay, Sugar Pine, and Homewood ran for cover as the downpour continued unabated.   Friday's forecast proved less than predicted and beach goers returned in numbers.

CAL FIRE TAX
     State of California officials announced that Rural fire fee bills will be mailed to property owners over the next few weeks.   The fee, $150/ per parcel, or $135/parcel for those in org. districts, must be paid or fines will be attached.
     Some state senators are aware this "fee" is strongly opposed by rural residents who see little evidence of its need, nor any evidence of its benefits.   Jarvis Gann Taxpayers Assoc.  has sued the state, but has yet to have its day in court.  
    NOTE: the state requires a form be filed with payment to verify that this "fee" is being paid under protest.   That is the only way to a possible refund.  This Fee/Tax was passes by a simple majority in the legislature, versus a super majority required for a tax.
It is a slap in the face to West Shore residents who pay not 1, but 3 parcel taxes for local fire district support.
     Send a letter to your district representative stating your opposition to this tax.

Summer Staff Conference-2013 July

    The Mayor's staff is congregating as we speak for the annual Tahoma Staff Summer Conference.  Most participants have traveled quite a distance: the Minister of Latin American Affairs is here from Washington,DC with his assistant; the Minister of Manufacturing is here from Los Angeles; the Minister of Technology and Metalurgy is here from Oklahoma; the Minister of Far Eastern Culture and Philosophy here; the Minister of Agriculture and Agronomy here; the Minister of Aviation en route; and the Deputy Mayor for Administration here.
     The conference began last night with a gala at the Mayor's home office.
Topic No. 1: Bear Control/Bear Tactics!

Submarine Views of the Deep Blue Lake

      As reported in the S.F. Chronicle Friday the 19th: an unmanned submersible will  be examining the McKinney Bay shoreline collapse of thousands of years ago.   This occurred right in the Tahoma neighborhood!  The California Geological Survey will be conducting the exploration of the underwater area off the west shore.
      The first dives will occur off Sugar Pine State Park shoreline.   The $2 million vehicle will look for fault line clues as to why the slide happened at this particular location of the lake.  The sub will collect images of bottom, instrument data with details of rocks and canyon walls that remain today.  This is the same sub identified last year as that vehicle that will eventually go to Antarctica for the same purpose.  Ross Powell of Northern Illinois Univ. will be using the sub there.
      It is built by DOER Marine of Alameda, CA, weighs about 2200lbs, and is remotely operated from the surface.   It is only 22 inches in diameter.
      If you're diving in the area, keep your eyes open!

Book Review: summer trash/ historical spy novel "Tapestry of Spies"l

      This paperback pocket book was given to me by my friend, Tom, who reads a little of everything.  This book he enjoyed because it reminded him of his trip to Spain in the late '60's, when Franco was still the dictator in charge of the Spanish people.
      The story takes place during the Spanish Civil War, that terrible period when the old order was being displaced, and poor peasants were finally getting together to make changes in their lives.  Unfortunately, it came at a time when Fascism was on the rise, and Communism was ascendant in Russia and other countries.  Hitler and Mussolini, the chiefs of the Fascists, were intent on supporting the overthrow of the elected government, now heavily conflicted among the resident Communists, Socialists, Anarchists, and Independents.  The time frame of the pre- World War II years gives the reader a hint of what's to come: global chaos.
     The main characters include Brits(from MI 6 and MI 5(Domestic security), displaced American/ Russian Jews, Russian agents(NKVD), Franco Republican soldiers; Catalan terrorists of various stripes; and helpless civilians caught in the middle in Barcelona.
      The author is well versed on the facts and weaves a good story across the few years of the time frame.   It's a quick read, with the usual surprises, and excellent details about the confusing alliances and hopeless political intrigues.
Rated: 3 1/2 *'s/of 5

Bears Times Two

     Reports arrived at the office that 2 bears were seen strolling down the street, in broad daylight, in Glenridge.   Residents avoided any contact with the bruins, choosing a no harassment observation.  Good choice friends.
Keep your eyes open when walking around Meeks Bay, Tahoma, and Glenridge.

A No Hitter for Giants

     Well, it's summer and summer equals baseball.  And for SF Giants' fans, it is summer games at AT&T Park on the San Francisco's waterfront.   Tonight, 2 time Cy Young award winner, Tim Lincecum, was on the mound in San Diego for game two of the series.   After winning decisively last night 10-1, the Giants started out with runs early.
     Lincecum, with a command of his repetoire  of pitches, started striking out the Padres with a mix of confusing offerings called by catcher, Buster Posey.   Padres hitters were swinging through many curve balls and change ups.  He finished with 13 K's for the night, four walks, and no runs.  His pitch count rose above 100 and coach Bruce Bochy and pitching coach Dave Raghetti watched developments closely.   When it became apparent that a complete game , no hitter was possible, like the fans in attendance, the team focused on each and every pitch and out.  Hunter Pence make a great catch of a potential hit late in the game.  Pablo Sandoval also contributed a fine defensive play at third base, throwing a strike across the diamond to throw out the batter.
     This was the 15th franchise no hitter, in 131 years of their history.  A memorable night.
Congrats Tim Lincecum!

Egyptians on the Move

     The word zipped around the world as it happened in Cairo and other major cities in North Africa:  the military arrested the elected president of Egypt after countrywide protests against the government.  And in a legal democracy.???
     The world is watching: what is the next step?  The civil war in Syria continues to rage with no end in sight.  Can this happen again to its near neighbor to the west?   The situation is fluid, although an interim president was sworn in- a sitting justice of the supreme court.   No doubt the citizenry has had enough og Pres. Morsi's activity as he tried to ramrod the Muslim Brotherhood's agenda into the culture of the Egyptian people.  They aren't buying into the Brotherhood and Islam as government.
Keep watching and listening and pay attention.

4th of July: The weekend

     It started out with------a major West Shore power outage.  Of all days.   Many standby generators were started and many businesses continued without interruption. PDQ Market lost their card readers, but had lights and coffee!   What a crowd!  Unbelievable.   The espresso stop(Where We Met) lost out on several hours of business(-$$$$$$), but no serious harm.
     Tahoe House was a zoo, with lines out the door; but they handled the crush quite well from all appearances.   The beaches were jammed and boats were afloat everywhere.
     Today is gorgeous, with light breezes.  It appears there's a forest fire over Spooner Summit, in the Carson Valley.  Hopefully, it will be under control soon.   Towering clouds of black smoke were billowing high in the sky, moving in a northerly direction.

Firehouse breakfast Saturday morning
    Meeks Bay Volunteers are putting on their annual fund raiser tomorrow and Sunday.  They hope to raise some funds for equipment.

Fireworks
     Several venues around the lake offered spectacular fireworks last night at about 9:45pm.  Glenbrook, South Lake, and Camp Richardson did their best.   The skies were clear and the night almost balmy well into the evening.  The Mayor and friends had a nice view from high above Meeks Bay.   After a few glasses of wine, some great BBq'd burgers, it was a fine night.

BEARS: What to do? What to do?

       Well, what is the answer?  How can we live with this wild creature, "The Bear", who has an unrelenting desire to 'invade ' our homes and scare the daylights out of us?  He's not just big, he's wild and unpredictable.   Maybe he/she is 2 years old, maybe older; but he/she moves like an agile young animal- fast on his feet/paws and able to leap and climb,too.  Witness this: yesterday afternoon, the 4th of July, said Bruin approached the side of a neighbor's house and spied an open window.  He then forms a plan: Ican make the leap, get inside and get the 'goodies'.  Leaps up to the 8' high sill, pulls himself up and in, and pays a visit, much to the consternation of the at home residents.  After repeated shouts and noises, he exits the way he came in and made his escape!  Not cool, Bruin.
     Shortly after, he spies an open garage door across the street, it's open about 18''.   He crawls under, and enters.  He then walks down the stairs into the main house.   Owner yells, bear retreats to garage.  Owner presses switch, door closes first; bear freaks out, pees all over, up ends kayaks, attempts to exit window, door reopens, bear finally exits.  Whew, that was close.
      So this local members of the big furry animal class has not made many friends this week.   A newly installed electric fence barrier worked as designed this morning as the bear approached the front door.  The shock sent him on his way!  Good for the neighbor and his method.
     Will he survive the summer, that is the question.   We'll see.