Holidays/Holidaze

       Well, folks, we are now in between Christmas and New Year's holidays.   Resorts are bristling with skiers, skaters, hikers, bikers, cross-country trekkers, and lots of revelers seeking some new scenery.  Tahoe has it all.  And the weather: it continues to cooperate, providing clear skies and warmer than usual day time temps.   Lucky us.
     The Mayor's household has been a beehive of activity with lots of family coming and going.   Nieces and nephews, sons and daughters, sisters and brothers, Grandma, pets, friends and neighbors.   What fun-catching up, organizing events, eating and drinking to excess.  That's what it's all about.  We can't escape, nor do we want to.
      Now it is time to say goodbye to 2013 and all it brought forth, for better or worse.  We can recap the highs and lows(minimal), trips and journeys, both long and short.
     We will do this. Later.
     So, enjoy the weather,, the lake, and the slopes.  'Tis the season.
Get ready for.........2014! 

Nebraska: movie review 2013

        Lots of movies hit the screens during the December period: families are looking for indoor activities, directors and producers are serving up their studio pics for possible Oscar consideration; and distributors need cash customers.  All factors in filling seats.  Media outlets conspire to grab reviewers' interest: full page ads grace the print media pages; incessant trailers assault all movie goers while they wait for the "single" feature to be shown, and talk shows and video make their contributions on the internet.
       So, NEBRASKA, starring Bruce Dern, that veteran of so many memorable films.  Now 78 yrs old, he's playing the role of a demented father/husband, finding himself confused and baffled by everyday life.  Set in the West/mid-West-Montana to Nebraska, Dern portrays the aging husband, father of 2 grown boys, struggling with everyday issues.  His wife plays the role of the overworked spouse/caregiver whose job now is to keep the aging husband under control.  But, alas, Dern has won a million dollar prize in the usual magazine subscription scam.   Now, he's going to Nebraska to collect the prize.  
       We follow him and his family as he struggles to accomplish his task of getting to Nebraska.  The film is a combination father/son road trip; going home again, facing old slights and problems from old business dealings;and of course, the ups-and-downs of a long marriage with all its baggage.
      The landscape is as much of the film as characters.  It is reminiscent of "The Last Picture Show".  Shot in black and white, the film captures a bleak winter when farmers and those who live with them, stumble through another winter, waiting for the spring thaw to get them onto their tractors and back on the earth.   His meetings with old partners, school pals, and girlfriends are classic- a visual memoir of a life in twilight.
      The dialogue is excellent: direct, regional, and believable. Dern is at his best-this is a great performance.
Mayor's rating: *****!

Winter: Officially here

December 20th is our 1st day of official winter: but, it looks like summer!  Temps down the hill are in the 70's!  What's going on?  Just living in California, that's all.  We do live in a Mediterranean climate after all.   So, enjoy.

Shopping
     Doing any?  Get with it.   Visit Truckee, Tahoe City, Reno, Carson City.  Get out and enjoy this weather bonanza.  Who needs 5' of new snow, anyway?  Tis the season for: getting out and having some family fun.  And do it now.

Tahoe in Depth: 2013 edition

       Tahoe in Depth, TRPA's  news bulletin, has been mailed to all basin property owners.  It's their attempt to maintain some community outreach and education.  The rag covers all the "hot topics": water quality, government involvement, federal and state spending, and ongoing projects around the shoreline.
       One of the articles speaks to water quality for drinking and consumption by homeowners.  It has quite a bit of information.  Check it out at:TahoeH20.org or call 775-832-1212 for more info.  The Tahoe Water Suppliers Association(TWSA) publish an annual report that includes much of the same information.
More later

Where is Lake Tahoe? Really.

       The Mayor looked at a slick promo put out by Northstar Ski resort this week.  TMR real estate is the sales agent representing the Carr Long Real Estate Co.  The disclaimers note the obvious limitations found in all promotional materials.   What's fascinating is: 1) the Ritz-Carlton name attached-under a licensing agreement, 2) the variety of offerings-home. condos, and lots, 3) the obvious inaccuracy of placing the development anywhere near the lake itself.   This is clearly hyperbole- removing the geography from the truth of the matter.
      Everybody knows realtors lie, with eyes wide shut.   But to place the Martis Valley in Lake Tahoe's basin, that's chutzpah on top of hyperbole, which equals down right fraud.  No doubt they want to confuse the idiot with too much money, such as a Googler, or a Twitterite, or some other tech dweeb with too much money.
      They are calling their projects Residences at Lake Tahoe(scam),  Home Run(fake); and Martis 25, lots at post recession prices from $750,000-$2.5 millions.   This is really Truckee, which still has not recovered from the bursting bubble(s) of 2008.  One photo included in the brochure shows two skiers on the peak of Northstar looking at the lake off in the distance.  Does this justify the promotion.  No.
      Oh, well.  We Tahomans can only roll our eyes, as we wait for our own village in Homewood to take shape.   No doubt Northstar wants to pre-empt  Homewood sales.
Good luck with that.

City Scape: Polk St. Aquatic Park, Hyde St. Pier

     The Mayor visited Baghdad by the Bay as San Francisco used to be called for the annual  politico's lunch at Capurro's restaurant on Fisherman'sWharf.  Over 150 guests enjoyed the event, complete with tributes, videos, salutations, and insiders humor.
     That cold wind kept tourists bundled up, as the Mayor walked across Aquatic Park, past the Maritime Museum, the Bocce Ball Courts, and the bay -facing step seats of the park.  A loner swimmer, no doubt a member of the Dolphin Club nearby, stroked his way across the lagoon, following some health regimen that remains elusive to most humans.  Water temps must be in the low 50's, actually almost 20 degrees warmer than the outside air temperature.  But, undeterred, the man swam on and on, dipping his head and arms, oblivious to his environment.

Polk St
      My friend, Tom, and I stopped on Polk for an espresso at Peets, near Vallejo St.  It was busy, and the outside tables held a few stalwart locals.  Most were inside: warmer.  We checked out the Russian Hill Bookstore across the street.  What a find: a well run, well stocked independent.  We talked to the owner, a pleasant woman in her 50's who offered to buy my book.  And she paid in cash. Nice.
Polk St, at this section, is trying to maintain its hold on the position of North Beach fringe/Van Ness Ave. alternative.  Judging by the new restaurants, old bookstore mix; it seems to be working.

Ahh, the City

Coastal Sojourne: December 7th-Pearl Harbor Day

      For the Greatest Generation, Dec. 7th will always be Pearl Harbor Day, commemorating the sneak attack by Japanese Naval air forces on the Hawaii harbor that housed the US Navy's Pacific Fleet, swinging at anchor inside the confines of Oahu's main harbor.  Over 2100 sailors and Marines were killed and President Roosevelt went before Congress, asking for a declaration of war, calling Dec. 7th a Day that will live in Infamy.  The USA now joined the Allies for 4 years of war against Fascism.
     On top of Mt. Diablo, in Contra Costa county, a beacon light has been restored that will send out its beacon every December 7th, in memory of those who died at Pearl Harbor.
 
Coastal Explorations

     The Mayor and the deputy Mayor took a drive to Muir Beach to visit the community center and its annual Quilters Show and Sale.   It was a fine day, coastwise.  Bright sun and calm seas greeted those adventurous souls who made the drive over the hill.   The local quilters, and weavers, and photographers, and jewelers, and birdhouse builders were having a good time.  Volunteer firefighters were hawking t-shirts and sweatshirts to any and all; foodies were scooping up cookies and brownies.  After Muir Beach, there's Stinson Beach: a footrace required some traffic controllers on the Highway 1 junction at Redwood Creek, but otherwise it was a very nice scenic ride to the next coastal enclave.  We stopped for lunch at the Breakers, rubbing shoulders with locals and a couple of day trippers.
     Then, on to Pt. Reyes Station, for the next community event at the Dance Palace as it is known.  More quilters, jewelers, and ceramicists, artists, painters, wood workers, and food,too.  It seems the Tomales Bay area is more productive, and perhaps more centrally located.  The Bovine Bakery is a required stop, as is Toby's Feed Barn, now complete with its own art gallery, crafts display, and food stop.  It was anything but warm, owing to a stiff breeze out of the northwest(normal).  But, it was a nice day.  Any day around Pt. Reyes when the sun is visible is a good day!
Remember Pearl Harbor 

WARMER Weather

Finally, some relief-temps will rise to the 40's for the next few days, although nights will be in the 20's, holding our thin layer of powder so boarders can claim some action come weekend openings around the basin.
     A thin layer  of fog spotted portions of the lake this am: love that Homewood Webcam.  Three views cover a good portion of the west shore,  affording a real time view, anytime, except night time, of course.
Carry on......

LeMons: Sonoma Raceway Weekend Event: Final 2013 Event

     The LeMons Race Series concluded their 2013 program with the final endurance event held at the Sonoma raceway at Sears Point off Highway 37 at 121.  This year's event had 184 entries in the 3 categories A,B,C. (Likely to finish; Maybe will finish; Unlikely to finish).
     Temperatures descended Friday to subfreezing 20's and participants huddled in their vans, campers, shells, and trailers to keep warm.  The rain that fell earlier in the week moved through and skies cleared for the Saturday morning green flag.  It was a clean start and engines coughed and roared as 184 amateur drivers lunged forward for the day's 6 hour block of driving on the 2.2 mile twisting road course.
      The Minister of Manufacturing and Engineering was in the pits with his teammates as Car #942-The Porch Racing Team's 1989 944 Porsche began the run that would consume their next 36 hours at the track.  After months of preparation, the team had tuned the 944 to its engineered top performance mode-all was ready for this effort.  Drivers had worked out a rotation plan and a time/driver change plan, all dependent on many uncontrollable factors such as track conditions, weather, fuel consumption, and the other 180 cars on the track.
       Within a few hours, the weather improved, temps rose in Sonoma County, and drivers settled into a routine, winding through the curves, braking, accelerating, and navigating for position.  Soon it became evident that #942 was rolling well, all systems working.  By 2pm, the Porch Team's vehicle was in the 1st position, leading the A Division and all others,too.  Pit stops were minimal and tire tread was holding well.  At the end of the day's allotted time, Porch Racing was in the lead.
       Day 2
        Cold temps continued, and all crews fired up the coffee pots early on to put some heat into their veins.   The early start put a strain on the pit crews, but the starting line was bunched up as teams took their positions.  #942 was at the head of the pack as the green light flashed.   Team Captain Sean had made the decision to stay on as driver for the next 4 hours, if all went well.  After a midmorning pit stop, he cruised into the pits exhausted but happy as he had extended their lead to 3 laps!  Now it was Enzo's turn.  He was ready, despite having to sit in a urine -soaked driver's seat.  The tank was topped off, the oil was filled,again; the radio was fixed on the harness; and safety belts and harness tightened to secure positions.   A yellow caution flag held drivers in the pits for a few minutes, and then off he went, trying to extend the 2 lap lead.   The next 4 hours of racing would see the lead extended but pursuers would hold their 2nd and 3rd positions, waiting for an opportunity to overtake the leader.  It would not happen on this day.
       At 4:30pm sharp, the checkered flag was dropped on #942-WINNER, 2013!
      A jubilant team surrounded the car as it was escorted to the winner's Pit next to the track admin building so all participants could help celebrate.  The team was awarded the 1st Place Trophy and the Judges Trophy for Best Team Effort.  Photos were taken all around.
     Congratulations Team Porch Racing-Well Done.

Nelson Mandela: Africa's Hero Passes at 95

     South African president, Jacob Zouma, announced the death of Nelson Mandela yesterday in Johannisberg.   The former president and national hero had been ill for some time and died at his home.   Numerous media highlighted the long path taken by this man who became the first black president of his country and became an inspiration to our own Barack Obama.
     He was awarded a Nobel Peace prize, shared with J.D. DeClerk in 1993, for their efforts to forge a government without apartheid, the political system that persisted in South Africa for 43 years after introduction by the National Party to insure that the White minority would maintain power in the country.
      He was arrested and convicted of insurrection and sentenced to life in prison along with 8 others in 1963-64.   After 27 years in the Robben Island maximum security prison( like Alcatraz Is. in San Francisco Bay), he was released and was elected president by parliament in 1994.   He served 4 years and then left office, stating he had no desire to continue to rule at age 80.
     Married 3 times, his personal life suffered during his political career.   Several children died of various causes prior to his death.
    World leaders marked his passing, and the country entered a period of mourning and reflection on the life of this remarkable man.

Washington Monument: Undressed; Notes

      A couple of years ago, the Minister of Latin American Affairs experienced a rare occurance : an earthquake in Washington,DC.  It shook the Washington Monument, and loosened a few stones on the 550' tower's facade.   Rappelling inspectors recommended a redo of the stonework which has just been completed.  The surrounding scaffolding is in the process of being removed, restoring the view familiar to so many Americans, especially those living and working around the White House.  The monument is a stone's throw from the OAS building on 22nd St. NW.  The blinking red lights at the summit of the monument continue to guide pilots on approach to Reagan Airport.

Research Approved

      While in DC, the Mayor sought some genealogical information and decided to check the National Archives.   Why the Archive?  Well, they hold the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, the Articles of Confederation, the original Amendments to the Constitution, a few treaties, a few documents ending wars of all sorts, and many more.  The Mayor figured a little immigration facts could be found.   In no time I was directed to the Archive Research Center around the corner from the main entrance.  Upon entering, it became evident that the staff takes its job seriously.   No one is allowed to begin looking for any document without providing: identification, certification(requires an info session on the org. terminal) and a photo ID necessary for presentation before entering the secure area of the building.   This process takes less than an hour and is not a problem at this time of year-not a lot of students running through the building.   After all was said and done, I was issued the researcher's ID- the federal standard for Archival access to the national treasures on file.   The ID is good for 1 year from date of issue and is renewable.   Cost: free(included in your taxes.
    Now that I'm officially a researcher, I'll be looking for more information to aid the Tahoma administrators and El Dorado County officials.   You're welcome. 

Finally: Winter 2013

     Forecasters have predicted-SNOW!   Get the shovels, blowers, heaters, blocker heaters, sand, gravel, de- icer, and a full gas tank.  This should put enough snow on the slopes for all winter sports activities.   This storm even has a name, according to the Weather Channel_ -Dion.  Another alphabetical naming.
     The mayor went to a seasonal party last night and talked and ate and danced the night away.  Always fun to meet up with old friends and families, share stories, memories, lies, and other humorous anecdotes.  By chance, a name came up that was connected with our own Homewood Resort.  One of the members of the development group of the resort is the son of an old friend from San Francisco.  Apparently, this businessman has an interest in several developments that have been very successful.  The word is that Homewood Resort is destined to be a good project, especially for the investment group.   Good News!
 
Obama Care Update

     The website for the ACA seems to be improving.   Those looking to pick a plan from an exchange are being successful in their efforts.  Only time will tell if the projected goals are realized.  Pres Obama has a lot on his plate with Iran Nuclear power agreements and China's  No Fly Zone extended into the South China Sea.   Today was the deadline for new Kaiser Permanente members to pick a doctor,FYI.
      This week, the NYT published an article about the runaway costs of hospitaliztion, focusing on Cal.Pacific Med Center in San Francisco.  This hospital is operated by Sutter Health as a non profit.  The writer identified two recent patients who were treated at the facility and listed the bills for those services.   Thousands of dollars were billed for a few minutes of work that included such items as 6 stitches, aspirin tablets, and gauze bandages.  None of the charges had any basis in cost of the items, some billed at 100 times cost!   The crux of the article was making the case for the culprit in the extraordinary rise in medical cost and of insurance: to maintain the profits of these monstrous health corporations.   Stay tuned.

Water District: Update 2013 from Steve

    Steve Glazer sent out his annual bills for his Tahoe Swiss Village Utility.  It's always telling to see what 40Gals/day cost a property owner/user in the district.  This year-2014- it will run about $1218./ann.
     This includes $250./annual private fire service fee.
Improvements noted:
1. 630' of new 8" water main
2. 1 water main break(on Pine St., near 7th) ,repaired, along with 2 leaking lateral pipes.
3.  A new storage tank will be needed in Glenridge(w/telemetry capability).

Steve also made a case for conservation, noting the EPA local office is touting irrigation controllers that operate like a home thermostat to prevent waste, estimated to be as much as half of all water used by home and building owners.
    Is it time to tap the lake?  Heresy........

Property Taxes Due: Again

      So, Dec. 10 is about 5 days away.  Still time to remit those saved dollars to the state/county beast.  Most will write the check, file the #2 tab from the statement(due April 10, 2014), and brief a sigh of relief until income tax time.   Maybe during the interim, those uninsured will go to Coverca.org and sign up for a medical insurance plan, or not(if you're under 30).
       I believe, as a responsible citizen, that it is imperative  that property owners-taxpayers- read the particulars listed on the bill.  here lies the proof that the bond issued, the districts funded, and the assorted other "good" causes are real financial concerns.   Here is the current list of payments due on this year's bills:
Prop 13: Gen Tax Levy     1%
Tahoe Bond 1993B
Tahoe Bond 1993A
Tahoe Bond SFID#2,99&02
Los Rios Coll Bond-2002
Los Rios Coll Bond-2008

519 CSA#3 MOsquito Prog.
554 Litter Abatement
566 CSA3 Ambulance W Shore
569 CSA3 W Shore Snow ZN  4
622 CSA10 Hse Hazard Waste
659 Tahoe Truckee Sch Dist
669 Meeks Bay Fire Dist Benefit
670 Meeks Bay Fire Meas R
686 Meeks Bay Fire Meas Z

These listed measures, bonds, etc. are pertinent to El Dorado County residents(property owners) and not ALL taxpayers.   Many West Shore properties are second homes, with owners splitting time between Tahoe and other locations. 
       Ask yourself:"Why is it so expensive to live in Tahoe?  Now, look over the list.   All the listed payments were voted on by local residents, in essence, voting to make it more expensive to live in Tahoe.   Didn't vote on any of these?  You're either a newcomer, a non-voting visitor, or someone who chooses to let others decide how expensive it will be to live here, or you didn't register to vote.  Hopefully, you're not in this last category.
          Don't forget- no grace period and penalty assessment is 10%.   In the old days, folks would accept the penalty, maybe 3%, and put the money out at 8-12%.   No more.

Obama Speaks: December 4, 2013

At this hour, Pres. Obama is giving a major speech in an effort to bolster his image after the pathetic roll out of his signature legislation, the Affordable Care Act.   He is making a case for more government intervention into the lives of all Americans-read socialism.
     He is largely playing on the fears of many individuals who have had financial problems owing to the ongoing recession(despite its official end in 2009).
     Can he reverse the downward trend in the opinion polls?   Maybe, maybe not.   This speech runs side-by-side with the approval of Detroit's official entry into bankruptcy, announced by a federal judge yesterday.   This does not bode well for higher taxes, job creation, or economic expansion.  Can he unlock a Congress that could go down as the #1 Do Nothing Congress of the post war era?
    It is not likely.

Organization of American States:2013

      The Minister of Latin American Affairs gave the Mayor a guided tour of one of the oldest international headquarters in the world: the OAS.   Founded in 1889, this is the grandfather of all international bodies.   It predated the League of Nations,  The United Nations, Nor. Atlantic Treaty Org.,  SE Asian Treaty Org, and ANZAC.
     Housed in a Greek Classical building on Constitution Ave, it faces 22nd St instead of the greensward of the capitol Mall.   The interior has many classical components including a central courtyard(covered in glass canopy), a loggia on the second floor that overlooks the courtyard and its garden of hemispheric native plants.   The tiled floor includes motifs from various cultures in the Americas.
     We toured the grand assembly hall with its flags representing each member state.  Outside, in the loggia is the hall of heroes with busts of individuals who were founding members of each state.  George Washington resides here.  The legislative committee was in session in the central meeting chamber during our visit, hence, off limits to the tour.   A grand staircase descends from the loggia back to the main floor.
       In the rear of the structure is the formal garden that front the Director general's Residence, now unoccupied.   A sculpture garden surrounds the residence with modern steel assemblies, often shadowed by overgrowth and obscure locations.
      It's quite a building, fitting for its location, but only a small fraction of the space needed to manage such an organization.  The OAS has employees in Wash,DC in 8 other locations!   

Who was Anders Zorn?

       Currently, at the Palace of the Legion of Honor Museum in San Francisco, there is an exhibition of the work of one of Sweden's most famous artists and cultural heroes, Anders Zorn.  Born in Sweden in 1860, he died there in 1920 at age 60 after a remarkable career as a much respected painter, demonstrating a unique talent across various media that was influenced by French Impressionists and the new realism after the rise of photography, the turn of the century Modernist school, and the rise of international patrons from Paris to New York.
      His father was a German brewmaster and his mother a Swedish woman who worked for the father.  They never married, but Anders was properly educated and early on displayed talent and interest in painting and drawing.  Married at 21 to Emma, who became a frequent model and subject of many works, he traveled extensively to North Africa, the Middle east, Western Europe, and North America.
      The exhibition follows the timeline of his life and his professional development and changing styles.   Early in his career, he had become a magnificent painter in watercolors, using detail to emphasize light and dark.  He was especially fascinated with light on water, painting many seascapes that capture the environmental subtlety of wind on water.   He and Emma often traveled to the many islands off the coast of Sweden to find suitable scenes for him to paint.
     As he matured, he began to diversify media to include oil painting, etching in copper, and developing a portraiture style found irresistable to wealthy patrons, including former US president Taft and Theodore Roosevelt.
      He returned to his home town of Mona, where he continued to paint and sculpt until his death.  His paintings of Swedish folk festivals are considered national treasures.   A museum dedicated to his life and work was opened in 1949 with most of his estate donated by his widow, Emma, who died in 1942.
     What a pleasure to view this man's incredible lifework.