Greece: Looking Over the Edge

      Last week in nytimes Magazine, writer Suzy Hansen wrote a piece on Greece, her Minister of Finance, and the current state of negotiations with the EU finance ministry and representatives of the ECB, the IMF, and the German Minister of Finance.  The article focused on Yanis Varoufakis, the newly appointed minister.  He has been on the job a scant 4 months, but has been in negotiations most of that time in Brussels and other western European cities.  All to discuss conditions to salvage the Greek economy/the Greek membership in the Eurozone.
      It has not been a cake walk.   No decision has been reached to date.  Conditions in Greece resemble conditions in various nations in the 1930's during the Great Depression.   No single banker, no single economist, no group of either bankers or politicians has been able to convince Greece to act in a manner that satisfies all parties involved.  There are innumerable reasons for this, not the least is that it is new economic territory to a degree.  Yanis has an academic background and has never held political office unlike many of the representatives he must negotiate with.  He has been a critic of his own government and its policies.  On top of this, he was appointed by a newly elected president who represents a radical left political party, the Syriza.   He is also outspoken about his positions, primarily that the enforcement of austerity on the Greek population does not work and those who depend on pensions from the state have no alternatives to their financial plight.  He has popular support across a broad segment of the people and communicates well with many via social media.  A key point in Ms. Hansen's article stresses the population figures for Greece: it is a country of 10 millions.
      The question nobody seems to ask: how does an economy based on 10 million citizens bring down a continent with 350 million people?  There are more souls in Southern California than in all of Greece!  It appears that someone's economic theories are insufficient.
      Now let's advance one week, the last day of May, 2015.  What's going on?  More of the same desperate moves by a scared citizenry:  withdrawal of funds from Greek banks.  Yes, this could be just a continuation of past moves by account holders.  It could also be a response to the impending deadline for a settlement between negotiators over the debt.  Since the end of 2010, bank deposits have dropped by E100 billion-yes, 100 billion Euros.  Since September 2014, they have gone down by 33.3 billion Euros.  Not a pretty picture, especially if you are a Greek bank, a Greek politician, or a European banker with outstanding loans to these same banks.  But, in a case of contrary investment strategy, John Paulson of hedge fund Paulson & Co., has held 132 million shares of Piraeus Bank, making him the 3rd largest share holder.  He also holds shares in Alpha Bank, down from a high of E 140 million to about E 70 million now.  All eyes are focused on the coming weeks to see who blinks.  

Report From Poland

    Recently, Poland has experienced a flood of migrants streaming across its eastern boundary.  That is the boundary it shares with Ukraine.  Hmmm.  What's going on here?  Well, with pressure on Ukraine's eastern regions-the Donbass, the Russyan backed rebels are driving residents out of the area, forcing them to head west.  because of the lack of jobs, housing and an uncertain future, these migrants must seek shelter.  However, Poland is unaccustomed to a flood of migrants.   Since Ukraine still has a viable government, these migrants cannot claim refugee status.  They must claim asylum.  Legally, asylum seekers can ask for a temporary legal status in the EU according to rules established by  Brussels, to which Poland adheres.  Given the lack of government facilities, Ukrainians already in Poland are helping out their countrymen; providing services and counseling them on job opportunities, housing, and healthcare.  Good work Poland !

St. Petersburg Comes to New York

      Remember when Mad Vlad was the deputy mayor of St. Petersburg?  Oh, come on?  It wasn't that long ago.  Yes, while a mid-level cog in the KGB wheel, he worked in the "burg" as a watchdog for the Kremlin.  But our story today involves a little cross cultural exchange-they still happen against the backdrop of geopolitics.  The  St. Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra will play a one night concert at famous Carnegie Hall featuring an all Russyan program including Tchaikovsky Four and Shostakovich Five.  Time: Friday, June 12, 2015 at 8pm.
     Promoters call it "Russyan Day" at $25/each ticket.  Rumors abound that the Russyan Consulate is buying up tickets to distribute to the homeless.  Maybe the Cultural Attache' can induce a few Ukrainian refugees to show up and scream obscenities at the musicians. Oh, well, that's Russya today.

John Kerry on DL

     So, you have a high profile job; have responsibilities; you are a representative of a national government.  Why are you riding your bicycle on a street in a foreign country?  Irrational exuberance?
     Our sympathies go out to Secretary of State John Kerry,  resting comfortably in a Swiss hospital where he was taken to mend his broken femur.  He will be unable to continue his schedule in the near term, including a trip to Spain to sign an agreement of defence cooperation.
DL= disabled list

Evergreen Air & Space Museum

P-51D- Mustang

Spitfire

F4-U Corsair

P-38 Lightning

       Portland, Oregon enjoys a terrific reputation as a cosmopolitan urban center.  Conveniently located on the banks of the Columbia River at the mouth of the Willamette River as it joins the larger Columbia.  West of Portland, in what is called the Willamette Valley is the Oregon wine country.  Covering the low hills that undulate across the fields,  grape vines, staked and wired on their trellises, achieve a martial stance in the precise alignments of the rows.   Rarely are these vines old and knarled: they are relatively youthful, having been planted within the last 10 years.  Small ag towns such as Dundee, Carlton, Bergman, and Yamhill punctuate a landscape shaped by fields of grasses for fodder for the cattle ranches.  A few silos remain, but seem out of place.  This vineyard center features one of America's most preferred wines: Pinot Noir, the red grape that has captured the taste buds of many wine drinkers.
      The largest urban center is in McMinnville, about 35 miles west of Portland.  It's a college town, home of liberal arts school Linfield College.  Nearby, is the McMinnville Airport which can handle small commuter aircraft and general aviation aircraft.  Next to the airport is the Evergreen Air & Space Museum.  The brainchild of Del Smith, founder of Evergreen Aviation.  Initially, in 1960, Del Smith began innovative aerial agricultural spraying and seeding, providing fast, efficient methods that changed the face of farming and harvesting technique.  Over time, he assembled a private collection of vintage aircraft from the early and mid- 20th century.  A full-sized replica of the 'Spirit of St. Louis" is just one of many.  World War II war birds are represented in many vintage forms. A P-51 is here; a P-40, a P-38 Lightning; a B17- Flying Fortress, and an F4U- Corsair fighter in its resplendent Navy blue.
     The center piece of the aviation hangar is Howard Hughes Hercules transport seaplane, aka 'the Spruce Goose'.  This massive craft is stunning in its central position.  Over 100 yards wing tip to wing tip gives credence to aeronautical engineering in the 1940's wartime era.   It actually flew(film provided) with Hughes at the controls.   It has been restored and repainted and is available for interior examination/touring.  The 8 GE propeller engines give testimony to the size of the plane.

P-40 Warhawk

H4 Hercules 8 engine all wood transport

St. Vladimir: Moscova, May 2015

      A controversy has erupted in Moscova over St. Vladimir.  Seems some locals are not happy with the Federation's plans to erect an 82' high statue of the image of Russya's patron saint, St. Vladimir.  Now, what's behind this issue?  Really.
      Vladimir the Great, aka Prince of Novgorod, Grand Prince of Kiev, ruler of Kievan Rus' from years 980 to 1015.  His father was Prince Sviatoslav of the Rurik Dynasty.  He was married to Malfrida, Rogneda of Polotsk, Allogia.  He and Malfrida were prolific in the true sense of the term.  They  begot 17 children-12 sons and 5 daughters.  Impressive in that alone.  Old fat Josep Stalin would have awarded them "hero of the Soviet Union"  status on those grounds by themselves.  He was accorded sainthood around 1258 by the Orthodox Church as a defender of the Church.  That status is recognized around the world, even in San Francisco, California at the Orthodox Church.  So, now, why?

New 'Doo' for Vlad: Cool

          

       President Vladimir wants to create a connection in the mind of his critics over his Crimean/Ukraine adventures.  Now this comes at a time when FIFA scandals are whipping across the globe, tainting all things soccer, all things World Cup, and all things related to the awarding of venues for the games in 2018(Russya) and 2022(Qatar).   Vlady commented that this is just another USA slight against Russya and himself: the face of NovoRuss.
       Some Moscovites believe the size and placement of an 82' statue would damage one of the city's great views(are you kidding me?)  Some say it's too big; others claim it's too small.  But all agree it's a brazen attempt to sway opinions of geopolitical thought.  True.  Even as Kremlin- controlled TV has dropped extensive use of the term novorussya as it applies to Ukraine(Donbass) and Crimea.
He's acting more and more like somebody we knew about 70+ years ago in central Europe. 

Road Trip: Willamette Valley

   After the wedding, we hit the road-I-5, and continued north, focusing on the Willamette Valley and the wine country that has developed outside of Eugene, OR., and west of Portland, in the vicinity of McMinnville, OR.  At this location, the Willamette River gets lazy, looping around in wide "S" turns, almost creating a classic Oxbow here and there.  This area is the southern extent of the Columbia Plateau, with significant deposits of volcanic based soils.  The river also deposited sediments, creating in effect 2 zones of soil types: basaltic and sediments.   While not exactly in a rain shadow area, the region enjoys warmer weather than the coastal zone to the west.  temperatures here are ideal for some whites and red varieties of grapes.   In the early 80's, faced with inflationary prices in California's wine country, potential owners came to the area with high hopes.  A few vineyards already existed and some good reports made the idea bear fruit(Ha).
      Besides McMinnville, the towns of Carlton, Dundee, and Newberg offer local wineries and vineyard operations.   In Carlton, one winery has taken over the old railroad station; another has moved into the old firehouse; and another is in an old warehouse.  Several more are in stone building from the era of intense agricultural farming.  One is closed and for sale.  Clearly, wine making and production are Carlton's newest attempt at staying healthy.  Driving from town in any direction brings one to more wineries amongst the vineyards, some located in solitary situations, surrounded by vines.  The low rolling hills are reminders of California's wine country.

   

Road Trip: NorCal to Oregon and Washington State

bridge over creek downtown

the bride and father-in-law

set tables under the oaks

      Spring is in the air and a young man's fancy turns to weddings.  A nephew decided to tie the knot in Oregon at his Mom's house in Ashland, home of the Shakespeare Festival for 9 months of the year.  Ashland is also a college town, home of Southern Oregon Univ.
     The weather looked a little sketchy going forward and it had been raining most of the week leading up to the festivities.  But as luck would have it, the skies cleared and it was a gorgeous day.  Especially nice since the ceremony and reception were to be held outside under the oaks.  The 150 guests were in fine fettle and the bride and groom were all smiles.  Parents, friends, and relatives were all enjoying this special occasion.  After about 5 hours on his feet, the Mayor had to beg off and head back to the hotel for some well deserved sleep.

North Tahoe and Meeks Bay Fire Districts Sign Agreement

      In what appears to be a step forward toward consolidation, the 2 fire districts on the West Shore of Lake Tahoe have agreed to provide services together as one instead of separately with mutual aid agreements.  This long -time coming arrangement came as the result of the retirement of long time Meeks Bay Chief, John Pang.  While the Meeks Bay District board seeks a replacement, Chief Tim Alameda will spend 2-3 days a week at Meeks Bay as admin chief and Fire Marshall(permits and code enforcement.)
     Meeks Bay district board president, Ed Miller, will look seriously at consolidation, which makes eminent good sense, given the realities of public finances on the West Shore, and the very seasonal needs of Meeks Bay fire protection and EMS.
    Perhaps the board members of Meeks Bay will finally realize that their positions and efforts don't warrant the huge sums they suck out of the district budget every year for their health benefits.  Wouldn't we all like a full and complete package at the cost of 2-3 hours PER MONTH? Of course we would.  Meeks Bay board members have definitely taken advantage of the voters over the years, gaining these benefits w/o much push back from property owners who are largely seasonal and generally absent.
      The Mayor's office will closely watch developments with both districts.  It is especially timely that we watch this as property owners in the district have been hit by a State of California Fire Prevention fee despite being adjacent to the largest fire hydrant reserve in the state(Lake Tahoe).

Golden State Warriors: Western Conference Champions

     After 40 years: yes, 40, and the Golden State Warriors(SF's own) are going to the NBA Finals against LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers.  It promises to be a spectators delight: muscle and brawn against speed and finesse.  Just what the fans love to watch.  The pundits will make much of the 2 first year coaches, of course.  They will dote  on Steff Curry, the MVP of the league.  The match up could easily go a full 7 games with each contest filled with dramatic possibilities.
        We'll be watching down at West Shore Pizza.  And you?  Don't miss these games, lots of fun as the 3 point shots rattle the backboards and bounce the rims.

The Swiss: At It Again With FIFA

       In Zurich, that Swiss city well known as a hub of finance and international banking was today a different type of center: a center of huge embarrassment for the entire Swiss nation.  At an early morning hour, law enforcement body entered the well known Baur Hotel and gave the desk clerk a list of guests and asked for the room numbers.  Police then went to each guest room, asked for entry, and proceeded to arrest that guest- a high ranking FIFA official in town for the annual meeting.
      At the request of the United States Attorney General Loretta Lynch, the F.B.I., and the Justice Dept. all of those arrested will be extradited to the US to face a list of charges, including racketeering, tax evasion, bribery, conspiracy, money laundering, and others.  The list of names is impressive and underscores the length and breadth of the criminal activity.  Named were the following:
Alejandro Burzaco'-Argentina
Aaron Davidson-USA
Hugo Jinkis -Argentina
Mariano Jinkis -Argentina
Jose Margulies-Brazil
D. Warner-Trinidad/Tobago
R. Blazer-USA
Jeffrey Webb Cayman Is.
Eduardo Li-Costa Rica
Eugenio Figuerdo-Uruguay
Jack Warner- Trinidad/Tobago
Julio Rocha-Nicaragua
Costas Taklas- Cayman Is.
Rafael Esquivel-Venezuela
Jose maria Marin- Brazil
 Meisolas Leoz-Paraguay
Jose Hawilla-Brazil
     In addition to these defendants, others will be named soon as these individuals start to sing like canaries.   Once they realize the game is over and prison will be their new address for years to come, they will take any possible deal to cut short the sentence.  Perhaps ol Sepp Blatter will step down after 40 years.  Maybe he'll say enough; probably not.

      The best comments came from-who do you think?- The Russyans.  They claim it's a US conspiracy.  But, they say the World Cup bid process was investigated and Russya will host the World Cup as awarded.  The Sports Minister claimed the US is trying to intimidate Mad Vlad because he's
not following US -backed international leadership.  Russyans, ya gotta luv 'em.  Aren't they something?   Tooo much vodka not so good for Ivan. 

Hearing Bears: Bears Hearing

    If it's summer, there must be bears.  Let the judge decide.  Incline Village resident, William O'Donnell will get his day in court tomorrow.  The Incline Village Justice Court will hold the hearing regarding O'Donnell's request to issue a restraining order against the Bear League, headquartered in Tahoma, CA on Lake Tahoe's West Shore.  O'Donnell claims that league members have harassed him and his wife by demonstrating outside of his home.  This is after he placed a bear trap in front to capture a local bruin that has damaged his garage door on 3 different occasions.  "Enough is enough", says O'Donnell.   League members take an aggressive stance against residents who complain to the state wildlife officials who try to capture bears that harass neighborhood residents.  Almost half are euthanized.
     This activity in Incline Village has raised the issue of radical animal lovers and their aggressive tactics.  The judge is expected to issue a decision in court tomorrow.  Stay tuned.

A New Portrait of Mad Vlad: Not

So, that face again.  It's getting tiresome, really.  This rendering is done in the shaded-dot format reserved for special portraiture.  It makes Vladimir looked more dignified than deserved.  Why are we here today?  Over the weekend, our little Kremlinite signed a law(Russyan style on flimsy toilet paper for easy disposal) that allows Federation police to close down operations of foreign based organizations deemed to be "undesirable".  Critics see this as another step in his destruction of opponents within the country.  Most telling is the vague definition of " undesirable".  This gives authorities sizable latitude in interpreting the limits of the actionable offensives the law is meant to cover.  Ah, the law and its interpretations.  What fun for a dictator and a despot!
       Now lets consider one of those "undesirable" organizations: Amnesty International.  Hmmm.  Is this old, global NGO a threat to the Kremlin?  Is this organization responsible for stirring dissent?   Perhaps in the little mind of a little dictator it represents a threat in some manner.  Now other laws are on the books, but this increases the scope and severity of the first law, allowing authorities the power to shut down the offices of any NGO deemed undesirable, even if that organization asks questions about the deaths of Russyan soldiers in Ukraine where there aren't any Russyan soldiers according to the Defense Ministry.  Welcome to Mad Vlad's NovoRussya.

The Governor and the Hot Springs: May 2015

    So, where would one expect the Governor to relax and unwind?  Governor Jerry Brown is famous for not unwinding(read: he's wound too tight!).  But, since he's been married to Ann, he's made an attempt at least to leave the daily work once in awhile; to step back from the demands of public office and get out of town.  And where would that be?
     As reported by our Minister of Asian Culture and Eastern Philosophy, the Governor of California and his wife, Ann, made a surprise visit a week ago at the Zen temple and Hot Springs of Tassajara, deep in the Santa Lucia Mountains of California's Central Coast area.   This particular site is east of Big Sur, nestled at the bottom of a steep canyon with walls soaring more than 2000' to surrounding peaks, some of which can reach almost 5000'.
      This is the home area of California's Giant Condor, the large bird of prey threatened with extinction and brought back from the brink several years ago.  Wildlife experts were able to build a successful breeding program that has allowed a number to be returned to the wild, albeit, with careful monitoring and control.   Tassajara Creek runs through the temple area, and arrives down stream to Arroyo Seco Creek which is a tributary of the Salinas River a few miles to the east.  The hot springs have been developed for over 110 years, and were well known to local native Americans, some of whom continue to live in the next valley west, the Cuachuga tribal area.
       So, Governor Jerry and spouse, Ann, joined in a reunion of sorts with a number of San Francisco Zen Center followers who gathered to recall another time, in 1977, when Zen practitioners gathered here for a retreat to plan the future for the Buddhist community of the Bay Area.
     As reported by our minister, the Gov stayed the better part of 2 days, enjoying a low key visit w/o the pestering media types who constantly badger him for a morsel of info.
     Next time, Your Honor, come to Tahoe and Tahoma: nicer views and cleaner water without the sulphur smell.

Kerry and Putin: Springtime in Moskova

    US Secretary of State John Kerry, is in Moskova, that den of liars and fakirs. He's meeting with the Federation's chief Officer of Falsehoods and Sleight-of-hand, Valdimir Vladimirovich Putin, cat lover himself.   The goal: to iron out differences over the Middle East(Iran and Syria) and discuss current existing financial sanctions that sting the oligarchs, so dear to Mr. Putin's governing style.  To wit: I get half, your team, the rest.
     What are the chances of this meeting producing results?   Given Mr. Kerry's record of late, fairly slim chances, really.   The war in Syria has been non stop for over 4 years and Assad is still in the driver's seat; Iran's nuclear negotiators are still making insistent demands from the US before they'll consent to any cutback in their nuclear arms development program, and China's continued development of island bases in the South China Sea is a cause of concern for all regional partners.   The US announced that US Navy assets(carriers and subs and missile ships) will soon be in the area.   So the great Secretary of State, the former brash Vietnam veteran and outspoken critic of foreign policy of the '60's and '70's, will be chatting up Mad Vlad, injecting a little truth and a little dose of reality to the Kremlin and its occupants.   Certainly, Mr. Putin finds dealing with China's President Xi disconcerting(powerhouse vs. doghouse).  Energy at cut rates for loans?  Sounds a little like begging for favors.   Why doesn't Mr. Putin go to the City of London, home to so much Russyan private investment, and ask around for help?  Oh, yes, there's the Ukraine/Crimean issue.  Hmmmm?   Maybe not such a good idea after all.  Ok, it made the average vodka-besotted Russkie a little puffed up, the 30-somethings feel more nationalistic, more Russyan.   But, is it worth it?
No.
      So, Mr. Putin, being pushed and pulled by contrary winds across the steppes, must look into his crystal ball and decide:  what will I want for the future of the Federation:  continued regional player or global player on the world stage?  Leadership: such a lofty, lonely role.
      Down south, in the vicinity of Ukraine, etc., the Russyans had hoped to construct a new pipeline to deliver natural gas to southern Europe.  Now the West, is proposing its own pipeline to serve the same countries, crossing variously to serve Greece and the Balkans.  Competition, always a good thing.  Now, Gazprom might have to reconsider outcomes(finances) and the new reality.  It's always difficult to ask a Russyan to face "reality" for they prefer the fantasy of their own, comfortable creation.

Olive Oil Issues in Italy

     As reported in nytimes.com   Italian growers of olive trees in the southern provinces are confronting one of the worst threats to their livelihood: a bacterial infection that is destroying the olive trees.   In Italy, olive oil is the staple of the diet; it is used in all manner of cooking, from Sicily to Balzano in the north.
     This infection comes on the heels of last year's infestation of fruit flies that destroyed the olives across a wide swath of orchards, especially in Toscana, in central Italy.  At a time when the economy in Italy is sputtering, this agricultural setback will only add to the severe slowdown in the country's economy.   No matter the crop insurance, no matter the precautions, when the trees die, it's over.  Yes, they can replant, but the crops will not arrive for 4-5 years.  But, it's not as bad as conditions in Nepal, where another earthquake has hit the area at 7.3 magnitude.
     It's been a rough year, and in Liberia, they're celebrating the end of the ebola outbreak.

Angela Merkel: Leader of Europe

       No matter where you live, you have to appreciate Angela Merkel in  her role as the leader of Europe.  Sadly, there is no competition for that role.   Whether one looks at France, Italy, England, or Spain, it is obvious leaders of those countries are found wanting.  David Cameron- he'll be consumed by domestic issues(Scotland); Hollande- his economic woes continue; Matteo Renzi- will continue to make fundamental structural changes at home while dealing with new waves of Sub-Saharan economic refugees seeking entre to the Euro Union; Jose' L. Zapatero in Spain-he's stuck with 20% unemployment rate and abysmal growth; Greece-pathetic politics continue; Nordics/Swiss/Baltics all struggle.   Germany: the new model, the hope of the West-lead by the Rock of Berlin: Angela.
      This past weekend, Angela traveled to Moscova to attend a ceremony dedicated to the memory of the Great Patriotic War Victory 70 years ago when the Allies defeated Nazi Germany after 6 years of unrestricted warfare.  Organized by the Russyan Federation, the new facade of the Russkies, and mad Vlad Putin, its face, the ceremony and accompanying festivities extolled the virtues of Russyan spirit and cooperation.  Ha.  More charades, complete with parades of modern military costumes.
    While speaking on the dais with Mad Vlad at her side, Ms. Merkel looked at him and chastised the little fellow for abuse of power in Crimea and Eastern Ukraine, posing a risk to cooperation with Europe and its EU.   He back pedaled and commented that past efforts resulted in the Great Victory.  Ha.  Angela put Putin in his place: that of a second rate blowhard incapable of reasonable leadership.   How nice, coming from someone about Putin's age, who spent half of her 60 years under the Soviet boot in eastern Germany until the berlin Wall came down and the Soviet Union collapsed under its own weight.   I love the finger pointing: a direct slap without the sting.   Good timing on her part.   Have a nice week, Vlad.
   photo above includes late models of Russyan armata tanks on display.  Scary. 

Here Kitty,Kitty

      Isn't he sweet?   The cat, that is.  Meoow. Meoow.  So, Mad Vlad, cat lover extraordinaire, presided over the recent 70th Anniversary Remembrance of the Great Victory.   Yes, the glory days of the post  Revolutionary Russya, after some 40 millions of ethnic Russyans went into the Siberian Mists. Thank you, Uncle Joe.
      Mad Vlad put on quite a display of military energy.  Now this comes on the heels of announcements by the Dept. Of Economic Falsehoods and Obfuscation in the Kremlin that Russyan military spending will be cut back by at least 5% during the coming fiscal year, and for several years to come.  With this admission, it is reasonable for the careful observer to assume the cutbacks will be far greater.  These cutbacks will be masked by Federation posturing on the Federation fringe: Latvia, Estonia, and Lithuania; Bulgaria, Ukraine, Hungary, Greece, and of course, Iran.
      Despite the Federations vast real estate(largest on the globe), it remains to the Russyan psyche to expand, expand, expand, to keep the Napoleans of the world from violating that real estate.  How pathetic,really.
       But, as cat lovers are want to do, more is better.  One, cat, two cats, three cats more.  Isn't the leopard cub cute?  Daddy, Daddy, can I have a leopard like Vladdy?  If you love me, you'll buy me a leopard.  They're soooooooooo cute.
      Where is Babushka Putin, anyway?

Kremlin's Propaganda Machine Cranks Up

     So, here we are: May, 2015.  Let's start with the 70th Anniversary of Victory over Hitler's fascism and national socialism( a great misnomer!).  Let's invite the world to Moscova to join in the celebrations.  What?  Nobody wants to come because we went to Crimea to protect our loyalists who speak the mother tongue?   Well, piss on 'em, anyway.
     Down in the basement of the Kremlin, the Federation's lackeys are cranking up the printing machines, spewing the party line, again, spreading false information, disinformation, and , of course, misinformation.  Gather it all together and you have PROPAGANDA.   Yea, Mad Vlad lives on in the minds of--1) Alexei Lossan; 2) David Miller,3) Oleg Budnitsky, 4) Vladimir Mikheev, 5) Kira Egorova, 6) Dominic Basulto, 7) Alexey Sergeev, 8) Alxander Bratersky, 9) Leonid Reines, 10) Petr Kopka, 11) Konstantin Korishenko.
       But let us not bite the hand that feeds us.  Think of the cost to put a full page supplement addition to a nationwide daily newspaper in the USA.  The bankers had to convert the worthless roubles into, yes, DOLLARS, to pay the freight.  Horror of horrors.   But, the little Russkies can only do what they are told to do:  keep spreading the Kremlin's manure and stink up the world.  Back in the Kremlin's basement, the propaganda keeps on flowing like an open sewer, discharging effluent at a record pace.  Lovely.  Just read the headline on the supplement:
          Russia Battles Recession, Aims to Spur Investment.   Now that is amusing, really.  Given the plunge in value of the rouble, who is going to invest in Mad Vlad?  President Xi from down south?  President Assad?   President Khomeni?  President Erdogan of Turkey?  How about Angela Merkel? Oh, sorry.  She's imposed sanctions, those pesky anti-Russky financial burdens.   Maybe the Nordics will invest?  Maybe not after continued provocations in Baltic waters and airspace.
      Reading in between the lines, we find life in the Federation is becoming less fun, more difficult.  The price of cabbage, the life blood of the average Russki, has recently tripled.  How sad.  Perhaps President Xi will export some Chinese cabbages to help his pal, Vlad.  Oh, their friendship has chilled?  Maybe next year-cabbages for gas/gaz.
     Included in today's supplement, various ads to help the American running dogs:  a new quarterly to identify the "Best Russyan Studies Programs  2015".  As if......
    Also, one can get a 30% discount on a subscription to Russya-Direct.org.
     Pathetic, really.  But being Russyans, they don't know, and they don't care. 

Tassajara Hot Springs

Cabin #12 near creek

        Over the years, the Mayor has covered lots of ground in California.  As a geographer, it goes with the territory.  So, off we go to an area seldom visited by anybody:  the Los Padres national Forest and its Ventana Wilderness.  This area of the Santa Lucia Mountains occupies a ribbon of real estate that parallels the California coastline, east of Carmel and west of King City.  Mountain peaks reach to 5,000' and higher, towering over deep cut canyons.  The scrub oaks, bay laurels, and stubby pine trees reflect the arid conditions that punctuate the entire region.
     The Hot Springs are not easily arrived at: they are located at the south end of a dirt wagon trail that has hardly been improved over the last century, except for the occasional grading effort that redistributes the gravels and stones shaken from the cuts by wind and rain, and some frost heave during the cold winter months.
     Driving from Carmel east to the town of Carmel Valley, one proceeds on to the junction of Tassajara Rd. and Highway G16, then a right turn for two miles until the paved road ends at Jamesburg, a mere way station collection of a few shacks, manned by Tassajara operatives who provide parking places, advice and directions.
      From Jamesburg, one drives south, up and down, twisting and turning, trying to stay centered on the narrow road.  Off to the west, a keen-eyed observer can see Elefant Mountain at 4040', and Uncle Sam Mountain at 4766'.  Farther  west are Ventana Double Cone at 4853', Ventana Cone at 4727', and South Ventana Cone at  4965'.   Along the way, are two campgrounds: Wildcat(walk-in), and China Camp.  Only one provides water.
       With luck, a visitor to the Ventana Wilderness may spot a feathered glider, drifting above on rising updrafts, scanning the terrain for available carrion.  Here is the ancestral home of the California Condor(s), unique with their 7' wingspans.   After emergency intervention some years ago, the species is making a comeback of sorts in the wild.  Tagging and monitoring have provided data that follows the movements of the isolated pairs, struggling for survival.  Despite the remote location, the actual range of the birds has been sharply reduced as habitat formerly occupied has been taken over by urban development(s).
     The hot springs themselves have been visited for more than a century, benefiting from the belief that sulfurated- hot water is good for mind and body.   No doubt this belief has been long held by the nearby Native American tribe known as the Cachuaga Indians, still living nearby on the Carmel River headwaters a few miles away.
     Partaking of the "waters" is a pleasant experience and highly recommended by the Mayor.  The sulfur odor is benign and hardly noticeable.   The indoor pool temperature ranges from 105 degrees to about 109.   The outdoor pool is at about 102 degrees right beside the creek.  The creek maintains a steady flow, but don't drink the water: giardia is a common problem here.
     If you go, call ahead for a reservation.  It's worth a visit, especially during a warm, Central Coast summer, when the shade of the maples and live oaks keeps the heat at bay on the valley floor.

Tassajara Hot Springs:April 2015

Guest House #12

Accommodations at Tassajara Hot Springs are rustic, but comfortable, set in a creek side location at the foot of rocky canyon walls, deep in the Los Padres National Forest, in the Santa Lucia Mountains.
     Visitors will delight in the natural surroundings, little changed in the 100 + years of resort activities.

stone house Tassajara Hot Springs

Tahoe Water Clarity

The University of California Davis and TRPA(tahoe regional planning agency) announced their clarity report of '14/'15 and there's good news. As measured, the visibility index stands at 77.3', an almost 13' increase, year over year.  In the longest clarity study anywhere, since 1968, the water of Lake Tahoe is improving significantly.  Scientists and environmentalists attribute the improvement to lakeshore sediment control practices that have been installed over the last several years.  Considerable  federal funds have been spent in the effort to control runoff of sediments and pollutants into the lake.  Consider just the efforts around the West Shore.  For the past few summer building cycles, roadside drainage collectors have been placed alongside Highway 89.  Catch basins on the lakeside are collecting highway runoff before particulates can reach the lake waters.  This improves all aspects of the water clarity by maintaining a more natural (less man made) flow of runoff.
     True, there has been less runoff over the past 4 winters, but that is only part of the equation.  Lower rates of traffic flow have also been a factor.  While good news, lower numbers of visitors will affect the local quality of life and force planning departments to alter long term strategies for growth.

On Drought

     I have spoken of the rich years when rainfall was plentiful.  But there were dry years too, and they put a terror on the valley.  The water came in a thirty year cycle.  There would be five or six wet and wonderful years when there might have be nineteen or twenty-five inches of rain, and the land would shout with grass.  Then would come six or seven pretty good years of twelve to sixteen inches of rain. And then the dry years would come, and sometimes there would be only seven or eight inches of rain.  The land dried up and the grasses headed out miserably a few inches high and great bare scabby patches appeared in the valley.  The live oaks got a crusty look and the sagebrush was gray.  The land cracked and the springs dried up and the cattle listlessly nibbled dry twigs.  Then the farmers and the ranchers would be filled with disgust for the Salinas Valley.  The cows would grow thin and sometimes starve to death.  People would have to haul water in barrels to their farms just for drinking.  Some families would sell out for nearly nothing and move away.  And it never failed that during the dry years people forgot about the rich years, and during the the wet years they lost all memory of the dry years.  It was always like that.
John Steinbeck, in the novel "East of Eden", (1952).

Movie Review: The Last Days of Saigon: A Documentary by Rory Kennedy

      Rory Kennedy is the youngest child of the late Senator Robert Kennedy, the 1968 presidential candidate assassinated in June of that year while campaigning in Los Angeles, California.  She was born about 6 months later in December of 1968.  She has become a respected, award-winning film documentarian, producing and directing a score of titles over the last 20 years.
     Her latest, The Last Days of Saigon, released about 6 months ago, chronicles the events surrounding the exit from South Vietnam of the United States and its mission after 10 years,  of what was then called America's longest war.  The date was April 30, 1975.
      She followed the format of many documentarians, gathering archival film footage and blending those clips with recent interviews  with various persons who were present at the time.  Those interviews included then Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, the last man out, former Marine Juan Valdez, former marine Captain Richard Armitage, a US Navy commander of the USS Kirk which rescued hundreds of Vietnamese fleeing the on rushing Communist forces descending en masse on Saigon, now Ho Chi Minh City.
       What one takes away from the film is not a gratuitous effort of assembly of images, but a meaningful pictorial of chaos as the final pages of the final chapter of 10 years of war and 58,000 American lives and more than a million Vietnamese lives.   We know that the killing did not stop with our exit, but moved into a different phase with a Communist lead political environment.
      One could use the film as a definition of despair, a definition of defeat, or a definition of escape and survival.   For those under the age of 40, there is not much of a connection with the images shown in the film.  However, the images do have an impact, and a powerful one at that.  The clips of helicopters being pushed overboard into the South China Sea are unforgettable.  We know how much they cost-a lot!  And more were on the way, loaded with fleeing civilians.  An ignominious chapter of late 20th century history, 40 years ago.

Russya: Inflation or Deflation

      Writer Michael Casey makes some good points in today's column wsj.com.  He cites persuasive evidence that Mr. Putin's machinations will not help Russya's economy now or in the near term.  For some time, over 9 months and counting, the fragile state of economic affairs in the Federation has teetered on the edge of recession/depression.  However, Kremlin politicians merely pay lip service to facts that require a change in economic policy.
      When the price of oil halved in a few months last year, the flight of capital from state-owned banks began in earnest.  This forced the hand of vodka-sotted bankers and Kremlinites.  Raise rates to keep roubles at home(vice transfer to dollars/Euros).  Meanwhile, Mad Vlad is running amok in Ukraine/Crimea, making rash statements to rattle markets around the globe, kidnapping foreign nationals in Baltics, and sending military aircraft and submarines on provocative forays into home waters.  Wonderful man, that Vlad Vladimirovich.  I think his pants are too tight.
     Mr. Casey makes some key points on inflation in Russya and Brazil, two former darlings included in the BRICS.  Now serious inflation is rearing its ugly head.  As of March, 2015, the rouble is going up at a 16.9% rate of inflation.  How would you like to confront this situation?   No, neither would I or any other Tahoman.  It has implications that reach across borders into the Euro zone and beyond.  The IMF is on the verge of declaring the Chinese yuan properly valued.  This affects all foreign exchange transactions, especially inter-government loan payments.(see Greece bailout terms).
     No doubt the Russyan oligarchs will pay closer attention to the price of borscht soup.    Speaking of soup......
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