Burning Man: 2017

     The burners have landed.  That is, those attending the 2017 Burning Man Festival in the Blackrock Desert have arrived in numbers(50,000).  The playa has been the scene of the annual encampment for decades.  The art and culture event is a unique happening, bringing together an eclectic grouping of artists, musicians, and culture vultures.  The weather will be hot and dry: just the way they like it.
      The temporary airport will be the scene of much coming and going as well to do attendees arrive in private aircraft at the FAA -certified strip.   Soon this site might be replaced by a nearby location that will house the permanent Burning Man art displays and artifacts from the annual festivals.
Check out all the various related web sites.  the city of Reno is the unofficial burner jump off spot as many supplies are needed due to the fact nothing is available on site: all must be brought along with you.
     Good luck burners.  More than a few Lake Tahoe locals will be in attendance: our own Miss Tahoma.

Tahoe City Fish sculpture

Sharks Galapagos Chinese Fishermen

       Interesting post from Reuters: an Ecuadoran judge sentenced 20 Chinese fishermen to 4 years in jail for illegally fishing in a protected Marine Sanctuary in the Galapagos Islands off the west coast of South America.  The boat, Fu Yuan Yu Leng 999 was found with over 6000 dead sharks in its hold.  These animals were destined to China to feed the demand for shark fin soup, an expensive culinary item on Chinese restaurant menus.  The Chinese government said they have been cracking down on illegal fishing by Chinese flagged ships.
       The crew and owners were also fined $5.9 millions for the offenses.   The Galapagos Is. are an important cultural landscape owing to its history as the foundational research site for Charles Darwin and his Theory of Evolution.   His ship, HMS Beagle, plied the island waters in 1834, when the scientist visited many of the islands here and recorded data that gave rise to his ground breaking theory decades later.
        The Ecuadoran government makes the islands a high priority for close scrutiny and the violators were imprudent to think they could evade discovery by coast guard authorities.
      Our Minister of Latin American affairs is currently gathering more facts on the incident and a report will follow. 

AG Indicts Turks

     WEll, well, well.  It took awhile, but the DOJ has done its job.  The office issued indictments against 9 Turks, as in citizens of Turkey.  Two are in custory, the rest at large.  It's a long story, but the crux of the matter is this: when Turkish President Recep Erdogyan visited the US last year, he had his own staff of body guards and security agents.   On one occasion when outside during his trip, a group of demonstrators were protesting his government policies in Turkey, related to his post-coup attempt crack down on perceived disloyal Turks.   The thugs, or security team members attacked the group, physically assaulting members of the group.
      Before the melee was over, Erdogyan and crew went back to their den.  They soon left the country.  Not the end of the story.  We'll be hearing more as the legal process continues to unfold.  Stay tuned.

Missiles Over Japan

     Kim- Un, North Korea's bad boy, launched a missile that passed over Hokkaido, Japan's northern most big island.  It landed in the sea, east of the island.  N. Korea watchers are concerned and Japan's PM, Abe sent a protest to the UN seeking action against this breach of sovereign territory.  The US military made an acknowledgement statement.  meanwhile, there's flooding in Houston.

Tahoma Host

   The Mayor hosted a gang of young dudes bent on fun and games over the weekend.  The goal: to enjoy the lake and have some guy fun, aka. bachelor party.  Mayor's nephew is getting married in October and needed a weekend to celebrate with his bros.
     They rented a ski boat in Tahoe City and raced around the West Shore, spreading cheer here and there.  They even made it to Emerald Bay.  We BBQ'd on the deck and had a few beers.  Then they decided to go to Reno, wouldn't you know.  Try their luck at the clubs, listen to some lounge acts, and mix it up with air race pilots, cowboys, Thelma and Louise, and a few itinerant politicians who just left the Trump White House(quite a group at this point).
     The 5 of them survived the weekend and slid out of Tahoe City late Sunday night, hoping to make it to work today.
Fun times on Highway 89: where Californians come to play.

Jackson Hole, Wyoming: Bank Fest

      Well, are you worried about the bills in your wallet?  The world's finance ministers are meeting in Wyoming to discuss global economics in today's world.  Janet Yellen, chairwoman of the US Federal Reserve Bank, joined other bankers in this annual conclave to exchange information and to put current conditions into perspective.  Mario Draghi, the Italian banker and chairman of the European Central Bank was the other high profile central banker in attendance.  Between the two, they can make the ground shake.
      Recent global data indicates that a broad recovery is underway around the globe.  Europe has finally begun an emergence from years of no growth following the worldwide recession and massive unemployment.  Germany continues to be a bright spot on the continent as its economy improves at a sustainable rate.  Spain has also added its figures to the growth curve.   The Bank of Japan has supplied the meeting with optimistic numbers indicating that consumers there are finally opening their wallets, driving the moribund economy ahead, leaving hope for expansion in the near term.
      Despite recent economic improvements worldwide, certain regional problems persist.  The never ending war in the Middle east continues to drag down any country directly affected and many indirectly affected.   Syria and its supporters(Russya and Iran) continue to punish rebel forces supported by Europe and the US.  Sanctions have been imposed by the US Congress against Russya and Mad Vlad.   The Chinese economy has slowed and the problem of too much debt has created anxieties among investors and businesses alike, to include Facebook and Apple.  Moves by Beijing against pro-Democracy adherents in Hong Kong are a concern.
      In Latin America, Nicolas Maduro's government is under severe strain, bordering on overt rebellion as inflation roars on, crippling the local population; forcing many to slowly starve and to seek desperate solutions.   In Brazil, political representatives continue to be indicted in a long anti-corruption scandal that forced the impeachment of former Pres. Dilma Rousseff.   Her replacement, Michel Temer, has his hands full as he tries to avert the same fate, while at the same time, trying to move the country and its economy on a path to growth by privatizing government monopolies.
     Jackson Hole, Wyoming is a beautiful location in August, and far enough away from the mainstream of populations that the meeting is rarely the site of organized demonstrations.   Wise selection by organizers.   So, we will wait for the final results of the meeting of economic eggheads, discussing our future. 

Italian Drought Causes Concern Among Farmers

      It has been recently reported that a lingering drought across the Italian peninsula has farmers wringing their hands.   Olives growers, wheat growers, and vineyard owners are among those in agriculture who are very concerned about a lack of water available to irrigate and sustain their crops.
Olive trees, the source of that dietary staple, olive oil,  are very vulnerable because of their water needs during the fruiting season.  Vines, on the other hand, can and do sustain themselves by a deep rooting system that reaches for necessary ground water supplies that sustain the growth of grape clusters.   Whereas that ag business has ample resources for annual rainfall variations, sustained drought conditions can do permanent damage, crippling finances, and eliminating any prospect for profit.
       The city of Rome has long benefited from its proximity to the Tiber River which courses through the heart of Rome.   However, just recently, its famous urban taps with continuously running water, have been shut down, a first.   Immigrant advocates say that this situation puts many homeless immigrants who depend on the free flow of water at risk.   A long term outlook is cloudy as few affordable alternatives exist.  Possible reductions in ag use could be one of many solutions examined for the short term.
     Stay tuned and pass the pizza/pasta.

Wells Fargo: Again

       The CEO of Wells fargo, the San Francisco=based financial giant, has released a statement in house to the effect that more bad publicity is soon to be announced.  A report by an outside agency will be released this week or next that will expand on data found recently that the bank was cheating millions of its own customers by juggling their accounts with various charges without authorization.
How can this massive ethical breakdown occur?  When the entire organization is rotten to the core, that's how.
       It is a systemic failure brought about by leadership that depends on expanding profits at "ALL" costs.  The attitude filters down to the lowest level of management and is exemplified in the misdeeds of large numbers of employees who feel propelled to cheat the customers who expect honesty and ethical behavior as banks used to be known for back in the day.  Bank of America, formerly Nations Bank of North Carolina, has its share of problems and continues to be fined by regulators.  This is what happens when the regulated are sleeping with the regulators.
      Put your money under the mattress.  I think it's time for all depositors to withdraw all moneys from the National banks or national cheaters as they are known among government overseers.

US Slams China With New Sanctions

        Well, the time has come: the State Dept. has ordered banks to freeze funds on deposit that belong to certain Chinese companies doing business with Kim Un's North KOrea.   These businesses help propel the feeble NK program aimed at developing ICBM missiles with which the North Koreans can sow fear across the Pacific region.   So now it will come with a much higher price to to those operators.  Chiefly, that involves those businesses that buy coal, thus giving the regime hard currency to buy missile components.
       Names of individuals were also added to the sanctioned entities.  THis will have an immediate effect, not only among those individuals, but also among those Communist Party officials who oversee export business in Beijing.   Our own Minister of Asian Affairs will have his work cut out for him when he arrives in China next year.   He will continue to monitor all changes in American Foreign Policy as Sec. of State Rex Tillerson improves his status as the chief of American policy in the world.  He has his hands full.
      We'll wait for Beijing's response, which could come sooner rather than later.

China Jails Dissenters in Hong Kong

      Government police jailed 3 pro-democracy advocates in Hong Kong.  The 3 were taken to jail to serve sentences for speaking out about human rights and democratic principles.  Apparently, President Xi has other plans for Hong Kong.  I'm sure it does not included anything resembling Hong Kong that we remember.
     Hong Kong used to be a nice place to visit.  The Mayor spent time their when still a UK Colony.  With subtle pressure and not-so-subtle pressure, Hong was returned to it's Communist owners who promised no changes for 20 years.
      Times up.  Welcome to Communist China: where friends disappear-  forever.

Eclipse Day-2017

Path of Totality in WSJ

       August 21, 2017.  Where were you?  Did you witness "totality"?  Did you buy the proper glasses?  Do you know what's happening today across a wide swath of the USA?  Do you care, even if you know?   These are a few of the many questions being asked around the Lake Tahoe area today, yesterday, and probably tomorrow.   I would not call it mania; the publicity surrounding the eclipse is widespread across the various media.
     The path of totality is a narrow band across the landscape, stretching from the West Coast to the southern Atlantic Coast.   Over 3 hours this morning on the West Coast-the Lake Tahoe Region included, citizens will be able to view the celestial event from the comfort of their home(s), businesses, and local viewing sites.   NASA, the space exploration branch of the government will be an active participant in all things Eclipse.  Various aircraft will be airborne at the appropriate hour to monitor and record all aspects of the event from start to finish.
      A major effort will be one of video recording of the actual totality of shutting down of sunlight that reaches the band of the landscape.  In an effort to study the sun from a unique position inside the "umbra" or totality area, cameras will be focused on the edge of visible light that will surround the moon as it passes between the sun and the earth.   Scientists will revel in this golden opportunity to answer many questions regarding solar activity.  The last comparable event occurred 99 years ago.  Just last Sunday, the NY Times included a special section devoted to the eclipse.  It spelled out in detail many of the facts that pertain to this type of phenomena.
     Of course, many 'enterprising ' business types have taken advantage of the situation.  Some have rented their well located abodes via Air BnB home rental spaces.   If your place is within the 'umbra zone, you have some potential, depending on the exact location.  Others have made hay by selling viewing glasses via ebay/Amazon/ and other retail sites.  Among the sellers were more than a few 'fake' glasses that did not qualify as real protection lenses.  Typical for such an event.
     A word of advice: don't be casual with your eyesight.  Real damage can be done in a short period of time due to the intensity of solar radiation from unprotected viewing.  Protect your healthy eyes with correct lens types.   A decent pair of welding lenses will work just fine and these lenses can often be adjusted to a peculiar situation/location.   Older, blue lenses, are not recommended as they often were designed for a particular type of process that does not compare to an eclipse-type of event.
    Be safe; enjoy the occasion. wherever the day may find you.

Ship Matthew Turner gets Some Sticks

       The stepping of the masts is a significant event when building a ship.  When two masts are built up on site from logged/shaped/finished trees, it represents a major accomplishment.  Today the host Army Corps Of Engineers featured a process of stepping the masts in front of a crowd of onlookers who had keen interest from the beginning.
       A commercial floating platform with a 100' crane came alongside the hull at the dock in Sausalito.  The two masts, 69' and 72' respectively, were on the dock, side -by-side, placed there on Thursday last.  They had been prepped with cable stays as appropriate, and wrapped with slings to facilitate the lift.  The first step involved moving the two pieces to the barge to make it easier to attach the lifting cable  of the crane.  The first to be moved was the foremast.   This was followed by the main.  All work was accomplished by hand-picked volunteers from the Call of the Sea/Educational Tall Ship.

Main Mast Lifted from Barge

Main Mast in the Air

Southland: Malibu and the South Coast

       The Mayor went down south this past weekend for a special occasion: graduation.   Our own Minister of Manufacturing and Industry was awarded a Master Degree in Business Administration from Pepperdine University in Malibu.  Malibu is that famous coastal city so familiar to Angelenos and the Hollywood set.  Long the home of celebrities and notables, the seaside community continues to be a rare and secure environment for those special few who can afford to live there.
      Pepperdine was founded in 1937 as a private institution and continues to this day to provide a top quality advanced education.   Our Minister attended graduate seminars for the last 2 1/2 years, taking courses in financial analysis, accounting, project management, and corporate strategy.   His cohort of about 20 individuals participated in team building and project completion.  Communication and planning were the watchwords involved in all course work.  Our Minister joins others from Tahoma who have achieved similar academic levels.  Among our group of civic leaders include those who have attended the following schools:
     San Jose State University, San Jose, CA
     Tulane University Medical School, New Orleans, LA
     Pennsylvania State University, College Station
     Colorado School of Mines, Golden, CO
     California Polytechnic, San Luis Obispo, CA
     California Polytechnic, Pomona, CA
     Univ. of California at Los Angeles, CA
     Colorado College, Colorado Springs, CO
     George Washington Univ., Wash, DC
     Univ. of Colorado, Boulder, CO
     San Francisco State Univ., San Francisco, CA
     Golden gate Univ., San Francisco, CA

      The ceremony included about 240 graduates.  Speakers included school officials and board members.  An honorary Doctorate degree was awarded to Calin Rovinescu, the chief execuative of Air Canada, Canada's largest airline that employs 30,000 people across the world.   He earned degrees at the Univ. of Montreal, and the Univ. of Ottawa.  In November 2015, he was appointed the 14th chancellor of the University of Ottawa.  He practiced law at Stikeman Elliott LLP where he was a managing partner.
     Cedric Watkins II spoke on his career since receiving his MBA from Pepperdine in 1980.   He has been chief executive of the Watkins Group since its founding in 1987.   He has served on many boards and has advised many more.  Much of his professional life has involved communications businesses and advertising agencies.
     It was a great day for all involved and the coastal fog was gone by the end of the ceremony.  Traffic was intense on the PCH-normal.

New York City: Trouble Underground

       We Californians don't know the experience of 6.5 million New York City subway riders.  We have our own issues with traffic on the 'freeways' as we commute to the job site.   In NYC, the nightmare occurs in the subway: the filthy, crowded, undependable public transportation system that has almost completely collapsed into total failure.  Governor Cuomo in Albany blames the City  and its mayor for the collapse.  The Mayor, Mr. DeBlasio, points the finger at Cuomo.   Result: no change, no plan, no relief for the daily straphangars.   How sad!
      Where's Michael Bloomberg?  The former mayor and billionaire: he's gone, not to be seen or heard from again.  But didn't he have the same issues while in Office?  Yes,, but he, like Democrats everywhere, kicked the can down the road.  "Let my successor handle it".
     A recent fire on the tracks(debris collected there catches fire for unknown reasons).   This shut down the system and compounded already delayed arrivals.   What a 'nightmare'.  The hot and sweaty passengers only can shake their collective heads and hope for the future.   This is what happens when those in positions of management shirk their duty and pass the buck.   Sad, really, but predictable.
     Yes, predictable.  If one doesn't pay for upkeep and maintenance, this is what you get:system failure.  Mr. DeBlasio's solution: what else?  Tax the rich.  Which usually means the middle class will get the bill, again.   $15 billion for a new tunnel?  Let the rich pay for it.
     Where are the civic leaders?  Where are the titans of industry(banking) all of whom make hay in NYC?   Why, they are too busy making deals on Wall St. and its environs.  Too bad, as they will be seriously affected by lack of subway service when they return from their vacation house in the Hamptons.
     Happy Summer Knickerbockers.

Venezuela: Difficult Now Becomes Impossible

      So, we have a new governing body in Caracas: the new Assembly was to take hold this week after the sham election last week.   However, the sitting body refuses to leave.  Hmmmm. That's a problem.   The other countries in Latin America refuse to recognize the new body.  Hmmm. That's a problem for Nicolas Maduro, the dreaming-of- dictatorship dictator, successor to Raul Castro's Hugo Chavez.   The sad situation begs for resolution, but, alas, there isn't one in sight anytime soon.
     How long can the misery continue?  How long can the rampant crime continue to assault the population?   When will it be enough for the military to prop up the dictator?   All questions that can't now be answered.
      Perhaps the OAS will step up and take some economic action to aid the impoverished citizenry.  Don't hold your breath on that one.   As long as the Cubanos of Havana are calling the shots in Caracas, things will only get worse.  As Raul Castro continues his efforts to export his island variety of Communism across Latin America, there will be no change in Venezuela.  

A River Runs Through It

        The Truckee River now has water: the gates are open at Fanny Bridge and the rafters are taking advantage.   Water levels at Fanny Bridge are perfect for this final month of summer and timing is great.   Clouds of excited families jumped at the chance to experience the thrills of drifting the chilly waters as the clear overflow from the lake makes its way to Nevada.
       My friend, Gil, was a guest over the last 4 days at River Ranch on Highway 89  at Alpine Meadows.   He said it was really lots of fun:  great crowds, great weather, and all accentuated by rushing water next to the hotel.   For those not familiar with the scene, it's something to behold.  Score of revelers descend on the patio of the hotel beginning around 10am.  They have pulled themselves from the river rafting excursion, and are hungry and thirsty: just what a restaurant wants.
By noon, the chance of getting a table is nil.  The grill is on at full capacity as the beer and burgers fly off the outdoor cooker.   Music is blaring in the air, and the sun-drenched patio offers respite from the rigors of summer fun. 
     Gil said his return home on I-80 was trouble free, hitting the Bay Area in 3 hours.  A great time was had by all.   This weekend will be the grand finale of Summer 2017.   Some schools begin next week for students and most teachers begin classroom meetings and staff orientation.   Seems like June was only yesterday.

Kremlin Apoplectic

     My, my, my.  Another bad week for the Kremlinistas.   The EU just uploaded a string of sanctions across a wide spectrum  of Russyan businessmen, politicians, and assorted businesses involved in the illegal transfer of Siemens electric generators that somehow ended up in Crimea.  Remember Crimea?   Remember Ukraine?   Remember Putin?  How can anybody forget?
    And then the US Congress got into the act.  It passed a L-A-W that imposes sanctions on Russya.  More sanctions on top of those already in place.  This action takes Trump out of the mix.  Tsk. Tsk.   How does one country get into so much trouble?   Why because its a country of Russyans run by other Russyans, that's how.
      Siemens has sued the Russyan company that did the dirty deed.  Where did they file the suit?  Russya.  Good luck with that.  Can you believe how the Russyan judiciary will deal with that?   Hmmm.  "Hello, Vlad?  Somebody just files a suit asking for a return of some generators down south near Sochi.   Yes, we know that the filthy Ukrainian rebels have cut off power all over the Mother Country in Crimea.  Yes, we will deal with it in the approved manner.  Ciao."

Wells Fargo: Too Big to be Called a Bank

     Well, here we go again: Wells Fargo, the old horse-drawn freight line out West somewhere that earned its reputation delivering gold nuggets to banks in California and other places, has been slepped again with a sizeable fine.   Not a wall Street-sized fine, but enough to turn a few heads back within the Beltway Merry-Go-Round.   How about $85 millions, to start?   Hmmm.  Must have been something more than the office coffee fund gone astray.   How about 600,000 private retail customers being hit with auto insurance policies they didn't need, didn't know about, and ended up having their vehicles repossessed by the Repo Guy?
     Seems a bit unsavory.  Seems a bit illegal.  Seems a bit wacko.  Seems a bit like a business model from Russya or Belarus or Minsk.  Management says(of course) that it was a rogue unit now brought to heel.   Customers will be made whole.  Ha, ha, ha, ha,ha,ha,ha, ha.  What about the customers credit rating?  How will those ratings be fixed and corrected in their lifetimes?
    The OCC will take care of it.  Oh, but wait,  isn't the OCC run by a recently appointed Wall Streeter?  Hmmmmm.
     Calling Elizabeth Warren.  Please call the OCC on the nearest White Telephone.
Time for Wells Fargo to be broken up into little state supervised piggy banks.
     Updated figures now place the number of customers with considerable damages is 800,000.  No doubt the Board of Directors have additional items on their next agenda. 

Venezuelan Election Results

    Ha,ha,ha,ha,ha,ha.  Another Maduro joke.

Name of Street Irks Chinese

      A bill to rename the street in front of the Chinese embassy in Washington, DC, has caused the Chinese government to make a statement indicating their displeasure.   The Street would be renamed Liu Xiaobo, after the recently died democracy advocate in China where he had been imprisoned for 8 years because of his political stance opposing the Chinese government.  His widow is currently being kept under arrest in an unnamed location.
     Supporters of the widow want to keep up pressure on the Communist government to release her so she can leave the country and spend the rest of her days without the harassment of her goverment tormentors.   Changing the street name in a major city has costs.  Perhaps the Trump administration will send the bill to the Chinese government in the same vein that he asks Mexico to pay for a border wall down south.
      His widow, Liu Xia, 56 years old, is also a poet and an artist and photographer.  Where is she?  Who is keeping her under guard?   Hmmmm.  Same old Communists in Peiping.

In Memorium: Bill Bliss 2017

     West Shore locals know the Bliss name instinctively.   We are used to visiting our "locals" park near Emerald Bay: D.L. Bliss State Park.   The camping is excellent-not many camp grounds right on the Lake.   But at 'Bliss', it's right there.
     Just over a week ago, William "Bill" Bliss, aged 92, passed on.   It truly is the end of an era at Tahoe.   For 3 generations his family ran a hotel and resort on the Nevada side at Glenbrook.  The 'ranch' hosted thousands of guests over the years.
      Bill was born in Oakland, California and spent all his youthful summers at the ranch at Glenbrook.  Eventually, he became the manager of the resort.   Among his many interests were traveling(especially to the South Pacific).   In 1969 he married and started a family.

Sailing Ship Readies Masts

     The Matthew Turner sailing ship is ready to accept her two new masts: the 72' main has received its final coat of paint and the cross trees are in place.  They were receiving their primer coat today.  The 65' foremast has been painted and awaits its cross trees and cheeks.   Both are currently on the ground under the tent.
       The target date for the stepping procedure is August 19, a little over two weeks from today.  A gala ceremony will take place on that day.  After the stepping, a party under the tent will follow.   In the meantime, more work is ongoing as the mast caps are finished and will be sent for galvanizing tomorrow in Oakland.  
       Our blacksmith is currently forming the deadeye bands to take all the carefully made(turned) hardwood pieces necessary to connect the mainstays to the chain plates on the port and starboard sides.  These steel bands are hand forged and made to fit each piece.  each is 2 1/2" wide by 1/2" thick and 6 1/2" in diameter.   These pieces are critical for adjusting the tension on those stays that keep the masts rigid in their positions amidships.educationaltallship.org.

Minister of Aviation Visits Oshkosh Event

        Every summer since 1953, an aviation event has been on the local calendar in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.   In the early days, it wasn't much: a few like-minded flyers agthering to have a little fun and share some timely info.   It has grown into the largest air show event in the entire country.  It is organized by the EAA- the Experimental Aircraft Assoc.
       After all the years, they've got it down.  They know how to entertain and they know how to educate.   Amateurs and professionals fly in from all over the world.  They want to see, touch, and learn as much as they can in the 4 full days of events.  Some of the best attended events are the instructional seminars offered for pilots.  Our own Tahoma minister often attends 6-10 seminars to keep up with all the changes in technology related to aircraft flight and all it encompasses.  he flew to Wisconsin with 2 other pilots, stopping in Yankton, South Dakota.  He reports: "NOt much there to write home about".
       The three flew home on Thursday, landing at Truckee Airport with its recently completed operations building-a fine example of post modern/ mountain architecture.
       Our minister will be giving a full report in the next few days.  Standby.