Russyan Foreign Minister Proclaims National Resilience

    Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov, aka Serge Lapdog,  made a public statement aimed at the Russyan population that has become aware of some "internal strife" among military factions in the Russyan army. Given the performance record of the Russyan army since invading neighboring Ukraine in February, 2022, it's not surprising that there's strife among the ranks. Early on, the Kremlin realized it needed some help,, and the Wagner Group in the Central African Republic, where they were in the process of extracting mineral assets, were ordered to Ukraine to bolster the inexperienced Russyan army conscripts on the ground.

        The leader of Wagner Group, the notorious chef Yevgeny Prighozin, now had to prove his mettle against a real opponent-the Western trained troops of Ukraine. The results are not pretty. Soon, YP was back on his home turf of the largest country in the world, recruiting among the prisons that abound around Siberia. With promises of good pay and amnesty for their collective crimes that sent them to prison, YP enlisted considerable recruits. After giving them uniforms(sometimes), they were sent into combat in eastern Ukraine(the DonBass region), to face a determined, well armed adversary fighting a life or death struggle against a foreign invader. The results are still not pretty.

      So, the Kremlin Lap Dog spews insults and accusations against the West, accusing the West of using Ukraine to assault the Motherland of Russya, as a proxy. This tiresome accusation is a skeleton in the Kremlin's closet that is hauled out routinely when there's a speed bump on the Kremlin's road to the takeover of a sovereign nation next door. Now we also know that Alexsandar Yukashenko of Belarus is also grabbing some front page ink. He claims to have welcomed YP to his country and has brokered the agreement that has calmed the rough patch of the Wagner Groups 24 hour rebellion which allegedly was designed to wrest control of the Russyan army from the two leaders shuffling papers back at military headquarters near Red Square. The world can always count on Sergey Lavrov to make some interesting comments that reflect the takeover of administration of Russya by artificial intelligence.  Is it the Chatbot program running the Kremlin?

Have a nice day., 

Control Burn at South Lake Tahoe

       Lake Tahoe vacationers were treated to an interesting view yesterday as US Forest Service firefighters managed a "controlled burn" in the vicinity of Myers/South Lake . Columns of white smoke lifted from the burn into the blue skies overhead as the firefighters lit off an area designated as ready for burning. This effort is part of the ongoing government program to reduce fire fuels in the understory of the Tahoe Nat. Forest inside the Tahoe Basin. The recent Highway 50 fire caused evacuations and near panic as the wildland fire raced toward the California-Nevada border at South Lake Tahoe. Only a wind change of almost 180 degrees saved the casino city on the lake shore.

     This controlled burn will be just one of many.

Age Discrimination at its Best

        So, you're educated. So you've made plans about your future. So, you're thinking about life: job, marriage, home, family, and where this will happen. And then you wake up one morning and it's your 35th birthday. Hmmmmmm. What does this mean in-----CHINA? It means you are too OLD to get a government job.  Really? You must be joking. 

     Wrong-it's true. You've been aged out of the job market @ 35 years of age. The Communist government has decided that the future belongs to the young-that is, the VERY young. Not you or any of your ancient cohort of 35+ year old who are running around trying to find decent employment. So, you have to return to your grandparents village and take up the plow and become a farmer. You know: dawn -to -dusk hours, 7 days a week until you die. Sounds like China. Oh, it is China: modern, 21 Century China under a Communist government run by Xi Jin Ping and his party cronies. Those same cronies who find it necessary to work with Mad Vlad up north, and Kim Il back east.

Have a nice day.

Russyan Missiles Rain on Kramatorsk

        Diners in the Ukrainian city of Kramatorsk were enjoying a quiet meal out for a change, seeking social interaction despite the ongoing war after the Russyan army invaded in February, 2022. Suddenly, the sound of whistling missiles broke the quiet and within seconds, before they could seek shelter, ear-splitting explosions rent the air inside and out of the restaurant.

       Within minutes, rescue teams arrived on the scene to assist the many victims. At least 11 dead bodies have been removed from the destruction caused by the Russyan missile, one of many fired in the vollty into the city.

       The world is reminded anew that Putin's invasion continues to murder innocent civilians, clear violations of any and all rules of war. This man and his Rus peoples must and will be held accountable forever. Not just after the end of hostilities, but the future time as the world processes the murderous decisions made by a madman in power in what was once a modern country, but now has reverted back to a medieval duchy with a leader whose only power comes from his mania over control, and his clear mental health deficiencies.

     Yes, the modern world has to be cautious stepping around madness that could deteriorate into self destruction via nuclear arms. And yes, his apparent allies must be watched with close scrutiny as they advance their own agendas at home and abroad.

     This attack on innocents will be recorded and remembered and recalled when the accounting begins.

Tahoe Campers Can Expect Guests

        The Mayor went hiking in Sugar Pine Pt. park the other day. It was quiet with few camp sites occupied. That will change today as the long weekend begin. Because the 4th falls on Tuesday, not every worker will have Monday and Tuesday off.

      The park and its camp sites often have wild life visitors; local bears who have learned that campers bring lots of food with them-easy pickins'. Each site has a steel locker to keep such edibles in securely closed to thwart the efforts of all bruins and their sensitive noses. Our neighbors around Tahoma are frequently visited by black bears-see foto

Big Momma and Cubby

     These bears are W I L D animals. Thus, are unpredictable; can be dangerous, can outrun humans; can't see very well, can smell a pack of gum in your car; are incredibly strong; roam around night and day; constantly forage for food, especially during the summer season; and are very, very protective of their offspring. The Momma bears can be very aggressive when a human approaches cubs. 

       Be careful when in bear country: Lake Tahoe is BEAR COUNTRY👀

China Sends Smokeless Gunpowder to Russya

       Hmmmm. Antony Blinken just returned from a meeting in China with top Chinese leader Xi JP. They discussed the need to talk.

      Then a revelation was made from various sources: a Chinese owned train crossed the border into central Russya, east of the Urals Mountains. The cargo: gunpowder. The destination a privately owned factory that produces small arms ammunirtion for the Russyan army. According to strategic researchers on Russya-Chinese relations, it appears that China is not following statements meant to indicate neutrality on the Russo/Ukrainian War.

     Secretary of the US Treasury said that if China is found to have supported Russya directly with arms and related supplies used in the war, consequences would be severe(her words).

     Now it is said that this facility produces ammunition for the AK-47 rifle, standard issue for Russyan soldiers. It also produces a round used in sniper rifles, usually bold action, long barrel rifles tricked out with telescopes, bipods, and match ammunition(consistent grains). We also know that supplies to front line troops in Ukraine have had logistic problems even though units are just across the border served by highways, railroads and helicopter support aircraft. Often in such arenas, the situation is fluid, and troops on the move can be hard to locate when resupply is requested. Despite GPS,etc, pinpointing the unit is not easy, especially when under fire(a hot LZ as we called it).

      Will China be called out for this obvious breech of protocol? We'll see.

Have a nice day.

Downtown Tahoma Re-Do

       The annual cleanup of downtown Tahoma is underway. The central plaza was tar-sealed yesterday and the main office building was restained. The access to the Post Office was open via the sidewalk under the eaves, as was the entrance to Dog & Bear Resto. The top seal crew will finish the other half probably today, and voila'-Tahoma transformed.

      Real summer weather seems to have arrived on the West Shore: temps will nip 70 degrees today, and swimmers, boaters, and fishermen will be out and about. Hilers will have to plan ahead as many local trails are still wet or snow bound. Also, bears are about, often with very young cubs in tow. Be wary of any bear accompanied by cubs: Mommas are overly protective the first year.

     The Tahoe balloon was up yesterday; apparently back to normal flights after the throw down on 6/21 that put the basket and passengers in the waters of Rubicon Bay(no casualties reported).

Where is Yevgeny?

 Answer: Belarus!. As reported by state media outlets, the Old Chef who has been on the run since last weekend, finally showed up. His status is unclear, but at least for the moment, he's still sucking oxygen like the rest of us. So what does a former mercenary/chef/billionaire/military wannabe/sadist/has been do now? Well, with his funds tucked away in Switzerland or Bermuda or Cayman Islands, he'll flit around town, seeking the comfort of some of Belarus' comfort women.

     He'll hire security which will always be suspect, and attempt to patch things up with his sponsor, Vova back in St. Petersburg, scene of their coming together oh those many years ago(30+).

     The media pundits are doing their collective best to keep the lights on the situation but it will become much harder as the war in Ukraine moves back to the front page. Yes, troops are still fighting despite the quashed rebellion by the Wagner Group. What will happen to the WAgner Group? Seems that an amnesty of sorts has been declared and fighters from the mercenary units have begun turning in their weapons. This will cause some disruption in the Russyan army plans since the leadership will no longer have to cope with the renegade murderer now hiding somewhere in Belarus.

Have a nice Kremlin day.

Yevgeny Prighozin-Wagner group leader: Watch Your Back

        So, a close ally of Putin went rogue. Hmmmm. Now he's possibly in Belarus as a guest of Yokushenko. But is he? Where is he really?  Nobody is talking, not even Putin. How long before Yevgeny reappears? Nobody knows.

Meeks Bay Seaplane Port

        Early risers near MEEKS BAY on Lake Tahoe's west shore, have been treated to some interesting visuals: High-winged aircrafy lifting off the lake surface after a high rpm run up of the engine. These private aircraft then proceed to wing it south and eventually disappear. And then, they return, at some later time frame. From the routine, it seems they are practicing their takeoff and landing skills, a good effort if you're learning seaplane operations.

     The Mayor has a ringside seat to observe from the hills above Meeks, and can closely follow the skill level of the pilot(s). Recently, the Mayor was able to observe the semi-uncontrolled water landing in Rubicon Bay of the Tahoe balloon launched from the watercraft off South Shore beach. Apparently, the 15 knot winds drove the balloon and its passengers into the bay to a point where the passengers and pilot were able to walk to shore.

       Summertime activity continues. Downtown Tahoma is being resurfaced today so post office visitors/customers will have to be careful as the parking area is very limited until tomorrow.

Wagner group Departs Russya

      Wagner group leader, Yevgeny Prighozin, has been offered a refuge in Belarus by its president. This comes on the heels of Putin's statement that charges of rebellion will be dropped by the Russyan government, and those mercenaries of the Wagner group will be offered contracts to stay in Russya to be absorbed by the Russtan army, which is in desperate straits with their manpower.  The former chef from St. Petersburg will take his billions(maybe) with him and maybe open a bistro in Minsk while awaiting further developments since his Wagner Group is persona non grata in the Kremlin.

      The world stage was enjoying the internal strife among Russyan military units. The bloodless takeover of the city of Rostov-on-Don by the Wagner Group units indicated there is trouble brewing in the ranks. Never a good situation for a country that invades a neighbor and brutalizes the civilian population with indiscriminate murder and mayhem. Western leaders from Paris to Washington, D.C. maintained a close watch as the crisis develped. Within 48 hours, it appears the crisis has abated and Vladimir Putin survived the first major threat to his dictatorship which has lasted for 23 years and counting. The 70 year old former KGB colonel  has wielded his baton over the country with astute moves, keeping the opposition off guard.

     Recently, the FSB, his secret service and palace guard, filed more charges against imprisoned opponent Alexei Navalny. His 9 year sentence could be extended for another 30 -plus years which would essentially be a life sentence. The charges stem from his continued membership in his opposition organization.   We know most other opponents have been driven from the country to seek refuge in those countries that will still accept Russyan citizens. And there aren't many these days.

Goodbye Tahoma Meadows

        The Tahoma Meadows Motel Resort located next to Highway 89, a stone's throw from Tahoma Market, is now under the ownership of the developers of Homewood Mountain Resort. Another example of corporate money squeezing out the local economy in the quest for ever increasing profits. The former owners did a wonderful job restoring the site over several years after they purchased the establishment about 16 years ago. On a comfortable timetable they rebuilt all the individual cabins while continuing to operate as a hotel. They hired local residents and offered breakfast prepared onsite in the upstairs dining room above the space used as the office. That space had been a restaurant but did not fit their image for the site.

      The Mayor spent many a night as a guest there during the construction of a nearby residence in which he was involved. It offered, among other things, a warm, attractive, safe and secure night's rest. There is ample parking and most cabins were well off the highway, and highway traffic noise was not an issue.

      So, developers come in with an attractive offer: in the millions of course, and the hard working husband and wife weighed the options: take the money and run; ignore the offer and refuse to sell; negotiate with a counter offer to test the mettle of the interested party. In most real estate negotiations, there's subtle influences always: timing and the economy; time in for the hard working owners and their future prospects staying; and the timing of the sale itself: will another 10 years of hard work payoff? So, they sold.

Now, what?

       The Homewood Mountain Resort web site states that the property will provide housing for development staff as the company moves forward on its plans for the Homewood site.  This means that the site will no longer be a destination for visitors and guests of the West Shore who will find their options more limited than ever. As one indication of the current situation, a property in the Rubicon Bay area, an old 50's style rancher, on 4+a., has been offered for $35 millions! True.

       Homewood resort owners are floating the new concept(for the West Shore): a members only ski resort, where the elites will come to play-no peasants need apply. This turnover will ne the death knell for families who are not in that class of income. Visitors will have to find skiing sites far removed from Lake Tahoe, maybe in Oregon or Washington, or Utah and Colorado.

     Neighbors on the West Shore are holding a community meeting at Tahoma's Sluchak Park on July 2nd @1:00pm to plan a response to this abuse of a community and its viability as a livable area. 

The Future of the New Tahoma

        Volunteer workers appeared this morning @ 89 & Pine, at the long empty Norfolk Woods Hotel. Jumping from cars, trucks, and SUVs, the enthusiastic group began unloading every tool in the garderner's inventory: rakes of all sizes; shovels large and small, brooms, mowers, blowers, generators, electric motors and appliances; debris bags, pitchforks, pick axes, pole saws, pruning shears, loppers, trimmers, and not least buckets and scoop shovels. They came to work.

       They came from Rocklin, California, home of their church, the 180 Church or the Four Square Church, the better known name for this venerable organization. They've come to re-establish a chapel and a retreat center on ground that has a long history regarding religious groups and religious activities. While talking with one of the workers, the Mayor was able to grasp the general plan as to the disosition of the sizeable property consisting of 5 individual lots and a number of cottages and homes, plus the hotel structure. Since purchased about 15 years ago, this property and at least three others within a half mile, they have all been closed, boarded up, and essentially abandoned. The owners were circumsoect as to their plans, but even then, a retreat center was mentioned and noted to be the ultimate goal. And, here we are in 2023. It's happening.  The heirs of the owners decided that this property would better serve the community as a retreat center with a support staff and some units available to local workers; units that are sorely needed on the West Shore, and all over the Tahoe Basin.

       The first building to be restored will be the largest home on the property which will house the caretaker and partner. This will keep the lights on and maintain the condition of all units. Plumbing is a priority as defects in systems caused considerable damage over the years. Local plumber Hoffman noted that un-insulated pipes had leaked in many of the units. Of considerable note is the log cabin on the property which dates to c. 1930. It is called the Aimee Cabin, as this was supposed to be Aimee Semple McPherson's cabin. She was the famous preacher from Los Angeles who led a large congregation in California until her untimely death in 1944 from an accidental overdose of drugs. It will be restored to livable condition. While a firm timetable has not been published, church leaders have been candid with the community and with Placer County planners about their future growth and occupancy. The former owners signed away the property in December, 2022. For the past 5+ months, the leadership has formulated a plan for all to see.

      Local Tahoma residents are in a state of shock: finally, this eyesore will be transformed into a wonderful local site that will be admired by all.

Music Under the Pines of Tahoma

       The summer music series begins in a week on July 1st at Mary Sluchak Park. The music begins at 6pm local time. This community event continues throughout July every Saturday night. Various music groups perform, most with a sound they are noted for during a concert. The first group this season is : Four Barrel. They will perform sounds of the 60's today.

      The band performs regularly down the hill in the Sacramento area, primarily at popular taverns, providing entertainment to patrons who like some background music while socializing with friends, new and old.

      Managers of the concert series suggest coming early to get good seats.

6:00pm start

Putin's Chef Demands Putin Pay the Bill

      News from Russya indicates that there's trouble brewing for the former KGB Lt. Colonel, aka Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin. As has often happened through history, the "palace guard" has revolted. In this case, the Wagner Group, essentially a private/mercenary army that the Kremlin has deployed in various foreign posts, has called 'aces' on Putin.  Yevgeny Preghozhin, the leader of the Wagner Group, has declared that he has taken control of the military complex in Russya located in the city of Rosrov-on-Don. Pregozhin also added that he has his troops moving toward Moscow.

       This is the first open rebellion against the Kremlin leadership since Putin took control of the largest country in the world. Prior to the invasion of Ukraine by the Russyan army on February 24, 2022, the Wagner Group was ordered to numerous global spots to advance Russyan interests in those places.Most significantly, over 3000 WAgner Group soldiers were stationed in the Central African Republic where they maintained security for the government leadership. They were often seen as mercenary terrorists who protected diamond mines in addition to securing buildings in the capitol city, Bengui. Bengui, a city located on the Ubangi River, is home to the American Embassy, among others. Wagner troops were a highly visible presence there. International groups often accused the Wagner Group of attacking villages indiscriminately and killing innocent civilians, sending a message to local rebels.

        Leader Putin went public with the announcement that Preghozhin is now looked upon as a rebel, and he will be punished. Local Russyan district leaders have pledged allegiance to Putin and the Kremlin. The leader of Chechnya has voiced support, but his statements are always self serving and subject to current wind direction.  The Wagner Group leader stated in communications to the Kremlin that his units were attacked by elements of the Russyan Army near Rostov-on-Don.  The Group has also stated that they must talk with the military leader Shoigu in Moskva.

      Western leaders are conferring on the situation, privately acknowledging the benefit to the Ukrainian army that has launched an offensive in the Donbass region in eastern Ukraine where the Russyan army has camped since the invasion began.

      Analysts will examine the situation closely and Western countries in Europe and elsewhere will decide what steps to take giving the rebellion against the Kremlin leadership. If Putin resigns, Volodomir Zelenski is in a perfect position to advance his position in the eastern sector.

       Putin's chickens are coming home to roost. Finally.

Trans tahoe Relay Swim Race:2023

         The count down is underway for the start of the 2023 Trans Tahoe relay Swim. Teams of 6 will compete for honors by swimming across 15 kms of Tahoe's famous clear blue waters. Co-sponsored by the Olympic Club, registered teams will enter the lake near Sand Harbor on the Nevada shore and swim northwest to Dollar Point on the California Shoreline. The actual numbers of participants will vary as competitors continue to register.

      The Trans Tahoe web site offers insights into the competition and its history. Check it out. Today the water temps are at 57.6degrees. On race day in about 3 weeks, the temps could go above 60 degrees. Nice.

Giants Win Again-8 in a Row

      Who are these guys? Gabe Kapler's youthful charges are demonstrating new found talent among the ranks-a mix of rookies and veterans who managed an 8-game win streak.  Hmmmm? is this a breakout from their recent mediocrity? It appears so. The sweep of the Dodgers in LA certainly has raised some eyebrows around the National League West. The mark of a team making a push is the ability to bounce back after being behind in the late innings. This is what the Giants are doing: scoring in the 8th or the 9th inning to tie or take the lead. With pluck and determination, the bullpen relievers then arrive to hold on until the last out.

      Gabe Kapler goes to bed with a smile on his face. He can think of more wins to come; more success for the rookies; more respect for his team. Owners, too, can hold their heads a bit higher and enjoy the moment. Of course, long time baseball fans these moments can be fleeting, like leaves blowing in the wind: here one minute, gone the next.

       So, soon, the team will be back to their home in China Basin and old Pier 46. Get your tickets now, as fair weather fans will wake up and show up.

Surprise Balloon Landing: Rubicon Bay

Balloon approaching Rubicon Bay, Lake Tahoe-8:35am

        Is it a Chinese spy balloon? Is Xi Jing Ping on board, seeking asylum? Or has Antony Blinken, Secretary of State, climbed aboard for a thrill ride? Balloons are not unusual over the lake during the summer months. Visitors are willing to pay $250/per person to go aloft, silently to take in the view. Today's passengers got a little more than they paid for, in terms of thrills.

       The Mayor has been observing these flights for many years; the hot air, heated by an on-board gas burner, lifts the balloon to at least 1000' above the surface of the lake. At the altitude normally achieved, the craft gently drifts west with the morning breeze, providing the passengers with an unequaled experience of viewing the high Sierra, its peaks painted white today with remnants of the historic snow levels of the past winter. Today, with early morning temperatures slightly above 40 degrees, the balloon was launched from its usual point near Zephyr Cove in Nevada. The launch/support boat then follows until the time period has elapsed and the pilot brings it back for a pickup. However, this morning, the winds picked up just after launch: an east wind pushed the balloon toward the west shore, near Meeks Bay. By 8:30am, the winds were raising white caps across the whole south part of the lake. Clearly, the balloon was now at the mercy of these gusts.

       In the photo, the chase boat is obscured by the tree; it appeared to be at top speed-maybe 6-8knots for a pontoon boat. A first attempt at retrieval was made minutes before the photo was taken, and it was not successful. After almost landing in the water, the pilot fired the burner and lifted the balloon to the height in the picture. Apparently, the decision was made to make a beach landing in the vicinity of the beach at Rubicon. 

     The Mayor will follow up this bulletin after visiting the landing site shortly. 

A June Chill in the Sierra

      What? Freezing overnight temperatures? Amazing. What about global warming? Climate change? Snow melt? Hmmmm. Last night, temps hit 32 degrees before dawn, slipping slowly but steadily as the hours clicked on by.  Yesterday was breezy, and forecasts predicted temps in the low 30's: exactly. 

      At about 8:00am, a party boat arrived on the edge of Meeks Bay to try the spot for a Mackinaw trout or maybe an errant rainbow. While it appeared through binoculars that a good crew was on board, the boat didn't linger and disappeared  within the hour. No water skiers or wake boarders were so bold as to try the rippled surface, and at noon today-no boats visible on the south half of Tahoe. But above: beautiful blue, cloudless skies. 3 beach-goers at Meeks resort Beach.

       The Juneteenth holiday weekend is over, and now we look forward to the 4th of July weekend and the real summer begins. Summer Solstice June 20th. Longest day of the year (northern hemisphere).

     No balloonists in the air this morning: probably too cold. Too cold in the basket and probably too cold to light off the gas jets needed to get the lift. Maybe tomorrow.

New Burger Joint in Tahoma

        Well, it finally happened: a place in downtown Tahoma where one can actually  buy and eat a burger. It's called: CULT Burger. It sits in the space next to Tahoma Realty Office and Where We Met Coffee /Espresso/Gelato Shop. The porch has a counter running the length opposite the 2 order/delivery windows.  There's an inside space with stools and a U-shaped counter for those cold days.

      The menu includes: burger(s) with various extras such as grilled onions and various cheeses from Blue to cheddar, while American cheese is standard. They are served on brioche buns and pickles are also avail as an extra. The meat patties are "smashed" half pounders and grilled to 155 degrees internal temps for healthful results-there's a pink line across the center!

     The Mayor enjoyed his first on Thursday night and it was delicious- everything one could want in a burger. The place was hopping, and a line had formed during the dinner hour(s). The owner /chef was at the grill under an enormous exhaust hood(complete with overhead sprinklers as per code). Diners were lined across the bar facing the parking lot and conversations were only interrupted by satisfying statements as the burgers disappeared.

      It was a long time coming, this burger bar. Dog and Bear across the lot did not option a burger on their menu; owners wanted to offer a more-upscale fare sans burgers. Scallops @ $28/per top their menu. Pizza is still available with the usual toppings; but no smash meat patty at all.

     The chef tried and then abandoned the Dog and Bear and moved across the lot to the space where Sweeney's Weenies tried to get started. No luck there as Mr. Sweeney could not overcome the El Dorado Health Dept. rules for an eating establishment. Hmmmmm. His issues went beyond way beyond the health department.

       Let us recommend CULT Burger as the best burger on the West Shore. Try it, you'll like it.

Shakes also available, and sodas.

pics to follow.

El Dorado County-Could it be a New State

        An El Dorado county resident has launched a campaign to secede from California and become a new federal state in the USA. The Mayor of Tahoma has recently become aware of this campaign and will now investigate the situation. Apparently, the vocal advocate for this political transformation believes that county residents will benefit in many different ways, not to mention the federal government which could use a couple more US senators.

        Locally, in Tahoma and the southern part of the West Shore of Lake Tahoe, political problems persist because of geography. Looking at the map of the county and the boundary lines that define the space, it becomes obvious that the largest real estate of El Dorado county lies west of the Sierra Crest, the west rim of the Lake Tahoe Basin. This section of the county also house the vast majority of the permanent residents. Somehow, in the distant past, the far east section of the county, which includes Tahoma town and portions of the lake itself, were included in El Dorado county. All's well with the situation until winter arrives. And then the eastern section, including the City of South Lake Tahoe, is cut off from the county seat in Placerville, 50 miles west of Lake Tahoe. Countless administrative issues must be put on hold until Highways 89 and 50 are reopened. Not too long ago, Highway 89 around Emerald BAy was closed by hard barriers for the entire winter, forcing residents to take a 76 mile round-about trip from Tahoma to Placerville to conduct business, whether for permits, legal issues, tax problems, recording of documents, and or health issues.

        On the other hand, those west shore residents located north of Pine St. in Tahoma reside in Placer county. Placer county has had an office in Tahoe City for many years to facilitate the needs of county residents in the eastern section of that county. It is my contention that this move to secede has been caused by this very real problem as it currently exists in El Dorado county.

     The article describing in detail the information on this individual effort by a resident can be found in various media online. A Substack post by a Ms. Sharon  Durst explains some of the reasons for the move and plans going forward. An article in the Sacramento Bee by Michael Mccough also covers the topic.

Russyan Army Recruiting Effort

       Pres. Vladimir Putin hosted the Moscow Economic Meeting this weekend to shed some light on the country's economy. In typical Russyan fashion, the numbers related to the economy were deemed secret, thus being unavailable. Ho-hum. Ol' Vlad(Vova) mentioned the sanctions imposed by the evil "West" but said they were not effective. He mentioned growth that could be above 3.3 % this year, which he claimed was an improvement over last year.

     He lambasted Ukraine Pres. Volodimir Zelensky, and said he was a "bad" Jew, and he would fail to defeat the Russyan army in the field. He aslo restated his belief that certain Ukrainians collaborated with the Nazis during WW II.  This he said was an attempt to destroy Russya, even then.  He also stated that the Russyan Parliament, a collection of bureaucrats who serve only Putin, would be requiring income taxes from those Russyans who have fled the country and continue to work abroad. These individuals will now have to decide where they want to live: in or out.

     Additionally, information has come out that army recruiters are not meeting their quotas. Over 200,000 Russyans have have left the country to avoid conscription. This has also caused certain tech industries jobs to go begging. Unemployment has dropped to 3+%, leaving many many vacancies across the largest country in the world. As the summer offensive continues in Ukraine, more casualties will be counted and more burials will take place in Russya. Mr. Putin doesn't have a lot of time left before resentment bubbles up to the surface. He actually appears to have suffered a health crisis. The facial expressions look as though he could have COPD or worse. At his age, anything could happen over night.

      No representatives of Western nations were invited to the Moskva Conference. Why bother to ask.

S.F. Giants Bring it to LA.

        The rivalry between the north and the south in California is exemplified by the 60+ years of rivalry between to major league baseball teams: the SF Giants and the Los Angeles Dodgers. Both teams have east coast roots in New York City where they were crosstown rivals with strong fans. Over many decades, the teams have enjoyed being the focus fan support and fan enmity. Long time manager, Tommy Lasorda, often made comments that boasted of LA's superiority. LA won many titles including World Series; the Giants generally settled for 2nd place.

      But tonight, it was all SF. While playing at the Dodger home stadium, the Giants were unstoppable tonight. 2Grand Slams punctuated the Giants efforts at the plate. Singles and doubles provided many base runners all night long. A hit here a hit there, then the big punch out of the park. It was the 2nd largest margin of victory by the Giants over the Dodgers at home since 1962. 15-0. 

That's right: 15-0! Coach Gabe Kapler will sleep soundly tonight, and the Giants team will boast of this game for years to come.

    Well done, Boys.

Daniel Ellsberg: R.I.P.

        Daniel Ellsberg, age 92, passed away after a brief illness in his Kensington, CA(near Berkeley,CA) home. He had announced just a few months ago that he was diagnosed with inoperable pancreatic cancer. He was a brilliant student as a young man and went on to receive degrees from Harvard and Cambridge in economics. He served as a US Marine Corps officer in the mid-fifties, and then went on to work as an analyst for the R.A.N.D. Corporation. He then joined certain government officials as an advisor, specifically on nuclear weapons and nuclear war in particular.

      As most middle- aged Americans know, Dr. Ellsberg gained notoriety and fame for his disclosure of secret documents that became known as the "Pentagon Papers". They came from a secret study requested by then Secretary of Defense, Robert McNamara. It exposed the policies pursued by successive presidents that they actually denied to the public and lied about it. When sections were published by the NY Times and the Washington Post, the the anti-war movement seized the opportunity to ramp up protests against America's continued involvement in the Vietnam War. 

    Eventually, Dr. Ellsberg was charged with crimes that could send him to jail for over 100 years. Then Pres. Richard Nixon sought evidence that could discredit DR. Ellsberg. He was tried in federal court, but the judge through the case out after learning of misconduct by the government and its agents, including the F.B.I. He was the author of several books, including a memoir that described his efforts to expose the secret documents through Congress, only to have the papers rejected by members of that body. He made a name for himself, but also for the American people who speak out about government activities.   

Trump: Indicted

       After months of waiting for the indictment of former president DJT, it has finally happened. The sleazy idiot, Imagined Buffoon of Mar-A-Lago, has been indicted on 37 Federal charges related to his hoarding of classified documents at his Florida home, Mar-A-Lago. He will appear in Federal  Court with his lawyers and make a plea, thereby setting in motion a most unusual trial: a former President charged with crimes related to the Espionage Act. The list of crimes is extensive and underscores the length of Trump's actions after he left the White House in January, 2021. While he was still in the White House and a lame duck president, he managed to infuriate the population by attempting a coup on January 6, 2021, when he incited a mob to attack the nation's capitol that resulted in several deaths and injuries to federal officers and Secret Service members protecting VP Michael Pence and legislators as the confirmation of the electoral college vote was underway.

       The media covers much of the collateral puffery surrounding Trump's indictment by noting statements by Trump supporters, indicating blind obeisance to this maniacal character whose personality has infected legions of Americans who have lost their way in modern America for many reasons. Most notable are responses from trump's former Attorney General, who stated that Trump should have been indicted. This from a man who said he would still vote for Trump in the next election. Too bad, Billy Barr, you will always be part of the detritus of the trump years and will go to your grave stained permanently by accepting the role in Trump's administration. Soul selling: so commonplace in Washington, D.C. And the leader of the House, the Speaker, Irish Sandwich Maker, Fresnoid Kevin McCarthy, tweeted that the indictment is a witch hunt. All witches snickered at this statement as neither Trump not McCarthy would have made good witches by any measure. Additionally, many commentators equated this indictment to Hillary Clinton's server issues while Sec. of State. Wrong, she did not attempt to subvert the law(s). Only Stupid did that.

      The coming trial could carry well into the 2024 Presidential election cycle, creating reams of writing concerning many related topics, such as: what if the indicted is elected?; what if he is convicted and wins election? ; what will happen?; lots of questions, no answers.

Have a nice day. 

Ukraine: The Summer Offensive

         It appears from reporting on the battlefield that the long-awaited offensive by Ukranian forces has begun. For months, dispatches from the field indicated that forces were being positioned for an attack on the Russyan invaders soon. Time and again, it appeared that the attack was underway only to be acknowledged as "getting ready" for an attack.

       Then the world was treated to the spectacle of the destruction of a massive dam that flooded down stream areas occupied by Ukrainian forces, Russyan invaders, and local residents. The dam was held by Russyan invaders and was blown open from the "inside". This clearly indicates that the local commander of Russyan forces decided to use the age-old tactic of creating a temporary obstacle to an invader to upset plans and force an opponent to make changes to an attack plan. The Dnipro River itself is a sizeable obstacle, and at flood levels, creates a significant obstacle, especially for armored vehicles and support operations necessary for any advance by attackers.

       As noted in media photos, thousands of civilians were rescued and evacuated from the flood zone. The city of Kherson is in the flood zone, but most of its residents had departed early in the war. Ukraine President Zelensky stated that this war crime should be added to those already assigned to Russyan leader Vladimir Putin. That list continues to grow as his war machine continues to rain rockets and bombs on civilian targets, ie. war crimes.

       The dam created a large lake used  for agricultural purposes and for population support/water supply. This destruction will have far reaching implications beyond Ukraine's borders, including Russyan territory.  The Russyan-installed leaders on the Russyan side of the river will have many more problems to deal with as the Kremlin attempts to solidify its hold on the DonBass region of Ukraine and the Crimean peninsula occupied since 2014 when uniformed green men took over the space. 

       THE CURRENT OFFENSIVE

        The obvious difference in the current offensive is noted in weaponry. Included among Ukrainian units are armored vehicles such as advanced battle tanks and Bradley fighting vehicles which provide serious fire power to attacking forces. Despite the use of aerial drones to observe attackers, the speed of the armored vehicles can overwhelm a defender 's position before stopping the advance.

       Close air support is lacking as an attribute at this time, but that will soon change as Ukrainian pilots train on the F-16 platforms soon to be available. It will be months before this capability will demonstrate the serious response to Russyan attackers.

      The summer of 2023 will be very hot in the northern hemisphere, especially for Russyan troops in Ukraine.

Texas to Put Floats in Rio Grande

        Let's see: Trump built a wall, partially. Didn't work to stop illegal entry in Texas. Now Governor greg Abbott has a new idea: a line of floats 4' tall in the middle of the Rio Grande that will work as a barrier against illegal crossing of the border separating the US and it southern neighbor, Mexico. Are you kidding me? A floating barrier. Hmm. Too much tequila, Greg. How about floating platforms with diving boards, lounge chairs, hot dogs and beer. I'd stop there, too.

     ANd how much crazier can it get down south? Nobody knows, least of all Texans.

Washington, D.C.: Smokeville

    The Mayor was in D.C. this past week, conferring with lobbyists; representatives, and a few consultants. The Mayor also conferred with our Minister of Latin American Affairs, and there was much to talk about regarding Latin America. Where to begin?

      Topic No. 1: China is opening a resort in Cuba for vacationers from Beijing and Shanghai, and maybe Hong Kong or Xiajian. Oh, wait a minute. It's not a resort, but rather a surveillance operation to monitor American communications, or in a word, to hack into American networks much easier than today.

     Topic No.2 : Peru and Ecuador have replaced Venezuela and Colombia as two worrisome nations that have become central players in a quest to see which can kill off more gangsters the fastest. 

     Topic No. 3: Will Argentina go bankrupt before the USA? Hard to say. The FED might not raise interest rates this next time and leave them where they stand. The budget bargaining in Congress seems to have reached a sad state after all. Republicans on the right are in open revolt against the Irish Sandwich maker from Fresno. He doesn't have a lot of support and might just have to cave in and resign, like Old John Boehner. Hmmm. Doesn't look good for Congress or the Repulsicans. And to think of Slick Gavin going on FOX News to "talk" with the Irish huckster "Ol' Sean Hannutty" Oh, my.

     Topic No. 4: Will Lionel Messi buy a home in Florida? Will he vote in Florida? Will he ask for asylum? Will he support Ron DeSanctimonius? Will he support Melania Trump in divorce Court? Hmmm.

     Topic No. 5: How much is China offering Cuba on the land lease to build the resort/ comm center: $25bn?

    More talk necessary.

Washington Monument Before Smoke

     

NBA Finals: Nuggets Go Up

      Well, fans, it seems the Miami Heat has succumbed once again to the Joker. Unable to keep up, the heat has let the series get to the last game without much of a chance of winning a title. The team from the Mile High City has proven again why they are the No.1 seeded unit. They are too tough. Too tough inside the paint; too tough under the basket; too tough on the boards; and too tough from beyond the arc.

      Game 5 should be the fina game of the 2023 season that began many, many months ago, maybe around Thanksgiving,  I can't remember it's been so long ago. The season will end soon enough, and we can move on.

Good luck, Denver.

Unrest at CUNY Law School

       A graduation speech by a foreign student at a law school in New York has stirred up a hornet's nest not only in NYC, but across the state and the nation. Fatima Mousa Mohammed, from Yemen, was chosen by her classmates to deliver the keynote address to her classmates and their families 2 weeks ago. Included in her remarks were statements that reflected her position on Israel, Jews, Americans in general, and of course, the police. 

       Her record and her position on the various topics were well known since she began her studies 3 years ago. Statements she made on her Twitter account solidified her stance as anti-Israeli, pro-Palestinian, and anti-American. Law school administrators supported her speech, at first. They claim that her free speech is to be applauded. However, the Dean has now condemned her effort as "contrary" to free speech and her efforts can definitely be derided as nothing less than "hate speech".

        New York politicians, never shy about confrontation, have spoken out by saying "funding" will now be reduced across the board for an institution than widely promotes hate, confusing it with free speech. If they are promoting this type of rhetoric as 'free speech', our tax-payer funded institution has failed in every way.

      This sad example of a law sshool grad ranks right up there with a home grown grad, Josh Hawley, a US Senator. What are they really teaching in these schools?