North of San Francisco, the Coast Ranges are aligned north-south, rising to a few thousand feet going north until they begin to blend with the southern Cascades. In the Siskiyous, there are peaks above 6000'. Among these rugged hills and mountains are the headwaters of numerous rivers, often wild and undammed. Their lengths are not grand, maybe a hundred miles, more or less. They are fed by winter storms, turning them into raging brown waters, straightening the water courses as they rise, sweeping the redwood victims that line the shores. By summer, these rivers turn into languid remnants of the winter waters. All these rivers provide habitat for fish: salmon, trout, and steelhead. Various seasons host runs of these aquatic migrants. For winter, the steelhead is the number one candidate sought by fishermen. Among the rivers more notable are the Russian in Sonoma county, then the Gualala, the Noyo, the Little river, the Eel, the Van Duzen, the Big river, the Smith, the Mattole, and the Mad river in Arcata.
While in Arcata at Humboldt State, the Mayor met his old friend, Jay, a long time Arcata resident, and the reigning guru of steelhead fishing. He invited the mayor to try his luck on the Mad. We fished 3 days, 3 gorgeous winter days: temps in the 60's, clear skies, and no wind. The fishing had been good over Christmas, as the river flow dropped and the clarity improved day by day. The steelhead were moving in and moving up to the spawning zone near/in the hatchery where most were hatched 3 years ago. These migratory fish went to the sea as juveniles 3 or more years ago, and now were returning to fulfill the life cycle by spawning in their home river.
Using light tackle and roe as bait, we waded into the cold waters to try our luck. Within minutes, Jay had a fish on! After a successful fight, the clean, bright fish was landed. It would be a good day. The fish was logged onto the DFG Report card, as required. By the end of 3 days of effort, we had almost 2 limits in the box. Leaky waders necessitated acquiring replacements which made the wading experience tolerable(water temps below 50 degrees).
It was a great trip; the freezer is full, and the card has some records to begin 2015. It was a rare week on the North Coast, as good weather stayed over Humboldt County for almost 2 weeks and continues. And the rest of the USA: freezing, as far south as Washington,D.C.
Friday, January 9, 2015
Movie Review: Viva La Liberta'
The Mayor viewed a foreign film as it was screened down the hill in the Bay Area. It was an Italian job, focused on a theme that engages an oft felt human fantasy: a twin who leads a completely different life. Have you ever thought about your "twin"?
The director(regista) did a fine job with a tight script, fine cinematography, great editing, and superb acting. The plot revolves around an Italian politician, depressed by recent developments in his left-of-center liberal party. His setbacks have depressed him; he is tired, he wishes to abandon his role in government(a senator). He decides to disappear in plain sight; he seeks refuge with an old girl friend(now married to a famous film director). He tells no one, not even his trusted aide-de-camp. He is due to speak at an important party strategy session concerning the approaching election.
How to do this? Enter the near identical brother, now living in a half way house for mental health patients who are taking appropriate meds. The aide finds him by talking with the senator's wife. The aide is stunned at the identical appearance, the similarities in speech and manner. While having a meal in a restaurant, a news reporter approaches the "twin" and he consents to an interview. He pulls it off with flying colors. Soon, the "twin" is presented as the Senator in his new role.
What follows are delicious scenes that entice the viewers with the audacity of the director to stretch the credibility of the role. We never cross the line of disbelief- the acceptance of fantasy as reality! We 'discover' that in their youth, the brothers had formed a three part relationship with the now married woman with whom he sought refuge. We learn that the Senator's present wife finds the 'twin' more to her liking. And at the end, we find the Senator has returned, but the viewer is left with uncertainty: who is whom?
A fine film in the Italian tradition. With subtitles.
5 *****'s
The director(regista) did a fine job with a tight script, fine cinematography, great editing, and superb acting. The plot revolves around an Italian politician, depressed by recent developments in his left-of-center liberal party. His setbacks have depressed him; he is tired, he wishes to abandon his role in government(a senator). He decides to disappear in plain sight; he seeks refuge with an old girl friend(now married to a famous film director). He tells no one, not even his trusted aide-de-camp. He is due to speak at an important party strategy session concerning the approaching election.
How to do this? Enter the near identical brother, now living in a half way house for mental health patients who are taking appropriate meds. The aide finds him by talking with the senator's wife. The aide is stunned at the identical appearance, the similarities in speech and manner. While having a meal in a restaurant, a news reporter approaches the "twin" and he consents to an interview. He pulls it off with flying colors. Soon, the "twin" is presented as the Senator in his new role.
What follows are delicious scenes that entice the viewers with the audacity of the director to stretch the credibility of the role. We never cross the line of disbelief- the acceptance of fantasy as reality! We 'discover' that in their youth, the brothers had formed a three part relationship with the now married woman with whom he sought refuge. We learn that the Senator's present wife finds the 'twin' more to her liking. And at the end, we find the Senator has returned, but the viewer is left with uncertainty: who is whom?
A fine film in the Italian tradition. With subtitles.
5 *****'s
Thursday, January 8, 2015
Yeti Country: January
The Mayor drove to the North Coast on the last weekend to attend a civic conference at Humboldt State. U. Driving on Highway 101 used to be treacherous back in the day: rivers flooded, highways blocked, washouts, fallen redwood giants, etc. Not now, it is a modern road all the way to Eureka. Driving north is a geographer's treat: the landscape changes are amazing as one leaves civilization behind. Northern California has as little population as the Southern California deserts. Wide open forested wild country, loaded with wild life. The ability to make a living or lack there of has sent generations south to the big city with jobs for those looking for work. Small towns are gone, closed down. Big towns are hanging on, thanks to: marijuana growers and their crop. It's big business, especially now as modern America moves toward full legalization(Come on, Obama!). Nightly news casts point to Colorado and how they are moving into commercial operations and distribution.
Anyway, marijuana has been big in the woods for decades. A cash economy, not really underground, but always outside federal law.
Humboldt State has grown over the last 50 years from 1500 students to over 8000 undergrads now. The campus has modernized and looks great. Students are on semester break still, so the campus was generally quiet- plenty of parking available, but obviously tight when students are there. While the rest of the USA is in the grip of a freezing Arctic air mass, Humboldt and Del Norte counties are basking in summer weather: high 60's during the day. It hit 70 in Garberville yesterday afternoon!
More later
Anyway, marijuana has been big in the woods for decades. A cash economy, not really underground, but always outside federal law.
Humboldt State has grown over the last 50 years from 1500 students to over 8000 undergrads now. The campus has modernized and looks great. Students are on semester break still, so the campus was generally quiet- plenty of parking available, but obviously tight when students are there. While the rest of the USA is in the grip of a freezing Arctic air mass, Humboldt and Del Norte counties are basking in summer weather: high 60's during the day. It hit 70 in Garberville yesterday afternoon!
More later
Saturday, January 3, 2015
Cal Fire: Or How to Damage the Reputation of All Firefighters
Following the lead of their law enforcement brothers, Cal Fire has taken the path of asset seizure to fatten up its bottom line. How is this accomplished if Cal Fire does not get involved in drug raids and marijuana busts? Lets take a look at a recent case involving some shady Sacramento tactics.
A few years ago, a forest fire(called the Moonlight Fire) in California's foothills burned through 65,000 acres of brush and timber. Cal Fire responded and controlled and extinguished the blaze. Investigators later assigned blame to the company Sierra Pacific, who, they claimed, started the blaze by having a company bulldozer hit a rock causing a spark which led to the conflagration. The dozer operator, Cal Fire claimed, admitted as much during the investigation.
The resulting legal complaints against Sierra Pacific and nearby landowners asked for $1 billion in federal court. Not wishing an open ended court fight, Sierra Pacific settled the suit for $55 million and deeded 22,500 cares of their private property to the U.S. government.
But the state case continued and revealed a tapestry of fraud and corruption that company lawyers are seeking legal redress by having the federal settlement overturned. Apparently, during the investigation, evidence uncovered was hidden from defendants or worse, altered. Robert Wright, a leading investigative fire authority, discovered that prosecutors withheld material information, including a change in the fire's stated point of origin!!!!!!!!!!
However, Mr. Wright's boss, civil chief Robert Shelledy, removed Mr. Wright from the Moonlight Fire team. In 2011, a second prosecutor, Eric Overby, joined the case. He then promptly removed himself after discovering what he called "prosecutorial ABUSE". He told defense counsel that in' my entire career' , he had never seen anything like this. Never.
In February, 2014, State judge Leslie Nichols assailed the federal and state government for abuses of discovery so " reprehensible" and "egregious" that they threaten the integrity of the judicial process. He threw out the case and awarded Sierra Pacific $30 million in sanctions against Cal Fire.
A new judge, William Shubb, will hear the next phase of the case against Cal Fire.
One wonders if newly re-elected Gov. Jerry Brown will clean up this pile of dog poop in Sacramento. Maybe one party politics isn't as good as it appears. Maybe Jerry "The Jesuit" Brown will have some moral backbone and fire a few miscreants. Maybe not.
A few years ago, a forest fire(called the Moonlight Fire) in California's foothills burned through 65,000 acres of brush and timber. Cal Fire responded and controlled and extinguished the blaze. Investigators later assigned blame to the company Sierra Pacific, who, they claimed, started the blaze by having a company bulldozer hit a rock causing a spark which led to the conflagration. The dozer operator, Cal Fire claimed, admitted as much during the investigation.
The resulting legal complaints against Sierra Pacific and nearby landowners asked for $1 billion in federal court. Not wishing an open ended court fight, Sierra Pacific settled the suit for $55 million and deeded 22,500 cares of their private property to the U.S. government.
But the state case continued and revealed a tapestry of fraud and corruption that company lawyers are seeking legal redress by having the federal settlement overturned. Apparently, during the investigation, evidence uncovered was hidden from defendants or worse, altered. Robert Wright, a leading investigative fire authority, discovered that prosecutors withheld material information, including a change in the fire's stated point of origin!!!!!!!!!!
However, Mr. Wright's boss, civil chief Robert Shelledy, removed Mr. Wright from the Moonlight Fire team. In 2011, a second prosecutor, Eric Overby, joined the case. He then promptly removed himself after discovering what he called "prosecutorial ABUSE". He told defense counsel that in' my entire career' , he had never seen anything like this. Never.
In February, 2014, State judge Leslie Nichols assailed the federal and state government for abuses of discovery so " reprehensible" and "egregious" that they threaten the integrity of the judicial process. He threw out the case and awarded Sierra Pacific $30 million in sanctions against Cal Fire.
A new judge, William Shubb, will hear the next phase of the case against Cal Fire.
One wonders if newly re-elected Gov. Jerry Brown will clean up this pile of dog poop in Sacramento. Maybe one party politics isn't as good as it appears. Maybe Jerry "The Jesuit" Brown will have some moral backbone and fire a few miscreants. Maybe not.
Argentina and Russya: Partners?
Mad Vlad sure gets around. Perhaps he had some inside information(of course he does-he's KGB/FSB) when he visited Argentina's president, Christina Kirchner last July to close a 'Food-for-Arms' deal. Mad Vlad realized that sanctions by the USA after his Crimean takeover would slow the import of basic foodstuffs, creating anxiety among Russyans who like to eat. With Argentina's well known economic difficulties, it seemed to Mad Vlad Ms. Kirchner would be amenable to a trade deal. Sure enough, Mad Vlad was able to strike a nice bargain: I give you advanced fighter bombers(only slightly used, but includes spare parts and owners' manual) and you give us beef carcasses and wheat, and soybeans. Is now happy in Moscova, smiling Kremlinites.
The back story includes the fact that the Brits have discovered significant oil deposits in the region around their Falkland Islands, off the east coast of Argentina. Given the lack of defenses there today, this new offensive(offensive) capability may put the garrison of 1200 British soldiers at risk. It's been a generation since the Falklands War when PM Maggie Thatcher dispatched a task force to defend the islands from an Argentine invasion. But that doesn't mean the Brits are ready to concede their territory. Yes, the new British aircraft carrier is still on the ways, but the British navy still has assets while Argentina has little in the way of modern capability.
The OAS would hardly support a aggressive posture by Argentina and would have to sanction the country in the event of a military move. The UN might even wake up.
I wonder how much beef Mad Vlad received for the 4 jets? 10 filet mignons?
The back story includes the fact that the Brits have discovered significant oil deposits in the region around their Falkland Islands, off the east coast of Argentina. Given the lack of defenses there today, this new offensive(offensive) capability may put the garrison of 1200 British soldiers at risk. It's been a generation since the Falklands War when PM Maggie Thatcher dispatched a task force to defend the islands from an Argentine invasion. But that doesn't mean the Brits are ready to concede their territory. Yes, the new British aircraft carrier is still on the ways, but the British navy still has assets while Argentina has little in the way of modern capability.
The OAS would hardly support a aggressive posture by Argentina and would have to sanction the country in the event of a military move. The UN might even wake up.
I wonder how much beef Mad Vlad received for the 4 jets? 10 filet mignons?
Friday, January 2, 2015
Movie Review: The Theory of Everything
Seems like December is the month when studios, independent producers, and hopeful Hollywood investors release their last best hopes for the year-2014 to be exact. So, let's get to the movies again this week. This one is a British film about a living Brit, a famous one at that. But it's more than just a life story; it's based on a memoir written by his first wife, the mother of his 3 children.
Stephen Hawking, physicist, cosmologist, thinker, writer, author of great works and ideas. Here's a man afflicted with ALS from his early adulthood, his university days at Cambridge. He is depicted as an up and coming scientist, a man with new ideas about the cosmos and time. But it is less about physics than it is about a steadfast spouse who manages her disabled husband, her 3 children, and her own career as a university professor.
The film follows their lives, how his condition deteriorates and how they cope together. It works until it doesn't when in his later years he becomes enamored with a nurse enlisted to help him adapt to new technology that will improve his daily life and research.
In time his fame brings him to worldwide attention until he is brought to Buckingham Palace to be feted by Queen Elizabeth II.
They ultimately divorced and remarried other partners. Both are living prosperous lives, enjoying their children and grand children. Hawking, author of A Brief History of Time, still writes and publishes on science and cosmology.
The film is well worth the time invested. The cinematography and editing is excellent. The location shots are staged for optimal effect.
Five *****
Stephen Hawking, physicist, cosmologist, thinker, writer, author of great works and ideas. Here's a man afflicted with ALS from his early adulthood, his university days at Cambridge. He is depicted as an up and coming scientist, a man with new ideas about the cosmos and time. But it is less about physics than it is about a steadfast spouse who manages her disabled husband, her 3 children, and her own career as a university professor.
The film follows their lives, how his condition deteriorates and how they cope together. It works until it doesn't when in his later years he becomes enamored with a nurse enlisted to help him adapt to new technology that will improve his daily life and research.
In time his fame brings him to worldwide attention until he is brought to Buckingham Palace to be feted by Queen Elizabeth II.
They ultimately divorced and remarried other partners. Both are living prosperous lives, enjoying their children and grand children. Hawking, author of A Brief History of Time, still writes and publishes on science and cosmology.
The film is well worth the time invested. The cinematography and editing is excellent. The location shots are staged for optimal effect.
Five *****
Thursday, January 1, 2015
Coast Guard Called to Lake Grounding on New Years Eve
Well, Captain, what now? That must have been the question put to the Captain of the Tahoe Queen cruise boat after she ran aground off shore near the dock at South Lake Tahoe. This happened before earlier in 2014 as the lake level dropped due to the drought. In that incident, the passengers had to wait for assistance from shore in the form of a flotilla of small craft to board stranded tourists.
Last night, the boat had a crowd of party goers who wanted to ring in the new year in style. The weather cooperated: clear, no wind, and calm waters. However, night time temperatures were expected to dip to near zero. With the dock in sight, the boat went hard aground. Hmmmm? Haven't we been here before?
Assistance was forthcoming, and passengers were taken to the dock without a problem. Timing could have been better, but it added a little something extra to the first day of 2015.
I hope the guests received a full refund. I'll call the agent in the morning.
Nice to see Ohio State knock off No. 1 Alabama tonight in New Orleans. It was a good game right down to the last seconds. The championship game will be on January 12: Ohio vs. Oregon. It will be a good one.
Last night, the boat had a crowd of party goers who wanted to ring in the new year in style. The weather cooperated: clear, no wind, and calm waters. However, night time temperatures were expected to dip to near zero. With the dock in sight, the boat went hard aground. Hmmmm? Haven't we been here before?
Assistance was forthcoming, and passengers were taken to the dock without a problem. Timing could have been better, but it added a little something extra to the first day of 2015.
I hope the guests received a full refund. I'll call the agent in the morning.
Nice to see Ohio State knock off No. 1 Alabama tonight in New Orleans. It was a good game right down to the last seconds. The championship game will be on January 12: Ohio vs. Oregon. It will be a good one.
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