The Board of Directors has approved a new budget for 2011/2012. needless to say, there has been an increase in expenditures across the board. Details will soon be posted.
One has to ask the question: Should the chief of a small, seasonal fire district make as much per year as a senior pilot for a major American airline?
Monday, December 12, 2011
minister of aviation and aerospace
Our aviation guru, the Minister of Aviation, touched down in the Bay Area over the weekend to deliver a report on current matters related to his specialty. Transportation was an issue this trip as his main vehicle was having engine issues and had to be de;ivered to the auto maintenance shop.
But, this did not alter the basic plan to explore the delights of the Valley of the Moon(on the weekend of the lunar eclipse,to boot). The Mayor had promised the Minister and his aide-de-camp a tasting trip into the northern reaches of Sonoma Valley.
In obvious distress with some lower back pain, the Mayor prescribed a double dose of Aleve(the miracle drug) and it worked like magic. Shortly thereafter, an afternoon was spent in the wine country, specifically B.R. Cohn Winery and Olive Press. The Pinot was wonderful and the Syrzin exceptional. Lunch was taken in Glen Ellen at the Fig Cafe, a fine, local establishment on many lists of good eats in Sonoma.
The Aviation maestro has plans to head north today, to Oregon, to inspect some agricultural aspects of the Ashland area and how the general aviation business can adapt to local business interests and needs. A report will be filed upon his return.
But, this did not alter the basic plan to explore the delights of the Valley of the Moon(on the weekend of the lunar eclipse,to boot). The Mayor had promised the Minister and his aide-de-camp a tasting trip into the northern reaches of Sonoma Valley.
In obvious distress with some lower back pain, the Mayor prescribed a double dose of Aleve(the miracle drug) and it worked like magic. Shortly thereafter, an afternoon was spent in the wine country, specifically B.R. Cohn Winery and Olive Press. The Pinot was wonderful and the Syrzin exceptional. Lunch was taken in Glen Ellen at the Fig Cafe, a fine, local establishment on many lists of good eats in Sonoma.
The Aviation maestro has plans to head north today, to Oregon, to inspect some agricultural aspects of the Ashland area and how the general aviation business can adapt to local business interests and needs. A report will be filed upon his return.
Minister of Latin American Affairs
Our globetrotting minister, Mr. B., will return to California on Wednesday, to confer with the Mayor on the State of Affairs south of the border. He will deliver his report on the Bogata Conference and its outcomes, and outline new agendae for 2012, which will include some details of his promotion w/i the OAS.
We look forward to his report.
We look forward to his report.
Front Page Snow Report
Ski fans ans other snow junkies, the news coverage of conditions has begun in earnest. Sunday's Chronicle had a lead story pointing out the lack of the white stuff inside the basin. Unlike last season(remember then?), not much snow has fallen to date this season. Remarks by those persons interviewed definitely point out year-to-year differences as normal, that is, seasonal weather does not follow a straight line continuum: it varies, and we data collectors like to point out variations as newsworthy items to SELL newspapers.
So, until the heavy storms begin, look for more articles with the lament of no new snow.
So, until the heavy storms begin, look for more articles with the lament of no new snow.
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Kubota World
The Japanese are amazing and they make amazing machines. The Mayor and his deputies have known this fact for years. Ever since a Sony transistor radio was gifted to the young mayor by his father(sometime in the 50's), this was understood. This was followed by a Kenwood stereo receiver-state of the art for music reproduction, a treat for the audiophile. Then the assorted Japanese cars that showed up: Toyotas, Hondas, Lexus, etc.
Out in the rice paddies of Honshu, Kyushu, ans Shikoku, farmers were converting from oxen to motorized equipment powered by Japanese made motors of exceptional longevity, reliability, efficiency, affordable cost. The Yanmar motor became widely recognized as best in class. This was punctuated by the John Deere Tractor Corp. of America, when in the 70's, they opted to install Yanmar motors in their line of compact tractors to compete with Ford/New Holland, International, and all the rest. And then there is Kubota.
That bright orange signature color has become commonplace on the landscape, showing up in all the usual places: farms, ranches, orchards, vineyards, stables, feed lots, golf courses, city parks, and construction sights. The Kubota line, from compact to massive, has been able to compete with the big boys now for years. So, it was not surprising that the Minister of Agriculture submitted a request for a piece of machinery that would expand the stable of rollingstock : a fine Kubota L2600DT. A great tool to complete jobs often requiring significant man hours. NOw, the job can be done in shorter time and with far fewer man hours invested. This equals savings in dollars!
A view to the website of Kubota will tell you all you need to know. Have fun.
Out in the rice paddies of Honshu, Kyushu, ans Shikoku, farmers were converting from oxen to motorized equipment powered by Japanese made motors of exceptional longevity, reliability, efficiency, affordable cost. The Yanmar motor became widely recognized as best in class. This was punctuated by the John Deere Tractor Corp. of America, when in the 70's, they opted to install Yanmar motors in their line of compact tractors to compete with Ford/New Holland, International, and all the rest. And then there is Kubota.
That bright orange signature color has become commonplace on the landscape, showing up in all the usual places: farms, ranches, orchards, vineyards, stables, feed lots, golf courses, city parks, and construction sights. The Kubota line, from compact to massive, has been able to compete with the big boys now for years. So, it was not surprising that the Minister of Agriculture submitted a request for a piece of machinery that would expand the stable of rollingstock : a fine Kubota L2600DT. A great tool to complete jobs often requiring significant man hours. NOw, the job can be done in shorter time and with far fewer man hours invested. This equals savings in dollars!
A view to the website of Kubota will tell you all you need to know. Have fun.
Saturday, December 3, 2011
Windy California
Santa Anna winds, those hot, dry, winds from the interior basin and range part of the west, have returned to the west coast. Damage has occurred, mostly in Southern California, and in a few other spots in the coast ranges. PG&E and SC Edison are doing their best(?) to restore power to many affected communities. El Dorado county has apparently been spared.
Snow? When? Maybe? Weather forecasts do not include any storms with potential snow. Temps near the coast set records Friday with highs in the 70's. Oh, well, it's not a perfect world.
Keep the faith. Christmas is still 3 weeks away. Put up some lights, do the tree, help the economy and your neighbor.
San Francisco
The first weekend of December was perfect in S.F. in may ways: the Bay way flat with breezes, ideal for a sailboat race in full swing, spinnakers aloft with an east wind, no less. There wasn't a cloud in the sky. The Legion Of Honor Museum of SF is hosting an exhibition of Impressionist painter Camille Pissarro- great show. As a bonus, some French funerary carvings are also on exhibit-magnificent work of Carthusian monks. The show was well attended and continues until 2012.
Resorts at tahoe
Seems like most resorts will open next weekend-depending. Without a good dumping, not much will happen other than the man made stuff for limited skiing.
Keep your fingers crossed.
Snow? When? Maybe? Weather forecasts do not include any storms with potential snow. Temps near the coast set records Friday with highs in the 70's. Oh, well, it's not a perfect world.
Keep the faith. Christmas is still 3 weeks away. Put up some lights, do the tree, help the economy and your neighbor.
San Francisco
The first weekend of December was perfect in S.F. in may ways: the Bay way flat with breezes, ideal for a sailboat race in full swing, spinnakers aloft with an east wind, no less. There wasn't a cloud in the sky. The Legion Of Honor Museum of SF is hosting an exhibition of Impressionist painter Camille Pissarro- great show. As a bonus, some French funerary carvings are also on exhibit-magnificent work of Carthusian monks. The show was well attended and continues until 2012.
Resorts at tahoe
Seems like most resorts will open next weekend-depending. Without a good dumping, not much will happen other than the man made stuff for limited skiing.
Keep your fingers crossed.
Monday, November 28, 2011
Minister of Latin American Affairs
After lengthy meetings in Washington,DC, the Mayor sent the Minister of LAA to Bogota, Colombia for a very important conference. The OAS is conducting this 3 day event at offices in the capitol city to facilitate discussions concerning the ongoing crisis in European financial markets and its effects on the export/import trade in South America.
The Minister, getting more comfortable by the day, is confident that the talks will provide strategies for member states to confront reduced exports to the European Union countries, primarily Spain, Portugal, Italy, and France. While Germany still has a growing economy, its growth rate is slowing. The minister will report back to the mayor the results of the conference that ends on Wednesday of this week.
Black Friday
Results are in and Friday retail sales were well ahead of last years. Now this could be the result of certain promotional items placed to bring in shoppers, but end of season figures can only be guessed at this time.
Homewood resort Meeting
A community meeting was held recently and the main topic was the resort plans for the Homewood Ski Resort. In a nut shell, the owners said if it does not go forward, Homewood Ski Resort will be closed, thereby sealing the end of West Shore ski business and create insurmountable economic problems for the entire West Shore. Summer season alone cannot keep small businesses in a year around operation.
Cutrite Equipment Closure
The Mayor interviewed the owner(s) of Cutrite and was informed that they,too, were victims of legal attacks by roving plaintiffs and their lawyers. What has become a nightmare for small businesses in Caifornia has shown up again: a location that does not meet ADA Standards (Federal) in California is liable for fines AND DAMAGES! Hence, without sufficient capital or business opportunity, a small business has little choice but to shut down immediately and /or do the code compliance work-then go out of business, as Cutrite did.
It is a sad commentary on the ANTI-business stance of the State of California, and a sad commentary on the legal climate here in Tahoe.
Signs at the Tahoe House Bakery indicate they will make the necessary upgrades to comply to keep their business open. We hope that they will be able to stay open.
Was the lawyer's name Azevedo? Nobody knows at this point, but a lawyer by that name just filed a notice in the local paper.
Bear Hunt
The State of Nevada announced a bear hunt,statewide, to allow culling of an over population of bruins in their state. No bears have been taken yet inside the basin, but, only time will tell. It seems that there are few places a hunter could line up a safe shot anywhere near the Lake.
Indian Summer,again.
Resorts are open, at least a few. Many reporting a few runs, but nothing complete yet. With only 2" last week, before Thanksgiving, it appears certain that resorts around the Lake will have to wait until the first big storm of the season, probably December, first week.
Gasoline Prices Plummet
Yes, prices are down, even in Northern California. In the Bay Area, prices reached $3.50/gal. this weekend, the holiday weekend. Prices in L.A. were higher @ $3.76/gal. Go figure.
Real Estate Sales
Low interest rates(under 4%/annum) have brought a few more deals together here on the West Shore. While closings may still be off in the future, a number of sold signs have appeared. Commercial real estate, on the other hand, appear to be stagnant, especially here in Tahoma/Homewood/MeeksBay.
Cord wood
So, that's the latest on the local scene. Remember: buying a cord of wood-a cord equals 4'X4'X8'. It's not a nominal measure but a TRUE measure. Almond and Oak from the Central Valley is notoriously cut short. Our advice: measure once, measure twice, and measure after stacked at the destination. 128 cubic feet = 1 cord, tightly packed. as example. If your stacked "cord" is 3'6"x3'6"x7'6"; you've been shorted almost 24 cu. feet! or roughly 20% or put another way you've PAID an additional $75.-$85/cord! So, measure, every time.
The Minister, getting more comfortable by the day, is confident that the talks will provide strategies for member states to confront reduced exports to the European Union countries, primarily Spain, Portugal, Italy, and France. While Germany still has a growing economy, its growth rate is slowing. The minister will report back to the mayor the results of the conference that ends on Wednesday of this week.
Black Friday
Results are in and Friday retail sales were well ahead of last years. Now this could be the result of certain promotional items placed to bring in shoppers, but end of season figures can only be guessed at this time.
Homewood resort Meeting
A community meeting was held recently and the main topic was the resort plans for the Homewood Ski Resort. In a nut shell, the owners said if it does not go forward, Homewood Ski Resort will be closed, thereby sealing the end of West Shore ski business and create insurmountable economic problems for the entire West Shore. Summer season alone cannot keep small businesses in a year around operation.
Cutrite Equipment Closure
The Mayor interviewed the owner(s) of Cutrite and was informed that they,too, were victims of legal attacks by roving plaintiffs and their lawyers. What has become a nightmare for small businesses in Caifornia has shown up again: a location that does not meet ADA Standards (Federal) in California is liable for fines AND DAMAGES! Hence, without sufficient capital or business opportunity, a small business has little choice but to shut down immediately and /or do the code compliance work-then go out of business, as Cutrite did.
It is a sad commentary on the ANTI-business stance of the State of California, and a sad commentary on the legal climate here in Tahoe.
Signs at the Tahoe House Bakery indicate they will make the necessary upgrades to comply to keep their business open. We hope that they will be able to stay open.
Was the lawyer's name Azevedo? Nobody knows at this point, but a lawyer by that name just filed a notice in the local paper.
Bear Hunt
The State of Nevada announced a bear hunt,statewide, to allow culling of an over population of bruins in their state. No bears have been taken yet inside the basin, but, only time will tell. It seems that there are few places a hunter could line up a safe shot anywhere near the Lake.
Indian Summer,again.
Resorts are open, at least a few. Many reporting a few runs, but nothing complete yet. With only 2" last week, before Thanksgiving, it appears certain that resorts around the Lake will have to wait until the first big storm of the season, probably December, first week.
Gasoline Prices Plummet
Yes, prices are down, even in Northern California. In the Bay Area, prices reached $3.50/gal. this weekend, the holiday weekend. Prices in L.A. were higher @ $3.76/gal. Go figure.
Real Estate Sales
Low interest rates(under 4%/annum) have brought a few more deals together here on the West Shore. While closings may still be off in the future, a number of sold signs have appeared. Commercial real estate, on the other hand, appear to be stagnant, especially here in Tahoma/Homewood/MeeksBay.
Cord wood
So, that's the latest on the local scene. Remember: buying a cord of wood-a cord equals 4'X4'X8'. It's not a nominal measure but a TRUE measure. Almond and Oak from the Central Valley is notoriously cut short. Our advice: measure once, measure twice, and measure after stacked at the destination. 128 cubic feet = 1 cord, tightly packed. as example. If your stacked "cord" is 3'6"x3'6"x7'6"; you've been shorted almost 24 cu. feet! or roughly 20% or put another way you've PAID an additional $75.-$85/cord! So, measure, every time.
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