It's Super Bowl Weekend and New Orleans is in the spotlight. Just recently, NOLA made the papers when former mayor, Ray Nagin was indicted by the Feds for several counts of accepting bribes from local contractors doing business with the city. But now, it's all about the Harbaugh brothers, Jim and John, coaches of the Baltimore Ravens and the San Francisco 49ers.
New Orleans knows how to party and this is no exception. As the focus of a major slice of the population, NOLA will put her best foot forward. The weather appears to be cooperating and the fans have descended en masse on the French Quarter and just about every other quarter of the city.
Don't try to eat anywhere without a reservation, and even then, expect to wait. Of course, locals know that Mardi Gras is just around the corner, so crewes and krewes are in earnest preparation for that run also. Not that this puts any strain on the locals, they're used to it.
It's New Orleans!
Thursday, January 31, 2013
Saturday, January 26, 2013
CalFire makes news, again
Continuing the state's firefighting effort, the WSJ posts a well documented story about CalFire and its use of "special funding for its efforts. Apparently, in the course of chasing down funds, CalFire has gone after private companies for recovery of costs relating to firefighting activities. Sierra Pacific is named in particular after they settled a suit, paying $55 millions to settle.
But the primary concern is a privately managed fund with 2-3millions involved, that does not appear to be identified in CalFire audits. The management company, run by the California District Attorney's Assoc., has dissolved the agreement with CalFire to manage the account, called WiFiter.
Deputy State CalFire director, Ms. Janet Upton, said CalFire was in the process of transfering the funds to the state general fund.
There is the possibility that these activities have run afoul of state law, which prohibits establishing accounts without the knowledge of the Finance Dept. which did not know of the WiFiter account.
CalFire is the same branch of state government that recently sent bills for fire protection services to over 100,000 property owners throughout rural California, pulling in $82 millions!!!!!!
Yes, $82 MILLIONS. And then officials were shocked that unemployment jumped in these statewide areas.
But the primary concern is a privately managed fund with 2-3millions involved, that does not appear to be identified in CalFire audits. The management company, run by the California District Attorney's Assoc., has dissolved the agreement with CalFire to manage the account, called WiFiter.
Deputy State CalFire director, Ms. Janet Upton, said CalFire was in the process of transfering the funds to the state general fund.
There is the possibility that these activities have run afoul of state law, which prohibits establishing accounts without the knowledge of the Finance Dept. which did not know of the WiFiter account.
CalFire is the same branch of state government that recently sent bills for fire protection services to over 100,000 property owners throughout rural California, pulling in $82 millions!!!!!!
Yes, $82 MILLIONS. And then officials were shocked that unemployment jumped in these statewide areas.
Amelia Earhart and the Electra
The Mayor visited Gnoss Field in Novato yesterday on business for the Minister of Aviation. While walking about the airport, the Mayor noticed a vintage, twin engine, tail dragger with an unusual design: it lacked the customary single rudder assembly. The highly polished aluminum body sparkled in the bright afternoon sunlight. The plane was tied down, parked facing west, looking very distinguished.
A gentleman began taking closeup photos of the aircraft, and upon questioning he explained: this famous aircraft had been flown at one time by Amelia Earhart, the famous American aviator, lost at sea on an around the world flight before World War II. After walking up close and peering into the side windows, it was apparent that the plane was in beautiful shape. The man informed the Mayor that the plane was recently sold on ebay for $1.2 million to the Boeing Company for their museum in Seattle!
What a treat to be able to see this amazing relic, parked on this small air facility in Northern California before she arrives at her museum location. This aircraft was in private hands and fully restored by a local mechanic. It had been used in several films, including a recent film,"Amelia", about the career and disappearance of Amelia Earhart.
The aircraft has 2 -450hp Pratt & Whitney radial engines; ser.#1015; wing #NC14900.
A gentleman began taking closeup photos of the aircraft, and upon questioning he explained: this famous aircraft had been flown at one time by Amelia Earhart, the famous American aviator, lost at sea on an around the world flight before World War II. After walking up close and peering into the side windows, it was apparent that the plane was in beautiful shape. The man informed the Mayor that the plane was recently sold on ebay for $1.2 million to the Boeing Company for their museum in Seattle!
What a treat to be able to see this amazing relic, parked on this small air facility in Northern California before she arrives at her museum location. This aircraft was in private hands and fully restored by a local mechanic. It had been used in several films, including a recent film,"Amelia", about the career and disappearance of Amelia Earhart.
The aircraft has 2 -450hp Pratt & Whitney radial engines; ser.#1015; wing #NC14900.
Real Estate at the Lake
Friday's Wall St. Journal featured an article that included a great photo of the lake from the lakeshore near Incline Village on the Nevada side. It was used to bolster the article on prices around the lake, that have apparently started to stabilize. One property, selling for $25.5millions, is supposed to be illustrative of an improving market.
Well, the photo is nice, but it hardly reflects current market reality. High end sales rarely affect the over market. But, again, the photo is well done and the mayor can almost see Tahoma, off in the distance, across the lake.
Well, the photo is nice, but it hardly reflects current market reality. High end sales rarely affect the over market. But, again, the photo is well done and the mayor can almost see Tahoma, off in the distance, across the lake.
Channel Islands National Park HQ
The Mayor finally had the opportunity to stop over at the Channel Islands Park visitor center located at the harbor in Oxnard, Ca. After a winding, somewhat disjointed path, we arrived at the facility perched at the end of the harbor breakwater entrance. Constructed of wood siding, the low profile structure makes an impressive statement among the masts and pier-head gates that surround its location.
The atrium at the entrance features table top relief maps of all the islands, including Santa Barbara. Santa Rosa, Santa Cruz, San Miguel, and Anacapa are laid out so the viewer gets a bird's eye perspective of each. For the first time I was able to appreciate the layout and relation of each to the other. Who knew that Santa Cruz is cleaved almost in half by a major fault line running the entire interior length? But there it is, in bold relief.
The on duty ranger suggested we watch the 20 minute film getting ready to be shown in the theater. This film is a well done, professional glimpse of life on the islands, including the submarine near shore environment that that is home to a vast collection of marine life, including one of the largest kelp forests on the planet.
There is an aquarium available for a close up look at the marine environment located adjacent to the atrium. An information desk completes the building, including a small bookstore.
The atrium at the entrance features table top relief maps of all the islands, including Santa Barbara. Santa Rosa, Santa Cruz, San Miguel, and Anacapa are laid out so the viewer gets a bird's eye perspective of each. For the first time I was able to appreciate the layout and relation of each to the other. Who knew that Santa Cruz is cleaved almost in half by a major fault line running the entire interior length? But there it is, in bold relief.
The on duty ranger suggested we watch the 20 minute film getting ready to be shown in the theater. This film is a well done, professional glimpse of life on the islands, including the submarine near shore environment that that is home to a vast collection of marine life, including one of the largest kelp forests on the planet.
There is an aquarium available for a close up look at the marine environment located adjacent to the atrium. An information desk completes the building, including a small bookstore.
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Zamperini Field, Torrance,CA
While visiting the Minister of Industrial Production and his partner, the Minister of Metallurgy, we had occasion to visit the aviation site of the city of Torrance: Zamperini Field. This general aviation field, formerly known as Lomita Field, was dedicated to native son, Louis Zamperini, in 1946, after he returned from the Pacific and Japan, where he spent almost 2 years as a prisoner of war after being captured in the South Pacific in 1943.
Louis Zamperini will now occupy his own place in American history as the subject of one of the most read biographies of all time:"Unbroken", written by Laura Hillebrand. His story often reads like a novel; how could any human survive his ordeal(s)? Each episode of those several years of his youth reads like a long, harrowing nightmare. His near death experience(s) expose the random chances of surviving under extreme conditions again and again.
Also found at the airport is the Western Air Museum, a facility operated privately that reflects the local aviation industry that thrived in southern California before and after WWII and including today's Robinson Helicopter center located next to the museum.
Many examples of aviation artifacts are on site, including a F-5, single seat, twin engine jet fighter; a Stearman biplane once owned by Steve McQueen; and a T-6 prop plane used for years as a primary trainer. It is painted with Navy colors and is flyable.
The main terminal holds a number of historical photos and a large scale model of a twin fuselage P-38 fighter from WWII.
Well worth a stop when near LAX or Torrance, California. Incidentally, Universal Studios has produced the movie of Unbroken, with Angelina Jolie as director/producer. Release date unknown at this time.
Louis Zamperini will now occupy his own place in American history as the subject of one of the most read biographies of all time:"Unbroken", written by Laura Hillebrand. His story often reads like a novel; how could any human survive his ordeal(s)? Each episode of those several years of his youth reads like a long, harrowing nightmare. His near death experience(s) expose the random chances of surviving under extreme conditions again and again.
Also found at the airport is the Western Air Museum, a facility operated privately that reflects the local aviation industry that thrived in southern California before and after WWII and including today's Robinson Helicopter center located next to the museum.
Many examples of aviation artifacts are on site, including a F-5, single seat, twin engine jet fighter; a Stearman biplane once owned by Steve McQueen; and a T-6 prop plane used for years as a primary trainer. It is painted with Navy colors and is flyable.
The main terminal holds a number of historical photos and a large scale model of a twin fuselage P-38 fighter from WWII.
Well worth a stop when near LAX or Torrance, California. Incidentally, Universal Studios has produced the movie of Unbroken, with Angelina Jolie as director/producer. Release date unknown at this time.
LACMA in SoCal; a visit
While on a southern California trip, the Mayor and the Deputy Mayor decided to visit LACMA to view a traveling exhibition of Renaissance Master works, Caravaggio in particular. Although the actual number of his works totaled only 8, they were accompanied by triple the number of pieces either inspired by Caravaggio or painted in his style years later.
It was very well done in layout, description, and composition. Caravaggio, aka Michelangelo Merisi, from the town of Caravaggio, initiated a new style that was immediately embraced. Despite his short life and limited production his influence was startling, especially given the competition for patrons and their commissions.
Caravaggio was not the most serene personality, and on more than one occasion, had to flee his location to avoid arrest and likely incarceration. His volatile temper and determined nature often led to brawls and assaults. This interrupted his schedule for completion of commissions and sullied his reputation. He was known to be difficult!
Despite his personal life problems, he was able to paint with genius and lasting effect. His admirers through the centuries have contributed to his place among the great masters, and museums worldwide seek his work for their collections.
The LACMA
The LA county museum is an example of post modern architecture, complete with soaring glass-enclosed spaces, open atrium space(s), suitable landscaping; user-friendly accommodations; on sight parking(underground); and the usual bookstore/gift shop. After visiting the Caravaggio exhibit, we opted to view a most interesting installation devoted to the life and works of Stanley Kubrick, the iconic director of many significant film epics. The installation included many multimedia formats with video, still photos, written story boards, director's notes, production stills, and technical tools of the trade:cameras, lens, props, and wardrobe examples.
This was an unexpected surprise and well worth the price of admission. I would recommend it to all film buffs, history buffs, and those camera geeks who like tech stuff.
A few of his films include: Paths of Glory(1957); 2001-A SPace Odyssey, (1968); Full Metal Jacket, 1987; and The Shining, with Jack Nicholson, 1980.
It was very well done in layout, description, and composition. Caravaggio, aka Michelangelo Merisi, from the town of Caravaggio, initiated a new style that was immediately embraced. Despite his short life and limited production his influence was startling, especially given the competition for patrons and their commissions.
Caravaggio was not the most serene personality, and on more than one occasion, had to flee his location to avoid arrest and likely incarceration. His volatile temper and determined nature often led to brawls and assaults. This interrupted his schedule for completion of commissions and sullied his reputation. He was known to be difficult!
Despite his personal life problems, he was able to paint with genius and lasting effect. His admirers through the centuries have contributed to his place among the great masters, and museums worldwide seek his work for their collections.
The LACMA
The LA county museum is an example of post modern architecture, complete with soaring glass-enclosed spaces, open atrium space(s), suitable landscaping; user-friendly accommodations; on sight parking(underground); and the usual bookstore/gift shop. After visiting the Caravaggio exhibit, we opted to view a most interesting installation devoted to the life and works of Stanley Kubrick, the iconic director of many significant film epics. The installation included many multimedia formats with video, still photos, written story boards, director's notes, production stills, and technical tools of the trade:cameras, lens, props, and wardrobe examples.
This was an unexpected surprise and well worth the price of admission. I would recommend it to all film buffs, history buffs, and those camera geeks who like tech stuff.
A few of his films include: Paths of Glory(1957); 2001-A SPace Odyssey, (1968); Full Metal Jacket, 1987; and The Shining, with Jack Nicholson, 1980.
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