While gazing across the Lake saturday evening, we watched the dips and dives of a forest service helicopter providing support for fire fighting efforts near the Desolation Wilderness and Ward Canyon. Evidently, lightning strikes started a few brush fires in some remote areas nearby. The "bird" carried its bucket on a sling under the belly and dipped low over the lake for a fill.
It's an interesting process and the risks are not readily apparent to the casual observer; but the Minister of Aviation, with vast experience in helicopter operations expressed the comment that flying with sling load(especially liquids) can be very, very dangerous for many reasons, not the least flying with external weight at high altitude!
Apparently the efforts were successful- no fire trucks were dispatched from meeks Bay Fire.
Tuesday, July 30, 2013
Book review: Deep Leadership- Dr. Joe McInnes
Leadership-that oft mentioned quality that makes a difference in man's activities, is a topic written about by legions of writers, trying to explain the qualities found in recognized leaders around the world. Whether military, corporate, academic, or individual cases, common traits are found in each scenario.
Dr. McInnes brings unique experience, extensive training, and profound thoughts to this subject. Many of us can rattle off a list of famous leaders among politicians, generals, industrialists, and business executives. Modern lists might include Barack Obama, Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, and Warren Buffet.
But that list could include many, many other names, and many of those from abroad. Dr. McInnes makes quite a bit of James Cameron, the photographer, movie producer associated with the Titanic rediscovery and exploration. Dr. Joe provides details od deep dives that involved risky, subsurface, Arctic ocean dives in northern Canada, pioneering efforts never attempted before. These team efforts involved scientists, geologists, technicians, and support staff. All had to be managed and controlled by leaders with a broad grasp of what is needed to accomplish imagined and anticipated results. Often the efforts involved searching for a lost ship or a lost sub with limited information as to location and depth.
But Dr. McInnes did not limit his research to divers only, but also astronauts, newsmen, and modern soldiers on the battlefields in Afghanistan and Iraq. Lt. Gen. Hal Moore, U.S. Army(ret) gave insights based on his long military career.
This book is different: it offers more than just a narrative, it offers examples from many disciplines giving the topic a wider scope with wider insights.
This book is highly recommended to those aspiring leaders in any field of endeavor.
Pub. in 2012 by A. Knopf, Canada.
Dr. McInnes brings unique experience, extensive training, and profound thoughts to this subject. Many of us can rattle off a list of famous leaders among politicians, generals, industrialists, and business executives. Modern lists might include Barack Obama, Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, and Warren Buffet.
But that list could include many, many other names, and many of those from abroad. Dr. McInnes makes quite a bit of James Cameron, the photographer, movie producer associated with the Titanic rediscovery and exploration. Dr. Joe provides details od deep dives that involved risky, subsurface, Arctic ocean dives in northern Canada, pioneering efforts never attempted before. These team efforts involved scientists, geologists, technicians, and support staff. All had to be managed and controlled by leaders with a broad grasp of what is needed to accomplish imagined and anticipated results. Often the efforts involved searching for a lost ship or a lost sub with limited information as to location and depth.
But Dr. McInnes did not limit his research to divers only, but also astronauts, newsmen, and modern soldiers on the battlefields in Afghanistan and Iraq. Lt. Gen. Hal Moore, U.S. Army(ret) gave insights based on his long military career.
This book is different: it offers more than just a narrative, it offers examples from many disciplines giving the topic a wider scope with wider insights.
This book is highly recommended to those aspiring leaders in any field of endeavor.
Pub. in 2012 by A. Knopf, Canada.
Saturday, July 27, 2013
Birthday Wishes; Bear news
The Mayor turned another year older last week! Where did the year go? And all the others logged? Not older-Better! A grand "Festa" was held in Berkeley with renowned Italiana chef, Rosetta Costantino, an Italian native living in Berkeley with her husband, Lino, and their 2 children.
22 guests enjoyed authentic Calabrian specialties prepared by Rosetta and her Mother, Maria. Guests were able to assist in the preparation in the commercial kitchen set up for the event.
It truly was the Mayor's "BIG NIGHT".
The food was excellent, and the homemade ricotta gelato incomparable. The vino rosso flowed freely, as did the Knob Creek small batch bourbon. Rosetta delivered her message of home grown ingredients prepared with skill and patience as the keys to extraordinary flavors.
Everybody enjoyed the entire experience. It was a night to remember!
Deputy Mayor Gives Bruin What For
The Deputy Mayor opened the front door to see our local bruin sauntering by: she immediately verbally accosted the lumbering oaf, sending it scurrying for shelter in the forest. The alarm sounded, the Mayor and staff hounded the animal with rocks and heaps of abuse. The bruin disappeared among the pines, seeking relief from the tirade. Watch when walking during the summer season: bears on the loose.
22 guests enjoyed authentic Calabrian specialties prepared by Rosetta and her Mother, Maria. Guests were able to assist in the preparation in the commercial kitchen set up for the event.
It truly was the Mayor's "BIG NIGHT".
The food was excellent, and the homemade ricotta gelato incomparable. The vino rosso flowed freely, as did the Knob Creek small batch bourbon. Rosetta delivered her message of home grown ingredients prepared with skill and patience as the keys to extraordinary flavors.
Everybody enjoyed the entire experience. It was a night to remember!
Deputy Mayor Gives Bruin What For
The Deputy Mayor opened the front door to see our local bruin sauntering by: she immediately verbally accosted the lumbering oaf, sending it scurrying for shelter in the forest. The alarm sounded, the Mayor and staff hounded the animal with rocks and heaps of abuse. The bruin disappeared among the pines, seeking relief from the tirade. Watch when walking during the summer season: bears on the loose.
Southlake Phenomenon
The Mayor drove down to Southlake Thursday to pickup the Minister of Aviation and Aeronautics at the airport. The weather was overcast and thunderstorms were in the forecast. At about 1pm, the pilot texted a message that he was over Truckee airport and was looking at a window over the lake, an opportunity. He landed as it began to rain-hard! For the next hour plus, it rained all over the area, sending water down streets and gullies into the creeks.
It was quite a show: Lightning strikes were abundant as we lunched at the Irish Pub where it seemed we were sitting in a drum being struck by mad men. Beach goers at Meeks Bay, Sugar Pine, and Homewood ran for cover as the downpour continued unabated. Friday's forecast proved less than predicted and beach goers returned in numbers.
CAL FIRE TAX
State of California officials announced that Rural fire fee bills will be mailed to property owners over the next few weeks. The fee, $150/ per parcel, or $135/parcel for those in org. districts, must be paid or fines will be attached.
Some state senators are aware this "fee" is strongly opposed by rural residents who see little evidence of its need, nor any evidence of its benefits. Jarvis Gann Taxpayers Assoc. has sued the state, but has yet to have its day in court.
NOTE: the state requires a form be filed with payment to verify that this "fee" is being paid under protest. That is the only way to a possible refund. This Fee/Tax was passes by a simple majority in the legislature, versus a super majority required for a tax.
It is a slap in the face to West Shore residents who pay not 1, but 3 parcel taxes for local fire district support.
Send a letter to your district representative stating your opposition to this tax.
It was quite a show: Lightning strikes were abundant as we lunched at the Irish Pub where it seemed we were sitting in a drum being struck by mad men. Beach goers at Meeks Bay, Sugar Pine, and Homewood ran for cover as the downpour continued unabated. Friday's forecast proved less than predicted and beach goers returned in numbers.
CAL FIRE TAX
State of California officials announced that Rural fire fee bills will be mailed to property owners over the next few weeks. The fee, $150/ per parcel, or $135/parcel for those in org. districts, must be paid or fines will be attached.
Some state senators are aware this "fee" is strongly opposed by rural residents who see little evidence of its need, nor any evidence of its benefits. Jarvis Gann Taxpayers Assoc. has sued the state, but has yet to have its day in court.
NOTE: the state requires a form be filed with payment to verify that this "fee" is being paid under protest. That is the only way to a possible refund. This Fee/Tax was passes by a simple majority in the legislature, versus a super majority required for a tax.
It is a slap in the face to West Shore residents who pay not 1, but 3 parcel taxes for local fire district support.
Send a letter to your district representative stating your opposition to this tax.
Saturday, July 20, 2013
Summer Staff Conference-2013 July
The Mayor's staff is congregating as we speak for the annual Tahoma Staff Summer Conference. Most participants have traveled quite a distance: the Minister of Latin American Affairs is here from Washington,DC with his assistant; the Minister of Manufacturing is here from Los Angeles; the Minister of Technology and Metalurgy is here from Oklahoma; the Minister of Far Eastern Culture and Philosophy here; the Minister of Agriculture and Agronomy here; the Minister of Aviation en route; and the Deputy Mayor for Administration here.
The conference began last night with a gala at the Mayor's home office.
Topic No. 1: Bear Control/Bear Tactics!
The conference began last night with a gala at the Mayor's home office.
Topic No. 1: Bear Control/Bear Tactics!
Submarine Views of the Deep Blue Lake
As reported in the S.F. Chronicle Friday the 19th: an unmanned submersible will be examining the McKinney Bay shoreline collapse of thousands of years ago. This occurred right in the Tahoma neighborhood! The California Geological Survey will be conducting the exploration of the underwater area off the west shore.
The first dives will occur off Sugar Pine State Park shoreline. The $2 million vehicle will look for fault line clues as to why the slide happened at this particular location of the lake. The sub will collect images of bottom, instrument data with details of rocks and canyon walls that remain today. This is the same sub identified last year as that vehicle that will eventually go to Antarctica for the same purpose. Ross Powell of Northern Illinois Univ. will be using the sub there.
It is built by DOER Marine of Alameda, CA, weighs about 2200lbs, and is remotely operated from the surface. It is only 22 inches in diameter.
If you're diving in the area, keep your eyes open!
The first dives will occur off Sugar Pine State Park shoreline. The $2 million vehicle will look for fault line clues as to why the slide happened at this particular location of the lake. The sub will collect images of bottom, instrument data with details of rocks and canyon walls that remain today. This is the same sub identified last year as that vehicle that will eventually go to Antarctica for the same purpose. Ross Powell of Northern Illinois Univ. will be using the sub there.
It is built by DOER Marine of Alameda, CA, weighs about 2200lbs, and is remotely operated from the surface. It is only 22 inches in diameter.
If you're diving in the area, keep your eyes open!
Thursday, July 18, 2013
Book Review: summer trash/ historical spy novel "Tapestry of Spies"l
This paperback pocket book was given to me by my friend, Tom, who reads a little of everything. This book he enjoyed because it reminded him of his trip to Spain in the late '60's, when Franco was still the dictator in charge of the Spanish people.
The story takes place during the Spanish Civil War, that terrible period when the old order was being displaced, and poor peasants were finally getting together to make changes in their lives. Unfortunately, it came at a time when Fascism was on the rise, and Communism was ascendant in Russia and other countries. Hitler and Mussolini, the chiefs of the Fascists, were intent on supporting the overthrow of the elected government, now heavily conflicted among the resident Communists, Socialists, Anarchists, and Independents. The time frame of the pre- World War II years gives the reader a hint of what's to come: global chaos.
The main characters include Brits(from MI 6 and MI 5(Domestic security), displaced American/ Russian Jews, Russian agents(NKVD), Franco Republican soldiers; Catalan terrorists of various stripes; and helpless civilians caught in the middle in Barcelona.
The author is well versed on the facts and weaves a good story across the few years of the time frame. It's a quick read, with the usual surprises, and excellent details about the confusing alliances and hopeless political intrigues.
Rated: 3 1/2 *'s/of 5
The story takes place during the Spanish Civil War, that terrible period when the old order was being displaced, and poor peasants were finally getting together to make changes in their lives. Unfortunately, it came at a time when Fascism was on the rise, and Communism was ascendant in Russia and other countries. Hitler and Mussolini, the chiefs of the Fascists, were intent on supporting the overthrow of the elected government, now heavily conflicted among the resident Communists, Socialists, Anarchists, and Independents. The time frame of the pre- World War II years gives the reader a hint of what's to come: global chaos.
The main characters include Brits(from MI 6 and MI 5(Domestic security), displaced American/ Russian Jews, Russian agents(NKVD), Franco Republican soldiers; Catalan terrorists of various stripes; and helpless civilians caught in the middle in Barcelona.
The author is well versed on the facts and weaves a good story across the few years of the time frame. It's a quick read, with the usual surprises, and excellent details about the confusing alliances and hopeless political intrigues.
Rated: 3 1/2 *'s/of 5
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)