Real Blue Skies!

The top picture was from this evening.  The bottom  middle one has the same kind of clouds but was taken Easter Sunday or 4 days ago from the same location. Notice the long white line in the bottom   
 midddle picture and the haze. 

Another one from today taken in the same direction as the hazy picture.

Robert Firestone AKA OB1 Kenobie Is Missing

 OB1 Kenobi has gone missing.

          On 04-26-2011, at 11:00 am the Humboldt County Sheriffs Office received a report of a missing elderly male. The reporting party was a caretaker at a local care home in the Garberville Area. The reporting person told responding deputies that 82 year old, Robert Firestone, a resident at the home located in the 900 block of

Locust Avenue

, Garberville, was missing. He was last seen on 04-25-2011 at 7:00 p.m. in his bed asleep. He likes to walk three times a day and it is unknown exactly when he left the care home.

According to the reporting party Firestone is deaf, and has Alzheimer’s. When Firestone walks, he walks stooped over due to a medical condition. He is also supposed to be taking medications.

Humboldt County Sheriff Search and Rescue personnel have been called to the area to assist in the search.

Robert Firestone is described as:

White Male, 5 feet, 8 inches tall, 125 lbs, gray hair, brown eyes.  He may possibly be wearing a long gray raincoat, and a white round fishing cap.

Anyone with information as to his whereabouts is requested to contact the Sheriff’s office  immediately

Mike Downey- Sheriff                      

I don't mean to make too much light of this.  I did want everyone to know that if they see someone that looks like OB1 Kenobi, they might have spotted Robert Firestone.  I think it is an uncanny resemblance.

Did I Give False Information On The Air?

I do a weekly feature for the Arcata Eye on 1480 AM in Eureka.  It is a 90 second rundown of the headlines and stories of the Arcata Eye and it is for trade as they run an ad for the radio station.
We have been doing this for years and I don't even get a free paper.

Last week I did a headline about local activist Jason Robo of "Unstacking The Deck", calling the cops on himself or for some unknown reason. 

Robo says the paper had it wrong.  I got my info from the Eye.
Here's what he said:
By: Jason Robo
A recent article entitled “Robo Arrested On Concealed Weapon Charge” carries on the tradition of The Arcata Eye’s sad excuse for “news” coverage, this time regarding my recent arrest at HSU. The article is rife with downright lies and half-truths as can be seen by comparing it with the police report and my narrative found in my recent article “Robo’s arrest for calling 9-1-1 to report danger to others: Police Report & Rebuttal.”
This blatant propaganda by the Arcata LEye is an apparent attempt to capitalize on the sensationalist headline and false claims using my name to achieve sales. Four days of attempts to refute the article via comments on the site were unsuccessful. The false reports have been circulating on the radio in the area.
Kevin Hoover, editor and owner of the Arcata Eye, says a tip, from a source which he will not disclose, let him know I was arrested. Hoover, who wrote the article, had only one source in the article, Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Brenda Godsey. The quality of the information presented by Hoover is rotten at best and though I was out of jail by the time he went to print, there was no attempt to contact me. He has refused to issue corrections in the newest edition which hits the stands today.
Read the rest here at his website http://unstackingthedeck.com/?p=329#more-329

Gateway Fountain In Trinidad

It turns out that a 5th wheel RV came into the Chevron station this morning and drove right over the planter that housed a sprinkler system or water main for the station.  They were still figuring it all out when I had to get to work.

I Can't Post

If I could, I would post this about a protest tomorrow:
http://kunsoo1024.wordpress.com/2011/04/25/anti-nuclear-protest-tomorrow/

Oh Happy Day!

http://youtu.be/CNQXQKflJNA
Happy Easter.

Maine Labor To Stay In The Closet

From the Bangor Daily News
BANGOR, Maine — A federal judge refused Friday to order Gov. Paul LePage to return a mural depicting the history of labor to a state office building in Augusta.
U.S. District Court Judge John Woodcock agreed with LePage that the removal of the mural was “a constitutionally permissible exercise of gubernatorial authority.”

Read more

LePage ordered the mural removed last month because he said it presented a one-sided view of history and wasn’t in keeping with his pro-business agenda.

K9-Angels To Deputy DA, "a little case of mange?"

 Dear friends, the following is my reply to Deputy

               District Attorney, Ben Mainzer: It is self-explanatory

               but is indicative of how low the DA's office sets the

               bar for animal cruelty cases: A mockery has been made

               of Fortuna Animal Control's investigation and 6 months

               of dedication to a grossly neglected dog whose health

               has been restored by way of ongoing veterinary care:

               (please see attached pics of Mac the day he was seized

               by Robin Paul - Fortuna Police Department's office

               supervisor and director of animal control: Mac was

               court-ordered to be returned to his abuser yesterday!

               

                Gail Holder/K9-Angels

Sent: Wed, April 20, 2011 2:19:40 PM
Subject: FROM GAIL HOLDER RE CRUMMETT CASE

    Mr. Mainzer: I am among the many persons and animal-rescue groups who were denied the right to present evidence against Mark Crummett in the jury trial slated for today, Wednesday, April 20,2011 - but cancelled leaving Mac, Crummett's victimized dog without justice: Pursuant to Fortuna Animal Control's lawful seizure of Mac under PC 597.f and 597.1 last October - two veterinarians were prepared to testify that had Robin Paul not removed the long-suffering animal and transported him to emergency-veterinary care (followed by many months of follow-up treatment) the dog would have died:

Mr. Crummett's failure to address Mac's severe demodectic-mange is affirmed by veterinary-experts to be the cause of Mac's requirement for costly, lifelong treatment. The unemployed and allegedly alcohol-impaired, Mr. Crummett - lives in squalor in a trailer-park well-known to Fortuna Law Enforcement and citizens alike - as a 'third world country' in miniature, inhabited exclusively by the 'criminal-element' along with the innocent children and animals unfortunately forced to live there:

   In a fell-swoop, the DA's cost-effective and clever legal-maneuvers in conjunction with an equally apparently uncaring judge - have, with flagrant disregard for the predictable consequences for the dog - sent poor Mack back to hell:  Elevating the perpetrator of criminal animal neglect to victory - disregarding veterinary recommendations and undermining Robin Paul's praiseworthy professional decisions on behalf of an imperilled animal in

Fortuna's jurisdiction - and in 'sentencing' a dog to further abuse - you have failed us all! I understand that you, Mr. Mainzer, likened the returning of Mac to his owner to "reuniting a child with his parents."  How little you must understand about family law and custody issues; because had you the courage to yourself accompany Robin Paul to the 'dwelling' from which he was

rescued last October - you would have grabbed the child by the hand or the dog by the leash and run!  I doubt the conditions imposed upon Mr. Crummett are going to make much difference to Mac's fate although, respectfully Sir, I'm sure they serve to assuage your conscience: I attach two photos of Mac from the emergency vet's office last October: This horror is what Mr. Crummett characterized as a "little case of mange!" What a shameful representation of Humboldt County justice! Know that the watchful-eyes af the vast network of North Coast animal-advocacy groups ... are watching.

      

 Gail Holder   K9-Angels

Local Radio Station Transmitter Site Vandalized

Some artists painted the back side of the radio station building at South G Street in Arcata sometime  over the weekend.  The building is just a transmitter site and all functions are now performed in a Eureka location except for the transmission of the signal and the antenna which still reside in Arcata.  While this is actually vandalism, the painting job isn't all that bad.  I am not a fan of the colors but the building did need some paint. 

 If those involved would like to apply for a job painting the wall with our logo or call letters,  please send a resume to Painter at 5640 South Broadway Eureka 95503.   This is not a sting operation, you guys did a good job and didn't leave anything for us to clean up. If you are really that talented, we have three more walls that could use some paint.  Give us an estimate. 

Keep it real as you did the last one for free.  Still you have done better than some painters I have seen.

Arcata Police Spread Fertilizer On 420 Celebration

In an effort to keep crowds of pot smokers from trampling the green green grass of Arcata on 4-20, the local police department spread cow s*it on the green fields of Redwood Park in Arcata Ca.

This, some rain  and media reports that the cops were in a crappy mood to deal with 4-20 revelers shut down the usual crowd of partiers in Redwood Park in Arcata on this 4-20 in Humboldt.

See North Coast Journal for more.

HSU Named A Princeton Review "Green College"

Humboldt State joins the ranks of outstanding universities and colleges nationwide that are leading the “green” movement through their own special programs and initiatives. “It’s a pleasure to be recognized for something that is so central to the essence of Humboldt State,” said HSU President Rollin Richmond. “Sustainability is a core principle here, and has been for many years. I hope this means that even more students who care about sustainability will find out about us and ultimately choose to study here.”

Created by The Princeton Review in partnership with the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) (www.usgbc.org), "The Princeton Review's Guide to 311 Green Colleges” is a free, comprehensive guidebook profiling institutions of higher education that demonstrate a notable commitment to sustainability in their academic offerings, campus infrastructure, activities and career preparation. The Princeton Review chose the schools for this guide based on a survey of administrators at hundreds of colleges that the Company polled in 2010 about their school's sustainability initiatives.

Released on April 20, just two days prior to the April 22 celebration of the 41st Anniversary of Earth Day, the guide has profiles of the colleges that provide application information plus facts, stats, and write-ups reporting on the schools' environmentally related policies, practices and academic offerings. The free guide can be downloaded at www.princetonreview.com/green-guide.aspx and www.centerforgreenschools.org/greenguide

The Princeton Review first created this one-of-a-kind resource for college-bound students in 2010 with the U.S. Green Building Council, which is best known for developing the LEED standard for green building certification. This past fall, USGBC launched its Center for Green Schools (www.centerforgreenschools.org) to increase its efforts to drive change in how campuses and schools are designed, constructed and operated so that all educational facilities can enhance student learning experiences.

“College-bound students are increasingly interested in sustainability issues," said Robert Franek, Senior VP, Publishing, The Princeton Review. “Among 8,200 college applicants who participated in our spring 2011 'College Hopes & Worries Survey,' nearly 7 out of 10 (69%) said having information about a school’s commitment to the environment would influence their decision to apply to or attend the school," he added. "Together with the USGBC, we are pleased to make this free resource available to all students seeking to attend colleges that practice, teach and support environmentally-responsible choices.  We highly recommend the colleges in this book."

The Princeton Review chose the 311 schools based on a survey it conducted in 2010 of hundreds of colleges across the U.S. and in Canada to tally its annual "Green Rating" scores (scaled from 60 to 99) of colleges for its school profiles in its college guidebooks and website. The survey asks administrators more than 50 questions about their institution's sustainability-related policies, practices and programs.

The Company tallied Green Ratings for 703 institutions in summer 2010.  The 311 schools in this guide received scores of 80 or above in that assessment. (Note: The Princeton Review does not rank the schools in this guide hierarchically (1 to 311) according to their Green Rating scores, nor does it include those scores in this book's school profiles.) Information about The Princeton Review’s Green Rating methodology and its "Green Honor Roll" list saluting schools that received Green Ratings of 99 is at http://www.princetonreview.com/green.aspx

A free download of The Princeton Review’s Guide to 311 Green Colleges: 2011 Edition is available at www.princetonreview.com/green-guide.aspx.

For more information about sustainability at HSU, visit http://www.humboldt.edu/green.

Dude, You're Using Too Much Electricity

EPD Press Release:

On 4/19/11, at about 9:09 PM, the Eureka Fire Department (EFD) responded to the report of a structure fire at a warehouse on the 1800 block of

3^rd Street, Eureka

after a power box on the side of the building caught fire. 

Upon arrival, EFD discovered the main power box on the southwest corner of the building had ignited, scorching the side of the building and melting the meter.  Dirt and grass had been thrown on the power box in an apparent attempt by someone to put out the fire.  The warehouse’s front door was ajar and upon the entering the building, EFD personnel discovered a large marijuana growing operation inside.  Additionally, the suspect(s) had left a white Ford F350 Superduty pick-up truck with a dog inside it parked in the warehouse.  It appeared the suspect(s) had fled the building just before EFD’s arrival. 

Eureka Police Department officers were dispatched to the scene and the Problem Oriented Policing Unit (POP) was subsequently called out to assist with the marijuana grow. 

POP Detectives procured and executed a search warrant for the warehouse.  The building had sustained a loss of power due to the electrical fire, so EFD set up a generator and portable lights to assist EPD with processing the all night scene.

Detectives subsequently located and seized a total of 814 marijuana plants, ranging in size from approximately 6” – 4’ tall (115.5 pounds bulk weight of “wet weed”).  The marijuana crops had been divided into 3 separate rooms serviced by a total of 28 operational 1000 watt (estimated) grow lights. It appeared the power box had likely been overloaded by the excessive, jury-rigged electrical wiring used to power the grows. 

The Ford F350 Superduty truck was backed into the warehouse and its bed contained several growing marijuana plants and spilled potting soil.  Detectives seized the truck as evidence and the abandoned dog was transported to EPD for safekeeping. 

Based on evidence found at the scene, detectives believe this was an on-going, long-term commercial (for profit) marijuana cultivation operation.  The investigation is continuing and investigators are following up on several leads that may result in one or more arrests. 

Ayn Rand Worshiped Serial Killer

Ayn Rand, Hugely Popular Author and Inspiration to Right-Wing Leaders, Was a Big Admirer of Serial Killer

Her works are treated as gospel by right-wing powerhouses like Alan Greenspan and Clarence Thomas, but Ayn Rand found early inspiration in 1920's murderer William Hickman.

February 26, 2010

Mark Ames Alternet.org

There's something deeply unsettling about living in a country where millions of people froth at the mouth at the idea of giving health care to the tens of millions of Americans who don't have it, or who take pleasure at the thought of privatizing and slashing bedrock social programs like Social Security or Medicare. It might not be so hard to stomach if other Western countries also had a large, vocal chunk of the population that thought like this, but the U.S. is seemingly the only place where right-wing elites can openly share their distaste for the working poor. Where do they find their philosophical justification for this kind of attitude?

It turns out, you can trace much of this thinking back to Ayn Rand, a popular cult-philosopher who exerts a huge influence over much of the right-wing and libertarian crowd, but whose influence is only starting to spread out of the U.S.

One reason most countries don't find the time to embrace Ayn Rand's thinking is that she is a textbook sociopath. In her notebooks Ayn Rand worshiped a notorious serial murderer-dismemberer, and used this killer as an early model for the type of "ideal man" she promoted in her more famous books. These ideas were later picked up on and put into play by major right-wing figures of the past half decade, including the key architects of America's most recent economic catastrophe -- former Fed Chair Alan Greenspan and SEC Commissioner Chris Cox -- along with other notable right-wing Republicans such as Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, Rush Limbaugh and South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford.

Do read more here 

Find out how she worked the mindset of a serial killer into her two best selling books. 

Takin' It To The Streets



Photo from North Coast Journal



Protests are planned for Caltrans District One Headquarters at Noon Monday, April 18th..  The Save Richardson Grove folks are planning a bike ride from the Arcata Plaza that leaves at 10:00 am.  They are protesting Caltrans plans to widen the US 101 through Richardson Grove. 

The last protest got a bit out of hand when one of the protesters threw a plastic coffee cup into a crowded room of cops as he and other protesters were being pushed out of the building. The cops have pictures and are looking for you.  You might want to take tomorrow off.

Update: Richardson Grove Project on hold until July or August.

Also, Moveon.org is sponsoring a protest of Bank of America at 4th. and F Street in Eureka on Monday at 4:30 pm. They

are protesting B of A for not paying taxes like the rest of us do. 

Will there be any coffee mug throwing  at this event?

Does anybody that reads this blog like B of A?

Hands Across California

Hands Across California

   CR supporters show up in the rain to raise scholarship money and awareness

An estimated 125 people showed up in the rain at College of the Redwoods main Eureka campus on Sunday, April 17 to join hands in support of California Community Colleges.   CR united with the statewide Hands Across California event aimed at raising awareness of the value of community colleges and raising money for student scholarships.  

Don't Look Up, NBC News Channel 4 Los Angeles Version

http://youtu.be/EjIzYocCdfE

I think I will just bury my head in the sand.  It seems safer there.

This Is Too Weird. Just Another Reason Not To Look Up!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HsDj5bWVzo8&feature=player_profilepage

Ontario Judge Strikes Down Marijuana Laws

By Eric W. Dolan
Wednesday, April 13th, 2011 -- 4:49 pm

A Canadian court ruled the government has three months to revise its unconstitutional medical marijuana program before the drug will become effectively legal to possess and produce in the country.

More at Rawstory

POP Search Warrant Nets Coke, Guns, & Two Arrests – Children Taken into Protective Custody

On 4/14/11, at about 7:30 AM, Detectives with the Eureka Police Department’s Problem Oriented Policing Unit (POP) served a search warrant at an apartment on the 2500 block of Albee Street, Eureka.  The warrant was obtained after POP received information the residents were selling cocaine and two small children may be endangered. 

Detectives detained one of the suspects, Julianna Terese Jeffers (27 of Eureka), inside the apartment.  The second suspect, Mario Dangelo Alexander (26 of Eureka), had already left for work.  Their two small children, a 2-year-old boy and a 4-year-old girl (4 years), were asleep upstairs. 

During a subsequent search of the apartment, detectives located and seized evidence of drug and marijuana sales, including:  approximately 1/4 ounce of cocaine, over 1 pound of processed marijuana, more than 80 Lortab (Hydrocodone-a controlled DEA Schedule III narcotic analgesic) pills packaged for sale, digital scales, numerous (172 +) drug packaging baggies, suspected pay and owe ledgers, a fully loaded semi-automatic .40 caliber Sig Sauer P226 handgun, a loaded 12 –gauge Mossberg pump action shotgun with pistol grip, extra ammunition and magazines for the firearms, and $1,041.00 cash (suspected drug sales proceeds). 

The cocaine and both loaded firearms were found in locations readily accessible to the children.  Child Welfare Services was called to the scene and the children were taken into protective custody.

Jeffers was arrested and transported to the Humboldt County Correctional Facility where she was booked for possession of cocaine for sale, possession of a controlled substance for sale while armed, maintaining a place for drug use/sales, possession of marijuana for sale, and felony child endangerment.

Around 10:00 AM, POP detectives apprehended Alexander on Mitchell Road near his workplace after they found him hiding behind a tree.  Alexander was transported to the Humboldt County Correctional Facility where he was booked for all the same offenses.

Anyone with information concerning suspected drug sales activity occurring in Eureka is encouraged to call the Problem Oriented Policing Unit at (707) 441-4373 or the Humboldt County Drug Task Force at (707) 444-8095.

This Buds For You

Beware Of Bogus Counters

Take a look at the hit counter to the lower left above my favorite blogs and places.
Below is a screen shot of my blog stats.  Notice that there have been over 49-thousand  page views all time history. The counter is running backwards. 

World GDP Is 58.14-Trillion, Levereged to 350 Trillion Through Derivativies

From the Daily Beast

Sources said Wednesday that U.S. officials are investigating whether some of the world’s biggest banks worked together to understate their own borrowing costs before and during the financial crisis—affecting trillions of dollars in loans and derivatives. The borrowing costs are used to calculate the London interbank offered rate, or Libor, and for the past year, law-enforcement officials have been investigating if banks effectively formed a global cartel and coordinated how to report borrowing costs between 2006 and 2008. The investigation is being led by the U.S. Justice Department and the Securities & Exchange Commission. Roughly $10 trillion in loans and $350 trillion in derivatives are tied to Libor, which affects costs of everything from corporate bonds to car loans, and if the rate was kept artificially low, then borrowers were not likely to be harmed—meaning struggling banks would not have to answer questions about their practices.

Read it at The Wall Street Journal

 

Where I got my numbers for the 58.14 Trillion in World GDP

It is as if the entire output of world wealth is being leveraged 6 to 1 against us.

Missing Person

The Eureka Police Department is requesting the public’s assistance in locating Wayne Loveall who was reported as a missing person on 04/12/11.  Wayne is a white male adult, 62 years old, with gray hair and blue eyes.  His height is approximately 6’00” and he weighs approximately 190 lbs.  He was last seen at 1:00am in Arcata on 04/09/11 and stated he was walking to the Arcata Plaza to catch a cab.

  Wayne’s family and friends report it totally unlike Wayne to not be in contact with them or return home to take care of his cat.  If you have any information that will help locate Wayne please contact PSO Mary Anderson at 441-4300 or the 24 hour dispatch number of 441-4044. 

Tonights Eureka DUI Checkpoint

Tonight’s DUI checkpoint will be located on 4^th street at Commercial street.

Don't drink and drive.

Aluminum In Skies And Water From Florida To Mt. Shasta?

Training Exercise For Downed Comercial Aircraft In Humboldt Bay Tomorrow

HSU’s Coral Sea to Participate in Coast Guard Disaster Training

North Coast Journal Photo

Arcata, Calif.—On Wednesday, April 13, the United States Coast Guard will conduct a training exercise that includes responding to a downed commercial aircraft just offshore of Humboldt Bay. The role of the downed “aircraft,” however, will be played by Humboldt State University’s undergraduate marine research vessel, the R.V. Coral Sea.

As part of a U.S. Coast Guard training exercise, the R.V. Coral Sea will be anchored in Humboldt Bay just below the Samoa Bridge. Approximately 80 Coast Guard crewmembers will be on board the vessel. Wearing survival suits, these 80 members will disperse into the water surrounding the vessel, awaiting rescue.

By air and sea, other Coast Guard members will work to recover the “victims.” In addition to U.S. Coast Guard in helicopters and marine vessels, Humboldt County Sherrif’s Office will have vessels on site.

The Department of Fish and Game will also be on scene, as well as multiple local rescue and emergency agencies including police and firefighters.

“Anytime there’s training, it’s a learning opportunity for everyone involved,” says Scott Martin, Vessel Captain of the R.V. Coral Sea. “I see this as not only an opportunity to learn from the exercises, but as an opportunity to participate within the community.”

Tonight's Gas Price In Trinidad Ca.

Democrats Call for ‘All-California’ Water Approach at Fresno Hearing

FRESNO, CA – At a time when California’s salmon fishery will be reopening for the first time in years and California’s reservoirs and groundwater banks are refilling at a rapid pace, Democratic members of the House Subcommittee on Water and Power attended a field hearing in Fresno on water pumping from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and called for a more balanced approach to future droughts which would help prepare all of California. Live streaming video of the hearing is available here: http://naturalresources.house.gov/live/.

“This Republican hearing seeks to reignite the water wars of the past and pit Californians against each other for short-term gain,” said Congressman John Garamendi (CA-10). “There is a more constructive way forward for our community. We must focus on responsible science-based water management, with conservation, storage, and recycling playing a prominent role – balancing our water needs and creating jobs across the Golden State.”

“Water is a shared resource all of us Californians rely on: farmers, communities, homeowners, manufacturers and fishermen all need our water supply to be protected,” said Rep. Grace F. Napolitano (CA-38), ranking member on the Subcommittee on Water and Power. “Instead of promoting special interests that pit us against each other, we should be promoting a balanced approach that helps all of California. We have examined this topic at more than fifteen hearings since 2003, and it is time for attention to be paid to the water needs of the entire state.”

Last year, the State of California reported that the closure of salmon fishing in California had cost the state’s economy at least $250 million. Recent studies have estimated that nearly 2,000 salmon fishermen have been unable to work due to lack of salmon over the last three years, job loss figures comparable to the number of farm workers who could not work due to pumping restrictions during the drought.  This season will be the first time since 2008 that California salmon fishermen will be able to work a commercial fishing season, after pumping restrictions in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta allowed the salmon population to bounce back.

"The worst thing we could do is dismantle the smart water policies that are protecting our fishing jobs," said Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-01). "We have to take sustainable action that will benefit our farmers and fishers for years to come. Federal protections aren't the enemy - they're a crucial tool in developing responsible water policies."

Proponents of increased water flows from the Delta to agricultural users have cited pumping restrictions as the cause of Central Valley water curtailments. However, this year no water has been withheld on account of the Delta smelt or Chinook salmon. As of last week, the Central Valley Water Project had a water allotment of 75% of requested for agricultural users south of the Delta.

“Drought cycles are a fact of life,” Napolitano said. “We have been fortunate enough to receive a great quantity of rain this year, but now is not the time to stop preparing for the next drought.  We need to continue with the techniques that have worked in the past: more conservation, storage, education, desalination, recycling, and infrastructure.”

Background:

·         Unemployment in the Central Valley has been a chronic issue even in wet water years.  Recent job losses since 2008 have been mainly caused by the collapse of the construction and housing sector after the financial crisis.  By July of 2009, Stockton, Merced, Modesto, and Bakersfield were among the top 10 cities in the U.S. for foreclosures, affecting thousands of construction-related jobs.

·         In 2009, an influential study on pumping restrictions overstated job losses claimed to be due to environmental pumping restrictions in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. While this data was ultimately proven false, for a time it was widely disseminated in the media. Professors Richard Howitt of UC Davis and Dr. Jeffrey Michael of University of the Pacific later revised their early numbers from the tens of thousands down to 1,400-3,000 jobs lost – within the same range as the number of California salmon fisherman who lost their jobs when the salmon population declined from Delta pumping.

·         Pumping restrictions have proven critical in helping the salmon population recover, as they allow young salmon to make it past the pumps and out to sea unharmed. This year, salmon fishermen will be able to return to sea for the first time since 2008.

·         Even at the height of the financial crisis and drought, California farmers were able to post record sales for agriculture. The state’s agricultural sales for 2009 were the third highest recorded, behind only 2008 and 2007.

·         On March 30, 2011, Governor Jerry Brown declared the drought to be officially over.  Democrats welcomed the short-term boost to the state’s water supply, but called for long-term improvements to prepare for the next drought.

·         On April 8, 2011, the Bureau of Reclamation updated its Central Valley water supply allotments, with 75% for agricultural water service contractors and 100% for most other water contractors. More details: http://www.usbr.gov/newsroom/newsrelease/detail.cfm?RecordID=35843

Horseback Riding On The Beach And A Bird Of Prey

Rain is expected tonight but today was nice enough to go outside.

It was a bit cold today but that didn't stop people from going to the beach. There were many surfers early this afternoon but these two pictures said it all. 

In the one shot there is a bird in the lower center of the picture turning gliding in front of the trees.

 I wasn't aware that I caught the bird in the mid flight until I put the pictures up on my computer.  That was a little bonus surprise.  The water was an interesting shade of blue green today.

Do You Qualify For The PG&E Care Program?

If your PG&E bills are out of control, you need to look into the Care Program for people with limited incomes.  You may think that you make too much money to qualify for a discount on your bill but think again.  I looked into it and found that even I, a single adult white male with no dependents qualified for the discount. 

 Since my smart meter was installed my bill has dropped from about 65 dollars a month to  about half of that, I'm  not home using electricity during peak hours.  I don't have PG&E gas because it is not available where I live.  Just after the smart meter was installed, my application for the Care Program kicked in and my bill last month was less than 21 dollars. 

I manage the operations of 5 radio stations and have other duties so if I qualify, you should see if you might also.  The standards are set for the average Californian not the Humboldt County work force. You might qualify but here is a tip,  If you are salaried and have no dependents, you won't make the cut,

I Sure Hope The Old Man Got That Tractor Beam Out If Commission Or This Is Going To Be A Real Short Trip!

The Sun came out so dad walked out into the lawn and didn't get water on his shoes and headed for the tractor barn. Craftsman should make a small tow behind bail making machine so that we could store up the bails and  feed this to our critters or lay it under the strawberries at a later time. I'm talking micro bails of grass that would fit nicely in the back of a Subaru.

It's the Spring cut and the second one of the year.  The grass is about 6 inches tall in places and would still make nice bails.  I know there are some that would say, just go and rake it up after you mow. That would require human labor and that is  frowned upon these days.  Craftsman should just make an attachment that makes small bails for 1 to 3 acre lawns.  In our case it is not really a lawn.  We just mow the weeds and it looks like a lawn.  This keeps the blackberries from taking over and looks nice but is really a waste of time and energy as far as sustainable farming or good land use goes. 

What You Need To Know About Having Your Land Surveyed

 

My brother knows more about doing a land survey than I know about radio, or so it would seem.  If you are planning to do any property improvements or anything else that might require a land survey, please read this at his blog.

 

Taken For A Ride?

 

If you like the cable tv show Holmes Inspection, you are gonna love this post.

US Government Shut Down Averted

Reuters reports:
With a midnight deadline looming for a government closure, the compromise between Obama's Democrats and opposition Republicans requires lawmakers to approve stopgap funding to keep federal agencies running into next week until the budget agreement can be formally enacted.

Republican Congressman Devin Nunes told Reuters that "the deal" -- a plan for $39 billion in spending cuts -- was presented to House Republicans at a closed-door meeting and that most members would vote for it. There was no immediate comment from the White House or congressional Democrats.
More at Reuters

I have heard this would give law makers time to draft the new legistlation.  We'll find out more as the words are put to paper.  Stay tuned.

No. Cal. Tea Party To Honor Hard Working Americans And Veterans. Really?

Tea Party Patriots

Join us at Cal Expo Sacramento on April 16^th, 11:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. to honor our veterans and hard-working American people as we come together to celebrate our country’s heritage.  We are planning a pre-concert rally with Jeremy Hoop who will be singing our Tea Party Patriot song, Rise Up. This will be followed by our Freedom Riders entrance, a 10-cannon salute, and parachutist falling from the sky with a 30-foot American flag plus other exciting and informative displays. We will also be joined by special guests from different parts of our country speaking on issues and what we believe. We welcome all.

Jack Smithart

NorCal Tea Party

530 823 5996

CONTACT:  Ginny Rapini National and California State Advisor-Sacramento Coordinator;

P.O. Box 236, Colfax, CA  95713

(530) 389-2464

NorCalTeaPartyPatriots.com   website:  www.norcalteapartypatriots.org

So there will be pro worker and anti war celebrations going on?  Somehow I doubt it, but I bring it up so that those with the ability to document this will check in and share how they honor these workers and military servants at this event. 

How I Really Won The 2011 Humboldt Blogger's Tournament

It's not all about talent, there is a big element of luck involved.
See how it all works.
http://tapperass.wordpress.com/2011/04/06/2011-humboldt-bloggers-tournament-tapperass-explains-all/

Voting Irregularities In Wisconsin Supreme Court Race

By a margin of 3 to 1, nearly 14-thousand votes suddenly appear for favoring incumbent.

Photo from http://www.bradblog.com/

See the details and irregularities of the past from Brad Blog.

Excerpt:
Prior to the election, Waukesha County Clerk Kathy Nickolaus was heavily criticized for her decision to keep the county results on an antiquated personal computer, rather than upgrade to a new data system being utilized statewide. Nickolaus cited security concerns for keeping the data herself - yet when she reported the data, it did not include the City of Brookfield, whose residents cast nearly 14,000 votes.

Here is another take on this from the Daily Kos.

Federal Judge Upholds Caltrans Program To Support Minority And Women-Owned Businesses

Sacramento – In a victory for the California Department of Transportation
(Caltrans), a U.S. District Court judge affirmed that Caltrans’
Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBE) Program was “clearly
constitutional” in a recent ruling.

Caltrans implements a DBE Program as a condition of receiving $3 billion in
federal transportation funding annually.  The program ensures a level
playing field for disadvantaged and small businesses competing for public
contracts.

“This decision affirms that Caltrans' efforts to level the playing field
are constitutionally sound and will ensure that billions of dollars in
federal transportation funds continue flowing to California,” said Caltrans
Director Cindy McKim. “We will continue to reach out to disadvantaged
businesses and hope our program serves as a model for other states to
follow.”

In 2005, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals provided new guidance to states
on implementation of DBE programs (Western States Paving vs. Washington
State Department of Transportation). In response, Caltrans conducted a
study to identify the existence and scope of discrimination, if any, in the
highway transportation contracting industry in California.

The study was completed in 2007 and identified significant disparities in
contract dollars awarded to African-American, Asian Pacific- American,
Native American, and women-owned firms. To address those disparities,
Caltrans proposed the use of both race-neutral and race-conscious means in
its contracting programs. In 2009, the Federal Highway Administration
(FHWA) approved the proposal, which includes an overall goal of 13.5
percent DBE involvement.

In June 2009, the Pacific Legal Foundation filed its complaint in federal
court on behalf of Associated General Contractors of San Diego, asking the
court to declare Caltrans’ DBE Program unconstitutional and order it
halted. On March 23, 2011, Judge Mendez determined that the program
satisfied constitutional requirements and denied the plaintiff’s request.

The photo to the right has to do with the link above at the Pacific Legal Foundation which filed the lawsuit against Caltrans.  I took this picture in 100 degree heat in 2009 along Interstate 5 somewhere  between Santa Nella and route 580.


The signs on I 5 go for miles but I had to get a picture the 4th or 5th time I saw one with green stuff in the background.   

I'd Rather Be A Poor Man In A Rich Country Than A Rich Man In A Poor Country

Thom Hartmann was talking about an interview a reporter did with a German man.  The reporter asked the guy how much he paid in taxes.  The man ignored him and continued answering an earlier question about the quality of life in Germany.  The reporter asked again, and the man brushed him off and continued on about the benefits of living in Germany.

Finally, the reporter asked a third time, "how much of your income do you pay in taxes?"  The man looked at him and said about 62 percent of my gross.  The reporter said, how can you put up with paying that much in taxes and the man replied,"I'd rather be a poor man in a rich country than a rich man in a poor country.

The budget proposed by the House Budget Committee Chairman, Paul Ryan (R) would create a country of surfs and rich people.  There is no room in the budget for children, the elderly and disabled. There is no investment in our future.  This is as good as it gets.  Ryan wants to change this and balance the budget by cutting taxes on corporations and rich people and raise them on the poor and working class. Food stamps will be cut, Medicaid would be privatized which would actually cost more money than the current system.  Medicaid is so efficient and cheap that some doctors won't even take patients with Medicaid because they say the payments they get are too low.  Add 20 percent to what ever Medicaid costs and you can see the lack of savings in the republican proposal.

DeesIllustration.com

Other Republicans want to shut down the government.  This makes sense because they don't like the government.  They say government doesn't work and they will prove it. Anybody that has ever tried to get information on their home loan, or has called the phone company or the cable company can see just how much better the private sector is at customer service. This is the model they put forth, privatization of our schools, roads, water and sewer systems, our parks, rivers and lakes, our military, police and firefighters.  To slap us poor surfs serfs in the face they are taking away collective bargaining for workers.

Imagine what this country will look like in 10 years when there are only poor and rich. Those with money will have to trade in their Lexus or BMW for something less flashy.  If not, they stand to be targets of roving mobs of people with no decent jobs that have nothing better to do than go after them with rocks and Molotov cocktails.  Imagine their pretty gated communities with hordes of beggars at the gates looking for hand outs or a scrap of food every time they come and go.  Many of the beggars will be sick due to lack of proper sanitation and health care.  This will spread disease that will eventually start to sicken even those with money.

Imagine 80 percent of the population so broke that the have no tax money to contribute.  Who then will pay for the military, police, courts, sanitation and other things the rich take for granted?  The bill will be all theirs.  They don't want to share now, we won't have the ability to share then.  They don't care.  If it gets bad enough, they will take their money and move to a nice island or somewhere that isn't sick and poor.  After all, who wants to be a rich person in a poor country?

Tom Sebourn Blog 2011 Humboldt Blogger's Tournament Champion!

From Planet Tapperass

Tom Sebourn Blog is the 2011 Humboldt Blogger’s Tournament Champion! Congratulations to Tom, and let’s hope the party in Trinidad tonight does not involve setting cars on fire and rolling them.


Tonight the clock struck midnight for Tad, and the Plazoid’s unexpected bid for the tournament crown fell just short. Tad can look back on this tournament and be very proud of what he has accomplished. The Plazoid took out the two blogs that faced each other in last year’s final on his way to this year’s championship match. Despite the unorthodox strategy of not posting on his blog since January, Tad made the most of his Number 8 seed and shocked the Blogosphere (and one Hank Sims) by taking out the up start McKinleyville Press Blog in the second round. By following up that shocker with wins over Ernie’s Place and SoHum Parlance, the Plazoid silenced all critics.

Tom finished what some people thought was his tournament to shine in. He was in a good part of the tournament bracket. His one challenge came in his match against the ever powerful Redheaded Blackbelt. Tom proved himself to be a giant killer. He was the favorite to win when he reached the Final Four. He closed the deal tonight against the Plazoid. Enjoy the bragging rights you will have for the year Tom!

This concludes the 2011 Humboldt Blogger’s Tournament. Stay tuned for a post about the tournament’s closing notes. Thanks again!

See Planet Tapperass for links

NY Times contributor confirms California rainwater 181 times above drinking water standards for radioactive iodine-131

http://www.prisonplanet.com/ny-times-contributor-confirms-california-rainwater-181-times-above-drinking-water-standards-for-radioactive-iodine-131.html

Japan Says It May Take Months To Stop Radiation Leaks

(Reuters) - Japan warned on Sunday it could take months to stop radiation leaking from a nuclear plant crippled by a huge earthquake and tsunami three weeks ago, while voters said a coalition would better handle the crisis and post-quake recovery effort.

This means that we can't even start to talk about safe radiation levels for months.  Once the leaks are plugged, we will be able to better asses how many people have had their lives shortened, statistically speaking.  Radiation has traveled across the US and we haven't even been exposed for a month yet. 

 I am 50 years old and if this causes me cancer in 20 years, I will have lived a long and wonderful life.  Too bad for the kids though.  I hope that they can come up with a solution to our energy problems and find a way to power all of the gadgets they love without killing the planet.  I wish them success in tackling  this and curing cancer.  They will be going against the odds as their future education is being axed by politicians.  War and corporations are safe from from the axe but social programs that make a society worth living in are in harms way.

US 101 Open Tomorrow 6:00 AM One Lane Each Way

The mud slide that has US 101 closed in both directions since Wednesday has given way to two new lanes of asphalt in record time.  School will be open and the freeway will be back in business one lane each way by tomorrow morning according to Redheaded blackbelt.  She also has an aerial photo of the progress.

And Then There Were Two: 2011 Humboldt Blogger’s Tournament Championship Match

Planet Tapperass does a local Bloggers Tournament that started sometime after the very last blogger picnic. The picnic hasn't been held for three years as I recall. 

They pick 64 local blogs just like the NCAA has a bracket with 64 teams.  They square off and end up with two.  That is where we are today.  Two blogs.  This one against Tad at The Plazoid. 

I don't know how this thing works.  There were some blogs that I thought were better than mine that got eliminated before I ever had to face them. I do know that come Monday night, either Tad at the Plazoid or I will be crowned Champion!

I'm up against some tough competition because Tad is employing an unusual strategy.  He refuses to post. 

WOMAN REPORTS ATTEMPTED SEXUAL ASSAULT IN ARCATA

According to the Arcata Police Department:

On March 31st at about 4:00 a.m. the Arcata Police Department received a report of an attempted sexual assault. The female victim reported that she had been walking alone in the 400 block of 7th Street when an unknown male subject pushed her down and attempted to sexually assault her. The victim was able to fight off the male subject and returned to her residence to call the police. The Arcata Police Department with the assistance of a Eureka Police Department K-9 and officers from the Humboldt State University Police Department conducted an extensive search of the area but were unable to locate the suspect.


The suspect was described as a white male adult in his thirties, six feet tall, medium build, wearing a dark hooded sweatshirt and dark colored jeans.

The victim received minor injuries during the assault and was transported to the hospital where she was treated and released.

Anyone having information regarding the assault, or the identitiy of the suspect is asked to call the Arcata Police Department at 822-2428

Crosby And Nash In Arcata

From getlisty.com

 

David Crosby and Graham Nash have been harmonizing ever since Crosby, Stills & Nash formed in 1968. In addition to making music with CSN and CSN&Y, an ongoing element of their collaboration is recording and performing as a duo. That two-man configuration is celebrated this spring with both a nationwide tour kicking off March 25, and the launch of Crosby and Nash’s new independent label – Blue Castle Records, distributed by ADA and ADA Global – with digital and vinyl versions of Another Stoney Evening as inaugural releases on March 22.

• The two-month long Crosby/Nash tour itinerary begins with more than a week of shows in California before leaving the west coast for dates across the country. Crosby and Nash will be accompanied on the road by an ace-backing band featuring James Raymond (keyboards), Dean Parks (guitar), Kevin McCormick (bass), and Steve DiStanislao (drums).

 

I got to see their sold out performance last night at HSU's Van Duzer Theatre.  They haven't lost a thing over the years.  With a tight band James is David Crosby's son and is the R in the band CPR. Dean played with Steely Dan, Kevin played bass for Jackson Brown and Steve drummed for Pink Floyd. 

 

David Crosby hasn't lost his interest in peace and politics.  There were several new tunes along that vein and many remarks about being free and rising up.  The song "Don't Dig Here" was about a sign that should be placed on the top of Yucca Mountain to warn people in 10-thousand years, not to dig there.  They opened with "Eight Miles High" Crosby was in the Birds and contributed a line to the song back in the day.  Before Graham Nash played "Our House" they talked about a study that had been done at HSU that told of the large percentage of babies conceived to the song between 1969 and 1972   Something like over 36 percent.

 

My friend that hooked me up with the tickets, David Bender even got us back stage afterward to meet the band.  It was a magical night getting to meet two of my favorite song writers. 

Democratic Weekly Radio Address

Sacramento) – In this Democratic Weekly Radio Address, Assemblymember Bob Blumenfield (D-San Fernando Valley) Chair of the Assembly Budget Committee, discusses legislative Democrats’ leadership in taking tough actions to solve the state’s budget deficit and calls on Republicans, who opposed both making cuts and letting voters decide on taxes, to step up and be part of the solution.  Blumenfield touches on the solutions approved by Democrats, $14 billion so far— and notes that Republicans’ 53 separate ransom demands would have “blown a $4 billion hole in the budget.” Blumenfield concludes stating that “Californians deserve to have both parties be part of the solution.”

Listen to this weeks Democratic Radio Address

POP Bust Nets 5 Arrests

Joe Olivo

Rubi Armas

Sacheen Alfred

Sally Ferris
There was no photo for Victoria Robinson-Gensaw