RECYCLING, GREEN LIVING

These are photographs of a group who were living green long before it was fashionable. Recycling at a level that might have even qualified for LEED certification. They had a very small carbon footprint.

In other news are the Coast Guard hearings about the loss of the “Bounty” during hurricane Sandy.

Hearings continue on HMS Bounty investigation

Updated: Wednesday, 13 Feb 2013, 6:18 PM EST
Published : Tuesday, 12 Feb 2013, 9:49 AM EST

PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) – The U.S. Coast Guard will be holding several hearings into the sinking of the HMS Bounty, which went down off the coast of Cape Hatteras in October.

During the first hearing Tuesday, the owner of the HMS Bounty pled the fifth and would not testify.

Watch Live: HMS Bounty hearing

A formal investigation into the following items surrounding the sinking was conducted:

  • The cause of the accident
  • If there is evidence to suggest failure of material or equipment was involved to contribute to a death.
  • If there is evidence into any misconduct, inattention to duty, negligence or willful violation of the law by any certified or licensed person.
  • If there is evidence that any Coast Guard or other government agency personnel caused or contributed to a death.
  • If the accident should be further investigated by a Marine Board of Investigation.

The HMS Bounty sank after taking on water about 90 miles off the coast of Cape Hatteras, N.C. One crew member, Claudene Christian, died shortly after she and other crew members were rescued by the Coast Guard.

Captain Robin Walbridge, 63, is still missing though presumed dead.

In August, a special about the Bounty was produced in Belfast, Maine and aired on public access. In light of the ship’s sinking the video was edited. Watch the 30 minute video below.

$999.00

For $999, you can watch sailing, on public land

02.11.13 – 3:12 pm | Tim Redmond |

(5)

Did SF get kicked in the balls, or what?

 

Here’s the deal of a lifetime: For $999, you can get a ticket to watch the America’s Cup races. From beachers built on public land. Where the non-wealthy public won’t be allowed.

The America’s Cup Event Authority, run by Larry Ellison, who is the third-richest person in the world, has sent out an email soliciting buyers for this special early deal: Buy now, and you will be guaranteed a “reserved section in a preferred area of the bleachers,” as well as exclusive access to parties and events, and a chance to get your picture taken with the Cup.

Which, by the way, is having trouble raising money — and could leave the city on the hook for as much as $20 million. Which loudmouth critics like Aaron Peskin and Chris Daly warned about from the start. So we’ve gone from the races being a huge economic boon, worth billions to the city, to poor Mark Buell, who has to ask people to give money to underwrite Larry Ellison’s yacht party, saying that even if the city loses money, it will still all be worth it.

Those poor San Francisco plebians who don’t have $1,000 will be able to see the races, but Ellison’s team recommends spending the cash, now: “There will be a section of free-view bleachers,” the Event Authority’s Ryan Carroll told me. “But those seats will be limited, and we expect them to fill up quickly.”

And there may still be some cheaper seats coming; tickets for individual races will go on sale later, and seats at the prelims in June might not cost as much, Carroll said.

Other areas for public waterfront viewing “will be congested,” he said.

Jane Sullivan, marketing director for the America’s Cup Organizing Committee (which is the city’s operation, separate and distinct from Ellison’s), said it’s not neccessary to give Ellison a thousand bucks to see the sailboats whip by at 50 miles an hour: “The entire waterfront will not be filled up and congested,” she said. “There will be ample and lovely free viewing of all the races.”

So let me sum this up: The taxpayers spend $20 million underwriting Ellison’s race. Then Ellison’s team wants us to pay him $999 for the right to sit on a bench on public land and watch. Who does this gentleman think he is? (Oh right: He’s Larry Fucking Ellison.)

SAN FRANCISCO AND AMERICA’S CUP WOES

Stalled efforts to bring in big donors could put San Francisco taxpayers on the hook for upward of $20 million for the America’s Cup.

With the 55 days of steroidal sailing just six months away, fundraising efforts to cover the estimated $31 million to $34 million cost for police, cleanup, transportation and other expenses have pretty much hit the wall at $14 million.

Originally pitched as a competition between as many as 12 international teams, the race is now down to three entries. The shrinking size of the event has helped reduce costs, but it also substantially cut into corporate interest in sponsorships, which city officials originally thought would bring in $300 million.

Recreation and Park Commission President Mark Buell and his group have managed to raise $9 million from local donors and another $5 million from the race organizers in the form of a loan that may not have to be repaid.

Now those sources are about tapped out. So Mayor Ed Lee has personally taken up the drive to raise money.

“He’s optimistic that with a concerted effort, he can keep fundraising on par with expenses as they come in,” said Lee’s spokeswoman, Christine Falvey.

The mayor is also enlisting help from Sen. Dianne Feinstein, House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi and Board of Supervisors President David Chiu. In other words, everyone is on this and hoping it works out. But if it ends in a bailout, the feeling at City Hall seems to be that it’s worth it.

“Between the money that will come in from tourists and the crowds and the sales taxes it will generate,” Buell said, “I still think that, no matter what, it will come out a boon for the city.”

Still, time is short, money is tight – and those who have been working the phones tell us it’s not easy asking for money to help finance a yacht race being put on by Larry Ellison, one of the richest men in the world.

Texas treat: Publicly, Gov. Jerry Brown is calling Texas Gov. Rick Perry‘s three-day trip to try to lure California businesses to the Lone Star State “barely a fart.” But privately, he’s kind of happy about it – figuring the poaching threat plays right into his desire to streamline California’s environmental laws to make the state more business-friendly.

“The stage is set – he’s opened the umbrella wider than any other Democratic governor has ever done before,” said one key aide. “Now he’ll stand back and let the Legislature make their moves.”

Betting line: Now that San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee has announced he intends to appoint Supervisor Carmen Chu as city assessor, speculation is growing about her likely replacement in District Four.

The mayor said he plans to spend the next month hearing from the community and various political constituencies before announcing his pick, but we’re hearing he may be leaning toward Chu’s aide, Katy Tang. She is well-regarded in progressive circles and would have a strong chance of being re-elected in a district where Asian Americans make up the majority.

Another top contender is former prosecutor Suzy Loftus – who not only would be the lone white woman and mother on the board, but is seen as someone not afraid to speak her mind.

Burned: Peninsula school districts weren’t the only losers in a failed lawsuit against San Mateo County seeking to recover $20 million in lost Lehman Bros. investments – so were the county’s taxpayers.

A dozen school districts accused the late county Treasurer Lee Buffington of ignoring prudent investment standards by putting so much of their money into Lehman before the company’s 2008 collapse.

A three-judge state appeals court panel, however, ruled otherwise.

So now, in addition to the $20 million loss, taxpayers are on the hook for the county’s legal bills – which, as of Dec. 31, totaled $1.2 million to the high-powered San Francisco law firm Keker and Van Nest, which the county hired to fend off the school suit.

Keker was brought in because the county counsel’s office works for both the county and the school district.

“That was our point all along,” said winning lawyer Stuart Gasner of Keker’s firm – it “was a lot of robbing Peter to pay Paul. What a waste of time.”

By the way, there may be more legal bills.

Farley Neuman, the San Francisco attorney who filed the case on behalf of the schools – and who gets paid only if he wins – said he is still mulling an appeal to the state Supreme Court.

“In our view, there is an important public policy issue here,” he said.

 

San Francisco Chronicle columnists Phillip Matier and Andrew Ross appear Sundays, Mondays and Wednesdays. Matier can be seen on the KPIX-TV morning and evening news. He can also be heard on KCBS radio Monday through Friday at 7:50 a.m. and 5:50 p.m. Got a tip? Call (415) 777-8815, or e-mail matierandross@sfchronicle.com.

Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/matier-ross/article/America-s-Cup-could-cost-S-F-millions-4265828.php#ixzz2Kayi5L72

For those of us who still follow the America’s Cup, this is not really a surprise. The Cup is barely recognizable. Sailing it seems is secondary to the events surrounding it.  How many concerts? How much advertising? Doesn’t all that mean it should be able to stand on it’s own?

 

 

AT HOME

Like most of us in the northeast, we to lost power, which meant no internet, and curiously our cell phones stopped working as well. Shoveling snow became a pastime, while wondering when the electricity would be restored. Without electricity naturally no light, but no heat soon becomes the biggest concern. Would I have to drain the water pipes?  The power was restored just in time.

Shoveling is an ongoing task, but the sun has made it so much easier and gave time for a tour of Newport. Now we are expecting rain. The water has no place to go, so it will be interesting. Snow scheduled again later in the week.

GOOD NEWS, BAD NEWS


… Winter Storm Watch now in effect from Friday morning through
Saturday afternoon…

* locations… Rhode Island and southeast Massachusetts.

* Hazard types… heavy snow.

* Accumulations… snow accumulation of 8 to 15 inches.

* Timing… light snow develops by Friday morning. Snow will
increase intensity during Friday afternoon. There may be a brief
change over to rain especially near the South Coast during the
afternoon. The rain should Switch Back to heavy snow by Friday
night and Saturday morning… when the bulk of the storm is
expected.

* Impacts… heavy snow and very strong winds will bring the
potential for near blizzard conditions. The worst of the storm
will be Friday night into Saturday morning. Snowfall rates of 2
to 3 inches per hour possible. Travel may become nearly
impossible with blowing and drifting snow.

* Winds… northeast 30 to 40 mph with gusts up to 65 mph.

* Visibilities… one quarter mile or less at times.

Precautionary/preparedness actions…

A Winter Storm Watch is issued for the potential of accumulating
snow of 6 or more inches in a 12 hour period… or 8 or more
inches in a 24 hour period. Anyone traveling in the next 24 to
36 hours should monitor later forecasts and be prepared to modify
travel plans should winter weather develop.

 

 

 

 

ANOTHER EXHIBITION OF REMARKABLE SEAMANSHIP

NEWPORT HAS BEEN CHOSEN AS A STOPOVER FOR THE NEXT VOLVO OCEAN RACE.

(February 4, 2013; Day 87) – The Vendee Globe welcome afforded to fourth
placed Jean-Pierre Dick by a huge and passionate crowd was one worthy of a
race winner. Having sailed more than 2500 miles with no keel, having lead
the race – his third participation – and having been among the top three
for most of the course, all clearly inspired a big, partisan crowd to take
to the channel into the heart of Les Sables d’Olonne this afternoon to
welcome ‘ JP’.

As one of the pre-race favourites, JP took his disappointments in his
stride but they ultimately took their toll on his overall performance.

First was the loss of a key small gennaker – one which would have been his
reaching workhorse in the South which forced him to re-think his strategy
at times. Then he struggled with a jammed halyard hook which left him
unable to set the optimum headsail for some time. He eventually climbed the
mast of Virbac-Paprec 3 several times to free it but lost more miles. His
problems were capped when he lost his keel on the evening of January 21.

“The welcome here has been extraordinary. That transition between being
alone and arriving here makes me so proud to be here. You are a racer at
heart. I left trying to win this race, but it changed course and became an
adventure. In sporting terms, the goal was not achieved, but in human
terms, it is much more than I could have hoped for. I think that it will be
easier for me to get over the loss of my third place, because there is this
glorifying side to the end of the race. I am proud to have brought back my
Virbac-Paprec 3 to Les Sables d’Olonne.”

SNOW, AGAIN

It seems the weather forecasting has been exceedingly accurate recently; snow was predicted for 7 am this morning and on cue it began; lightly, but has continued all day. Sugar coating everything in the calm.