Friday, July 04, 2008
Thursday, July 03, 2008
Wednesday, July 02, 2008
Tuesday, July 01, 2008
Hang Up and Drive
The micro-managing of your life continues...
How did this happen? >>>The man who said put down the phone
Monday, June 30, 2008
One little tiny mistake and they die.
The following fantastic comment was recently posted on this topic from 2006, Leucadia Blog: Beacon's Beach Poisoned? Sir, whomever you are I thank you.
I happened accross this web site and have to post a few short comments regarding some issues of these type of squirrels.
We have plenty of them around here in Upper Lake too. However my land's flat and fairly big. If these are the Beecheyi Spermofolus type squirrel, then the bait they are using, if for rats, won't harm the squirrels if the pellets are of the type used in common house hold use for rats. I went through training at a wildlife rescue center to be able to rescue and reintroduce back into the property. As one of the pups liked to run around the house, she got into the box of rat poison so I took her to a vet and called the poison center on the box to try and save it. She had eaten some of the pellets and placed a cheek full under my leg while laying down as if to play "Bury the Stash" under my leg.
Well, the poison center told me that rat poison pellets will not harm squirrels and the vitamin K is not even necessary to keep their blood from coagulating, nore a prescription from any vet. Their systems are just not the same and do not react to poison rat pellets like rats do. Please take my word for this and save the money on a call to Decon Corp, who will tell you the same.
Let me explain a little something recently discovered about these little critters. There are many different species but not all species are related and some are not even related to the Rodentia Family. Regarding the Beecheyi, they are more related to the APE family, like you or I, and UC Davis not too many years ago did a complete brain, central nervous system, synapse, gene and many other very indepth tests, and found they are more related to the Caucasian Monkey that any other species. This is really no suprise to science as there are many researchers who believe man may have originated from a Squirrel like creature.
Yes, they will sometimes get out of control, are protected by Federal and State Law. One must have a permit, while other entities like schools, the city, or public parks, do not require a permit to kill them.
There is a downside to putting rat poison in a public park the way described in that it's a hazard to children, just for the fact it's a poison and yes it will kill mice and rats, which the poison can then harm birds of all types who eat the flesh, and smaller essential organisms we need for the ecosystem, including some species of fish in water near a area where enough poison is put out to wash in. If it's the ocean, I doubt very much that by the time it's obsorbed into the water of an ocean, it's enough to kill a shrimp. A pellet size may be different, so why even take a chance?
The smaller beecheyi can be a nuesence but there has never ever been on record a case anywhere, where a cow, human or any other living species has tripped into a squirrel hole and broken or sprained an ankle. That's a hoax and total mythe by people who hate them.
Their bark is loud and they can bark for hours. What's very interesting, is they are one of very few animals of any species that can throw their voices to confuse preditors. This works very well with cats who try to eat them.
The Beecheyi does not carry Rabbies, and there has never ever been one single case of rabbies reported that is linked to a Beecheyi or squirrel of any kind I could find in the history of man. They are very clean creatures and their hair is adapted to dirt, sand and other soils, and take dust bathes and prean each other and themselves like Monkeys do, you will never find a flea or tick attached to a squirrel unless they are very sick, have a long term illness or are alone, but even alone they are usually clean of most parasites that take blood. I've seen and examined lots of squirrels and never found a flea in the Beecheyi. They most likely have a natural oil protection that is effective against parasites.
Other species of squirrel will take all the food they can find to store for the winter, while the Beecheyi only takes very little as it hybernates, (One of only 4 known species that go into true suspended animation) and Nasa has been studying these little creatures to see how they do this in hopes of finding something to aid in long distance space travel, believe it or not. You may find this interesting and fun to look up for yourself on the Internet.
Funny how mythes can get started and how much can be said that is just not true, or true in some cases as far as these very cute critters are. They are fun to watch and rarely attack unless cornered. They run as a natural built in defense. I feel bad for them because they have to be so careful in life. One little tiny mistake and they die. They also have a very short life span of only about 4 years in the wild and 5 years max in captivity.
I believe they are great candidates for the study of longer lives for people. Especially genetic testing as they do with worms that are now living 7 times their normal life span thanks to labs that study them for longevity.
One last thing. When they do get out of control, nature has it's own way of correcting this with birds of prey and other animals like Bobcats, cayotes, and many other preditors. If the park closed a few days a week, then these animals will move in to take as many as possible once nature or preditors get the word out to their fellow preditors that there is a free squirrel lunch where no people are.
This was a very interesting forum. Thank you very much for the good reads.
PA
I happened accross this web site and have to post a few short comments regarding some issues of these type of squirrels.
We have plenty of them around here in Upper Lake too. However my land's flat and fairly big. If these are the Beecheyi Spermofolus type squirrel, then the bait they are using, if for rats, won't harm the squirrels if the pellets are of the type used in common house hold use for rats. I went through training at a wildlife rescue center to be able to rescue and reintroduce back into the property. As one of the pups liked to run around the house, she got into the box of rat poison so I took her to a vet and called the poison center on the box to try and save it. She had eaten some of the pellets and placed a cheek full under my leg while laying down as if to play "Bury the Stash" under my leg.
Well, the poison center told me that rat poison pellets will not harm squirrels and the vitamin K is not even necessary to keep their blood from coagulating, nore a prescription from any vet. Their systems are just not the same and do not react to poison rat pellets like rats do. Please take my word for this and save the money on a call to Decon Corp, who will tell you the same.
Let me explain a little something recently discovered about these little critters. There are many different species but not all species are related and some are not even related to the Rodentia Family. Regarding the Beecheyi, they are more related to the APE family, like you or I, and UC Davis not too many years ago did a complete brain, central nervous system, synapse, gene and many other very indepth tests, and found they are more related to the Caucasian Monkey that any other species. This is really no suprise to science as there are many researchers who believe man may have originated from a Squirrel like creature.
Yes, they will sometimes get out of control, are protected by Federal and State Law. One must have a permit, while other entities like schools, the city, or public parks, do not require a permit to kill them.
There is a downside to putting rat poison in a public park the way described in that it's a hazard to children, just for the fact it's a poison and yes it will kill mice and rats, which the poison can then harm birds of all types who eat the flesh, and smaller essential organisms we need for the ecosystem, including some species of fish in water near a area where enough poison is put out to wash in. If it's the ocean, I doubt very much that by the time it's obsorbed into the water of an ocean, it's enough to kill a shrimp. A pellet size may be different, so why even take a chance?
The smaller beecheyi can be a nuesence but there has never ever been on record a case anywhere, where a cow, human or any other living species has tripped into a squirrel hole and broken or sprained an ankle. That's a hoax and total mythe by people who hate them.
Their bark is loud and they can bark for hours. What's very interesting, is they are one of very few animals of any species that can throw their voices to confuse preditors. This works very well with cats who try to eat them.
The Beecheyi does not carry Rabbies, and there has never ever been one single case of rabbies reported that is linked to a Beecheyi or squirrel of any kind I could find in the history of man. They are very clean creatures and their hair is adapted to dirt, sand and other soils, and take dust bathes and prean each other and themselves like Monkeys do, you will never find a flea or tick attached to a squirrel unless they are very sick, have a long term illness or are alone, but even alone they are usually clean of most parasites that take blood. I've seen and examined lots of squirrels and never found a flea in the Beecheyi. They most likely have a natural oil protection that is effective against parasites.
Other species of squirrel will take all the food they can find to store for the winter, while the Beecheyi only takes very little as it hybernates, (One of only 4 known species that go into true suspended animation) and Nasa has been studying these little creatures to see how they do this in hopes of finding something to aid in long distance space travel, believe it or not. You may find this interesting and fun to look up for yourself on the Internet.
Funny how mythes can get started and how much can be said that is just not true, or true in some cases as far as these very cute critters are. They are fun to watch and rarely attack unless cornered. They run as a natural built in defense. I feel bad for them because they have to be so careful in life. One little tiny mistake and they die. They also have a very short life span of only about 4 years in the wild and 5 years max in captivity.
I believe they are great candidates for the study of longer lives for people. Especially genetic testing as they do with worms that are now living 7 times their normal life span thanks to labs that study them for longevity.
One last thing. When they do get out of control, nature has it's own way of correcting this with birds of prey and other animals like Bobcats, cayotes, and many other preditors. If the park closed a few days a week, then these animals will move in to take as many as possible once nature or preditors get the word out to their fellow preditors that there is a free squirrel lunch where no people are.
This was a very interesting forum. Thank you very much for the good reads.
PA
Money for Leucadia Blvd Grade separation???
Bill for More Infill, Transit-Oriented Development, Railroad Grade Crossings and County Roads Goes To Governor
Legislation that fast-tracks additional allocations of bond funding authorized under Propositions 1C and 1B (2006), was approved by the Assembly and sent to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Thursday, June 26. AB 1252 (Caballero) provides an additional $150 million for infill infrastructure and transit-oriented development (TOD) programs initiated through Prop. 1C. This allocation was requested by the Administration in response to the heavy demand for these funds at the local level.
The FY 2007-08 budget provided $240 million for the Infill Infrastructure Fund and $95 million for Transit-Oriented Development, but the volume of applications exceeded those amounts four-fold. AB 1252 provides an additional $100 million for infill infrastructure projects and another $50 million for TOD.
As part of the Senate deliberations, an additional $150 million allocation in Prop. 1B funds was added to the measure, with $63 million allocated for railroad grade crossing improvements and $87 million for county roads.
related info
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Speculators Pushing Oil towards $200 a Barrel, what will be the effect on Encinitas?
Check out the story in today's LA Times,
Envisioning a world of $200-a-barrel oil
image from LA Times
Burning Questions:
*Has the city of Encinitas budgeted for the rapidly increasing fuel cost for it's fleet of city vehicles?
*How much did the city of Encinitas spend on fuel in 2007?
*How much will the city of Encinitas spend on fuel in 2008?
*How many vehicles does the city of Encinitas have?
*Should the city of Encinitas look into converting it's fleet of vehicles to hybrids and other alternatives?
*As consumers spend their disposable income on fuel, what will be the impact on sales tax revenue for the city of Encinitas?
*How long until the local pizza places start charging an extra fuel surcharge for deliveries?
Envisioning a world of $200-a-barrel oil
image from LA Times
Burning Questions:
*Has the city of Encinitas budgeted for the rapidly increasing fuel cost for it's fleet of city vehicles?
*How much did the city of Encinitas spend on fuel in 2007?
*How much will the city of Encinitas spend on fuel in 2008?
*How many vehicles does the city of Encinitas have?
*Should the city of Encinitas look into converting it's fleet of vehicles to hybrids and other alternatives?
*As consumers spend their disposable income on fuel, what will be the impact on sales tax revenue for the city of Encinitas?
*How long until the local pizza places start charging an extra fuel surcharge for deliveries?
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Walgreens Traffic Conclusions
From the desk of,
Herb Patterson
TO: CITY COUNCIL AND TRAFFIC COMMISSION
RE: TRAFFIC - WALGREENS
For years now I have been quoting the General Plan verbiage below:
Circulation Element Goals and Policies page C-3 reads as follows “Policy 1.2 Endeavor to maintain Level of Service C as a basic design guideline for the local system of roadways understanding that the guideline may not be attainable in all cases.” and “Policy 1.3 Prohibit development which results in Level of Service E or F at any intersection unless no alternatives exist and an overriding need can be demonstrated."
For years you have not enforced this provision of the General Plan. We now have a perfect test case as their is no controversy over the conditions of the intersection of Encinitas Blvd. and El Camino Real, the proposed site of the now green lighted Walgreens. The Walgreens traffic report shows the before build out and after build out improvement the peak hour level of service are between LOS D and E at peak hours [see Table Seven pg. 29 of the traffic report]. It also shows that the 2030 baseline and the baseline+project level LOS for the two driveways varies between LOS C and E during peak hours [ see table 5, pg. 26] .
So what are my conclusions ?
1. The development should not be allowed because the threshold of the General Plan have already been exceeded. No new development affecting this intersection should be allowed until such infra structure improvements as necessary to bring the intersection within the acceptable limits of the General Plan are done.
2. The addition of an additional right hand turn lane on the West side of El Camino Real would mitigate the gross LOS figures generated by the Walgreens to a certain extent, but whatever that extent would be, it would not mitigate the the driveways at peak hours AS THE TURNING MOTION REMAINS THE SAME. In fact, a dedicated right hand turn lane without an island preventing those leaving the El Camino Real driveway of the BofA from attempting any other action other than turning right may well make the problem worse.
3. This project is not one where "no alternatives exist" or an "overriding need can be demonstrated".
4. The alternative of closing the BofA El Camino access has not been discussed, whether in the context of moving the BMW driveway to alignment with the MacDonald's driveway on Encinitas and signalizing it to provide access to all or with no further changes. The Staff report indicates the only other option would be to change or remove the existing BofA building. They have failed to consider any other possibilities and have been deaf to the community.
I propose that each of you respond to this letter in writing so the citizens of Encinitas can understand your views. I suggest that you do this without help of staff or counsel, though the response of staff could certainly be included as a separate response. I suggest you respond to the applicability of the General Plan in general as well as this specific example. Ms Barth is excused from this exercise as she voted for the appeal against this project based on other General Plan provisions - though she is welcome to provide input. Since the Traffic Commission will review this project, their participation is also voluntary.
I have contacted J.P. La Pierre and he will post this letter and your responses on his "Leucadia!" website so the community can better understand your point of view. For years I have presented you with these General Plan provisions and have never received a written reply. I believe you owe me and the citizens of Encinitas a specific reply outlining your views.
Thank You,
Herb Patterson
See Herb's previous letter about Walgreen's: Leucadia Blog: Do we need tax monies so badly that we are willing to shoehorn in an unneeded business on an illegal lot?
NCT.com:
ENCINITAS: Walgreens gets green light
Herb Patterson
TO: CITY COUNCIL AND TRAFFIC COMMISSION
RE: TRAFFIC - WALGREENS
For years now I have been quoting the General Plan verbiage below:
Circulation Element Goals and Policies page C-3 reads as follows “Policy 1.2 Endeavor to maintain Level of Service C as a basic design guideline for the local system of roadways understanding that the guideline may not be attainable in all cases.” and “Policy 1.3 Prohibit development which results in Level of Service E or F at any intersection unless no alternatives exist and an overriding need can be demonstrated."
For years you have not enforced this provision of the General Plan. We now have a perfect test case as their is no controversy over the conditions of the intersection of Encinitas Blvd. and El Camino Real, the proposed site of the now green lighted Walgreens. The Walgreens traffic report shows the before build out and after build out improvement the peak hour level of service are between LOS D and E at peak hours [see Table Seven pg. 29 of the traffic report]. It also shows that the 2030 baseline and the baseline+project level LOS for the two driveways varies between LOS C and E during peak hours [ see table 5, pg. 26] .
So what are my conclusions ?
1. The development should not be allowed because the threshold of the General Plan have already been exceeded. No new development affecting this intersection should be allowed until such infra structure improvements as necessary to bring the intersection within the acceptable limits of the General Plan are done.
2. The addition of an additional right hand turn lane on the West side of El Camino Real would mitigate the gross LOS figures generated by the Walgreens to a certain extent, but whatever that extent would be, it would not mitigate the the driveways at peak hours AS THE TURNING MOTION REMAINS THE SAME. In fact, a dedicated right hand turn lane without an island preventing those leaving the El Camino Real driveway of the BofA from attempting any other action other than turning right may well make the problem worse.
3. This project is not one where "no alternatives exist" or an "overriding need can be demonstrated".
4. The alternative of closing the BofA El Camino access has not been discussed, whether in the context of moving the BMW driveway to alignment with the MacDonald's driveway on Encinitas and signalizing it to provide access to all or with no further changes. The Staff report indicates the only other option would be to change or remove the existing BofA building. They have failed to consider any other possibilities and have been deaf to the community.
I propose that each of you respond to this letter in writing so the citizens of Encinitas can understand your views. I suggest that you do this without help of staff or counsel, though the response of staff could certainly be included as a separate response. I suggest you respond to the applicability of the General Plan in general as well as this specific example. Ms Barth is excused from this exercise as she voted for the appeal against this project based on other General Plan provisions - though she is welcome to provide input. Since the Traffic Commission will review this project, their participation is also voluntary.
I have contacted J.P. La Pierre and he will post this letter and your responses on his "Leucadia!" website so the community can better understand your point of view. For years I have presented you with these General Plan provisions and have never received a written reply. I believe you owe me and the citizens of Encinitas a specific reply outlining your views.
Thank You,
Herb Patterson
See Herb's previous letter about Walgreen's: Leucadia Blog: Do we need tax monies so badly that we are willing to shoehorn in an unneeded business on an illegal lot?
NCT.com:
ENCINITAS: Walgreens gets green light
Friday, June 27, 2008
Hometown Tree
From the Monday Art Day blog,
This is a drawing of my favorite tree from my childhood. It was the greatest climbing tree ever. It even had a place where a branch separated and grew back together to form a throne to sit on. It was an avocado tree, so it also provided a tasty snack and a plenitude of amo to through at neighborhood bullies.
I grew up in Leucadia, California, which was entirely covered in avocado orchards and small green houses before anyone started building real houses. It was a lazy beach town with a population comprised of surfers, hippies, and immigrants. As the years wore on, the trees were all but sacrificed for the cement and wood of housing and commercial pursuits. The beach culture, that I loved, was transformed into a consumer culture. Yet through it all this tree still stands on Sanford St. in the front yard of the house I grew up in.
link
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Sheffo on the Sand Tax
From 2008 Encinitas city council candidate Joe Sheffo:
The North County Times has a piece on the council's attempt to put another sand tax initiative on the fall ballot.
ENCINITAS: Council to decide to put sand tax on November ballot
Prior to the June election, I made the argument that the sand tax was just another money grab and that if sand replenishment were so worthwhile the council should make it a priority and fund replenishment projects out of existing funds.
The Times article quotes Mike Andreen, who was a major proponent of the sand tax, now making that same argument:
"I think you have a 50-50 chance of passing it in November, " Andreen said. "But there is the argument that you just spent $25,000 and F passed. So why don't you collect that $160,000 a year (under Prop. F) and see if you need more money later. Besides, you can always use some of the general funds for sand replenishment."
It's becoming clear that Props F & G were never really about sand replenishment but were instead part of a calculated attempt to use sand replenishment as a campaign issue in the fall.
Putting politics before sound policy and fiscal responsibility is pretty darn cynical. I hope that taxpayers remember that this fall.
www.sheffo4council.com
SignOnSandiego.com: Vacation-rental tax to go before Encinitas voters
My idea for Moonlight Beach: Leucadia Blog: Moonlight Beach, Grassy Park instead of Sand?
Also in the newz:
ENCINITAS: Walgreens gets green light
I bring this up because it's a rare day when the usual power players on the Encinitas Chamber of Commerce and DEMA agree with city watchdog Donna Westbrook.
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Oil Rigs off the Leucadia Coast?
On U.S. coasts, a rethink on oil drilling?
Editorial: Offshore drilling opens oil pipeline to nowhere
McCain Defends His Support for Offshore Oil Drilling
Schwarzenegger remains opposed to offshore oil drilling
California oil production hits 66-year low
House fails to move gas pump price gouging bill
Schwarzenegger's oil spill plan under attack
FORUM: Bilbray no ocean champion
Monday, June 23, 2008
Local Gal Rachelle Collier Making 2008 Encinitas City Council Run!
The following is an e-mail from a friend,
I am running for City Council because I have noticed that the citizens of Encinitas are not always clearly heard. I believe that community involvement is essential to keep our City, and its five unique communities, true to the General Plan that was so thoughtfully written when our City was incorporated in 1986.
Please remember, the reason Encinitas incorporated as a City was to remove control from the County, which was not doing its job, and to demand good and well-planned development. Too often, in the past few years, citizen’s ideas and concerns have not been thoroughly considered. Workshops are well attended but the input from the community is not reflected in the outcome.
I believe we can do it better. It is time to open up City Hall and allow citizens who have vast expertise and knowledge to participate. The responsibility of making final decisions will always fall to the elected officials, but the City has a great resource at hand and should encourage citizens who can volunteer their time and ideas to be part of the process.
It is time for change and fairness in our City Government and I am committed to making that change happen.
My community involvement includes: Being founding member of the Community Parks Council, (1999). We were instrumental in the development of the Leucadia Oaks Park. I’ve been a member of the Leucadia Town Council since 2001, and President since 2006. The LTC has also awarded an annual $500 scholarship to a graduating high school senior since 2006. As well as being a Board member of the Leucadia 101 Mainstreet Association since 2000, I am currently the Secretary and have served on many committees and have participated in all the events that contribute to the character of the North 101 Corridor, including working with the City staff and Council to have temporary sidewalks installed where there were none and attending the Streetscape workshops. I am also a member of the Friends of the Encinitas Library and the Encinitas Taxpayers Association.
I am proud to be endorsed by The League of Conservation Voters and Sierra Club California.
Three meetings on Wednesday night June 25
San Dieguito Water District - one item
Joint City & SDWD - three consent items and one regular item
Council Meeting
Three Presentations
Three Consent Items
Four items on the Regular Agenda
Make appointments to the Youth Commission
Appeal concerning Planning commission appeal of the Walgreens drug store on Encinitas Blvd.
Introduction of an Ordinance to require recycling of construction and demolition materials
Council discussion and direction on whether to include on the Nov. ballot the 2% Transient Occupancy Tax on short term vacation rentals.
http://archive.ci.encinitas.ca.us/weblink7/browse.aspx?startid=630341
Joint City & SDWD - three consent items and one regular item
Council Meeting
Three Presentations
Three Consent Items
Four items on the Regular Agenda
Make appointments to the Youth Commission
Appeal concerning Planning commission appeal of the Walgreens drug store on Encinitas Blvd.
Introduction of an Ordinance to require recycling of construction and demolition materials
Council discussion and direction on whether to include on the Nov. ballot the 2% Transient Occupancy Tax on short term vacation rentals.
http://archive.ci.encinitas.ca.us/weblink7/browse.aspx?startid=630341
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