Month: August 2011

  • Residential Burglaries Up

    In reviewing the police blotter, it appears that the burglary rate is still up.  Apartments on El Camino, houses on the Avenue on the east side….on and on.  A major clean-up effort on west-side B'wy recently is giving residents some relief, but we have to be careful the problem isn't just moving around.

  • Love Those Ranchers..and the Eichlers

    Yesterday's Wall Street Journal had a front page article about the onset of historic status for post-WWII ranch houses as they reach the age of maturity.  A man named Richard Cloues in Atlanta is starting the effort

    But with a growing number of the homes turning 50 years old–the age at which the National Park Service says most buildings may be considered for the National Register of Historic Places–Mr. Cloues is leading one of the first state efforts to protect them….Applications from ranch owners seeing historic status for their homes have risen sharply in recent years, according to the National Register.

    B'game has a number of ranchers like this one

    Rancher_Bgame 
    and the article made one point that I hadn't considered so clearly.  It notes that as Baby Boomers age, ranchers are gaining popularity because they are single level.  I think we have a bit of housing stock that excites even more passion amongst owners–Eichlers.  I had a great chat with a new B'game Eichler owner yesterday.  She is charged up about her upcoming restoration.  Here are a couple of other local examples that don't need restoring

    Eichler_pair 
    Eichler_3 
    Sweet!

  • Who$e Redevelopment Dollar$?

    Today's SM County Times has yet another article on Redevelopment Agency funding.  Daly City Councilman David Canepa's clueless quote is regurgitated once again

    "What the state is doing to local government amounts to extortion," City Councilman David Canepa said Friday.

    No, sir.  I really wish some reporter would catch onto what is really going on here.  People like Canepa want their city's freeride to continue at the expense of all the other California cities who do not have redevelopment agencies (like B'game).  It's not free money.  Just because it is filtered through Sacramento, which is scary enough, doesn't mean it didn't come straight from other cities' taxpayers who shouldn't be forced to fund things like cinemas in Daly City.

  • Local Harvest Looking Good

    We check in each summer with how the local harvest is looking.  For those of us who grew up without fruit trees in our yards, each August is a fresh burst of flavor and excitement.  My read is that this is a banner year for apples and pears.  Check out these lovely pears that the squirrels are battling me to eat!

    Pears_2011 
    When you pick them, put them in a paper bag for about three days until they soften up.  Had two today and they were delicious.

  • High Cost Rail – Part 59 “Blended” Question

    A couple news sources are reporting on the ESG (Eshoo, Simitian, Gordon)

    The Caltrain corridor can accommodate two high-speed trains an hour in both directions without having to add passing tracks, according to a draft capacity report the transit agency released yesterday.

    And the Daily Journal goes on to note

    The report, presented to a group that calls itself the San Mateo County Rail Corridor Partnership, showed only that the “blended” system could work from an operational perspective and does not touch on the infrastructure needs or the design of the project.

    While the capacity report may come as good news for the city of Burlingame, which staunchly opposes an aerial viaduct for the system, some cities may not be pleased with where the passing tracks will be constructed, if the rail authority moves in that direction.

    So, I have to ask the OBVIOUS QUESTION:  If they can make high-cost, medium speed rail work on a 100+ year old railbed with existing tracks, why not just put it on the existing Amtrack rails and save us all $100 billion?   Sorry, just using logic here.  But of course it's all nonsense.  This is a dying gasp of a dying idea.  Our Moonbeam governor may still think it's a great idea, but anyone who is paying attention knows this train can't get out of the station. 

  • 101 Congestion

    If you commute on 101 you already know what the SF Examiner is reporting

    It takes a whopping 40 minutes to drive south on U.S. Highway 101 through San Mateo County during the evening weekday rush hour, up from 29 minutes in 2009, according to a report commissioned by the San Mateo City/County Association of Governments. The morning commute also went up six minutes to a 34-minute average.

    But this is somewhat news and won't make you feel any better

    Peninsula cities and the county pay $1.8 million annually to help reduce congestion on roadways. However, much of that money can’t be used for projects on 101 because it does not quite violate congestion standards set in 1991.

    But don't worry, we will surpass the hurdle soon………………

  • Radios…Radios…More Radios

    The issue of a new flavor or wireless antennae/radios going onto poles in the city is on tonight's agenda as well.   We started the conversation here.  Now there is an actual photo of the one at Stanley and Peninsula that have been submitted to the city.  Here it is:

    Extanet antenna 

    This will be just an update at the end of the meeting (i.e. no action item or vote will happen).  As I mentioned in the last post, pole attachment rights are pretty complex and the FCC (i.e. the Feds) even have a say in this around the country.  With wired phone, DSL, Cable TV and modems, electricity, city tree trimming and street lighting and now wireless providers in the game, there's plenty of stakeholders with skin in the game. 

  • High Cost Rail – Part 58 Jerry Hill gets it; Quentin Kopp doesn’t

    I apologize for two High Cost Rail posts in a row, but our local Assemblyman Jerry Hill has a piece in the SF Comicle that shows he is seeing the tidal change on the subject for what it is.  One key piece that has been ever clearer over time is

    We are approaching a critical crossroad. We have spent $250 million to date but construction of phase one could require us to spend more than $100 billion on debt service over 30 years. If we start construction without private funding or assurances of further federal financial support, the California taxpayers will be responsible for nearly the entire cost of the project.

    This is a very positive development regardless of whether you are a homeowner on the Peninsula, a business owner near the Caltrain right of way, a California taxpayer or any combination of the three.

    For the ultimate in hubris and hypocrisy, have a look at former what Quentin Kopp, formerly of the High Cost Rail Authority, had to say about the Central Subway in SF.  My favorite part is the "breathtaking and undeniable facts about a politically motivated project, which will sap" blah, blah, blah.  Everything Q-ball says about the Central Subway is true of High Cost Rail in California…just add three or four zeros.  Really pretty unbelievable!

     

  • High-Cost Rail – Part 57 Not New$

    This just in from the Associated Press should not surprise anyone who has been paying the least amount of attention

    SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Building tracks for the first section of California's proposed high-speed rail line will cost $2.9 billion to $6.8 billion more than originally estimated, raising questions about the affordability of the nation's most ambitious rail project at a time when its planning and finances are under fire.

    A 2009 business plan developed for the California High-Speed Authority, the entity overseeing the project, estimated costs at about $7.1 billion for the equivalent stretch of tracks. Officials say those estimates were made before detailed engineering work and feedback from communities along the proposed route.

    The latest estimates are contained in two environmental impact studies that were shared with The Associated Press before their public release on Tuesday.

    The rail authority's chief executive, Roelof van Ark, said planners anticipated the higher costs as more information about land acquisition and other details related to actual construction became known.

    "We've had cost increases, but I believe the costs are now realistic and fair," he said.

    Van Ark also said he expects the estimated total cost of the project, originally pegged at $43 billion, to rise.

    I love how he still throws around the $43B number when anyone who has been paying attention is already at $64-67B and rising!  Oh well, this is not news but will be fun to look back on when they break $100B.

  • Bicycle Safety Workshop

    Bicycle Safety Workshop
    Date: Saturday, August 20, 2011; 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM
    Cost: FREE!
    Location: Burlingame Recreation Center – 850 Burlingame Ave.
    and
    Bike Handling Skills Clinic
    Date: Saturday, August 20, 2011; 12:30 PM – 2:30 PM
    Cost: $30
    Location: Burlingame Recreation Center – 850 Burlingame Ave.

    Both Sponsored by the City of Burlingame Traffic Safety and Parking Commission, Burlingame Bicycle/Pedestrian Advisory Committee, and the Citizens Environmental Council – Burlingame

    Join us for a free 60-minute Bike Safety Workshop conducted by a certified bike instructor from the League of American Bicyclists. You can expect:

    • An interactive bicycle safety presentation for bicyclists (and
      drivers too!).
    • Information on current traffic laws for bicyclists and drivers,
      bicycle maintenance, maps, booklets.
    • To find out more about the Alliance programs for bicyclists (e.g.,
      Bike to Work Day, "Let's Roll, San Mateo County"),
      bike parking rebates for employers, and commute incentives — for a
      'greener' Peninsula.
    • To improve your skills and be more confident to ride safely on
      public streets, and enjoy a fun ride with your family and friends.
    • Prize Drawings (including a $25 Starbucks gift card, a Bike Helmet,
      and assortment of Alliance bike safety items).

    Instructor and prize drawings provided by the PENINSULA TRAFFIC CONGESTION RELIEF ALLIANCE. www.commute.org

    RSVP by Thursday noon, Aug 18th, and get an extra raffle ticket to win a door prize.
    Call Jeff @     (650) 348-1443 or E-mail the Alliance @: gina@commute.org

     

    Special Bike Handling Clinic.  Want more FUN on your bike?  Take this two-hour ON BIKE, OFF STREET class to improve your bike handling skills. Learn to confidently mount & dismount, start & stop, turn, scan over your shoulder, give hand signals and use your bike's gears.

    A working bicycle and bike helmet are required.  Contact Bike EducatorJohn Ciccarelli at john@bicyclesolutions.com .  Read class reviews at http://www.TeachStreet.com/teacher/john-ciccarelli .

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