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$200 Bucks A Barrel Would Alter Life For More Than A Few Of Us

No more vacations as Americans discover 'staycations' or staying at home.  People who commute long distances to work might find it more cost effective to just quit their jobs, or retire earlier.  Businesses would close in droves, as consumers find they have no extra money to buy anything except the very basics.
That's just a taste of life on $200 bucks a barrel. Not gonna happen, you say?

Oil closed at $140 dollars a barrel on Friday, and it only took a six months to get there from the once magic-$100 a barrel mark which was achieved on January 2 of this year.  Analysts believe that $200 a barrel is not unrealistic, and maybe very likely.  That would translate to $7 dollars a gallon for gasoline, and a whopping change in most American's lifestyle.  Writer Martin Zimmerman, lays out this cheery scenario in this LA Times piece. 

Marriage Was The Theme In This Year's Pride Parade

The usual rainbow colored attire was replaced with bridal gowns and groom-style tuxes during yesterday's 38th Annual Gay Pride Parade in the City.  Huge crowds cheered SF Mayor Gavin Newsom for his efforts in the fight to legalize same-sex marriages, something gay couples have enjoyed in California since June 16.  City organizers and tourist officials had predicted a large increase in revelers because of the new law, and they were right.

(Photo by Reuters)

Marin News Roundup

Click below to see the latest in your local news:

Hands Free Or Cell Phone Use In Car Will Be Costly

Heads up everyone!  Starting tomorrow in California, if you're caught using a cell phone without a hands-free device while driving (like the photo on the left) you will pay the price.  Beginning July 1st, the new cell phone laws will go into effect.  Every California driver over 18 will be required to use a hands free cellphone device when driving.  Drivers under 18 are not allowed to use any cell phone while driving at all.  For a closer look at the laws...read on.

Big Sur Wildfire Leads The Pack

As of Sunday evening, more than 1,000 fires still burn in Northern California and among the worst continues to be the Basin Complex Fire burning near Big Sur where 250 homes are threatened in the tiny town of Palo Colorado Canyon.  The latest statistics:

* Total fires: 1,420
* Total acres burned: 364,600
* Personnel: 19,622
* 1,424 Fire Engines
* 926 Helicopters

By Sunday, the Basin Complex fire burned to within three miles of Palo Colorado Canyon, but firefighters had managed to cut fire breaks east of the fire to protect other areas in the famous wilderness, including the Tassajara Zen Mountain Center.  Firefighters say the fire is still only 3% contained, and has consumed 32,476 acres. 

Statewide, 29 homes have been destroyed and 7,500 still remain threatened.  Thirty major blazes burn in the state, with all but five in Northern California.  U.S. Forest Service say the weather has been predicted to get hotter and drier as the state heads into the traditional peak of fire season in late July and August.  The report also said that summer storms will continue- many with lightening strikes- much like those that caused the rash of fires last weekend. 

The good news for Marin residents is, the awful smoky air we all endured last week seems to have mostly lifted, at least for the time being.  The beautiful and visible, silhouette of Tam on Sunday, was a welcome site for all of us.   

(AP Photo)

Marin Rower Makes Olympic Team

Mike Altman, a 32 year-old rower from Marin, joins 11 other Northern California rowers who will head for Beijing to compete in the Olympics in August.  Altman, a Redwood High School graduate, rowed for Marin Rowing Association in 1991 and 1992.  He is a seven-time National team member.

(Photo by Brett Johnson)

Supreme Court Gun Control Poll

We know it's not Tuesday, but we're doing the poll anyway.  Yesterday, in a 5-4 vote, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a law in D.C. that bans owning handguns, the strictest gun control law in the country.  How do you feel about that?

Bees Aren't Buzzing Like They Used To

The familiar summer honeybee buzzing about the flowers may soon become a rare sight.  And that is very bad news for agriculture and food production. 

Stinson Beachgoer Dead After Being Swept Off Rocks

A man who was swept off the rocks at Stinson while fishing yesterday evening, was pronounced dead while in transit to medical care.  Raul Zamora-Castillo, 34, of Richmond was fishing with three friends, when a wave swept him into the ocean.  Zamora-Castillo, who could not swim,  was in the water for about 20 minutes before rescuers could retrieve him. 

Northern California In Flames

"The situation in California continues to escalate where 34 fires have burned more than one-quarter million acres."   That is from the National Interagency Fire Center news center.  The figures are staggering:

*Total fires: 1,032
*Contained fires: 232
*Personnel committed: 11,989
*941 Fire Engines
*42 Helicopters
*6 Air tankers

The Mendocino Lightning Complex fire has burned 19,200 acres, is threatening 900 homes and is only 5% contained.  The Basin Complex fire in Big Sur with containment at 3%, has burned over 23,500 acres and has destroyed 16 residences and threatens 575 more.  In Shasta, fire and smoke from the 11,00 acre Lime Complex Fire has prompted closure of the dam.  Butte Lightening Complex; 7,000 acres burned and 1,200 residences threatened and the list goes on.

California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is urging residents not to use fireworks on the 4th due to the extremely dry and hazardous conditions.  Some municipalities, like Santa Cruz, have already canceled holiday fireworks plans.

The CDF wildland fire information page, contains links to all these fires and has maps and much more information about individual fires and evacuations.

(AP Photos)

Mill Valley Hires "Green" Coordinator

Her title is 'sustainability coordinator' and for 30k a year, 49 year-old Carol Misseldine, advises Mill Valley officials and residents, on how best to tackle global warming, plastic waste and fossil fuel use in their city.   Misseldine uses a process developed in Sweden, called The Natural Step, to inform and instill changes in consumer habits.  The job is for one year, and the only position of its kind held in any city in Marin.  Mill Valley appears to be taking the green lead, as they were the first Marin city to ban plastics for City purposes.  Read more in the IJ about Misseldine and her green efforts.   

Air Quality Alert Issued For Third Day In A Row

Bay Area residents are facing their third straight day of smoky, unhealthy air resulting from area wildfires.  Bay Area Air Quality Management District and Marin Dept of Health released alerts beginning Tuesday warning residents in Marin to limit outdoor activities.  The air quality had been 'moderate' up until Tuesday, when it then became classified as 'unhealthy for sensitive groups.'  If it continues to get worse, then it will fall into the category of 'unhealthy' , which includes everyone.  Barely visible Tam- pictured upper right- would be totally visible from Horse Hill on any other day.

Northern California Wildfires Continue

A devastating electrical storm sparked hundreds of fires on Saturday, including several which are now considered major wildfires.  The 'Basin Complex Fire', burning near Big Sur, has now consumed 13,500 acres and is nowhere near containment.  Highway 1, the only route through the area is closed between Ventana Inn and Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park.   Closer to home, the 'Wild Horse Valley Fire' in Napa and Solano counties, is almost totally contained after burning 4,000 acres.  That fire also began Saturday afternoon, and prompted an air quality advisory issued for the County yesterday.   The SJ Mercury has an interactive map that charts the location and gives updates on all the fires. 

Novato Man Accused Of Shipping Military Airplane Parts To Iran

Novato businessman and owner of Kesh Air International in Bel Marin Keys, 48 year-old Hassan Saied Keshari, was arrested Friday night at Miami Int'l Airport, and charged with illegally exporting military aircraft parts to Iran.  Another man was also arrested, at his home in Miami.  Both are accused of arranging shipments of U.S. manufactured military aircraft parts including the CH-53 military helicopter, the F-14 Tomcat fighter jet and the AH-1 attack helicopter to Iran since 2006.  Keshari is looking at 20 years in prison, and up to $1 million in fines if convicted.  The IJ has more...

Public Health Advisory Issued For The County

The smoky air from the Napa/Solano wildfires that has been hanging over the County the last couple days, is now bad enough that the Marin Department of Health and Human Services has just issued a public health advisory!  Smoky conditions aren't great for anyone, but they are especially bad for the elderly, children and individuals with compromised respiratory conditions. 

It's Nice To Have The Grand Jury In Your Corner

Until about three weeks ago, a restaurant patron could not find restaurant health inspection online for Marin restaurants.  On June 2, this blog debuted the first- and so far only- online database of restaurant health inspections for over 280 Marin eateries.  A lot of our readers are grateful they could finally find health inspection information conveniently and quickly, from the privacy of their own home- something that the restaurant-going public enjoys in nearly all of the other Bay Area counties.   That same day, an article we posted detailing our efforts to collect and collate the data, included some troubling revelations about how the County manages the inspection process, specifically with respect to the timeliness of inspections. 

The County had been promising online information since 2005 but had never delivered.  We were pretty amazed that in this day and age, Marin could not find a way to make that crucial health information available on the web for the public.  It turns out, the Marin Civil Grand Jury feels the same way we did, and in a report just issued June 16, they pretty much take the County to task for failing to get the much promised information online.

Berkeley Tree Sitters Or How The University Nearly Managed To Hang Itself From The Highest Tree

"Shem" is perched about half-way up one of the medium size trees, in the now infamous grove next to UC  Berkeley Memorial Stadium, high above the Berkeley flats.  He is shouting how U.C. police attacked him last week, how they tried to get him to come down, and in his words-

"...attacked me, grabbing at my leg... coming at me, saying they were going to kill me!"

World's Ugliest Dog Is Really... Ugly

What has one eye and three legs, but is still a winner?  That would be Gus, a Chinese Crested dog from Florida, who took first prize over the weekend at the Sonoma-Marin Fair in Petaluma in the World's Ugliest Dog contest.  Here's a photo of Gus,and you could say he's a real 'dog'...

(Photo by Justin Sullivan, Getty Images)

Berkeley Tree Sitters Stand Off Continues

Update-See our story and photo album two posts above.

======================================================

Their food and water supplies have been cut-off and two of them have been forcibly removed, but as many as eight activist tree-sitters remain in their sky-high tree-top encampments on the U.C. Berkeley campus. 

Hot + Windy + Drought = Wildfire

Hot, windy and drought-dry conditions and a lightening storm all contributed to four major wildfires over the weekend.  One, the Wild Horse fire, in nearby Napa and Solano counties is threatening several hundred homes as of this writing, but cooler temps that rolled in on Sunday have helped somewhat.  A lightening storm on Saturday, sparked 300 small fires, two of which grew to major incidents- the 6,000 acre fast moving Brown Fire in Gilroy and Hollister, and the Whitehurst-Hummingbird Fire burning near Morgan Hill.  Another large fire- the Indians Fire, has been burning since June 8th in the Los Padres National Forest in Monterey County, has destroyed nearly 56,000 acres.  Here's a report from KRON4 on the nearby Napa fire. 

 

First Day Of Summer Is A Scorcher!!!

Summer arrived like a firecracker...hot...hot...hot.  A heat advisory was posted for our friends in the South Bay, and temps are expected to be just as hot over the weekend, and then cool off beginning next week. Stay cool!

 

Obama's Sister On The Stump In Marin

Presidential candidate Barack Obama has enlisted the help of his extended family on the campaign trail.  His half-sister, Maya Soetoro-Ng, appeared at fundraiser events in Mill Valley and Belvedere, earlier this week.  Soetoro-Ng, a resident of Honolulu, is making a swing through California on behalf of Obama.  If you missed these events, then pick something from this list.

Spraying Halted In California!

NO pesticide spraying will commence in the San Francisco Bay Area this fall!  The news was announced today by the state food and agriculture secretary, A.G. Kawamura.  Instead, officials plan to release millions of sterile moths as the new weapon in the fight against the proliferation of the light brown apple moth. 

Rough Times In Novato

Economy woes have hit our neighbors in Northern Marin pretty hard lately.  The Novato Unified School District just laid off 21 people, although all but one of the positions were part-time.  More positions will be eliminated next year mostly through attrition and retirement.  And Novato water rates will go up 11% beginning July 1st, just as officials are asking Marinites to conserve their water usage after two dry years.  And if that isn't enough, the real estate crunch is striking Novato hard, as those homes appear to be dropping in value more than other areas of Marin.  The Marin IJ says Novato also leads the county in foreclosures. 

Photo Album of Marin's First Day of Same Sex Marriage

Here is a link to our photo album of todays events at the Marin Civic Center.  Please check it out or just watch the slide show below.

Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.

The I Do's Ring Out In Marin County!

Mike Gonsalves towers over Jim Campbell, his partner of thirty-three years.  Jim is pinning a white ribbon on Mike's lapel, as they stand at the still locked entrance to the County Clerk office at Marin Civic Center.  They are both dressed to the nines, Mike in a light, linen suit that favors his tan; Jim in a dark, more conservative but very dapper looking ensemble.  They chat excitedly with another couple on their left, and pretty much to anyone else in the line that is rapidly forming down the hall.  Their excitement is understandable; after three decades as a committed couple, they are finally getting married.   

Photo Albums for Phyllis Lyon and Del Martin Wedding

We have put up a couple of photo albums in addition to the one below.  The first is a best of album.  The second is the full album for those who want to see it all.  (full story)  Enjoy!

Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.

I Do's For The Second Time- Gay Couple First To Get Married In California After Supreme Court Ruling

Looking a bit frail, but wearing the same pastel pantsuits they wore when they were married the first time in 2004, 87 year-old Del Martin is pushed in a wheelchair by her new spouse, 84 year-old Phyllis Lyon as they emerge from the Mayor's office to thunderous applause from the gathered throngs of press and well-wishers.   They are the very first couple to be legally married after last month's historic California Supreme Court ruling!

Mayor Gavin Newsom, walking behind them, has just finished officiating at the Martin-Lyon nuptials, his second for them.  Newsom had married the duo back in 2004, but that marriage was declared illegal by the state a month later. They had to wait until the Supreme court heard the case, and then for the decision, which came down last month. It's been a long wait for Phyllis and Del, but today the wait is over.   

We're Back from the Wedding of Phyllis and Del

We just got back from San Francisco's first Same Sex Wedding since the Supreme Court ruling of last month.  We are feverishly writing up the prep, the ceremony and aftermath.  In the meantime, we've put up a photo album with a few of our pictures.  Stay Tuned for more...

Marin Women Rowers- Fastest High School Boat In The Nation!

It only took about six and a half minutes to find out which women's team had the fastest boat on the water, and this year it's the Marin Rowing Association (MRA) Women's Varsity 8!   Yesterday at Harsha Lake- just outside Cincinnati- the team took first place at the US Rowing Youth National Championships, in a decisive  time of 6:33.66, beating their arch rivals, Los Gatos Rowing Club who came in second place nearly four seconds later.

The Fanciest Army Barracks We've Ever Seen

What happens when you combine a crumbling, decrepit old army fort that just happens to sit on one of the most beautiful settings in the Bay Area, and $152 million dollars? 

You get Cavallo Point, that's what...here in MoreCulture.

Gay Marriages About To Begin!

Although marriage licenses for same-sex couples, won't be officially handed out until tomorrow, San Francisco will be handing out the license, and performing the wedding, of one very special couple tonight!  MoreMarin will be going over to the City to cover the union, and we'll bring you all the details. 

Tomorrow, we'll also be down at the Marin Civic Center as they begin hand out marriage licenses for same-sex couples here in our county.  Stay tuned!

Happy Father's Day Takes On A Whole New Meaning

Just in time for Father's Day, we spot this item  One of the male weedy sea dragons in the Georgia Aquarium will give birth sometime in July.  Yes, a male.  Sea dragons, along with sea horses and pipe fish, are the only three species where the male carries the eggs and give birth.  Aquarium officials noticed about 70 fertilized eggs attached to his tail- and they are thrilled, as sea dragon births are relatively rare, and sea dragons are endangered.    Gives a whole new meaning to the phrase Dear Old Dad.                    (AP Photo)                  

Friday The 13th Is Actually Quite Safe

Be careful, it's Friday the 13th!  How many times have you heard that?  Dutch statisticians have just concluded that Friday the 13th, considered unlucky by many, is actually safer than an average Friday, at least in Holland.  They think it's because people are a little bit more careful on the superstitious holiday.  But some people take the Friday the 13th fear, also called paraskevidekatriaphobia, a bit to the extreme.  Consider the British woman who has her two children and herself, locked up inside her home and away from the school and the outside world every Friday the 13th for ten years!  We think she should read the Dutch study and relax!

Happy Friday the 13th everyone!!

Fire Burns Several Acres At China Camp State Park

The hot,dry weather is perfect for fires, and one broke out yesterday in San Rafael's China Camp State Park.  About six acres burned, and several horses were threatened, but firefighters responded quickly to contain the blaze.  Here's video from the IJ and an article.

     

There's No Such Thing As A Free Lunch When You Fly And Now- No Free Bag!

A few weeks ago, most airlines began charging a fee for a second checked bag.  Today United Airlines just announced a $15 fee for the first checked bag and $25 for the second, for travelers flying coach, after August 18th.  The third checked bag?  That will cost you a whopping $125!  And that's not all... some airlines have begun to charge extra for specific seat assignments.  If you want to gaze out the window, you'll fork over $10 for that privilege on Spirit.  The airlines say the fees, along with higher fares, are necessary to battle higher fuel prices and operating costs.  But you already knew there was no such thing as a free lunch...

GGBridge Toll Hike Public Meeting Sparsely Attended

Apparently most people in Marin are OK with spending more moolah to cross the Golden Gate.  Just a handful of people showed up last night, to voice their opinions about the proposals to hike the fee to cross the bridge during rush hours.  The proposals, known as congestion pricing calls for a buck increase for all drivers to cross the bridge, beginning on September 1st, and a separate, higher toll to cross during the rush.  Most of those who showed up, weren't thrilled with the increase.  Hear what they had to say in this cbs5 report.

Cellphone Radiation...How Much Does Yours Emit?

As far as we know, the link between using cell phones and getting brain tumors has never been proven, but isn't it nice to know someone has a list that shows the radiation output of each make and model?  Check the CNET site here and see how your phone stacks up.

WiFi Dream Becoming A Reality in The City

Earlier this year, MoreMarin told you about the deal-gone-dead to have internet provider Earthlink hook up free WiFi connections to everyone in the City, and how another company jumped in to save the day.  That company, Meraki, has been hard at work and is now promising that 144,000 residents will be able to use the internet for free by the end of the year. 

It works like this- Meraki produces a device called a "repeater antenna" which is placed on a roof or balcony.  It transmits an already existing signal out to others so that they can tap into it.  Then each antenna will send the signal to another antenna and so on.  Meraki has promised to provide the free WiFi to any SF resident who wants it, and that will take about 15,000 of the antenna devices.  Read more about Meraki's progress to wrap the city in wireless here in SFGate.

Watching Those Dollars Fly Away At The Pumps

It took several months for gas prices to jump from $3 to $4 a gallon.  But it seems like it will only take days before we regularly see $5 a gallon in car-heavy California.  Gas prices are barreling along, rising several cents a day, and motorists are wondering how much more they can take.  At least we haven't heard any stories, like this incident in Southern California.  Meanwhile, check out this nifty little link which lists the lowest price or highest price for gas in the U.S.  You can search for the cheapest gas in Marin, too! 
 

Sausalito Not Too Fond Of Prostitutes Now

"Lovable massages" on the "SF waterfront."  That internet come-on, along with community complaints prompted police officers to pay a visit to the Marin Therapy Center, on Bridgeway in Sausalito.  A proposition to one of the officers, landed 21 year-old Alameda resident, Sara Hanson in jail.  History buffs will remember that Sausalito wasn't always this intolerant of the oldest profession in the world.   Famous SF brothel owner and madam, Sally Stanford moved to Sausalito, opened a restaurant and was elected mayor in 1976.  Read more about the arrest here.

Annoy The Principal, Lose The School Newspaper

Students who return to Shasta High School in Northern California next fall, won't be able to read their student newspaper.  That's because their Principal, angry about a photo of a burning American flag that appeared in the paper, has shut it down. 

Marin Can Finally 'Que Up!

Now barbeque fans don't have to travel across a bridge to find those mouth watering ribs. Frank's Bar-B-Que just opened over in Novato, and he's promising "honest, satisfyin' Bar-B-Que & fixin's, foot-stompin' music & gen-u-wine Southern hospitality!"  It's a Nick's Picks in MoreEats!

Super Tuesday Poll- Economic Stimulus Edition

Stimulus checks are in the mail, or so they say (We haven't seen ours yet)  They are supposed to help kick-start the economy, but we doubt it.  To the poll...

Same Sex Marriage- Makes Dollars and Sense

It might be the only good economic news you'll hear these days.  Researchers predict the gay marriage business could boost California's bottom line by over $650 million dollars in the next three years!  That is providing, of course, that Californians don't vote to put a stop to same-sex marriages come November.   The revenue will benefit the hotels, caterers, flowers, cakes and photographers that make up the booming wedding business, and tourism is sure to get a nice bump.  Read about the study in this SFGate article.

A Hotel on Alcatraz? A Shuttle To Muir Woods?

Ever wanted to know what it would be like to spend the night on Alcatraz?  The National Park Service (NPS) has come up with a new vision that might make that dream a reality.

From Mill Valley To Stinson Beach For The 98th Dipsea

Some ran, some walked and others collapsed from the heat as they, and the other hordes of runners competed in the 98th annual Dipsea Race.  A Mill Valley man, 51 year-old Roy Rivers, won the race after several previous years of racing, including a third-place finish last year.  Rivers finished strongly, even though temps ranged in the 70s at the coastal finish line- great to watch the race, but quite hot for the runners.  A couple of competitors suffered heat exhaustion and had to be airlifted by helicopter to area hospitals, and race organizers said they treated about 30 other runners for lacerations, bruises and other injuries at the finish line.  Melody-Anne Schultz, 66, of Ross was the first female to cross the finish line.  Congratulations to the winners and everyone who took part!  For a full list of finishers, look here.

Stop The Spray LIVE! Concert This Sunday!

Sausalito will be rocking on Sunday, as a virtual Who's Who of Marin musicians and celebrities will be on hand to lend their talent and support to efforts to stop moth spraying.

Drought Declared For State Of California

Governor Schwarzenegger is acting quickly to prevent future water disaster, and just declared a statewide drought.  Two years of deficit rainfall totals, including three months this year (March, April & May) which were the driest on record, plus low snow melt runoff have left the reservoirs and water reserves low.  Officials worry that another dry year or two, could spell disaster. The Governor is asking residents and water managers to act now and cut water usage, or face rationing.  Astronomical fuel and food prices, dismal home sales and job prospects, and now this.  When can we expect the locusts?!? 

Marin Symphony Youth Chorus- Singing As One Voice

Q-  What do you get when you mix nearly two dozen talented young choral singers with one extremely dedicated director?

 
A-  The singing sensation known as the Marin Symphony Youth Chorus!

Featured in MoreCulture!