Neighbors Not Properly Noticed

Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske today expressed her concern upon learning that the company used by the City of Long Beach to send out the notice of the meeting concerning placement of lights in the soccer field at Willow and Studebaker did not in fact notice all the residents of the impacted neighborhood. "It is vital that when the City or an organization proposes to make changes in a park, that the impacted neighborhoods be given full and proper notice," says Schipske, who had held two community meetings on the issue.

"I have also asked the City Attorney to determine whether or not an environmental impact statement will be required because the lights substantially change the use of the park after dark as well as increase traffic, parking and noise problems."

As a result of the failure to properly notice residents, the Parks, Recreation and Marine Commission will have to hold another meeting before making a determination whether or not to approve AYSO's proposal to fund and place field lights.

Walking and talking

Was precinct walking today. Now that the rain has stopped for a while I am back out there walking and talking to residents.

It's funny. I have been doing this for so long that I can now assess in 5 seconds if someone is home. There are also sounds and smells that tell you what's going on at the house. Drying clothes has a distinct sound and smell and usually means someone is home. Newly watered garden tells you the homeowner is probably there or in the back yard. Barking dogs are a bit of a scare...especially those that charge a window.

While I am walking I am also doing an inventory on sidewalks, trees and streets.

Was finishing up my 5th street of the day when I got the call from my daughter that she might be having her baby today. Turns out it might be tomorrow or this weekend.

Solar Grand Prix Orientation A Huge Success

What do you call over 300 students and parents coming out on a Saturday morning? A huge success.

That's what's happened yesterday at the El Dorado Community Center.

I launched the orientation meeting for the First Solar Grand Prix at 10 am to a standing room only audience of students, teachers and parents who came to listen to the basics of solar energy and how to build a solar car.

Thanks to the participation of the 5th District Solar and Sustainability Task Force and volunteers from the Parks, Recretation and Marine Department, we were able to host a very organized and productive orientation.

Our speakers included:

• Pat Vogel -- artist and the maker of the first solar car at CSULB
• Pat Redgate -- owner and operator of Ameco Solar
• Ryan Gardner -- CSULB Engineering student
• Matthew McHale -- 5th District Neighborhood Liaison and Solar Grand Prix coordinator

At the conclusion of the orientation, adult coaches (parents and teachers) were given a basic solar car kit (solar panel and motor) for their team of students.

Student teams were also given hand-outs and links (www.lbdistrict5.com and then click on Solar Grand Prix tab) to videos and other materials.

The teams will race their creations on April 10 at the First Annual 5th District Solar Grand Prix.

Storm Update for Thrs. Jan 21

The following was just sent by City Manager Pat West:
Overall the City of Long Beach fared considerably well during the last two days of intense rainfall, and we’re preparing for more rain today. The Emergency Communications and Operations Center (ECOC) was again activated this morning at 8:00 am to manage the City’s response.

We experienced over 5 inches of rain in the last three days. Yesterday over 1.5 inches fell within a one-hour period, and on Tuesday, nearly one inch in a half-hour period. Our systems are designed to handle one inch of rain an hour. Any more than one inch in an hour overwhelms the flow of runoff from the streets into the LA River and San Gabriel River.

We expect today’s rainfall to be constant for several hours this afternoon, but not as intense as the powerful rainfall on Tuesday and Wednesday that caused much of our problems. Yesterday, the City of Long Beach appeared to bear the brunt of the storm, receiving more rainfall than most other areas in the region.

Here’s a brief rundown of the City’s activities:

• Handed out more than 500 tons of sand, and expect to have given out more than 80,000 sandbags in a 3-4 day period.
• Public Works crews responded to 240 flooded location on Wednesday.
• Fire crews responded to 36 water-related calls between 3:00 and 5:00 pm on Wednesday, including six submerged vehicles and one vessel assist.
• Beach Maintenance crews have removed 5,000 tons of debris.
• Beach Maintenance crews attending to berms at Juniper and the Peninsula.
• The City of Long Beach provided sand and bags to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Air Operations at Long Beach Airport.

Sand and Sandbags continue to be available to the public at five fire stations, and residents are encouraged to call 562.570.2726 to report weather-related issues such as flooded streets, clogged storm drains, downed trees, etc.

Here’s a brief status update:

The Main Library is closed today, due to flooding from the storm. Staff will be given the choice to take vacation, personal leave or be redeployed. Library staff will post signs, update the library's website and notify branch libraries.

The Nature Center is closed today, due to the poor condition of the trails, which are extremely muddy with a lot of standing water. School tours have been cancelled for the remainder of the week.


3 ^rd District – 8 ^th and Bennet and the Roswell area are fine. Three Dumpsters have been provided to each of these areas.
University Park Estates (back of 6 ^th St.) Opened flap gate. Waters flowed better.

4 ^th District - Termino (10th to Anaheim) Remains closed.

5 ^th District - Spring Street Tunnel (Lakewood to Kilroy) has been reopened.
Lakewood @ 405 has been reopened.

Investigating report of a downed electrical wire at E Monlaco Rd & N Charlemagne Ave. SCE notified.

6 ^th District – 25 ^th and Pine is closed, but we are reviewing the need to keep closed.

^7th District - WB Willow @ TI Freeway, Intersection closed but stormdrain clear.

Arlington Ave. area is doing fine.
Santa Fe and the 405 is open.

Campaign Spending on Steroids

Well, they went and did it. The US Supreme Court today ruled that corporations have first amendment rights (even though they really aren't people) and therefore their spending on political campaigns cannot be prohibited: corporations may spend as freely as they like to support or oppose candidates for president and Congress.

The Court in a 5-4 ruling overturned a 20 year law that restricted corporations from spending monies to support or oppose federal candidates. Several states have the same restrictions on spending in state campaigns.

As part of the 5-4 minority: Justice Stevens, who read part of his harsh dissent from the bench, said, "The court's opinion is thus a rejection of the common sense of the American people, who have recognized a need to prevent corporations from undermining self-government since the founding."

This will in the opinion of a political insider in Washington, DC, put "campaign spending on steroids."

Finding a New Purpose Over Age 60

For those of you who subscribe to the theory that today's age 60 is actually how we use to refer to those at age 40, you might be encouraged to know that there is a non-profit that awards "purpose prizes" to people 60 and over who have embarked on "encore" careers helping others.

You can see their link at: http://www.encore.org/prize and see what these energetic folks are doing now that they have hit that magic mark of age 60.

Obviously to some, the 60's is not a time to retire.

Flooding and Street Closure Report -- 5:45 pm 1/20/10

The following was sent to all City Council members just minutes ago from City Manager Pat West:

Multiple streets and intersections are flooded and/or are being closed.

Closures include:

• Spring St. Tunnel between Kilroy and Lakewood (5 ^th District)
• Terminal Island Freeway at Willow (7 ^th District)
• WB Willow onramp to Terminal Island Freeway at Willow (7 ^th District)
• San Diego (405) Freeway at Santa Fe (7 ^th /8 ^th Districts)
• Temple Bridge over the 405 Freeway
• Redondo between Anaheim and 11th (4th District)
• Junipero between 14 ^th and 17 ^th
• Southbound 405 exit at Lakewood closed by CHP
• The entrance to Long Beach Airport was closed, but quickly reopened when the flooding subsided

Flooded intersections include:

• Atherton and Park (4 ^th District)
• Long Beach Blvd. and Willow (6 ^th District)
• Arlington Ave. – water up to hubcaps
• 1900 block of Atlantic – Street flooded up to front of store
• University Park Estates – back of 6 ^th Street
• Ocean Blvd. and 7 ^th Place – mud flow
• Spring St. west of Studebaker
• 3600 block of Ocean Blvd.
• Pasadena and 23 ^rd – manhole covers popping up
• 600 block of East PCH – manhole covers popping up (1 ^st /6 ^th Districts)
• 7 ^th and Pacific

Trees down
PCH
Palos Verde and Willow

Main Library

• Flooding and leaking ceiling in several areas
• Drainage on the Plaza has improved significantly today. Sandbags have been placed at the Library front doors and no rain incursion has occurred into the Library lobby so far. Buckets have been deployed throughout the building

Alamitos : No new problems with leaking
Bach : Sandbags used for water incursion from the Carson/Bellflower intersection
Bay Shore : 3 small leaks in Meeting room from vents (usual leaks)
Brewitt : Sandbags used for water incursion from Anaheim street. Carpets wet from yesterday
Burnett : Hill Street was flooded over the sidewalk in front of the library; the water was up to the beginning of the steps.
Dana : No leaks in public area
El Dorado : Small leak in community room, same as yesterday
Bret Harte : Several significant leaks in public area
Los Altos : Leak in Magazine corner, and new carpet tiles are wet
Mark Twain : Water coming into community room through outside patio door
North : Leak along the south facing interior wall. Ceiling tiles are soaked as well

Crews today are bringing in an additional 400 tons of sand for residents, who picked up 150 tons of sand yesterday at Fire Stations. We are closing in on 50,000 sandbags distributed by now.

Why I Voted Against the Marijuana Ordinance

Tonight I cast the lone vote against a proposal to allow marijuana collectives to operate in the City of Long Beach.

I was the lone vote against the proposal because my colleagues diluted the request of the Long Beach Unified School District that a 1,500 foot buffer be required between schools and these marijuana collectives. Instead of heeding the request, my colleagues voted to reduce the buffer to 1,500 for only high schools and 500 feet for other schools. They also deleted any buffer for child care, libraries and parks.

First of all, our schools have in place a Drug Free Zone of 1,000 feet which prohibits the possession and use of drugs within 1,000 feet of schools. Despite whatever argument raised -- marijuana is still a drug -- so hopefully the City Attorney will come back and tell the rest of the council that they need to at least use that buffer. I still prefer a 1,500 foot buffer.

Someone overhearing my discussion with other colleagues about my concern that the buffer zone should not be reduced yelled out "you don't care about the patients." Of course I do. But I am also concerned about what gets placed near our schools. Marijuana collectives do not belong there.

Public Meeting On Installing Lights for Soccer Field at Willow

Date: January 19, 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

“Creating Community Through People, Places, Programs and Partnerships”

Public Meeting Scheduled to Gain Input
for El Dorado Park West Field Lights Proposal

Event date: Wednesday, January 27, 2010 – 6 p.m.
The American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO) 177 has made a proposal to the Parks, Recreation and Marine Department to purchase and install lights at the El Dorado Park West soccer field #2, located south of Willow Street on Studebaker Road.

The meeting will be held on Wednesday, January 27 at 6 p.m. in the El Dorado Community Center Bridge Room, 2800 Studebaker Road.

The Parks and Recreation Commission is holding this meeting to hear information about the proposal and gather feedback to make a decision.

For more information about the meeting, please call Robin Black at (562) 570-3170.
For information on other Long Beach Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine programs, call (562) 570-3100 or visit www.LBParks.org, sign up for E-notify and we’ll e-mail you the latest information!

# # #

Contact: Tina Burton at christina.burton@longbeach.gov

Trying to get sand for sandbags

The 5th district is experiencing flooding and I am trying to get sand for the sandbags that can be picked up at Fire Stations 18 and 19. I will keep you alerted about the storm and city resources.

Please do not drive through water in the street because you don't know how deep it is or what is underneath.

Our Public Works crews are hard at work and so are the firefighters and police.

Birthdays Past

Thanks to all who have sent their greetings (electronic and otherwise). 60 is a big number no matter how you look at it. But I am so grateful for my life and my family and can hardly wait for my granddaughter to be born. Life is good.

Storm(s) Advisory from USGS

The following was sent to me by a constituent, Ron Beeler that outlines what it expected in the next two weeks concerning storms...

Currently, a strong El Nino is reaching its peak in the Eastern Pacific, and now finally appears to be exerting an influence on our weather. The strong jet has been apparent for quite some time out over the open water, but the persistent block had prevented it from reaching the coast. Now that the block has dissolved completely, a 200+ kt jet is barreling towards us. Multiple large and powerful storm systems are expected to slam into CA from the west and northwest over the coming two weeks, all riding this extremely powerful jet stream directly into the state. The jet will itself provide tremendous dynamic lift, in addition to directing numerous disturbances right at the state and supplying them with an ample oceanic moisture source. The jet will be at quite a low latitude over much of the Pacific, so these storms will be quite cold, at least initially. Very heavy rainfall and strong to potentially very strong winds will impact the lower elevations beginning late Sunday and continuing through at least the following Sunday. This will be the case for the entire state, from (and south of) the Mexican border all the way up to Oregon . Above 3000-4000 feet, precipitation will be all snow, and since temperatures will be unusually cold for a precipitation event of this magnitude, a truly prodigious amount of snowfall is likely to occur in the mountains, possibly measured in the tens of feet in the Sierra after it's all said and done. But there's a big and rather threatening caveat to that (discussed below). Individual storm events are going to be hard to time for at least few more days, since this jet is just about as powerful as they come (on this planet, anyway). Between this Sunday and the following Sunday, expect categorical statewide rainfall totals in excess of 3-4 inches. That is likely to be a huge underestimate for most areas. Much of NorCal is likely to see 5-10 inches in the lowlands, with 10-20 inches in orographically-favored areas. Most of SoCal will see 3-6 inches at lower elevations, with perhaps triple that amount in favored areas.

This is where things get even more interesting, though. The models are virtually unanimous in "reloading" the powerful jet stream and forming an additional persistent kink 2000-3000 miles to our southwest after next Sunday. This is a truly ominous pattern, because it implies the potential for a strong Pineapple-type connection to develop. Indeed, the 12z GFS now shows copious warm rains falling between days 12 and 16 across the entire state. Normally, such as scenario out beyond day seven would be dubious at best. Since the models are in such truly remarkable agreement, however, and because of the extremely high potential impact of such an event, it's worth mentioning now. Since there will be a massive volume of freshly-fallen snow (even at relatively low elevations between 3000-5000 feet), even a moderately warm storm event would cause very serious flooding. This situation will have to be monitored closely. Even if the tropical connection does not develop, expected rains in the coming 7-10 days will likely be sufficient to cause flooding in and of themselves (even in spite of dry antecedent conditions).

In addition to very heavy precipitation, powerful winds may result from very steep pressure gradients associated with the large and deep low pressure centers expected to begin approaching the coast by early next week. Though it's not clear at the moment just how powerful these winds may be, there is certainly the potential for a widespread damaging wind event at some point, and the high Sierra peaks are likely to see gusts in the 100-200 mph range (since the 200kt jet at 200-300 mb will essentially run directly into the mountains at some point). The details of this will have to be hashed out as the event(s) draw closer.

Western Coastal and Marine Geology
U.S. Geological Survey
Pacific Science Center

260 Students Sign Up for First Annual Solar Grand Prix -- Will Attend Jan. 23 Orientation

For Immediate Release
Contact: Josh Butler: 562.570.6932

Media Advisory: 260 Students to Attend Solar Grand Prix Orientation –
Teams To Receive Information and Solar Car Kit

Date: Saturday, January 23, 2010
Time: 10 am until 12 noon
Location: El Dorado Community Center, 2800 N. Studebaker, Long Beach, CA

More than 260 students and their coaches are expected to attend the orientation workshop on how to participate in the first annual Long Beach Solar Grand Prix today announced Fifth District Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske.

Schipske and her 5th District Solar and Sustainability Task Force are sponsoring the Solar Grand Prix on April 10, 2010 which provides students, grades 6-12, a chance to design and build a solar-powered model car and then complete a race in the shortest possible time using the available solar power. The Long Beach Solar Grand Prix will be held at Good Neighbor Park, 2800 N. Studebaker Road, Long Beach.

Schipske is requiring registered participants to attend a brief orientation (January 23, 2010) to hear information on the basics of solar cells and car design. Teams had to pre-register with her office in December. Teams will receive a solar car kit, which includes a solar panel and an electric motor. Competitors will design and build a model solar-powered vehicle that will race on a 65-foot race course. The winner of the competition will be the team whose vehicle is the top finisher in a series of head to head elimination rounds.

The Solar Grand Prix challenges students to use scientific know-how, creative thinking, experimentation, and teamwork to design and build high-performance model solar vehicles. To assist students and teachers, Councilwoman Schipske has provided links to educational and curriculum materials that can be used by teachers at: www.longbeach.gov/district5/solargrandprix.asp.

Orientation Details – January 23, 2010 – 10:00 am – 11:30 am

• Opening remarks from Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske and Patrick Vogel. Councilwoman Schipske represents the Fifth Council District. She started a local Solar and Sustainability Taskforce to focus on alternative energy issues.
• Pat Vogel completed the mechanical engineering program at California State University, Long Beach and designed and built the first solar car on the campus. Currently, he is creating lasting public art in the City of Long Beach. His most notable work in Long Beach is the Penny Farthing bicycle sculpture seen around the city.
• Patrick Redgate will provide the basic information on solar cells and how they store and provide power. Redgate is the founder of Ameco Solar and a licensed solar energy contractor operating principally in Los Angeles and Orange Counties. Ameco designs, installs and repairs solar energy systems for homes and businesses in Southern California.
• Matthew McHale will give an overview of the Long Beach Solar Grand Prix and show a video showing a solar car race held in Colorado. Mr. McHale is a Neighbor Liaison in the Office of Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske and also serves as the staff representative for the Solar and Sustainability Taskforce.
• CSULB Mechanical Engineering students, Adam Rowe and Ryan Gardner, will explain to students about vehicle construction and design. After he graduates, Mr. Rowe hopes to work with and design electric vehicles. Mr. Rowe and Mr. Gardner will also be working with students who request assistance and serving as race day inspectors.

Solar Grand Prix Competition Details – April 10, 2010 – 9:30 am – 3:00 pm

• Each team will receive a Solar car kit on January 23, 2010.
• The motor and solar panel contained in the kit must be used without modification. The remainder of the vehicle must be the students' own design and can be made from any other materials.
• Sunlight will be the only power source for the vehicle. No batteries or energy storage devices are permitted.
• The vehicle must fit within the following dimensions: 1 foot (ft) x 2 ft x 1 ft.
• The car must have a chassis that is three-dimensional. Teams will NOT be allowed to bolt the axles and wheels of the car directly to the solar module. The solar module cannot be used as the chassis of the car.
• Teams are comprised of 2 – 4 members.
• Each team will have a coach (teacher, parent, or other volunteer) who can assist the students.
• Race participants must be in 6 – 12 grades, and must be a resident of Long Beach, or attend an LBUSD school or a Long Beach private school.
• Awards will be given to the middle school team and high school team with the fastest vehicle, and for creative design.

Contacts:

• Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske: 562.570.6932

• 5th Council District Solar and Sustainability Task Force members contacts: Michelle Bills: 562.400.3594; Jaime Guoz: 562.773-8158

How Should City Manager Select New Police Chief

The City Charter of Long Beach (our constitution) gives full authority to the City Manager (not the Mayor and not the City Council) to select all department heads, including the Chief of Police and the Fire Chief.

City Manager Pat West is in the middle of a process to select a new Police Chief to replace Anthony Batts who is now the Police Chief in Oakland.

You can weigh in on a city survey and tell the City Manager what you want as qualities in the next Chief of Police for Long Beach.

Click here and answer the survey.

City to pay penalites for leaky underground tanks while oil companies get bail out

In response to the last Council meeting, the headlines on www.lbreport.com proclaim: Previous City Hall Non-Responsive Response To State Agency On Underground Storage Tanks = $1.7 Million Fine (And More) For City Taxpayers...So What Happened?

Publisher Bill Pearl goes on in the article to state:This isn't about storage tanks. It's about a lack of Council oversight and managerial accountability with public money.

Well folks, the council had nothing to do with the leaky tanks. I first learned of them when I came into council and was told in a closed session that we had a problem and were facing millions of dollars in fines. I dare say most councilmembers were shocked to learn that we had the tanks. From what management told us -- the persons who should have been responsible for monitoring and repairing the tanks are no longer with the city.

Was this a lack of Council oversight? I don't think so. We are part-time and short of us and our staff going out to each department of the city and checking what they do or don't do, there are some things we aren't going to know until it becomes a problem. I can just hear the screaming about micro-managing if we did that.

But the bigger story out there that hasn't been covered is the fact the city of Long Beach has to pay to clean up those leaky tanks (in which they stored fuel for City vehicles) and the oil companies who own gas stations receive a bail out from the taxes we pay when we buy gasoline to clean up when their underground leak.

Here's how it works -- you and I pay 14 cents at the pump for each 10 gallons we pump -- which goes into a fund to be used to clean up leaky underground storage tanks. The oil companies have collected $490 million from the fund to clean up their leaky storage tanks.

Senator Alan Lowenthal carried legislation last year that Gov. Schwarzenegger signed that extended this largess to the oil companies. (The fund was originally set up to help small mom and pop gas stations, especially in rural areas.)

Meanwhile, back in Long Beach, we have to pay a fine for not having cleaned the tanks up sooner.

The oil companies contributed millions in campaign contributions to get this special treatment by Sacramento. Hard to compete with that, taxpayers.

Do You See What I See?

I thought I would share with readers some of the memos I receive on a weekly basis on pending city issues.

The memos are posted to the right through a great free service Scribd which takes pdf documents and uploads them into code that can then be placed on a website or blog.

The first item for your reading pleasure:

• Why the City of Long Beach is not applying for federal money to hire firefighters

Also posted:

• Responses to Questions from the Tidelands Charter Reform Study Session
• Reasons Why City Council Calendars Should Not be posted on the web
• Updates on Phased Repair of the Main Library roof

Read on. Gives you some insight to what council receives.

Literate Zingers

Wonderful, literate zingers sent to me by a wonderful, literate friend:

These glorious insults are from an era before the English language got boiled down to 4-letter words....

The exchange between Churchill & Lady Astor: She said, "If you were my husband, I'd give you poisoned tea." He answered, "If you were my wife, I'd drink it."

A member of Parliament to Prime Minister Disraeli: "Sir, you will either die on the gallows or of some unspeakable disease." "That depends, Sir", said Disraeli, "whether I embrace your policies or your mistress."

"He had delusions of adequacy" - Walter Kerr

"He has all the virtues I dislike and none of the vices I admire." - Winston Churchill

"I have never killed a man, but I have read many obituaries with great pleasure." Clarence Darrow

"He has never been known to use a word that might send a reader to the dictionary." - William Faulkner (about Ernest Hemingway).

"Thank you for sending me a copy of your book; I'll waste no time reading it." - Moses Hadas

"I didn't attend the funeral, but I sent a nice letter saying I approved of it." - Mark Twain

"He has no enemies, but is intensely disliked by his friends." - Oscar Wilde

"I am enclosing two tickets to the first night of my new play; bring a friend... if you have one." - George Bernard Shaw to Winston Churchill

"Cannot possibly attend first night, will attend second... if there is one."- Winston Churchill, in response.

"I feel so miserable without you, it's almost like having you here." -Comedian Kip Adota

"He is a self-made man and worships his creator." - John Bright

"I've just learned about his illness. Let's hope it's nothing trivial." -Irvin S. Cobb

"He is not only dull himself; he is the cause of dullness in others."Samuel Johnson

"He is simply a shiver looking for a spine to run up." - Paul Keating

"In order to avoid being called a flirt, she always yielded easily." - Charles, Count Talleyrand

"He loves nature in spite of what it did to him." - Forrest Tucker

"Why do you sit there looking like an envelope without any address on it?" - Mark Twain

"His mother should have thrown him away and kept the stork." - Mae West

"Some cause happiness wherever they go; others, whenever they go." - Oscar Wilde

"He uses statistics as a drunken man uses lamp-posts...for support rather than illumination." - Andrew Lang (1844-1912)

"He has Van Gogh's ear for music." - Billy Wilder

"I've had a perfectly wonderful evening. But this wasn't it." - Groucho Marx

85 Reasons to Be Thankful for Librarians

Saw this item on Facebook and it bears repeating:
http://www.zencollegelife.com/2009/12/29/85-reasons-to-be-thankful-for-librarians/

1. Librarians take care of libraries, which are still invaluable today.
2. Not all information is on the internet.
3. Older books still hold great cultural significance.
4. Libraries are still repositories for some of the most valuable works of literature in the world.
5. Even with the internet, the library is still the best place to do research.
6. Girls with glasses can still rock the “sexy librarian” look.
7. “Sexy Librarian” is still a popular costume at Halloween.
8. You can’t exactly find periodicals like The New England Journal of Medicine in Barnes and Noble.
9. For that matter, looking at turn-of-the-century National Geographics is still pretty entertaining.
10. Colleges need something to remodel every so often.
11. The library is still the best meeting spot for college students working on group projects.
12. Libraries are where most colleges store some of their history (choir CDs, videos of athletic matches, etc.).
13. A library is one of the few places people can have free internet access.
14. This means some libraries even hold LAN parties during later hours.
15. Somebody has to help lazy people find what they want.
16. Even online collections of books usually connect directly to a library.
17. “Librarian” is still a better career choice for spinsters over “School Lunch Lady.”
18. Studies have shown libraries and librarians improve student test scores.
19. They also have been shown to improve students’ individual learning skills.
20. With their training in instructional design, librarians can help teachers find resources for their curriculum.
21. Librarians also help teachers to use a variety of media in the classroom.
22. Many libraries today offer enough DVDs to serve as a poor man’s Netflix or Blockbuster.
23. Librarians often put together special programs to get children to read early on.
24. While teaching children to use the library, librarians end up teaching them valuable problem solving skills.
25. They also teach children to use multiple resources to form their own original works.
26. If librarians were no longer around, kids wouldn’t understand the opening scene from Ghostbusters.
27. Librarians know a lot about proper citation skills, as well as ethical uses of information, in order to avoid plagiarism issues.
28. Libraries are still a cheaper place to make photocopies than FedEx Kinko’s.
29. Despite the advances in computer technology, a human will still find information better than a search engine.
30. Librarians can also find information better suited to the person who needs it.
31. A library is much MUCH more well cataloged and organized than the internet.
32. Libraries have much better quality control than the vast majority of websites.
33. Who else is going to learn the Dewey Decimal System? You?
34. Seriously though, no one wants to learn the Dewey Decimal System.
35. For that matter, who else is going to show you how to use that microfiche machine?
36. Experienced librarians often know exactly what resources students need for particular courses.
37. Many libraries collaborate and offer book exchange programs, offering users an almost limitless supply of books and media.
38. Librarians can help relieve some of the workload from teachers by helping students to understand information better.
39. Some engineering teams have already explored the idea of a fully digital library…and ended up designing a traditional library with some advanced technology.
40. The copyright costs for digitizing all literature would be astronomical without even factoring in distribution and storage.
41. Even without the costs, digitizing all books in existence would take hundreds of years at the current rate.
42. The internet still mostly only holds information from the past 15 or so years, compared with the hundreds of years of knowledge found in a library.
43. Even though libraries themselves may be losing attendance, their online archives and websites are still receiving plenty of visitors.
44. Despite the rising popularity of e-books, 80% of people surveyed say they still prefer paper books.
45. The experience of reading an actual book is being preserved by libraries.
46. Libraries provide one of the few places for anyone to find quiet area to just read or study.
47. Sometimes, but not always, libraries have free coffee.
48. Sometimes there are even free snacks.
49. Unlike the internet, libraries are careful that the information they contain is checked for usefulness before being included.
50. Also unlike the internet, libraries are much less influenced by corporate interests.
51. They are also less likely to be manipulated by individuals, like search engine optimizers.
52. Information on more specific topics can be much easier to find in libraries.
53. Digital or not, a library still needs a human staff to run it.
54. The resources of a library are well indexed and will always deliver reliable results (I.e. no “broken links”).
55. Many popular news publications still require subscriptions to view their content online, but are still available for free at the library.
56. Libraries provide free and abundant knowledge to everyone (a privilege people didn’t always have).
57. Not everyone can afford books, but everyone has access to the library.
58. Someone has to buy all those books that college professors write.
59. Public bathrooms in libraries are usually cleaner than most places.
60. A library can mold itself for the specific community it’s in, whereas websites usually try to bring in everyone.
61. At libraries, you can take practice qualifying tests for almost any profession.
62. You can always make suggestions to librarians for specific books you’d like to see.
63. Many libraries also display original works of art or even have separate galleries.
64. Some libraries also hold a limited number of free museum passes that anyone can use.
65. If you don’t have a computer, you can always use the ones in the library.
66. The same goes for certain premium software and special databases.
67. If your library offers wi-fi, it’s probably free.
68. Several libraries also offer programs that cater to senior citizens.
69. Believe it or not, studies show that libraries are good for their local economy, since they make their community for attractive to potential businesses and individuals.
70. Libraries are still a cornerstone for free speech and open access to information.
71. When dictators like Hitler and Mao Zedong set out to eliminate a country’s culture or history, they started by shutting down the public libraries.
72. A library still provides a neutral environment for the free exchange of ideas.
73. Public libraries are surprisingly cheap to maintain, but benefit everyone in the community.
74. If you’re a comic book lover, you can probably find plenty at your local library.
75. They might even have some of those expensive indie graphic novels available.
76. We’re still an incredibly long ways away from a paperless world.
77. You might as well use the library, since you’re already paying for it through taxes or tuition.
78. There’s less risk of getting carpal tunnel syndrome from reading books.
79. A library is a great excuse to get out of the house (seriously, why would anyone argue with you about it?).
80. Books are very portable and never need recharging.
81. With the economy these days, going to the library is a great source of free entertainment.
82. You can “try before you buy” any number of books without spending a dime.
83. Some libraries even have bookmobiles or mailing programs that deliver books right to you.
84. Studies have repeatedly shown that reading improves your basic vocabulary and just generally makes you smarter.
85. Regardless of what form a library takes, a librarian will always be ready to guide you to the information you need.

Saving Trees and Saving Dollars

Today on the City Council agenda I have an item asking that the City attorney be able to review on a case by case basis whether or not a City tree can be removed when it is determined that tree has caused property damage either to city infrastructure or private property.

Ok. Let's get this out of the way: I work very hard to preserve the environment. I have involved my Youth Council in helping with a tree inventory. I have helped plant new trees and am pressing the City Manager to help my district get more trees. But I also receive complaints from constituents whose property (sewer and plumbing lines) have been severely damaged by city tree roots --and they are unable to get those trees removed because of city policy.

I understand from the City Attorney's office that the city receives more claims against the city for tree caused damages than other issues.

The City has a tree policy that requires the arborist to determine the health of the tree. If the resident wants the tree removed and the arborist says no --then it can be appealed to the tree committee which then determines whether or not it can be removed. If the Tree Committee says nay --then the tree usually is not removed unless city staff overrides the decision -- which is unusual.

The problem is that a perfectly health tree -- such as a ficus -- can destroy public and private property and while the damages get repaired the tree continues to destroy the public and private property and the city and residents continue to have to pay for the damage.

Take Los Altos Methodist Church at Willow and Woodruff. Over the past several years the ficus trees have caused the church to pay $32,000 in sewer and plumbing bills. The trees have also seriously lifted the sidewalks surrounding the church which cause considerable trip and fall hazards. The trees are perfectly healthy and as arborists know (now)-- should never have been used as city trees because of their root systems. So we are about to repair the sidewalks but within 3 years the city will get complaints that the sidewalks are lifting again.

In other parts of the district I have stone pines that have broken off and smashed cars and homes -- and raise the streets over 3 feet preventing street sweeping and making it very dangerous to drive at night it you don't know the bumps are there.

So what I am proposing is that the City Attorney can weigh in on a case by case basis if a resident requests a removal of a tree because of the damage the tree is causing. No, I don't want Bob Shannon at the tree committee meetings, but folks let's get real here. The costs to the taxpayers are mounting up. And we are not talking about removing trees because people don't like the purple flowers or the seed pods that fall each year. We are talking about having some common sense that says if and when a tree presents a liability to the homeowner or the city that in some cases the tree can be removed.

Bottom line: let's get some risk management considerations put into some of our city policies... as in preventing risk -- not paying out claims.

Sidewalks and Verizon

The story begins three years ago when Verizon tore up hundreds of sidewalks in El Dorado Park Estates so it could install its fios systems underground.

All went well with most of the sidewalks but many didn't set well.

I have been out walking that area for the past couple of months and have inventoried many, many sidewalks with Verizon tags that are trip hazards. Anything raised over 1/4 inches is considered a hazard. So after several emails and meetings and on site inspections -- including today at 10 am -- Verizon and the City are working out how to get the sidewalks fixed.

This coming Monday morning, the City and Verizon will start removing sidewalk panels to figure out what caused the problem...and I will keep walking and making my inventory of sidewalks and streets that need to be fixed.