Coastal armoring, whether a seawall, riprap boulders or both, often results in a loss of the beach and ultimately, over the long term, can affect the surf zone and the entire environment in that vicinity.
 
This was one of the many interesting facts mentioned in a presentation by California’s premier coastal engineer and local Pacifica surfer Bob Battalio on August 16th in the Community room at Sharp Park Library. Coastal erosion, sea level rise, and flood control were the focus of discussion.

Pacifica’s coastline has been eroding for thousands of years and will continue to erode into the future as the sea level rises, according to Battalio. Apparently armoring the coast can actually speed up the rate of erosion, although these “active” effects of seawalls are being debated.  While in the short term armoring can stop erosion of the land immediately behind it, experience along California’s coast has shown that erosion continues in front of the engineered structure. As the waves remove sand in front of the structure, engineers and geologists who study coastal processes have discovered that the beach is lost and the wave energy that the beach once absorbed makes the structure and what is behind it more vulnerable.
   

Sabrina Brennan is a candidate for Harbor Commissioner. All candidates for Coastside offices are welcome to post letters to Coastsider.

I’m running for San Mateo County Harbor Commissioner because I believe the Harbor District needs to do more to help Pillar Point Harbor and Oyster Point Marina thrive.  And in order to thrive, I believe it’s especially important to improve the facilities at both marinas which serve visitors and the public generally. An increase in public traffic will help local restaurants and businesses strengthen their customer base. Pillar Point Harbor should be known as a premier site for buying fresh local seafood. The commercial fishing industry is an important part of the local economy.

As Commissioner I will work with local restaurant and business owners to broaden the economic viability of the Harbor District.  I will put my marketing and event planning skills to work promoting the Harbor as a great place to enjoy fresh seafood. 

The Draft Project Management Plan being developed by the Army Corps of Engineers to address Surfers Beach erosion is scheduled for release September 2010.  I strongly support plans for a demonstration project to determine the best strategy for slowing the rate of erosion at Surfers Beach and look forward to reading the draft plan.

Many members of the public have expressed the need for a public-restroom facility at Surfers Beach.  Meeting this need would be clear evidence that the Harbor District cares about the comfort and convenience of its visitors, and this could be achieved through a management agreement with County Parks.

I support developing the California Coastal Trail through Pillar Point Harbor. This segment of the trail will offer pedestrians and bicyclists a working harbor experience while meeting ADA standards.

I’m committed to improving water quality at Pillar Point Harbor and Oyster Point Marina.  San Mateo County Beachwater Contamination Results are the second worst in the state.  In 2009 Pillar Point was ranked number two and Oyster Point was ranked number five in terms of beach closure/advisory days due to beachwater contamination.

If elected I will prioritize Harbor Patrol Search and Rescue services.  Fast emergency response time is a very important service currently being provided by the Harbor District. The Pillar Point Harbor Search and Rescue team works with Cal Fire and the Coast Guard to provide fast response times to emergencies.  This important service has saved numerous lives.  Beach goers, recreational boating, surfing and the commercial fishing industry ALL benefit from maintaining a high level of service.  If the Harbor District Search and Rescue team suffers cut-backs or is disbanded altogether the Coast Guard will have to fill the gap; response time by helicopter out of San Francisco can take up to 45 minutes. 

I will work hard to balance the Harbor Districts budget as soon as possible.

I would be honored to have your vote on Tuesday, November 2, 2010. Your support is greatly appreciated.

Sabrina Brennan
for San Mateo County Harbor Commissioner
http://www.sabrinabrennan.com

Judge for the Annual Members show will be Paul Bridenbaugh, art professor and gallery director at Skyline College.
The “52nd Annual Members Exhibition” opens Friday, September 10, in the Main and West Gallery with a reception from 7 to 9 pm.  Winners will receive cash awards and four exhibition winners will exhibit their work in the East Gallery of next years members show.  Music will be provided by Vivace and the Jazz Cat Combo.  The exhibition will run through October 17.  The Art Guild of Pacifica has been presenting exhibitions by its artist members for fifty-two years with no sign of stopping.  Described as a gift to the community, this organization is entirely volunteer-based.  The Art Guild of Pacifica serves as a forum for local artists and holds several exhibitions each year in the West Gallery of Sanchez Art Center.   

Showing in the East Gallery will be last year’s recipients of the 51st Annual Members Exhibition Awards.  Nancy Hall, Tanya Lin Jaffe, Alice Kelmon, and Roger Thoms were selected for the award in 2009 by DeWitt Cheng, noted Bay Area artist and arts writer.

For more information visit http://www.artguildofpacifica.org.

Supervisor Rich Gordon’s office will be holding their next coastside office hours on Thursday, August 26 from 10am until noon at the Sheriff’s Substation in Moss Beach.

Sunday, August 29, 2010, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. — Join Brent Plater of the Wild Equity Institute to search for two of the most imperiled vertebrate species on the San Francisco peninsula: the California red-legged frog and the San Francisco garter snake. This will be a leisurely walk to enjoy the restoration work being conducted at Mori Point and to learn about the bold steps being taken to save both species from the brink of extinction.

RSVP Required: please use this website to RSVP: http://wildequity.org/events/3118. Rain or Shine. Meet at the Mori Point Trailhead, Pacifica, CA, 94044. Take the Sharp Park exit off Hwy. 1 and continue south on Bradford Way about 0.5 mile to the gate/trailhead at Mori Point Rd. Roadside parking is limited; carpooling is encouraged. Samtrans buses #110 and #112 stop nearby.

No auto break-ins were reported last week. Someone in El Granada took $94,000 for a house and motor home that were never delivered—it turns out they’re on probation for forgery and theft by deception in Utah. There also were two cases each of public intoxication and DUI, as well as the warrant arrest of a woman living in a storage unit in Princeton.

The repertoire of the Mel Martin All-Star Big Band consists of new arrangements of many standards in addition to music by Count Basie, Benny Carter, Jimmy Heath, Joe Henderson, Gerry Mulligan plus new arrangements of Mel’s original compositions.  Jamie Davis’ full deep baritone voice has been paired with some of the world’s most famous talent.  He performed with the BBC’s 64 piece Orchestra and was lead vocalist with The Count Basie Orchestra for three years.  “Having all that sound behind you is just amazing. You’ve got to ride that current.”
 
Dayna Stephens and Rob Roth on tenors, Andrew Speight and Pete Yellin on altos and Howard Cespedes on baritone saxophones & flute, Mike Olmos, John Worley, Lou Fasman and Erik Jekabson trumpets, Rick Walsh, Al Bent, Joel Behrman and Chuck Bennett on trombones and pianist Art Khu, bassist Robb Fisher, and drummer Jeff Marrs. Special guest star: Jamie Davis

July 22, 2010 – 4:30, $35
 
Douglas Beach House on Miramar Beach
307 Mirada Road, Half Moon Bay, CA  94019
650 726-4143, http://www.bachddsoc.org

Bring your friends and neighbors, gloves and sun cream for a day of trash cleanup and non-native plant removal near Pilarcitos Creek. We’ll talk about our local flora and fauna and how we can continue to ensure the protection of open space in Half Moon Bay. We’ll trade restoration stories and share the fun of keeping the sensitive habitat areas of our town clean.
Meet at 10 am in the parking lot of the Stone Pine office park, 120 Stone Pine Rd, Half Moon Bay
We’ll provide the gloves and trash bags. Wear layers and sturdy shoes