/layout"} Comments at Coastsider https://coastsider.com/index.php Coastside news and community en Barry Parr barry@coastsider.com 2014-08-15T13:06:14-07:00 Comment by ClarkNatwick on Pacifica community forum: Alternatives to Highway 1 widening, June 25 https://coastsider.com/index.php/site/news//pacifica_community_forum_alternatives_to_highway_1_widening#9613 https://coastsider.com/index.php/site/news//pacifica_community_forum_alternatives_to_highway_1_widening#9613 Pacificans for a Scenic Coast vs. Caltrans et al. will be heard in San Mateo Superior Court Friday, August 22, 2pm.

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ClarkNatwick 2014-08-15T13:06:14-07:00
Comment by Tom Devine on Pacifica community forum: Alternatives to Highway 1 widening, June 25 https://coastsider.com/index.php/site/news//pacifica_community_forum_alternatives_to_highway_1_widening#9611 https://coastsider.com/index.php/site/news//pacifica_community_forum_alternatives_to_highway_1_widening#9611 For those in Montara and Moss Beach, there is a meeting tonight, Wednesday, June 18, 7:00 - 9:00PM
at Farallone View Elementary School, 1100 Le Conte, Montara, to discuss design alternatives for pedestrian crossings, highway medians, and left turns at 8 locations in the Midcoast. For more, go to: http://www.midcoastcommunitycouncil.org/home/2014/6/6/highway-1-traffic-safety-improvements-june-18-meeting.html

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Tom Devine 2014-06-18T16:07:17-07:00
Comment by Barry Parr on Puente de la Costa Sur donations matched today and tomorrow https://coastsider.com/index.php/site/news//puente_de_la_costa_sur_donations_matched_today_and_tomorrow#9608 https://coastsider.com/index.php/site/news//puente_de_la_costa_sur_donations_matched_today_and_tomorrow#9608 Great news, Puente made their match. From their email:

Puente exceeded our $35,00 goal, thanks to you.

Thank you to the more than 171 individuals and businesses that donated $36,544.75 through Silicon Valley Gives.

Many thanks to the anonymous donor whose $35,000 challenge grant inspired and motivated us. We are also grateful to our friends at the Silicon Valley Community Foundation for their steadfast support over many years.

All of us on the Puente team are so humbled by the generosity of our beloved community. Again, our deepest thanks.

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Barry Parr 2014-05-07T10:04:42-07:00
Comment by Carl May on Dream Machines returns for one day only, Sunday https://coastsider.com/index.php/site/news//half_moon_bays_awe-inspiring_festival_of_magnificent_machines#9607 https://coastsider.com/index.php/site/news//half_moon_bays_awe-inspiring_festival_of_magnificent_machines#9607 For several obvious reasons, but especially the traffic light and funky access to the parking at the south portal area, the tunnels are proving to be an additional source of delay and congestion between Montara and Pacifica on days with heavy traffic. So obvious that this would be so to all but the pollyannas.

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Carl May 2014-04-23T19:51:48-07:00
Comment by Dave Olson on MROSD concerned about rodenticide's effect on local bobcats https://coastsider.com/index.php/site/news//mrosd_concerned_about_rodenticides_effect_on_local_bobcats#9606 https://coastsider.com/index.php/site/news//mrosd_concerned_about_rodenticides_effect_on_local_bobcats#9606 This topic will be discussed at the Midcoast Community Council meeting on Wednesday, 23 April 2014.  Full agenda is here: http://www.midcoastcommunitycouncil.org/home/2014/4/18/mcc-meeting-april-23-7pm.html

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Dave Olson 2014-04-20T09:07:12-07:00
Comment by Brenda Ternullo on San Mateo County Blue Star Moms fundraiser, Saturday https://coastsider.com/index.php/site/news//support_our_troops#9605 https://coastsider.com/index.php/site/news//support_our_troops#9605 All are welcome to the dinner, not just military families!!  We hope to see you there!

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Brenda Ternullo 2014-04-11T15:57:34-07:00
Comment by Carl May on Highway 1 parallel trail funding uncertain https://coastsider.com/index.php/site/news//highway_1_parallel_trail_funding_uncertain#9604 https://coastsider.com/index.php/site/news//highway_1_parallel_trail_funding_uncertain#9604 Can’t make the meeting tonight, but this write-up by the county is sick. It starts out with a self-promoting lie, stating that the parallel trail was conceived at the narrowly-constrained and semantically manipulated Highway 1 Safety and Mobility Study of a few years ago. Baloney. This alternative to cars has been knocked around for approximately 25 years. It doesn’t matter that the Rip van Winkles of County Parks just woke up to it.

Another lie is that the Safety and Mobility Study was community based. No way. It was set up from the start to push the county’s agenda for enlargement and urbanization of ways of getting around on the midcoast, and the expensive consultants hired to play the county’s tune were from out of the area.

The entire process proposed to plan this first 2/3 of a mile with virtually no major obstacles is to cost $500,000? Spending that amount to lay out a route any junior high-schooler could delineate by walking from one end to the other will force an enormously over-developed paved road as a result of the (unnecessary) consultant’s work in order to justify the planning expense. (Did no one learn from the paved mistake of the now CCT on Mirada Surf West?) So the characteristics of this proposed “MMT” project were determined with the application by the county for the sales tax funds, and all public input going forward during the entire sequence of development will have zero effect on any major aspect, as has been the case with every county “trail” (really road) project in recent years.

I hope the MCC will reject this charade (sister of charette) and let the county know we want projects appropriate to our area and not determined by over-paid cement-heads in Redwood City.

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Carl May 2014-04-09T21:04:28-07:00
Comment by Lisa Ketcham on Highway 1 parallel trail funding uncertain https://coastsider.com/index.php/site/news//highway_1_parallel_trail_funding_uncertain#9603 https://coastsider.com/index.php/site/news//highway_1_parallel_trail_funding_uncertain#9603 At their April 3 meeting, the San Mateo County Transportation Authority approved the full $500,000 requested for planning/permitting the southern segment of the Midcoast Highway 1 Parallel Trail.

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Lisa Ketcham 2014-04-06T08:25:18-07:00
Comment by Barry Parr on MROSD concerned about rodenticide's effect on local bobcats https://coastsider.com/index.php/site/news//mrosd_concerned_about_rodenticides_effect_on_local_bobcats#9602 https://coastsider.com/index.php/site/news//mrosd_concerned_about_rodenticides_effect_on_local_bobcats#9602 The CDFW has posted a web page that provides a lot of good information on this issue:

http://www.dfg.ca.gov/education/rodenticide/

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Barry Parr 2014-04-02T09:59:08-07:00
Comment by Lisa Ketcham on MROSD concerned about rodenticide's effect on local bobcats https://coastsider.com/index.php/site/news//mrosd_concerned_about_rodenticides_effect_on_local_bobcats#9601 https://coastsider.com/index.php/site/news//mrosd_concerned_about_rodenticides_effect_on_local_bobcats#9601 National Parks Conservancy’s Christine Carey wrote about the danger to our native wildlife from rodenticides in her February Rancho Corral de Tierra newsletter.  For more information she referred to the “Raptors Are The Solution” (R.A.T.S.) website http://www.raptorsarethesolution.org, or contact Allen Fish at afish@parksconservancy.org

A representative from R.A.T.S. will give an informational presentation at the April 23 Midcoast Community Council meeting.

Reckitt Benckiser, the parent company of rodenticide manufacturer d-CON, has filed a lawsuit against the California Department of Pesticide Regulation to stop the recently approved restrictions.  http://www.biologicaldiversity.org/news/press_releases/2014/d-Con-03-31-2014.html

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Lisa Ketcham 2014-04-01T09:08:49-07:00
Comment by Barry Parr on Video: Coasting Devil's Slide https://coastsider.com/index.php/site/news//video_coasting_devils_slide#9599 https://coastsider.com/index.php/site/news//video_coasting_devils_slide#9599 Cid:

Yes, Julia was using her brakes.  The pedestrians were reporters who were there for the event.  We were the only bikes on the trail and they kept a safe distance. The vehicle is with the construction crew.  They were still working on the trail.

I think the speed limit is their way of saying, “Don’t be unsafe.” 

The trail was resurfaced.

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Barry Parr 2014-03-29T16:09:00-07:00
Comment by Barry Parr on Video: Coasting Devil's Slide https://coastsider.com/index.php/site/news//video_coasting_devils_slide#9598 https://coastsider.com/index.php/site/news//video_coasting_devils_slide#9598 When you’re out there, you’re not looking at the K-rail. Or at least I’m not. Your mileage may vary.

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Barry Parr 2014-03-29T16:04:56-07:00
Comment by Leonard Woren on Video: Coasting Devil's Slide https://coastsider.com/index.php/site/news//video_coasting_devils_slide#9597 https://coastsider.com/index.php/site/news//video_coasting_devils_slide#9597 It’s ruined by fugly K-rail.

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Leonard Woren 2014-03-29T15:36:58-07:00
Comment by Bill Bechtell on SamTrans and Pacifica provide public transportation to the Devil's Slide trail https://coastsider.com/index.php/site/news//samtrans_and_pacifica_chamber_provide_public_transportation_to_the_devils_s#9596 https://coastsider.com/index.php/site/news//samtrans_and_pacifica_chamber_provide_public_transportation_to_the_devils_s#9596 Will either the bus or the shuttle allow dogs on board?  Considering the shortage of trailhead parking, that would be the only realistic solution for those who would like to walk the trail with their dogs.  I’m concerned that people will be parking at Gray Whale Cove and walking with their dogs along the highway to get to the Devil’s Slide trail, a very dangerous approach.

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Bill Bechtell 2014-03-29T12:26:39-07:00
Comment by Peggy Emrey on Rat Poison Kills More Than Rats https://coastsider.com/index.php/site/news//rat_poison_kills_more_than_rats#9595 https://coastsider.com/index.php/site/news//rat_poison_kills_more_than_rats#9595 Professionals are better able than many homeowners to crawl into hard to reach spaces repeatedly to work with traps and such. Professionals told me how to manage my huge hidden infestation, and their assistance included bait. Traps were not enough to kill them all. We used several methods, with the professionals’ help, to get rid of them before the damage could be repaired. These rodents were indoors, none were found outside. Removing all such options when they are needed opens up a potential disease disaster as well. If you’ve never been where these things happen, you don’t have a clue. I do not propose using bait in all situations, like “a mouse,” and never without appropriate precautions. Banning certain critically needed substances across the board is generally very shortsighted and may create more problems than it solves.

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Peggy Emrey 2014-03-27T15:45:45-07:00
Comment by Lisa Ketcham on Rat Poison Kills More Than Rats https://coastsider.com/index.php/site/news//rat_poison_kills_more_than_rats#9594 https://coastsider.com/index.php/site/news//rat_poison_kills_more_than_rats#9594 Here’s a how-to video on successful rat control trapping methods by a professional. 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c49M78SGu00&app=desktop

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Lisa Ketcham 2014-03-27T14:40:23-07:00
Comment by Peggy Emrey on Rat Poison Kills More Than Rats https://coastsider.com/index.php/site/news//rat_poison_kills_more_than_rats#9593 https://coastsider.com/index.php/site/news//rat_poison_kills_more_than_rats#9593 Rat bait may be the only way to mitigate very large infestations, especially indoors. Rats and mice learn quickly to avoid traps when they see the results.  In such infestations the rodent population has established indoor breeding colonies and do not necessarily go back outdoors if they find sustenance indoors, including plastic, wiring, etc.

All bait should be set out in locked bait boxes that children can’t open, in areas where pets do not have access. Bait is harmful to pets and children, so extreme care is needed with its use. Small infestations are sometimes manageable using traps. Rat traps may also injure pets and children, so care is needed with those as well. Electronic traps work for one rodent at a time but frequently do not last very long.

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Peggy Emrey 2014-03-26T13:52:39-07:00
Comment by Peggy Emrey on Video: Coasting Devil's Slide https://coastsider.com/index.php/site/news//video_coasting_devils_slide#9592 https://coastsider.com/index.php/site/news//video_coasting_devils_slide#9592 Great video! Reminds me how much I miss driving that road. The tunnel’s nice, but certainly lacks the view!

Is there a shuttle that can take cyclists back to the north end if they’re not up to riding uphill that far?

Welcome back, Coastsider!!!

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Peggy Emrey 2014-03-26T13:42:59-07:00
Comment by Laura Dantes on Video: Coasting Devil's Slide https://coastsider.com/index.php/site/news//video_coasting_devils_slide#9591 https://coastsider.com/index.php/site/news//video_coasting_devils_slide#9591 Nice job, Julia! Putting her creative talents to use and giving us a second-hand experience of what to expect. Thank you.

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Laura Dantes 2014-03-26T11:05:06-07:00
Comment by Joel Colletti on Sheriff's report: Mar 12 to 14 https://coastsider.com/index.php/site/news//sheriffs_report_mar_12_to_145#9590 https://coastsider.com/index.php/site/news//sheriffs_report_mar_12_to_145#9590 Forgot to mention, we had to find out the facts from the Coastsider Police report.  After reading the particulars, we can rest a little easier.
Thank you Coastsider.

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Joel Colletti 2014-03-26T00:28:27-07:00
Comment by Joel Colletti on Letter: Please help us keep Moss Beach safe https://coastsider.com/index.php/site/news//please_help_us_keep_moss_beach_safe#9589 https://coastsider.com/index.php/site/news//please_help_us_keep_moss_beach_safe#9589 Last time a deputy (Joseph Cridado) asked me to take a photo of a bus driver who verbally assaulted me on Main and 8th in Montara, the same 17 line bus driver ambushed me a block from our home, and this time physically assaulted me. I incurred > $17,000 in hospital bill, and am still receiving physical therapy. I suggest anyone trying to the job a police officer should be doing, do so with extreme caution, as if things go array, the coastside sheriffs substation will leave you to hang you out to dry. Please be careful out there. It’s been my experience that they are derelict as the people you wish to keep away from your community.  Don’t take your life in your hands, this is what we pay taxes for. Unfortunate as it is, let them take the beating, it’s a hell of lot cheaper.

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Joel Colletti 2014-03-26T00:22:26-07:00
Comment by Joel Colletti on Sheriff's report: Mar 12 to 14 https://coastsider.com/index.php/site/news//sheriffs_report_mar_12_to_145#9588 https://coastsider.com/index.php/site/news//sheriffs_report_mar_12_to_145#9588 Two of my neighbors told me that there was a forceful breaking and entry, during day light hours, into a private residence on Main street in Montara. When my wife and I called the local police department to find out if the person or persons were apprehended, we were told that an officer would get back to us, but no one called. After calling 3 times during the week, we gave up.  Not sure why the police behave this way when they are suppose to serve and protect the safety of our community.  Guess we’re not important enough.

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Joel Colletti 2014-03-26T00:02:26-07:00
Comment by Cid Young on Video: Coasting Devil's Slide https://coastsider.com/index.php/site/news//video_coasting_devils_slide#9587 https://coastsider.com/index.php/site/news//video_coasting_devils_slide#9587 Joel,
  I went to the public planning meetings and suggested they should coordinate with CALTRANS to add some signage or messages INSIDE the tunnel as a precautionary warning. So far I have seen nothing.

As most separate organizations go, the right hand never talks to the left, or in this case, they did & maybe the warning signs will all be digital, like the speed limit signs.

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Cid Young 2014-03-25T23:54:47-07:00
Comment by Joel Colletti on Video: Coasting Devil's Slide https://coastsider.com/index.php/site/news//video_coasting_devils_slide#9585 https://coastsider.com/index.php/site/news//video_coasting_devils_slide#9585 Looks good.  Thank you for the preview.

I noticed that the traffic signal at the south end of the tunnel has been red a few times, and the traffic in the tunnel in not use to stopping.  Be on the look out for stopped traffic in the tunnel is all I’ll say.

Have fun.

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Joel Colletti 2014-03-25T23:45:39-07:00
Comment by Cid Young on Video: Coasting Devil's Slide https://coastsider.com/index.php/site/news//video_coasting_devils_slide#9584 https://coastsider.com/index.php/site/news//video_coasting_devils_slide#9584 Questions:

1.) So, was the sound in the video Julia applying her bicycle brakes on the downhill portion? Are motorcycles even allowed?
2.) Who were the pedestrians that seemed to be standing around in the bike lane as she came down the hill? (SHEEZE!)
3.) Do most bicycles have speedometers now… and if not, how will the riders know if they are actually exceeding the 15 MPH posted speed limit?
4.) Will there be rangers or Sheriffs Deputies giving out speeding tickets?
5.) Why was there a vehicle driving up hill in the opposite direction in the bike lane?
6.) Does it seem to be re-surfaced, or did they simply patch up the rough spots?
7.) What did you think of the K-rails?

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Cid Young 2014-03-25T23:44:28-07:00
Comment by Bill Bechtell on Video: Coasting Devil's Slide https://coastsider.com/index.php/site/news//video_coasting_devils_slide#9583 https://coastsider.com/index.php/site/news//video_coasting_devils_slide#9583 Great video.  I didn’t realize that it was almost all downhill southbound.  Can’t wait to do it myself!

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Bill Bechtell 2014-03-25T18:50:06-07:00
Comment by Barry Parr on Video: Coasting Devil's Slide https://coastsider.com/index.php/site/news//video_coasting_devils_slide#9582 https://coastsider.com/index.php/site/news//video_coasting_devils_slide#9582 No way. It’s a bicycle.

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Barry Parr 2014-03-25T18:49:28-07:00
Comment by Sabrina Brennan on Video: Coasting Devil's Slide https://coastsider.com/index.php/site/news//video_coasting_devils_slide#9581 https://coastsider.com/index.php/site/news//video_coasting_devils_slide#9581 Are you on a motorcycle?

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Sabrina Brennan 2014-03-25T18:01:51-07:00
Comment by Lisa Ketcham on County proposes LED streetlights for Midcoast communities https://coastsider.com/index.php/site/news//county_proposes_led_streetlights_for_midcoast_communities#9580 https://coastsider.com/index.php/site/news//county_proposes_led_streetlights_for_midcoast_communities#9580 This meeting will provide the initial discussion with the community about this issue.  Supervisor Horsley’s Aide Nicholas Calderón will present the issue.  This is the time to ask questions and give feedback.  It is hoped there can be some small local trial installations so that people can see what it looks like. 

The County is motivated by the major energy conservation benefits and related cost savings.  The light spectrum of moonlight also has appeal.  I notice the Air Force recently changed their string of streetlights on Pillar Point to LED, and the difference is quite noticeable in the distant view - much less horizontal-directed glare and more natural color lighting the landscape.  I believe the streetlighting at the tunnel portals is also LED.

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Lisa Ketcham 2014-03-24T11:21:37-07:00
Comment by Barry Parr on Your official invitation to the Coastside Democrats endorsement meeting https://coastsider.com/index.php/site/news//your_official_invitation_to_the_coastside_democrats_endorsement_meeting#9579 https://coastsider.com/index.php/site/news//your_official_invitation_to_the_coastside_democrats_endorsement_meeting#9579 Thanks for doing this. There are several important issues on the ballot, considering this is a June election.  Turnout is really going to matter, and the ballot measures are likely to be contentious.

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Barry Parr 2014-03-24T11:05:44-07:00
Comment by Barry Parr on County proposes LED streetlights for Midcoast communities https://coastsider.com/index.php/site/news//county_proposes_led_streetlights_for_midcoast_communities#9578 https://coastsider.com/index.php/site/news//county_proposes_led_streetlights_for_midcoast_communities#9578 Lisa:

I’m not concerned about LED lights, but I am concerned about light pollution. I love the Coastside’s dark night skies. Will there be a discussion of what the county plans to do to mitigate excess glare and light scattering, and the degree to which this was or will be considered in the county’s choice of lights?

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Barry Parr 2014-03-24T10:56:42-07:00
Comment by Lisa Ketcham on La Costanera restaurant seeking permit for daytime operation https://coastsider.com/index.php/site/news//la_costanera_restaurant_daytime_hours_considered#9577 https://coastsider.com/index.php/site/news//la_costanera_restaurant_daytime_hours_considered#9577 The Planning Commission hearing on changes in the restaurant Use Permit has been delayed once again due to recent comment letter from State Parks.  http://www.midcoastcommunitycouncil.org/storage/issues/plns/pln2006-00494/2014-03-19-StateParks-Costanera.pdf

MCC March 12 meeting post has links to slide presentation and approved Council comment letter, as well as background documents.
http://www.midcoastcommunitycouncil.org/home/2014/3/8/mcc-meeting-march-12-7pm.html

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Lisa Ketcham 2014-03-23T09:22:42-07:00
Comment by Carl May on Photos: Preview of new Devil's Slide trail https://coastsider.com/index.php/site/news//photos_preview_of_new_devils_slide_trail#9576 https://coastsider.com/index.php/site/news//photos_preview_of_new_devils_slide_trail#9576 New layer of asphalt on what is supposed to be a trail? Why? Leave the cement K-rail in place? Why? Safety fencing? Why? None of this has a bit to do with what the California Coastal Trail (CCT) is supposed to be.

Yes, it’s highly destructive. All the energy and materials that are going into the urban development? Why? Development of what could be restored to a more natural setting? Why? A proper trail for experiencing “San Mateo County’s headlands” would have reduced the artificial footprint and used natural surfaces, the better to experience the striking geologic features of the place.

I have walked about half of the entire California coastline and have seen a number of mistakes made that wasted money and degraded access to natural features and experiences by over-developing segments of the CCT, but this mile and a third is the ugliest newly created trail segment in Northern California and among the few most wasteful of citizens’ money I have seen, the Cowell Ranch spending binge notwithstanding.

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Carl May 2014-03-20T23:44:12-07:00
Comment by Barry Parr on Photos: Preview of new Devil's Slide trail https://coastsider.com/index.php/site/news//photos_preview_of_new_devils_slide_trail#9575 https://coastsider.com/index.php/site/news//photos_preview_of_new_devils_slide_trail#9575 To be fair, it started as a highway and we spent a lot of money to keep it from falling into the ocean. It’s hardly destructive to clean it up and make it available for pedestrians and cyclists.

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Barry Parr 2014-03-18T21:47:38-07:00
Comment by Carl May on Photos: Preview of new Devil's Slide trail https://coastsider.com/index.php/site/news//photos_preview_of_new_devils_slide_trail#9574 https://coastsider.com/index.php/site/news//photos_preview_of_new_devils_slide_trail#9574 Trail? Looks like an asphalt highway lined with cement K-rail to me. It’s the antithesis of any portion of the California Coastal Trail created to give parallel access to natural features of our coastline. The weird, destructive, wasteful things justified by an artificial urban mindset are always a wonder to me.

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Carl May 2014-03-18T20:50:30-07:00
Comment by Cheri Parr on Photos: Pirates of Penzance opens tonight in Pacifica https://coastsider.com/index.php/site/news//photos_pirates_of_penzance_opens_tonight_in_pacifica#9573 https://coastsider.com/index.php/site/news//photos_pirates_of_penzance_opens_tonight_in_pacifica#9573 The reviews are in! 

http://www.mercurynews.com/pacifica-entertainment/ci_25370588/spindrift-call-all-aboard-first-rate-pirate-musical

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Cheri Parr 2014-03-18T18:20:29-07:00
Comment by Steve Portigal on Photos: Preview of new Devil's Slide trail https://coastsider.com/index.php/site/news//photos_preview_of_new_devils_slide_trail#9572 https://coastsider.com/index.php/site/news//photos_preview_of_new_devils_slide_trail#9572 Oh this is fantastic! Thanks for sharing and we can’t wait to do this trail.

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Steve Portigal 2014-03-18T17:09:42-07:00
Comment by Joel Colletti on Nice to have Coastsider back! https://coastsider.com/index.php/site/news//nice_to_have_coastsider_back#9571 https://coastsider.com/index.php/site/news//nice_to_have_coastsider_back#9571 Thank you Barry for keeping the Coastsider a float!  :0)

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Joel Colletti 2014-03-11T20:34:28-07:00
Comment by Carl May on Don't count on El Niño in 2014 https://coastsider.com/index.php/site/news//dont_count_on_el_nino_in_2014#9570 https://coastsider.com/index.php/site/news//dont_count_on_el_nino_in_2014#9570 “However, CA water resource managers will want to make decisions based on the most conservative route - that an El Nino will not materialize to help CA’s water woes out this next winter.”

Dr. Kim Cobb gets it, like virtually all other scientists considering water issues for the past 60 years: Water agencies need to plan for adequate water during the driest periods to be expected. Of course, this doesn’t sit well with cornucopians and growth nuts.

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Carl May 2014-03-07T23:17:44-08:00
Comment by Carl May on Highway 1 parallel trail funding uncertain https://coastsider.com/index.php/site/news//highway_1_parallel_trail_funding_uncertain#9569 https://coastsider.com/index.php/site/news//highway_1_parallel_trail_funding_uncertain#9569 As much as I like projects for alternative ways of getting around, I’m glad this irresponsibly large request did not get funded. When San Mateo County takes over these trail projects, they spend as much on planning/design as they would need to build the entire thing. (CCT on Cowell Ranch, CCT on Mirada Surf West, CCT through Fitzgerald, Devil’s Slide CCT—all wastes of money by an order of magnitude over what would have been more appropriate projects.)

This is because they are totally immersed in a blindered, environmentally destructive, urban-development mindset for the midcoast, resulting in paved roads through open space rather than trails and bikepaths commensurate with our coastal setting and character. So immersed that they can’t even see the ugliness in what they are doing to the coastside. Even though the “parallel trail” is primarily for an alternative way to get from place to place on the midcoast for citizens of all ages, and not for sightseeing, it does not need to become part of the pro-overdevelopment, “pave-it-and-paint-it-green” absurdity that benefits only county employees, employees of the state and other granting agencies, and the contractors who bulldoze the trails into a hard-scaped reality.

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Carl May 2014-03-07T23:04:47-08:00
Comment by Cid Young on Road improvements planned for Seal Cove/Moss Beach https://coastsider.com/index.php/site/news//seal_cove_moss_beach_road_improvements#9568 https://coastsider.com/index.php/site/news//seal_cove_moss_beach_road_improvements#9568 It’s about time!

Thank you Don Horsley!

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Cid Young 2014-03-07T22:57:21-08:00
Comment by Nancy Margulies on Photos: Big day at Montara Beach https://coastsider.com/index.php/site/news//photos_big_day_at_montara_beach#9567 https://coastsider.com/index.php/site/news//photos_big_day_at_montara_beach#9567 These photos are fantastic. thanks for sharing them.

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Nancy Margulies 2014-03-07T16:17:44-08:00
Comment by Cid Young on Highway 1 parallel trail funding uncertain https://coastsider.com/index.php/site/news//highway_1_parallel_trail_funding_uncertain#9566 https://coastsider.com/index.php/site/news//highway_1_parallel_trail_funding_uncertain#9566 I see this so frequently. The Cities that have elected officials lobbying for funds seem to carry more clout than our own Supervisor, who should be advocating on our behalf. For example, Cities like Redwood City, San Carlos and San Mateo always get the lion’s share of Parks funding while the unincorporated areas really don’t have any active public parks with ball fields, tennis courts, etc. We do have abundant National, State and Environmental Parks destinations, such as GGNRA (Rancho Coral de Tierra), Año Nuevo State Park, Burleigh H. Murray Ranch State Park, Butano State Park, Castle Rock State Park, Gray Whale Cove State Beach, Half Moon Bay State Beach, Montara State Beach, Pacifica State Beach, Pescadero State Beach, Pigeon Point Light Station State Historic Park, Point Montara Light Station, Pomponio State Beach, Portola Redwoods State Park, San Bruno Mountain State Park,San Gregorio State Beach, Thornton State Beach, and the James Fitzgerald Marine Reserve, the soon-to-open Devil’s Slide Coastal Trail Project, The Mirada Surf Bluff, Quarry Park, Pillar Point Bluff, and San Pedro Valley Park.

But name any Coastal “Active Park” for families and sports facilities. We get Zip, unless you want to count Moss Beach Park which was private citizen-funded for a long while.
Because our parks are visitor serving, we get the lion’s share of the weekend traffic, but local families have no “Active” parks in the Unincorporated Area.
It’s a shame we can’t get more funding over ere.
-Cid

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Cid Young 2014-03-07T08:44:48-08:00
Comment by Lisa Ketcham on Highway 1 parallel trail funding uncertain https://coastsider.com/index.php/site/news//highway_1_parallel_trail_funding_uncertain#9565 https://coastsider.com/index.php/site/news//highway_1_parallel_trail_funding_uncertain#9565 I attended and spoke on behalf of MCC at the Transportation Authority (TA) meeting this evening. It was abundantly clear that Supervisor Horsley (and Aide Nicholas Calderón) have been lobbying hard for our trail and it was the main topic of discussion among the TA Board members on this informational item.

TA staff gave their report on their recommendations per the adopted point system. Some Board members spoke up advocating for some solution to fund the “Coastside trail”. Others wanted to be sure the top 10 projects stayed funded. The focus for a solution was on finding additional funding. It sounded promising to me. They will make their decision at their April 3 meeting.

(I made a mistake in the original post—our trail is only 0.1 point behind the last project chosen!)

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Lisa Ketcham 2014-03-06T20:22:08-08:00
Comment by Kevin Stokes on Photos: Big day at Montara Beach https://coastsider.com/index.php/site/news//photos_big_day_at_montara_beach#9564 https://coastsider.com/index.php/site/news//photos_big_day_at_montara_beach#9564 Thanks guys! And Cheri I do most of my post production in Lightroom if you are interested. I developed a processing techique that works nicey with waves and the ocean, giving nice highlights without losing detail, strong midtones and balanced shadow detail. You can check out more of my work at http://www.kevinstokes.com if you are interested.

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Kevin Stokes 2014-03-06T13:38:40-08:00
Comment by Cheri Parr on Photos: Big day at Montara Beach https://coastsider.com/index.php/site/news//photos_big_day_at_montara_beach#9563 https://coastsider.com/index.php/site/news//photos_big_day_at_montara_beach#9563 These are terrific Kevin!  I’ve been playing around with shooting waves myself, and naturally on the day of the big one, was on my way to a meeting over the hill Best I could do was call Barry and scream - “Get the camera and head over to surfers beach”! as I drove by!  Sigh. 

I especially like the bottom sepia of the top set.  It looks like one of those wonderful Japanese woodblock prints.  Nicely done.    Cheri

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Cheri Parr 2014-03-05T20:30:16-08:00
Comment by Dave Olson on Photos: Big day at Montara Beach https://coastsider.com/index.php/site/news//photos_big_day_at_montara_beach#9562 https://coastsider.com/index.php/site/news//photos_big_day_at_montara_beach#9562 Great pictures, Kevin!  Thanks for posting them.  There were some wonderful waves and spray.

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Dave Olson 2014-03-05T14:13:36-08:00
Comment by Kevin Stokes on La Costanera restaurant seeking permit for daytime operation https://coastsider.com/index.php/site/news//la_costanera_restaurant_daytime_hours_considered#9561 https://coastsider.com/index.php/site/news//la_costanera_restaurant_daytime_hours_considered#9561 Thanks for clarifiying again Lisa, I’m guessing that Montara residents will not be happy about a 2.00am closing time for the restaurant. Noise, parking and congestion will also be a problem. And as I have pointed out, it’s just not in the spirit of our community, this is not San Francisco. He’s asking for 2.00am, knowing that he will get 12.00am it’s a stratagy. Again my problem with Mortazavi is his brazen disregard for the county and the community culture in which he conducts his business.

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Kevin Stokes 2014-03-05T11:41:59-08:00
Comment by Lisa Ketcham on La Costanera restaurant seeking permit for daytime operation https://coastsider.com/index.php/site/news//la_costanera_restaurant_daytime_hours_considered#9560 https://coastsider.com/index.php/site/news//la_costanera_restaurant_daytime_hours_considered#9560 Kevin, The current restaurant permit says hours limited to 5PM until “normal closing time”, which is undefined. They currently list closing time as 10PM, but could legally stay open later.  While the application for permit modification asks for 10AM - 2AM on Fridays and weekends, the county could modify the closing time if they chose, so it’s a useful comment to make.  I’m guessing the CCC would not have issue with the closing time as their issue is parking and public coastal access.

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Lisa Ketcham 2014-03-05T09:54:54-08:00
Comment by Kevin Stokes on La Costanera restaurant seeking permit for daytime operation https://coastsider.com/index.php/site/news//la_costanera_restaurant_daytime_hours_considered#9559 https://coastsider.com/index.php/site/news//la_costanera_restaurant_daytime_hours_considered#9559 Thanks for the clarification Lisa, I was hoping it was a typo! I’m curious do you know of any other bar/restaurants on the coast that have been granted a licence till 2.00am in the morning? I mean come on, Montara is a sleepy coastside town, not a hopping San Francisco party district. The last thing we need is an increase in late night traffic on the slide all sleepy and boozed up.

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Kevin Stokes 2014-03-04T18:00:38-08:00