Farm Bureau, Beautification Committee lost at least $360,000


By on Tue, March 8, 2011

Jack Olsen may have stolen more than $199,000 from the Half Moon Bay Beautification Committee—in addition to $160,000 that is missing from the San Mateo County Farm Bureau, reports Julia Scott in the County Times.

[Beautification Committee president Cameron] Palmer, along with certified public accountant Jude Damasco, estimated that Olsen had taken $199,000 from the bank account and sent it to other banks that handle credit card payments. Most of the money was withdrawn using checks, but about $55,000 was taken using withdrawal slips, he said.

“We don’t know where any of the money went. We don’t know if he was in financial peril,” said Palmer.

The losses could easily exceed $199,000, considering Olsen was treasurer for nearly a decade. The Beautification Committee’s investigation only went back to 2008 because the organization’s insurance carrier will only reimburse it for losses up to $100,000.

“At some point it’s overkill—and their sense is they’ve got the lion’s share of what’s occurred,” said Damasco, speaking of Palmer and his group.

[...]

The San Mateo County Farm Bureau, which has been far less forthcoming about its investigation, could be facing much heavier losses. In September, Farm Bureau board President Rex Geitner filed a tax form showing that after Olsen’s death, the Farm Bureau could not account for $160,337 for fiscal year 2008-09. The losses brought the Farm Bureau’s net assets from $260,239 to $81,776.

The Farm Bureau did not respond to the County Times’s requests for comment.

 

Video & show: Vera Vanderschalk - Flamenco, Classical and Jazz guitar

Here's a link to a new video featuring local guitarist Vera Vanderschalk playing a traditional Spanish flamenco tune  'Tarantas'.  The video was shot at an open mic event in Pescadero in April 2010.

Video: Vera Vanderschalk - Tarantas - Pescadero Apr 2010

Vera will be performing Wednesday March 9th from 7:00 to 9:00 at The Wine Bar in Princeton Harbor (El Granada) in 'The Shoppes' next to Crab Landing restaurant.  She will be playing a mix of classical, flamenco and jazz.

Video: Vera Vanderschalk - Spanish Flamenco guitar - Tarantas

Letter

By on Tue, March 8, 2011

MCC considers PEG TV contract and more, Wednesday

Updated

By on Tue, March 8, 2011

UPDATE: Len Erickson writes, “I have been notified by County Planning that the Big Wave Development Agreement will not be available for this meeting.  It will be released on Thursday.  A meeting can be scheduled with Camille Leung on Friday at any time after 4pm.  We will discuss this at the Wednesday meeting.”

The Midcoast Community Council will consider the following items Wednesday evening:

  • Big Wave Development Agreement – (Len Erickson/David Vespremi) 7:50 Draft Development agreement will be presented by Planning Commission staff. Discussion - comment letter on the Development Agreement by MCC. Discussion - letter to Supervisor Horsley on the short comment period.
  • PEG Access TV - Midcoast – (Len Erickson) 8:50 Discussion - Planning for an information briefing at the Mar. 23 MCC meeting.
  • Devil’s Slide Pedestrian/Bike Crossing – (Len Erickson) 9:05 Update from MCC committee meeting with Caltrans at Senator Yee’s office (Mar. 3). Discussion - further actions and proposals.
  • Permit – 101 7th Street – Blocking Public Bluff Access - (Deborah Lardie) 9:15 Review and vote - letter to the Planning Commission addressing a fence on this property which blocks public bluff access at the end of 7th street.

Committee Reports

  • Committee: GGNRA (Bill Kehoe)
  • Committee: LCP (Bill Kehoe)
  • Continuing Business: Highway 1 (Len Erickson)
  • Continuing Business: Web Site Update (Len Erickson)

March 9, 2011 7:30pm, Seton Medical Center Coastside, Marine Boulevard & Etheldore, Moss Beach. Take Highway 1 to Marine Boulevard and follow hospital signs uphill.

Upcoming Supervisor candidate forums


By on Tue, March 8, 2011

There will be a mail-only election for San Mateo County Supervisor on May 3. Ballots will be mailed at the beginning of April. There are six candidates for the position:

  • Richard Holober - President, San Mateo County Community College Board
  • Terry Nagel - Mayor of Burlingame
  • Gina Papan - Councilmember,  Millbrae City Council
  • Dave Pine - Board Member, San Mateo Union High School District
  • Michael Stogner - Volunteer Victim’s Advocate
  • Demetrious Nikas -  Retired

Although the Coastside is not in District 1, Supervisors are elected at large, rather than by district. There are currently two candidate forums scheduled for Pacifica and the Coastside:

Saturday, March 19, 9:30am-11:30am
Coastside Democrats and Pacifica Democrats
Sharp Park Golf Course, Banquet Room, Highway 1 and Sharp Park Road, Pacifica
RSVP to Barbara Arietta at [email protected]

Tuesday, March 29, 7:30 pm
Midcoast Community Council (With MCTV Coverage)
Seton Coastside Medical Center, 600 Marine Blvd, Moss Beach

Other upcoming forums:

Application forms now available for Measure E parcel tax exemptions


By on Tue, March 8, 2011

Coastside property owners have until June 30, 2011 to apply for the Senior Citizen exemption or the Contiguous Property exemption to the $150 parcel tax approved in last June’s Measure E parcel tax election.

You can download the form from the district website, or pick it up at the front desk of the Cabrillo Unified School District Office located at 498 Kelly Avenue, Half Moon Bay. Questions should be directed to Melissa Keefe at the District Office at (650) 712-7123. Approved applications will need to be renewed annually for the five years of the term of the parcel tax.

Individuals who obtained a 2010-2011 exemption will receive a renewal form in the mail by May 1.

Supervisor Horsley Coastside office hours, Friday


By on Tue, March 8, 2011

Friday, March 11, Supervisor Horsley will be at the Sheriff’s Office substation, 500 California Street, Moss Beach from 10am to noon.

Ash Wednesday Service Tomorrow

There will be an Ash Wednesday service at 6:30am this Wednesday, March 9th, at Holy Family Episcopal Church (0.2 mi South of Cameron’s Pub on Hwy 1).

In the Christian tradition, Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent – a season of repentance and spiritual preparation culminating in Easter Sunday (on April 24th this year).

Whether you’re a lifelong Christian, agnostic, belong to any faith, or simply curious – all are welcome to join us in spiritual exploration at Holy Family.

Also, if you prepare for the season of Lent with the traditional Carnival or Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday) celebration, please do enjoy yourself – but don’t forget to join us at 6:30am!

The service should be about 45 minutes long.

If you can’t make it to Wednesday’s service, we hope to see you at one of our regular Sunday services at 9:00am.

 

“The opposite of faith isn’t doubt;  the opposite of faith is fear.” 

-- Rev. Terri Grotzinger, Vicar at Holy Family

Letter

By on Tue, March 8, 2011

Video: Drive through Devil’s Slide

We've all done this drive thousands of times. We're so familiar with this drive that we know every curve, dip, and pothole by heart.  But when was the last time you pulled over and soaked in the view?

My original purpose for this video was to showcase the soundtrack created using and iPad app that my company recently launched. I needed a convenient video subject, and it was a nice couple of days...so here it is.

Tools Used:  Final Cut Express, Live Type, Stealth Bee Jam

Letter

By on Mon, March 7, 2011

 

 

Meet Supervisor candidate Dave Pine, Saturday

image
Click for larger image
Letter

By on Mon, March 7, 2011

Disclosure: Coastsider will run announcements of local meetings for all candidates for the Board of Supervisors.

GGNRA Dog Management Open House in Pacifica on Wednesday

GGNRA will be holding a public open house on the Draft Dog Management Plan this Wednesday, March 9 between 4–8 p.m. at

Cabrillo School (Google map)

601 Crespi Drive

Pacifica, CA 94044

The Draft Dog Management Plan/DEIS contains two volumes and is over 2400 pages in length. (http://www.nps.gov/goga/deis.htm) It is a compilation of proposed alternatives and analyses for 21 different areas of the GGNRA’s current park system. Although Rancho Corral de Tierra is not specifically addressed in the document because it has not become part of the NPS system but you can see what is in store for the future park.

It would be best to look at the 5 main alternatives and select the one which would be closest to your own ideas on dog management within the parks:

  • No Action – current dog walking practices would continue.
  • On-leash dog walking only - would bring the park into alignment with the NPS-wide leash regulations.
  • Multiple/Balanced Use – would emphasize multiple use, and balance use by county ranging from no dogs, on-leash dog walking, and voice/sight control in regulated off-leash areas [ROLA].
  • Environmentally Preferred – would be the most protective of resources and visitors safety (This is proposed for “new lands”).
  • Multiple/Balanced Use – would provide dog walkers the greatest level of access per area ranging from no dogs, on-leash dog walking, and voice/sight control in regulated off-leash areas [ROLA].

Feel free to add your own additions or other supportive arguments for what you would like to see in the policy. The National Park Service (NPS) has a broad spectrum of park users whose many needs will have to be addressed so thoughtful, substantive comments will be the most productive for the planners.

Note that the comments phase has been extended until May 29th. The entire document, including summaries, maps and charts, is available on the internet at Dog Management DraftPlan/DEIS  (http://parkplanning.nps.gov/projectHome.cfm?projectID=11759).

Three ways to comment:

  • Online at National Park Service Planning, Environment and Public Comment:
    http://parkplanning.nps.gov/dogplan
  • Mail comments to:
    Frank Dean, General Superintendent
    Golden Gate National Recreation Area
    Fort Mason, Building 201
    San Francisco, CA 94123-0022
  • Attend one of the public open house meetings
Letter

By on Mon, March 7, 2011

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