Comments Archive

Pacificans for a Scenic Coast vs. Caltrans et al. will be heard in San Mateo Superior Court Friday, August 22, 2pm....

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…

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…

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.…

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...

All are welcome to the dinner, not just military families!!  We hope to see you there! ...

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…

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....

The CDFW has posted a web page that provides a lot of good information on this issue: http://www.dfg.ca.gov/education/rodenticide/...

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.)…

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…

When you’re out there, you’re not looking at the K-rail. Or at least I’m not. Your mileage may vary....

It’s ruined by fugly K-rail....

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…

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…

Here’s a how-to video on successful rat control trapping methods by a professional.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c49M78SGu00&app=desktop ...

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…

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!!!...

Nice job, Julia! Putting her creative talents to use and giving us a second-hand experience of what to expect. Thank you....

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....

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…

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,…

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…

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…

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!)…

Great video.  I didn’t realize that it was almost all downhill southbound.  Can’t wait to do it myself!...

No way. It’s a bicycle....

Are you on a motorcycle?...

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…

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....

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…

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…

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…

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....

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…

The reviews are in!  http://www.mercurynews.com/pacifica-entertainment/ci_25370588/spindrift-call-all-aboard-first-rate-pirate-musical ...

Oh this is fantastic! Thanks for sharing and we can’t wait to do this trail....

Thank you Barry for keeping the Coastsider a float!  :0)...

“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…

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…

It’s about time! Thank you Don Horsley!...

These photos are fantastic. thanks for sharing them....

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…

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…

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.…

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…

Great pictures, Kevin!  Thanks for posting them.  There were some wonderful waves and spray....

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…

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…

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…

It’s not a typo.  10AM - 2AM....

Upon re examining the information, I’m going to guess that the request is for a 10.00am - 2.00pm opening slot NOT 10.00am - 2.00am, is that a typo? I hope so!...

Agreed Barry, I’m also happy we have another thriving coastside business, but I’m also horrified at the thought of 2nd Street and Highway one looking like Sam’s on a busy day, the potential for roadside carnage is scary. And let’s…

Thanks for the kind words.  I’m enjoying working on the site again....

I should add that I’m really happy to see a successful restaurant at that location, and that their pisco sours are excellent....

This has big implications for access and for the neighborhood. Most weekend days, of course, the Costanera parking lot is filled with beach goers. More people will have to park on the highway and hike to the beach. Most evenings, First Street and the…

Carl, thanks for the tip. We went on a whale watching tour last year and I was surprised just how close to the shore the whales really are. We saw plenty of whales just off Surfers Beach....

A pretty good local spot for whale watching from land is the southern end of the Grey Whale Cove Trail in McNee Ranch, just above the highway and Montara State Beach. A number of sightings over the past week and a half from there, including three at one…

For a fictional, but fact-inspired, account of a megastorm that slams into California, the book “Storm” by George R. Stewart is a good rainy-day read....

I’m sorry your going through such a hard time. I hear she’s not working at the San Mateo County Elections Office any longer....

The new trend is for voters to approve more and more money for fewer and fewer students....

A five-year update to my original numbers: no change in trend, with overall CUSD enrollment at a new low since its 1997-98 peak. The trends were briefly reversed in 2009-10, perhaps as a result of the recession, but that reversal was itself reversed,…

“The vultures and hawks circled the ceremonies, but decided no food was available.” It says something about the makeup of the invited crowd when it was distasteful to even carrion eaters....

There is a local posting community discussing this exact same topic on http://www.circlesavvy.com I am hoping to learn more and understand which way to vote.  This is important stuff. Thank you...

Is this going to be on TV? Live or delayed?...

The CCWD—covering HMB and EG—now gets much of its domestic water from the abused Tuolumne River. For water users in the CCWD, this could be an eye-opener, exposing their responsibility for negative impacts on natural resources and the natural…

The Midcoast Community Council is also trying to schedule a candidate forum for later this month—which would be better located for those of us in the midcoast communities with no compelling connection to HMB....

March 14th!...

Hi Carl: DFW spokesman said that if State-hosted meeting, then State covers insurance for facility and the venue must meet ADA and other requirements. Pescadero has such a venue to meet those needs, but State thought only Native Son’s Hall was possible…

Why is the meeting in HMB rather than Pescadero? Pescadero has several locations with the capacity of the old train depot on Higgins in HMB....

Fire districts in California with a fraction the population of HMB or the midcoast communities have ongoing independent fire districts of many years duration, thus maintaining the local control that can fit services to a location. The numbers presented…

so is this discussion on February 14 or March 14?  we do need this recall election, Half MOON BAY cannot afford a ‘stand alone’ fire district neither do our neighbors to the north or south…...

Here is the new proposed 2013- 17 (temp) route and time schedule, which isn’t really much different and will go into effect on 1/13/13. I’ll still experience 25 buses a day passing in front of our home; and some of you will too. http://www.samtrans.com/Assets/SamTrans/Timetables/temp/Route_17_01-13-13.pdf…

Clarification; on 12/26/12 the operator was driving bus #2900.  It is the same driver that is pictured above driving #2901 the next day -  12/27/12 passing by our home again....

Follow Up - New Physical Assault Case # 12-9046 On 12/26/12, at approximately 3:17pm, I was physically assaulted and injured by this Sam Trans / AV Transportation operator on Main Street nearest 6th Street and the Montara Post Office. http://i908.photobucket.com/albums/ac283/ReefKeeper/Sam…

I’d like to know too?  Should you ever find out please let me know. As many of my neighbors and I are being disturbed by these behemoths and reckless drivers they have on this line. While many have contacted the BOD, Sam Trans is quick to defend…

Oh and by the way, Barry, Kensit Plumbing never did return our calls....

Thanks for the tip to Miramar Plumbing. They said up front they couldn’t handle our radiant floor heating work, but referred us to Simms Plumbing out of Pescadero 650 879 0739. Elias from Simms came out and diagnosed issue after issue from the previous…

HERE IS A NEW LINK TO ROUTE 17 SAM TRANS VIDEO and OFFICIALS TO CONTACT:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7f3KVUwWjo Description: Driver’s behaving noisily, speeding, running stop sign, etcetera, along route 17 in Montara. Sam Trans moves in…

Of course Narda Garcia Barrientos and now add the name Wright to her list of names has not had time to respond to your election question.  she is too busy having extra marital affairs and stealing peoples husbands.  Mine to be exact...

George Molina of Miramar Plumbing saved my ass on Christmas Day at the last minute. 726-5524 Terry Baldwin Mill Rose Inn...

Tim Kensit was also recommended to us by another source. Sadly, he does not return phone calls. We have left him two messages over two weeks. I guess he doesn’t need any new business. Stay from Bay Area Plumbing and Heating run by Lance Eastman…

Terrific coverage and footage. Thank you for your efforts.  I was unable to attend, and am glad we had a good turn out; and the GGNRA’s ear too. Thanks again....

please join us in keeping the comedy alive on the coast!  Tell a funny friend to audition!...

An excellent Pumpkin Festival organize by PCT. Running cameras and crowd created a big glory in this event. It was fabulous to see the show. Also, I would like to congrats to PCT for those they had organize this festival.Shaker Kitchen Cabinets...

Changing faces while continuing an impossible situation is not going to make it less impossible. Changing faces will not change this situation. The more you struggle in financial quicksand, the deeper you go. I do care about how bad we in our several…

Executive summary of Carl’s argument:  we’re getting screwed, so why should I care how bad the screwing is? I normally agree with Carl, but this fire district fiasco is the one exception.  I certainly am a very strong believer in…

Who is this “Vince Williams”? Is this the guy who blew into Moss Beach a some years back and made friends with an appointed (not elected) director of the PMFPD who was dedicated to getting rid of the district for his own reasons (and no longer…

Old memories… Carl May is only interested in one thing, the principle of local control.  Nothing else matters. The State and County write the laws and regulations and the “locals” have no choice but to deal with them. That is the…

Crisis politics, getting all lathered up over the momentary casts of opposing forces in what will be an ongoing scene, and throwing partial dollar figures around as if they define the entire situation and are the only relevant ones are part of what got…

Carl, I understand your thinking, but the fact is that we have an enormous amount to lose in safety, peace of mind, property values and everything else if this Board majority gets its way. With CAL FIRE, we have the best trained firefighters out there,…

People in Montara and Moss Beach were already disenfranchised when we were not given the opportunity to vote on whether or not to consolidate away our local Point Montara Fire Protection District. Now we are stuck with being joined in a south-dominated…

This is the same model that our current Board majority in 2012 want to go back to, and The President, Doug Mackintosh keeps bringing up how it’s cheaper to have fewer employees and more overtime, than to have a fully staffed department. However,…

This story and comments are more relevant now, July 2012, in retrospect, than it was then.  Mackintosh, Alifano and Riddell have voted to start accruing even more unfund liabilities. Bthet did this on July 3, 2012!  They do not care how much…

I have successfully used dry ice to kill them.  Be careful, you can hurt yourself.  Buy someat Safeway, Linda Mar.  Put a big chunk in the higher elevation tunnels.  The co2 goes into the sleeping chamber and they drift off to a permanent…

Great comments.  More relevant now, 4 years later, than before:  Alifano, Riddell, Mackintosh have set our fire district, in July 2012, on the path of returning to this old, expensive, discredited model. Sign the recall petition to put this…

Leonard nails it. It is not the number of lanes in Pacifica where the highway is slow going in the morning and evening commute, it is intersection management—especially at Vallemar and Fassler. Widen the highway as the county and Caltrans are trying…

Southern California has two things that we don’t have: 1.  A heckofa lot more people. 2.  It’s not in Caltrans District 4. 1 out every 3 people living in the State of California lives in L.A. County!  More than 1/5 of the cities…

As a midcoaster, I found I could not vote for any of the candidates for supervisor from any of the three districts. The two running unopposed in their districts have already made (or gone along with) too many decisions or sat on their hands on too many…

Video trailer for HMB High School’s spring musical “Les Miserables”: http://coastsidevideo.com/sites/hmb-high-school/pages/hmb-high-school-les-miserables-2012-trailer-coastside-video.html Schedule for remaining shows:    Friday 3/23…