It’s still too soon to say how the 2010 salmon season will turn out. The Pacific Fisheries Management Council is considering options ranging from entirely closed to "substantial" seasons

California and Central Oregon

In 2008 and 2009, poor Sacramento returns led to the largest fishery closure on record. While this year’s run should be better, the season options are still limited.  Last year about 122,000 fish were expected to spawn, but only about 39,000 actually returned.  Without any fishing, 245,000 fish are expected to return to the Sacramento River this year.  This year the Council will manage for a minimum conservation goal of 150,000 – 180,000 spawning adult salmon to provide more assurance of meeting the minimum goal of 122,000. 

Also in California, Klamath River Fall Chinook are forecast to meet the minimum natural spawning goal of 35,000, and the 2010 management objective of 40,700.

Coho returns are expected to be lower in 2010, and quotas for Oregon fisheries will be substantially less than in 2009.

The duet Chanson du Soir will be performing at the Half Moon Bay Library on Sunday March 21st at 2:00PM.  Classical guitarist David Isaacs and soprano Chelsea Camille will present selections ranging from Bachianas Brasileiras to a trio of songs from Simone Mayer.  Admission is free.

No one ever imagines they’ll find themselves living in a skilled nursing facility. But Archie Eugene Moses, a resident of the Seton Medical Center Coastside, is not letting his living arrangement interfere with his ability to be inspired and to inspire others through painting and drawing.

Moses is one of 70 nursing home residents who have their art on display at the state Capitol through March 27.  The “Art for Life” show, featuring more than 120 paintings, is sponsored by the California Association of Health Facilities (CAHF), which represents skilled nursing and rehabilitation facilities and homes for the developmentally disabled.

More than 67,000 adults, ages 18 to 64, in San Mateo County have no medical insurance. Approximately 3,000 children in the County do not have insurance. The waiting lists for treatment are long for both of these groups and can stretch out to 4-5 months even if they are eligible for low-cost insurance options.

One year ago almost to the day, the Coastside Family Medical Center closed. There was in influx of patients to the RotaCare Clinic - Coastside in Half Moon Bay, and to the Emergency Department of Seton Coastside. Volumes have gone down in the Emergency Department but they remain high at RotaCare.

The RotaCare patients are like you and me. They have lost jobs, can’t afford COBRA payments, or never had insurance to begin with from their employer. They may wait until they are really sick before they come in for treatment. They also may feel guilty because they are homeowners and don’t think they qualify for RotaCare. These people are our neighbors.

March 14-20 is national "Week of the Uninsured," a campaign to help those in need while bringing awareness to the plight of our fellow Americans without insurance. Locally, Seton Medical Center and Seton Coastside are part of the Daughters of Charity Health System. Our mission is to help the sick poor. Hence, our work in helping the underserved in a number of ways is a priority.

Seton and Seton Coastside help sponsor RotaCare. There are two RotaCare Clinics in the area. The RotaCare Clinic at Seton Medical Center in Daly City is open Monday nights from 5:00 to 7:00 pm. The other RotaCare Clinic - Coastside is in Half Moon Bay. It is open Wednesday night for 5:00 to 7 :30 pm.

Please take a few minutes to learn about the “Week of the Uninsured” campaign. Go to http://www.covertheuninsured.org. To learn more about RotaCare go to http://www.rotacarebayarea.org, and, finally, to learn more about our local hospitals go to http://www.setonmedicalcenter.org.

Turn your caring into action by contacting your elected officials to let them know how you feel about helping our neighbors get health insurance. Help us save lives.

Cheryl Sinclair
Manager of Community Outreach, Seton Coastside
Moss Beach, CA

The Pacifica Democrats and the Daly City/Colma Democrats are hosting a visit by our Congressional representative, Jackie Speier.  Congresswoman Speier will be discussing health care reform at a breakfast meeting at the Sharp Park Golf Course from 9:30 to 11:30am.

All Pacifica Democrats’ meetings are open to the public. You don’t need to be a club member, or a Democrat, to attend. A full breakfast is available for $12; continental breakfast for $6; or coffee only for $3. 

Due to the anticipated popularity of this event, RSVP’s are requested. Doors open at 9:00 a.m. Seating is between 9:00 a.m. and 9: 30 a.m. Meeting begins at 9:30 a.m. To RSVP, please call Barbara Arietta, President of the Pacifica Democrats at 415-246-0775 or email her at [email protected].

Please FAX this letter to: 916-319-2114

Assembly Member Nancy Skinner
14th District
Subcommittee 3
Fax: 916-319-2114

Regarding:  DOJ Fund Shift Budget Committee

Dear Nancy Skinner:

Today I am writing to express my extreme opposition to the Department of Justice (DOJ) proposal to “bill” departments that protect our coast and environment for litigation that defends our natural resources. The Coastal Commission, State Lands Commission, Water Board and other public agencies that protect the public’s rights to clean beaches, clean water and access to public lands should not have to base their decisions on whether or not these rights deserve to be upheld based on case-by-case budget decisions made by the Department of Finance. Funding these legal costs currently comes from the General Fund and are written into the DOJ budget. This has worked extremely well for nearly forty years. Why change it now and seriously harm coastal and environmental protection?

Assembly Member Juan Arambula
31st District
Subcommittee 4
Fax: 916-319-2131

Regarding:  DOJ Fund Shift Budget Committee

Dear Assembly Member Juan Arambula:

Today I am writing to express my extreme opposition to the Department of Justice (DOJ) proposal to “bill” departments that protect our coast and environment for litigation that defends our natural resources. The Coastal Commission, State Lands Commission, Water Board and other public agencies that protect the public’s rights to clean beaches, clean water and access to public lands should not have to base their decisions on whether or not these rights deserve to be upheld based on case-by-case budget decisions made by the Department of Finance. Funding these legal costs currently comes from the General Fund and are written into the DOJ budget. This has worked extremely well for nearly forty years. Why change it now and seriously harm coastal and environmental protection?

The American Association of University Women’s March 15 general meeting is sure to enlighten and educate you about the history of Half Moon Bay and the Coastside. Three Coastside locals will join us to discuss their books on Half Moon Bay and Kings Mountain history. 

Hear these authors share tidbits of local lore, discuss what inspired them to write their book and explain their research and writing process.  You will learn about the people and events that impacted the history of our area.  The authors will have copies of their books to sign and sell.
 
Featured authors will be:
 

• Dave Cresson – “Turning Points: Through the Windows of the Zaballa House” and “The Treasures of Half Moon Bay”
• Michael Orange – “Half Moon Bay: Historic Coastside Reflections”
• Stacy Trevenon – “Images of America - Kings Mountain"

 
After the panel discussion, Mary Sheridan will lead us on a tour of the historic CUMC chapel.  Built in 1872, the chapel is on the National Registry of Historic Buildings and is the oldest operating church in San Mateo County.  In addition to the history of the chapel, Mary will explain the very touching story behind the chapel’s beautiful stained glass windows and tell you how many times the chapel has actually been moved and turned around!
 
As part of our general meeting, Tech Trek Chair, Julie Gerth, will give a brief update on Tech Trek and what a great opportunity it would be to contribute to this innovative, worthwhile project.  In addition she will have a new DVD from camp to share. 
 
Monday, March 15, 2010
Doors open at 7:00 p.m. Meeting starts at 7:15 p.m. followed by the program
Methodist Church Social Hall, 777 Miramontes St., Half Moon Bay
 
Carol Forster and Betty Lee-Kendall
Program Co-Vice Presidents
         

The county plans two more H1N1 vaccination clinics for the Coastside in March.

The H1N1 virus is not expected to disappear anytime soon, so it remains important for people to continue getting vaccinated – especially children, pregnant mothers, and individuals with underlying chronic medical conditions. Children who receive their first dose now may only need one dose next fall, when flu season ramps up again. It is also important for children under age 10 to get two doses of H1N1 flu vaccine – at least three weeks apart – because two doses provide better protection against the H1N1 virus for the less mature immune systems of younger children. [...]

A flu shot is still the single best defense against the flu, and can help reduce the spread throughout the community. For individuals in high-risk groups, the vaccine prevents serious health complications, and in some cases, death. There have been 10 H1N1-related deaths and 95 hospitalizations in the County since the outbreak began last year.

Half Moon Bay
Wednesday, March 10, 6pm-8pm
Moonridge Mid-Peninsula Housing, 2001 Miramontes Point Rd.
 
Half Moon Bay
Sunday, March 21, 10am - 4pm
Ted Adcock Community Center, 535 Kelly Ave.