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Events Listings
Outdoors-East Bay Through June 27
ARDENWOOD HISTORIC FARM Ardenwood farm is a working farm that dates back to the time of the Patterson Ranch, a 19th-century estate with a mansion and Victorian Gardens. Today, the farm still practices farming techniques from the 1870s. Unless otherwise noted, programs are free with regular admission.
"Blacksmithing," Thursday, Friday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Watch a blacksmith turn iron into useful tools.
"Horse-Drawn Train," Thursday, Friday and Sunday. A 20-minute ride departs from Ardenwood Station and Deer Park.
"Animal Feeding," Thursday-Sunday, 3-4 p.m. Help slop the hogs, check the henhouse for eggs and bring hay to the livestock.
"Victorian Flower Arranging," Thursday, 10:15-11:30 a.m. Watch as Ardenwood docents create floral works of art for display in the Patterson House.
"Potato Harvesting," Learn the spectacular history of this New World native as you dig with your spade and help find the spuds.
"Horse-Drawn Train Rides," Thursday, Friday and Sunday, 10:15 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Meet Jigs or Tucker the Belgian Draft horses that pull Ardenwood's train. Check the daily schedule and meet the train at Ardenwood Station or Deer Park.
"Animal Feeding," Thursday-Sunday, 3 p.m. Feed the pigs, check for eggs and bring hay to the livestock.
"Country Kitchen Cookin'," Sundays, 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Enjoy the flavor of the past with treats cooked on Ardenwood's wood burning stove. Sample food grown on the farm and discover the history of your favorite oldtime snacks.
"Toddler Time," Tuesdays, 11-11:30 a.m. Bring the tiny tots out for an exciting morning at the farm. Meet and learn all about a new animal friend through stories, chores and fun.
"Barnyard Pictionary," June 19, 1-2 p.m. Test your artistic and guessing skills.
"Got Milk? Not Without Those Dairy Cows," June 19, 11 a.m.-noon. Learn cool dairy cow facts and make a craft to take home.
"Father's Day Ice Cream," June 20, 2-3 p.m. Celebrate Father's Day with a delicious treat.
"Rope and Rhymes," June 27, 2-3 p.m. Learn to make rope and practice the double dutch.
$1-$5; free children under age 4. Tuesday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. 34600 Ardenwood Blvd., Fremont. (510) 796-0199, (510) 796-0663, www.ebparks.org.<
BAY AREA RAIL TRAILS A network of trails converted from unused railway corridors and developed by the Rails to Trails Conservancy.
BLACK DIAMOND MINES REGIONAL PRESERVE RAILROAD BED TRAIL -- This easy one mile long rail trail on Mount Diablo leads to many historic sites within the preserve. Suitable for walking, horseback riding, and mountain biking. Accessible year round but may be muddy during the rainy season. Enter from the Park Entrance Station parking lot on the East side of Somersville Road, Antioch.
IRON HORSE REGIONAL TRAIL -- The paved trail has grown into a 23 mile path between Concord and San Ramon with a link into Dublin. The trail runs from the north end of Monument Boulevard at Mohr Lane, east to Interstate 680, in Concord through Walnut Creek to just south of Village Green Park in San Ramon. It will eventually extend from Suisun Bay to Pleasanton and has been nominated as a Community Millennium Trail under the U.S. Millennium Trails program. A smooth shaded trail suitable for walkers, cyclists, skaters and strollers. It is also wheelchair accessible. Difficulty: easy to moderate in small chunks; hard if taken as a whole.
LAFAYETTE/MORAGA REGIONAL TRAIL -- A 7.65 mile paved trail converted from the Sacramento Northern Rail line. This 20-year old trail goes along Las Trampas Creek and parallels St. Mary's Road. Suitable for walkers, equestrians, and cyclists. Runs from Olympic Boulevard and Pleasant Hill Road in Lafayette to Moraga. The trail can be used year round.
OHLONE GREENWAY -- A 3.75-mile paved trail converted from the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe railway. Suitable for walkers, strollers and skaters. It is also wheelchair accessible. The trail runs under elevated BART tracks from Conlon and Key Streets in El Cerrito to Virginia and Acton Streets in Berkeley.
SHEPHERD CANYON TRAIL -- An easy 3-mile paved trail converted from the Sacramento Northern Rail Line. The tree-lined trail is gently sloping and generally follows Shepherd Canyon Road. Suitable for walkers and cyclists. It is also wheelchair accessible. Begins in Montclair Village behind McCaulou's Department Store on Medau Place and ends at Paso Robles Drive, Oakland. Useable year round.
Free. (415) 397-2220, www.traillink.com.<
BAY AREA RIDGE TRAIL The Bay Area Ridge Trail, when completed, will be a 400-mile regional trail system that will form a loop around the entire San Francisco Bay region, linking 75 public parks and open spaces to thousands of people and hundreds of communities. Hikes on portions of the trail are available through the Bay Area Ridge Trail Council. Call for meeting sites.
ALAMEDA COUNTY -- "Lake Chabot Bike Rides." These rides are for strong beginners and intermediates to build skill, strength and endurance at a non hammerhead pace. No one will be dropped. Reservations required. Distance: 14 miles. Elevation gain: 1,000 feet. Difficulty: beginner to intermediate. Pace: moderate. Meeting place: Lake Chabot Road at the main entrance to the park. Thursday, 6:15 a.m. (510) 468-3582.
ALAMEDA-CONTRA COSTA COUNTY -- "Tilden and Wildcat Bike Rides." A vigorous ride through Tilden and Wildcat Canyon regional parks. Reservations required. Distance: 15 miles. Elevation gain: 2,000 feet. Difficulty: intermediate. Pace: fast. Meeting place: in front of the North Berkeley BART Station. Wednesday, 5:30 p.m. (510) 849-9650.
Free. (415) 561-2595, www.ridgetrail.org.<
BICYCLE TRAILS COUNCIL OF THE EAST BAY The Council sponsors trail work days, Youth Bike Adventure Rides, and Group Rides as well as Mountain Bike Basics classes which cover training and handling skills.
"Weekly Wednesday Ride at Lake Chabot," Wednesdays, 6:30 p.m. A 13- to 20-mile ride exploring the trails around Lake Chabot, with 1,500 to 2,000 feet of climbing. Meet at 6:15 p.m. in the parking lot across from the public safety offices at Lake Chabot in Castro Valley. Reservations requested. (510) 727-0613.
"Weekly Wednesday 'Outer' East Bay Ride," Wednesdays, 5:30 p.m. Ride some of the outer East Bay parks each week, such as Wild Cat Canyon, Briones, Mount Diablo, Tilden and Joaquin Miller-Redwood. Meeting place and ride location vary. Reservations required. (510) 888-9757.
Free. (510) 466-5123, www.btceb.org.<
BLACK DIAMOND MINES REGIONAL PRESERVE Originally the home of several Native American tribes, white men began coal mining in the area in the 1860s. The preserve today features old mines and displays of the history of the area.
"Father's Day Mine Open House," June 20, Noon-4:30 p.m. Join a tour to explore 1,000 feet of the Hazel-Atlas mine.
"Sunset in the Hills," June 26, 7:30-10 p.m. Discover this landscape on a three-mile hike.
Free unless otherwise noted; $5 seasonal parking fee on weekends. Daily, 8 a.m. to dusk Somersville Road, about five miles south of state Highway 4, Antioch. Information: (925) 757-2620, Tickets: (925) 555-1212, www.ebparks.org.<
"Introduction to Botanical Drawing for Kids," June 19, 10 a.m.-noon. Children age 8-12 can learn the basics of botanical drawing. $10-$15.
Intersection of Wildcat Canyon Road and South Park Drive, Tilden Regional Park, Berkeley. www.ebparks.org.<
COYOTE HILLS REGIONAL PARK The park is located on the shoreline of Fremont Bay and features rich wetland areas as well as Ohlone Indian shellmound sites. Hiking in the park allows scenic views of San Francisco Bay and southern Alameda County. The 12-mile Alameda Creek Trail runs from the Bay east to the mouth of Niles Canyon and features an equestrian trail as well as a bicycle trail; hikers are welcome on both. The park conducts naturalist programs and has a visitor center with a nature store and Ohlone, natural history and wildlife exhibits.
SPECIAL EVENTS -- Free unless otherwise noted.
"Learn to Construct a Tule Boat," June 6 and June 27, Jun. 6, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.; Jun. 27, 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. On June 6, help gather tule, then see a slideshow on California tule boats. On June 27, build a three person tule boat and launch it for a paddle around the lake.
"Celebrate Father's Day in the Stone Age," June 20, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Explore the lives of Paleolithic tribes. $10.
"Panoramic Bay-View Hike," June 20, 3-5 p.m. Enjoy an energetic 2-mile round trip hike on the ridge of the hills.
"Recycled T-Shirt Yarn," June 26, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Learn how to turn old clothing into new accessories.
Free unless otherwise noted; A parking fee may be charged. Registration required for events. April through October: daily, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.; October through April, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., unless otherwise posted. 8000 Patterson Pass Road, Fremont. (510) 636-1684, (510) 795-9385, www.ebparks.org.<
CRAB COVE VISITOR CENTER At Crab Cove, you can see live underwater creatures and go into the San Francisco Bay from land. You can also travel back in time to Alameda's part. The goal is to increase understanding of the environmental importance of San Francisco Bay and the ocean ecosystem. Crab Cove's Indoor Aquarium and Exhibit Lab is one of the largest indoor aquariums in the East Bay.
"Sea Siblings," Tuesdays, 9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. Explore the natural world and take part in a theme related craft. Designed for the 3-5 year old learner. Registration is required. $4. (888) 327-2757.
"Sea Squirts," 10-11:30 a.m. and 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Discover the wonders of nature with your little one. Registration is required. $6-$8.
"Catch of the Day," Sundays, 2-3 p.m. Drop by to find out more about the Bay and its wildlife through guided exploration and hands-on fun.
"Return of the Terns," June 19, 11 a.m. Journey to the proposed Alameda Wildlife Refuge to view a nesting site teeming with several hundred pairs of endangered California least terns and their chicks.
"Turtle Talk," June 20 and June 27, 1:30-2 p.m. Meet Esmeralda the threetoed box turtle.
Free unless otherwise noted; parking fee may be charged. 1252 McKay Ave., Alameda. (510) 521-6887, www.ebparks.org.<
DUNSMUIR HOUSE AND GARDENS HISTORIC ESTATE Nestled in the Oakland hills, the 50-acre Dunsmuir House and Gardens estate includes the 37-room Neoclassical Revival Dunsmuir Mansion, built by coal and lumber baron Alexander Dunsmuir for his bride. Restored outbuildings set amid landscaped gardens surround the mansion.
ESTATE GROUNDS -- Self-Guided Grounds Tours are available yearround. The 50 acres of gardens and grounds at the mansion are open to the public for walking Tuesday-Friday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Booklets and maps of the grounds are available at the Dinkelspiel House. Free.
GUIDED TOURS -- Docent-led tours are available on the first Sunday of each month at 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. (except for July) and Wednesdays at 11 a.m. $5 adults, $4 seniors and juniors (11-16), children 11 and under free.
Dunsmuir House and Gardens, 2960 Peralta Oaks Court, Oakland. (510) 615-5555, www.dunsmuir.org.<
FIFTY-PLUS ADVENTURE WALKS AND RUNS The walks and runs are 3-mile round-trips, lasting about one hour on the trail. All levels of ability are welcome. The walks are brisk, however, and may include some uphill terrain. Events are held rain or shine and on all holidays except Christmas and the Fifty-Plus Annual Fitness Weekend. Call for dates, times and details.
Free. (650) 323-6160, www.50plus.org.<
FOREST HOME FARMS The 16-acre former farm of the Boone family is now a municipal historic park in San Ramon. It is located at the base of the East Bay Hills and is divided into two parts by Oak Creek. The Boone House is a 22-room Dutch colonial that has been remodeled several times since it was built in 1900. Also on the property are a barn built in the period from 1850 to 1860; the Victorian-style David Glass House, dating from the late 1860s to early 1870s; a storage structure for farm equipment and automobiles; and a walnut processing plant.
Free unless otherwise noted. Public tours available by appointment. 19953 San Ramon Valley Blvd., San Ramon. (925) 973-3281, www.ci.sanramon. ca.us/parks/boone.htm.<
GARIN AND DRY CREEK PIONEER REGIONAL PARKS Independent nature study is encouraged here, and guided interpretive programs are available through the Coyote Hills Regional Park Visitor Center in Fremont. The Garin Barn Visitor Center is open Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. In late summer, the Garin Apple Festival celebrates Garin's apple orchards. The parks also allow picnicking, hiking, horseback riding and fishing.
Free; $5 parking fee per vehicle; $2 per dog. Daily, 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. 1320 Garin Ave., Hayward. (510) 562-PARK, (510) 795-9385, www.ebparks.org/parks/garin.htm.<
GREENBELT ALLIANCE OUTINGS A series of hikes, bike rides and events sponsored by Greenbelt Alliance, the Bay Area's non-profit land conservation and urban planning organization. Call for meeting places. Reservations required for all trips.
"Self-Guided Urban Outing: Berkeley," This interactive smart growth walking tour of central Berkeley examines some of the exciting projects that help alleviate the housing shortage in the city as well as amenities important to making a livable community. The walk, which includes the GAIA Cultural Center, Allston Oak Court, The Berkeley Bike Station, University Terrace and Strawberry Creek Park, takes between an hour-and-ahalf to two hours at a leisurely pace. Download the itinerary which gives specific directions by entering www.greeenbelt.org and clicking on "get involved'' and then "urban outings.'' Drop down and click on Berkeley. Free.
Free unless otherwise noted. (415) 255-3233, www.greenbelt.org.<
HAYWARD REGIONAL SHORELINE With 1,682 acres of salt, fresh and brackish water marshes, seasonal wetlands and the approximately three-mile San Lorenzo Trail, the Hayward Shoreline restoration project is one of the largest of its kind on the West Coast, comprising 400 acres of marshland. Part of the East Bay Regional Park District.
Free. Daily, 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. 3010 W. Winton Ave., Hayward. (510) 562-PARK, www.ebparks.org/parks/hayward.htm.<
HAYWARD SHORELINE INTERPRETIVE CENTER Perched on stilts above a salt marsh, the Center offers an introduction to the San Francisco Bay-Estuary. It features exhibits, programs and activities designed to inspire a sense of appreciation, respect and stewardship for the Bay, its inhabitants and the services they provide. The Habitat Room offers a preview of what may be seen outside. The 80-gallon Bay Tank contains some of the fish that live in the Bay's open waters, and the Channel Tank represents habitats formed by the maze of sloughs and creeks that snake through the marsh. The main room of the Center features rotating exhibits about area history, plants and wildlife. Part of the Hayward Area Recreation and Park District.
"Exploring Nature," An exhibit of Shawn Gould's illustrations featuring images of the natural world.
"Weekend Weed Warriors," 1-4 p.m. Help the shoreline to eliminate the non-native plants that threaten its diversity. Ages 12 and older. Registration required.
"Nature Detectives," 11 a.m.-noon. An introduction and exploration of the world of Black-Crowned Night-Herons. Ages 3-5 and their caregivers. Registration required.
"Waterfowl of the Freshwater Marsh," 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Join an expert birder to go "behind the gates'' to areas of the marsh that are not open to the public.
"Father's Day Campout," June 19 through June 20, Saturday, 2 p.m.-Sunday, 11 a.m. Feat on BBQ and celebrate Dad's special day. Bring tents for this exclusive camping event.
Free. Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 4901 Breakwater Ave., Hayward. (510) 670-7270, www.hard.dst.ca.us/hayshore.html.<
JOHN MUIR NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE The site preserves the 1882 Muir House, a 17-room Victorian mansion where naturalist John Muir lived from 1890 to his death in 1914. It was here that Muir wrote about preserving America's wilderness and helped create the national parks idea for the United States. The house is situated on a hill overlooking the City of Martinez and surrounded by nine acres of vineyards and orchards. Take a self-guided tour of this well-known Scottish naturalist's home. Also part of the site is the historic Martinez Adobe and Mount Wanda.
Public Tours of the John Muir House, Begin with an eight-minute park film and then take the tour. The film runs every 15 minutes throughout the day. Wednesday through Friday, 2 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 1 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m.
MOUNT WANDA -- The mountain consists of 325 acres of grass and oak woodland historically owned by the Muir family. It offers a nature trail and several fire trails for hiking. Open daily, sunrise to sunset.
JOHN MUIR HOUSE, Tours of this well-known Scottish naturalist's home are available. The house, built in 1882, is a 14-room Victorian home situated on a hill overlooking the city of Martinez and surrounded by nine acres of vineyards and orchards. It was here that Muir wrote about preserving America's wilderness and helped create the national parks idea for the United States. The park also includes the historic Vicente Martinez Adobe, built in 1849. An eight-minute film about Muir and the site is shown every 15 minutes throughout the day at the Visitor Center. Self guided tours of the Muir home, the surrounding orchards, and the Martinez Adobe: Wednesday-Sunday, 1 a.m.-5 p.m. Public tours or the first floor of the Muir home: Wednesday-Friday, 2 p.m.; Saturday-Sunday, 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. Reservations not required except for large groups.
$3 general; free children ages 16 and under. Wednesday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. 4202 Alhambra Ave., Martinez. (925) 228-8860, www.nps.gov/jomu.<
KENNEDY GROVE REGIONAL RECREATION AREA The 95-acre park contains picnic areas, horseshoe pits and volleyball courts among its grove of aromatic eucalyptus trees.
$5 parking; $2 per dog except guide/service dogs Through September: daily, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. San Pablo Dam Road, El Sobrante. (510) 223-7840, www.ebparks.org.<
LAKE CHABOT REGIONAL PARK The 315-acre lake offers year-round recreation. Services include canoe and boat rental, horseshoe pits, hiking, bicycling, picnicking and seasonal tours aboard the Chabot Queen. For boat rentals, call (510) 247-2526.
Free unless noted otherwise; $5 parking; $2 per dog except guide/service dogs. Daily, 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. 17930 Lake Chabot Road, Castro Valley. (510) 562-PARK, www.ebparks.org.<
LINDSAY WILDLIFE MUSEUM This is the oldest and largest wildlife rehabilitation center in America, taking in 6,000 injured and orphaned animals yearly and returning 40 percent of them to the wild. The museum offers a wide range of educational programs using non-releasable wild animals to teach children and adults respect for the balance of nature. The museum includes a state-of-the art wildlife hospital which features a permanent exhibit, titled "Living with Nature,'' which houses 75 non-releasable wild animals in learning environments; a 5,000-square-foot Wildlife Hospital complete with treatment rooms, intensive care, quarantine and laboratory facilities; a 1-acre Nature Garden featuring the region's native landscaping and wildlife; and an "Especially For Children'' exhibit.
WILDLIFE HOSPITAL -- September-March: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The hospital is open daily including holidays to receive injured and orphaned animals. There is no charge for treatment of native wild animals and there are no public viewing areas in the hospital.
$5-$7; free children under age 2. Wednesdays-Sundays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. 1931 First Ave., Walnut Creek. (925) 935-1978, www.wildlife-museum.org.<
MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. SHORELINE This 1,200-acre park situated near Oakland International Airport offers picnic areas with barbecues and a boat launch ramp. Swimming is not allowed. The Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Grove, a group of trees surrounding a grassy glade, is at the intersection of Doolittle Drive and Swan Way. The area also includes the 50-acre Arrowhead Marsh (part of the Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network) and a Roger Berry sculpture titled "Duplex Cone,'' which traces the summer and winter solstice paths of the sun through the sky.
Free. Daily, 5 a.m. to 10 p.m., unless otherwise posted Doolittle Drive and Swan Way, Oakland. (510) 562-PARK, Picnic reservations: (510) 636-1684, www.ebayparks.org.<
MILLER-KNOX REGIONAL SHORELINE A 295-acre shoreline picnic area with a secluded cove and swimming beach, and a hilltop offering panoramic views of the north Bay Area.
Free. Daily, 5 a.m. to 10 p.m., unless otherwise posted. 900 Dornan Dr., Richmond. (510) 562-PARK, Picnic Reservations: (510) 636-1684, www.ebparks.org.<
MOUNT DIABLO STATE PARK The 3,849-foot summit of Mount Diablo offers great views of the Bay Area and an extensive trail system. Visitors to the park can hike, bike, ride on horseback and camp. Notable park attractions include: The Fire Interpretive Trail, Rock City, Boy Scout Rocks and Sentinel Rock, Fossil Ridge, Deer Flat, Mitchell Canyon Staging Area, Diablo Valley Overlook, the Summit Visitor Center (open Wednesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.), the Art Gallery, the Observation Deck and the Mitchell Canyon Interpretive Center.
Free. $6 per vehicle park-entrance fee; $5 for seniors. Daily, 8 a.m. to sunset. Mount Diablo Scenic Boulevard, from the Diablo Road exit off Interstate Highway 680, Danville. (925) 837-2525, www.mdia.org or www.parks.ca.gov.<
OAKLAND ZOO The zoo includes a Children's Petting Zoo, the Skyride, a miniature train, a carousel, picnic grounds and a gift shop as well as the animals in site specific exhibits, which allow them to roam freely. Included are "The African Savanna,'' with its two huge mixed-animal aviaries and 11 African Savanna exhibits; the Mahali Pa Tembo (Place of the Elephant), with giraffes, chimpanzees and more than 330 other animals from around the world; "Simba Pori,'' Swahili for "Lion Country,'' a spacious 1.5-acre habitat offering both a savanna and woodland setting for African lions; "Footprints from the Past,'' an anthropology exhibit showcasing four million years of human evolution and an actual "footpath'' of the first hominids to emerge from the African savanna; "Sun Bear Exhibit,'' a stateof-the-art space the zoo has developed for its two sun bears; and Siamang Island, a state-of-the-art, barrier-free area that emulates the gibbons' native tropical rain forest habitat. Also see the Malayan Fruit Bats from the Lubee Bat Conservancy in Florida that are now roosting in trees at the zoo. In addition there are special exhibits and events monthly.
"Valley Children's Zoo," The three-acre attraction offers a completely interactive experience for both children and adults. The exhibits include lemurs, giant fruit bats, otters, reptiles, insects and more. Daily, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
"Endangered Species," An exhibit of photographs about the most endangered animals on the Earth and what can be done to save them. At the Education Center. Open daily during zoo hours. ONGOING EVENTS --
"Valley Children's Zoo," Daily, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The three-acre attraction will offer a completely interactive experience for both children and adults. The exhibits include lemurs, giant fruit bats, otters, reptiles, insects and more. Free with regular Zoo admission.
"Wildlife Theater," Saturday, 11:45 a.m.; Sunday, 1:45 p.m. On Saturday mornings listen to a story and meet a live animal. On Sunday afternoon meet live animals and learn cool facts about them. Meet in the Lobby of the Zoo's Maddie's Center for Science and Environmental Education. Free with regular Zoo admission. (510) 632-9525, ext. 142.
$7.50-11; free children under age 2; $6 parking fee. Daily, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Knowland Park, 9777 Golf Links Road, Oakland. (510) 632-9525, www.oaklandzoo.org.<
PLEASANTON RIDGE REGIONAL PARK This 3,163-acre parkland is on the oak-covered ridge overlooking Pleasanton and the Livermore Valley from the west. A multi-purpose trail system accommodates hikers, equestrians and bicyclists.
Free. Daily, 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. Foothill Road, Pleasanton. (510) 562-PARK, www.ebparks.org.<
POINT PINOLE REGIONAL SHORELINE The 2,315-acre parkland bordering Pinole, Richmond and San Pablo offers views of Mount Tamalpais, the Marin shoreline and San Pablo Bay. There are trails through meadows and woods, and along the bluffs and beaches of San Pablo Bay. Visitors can hike, ride bikes or take the park's shuttle bus to reach the 1,250-foot fishing pier at Point Pinole.
$5 per vehicle; $4 per trailered vehicle; $2 per dog (guide/service dogs free). Daily, 5 a.m. to 10 p.m., unless otherwise posted. Giant Highway, Richmond. (510) 562-PARK, www.ebparks.org.<
QUARRY LAKES REGIONAL RECREATION AREA The park includes three lakes sculpted from former quarry ponds. The largest, Horseshoe Lake, offers boating and fishing, with a swim beach that will open in the spring. Rainbow Lake is for fishing only, and the third lake, Lago Los Osos, is set aside for wildlife habitat. In addition, there are hiking and bicycling trails that connect to the Alameda Creek Regional Trail. The park includes three lakes sculpted from former quarry ponds. The largest, Horseshoe Lake, offers boating and fishing, with a swim beach that will open in the spring. Rainbow Lake is for fishing only, and the third lake, Lago Los Osos, is set aside for wildlife habitat. In addition there are hiking and bicycling trails that connect to the Alameda Creek Regional Trail.
$5 parking; $2 per dog except guide/service dogs; boat launch fees; Park District fishing access permit fee of $3. Through Labor Day: daily, 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Sept. 6 through Sept. 30, 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. 2100 Isherwood Way,, between Paseo Padre Parkway and Osprey Drive,, Fremont. (510) 795-4883, Picnic reservations:: (510) 562-2267, www.ebparks.org.<
REI BERKELEY A series of lectures on hikes and outdoor equipment.
"Free Hands-on Bicycle Classes," June 13 and June 27, 11 a.m.-noon. Join an REI bike technician to learn how to keep your bike in top condition.
"Car Camping Basics: Roughing it in Comfort," June 19, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Learn simple tips to make your car camping adventures full of comfort and fun.
Events are free and begin at 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted. 1338 San Pablo Ave., Berkeley. (510) 527-4140.<
ROBERT SIBLEY VOLCANIC REGIONAL PRESERVE East Bay residents have several volcanoes in their backyard. This park contains Round Top, one of the highest peaks in the Oakland Hills.
Free. Daily, 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. 6800 Skyline Blvd., Oakland. (510) 562-PARK, www.ebparks.org.<
RUTH BANCROFT GARDEN One of America's finest private gardens, the Ruth Bancroft Garden displays 2,000 specimens from around the world that thrive in an arid climate. Included are African and Mexican succulents, New World cacti, Australian and Chilean trees, and shrubs from California.
DOCENT TOUR SCHEDULE -- Saturdays, 10 a.m. Docent-led tours last approximately an hour and a half. Plant sales follow the tour. By reservation only. $7; free children under age 12.
SELF-GUIDED TOURS -- Monday-Thursday, 9:30 a.m.-noon; Friday, 9:30 a.m.; Saturday, 9:30 a.m. and 5 p.m.; Sunday, 5 p.m. Self-guided tours last two hours. No reservations required for weekday tours; reservations required for Friday and Saturday tours. Plant sales follow the tours. $7; free children under age 12.
Gardens open only for tours and special events listed on the garden's telephone information line. 1500 Bancroft Road, Walnut Creek. (925) 210-9663, www.ruthbancroftgarden.org.<
SHADOW CLIFFS REGIONAL RECREATION AREA The 296-acre park includes an 80-acre lake and a four-flume waterslide, with picnic grounds and a swimming beach. Water slide fees and hours: (925) 829-6230.
$6 per vehicle; $2 per dog except guide and service dogs. May 1 through Labor Day: daily, 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.; shortened hours for fall and winter. Stanley Boulevard, one mile from downtown, Pleasanton. (510) 562-PARK, www.ebparks.org.<
SULPHUR CREEK NATURE CENTER A wildlife rehabilitation and education facility where injured and orphaned local wild creatures are rehabilitated and released when possible. There is also a lending library of animals such as guinea pigs, rats, mice and more. The lending fee is $8 per week.
"Toddler Time," Learn about animals by listening to stories and exploring. Themes vary by month. Call for schedule. $7 per family.
"Day on the Green Animal Presentations," Meet an assortment of wild and domestic animals. Wildlife volunteers will present a different animal each day from possums to snakes, tortoises to hawks. Saturday and Sunday, 2:30 p.m.
Free. Park: Tuesday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Discovery Center: Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Animal Lending Library: Saturday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.; Wildlife Rehabilitation Center: daily, 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. 1801 D St., Hayward. (510) 881-6747, www.haywardrec.org/sulphur_creek.html.<
SUNOL REGIONAL WILDERNESS This park is full of scenic and natural wonders. You can hike the Ohlone Wilderness trail or Little Yosemite. There are bedrock mortars that were used by Native Americans, who were Sunol's first inhabitants.
"Sunol Sunday Hike," Sundays, 1:30-3 p.m. A natural history walk in the wilderness.
"Sunol Sunday Hike," Sundays, 1:30-3 p.m. A natural history walk in Sunol Regional Wilderness.
"Dad's Day Mini Hike," June 20, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Celebrate Father's Day with a 3/4 mile long hike.
"Daddy Creek Bugs," June 20, 2-4 p.m. Explore Alameda Creek in search of waterbug wonders.
Free unless otherwise noted; $5 parking; $2 dog fee. Geary Road off Calaveras Road, six miles south of Interstate Highway 680, Sunol. (510) 652-PARK, www.ebparks.org.<
TILDEN REGIONAL PARK This park is large and contains hiking trails, a golf course, a miniature scaled train to ride, The Brazilian Building and picnic areas.
"Frondiferous Ferns," June 20, 2-3 p.m. Learn about these ancient pteridophytes.
"Rock 'n' Roll at Wildcat Creek," June 27, 10-11:30 a.m. Learn about rocks and explore a riverbed.
Free unless otherwise noted. Daily, 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. Entrances off Wildcat Canyon Road and Grizzly Peak Boulevard, Berkeley. (510) 525-2233, www.ebparks.org.<


text:
SerDes Toolbox™ provides a MATLAB® and Simulink® model library and a set of analysis tools and apps for the design and verification of serializer/deserializer (SerDes) systems.
With the SerDes Designer app, you can use statistical analysis to rapidly design wired communications transmitters and receivers. The app provides MATLAB based parameterized models and algorithms that let you explore a wide range of equalizer configurations and generate eye diagrams to assess performance metrics.
With building blocks such as CTLE, DFE, FFE, and CDR, you can describe your chosen architecture and simulate control and adaptation algorithms. White-box examples of typical applications such as PCIe, USB, Ethernet, and DDR provide reference designs that you can use as a basis for your own designs.
SerDes Toolbox supports automatic generation of dual IBIS-AMI models. These models can be used with third-party channel simulators for system integration and verification.
Learn the basics of SerDes Toolbox
Design and simulate SerDes systems using the SerDes Designer app
Modify MATLAB scripts or Simulink models exported from SerDes Designer app
Customize, create, and export IBIS-AMI models from Simulink
Develop industry standard IBIS-AMI models such as PCI, DDR, and Ethernet

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum 10-9-2012 (ALDS Game 3)
The last time I attended a playoff game was two years ago. I visited Rangers Ballpark in Arlington, Texas and watched the Rangers/Yankees series. I really didn't put up solid baseball snagging numbers due to the fact of the large capacity crowd and the players were a little stingy with toss-ups and not many home runs were being hit out during BP. The same thing sort of played out here at the Coliseum.
In fact, it wasn't until the very end of batting practice when I was able to snag one baseball. I really didn't think it was going to happen, either. Here's a picture right before I got the baseball…
…all I did was asked if I could take a picture of him, and he happily obliged in a laughing manner. My real intent was to build some quick repoire and ask for a baseball. I'm pretty sure he saw right through me because before I could really ask, he underhanded me one with a wink. If anyone can identify him, I'd greatly appreciate it. I'd like to add him to my list on MyGameBalls.com.
So let me back up some..I'd like to explain how this trip actually came to be. Over the course of the summer, I was very limited to how many games I could actually attend because I was busy working two jobs. And a little more expansion on that; when I got out of the service two years ago, I got a job and started school. Well, school sort of didn't work out for me, and my current job started cutting back hours. So I was sort of forced into getting a second job. Over the course of this summer, I worked nearly 70 hours a week. Which wasn't fun or worth it. I had no life.
Anyway, so now that I'm only working one job now (and thinking about school again) I'm back to going to baseball games. Unfortunately, baseball season is just about over but fortunately, I was able to catch the ALDS in Oakland. In a nutshell, I was sitting at home watching the last game of the regular season, you know, the game the Rangers should've won? The one where the Athletics stole the AL West crown? Yeah, that one. When the A's won the AL West, that changed everything for me. It would mean I'd be taking a trip to Oakland real soon. When I realized the A's would be facing the Tigers on the 9th and the 10th of October, I immediately checked my work schedule.
I come to the Oakland Coliseum a lot. Mainly because it's a fun place to catch baseballs. The stadium alone has a ton of history and it's fun to be inside a place where my favorite baseball players as a kid used to play. Like Jose Canseco, Mark McGwire, Rickey Henderson, Dave Henderson, Dennis Eckersely, Rick Honeycutt and Tony La Russa. One thing I will not do is call this place the O-Dot Coliseum or the OCo-whatever stadium. In fact, do you want to see how I really feel about it?
Nick Badder's father took that photo of me. Nick is a fellow ballhawk that routinely attends Athletics games at the Coliseum, himself. I finally met him today and he also runs a blog on MLB.com, too. It's called 7000 Coliseum Way. Here we are hanging out prior to the gates opening:
Once the gates cracked open at 4:07, Nick and I parted ways and it was time to start snagging baseballs again for my charity; Snagging Baseballs for Puppies. I didn't have high expectations for this game because a) it was a playoff game so I knew the players were going to be holding back on toss-ups and b) the Coliseum would be abnormally packed with fans.
The fun part of watching the ALDS against the Tigers, was watching Miguel Cabrera and Prince Fielder smack a couple of home runs during batting practice. The most unfortunate thing during BP was, the ushers didn't allow anyone into the upper deck (mainly section 149 where I wanted to go) without a ticket for that section. It was kind of a heartbreaker because I've been trying to get into section 149 since the last time I visited the Coliseum.
I was hoping for a big win from the Athletics tonight because when I planned this trip, I bought tickets for a probable game four. If the Athletics won that game, too, it was fine., Even though I'd love to stick around and watch the A's take the series. But deep down, since I'm such a big Tigers fan as well, I wanted Detroit to win and I expected them to.
In any case, it felt really good to be back inside a Major League baseball stadium with some of the best fans in baseball. And when I say "best fans in baseball" I truly mean that about the fans in the Coliseum. During some games there are as little as 6,000 fans watching the Athletics play. But those 6,000 fans are those most dedicated fans I've ever met in my life.
By the time batting practice had ended, I got some food and drinks, I got a couple of pictures of me clowning around the Coliseum, and settled in to watch the game. Here are a few pictures I was able to get before the game started:
Me with the my only ball snagged during BP…
…and the next couple of photos are with some signs the Athletics fan crew were handing out.
Oh, and I can't forget to show off my "rally towel":
Here's me with my Reddick sign:
And of course, my Cespedes sign:
The game was electrifying, to say the least. The Athletics were playing an elimination game and were doing everything in their power to force a game four. I had horrible seats, though. Standing room only. Which, in the Coliseum, there isn't much "standing room only" places to stand only. Everywhere I went, I was asked to show my ticket. And once I ended up on the main concourse, that was it. I wasn't allowed to get back down on the first level to walk the concourse around the lower seating bowl unless I showed my ticket, which said "SRO" on it, so the security wouldn't allow me to pass. It was very frustrating.
I pretty much had to watch the game from places like this:
It totally sucked. My tickets for game four were the same thing, SRO. Regardless, I had a blast. I absolutely love the Coliseum!
Brett Anderson outgunned Anibal Sanchez in a 2-0 win with Coco Crisp robbing Prince Fielder of a home run during the game. Yoenis Cespedes hit an RBI single in the first inning and Seth Smith homered later. That was plenty on a night Triple Crown winner Miguel Cabrera, Fielder and the Tigers' high-priced offense were shut down by the low-budget A's.
Game four would be played tomorrow and I'd be there!
I'm snagging baseballs for puppies again this season for the Seattle Humane Society! If you want to check out my charity information, just click here!
Last season, with the help of all of you, we were able to raise over $250 dollars! This year I'd like to break $300!
Today's game snagging Highlights: Detroit Tigers Vs Oakland Athletics- Attendance 36,907
Baseballs snagged: one (toss-up from Tigers coach)
Total baseballs snagged this season: 51
Total baseballs snagged last season: 135
Total dollars raised at this game: $2.04
Total dollars raised for Snagging Baseballs for Puppies this season: $98.74
Total dollars raised for Snagging Baseballs for Puppies last season: $257.00
Total number of donors this season: 9
Total number of donors last season: 7
If you'd like to join my official Snagging Baseballs for Puppies Facebook page, just click here! And if you want to like Collection of Baseball on Facebook, click here! Interested in following me on Twitter? Click here!


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Loyalty Scheme
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OCEAN CITY, Md. (AP) — Real estate in Ocean City is moving off the market at a brisk pace.
Data from the Coastal Association of Realtors shows a 25 percent reduction in the inventory of unsold condominiums in Ocean City, including multi-million-dollar properties.
The data from CAR also shows that contracts are up 14 percent year to date, with settlements up 5.6 percent.
Inventory decreased sharply from March through November after being flat, at about 1,150 units, from last December to last March.
Pam Wadler, the president of the association, tells The Daily Times of Salisbury that it's been a "remarkable" period for real estate and that "people are still coming to town." She says while the market is unusually busy for this time of year, there's no single cause for what's happening.
(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)


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A biopic of Queen frontman Freddie Mercury has been in the works for quite some time. In an inspired bit of casting, Sacha Baron Cohen is attached to star as the famed rock musician, and now the project is close to landing a director. Variety reports that Stephen Frears (The Queen) is the frontrunner to land the directing job, though negotiations have yet to begin. Apparently other filmmakers are still in the mix, but Frears "has the inside track." In addition to more serious fare like The Queen and Dangerous Liasons, Frears also directed the excellent 2000 music-centered dramedy High Fidelity. Hit the jump for more.
Steve sat down with producer Graham King late last year, and he revealed that it's possible that Cohen might be singing Queen songs himself in the biopic. He stretched his vocal chops in Sweeney Todd, but I'm not too sure if he can match Mercury's range. Peter Morgan (The Queen) wrote the latest draft of the script, and the story will follow Queen's formation up through their famous appearance at Live Aid in 1985. The film will not, however, cover Mercury's death in 1991 after battling AIDS.
Frears is currently directing the drama Muhammad Ali's Greatest Fight for HBO, but his schedule is relatively clear for the near future (save for an adaptation of The Bengali Detective). If he does land the gig, I'm hoping that production begins sometime this year; I'm eager to see Cohen tackle more dramatic material and this appears to be a fine vehicle to showcase his acting talents. Producers have secured rights to a number of classic Queen songs, including "Bohemian Rhapsody," "We Will Rock You," and "We Are the Champions," so this won't be a music biopic that conveniently neglects the artist's most famous work a la The Story of Jackie Jorp-Jomp.


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Just when prognosticators were starting to get more optimistic about a housing recovery comes this news: A major index of US home prices fell to new post-boom lows during in the first quarter.
Does this mean all the hopes for a springtime of renewal in the housing market are being dashed?
Not really. Many housing analysts see the market in a period of bottoming out and stabilizing after the deep recession. The numbers from the Standard & Poor's Case-Shiller Home Price Index don't contradict that view.
But the home-price dip is a reminder that the stabilizing process has been slow and arduous, and that it's not over. This important sector of the economy – which typically helps lead the way out of recessions – still has plenty of problems to work through.
Here's Tuesday's data: The S&P Case-Shiller index of home prices nationwide edged down to a level of 123.33 in the first quarter of this year, down 35 percent from its 2006 peak. Prior to the housing boom, in January 2000, this index stood at 100.
The brighter side to the Case-Shiller data: Among the major locales in a 20-city Case-Shiller index, 12 saw average prices rise in March, compared with the month before. Only seven of the cities saw price declines for the month, while one was flat.
Just as important, the price swings during the past year have been modest in most of the cities. Seven cities posted price gains during the past year, in the Case-Shiller survey. Among those showing price declines, the only cities showing declines larger than 4 percent were Los Angeles (4.8 percent), Phoenix (6.1 percent), Chicago (7.1 percent), Las Vegas (7.5 percent), and Atlanta (17.7 percent).
What's up in Atlanta? In part it's a delayed response. In hindsight, the city overbuilt during the boom, like many other cities around the nation that had strong population growth. Unlike, say, in Miami or Las Vegas, in Atlanta some of the worst fallout for home prices has come just in the past year.
But the examples like Atlanta are the exception, not the rule. The National Association of Realtors recently said that some cities now have something more like a "seller's market," with tight supply of for-sale homes relative to demand. Those include Miami, Phoenix, Seattle, and Washington, the group said.
"In most cities, home prices appear to be stabilizing," forecasters Patrick Newport and Michelle Valverde of IHS Global Insight write in an analysis of the new Case-Shiller numbers. They note that another prominent home price index, put out by the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), shows that more clearly.
The housing market's progress has come as the job market has begun to improve and interest rates have remained low.
At the same time, it's clear that many prominent cities still have a long road to travel to get back to normal market conditions. A large share of home sales nationwide are still of the "distressed" variety, as investors buy homes that have been in foreclosure or serious mortgage delinquency.
About 12 percent of homeowners with mortgages, more than 6 million homeowners, were either delinquent or in foreclosure at the end of the first quarter, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association. About 22 percent of residential mortgages are "under water," with loan balances larger than the current value of the home, according to the data firm CoreLogic.
These problems hit the market in two big ways. Most obvious is the high level of distressed properties for sale. The second factor relates to buyer demand: People who have defaulted on loans need to rebuild their credit scores before they can become homebuyers again.
Another risk facing the nascent recovery in housing is the broader economy. If Europe falls into a new financial crisis based on concerns about the ability of nations like Greece and Spain to pay their debts and remain in the eurozone, it could hurt the economy worldwide.
So the Case-Shiller numbers aren't dire news, but a rosy 2012 for housing is far from assured.


text:
|W6 service organisatie woningcooperaties Rivierenland
|Gert Jan Knevel, Benjamin Robichon
|project team:
|Philip Rutten, Loran Kampen
|several locations in Rivierenland
|plot size:
|approx. 60.000 m²
|floor area:
|approx. 20.000 m²
|February 2008
The concept of the neighbourhood is a social approach of the city, where organic coherence between city and individuals take a central position.
For CWL property management a study is done to explore the possibilities of developing the standard program of a primary care center into a stamp which easily can be applied on different locations and villages.
The program is translated into a relation scheme which provides insight into the relations between the different functions and the relations between the surrounding environment.
In addition, a research has been done to explore the intertwining of the building with its area as well as the intertwining of the different functions within the building. What are the architectural possibilities to embed a care center into its surrounding? Based on this research a few models are developed with each its own degree of openness compared the surrounding district.To increase the possibility of implementing the stamp, different models were studied varying from a compact square shape to linear and stacked deformations. The city is seen as a whole, which is a sum of all its parts: people live in an area, a number of areas are part of a neighbourhood. The neighbourhoods are shaping together a district and the districts are merged into the city.
The members of Team 10 formulated the idea of the neighbourhood and were mainly interested in the hierarchy (area, neighbourhood, district). This hierarchical division in urban environment could also work as a division in social coherence. To illustrate this, Team 10 introduced 'a scale of association', with this they meant: A scale that indicates the intensity and complexity of the interaction between the people and their environment.


text:
Commack mall request draws anger from neighbors
When a stop sign was damaged during a February snowstorm at the Mayfair Shopping Center in Commack, the Rev. Dennis Walker called the mall's New Jersey-based owners.
Walker, pastor of Holy Cross Lutheran Church and a neighbor of the mall for three years, said a Levin Management Corp. employee returned his call within an hour.
"They said, 'OK, well, we'll think about it,' " said Walker, adding that it took a month for the sign to be replaced. "I was shocked by that answer. It's the lamest answer I've heard in years."
About 50 years after the mall and hundreds of nearby homes were built as a planned community, many homeowners complain that the 218,000-square-foot shopping center is a poor neighbor. They say the complex -- which includes stores such as Waldbaum's, Gap and Outback Steakhouse -- is despoiled by trash, vermin and late-night drag racing in the parking lot.
More than a dozen neighbors last week voiced their concerns to the Town of Smithtown planning board, which is considering Levin Management's request for a 3,568-square-foot extension.
"I'd like to show you some photographs of the garbage in the back," said George Gibbons, of Magnolia Drive. "One day a rat ran past with a half-eaten bagel in its mouth."
Company executive vice president Robert Carson, in a statement emailed to Newsday, said they "will continue to respond in a timely manner to any questions or concerns from local residents."
"Our pre-emptive approach to retail property management guarantees the center will remain an attractive, safe place for consumers to shop and for tenants to do business," Carson said.
The addition could house a restaurant, but a tenant has yet to be found, said Mayfair attorney Anthony S. Guardino, of Uniondale law firm Farrell Fritz.
Guardino suggested at the hearing that the planning board ignore neighbors' concerns about the mall's condition. The company has placed rat traps at the 25-acre site, he said. "This is not a referendum on whether the Mayfair Shopping Center should be here or not," Guardino said at the hearing. "None of these things are particularly relevant to this application."
But neighbors said Levin officials had failed to resolve problems. When planning board chairman John Gee suggested residents call the company, many in the packed meeting room laughed.
Several planning board members, noting drawings showing the addition would be in an area used for deliveries and parking, questioned how delivery trucks would make turns. Guardino said plans could be revised to resolve the issue.
The planning board reserved its decision. The extension also must be approved by the town board, acting as the board of site plan review.


text:
Story highlights
- Japanese auto giant also charged with wire fraud, but prosecution deferred
- Toyota admitted to misleading consumers and regulators over unintended acceleration
- It initiated massive recalls in 2009-10 following stepped up pressure from regulators
- The Justice Department is now looking at how General Motors handled ignition switch problems
The Justice Department charged Toyota with wire fraud on Wednesday as part of a settlement with prosecutors that will require the auto giant to pay $1.2 billion for admittedly misleading consumers and the government over unintended acceleration.
According to an agreement signed by the Japanese company, Toyota executives responded to initial complaints about sticking gas pedals and unwanted acceleration by deceiving the public and trying to find ways to limit damage to its global brand.
Toyota at one point boasted internally about saving $100 million in costs by avoiding a full safety recall.
That strategy continued even after a 2009 incident in which a family of four in San Diego was killed when their Lexus suddenly accelerated to speeds of 100 miles-per-hour and crashed, Justice Department officials said.
Toyota wound up recalling millions of popular vehicles in 2009-10.
Attorney General Eric Holder said Toyota "confronted a public safety emergency as if it were a simple public relations problem."
The financial penalty is the largest for a car manufacturer and Justice Department officials said it represented an aggressive new strategy to deal with how companies handle safety recalls.
Under the agreement, the Justice Department will defer the criminal charge for three years, during which Toyota will submit to government monitoring.
The settlement ends a four-year probe by the Manhattan U.S. Attorney's Office, which is now looking at safety issues at General Motors.
GM has recalled 1.6 million vehicles worldwide over an ignition switch problem. GM engineers apparently knew about it years ago but the Detroit automaker did not move to recall vehicles until last month.
George Venizelos, FBI assistant director in charge of the bureau's New York office, blasted Toyota.
"The disregard Toyota had for the safety of the public is outrageous. Not only did Toyota fail to recall cars with problem parts, they continued to manufacture new cars with the same parts they knew were deadly," he said.
According to the agreement, Toyota admitted to deceiving U.S. safety regulators and members of Congress who conducted a separate inquiry.
Manhattan U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara said the company's deception even raised concerns among employees.
Bharara noted that one employee, in January 2010, said in response to the company's misleading public statements: "Idiots! Someone will go to jail if lies are repeatedly told. I can't support this."
Christopher Reynolds, chief legal officer for Toyota Motor North America said the company has made changes to be more responsive to customers.
"In the more than four years since these recalls, we have gone back to basics at Toyota to put our customers first," he said.
The company has settled similar allegations over unintended acceleration in agreements with a group of states, and has also settled with some vehicle owners.
The Transportation Department previously leveled stiff fines against Toyota for not promptly addressing safety problems related to unintended acceleration.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) also came under scrutiny during the Toyota saga for not pushing the company harder in the early stages of their investigation into motorist complaints.
The recall crisis cost Toyota an estimated $2 billion in repair costs and lost sales, even before it had to pay out any legal settlements.


text:
Jeffry Ave, Jamaica, N.Y.
12 August 1918
Dear Brother Joe:
I suppose when you get this letter you will have seen some action for according to the latest press reports the 27th Division is now at it. We all hope and pray that nothing serious will ever occur to you, but in the moment of supreme peril think of the sacred duty you are over there to perform and I feel sure that you will measure up as a real American, the kind that Fritz is getting a taste of along the Somme.
The latest news from the front is the most encouraging we have had since the war began and I think that the superiority of American grit, daredevilness, and gameness is turning the tide; the spirit that is in the breast of an American exists no place else in the world – what our boys lack in military science is more than made up for by their grit, and the people you boys have left behind are as pleased and as proud of you as it is possible for mortal to be.
An old friend and playmate of mine, whom I had not seen for several years was killed recently on the Somme, Major James McKenna of the 165th. His brother Bill is a captain + regimental adjutant of the same regiment, both old L.I.C boys.
Mr. Grill told me yesterday he had written you during the week but that he had not heard from you recently. I received a letter from John Wulforst a few days ago and just as I expected, he was kicking about his Army life; but you know what to expect of him, a little discipline will make a man of him. The other brother, Al, tried to enlist in the Navy but was rejected on account of guess (?) – his good eyes. Bill Zimmer and Ed Fisher are now "over there", I hope that you run into them some time.
Our baseball team at the Depot defeated the Pelham Naval Team Saturday by a score of 5 to 4, some game. Gus Sandberg played with Pelham and he is a corking good catcher. You remember him I guess, he caught for Rochester in the International League for the past two years. Madaline and I were pleased to hear of Lieutenant Wulfenden's promotion and we want you to remember us to him and convey our best wishes.
If you need anything please call on me and I will endevour to get it for you. I realize, perhaps better than anyone, what you are up against over there, but keep a stiff upper lip and think of your God and country and I feel confident that everything will right itself. Don't lose your nerve in a tight place for that is a most dangerous thing.
Write me when you can. With love and kisses from Bob, Madaline, Pop & myself, I remain,
© Copyright 2011 by Lanny & Patti Brown, All Rights Reserved. No reproduction without permission.


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Flushing: Drinks and Anju at 153 Fusion Pocha
Let's say that you're in Flushing for the evening; perhaps you've finished a meal of samgyeopsal or galbi. And say you're feeling a mite thirsty, but are thoroughly confused by local watering holes around the Murray Hill neighborhood of Flushing. There are sketchy venues that proclaim to be "lounges," although the front windows have been blacked out with a spookily opaque layer of film. Or there's 153 Fusion Pocha (Flushing residents simply call it "Il-Oh-Sam" or "1-5-3" in case you're asking for directions), with its cheerful neon Mets signs, large comfortable booths, and boisterous atmosphere. Although 153 is unapologetically authentically Korean—the waiters are fluent in English, the menus however, are not—it's a fun and a fine place for drinks and a late night snack.
What's New On Serious Eats
When trying to describe an indoor Korean pojang macha, or pocha for short, to a Western audience, you could draw likeness to that of a German beer hall. The atmosphere is festive and there's simple yet hearty food available that is meant to cushion the blow of alcohol rather than for heightened gustatory pleasure. And to sit and have a single quiet beer in solitude is out of the question; you're out to get hammered with your friends.
However, unlike the long communal benches of a beer hall, 153's seating is mainly semi-enclosed booths with deep wooden benches which allow your party to be uproarious without disturbing your neighbor. And naturally K-Pop music replaces the German trinklieder.
It's time for a drink, and I suspect that the majority of Americans who have had a Korean meal or two would be familiar with soju ($12.99), a clear distilled spirit consumed by the shot-glass. 153 carries seven different brands, including Chum-Churum, Kumbokju, and Jinro's Chamisul and Chamisul Fresh. There's beer, of course, both domestic and Korean, but for a more interesting beverage try a bottle of the guh moon kong makgeolli ($12.99), a lightly alcoholic drink derived from rice. It's a good choice for the sensible drinker: subtle, lightly sweet, ever so effervescent (some people prefer to mix in a non-Cola for extra zing), and faintly nutty from the addition of guh moon kong (sweet black bean) flavoring.
Oship seju is a favorite of mine—it's assembled at the table by your waiter, who mixes a bottle of baekseju ($14.99) and soju at the table. Baekseju, a sweet rice-based alcohol which is brewed with ginseng and other herbs, is rounded out by the neutrality of the soju, creating oship seju, a drink with the delicate sweetness like a Riesling, complemented by pleasant herbaceous notes.
Although most customers are here with the singular goal of pickling their livers, it's customary in Korean drinking culture to order anju, or drinking food, which comes in generous share-able portions. Buddaejigae ($17.99), a spicy mish-mash of ramen noodles, spam, hotdogs, baked beans, enoki mushrooms, and tofu, gets appreciably finer in the presence of alcohol.
153 also serves an adept version of galbi ddeokbokki ($18.99), slices of tender marinated beef with chewy rice cake batons in a lightly sweet glaze. And if you order enough booze, they'll be happy to continuously replenish your complimentary bowl of gyeran jjim (steamed egg).
Braver souls should try the bul dak ($18.99), which translates to "fire chicken"—an appropriate moniker for this dish, which features plump nuggets of dark meat chicken and rice cakes slathered in an outrageously spicy sauce. There's a layer of gooey melted cheese to take the edge off, but a gulp of cold beer or a swig of makgeolli is the perfect foil for the vicious heat.
As it should be, drinking begets sustenance, and sustenance begets drinking. So let's say that you're in Flushing for the evening—let's make a night of it, shall we?
153 Fusion Pocha
40-11 149th Pl, Flushing NY 11354 (map) 718-353-3292
All products linked here have been independently selected by our editors. We may earn a commission on purchases, as described in our affiliate policy.


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A different set of rules will take effect next offseason and for the remainder of the new agreement. The Elias rankings of free agents, which previously determined the value of draft-pick compensation, will be eliminated.
Teams can still receive direct compensation for select free agents by giving such players a one-year, qualifying offer for a predetermined amount. That amount will be more than $12 million in the first year of the agreement, then will rise in subsequent years.
A 1-year $12+ million offer to John Danks is a sure thing. This increases Danks' trade value.
UPDATE: The Draft Pick Compensation section in the new CBA says:
1. Starting in 2012, "Type A" and "Type B" free agents and the use of the Elias ranking system will be eliminated.
2. The current system of draft pick compensation will be replaced with the following system:
A. Only Players who have been with their Clubs for the entire season will be subject to compensation.
B. A free agent will be subject to compensation if his former Club offers him a guaranteed one-year contract with a salary equal to the average salary of the 125-highest paid Players from the prior season. The offer must be made at the end of the five-day free agent "quiet period," and the Player will have seven days to accept the offer.
C. A Club that signs a player subject to compensation will forfeit its first round selection, unless it selects in the top 10, in which case it will forfeit its second highest selection in the draft.
D. The Player's former Club will receive a selection at the end of the first round beginning after the last regularly scheduled selection in the round. The former Clubs will select based on reverse order of winning percentage from the prior championship season.
So, the offer must be equal to the average of the Top 125. Jim Callis says the estimate is $10 million or more. MLBTR's Ben Nicholson-Smith says more than $12 million. Danks will get that.
Other White Sox links:


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2011-11-01, 17:37
Invincer Wrote:After you mentioned being unable to get Cinema Experience working through EventGhost, like me; then I got to thinking of it from another angle. I now have Cinema Experience working perfectly with X10 on my system (at least today). For details and the code look at the Cinema Experience thread...
The only problem is to make sure it works I had to disable X10 Commander Lights because of probably two sets of signals since each video in the script sends the dim lights signal to X10CL.
So my question/request is this, is it possible to either differentiate between movies and TV shows in X10 Lights so I can keep it on for the TV shows but disabled in movies to not interfere with the Cinema Experience script? Or would it be possible to disable X10 lights while CE script is running?
The latest versions of Cinema Experience now supply a "property" to the skin which skins and addons can access. When CE is running, this property is set to True. This script could test for the property an temporarily not function. Or this add-on could also provide a property that it tests to see if it is enabled, then this could be set in the Script_start section CE's homeautomation.py. Just food for thought.


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ADF Memo: Schools Can Talk About Easter Biblically, Legally
A Christian-based legal defense alliance wants to make sure everyone understands that schools in the U.S. may talk about Easter in the historical sense of what is written in the Bible about the time of Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection – not just about chocolate Easter bunnies.
The Alliance Defense Fund published a memorandum last week which states that courts have long held that it is permissible to objectively discuss the different holidays (including Easter) that are celebrated and what their meaning is to those who celebrate them.
ADF Senior Legal Counsel David Cortman wrote in a blog posted last week – titled "Easter: Bunny or Jesus?" –that simply talking about Jesus does not violate the "so-called separation of church and state."
"Easter brings different thoughts and holds different meanings to different people," Cortman stated. "Some think first of that chocolate Easter bunny that you may get (if you've been good, maybe it will even be solid chocolate and not just that thin outer shell with nothing inside but air). Or those marshmallow peeps (my kids love those). Or the Cadbury eggs. But to many, Easter is first and foremost about the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. Arguably the most important day in Christendom."
Historically, students and teachers in America have freely celebrated holidays like Easter and Christmas by decorating classroom bulletin boards, learning traditional songs, and exchanging cards and gifts with classmates, ADF stated in its memo.
"In recent years, certain groups opposed to public religious expression have spread misconceptions – through fear, intimidation, and disinformation – about the legalities of celebrating these holidays in public schools," the officials at ADF continued. "As a result, many school officials have removed nearly all religious references to Easter and replaced them with secular symbols.
"While many do so unknowingly, school officials have begun a new 'tradition' of violating the constitutional rights of students and teachers to seasonal religious expression in our public school system. Our Constitution acknowledges that people of faith have a right to openly express their beliefs in the public square. But many school officials attempt to prohibit students and teachers from expressing any religious aspect of Easter."
While the so-called "War on Christmas" dominates mass media coverage in the area of religious expression in the public square during the Christian holiday, the discussion around Easter is more subdued, although still evident.
"The courts have long held that it is permissible to objectively discuss the different holidays that are celebrated and what their meaning is to those who celebrate them," Cortman asserted. "Schools may permit their teachers to teach about what Easter represents to Christians, and even – hold on to your hat – read from the Bible when doing so.
"In spite of what the ACLU and its allies would have you believe, this is constitutionally permissible. And this holds true for any holiday: Christmas, Easter, Thanksgiving, etc."
The Constitution Protects Religious Speech in Public Schools
"The First Amendment to the United States Constitution says 'Congress shall make no law respecting the establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech…' This Amendment restricts the government's ability to suppress speech and expressive activity – including religious expression. No court has ever ruled that the Constitution demands school officials to censor Easter songs, eliminate all references to Easter, or silence those who celebrate Easter," ADF stated in its memo.
The nearly 8-page memo also includes the group's argument that students have a constitutional right to express their faith and religious ideas in a public school. The First Amendment protects the private religious speech of students both on and off the school campus. The Supreme Court has stated that a student's free speech rights apply "when [they are] in the cafeteria, or on the playing field, or on the campus during the authorized hours."
Cortman concluded his post by making the case that talking about Easter by way of the holiday's biblical context is "not only legally permitted, it is educationally sound."
"How can we expect our children to understand our culture, our history, without teaching them the religious aspects? There is no doubt that our country has a great religious heritage," he wrote. "Regardless of how groups on the left try to rewrite history and ignore this, it remains in our literature, our pop culture, our monuments, and our buildings.
"Unless we are to whitewash all of this (which would certainly please our leftist friends), we must teach our children where we came from, along with the underpinnings of all our freedoms. It has been said that if we don't know where we came from, we certainly won't know where we are heading. Just look around, this seems true for our country now more than ever."
The entire ADF memo "Constitutional Rights of Students, Teachers, and Public Schools to Seasonal Religious Expression" can be read on a PDF file here: http://www.alliancedefensefund.org/Content/pdf/2012_Easter_Memo.pdf


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I did it. I sold out. I bought myself a pair of fancy-shmancy pants for no reason other than the fact that they made me look taller and thinner. And when you're 5'1 and have just had a baby, you will not think twice about handing over your credit card for the opportunity to look taller and thinner. Heck, you'll pretty much give your right arm to appear taller and thinner.
In my defense, I was ambushed by the world's best salesperson. Who told me I looked great in these pants. That the cotton was picked specifically for me, that some poor person toiled over each stitch, and lovingly ironed the perfect cuff at the bottom, all for me. In short, these pants had only one wish left and they wished I would take them home.
In hindsight, there are so many things that are wrong with these pants. For one, they are utterly impractical. They're the oddest blend of casual and formal- too casual for work and too formal for Target. And let's be real, I don't have much use for pants that are non-work or non-Target appropriate. Second, these pants aren't black or denim. Now really, why would anyone buy pants that are neither black nor denim? Don't answer that. Oh, and the kicker? I swear the price tag has one more digit than it's supposed to. I'm sure of it.
And this after knowing full well that the clothes don't make the person. That good people are good people, regardless of what they wear. That you should not fall for silly salesperson tricks, especially when you're on a sugar high from having had a giant Cinnabon washed down with a giant frappucino. That it's silly to spend absurd amounts of money on trendy clothes because they'll go out of style in one season. That's it's wisest to spend money on classic and versatile pieces that will stand the test of time.
And after all that, I still grin when I see those pants hanging so perfectly and gorgeously in my closet. I swear, they even make my closet look taller and thinner.
And having realized the absurdity of all of the above, there was nothing left to do this past weekend but make something somewhat healthy and lowfat to fit into the aforementioned pants. Introducing Mediterranean Roasted Cauliflower. Coated in good olive oil and sprinkled with kosher salt and garlic, this is quite possibly the simplest and most delicious cauliflower recipe ever. The florets are baked at a high temperature until they're tender and the edges are perfectly charred and crispy. Oh, and something magical happens to the garlic when roasted. Eaten as a main course or a perfectly luxurious side dish, it's definitely going to be my go-to vegetable for the next long while.
Your turn to come clean. What was the last purchase you felt silly and yet, perfectly content, about?
1 head cauliflower
2-4 cloves garlic
1 tsp. onion powder
Kosher salt
Olive oil
1/4 cup finely chopped fresh parsley (or herb of your choice)
Heat oven to 425 degrees.
Cut cauliflower into florets. Grate garlic cloves on a microplane and mix with olive oil to make a runny paste. Add onion powder, salt, and pepper to garlic oil mixture. Stir oil mixture. Pour oil over cauliflower florets and toss to coat.
Spread cauliflower mixture on large baking sheet in a single layer. Bake for 10 minutes and stir cauliflower to avoid scorching. Bake for another 10 minutes. Poke floret with fork to ensure it's cooked. Broil for 2-4 minutes, peering impatiently through oven window to ensure that your delicious cauliflower doesn't burn.
Remove from oven. Mix in fresh herbs. Eat immediately, burning roof of mouth.


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Module System
From Gambit wiki
This is a project to create a module system primarily for the Gambit Scheme system. It does not have a real name yet.
The system is meant complementary to the Snow package system: unlike Snow, this project does *not* focus on distribution, but instead it has the following objectives:
- good interactive development capabilities (like runtime inspection and modification, included build system for the base case)
- good code modularity features (parametrization, macros (hygiene, ..), and probably more)
- generality (run code written in different language styles, to some extent in different module philosophies, interface with OO systems, host languages requiring translation like lazy variants of Scheme or maybe different languages like Arc or XSLT)
- efficiency (employ cross-module inlining, parametrization specialization)
- possibly achieve (partial) portability by moving parts into or building parts on top of the Snow framework (maybe not achieving the same level of integration with the host system, but at least make modules written by users portable to other Scheme systems)
The projects wants to deliver a base system usable for everyday use quickly, and explore the more advanced objectives in the longer term.
One essential part of the task involves getting to know the Gambit internals well enough to be able to embed the system well. Another essential one is laying a sound foundation especially for syntax handling (macros), considering the limited knowledge of the current contributors, this involves finding the right literature and people to query.
During a first phase, the project will draw from (and may for some time continue to develop in) the code bases of the chjmodule and the gambit-modules projects.
- Christian Jaeger
- James Long
Google Sommer of Code
This project is attempting to participate in the Google Sommer of Code campaign and intends to accept one student as additional core contributor.
Rough points of the planned timeline:
- James Long goes on reading literature for the next ~two weeks
- Christian Jaeger finishes up and announces the long-promised chjmodule release, and contacts James Long.
- seeking input in the Gambit community, student selection if possible
- seeking input in the wider area, continuing to work on chjmodule and gambit-modules to work out thoughts
- find out the necessary essentials
- fork off a new code base and start implementing new infrastructure
- start coding features
There is a logfile mentioning the events in the project.


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A lot of people think pretty deep thoughts about the nexus of humanitarian aid and social media. I'm not one of them. Nevertheless, I started blogging and tweeting about international development and humanitarian aid a couple of years ago. Here's what I've learned so far.
1. Applied Creativity
I don't know if creativity is a finite thing, but I do know that once I started blogging and tweeting, I began using a greater measure of it for things of questionable value.
2. The Big Trade Off
Choose how you use your time wisely. Somewhere along that line is a praxis sweet spot where action learning, reflective work, and contemplative activism takes place.
3. Snark Love
If you're insecure about your positions, your social network following will likely plateau with your mom. You don't really have to be snarky, but it helps to have an opinion and the ability to express it strongly and succinctly.
4. Following to Death
You can't drink from a fire hose. There's so many Twitter feeds, blogs, chatty colleagues and other sources of news and information out there, its very easy to end up with information overload. Don't follow everyone who follows you; don't subscribe to every blog on topic; don't be afraid to unfollow people who live-tweet their pedicure. You have to put some filters on this stuff.
5. Expertise in the Mirror
Go to a new country and in three weeks you can write a book; in three months you can write an essay; in three years you have nothing to say. I was always so dismayed when my grandfather who had a PhD in theology would invariably answer every question I had about God with "I don't know." It's starting to make sense now.
6. Inspiration
A few blogs are actually deeply informed by direct experience with aid beneficiaries – those that we often lazily referred to as 'the poor'. And these are special things (think Owen Scott's series on PlayPumps). But many blogs are simply opinionated responses to op-eds and articles and other blogs. It seems we write for each other about each other as often as not. It's not so much navel gazing as it is cliquey aloofness. This post for example.
7. Anatomy of a Dog Pile
Dog piles are killer fun! They can also be effective at actually getting miscreants' attention and changing their stupid behavior, whether they're a BINGO or a lone individual. Granted, its like a month of aid bloggers falling over themselves to repeat what's already been said or be the first to write a compendium of all the other posts. But, not every bad aid blunder gets a dog pile – it helps to be in the trifecta sweet spot.
8. The Inequality of Influence
Don't feel bad if your Twitter feed doesn't garner 10,000 followers or your FB page isn't 'liked' to the tune of six-figures or it takes two years for your blog to attract 25,000 page views. Real influence is a rare thing – if you're writing to garner or demonstrate influence, you're probably self-deluded. Here's a little game – grab some ice cream and locate yourself on this chart. Be honest. Be okay with it. Write on. Right on.
9. The Big Crowd Out
Professional aid work is already so cluttered with organizational demands, sometimes it feels like we're feeding a machine rather than helping feed the hungry. We have to take care that our social networking activities don't further crowd out the doing of the real work for which we joined this sector. There are diminishing returns for how much of this you do. (Imagine an alternative chart for this.) What the donors and bosses don't know about how a 'real aid professional' spends their day might not hurt them, but it may very well hurt our collective efforts to address famine, human trafficking, gender violence, educational quality, water scarcity, and so on and so forth.


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Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS)
This state-sponsored retirement plan was created for public employees and the University of Alaska is a participating employer. Modifications to the plan have resulted in four different "tiers" with benefits based on date of hire:
Tier II: (employees hired July 1, 1986-June 30, 1996)
Tier III: (employees hired July 1, 1996-June 30, 2006)
Tier IV: (employees hired on or after July 1, 2006)
Tiers I-III are a defined-benefit retirement program. The retiree receives a benefit determined by a formula that considers the length of employment, salary level and age. These plans include a retiree medical benefit if the retiree meets age and service requirements.
Tier IV is a defined-contribution or account-based plan. The retiree receives account contributions and investment earnings. Tier IV includes a retiree medical benefit if the retiree meets age and service requirements. Retirees pay a percentage of the health care premium.
The PERS Tier Chart (pdf) provided by the Alaska Division of Retirement and Benefits compares benefits available under the different PERS tiers, including employee and employer contributions, vesting, benefit calculation, Alaska cost-of living increases, retirement medical coverage and disability benefits. More detailed information may be found on the division Web site, or by calling the division at (800) 821-2251.
The UA Decision Guide compares a PERS Tier IV Retirement with the University of Alaska's Retirement Program. Also, learn more about PERS by attending periodic seminars hosted by the Division of Retirement.
Links of Interest
PERS Home Page (off site)
PERS/TRS Defined Contribution -PERS Tier IV (off site)
PERS Tier Chart (off site, pdf)
PERS Handbook - Tiers I-III (off site)
Alaska Division of Retirement (off site)
Check out the Retiree Net Pay Estimator
A tool from the Division of Retirement that will help you plan for retirement. The Retiree Net Pay Estimator tool provides an estimate of your net monthly benefit, once you retire.
PERS/TRS State Division of Retirement forms (off site)


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With expertise in the fields of environmental science and policy, Ecosystem Research Group (ERG) provides its clients with high-quality services for inventories, analysis, restoration, planning, management, and monitoring of landscapes and ecosystems.
ERG prides itself on completing high-quality documents and analyses on time and within budget. We believe the proper management and characterization of the physical and social environments will promote the maintenance and restoration of healthy ecosystems.
inventories, analysis, restoration, planning, management, and monitoring of landscapes and ecosystems
What Our Clients Are Saying
"ERG staff has displayed great knowledge and expertise in federal agency policies, procedures and processes. They have produced top quality work in technical analyses and policy review documents for us."
– Joel Bousman
Sublette County, Wyoming
"ERG came highly recommended for this project from other area Counties and agencies. Mr. Gregory Kennett and his Staff provided excellent analysis, field studies, research and documentation to support Campbell County with our participation on the Draft Resource Management Plan."
– Matthew Avery
Campbell County, Wyoming
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Historical Research Associates
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USDA Forest Service – Northern Region
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Bighorn County Commission – Wyoming
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Project Engineering
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Forest Management Bureau – Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation
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USDA Forest Service – Northern Region
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USDA Forest Service
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Elkhorn Conservation Initiative Director
Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation – Missoula, Montana