text:
Lou Ferrigno's Mad!
Go go go go go go go go go go go go
Nigga I don't give a fuck
Go go go go go go go go go go go go
Nigga I don't give a fuck
[Verse 1]
I'm at the tippin' point
Like Anthony in Dead Presidents
A few shots of tequila away from ignorance
A note and a rope away from my last breath
A sniper rifle away from bein' a madman
I cracked a hourglass and pissed on the sands of time
Fuck how long it takes! Y'all gon' give me mine
Tired of hearin' old niggas
All on the videos and all on the records
You mess with eXquire!
[Verse 2]
They say I'm crazy and nobody can relate to me
That basically translates to sayin' they fake to me
I hate a fake nigga like I hate wack pussy
Flat ass, and titties with big nipple circles
You ask some shit about me and we gon' fuckin' hurt ya
Come from the underground and jump you like a ninja turtle
Fly like I dunked all vertical
Don't really do the Gucci or Louis
But my little cousin Will do
[Verse 3]
I rock dashikis like I came from the Congo
Spear chuckin' drunk! Shaka Zulu, Mandingo
BIG DICK! I can wear it like a gold rope
Shorty deep-throat, the head'll poke out her asshole
I don't do features off the strength of a deft note
Gimme some fuckin' money; the fuck you think I'm rappin' fo'?
A crack flows with the same glove as Thanos
Smack ass with it then use it to back-smack foes!
[Verse 4]
When I die, throw all my ashes in a Georgi bottle
Go to a club and pour it on a model (SWALLOW)
I ain't no muthafuckin' role model
Fuck these little niggas
I only rap to get my wallet bigger
My minds a little warped
Your bitch slide with me like here's a moniker:
I could have added more bars, but I just gave up....
It's a freestyle; what the fuck you want for free? I always wanted to say that… Always wanted to say that shit
eXquire compares himself to Lou Ferigno, most famous for his role as The Incredible Hulk on the television series of the same name. A normal human by day, when he gets mad… out comes the monster with uncontrollable strength and anger, the Hulk.
eXquire is pretty big, too.


text:
Reformer Christmas Stocking
The 76th annual Reformer Christmas Stocking is under way with this year's goal set at $90,000.
All donations go for the purchase of warm outer wear for children through age 15.
All contributions will be listed daily in the Reformer as requested by the donor. Contributions may also be read on the Reformer website at www.reformer.com. A form may be found in the paper each day or find information on how to donate on our website.
Contributions, which are tax deductible, and the form, may be sent to: Reformer Christmas Stocking, P.O. Box 703, Brattleboro, VT 05302-0703.
Donors may use their credit cards on PayPal for contributions by visiting www.reformer.com/christmasstocking. Type how you would like your donation to be listed in the Reformer in the "Purpose" line.
Contributions may also be brought to the Reformer office at 62 Black Mountain Road on Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m.
I miss you Kermit. Mother, $50.
In memory of our grandson, Tyler. $50.
To the kids. Ed and Edie, $25.
Remembering Henry, $25.
In memory of Ernie and other loved ones. Celia, $100.
Anonymous, $25.
In memory of our beloved son -- gone 20 years -- never forgotten. Mom and Dad, $20.
Anonymous, $200.
Remembering Marty Fox, our No. 1 Golden Girl. We love you and miss you. Anne, Jane Sandy and Jan, $40.
Remembering Loretta. $25.
In fond memory of Hans Holstein. $75.
Happy Holidays! Judy Hannum, $100.
Anonymous, $100.
To Cleo and Vida. Dad, $30.
Shrine Club Brattleboro Boosters, $500.
In honor of our grandchildren -- Erica, Kara, Ben and Emma -- With love always, Ina and Phil Feidelseit, $100.
Given in love in lieu of holiday gifts to Larry and Laura, Marlene and Jim, Ellen and Dennis, and Lauren and Keith. Ina and Phil Feidelseit, $250.
In loving memory of our grandson Jason Jordan. Gramp and Grandma Ives, $25.
Today: $ 1,740.00
Previous: $13,604.00
Total to Date: $15,344.00
If you'd like to leave a comment (or a tip or a question) about this story with the editors, please email us. We also welcome letters to the editor for publication; you can do that by filling out our letters form and submitting it to the newsroom.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Out With The Old, In With The New: How Innovation Has Completely Changed The Music Business
from the big-changes dept
Until recently, the music industry provided artists one path, and one path only, to reach and connect with their fans and monetize their pre-recorded music. Artists had to sign to a record label, transferring ownership of copyrights, relinquishing exclusive artistic control, and giving up most of the revenue from the sale of their recordings. Fans could only buy pre-recorded music in physical form from retail outlets from the limited number of artists that labels chose to anoint. Labels were aware of their unique position and took full advantage of it by gouging both artists and music fans.He goes on to point out that the reason the labels were able to do this was because of four key factors that only the major labels could really provide:
Four main reasons: barriers to recording, manufacturing, distributing, and marketing music were virtually insurmountable.However, he notes that all four of these areas have been disrupted by new technology, and that process is continuing, such that the key advantages that the major labels have continued to rely on are slowly disappearing as well:
First, it's far cheaper to record now than it ever has been before. In addition, the level of expertise needed to record has dropped considerably. With a laptop, some one-time purchases of software and some hours to learn how to use it, a home recording studio can be created for the cost of one day's recording at a high-end studio.Because of this, you no longer are required to deal with a major label. The majors do still dominate radio play, but the piece also digs in (in great detail) as to why Price thinks terrestrial radio is about to be completely destroyed by technology as well (think: once interactive streaming is standard in cars and on phones...). But the major labels haven't done that much to adapt to this pretty massive change to their market. And that's caused them a lot of problems (as seen in their bottom line). Of course, rather than admitting their own failures in adapting, they've basically tried to blame pretty much everyone else. Price highlights the ways in which they've tried to cope:
Second, in the digital world there is no up front cost or risk to manufacture inventory. The music is available in unlimited quantity as a digital file that replicates on demand only after it's bought or accessed to stream.
Third, music fans have shifted from buying CDs in stores to buying/streaming music on-line. Now an artist, for a nominal fee and the click of a button on a website, gets an unlimited amount of self-replicating inventory with no up front cost into the world's largest music retail stores (i.e. iTunes is larger than Walmart ever was), all while keeping their copyrights.
Fourth, there is now equal access to music discovery outlets – YouTube, blogs, Slacker, Pandora, Spotify, digital music stores' discovery features, Twitter, Facebook and other social networking applications are open to everyone, not just the elite few artists signed to labels. The only media outlet not open to everyone is commercial radio, but with that going the way of the 8-Track over the next few years, the last stranglehold of the traditional music industry will be gone.
- Sue music fans for copyright infringement
- Create more onerous agreements between labels and artists requiring them to give up even more of their copyrights, not fewer (the infamous "360deals") while providing less value.
- Use antiquated royalty accounting systems and provisions to slow down or reduce royalty payments owed.
- Stifle innovation under the guise of "protecting" copyright (As one example, the majors made it a condition that they must own a piece of Spotify in order for Spotify to have access to their music).
- Killed artist development and long term careers in a mad dash attempt to make money as quickly as possible.
- Feed the media as much false information as possible (i.e. the entire music industry is dying) in an attempt to discredit, slow down and delegitimize the new emerging industry.
Either way, it's great to see Jeff lay out all of this in one place, and it shows that he's still thinking about the nature of the industry and where it's heading next. While many from the old industry still look at the future and try to figure out how to hold it back, more and more are realizing that the right play is to move forwards, quickly.


text:
Why Apple Is Hiring More Engineers in China
Apple's move to transfer some production back to the U.S. has been in the headlines, but that doesn't mean the iPhone maker is scaling down its China operations. In fact, it's still expanding.
The Wall Street Journal reported Monday that Apple is poaching engineers from rival smartphone maker HTC and other Taiwanese tech firms, to build up its teams in Shanghai and Taipei.
The move is a reminder of the realities of globalization and the current limitations of factory automation. Industry executives and analysts agree that costs for robotic arms have to come down quite a bit before it would be cost-efficient to switch en masse to automated assembly lines for devices like smartphones and tablets. Until that happens, building an iPhone remains a labor-heavy process that is likely to stay in countries with cheaper labor such as China.


text:
* * * * *
David Archuleta on the Idols Live! Tour, Summer 2008, credit to Emily
* * * * *
"Teach this triple truth to all: A generous heart, kind speech, and a life of service and compassion are the things which renew humanity."
~ Buddha
Today's quote was provided by Jana. Thanks for a great quote!
If you have one to share with us, please email us at firstname.lastname@example.com or tweet us at @fodfansofdavid. Please follow us on Twitter!
* * * * *
BEGIN. and more. Part 2
Just after 8 am EDT, a new tweet from @DavidArchie @kariontour talking more about BEGIN., finishing the process and the decision to go on the mission. Love this production too @deseret!
Ahhh….so nice to hear from David. Just so nice.
* * * * *
The count down is ON!!!
Compliments of Cindy @CanadianArchie. Have you pre-ordered BEGIN. yet? iTunes coming soon, but until then, you have many pre-order options! As per the OS
→ Deseret Book
→ Amazon
→ Barnes & Noble
→ Best Buy
→ Sears
→ Walmart
* * * * *
July 23….looking back at the past 4 years
We've been with David for four July 23rd's now. Let's reflect in pix and vids, shall we?
In 2008, he greeting fans in Cincinnati
….and talking on the phone while on AI7 Tour!
and here is a slideshow from the Cincinnati show from Bobbi Jo (@nicepretty)We cannot display this gallery
And from @IceCreamKPie!We cannot display this gallery
2009 – Chicago, the Lovachuleta tour
From my friend Roberta! We were there, but barely. We owed a huge thanks to our cabbie for getting us there just before David's set started. And it was great! Check out 2:44. Seriously. Had he ever done that before? I remember that ALTNOY being extra special in Chicago. And Chicago LOVED David.
In 2010, David was getting ready to release The Other Side of Down
…. and was filming Something Bout Love music video. Here is a release from AceEntertainment:
In 2011, David arrives in Hanoi
The Asia tour coming to a close, the Concert in Ho Chi Minh City done, and Hanoi concert on July 24, David arrives to a huge welcome in Hanoi.
Wow, I got a little dizzy from watching that one. This is why security is worth every single penny lol!
I could post so many vids and more pix, but we've been having some site issues lately, and I'm fearful of awesomage overload! In other words, death by HD vids!
Hope you enjoyed that trip down memory lane!
* * * * *
Who's looking after David's teeth now?
Random, but important! Another great collage by @CanadianArchie. I know there are dentists in South America, but do they have TV's mounted close to the ceiling??
* * * * *
From #DA2014FitClub
A BEGIN. fitness challenge! Inspired by this!
From DA2014FitClub:
On Aug. 7th start reporting how many miles you walk/run each day & we'll tally it up & see how long it takes us to get to 1000 miles!
That's 1000 miles as a Club…not individually lol Might take a bit of time individually. You must be following
@DA2014FitClub 4 it 2 count!
We'll play
@DavidArchie singing 1000 miles to celebrate when we get to 1000 miles of walking/running.
Be inspired!
And speaking of healthy living….
A funny post from It's a Rush World. Click to go to @rusharr's site. I really like it…some cool goodies there! I encourage you to take a look!
* * * *
"It's really important to do everything that you possibly can to stay true to yourself." ―
David Archuleta, Chords of Strength: A Memoir of Soul, Song and the Power of Perseverance
No specific rhyme or reason for the quote and pic. I like them both, so I thought I'd share 🙂
* * * * *
From innfatuated
From ohmyarchie
From ilovemecastroleta
From ohnopurple. A two-for:
David the warrior! Love this!
And this next one speaks to being Monday, and the start of a work or school week. Tell it the way it is, Josh.
* * * * *
Have a great day everyone! And thanks to Joanie and Kalei for posting for many days in succession!


text:
Read the full story here Web Link posted Friday, August 31, 2007, 5:34 PM
Town Square
Lowell Avenue redwood trees to come down
Original post made on Aug 31, 2007
Read the full story here Web Link posted Friday, August 31, 2007, 5:34 PM
Comments (72)
a resident of Another Palo Alto neighborhood
on Aug 31, 2007 at 7:14 pm
Get a doctors note that says you're allergies are
impacted by redwood trees- that's the way!
Sounds like a Dr. Suess story- Sierra Clubbers
who really like redwoods- just not in their yard-
or silly little laws that get in their way-
"the tree are not native to this area" Is that so?
I suppose a few strayed to far from the coat.
Are these folks native?
Go ahead, have some cake too!
a resident of Midtown
on Aug 31, 2007 at 7:58 pm
Sounds very suspicious, especially since the homeowners tried all sorts of other ploys before resorting to a doctor's note. I'm allergic to just about everything, but the redwood in our back yard doesn't bother me a bit, nor is it messy compared to maples and other deciduous trees.
Could the real allergy be to "sap stains on the family's new cream-colored stucco house"?
a resident of Another Palo Alto neighborhood
on Aug 31, 2007 at 9:20 pm
I think it is an invasion of an individual's property rights when the City tells a resident they can't remove a tree in their own yard.
Coastal redwoods have very shallow roots and can easily be blown over during a winter storm. If a protected redwood falls on a resident's home, I hope the city's insurance company will pay to repair the damage.
a resident of Community Center
on Aug 31, 2007 at 9:54 pm
This story disappoints me no end. Trees are not only a defining characteristic of Palo Alto, they are also a vital element of our environment. They were there and protected before the Bonomis arrival in Palo Alto and they are effectively part of the city's organic infrastructure. They clean the air for us, pulling in carbon dioxide (which contributes to global warming) and replacing it with oxygen.
Trees that size have many years left in them, so I doubt they posed any risk. If they did, I'm certain the city arborist, Dave Dockter, who's very reputable in his field, would have cited that -- and not allergens -- as a reason for uprooting the trees.
I only hope Flavio and Lauren Bonomi offset this damage by purchasing carbon credits (which go towards planting new trees).
a resident of College Terrace
on Aug 31, 2007 at 11:39 pm
This is another example of big brother (government) telling us how to manage our own property. Why a tree is more important than an individual is beyond me.
Because one person is not affected by trees does not mean that all individuals are not affected. We are all different in reacting to our environment.
a resident of South of Midtown
on Sep 1, 2007 at 12:04 am
[Post removed by Palo Alto Online staff.]
a resident of Another Palo Alto neighborhood
on Sep 1, 2007 at 6:32 am
How uncivil of some of you to assume the worst of your neighbors. Before accusing someone of malicious intent or even dishonesty, do your research.
While some trees may be worth protecting in Palo Alto, redwoods are not on the list.
-- Don't assume they've been here for a long time just because of their size. Unlike oaks, redwood trees are very fast growing and can grow to 100' tall in just 25 years.
-- They are not native to Palo Alto (oaks are).
-- They pull more from our environment than they give back to it (oaks don't).
-- They are prone to failure because of health problems that are not evident to their owner. Because of their size relative to the small lots they are on, when they fail they crush houses and cars and send people to the hospital. (Just google for stories in the Weekly and Almanac that appear each year it seems about redwoods falling in town during winters storms.)
-- Know that some communities around here know something about redwoods trees that Palo Alto seemed not to realize when it passed the ordinance. They either ban redwoods from being planted in their towns or advise residents against doing so, going so far as to label them as "undesirable" in their Municipal Codes. Even a community in the heart of redwood country up north, where redwoods are native and thrive, warn residents against planting redwoods on their lots.
-- And yes, redwoods are well known to cause allergic reactions.
The facts are that redwoods take over homeowners' ability to use their relatively small yards in very little time because of how quickly they grow and how wide and shallow their roots spread, take up a huge demand on our water supplies relative to other trees, and because of their size when they fail they cause considerable damage to homeowners and their neighbors around them. Caring for them is difficult to impossible if the homeowner has an allergic reaction every weekend he tends to his yard.
I completely understand how someone can love redwood trees but not want them on their lot.
a resident of Another Palo Alto neighborhood
on Sep 1, 2007 at 7:59 am
Redwoods tees are definitely not an endangered species. Let these two trees go. The trees should never have been planted there in the first place. I support the Bonomi family in their quest to remove the trees.
a resident of South of Midtown
on Sep 1, 2007 at 9:41 am
It seems to me that it's easy to criticize if you don't know the whole story and it sounds like the Bonomis have a laundry list of reasons - any one of which is valid. But if you do a little homework, you just might find out that the tree sap is tannic acid - nasty stuff - and I wouldn't worry so much about property damage as I would my own health. I used to do some tree work but had to stop because of being overexposed to the stuff in the wood. I had an allergic reaction one day and that was enough for me to quit that job. I'd rather be around to watch my kids grow up.
a resident of Community Center
on Sep 1, 2007 at 10:02 am
I can't quite figure out why redwoods are protected in Palo Alto. If you look at the history of this town and the old photos, the only redwood you see is El Palo Alto along the creek.
If they were truly native, the town would look like a redwood forest. Palo Alto was grasslands and oaks.
There's a word for trees that grow that big so quickly... weeds. Good riddance.
a resident of Midtown
on Sep 1, 2007 at 10:34 am
History Buff
Redwood trees along with oak trees became protected trees several years ago. Tree Huggers wanted to protect all old trees in Palo Alto with a trunk of 18" in diameter or larger. Many residents protested as it was an invasion of homeowners property rights. Council voted in favor of protecting native Californian trees i.e. redwood and oak trees.
a resident of Another Palo Alto neighborhood
on Sep 1, 2007 at 10:41 am
....and it still sounds like a Dr. Suess story
Have some more cake!
a resident of Duveneck/St. Francis
on Sep 1, 2007 at 10:48 am
To all those who claim to be ardent supporters of cutting down the trees-
please, remember that these trees were here long before these people bought their home
and that children grew up with them- became etched in their memories- part of their
daily lives- and they didn't even have to hug the trees to share their love- they simply adored them on their way to and fro- and know the "environmentalisits" haved moved in-
decided that it's really better that the trees must go- their time is up- they have lived long
enough- and although they are beautiful- they must go! We bought the land- and we will
do with it what we please- so say goodbye the old trees and hang on to those memories-
cause that's whrere they will be. More cake anyone?
a resident of Another Palo Alto neighborhood
on Sep 1, 2007 at 11:02 am
Former Tree Hugger?Climber: So glad the redwood trees didn't kill you! Sounds like it was
pretty close call though- you barely made it out alive! Fortunately for your kids!
History Buffoon: I did not recall seeing your pretty face in any old photos either! or your ancestors! Does that mean it's time for you to go as well? Like people, trees migrate.
In case you forgot, they only appear to be stationary.
Be informed: Take hike! (preferably in a redwood forest, what little are left) Maybe an epiphany will ensue and you will return with Julia Butterfly and do something constructive
for once, something useful to the planet, and not simply your agenda.
a resident of South of Midtown
on Sep 1, 2007 at 11:21 am
Maybe some info. about redwoods would help. Unlike oak trees, redwoods need a lot of water and/or fog to grow, especially when they get big. They get to a certain size where the amount of water going in cannot compensate for the amount of water going out. This is especially true on these hot summer days outside of the fog belt. When that happens, the trees get stressed and prone to disease. They shed limbs, the tops die, etc.
When a redwood tree loses just one limb or the top dies, it is very dangerous. They are massive trees. Single limbs can crush cars and kill people. The Bonomis are lucky no one has been injured with the limbs that have fallen from their trees.
From what I understand, both trees had to be topped to reduce the hazardous conditions. The problem is - any new growth becomes a hazard because it's weakly attached. So, it becomes a catch-22. You have to prune to reduce the hazard, but pruning makes it worse.
It truly is a safety and health issue.
a resident of Community Center
on Sep 1, 2007 at 1:16 pm
To the negative comments: I'm well aware of the history of the tree ordinance; and while I'm not a Native American, I'm a fourth generation Californian.
There are some things that seem to be overlooked. Their neighbors supported having the trees removed. Sounds to me like there are real safety concerns.
There is the fact that another resident had a tree removed for health reasons after being denied by the city the first time around. That other resident had property damage, too, and the city originally denied the application because it didn't damage public property. It sounds like the city has a bad law that they ought to fix.
a resident of Professorville
on Sep 1, 2007 at 11:38 pm
Let's get the facts straight. This is an excerpt from the pollen library:
"The redwood is native in southern Oregon and California ... Little or no allergenicity has been reported. Likely unrelated to allergenic proteins of the redwood pollen, asthma attacks as a result of sawing the wood and inhaling the resulting dust have been published."
Web Link
Redwoods are actually recommended as one of the trees to plant for allergy sufferers. Here is yet another excerpt From The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences: Web Link
"Preventive Strategies
If you buy trees for your yard, look for species that do not aggravate allergies such as crape myrtle, dogwood, fig, fir, palm, pear, plum, redbud and redwood trees ..."
As a botanist and resident, I have been following this story now for quite a while. I have driven down Lowell and seen these trees which are close to the sidewalk line. It is sad when healthy beautiful heritage trees near a sidewalk line must be destroyed just because someone does not like them.
This womans's allergies are probably due to many other trees and shrubs in the neighborhood. Pollen from trees many blocks away is carried by wind.
These trees were there before this family moved here, and they were there when they purchased the property. They have used EVERY possible reason to have them destroyed.
I am saddened by The City of Palo Alto in their decision to allow these trees to be cut. Hopefully they will change their policies after this loss.
We must all work to have this loophole closed immediately.
a resident of Barron Park
on Sep 2, 2007 at 1:05 am
NO!!!!!!! So the Redwood Trees are NOT native to Palo Alto...How about the fact that the REDWOOD TREE is THE tree that IS THIS City's NAMESAKE??????????!!! See it on the City of Palo Alto's stationery!! See it on the City trucks! It's all over this town!
Redwood Trees...love 'em or leave 'em...(alone)??
The fact is that the town of REDWOOD CITY HAD numerous REDWOOD TREES at one time...all the way out to the Bay. They are no longer there, due to extensive logging in the 1800's...........Redwood trees are superior building material for homes as they are bug resistant. There are a few Redwoods in that town that have survived.
"HENNEY PENNEY!! THE SKY IS FALLING!!" The redwood tree branches MAY fall, too!!!!!!!!! "Lion, tigers and Bears, oh my!!!!!!!" HuH! Another fairy tale..in the end, "we will remove the trees"...(How sad of an ending.)
Should we go door to door and see HOW MANY people in Palo Alto actually have allergies??????? Gee, we can all get notes. Then we can all live in a barren, treeless city. How does THAT sound, folks?
I would personally like to see Palo Alto save a little space for breathing. Quit building on such small lots. Someone should have sold that lot with the redwood trees on it and made it a huge tree fort. (Kidding, of course). Open space would have been a better option, but in this over priced town, that option went out the window also.
Too bad the owners didn't think ahead. Didn't they know Palo Alto meant "tall tree" and didn't they read the book about "Palo Alto's Trees"? ( Great reading, by the way. Great pictures in it also.) But seems like they put their (legal)thinking caps on and came up with what seems to be an unpopular victory. Wonder if they are enjoying the shade those trees are giving them this week due to the extremely HOT HEAT wave we are having!
This will only be a memory now.
a resident of Old Palo Alto
on Sep 2, 2007 at 1:09 am
Self Important of South of Midtown, could you please repost your thoughts again. I am curious.
a resident of Old Palo Alto
on Sep 2, 2007 at 1:56 am
Geri, They tore down an existing home and built a brand new stucco home. I would assume that they have air conditioning.
They could have got everything they wanted (without the stress) if they moved to Fremont or Milpitas.
New stucco homes with barren yards and no redwoods are bountiful.
Sierra Club Members?
I don't know of any of my friends in the Sierra Club (since the 70's) who would ever consider cutting a redwood, and secondly, completely demolishing an existing home.
I have heard that currently our waste from home demolition (deconstruction) exceeds our residental waste.
Ponder on that when you are wiping and rinsing out that peanut butter jar to recycle.
Any person who cares about the environment, and certainly active Sierra Club members know that remodeling makes far less of an impact on the environment than a complete demolition.
It seems that most of the deconstruction demolition and disregard for trees, are from people who are not from California.
Every new home that I know of is owned by a person who has moved here from some where else; they have different values, lots of money to litigate, and time for important things in life like allergist appointments, and leaves staining new concrete yards.
What can we do?
a resident of Midtown
on Sep 2, 2007 at 9:24 am
Perhaps the people (on this Forum and elsewhere) who object to the Bonomis cutting down their trees can extract their revenge by simply planting redwoods in their own yards. They are fast growing and not expensive.
Oh, btw, in interest of full disclosure, they do drip resin on your house/yard/car, drop limbs, suck up all the water, cost a lot to maintain, and will eventually take up most of your yard. And if you change your mind, you can't cut them down (unless you develop an allergy, I guess!). But they are REDWOODS!
Not interested? Ok, I see your point - I too would prefer to see them in my neighbor's yard, preferably a few houses over - they look very attracive there.
a resident of Midtown
on Sep 2, 2007 at 10:03 am
Thanks Terry, I would never plant a redwood tree in my yard; you can't cut it down if you change your mind 15 years down the road. This ordinance is actually a deterrent to planting native California trees.
a resident of Ventura
on Sep 2, 2007 at 12:22 pm
[Post removed by Palo Alto Online staff.]
a resident of Professorville
on Sep 2, 2007 at 1:51 pm
Palo Alto is an extraordinary place. One of the key elements of this specialness comes from the community who has for the past century celebrated the trees. There are numerous community's available with few trees, if that is ones preference. I welcome new and diverse neighbors, and hope that they move into town, respecting the things which make Palo Alto so special. Our beautiful trees are one of these. Please don't buy a home with large trees if you don't want a home with large trees. Seems pretty simple to me. If you want individual homeowners rights, move to Redding or Texas, where you can shoot anything you want on your own property or park whatever junk vehicles you have anywhere without regard for your neighbors. But if you choose to come and be a part of this special enclave which celebrates investing in foothill park, great education, its own zoo, and its wonderful tree canopy, then please come, but be willing to be a good steward of the trees on your property. If not, pick a lot where you don't face decisions drawing such passionate objection from your community over something very near and dear to our hearts. I prefer to live here in this exceptional place, partially for its trees, but more importantly for its people who are passionate about safeguarding the values of this town.
People will remember these actions, the attitude behind them, and their affect on our community , long after the trees are gone. This is sad. I've cleaned up after 4 beautiful Redwoods between my sidewalk and the street for many years. Yes they are messy, and yes, I clean up after them weekly. I would never, ever remove them to free myself of (personally inflicted) civic duty. I know that these trees add to the neighborhood and to the enjoyment of the community which I adore.
Many PA residents before us have paid for the pruning, caring, and cleanup of thee trees without complaint. It is a labor of love to preserve the uniqueness of this town. I hope people will adopt this approach and avoid purchasing a home that doesn't meet their tree appreciation profile.
Think before you act!
a resident of another community
on Sep 2, 2007 at 3:00 pm
Whoa. Lighten up folks. Redwoods are among the fastest growing trees and they drop branches all the time. They need a lot more space to be redwoods than you'll find around those cute little houses.
If the community wants those trees so badly, then maybe the community should be responsible for their care and damage. New tax anyone?
a resident of Another Palo Alto neighborhood
on Sep 2, 2007 at 3:15 pm
I'm sorry, but I have to disagree with a lot of this. While I'm sad to see trees go, I'm more concerned about my children. If I knew that a tree had a history of breaking branches, I wouldn't let my kids play there. It's just common sense.
It's the same as when that mountain lion came through the town and was shot from the tree. No one felt good about it, but it still was the safest thing to do. It was sitting above a backyard where twin two year olds were playing.
By saying this, am I evil, too? I moved here because I valued what Palo Alto has to offer. But maybe I made a mistake. I thought the people were nice.
a resident of Another Palo Alto neighborhood
on Sep 2, 2007 at 3:15 pm
Resident: Humans are fast growing too- and defile the planet much more readily than simply shedding a few branches, and to suggest that they do so all the time simply is untrue, and makes your argument weak, but that is to be expected I suppose. Space? Cute little homes?
Have you taken a stroll dowm Lowell lately, or any of the surrounding streets? These homes are not cute, and they are certainly not on small lots, lacking space, and if any are that is due to the fact that the property has been overbuilt/with some monster home. We like trees here in Palo Alto. We have books about them, have named our city after them, so don't be suprised if we get upset when some folks get around the law by claiming to have an allergy because their clever lawyer found the loophole. People who buy homes with old trees on the lot should know that in this town we actually care when a giant redwood who has been here long before most folks gets cut down simply due to the home owners fancy. This is not Modesto, no offense, but you apparenltly have forgotten where you are. People around here like trees. Pure and simple, and the trees have a hard time speaking up for themselves.
a resident of Another Palo Alto neighborhood
on Sep 2, 2007 at 3:23 pm
I promise to take a break, but the mountain lion thing and little children.
Give it a rest. Now we are worried that redwood braches are dangerous.
Utterly insanity. Suggesting that people around here unkind because they
like the trees that they grew up with? What do you expect us to think whenn
such events happen? Trees are living beings, that support other living beings,
who also become part of a community in the process. They provide so much, so
don't thnk that we are kind to folks who have them cut down.
a resident of Midtown
on Sep 2, 2007 at 5:21 pm
Old PA'ers who like their trees should definitely keep them. The idea that newer (and older) PA'ers who want to cut down trees that are in some way inappropriate for their yards are harming what's special about PA - well, that seems pretty goofy to me. There are a LOT of trees in town. I personally like the occasional redwood (gosh, tall!), but not enough to force the homeowners to keep it until the city arborist decides it is ok to take it down. Cutting down nuisance redwoods is not like cutting down every tree in town and if a new crop of residents wants something different, well that seems ok to me. If older residents and the like-minded want to see them kept, they can buy the properties, or of course just plant more redwoods of their own. Not enough people want them in their yards? - oh well, there's your answer.
If the people who owned the orchards that were here before (and the then-resident townies) had this attitude, most of the houses we live in wouldn't be here. The idea that change for some reason should stop now (vs. in the past or the future) does not compute for me.
a resident of Palo Alto Hills
on Sep 2, 2007 at 5:32 pm
I used to love the Redwood trees in our yard..until the top broke off of one in the middle of a quiet summer day a few years ago, crushing our car. Thank God it didn't fall the other way onto our house, or that we weren't in the car when it fell!
I learned from that incident that these trees are as feckless as the Eucalyptus trees that Los Altos Hills just forced everyone to cut down when one fell over and killed someone last year.
Owners of Redwood trees, of any trees really, need to be responsible about them, and if they are a risk to human life or property, they need to be at least cut down to size, if not removed.
a resident of Another Palo Alto neighborhood
on Sep 2, 2007 at 8:35 pm
Before you post, please do your research. Discourse in town is harmed not helped by unsubstantiated claims that incite emotional rather than rational reactions.
To Botanist:
Allergic reactions are quite different depending on the individual.
If redwoods do not typically cause allergic reactions, that is good for those who don't want to see redwoods come down. Few residents will be able to demonstrate that they are allergic to them and more trees will stand.
But to not allow exceptions for the few who are allergic to them is insensitive.
(The link you provide says an allergy test is available to determine allergic reactions to redwood trees. Seems to me that your cite recognizes that some people are allergic to redwoods, not the reverse as you claim. Sounds like the Bonomi's took this test and their doctor discovered that they happen to be one of them.)
To disappointed:
To your comment "a giant redwood who has been here long before most folks," that is simply not true. As "Be informed" already posted, most tall redwoods have not been in town for all that long. They are exceptionally fast growing. A 100 foot tall redwood is all of 20-25 years old.
To Geri:
While redwoods are native to parts of northern California ( a narrow strip of the foggy, mountain slopes of the Coast Range running parallel to the Pacific), they are not native to Palo Alto.
Ask El Palo Alto how it feels to be a tree in a non-native setting. It is being kept alive by a watering system installed at taxpayer expense that runs a misting system all the way up its 100+' high length now that the creek that it used to get water from has run dry.
To 4rd gen Palo Altan:
Sounds simple. But what about the people who bought their home before the ordinance went into effect just a few years ago? How could they have assumed that the flexibility they had for landscaping their yards when they purchased their home would become so restricted?
Palo Alto has trees. Lots of trees. 99% of them are not protected and they still stand. A few trees coming down because of residents' health concerns will not obliterate the Palo Alto landscape.
a resident of Another Palo Alto neighborhood
on Sep 2, 2007 at 9:15 pm
Just took a second to search the Weekly to see if there had been any reports about the dangers of redwood trees. Didn't take long to find these two stories which reported of redwoods falling during winter storms in our area in the last year or so.
Redwoods fall, damage property and send people to the hospital.
Last winter: Web Link
The winter before that: Web Link
a resident of Santa Rita (Los Altos)
on Sep 2, 2007 at 9:43 pm
In the News, I would be more worried about oak trees causing injuries. Do a similar search on oak trees killing people, and I think you'll find more hits.
Trees really are a lot of work, but they are worth defending. I used to live next to a tree killer. She really ruined her property when she cut the beautiful maple in her front yard. It changed the feel of the whole cul-de-sac. We were renting the place next to her and I loved the fact that our peaceful back yard had a lot of trees that dumped leaves and blossoms all over her paved-over lifeless back yard. Poetic justice.
I think the City should make this couple mitigate their destruction by forcing them to plant 4 new trees in their yard that she isn't allergic to. When development projects impact sensitive habitats, permitting agencies usually require mitigation in excess of the impacts. It would seem appropriate for the heritage tree ordinance too.
a resident of Midtown
on Sep 2, 2007 at 9:59 pm
I don't know Lowell St very well, but assuming it is like most others in PA, the city owns a strip of land between the homeowner and the street. If the city wants trees, they can (and probably do) plant them there. Heck, if the city wants redwoods (and the burden of maintaining them) they can plant redwoods there. The idea of a city telling homeowners how to landscape their yards (down to how many trees) gives me the willies! The ordinance seems silly and misguided - sounds like IT should come down.
a resident of Old Palo Alto
on Sep 3, 2007 at 6:36 am
I support other posters here -- we don't need to micromanage homeowners. It is in homeowners' self-interest to keep mature trees on their lots. Need proof? Just look around. Most trees in Palo Alto are not protected and they still stand.
If a homeowner decides that the cost to health and safety of a tree here or there outweighs the benefits, we should trust them. Yes, there will be a few who don't seem to have much aesthetic sense, but they are truly few. Bad cases should not make bad laws.
City (and some of the posters above), please get out of people's back yards. If you want to exert control over property, regulate developers who won't be living on the landscapes they alter if you must, but trust your neighbors and the people who live here to do what is best for the beauty and safety of our community in which they live too.
a resident of Midtown
on Sep 3, 2007 at 9:25 am
The Tree Huggers of Palo Alto are preparing an "Urban Forest Master Plan" What surprises are they preparing for those who believe in individual property rights? I hope all those who believe in freedom for homeowners will fight any attempt at controlling what we can or cannot do with trees on our property.
a resident of Old Palo Alto
on Sep 3, 2007 at 10:04 am
Thanks jesus theres sume sensible folk. Stay out of my yard and mind yur own bisness. I plan to pave my front yard and enjoy my passion of fixin 6 old ocars in various states of disrepair. Ill be setting up some motion sensor floodlights so noone stealls the tires staked around, or the seats and mufflers. I pln to defend my property if anyone tries going over the chain link fence across the front. good fences make good neighbors, thus the barb wire. The leaves of trees just fall into the pools of oil, making them harder to sweep into the street.
Im not saying everyone should share my passion, just dont tell me how to live my life on my property.
a resident of College Terrace
on Sep 3, 2007 at 10:30 am
I trust my neighbors,
Alas, you are already proven wrong. Just look at the proliferating McMansions.
a resident of Barron Park
on Sep 3, 2007 at 10:36 am
"A 100 foot tall redwood is all of 20-25 years old."
That's just bogus. The growth rate for redwoods varies a lot by conditions and age, but for 100 feet, you are looking at, in the best of conditions, about a century.
As to El Palo Alto not being native, I guess it pulled up its roots and walked here.
a resident of Midtown
on Sep 3, 2007 at 10:56 am
Joe, what's your definition of a McMansion? Mine is a bigger and more expensive house than its neighbors are willing to build. When I look at some of the shacks around here, I'd take so-called McMansions any day.
Joyce, here's from the Wiki Sequoia (coastal redwood): "Growth of seedlings is very fast, with young trees known to reach 20 m (65 feet) tall in 20 years." So you are right - that 20 year-old redwood is probably only ~50 feet tall, not 100 as alleged. Still plenty big. As for redwoods being "native" maybe El Palo Alto hit the jackpot, sitting on a creek for water. It wouldn't be native in many PA yards.
a resident of Old Palo Alto
on Sep 3, 2007 at 1:07 pm
We have massive redwoods in our small yard and they have never caused any staining to our old plaster/stucco home(nearly 100 years old). They have not caused staining to our concrete like the leaves from others trees.
They don't drip sap or resin like other kinds of trees or long needle pine trees. The only work for us is cleaning out our gutters.
It is part of homeownership.
My husband has serious allergies and asthma to pollen, but he has not been bothered by redwoods.
Our neighbors on all sides love our trees and have lived with them for 30 years.
We just asked them if they bothered them. They were worried that we may be thinking of cutting them. They told us they enjoy them.
Sap? Allergies? Staining? Limbs falling?
These seem like poor excuses.
ALL trees have a risk of falling and limbs breaking.
I read an earlier post with a link above about pollen. Thank you for posting that.
Palo Alto has many trees. This city has always been famous for their tree lined streets and neighborhoods.
We love it here because of all the trees in the neighborhood.
We are happy that the city has ordinances in place to protect them.
Most cities in California have tree ordinances, and even plant ordinances. People should know the laws and abide by them before they purchase a property in our city and state.
Another post says move to Texas or somewhere where anything goes.
Don't blame our Redwoods for your allergies! One of those links recommends redwoods as one of the trees for allergy sufferers to plant.
This is a sad situation.
a resident of Another Palo Alto neighborhood
on Sep 3, 2007 at 1:07 pm
My neighbor tells me that the redwood in our neighborhood was planted 25 years ago by a neighbor who lived here before we moved in. The tree is about 100 feet tall now. Found on google that urban redwoods, because of all the water they get from drip systems, grow 4 to 6 inches a year. 4 inches x 25 years = 100 feet, so that would be just about right.
No one was around when El Palo Alto was planted so no one knows for sure how it got here. But I've heard a local historian say that the redwoods we see on lots around town were planted by homeowners not even a generation ago, like the one in our neighborhood. Apparently, 20 years or so ago nurseries were almost giving redwood trees away to get people to come visit their stores.
a resident of Midtown
on Sep 3, 2007 at 1:37 pm
Tree Facts, hopefully your math facts have a typo ;-) If they grow 4 inches/year, then in 25 years, they are 100 inches, or about 8 feet. Since I read that new sprouts can grow 7 feet in a year, hopefully you mean 4-6 FEET/year (with irrigation).
I do think it is true that many of the redwoods in PA are not so old. In Barron Park, where I used to live, one of the old-time family members by Bol Park would tell people that his mother had personally planted many of the Barron Park redwoods.
I'm not arguing they should all come down, don't get me wrong. But the idea that they deserve special protection is goofy. There is a temperment in PA that things should be "preserved" - that it was all so good the way it was. Of course, if former residents had felt this way, few of us would be living here today (imagine what people said about post-war subdivisions!). Things change; towns change as they mature and turn over. To the point of another poster above, I wonder how many redwoods are being planted today, as homeowners realize the maintenance, size, and regulator issues that come with them?
a resident of Charleston Gardens
on Sep 3, 2007 at 1:45 pm
The redwood tree issue is just another example of the "historic mania" that seems to be in PA. People want things "historic" here--otherwise they are just living in any old town--but since there really is very little in PA that is actually historic--any home that is over 10 year sof age is considered historic and any tree that is big, must be old and therefore historic. and then it must be preserved at all costs.
What I find amazing in some of these posts is that people presume to understand and second guess the allergies/general health issues of the homeowners. [Portion removed by Palo Alto Online staff.] How typical of some of our citizens.
Finally any discussion of homes in PA always seems to lead to certain people labeling homes that they do not like as McMansions/monster homes/taco Bell homes or some other derogatory comment.
Very sad gorup of people in this town.
a resident of Another Palo Alto neighborhood
on Sep 3, 2007 at 1:54 pm
Terry, thanks for catching the mistype. Yes, I meant 4-6 feet a year.
a resident of another community
on Sep 3, 2007 at 2:56 pm
Too bad that there is so little deep understanding of a very complicated species. Yes, each tree has it's own personality as a life form. And thus, just because one person's tree does not drop limbs or sap, does not mean someone else's tree isn't guilty of it. So don't go leaping to conclusions. This whole thread seems like the gossip column and the article from the enquirer.
How many of you really know the facts behind this situation? How about some of these links to add to the list? They talk about growing and maintaining redwoods and what they do when they're not happy - like shed branches, develop multiple leaders that can peel off (like these trees that had to be topped for "safety" long before any construction happened), and have short lifespans outside their normal habitat.
It's astounding to me to hear that El Palo Alto has a misting system to the top. I've also heard (yes, more hearsay) that arborists advise against redwoods as landscape trees. Do they know something we don't?
Web Link
Web Link
Web Link
a resident of Another Palo Alto neighborhood
on Sep 3, 2007 at 4:06 pm
Marv: You are wrong again! Imagine that!
It ain't about history dude, it's simply about dissapointment
that some trees I grew up with are due to be killed, in this
case by "environmentalists" and loop-holers.
That's it bro. Just dissapointed to see these old fellas come down
due to somebody's decision that it's time for them to go.
I will get over it. The tree spirits may not. If we make you so sad, well,
like the sailors say, I can give you something to really lament about if you
think this is depressing. Cheer up! Don't bring your dreariness around here!
Climb a tree, or have some cake, anything to make your sorrow dissipate!
When you get over it, it would be great to hear from you again, but if all
you got is sorrow, well michael jackson said it well: "just beat it!"
a resident of Community Center
on Sep 3, 2007 at 4:07 pm
Just found this photo of Lowell from 1904 looking toward the train tracks. This neighborhood was a ranch - grass and oaks - not a redwood forest that was logged - no redwood stumps.
Web Link
As for the negative comments on health and allergies, If you've ever suffered from anaphylaxis, you'll never question the allergy issue again. Otherwise, people should mind their own business, unless you think peanuts should still be served on airplanes. (Gee, I'm not allergic, so why can't I have them?)
a resident of Another Palo Alto neighborhood
on Sep 3, 2007 at 4:44 pm
History Man: I just found a photo of Lowell in 1894 that reveals this neighborhood was actually a tropical rainforest, freshly covered with flying monkeys and resplendently draped in
nobody ever said there was a redwood forest here, dude!
Check the thread- simply fond of these trees-
and quite honestly, never have had the disease you mentioned- and i simply don't
believe that these trees are causing all those stuffy noses and so forth! I am going to
go way out on a limb and say that this excuse if fabricated. Plain and simple.
As for the peanuts, it's probably not a good idea.
a resident of Community Center
on Sep 3, 2007 at 6:19 pm
Disappointed. You need to google anaphylaxis and choose a different pen name.
a resident of Another Palo Alto neighborhood
on Sep 3, 2007 at 8:00 pm
History Man: Why do I need to do as you say> seriously> twas only trying' to defend the trees- and while i am open to suggestions- why should i bro? what good will it do? why don't you make your point> and why they bleep should i have to change my nom de plume? i like it just fine, and if ya don't> well tough luck i suppose> better get back to studying the past!
a resident of Barron Park
on Sep 3, 2007 at 8:34 pm
I'm a big fan of redwoods. I've planted them at our house here in Barron Park -- as a fast-growing screen against the McMansion next door -- and at my last place in Menlo Park. It's true that the PA flatlands are not prime habitat for them, but they do nicely when they can tap into ground water (by creeks, for example). They grow crazy fast at first, yielding lush, cool shade in a few years, and providing great habitat for birds, squirrels, 'possums, and 'coons.
I understand not everyone likes redwoods. I think only extraordinary specimens should be protected, and in that case the property owner should be compensated in some way for the burden of having a public resource on his private place. There may be a few such trees in the older part of town, north of Embarcadero, and in Barron Park.
Valley Oaks and Coast Live Oaks, the only ubiquitous big natives in the flats, deserve similar protection (and compensation). These are trickier, though, because they are so easily damaged by summer water. Meaningful protection of oaks would require restricted use under the entire crown of the tree -- a tough pill to swallow if you're not an oak enthusiast.
The founders thought highly enough of oaks that many were left standing in the streets when the city was laid out. They didn't do well -- I can't think of any of these remaining -- I think because the paving killed the soil system. I'm told there was a grand Valley Oak in our street until about 20 years ago, and I suspect many nearby trees are offspring of that one -- they do very well. At Town & Country, the new owners have cut "breathing strips" into the pavement around the old oaks -- I wonder if that will help. I hope so, as only about half the trees that were there in 50's remain today, and the new palms just aren't the same.
I feel badly for the people on Lowell who didn't want the redwoods in their yard, because they are out of touch with the nature of the place. I'm sure the turn-of-the-century farmer who watched as his place was chopped into little rectangles felt the same way. But what can you do? I think I'll go out and plant another tree. It'll have a good start when this passing fancy called "modern living" has run its course.
a resident of Midtown
on Sep 3, 2007 at 8:48 pm
Mike, that seems like a sensible strategy. The Bonomis don't like their redwoods, you like yours; they take down theirs, you plant more. All as it should be!
a resident of Midtown
on Sep 3, 2007 at 9:07 pm
BTW, just to show there are two sides (and I can't let a dig go by), the "McMansion" owners probably like your redwoods too, since they served as a fast-growing screen against your place! What the heck is a McMansion anyway, aside from a new house you don't like?
a resident of Community Center
on Sep 3, 2007 at 9:53 pm
Who ever said they don't "like" their redwoods? Maybe they don't "like" falling limbs. Their neighbors sure didn't like the falling limbs and wanted them to get the trees out long before they finally applied. Maybe they don't "like" the idea that the tops of those trees are diseased and might shear off and land on their heads. Has anyone looked at the record of these two trees? It's easy to defend these trees if you know nothing about them. But the accusations that fly around make this town downright scary.
a resident of Another Palo Alto neighborhood
on Sep 3, 2007 at 10:09 pm
Hist. Guy: You make it sound as though these trees have a criminal record-with all
their falling branches- must happen on a daily occurrence- that sure seems funny
though- because i have lived on this planet for quite sometime, in the close proximity to
redwood trees, topped or not, and only rarely do they shed brances- your fear based
logic makes it sound as though its dangerous to walk down the street or be in close range
to these local hoodlums/trees- completely absurd if you ask me- the only thing that is downright scary is people like yourself who get scared to easily- remember- the only thing
to fear is fear itself! take a breather- come up for air- it's okay to be wrong!
a resident of Community Center
on Sep 3, 2007 at 10:31 pm
Listen to yourself. It is okay to be wrong. I question what makes you so right(eous)? You need to take a breather because you've used up all the oxygen berating anyone who doesn't see the world exactly the way you do.
a resident of Another Palo Alto neighborhood
on Sep 4, 2007 at 3:16 am
I know many people who are seriously allergic to cats and dogs, they would rather wheeze and sneeze, take Claritin, or just live with their allergies rather than euthanize their beloved companions.
This mild allergy thing seems far fetched.
I bet that allergist regrets ever writing that note.
Redwood pollen does not cause severe allergies.
Breathing redwood dust from sawing and cutting redwoods can cause severe asthma attacks in some people. If it is a windy day, the dust could travel far and blow all over the neighborhood.
It would be prudent to send out warnings to everyone in your area before you begin to cut.
You never know when one of them may call (or be) a lawyer.
Think before you act!
Your neighbors should be warned if they have asthma.
If the trees are indeed as large as this, their pollen will blow far away.
a resident of Community Center
on Sep 4, 2007 at 9:25 am
You suggest that it's better to sacrifice the health of the family who own the trees, because their allergies can't be that bad. Yet, if they remove the trees, the pollen will blow far away, so the neighborhood should be alerted.
Have you considered that these trees require pruning every year for safety? Should the "neighborhood" be exposed to that every year? Have you considered that they may be sued if someone gets injured if they don't prune for safety? They are stuck between a rock and a hard place.
You are fortunate indeed to have such fine health that popping a few pills can take care of your sniffles. Not everyone is as fortunate as you.
a resident of another community
on Sep 4, 2007 at 9:32 am
Why so snitty?
You want trees, others have reasons not to want them.
While I enjoying reading differing opinions on this forum, I find it jarring when posters are not kind or don't think things through before posting.
To Think Before You Cut - Asthma Alert:
People who are allergic to animals can choose to live with them or live without them. People with redwoods in Palo Alto are not given the choice. That is a big difference. Anyway, why do you think you can have a say about someone else's health and appropriate treatment, but deprive them of the same?
Claiming you know how the allergist feels is groundless.
Unless you are the allergist who tested them, you have no idea how allergic these people are to their trees, so why claim their claim is "far flung?"
How do you know that redwood pollen doesn't cause severe allergies? Post your credientials and proof (please no unsubstantiated weblinks) or keep those thoughts to yourself.
And, is "Think before you act!" a threat?
To dissapointed:
"This excuse if [sic] fabricated. Plain and simple." Where's your proof? I thought that the PA Online folks don't allow libelous statements on this forum, so why post one?
And you too with the threats.
-"I can give you something to really lament about"
-"extreme measures will unfortunately be necessitated "
-"no more mister nice guy- we have told the good lord"
-"the good lord has been notified- the tree spirits have been alerted as well- and if you know anything about anything you will know that they will exact revenge much greater than typical earthlings can even imagine. Beware to those who slay the redwoods! you have been warned! don't mess with mother nature! unless your willing to suffer her wrath!"
Please. Post your opinions. Don't post your conjecture. And please don't threaten others. It inflames, not informs.
And others who read these Town Square forums, please discern between postings offering objective information and those trying to intimidate and inflame.
a resident of Another Palo Alto neighborhood
on Sep 4, 2007 at 11:41 am
Well, I for one am very heartened by this news article. There are a lot of irritating birds on my property that, like the Bonomis redwoods, cause a lot of mess. They poop on my car, and the city won't do anything about it. Fortunately, I have a doctor who will write me a note saying it's OK to shoot them all, because after all, it's a health problem.
Once I get that problem out of the way, I'm going to start on these irritating heritage oaks. They block my view. Fortunately, I'm pretty sure my allergies will cover the oaks, too -- just one more note from my doctor.
Let's see, what other loopholes can I find that a doctor's note can fix? I hope my children are watching carefully, because I always like to teach by example. If due political process doesn't serve, just get a doctor's note. It's a good thing I went to law school.
a resident of Charleston Gardens
on Sep 4, 2007 at 12:00 pm
Oh my allergies--it is unfortunate that you and others have decided that the bonomi's health issues are without merit, without even knowing them or what their health issues really are. It is very sad that you consider them to be, basically, lairs and that their reasons for chopping down the redwood tree was without merit.
It is a good thing that PA has people like you--they know exactly what is right and wrong and know who is telling the truth and who is lying without actually knowing the real facts.
a resident of Community Center
on Sep 4, 2007 at 12:01 pm
This is Palo Alto, which, like all cities, has some rules in place that have been put there for a reason. One such rule is that oaks and redwoods are protected trees. Just as people move to Palo Alto for schools, people move here for the trees, and the trees you get are like your neighborhood school -- you get what you get, and you know what that is before you buy. If you don't want these existing trees on your property, buy a different house. No one forced the Bonomis to buy that property on Lowell. Caveat emptor.
If we start hacking down our trees willy nilly, PA will begin to look like a very different place. Drive through Mountain View or Sunnyvale if you want a taste of what it will look like. Nice cities, but after all we chose to live here, not there. In fact, note that property values in PA are the highest where there are higher densities of trees.
There's a Joni Mitchell song here somewhere...
a resident of Another Palo Alto neighborhood
on Sep 4, 2007 at 12:06 pm
[Post removed by Palo Alto Online staff.]
a resident of Community Center
on Sep 4, 2007 at 12:56 pm
The ordinance, if you actually read it, gives virtually no rights to homeowners unless the tree is already in the middle of your living room or the tree is about to fall in the next hour. Thus, the original application cited hazard and was supported by an expert opinion. Just because the city arborist decided not to believe the expert and well respected arborist, it turned into an inflammatory mess that this article irresponsibly provoked by not doing proper research.
It sounds like the process was followed and the city knows they have a bad law.
a resident of Community Center
on Sep 4, 2007 at 12:59 pm
To the PAWeekly,
Shame on you for abandoning all journalistic integrity by printing this story and allowing this slander to continue.
a resident of Charleston Gardens
on Sep 4, 2007 at 1:07 pm
[Post removed by Palo Alto Online staff.]
a resident of Another Palo Alto neighborhood
on Sep 4, 2007 at 1:56 pm
Hey Marvin,
[Portion removed by Palo Alto Online staff]
Take a gander at this excerpt from the PA Weekly on Jan 17:
"Tired of the sap stains on their
new, cream stucco home, the fallen
branches on their driveway and the
$2,000-per-year pruning cost, the
couple applied in November to have
the trees removed."
Back in November of last year when they filed this complaint, there doesn't seem to be any record of allergies being the problem; it was the inconvenience.
And History Buff, please be advised that our city arborist, Dave Dockter, is himself an expert and well-respected (and published) arborist.
a resident of Community Center
on Sep 4, 2007 at 2:16 pm
So Dave Dockter knows all???? Fallen branches constitute a hazard if you cannot move the target.
a resident of Charleston Gardens
on Sep 4, 2007 at 2:19 pm
Oh my allergies--okay let's stick to the facts--the Bonomis provided documentation that the trees presented a health risk. I assume when you say "Back in November of last year when they filed this complaint, there doesn't seem to be any record of allergies being the problem; it was the inconvenience.", you are calling into the question that documentation. [Portion removed by Palo Alto Online staff.] When you have those "facts" in your hand, then please feel free to present them to the others on the forum.
All you have is an attempt by the PA Weekly to publish a "sensational" story that will cause much discussion and your own opinion about what is going on--you have no facts to stick to.
a resident of Crescent Park
on Sep 4, 2007 at 3:28 pm
[Portion removed by Palo Alto Online staff.]
How many people asking for concern about the health aspect of this story actually got out of their cars last week, or carpooled, when every day was a Spare the Air day? You knew it was a spare the air day, but did you act with consideration for all the people with asthma right here in our community, kids and adults alike, who were struggling to get a deep breath and couldn't leave their homes or offices because the air was so bad?
Good to hear you talking the talk, but let's see you walk the walk. My point is this: by all means, let's be compassionate about health issues. But let's do it comprehensively and genuinely, not selectively. If it's a question of the air quality over at the Bonomi's place, we should be thinking as a community -- we all share the same air.
And on that note, those trees they're taking down do a lot of air filtering on spare the air days.
a resident of Barron Park
on Sep 6, 2007 at 12:01 am
Stray seeds?? Who, then, planted the "Redwood Grove" over behind the Rinconada Swimming pool, next to the firestation???This area, thankfully, was not logged as much as Redwood City.
Poor El Palo Alto..it was a thriving tree when young and has managed to survive the hustle and bussel of traffic nearby, not to mention the train tracks, smoke from the trains and it's constant usage over all the years..
My mother dutiful raked the leaves and watered ~not only the tree that was standing in front of her home for over 60 years, but also swept up straying leaves in her neighbors yards on many occasions. THAT is dedication to this town. The legacy should continue. It IS what has made Palo Alto the town it is today.
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text: Which TOS episode had the best guest cast (with at least 4 notable guest roles).............. Well, I guess i should have made 10 choices but a lot of episodes had 1 or 2 main guest stars and then it got thin after that. I was looking for parts that were both notable and perhaps added to the Trek mythos. I have seen discussions where it came down to Khan or Decker or Romulan Commander as being the best guest, but I wanted to see how people felt about episodes that had something of an ensemble guest cast. I'll vote later because I think it cheesy to start a poll and vote first. Uh duh---I left Paul Fix off the WNMHGB list!


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The massive 9.0 magnitude earthquake and ensuing tsunami that rocked Japan last week has people all over the Bay Area and California thinking about the next big one. Though experts from the United States Geological Survey said that residents of inland, bay-bordering cities such as Mountain View aren't at risk from a tsunami, the prospect of a major earthquake is very real.
"On the Peninsula, the fault we worry about the most is the San Andreas Fault," said Dr. Tom Holzer, an engineering geologist, who works out of the Menlo Park offices of the USGS. "That fault is the one we think can cause the largest magnitude earthquake in the Bay Area."
According to Holzer, geologists think that the San Andreas, at its most forceful, might produce a magnitude 8.0 temblor, lower than the recent quake in Japan. In sheer magnitude, Holzer said, an earthquake triggered by the motion of the San Andreas would likely produce less shaking. However, it would also be less violent because of the type and size of the fault.
The unnamed Japanese fault, Holzer said, is part of what is known as a "subduction zone" -- an area where two tectonic plates meet and one is forced beneath the other.
The San Andreas, on the other hand, is a "strike-slip" fault, where two tectonic plates are moving parallel to each other.
In the case of both types of fault, the friction created by a major movement is what causes a quake. But the plates that recently moved off the eastern shore of Japan had about three times the surface area grinding against each other than the San Andreas would.
Nearby faults
Holzer said geologists believe the Hayward Fault, which runs up through the East Bay, is due for a significant event, which could register as high as 6.7 on the Richter scale. While damage from such a temblor on the Hayward Fault -- which is also a strike-slip fault -- would be "catastrophic" in the East Bay, damage to the Peninsula would likely be "moderate," Holzer said.
Two small faults, which could be described as wrinkles created by the San Andreas, run through parts of Mountain View. However, the Monte Vista fault isn't likely to shake very hard, Holzer said, and it doesn't appear to shake very often. The most significant damage from the Monte Vista fault would likely come from the ground beneath roads and buildings being offset, he added, not the shaking itself.
'Don't lose sleep'
While it is certain that a quake will eventually hit the Bay Area, another USGS scientist said, residents in inland, bay-bordering cities like Mountain View need not worry about a tsunami.
"I wouldn't want your readers to lose a lot of sleep over that," said Tom Brocher, director of the earthquake science center for the USGS. "The seismic hazards are what they need to worry about, rather than the tsunami."
Brocher, who is based in Menlo Park, said that the narrow opening of the bay, along with its shallow depth, means that it would be highly unlikely for tsunami waters to do much damage to inland areas in the Bay Area, even in cities like Mountain View that abut the bay.
Coastal cities are the most at risk from a tsunami, Brocher said. He also said that the Bay Area faults, such as the Hayward and San Andreas, aren't likely to cause a tsunami.
"In this part of California, the tsunami risk is mainly related to distant earthquakes," he said.
Large tsunamis are created by subduction zone faults, he said. When those faults experience a major shift, the earth can suddenly drop or rise rapidly. If that happens with an underwater fault, that water will be shoved with great force and may result in a tsunami.
To illustrate his point, Brocher said that the massive 1906 earthquake, that razed much of San Francisco, only generated a swell of about 4 inches.
However, he said, that doesn't mean Mountain View residents shouldn't worry about the damage caused by a strong temblor.
Building codes
Modern California building codes mean that most Bay Area homes built after the 1970s are fairly safe, Holzer said -- even when coming up against a quake like the one in Japan.
"Believe it or not, you could design to withstand that," he said, comparing buildings that comply with earthquake code to rubber bands. "Think of the tremendous stretching you can get with a rubber band. What you've got to do is design a building with those kinds of properties, so it's able to recover when the ground shaking causes it to sway back and forth."
Such properties have been built into the new El Camino Hospital building, according to Ken King, chief administrative services officer for the hospital.
He said the hospital is designed to remain functional even after a major quake.
The foundation of the hospital extends 9 feet down into the ground below it, and the massive columns that support the structure -- weighing roughly one ton for every foot -- are embedded 5 feet into the foundation. At its upper floors, the hospital's internal structure is designed to sway to absorb motion, King said. "Anything that moves within the building is designed to move without crashing into any other part of the building."
Pipes are designed to stay fully functional even if separate floors move at different rates and different directions during a temblor; backup power is designed to remain continuous, King said.
"We are one of the few hospitals in the state to be designed with the latest California building codes," King said.
Other dangers
A building's structural integrity is not the only thing one must consider when preparing for an earthquake, however, Holzer said.
"There is a big 'but,'" he said -- "non-structural components."
Tall shelves, hanging lamps, plumbing and furniture are just a few things that could be damaged or cause damage. "All non-structural features, unless they're secured, those can be quite lethal in an earthquake," he said.
Ultimately, an individual or family disaster plan could make all the difference, said Jaime Garrett, public information officer for the Mountain View Fire Department.
For help devising such a plan, call the fire department at 903-6365, Garrett said.
The county offers AlertSCC.com, where residents can sign up for automated alerts on their telephones, cell phones and e-mail accounts. The Mountain View Fire Department also has Facebook and Twitter accounts, where emergency information would be posted.
In the event of an emergency, information would also be available on local radio and television -- KFFH 87.9 FM and KMVP Channel 15.


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The days that people in our industry were happy to be called "the video guy" are well and truly over. Now we are "professional videographers," "event filmmakers," and "wedding cinematographers." But whatever you call yourself, Godfather Films' John Goolsby has probably come up with the best description of who we are and what we do: "professional storyteller." We document one of the most important moments in someone's life and tell the story of that moment to the world (or at least to the part of the world that you and your clients decide to share it with). In our marketing strategies, we make sure we highlight the fact that a wedding day film is quite different from photographs, and that even the highest priced, highest profile photographer will not catch that sweet sentence that will change their lives, those two simple words that start a marriage: "I do."
Although most of us will use a line like that during a sales pitch at some point, if we're honest and look at our equipment and how we've spread our budget, audio often seems more of an afterthought than the key pillar of the work we produce. At Ever After, we have always tried to ensure good audio, but the importance of audio became clearest to us after we started to create short forms. The difference even the smallest of audio snippets can make to your production will often beat anything the latest gliding-sliding-magnifying gizmo can offer. When you show a bride a clip with the same images twice, once with a bad audio track and once with a good one, she will not say, "The audio on the second one was better." She will tell you simply that the second video was better. There are tons of forum posts that will tell you how some creative editing can hide even the biggest filming mistakes. But if you miss that magical sentence "I do" or the vows that typically precede it, your only choice is to swallow your pride and ask for a do-over later that day.
The DSLR Sound Dilemma I guess by now you'll have realized that I'm a sucker for good audio. Because the DSLR cameras that have transformed our work visually seem to have ignored its importance, I'd like to share a few ideas on how to make sure you capture sound that is as crisp as your imagery.
Although I've often been able to fix some minor issues in post, you can never beat getting it right in the first place. Unfortunately, unlike what they make you believe on CSI, there are no magical mics that will crisply pick up the slightest whisper from across a football field. Getting your mic as close as possible is your first and most valuable rule of thumb for capturing professional-quality audio.
In our line of work, we typically come across a variety of production situations. In some cases, time is of the essence, and having your mic mounted on-camera is the best (or, at least, most convenient) choice. In other cases, where we have adequate setup time, an off-camera mic will be better. Each of these situations brings with it some challenges and potential problems.
On-Camera Mics Apart from using a built-in microphone (which is hardly ever a good idea), mounting a mic on your camera is, for many, the easiest solution to acquiring good audio. First of all, you need to make sure that whatever mic you use, it is fit for the type of shoot you're doing. An omnidirectional mic will pick up sound from all directions, including the operator behind the camera, so it's seldom a good choice for an on-camera mic.
A shotgun mic (such as the popular RODE NTG-2 or the RODE VideoMic), which will mainly pick up sound from the direction you point it in, will be better. This type of mic can give you acceptable sound as long as you're in close proximity of the sound source. Trying to pick up a couple's vows from the end of aisle with this type of mic will not yield great results; in fact, no on-camera mic will.
A RODE shotgun mic shockmounted on the Lumix GH2
Whatever mic you use, your two biggest enemies are wind and other ambient noises. To avoid handling noises, you need a shockmount. There are many shockmount options available, and most manufacturers will make a specific model for their mic. We use a Rycote Universal Camera Kit, as one shockmount will fit just about all our mics, including the RODE NTG-series and the VideoMic. I realize the latter has a built-in system, but I'm sure any user will tell you that those elastic rubber bands always break! Most of us have used a fluffy windshield gizmo (sometimes referred to—at least here in the U.K.—as a "dead cat") on our shotgun mics when shooting outdoors to avoid picking up too much wind noise. Surprisingly, not many people realize this also does wonders with overactive air conditioning units.
As DSLR file compression formats are not very audio-friendly, a lot of people have started mounting a recorder (such as the Zoom H2 or H4n) on their cameras and feeding the output to the DSLR for syncing purposes. Rycote has just released a shockmount called the Rycote Portable Recorder Audio Kit specifically for this purpose. Having used it on a few shoots, I love how it brings down the camera noise. Unfortunately, as it forces us to position the recorder a little higher, it makes monitoring the audio levels problematic at certain shooting angles. A bracket to mount the contraption to the side of your camera will, however, solve this problem.
Off-Camera Mics Off-camera mics can provide you with a better quality recording, but you lose the convenience of having all your controls in one place. Any mic used on-camera can be connected to an audio recorder as well; just beware that some of these mics will need power. A camera typically provides this via the XLR connection, and some mics, such as the NTG-2, will have a battery compartment as well. Other mics might be able to draw some power (if supported) from the audio recorder, either via an XLR connection or even mini-jacks. If none of these options are available, you can always use an inline adapter to provide the necessary power. Handling noise should no longer be an issue, although a shockmount is still a good idea, especially on bouncy floors.
The various color options for windjammer lapel mics
A particular favorite off-camera mic in the wedding industry is the lapel or lavaliere mic. Most of us have at least mic'd up the groom during the ceremony with one of these, either connected to a wireless transmitter or a small audio recorder. These lapel mics can fall in two categories: omnidirectional and unidirectional. Although a unidirectional mic sounds tempting (because it will reject unwanted sounds from the sides and mostly pick up the sound source directly in front of it), it also means you'll have to mic up a lot more people and will no longer have redundancy if disaster strikes. We typically put an omnidirectional mic on a groom so we can also pick up the bride, the celebrant, and anyone in proximity to them. Heck, if worse comes to worst, you can even get usable sound from readers several feet away from them.
The problem with lapel mics is that they tend to pick up unwanted noises such as rubbing of clothing and wind. Once again, a windjammer gizmo comes to the rescue. There are tiny versions available in different colors that are inconspicuous enough to use on a groom's lapel mic. It will remove most of his nervous sighing and will minimize the issues an unexpectedly active AC unit might create.
A windjammer lapel mic on the groom, with a gray color that blends well
What to Use? So what equipment should you use during specific parts of the wedding day? Each wedding is truly different. There's not always that much that distinguishes one wedding from another in the romantic way our brides would like to believe, but there are definitely significant variations between weddings from an audio point of view.
A windjammer cover ona shotgun mic mounted on the Lumix GH2
The Ceremony Let's start with the ceremony. If you're lucky, you might get a great feed from a soundboard. This could be golden, and I would definitely recommend connecting an audio recorder there if you're allowed. I have, however, learned that having your own system in place is never a bad idea. Miking the groom with a lapel mic (wireless or not) is pretty much a must for capturing crisp audio of the vows. Miking the celebrant in a similar way is a great bonus. For the readings, an audio recorder at the lectern will sort them out, but you might want to connect a lapel mic to this recorder and attach it to the church mic.
All of these sound sources can be pretty unpredictable when it comes to loudness, so a good autogain system will be a help. If you do set manual levels, you can always make something louder, but you can never make an overmodulated signal sound right, so keep the levels low to be safe. If you have some great musicians, get a separate sound recording close to them. A nice stereo pair on a mic stand placed high enough above them will provide great sound. However, speed can be of the essence in these circumstances, and, for our purposes, a simple recorder such as an EDIROL R-09 or a Zoom H2 has decent built-in mics that can provide a nice recording. Whatever you do, remember that "autogain is the enemy of music." Music purposely has crescendos and decrescendos, loud and quiet sections, and capturing it with autogain will just make it completely flat with the added bonus of fluctuation hiss. Don't use it!
An Edirol R-09 recorder shockmounted on the GH2
The Toasts Toasts or speeches are the second "controlled" circumstance in a wedding day in which audio is key. Once again, plugging in to the soundboard or miking a speaker can give you marvelous audio.
Just make sure you always have your own audio recorder close to the sound source as well. We've had several cases where a toaster decided on the spot that he didn't need a mic and would talk loud enough for everyone to hear.
Audio During the Day During the rest of the wedding day (especially during the prep), you can get some snippets of audio that are so good, you couldn't have scripted them better yourself. DSLRs have built-in mics, and if you really had to, you might be able to make these snippets usable without assistance from an additional mic.
It is, however, far better to add a decent mic (a RODE VideoMic will do) or even use a small audio recorder mounted on and fed through the camera. Even when used with autogain control, the audio will sound a lot better. Granted, not every wedding will have those unexpected golden sound moments, but trust me when I say that you'll regret not capturing them when they do happen.
The officiant mic'd with a subtle lavaliere
Redundancy Is Key Equipment (especially wireless kits) can malfunction, pick up interference, and even get moved or switched off by an ignoramus. Having to say "someone moved my kit" will often translate to your client as "the dog ate my homework" and make you sound about as professional as a 10-year-old. Although we always have a primary mic for our sound sources (such as a lapel mic on the groom or an EDIROL R-09 at the lectern), we always make sure that there is another mic close enough in case of a disaster. A shotgun mic on the front camera will at least get you some sound of the vows if all else fails. An omnidirectional mic on the groom will still pick up someone doing a reading, even it is indirect and has some echo on it.
Do I use some unprintable words if something (or, more likely, someone) out of my control messes up my audio and forces me to rescue whatever I can? Definitely! But at the same time I know I will always have captured those two magical words "I do" on at least one more mic.
How Much Does It Cost? This is probably the most hated question we're asked, but I'm sure you'll be ready to utter that sentence yourself by now. How much will it cost to upgrade the audio you capture on-site with solid additional gear? The answer: It doesn't have to cost that much. You can easily pick up some small audio recorders for about $100, a usable lapel mic for about $30, and a shotgun-style mic for about $150. If, however, your recording is littered with unwanted and hard-to-remove sounds, it will not be worth much. Adding a simple windshield and shockmount to a mic costs $180 for a regular mic, $10 for a pack of six lapel furries, and $160 for a shockmount/grip/windshield for your audio recorder. Total audio cost on your MasterCard: less than $1,000. Capturing those magical words: priceless!
Niels Puttemans (niels at everafter videos.co.uk) runs Ever After Video Productions of Sheffield, U.K., with his wife, Sylvia Broeckx. 2009 EventDV 25 Finalists and winners of IOV Ltd. (Institute of Videography) and WEVA CEA awards for their wedding-day films, Niels and Sylvia were presenters at WEVA Expo 2010.


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Halos not making excuses for sloppy D
Angels ready to move on after errors prove key in losses
By Rhett Bollinger / MLB.com
And it showed in the American League Division Series in a three-game sweep against the Red Sox, with several marquee defensive plays made by the Angels throughout the series while only committing one error that came on a catcher's interference call in Game 1.
But that great defense suddenly deserted the Angels in the first two games of the AL Championship Series against the Yankees, as the Halos made five costly errors, and as a result, currently find themselves in a 2-0 hole heading into Game 3 (1:3 p.m. PT on FOX) at Angel Stadium on Monday.
"We're beating ourselves," said center fielder Torii Hunter, who made an uncharacteristic error in Game 1 that led to a run. "We're playing great games, and then right when we make a mistake, they take advantage of it. They're a veteran team and they don't make many mistakes, so you have to minimize yours. And we're not doing that right now."
The Yankees certainly capitalized on those miscues in Game 1 with all three errors coming in innings in which New York scored either directly or indirectly because of an error.
In the first inning alone, left fielder Juan Rivera missed the cutoff man and gave the Yankees runners at second and third, and New York later scored a run on a popup that fell between Erick Aybar and Chone Figgins in the infield that wasn't ruled an error because no one touched it. Hunter then booted a ball in the sixth inning in center field to score a runner from second after John Lackey threw the ball away on a pickoff play.
And in Game 2, the Angels got away with one miscue that didn't lead to a run on a throwing error by Figgins made in the sixth, but in the biggest play of the game, Maicer Izturis made an errant throw to second base that scored the winning run for the Yankees in the 13th inning.
So while the Angels are aware that the errors have been costly, they're ready to move on now, especially because they'll be back at Angel Stadium for what they hope will be three games.
"We made a couple errors that lost the game, but you can't keep that in your mind," right fielder Bobby Abreu said. "It's part of the game. You have to forget about it and focus on what we have to do."
The Angels have the weather on their side now, as it was cold and rainy in New York and it's expected to be sunny and warm in Anaheim for Game 3.
Angels manager Mike Scioscia didn't want to make excuses for his team's sloppy defensive play, but did note that the Yankees made three errors themselves in Game 3, including two fielding errors by second baseman Robinson Cano and another by shortstop Derek Jeter.
"A lot of infielders had problems on the defensive side," Scioscia said. "You know, Cano, Derek Jeter ... there were some plays that were kind of routine that I'm sure the weather influenced some things that happened with those guys."
Hunter agreed with Scioscia's assertion that the weather did play a role in some of the miscues, but also didn't want to make excuses either.
"I'm sure some guys were cold," Hunter said. "It was freezing. But you can't use that as an excuse, because the other team is cold, too. I saw Jeter, and he's been there for years, and he was freezing. And he still went out there and played. He brushed [his eighth-inning fielding error] off and they still won."
Hunter was also honest in saying that sometimes playing the Yankees in the postseason at Yankee Stadium can be tough mentally, especially for younger players without much experience.
"You can let that history get in your mind, the payroll, the stadium and the fans and everything," Hunter said. "You can try to do too much sometimes. But you just have to block that out and play your game. You have to just do what you're doing of capable of doing."
The key for the rest of the series, Hunter says, is just for the team to relax and play the same way they played all season to get to this point.
"We need to calm down a little bit and have some fun," Hunter said. "Now the cold weather is no excuse, so we'll see what happens."
Rhett Bollinger is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.


text: When the younger Dionysius II, who was weak and inexperienced, succeeded his father in 367, Dion assumed control and persuaded Plato, whose friendship he had acquired, to train the new tyrant in the practical application of his philosophical principles. The experiment failed and Dion was banished, but in 357, assembling a force of 1,500 mercenaries at Zacynthus, he sailed to Sicily and was received with demonstrations of joy. After a short period of rule he was again banished and again recalled. In 354 he was assassinated. He was included in Plutarch's Lives.


text:
(Photo by Vince Bucci/Getty Images)
Heads up dead heads – The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Museum is opening an exhibit on the [mp3com-artist]Grateful Dead[/mp3com-artist]! I think I just heard an old hippie in the next cubicle over yell "road trip!"
The Associated Press reports "Grateful Dead: The Long, Strange Trip" will feature manuscripts, handwritten notes, five Jerry Garcia guitars, Hart's custom-painted drum kit and promoter Bill Graham's "Father Time" robe.
The exhibit opens to the public on April 12, 2012 and will remain open through December. [mp3com-artist]The Mickey Hart Band[/mp3com-artist] will kick off the exhibit opening with a performance on April 11. For details, call 1-216-781-ROCK (7625) or visit www.rockhall.com.
Related Content:


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HOUSTON – Consider Chael Sonnen's silence broken.
After a pre-UFC 136 buildup largely void of any of Sonnen's famed trashtalking and epic rants, the top middleweight contender wasted little time in further alienating any Brazilian fans he may have had by proclaiming himself the UFC's true middleweight champion and offering Anderson Silva a second crack at the title.
Oh yeah, and he called Vitor Belfort a fool and ordered "The Phenom" to carry his luggage to the airport.
"I am the middleweight champion," Sonnen proclaimed at Saturday night's post-UFC 136 press conference. "I defended my championship tonight for the first time, and I am willing to give Anderson a shot at the true belt, the linear belt, the people's belt for the best damn middleweight there's ever been."
They were bold words from the man who had earlier dispatched of Brian Stann via second-round submission. Of course, Sonnen was just as bold while still inside the octagon, wowing the crowd at Houston's Toyota Center by challenging the man everyone else in the world recognizes as the UFC champ, Silva, to a rematch of their epic UFC 117 clash and promising to retire if he lost.
Silva remained rather stoic at cageside while on camera, and Sonnen chastised him for not reacting.
"As far as Anderson goes, we're playing for keeps this time," Sonnen said. "I've had it with this guy. He's probably had it with me, so let's just figure this thing out once and for all. You heard what I said, and my word is good.
"I'd of … shoved that microphone up his ass if he would have said that to me. You saw what he did. He sat there, and it was a good move."
UFC president Dana White, who couldn't help but laugh at some of Sonnen's characteristically outlandish statements, did admit that pitting the two back together would probably make sense.
"I think that some of the stuff he said has got Anderson fired up and wanting to do this fight," White said. "It sounds like a great idea. We'll see what happens.
"I think people and Anderson both want this Chael Sonnen fight."
White had previously said that Dan Henderson could potentially leap in front of Sonnen should he defeat Mauricio "Shogun" Rua at UFC 139. That led Belfort to proclaim he'd like to face the winner of Saturday night's Sonnen-Stann contest. With that scenario no longer appearing likely, Sonnen took the shot to fire a few salvos in Belfort's direction.
"I forgive Vitor; he's a fool," Sonnen said. "He knows not what he says. You can't hold a fool accountable because he got a little stupid in the media one time.
"First off, if my name comes out of his mouth again, I will bury him where he stands. Second off, tell Vitor to meet me at the hotel in 30 minutes because daddy's got a plane to catch and I'm summoning him to carry my luggage."
In the cage after his UFC 136 win, Sonnen pegged Super Bowl weekend as the date he'd like to face Silva for a second time. White said the UFC is planning a Las Vegas date for that weekend (Feb. 4), but whether or not Silva-Sonnen II takes place then depends on numerous factors, including the condition of Silva's lingering shoulder bursitis.
But whenever it happens, Sonnen's impressive performance and jaw-dropping post-fight rant seem to guarantee another memorable outing.
"I'm after 12 pounds of gold, and as far as I'm concerned, that belt is worth nothing more than a piece of tin when it's around [Silva's] waist," Sonnen said. "I am the true middleweight champion."
For complete coverage of UFC 136, check out the UFC Events section of the site.
(Pictured: Chael Sonnen)


text:
I've recently switched to Linux for learning to develop and hopefully one day to assist the community. I've learned to use the autotools and vim. I know C/C++ and a bit Perl.
I was wondering what is the best way to start developing GUI appz for Linux.
I need something that is rapid straightforward, and have no need for GUI design tools for the moment. Just a suggestion on which software interfaces would be most appropriate if it is not too much to ask?