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The Mendocino County Board of Supervisors affirmed the 2012-2013 fiscal year budget aspects of the state's shifting of prisoners from state custody to jail this week. So far the state has honored its commitment to pay the county for its increased costs due to the shift which began in October 2011.
No inmates from the state prisons are being directly transferred to county jail. Instead, anyone sentenced since October 2011 for a nonviolent crime, with few exceptions, will serve their prison time in county jail rather than state prison.
Of the 88 inmates sentenced in Mendocino County to local "prison," the longest term has been a nominal 60 months. The Legislature also changed the amount of time such inmates spend in prison to only half the nominal sentence.
The average daily population at the Mendocino County Jail was 206 when the new regime began. Within the first four months of the program, the jail population rose quickly to 250 but has leveled off since to between 250 and 260 inmates. This level is similar to the jail population between 2004 and 2010, prior to the implementation of more generous credits for time served.
The state will continue to oversee all those sentenced prior to the October deadline and any criminals sentenced for violent times.
On the state level, the prison population has dropped by 16.7 percent since October 1, 2011 to 133,540 inmates. The number of parolees supervised by the state in the same period has dropped 41 percent to 74,467.
To date, the county has received $495,332 from the state for its increased expenses since October 2011. This has allowed the hiring of four new probation officers, three corrections deputies and a part time health and human services worker. This has also funded the startup of the new Day Reporting Center for Ukiah area probationers.
Workers were hired incrementally as the local workload increased. The overall revenues for 2012-2013 are budgeted about $2.1 million.
In July 2013, the next step in the realignment process takes effect when all state prison parolees, including violent offenders, being released in Mendocino County will have any parole violations or new offenses handled in local court. This is expected to bring higher security concerns at the jail and in the courthouse. It will likely require hiring in both the District Attorney's Office and the Public Defender's Office, as well.


text:
Hanley will primarily DH during Caribbean Series
By Alden Gonzalez / MLB.com
HERMOSILLO, Mexico -- If Dodgers infielder Hanley Ramirez is going to get some preseason reps at shortstop, it probably won't come during the Caribbean Series.
Miguel Tejada is expected to start the majority of the seven-day tournament at shortstop for the defending-champion Leones del Escogido, with the 37-year-old Julio Lugo a suitable backup.
That, coupled with the presence of third basemen Fernando Tatis and Luis Jimenez, means Ramirez will mostly serve as the designated hitter -- as he did while going 0-for-2 with two walks in Friday's 7-2 win over Venezuela's Navegantes de Magallanes.
"It wouldn't surprise me if he didn't play any games [at shortstop]," Dominican Republic general manager Moises Alou said in Spanish. "Maybe he'll play one or two, but we have Miguel; we have a lot of depth there. And in a tournament like this, you want to please everybody in addition to winning. I feel like with us, rotating guys and sitting a guy one day, I don't think it hurts the team."
The Dodgers have indicated throughout the offseason that they're committed to Ramirez as their shortstop, with Minor League journeyman Luis Cruz looking like the starting third baseman after a solid showing down the stretch in 2012.
But Ramirez may not get much time at the position before Opening Day. Plans to play shortstop in winter ball were scrapped due to a minor shoulder injury that relegated him to DH duties. And his decision to play in the World Baseball Classic for his home country -- which has shortstops Jose Reyes and Erick Aybar on the roster, plus third baseman Adrian Beltre -- could have him out of Dodgers camp from late February to mid-March.
Alou stressed Ramirez's shoulder is perfectly fine. "Otherwise," he said, "he wouldn't be playing here."
"He didn't play shortstop in the Winter League, so I feel like he prefers to DH [in the Caribbean Series]," Alou said. "But it wouldn't surprise me to see him there one or two games."
Rodney confident he'll get extension from Rays
HERMOSILLO, Mexico -- Fernando Rodney, currently pitching for the Dominican Republic's Leones del Escogido at the Caribbean Series, continues to express confidence that he'll eventually garner an extension from the Rays.
"It's in plans already," Rodney said in Spanish on Friday, a few minutes before taking the field against Venezuela's Navegantes de Magallanes at Sonora Stadium. "We've talked a few times, and I expect it to get finalized this month."
The 35-year-old right-hander was at the center of much confusion earlier this week, when he told the Dominican publication El Dia that he was closing in on a two-year deal that would cover 2014-15.
"Everything is ready," Rodney was quoted as saying by the publication on Wednesday. But the Rays said those talks have not taken place, and Rodney's recently hired agent, Dan Lozano, told the Tampa Bay Times his client was misquoted by El Dia.
The veteran closer didn't go as far as saying there was an agreement in place with the Rays on Friday, but he expressed confidence that one would get done and in no way dismissed the existence of discussions.
"We're still in the planning stages, still negotiating," Rodney said. "You know, these negotiations take time because you have to weigh all your options."
Asked if he was confident a deal would get finalized, Rodney said: "Of course."
Rodney compiled a 4.42 ERA with the Tigers and Angels from 2007-11, but bounced back in a big way in 2012 with Tampa Bay. He notched a career-high 48 saves, posted a 0.60 ERA and struck out 76 batters in 74 2/3 innings, finishing fifth in American League Cy Young Award voting and earning the AL's Comeback Player of the Year Award.
Rodney will make $2.5 million in 2013, his final season before free agency.
Championship game added to Caribbean Series
HERMOSILLO, Mexico -- The 2013 version of the Caribbean Series guarantees drama, because for the first time since the tournament was revived in 1970, an actual championship game will take place.
Previously, the Caribbean Series was played strictly in double round-robin format, giving the crown to the club that finished with the best record after six days. That has led to some anti-climactic finales at the four-nation tourney.
Like last year, when the Leones del Escogido -- which returns as the Dominican Republic representative -- clinched the title on the second-to-last day after winning its first four games, then lost the last two games, which didn't matter.
This year, a new format has extended the Series an extra day, with a championship game pinning the teams with the two best records taking place on Thursday.
"It's perfect," said Escogido infielder Miguel Tejada, who signed a Minor League deal with the Royals this offseason. "I like the competition, and I think [the new format] is good for every country."
Alden Gonzalez is a reporter for MLB.com. Read his blog, Gonzo and "The Show", and follow him on Twitter @Alden_Gonzalez. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
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text: Hi, I am trying to download free Zone Alarm firewall off zonealarm.com website but when I click on the the Download link, nothing happens. I get "error on page" in IE 8. I tried in latest Firefox browser too but clicking on Download link does nothing. Whats the problem? Does that mean I am infected with some trojan or virus that prevents me to download off zonealarm.com?


text:
Tolstoy and the Purple Chair: My Year of Magical Reading (Hardcover)
September 2012 Indie Next List
"This graceful memoir describes a true love affair with books. After losing her 46-year-old sister to cancer, Sankovitch embarks on a year of reading: one book every day for a full year. Her project, complete with daily book reviews, becomes an ongoing conversation with her sister and provides insight into her own past and contact with bibliophiles across the world. This is the best description of the power of books that I have ever encountered!"
— Caitlin Doggart, Where the Sidewalk Ends, Chatham, MA
June 2011 Indie Next List
"This graceful memoir describes a true love affair with books. After losing her 46-year-old sister to cancer, Sankovitch embarks on a year of reading: one book every day for a full year. Her project, complete with daily book reviews, becomes an ongoing conversation with her sister and provides insight into her own past and contact with bibliophiles across the world. This is the best description of the power of books that I have ever encountered!"
— Caitlin Doggart, Where the Sidewalk Ends, Chatham, MA
Nina Sankovitch has always been a reader. As a child, she discovered that a trip to the local bookmobile with her sisters was more exhilarating than a ride at the carnival. Books were the glue that held her immigrant family together. When Nina's eldest sister died at the age of forty-six, Nina turned to books for comfort, escape, and introspection. In her beloved purple chair, she rediscovered the magic of such writers as Toni Morrison, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Ian McEwan, Edith Wharton, and, of course, Leo Tolstoy. Through the connections Nina made with books and authors (and even other readers), her life changed profoundly, and in unexpected ways. Reading, it turns out, can be the ultimate therapy.
Tolstoy and the Purple Chair also tells the story of the Sankovitch family: Nina's father, who barely escaped death in Belarus during World War II; her four rambunctious children, who offer up their own book recommendations while helping out with the cooking and cleaning; and Anne-Marie, her oldest sister and idol, with whom Nina shared the pleasure of books, even in her last moments of life. In our lightning-paced culture that encourages us to seek more, bigger, and better things, Nina's daring journey shows how we can deepen the quality of our everyday livesif we only find the time.
Praise For…
"The beauty of her project lies in seeing how books intertwine with daily life, how very much they affect our moods, interactions, and, especially important for Sankovitch, how we recover and process our memories….She makes reading seem accessible, relaxing, inspiring, fun."
-Los Angeles Times
"Anyone who has ever sought refuge in literature will identify with Tolstoy and the Purple Chair."
-O, The Oprah Magazine
"Sankovitch's memoir stands as a tribute to the power of books to enrich our daily lives."
-Christian Science Monitor
"This graceful memoir describes a true love affair with books."
-Boston Globe
"A beautifully fluid, reflective, and astute memoir that gracefully combines affecting family history with expert testimony about how books open our minds to 'the complexity and entirety of the human experience.' Sankovitch's reading list in all its dazzling variety is top-notch."
"[Tolstoy and the Purple Chair] digs deep into that near-mystical connection between a reader and an author—that startling feeling that you are channeling someone you have never met...A gripping and inspiring book."
-Connecticut Post
"What Sankovitch has accomplished in her first book is not only to celebrate the transformational, even healing, powers of reading, but to give the reader a feeling of reading those books as well, through the eyes of an astute reader."
-Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
"Her deeply moving memoir artfully intertwines her immigrant family's history with the universal themes of hope, resilience, and memory. Tolstoy and the Purple Chair celebrates not only the healing power of literature but its ability to connect us to the best of ourselves — and each other."
-American Way
"[An] entertaining bibliophile's dream…Sankovitch's memoir speaks to the power that books can have over our daily lives. Sankovitch champions the act of reading not as an indulgence but as a necessity, and will make the perfect gift from one bookworm to another."
-Publishers Weekly
"Nina Sankovitch has crafted a dazzling memoir that reminds us of the most primal function of literature—to heal, to nurture and to connect us to our truest selves."
-Thrity Umrigar, author of The Space Between us
"In Tolstoy and the Purple Chair, her affectionate and inspiring paean to the power of books and reading, Sankovitch gracefully acknowledges that her year of reading was an escape into the healing sanctuary of books, where she learned how to move beyond recuperation to living."
"Tolstoy and the Purple Chair will transport you to a time before texts and tweets. Through the stories of her own family, Nina Sankovitch shows how books have the power to refresh, renew, and even heal us. I loved this memoir."
-Julie Klam, author of You Had Me at Woof
"Tolstoy and the Purple Chair is original, uplifting and very moving: a unique celebration of life, love and literature."
-S. J. Bolton, author of Now You See Me
"[A] brilliant and heartwarming book."
-Ventura County Star
"An original and touching…account of one woman's lifelong affinity for books and her attempt to channel that affinity to deal with her grief after her sister dies. Tolstoy and the Purple Chair is an understated but moving story about the effects of a 'year of magical reading.'"
-The Dartmouth
"Tolstoy and the Purple Chair masterfully weaves beloved and sometimes surprising books into central events in the writer's life. There is much to learn from this moving book. Sankovitch writes with intelligence and honesty, leading us to respond in a similar manner."
-Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni, author of One Amazing Thing
"Tolstoy and the Purple Chair is a must-read for anyone who adores books. It is also a primer on the healing power of taking time off to grieve by immersing oneself in a revered activity."
-The Book Bully
"Tolstoy and the Purple Chair is an absolutely lovely account of the healing power of literature."
-Devourer of Books
"Sankovitch's account works well because she uses her reading list to jump off into topics that are tangential, yet intriguing and often important."
-Buffalo News
"A beautifully paced look at how mindfulness can affect the psyche."
-Shelf Awareness (starred review)
"[Tolstoy and the Purple Chair] offers timeless wisdom, is uplifting and has a powerful message."
"She is adept at stitching together musings about the books she is reading with memory and narrative from her own life."
-The Christian Century
"What is best in Tolstoy and the Purple Chair, however, is not the author's literary criticism, but the way in which she blends her accounts of her reading with the story of her family and with broader human concerns."
-Smoky Mountain News


text:
SuperTwin!!! Right back at ya!
*stands up* My name is Una, also known as Vamp Vixen, and I am a Twilight and Lexicon addict, supporter and enabler and I am proud!
The DGG's and my fellow lexiconers are fabulous! I love our discussions and I feel that I have learned so much from them and come to know some people very well. It is wonderful to have a place...goodness, I'm having flashbacks of "Cheers."
This is the place where everyone knows my name...


text:
Naeem Khan Runway | Fashion Week Fall 2013 Photos
Naeem Khan's Fall '13 Gowns Were Made For Hollywood Royalty
If you've ever dreamed of winning an Oscar, Naeem Khan's Fall 2013 probably has the dress to complete your fantasy. Rich with opulent details, but modern sex appeal — like stunning open backs — Naeem draws from the illustrations of 1920's Êrte and the all-out grandeur of the Byzantine empire, crafting gowns fit truly for red-carpet royalty. It's a collection that again proves some designers may own the contemporary market, but Khan's domain is the jaw-dropping kind of wear. He delivers both shimmering confections — long-sleeved gowns covered in sequins with sexy open backs (that would make any bombshell happy) — but also silhouettes with more regal elegance. Not any less showstopping, but these dresses are done up with high collars, keyhole necklines, and the most intricate all-over prints and embellishments. Click through to live out your red-carpet fantasies with our favorite gowns from Fall 2013.


text:
Frenchie_Vanc saw Rob, Kristen, Bryce, Nikki and Elizabeth at dinner last night and told RobPattison that "Rob is adorable" ... *contented sigh*
Via RPLife
- Lorabell :)
Update: Frenchie_Vanc has posted this further photo
As well as an account (a translation of her native French) of the night - see in full at the Twilight FanZone:
When we come back, I only see Xavier. But then Ficsmaniak whispers to me "Look, it's Robert."
We get closer slowly and quietly then Ficsmaniak ask him if we can take a picture with him. Rob accept, he answered us, laughing, because once again, he has been noticed, when he was almost in.
Kristen was also there, but she really not wanted to be bothered. So we respect her choice. As a few asked me, Kristen still have black hair and her mullet cut.
So we wait, without big hope, even with Rob's answer, because others fans saw him and strafe him with their cameras.
Kristen and Xavier get in quickly, and Rob leans toward me, taking me by the shoulder and then I put my arm around his waist :p, Ficsmaniak ready since a few seconds, rake the picture. He look at her and says sorry that he could not take a picture with her too, she answers him no problem, then he goes in.
While we were taking the picture, I talk with Rob, I told him that I was from France only for see him, it's impressed him, and he was always smiling with me and really sweet. I was already fan of Rob, but meet him just make me love him even more.


text:
The all new Original SUNHEAT SH-1500LCD electric portable infrared heater with remote control, liquid crystal display and made in USA cabinetry provides safe, soft, comfortable warmth for any area of your home. The SH-1500LCD model is a six element supplemental heater with three heat settings. It will heat up to 1,000 sq. ft. on HI or 800 sq. ft. on LO. The new ECO setting allows the heater to select either HI or LO as needed, to maintain a comfortable pre-set temperature, saving more energy and money than ever. The convenient remote control allows you to adjust the temperature, set the timer and select the heat settings with the touch of a button. The liquid crystal display is easy to see from anywhere in the room. This reliable infrared heater comes with a five (5) year parts and labor warranty and cannot start a fire. It is safe to operate anywhere, even around children and pets, but best of all it will slash your heating costs.
- Heats up to 1,000 sq. ft., uses six quartz infrared heat tubes to produce a heat output is room temperature plus 120°F (room temp 72˚ + 120˚ = 192˚F)
- USA cabinetry assembled by hand with a solid hardwood top featuring a scratch, stain, and dent resistant finish, stays cool to the touch
- Crystal clear LCD display houses a digital thermostat which can be adjusted on the unit or with a sleek remote control
- 3 heat settings (high, low and eco) for maximum efficiency and additional energy savings
- Largest copper heat sinks in the industry; provides six minutes of free heat each heating cycle
- Industry best: 7 ft., 12 gauge, grounded power cord with appliance grade plug; 110-Volt
- Timer can be set in hourly increments (0-8 hours) to control time of operation


text:
Many students told the Office for Civil Rights that they consistently tried to avoid the Student, that a lot of people bullied the Student and called the Student names like "stupid," "slow," "annoying," and worse. Classmates said, "If you're hanging out with (the Student), you're a loser too."
Several students told the Office for Civil Rights that they had never said anything to school staff about the Student being bullied because they were worried about being accused of being a snitch.
Five staff members told the Office for Civil Rights that the Student had approached them during the year to report that classmates were picking on the Student. In one instance, counselor notes showed that the Student hit and kicked another student after the other student and two peers were allegedly picking on the Student. The Student identified the harassers, and the counselor met with them for conflict resolution, the outcome of which was an agreement to avoid each other.
At the end of March 2011, the Student was punched in the face after an argument with another student. The counselor met with the two students, and they "agreed to stay away from each other."
The family emailed the school that a girl in the class had told the Student that everyone hated the Student, and that therefore she had to hate the Student too, and then tried to kick the Student, but the Student got away. The Student told school officials that classmates said things like, "Everyone hates you because you're different, so why don't you just go away." The Student became afraid to go back to school due to the level of peer hate expressed, and the family requested an aide to support the Student.
The resource specialist emailed the district about the request for an aide due to the Student's reports of bullying. The district said that special education would not furnish an aide to the Student because "bullying is each site's responsibility." The district advised the school staff "to work this one out outside the IEP (Individual Education Plan)."
By May 2011, as bullying continued, the family informed the school that they had decided to keep the Student home due to depression and anxiety and the Student's fear of being exposed to kids making fun and name-calling. This decision was based also on the Student's doctor's advice that "It does not make sense to take (the student) to school to be bullied." The family requested a transfer to another school, which was granted. The Student began attending another middle school the next fall. In early 2012, the Student began to receive extensive mental health treatment.
Terman did not take any disciplinary action towards students who engaged in harassment of the Student. The stay-away agreements were not effective in stopping the harassment.
The assistant principal told the Office for Civil Rights that the school would have done more if only it had received the names of harassers from the Student. However, the federal agency found the counselor's notes contained many names of students alleged to have harassed, along with descriptions of the incidents. In addition, the family's emails identified students alleged to have harassed the Student.
Terman Principal Katherine Baker disputed that any harassment had occurred, saying: "It was always different kids. If it's the same kids, then it's harassment." Baker also cited the Student's own unskilled social behavior as contributing to the harassment. Both of these assertions showed a lack of understanding of the law.
None of the school employees described receiving training that addressed harassment based on disability. Baker told the Office for Civil Rights investigators that the staff was very "sophisticated" and "didn't need disability awareness" training.
The investigators found that the school did not conduct any organized inquiry into the reports of harassment, that each staff member was "left to her own devices" to respond to new information received, and that there was no single person designated to investigate. No structured approach was taken to interviewing students, and records weren't kept of the interviews. There was no analysis made about whether the harassment was based on disability or whether a hostile environment had been created, as required by law. The school's handbook made no reference to disability-based harassment or procedures for resolving complaints about it.
The investigators concluded that the school failed to respond promptly and effectively to ample notice that the Student was being subjected to peer harassment based on disability. The school's response was not reasonably calculated to end the harassment, prevent it from recurring, or eliminate the effects of the hostile environment on the Student. The Office for Civil Rights concluded that the school did not comply with the law.
The investigators also found that many students had biases about students with disabilities and had never received any instruction about how to interact with these students. Many students perceived disabled students as "weird," disruptive in class and a burden to work with on a group project. Others mentioned a student who stuttered and students who read slowly and how they were annoying and wasting class time with their slow behaviors.
Summary prepared by Terri Lobdell.
Source: Office for Civil Rights' "Letter of Finding" dated Dec. 26, 2012, in Case No. 09-11-1337
This story contains 952 words.
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text:
DUBLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/4hfw85/italy_lng_market) has announced the addition of the "Italy LNG Market Outlook Report (Q2 2014) - Analysis of Supply/Demand, Terminals, Investments, Companies, Market Conditions and New Opportunities" report to their offering.
Italy LNG market Outlook report from the author provides profound analysis and complete data on each segment of Italy LNG value chain. The report also provides detail forecasts of LNG supply, LNG demand, contracts, market outlook along with major trends and challenges of investing in the market. Further, historical and forecasted information on LNG plants, storage tanks and LNG carriers is provided for each of the existing and planned LNG terminals in Italy.
- Forecasts of natural gas production and consumption along with major fields, operators and reserves
- LNG capacity, storage capacity, contracted and non-contracted capacities outlook to 2020
- LNG market drivers and challenges
- Benchmark with five peer markets on four indexes (supply, capacity, economic and operational)
- Market Structure, Companies- their capacities and market shares, 2005 to 2020
- The country's Construction details including FEED/ EPC contract, constructor details, construction period and operating technology
- All active and announced Sales and Purchase agreements (SPA) along with purchaser, quantity and duration details
- Terminal start year, installed capacity, processing trains, storage capacity and storage tanks.
- Operator and shareholders along with their equity stake for all terminals
- Capex and feasibility of all planned terminals
- Source field, connecting pipelines, jetty and other infrastructure, LNG carriers
- Business profiles of three LNG major companies
- Latest mergers, acquisitions, contract announcements, trade agreements, terminal expansions and all related news
Key Topics Covered:
1 Tables & Figures
2 Executive Summary
3 Natural Gas Market Outlook
4 Demographic and Economic Outlook
5 LNG Industry SWOT Analysis
6 LNG Infrastructure Details
7 LNG Capacity Outlook to 2020
8 LNG Capex and Construction Details
9 LNG Industry Benchmarking With Peer Markets, 2013
10 LNG Trade and Contract Details
11 LNG Markets, Competitive Overview
12 LNG Industry News and Recent Developments
13 Appendix
For more information visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/4hfw85/italy_lng_market


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In his chapter, "An Approach to Style" in The Elements of Style, E. B. White states, "A careful and honest writer does not have to worry about style." This statement guides me as an editor, and as a writer, when I become too mired in the frustrations of dangling modifiers, passive sentences, imperfect words. I try to remember, the point of any writing is to communicate. When I ask myself what I am communicating, and get back to the simplest idea of my purpose for an assignment, the editing becomes easier, and the intricacies of style seem less of an obstacle and more of a tool.
But what happens when an editor isn't sure what he or she is communicating? Medicine is complex, full of specialized words and obscure concepts. What happens when we don't realize that a word is being used incorrectly, because our understanding of the concept being communicated is limited? This is perhaps the most difficult challenge I face as an editor of medical journals, and the reason we track our changes when sending them to authors. What if my streamlining of a complex sentence detrimentally affects its meaning? It's always my fear that, in attempting to improve a statement, I will cause the meaning to be changed.
This is why I'm grateful for the author-assisted editing process. Each author who carefully sorts through my myriad comments and questions, who assesses the edits I make and comments on them, is my ally in making sure any reader, regardless of their experience with English or level of medical expertise, can use our journals in their work. Physicians are busy people, and editing is not their job. Yet, this partnership allows us to make our journal as useful and far-reaching as possible. As a microbiology student, I regularly used medical journals in my research and school assignments. Reading these studies was challenging at best, and occasionally baffling. It's this experience that I go back to—remembering that it's not just myself and the author who will need to understand this work, that it affects all levels of medicine—and remembering my purpose, I turn the elements of style into my tools.—Roya Khatiblou, MA


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Difference between revisions of "User talk:HistoricAccount SteveMB"
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[[Stanley the Tool|Stanley]]
[[Stanley the Tool|Stanley]]
Revision as of 08:01, 21 May 2009
Hi there! It is very nice to see you here! :) -- Muzzafar 04:22, 29 April 2009 (UTC)
- Also, on firefox, if you drag and drop the image, you can see the full page. --Raphfrk 22:56, 14 May 2009 (UTC)
You waited for me to do the Klog, didn't you? Grrr... --Kreistor 15:25, 15 May 2009 (UTC)
- No, no, I was just joking. Klogs are a lot of typing. Just suggesting you were dodging it and making me do the work. 8) Seriously, not being serious. --Kreistor 15:45, 15 May 2009 (UTC)
- Heheh... gotcha. No worries. I brought the Table over from the Fallout 3 Wiki a couple weeks ago, so know more about it than most. --Kreistor 15:59, 15 May 2009 (UTC)
The TBFGKs
Now, They have a use and all, but why do we need non-picture descriptions by themselves? Surely just the panel and the written word under it is enough? I can't really click on 'random page' except that 3 out of five are these panels. Good effort... but what are it's uses that a panel by panel description (combining both picture and words) or even a page by page description cannot do?
Oh! and thanks for the work 'Xewleer 07:43, 15 May 2009 (UTC)'
Yes, but why can't we combine the panel-by-panel with the words only stuff? Have you tried using the Random Page thing recently? You'll see what I mean. (Please note that I'm not trying to degrade your work, just trying to figure out why we need so many pages for ONE series of things) Xewleer 23:32, 15 May 2009 (UTC)
Ichthus created a subpage template. It adds a link back to the panel from the /text and /description pages, but doesn't include it in the actual panel page. It would be worth adding to any new panel by panels that you create. See TBFGK_27:1/Text as an example. --Raphfrk 16:58, 17 May 2009 (UTC)
- Not a major issue, I think, but apparently it helps with 'dead-end' page tracking. --Raphfrk 17:25, 17 May 2009 (UTC)
TBFGK Annotation Wiki Page Cheat Sheat
Linkback for Text/Description Pages
Piped Links Using Canonical (no redirect needed) Character Names
[[Stanley the Tool|Stanley]] [[Wanda Firebaugh|Wanda]] [[Parson Gotti|Parson]] [[Sizemore Rockwell|Sizemore]] [[Prince Ansom|Ansom]] [[Jillian Zamussels|Jillian]] [[Sir Webinar|Webinar]]


text:
For Sale
Are you among the thousands of folks who are renting an apartment? Whether you're a college student looking to live off campus or a young professional settling into Greater Boston for work, there are some things you should know about your legal rights as a tenant.
We asked Stephen Callahan, a professor at Suffolk University Law School and director of its Evening Landlord-Tenant Clinic, and attorney Adam Ponte of the law firm Kenney & Sams, PC, for insight into tenant-landlord rights. Check out what they have to say before you sign your lease.
What are you getting by signing a lease? "A residential lease is a contract in which the tenant pays rent in exchange for the exclusive possession of the premises,'' says Callahan. "That means that the landlord may not enter the apartment without notice to and consent of the tenant.''
Bear in mind, there are some exceptions. After giving the tenant proper notice, the landlord may enter:
• If the premises appear to be abandoned
• To inspect the property within the last 30 days of tenancy
• To make repairs
• To show the apartment to a prospective tenant, purchaser, mortgagee or its agents
• In accordance with a court order
The landlord should be reasonable and attempt to arrange a mutually convenient time to visit the apartment. If the landlord insists on entering the apartment in an unreasonable fashion, you may file a temporary restraining order.
Ponte says before you sign your lease, make sure everything orally promised by the landlord is clearly and explicitly written in the lease.
"For example, the landlord may have promised to install a dishwasher or new refrigerator before the tenant's move-in day, and the tenant should make sure this promise is written into the lease, including the date upon which the new appliances will be available in the apartment,'' says Ponte.
Ponte says by law your lease must include the contact information (name, address, telephone numbers) for the property owner(s) and other individuals or entities responsible for maintaining the property, and the contact information for the person(s) authorized to receive written notices of violations related to the property.
Some apartments require a security deposit. So what do you need to do to ensure you see your security deposit again? Adam Ponte, an attorney with Kenney & Sams, PC, says the trick is to pay close attention to your lease.
"Reading the fine print carefully will help a tenant avoid any surprises,'' say Ponte.
In Massachusetts, a landlord must give the tenant a "statement of condition'' within 10 days of receipt of the security deposit. The statement of condition describes the condition of the apartment and any damage that exists at that time. A tenant has 15 days to add to the statement of condition or make changes to it. A tenant should be sure to fill out the statement of condition, return it to the landlord and to keep a copy of it for their records.
Ponte recommends taking pictures showing the apartment's condition and documenting any and all damage. Make sure the photographs contain timestamps. This ensures that if a landlord tries to withhold the security deposit for something you did not do, you have proof.
In addition, Ponte points out that the landlord is "required to hold the security deposit in a separate, interest-bearing account and must give the tenant a receipt and notice of the bank account number.''
Finally, because a landlord can only deduct from a tenant's security deposit for repairs that go above and beyond normal wear and tear (landlord is obligated to pay for normal wear and tear), a tenant should clean before vacating the apartment and repair damage that is easily fixed (i.e. repair drill holes, paint the apartment if you initially painted).
As a tenant, you are entitled to a safe and habitable living environment from your landlord. This means your are entitled to the following conditions:
• A functional heating system
• Adequate water (hot and cold)
• A proper kitchen with a sink and a stove
• A structurally sound apartment
• An apartment free of rodents and/or insect infestation
If your landlord has been notified of any problems and has failed to provide you with a habitable residence, Callahan says you may consider withholding a portion of the rent until repairs are made if you are not behind in your rent payments.
In Massachusetts, snow and snowstorms can be big headaches. So who is responsible for clearing snow after snowstorm? The tenant or the landlord? Well, that depends, says Ponte.
"Massachusetts regulations require landlords to ensure that exits are free from snow, trash and other obstructions,'' says Ponte. "This only applies, however, to properties with more than one dwelling, such as an apartment building. Massachusetts law, however, provides that cities and towns may issue their own ordinances requiring property owners to take even greater precautions in removing snow.''
Ponte says it is important to note that a landlord can insert a provision in your lease requiring you to remove snow, so long as your "dwelling has an independent means of [exit], not shared with other occupants,'' as compared with a common area of an apartment complex.
It is against the law to lock a tenant out or remove his or her belongings without a court order following an eviction proceeding. Disregard for due process "is a violation of the law and a tenant can successfully seek a restraining order to prevent a self-help eviction,'' says Callahan.
In an eviction case for no cause (without fault) or for nonpayment of rent, a tenant may raise counterclaims against the landlord for violation of the State Sanitary Code, violations of the lease, or other rights of the tenant to peaceful enjoyment of the premises. If the eviction is for some other alleged violation by the tenant, the notice must state the reasons and the tenant has the right to respond to the charges in the eviction case.
"Remember that a landlord cannot retaliate against a tenant for exercising his or her legal rights,'' says Ponte. "For example, if a landlord attempts to raise your rent, or terminate your lease within six months of you contacting the board of health pursuant to sanitary code violations in your apartment, the landlord's conduct will be presumed as retaliatory. The landlord will then have the burden to prove that his or her conduct was not the result of the tenant exercising his or her rights.''
Perhaps most important, remember that discrimination in housing is against the law in Massachusetts. As Stephen Callahan points out, "The landlord may not discriminate against a tenant or a prospective tenant on grounds of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, family status (e.g. whether there are children), physical or mental disability or handicap, receipt of public assistance, receipt of housing subsidy, age or gender identity.''
Here are a few very important things to consider before you sign a lease. Do not put money down unless you are sure you want the apartment. You might be legally entitled to get your money back until the landlord formally accepts you as a tenant, but that money might be diffiuclt to recover.
Also, remember to calculate the anticipated costs of the apartment's utilities (heat, electricity, etc.) to make sure the apartment is affordable.
Know what is expected of you in terms of pre-payments or a finder's fee and check to make sure the apartment is in acceptable condition. Ask the neighbors about the landlord's reputation.
If there is a problem with plumbing or broken appliances, check the arrangments for a response to an "after hours'' emergency.


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Start Slideshow
- Bird Apartment Tree House by NendoThe creative designers at Nendo have wowed us again by creating a tree house for humans that doubles as a sanctuary for nesting birds. This "Bird Apartment" was installed in Komoro City, Japan at the Ando Momofuku Center, whose mission is to promote access to nature. The structure's design pushes the center's vision to a whole new level by allowing visitors within the human dwelling to get a spyglass look into each of the 78 bird homes.1
- Bird Apartment Tree House by NendoLead by founder Oki Sato, Nendo produces refined, simplified forms that evoke emotion in viewers. In this piece, we see that repeated forms of various shaped pitched roof houses with circular openings are used as entrances for the bird dwellings - a motif refelected in the entrance to the larger human home. By mirroring the form, Nendo appears to be suggesting that the avian homes are as important as the ones inhabited by man.2
- Bird Apartment Tree House by NendoIn order to fully appreciate the tree house, one must climb the long ladder and enter into the circular opening. Once inside, peep holes allow visitors to take a peek into the bird world on the other side of the wall. We'd love to know if the birds are also curiously looking back into the human home!3
- Bird Apartment Tree House by NendoThe interior is stark white, so that there is nothing else to observe in the tree house except for the birds. You can see that the peep holes are arranged all at different heights to allow one for each of the 78 bird homes.4
- Bird Apartment Tree House by NendoThe Nendo team shared an early sketch for this concept, where the division between human and bird is represented by a dotted line on the tree house. It is interesting that the final result was to put in peep holes, which encourages the viewer to engage, rather than a sheet of glass like those used at zoos.5
- Bird Apartment Tree House by NendoMany works by the Nendo team utilize the signature techniques of repetition and impressive scale - see also the decorated walls in this house with repeating patterns made from moss, or this barrel-formed sculpture made from farming nets. These techniques are also at work in the"Bird Apartment" in the grandiose scale and height of the tree house and the repeated pitched roof forms.6
- Bird Apartment Tree House by NendoThe "Bird-Apartment" is secured high up in the trees at the Ando Momofuku Center. It is not at first obvious that the house is resting on top of limbs that were cut level, creating a platform. Since we do not see any trees piercing the interior of the house, it only then is that we realize the illusion, and know that the structure is balanced and secured on top of the tree.7
- Bird Apartment Tree House by NendoNendo included subtly nuanced colors for the facades of the bird houses - it's as if they sought to allow the birds individual choices when selecting their nesting place!8


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OCEAN CITY- The 25th Annual Ocean City Tuna Tournament last weekend was one for the books with record 257-pound big-eye weighed just minutes before the scale closed late Sunday evening to capture the top prize before a stunned crowd.
After a modest beginning on Day One last Friday when 71 of the registered 79 boats in the annual Ocean City Tuna Tournament went out, the drama built steadily through the weekend as the leaderboard was written, erased and rewritten again through Saturday and Sunday. Just before the scale closed and the curtain came down on the 2012 tournament just before 7 p.m. last Sunday, angler James Romero and the crew on the "Absolute Pleasure" with Captain Willie Zimmerman pulled up to the scale with a massive big-eye tuna that would take the tournament's top prize in the 11th hour.
The big crowd that had gathered around the host Ocean City Fishing Center on the tournament's last day watched in stunned silence as the "Absolute Pleasure" crew opened its fish bag and revealed the giant big-eye. When the tuna was raised on the scale, the digital sign crept up to the 257 mark, setting off loud cheers from the crowd and hugs and high-fives from the "Absolute Pleasure" crew.
The big tuna was taken in an area of the Washington Canyon about 60 miles offshore around 2 p.m. last Sunday and took about two hours to get aboard the boat. The crew quickly packed it in a fish bag loaded with ice and chugged home to the Fishing Center. After a roughly two-hour ride, the "Absolute Pleasure" rolled up to the scale and stole the thunder from those sitting atop the leaderboard.
Friday was fairly quiet at the scale and ended with a 65-pound yellowfin caught by the crew on the "Canyon Blues" sitting atop the heaviest single fish category. The "Lucky Duck II" ended Day One atop the heaviest stringer division with five tuna weighing a combined 224 pounds.
On Saturday, things heated up around the scale with several large big-eye tunas weighed. In the days leading up to the tournament, the big-eye bite was remarkable with several 200-pound plus fish weighed in and around the resort area. On Day Two of the tournament last Saturday, the crew on the "White Lightning" weighed a 191-pound big-eye and posted a stringer weight of 364 pounds.
However, it was angler Jerry Barton and the crew on the "Restless Lady" ending Day Two atop the leaderboard in the heaviest single fish category with a 194-pound big-eye. With a full day of fishing to go, the bar had been set pretty high, but the tournament was far from over. The crew on the "Tighten Up," last year's White Marlin Open winner, came in with a big-eye that appeared to threaten the "Restless Lady," but the tuna topped out at 186 pounds. The "Restless Lady" was then knocked from the top spot when the crew on the "Reel Desire" put up a massive 202-pounder. Fame and fortune for the "Reel Desire" was short-lived, however, when the "Absolute Pleasure" came in with its 257-pound big eye with just minutes to spare to capture the tournament's top prize.
Romero and the crew on the "Absolute Pleasure" came in first and was awarded $224,116 in prize money. Angler Troy Graham and the crew on the "Reel Desire" took second place with its 202-pound big-eye and was awarded $30,978. Barton and the "Restless Lady" team took third with the 194-pounder and earned $25,715.
In the heaviest stringer category, the "Lucky Duck II" crew took first place with a two-day total of 489 pounds and earned $68,236. The "Cat Without a Handle" took second with a two-day total of 412 pounds and earned $27,131, while the "D.A. Sea" team turned in a two-day total of 373 pounds and earned $25,715 in third-place prize money.
The "Cat Without a Handle" crew and angler Mike Glyphis took first-place in the dolphin division with a 35-pounder worth $2,500. "Team Crush' Em" took second in the dolphin division with a 30-pounder worth $1,000, while the "Chain Reaction" took third in the division with a 19-pounder worth $500.
Tina Boykin on the "Lucky Duck II" was the top Lady Angler with a 56-pound tuna and earned $1,500. Sue Littleton on the "Reelin' & Rockin" took second place in the Lady Angler division, while Tina Boykin also took third in the category.
The top Junior Angler award went to Alex Grapes on the "Partnership," while Ben Boykin on the "Lucky Duck II" was second and Jacob Adkins on the "No Limits" was third. In the new category for boats under 40 feet, the crew on the "Abledam" took first-place with a 56-pound tuna and earned $3,510. The "Lucky Duck II," which won the overall heaviest stringer category, took first place in the heaviest stringer category for the under 40-foot division and earned an additional $3,510.


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Shipping & Delivery
Shipping Policy For Online, Shopping Service And In-store Purchases
Merchandise and gift cards will be shipped to addresses within the United States. At this time, we are not able to ship to PO Boxes, APO/FPO addresses or any international addresses including Puerto Rico.
A separate shipping charge per address will be applied to each individual order.
For orders placed online or through the Shopping Service that contain merchandise or a combination of merchandise and gift cards, you will receive an email containing your tracking number. You will receive a shipping confirmation email once your order is shipped. Then you will be able to track your order on Fed-Ex's website by entering the tracking number provided in the email. Most orders are shipped from our main fulfillment sites. In the event that your order is filled from one of our subsidiary fulfillment sites, you will not receive a tracking notification. You may call 1-800-945-4438, 6am-12am (CST) Monday -Sunday, to obtain the tracking information for your order if desired.
On occasion, merchandise from online and our Shopping Service will be filled and shipped from multiple fulfillment sites. If this occurs, your delivery charge will be based on the total merchandise purchase amount prior to tax. You will not incur additional shipping charges under these circumstances.
Due to alcohol content, federal air safety regulations prevent the shipment of cosmetics via airmail. Therefore, only Standard Shipping is available on these items.
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Merchandise purchases ordered from a Bridal Registry are not eligible for free shipping.
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Under most circumstances, orders will leave our fulfillment center within one business day of order confirmation. All orders are subject to credit approval.
If an item is not in stock, we will notify you via email. This includes any merchandise ordered from a Gift Registry for china, crystal or silver. For that merchandise, we will give you an expected shipping time.
Standard Delivery Time For Online, Shopping Service And In-store Purchases
For purchases, including merchandise or merchandise and gift cards, expect delivery within 3 to 6 working days from date of order confirmation.
For orders containing gift cards only, expect delivery within seven to 10 days via U.S. Postal Service.
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Heavenly Mountain Resort, Lake Tahoe, CA/NV--Heavenly Mountain Resort announced today that it began making snow last night -- one of the first signs that the Lake Tahoe snowsports season is right around the corner. The West Coast's largest snowmaking system can cover 70 percent of Heavenly's trails in machine made snow, giving the resort's patrons confidence that they will be skiing and riding by November 17, Heavenly's scheduled opening day.
Under optimum conditions, Heavenly can produce three-and-a-half feet of snow over one acre in an hour. That's enough snow to blanket a football field with eight-and-a-half feet during an average three-hour game.
"It's comforting to know that when it's cold, we have snow, said John Wagnon, Heavenly's vice-president of marketing and sales. "Our guests are able to make early-season plans and bereasonably confident they'll be skiing and riding on the best and most consistent snow surface at Lake Tahoe.
Two small storms in the last couple of weeks have already deposited about a foot of snow on the mountain's higher reaches, but with late autumn's colder temperatures, Heavenly officials felt it was time to give Mother Nature a helping hand by starting to lay down a base of snow for the winter.
"Snowmaking is really all about putting down a solid product that skiers and riders can depend on from the get-go, said Jim Larmore, Heavenly's director of snow surfaces. "This system is so efficient, it packs more punch than the other snowmaking systems in the Tahoe basin combined.
Heavenly has begun making snow on Big Dipper and Orion, its two signature runs on the Nevada side, as well as area at the top of Heavenly's gondola.
For information on booking a snowsports vacation package or purchasing a Heavenly season pass, or to monitor the snowmaking process via Heavenly's web cams, visit www.skiheavenly.com.
About Heavenly
Heavenly Mountain Resort is a world-class destination offering guests a one-of-a-kind combination of scenic beauty and exhilarating on-snow experience. Heavenly is a subsidiary of Vail Resorts, Inc., the leading mountain resort operator in the United States. In addition to Heavenly, Vail Resorts, Inc. owns and operates the Colorado mountain resorts of Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge and Keystone, and the Grand Teton Lodge Company in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. The Company also holds a majority interest in RockResorts, a luxury resort hotel company with 11 distinctive properties across the United States. Vail Resorts Development Company is the real estate planning, development, construction, retail leasing and management subsidiary of Vail Resorts, Inc. Vail Resorts is a publicly held company traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: MTN). The Vail Resorts company website is www.vailresorts.com and consumer website is www.snow.com.
For more information on Heavenly, please visit www.skiheavenly.com or call 1-800-HEAVENLY.


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Read the full story here Web Link
Town Square
Cyclist injured in Alpine Road collision
Original post made on Jul 2, 2007
Read the full story here Web Link
Comments (44)
a resident of Menlo Park: Belle Haven
on Jul 2, 2007 at 8:38 pm
Coincidentally, the last cyclist seriously injured on the loop was released from Stanford Medical Center last weekend. She was injured on Memorial Day.
Anyone else notice that these "accidents" are invariably caused by elderly drivers or relatively inexperienced ones?
a resident of Menlo Park: Sharon Heights
on Jul 3, 2007 at 12:16 am
Anyone notice that these cyclists think they own the road, especially when they're riding in large groups. They often spread out into the car lane and expect cars to manuver around them. If a driver taps his horn to alert them they take offense and will an obscene gesture or comment. No wonder they're often involved in accidents.
a resident of another community
on Jul 3, 2007 at 8:14 am
Re the comment by Traumautized: "Anyone else notice that these 'accidents' are invariably caused by elderly drivers or relatively inexperienced ones?"
I make the mistake, too, of assuming because the driver is elderly, she or he must be at fault. But I was proven wrong in the Rodney Smith case, where the CHP decided the driver was not at fault.
Then a few days later I almost struck a bicyclist who darted out in front of me on Sand Hill Road. If I had, I imagine people like me would assume the driver was at fault.
In this recent accident on Alpine Road, the jury may be still out, but it doesn't appear that I or anyone else can assume the driver was at fault just because she is "elderly."
a resident of Portola Valley: Los Trancos Woods/Vista Verde
on Jul 3, 2007 at 9:29 am
I, too, happened on the scene of this accident shortly after it happened. But there were a couple of other scary and telling aspects.
First, a sheriff's car screamed past us at Ladera going about 80-90 mph with complete disregard for the safety of citizens in that congested area. This was completely unnecessary as he merely joined two others who were also merely standing around the scene. Other cyclists were directing traffic.
Perhaps rather telling about the attitude of the (mostly) flatlander cyclists using our neighborhoods for recreation was that they ignored those directions and kept riding past, while the motorists stopped. The deputies were more interested in socializing and ignored them.
a resident of another community
on Jul 3, 2007 at 10:56 am
Bicycle riders have the same right to the road as automobiles.
I have often seen cars driving 15mph+ faster than the posted limit on Alpine and Portola, with their drivers talking on their cell phones.
I've also witnessed multiple incidents on those roads where a car drifts over the line into the bike lane/shoulder near a cyclist; is it due to poor driving skills, plain lack of attention, or an overt attempt to pressure the cyclist? Regardless, some education to drivers on the appropriate way to handle driving with/around cyclists would benefit everyone.
a resident of another community
on Jul 3, 2007 at 11:16 am
It's a shame that the discussion focuses so much on whether the driver was elderly. This should be irrelevant. Age is not an impairment. However, the fact that a driver honks implies the he/she is aware of the bicyclists. Apparently the cyclist was hit all the same. Error in judgment? Who knows.
A bicycle is not as mobile or dangerous as a car, and I think the burden of responsibility lies with the driver to be safe.
I often cycle on Alpine road and would like to feel safe. I don't.
a resident of another community
on Jul 3, 2007 at 11:29 am
The article says that the bicyclist left the bike lane, but there is no bike lane on that stretch of Alpine. There is a shoulder, but bicyclists are not required to use the shoulder. The article says that the driver was tapping her horn to alert the bicyclists of her approach. This is illegal. It would have been far better if she had moved farther to the left to give plenty of room instead of tapping on her horn. Articles full of misinformation like this only increase the confusion level of drivers and bicyclists.
a resident of Portola Valley: other
on Jul 3, 2007 at 12:34 pm
Ronald has something of a point, but here's the thing: A bicycler who is riding on the shoulder, and then darts from the shoulder into the vehicle lane in front of oncoming traffic, is the source of the problem rather than part of the solution. Anyone entering a vehicle lane is required to do so safely, whether than person is a pedestrian, bicycler, or automobile driver.
Almanac staff writer
on Jul 3, 2007 at 12:53 pm
David Boyce is a registered user.
Ronald is correct in saying that there is no formal bike lane on that part of Alpine Road.
The white line that demarcates the eastbound traffic lane from the paved shoulder is technically called a fog line. The shoulder created by that fog line is commonly used by cyclists as a de facto bike lane.
With some exceptions, on roads without bike lanes the state vehicle code requires bicycles to stay "as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway." One exception is when the cyclist is passing another vehicle or bicycle.
The vehicle code uses similar language when describing roads on which bike lanes exist.
a resident of another community
on Jul 3, 2007 at 1:28 pm
What I don't see mentioned anywhere in these postings is that there was an organized bike ride going on that morning...the Giro di Peninsula. So add to an already heavily traveled bike route another thousand or so riders and one would think that there would be an increased awareness of the need for safety. Whenever a car and a bike get into an "altercation" the bike never wins.
a resident of another community
on Jul 3, 2007 at 5:42 pm
Bicyclists have a right to use the road, and motorists are required to give them enough clearance that they don't interfere with the bicyclist's ability to bike safely. Obviously this driver passed too closely. Drivers often complain that bicyclists swerve or move out in front of them, but they never seem to anticipate that possibility and leave enough room. Instead they honk their horn and plow ahead.
As far as David Boyce claiming that the shoulder is a de facto bike lane, that is true but not relevant legally. There are big differences between bike lanes and shoulders. The Vehicle Code does not require bicyclists to ride on the shoulder, although it permits them to do so if they want. Drivers are prohibited from driving on shoulders. The shoulder is not considered part of the roadway, sothe "keep to the right" rule means to the right of the lane, not on the shoulder. Bike lanes have stringent requirements on width and pavement quality which don't apply to shoulders. Bike lanes are designed and maintained in a rideable condition, while shoulders are not. They can change from wide and smooth to nonexistent or crumbled with no warning, so drivers should never expect that a bicyclist on the shoulder will remain there. Of course bicyclists should always check before moving to the left.
Why does Portola Valley refuse to paint REAL bike lanes on their roads? Do they not want the cost of maintaining them in a usable condition? Are they unwilling to meet the width requirements in all aras? Do they not want to acknowledge that bicyclists use their roads?
a resident of another community
on Jul 3, 2007 at 7:48 pm
Richard is spot on.
I'm sorry this happened, and hope the cyclist fully recovers.
a resident of Menlo Park: Felton Gables
on Jul 3, 2007 at 9:03 pm
I too feel very sad that this happened. Not only has it caused terrible injury to someone who was just out for a positive social and health-bolstering experience, but, I'm quite sure, the motorist is suffering from a wrenching trauma (think of your great-grandmothers, all you self-righteous readers just itching to condemn the motorist). But let's be real: Richard says that a motorist must give a bicyclist enough clearance to ride safely, but the bicyclist also must be sure that he/she checks the approaching traffic before passing other riders, especially when riding on a narrow roadway. Perhaps the bicyclist was distracted, or inexperienced. But according to the accident report, she was passing others when she was hit. Again, I'm really sorry for her -- I have also done things while distracted that could have ended horribly for me and others on the road, and have counted my blessings that I and others have survived my occasional lapses. But even acknowledging that bicyclists are always on the losing end of accidents involving motorists, you can't always fault the motorist.
Bicyclists and motorists want the same thing: To get from Point A to Point B safely. Let's spend our time and creative energy in trying to find solutions. Richard asks some good questions: Why doesn't the town design that roadway to include bike lanes? Bicyclists are here to stay -- and more power to them. Towns like Portola Valley and Woodside need to accept that fact, and try to create the safest infrastructure possible to allow them to use the roadways, as they are entitled to do.
a resident of another community
on Jul 4, 2007 at 1:30 am
I ride here all the time, and really feel for this rider. However, rules and laws are one thing; the laws of physics and our mortality are another. If the crosswalk signal says "walk" I still look both ways. Perhaps I'm a bit too cynical; but in these kinds of 'accidents' what is fair and what is reality are often two different things. The whole 'innocent until proven guilty' aspect of our legal system is great for the accused. But it is always tough on the victim- a cost we must bear to avoid the greatest injustice of being wrongfully punished. As a result, a driver who hits a cyclist would have to be outrageously reckless for any DA to prosecute them. This does not appear to be the case here. Furthermore, it has been demonstrated time again that even if the 91 year old driver's skills fell far below those of a safe driver, there is no court in the land that will try this person. As for the age related remarks, can we stop pretending like 91 year old people have the same reflexes and awareness as the majority of drivers? This is the same sort of logic that makes us afraid of looking twice at young Muslim men from Pakistan with one-way tickets and no luggage. It's wrong to accuse, but necessary to examine the *reasonable* possibilities.
a resident of Portola Valley: Los Trancos Woods/Vista Verde
on Jul 4, 2007 at 10:01 am
Predictably, commenters divided themselves mostly into pro-biker 'another community' residents and locals. Julia thinks that we all want the same thing: 'to get from Point A to Point B'; sorry Julia, residents have to use the roads that way, but most bicyclists here are recreating. Wouldn't you, if your alternative was to go around a rectangular block with stop signs at every corner?
Now they want PV and Woodside to widen roads and install bike lanes to make this a safer experience. Would they be willing to pay a bike toll to pay for it? After a previous incident, someone wanted us to lower speed limits and have stricter enforcement. Somehow, a lower speed limit will make bikes more visible and cyclists more careful and/or less irresponsible. ShareTheRoad thinks we go too fast. Actually, most drivers, including, I suspect, complaining bicyclists when they get behind the wheel, go what they feel is a reasonable speed for the conditions. Speed limits have been already been set artificially low around here, which has fostered illegal radar traps. Since the police set these up during 'normal working hours', very few weekend flatlander cyclists see them.
And bicyclists go too fast as well. One of my neighbors was seriously hurt by a cyclist racing downhill in a 25 MPH residential area.
There are so many of them of varying capabilities now that local drivers have to be and are generally alert for sudden passing and other dumb moves. It's also up to the cyclist to ride defensively and look around---they have a lot more to lose. Drivers sometimes get squeezed by cyclists, especially those packs, on both sides of the road and cannot provide a wide margin by hugging or crossing the center line.
When I started riding Sand Hill was a narrow winding country lane. Since few adults rode bikes then, the biggest hazard was from beer cans thrown by rednecks in pickup trucks. Kumm, a resident of another community, ought to follow my lead and avoid riding here now (I'd really stay off Arastradero, too). Now a hazard is having water bottles thrown at residents by arrogant and abusive riders (that guy is facing trial soon and I hope they throw the book at him).
a resident of Woodside: Mountain Home Road
on Jul 4, 2007 at 1:03 pm
Alekaneleno is right on. Residents of Woodside and Portola Valley are sick and tired of the "another community" bikers continuously riding around like idiots in our neighborhood. I am sure if you had an analogous situation with others not from your neighborhood being jerks you would be frustrated as well.
So "another community" bikers please go somewhere else where you will feel and be safer than residential neighborhoods with narrow roads and blind corners. Go up in the hills. But please just go away.
a resident of another community
on Jul 4, 2007 at 1:51 pm
Before you place all "bicyclists" in the same bin, please read the recent editorial in the Palo Alto Daily, where Bil Paul discusses the diverse nature of the bicycling community:
Web Link
Note that none of the recent crashes have not involved the large packs of alpha males, and two have been 50's females. Not exactly your troublemakers! The solo cyclists or small groups who are being courteous and staying to the right are actually at more risk from drivers who pass too closely or turn across their path than are the large groups that take up the road and are very visible.
I know that some bicyclists are incosiderate, but that is no excuse for drivers to endanger all bicyclists. The general feeling in this country is "might makes right" and that the more vulnerable road users should stay out of the way of the larger ones. In Europe the legal system turns this completely the other way around, declaring that the larger your vehicle is, the more careful you must be. If only drivers in this country would adopt that attitude we would all be a lot safer. (Note that this is Commandment #9 of the Pope's Ten Commandments of driving.)
a resident of Menlo Park: University Heights
on Jul 4, 2007 at 10:44 pm
Most of this discussion about "in community" vs. "out of community", "elder driver" vs. "young driver", "bike lane vs. shoulder", and "rude bicyclists" vs. "embattled resident motorists" is irrelevant. The only things that matter are who is at fault for this accident and what should be done to limit future accidents.
If a reasonably competent driver could have avoided this bicyclist, this motorist should have her license revoked permanently. If this bicyclist made an unreasonably erratic move, she should be cited for reckless driving and be thankful that she didn't get hurt more seriously.
It doesn't matter whether the bicyclist was in the lane - autos must pass bikes with safe clearance routinely.
It doesn't matter if the motorist was honking her horn. This could either mean that the cyclists were behaving erratically or that the driver was unable to deal with the basic complexity of passing a pack of cyclist - which is a reality of driving in this area.
It doesn't matter if you've lived in these hills for 30 years, don't like people from other communities, or that some cyclists are rude or reckless. Bicyclists are here to stay and you'd better live in this reality and learn to safely co-exist on the roads. If you don't, your attitude is putting you risk of hitting a bicyclist.
a resident of another community
on Jul 5, 2007 at 10:15 am
Bob makes great points, but "elder" driver is relevant. In my experience, they tend to drive larger vehicles, at or below speed limit, and, most importantly, tend not to veer from their lane when passing cyclists...which appears to be the cause of the accident.
a resident of another community
on Jul 5, 2007 at 12:14 pm
Bob's Dobson's comments are excellent. But it should be added that the "recreational use" argument against cyclists is obviously bogus. There is no "needs test" applied to drivers. Is driving to the video store to rent a movie not "recreational"? Is driving to the market to get supplies for a party not "recreational"? Dismissing cyclists' right to the roads because they appear to be having fun is a slippery slope. Is driving to a Giants' game not "recreational"?
Let's focus on the facts here. The cyclist may have acted momentarily erratically, which the lack of defensive driving exposed. Lack of periodic testing of drivers, especially elderly ones, is a major safety problem. However, whether that was the primary factor here is not clear.
a resident of another community
on Jul 5, 2007 at 12:16 pm
I am a "another community" state taxpayer. Now when I payed my state taxes last year I do not remember the fill in box for community which my taxes would be applied too. Did Woodside or PV get annexed to Nevada or Oregon in the last year and I wasn't made aware?
I pay for roads in the state of California, so your bike lane tax is already taken out bi-monthly and then I supplement a bit more yearly.
now if only I had the chance to pay for a spoiled/rich driver reeducation tax to bring you all back into the world most of us live in with the driving rules most everyone else uses we might actually get something accomplished.
Your area has the money... To buy that island that you all can move to and live in this dream world with your dream rules and policies you try to make everyone that visits abide by....
a resident of Woodside: Emerald Hills
on Jul 5, 2007 at 1:57 pm
Well, is it not special how residents of Woodside act in regards to cyclists. I'm a resident of Woodside and a frequent cyclist. What's the argument going to be against me? I "must" sell my bike and buy a smelly horse -- please. Better yet, should I sell my house? I love that "out of town" cyclists visit our wonderful area, cycle, spend money, and are otherwise fairly good citizens. I'm very tired of hearing that they do -- fill in the blank -- (litter, gesture, ride, etc). In many years of riding I have seen 10x more bad behavior by people driving cars then cyclists. As a cyclist and car driver, I believe the roads are meant to be shared safety. I don't think it's random that we are having many more accidents with elderly drivers. It's not a right to drive but a privilege if you do it safety. If one can't, then they should be removed from the road.
a resident of Portola Valley: Los Trancos Woods/Vista Verde
on Jul 5, 2007 at 4:22 pm
Just a note from another 50+yr resident,
I wish the person injured a speedy recovery.
Honestly, I'm one of the long time residents who enjoys seeing the cyclists day in and day out, they generally seem to be doing the best they can to stay out of harms way.
To me, the supersized - over powered vehicles of today,piloted by over amped distracted kids+folks are a blight on my community, not the pedalers.
These mega vehicles,driving on our 50+yr old country roads, place not just cyclists, but walkers-doggy's, critters-horses,and anything else that dare's set foot-hoof-paw, tire, on the same, supposedly shared roadway in harms way in our arrogant mindset that our time is more important than their safety.
Shame on my neighbors for singling out bicyclists, we seem to scapegoat them 90% of the time for roadway interactions, alleviating ourselves of the glaring fact, as I see it, that our own behaviour is generally the culprit when others are scared, injured or worse.
Slow Down, YIELD to slower moving entity's til safe passing is possible, You'll be glad you did
Jim S in Los Trancos Woods
a resident of another community
on Jul 5, 2007 at 10:54 pm
I've been commuting on a bicycle & riding one recreationally on the Peninsula since 1985. One reason for my surviving all this intact is...a rear view mirror on my helmet. I see precious few cyclists with one. Too dorky looking maybe? But I've found it's a lifesaver. If you look at car accident statistics compared to the driver's age, they start really high, drift down to normal by about age 25, then start zooming up again when folks get into their 70s. That little mirror helps me see when someone's coming by too close to me.
Judging from what others have said about this accident, I'd guess the 91 year old driver was unable to react quickly enough to the cyclist's passing manuver, with fault on both sides--but the cyclist, as usual, pays the price.
You wouldn't drive a car without a rear view mirror. Same should be true for riding a bike.
BTW I had to look a long time for a mirror that works. The plastic ones wear out quickly. The ugly metal ones are the ones to use.
a resident of Portola Valley: Westridge
on Jul 5, 2007 at 10:59 pm
If I am inconvenienced by 1 min. getting somewhere
by some stupid biker I have ever right to run him over. I am the most
important person in the world and don't forget it.
It would really upset me if the biker scratched my car when I hit him. Get out of my neighborhood!
a resident of Portola Valley: Westridge
on Jul 6, 2007 at 6:36 am
As a local cyclist I believe there needs to be more awareness on both the part of the driver and the cyclist. However when you are driving in a car are you not responsible for EVERYTHING that is in front of you? If a vehicle rear ends someone doesn't the insurance company say the person in the rear is at fault? What makes you NOT at fault for hitting a cyclist when you have a better view of what is in front of you than they do of whats behind them??? Should they not give them the same regard in passing as they would in passing another vehicle? On the flip side I always take a quick look behind me to make sure it is safe to pass another cyclist, as should all cyclist...and I know not many of them do. Lastly when there is no marked bicycle lane, a bicycle moving in the direction of traffic has the right to the full use of the lane...Arastradero!!!!
Drivers...SLOW DOWN take a breath and enjoy the beautiful views we have out here!
Cyclists...be courteous, take a quick look before you make any sudden moves!
For everyone's safety...let's ALL get along!
a resident of another community
on Jul 6, 2007 at 8:35 am
I see that nothing has changed in the bikes vs. rich PV/Woodside residents war in the 10 years I've lived elsewhere. Maybe the solution for these communities would be to build an encircling wall with a moat, along with a giant gate with a drawbridge. I guess that wouldn't be too much different than some residents own properties. Then you could live in your perfect community, with your perfect children, in your perfect house, and you wouldn't have to be exposed to the "flatlander" riff-raff you so clearly despise.
a resident of Menlo Park: other
on Jul 6, 2007 at 9:40 am
The driver of a 2,500 vehicle has the responsibility to avoid the 150lb bike. Period. Maybe the cyclist crossed the white shoulder line to avoid debris? The driver should brake or swerve to avoid a collision but that's probably pretty near impossible when you're 91 [portion removed by Almanac staff].
a resident of Menlo Park: Sharon Heights
on Jul 6, 2007 at 11:34 am
Name one driver which has been hurt by running over a bicycle and seriously injuring or killing the cyclist? Actually I get insulted when the stories always seem to add "the driver was not hurt in the incident......." I have been riding all these roads for 25 years sometimes as recreation other times as a bike racer. I have been hit, beer bottles thrown at, scared to death by honking horns 1000 times, sworn at, yelled at, etc by angry road rage drivers on countless occasions. The drivers always forgot the cyclist has the right of way when passing just like passing another car. I know for sure these 50+ year old women were not trying to be rude to drivers and riding to the best of their abilities, my guess is at 91 years old the best of her abilities is what lead to this accident. Certainly she could not pass a current DMV driving test, which should be a requirment after any incident, it is just a shame someone has to be injured first. I wish the best the injured cyclist, hopefully she can again feel safe on these roads.
a resident of Portola Valley: Los Trancos Woods/Vista Verde
on Jul 6, 2007 at 12:06 pm
Depending on intent, Dan thinks that running errands is not always a chore. Sorry, driving to a Giants game is not "recreational" either (maybe watching them isn't, either). Recreational cycling, or driving, is doing it for it's own sake. Dan is right, however, regarding periodic retesting. And driving tests should be a lot tougher and require emergency situations response, as they are for pilot's licenses. A dumbed-down written test doesn't hack it.
Taxpayer evidently has no clue how roads are financed. PV and Woodside don't get much gas tax funding due to small populations. He should write his representative (and see how far that gets).
Bob thinks that a motorist should have his/her license revoked for not being "reasonably competent". How about requiring all adult cyclists to have and carry a drivers' license and have their infractions count against them. We could revoke theirs for being "somewhat incompetent" if they caused an accident.
Regarding elderly drivers, check this out: Web Link
At the top of the list is the famous soggy chad state (drivers with only knuckles visible). Another retirement magnet is second.
You come here, you take your chances, and you need to be alert. While tempting, passing stopped cars on the right or the left at intersections is particularly risky. Actually, PV and Woodside are probably safer than the Bay Area as a whole since motorists are additionally burdened by and are used to dealing with hordes of riders, which sometimes greatly outnumber cars. It would be hard to quantify that, though, since our population is small and visiting bicycle ridership from "other communities" is so high. It would be interesting to see those statistics.
a resident of Menlo Park: Linfield Oaks
on Jul 6, 2007 at 1:43 pm
In case any of you care about the fellow human being who is the subject of this post, she was just released from Stanford after 5 weeks, endured multiple surgeries for her severe injuries, and still faces a long, painful recovery process.
a resident of Atherton: West of Alameda
on Jul 6, 2007 at 3:13 pm
Can't we all just get along? The thing that scares me was Dan's comment about how he should have the right to run a biker down. I am sure that was in Jest.
I am convinced that the CHP were wrong in their assumption about what happened to Rodney on Sand Hill. Cars continuously crest that road far to the right of the Shoulder they are not supposed to be on. The fact that Rodney was killed there, should make Woodside put reflectors over the top so drivers are reminded to stay off.
Second, all it will take is to have a lawyer on a bike get killed or hurt, and then Woodside will be paying out significant $$ MORE than if they had started a campaign of tolerance, with some share the road signs, maybe some white BIKE LANE paint, etc.
Too bad Rodney's foundation is too busy being philanthropic to the community at large, instead of suing into submission and compliance. Then and only then, will those that HATE (lots of hatred in this thread) might be made to think twice, seeing as killing people just doesn't seem to work. Such a tragedy...
Tony "da feet" Rominelli
a resident of Menlo Park: University Heights
on Jul 6, 2007 at 7:47 pm
Note that the Almanac does note believe in free speech.
There have been posting removed because they are not sensitive
to some people.
a resident of Woodside: Mountain Home Road
on Jul 6, 2007 at 8:19 pm
Tony "da feet" - please speak to Oliver Stone for his next conspiracy movie.
Alekanelano - once again you represent the voice of citizens tired of bikers-who-are-jerks (not all bikers) in our neighborhood.
And for all bikers who care, a biker 6 years ago ran over a dear friend of mine and had resulting broken vertebrae in his neck and most of his face broken. It took him 4 years to recover. And the cyclist took off after hitting my friend. Yep, the usual cyclist-dressed-in-spandex. So please biker from the "another communities" go bike where there is less risk to all involved. Like around a track. Or up in the hills away from residents. Or cars. We are tired of seeing the goofball spandex-wearing look-I-think-I-could-be-Greg Lemond-but-really-am-a-nerd types.
a resident of another community
on Jul 7, 2007 at 2:11 pm
Last Saturday I came upon the horrific crash, identified myself as a first responder, and was the first on the scene along with the Stanford ER doctor. I give him credit for saving her life. I was basically watching at this point because my training is nothing compared to his. We didn't care she was a cyclist from whatever community. We could care less who was at fault. I've had a hard time getting the images out of my head. And I've trained for this. When fire arrived, I directed traffic for 45 minutes, along with my friend , who was also an emergency responder at one time, until the scene cleared. I'm not saying this for kudos. The ER doctor said to me after all this was done, "I'm just doing my job", But he saved a life.
Did I mention he was a cyclist out for a 50 mile ride and I'm a cyclist taking part in the Giro di Peninsula ride.
What's my point. It doesn't matter who you are, resident, driver, cyclist, other. We are all part of a community. There were very few who posted anything about taking responsibility for their own actions. I would be horrified if I was involved in hurting someone else. Doesn't matter who was at fault. This should be a wake up call to do your part at keeping yourself and others around you safe.
No matter what anyone thinks, they do not own public roads. They are intended for public use. Period. We have laws that say how we are supposed to conduct ourselves on these public roads. Let's not be taking rights away from other people, because rights just might be taken from you.
Don't pass judgment on all the people involved unless you are the actual jury. For example, the reason why the police were "just standing around" was because I identified myself as a responder when they arrived. Traffic was handled. But he didn't know that on the way to assist with this accident, which could have been for you in a different situation. Fire responded extremely quickly in this incident, but, think about it, if you were the one in need and anyone held up the responders for any reason. One car froze in the middle of the street as on police officer was coming on the scene, blocking the entire roadway. This person didn't do what he or she was supposed to do when flashing lights approach. If the driver panicked then the driver is not ready to drive. If the driver didn't want to be inconvenienced, then the driver shouldn't be driving.
And as one report said, all the cyclists were riding through the accident like they owned the road. Not a single driver or rider went through without being flagged. I know, I flagged each and every one. So people are picking fights with others because they are prejudiced. It shouldn't matter who you are or what you are doing, we need to function and co-exist together.
The group I ride with are always concerned about the neighborhoods we go through and being courteous to fellow cyclists, drivers, walkers, gardeners, whoever. Who knows, he or she might be the person who saves your life someday.
editor of The Almanac
on Jul 7, 2007 at 7:16 pm
Richard Hine is a registered user.
I took offline a couple of recent posts that seem to be more about characterizing other posters than discussing the topic.
a resident of Portola Valley: Brookside Park
on Jul 7, 2007 at 9:06 pm
Bikers on Alpine Road:
1. Bike single file
2. Look in your mirror before you pass - get one if you haven't got one
3. Don't pass if there is a car near by - you have to assume some drivers may waiver or lose attention
4. Don't speed
5. Signal with your arm before you overtake
6. Stop at all stop signs
7. If you cross out of the bike lane (or shoulder) into the road
8. If you are at all nervous there is a paved trail - albeit in poor shape for bikers - in some places from Portola Road to Junipero Serra that you can bike on
9. Don't bike with mountain bikes on the horse trail if there are likely to be horses around they could get spooked. If there is a horse get out of the way - talk to it so it knows you are a person and let it go by.
10. Put a bell or horn on your bike to warn others if they are in your way or you need to pass
11. If you must bring children - bike with them on the trail.
Drivers on Alpine Road:
1. Give bikes a wide berth
2. If bikers are riding in a pelaton or bunch assumes that some bikers may swerve and leave enough space
3. Warn inattentive bikers with your horn (that's what its for!)
4. Don't blow your horn unless its really necessary
5. Stick to the speed limit and stop at the stop sign
6. Don't think you can pass bikers at a junction and cut them off - wait and let them pass first - note this particularly if you are turning right at Portola Road when coming up Alpine Road as the bike lane is not clear here.
7. Watch for bikes if you come out of any junctions - particularly those with lanes in the middle of the road - like the entrances to Ladera
8. Use wide eyes and be aware of bikes coming out of side roads, coming off paths, coming fast down Alpine and entering Alpine Road - particularly around Arastradero Road and Indian Crossing.
1. Trim bushes so bikers don't get hit with branches and visibility is clear - consider cutting down the tree in front of the Alpine Inn that blocks the vision for drivers coming out of Arastradero Road who want to turn up Alpine.
2. Mend cracks in road - particularly between Westridge Turn off and Ladera Shopping Center going east - a little wider and bike wheels will be getting caught in them.
There unfortunately are plenty of accidents waiting to happen - bike and drive defensively.
a resident of Woodside: other
on Jul 8, 2007 at 2:52 pm
Dear bicyclists,
I'm happy to share my town with you, but I'd like to ask you a few favors.
1. Those red, octagonal signs? They apply to you, too. Please don't terrify me by darting through them. This is especially true if you are turning right from Woodside Road onto Canada Road, or turning left from Canada Road south-bound onto east-bound Woodside Road.
2. Mountain Home Road is a beautiful road, I agree. I ride my horse down the trail several times a week. But I've abandoned driving it most of the time, because of your behavior, bikers. There's no bike lane and there are ditches on several parts of the road. The sun/shade pattern can make it hard to see oncoming traffic, and having to share that narrow road with you is just potentially too dangerous. I take Whiskey Hill instead.
3. Because I take Whiskey Hill Road to get to my destinations in Portola Valley, I'm aware of how scary the Sand Hill/Portola Road intersection is. Yes, I agree the speed limit on Sand Hill west of 280 ought to be lowered to 35, that intersection is just plain dangerous. I've had two near-misses in my truck/horse-trailer rig when a car made a left turn onto Sand Hill--and I have a big horn and use it. It might be prudent for you bikers to slow way down in approaching the intersection, especially west-bound on the down hill.
4. Every time I see you biking with one hand, talking on your cell on the other, I wonder about your judgment. I don't see it every day, but a couple of times a week.
5. I know there aren't enough comfort stations in Woodside, but you mountain bikers? My bushes are not a toilet. I've seen a few road bikers too.
6. Bicycle crashes aren't always a car vs. cycle deal. The last crash I saw on Alpine Road was the result of cyclist A swerving to avoid debris, causing the cyclist just behind to go over his handlebars. I believe cyclist B to have a relatively serious shoulder injury.
a resident of Woodside: Mountain Home Road
on Jul 8, 2007 at 7:34 pm
As a former racing cyclist, I've probably ridden well over 50,000 miles on Woodside and Portola Valley roads. I also drive quite a bit in the area. I've seen the skill level of drivers drop significantly over the past decade primarily due to cellphones, increased speed and aging drivers. Please believe me when I say that I am an expert observer of drivers, thousands and thousands of them - all over the world. I've never been hit but I've had dozens of close calls in the Bay Area, the majority coming in the last five years - most of the drivers were on mobile phones and one was coming straight at me and actually ran off the road himself (he was in his 60s-70s and on a phone). There is really no excuse for hitting a cyclist from behind - ever. As far as the age of drivers is concerned, I consider very young drivers and very old drivers as a "risk pool" for extreme caution - just like your insurer does.
a resident of Menlo Park: The Willows
on Jul 9, 2007 at 9:53 pm
I drive Alpine Road often on the weekends. Cyclists are always taking up the road so I can't get past them. They do this on blind curves on the road. When I try to pass it's not very safe so I just go slow and follow. Then they like to wave me on, which is ridiculous--they can't see either and they will get hurt the most. I too am a cyclist sometimes and then something amazing happens--I completely forget what it's like to be the driver! And I think, "I won't get hurt, I feel too good being on my bike!"
a resident of Portola Valley: Central Portola Valley
on Jul 10, 2007 at 5:25 pm
Maybe the cyclist should find another place to ride since the Alpine/Portola Rd/Sandhill loop is not as safe as necessary for them to ride in groups. Certainly there are places outside of town that may offer less congestion between cars, cyclists, & pedestrians
a resident of another community
on Jul 12, 2007 at 12:43 pm
I ride the Portola Valley Loop very often either on it's own, or as part of a larger loop. Whenever I come upon a slower cyclist I ALWAYS look over my shoulder before passing. I do this with enough lead time to be able to slow down or complete my pass, both of which I have had to do. It can also be advantageous to let the rider in front of you know that you are there. A call of "on your left" is the standard way of alerting other cyclists of your presence. I also try to greet every rider I pass with a smile and a "hi" which I can only pray leads everyone to get along better.
a resident of Menlo Park: Sharon Heights
on Jul 13, 2007 at 8:10 pm
cyclists are always blocking the roads. cycling should be illegal.
a resident of Menlo Park: other
on Jul 13, 2007 at 9:42 pm
The comment above by anon is "flame bait", intended solely to start arguments. Please ignore it.
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