October 13, 2008
Disturbance
It's unfortunate Chico had to experience another "disturbance" that involved police having to wear riot gear and shoot pellets.
It's very hard to predict "mob behavior" among crowds, especially in terms of how individuals within a mob react to police.
Posted by dan_nt at 12:00 AM | Comments (0)
October 12, 2008
$1.2 Million
This past weekend marked another successful fundraising effort by local nonprofits to leverage the North Valley Community Foundation's Annie B's Community Drive.
In eight weeks, 169 community organizations raised $1.2 million.
Congrats to everyone.
Today's Scrabble word is guppy, a small tropical fish.
Posted by dan_nt at 10:12 PM | Comments (0)
October 09, 2008
True Words
Matt Kowta of Bay Area Economics could not have said it better when he commented: °The two things people hate most are sprawl and infill."
As the City Council grapples with General Plan decisions, they will face the great public irony that many residents - at least the homeowner variety - prefer single-family homes on large lots.
But many of these same residents also do not want to see precious open space, agriculural land, and foothill areas developed.
I think Chico is facing serious environmental capacity issues. To the west, north, and south we have prime agricultural land. To the east, we have valuable foothills.
We can also develop "upward" more with more muliti-family units. The great but difficult balancing act is to provide many different housing options, including a mix of single-family and multi-family residential zoning.
Not every empty-nesting houshold wants a single-family home with a big backyard. Not every household can afford a home, but will require a variety of multi-family residential options.
Today's Scrabble word is halloo, or a call used to urge on hounds in a hunt.
Posted by dan_nt at 12:00 AM | Comments (2)
October 08, 2008
Bus Tragedy
One of the sad but revealing parts of the bus tragedy that killed 8 people was that the majority of the victims were Laotian.
As anyone who has visited a casino in the region can attest, a significant percentage of gamblers are Southeast Asian descent. Many of them are on limited or fixed income and should not be regularly gambling.
I have even noticed language-specific casino advertising and bus shelter marketing in Sacramento neighborhoods where there is a high concentration of Southeast Asians.
I think gambling is a serious problem in these Southeast Asian communities. The bus tragedy highlights the tilted demographics of these gamblers, many of whom are older Southeast Asians who cannot drive themselves.
Today's Scrabble word is supine, or lying on the back.
Posted by dan_nt at 03:07 PM | Comments (3)
October 07, 2008
Mapping Future
The Great Valley Center is the premier policy think tank for the Central Valley.
The organization is headquartered in Modesto but is staffed north of Sacramento by a wonderful recent Chico State graduate Lindsay Buckley, who is based in downtown Chico.
The Great Valley Center has an upcoming conference on Oct. 23 called "Mapping our Future," which will feature Sarah Palin talking about how Alaska and Russia are close to each other on a map.
Continue reading"Mapping Future"
Posted by dan_nt at 12:00 AM | Comments (1)
October 06, 2008
Debate Chart
Sarah Palin is the gift that keeps on giving for Saturday Night Live. And SNL even does a good job poking at Joe Biden, but Palin takes the cake.
Continue reading"Debate Chart"
Posted by dan_nt at 01:54 PM | Comments (0)
October 05, 2008
Plan, Plan, Plan
Another very important meeting is coming up.
Once again, the debate will focus on how and where the City grows into the near future - more sprawl or more "compact" development?
Most independent economic studies show that more "compact" development is more fiscally prudent for local governments. It's much more effective to deploy public safety services and build infrastructure to support "compact" neighborhoods.
The Governor also recently signed a state bill that directs more transportation money towards cities that take steps to reduce sprawl.
Today's Scrabble word is trice, an instant or a moment.
Posted by dan_nt at 11:08 PM | Comments (0)
October 04, 2008
Lollipops
Go back in time and support the Boys & Girls Club of the North Valley.
Today's Scrabble word is eff, or the spelling of the letter f.
Posted by dan_nt at 12:00 AM | Comments (0)
October 02, 2008
Expectations
Will Sarah Palin surprise us and how will Joe Biden handle himself?
Right now, Pailin keeps surprising me with her lack of depth without the teleprompter.
Continue reading"Expectations"
Posted by dan_nt at 12:00 AM | Comments (1)
October 01, 2008
John Rucker
Police Captain John Rucker’s likely appointment as the new Assistant City Manager appears to be a good move.
I had heard rumors Rucker was in contention. I’ve always found Rucker to be upfront, diplomatic, and well-rounded.
His experience with public safety unions and budget negotiations will help him as Assistant City Manager, especially given that public safety represents the most significant share of the City’s General Fund expenses.
It’s clear with Dave Burkland’s appointment as City Manager and now Rucker as eventual Assistant City Manager that the City Council feels strongly about promoting good people internally.
The public tends to focus on big, public debates over land-use issues and budgets when measuring the success of the City Council.
Posted by dan_nt at 04:55 PM | Comments (2)
September 30, 2008
Debate Reaction
Jon Stewart captures the sentiment of some Florida senior citizens watching the debate.
Or watch comedian Sarah Silverman encourage young Jewish voters to make a great schlep to visit their grandparents in Florida.
Be advised that some video content may be offensive to some people.
Today's Scrabble word is numen, or a deity.
Posted by dan_nt at 11:57 PM | Comments (3)
September 28, 2008
Couric Interview
Saturday Night Live has been horrible for years, but Sarah Palin is providing the SNL writers and Tina Fey too much good fodder for satire.
I'm really trying not to pile on Palin all at once, but the problem is so much funny satire is finally coming out since Palin is gradually coming out of her secret witness protection program without a teleprompter.
Today's Scrabble word is metage, an official measurement of weight.
Posted by dan_nt at 10:20 AM | Comments (1)
September 27, 2008
Kudos
This past week has been a good week for Councilor Scott Gruendl.
Gruendl got married to his partner of almost 15 years in a very moving celebration at Tuscan Ridge Country Club between Chico and Paradise.
And this past week, Gruendl was recognized by the News & Review editors as the "Best Chico councilmember." According to the N&R:
"He was good as a mayor, though sometimes loquacious, and Scott Gruendl is even better as a councilmember. During meetings, he has an uncanny way of waiting until just the right moment in a discussion and then making the kind of insightful, well-thought-out comment that wraps up the discussion and ties on a bow. He’s extremely knowledgeable, he’s smart, and he knows how and when to make his case. Plus he sincerely loves Chico and the people who live here.
Long-time observers of City politics have seen Gruendl mature as a public servant. Over the years, he's garnered a lot of institutional knowledge and policy history.
I would not be surprised if Gruendl, as long as he continues to be healthy, continues to serve the public as a Councilor for several more terms like long-time public servants David Guzzetti, Steve Bertagna, and Jane Dolan.
Today's Scrabble word is moke, a donkey.
Posted by dan_nt at 11:34 PM | Comments (0)
September 26, 2008
Head of Skate
The mockery will only intensify as Sarah Palin opens herself up to greater scrutiny by the public and media.
Continue reading"Head of Skate"
Posted by dan_nt at 01:18 PM | Comments (0)
September 25, 2008
Low Key
The local Chico election for City Council and School Board have been rather low-key affairs so far.
Usually campaigns become much more visible after Labor Day weekend. This year it feels rather quiet even weeks after Labor Day.
Some campaign signs are up, notably for Andy Holcombe, Ann Schwab, Jim Walker, and Ali Sarsour.
I'm waiting for the big painted campaign signs on undeveloped properties for Larry Wahl. Eventually more of those signs will sprout up around town, especially in the outskirts where developers own undeveloped property.
We can expect a flurry of initial campaign mail to hit in early October since absentee voters begin casting ballots.
I expect one or more "negative" pieces against the current Council majority blaming them for everything, including maybe the financial meltdown on Wall Street and the deteroriating conditions in Afghanistan.
Posted by dan_nt at 12:00 AM | Comments (0)
September 24, 2008
Barack vs. McCain
Some of my favorite political videos are the Barack vs. McCain videos inspired by the innovative Mac vs. PC videos from Apple.
Continue reading"Barack vs. McCain"
Posted by dan_nt at 11:30 PM | Comments (0)
September 23, 2008
Palin Speaks
Now that most Americans and even many Republicans believe there should be greater oversight of the financial industry, Sarah Palin struggles to highlight how John McCain has pushed for more oversight during his 26 years in office.
Today's Scrabble word is shoal, or to become shallow.
Posted by dan_nt at 11:28 PM | Comments (0)
September 22, 2008
Hog-Calling
This is one of better headlines I've read lately: "Woman named Bacon wins Idaho hog-calling title."
Today's Scrabble word is gangue, a worthless rock in which valuable minerals are found.
Posted by dan_nt at 09:56 PM | Comments (0)
September 21, 2008
Snob
John McCain, the son and grandson of Admirals and married to a mutli-millionaire heiress, tries his best to paint Barack Obama, who was raised by a single mom and attended schools on scholarship, as an elitist.
Who's more in touch with working people - the candidate who doesn't know how many homes he owns or the candidate who had to work his way through school from relatively humble beginnings?
Today's Scrabble word is gam, to visit socially.
Posted by dan_nt at 08:38 PM | Comments (10)
September 20, 2008
No Maverick
Sharpening the elbows.
Today's Scrabble word is niacin, a Vitamin B.
Posted by dan_nt at 11:23 PM | Comments (0)
September 17, 2008
Tanning Defense
Governor Sarah Palin is getting a lot of attention primarily because very little is known about her.
Hilariously, the Indoor Tanning Association is defending Palin from accusations that she spent frivolously on a tanning bed in the Governor's mansion.
"While partisan bloggers and the sun scare industry will use this as an opportunity to undermine Gov. Palin and demonize the indoor tanning industry, the fact is that Governor Palin’s decision to get UV light from a tanning bed positively impacts her health. 'Moderate amounts of indoor tanning allow Governor Palin to experience the many health benefits that come with exposure to UV light,' said Dan Humiston, President of the Indoor Tanning Association. 'Especially in dreary northern locations like Alaska, indoor tanning can help guard against wintertime depression and ward off diseases associated with vitamin D deficiency. Kudos to Governor Palin for standing up to dermatologists and other members of the sun scare industry who are trying to frighten Americans away from UV light.'”
If Palin becomes Vice-President, it will be great to have a reformer willing to stand up against the powerful sun scare industry lobbyists. I imagine the White House West Wing will need a few tanning beds too.
If there's any evil in the world, it's those dermatologists and sun scare industry ideologues. At least according to the Indoor Tanning Association.
Today's Scrabble word is fetid or stinking.
Posted by dan_nt at 12:00 AM | Comments (8)
September 16, 2008
Chico Palio
The Chico Palio is coming back and its expected to be bigger and better than ever.
Among many early entrants, I noticed a Palio team called Obama horse.
Someone needs to enter a team called Palin moose. I know a moose is not a horse, but it would still be cool to see a Palin moose as part of the race.
And even better, eight people should enter separate McCain horses with signs that say "How many horses does John McCain own? Even McCain doesn't know."
Today's Scrabble word is eddo, a tropical plant.
Posted by dan_nt at 12:01 AM | Comments (0)
September 15, 2008
Bertagna Roast
I've done a few roasts in my time, but this one should be an especially good one.
Councilor Steve Bertagna will be roasted for a good cause to benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters.
The E-R's David Little, The News & Review's Evan Tuchinsky, Fit One owner Tony DeLuca, and others will participate in the roasting.
I hope District Attorney Mike Ramsey doesn't make a special appearance to reenact exchanging a $1 bill with Bertagna during the roast. That might not be very funny.
Hopefully, Tom Gascoyne and Kelly Meagher will be added to the roast line-up just to make sure the comments are entirely unpredictable.
Continue reading"Bertagna Roast"
Posted by dan_nt at 10:38 PM | Comments (1)
September 14, 2008
Lies
Paul Krugman, Andrew Sullivan, and others try to counter all the misleading arguments made by the John McCain campaign.
One of my good, trusted friends formerly worked at a relatively high-level with the Bush Administration. Many years ago he told me that McCain was one of the most opportunistic, do-anything-to get ahead politically elected officials he'd ever met.
Posted by dan_nt at 10:22 PM | Comments (0)