Support the Responsible Battery Recycling Act (Senate Bill 1215 and Assembly Bill 2440)

 Please help pass the Responsible Battery Recycling Act (Senate Bill 1215 and Assembly Bill 2440). 

This measure would create a collection and recycling program in which consumers can dispose of small household batteries and battery-embedded products at free collection sites. The legislation would require companies that manufacture lithium-ion batteries and battery-embedded products sold in California to develop, finance, and implement this program in collaboration with CalRecycle, the state office that oversees waste management, recycling and waste reduction programs.

In 2005, California banned lithium-ion batteries from the regular trash stream while requiring some retailers to provide a battery-return option. It was a good start: In 2020, more than 400,000 pounds of lithium-ion batteries were reported collected. That, unfortunately, is a fraction of those discarded. Resource Recycling Systems estimates that 75% to 92% of expended lithium-ion batteries are discarded improperly.

The Statewide Commission on Recycling Markets and Curbside Recycling strongly recommends including lithium-ion batteries and battery-embedded products in such a program. 

It’s definitely past time to make discarding old rechargeable electronics easy and free for all Californians.

Thank you 

Stan Hutchings

45 Estates Drive, San Anselmo, CA 94960​

senator.mcguire@senate.ca.gov

Marc Levine

Similes and metaphors are often misleading

Robert Foti used a very misleading simile in his post "Unvaccinated people with masks are like yellow stars", equating masks to yellow stars in Nazi Germany. (https://enewspaper.marinij.com/?utm_email_=85831594F44154BE428E845888&lctg=85831594F44154BE428E845888&utm_source=listrak&utm_medium=email&utm_term=https%3A%2F%2Fenewspaper.marinij.com%2F%3FselDate%3D20220225%26goTo%3DA01%26authid%3D%3C%3Cbang%5Csjmn_match_code%3E%3E%26authdate%3D022522074605&utm_campaign=bang-marin-e-edition&utm_content=e-edition&selDate=20220225&goTo=A01)

It's been said that the argument is lost when Hitler and Nazi Germany are invoked. 

I for one see no correlation at all except as a desperate distraction from a more accurate simile, such as bells on lepers warning unclean or the quarantine notices where infectious diseases are being contained to prevent their spread to healthy people.

Indeed, masks provide a visible sign of the “unclean”, i.e. potentially infectious nature, of the unvaccinated as a warning to others.

Stan Hutchings

45 Estates Drive

San Anselmo

650-325-1359

Do not reduce the gas tax

 Please do not reduce the gas tax. If anything, it should be increased. 

If you want to help lower-income people, give larger rebates and tax credits for the purchase of electric vehicles, solar panels, and batteries so we can increasingly move from polluting vehicles to clean electric vehicles. 

People are still buying ICE cars despite the rising gas costs. The higher gas tax will help reverse this trend and encourage people to buy electric vehicles, especially if there is a financial "carrot" besides the "stick" of higher gas prices.  Additionally, add a "carbon combustion and pollution" charge to all new ICE vehicles. I suggest 10% of the purchase price. That can be used to fund rebates and tax credits for electric vehicles.

It should be the case that only wealthy people can afford to buy and operate ICE vehicles.

Gov. Newsome

Sen. McGuire

Marc Levine

Please Help Ukraine and Ukrainians!

As I suggested in previous correspondence to my representatives in Congress, the countries that abhor what Russia under Putin has done in Ukraine must use the assets of Russian oligarchs and Putin to send humanitarian and military aid to Ukraine and its citizens, especially those who have directly suffered from Russian violence. This means liquidating all Russian assets (money, stocks, property, and all other valuable items and redirecting the funds to Ukraine.

Please, reroute the funds received from Russia to either of the Ukrainian charity foundations that take care of refugees and restore what was ruined by Russia:

https://eu-ua.com/

https://donate.redcrossredcrescent.org/ua/donate/~my-donation?_cv=1a

https://ua-aid-centers.com/#features

https://tabletochki.org/

https://mirco.com.ua/

The National Bank of Ukraine has opened an account for humanitarian aid to Ukrainians affected by Russian aggression. The account will be used to credit charitable assistance from Ukraine and abroad. The Ministry of Social Policy will use the funds raised to provide support to the citizens of Ukraine who suffer the most from the war. See below.

Please let me know the progress you are making.  

Rep. Jarod Huffman 3/6/2022

Sen. Feinstein 3/6/2022

Sen. Padilla 3/6/2022

Pres. Biden & VP Harris

Sen Bernie Sanders

Issues with solar can be addressed without penalties By Eli Beckman in Marin IJ

By Eli Beckman 

https://enewspaper.marinij.com?selDate=20220205&goTo=A09&artid=1 5 FEB 2022 A9

As a member of the Corte Madera Town Council, I’ve watched with pride as hundreds of residents and businesses have made the decision to go solar, including our local government. Our community has saved thousands of dollars a month in energy bills, even as we reduce the emissions threatening our homes with flood and fire.

That’s why I’m urging the California Public Utilities Commission, the state regulator in charge of electrical power, to do more than just delay its consideration of a rule change that would make solar unaffordable for millions of Californians. The proposal should be scrapped.

Those who have gone (or are considering going) solar would see vastly diminished returns for the energy they sell back to the grid, on top of a new monthly fee for solar users only; experts say new rooftop solar installations could drop by anywhere from 20% to 80%.

Implementing the proposed “Net Electrical Metering 3.0” plan risks hobbling California as we wage the most dire fight of our times, to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions and slow the dangerous march of climate change.

Proponents of the proposed rule argue that rebates for rooftop solar are pushing the cost of maintaining our aging electrical grid disproportionately onto customers who don’t have solar — often, Californians who are lower-income or people of color. They also say that the explosion of rooftop solar threatens to replace utility lineworkers — often a well-paid, union position — with lower-paid, non-unionized rooftop solar installers.

Both are real concerns worth addressing. It’s imperative that every Californian have equal access to affordable power regardless of race or income, and that those working to power our homes and businesses get fair wages and safe working conditions.

Brighter minds than mine have already proposed numerous ideas for realizing these goals without penalizing the millions of people powering our green energy revolution. Utilities could offer low-income solar customers the full solar credit currently available only to those who don’t receive other subsidies. Regulators could distribute the solar rebates from apartment buildings to tenants, giving renters a share of the rewards. And we must make sure our labor laws allow green energy workers to organize freely.

But there are two even larger issues at play. First, the way we’ve historically built — with thousands of buildings and millions of people dependent on one massive, expensive, fragile electrical grid — makes our electricity supply inherently vulnerable. The lessons of the last decade alone make clear that whether the threat is climate change, cyberattacks, or just poor maintenance, a decentralized system is vital to energy security and resiliency, and widespread adoption of rooftop solar is the largest step we’ve taken in that direction to date.

Second, by handing for-profit companies a monopoly over the electricity that 40 million Californians rely on, we play a dangerous game — one for which thousands have already paid the price with their homes or lives. The frantic number-crunching around NEM 3.0 is just another illustration of that point, as regulators and utility executives scramble to design a system that ensures continuous profits for the three big players in an industry that, at this point in history, may simply not be profitable — at least not at electric rates that anyone wants to pay. And when the powers that be are determined to gin up a profit where profit may not exist, someone has to pay for it — under this proposal, it’s every Californian who’s done right by our planet and gone solar.

Let’s put the Golden State’s ingenuity to work — and perhaps some of this year’s $45 billion surplus — to find a solution that works for ratepayers, electrical workers, and Californians of every stripe who deserve a future of clean, safe, and reliable electricity.

Eli Beckman is a member of the Corte Madera Town Council. 

Protest CPUC attempts to tax solar energy

 I was promised an incentive in return for the energy I generate. The PUC now wants to break their promise to me and other solar energy producers, and transfer our incentive to PG&E.

The CPUC is trying to impose a tax on people like me, with rooftop solar, and reduce the payments for the energy I generate.

People like me used our own money, which we could have used for other things, to install rooftop solar, with some incentive from Federal and State tax reductions, and the intent to help preserve the environment for future generations. 

Like me, most people installing rooftop solar also installed, or will install, batteries to store excess power during the day, and then meet our home energy needs at night. This reduces demand on the electrical system during the periods of greatest demand. This benefits all ratepayers, since it means power plants won’t have to be fired up, or additional plants built and paid for just to supply power during those peak demand periods. Also, additional pollution from "dirty" fossil fuel power plants is avoided. This seems to be the goal of our governor, legislature, and general population. Why would the CPUC undermine these goals? There seems to be a conflict of interest between PG&E and the public

It appears PG&E is trying to regain their monopoly and profits on electric power by legislative chicanery rather than giving customers a better product. 

I am copying this to Governor Newsom, my elected representatives, and several of my favorite "green" organizations that are dedicated to preserving the environment rather than the profits of their management and stockholders. 

Stan Hutchings

45 Estates Drive, San Anselmo 94960

Reject Assembly Bill 1139

 Please work to reject Assembly Bill 1139

It may destroy the solar industry as we know it.  We should be trying to stop planet warming and environmental pollution by switching to non-polluting energy.
Assembly Bill 1139 flies in the face of common sense. The bill will only benefit Pacific Gas and Electric Co. and its investors. PG&E will continue to discharge products of combustion to the atmosphere while asking me to reduce my energy use during peak times.  

There have been several alternative suggestions to even up the cost disparity between solar and non-solar home energy production. Most are much better than the self-serving provisions of Assembly Bill 1139. 

Thank you

Stan & Kiyomi Hutchings

cc: 

Gov. Newsom

Marc Levine

Senator Mike Mcguire

I'm tired of reading about overloaded hospitals by people who have refused vaccination. 

It's time to require proof of vaccination before entry to a hospital is allowed. 

If I have to go to a hospital, I don't want it full of sick people who have refused vaccination.

protect and defend the quality of life of our descendants

 As a parent and grandparent, I strongly urge we begin now to ensure the protection of our descendants' future quality of life. You may not expect to bear the brunt of climate disruption, but they will. They will either remember us fondly if we protect and maintain our ecosystem in a healthy, sustainable condition, or else with disgust if we leave them with a toxic mess. That's presuming they actually survive the climate chaos ahead. 

COVID mortality rates for kids are very low - but not for the older folk they come in contact with

 While it's true we don’t need to mandate a COVID- 19 vaccination shot for kids, we should remember that we are also protecting their parents, grandparents, and others who are older and more susceptible to COVID-19. 

Remember, Typhoid Mary didn't get sick, but she infected hundreds, many of whom died as a result. How would parents feel if their children infected their elder relatives, resulting in hospitalization or death? The children would be traumatized when they realized they were the cause of beloved relatives dying, and could well blame their parents for not getting them vaccinated. 

Looking at the statistics, it seems a reasonable, logical choice to have children vaccinated to avoid the chance of causing others to die. And while COVID-19 is not as lethal for children, a significant number do die of it. Do you really want to take the chance that YOUR children will become statistics? I would not. 

While it's true kids have a survival rate of more than 99.9%, 27% of the deaths are in my age group. 

What can Congress do about the looming climate disaster caused by fossil fuel combustion?

 Why is there no fossil fuel tax (on oil, coal, and gas)? Why are the fossil fuel companies still getting tax breaks but solar, wind, and other non-polluting energy sources do not? Why is there not a "luxury tax" on new vehicles that are not electric? Why are the tax incentives for electric vehicles not higher, using "luxury tax" and fossil fuel tax to pay for them? Why is solar plus battery not more emphasized as a way to avoid PG&E power outages? Why is packaging that uses fossil resources not legislated out and taxed? 

Report unleashed dogs and their owner

A reasonable response for unleashed dogs and irresponsible owners is to read and carry a copy of the animal services ordinance (https://library.municode.com/ca/marin_county/codes/municipal_code?nodeId=TIT8AN). Be ready to quote relevant sections, especially 8.04.260 - Penalty for violation. Do not be confrontational or threatening, but video your interaction with the dog and owner with your phone especially while the dog is threatening you, and any interaction with the owner. If necessary or requested, send the video to The Marin Humane Society (https://www.marinlafco.org/marin-county-animal-services-marin-humane) or 415-883-4621 and ask for assistance. 

Of course, if you feel physically threatened by the dog or owner, call 911. This applies to any animal, including coyotes, wildcats, etc. 

You might consider carrying a large, automatic-opening umbrella. This appears to increase you size and can act as a shield if necessary. Pepper spray would also be useful. 

“They Knew” - a damning new expose by James Gustave Speth, an inescapable indictment of the federal government’s responsibility for the climate crisis

In a damning new expose, James Gustave Speth - former Chair of the U.S. Council on Environmental Quality during the Carter Administration and an expert witness in Juliana v. U.S. - proves that presidential administrations from Carter to Trump possessed conclusive data on the apocalyptic approach of a climate crisis caused by fossil fuels - but still chose to ignore that data for decades and increase the aggressive promotion and support of a fossil fuel-based energy system.

In this new book, Speth outlines in clear, compelling prose what the Juliana youth plaintiffs and Speth’s fellow experts have been affirming for years: The federal government has known its actions are causing and will continue to cause the climate crisis. 

With a foreword by Juliana attorneys Julia Olson and Philip Gregory, and using rigorous documentation via original source material - identified through extensive research of the public record as well as Speth’s first-hand knowledge as a member of President Carter’s administration - “They Knew” presents an inescapable indictment of the federal government’s responsibility for the climate crisis, both in the past and continuing today.

Masks should be worn by choice to save lives and prevent Covid-19 spread

 "Your freedom ends where my nose begins." 

August 18, 2021 saw 1,105 deaths from COVID-19. That's in ONE DAY. Does this scare you? So far, 644,854 people have died from COVID-19 in the USA alone, 4,442,829 worldwide. 

Whether it's a punch or a virus particle from your sneeze or cough, you do NOT have the right to infect me or anyone else. I'm wearing a mask, and you should too, not only to keep any sickness to yourself, but more importantly for YOU personally, to protect yourself from the sickness of others. 

So your right to bear arms allows you to carry a weapon for self-protection? A much better protection would be a mask. Your weapon is NOT effective against virus particles, but a mask is. Every day, only 106 people die from gun violence. 

You don't like people blowing cigarette smoke in your face? Neither do most people, and now there is a restriction against smoking where it will affect others, including you. We don't want to get lung cancer. COVID-19 is a similar risk, though much more immediate. There are more than 1,600 deaths from cancer each day.

You don't like people speeding or running red lights and stop signs? No, neither do most people. So we have laws against it, enforced by the police. Look at the stats, it's much more likely you'll die of COVID-19 than a speeder or red-light runner.  "More than two people are killed every day in red light running crashes, including drivers, passengers, pedestrians and cyclists". Should we not have some stricter laws to protect us? And only about 28 people in the United States die every day in drunk-driving crashes. COVID-19 is much more dangerous, yet we have stricter enforcement of DUI. 

In 2019, an average of only 137 people die daily from drug overdoses. We have strict laws against drugs, yet COVID-19 is far more deadly. 

So from what are you afraid of dying? Check out the stats on Google, ask for daily deaths from 'your greatest fear', and see if you have more to fear from COVID-19 than what you are afraid of. Now PUT ON THAT MASK AND PROTECT ALL OF US!

The use of cellphones may be associated with an increase in brain cancer and related tumors

Article in AskWoody Plus – 18.30.0 – 2021-08-09 – The sheriff in the inbox 

PUBLIC DEFENDER

Is your smartphone giving you brain cancer?

By Brian Livingston

A group of scientists and researchers is actively promoting findings that the use of smartphones is associated with an increase in brain cancer and related tumors.

Joel Moskowitz, director of the Center for Family and Community Health at the University of California, Berkeley, told the Berkeley News on July 1: "More than 250 scientists ... have signed the International EMF Scientist Appeal, which calls for health warnings and stronger exposure limits." He added that the new 5G standard, which is replacing the old 4G network, "is an even bigger reason for concern."

 Whether or not you fear cancer, you can cut the risk of using cellphones to almost zero

To reduce your cancer likelihood to an absolute minimum, you can easily take the following steps (from Moskowitz's Berkeley News interview):

• Reduce your use of cellphone transceivers and cordless phones. Turn off your smartphone's cellular data and use Wi-Fi calling whenever you're in an area with strong and secure Wi-Fi, such as your home or workplace. Use a landline when possible.
• Use texts, a phone's speaker, or wired headphones. Keeping a smartphone 10 inches (25cm) from your body instead of one-tenth of an inch reduces your radiation exposure to 1/10,000th as much as when it's pressed against your head. When moving about, store your phone in a bag or purse. If you must carry a phone in your pocket, temporarily turn on airplane mode, which disables the transceiver and sends your incoming calls to voicemail.
• Avoid using a phone when it has a weak signal of only one or two bars. Phones increase their radiation to complete calls where the signal is poor, such as inside an elevator or a car.

A much bigger threat that smartphones pose to your life is to use one while you're driving. More than 38,000 people in the US alone were killed in car crashes in 2020. Cell-phone use was involved in 14% of those fatal crashes, according to an Erie Insurance analysis.

The time for everyone to get vaccinated is NOW

Now is the time for all good people to come to the aid of their country (apologies to Charles E. Weller). These are the times that try our souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but they who stand by it now, deserve the love and thanks of everyone (apologies to Thomas Paine).

We are all in the front lines against the COVID-19 virus and its variants. We must do our duty to our fellow humans and our country. and get vaccinated. I've been vaccinated, but my doctor has told me I am at special risk because of other medical conditions. I must depend on "the kindness of strangers" to protect my health.

Our elected representatives must step up to their responsibility to defend the people and insist, by legislation if necessary, to ensure everyone gets vaccinated, unless medically contraindicated.

Certainly, the Federal and State governments should mandate that all public employees paid by our tax dollars get vaccinated. To do otherwise puts all our citizens at risk, even those who have been vaccinated. This also puts our economy at risk.

Please act quickly and firmly. 

Marc Levine

Mike McGuire

Gov Newsome

 

Recent news about Tesla being dangerous is incredibly hyperbolic. No real comparison to the fatalities incurred by other vehicles. A quick calculation shows Tesla to be about 100 times safer than the average vehicle. 

Since Tesla introduced Autopilot in 2015, there have been at least 11 deaths in 9 crashes in the United States that involved Autopilot.

Tesla "For those driving without Autopilot but with our active safety features, we registered one accident for every 2.05 million miles driven [NB .0205/100 million miles]. For those driving without Autopilot and without our active safety features, we registered one accident for every 978 thousand miles driven [NB .01/100 million miles].Apr 17, 2021"

https://www.iihs.org/topics/fatality-statistics/detail/yearly-snapshot#trends

Year     Deaths     Crashes     Motor vehicles     rate per million miles

2015    35,485    32,539            49,477                    115

2016    37,806    34,748            52,714                   119

2017    37,473    34,560            53,128                   117

2018    36,835    33,919            52,286                   114

2019    36,096    33,244            51,247                   111

Total    183,698

Tax benefits are needed for American-made electric vehicles

 I'm looking to get a new car to replace a 2010 Prius. I'd prefer an American-made Tesla (or other Made-In-The-USA electric car. I strongly urge you to support legislation to give a hefty tax deduction or credit for buying electric Made-In-The-USA vehicles. Give only a very small or no deduction for foreign-made vehicles. 

As a senior, I need all the help I can get driving and navigating. A USA-only credit or deduction will both encourage electrifying our highways to reduce pollution and CO2 emissions, and supporting American auto companies and their employees.  An additional benefit is the added safety of cars, like the Tesla, that can help drivers navigate safely. 

sent: 2021-07-08 Alex Padilla. Diane Feinstein. Hoffman

Update 2021-07-11

There is a saying, "put your money where your mouth is." I'd like to remind our elected representatives, who are encouraging us to "go green" and "buy American", to follow that maxim. Do you really mean it when you advocate reducing CO2 emissions, increasing vehicular safety, encouraging American businesses, and helping middle-class Americans? Then vote to restore and increase the tax credit for American-made electric vehicles in the Infrastructure Bill that is wending its way through Congress.

To our State governors and legislatures, you are likewise encouraged to make it less expensive to buy American than Chinese, Korean, EU, UK, etc. Keep the money at home and use it to truly Make America Great Again (this time without Trump's disruptive, divisive antics!).

Thanks,

Stan & Kiyomi Hutchings
San Rafael, CA 94960

sent: 2021-07-08 

• Senator Alex Padilla. 
• Senator Diane Feinstein. 
• Representative Jared Hoffman, 
• Governor Gavin Newsome, 
• Assemblymember Marc Levine, 
• Senator Mike McGuire

Desalination comments on cost and environmental concerns

 

Desalination traditionally requires a “deep water outfall.” The purpose is to dilute the brine discharged to avoid harming the ecosystem. The 2.4 million gallons of recycled water Marin dumps into the bay daily could be used to dilute the brine to an acceptable limit.  But other viable options are available for Marin.

The mixing of fresh water and salt water (brackish water) in Suisun Bay and the Delta provides essential estuarine habitat for migratory fish like salmon and resident fishes like delta smelt and striped bass. There is already a large variation in salinity. A well-planned discharge array would not significantly disturb the ecosystem and would indeed create a new ecosystem that would be quickly inhabited. 

Nearly 400 billion gallons of water flow through the Golden Gate every day (https://sfenvironment.org/article/hydro/tidal-energy#:~:text=Nearly%20400%20billion%20gallons%20of,in%20the%20lower%2048%20states)  In 2005, San Francisco took part in a study conducted by the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) on the technical and economic feasibility of tidal power in seven areas in North America, including San Francisco.

The study conservatively estimated that the Golden Gate site has 35.5 megawatts of total extractable average annual power, and that 15 to 17 average megawatts (MW) of this power could realistically be extracted by technologies currently in development. The cost of electricity generated, assuming incentives similar to those provided to other renewable resources, is estimated at six to nine cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh)—a cost competitive with current wind and natural gas generation, and about one-third the cost per megawatt of solar power. 

A desalination discharge array at Point Bonita or Point Diablo would have a huge volume of water available for dilution of brine from the daily tidal flows. The tide could also be used to power the plant, in addition to solar and/or wind. 

Instead of a 6-mile pipeline across the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge, a pipeline could be run from a sewage treatment plant to a desalination plant to provide water for dilution of brine prior to discharge into the bay. 

The entire Carlsbad Desalination Plant project cost about $1 billion for the plant, pipelines, and upgrades to existing SDCWA facilities to use the water. The fresh water output from the plant is sent by a 10-mile pipeline. It can produce up to a maximum of 56,000 acre-feet per year. This is equivalent to 43 million gallons per day (mgd), or about 86% of the plant's output. Energy is a large part of the cost of producing the water so inexpensive, non-polluting sources should be fully utilized. 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Claude_%22Bud%22_Lewis_Carlsbad_Desalination_Plant

The time to prepare for drought and water shortage is NOW, if not 10 years ago

 Several recent articles in the Marin Independent Journal have already said it. Drought conditions are getting more frequent and as the population increases, water is becoming more scarce. Our government must act before it reaches a crisis. 

The prospect of ongoing water crises demands more permanent solutions. "Water, water, every where, ...Nor any drop to drink." will soon be a full chorus from water suppliers around the world. There are already cities and counties singing the tune. The words of the Ancient Mariner also point the way to our solution, made possible by technology: the ocean (or lake, river, bay - whatever constant source of water is available nearby). 

Technology CAN desalinate and purify the available water to drinking water standards. The impediments are politics and money. Potable water is a requirement for life; without it, everything dies (except a few lifeforms that will inherit the Earth after we perish). A water distribution infrastructure is more essential to life than roads, airports, bridges, petroleum products, and other luxuries of modern life. Obviously, the solution is easier said than done. But surely it’s better than praying for rain, while imposing increasingly stringent water use regulations. Climate change is real. We need to take bold steps to mitigate its damage.

Katie Rice

Sen Mike McGuire

Senator Jared Huffman

Assemblymember Marc Levine

Reuse bathwater with a recirculation, reheating, filtration, and disinfectant system

With the drought predictions and water rationing proposals here in California, I've been considering the unnecessary wastefulness of emptying a bathtub down the drain after every use.

If building codes were modified to allow a system of recirculation pump, water reheater, purification system, and filter, then people could briefly shower, then get in the bathtub to soak, then soap down in the shower before a quick final rinse.

It is common practice in Japan to heat the water in a tub, maintain the temperature, and use it for the whole family's bath. No soap or dirt is allowed in the tub. A shower to soap up, shampoo, and rinse prior to entering the tub is mandatory in homes and in the many public and private spas.

With the addition of a filter to remove skin cells, hair, and other small debris, and suitable purification by UV and/or chemicals to kill any microorganisms, the water could be reused for days or even weeks. This is already done with outdoor spas; people do not change their spa water very often.

I'm recommending building codes be modified to allow a similar system in a residence, but requiring electric heating only, preferably solar, to avoid air pollution and CO2 production.

We got the vaccine!

I'm happy to report I got my second COVID-19 vaccination. I got the Pfizer and had virtually no reaction. Only a shoulder that was tender after the second shot, but only if I pressed on it.

My wife got the second Moderna shot, and she had just a little fatigue and sore shoulder for a day or two.

We'll still wear masks in public and avoid crowds, but a lot of stress has evaporated. We may get the flu, but probably will not have a serious case. 

Death from COVID-19 vs death from vaccine

2020-03-15 COVID-19 USA deaths 534,000 1.8% chance of dying from COVID-19 Age 75-84 COVID-19 deaths 141,384 Compared with 5—17-year-olds, the rate of death is 45 times higher in 30—39-year-olds, 2,800 times higher in 75-84-year-olds, and 7,900 times higher in 85+-year-olds.

Over 92 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines were administered in the United States from December 14, 2020, through March 8, 2021. During this time, VAERS received 1,637 reports of death (0.0018%) among people who received a COVID-19 vaccine.

support Delaware Sen. Tom Carper, chairman of the Environment and Public Works Committee over efficiency and vehicle emission standards.

Please support Delaware Sen. Tom Carper, chairman of the Environment and Public Works Committee over efficiency and vehicle emission standards. The California agreement is a useful starting point that all automakers should join to fulfill the goals of the Paris climate agreement and slow the climate disruption caused by vehicle emissions.

The SUVs and trucks can just as well be electric, which would further lower emissions and help the environment. Gasoline powered vehicles should be phased out as soon as possible. If they are not offered by auto companies, no one will buy them except as used. Transportation emissions is the single biggest U.S. contributor to climate change, so changes to vehicle emissions will have a large impact on our pollution footprint. Most of the large SUVs and trucks I see are single-occupant commute vehicles, except for contractors' vehicles. There is no reason these cannot be electric, or at least high mileage vehicles.

See https://enewspaper.marinij.com?selDate=20210313&goTo=A01&artid=2 for the complete article.

concern about the availability of clean, inexpensive water for my home's drinking and cooking

I sent this to my senators and representative:

I am very concerned about the availability of clean, inexpensive water for my home's drinking and cooking. Bottled water is too expensive and contributes to plastic pollution. My local water company cannot guarantee uninterrupted service, nor purity, and the cost increases every year.

I would like to supply my home with drinking and cooking water from Source Hydropanels installed on or near my home. Does the government have, or do you plan to offer, rebates or other incentives for this technology? If not, I suggest this would be a valuable and beneficial program.

If you are unfamiliar with Source (previously Zero Mass Water), see https://www.source.co/residential/ [google 'source water company'. For our family of 6, the two panels would cost $5,500 to $6,500 and provide 10 liters (~2.6 gallons) per day drinking/cooking water for at least 15 years (~55,000 gallons) for ~$0.10/gallon. It would be helpful to have some kind of tax credit, rebate, low-cost loans, or other help with the cost. 

This technology could provide a service similar to the solar power/battery systems that are reducing the need for PG&E electricity while assuring customers an uninterrupted supply of electricity. Providing drinking and cooking water would similarly reduce the demand on water resources and ensure a reliable, safe source of water.  This would be especially important during the increasingly frequent natural disasters, such as hurricanes and other weather-related disasters, earthquakes, fires, droughts, etc.

support the Sunshine Protection Act of 2021 to make daylight saving time permanent

Today I asked California senators Feinstein and Padilla to support the Sunshine Protection Act of 2021 to make daylight saving time permanent.

Source water for drinking and cooking suggestion

Sent a reply to Marin Water suggesting Source Water Hydropanels I'm planning to build an ADU in Marin County. I would like to supply it with drinking and cooking water from Source Hydropanels installed on or near my home. Do you have, or do you plan to offer, rebates or other incentives for this technology? If not, I suggest this would be a valuable and beneficial program.If you are unfamiliar with Source (previously Zero Mass Water), see https://www.source.co/residential/. For our family of 6, the two panels would cost $5,500 to $6,500 and provide 10 liters (~2.6 gallons) per day drinking/cooking water for at least 15 years (~55,000 gallons) for ~$0.10/gallon. It would be nice to have some kind of rebate or other help with the cost. This technology could be similar to the solar power/battery systems that are reducing the need for PG&E electricity while assuring customers an uninterrupted supply of electricity. Providing drinking and cooking water for Marin would similarly reduce the demand on Marin Water sources and ensure a reliable, safe source of water. 

observations on the Tesla PowerWall

Interesting observations about the Tesla Powerwall:
The smoke and ash from the wildfires last summer reduced the solar panels' efficiency dramatically. I hosed them down with water after the air cleared, and they improved considerably, but still not back up to new condition. I suppose I could hire someone to clean them, but I don't think I need to. Now that the rains have come, they are doing pretty well, considering the season.

Sep 2019 produced 1,240 kWh, Sep 2020 produced 978 kWhBecause we are in the shade most of the time from October to February the panels only generate a few kWh per day (photo).
An interesting side effect is that we get more power on cloudy and foggy days than on clear days. I suppose this is due to the sun reflecting and refracting from the clouds.

I've set my battery Reserve to 75% for these low-production months. That should last about 16 hours. Probably that's excessive, based on the outages I've had so far, but better safe than sorry.

I joined the OhmConnect effort to reduce the need for "dirty" power production. So when I get a request to save energy, I go full battery for the hour or two. I "game" the system by resetting the Customize to Cost Saving, Reserve down to 50% just before and during the hour or two and reset to 75% after, and Edit Price Schedule to Peak for just the hour or two of the requested saving period. It works pretty well. Instead of predicted usage of about 1 kWh, I get 0 usage.

It's interesting that even when all the appliances are off, I still see a background power usage of 300-400 W. Presumably, that's the "power vampires" that suck power continually.

The Tesla PowerWall app is very useful for tracking energy usage, monitoring solar power produced, checking the battery level, and setting custom criteria. I check it multiple times per day.

2020 Christmas: not a traditional one

Santa Jokes from Kendric Smith: How you can tell that Santa is real? You can always sense his presents. What nationality is Santa Claus? North Polish. What's Santa's favorite type of music? Wrap. Why is Santa so good at karate? He has a black belt. Why does Santa go through the chimney? Because it soots him. What do you call a kid who doesn’t believe in Santa? A rebel without a Claus. How does Santa take pictures? With his Pole-aroid camera. What kind of motorcycle does Santa ride? A "Holly" Davidson. How much did Santa's sleigh cost? Nothing, it was on the house! Why was Santa's little helper so sad? He had low elf-esteem. Who is Santa's least favorite reindeer? Rude-olph. Why did Santa go to the liquor store? He was looking for holiday spirits. What do you call Santa's little helpers? Subordinate Clauses. I dropped a copy of "A Christmas Carol" on my foot. It hurts like the Dickens. We also enjoyed photo take-offs of Elf on a Shelf: goose on a moose, [Star Wars] trooper on a pooper, etc. One particular Christmas season a long time ago, Santa was ready for his Christmas run, but there were problems. Four of his elves got sick, and the trainee elves did not produce the toys as fast as the regular ones, so Santa was beginning to feel the pressure of being behind schedule. Then Mrs. Claus told Santa that her Mother was coming to visit. This stressed Santa even more. Just then the doorbell rang and Santa cussed on his way to the door. He opened the door, and there was a little angel with a great big Christmas tree. The angel said, very cheerfully, "Merry Christmas Santa. Isn't it just a lovely day? I have a beautiful tree for you. Isn't it just a lovely tree? Where would you like me to stick it?" Santa told her. Thus, began the tradition of the little angel on top of the Christmas tree. My granddaughter, Aubrey (10), and I enjoyed the Santa jokes. She didn't get some, but more than I expected.  All our nearby relatives have tested negative recently, so we got together for Christmas Eve at Aya's house: Aya, Matt, Aubrey, Kaya, Alan, Alyssa Sontag. We had deep fried turkey, which was delicious, and lots of other things added to the oil: green tomatoes, garlic, dill pickles, onion rings, French fries, Brussel sprouts. All turned out quite delicious. We finally got to have a dinner without masks or social distance. Alyssa's parents stopped by, so we finally got to meet them. Hopefully, there was no COVID-19 virus around. Christmas Day we had dinner at 166 Crane: Schaub's Black Steak, mashed potatoes stuffed in orange peel, string beans, beets topped with cheese, snap peas; and for dessert, gluten-free apple pie, grasshopper pie, ice cream. It was a lot of work for Kiyomi, but she seems to enjoy it. Now we are looking forward to a traditional-food Japanese New Year. It's from Japan, specially frozen by a high-tech method.

geographical history - where I've lived and visited

I'm a Navy and Army brat, so lived all over the US: born Monterey, CA; Berkeley, CA; Honolulu, HI; San Diego, CA; Annapolis, MD; Norfolk, VA; Newport, RI; Key West, FL; Annandale, VA; Chicago, IL; San Bruno,VA. US Army tours in Ft. Lewis, WA; Ft. Gordon, GA; Ft.McClellan, AL; Ft.MacArthur, CA; US Army ASCOM Depot, Korea. Return to San Bruno, CA; Redwood City, CA; Palo Alto, CA; San Anselmo, CA.

I've been reading fantasy and science fiction 70+ years despite an education at the University of Chicago, IL and career in science, chemist at Corn Products, Argo, IL; United Airlines MOC, San Bruno, CA; Lockheed Martin Space Systems, Sunnyvale, CA.

I've traveled to Mexico, Japan (Tokyo, Kobe, Hiroshima, Kyoto, Nagasaki, Okinawa, Miyajima, Taketomi, Karuizawa, Shirahama, Kumano Trail, Obuse, Towada Lake/Oirase River, Kanazawa, Noto Peninsula, Shikoku , Tsukumo Bay, Kaga City, Kobe, Kyoto, Arashiyama, Shima Kanko, Lake Ashinoko, Yabe Village, Yaino, Unzen, Kitago, Beppu); Taiwan, Hong Kong, Thailand (Bangkok, Penang, and east; Penang, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and Bali, Australia, Brazil, England, Alaska, Greece, Turkey, France, Germany, Spain, Morocco, Hungary, Czech Republic, Croatia, Italy, Tahiti Papeete, Huahine, Rarotonga (Cook Islands), Raiatea, Bora Bora, Moorea; Fiji; Monaco, Egypt , Jordan, Peru, Cambodia, New Zealand, China, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Panama Canal; George Town, Grand Cayman Island; Myanmar, India (Cochin, Magalore, Goa, Mumbai), Oman, Israel (Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Nazareth), Crete; and many of the United States.

thoughts for 27 August 2020

Our granddaughters (1st and 3rd grade) are back "in" school - completely digital remote classes. My wife and I help out by taking them for a few hours per day several days a week and one sleepover. They each have their own HP Android computer and a nice study area. I supervise them occasionally, and I know what a job it is (I think of herding cats). Their dog is just past puppy stage, house-trained but chews everything. Now they are planning to raise chickens. 
We moved into our temporary house last year while our new one is being built and I still have numerous boxes to unpack (someday). But why bother if we're just going to move again in a year or two? 
We've spent most of the summer fighting nature, trying to raise vegetables. Deer, gophers, squirrels, mice, birds, heat waves, fire warnings - it's been a real challenge. Now we're finally enjoying tomatoes, chard, eggplant, cucumbers, basil, shiso, and okra. There are flowers too: cosmos, pansey, lavender, mint, daisy, osmanthus, lilies, poppies, and others. I'm not sure we're saving money, but the veggies sure taste better and the flowers are cheerful, plus the mental benefits of working outside (despite the obstacles and challenges) are worth it.
We are trying to get our photos organized in preparation for possible evacuation orders due to wildfire risk. It's a daunting task, more than 100 years of photos to scan, label and organize because of some of the albums we inherited dating back to the early 1900s. So that will keep us busy in the evenings for the foreseeable future. It is an enjoyable task, remembering days gone by and seeing our children and ancestors in their youth.

I have not been posting here recently. I've switched to Google Docs and Google Photos for most of my "blogs", such as they are. I found not many people who know me visit and read my blogs. So that explains the hiatus in posts. I keep this mainly as a kind of diary of my older travels. With all the disruption and turmoil, I'm reminded again of the blind monks and the elephant. We each have our own personal perspective that colors our interpretation of events. It's unavoidable; but we must respect that others have their own perspective that is different from ours, sometimes almost unbelieveably different. We wonder, "how can anyone have such an incredibly wrong/stupid/illogical/etc. idea. There are many physical examples you can see, most optical illusions are examples of different perspectives. check out some here: https://www.google.com/search?q=optical+illusions&oq=optical+i&aqs=chrome.1.69i57j0l7.9206j1j9&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8 Unfortunately, for some people, perception becomes reality that they are ready to debate, argue, fight or even kill about. see: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-power-prime/201908/perception-is-not-reality. In other words, reality doesn't care what you think and you cannot change it as much as you'd like to.

To the future, whatever it will be

...One of the problems of predicting the future is that, according to one quantum interpretation described by Max Tegmark (https://arxiv.org/pdf/0905.1283.pdf), anything that can happen (even at the quantum level), happens; and the universe then splits into one future where it happens, and one where it doesn't. Think Schrodinger's cat, alive in one future, dead in another (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schr%C3%B6dinger%27s_cat). Your existential future depends on which of those universes you are swept into. Supposedly there are an infinite number of "other" you, each in a different universe, with a different future (but the same past, up to the moment the univers splits). Or according to another interpretation, the Universe is a quantum probability wave that is collapsing into an actuality as we observe it. Billions of years so far, billions of years to go. And the future is still a probability, not a certainty...

2011-06-23 shopping at ICA

Today we went grocery shopping at the local ICA Maxi . This was a huge market, larger than the stores we are accustomed to shopping in. Besides food, it carries all kinds of other goods, including "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" series books and videos (in Swedish, of course). Pippi Longstocking is quite popular with Swedish children, so we saw many books and videos featuring her and her friends. We were impressed with the checkout system: when you enter, you pick up a barcode scanner. As you add items to your cart, you scan the price tag; for produce, you use a scale, select the type of produce and specific item. A label is printed, which you affix to the bag and scan. Kiyomi was fascinated by how easy it was to go through the check out line when all your items are listed in the scanner, and just needs a quick confirmation by the check-out clerk. Then just zip your credit card and you are done!

2011-06-22 Kiyomi's nice birthday

Kiyomi had a nice birthday experience, we visited Roland's mother, Wiola. She lives in a very nice condo in the heart of Stockholm. On the way back we visited the Bergius Botanic Garden and Park where we saw a kitchen and herb garden, a Japanese garden and pond and many native plants. We then had dinner with Veronica and Sami, and met their 2 children, Felicia (3) and Victor (1 yr 3 months). The children are energetic dynamos. Johan was there, too; but we hardly recognized him. He had grown up to a handsome young man, quite different from the 10-year old we remembered from our last visit 20 years ago . We had a nice time, watching the kids play and hearing what they have been doing in the last 20 years. Veronica cooked the Italian delicious meal, and for dessert a fantastic chocolate and strawberry creation, with whip cream topping. Roland provided the wine from his company GustaVino, a special Chianti imported from the Italian island Elba that was an excellent companion with the meal. We found the sun still up at 11 pm when we finally went to bed; it set around midnight, then came up about 2 am.

2011-06-21 Stockholm, Sweden

Roland and Ragnhild met us at the port after we disembarked. After a quick trip to their home in Haninge, we returned to Stockholm for an Italian celebration put on by the Italian club that they both belong to. We had a delightful time. There were a variety of Italian cheeses for tasting, champagne, red and white wine, a "little ear" pasta with broccoli and cheese, then the main course, and tiramisu for dessert. Roland's friend Carlo was a dinner companion, and he was a wealth of information and entertaining stories.

2011-06-20 Helsinki, Finland

Today we stopped in Helsinki, Finland. We took a shuttle from the port to the city center. Kiyomi enjoyed going through the Marimekko store. Then we walked back to the ship along the shore, past the Silja "Symphony" we took 20 years ago from Stockholm to Helsinki. This is our last night on board, so Stan enjoyed the string quartet while Kiyomi packed. Then we had an early dinner and retired early so we could get up early to watch our cruise through the Archipelago to Stockholm. It was beautiful watching the many islands go by. The sun had come up at 2 am, so there was plenty of light by 4 am.

2011-06-19 T St. Petersburg, Russia

Today we continued in St. Petersburg, Russia. Our tour was to Catherine the Great's Summer Palace in Pushkin, a few miles outside St. Petersburg. The ride through the city was interesting: among establishments with names I could not even guess at the pronunciation or meaning (they used the Cyrillic alphabet) were very familiar icons: MacDonald's, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Subway, Ikea, Yves DeLorme and a few others. The Palace grounds are beautiful green woods, with many flowering shrubs. We were told in the winter, when there is 18 to 19 hours darkness, temperature below zero, and snow several feet thick, it is not so pleasant. But today was sunny and warm, with birds chirping and the sun reflecting off gilded towers. Inside the Palace was very lavishly decorated. There was a spacious high-ceilinged ballroom, with huge windows giving a view of the landscape on both sides. Another section was composed of many large rooms, one after the other, connected by a long hallway that went through each of them. Gilt candle holders lined the wall, and the doorways were elaborate gilt designs. One of the rooms was the throne room, one the paintings room, one the giant portraits of Catherine and Elizabeth, one a dining room, one was the Amber room (wallpapered in real amber). After touring inside, we went outside, past the bath house, which was a very large multi-story structure that reputedly was used for more than just baths. We saw a Turkish bath house across a lake; apparently the Russian nobility enjoyed bathing. We had a concert by some singers inside a chapel that had incredible acoustics. They sounded really good. Then we returned back to the ship along Moscow Prospekt and through St. Petersburg. We enjoyed Tea Time and the string quartet concert, then prepared for our dinner at the Polo Restaurant, which features steaks. I had Surf 'n Turf, Kiyomi had a New York Steak. For dessert I could not make up my mind, so had the Quintet Special, a sampling of five of the eight dessert selections.

2011-06-18 St. Petersburg, Russia

Today we stopped in St. Petersburg, Russia (aka Petrograd or Leningrad). The ship docked on the Neva River, but visitors cannot enter the city without a visa or being with an organized tour. Our first day tour was of the Hermitage, the Winter Palace of Catherine the Great, built in the late 1700s. The architecture is "over the top", competing with the other palaces of Europe for ostentation. There are lots of statuary, parquet floors, marble staircases and columns, chandeliers, gilt and glitter, and of course Catherine's fabulous collection of art from all over Europe. She seemed to specialize in old masters, especially from Holland, Netherlands, and Spain. Unfortunately the Hermitage is a major tourist destination, so it is quite crowded. The tour has to keep moving, to make room for the following groups. It is difficult to appreciate the splendor while being herded along surrounded by other people. I did not bother taking photos; I just gawked at the architecture, decorations and treasures, overwhelmed by the quantity and quality. It was a cold windy rainy day, and we were glad to be indoors. After returning to the ship and taking a brief rest, we enjoyed Tea Time and the string quartet concert. We had dinner at the Red Ginger restaurant, where once again we enjoyed the Asian Fusion menu. Kiyomi reports the sushi plate is satisfactory, and the Chilean Sea Bass is delicious. Stan had the Thai chicken soup with coconut milk and pan-fried noodles, then a delicious tapioca-mango dessert. The show featured the Marina Singers and Dancers in "Swing Time", a retrospective of the music of the 1940s. Again, lots of energy and color made for a very enjoyable show. The second part of the show was the Liars Club, where we had to guess which of three definitions of a word was correct. Des, Cherry and one of the dancers were the "definers" of five words that were unfamiliar (such as tittup, groaking, xhosa). Each definition was accompanied by a very funny story about how the person knows what the word means; but only one definition is true – the other two are lies. The audience guesses which definition is true by applause. Sad to say, we were wrong 3 out of 5 words. Who knew there was a word that means, "fear of having peanut butter stick to the roof of your mouth"?

2011-06-17 Tallinn, Estonia

Today we stopped in Tallinn, Estonia. A shuttle bus took us to the Kanuti Garden and entrance to Old Town (Vanalinn). Kiyomi took one look at the "garden", saw it was just a small park with a flowerbed and fountain, so we walked through it into the town, along the cobblestone streets and up to the Toompea area overlooking the town with a very nice panorama view, where the castle and several cathedrals/churches and museums are located. As we passed one of the churches, we saw a graduation ceremony had taken place, and many people, all dressed up in their finest and carrying flowers, were celebrating. The architecture here was medieval, in contrast to the new, modern part of town. We noticed that here, too, many, if not most, of the young people have cell phones, and use them frequently. We had another very enjoyable meal in the Grand Dining Room, and later saw the show "Groovin", a retrospective of the music of the 60s and 70s, sung and danced by the Marina Singers and Dancers.

2011-06-16 Riga, Latvia

Today we stopped in Riga, Latvia. The ship docked along the riverbank, just a few blocks from the city. We walked over to and along the City Canal, a nice waterway bordered by trees, lawn and flowerbeds. It was a quiet and pretty walk. Then we walked through Old Town, looking at the gothic, baroque, and Art Nouveau architecture, many points of interest (that were marked on the map we brought from the ship), souvenirs shops, pubs and cafes. As we were walking back to the ship, the sky got darker and darker. We just made it back to the ship when a heavy rainstorm passed by. Back on the ship after lunch, Kiyomi got her nails done while Stan got a haircut (not as good as Bob does). After Tea Time and the string quartet concert, we attended a preview of future cruises. We decided the San Francisco to Miami Panama Canal cruise sounded interesting, so we signed up for it. We enjoyed a delicious dinner in the Main Dining Room. The service is first-rate, the waiters are well-trained, and the menu selections are wonderful. It is hard to choose among the 4 or 5 appetizers, soups, and/or salads, 5 or 6 entrees (not to mention 6 or 7 dessert choices!). There is something for every taste, including "healthy:, vegan, and "just meat and potatoes" appetites. The evening entertainment was "The Gypsies' Enchanting Evening" featuring virtuoso violinist Artur Banaskiewicz playing gypsy-inspired music with great flair and excitement. His fingers flew and the bow was a blur as he made his violin sing.

At sea

Today we should have stopped in Visby, Sweden, but high wind prevented the tenders from operating. The ship was too large to dock in the port. The ship continued toward our next port: Riga, Latvia. We had dinner at "Chez Jacques", the French themed restaurant. Stan's escargots were served under a puff pastry shell, and were quite delicious. The evening entertainment was a high energy singing and dancing performance "Con Molto!". It was an enjoyable performance, colorful costumes, and very well executed.

2011-06-14 Gdynia, Poland

There was a shuttle bus into town; from there we walked to the seashore, and a long way beside the beach. Then we walked over a few blocks and passed through a residential area. The differences in architecture were quite distinct: some buildings were pre-war and in disrepair; some were post-war Communist era and quite plain and drab; some were new or newly renovated, and were modern style. The yards were not maintained for the most part: uncut grass, not much landscaping, minimal flowers and shrubs. The evening entertainment was Des & Cherry King, a magic and comedy show. We were sitting in the front row, so Stan was called on to help out, and played a straight man role. Even sitting right up front, it was not clear how some of the illusions were performed – it really looked like magic.

2011-06-13 Ronne, Denmark

Today we stopped in Ronne, Denmark. We walked through the town, admiring the medieval architecture. It was a holiday so everything was closed. The town was very peaceful, no cars and hardly any pedestrians. We walked through a woods to a Radisson Hotel where we had coffee and beer for $15. Then we walked back along the cliff above the Baltic Sea. Then we returned for the 4 pm High Tea and Marina String Quartet. The evening show was Agata Holdyk, an very accomplished pianist, who played a number of classical selections for us.

2011-06-12 Warnemunde, Germany

Today we stopped in Warnemunde, Germany. We walked around the old town for our daily exercise, past many fish shops, selling fresh as well as freshly prepared, smoked, salted, dried, or whatever. We continued on past the port area window shopping, then walked along the waterfront bars, pubs, souvenir shops and hotels to the end of the road, where there were two lighthouses marking the entrance to the harbor, and a beach that was quite popular despite the cool temperature and cloudy sky. Then we returned for the 4 pm High Tea and Marina String Quartet. We had dinner at the Toscana Italian theme specialty restaurant. Stan enjoyed Lobster Fra Diavola, Kiyomi enjoyed a delicious pasta dish.