Check out my new vid!

Great Highway remains closed as agency redevelops, conflict continues

             As waves crash against the jagged seashore, onlookers huddle together, eager for warmth and shelter from the elements. They peruse the falling rocks and eroded embankments that shoulder the beach. The ocean writhes and churns, lashing out at the impermanence of the seashore.

            “This is an issue concerning Ocean Beach, Mother Earth and erosion,” said Supervisor Carmen Chu. “Ten years ago they were dealing with erosion, and today we are dealing with erosion.”

Here, at the westernmost coast of the Bay Area, miles of beaches stretch from the Cliff House to the Zoo, exposing the outermost areas of the city to the raging Pacific Ocean, as it has steadily eroded the coastline for years.

On Jan. 15, the City of San Francisco declared this area a state of emergency and closed the southbound lanes of the Great Highway south of Sloat Boulevard due to unsafe erosion conditions from storms and rising sea levels.

San Francisco’s Department of Public Works has proposed a $2.6 million-dollar plan to save the coastal road by dumping tons of large boulders over the edge of the highway. This, they assert, will protect against further erosion and “wave action.” Unfortunately for local surfers, “wave action” is crucial to their environment-based lifestyle.

“They shouldn’t put the rocks there if they’re ruining the surf break, that’s horrible. Half the people live in the Sunset because they surf there and they enjoy the beach,” said Brendan McManus, 21, who makes frequent trips from his apartment in SOMA.

“What they should do is build a high road that goes above and a little bridge or something. When the storms happens and the tide rises its just going to get destroyed by the waves anyway; it’s going to keep happening.”

With lots of head butting and little headway being made on the approved redevelopment plan that will eventually lead to the permanent re-opening of southbound traffic on San Francisco’s erosion-prone Great Highway, residents and surfers alike, remain restless.

“I go to school three times a week, sometimes coming home mid-day and going back again,” said SF State student Sara Chapman, 24. “Not having access to that part of the road adds major minutes to my drive time.”

A central problem, according to Chu, is the overlap of federal, state and city responsibility. The eroding bluff is considered to be property of the Golden Gate Park National Recreation Area whereas the roadway is on city land. Furthermore, the ocean and coastal land draw attention from state agencies, responsible for monitoring water conditions and drain runoff.

The heavily traveled coastal highway has been slowly diminishing into the sea for years, and has been closed intermittently in response to particularly damaging storms. It is currently closed for safety reasons but seems to be causing more angst then ‘thanks.’

When asked about the extent of the imposed road closure and any other thoughts moving forward, Frank Filice, manager of capital planning for the DPW, said in an e-mail that “we are mainly concerned with public safety and worried that heavy traffic vibrations could contribute to further erosion.” Clearly.

The exact reopen date is unknown, but the southbound lanes remain closed through June. Chu estimates that they should be open by late summer.

This is not the first time the Great Highway has been attacked by the frigid waters. In 1994, storms took out 30 to 40 feet of the bluff. Then in 1999, after an especially destructive El Niño winter, engineers decided to try constructing a barrier out of sand dredged from the shipping channel outside the Golden Gate. Nearly 300,000 cubic yards of sand have been dumped offshore every summer since.

A special Ocean Beach Task Force was established in 1999 to battle the problem. This task force outlined five simple steps to try and temporarily curb the problem.

The highway provides an alternate route to many commuters going between Daly City and the outer districts of the city. The four-lane highway is also a short cut to and from SF State, for students traveling from other parts of the city and bay.

“If you live anywhere in the Outer Sunset that is the fastest way to get to Highway 280, they better fix it,” said Gordon Asaoka, 56. “They just have to control Mother Nature and stop California from sliding into the ocean, it should be easy, right?”

So what is the long-term solution? No one can seem to agree. Ocean advocates like Save the Waves, a non-profit organization, believe that the repeatedly bringing in boulders to build up the seawall has not only proven to fail over time, but could also interfere with local ecology and the integrity of the surf breaks along Ocean Beach.

According to the DPW’s Web site, “the bluffs eroded up to 70 feet in some sections. Some damage also occurred under the Great Highway and near the Lake Merced Wastewater Tunnel, leaving the road and tunnel vulnerable.” Chu added that the tunnel might be the most significant problem and a threat to the city’s infrastructure.

“Ten million gallons of raw sewage would go right into the ocean,” Chu said. “All it would take is for the 14-foot pipe to burst from lack of protection due to inadequate erosion control.”

An erosion study conducted by the United States Geological Survey, states that “66 percent of California’s beaches are eroding.”

Central California, which covers the area from Point Reyes to just north of Santa Barbara, shows the highest percentage of erosion.

“Seems to me that they’re just shifting the problem somewhere else,” said Taylor Clayton, 24. “One thing I’ve read is that by putting in gigantic boulders in one place to stop erosion will mess with currents and tides and it will actually just shift the problem to another beach that’s just farther down the current; they need to find something that is more sustainable.”

            Construction is currently being carried out to restore the artificial sea wall, but no plans for long-term solutions have been decided. Most recent cost assessment estimates “coming in at around $2.9M for about 425 ft of length.” This money will come from taxpayer’s pockets.

“I think that people should figure out a system before they just use the trial by error process, it’s a waste of money for taxpayers like myself,” said Daniel Tesfai, 32. “Look at Pacifica where they’ve been putting rocks in for years and there’s still erosion.”

For now the road is closed, and temporary solutions are being implemented. The next public meeting will be held at 6:30 pm on Thursday, May 6 at the Janet Pomeroy Center.

“It’s unfortunate that this city needs to spend millions and close down one of the more major outer sunset intersections,” said Jenny Paulus, 28. “The flooding of the Great Highway is an issue that has caused many dangerous situations for commuters. I’m glad it’s finally getting resolved.”

Or is it? Stay tuned to find out if and how the problem is eventually fixed.

“It's still going on and it's a long, complicated process,” said Josh Berry, environmental director for Save the Waves. The non-profit organization has been active in the brainstorming process, advocating keeping the environment prioritized, and the surf intact.

Click here for more information and to view an ongoing timeline of the Great Highway project’s progress.
Image credits (from top to bottom): Crescent Calimpong / Surfrider Foundation, San Francisco chapter; Creative Commons, Evan Asano at surftherenow.com, Google maps.

Nephews

Into the journalist’s knapsack: special topics and tricks of the trade

Investigative Journalism is a handy reporter's manual, written by William C. Gaines as an instructional reference for the writing and willing.


First thing to remember: There is no such thing as an easy investigation!
Challenges will always present themselves and the most important skill a journalist can develop is the ability to rise to the occasion, whatever it may be. Remember these topics and they may prove quite helpful down the road.

On religion: past reporters have exposed corrupt religious organizations. Others have exposed fake or false advertising. Court battles were often necessary in order to pry into records. According to Gaines, “religion is an area that is not licensed, and officers of the church are not required to file information for either public or the IRS.” Therefore, the religious sect (no pun intended) of reporting usually requires laborious legal intervention but has many layers, deserving of investigation infused with new ideas and ingenuity to overcome obstacles.


On nepotism: defined by dictionary.com as “patronage bestowed or favoritism shown on the basis of family relationship, as in business or politics.” Another topic requiring a fair amount of pushes and pulls by the reporter. If a father hires only his sons, he may not only see it as fair, but do as much as possible to maintain these “rights.” Sometimes “unusual government structure” comes into play where although public records exist, they are being held privately. Pry. Be specific in requests and thoroughly errorless in filing all official documents to gain access.


On labor: according to Gaines, labor is the one are where “two sides—labor and management—square off, and investigative reporters will find they are caught in the middle.” To avoid accusations of favoritism or bias, the reporter must work extra hard to keep a fair game in mind. Gaines says that reporters often joke that they’ve done their job if both sides are displeased. Keep this idea in mind.

On money: There are always conflicts of interests when it comes to money. As an investigative journalist, one must always eye those with money and in power with suspicion. Even a government can be moving money into the wrong hands. Banking, investments and the general business of business are hot investigatory topics.


On schools: sometimes presenting a HUGE challenge, student records are private. The language of academia is also complicated and it would do a reporter well to study up on important terms and phrases. There are few kinds of schools as well. There are public, private and non-profit, and for-profit schools. Similar to government, schools have track records of occasionally misspending money. When investigating school keep in mind that students cannot legally be photographed. Also- track the schools spending to uncover possible scams or other stories of interest.


On postal service records: Give a box number to the postmaster and get the names of every person or company that has rented it. The postal code instructs this. Knowing box numbers are mail-order hoaxes and other scams.

On FCC filings: Remember the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC). Although it’s only for special use, the filing is important when a person has interest in another’s property possession. They sometimes reveal wrongdoing. Although the information may be limited, it often provides enough hints in one direction or another.


On lobbyists: If things ever get out of hand in the political ruling arena, a lobbyist can be an important source in exposing special circumstances. Often a lobbyist will attempt to sway a politician with gifts. Finding out who accepts these gifts and for what reasons are very important to investigative journalists. Find out what the lawmaker did in return.


Lastly, keep these tips from the author in mind:
1. If a tip does not pan out, throw it out.
2. A supervising editor must be kept informed
3. The requirement for a confirmation cannot be satisfied by a remark of a person who has only a passing knowledge of the subject
4. Required steps cannot be skipped to rush a story because of pressure of competition
5. A full retraction of any information learned to be incorrect must be made immediately
6. Informants should not be pain for information about a competitor
7. Reporters do not make derogatory comments about a person they are researching
8. Every possible effort must be made to ensure that he subject of an investigation is provided an opportunity to reply to negative allegations in a story
9. Pictures of people must have positive identification, preferably by the subjects pictured.


Now it's time to investigate and report! Thumbs up! 

Nica Travels!

Check out my trip!!!

View Slideshow

How to make the perfect PB&J: Infographic Assignment

Richmond District meetings address crime, community issues

 

Crime is on the rise in the Richmond District, according to residents and business owners. Signs point to local economic desperation that incites the robbing of laundromat change machines and increased shoplifting from neighborhood businesses.

“A few weeks ago a young man came into my business and pointed his hands at me in the shape of a gun and said ‘bang,” said Sparkle Laundry’s owner, Linda Lee. “It was frightening even as a gesture.”

In response to community unrest, the Richmond District’s police department hosts a monthly meeting. The next one will be held on April 13, location to be announced.

“I’ve always had shoplifting, but now people are stealing things like shaving cream!” said Joe Massis, resident and 10-year owner of the Richmond Market. “That’s desperation!”

The meetings fall on the second Tuesday of every month.

According to Richmond police officer and meeting organizer Jill Connelly, it is uncertain what the topic will be about.

“The police meetings focus on safety mainly,” said Mila Diaz, the Richmond Community Coalition’s community convener. “They focus on what’s going on in the neighborhood that’s crime-related: robberies, auto thefts and home burglaries.”

“We address specific issues, like quality of life,” Diaz continued. “There are lots of homeless in the Richmond that come here because it’s safe. These are issues I want to address.”

The Richmond Community Coalition hosts a quarterly meeting in Supervisor Eric Mar’s office at City Hall. The next one is scheduled for April 16^th at 8:30 am. 

Despite the apparent growing number of crimes, residents seem unaware of the recurring community meetings.
“I didn’t realize that there were meetings at all,” said Richmond resident Vanessa Pena. “It’s good to know that this resource is available.”

March 4th Protest- Civic Center SF

For more media coverage visit http://march4protests.wordpress.com/

Robbing the Richmond

Robbing the Richmond

Despite suburban feel, urban ills plague residents

            Somewhere between the extra long city blocks, lurks the face of crime, and more specifically, theft. Whether it’s robbery, larceny, or burglary, the Richmond’s got it all.

“This is the worst year yet,” said Linda Lee, the 12-year owner of Sparkle Laundry. “A few weeks ago someone tried to pry open our machines to get the coins out.” Lee believes the problem can be attributed to tough economic times, decreased community programs, and adolescent truancy.

SFPD’s 2010 online Crime Map shows that there were 260 offenses in the Richmond District within the last 30 days: 60 burglaries, 19 robberies, and 181 thefts (larceny).

According to Sgt. Steve Thoma, the theft problem in the Richmond is consistent with past years. Aside from lots of stolen bikes and broken glass, the Richmond is “real quiet, and the people are nice out here.”

Residents and business owners seem to disagree.

Everybody’s complaining about theft,” said Joe Massis, a 10-year resident and owner of the Richmond Market. “Cars, stereos, everything. It seems to be worse now than ever before, I have to watch everyone [in my store] closer.”



When someone finds their bike gone, or their window broken, with no suspect in sight, they might chalk it up to bad luck and go on with their day. Sgt. Thoma advises that residents instead call 311 and report the crime. Although the victim’s “stuff” isn’t usually recovered, filing a claim gives police a better idea of problem areas and patterns within the district. They will then target and saturate these areas with undercover police officers to try and eliminate the problem.



The Richmond District Blog of San Francisco keeps track of Richmond “goings-on” and includes a weekly repost of the San Francisco Police Department’s Richmond Police Blotter.



On Feb. 5, a Richmond resident got off the bus at 6th Avenue and Geary and as she walked home was approached from behind by a suspect who grabbed her purse and ran.

This would appear an ordinary incident except that: “further investigation revealed that the suspect had committed a robbery at 25th Avenue & Geary less than an hour prior.”

Bus lines provide mobility to thieves and this factors into the Richmond theft problem as well. There are ten bus lines that span far and wide throughout the district. Within four days, similar incidents had occurred. From breaking open change machines to steal coins, to full on armed robbery of businesses; breaking and entering and stealing bedding, bicycles, wallets, jewelry, laptops, purses, and cell phones from locked homes.

Although not the busiest of districts, the Richmond still has criminal activity. It is part of a bigger city, complete with all the joys and ills of urban life.



“We are in a deep depression and it’s very scary,” Lee said. “In twelve years of business, this is the worst year yet as far as crime goes.”

What's all the fuss about a Walk Out Rock Out?

So we're being royally punished as students, meanwhile we cut class in order to protest the cutting of classes. I don't get it.

As students march, or dance rather, around campus, pushing a mobile music cart, waving signs that read "No business as usual," "Amend Prop. 13," "Education is a right," and "SFSU out of order," it forces the rest of us to really beg the question: are we right to protest in such a manner?

As these students boldly chant the words "rise up SF state, shut it down like '68!" do they even know what happened in '68?

Are they conscious protestors, or wily kids that like to dance?

Meanwhile in the Cesar Chavez quad, hip-hop music blares and amateur dancers bust their moves in a wide empty circle.

People sell art. Clubs table. Cheerleaders rally for the big weekend game.

I asked the students at the Fashion Network Association booth how that felt about the Walk Out Rock Out movement, to which they replied that they had no previous knowledge to the event and no particular feelings towards the motivation. They told me that they would be tabling there regardless, it's Thursday after all.

So I moseyed on, curious to what students like me might be thinking.

Back at Cafe Rosso, I talked briefly with Stella, a student of the American Language Institute. She gave me her unique perspective from the standpoint of an international student.

"I think it kind of doesn't work," she said assertively. And although she feels this she added "it's ok if it still can help them to relax."

Another student, SFSU music major Jesse Adams said that at "first glance it seems fun to have a dance party, but it seems counterproductive, distracting, and not respectful to other students."

His program colleague, Rebecca Hale added, "it's separating people. They’re yelling at us but we agree with them mostly."

So there it is. Some are in the know, and some aren't. The people I spoke with support the cause of protest to furloughs, but and not the action of walking out.

Protest can be done in a number of different ways, but information and comprehension of a central problem is the starting point.

Let's try to band together in the future in a more productive and conducive way so that we don't end up ultimately losing in our education.

The greed flaw: the rope to hang the corporation

Corporations are psychopaths. No, really. The documentary film The Corporation makes this bold assertion and a few more.

Not only are they legally considered to be individual, on a diagnosis checklist, they check every box.

“They would have all the characteristics,” says Dr. Robert Hare, consultant to the FBI on psychopaths.

The film’s narrator questions, “if the dominant institution of our time has been created in the image of a psychopath, who bears the moral responsibility for its actions?”

These tough, not to mention politically charged questions, give this documentary it’s chutzpah.

Many consumers take the corporation for granted in daily life, spending their routine days drinking Starbucks coffee, filling up with Chevron gasoline, and cooking Rice-A-Roni (the San Francisco treat!) for their families.

Little thought may go into where the product comes from and most of all, at what cost.

The film does a thorough job of bringing significant evidence to light that could sway an average consumer to rethink their consumption habits. 

“I’m driving my truck through this incredible flaw in capitalism, the greed flaw,” Moore asserts of his success in liberal “leftist” documentary film. “The thing that says ‘the rich man will sell you the rope to hang himself.”

Unfortunately for the "conscious" consumer, the film does little more than present a "singing to the choir" kind of mindset. 

The "prognosis" as the film coins as the last of many chapters, is that there is indeed hope. Well, there better be. Otherwise most folks (especially those first being exposed to such information) might return home after the 2 1/2 hour cinematic “downer,” to abruptly end their newly informed lives. 

Luckily the film features many of the country's intelligently interesting people: the late Howard Zinn, Naomi Klein, Noam Chomsky, Moore, along with many others.

Bottom line: worth a viewing, especially if you can get someone opposed to seeing it to watch it with you. 

Former police chief asserts professional values, disproves old stereotypes

Some associate cops with their widely known stereotype: sneaky, corrupt, lazy donut-devouring individuals. Culturally, Americans have learned to be skeptical of police officers, often believing that they do more harm than good. Or that they do absolutely nothing at all.

On another note, republicans are conservative. They all think the same and stand behind the same political ideas. Tony Ribera, who has been branded San Francisco’s scarlet letter of “conservative republican,” opposes the death penalty and a ban on assault weapons.

Former police chief, San Francisco born and bred Ribera, spoke on this idea and many related themes with a group of SFSU journalism students today.

Ribera never had a pool in his backyard or long blond hair. He was always more fond of sports then academia and when he returned from his brief deployment to Vietnam, he took to police work like “a duck to water.” He was drawn to the underlying values that the field offered him: comraderie, friendship, social networking, and "best of all, the ability to help people directly."

He has also learned to deal with the stigma of law enforcement taboo, such as the idea that police departments have too many secrets and that cops should only talk to media when forced.

The perception of police distrust originated when officers received much lower salaries, avoided the media at all costs, and engrained the idea of a “conspiracy of silence.” This reality changed tremendously after 1950.

Ribera is a strong proponent of ethical leadership in all fields and clings to the importance of being truthful, transparent, and above all, compassionate. “Lots of administrators miss this,” Ribera spoke of the essential element, and proceeded to pose the often ignored question, “how does power affect people?”

These words ring true to us all in some way, shape or form. And yes, a so-called conservative cop said that. Generalization busted.

Bottom line: give the police guys a chance. They are here to help.

The 2003 republican mayoral candidate is considered a media expert on the highly publicized and scrutinized New Year’s Day 2009 BART shooting. He is the director of the International Institute of Criminal Justice Leadership at the University of San Francisco.