The Sutro Tower construction with the removal of analogue antennas and
replacement with digital equipment will result in slightly less bulk and height
to the tower and should be completed by September, 2009. www.sutrotower.com

Pigeons and doves back in the neighborhood on the north side may be related to
that construction although I am by no means an authority or expert. On the
southern side of Forest Knolls, on the streets parallel to Clarendon, we still
have no pigeons. It seems as though the hawks do a fairly good job of keeping
the pigeon population at bay. However, with the tower construction, there are
fewer hawks that I observe from my window. It is quite a sight, these
magnificent raptors soaring past my window. It appears as though the hawks nest
in the tall trees, eucalpytus included, and even in Sutro Tower. With the
construction at Sutro Tower, they may have moved slightly west. I see more hawks
adjacent to the Forest Hill Muni station than I have in the past. Hopefully,
they will reclaim their territory once the construction is completed and patrol
the north end of Forest Knolls. This may underscore how delicate our unique
ecosystem is in this wonderful neighborhood.

Trying again...

Regarding solar power, this site may be of interest:

http://sf.solarmap.org/#

Among other things, it has markers representing current solar installations (one
on Warren is tagged), an estimate (by entering your address) of solar potential,
electrical production and savings, news, facts and solar resources in SF.

Here are the sponsors of the site, because it's always good to know who is
behind something!

http://www.sfenvironment.org/
http://www.ch2m.com/

- Rob


--- In forest_knolls_neighborhood@yahoogroups.com, " lulu" <ronylu@...> wrote:
>
> great topic.  wind power should be gaining popularity around here!  we sure
have enough of that.
>
> i spoke to a solar specialist a couple of years ago, and he told me that even
in the deepest sunset district, near the ocean, there are houses that function
completely off the grid and even sell power back to PG&E on some days.   so, it
can be done, and it's a myth that you need to live in a sunny clime to achieve
energy independence (or reduce your carbon footprint).  these days, with better
products, it should be even easier.
>
> can your brother give us more info on photovoltaics (dos/don't and
recommendations?)
> perhaps he knows of a specialist in the housing sector.  we could have a
neighborhood presentation.
> lulu
>
>   ----- Original Message -----
>   From: jxf37
>   To: forest_knolls_neighborhood@yahoogroups.com
>   Sent: Monday, July 27, 2009 1:49 PM
>   Subject: [forest_knolls_neighborhood] Solar
>
>
>     I know there are a few rooftops in the neighborhood with solar panels of
some type on them. I would love to hear from anyone who has installed EITHER a
solar electric system or a solar hot water system. How do they perform in this
miserable arctic environment? Even leaving the economics aside, do they make a
dent in your carbon output? My brother does commercial scale solar and wind
projects and reports to me that the time to buy photovoltaics is here...prices
have finally come down...
>   thanks
>   John
>

For people following Sutro Forest issues: There's another response to the UCSF
letter. "Puzzled #6" talks about Landslides.

http://savesutro.wordpress.com/2009/07/30/puzzled-6-ucsf-landslides/

--- In forest_knolls_neighborhood@yahoogroups.com, "fk94131" <fk94131@...>
wrote:
>
> Yet another response to the UCSF letter: "Puzzled #5" discusses the stated
obejctives of this project on the Save Mount Sutro Forest website.
>
> http://savesutro.wordpress.com/2009/07/28/puzzled-5-ucsf-strange-objectives/
>
>
> --- In forest_knolls_neighborhood@yahoogroups.com, "fk94131" <fk94131@> wrote:
> >
> > We have another response to the UCSF letter up - talking about whether Sutro
Forest is a Cloud Forest.
> >
> >
http://savesutro.wordpress.com/2009/07/25/puzzled-4-%e2%80%93-ucsf-not-a-cloud-f\
orest/
> >
> >
> > --- In forest_knolls_neighborhood@yahoogroups.com, "fk94131" <fk94131@>
wrote:
> > >
> > > For anyone who is following the issue: There's a new post on the website,
Dr Morley Singer's letter to Assemblywoman Fiona Ma.
> > >
> > >
http://savesutro.wordpress.com/2009/07/24/letter-to-fiona-ma-ca-state-assembly/
> > >
> >
>

New on the website:

San Francisco, at the time when Sutro planted the historic forest, was a world
of windblown sand that got into everything, including residents' lungs. On the
website today we have excerpts from a letter on the Original San Francisco, with
quotes from historic sources.

www.savesutro.wordpress.com/2009/08/01/old-san-francisco-sand-wind-and-windblown\
-sand

(If you can't get in with this link, edit it to close up spaces. Yahoo adds in
those. Or go to savesutro.wordpress.com, and then look for the Recent Entries
section on the right.)

Okay, this link should work better:

http://savesutro.wordpress.com/2009/08/01/old-san-francisco/


--- In forest_knolls_neighborhood@yahoogroups.com, "fk94131" <fk94131@...>
wrote:
>
> New on the website:
>
> San Francisco, at the time when Sutro planted the historic forest, was a world
of windblown sand that got into everything, including residents' lungs. On the
website today we have excerpts from a letter on the Original San Francisco, with
quotes from historic sources.
>
>
www.savesutro.wordpress.com/2009/08/01/old-san-francisco-sand-wind-and-windblown\
-sand
>
> (If you can't get in with this link, edit it to close up spaces. Yahoo adds in
those. Or go to savesutro.wordpress.com, and then look for the Recent Entries
section on the right.)
>

Calling photographers!

I'm the webmaster for the savesutro.wordpress.com website. I'm looking for a
really good picture of our neighborhood with the forest above it and the fog
rolling in.(Something like the picture at the bottom of the front page.)

I'm not a good enough photographer to capture the beauty of it... is someone
better than me willing to provide a picture?

We will give a picture credit on the website.

E-mail me any pictures you're willing to share.

The post on landslide risk has been updated to include maps that clearly show
that both sites contain large high-risk areas.

http://savesutro.wordpress.com/2009/07/30/puzzled-6-ucsf-landslides/

At the entrance to Forest Knolls, the corner of Oak Park and Clarendon, it
appears that an accident occurred this morning knocking down the post containing
the school warning sign and lights. Damage to the Forest Knolls planter box with
fallen bricks can be observed. It almost looks like the toppled sign nearly
missed our new Forest Knolls signage. If there is a traffic report, I would
assume the insurance carrier of the responsible party would have to pay to
repair the damage. However, I am unsure who among us is to file the claim? The
association (TPIA), the owner of the house at the corner? In any event, I am
sure we would like to see repairs made.

I heard the accident - it was quite late, maybe around midnight, and the car
that did it drove away, apparently without serious damage.

I'm also unsure who the planter box belongs to. I'm guessing the homeowner?


--- In forest_knolls_neighborhood@yahoogroups.com, "Todd"
<mountainbikerguyy@...> wrote:
>
> At the entrance to Forest Knolls, the corner of Oak Park and Clarendon, it
appears that an accident occurred this morning knocking down the post containing
the school warning sign and lights. Damage to the Forest Knolls planter box with
fallen bricks can be observed. It almost looks like the toppled sign nearly
missed our new Forest Knolls signage. If there is a traffic report, I would
assume the insurance carrier of the responsible party would have to pay to
repair the damage. However, I am unsure who among us is to file the claim? The
association (TPIA), the owner of the house at the corner? In any event, I am
sure we would like to see repairs made.
>

David Maloney, a retired fireman, was on the task force investigating the
Oakland Hills 1991 fire. The task force found trees - including eucalyptus -
were not responsible. In fact, eucalyptus is actually fire resistant.

A letter by Mr Maloney, published in the Contra Costa Times, has been posted on
the website. (If the link doesn't work, go to www.savesutro.wordpress.com and
look for the link on the right side.)

savesutro.wordpress.com/2009/08/08/no-tree-hazard/

Does anyone know whether an Environmental Impact Statement is being done on the
Sutro Forest mess?  I asked my brother (used to be an environmental lawyer) who
explains there's a lot of case law on the question of whether an EIS is required
(i.e., it's a very messy question) but the bottom line standard is "major
federal action significantly affecting the human environment."  On its face at
least, this standard is certainly met here.  However they can apparently meet
this obligation with an easier thing called an Environmental Assessment.  Either
way, I think somehow we need to press for this level of analysis by FEMA and
UCSF: at the very least it would put the brakes on (an EIS is a long, drawn out
process that costs a lot of money); it would likely also sort of some of the
misinformation that they are putting out; and it might change enough people's
minds to stop the project.
I've lost track of who is involved in this opposition effort; is there a central
group? If not, there needs to be so that efforts are focused, funds are used
efficiently, etc.
And finally, my brother's last comment as that our best chance to stop it is
likely political, which I take to mean vocal opposition in the right places as
opposed to legal action.

Great question about the EIS and funny you should ask. The answer is not so
funny. There is alot of information posted on www.savesutro.wordpress.com. UCSF
is a tremendous worldclass institution for healthcare but they are a very poor
neighbor. Another S.F. neighborhood (Laurel Heights) had to sue them when UCSF
attempted to avoid the environment review under CEQA-California Environmental
Quality Act. UCSF lost big time at the California Supreme Court after spending
precious time and student dollars fighting the case (Laurel Heights Improvement
Association v. Regents of U.C.); the case is now used nationally as precedent by
many environmental lawyers. NEPA is the federal equivalent of CEQA and appears
to be somewhat more stringent (an Environmental Assessment-EA instead of EIS).
Yet, UCSF is attempting to repeat the Laurel Heights fiasco all over again: in
UCSF's grant application—"Prior to grant award, the University will conduct
environmental review….likely concluding the proposed project would be
Categorically Exempt….Minor Alterations (sic) Land." Yes, the removal of 3000
trees is a minor alteration such as when I trim the hedges. One can draw their
own conclusion, but I believe this underscores what UCSF thinks of this
neighborhood especially in light of the wasted time, energy and student dollars
wasted fighting the Laurel Heights Improvement Association. Accordingly, the
local FEMA office is the one to alert if that has not already occurred that this
is not a minor alteration as I would like to remain confident that FEMA does not
waste precious federal dollars. Accordingly, public comment is very necessary.

The website has been updated with a letter from a Berkeley resident, who recalls
that UC was informed as early as 1991 that removing eucalyptus and substituting
open grass/ shrubs/ sparse trees was actually an expensive way to raise the
fire-risk. That came from someone with Australian bush-fire knowledge...

http://savesutro.wordpress.com/2009/08/09/grass-fires-worse/

Someone who has an ailing eucalyptus tree that's around 20 years old is looking
for an arborist and contacted me through the website at savesutro.wordpress.com

I don't know anyone, but if you do - or have suggestions - please let me know so
I can pass it on.

I wrote an e-mail about Sutro Forest to Sean Elsbernd today, following the
article that appeared in today's Examiner. It's given below.

------------ ---
Dear Sean,

I saw you were interviewed in today's Examiner about Sutro Forest.

UCSF's plan is poorly thought-out. Using their own FEMA application, it's clear
that the fire-risk has been overstated; that the landslide risk has been
understated; and that their management plan, while suitable for dry areas like
Oakland, would be a disaster for Mt Sutro. Why?

Mt Sutro is a cloud forest. It's within the fog belt. All through the summer,
the tall trees catch the fog and precipitate it in the forest. The dense
undergrowth (and if you'd like to come up there some time, you'll see it really
is dense) holds it in like a sponge. The trick to protecting this forest is to
RETAIN MOISTURE, not to reduce fuel load (which is appropriate elsewhere).

There's somewhere between 10 and 30 dry days in the forest. For that, UCSF wants
to spend huge amounts of money, to destroy the forest and increase the fire risk
because grasses and shrubs are more, not less, flammable. Twin Peaks has a
greater fire hazard than Sutro Forest.

Which the Cal Fire maps show is Moderate - not high or very high. When the map
is looked at with enough resolution, it is clear that the only "high risk" area
is the treeless native garden on the summit. (It's actually not a fire danger
because it's been irrigated. But if it's replicated elsewhere on the mountain,
where are the plans for irrigation?)

Please do take the time to look at the website, www.savesutro. wordpress. com

"Why We Fight" is being shown on KQED channel 9-1 on Tuesday at 7:30
p.m. That's tomorrow. It's worth watching.

Mary

----- Original Message -----

From: Mary Allen

To: forest_knolls_neighborhood@yahoogroups.com

Sent: Monday, August 10, 2009 8:52 PM

Subject: [forest_knolls_neighborhood] Off Topic

 

"Why We Fight" is being shown on KQED channel 9-1 on Tuesday at 7:30
p.m. That's tomorrow. It's worth watching.

Mary

Thanks for the information!

I saw one some months ago on Twin Peaks Blvd, just above the Panorama
intersection.

--- In forest_knolls_neighborhood@yahoogroups.com, Jorge Noa <jnoa@...> wrote:
>
> I am forwarding this message from the Midcrest-Cityview Neighborhood Watch
news group.
>
> The coyotes are back!
>
> As a reminder, the actions experts recommend  to take if a coyote is  spotted
is to make a lot of noise such as clapping your hands and yelling to scare it
off and keep it fearful of humans but never chase it needlessly.  Never feed it
or leave any food out at night for your pets. Be extra careful with your pets
and when walking your dogs, especially if you let your dog go off leash.
>
> They probably have a den with pups somewhere in Twin Peaks/Glen Park Canyon
and are very protective and aggressive in their den territory. So think twice
about walking your dogs in those wilderness areas. You may want to take them
somewhere else to avoid the possibility of confrontations.
>
> Remember they forage a wide area and in previous years have even been seen in
the middle of the afternoon strolling through  Midtown Terrace streets on their
way up and down from Twin Peaks. At night I had seen them crossing Portola.
>
> Hopefully SF Animal Control will  put out placards, as they did last year,
warning the tourists on Twin Peaks.
>
> Jorge
>
>
> ----- Forwarded Message ----
> From: MARIAN RITCHIE <mvritchie07@...>
> To: midcrest-cityview-watch@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Thursday, August 20, 2009 12:46:44 PM
> Subject: RE: [midcrest-cityview-watch] Coyote's return
>
>
> Thanks
> for the info Peg!    Don’s cats would have made a tasty-treat…
>
> We’ll
> be extra-careful w/dear little Shania… xo, M
>
> From:midcrest-cityview- watch@yahoogroup s.com [mailto:midcrest- cityview-
watch@yahoogroup s.com] On Behalf Of Gilbert
> Casarez
> Sent: Thursday, August 20, 2009 12:14 PM
> To: midcrest-cityview- watch@yahoogroup s.com
> Subject: [midcrest-cityview- watch] Coyote's return
>
>
> Hi everyone ...my
> neighbor @ 98 Midcrest,who has 3 cats who like to go outside,
> called me this morning to let the neighborhood know
> that the was a coyote in his
> back yard last night w/his three cats cornered. He
> had to make a lot of noise &
> movements to get it to move @ which time the coyote
> crouched & growled @ him.
> He was able to save all three cats....he asked me
> to let everyone w/animals know
> that the coyotes are back & according to Animal
> Control they are here & in the
> Glen Park ( canyon) area w/babies.... peggy &
> gil
>
> ________________________________
>

While we in Forest Knolls have concerns about the South Ridge project, there's
also the Edgewood project planned for a second phase if this one is a "success."

So far, most of our pictures have been on the South side of the forest.
Recently, we walked round to the Edgewood/ Farnsworth side. They would lose not
just the forest, but also a screen between their homes and the backsides of a
couple of tall buildings...

We have photographs on the website.

http://savesutro. wordpress. com/2009/ 08/23/edgewood- and-farnsworth/

We did some research on the landmark Laurel Heights Improvement Association vs
UCSF case, about Environmental Reviews. UCSF lost that one.

UCSF hasn't done an EIR for the Mount Sutro project, though one is clearly
necessary for a number of reasons.

It's up on the website.The post is at
http://savesutro.wordpress.com/2009/08/24/laurel-hts/

As always, if the link doesn't work (Yahoo sometimes messes with it), go to the
website and look under recent entries for "Laurel Heights vs UCSF: Environmental
Review Problems. Replay?"

I was browsing the Miraloma Park forum the other day (I shop near there and
they're close enough for me to take an interest) and they note that car thefts
and vehicle break-ins seem to be up in their area. They urge their members to
make sure to report every incident, because unless they do, the area in general
doesn't get police attention.

I don't know how much of an issue it is here - perhaps more as more cars are
parked outside - but the advise seems good.

To report online:

http://www.sfgov.org/site/police_index.asp?id=28854#vburglary

Someone sent us an article by Michael Pollan, published in the New York Times:
"Against Nativism." We've summarized the article and linked to it.

http://savesutro.wordpress.com/2009/08/27/michael-pollan-nativism/

The nativist opposition to eucalyptus comes largely from its foreign origins.

(If the link doesn't work, go to the website at savesutro.wordpress.com and look
under Recent Entries.)

I got a flyer saying that Robert and Lisa Harris have organized a community
event about Solar Power.

It's a presentation by Luminalt and San Francisco Solar about the benefits and
costs of solar power, including the rebates available.

It's at their house (185 Christopher) on September 9th, 2009, 7-8 p.m.

I'm passing this on here in case someone's reading this but missed the flyer.