Birth control for men – heating up the genitals

Just took a break to visit a few local blogs and realized I’d forgotten to make note of this item posted by Shankar.

This is supposed to save you the hassle of condoms.

How about a morning after pill for men?

And then there were four?

Richard Marks is reporting that yet another candidate may be throwing in his/her hat into the Second District race – somebody who works with labor and lives in Rio Dell.

Previously he’d posted that Operating Engineers District Manager Steve Harris might be considering a run.

Now all we need is a loud right winger in the mix, maybe someone who doesn’t like Rodoni’s marijuana views, and it’s better than reality television!

FPPC to investigate Tom Herman for conflict of interest

From the Times Standard:

The Humboldt Watershed Council alleged in an Oct. 1 letter sent to the state commission that Herman violated the act by filing inadequate or no required statement of interests and by “making, participating or attempting to influence governmental decisions” in which he had an economic interest — namely the Pacific Lumber Co. — and requested the commission investigate the matter.

….

At issue with Herman, according to the watershed council, is his position as a partner in the legal firm of Barnum & Herman that includes the Pacific Lumber Co. among its clients. In his role as planning commission chair, Herman participates decisions that affect the timber company and, by association, his finances.

The matter became more complicated after Palco submitted its plan to the U.S. Bankruptcy Court to convert 21,800 acres of timberland into development properties, a move that would increase the per-acre value eight-fold and potentially mean $700 million for the timber company.

In the past, Herman said he had said consulted with the FPPC regarding his involvement with the county’s general plan update process and had determined that no conflict exists.

The Eureka Reporter has some additional details:

As previously reported in The Eureka Reporter, the Humboldt Watershed Council alleges Herman has committed the following violations: “Inadequate or no filing of required statements of economic interests” and “Making, participating or attempting to influence governmental decisions in which his economic interest will be materially financially affected.”

Two of the allegations state Herman “or his partner” has met with or communicated with county planning staff on behalf of clients who have projects pending before the Planning Commission.

Herman is a real property attorney who formerly shared a Eureka office with attorney William Barnum. Herman now operates out of a Fortuna location.

They are associated, but not partners, Barnum said.

This is a serious matter, however, a decision to investigate should not be confused with the drawing of any conclusions.

Addendum: Don’t know why I didn’t notice this before, but Heraldo apparently scooped both papers on the story.

Press statement on today’s press conference

From: Estelle Fennell For Supervisor <effsupervisor@hughes.net>
Date: November 12, 2007 6:49:34 PM PST
To: Humoldt Beacon <news@humboldtbeacon.com>, Arcata Eye <news@arcataeye.com, editor@ferndaleenterprise.us, Steve Wolf <steve@riodelltimes.com>
Subject: Candidate Announce

Today, Redway resident, Estelle Fennell, announced her candidacy for the 2nd District Supervisor Seat up for election in June 2008. A press conference was held at the Redway Fire Department and Estelle was joined by 30-35 supporters from a broad cross section of the community.

Photos by Rob Stretch. Larger files available on request. More photos available (crowd shots, etc.) by Tuesday.

Press Release attached (not in my copy – I’ll get it and post it when I have it – EVK)

Thanks for your interest.

Estelle Fennell (Candidate), Ernie Branscomb (committee member), Estelle Fennell (Candidate), Dave Kirby (Campaign Manager)

Estelle Fennell For Supervisor
P.O. Box 501 Redway, CA. 95560
effsupervisor@hughes.net

The story was broadcast on KMUD tonight. You can hear it again tomorrow morning at 8:oo or hear it podcast at the KMUD site.

Addendum: The Times Standard has a story in today’s paper, but I don’t think it made it into this week’s RT edition. It is in the Independent however, but they don’t have a website (yet).

California style pizza?

My family spent the day in Nohum (third day in a row). My son and I had the day off, so we accompanied my wife and daughter on their Monday routines which include gymnastics in Fortuna, an allergy shot in Arcata, and shopping. Has anybody noticed that nothing is open for kids on Mondays? The Zoo, Natural History Museum, library – all closed. So when it’s raining, the options are pretty limited when you’re trying to kill time.

We had lunch at the Arcata Pizza and Deli, which I could swear had been advertised as a “Philadelphia style pizza” place when it opened, complete with a fussball game. Did I confuse it with something else?. I hadn’t been there in several years (I miss the breakfast place it replaced), but the menu hasn’t changed a whole lot. Great big sandwiches on Brio rolls, making it the first northcoast deli I visited which sold hard-crusted sandwiches. I’ve found a couple more since.

I forgot to ask about the Philadelphia angle. What is it that distinguishes Philadelphia pizza? New Yorkers take pride in their thin crust. Chicago in it’s thick crust. Does Philly offer some sort of compromise?

But it brought to mind a memory of a decade ago on a visit to the east coast where we drove by a restaurant which advertised specialty in “California Style Pizza.” As someone who has spent about 40 years of his life in California and considers himself a bona fide native, I’d like to know what “California style pizza” is. I have this picture of a pie with jack, avocado, and alfalfa sprouts topped with nutritional yeast.

I’m afraid to Google it.

Addendum: Well, Ernie wasn’t afraid so he provided the Wikipedia link, where the photo comes from. Yes, that is a nearly raw egg.

Arkley backs Clendenen!

Okay, it’s an obscure joke. Kind of like my joke about Roy Curless being a bad candidate because he doesn’t like dogs. Otherwise he wouldn’t be curless. Get it?

Yeah, I’ll keep my day job.

See, I was at the Eureka Coop today. They’re showcasing Clendenen’s apples in a special display. Since the Coop is allegedly beholden to Arkley, and, well – I guess you had to be there. Don’t ask me where. It’s been a long day.

The apples in that display are humungous! Some of them are as big as grapefruit. We’ve got too many apples in our backyard to buy any right now. But those things looked great. Can’t attest to the flavor. They smelled good.

By the way, I came across a new product there which has me hooked. Well,, maybe it’s not new, but it’s the first I noticed. Anyway, try the curried cashews. They go great with the dried papaya.