By Guy Span Published: June, 2005 President Bush and his Secretary of Transportation, Norman Minetta, have a plan for Amtrak, the National Railroad Passenger Corporation. They want it go into bankruptcy to “save” it. The plan calls for zero funding for the national system, and then sets aside $360 million to keep the high-speed Northeast […]
Archive
John Beery: Bringing the Marina Up a Notch
Published: June, 2005 With a crew of family, friends, and associates, John Beery has brought boating in the Bay Area up a notch, again. His latest effort to improve boating in the Bay can be seen in the Dry Stack Marina, a large, new building located across from Jack London Square. It’s his way of […]
FERRY RIDER OF THE MONTH
Published: June, 2005 By popular demand, we return with Ferry Rider of the Month. This time, long-time Tiburon rider, Mark Kasanin, a prominent admiralty lawyer specializing in maritime issues, who also serves as Chairman of the Water Transit Authority’s Technical Services Committee, ruminates on the twists and turns of his beloved ferry route. “In the […]
EVENTS, ART & ENTERTAINMENT
Published: June, 2005 There’s an action-packed “it’s the start of summer” vibe floating in the air, and with it are some prominent events to note on your calendar. For one, we are privileged in the Bay Area to be the first North American host of United Nations’ World Environment Day (June 5). Evenings are perfect […]
Sturdy Southern Embarcadero Icons
Published: June, 2005 Wanting to stretch your legs a little during your lunchtime break? Does the sight of seagulls soaring overhead make you want to wander the water a little? Then grab a picnic lunch and take a stroll. Here’s a quick Lunchtime Adventure to guide you on your way. Head south down the Waterfront […]
THE DAYS OF WINE AND FLOWERS
Published: June, 2005 There were some spectacular floral events in San Francisco that really got our attention this Spring: The Pacific Orchid Exposition; Bouquets to Art; and the San Francisco Flower and Garden Show. At the Orchid Show in February, we were absolutely delighted with the bonus of a special wine-tasting happening right along with […]
Berkeley and Albany Residents Support Bringing Back Ferries by a 3-1 Margin
Published: June, 2005 On May 12, at a community workshop on ferries co-hosted by the Berkeley Waterfront and Transportation Commissions, the San Francisco Bay Area Water Transit Authority (WTA) announced the results of a recent public opinion survey. Favoring ferries by 76%, those surveyed in Berkeley and Albany said that they think the ferry is […]
Exploring in June
Published: June, 2005 World Environment Day June 4 & 5 World Environment Day in San Francisco is actually for five days, June 1-5, with city-wide festivities that include special events focusing on urban environmental issues. The Exploratorium gets into the act on June 4 and 5, with films on water (a pure element) and hands-on […]
HANDS OFF HARBOR BAY FERRY! By Bobby Winston
Published: June, 2005 Harbor Bay Ferry riders have been on an emotional roller coaster, hearing their beloved ferry doesn’t meet supposedly sacrosanct “fare box recovery” rates and is in danger of cancellation. Worry not, folks. The Harbor Bay ferry is doing dandy and is there is precisely a zero chance of it being cancelled. The […]
MIGHTY PORT OF OAKLAND By Graham Claytor
By W. Graham Claytor Published: June, 2005 Oakland, in 1851, was described as an “evil-smelling strip of muddy tidelands on one side and a flotsam-filled creek on the other.” A few scattered shacks inhabited by squatters on Don Luis Maria Peralata’s vast land grant and cattle ranch were beneath his notice, dismissed as mere gringos. […]