Water:
California water projects may flow under new leadership in Legislature -- Assembly Speaker Karen Bass is one hopeful sign for impatient water warriors because of a leadership transition at the Capitol. Recently, before replacing termed-out Fabian Nuñez (D- Los Angeles) as Assembly speaker, Bass took trips to Bakersfield and Fresno to hear firsthand about California's dire water problems. Another is Sen. Darrell Steinberg of Sacramento, who has been selected by fellow Democrats to be the next Senate leader, replacing termed-out Sen. Don Perata (D-Oakland). LA Times 6/9/08
Dan Walters: It's time for state to get serious about drought -- Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's declaration that California faces drought is another reminder – as if we need one – that politics isn't just a gotcha game, but a process with consequences, either good or ill. Make no mistake. Like California's chronic budget crisis, the state's looming water crisis is the product of head-in-the-sand decisions by voters and those they elect to office, not some natural calamity beyond our control. Sacramento Bee 6/9/08
*Some officials say recycled water is answer to drought -- In a neat bit of timing, the Sewer Authority Mid-Coastside's board of directors last week commissioned a new study on the feasibility and expense of producing recycled water for use by the large flower nurseries and thirsty golf courses in Half Moon Bay. The new water users would get a drought-proof source of water year-round, and Half Moon Bay would divert far less potable water to farmers, keeping some in surplus for future needs. CC Times 6/8/08
*Water shortage already costing $73m -- Fresno County Agricultural Commissioner Jerry Prieto Jr. says this year's water shortage already has cost the county $73 million. Most of that loss is from crops not planted. The figure could rise dramatically as farmers abandon crops because they do not have enough water to keep them alive, officials said. Fresno Bee 6/8/08
Fight over fish could cut water -- Nearly two months ago, a Fresno judge invalidated part of a federal water plan because it did not adequately protect Central Valley steelhead and two species of Chinook salmon. Now, the question is what -- if any -- action should be taken to correct the problem. Attorneys representing environmentalists and the agencies that oversee and depend on the massive Central Valley Project for their water on Friday began what promises to be an extensive debate on that key question. Fresno Bee 6/6/08
Food:
3 top James Beard awards for Bay Area foodies -- Bay Area chefs and restaurateurs took home three top prizes in Sunday night's James Beard Foundation Awards in New York, including best chef in the Pacific region. Craig Stoll, chef and co-owner of Delfina in San Francisco, beat stiff competition that included three other Bay Area chefs and was named the best chef in California and Hawaii, one of 10 such regional awards. SF Chronicle 6/8/08
South Korea says Bush pledges to prevent U.S. beef exports from older cattle -- President George W. Bush pledged Saturday to come up with measures to ensure that beef from older cattle - considered at greater risk of mad cow disease - is not exported to South Korea, Seoul's presidential office said. Bush made the remark during a phone conversation with South Korean President Lee Myung-bak, the presidential Blue House said. Lee's fledgling government has been battered by daily protests over an April agreement to resume imports of U.S. beef. Canadian Press 6/8/08
Health:
*Kaiser Backs Microsoft Patient-Data Plan -- Kaiser Permanente, the nation’s largest nonprofit health maintenance organization, is endorsing the drive toward consumer-controlled personal health records in a partnership with Microsoft. The partnership, announced Monday, will begin with a pilot project open to Kaiser’s 156,000 employees, which will run until November. NyTimes 6/10/08
Salmonella outbreak prompts FDA tomato warning -- Health officials warned consumers Sunday about an outbreak of salmonella in raw tomatoes, after the illness of one woman in Contra Costa County and 144 other infections nationwide. The source of the tomatoes is still unknown, but officials believe that large tomatoes, including Roma and round red, are carrying the strain, Salmonella sereotype Saintpaul, that has infected 145 people since mid-April. SF Chronicle 6/9/08
Immigration and labor:
*California bucks immigration enforcement trend -- While other states move away from giving illegal immigrant college students state benefits, the California Legislature appears to be pushing to give them more access to colleges and universities. But in California, where illegal immigrants are allowed to enroll in state colleges, some lawmakers are backing a bill that would allow illegal immigrants to qualify for state financial aid and fee waivers. North County Times 6/7/08
Parks and forests:
Presidio opening its vistas to the public -- New contemplative spaces, in which to sit and admire the beauty of San Francisco, are going up in the Presidio as part of the rebirth of the historic Army base into a national park. Workers are laying down granite and installing benches to make an overlook of Crissy Field, using part of a $15 million grant from the Evelyn and Walter Haas Jr. Fund. The Crissy Field Overlook will offer views of the shoreline, Angel Island and Alcatraz once it's completed this month. SF Chronicle 6/8/08
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