A welcome return

Yesterday was a cool, sunny day in San Francisco, a perfect day for Mayor Newsom to bring back Sunday Streets. The Embarcadero was lively with families and individuals bicycling, walking, doing yoga and in general enjoying themselves. This great idea has been a big hit, even with the merchants who were afraid it would spoil their Sunday morning business. Turns out that even families shop and even joggers get hungry. Over the rest of the summer there will be several other Sunday Street events not only on the Embarcadero but through the Mission District and even out on the Great Highway overlooking Ocean Beach. We hope all these events will get lots of publicity so the crowds will continue to come and celebrate San Francisco's summers.

Fighting global warming

California is keeping its reputation as a cutting-edge state in working to reduce global warming. The Air Resources Board yesterday approved a regulation to minimize the amount of carbon in fuels. The move will take time, of course, but calling for a 10 percent reduction in the carbon intensity of fuels by 2020 is a step in the right direction. Changing people's habits, and especially changing industry habits, will take time and patience, but every step forward brings us closer to the goal of preserving a livable environment for ourselves and our children. Now let's hope that other juriscidtions will follow California's lead and move ahead on this issue.

Time to think about voting

Early voting in the May 19 election has started, so if you expect to be out of town on Election Day, be sure to get an absentee ballot or go to your local election office to vote. The ballot measures coming before the public on May 19 are important, but they are complex, so the turnout is expected to be light. If you care at all about what's happening to the California budget, get out and vote! This year is setting a record for the use of electronic media in making voting easier and more efficient. Even tweets will be used, according to Secretary of State Debra Bowen, for getting important information out to polling places. As usual California is leading the way in using electronic means to make voting easier. Now all we have to do is get out the voters. If you don't vote, you don't have the right to complain about the results. Make your voice heard on May 19.

What are those bugs out there?

Anyone who travels on the N-Judah can see how popular the Academy of Sciences is by watching the happy families piling onto the trolleys at 9th Avenue to go downtown. Now we know that the academy is fulfilling not only its recreational function but also its scientific role in studying biodiversity in the city. As the Chronicle writes today, biology students from SFSU are trapping insects on the roof of the building and also on the ground surrounding it so they can compare the different kinds of insects in the area. So far it appears that the native plant environment on the roof nurtures a very different group of insects than the mixed environment in the park. You may not care much which insects inhabit the park as long as they stay away from you, but it's important for scientists to learn more about the kinds of native and non-native creatures who share the city with us. It's cheering to know that the museum is offering a new site where scientists can continue their ongoing quest to understand our environment.

Who finally decides?

In Nov. 2008, San Franciscans voted on a ballot measure supporting the JROTC program in schools. The School Board had earlier voted to phase out the program and replace it with other phys ed programs. The ballot measure passed, but because it was entirely advisory, it did not mean the Board had to follow the recommendation. In the same election the composition of the school board changed with the election of new members and the new board decided to keep JROTC. Now the State Legislature is considering a bill requiring the San Francisco Board of Education to continue offering the JROTC program. Whether or not the bill is passed in both houses remains to be seen, but the issue raises important points about who is actually charged with making decisions about school issues. Surely it is the Board of Education which makes those decisions. Having the state legislature step into the process seems unwise because there are many educational questions that should be settled by local elected authorities. No matter whether you support or oppose the JROTC, it's important for citizens to consider the implications of process in our schools. What is it they say about "eternal vigilance"? Let's remember to be wide awake as we watch what legislators are up to.

Will people stop spending?

There are plenty of things to worry about these days, but somehow the idea that Americans will permanently stop spending money on more clothes, cars and gadgets than they need seems one of the least of these. According to the S.F. Chronicle, some economists are worried that the "new frugality" will become a permanent habit. For the past few months Americans have been spending less than they did last year. Perhaps some of them are enjoying it and will never succumb to the temptation of one more pair of shoes again, but history tells us that this has never happened in the past. During the mid-19th century when manufactured goods became available to most families, they started buying them. Spending dropped during every depression, and some people never were able to join in the spree, but those who could started buying again whenever times got good. A new generation grows up every fifteen years or so and the cycle begins again. Let's worry about real threats like global warming, nuclear proliferation, and state budgets. Frugality will never become a real threat to the economy.

Can't we have everything?

Those of us who ride Muni and who have used public transit in other cities know that San Franciscans are getting a bargain. If you go to New York or to Washington D.C., you learn that other large cities charge higher fares and don't always offer bargains like free transfers. Yet many people turned out to protest the proposed higher fares that Muni requested to balance its budget. There are other increases in the proposed budget including parking fees for meters and garages. Almost everyone in the city will be hit by one or another of these changes, but it's time to recognize that we've been having an easy ride for years and we have a responsibility to pay our way. Monthly Muni passes will still be a bargain after a $5 increase, and the senior Muni pass is a giveaway. Not all seniors are poor, especially with more and more people in the 65-70 age group continuing to hold jobs. Surely a fifty percent discount for senior tickets would be enough. For those who truly can't afford that, free tickets should be available to seniors and others who qualify for food stamps or other social services. We need a better Muni, not a hard-pressed one that doesn't have money for repairs and upkeep. It's good for the city, good for the environment and good for all of us.

Talking about health insurance

Talking about health insurance is a popular pastime for many people especially with so many workers being laid off. People who lose their jobs almost inevitably lose their health insurance unless they are covered by a spouse's policy. This is a scandal, of course, that wouldn't be tolerated in other developed countries, but the U.S. is having a hard time digging itself out of the healthcare mess it has created. One of the groups worst hit by loss of insurance are people who already have health problems. Finding new insurance can be very difficult, which is why it's good to read an article in the N.Y. Times that comes up with useful suggestions of what to do after losing a job. The task may be difficult and time-consuming, but it's important to take any steps possible to continue insurance coverage. And those of us who haven't lost jobs can help by keeping up pressure on our legislators to help us climb out of the healthcare morass.

Google to the rescue

San Franciscans tend to be strong supporters of renewable energy, although almost everyone knows it will be a difficult and expensive struggle to reach the targets many environmentalists have set. Now Google, having made all our lives better by providing information on pretty much every imaginable topic, have come up with a map to help planners find out where solar energy plants can be sited. Much of the desert land that would be ideal for generated solar energy is off limits for development because of fragile ecosystems that should be protected. Google Earth's maps of the western states will now show each of the areas in which there are ecological issues. The work was done by Google in cooperation with environmental organizations and is a shining example of how technology can help us move forward to a more sustainable future. Take a look at this new tool now at www.nrdc .org/PathtoGreenEnergy.