Ongoing local discussion about replacing the Evergreen Point Floating Bridge made me wonder about the life span of the Golden Gate Bridge. That icon of San Francisco and the U.S., could it survive for hundreds of years? It is, after all, a steel object in a notoriously foggy location. But as a beloved symbol, if it did need to be replaced, it would likely be kept as the original design no matter how bridge technology has evolved. Or perhaps we’ll be using flying cars and can just keep the bridge preserved and unused after it loses integrity. The S.F. Chronicle had two answers to the life expectancy question. Dale Luehring, a former general manager of the Golden Gate Bridge district general manager said two hundred years. But Kary Witt, the current manager, said “more or less infinite” with proper maintenance.
Bill Clinton clues for a N.Y. Times crossword (with warning by Will Shortz).
A smattering of trivia from the White House State Dinner for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II…it was the first and probably last white tie event for this Bush administration (Clinton had 3); Itzhak Perlman was the featured after-dinner entertainment; the guest list included a mix of sports personalities & Texans; the menu (photo) was decidedly traditional (spring pea soup, dover sole almondine, saddle of lamb) and was taste-tested by some senators and congressmen a few weeks ago just to get their opinion (the lunch menu featured baby sea bass).
Anyone living near a highway or even a speedy street knows that the sound of tires on pavement is the primary component of bothersome traffic noise. “Quiet pavement” consisting of rubberized asphalt (from recycled tires) is one solution to the problem. The Federal Highway Administration only recognizes sound walls as an official noise mitigation solution, but it encourages states to create pilot programs to research quiet pavement. California, not surprisingly, has taken on an ambituous study of various pavement solutions over the past several years. Caltrans has tested multiple techniques, sometimes in the same section of a wide highway: grinding the hard asphalt surfaces to reduce tire noise and applying various kinds of rubberized asphalt overlay. The rubberized asphalt produces the best dB reduction overall, but, interestingly, pavement grinding to create a quieter surface texture satisfied the ears of those living nearby. Data showed a difference in the low and high frequencies of the resulting noise for the various methods, which explains the success of the grinding method. Arizona and other statues have been piloting quiet pavement also. With unique climate concerns and driving conditions, it’s likely each state will find its own set of best solutions and apply them not on the loudest roads but near the loudest complainers.
Many small business owners have fought Wal-Mart and failed, but Dan and Mark Loney of Cloverleaf Grocery in Emo, Ontario (population 1,186) are holding their own with a plan that has ticked off the domineering company. The brothers trek over to the U.S., buy merchandise in bulk at Sam’s Club (owned by Wal-Mart) and resell it at prices that undercut the nearby Wal-Mart in Fort Frances. Business is great! Because the Loneys refer to Wal-Mart in their advertising, the company’s lawyers have sent them a 4 page letter stating that “Wal-Mart has a very strong cause of action against you for unfair competition and passing off.” Perhaps they should just refer to having better prices than “our big friendly neighbor in Fort Frances.”
Clyde Friend calls himself “just a common-sense person” and he loves nothing better than to sit on his bulldozer and move earth around on his land near Yakima, WA. Five years ago he was bulldozing an embankment for a new driveway and he unearthed a fabulous find: a forest of petrified wood. Friend had been picking up bits of the ancient wood here and there on his property for the thirty years he has owned it, but he never expected to run across a 15 million year old stand of fossilized trees. And these rare trees are even more unique as they are upright. He’s dug up about 200 trees and has sold some specimens to a museum and collectors who have tracked him down but right now he’s not selling any more until he regroups and ponders this unexpected treasure trove.
Hopefully this will come in handy one day. Starting in July a new Hawaii Superferry catamaran will allow people to island hop without having to board an airplane. Oahu, Kauai, and Maui will be in reach of 866 passengers and 282 cars per trip. Each leg takes about 3 hours and the “Big Island” will be added to the schedule in 2009. In addition to tourism, the local trade is expected to benefit (power outlets are available for refrigerator trucks). There were of course environmental concerns to the ferry addition. The route map shows different paths for whale season.
Whoops! University of Washington officials are still looking for a commencement speaker. Graduation ceremonies are only five weeks away and their first candidate declined in March. Any takers?
NBC is bringing Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip back to the Thursday night line-up on May 24th. But after the existing episodes are broadcast, that’ll likely be it for the show. And unless Aaron Sorkin managed to sneak him into a remaining storyline (I wouldn’t put it past him), Joshua Malina will break his streak of appearing in all Sorkin-credited productions (Malina isn’t on the credits list for the upcoming movie “Charlie Wilson’s War” either).
It’s 31 cent scoop night at Baskin-Robbins today, 5pm-10pm.