Hello again ! Let’s hope that by the time the March Pilot comes out the rain has gone away! I know we really need it, but enough is enough! Maybe if it would rain between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. I would feel better about it, but being that it has been all day is just getting to be depressing. Although I will say, I don’t have to go out and water my plants!
I have been asked to write about things OTHER THAN DRIVERS. Unfortunately those are most of the calls I get, so I’ll try to go back in ‘history’, somewhat, but my likes may not be the same as yours, and over the years I have tried to bring some of what we ‘used to have/do” back. I was reared in Palo Alto, so that in growing up [if I ever did] it was from Mountain View to Belmont. If some of this is a re-run to you, please overlook it.
Some months ago a member of the Belmont Planning Dept. came to one of the Transportation Authority’s [T.A.] Advisory Committee Board’s meeting to ask for our support with the T.A. for funds for a ped/bike bridge crossing over the 101 from Ralston in Belmont to link up with the Bay Trail behind Oracle. Since this was something I had been trying to get done for many, many years, [late 1980’s] and as Chair of the Advisory Committee I was ecstatic!
When I went to their Planning Dept. to ask about what they had in mind, so to speak, I was asked to take a look at some of the pictures they had just hung up as they did not know or recognize any of them. For me it was a true thrill as I knew where each had been taken and about their approximate age. For the young man who was talking notes, he too, seemed to enjoy what we were doing as he told me when we were finished that now he could answer any other questions that might come up. So to see the ‘building in progress’ now is a true thrill for me and I hope to be present when it is completed and dedicated.
In closing let me remind you please, that our lagoon waters are a part of the bay waters, [coming through the gates over by the SBSA plant] and as such they come under the watchful eyes of the County Fish and Game Rangers. So again let me remind you all to please not dump oils into the water. Should any of our wildlife get this onto their wings it could be a total disaster for them. And also, this is a part of the migratory pattern for the some of the Canada Geese, that seem to like it over behind the Oracle buildings where there is an ‘arm’ of our waterways . We have many migratory birds in right now, so if you are out walking keep your eyes open. Also if you have driven to the Marketplace drive behind the buildings to see what is taking a temporary refuge in the lagoon back there. Should you see some huge white birds they are most likely the Pelicans. For me this is a special treat each time I go shopping — just to drive behind and see what we have in. My waterfowl books are getting a lot of use right now!
Time for me to go — I’ve overused my space! Remember — its the law — take any of your dog’s ‘leavings’ with you and dispose of them at your home and if your pet is a female be sure you have a bottle of water as their urine will kill any grass she may use.
Drive carefully so that I will see you next month!
— Pat Dixon, the Swan Lady
(Note that Pat’s phone number for calls to contribute to “On My Soapbox” are usually included in The Pilot; the number has been omitted from the website version of this article. You can send a message to Pat by emailing with the words “For Swan Lady” in the subject line. )