Contra Costa sprawl choking county budget. #autosprawlsubsidy

bikewalnutcreek.org

ContraCostaTimes: "The board's unanimous action came as a relief to the Contra Costa Transportation Authority, which has been working for more than a year on a half-percent sales tax measure that would generate $2.3 billion over 25 years for road and transit projects."

The drought is so bad in one California town that restaurants can’t wash dishes

Washington Post: "The emergency protocols bar restaurants from washing their dishes, force them to cut down on laundering napkins and tablecloths and require that water only be served to customers who ask for it. In addition, residents aren’t allowed to water their yards, wash their cars or wash any paved surfaces or buildings with city water."

California Lake Mysteriously Runs Dry Overnight, Killing Thousands Of Fish

Sacramento cbs: "FOLSOM LAKE (CBS13) — A Northern California reservoir ran dry overnight, killing thousands of fish and leaving residents looking for answers."

Technology comes from energy, not vice-versa

Resource Insights: "These dense, cheap sources of energy made it possible for many people to leave the increasingly mechanized and productive farm to seek employment in emerging industries powered by fossil fuels and pioneered by scientists and engineers who now had the luxury of time to work on inventions and refinements of previous inventions--rather than toiling in farm fields or mines. Energy first, technology second."

Bay Area commuters say they’d pay to improve public transit

SFGate: "But when it comes to public transportation, which ranks much lower on the list of regional concerns, they’re ready to open their wallets.
The poll showed particularly strong support for a $3 billion bond measure to improve BART, as well as for building a second Transbay Tube."

IVGID spending $15K to offer free shuttle service this summer

TahoeDailyTribune.com: "INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. — For the first time ever, the Incline Village General Improvement District will provide locals and visitors with free weekend transportation this summer."

New bike racks debut on MST buses, around Salinas area

thecalifornian.com: "Bike to Work week is May 11-15. Too far to bicycle to work? Try a hybrid commute. No, no I do not mean driving a Prius; put your bicycle on the bus for part of the way.

Rack'em up: Monterey-Salinas Transit buses have bike racks at the front that flip down so you can lift and secure your bicycle. Most of the buses have racks that carry two bicycles, the limit by law until now. MST's new buses, four of which are in use, have racks that carry three bicycles. An MST bus driver can allow a bicycle inside the bus if the outside bike racks are full. Hybrid means part one thing and part another; a hybrid commute part way by bicycle and part way bus."