Vegans feel sullied by fake vegan photos

By Victoria Schlesinger

04/19/2011

Vegans were outraged to learn that VegNews, a vegan life-style magazine, was doctoring photographs of food containing meat and dairy to appear free of animal products. Initially the magazine’s editor brushed aside the criticism, claiming it was a budgetary necessity, only to face the fury of the blogosphere. Going forward the magazine says it will only run “vegan photos.” [Read more - New York Times]

Safety records wouldn’t prevent San Bruno explosion says PG&E

By Victoria Schlesinger

04/19/2011

PG&E argued to state regulators yesterday that the September gas pipeline explosion in San Bruno would have occurred regardless of the utility’s sloppy record keeping. The company said that because the faulty weld responsible for the blast has no past record of problems, inspectors would never have checked the seam and instead looked for corrosion. [Read more - San Francisco Chronicle]

Powerful Peninsula politicians envision a “blended” high-speed rail

By Victoria Schlesinger

04/19/2011

Powerful lawmakers on the Peninsula presented their ideas for remedying California’s troubled high-speed rail project, suggesting the train should share the right of way with CalTrain in order to avoid the controversial elevated tracks. The ideas are hardly new, but come from state Senator Joe Simitian and state Assemblyman Rich Gordon, who control local purse strings for high-speed rail. [Read more - San Jose Mercury News]

California kids steeping in furniture flame retardants

By Victoria Schlesinger

04/19/2011

UC Berkeley researchers have found that California kids have seven times the amount of flame retardants circulating in their blood as compared to children in Mexico. The problem stems from a state law requiring the makers of couches to use large amounts of flame retardants, but state Senator Mark Leno has introduced legislation to counter the obscure law. [Read more - California Watch]

Poor record keeping could cost PG&E $400 million

By Victoria Schlesinger

04/18/2011

Today PG&E will provide the state with documents to help determine whether its lack of good record keeping actually contributed to the deadly San Bruno gasline explosion last September. If the utility is found guilty of violating the law, which it likely will be, it could be fined up to $400 million. [Read more - San Jose Mercury News]

Remembering the Bay Area’s 1906 earthquake

By Victoria Schlesinger

04/18/2011

Today marks the 105th anniversary of San Francisco’s devastating 1906 earthquake and news outlets are commemorating the date with video footage and stories of survivors. The SF Chronicle is running a story about 23 year old Leonie von Zesch, the daughter of a German countess, turn doctor whose writing eloquently chronicles the quake. [Read more - San Francisco Chronicle, Mill Valley Patch]

Rat poison killing California wildlife

By Victoria Schlesinger

04/18/2011

The newest generation of rat poison has been turning up in autopsies of dead wildlife, everywhere from urban to national parks. Once rodents eat the poison, any animal that consumes them is in danger. After a decade of data collection, the federal government plans to ban the most toxic pest management products, but some wildlife experts say that’s not enough. [Read more - San Jose Mercury News]

Enviro review of Hunters Point redevelopment likely in hands of state judge

By Alison Hawkes

04/15/2011

Environmental review of the Hunters Point redevelopment project will likely be in the hands of a judge after talks between building giant Lennar and local activists broke down. The activist group, POWER, want the developer to give more details on the health impacts of toxic chemicals buried underground on the site before launching construction. The lawsuit is the last issue holding up development. The state judge, who hears the case Monday, could rule that Lennar has to do more work on the environmental report. [Read more - San Francisco Examiner]

Stanford bike friendliest university in nation

By Alison Hawkes

04/15/2011

The League of American Bicyclists has named Stanford University as the most bike friendly university in the country. Of the 32 schools that applied to the first-ever list of Bike Friendly Universities program, Stanford was the only to receive a platinum rating because its extensive cycling network, education programs, and incentive programs. Nearly 22 percent of Stanford students and faculty commute by biking. [Read more - San Jose Mercury News]

Decisive report in West Marin Oystergate called into question by locals

By Victoria Schlesinger

04/15/2011

In the latest installment of Oystergate, the Interior Department’s recent report, which found that government officials were not guilty of charges of scientific misconduct, is being called into question by locals. Scientist and partial owner of the Point Reyes Light newspaper Corey Goodman and the owner of Drake’s Bay Oyster Company Kevin Lunny, who leveled the charges against National Park Service employees, claim that just prior to the report’s release Interior Solicitor Gavin Frost told them scientific misconduct had occurred. [Read more - Point Reyes Light]