Girl on Bike - must see!

Scaring myself

So my neighbors get into this fun holiday also - and I admire that! But does anybody else think inflatables during the day on the lawn, look like some kind of fabric massacre or Goodwill bag that got torn open and spread across the yard by a misbehaved dog? The Christmas lights mixed with the scary clown and garden gnomes make this a designers nightmare - but again - I'm thrilled other houses deck out - and attract the kiddo's out and about. My guess is that they have kids - so the cute theme makes sense. On the other hand...

Our house is the scariest. In our tradition, my husband and I hide some of the decorations occasionally - to try and startle each-other. I hid this head in the cereal cabinet - he left early w/ out breakfast this morning. And YES.... even though I put it here... scared the crap out of myself... then laughed in my joy and embarrassment - alone. ;-)

It may rain tonight... and I'm hoping my spider webs and bats and spiders don't get ruined - so keep your fingers crossed, or Friday I'll be scrambling on ladders again!

Boo!

Time to breath - some zen

After sharing with friends today that the last week has seemed full of a weird vibe, a controversiol vibe -- I realized something. The election propositions and candidates have us all wound up. We try to share our beliefs, and try as mighty as we can - to understand the opposition. Patience with lies and discrimination, trying to trust and hope... all have been taking a toll on us.

We need to take a lesson from what my boss has been doing in our fast paced production room, setting a timer and telling us all it's time to breath! She even did so today on a text - as she was off-site. I loved it! Just the act off watching my cat sleep, stretch or breath, brings that same zen feeling of less tension.

Here is a picture for you - and a moment to perhaps stop debating, pull good energy to ourselves, so we can have a good nights sleep, and be ready to do our work with vitality - tomorrow!

Peace.

Scary front porch Friday Fun!

In 3 days, the tradition continues. Sit abnormally still on the front porch, then scare the living daylights out of little goblins and parents too. The house is getting transformed into scary-ville. Just a few more spiders and webs, some grave markers, and lighting - and we are pumpkin golden! I'm just so excited!

If you had $50 million dollars, what would you do?

How could we help California with 50 million dollars? Could we give it to schools, educate teens on STD's and birth control? Give parents more resources and help - maybe daycare upgrades? I don't know, pick a cause. If you truly care about FAMILY... the aforementioned causes would be perfect! But why have opposing sides spend a min of $25 million each - to try and take away the simple rights of some. 

My marriage is still my marriage - if Lisa and Lynn get married. I'm still in love with and loyal and bonded to my man. I hadn't realized I was privileged or elite, by the chance that I'm a woman - and happened to have fallen in love with the spirit, this person, who happens to be technically and by hormones, birth and body - a man. Weird how I have that right, but somebody else doesn't. 

GREAT NEWS, the company I do work for, is an opposer (yes, and gave frigging money for it) of Prop 8. NO ON PROP 8 - and this time let it rest, and let's spend our money elsewhere. Geesch!

Please stop at red lights!

That is what I said out the passenger window of our car this morning, to a cyclist on Stevens Creek Blvd. "Please stop at red lights"! We had watched him for 2 miles, go through several reds - including the one at DeAnza Colleges entrance, where he cut off patiently waiting pedestrians, that stepped into the cross walk at their designated time. He had to swerve left to avoid hitting them.

So I couldn't help myself, as I want cars to like us, and to spread good energy between all us commuting, errand running, race training, rolling folks on the same roads. Suddenly I found my self addressing this man. He was probably in his late 40's or early 50's on a road bike. I initiated this interaction while we, once again, approached another light together. We were a few cars back, so I spoke out to him as he passed us in the shoulder lane. He yelled "F*c! You!" as he con't to the light. When we approached the light, he turned back to see who we were, and con't our conversation. I said, "Hey, we are cyclists too, and it gives us a bad name to go thru red lights".

He responded... "No it doesn't... mind your own business".

I thought... it IS my business...
A) I'm on the road in a car, and he is riding unpredictably, and I have no idea when he might cut across my legal path.

B) I am a cyclist, hoping to reduce the tensions between auto drivers and cyclists, and want them to start liking us more.

C) I'm an advocate for getting more bike lane access, bike racks at businesses, and awareness to try to recruit more cyclists on the road, and reduce car congestion, and needless driving. A dream for a more bike friendly community, and an effort to save our environment, while reducing our dependency on oil, and get physically active for better health!

Cement Quarry Emissions - details in article

Fantastic article written by Mary Beth Hislop - with details on the meeting, and facts regarding the expansion and emissions that the County and Hanson reported. 

click to reach the Los Altos Town Crier Article.

See Wednesday Night Blog Entry below for my take on the meeting.

Environmentally impaired? Hanson Cement Plant update

My husband, two neighbor friends and I attended a "Hanson Quarry Outreach Meeting" at our Cupertino Community Center tonight. It's in regards to their "Reclamation Plan amendment proposal" to increase their mining area from 330 acres to 917 acres and extend the term by 25 years. 

WHERE

This cement plant / quarry has been in the area - since 1939 (I'll check that fact). It is at the end of Steven's Creek Rd, and just across from the park where SLaB holds it's mountain bike workshops and where we ride our bikes at both Freemont Older and Black Mountain / Montebello Open Space.

WHY AM I INTERESTED

I'm a Cupertino resident, and I've been tested and diagnosed with toxic levels of Mercury and Lead. I have undergone an extensive Chelation process, halved the levels, but am still at a toxic level of Mercury. Hanson Quarry was at one time, the 2nd largest producer of Airborne Mercury in the State! The constant dust and noise are noticeable - and when I found out my neighbors were trying to chelate Mercury out of their systems, it was time to get informed, and see if we can clean up the air. See previous blog Entry(s).

I did not attend to say "Shut down the plant" - much to the disappointment to the angry residents that were attending. I moved here well after the plant did - and am interested in it not only not expanding, but in cleaning up it's airborne emissions. I would like to tell the folks that want it shut down, who was here first, and where is your cement footprint level? Try not wanting, using, having cement in our society. I don't like it any more than them, but the "not in my backyard" is not a good enough argument if they were there first.

So let's take a different approach. One that might be more easily listened to. Not fall on deaf ears. One maybe less emotional, but rational, and with some data.

HERE IS WHAT I PROPOSE.

Get seriously dedicated and active, let's organize to test ourselves, our own air, own dust, own bodies. Collect the data and present facts. Speaking out that you have Cancer, are sick, or have a child with Autism is a start - but not something one can give a solution or answer to. Let's prove that there are clusters of issues. Let's show them the content of the dust. 

The West Valley Citizens Air Watch is a fantastic start.  They were apparently successful in getting the plant to stop burning tires for power. They could use a website and forum to get more involved. They do seem emotionally charged, but well researched, and could be the spokesperson to speak for our community. 

(After being at this meeting, I think we need a steady - scientific oriented - non-emotionally charged person for this job). I think we need to take it a step further, and find out how to get a massive study done ourselves. The County is clearly not going to do it! (added on Fri. Oct 24).

Below is a screen grab of the website for the planning office. Click to link to Sccgov.org directly.

My husband Terry, spoke with the Bay Area Quality Management Department Representative that attended. We got great advice onto what we need to carefully do to test and he will send us advice on the protocol to get test result that will be accepted for "evidence" - if you will. We will also pursue what the actual Hanson Quarry Emissions are - hopefully from a test not provided by Hanson itself.

I'll post more information as I get it - let's not let this go another year without getting some facts collected!

Special note added FRIDAY Oct 24:

The last 24 hours I've had a min of 200 hits on this blog - please comment or send me an email if you want to connect and help organize a mass testing of our dust, and our heavy metals blood levels! Email Bevco (at) mac dot com.

Strong, Light and Beautiful Jerseys!

We still have SLaB jerseys available! Sizes: sm, med, lg, xl, and xxl

Check out the SLaB shop to order yours!

Colin Powell Endorses Barack Obama

I've heard Colin Powell Speak before (DeAnza - Foothill College Celebrity Forum Speaker Series) - and have so much respect for him. A Republican or maybe we should now say an Independent. A foreign policy expert - a hero. Pro Obama. He trusts Barack, as should we. Thanks Colin!

Matt and Kristy Memorial - a breathtaking site

Today the City of Cupertino dedicated a permanent memorial 

to Kristy Gough and Matt Peterson. 

It is a stunning, and breathtaking tribute. A ghostly white bike perched with the park in the background, and to the left -the road where they were both killed while on a training ride. Plaques read:

In Loving Memory of
Kristy Gough
November 19, 1977 - March 9, 2008
FREE FROM LIMITATIONS & IMAGINARY LINES

Our hearts forever inspired by
Matthew Wayne Peterson
June 4, 1978 - March 9, 2008
RETHINK WHAT IS POSSIBLE

Strong, Light and Beautiful - Skills clinic fun today!

Rashmi, Bev and Rachel enjoyed a perfect day and had the park all to themselves! With two cancellations, we had a private party of 3, and it gave us more time to go on a short ride after we challenged ourselves on the SLaB skills course.

Rash puts in the extra effort on a steep fire road climb - with success!

Rachel demonstrates fantastic limbo form

as we lower bar height more and more!

Commuting in a dress... and...

I can't remember the website/blog I got this from, but it is worthy of repeating. (I'll find out and credit the original poster). Anyhow... Yes... you can ride a bike in a dress and non-cycling shoes. Yes you can run errands on a bike... yes... one can take it to the unsafe level of too far!

Enjoy the added comments on this image!

I feel better finally, and have been commuting again on my beach cruiser... w/ a helmet, with a basket full of my re-fillable CamelBak water bottle, refillable coffee mug, purse, and sometimes groceries on the way home. But yes... I have called my husband while riding down a straight-away to see if he had requests at the grocery store, guilty as charged!

Tomorrow is a skills clinic in Cupertino -

Not to late to join our group!

Email to sign on!

Obama!

Friend of a friend spotted this in the East Village (NY)

Oct. 18th Skills clinic - Memorial on Saturday 18th

Hi all - 

Saturday morning, same time as scheduled skills clinic, there will be a dedication to cyclists' Kristy and Matt who were killed on Steven's Canyon Road this year. It's a special event, and will have a lot of emotion along with shutting down the road from 8ish to after 9 I'm guessing. 

The location of the accident is next to the entrance to our park where I host the skills clinics.  For multiple reasons, we'll move the clinic to later in the morning, if attendee's can still make a mid-day workshop. Thanks for your understanding.

The City of Cupertino has graciously sponsored a permanent memorial in honor of Kristy and Matt at the site of the crash. There will be a brief dedication ceremony as well as a memorial ride on October 18th.

- Saturday, Oct 18
- 8 am ride start (recommend arriving at 7:30am)
- Ride route: Cupertino Civic Center (10350 Torre Avenue) to Stevens Canyon Road

City of Cupertino's Announcement:
Memorials to be Dedicated for Bicyclists

On Sunday, March 9, 2008, two bicyclists were tragically killed in the foothills of Cupertino. Weather permitting, on Saturday, October 18, permanent memorials will be dedicated to Kristy Gough and Matt Peterson. Please join us for this brief ceremony as we honor the memory of our friends and family who have passed.

The morning's events will begin at 8 AM with a gathering at Cupertino Civic Center. Guests will cycle up McClellan Road to Stevens Canyon Road, near the site of the accident.

Those driving by car should go directly to the memorial site, as the road will be closed to automobile traffic once the bicyclists get under way. Shortly after 9 am there will be some brief comments and an unveiling of the plaques. In words provided by their families, there is one tablet for each rider:

In Loving Memory of
Kristy Gough
November 19, 1977 - March 9, 2008
FREE FROM LIMITATIONS & IMAGINARY LINES

Our hearts forever inspired by
Matthew Wayne Peterson
June 4, 1978 - March 9, 2008
RETHINK WHAT IS POSSIBLE

Please check the city web site for more detailed information as the event gets closer.

SLaB October Update

Chicken Soup!

Yay friends like Slabber Cindy and Keith! Due to yesterday's rest and nutritional nurturing... today is a better day. I'm still holding back, and resisting the urge to go to Jame's Harvest Party, but by tomorrow - I hope to be whole again! Thanks for all the well wishes! - B

Octoberfest - not!

Here is how I feel. Been sick (bronchitis) for 2 weeks of October so far. My friend from München sent me this awesome image of her friends kiddo in Lederhosen. 

I even missed a fantastic Trailer trash party at work today. Had purchased some fantastic costume pieces from Goodwill. But instead stayed in my PJ's at home.

Luckily dear friends are on their way back from La Fiesta. My favorite Mexican restaurant in Mountain View, and are bringing me some "Caldo de Pollo". 

SLaB clinic Oct. 18 Cupertino, Later in Marin!

Just an update that we are scheduling a skills clinic for October 18th. Early in the a.m. for 3-4 hours in Cupertino. You can email me to sign up, and spread the word! Minimum 4-5 ladies to make it happen!

Stay tuned for more SLaB updates as we get back into the swing of things post Interbike Tradeshow!~

Cheers
Stay in touch
and stay Strong, Light and Beautiful!

Don't Vote... wait... I mean do vote!

so close, yet too far (Commute update #3)

Commuting with the racer dude that won't acknowledge the fellow 2 wheeler: update #3.

Yesterday I was running late... and as I exited my street... there he was! He looked right thru me... again no acknowledgement. Again with the tearing of his helmet off while still riding to the Stelling light. But the Green Arrow failed him... and he did a multi-lane cross-over to the cross walk... and then took the pedestrian way across. Yup...  getting closer! ;-)

Now I know he's seen me! Soon I'll let him know he's famous on my blog. he he.

I forgot my real camera... so this was me whipping out my iPhone... and waiting for the 7 seconds (yes seven), for the camera software to ready itself... but still got an okay shot I'd say!

getting Vegas smoke out of my clothes

So I have lots to still share - and am getting my suitcase unpacked... phew... smoke all the way from the Venetian! Went straight from Vegas to a fabulous (SlaB) wedding, and came back with a nasty cold. So today am finally on my feet, or desk chair anyhow... and will send out a SLaB update to the whole group as soon as I compose it!

Thanks for your patience! Lots of great things for SLaB in 2009 coming! More sponsors, different format, event/skills clinic focus, product, benefits, and a network with sponsors that will pay for every mile you log into the calendar - to your charity of choice! I'll update on the +3 Network plan, after I meet with the founder this Friday.

I'm very excited about partnering with shops, brands, and collaborating with existing riding groups, social networking and non-profit charitable and worthy causes for SLaB to contribute to! Let's start before '09, and make a difference now!

Cheers!
Bev