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Top Stories: July 30, 2010City Takes on Fire Department; New Google-China Feudby Danny Wool on Jul 30, 2010The Country’s First Green Zoo After a $72 million renovation effort, San Jose’s Happy Hollow Zoo became the first combination zoo/amusement park in the country to receive the coveted Gold LEED certification. This means that the zoo meets the highest environmental standards set by the federal government. The designation is based on six categories: sustainability, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, materials and resources, indoor environmental quality, and innovation and design process. Among the many features are the extensive use of recycled plastic, rock, glass, and even non-potable water, Forest Stewardship Council-certified wood framing, and radiant flooring to cool and heat buildings. One of the most visible features, however, is the rooftops on seven buildings. These have been planted with native species to provide a viable habitat for wildlife. Just by planting on the roofs, the park was able to add 14,000 square feet to the facility. A total of 56,000 plants were added to the roofs. Zoo Spokeswoman Vanessa Rogier says that she hopes that Happy Hollow will serve as an inspiration for other zoos throughout the country to adopt sustainable, green practices. Read More at KCBS. Read More at PR Newswire. City Takes on Fire Department The budget blues aren’t over yet in San Jose. Mayor Chuck Reed announced that the Firefighters Union has come up $6 million short in its effort to meet the 10 percent cut on salaries and benefits, leaving the city no choice but to eliminate 81 positions. As a result, 51 firefighters will lose their jobs, one station will be closed, and other stations will have to contend with reduced staffing and equipment. It is the first time in the city’s history that firefighters have been laid off. The firefighters are livid as a result of the decision, and argue that funds could be redirected from less vital programs to help them save their jobs. Union head Randy Sekany issued an ominous warning: “I guarantee you that it [the layoffs] will ultimately result in some person being injured more gravely or possibly dying or that a house will burn more dramatically or completely. I guarantee it.” A longtime critic of city spending, in April Sekany circulated a document around City Hall headlined “City Spending Gone Wild.” The document details more than $7 million worth of expenditures on a range of items and services, from hybrid Priuses to real estate assessments. “I mean, $150,000 on ergonomic chairs? When you’re firing people?” he asked? Mayor Reed has given him his answer. Read More at ABC 7. New Google-China Feud Storm in a Cup of Chinese Tea Following the blogs yesterday, it looked like the détente between Google and China had fallen apart almost as quickly as it was hobbled together. At first it seemed as if Chinese users were prevented from searching the site altogether unless they accessed it through Hong Kong. Early on Thursday Google claimed that its search, ads, and mobile services were completely blocked, while other services such as Google News and Google Images were only partially blocked. A few hours later, Google withdrew its claims, saying that the level of blockage was not as bad as originally anticipated. “Because of the way we measure accessibility in China, it's possible that our machines could overestimate the level of blockage,” said Google’s Corporate Communications Chief, Jill Hazelbaker. While there was some blockage, that’s par for the course in China. Hazelbaker continued that, “It appears now that users in China are accessing our properties normally,” Googlespeak for, “Censorship levels are back to normal.” Of course, censorship is just like pregnancy—you can’t be a little of either. And as Tom Lehrer wisely said, “All books can be indecent books, though recent books are bolder. / For filth, I'm glad to say, is in the mind of the beholder. / When correctly viewed, everything is lewd. / I could tell you things about Peter Pan. / And the Wizard of Oz, there's a dirty old man!” Read More at NBC Bay Area. Read More at The Mercury News. by Danny Wool on Jul 30, 2010 |
 The newly renovated Happy Hollow Zoo meets the nation's highest green-building standards. |
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