Heidi's Fascinations

San Francisco Chronicle, Saturday, June 24, 2006

There's a scar in a trench in a pit in a park in the city of Fremont, and 8,000 people have come from near and far to see it since it was first exposed to view two months ago.

The scar is a clear trace of the infamous Hayward Fault that last ruptured with deadly consequences in 1868 and is bound to do so again, unpredictably and with far greater destructive force sometime in the near future.

But the open scar is also the heart of a vivid but endangered public exhibit displaying what an actual earthquake fault looks like, what causes quakes, and how they do their damage.


The vertical white string is the Hayward fault. It continues to a depth of 8 miles.

The open-air exhibit in Fremont's Central Park must close Friday for want of funds to keep it open, and the team of scientists, educators and city officials who created it must reluctantly fill in the pit and hide the scar -- unless they can raise $46,000 to pay for such crucial needs as an upgraded fence around the pit, permanent stairs to keep access safe, salary for its staff of one, and liability insurance. That will at least keep it open until Sept. 10, the 50th anniversary of Fremont's official birth as a city.


Descend stairs to look the Hayward fault in the 'eye'.

Fremont City Councilman Robert Wieckowski is heading a drive to raise the funds and hunting for sponsors to make the exhibit permanent, but Heidi Stenner, a former seismologist with the U.S. Geological Survey, the one-person staff, is conducting what may be the last informative tours of the site for the public this weekend.

"Most people have never seen a seismic fault, and they think of it as just a line in the ground, but this open sight of the Hayward Fault gives them a real opportunity to learn how the Earth behaves and what earthquakes can do, and what it's like living right on top of a fault," says David Schwartz, a USGS geologist who helped start the exhibit and like many other scientists and science teachers still volunteers his time there as a docent.


David Schwartz explains the fault movement to Fremont officials.

Joyce Blueford, another former USGS geologist, heads a Fremont nonprofit education organization called Math/Science Nucleus that already runs a fossil study hall and manages a 17-acre wetlands center near the Hayward Fault exhibit. She would take the exhibit under her group's wing if it survives because, as she says, "people are just amazed when they learn they can actually walk on a fault, examine it, and understand the Earth and how it moves."

And Annabel Holland, director of Fremont's Department of Parks and Recreation, which gave the land-use permit for the exhibit for a nominal $1,000 fee, is ready to extend the permit indefinitely.

"The city certainly supports it," Holland said. "It would certainly be great to see it go forward, because it doesn't only serve Fremont, but it teaches visitors from all over the country who come to see what an earthquake fault is really like."


In addition to seeing the fault, displays give visitors an opportunity to read about a variety of earthquake topics.

The best way to find out more about the exhibit and its future is by e-mail to msn@msnucleus.org.

E-mail David Perlman at dperlman@sfchronicle.com.

(photos & captions mine)

CNN reports this story from the AP

Naked beau flushed from the bushes

Thursday, June 15, 2006; Posted: 7:53 a.m. EDT (11:53 GMT)

ANN ARBOR, Michigan (AP) -- A man who ran naked through his neighborhood to persuade his girlfriend to marry him got more than he bargained for when he was chased and shot at, police said.

The couple were discussing marriage early Wednesday when the woman said she wasn't sure if she was ready, according to Ann Arbor police reports.

The man responded that taking risks is an important part of life and, to prove his point, jumped out of a first-floor window and ran naked across the street.

Before he could return, he spotted a couple walking and hid in some bushes to avoid them. A 28-year-old man noticed the bushes rustling and bare feet underneath, then drew a .40-caliber handgun and ordered the naked man out, police said.

The naked suitor ran away, but the armed man gave chase and threatened to shoot, police said. The gunman fired a shot and the naked man fell to the ground, suffering minor injuries.

A resident called police, who arrested the gunman on charges of aggravated assault and carrying a concealed weapon. He was released following further investigation, police Sgt. Patrick Hughes told The Associated Press.

The naked man was not arrested and didn't want to pursue charges, Hughes said.

Yes, yes, you see my fascinations have been focused largely on the garden and my friends' babies... but you see why, don't you?


Ahhhhh what a wonderful day!





What in the....?





She's BEAUTIFUL!





And chews her feet...





Look mom! I am free as a bird!

.

Ahhhhh Angel's Trumpets smelling lemony at my front door


The anxiously awaited not-quite-orange-but-mango-instead meadowbrite echinacea (two years old now, suffering in a pot)


Bee balm (love that name)


Yippie! One of my water lilies has a bloom!

I visited the San Francisco Botanical Garden recently. It is wonderful! Here are a few of my favs:

Proteas (Leucospermum actually) Hopefully my seedlings will one day achieve this!









And the Kangaroo Paws were at their peak!





The wildlife

Some new pics of the garden here...

The pond (again) with blooming water canna, a new black elephant ear, and expanding water lilies and tule reeds


A new, baby Lavatera


Old fav, lime Nicotiana