*Archives

This is a holding area for (current year) past postings, temporary items removed from the front page, or items "under construction"

morrobaypool.org "Morro Bay Community Pool Foundation", working with Morro Bay High School District and Morro Bay City Recreation and Parks and San Luis Obispo County towards building an aquatics facility at the Morro Bay high school. More info: Rick Gilligan webmaster [at} morrobaypool d o t org http://www.morrobaypool.org/

One of the most frequently asked questions is "How do I upload and share photos or other large files, for free...? There are now many free (or low-cost) sites that facilitate just this... I review most of them here, and recommend that you try picasaweb.google.com/ and photo.epson.com - both are free and allow storage and retrieval of full-resolution images.

Sunday, April 25th, 2010, 12-5PM (rain or shine). American University Garden Tour, "Gardens of the World". There are 8 lovely gardens this year, one with a refreshment stop featuring homemade cookies. Gardens featured are in Los Osos, Cayucos and Morro Bay. Tickets are $10 and may be purchased at all Miner Hardware Stores, Coalesce and Volumes of Pleasure Bookstores and Farm Supply in SLO. For further information or tickets call Susan 772-7828.

Up Close in the Parks 2009 opens May 7, 2009 at the Morro Bay Museum of Natural History. State Parks and the Central Coast Natural History Association invite you to join the artists at the reception Thursday May 7, 2009 from 5:00 to 7:00 pm. View the exhibit and see our parks through the eyes of artists working in acrylic, oil, pastel, and watercolor. Artists include: Margaret Bertrand, David Chipping, Alice Cushing, Robert Dodge, Dotty Hawthorne, Janine Kirkpatrick, Ernest Lauser, Larry Le Brane, Mardi Niles, Barb Renshaw, Barbara Rosenthal, Robert (Rosey) Rosenthal, and Rachael Winn Yon. Up Close in the Parks continues through June 26, 2009. The exhibit features views of the “sisters,” especially Morro Rock and Hollister Peak. See also flowers, a blue heron, a butterfly, and views of Montaña de Oro.

Join Central Coast Natural History Association on its inaugural 2009 8 day cruise "Cruisin' the Pacific Coast" Sept 19, 2009. This is a one of a kind natural history cruise that is perfect for birders, photographers and nature enthusiasts of all kinds. We will fly to Vancouver BC, then board The Norwegian Star and cruise through Victoria, Astoria, San Francisco and Los Angeles with special shore excursions at each port. We will have lectures abroad ship with Jim Covel, our keynote speaker who is the President of the National Association for Interpretation and is director of guest services at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. An e-brochure can be found at http://morro-bay.com/ccnha/2009-CCNHA-Cruise.pdf If you would like to go with us, we need your reservation and downpayment of $450 as soon as you can to guarantee your spot. For more information, please call or email Mary Golden, 805.528.1397, mgoldenccnha [at} gmail.com. This fundraising activity is sponsored by the Central Coast Natural History Association. ccnha.org is a non-profit associated with State Parks and the Morro Bay Museum of Natural History.

NEW! FLEA MARKET to FINE ART FUNDRAISER AND BARBEQUE. Want to save trees and wildlife habitat, eat good food, and find a bargain buy all at the same time? APRIL 11, 2009 - SATURDAY; 10 a.m.-3 p.m.; RED BARN in LOS OSOS; 2180 Palisades Ave. at Los Osos Valley Rd. Three meal options: $10 Tri Tip, $10 Vegetarian, $5 Hot Dog; Featuring Local Artists and various Flea Market items; Prices range from $1 to $500. For the benefit of SAVE THE PARK, a non-profit focused on the North Coast of SLO County, that has been educating the public and fighting to preserve wildlife habitat for 5 years. For more information: 805-772-5912

Don't miss this Morro Bay community event! Mayor Janice Peters announces the second annual Fundraiser Follies, with 2009’s theme, “Morro Rocks!” - February 27 and Saturday, February 28, 2009 at the Morro Bay Community Center.

Showtime is 7 pm and tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students... "Hello, Everyone, It’s time for the second annual Fundraiser Follies, with this year’s theme, “Morro Rocks!” Performances are Friday, February 27 and Saturday, February 28, at the Morro Bay Community Center. Showtime is 7 pm and tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students with ID. Seating is cabaret style, first come, first seated. Doors open at 6:30 pm. Pizza, cookies, coffee, beer and wine will be available for purchase. The Fundraiser Follies proceeds are used to cover costs for all local events requiring city services. Last year, the fund covered permit fees for 12 events, from the Harbor Festival and Car Show to Art in the Park. We hope to raise enough this year to cover other costs as well. The Follies features all local talent, including businesspeople, city staff, elected officials and private citizens all strutting their stuff for your entertainment. Last year’s event was sold out and the attendees all had a great time. Performers this year include Rick Algert, Kathy Aulbach, Greg Blassingame, Susan Brown, Sharon Bufo, Peter Candella, Rick Carr, Nancy Castle, Phil Cisneros, Don Doubledee, Jill Garcia, Virginia Hiramatsu, Nancy Johnson, Gregg Kaufman, Andrea Klipfel, Rob Livick, Bill Luffee, Roscoe Mathieu, Steve Mazzetta, Stuart McElhinney, Mike Miller, Bill Peirce, Janice Peters. Mike Pond, Hank Roth, Rouvaishyana, Gary Ryan, Bonnie Tognazzini, Norma Vaughan, Marianna Frost, Nellie Mae Yeager, Camille Watkins, John Weiss, and Bill Woodson. Nancy Castle and Trina Dougherty of AGP video are co-directing the show. Janice Peters is producer and you can call her with any questions (772-4656; flamingos@charter.net) Technical support is from Syd Carr, Central Coast Music and AGP Video. Tickets are available at the Chamber, City Hall, and will be sold at the door. We look forward to entertaining you!"

No longer recommended (2009): Windows Live Safety Center is a new, free service designed to help ensure the health of your PC: Check for and remove viruses, Learn about threats, Improve your PC's performance, Get rid of junk on your hard disk

NEW (Feb 2008) The Morro Bay Solo Sailor Blog by past-Mayor of Morro Bay and solo sailor Bill Yates. Bill says "This blog is not about, oddly enough, solo sailing. It's about my views on Morro Bay and its political scene. It's named Solo Sailor because I'm, well, a solo sailor." [Editor note: Every Morro Bay resident interested in our local government will find Bill's Blog entertaining, and thought-provoking. Read about Bill Yates' past solo-sails in our Morsels section]
*****
Opposing or alternative points-of-view are welcomed and will be posted here. Anyone can make a blog at http://www.blogger.com/ in minutes - send me the link and a short description and it will be given equal exposure. The editor of morro-bay.com does not make judgments on content submitted or linked to.
e-mail mike [at} mikebaird d o t com.

Sun, July 20, 2008, 1-4 PM , Estero Bay Community Garden BBQ, next to Del Mar Park on Ironwood in Morro Bay. Organic chicken barbecue with sides from the garden, choice of desert and lemonade. Piñata event for the children, learn about raising snails to eat (yes, we are talking escargot) and worms for the garden, $12 for Adults, $8 for Children under 8. Adj. to The United Methodist Church, next to Del Mar Park, tale San Jacinto of Hwy 1, go up hill to Ironwood Ave., turn left, garden on left. Tickets available at Coalesce Book Store, Estero United Methodist Church office on hemlock, or call Susan Heinemann (805) 772-7828 susielarry0 at yahoo.com.

On Saturday, Feb. 23, 2008 at 1:00 PM, diver/photographers Ken Bondy and Gary Powell will give a presentation on their diving expeditions in Morro Bay and elsewhere, at the Morro Bay Museum of Natural History auditorium. They will present a Power Pt. program showing invertebrates and fishes that live under an ordinary-looking pier. They will also show the equipment used in their dives, including wet and dry suits, SCUBA gear, underwater camera housings, and more. The talk will last about one hour.

Mayor Janice Peters says "Come one, come all, and have a ball at the Fundraiser Follies, this Saturday evening Feb. 23, 2008 at the MB Community Center. See lots of local folks doing some pretty entertaining song and dance numbers (moi included). Only $10 for adults, $5 for kids. Doors open at 6:30 PM, show starts at 7. Refreshments, too! Please join us for lots of fun and laughter and to help support local events (4th of July, Kite Festival, etc.)

Mon. Sept. 17, 2007, "The Wealth of Birds and Wildlife Offered in Costa Rica," presented by Jose Calvo. Sponsored by the Morro Coast Audubon Society - Potluck & Community Program. Potluck at 6PM, program at 7PM. South Bay Community Center in Los Osos, CA, 2180 Palisades Ave., off Los Osos Valley Rd. See pdf flyer for more info. (805) 772-1991 morrocoastaudubon.org --
This presentation will be repeated in the Morro Bay Museum of Natural History auditorium on Sat. Sept. 22, 2007, 2PM (more info.)

Located in Los Osos on the central coast of California, Orchid Outriggers offers custom photography, birding, and estuary tours in hand-crafted 17' outrigger canoes with experienced guides... an opportunity to see and experience Morro Bay in a whole new way!

Above photo by Red Truhitte

sorry sold 12/27/07 For Sale $400 - Canon 20D 8.2MP SLR Camera Body in very good condition (used only by Mike Baird) 16 Dec 2007

April 2007! mbviews.org - Vision Morro Bay Citizens' Group - "Our primary desire is to have balance between the property rights of the individual who wants to build a house, and the property rights of the rest of the community."

The 2008 CCNHA Calendar will be unveiled this Thursday, August 23, 2007 at 5:30 PM at the Morro Bay Museum of Natural History auditorium. The party, which is open to the public, will include wine and hors d’oeuvres. All the photographers will be in attendance to sign their work, making this a perfect holiday gift for family and friends... more info.

Your Neighborhood Character (mansionization workshops) -- The City is gathering opinion on how to modify protection for neighborhood character. Landowner and renter alike: you live here. Now is the chance to speak for what you want Morro Bay to be. Second meeting: Sat. Aug 11, 2007, Morro Bay Vet's Hall, 10AM-Noon. Submitted by Councilperson Betty Winholtz.

Your Neighborhood Character -- Whether you have been to a Morro Bay City meeting before or not, your views are now needed. Each neighborhood is different; who will speak for your neighborhood? The City is gathering opinion on how to modify protection for neighborhood character. Landowner and renter alike: you live here. Now is the chance to speak for what you want Morro Bay to be. Sat. July 14, 2007, Morro Bay Library, 10AM-Noon. Submitted by Councilperson Betty Winholtz.

kwmap.com A Keyword Map for the Whole Internet

See a video of Rouvaishyana, our State Park Interpreter and Manager of the Morro Bay, CA Museum of Natural History, giving a presentation Dec. 27, 2006, on Whale Sounds and Songs.

Come and join the Morro Bay Seniors on a NO FLY trip to Alaska, Sept. 18-29, 2007. On the Dawn Princess round trip from San Francisco. Port Stops will be Sitka, Glacier Bay, Skagway, Juneau, Ketchikan & Victoria. Fares start at $1,449.00 for ocean view plus gov. fee of $ 94.00. You can obtain insurance thru You & Leisure or Princess cruises. Private bus fare round trip from Morro Bay is $ 85.00 payable to the Seniors. If you have any questions please call Norma Vaughan at 805-772-7551 or come into the Senior office for flyer. For booking call Cathy Lowe 800-258-8880 Mon-Thurs. 7am to 4:30pm. Passport required. Research this trip online at http://www.princess.com/ships/dp/ and http://tinyurl.com/2bffy4

old mutt mitt site now re-directed

Surfing at Morro Rock in Morro Bay, CA at this time of the year (Dec.) is great! See some recent still surf photos and a surf video.
Current Morro Bay photos (more)

Week of Wildlife Events at the Morro Bay Museum of Natural History, Dec. 26-30, 2006

MORRO COAST AUDUBON SOCIETY CHAPTER ADMINISTRATOR -- Morro Coast Audubon Society is looking for a Chapter Administrator. If you are interested and qualified, send your resume and cover letter to the address below. Job Description: Work with the MCAS volunteer board to develop fundraising strategies and implement development plans including membership appeals and membership drives; provide assistance with report writing; understand and use chapter by-laws; maintain a chapter calendar and ensure that chapter obligations are met; attend evening board meetings on the first Monday of each month and other community meetings as assigned; complete other duties as assigned. Job Skills: Excellent writing skills; ability to work with a variety of people including a volunteer board; must be proficient in Microsoft Office applications; experience with fundraising/development, grant writing and strategic planning a plus. Past experience working for a non-profit and/or a conservation organization preferred, but not required. One-year independent contractor position that may be renewed annually. Rate of pay: $16/hour, no benefits. A minimum of 20 hours a month up to 32 hours a month. To apply: Send a resume and cover letter to MCAS at P O Box 1507, Morro Bay, CA 93443. All resumes must by received by November 15, 2006.

The 38 page 9"x7" color book "San Luis Obispo County California Nature Photographers -- Their Works and Techniques: Interviews with local nature photographers about how they take such great photos" Edited by Michael L. Baird with contributing photographers Joyce Cory, Joe Dickerson, Carol DiNolfo, Rich Hansen, Marlin Harms, Garry Johnson, Teddy Llovet, Cleve Nash, Gary Robertshaw, Dennis Sheridan, and Greg Smith, is now available at lulu.com/mikebaird. You can download a free PDF version (17 MB) or order a printed copy at the production and shipping cost of $10.23 + $1.91 = $12.14. As a community service by the books' contributors there is no royalty or profit being made on the sales of this book from lulu.com. Be sure to select "US Postal Regular Media Mail" to get the lowest $1.91 shipping cost.

www.flickr.com

This is a Flickr badge showing public photos from mikebaird. Make your own badge here.

mikebaird.blogspot.com (test blog)

Order new history book "Morro Bay (Images of America)" by The Historical Society of Morro Bay. (Buy locally, or Amazon.com has this book for $13.59). Alternate, order from publisher for $19.99 here .

Looking for some beautiful photos - Check out photo.net/photodb/photo-of-the-week

Search comparison buying sites

froogle.google.com (still in beta testing, had about 6.6 million unique visitors in July 2006)

MySimon.com (very popular)
bizrate.com

Shopzilla.com (the top shopping search engine w/ 17.2 million visitors July 2006)

shopping.yahoo.com Yahoo's shopping network (had about 11.1 million visitors July 2006)

Highly recommended: Microsoft's Windows Live OneCare antivirus package (this now is a much better solution than Norton):
Microsoft Windows Live OneCare Online PC Care Subscription [12 Months]

NEW -- Try Google's free Picasa Web Albums (250 MB free) http://picasaweb.google.com/ <= This is an excellent service! Mike Baird's Picasaweb Morro Bay Nature Photo Site is picasaweb.google.com/mikebaird

How to Make Your Own Website
UPDATE 6-23-06: FrontPage design and "getting-started" hints added; UPDATE 6-7-06: Microsoft® Expression® Web Designer to replace FrontPage -- The future of FrontPage -- Read about the next generation of Microsoft application building and Web authoring tools...

Answers, not links

Sometimes you don't want to search for something - you just want an "Answer" -- check out answers.com. Also, Download 1-Click Answers™ and then Alt-Click on any word in any program on your screen for instant, accurate facts. Try answers.com - type, for example, "Morro Bay" "bird flu" or "sea lion" in the box below...

This website delivers many cartoons to one page daily - magic of sorts http://comics.john-m-moore.com/

Read Yahoo! Tech Tuesday to keep up-to-date on technology issues related to home computing and consumer electronics

The Morro Bay Library has wireless Internet access as of 3-16-06.

Peabody's Prognosis by Freeman Hall - Morro Bay's Freeman Hall, a State Park docent, is the author of this 2006 108 page novel about a meteorologist who makes a prediction about weather patterns that affect whether a county should build a public works project. See freeman.morro-bay.com 5-star Amazon rating.

Morro Bay Politics 2006 - a neutral information resource page provided as a community service (Note to candidates, submit your website information for publication here!)

The EPA has posted a Project Information Sheet summarizing the Morro Bay Power Plant Modernization Project and will accept comments at a Public Hearing for the proposed PSD (Prevention of Significant Deterioration) permit for the Morro Bay Power Plant Modernization Project, scheduled for Tuesday Oct. 24, 2006 at the City of Morro Bay Veterans Memorial Hall, 209 Surf Street, 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM.

Bay Nature is an excellent quarterly magazine dedicated to the intelligent and joyful exploration of the natural places of the San Francisco Bay - relevant for Morro Bay residents - subscribe to the print edition, or read online for free.

Morro Coast Audubon Society Open House Reception, Friday, Oct. 13, 2006, 5-8PM. At the new MCAS Office & Outreach Center Upstairs in the Marina Square building on the Embarcadero at Marina Street. Join us for an evening of conversation and music. Enjoy local photography focused on birds and bird behavior. Refreshments provided. (alt.)

Election 2006, Morro Bay Candidates Forum, Sun. Oct. 15, 2006 -- 1:00 to 4:00 PM -- Morro Bay Vet’s Hall, 209 Surf St. Now’s your chance to ask all Candidates for Mayor and City Council your questions on current city issues. Brought to you Live on Cable Channel 20 by AGP Video. Sponsored by Advocates for a Better community and the candidates for Mayor and City Council. Moderated by Roger Ewing.

State of the Bay Community Event, Fri. - Sat. Oct. 13-14, 2006 -- The State of the Bay Conference is a free Morro Bay National Estuary Program mbnep.org event that provides partnering agencies, local organizations and our general community with the latest news about the health of the estuary and what’s being done to protect and restore this national treasure. The conference will feature presentations on both Friday and Saturday, and field trips into the estuary and watershed Saturday afternoon. Topics will include: Evaluating Sedimentation Rates in Morro Bay; Closing the Door on Invasive Species; San Luis Obispo Science and Ecosystem Alliance (SLOSEA); Health of the Estuary Updates; Rare and Endangered: Special Status Species; It All Flows Downhill: Storm water and the Bay; Saving the Land to Save the Bay: Watershed Restoration Read the Media Release.

Use Microsoft's FolderShare to Transfer Files to 2GB in Size -- Use Microsoft's FolderShare to securely keep files synchronized between your computers, share files with friends or colleagues, and remotely download your files from any web browser - transfer up to 10,000 files up to 2GB in size each (this is sort of like magic)

overheardatthebeach.com You might hear this on Morro Strand State Beach, also overheardinnewyork.com and overheardintheoffice.com

memritv.org The Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI) explores the Middle East through the region's media. Translated videos you will not see on Western TV.

HopeDance hopedance.org reports on the outrageous, pioneering and inspiring activities of outstanding individuals and organizations who are creating a new world -- regardless of their spiritual tradition or political agenda -- "Radical Solutions inspiring Hope"

worth1000.com -- the top creative competition and Photoshop contest site on the web - contains some astounding Photoshop art!

http://www.gigapxl.org/ Ultra high resolution photographic documentation of the USA (gallery) -- Defining the upper limits of large-format photography, digital scanning and image processing, custom-built Gigapxl™ cameras capture images with unprecedented resolution. The Project's near-term goal is to compile a coast-to-coast Portrait of America; photographing her cities, parks and monuments in exquisite detail.

NEW Futures Community Workshop, Sat. Sept. 30, 2006, 11 am - 3 pm, Located at the Morro Bay Community Center, 1001 Kennedy Way (flyer) -- Alternatives for the Power Plant Property -- Don’t miss this opportunity! The power plant property may become available (all or in part) to alternative uses. We’ve got the facts and need to hear your ideas! You need not invest your whole day, just the time it takes to share your thoughts. NEW Futures needs your opinions and views to allow us to provide a realistic vision to the City Council. Sept 30, 2006 11AM - 3 PM Morro Bay Community Center

The 22nd Annual California Coastal Cleanup Day, is Sat., September 16th, 2006, 9 AM to Noon

Manny Silva's The Bloody Eighteen-Fifties: Law and Order in Early San Luis Obispo County (updated content)

Docent George Mason's 12-page Booklet: Self-Guided Geology Walk to Valencia Peak (Montaña de Oro State Park, CA)

Terns on Morro Strand State Beach 8-28-06 and 8-30-06 Photos by Mike Baird

8-17-06 Here is the basic information on the impact of the recent MLPA decisions on our part of the Central Coast.

Let’s “Talk About the Bay” - a free public conference on our watershed and what goes into it. Morro Bay Veterans Hall - Sat. Sept. 2, 2006, 12 Noon to 5PM. More info.

Earthrace, a biodiesel boat in a bid to break the world record for circumnavigating the globe in a powerboat, and using only renewable fuels, will arrive in Morro Bay this weekend, Sat. Sept. 2, 2006. It will dock at Tidelands Park and be open to the public from 10AM - 5PM. You can get more information on the boat and organization at earthrace.net

Peabody's Prognosis by Freeman Hall - Morro Bay's Freeman Hall, a State Park docent, is the author of this 2006 108 page novel about a meteorologist who makes a prediction about weather patterns that affect whether a county should build a public works project. There will be a book signing for his book at Coalesce Bookstore in Morro Bay this Sat., Sept. 2, 2006 from 1-3 PM.

Morro Bay North Embarcadero Waterfront (NEW) Futures Committee "New Futures Committee"
http://morro-bay.com/newfutures/ which is the same as http://newfutures.morro-bay.com
GET INVOLVED! Join the new-futures Yahoo! Group - Citizen input on the future use of the Morro Bay power plant site.
The way to get involved is to Join or Subscribe to the "new-futures" Yahoo! Group - this is a PUBLIC open forum where you can ask any questions, get fast answers, contest other points of view, and interact with all committee members and interested members of the public. This is a fast-paced non-bureaucratic forum where ideas are freely exchanged and exposed in public - just like in a town hall meeting but without the delays, limitations on speaking time or turns, or the need to assemble in person all at the same time. Go to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/new-futures/ or click one of the options below. "Joining" gives you more rights than "subscribing," and requires registering for a free Yahoo! ID. To post to the group send an e-mail to new-futures@yahoogroups.com - content is not censored, but all posts are moderated to prevent spam and off-topic posts. Get help on using Yahoo! Groups.

http://www.thinkfree.com/ Create Microsoft Office compatible files and more, all online, for free (Beta).

How to store and share photos online for free

StealThisPicture.com always has new local Morro Bay nature photos

morro-bay.com/digitalchocolate
features recent
Morro Bay, CA photos

Morro Bay Library a part of the San Luis Obispo City-County Library -- Use the Black Gold System for accessing books in the library system -- Now you can download audio and e-books books from NetLibrary.com for free as a San Luis Obispo City-County Library patron (audio books) -- Create a free account

eBird.org is a citizen science tool that allows anyone to report any bird species anywhere anytime. This joint venture of Audubon and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology opens a new era of citizen science, which will help our birds in a time of increasing threats from habitat loss to West Nile virus.

See some
Cloisters City Park
(Morro Bay, CA)
wildlife photos taken 7-31-06

Windows Live OneCare http://www.windowsonecare.com/ - "This PC care service is always on, running quietly in the background. It helps give you round-the-clock protection and maintenance -- virus scanning, firewalls, tune ups, file backups, the whole nine yards. Delivered to you in a smooth, hassle-free package." I now recommend replacing Norton with this Microsoft Windows OneCare product.   Norton has become so unwieldy, and users have encountered so many installation and renewal problems, that it is time to abandon Norton for Microsoft. Microsoft has attractive pricing, and accommodates multiple PCs in one household for a fixed price. ($50 which will cover three PCs... and introductory $19.95 pricing is good thru April 2006). OneCare includes Microsoft's free Anti-Spyware product which is now called Windows Defender. The unified OneCare package makes a compelling alternative to Symantec's Norton products, and I expect that many people will opt for the "all-Microsoft" solution. For more related information, see Windows Live Safety Center: Free online tool for PC health and safety Windows Live Safety Center -- a new, free service designed to help ensure the health of your PC: Check for and remove viruses, Learn about threats, Improve your PC's performance, Get rid of junk on your hard disk... http://safety.live.com/ -- Microsoft has a good overview: Security software: Downloads and trials -- Download antivirus software, firewalls, spyware removal tools, and more to improve the security of your computer and to help keep it running smoothly --
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/downloads/default.mspx

slosimple.com "No Fuss Web Design" by Los Osos local talent Judy Sullivan - highly recommended for creating a small simple low-cost high-quality web presence. Slosimple says "Our specialty is creating a web presence for small, local (San Luis Obispo county, CA) businesses and organizations."

6-23-06 Dead Humpback whale on the beach at Andrew Molera State Park, Big Sur, California

Photos of a bee hive found in the Morro Strand State Park, Azure Street parking lot, in Morro Bay, CA 7-1-06

Photos of a Mother Sea Otter and pup, observed in Morro Bay, CA, 6-30-06

More local Morro Bay, CA Nature Photos by Mike Baird

Morro Bay - Cayucos Wastewater Treatment Plant -- Photos and Brochure, June 13, 2006

Order new history book "Morro Bay (Images of America)" The Historical Society of Morro Bay has cast its net wide to gather all of the best images from both their own and other public and private photographic collections. They showcase those treasures here, illuminating the people, places, and events that have made Morro Bay. (Amazon.com has this book for $13.59). Alternate, order from publisher for $19.99 here . A benefit signing party will be held at Coalesce Bookstore in Morro Bay, 845 Main St (805) 772-2880, on Sunday, July 2 , 2006 from 1 - 4 PM. Buy "Morro Bay (Images of America)" locally and support the Historical Society of Morro Bay. Nancy Castle, Historical Society of Morro Bay Board Member, (805) 441-5770 (you can email Nancy at Agpvideo@[remove]charter.net <= remove the "[remove]" before sending) says "... The book was developed by the Historical Society of Morro Bay as a fund raiser for this this local organization. Members of the Society have copies to sell at the full price of $20, including myself (Nancy Castle).
A second presentation by the new theater group in Morro Bay will be "Art" at the Morro Bay Allied Arts Center next to Coalese Bookstore on July 6 and 7, 2006 at 7:30 PM. The first presentation in June at Coalese was to sell out crowds. "Art" is a double-entendre about painting and the art of friendship among men. The show is directed by Bea Morrow and stars Michael Siebrass, John Geever and Joe Eister.
Press Release, June 7, 2006 -- Local Nature Photographs Needed for 2007 CCNHA/State Park Fundraising Calendar -- due date is June 30, 2006
Instant Media http://instantmedia.com/ offers High-Definition TV on your PC, for free (with ads).

Yahoo Introduces a New Technology Channel http://tech.yahoo.com
(Very comprehensive - right up there with cnet.com)

Yahoo Maps is much improved! (check out the Beta)

Submit technical questions about the Internet, PCs, networking, etc., to mike [at} mikebaird d o t com, and select answers will be posted at docents.info/tech-tips

Many informal local photos by Mike Baird are published at at slide.com http://mikebaird.slide.com

Great Photos! National Wildlife Federation - The winners of the magazine's 35th annual photography competition (2006)

Photos from the 4-20-06 3rd Annual Central Coast Natural History Association State Parks Volunteer Dinner and Recognition Awards Party

Manny Silva's The Bloody Eighteen-Fifties: Law and Order in Early San Luis Obispo County ( a shortcut to this page is http://morro-bay.com/go/1858)

Check out PowerToys for Microsoft Windows XP including the SyncToy which can help you copy, move, and synchronize different directories -- great for managing informal backups between hard drives and PCs. The ClearType Tuner PowerToy will make your display much easier to read. The Image Resizer PowerToy will allow you to make smaller versions of your photos in an instant. Many more useful PowerToys are offered.

New Spyware Deep Scan at PC Pitstop -- a new deep spyware scan is now available, powered by technology from Computer Associates' Pest Patrol. Its detection signatures are updated frequently. Check it out, it already detects Sony's rootkit and it's free at http://www.pcpitstop.com/pestscan/

Astronomy Picture of the Day -- Discover the cosmos! Each day a different image or photograph of our fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation written by a professional astronomer -- http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/

Hobby Web Developers - note that Microsoft Visual Web Developer 2005 Express Edition replaces Microsoft FrontPage in 2006

A great new local essential resource book "Butterflies of Estero Bay," co-authored by our Associate State Park Resource Ecologist Michael Walgren, and his associates Rose Graef, Lisa Andreano, and Jeremy Beaulieu, is now available  through http://lulu.com as a free download at http://www.lulu.com/content/273492 . A printed version can also be purchased there at the production cost of just $7.53 + shipping (as a public service, there is no royalty paid to the authors, or profit taken by LuLu). This brief 20 page guide identifies the 34 species of butterflies likely to be encountered along the coast of Estero Bay. Each species is presented with color photographs of the upper body and under body and includes text covering where the species will be found, host plants, and interesting notes. This guide was published as a joint effort of California State Parks and the Morro Bay National Estuary Program.
http://www.lulu.com/content/273492

Download: 1 documents (PDF), 10884 KB; Printed: 20 pages, 6.00" x 9.00", saddle-stitch binding, full-color interior ink; ISBN: 978-1-4116-9780-5

Publisher: michael walgren

Copyright: © 2006 m. walgren, r. graef, l. andreano. j. beaulieu Standard Copyright License Language: English

Edition: First; A reminder link to this book can always be found on the "educational tab" of morro-bay.com at http://morro-bay.com/edcuational/

Poison Oak, All About, by local expert Dr. Curt Beebe - including First Aid
Vincent Lowry's -- A Poem about Morro Rock (a new "Morsels" contributor)

7th Annual Rancho Nipomo Heritage Day -- May 20, 2006

spotbit.com based on Indian company up2u.in "Steal this magazine" has free pirated .pdf versions of many popular magazines - this can't last. Spotbit.com has been up about a week (as of 5-17-06), and is offering PDF downloads of over 150 magazines.   Penthouse, Scientific American, etc. -- SpotBit calls itself "the Free e-Magazine Archieve" <= That's the site's spelling. SpotBit carries a tiny notice that ingeniously says "If the copyright of any magazine belongs to you, contact us and we'll remove it!" WARNING - these web sites may compromise your PC - unconfirmed reports of LAN routers being punched open after visiting these pages...
Jazz Rocks Morro Bay -- Sat. May 20, 2006. 6:00pm - 9:00pm, Morro Bay High School football stadium. Frank Capp Sextet featuring Barbara Morrison -- General admission $30.00, student admission $25.00. Tickets available at the Morro Bay Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center, 845 Embarcadero, Suite D, Morro Bay, CA 93442. Call 805-772-4467 or 800-231-0592. Learn more about this special concert. COC
Cruisin Morro Bay Car Show -- May 4th-7th, 2006 http://www.morrobaycarshow.org/ Friday May 5th, 2006, Cruise Night 6pm-8pm. Saturday May 6th 2006 -- Show & Shine 9am-4pm; Sunday May 7th 2006 -- Show & Shine 9am-11:30am
pcstats.com PCSTATS provides guides that detail many facets of modern computer use. Their "Beginners Guides" are especially recommended.

Download the essentials to make your PC just work Google Pack -- A free collection of essential software, including Norton AntiVirus 2005 free for 6 months http://pack.google.com/

answers.com is Google-based... a free, ad-supported, reference search service, created to provide you with instant answers on over a million topics. As opposed to standard search engines that serve up a list of links for you to follow, Answers.com displays quick, snapshot answers with concise, reliable information. Our editors take our content from over 100 authoritative encyclopedias, dictionaries, glossaries and atlases

Google Video http://video.google.com/
Check out yadio.com -- an Entertainment and Online Community for TV, Radio, Music, Podcasts, etc.

Google recommends "If you're interested in learning more about computer applications that embed themselves into your computer without your knowledge (often called "adware" or "spyware"), ... [read] ... http://www.doxdesk.com/parasite/"

A new Google Finance finance.google.com Beta challenges finance.yahoo.com as the standard page people go to check out the stock market and their investments

Ask Jeeves has a new "image search" engine (January 2006) http://pictures.ask.com/

2-23-06 -- Google Page Creator may blow away much of the competition for simple web hosting and web design -- http://pages.google.com/ or http://www.googlepages.com -- my trivial sample page is at http://mikebaird.googlepages.com

Digital Download, a blog dedicated to the day's must-read tech stories

Who needs Microsoft Office to create or share the occasional letter or spreadsheet? Use http://writely.com/ and http://numsum.com/ for free. This is a glimpse of the future -- there is not much reason to have expensive applications running on many PCs when these things can now be done online for free. Here is my sample publicly viewable numsum.com "social" spreadsheet that you can view online. Here is my sample publicly viewable writely.com document that you can view online. Writely.com documents that you create online can also be saved as Word ".doc" files on your hard drive. These utilities allow you to easily share and collaborate with others in the creation of such documents. ajaxWrite.com is the newest player in this space... "the look, feel, and functionality of Microsoft Word, in a completely web-based... platform"

Watch Meet the Press anytime, Sundays after 1PM ET

Rainy day viewing - LiveScience.com's "amazing images" and "image gallery"

Google Calendar google.com/calendar

Google Video Top 100 View the 100 most popular videos on Google Video -- video.google.com/videoranking including Loose Change 2nd Edition 9/11 Conspiracy Video

Got E-waste? Donate used computers to Central Coast Exploration Station Computers for Youth Program. The program mission is to collect, repair, and distribute older technology computers to low income families and non-profit organizations. http://www.kcbx.net/~estation/computers.html -- located in Grover Beach (805) 473 3486 or (805) 473-1421. Local e-waste disposal & re-cycling options. Morro Bay residents can drop off computer monitors and televisions sets at Morro Bay Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Facility Located at the Morro Bay Waste Water Plant, 160 Atascadero Road, Morro Bay. Or, Call you garbage company to arrange for a pickup of your computer monitor or television set.

Google Offers Index of Public Domain Works http://www.print.google.com/

Dogpile is a good metasearch engine ("all the best search engines piled into one") http://dogpile.com/

San Luis Obispo Celebrates Sesquicentennial
City of SLO Plans Year-Long Celebration of 150th Birthday!
In 1856, a dusty mission town on California's
Central Coast was San Luis Obispo Celebrates Sesquicentennial incorporated. Today, the City
of San Luis Obispo serves as the commercial, governmental and cultural hub of San Luis Obispo County. To celebrate the 150-year anniversary, or Sesquicentennial, a group of local leaders is joining with City staff to plan a 10-month celebration in 2006, culminating in a grand event planned for October. For more information on the Sesquicentennial or to participate in the celebration, contact Betsy Kiser at (805) 781-7123.

Minke Whale (Lesser Rorqual) observed dead on Morro Bay Sandspit, 3 miles north of MdO parking area -- see photos (18.5 feet in length) [update: 4-19-06, the whale has been buried by State Parks, by permit, for eventual skeleton retrieval for educational purposes]

Check out this astounding video to see what can happen to wayward sea lions and harbor seals left alone on a beach...

Sat. April 22, 2006, 8AM - 1PM - Recycle your junk electronics... RES, Recycling and Environmental Services, Inc. at 950 Orcutt Road in San Luis Obispo has partnered with the American Red Cross and Electronics Recyclers of America to host a Community Electronics Collection Event. This event will be held at Cuesta College, Highway 1, San Luis Obispo (Rain or Shine) on April 22, 2006 from 8am. to 1pm. Not only will you be helping the environment by recycling, but a portion of the proceeds will provide relief for local disaster victims. Listed below is a sample of items we will be recycling, some items will have a small fee applied. * Computer Monitors, TVs and laptops (free) * Cell phones, PDAs (free) * Computer speakers, home networking systems, phones (50 cents each) * Home printers, VCRs, stereo, plastic typewriters ($2.00 each) * Metal typewriters, fax machines ($5.00 each) * Industrial printers, servers ($10.00 each). Microwaves cannot be accepted. NOTE: Computer hard drives will be shredded. Any question please leave a message at RES at (805) 541-5865 and we will get back to you as soon as possible. Thanks for Recycling. Mark Canaan

StealThisPicture.com has new photos of a Great Egret, a Sea Lion, and a Double-crested Cormorant -- Morro Bay, CA, March 13, 2006

Regena Orr's Plover Research - Environmental Scientist, California State Parks <<== a NEW major "Morro-Bay.com Morsels" contribution - New brochure added 3-28-06.

Harbor Seal pup, observed 4-15-06 at the mouth of Villa Creek at the very north end of Estero Bluffs
Check out this astounding video to see what can happen to wayward sea lions and harbor seals left alone on a beach...

Monday morning "Mindwalks" will continue through April 2006.
April 10, 2006 10:15AM - Noon "The Role of Raptors in the Morro Bay Estuary and Watershed" -- Join Kara Hagedorn and a Red-tailed Hawk named Sunshine for an interactive review of the numerous birds of prey of this area... (more info). This event is held at the Morro Bay Museum of Natural History Auditorium - across from the Morro Bay Golf Course on the Park rd. in Morro Bay State Park - 772-2694 ext .105 with questions.
Kara will give a related presentation on April 17, 2006 at 7:00 pm - for the Morro Coast Audubon Society -- Laguna Middle School – multi-purpose room - 11050 Los Osos Valley Rd, San Luis Obispo CA 93405. You can download a PDF flyer for this talk and "The Role of Raptors in the Morro Bay Estuary and Watershed " story as told by Kara.

How to Become a State Park Docent -- Museum of Natural History -- Docent-led walks Monday morning "Mindwalks" (Feb 2006) (April 2006)

San Luis Obispo County Supervisor Seat (2nd Coast District, CA (map)) is on the ballot in June, 2006. A Candidates' Forum will be held Friday, February 24th 2006 from 6:30PM to 9:00PM at the Trinity United Methodist Church at 490 Los Osos Valley Road (Resources -- candidates are listed alphabetically: Roger Anderson, Bruce Gibson, Judy Vick). All three candidates will be present. This is your chance to see and question them all together. (See recorded sessions online). Candidates are invited to submit better links to morro-bay.com. SLO Clerk Recorder June 6, 2006 Primary Election Candidate List (as of 2-17-06).

Alanna Williams Benefit Barbeque -- Alanna Williams is the 10-year-old girl who was swept out to sea on the Morro Strand State Beach, and nearly drowned Feb. 2006... She is in Cottage Hospital now, alive but with a whole lot of recovery to do. Alanna and her parents live across the street from this reporter, and she is a very sweet, intelligent, friendly little girl. Everyone who knows her is crushed about what she and her family are going through. A benefit barbeque is being held on April 1st, 2006 from 3:00 to 6:00 pm at the El Morro Church of the Nazarene, located at Santa Ysabel and South Bay Blvd. in Los Osos. Cost is $8 per person. Tickets need to be purchased ahead of time. Anyone interested can call 528-7845 and ask for Roy or Carol
* Reported by Judy Sullivan

World News as seen by aljazeera.com on the other side (main) (Iraq War) (imminent civil war and the Askariya shrine attack)

The Moro Bay Chamber of Commerce now has the coolest Webcam in town! http://24.180.1.178/ This Sony SNC-RZ30N Pan/tilt/zoom Network Color Camera can be controlled by the viewer.

Photos from docent Phil Adams' Washburn walk "Birding Multiple Habitats" in San Simeon 2-16-06

Willet wing pattern documentation

Sora (Small Rail, Porzana carolina) - Cloisters Pond, Morro Bay, CA, Jan. 25, 2006

See the mini photo essay about the
Morro Bay Bird Festival: Boat Trip in Morro Bay Jan. 15, 2006 and Observations at Morro Rock Jan. 14, 2006 (Peregrine Falcons, Oystercatcher, and People)

This Sora rail was observed in the Cloister's Pond 1-12-06 (higher-res version)

An Elephant Seal was observed on Morro Strand State Beach January 3, 2006 -- This is an unusual sighting

Morro Coast Audubon's "Loons & Tunes" fundraiser - Feb. 13, 2006

Google Base says "Google Base is a place where you can add all types of information that we'll host and make searchable online." http://www.google.com/base/

Who needs Microsoft Office to create or share the occasional letter or spreadsheet? Use http://writely.com/ and http://numsum.com/ for free. This is a glimpse of the future -- there is not much reason to have expensive applications running on many PCs when these things can now be done online for free. Here is my sample publicly viewable numsum.com "social" spreadsheet that you can view online. Here is my sample publicly viewable writely.com document that you can view online. Writely.com documents that you create online can also be saved as Word ".doc" files on your hard drive. These utilities allow you to easily share and collaborate with others in the creation of such documents.

Windows Live live.com -- With a new Web site called "Windows Live," Microsoft hopes to create a new platform that will unfasten some of its applications from a computer hard drive. Microsoft Office Live is also coming soon in 2006.

Thurs. Jan. 5, 2006 --Microsoft Security Response Center Bulletin Notification - - Microsoft's "Emergency" security update should be downloaded by all Windows users immediately. Go to http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/ using Internet Explorer.

2006 BirdFest Activities Sponsored by The Museum of Natural History -- (Word document, .pdf version)

Program and registration information for the 2006 Morro Bay Winter Bird Festival, Jan. 13-16, 2006, in Morro Bay, CA, is at the all new morrobaybirdfestival.org site

Book signing by local author Jack Morrow -- a powerful new novel The Consortium -- Sat. Jan. 21, 2006, 1 - 3PM at Coalesce Bookstore, 845 Main Street in Morro Bay. This book exposes the explosive potential of corporate-controlled free trade in a fictional story of suspense, bribery, deception and murder. A book of the month selection by Wizard of Words Book Club.

Earlier archives for morro-bay.com, for years 2003 and earlier, have been migrated to this section.
Earlier archives for morro-bay.com, for year 2004, have been migrated to this section.
Earlier archives for morro-bay.com, for years 2005, have been migrated to this section

Archives - Morro Bay