Columnist John King tells the fascinating story of how the 15-second Loma Prieta (CA) earthquake gave many Bay Area historic structures a new lease on life.
"San Francisco's City Hall was a mess even before the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake twisted its copper dome like a corkscrew...[T]he same building that rose confidently after the 1906 earthquake now stands stronger and more majestic than ever -- the best example of how the Oct. 17, 1989, earthquake gave many historic landmarks a new lease on life, both in terms of how they look and how they function. Just as the near-collapse of the Embarcadero Freeway allowed the city to reclaim the waterfront, the blows to City Hall and other buildings became the catalyst to polish crown jewels...
The overall investment of more than $1 billion in Civic Center delivered what the city had sought all along: the nation's most impressive set of governmental buildings outside Washington, D.C."
Thanks to Chris Steins
FULL STORY: 15 seconds that changed San Francisco
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A new USC study finds that relaxing Los Angeles’ outdated tree planting guidelines could significantly expand urban tree canopy and reduce shade disparities in lower-income neighborhoods, though infrastructure investments are also needed.
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California’s Project Nexus has begun generating electricity from solar panels installed over irrigation canals, with researchers and state agencies exploring statewide expansion to conserve water and boost clean energy production.
HHS Staff Cuts Gut Energy Assistance Program
The full staff of a federal program that distributes heating and cooling assistance for low-income families was laid off, jeopardizing the program’s operations.
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