Located on California's Central Coast, midway between San Francisco and Los Angeles, Atascadero State Hospital (ASH) is an all-male, maximum security, forensic facility serving the entire state of California. ASH opened in 1954 and is a completely self-contained psychiatric hospital constructed within a security perimeter. ASH has a licensed capacity of 1275 beds, of which 204 are acute/psychiatric and 1071 are intermediate care. All residents at Atascadero State Hospital are male and have a mental disability and pose a threat to others or themselves. The majority are remanded for treatment by the superior courts of the counties of California or by the Department of Corrections pursuant to various sections of the California Penal Code and the Welfare and Institutions Code. Individuals are admitted from state prisons, county jails or are transferred from other state hospitals. The hospital does not accept voluntary admissions.


As a public sector facility, ASH's mission is linked to public policy. ASH has undergone a number of changes due to shifting public, professional, and legislative policy and law regarding the relationship between crime and mental disorders. The hospital's current mission includes the provision of a secure environment that protects the community as well as the people within the hospital, evaluations to the courts and other agencies, and recovery-focused treatment and rehabilitation services.

The hospital is currently incorporating the concepts, philosophy and activities put forth in the Recovery Model of Psychosocial Rehabilitation. The Recovery Model incorporates the elements of hope, choice, empowerment, respect, and self determination for the individuals served, while supporting the individual's recovery through a variety of cognitive, social, and functional skill-building strategies. The model is growth-oriented and normalizing, necessitates the individual's participation and collaboration in the Wellness and Recovery planning process, and emphasizes his strengths over his limitations.


The residential treatment programs, in conjunction with Recovery and Mall Services, provide a variety of individual, group, and unit-wide skills training, rehabilitative and enrichment activities. These activities are prescribed by the Wellness and Recovery team according to the individual's identified interests and assessed needs. Included in these activities is a vocational rehabilitation program which provides the individuals with the opportunity to learn an increasing number of vocational and work skills under the direction of trained vocational counselors and a variety of school-based classes where individuals can improve academic achievement, receive a GED, or pursue advanced independent studies.


Atascadero State Hospital employs over 2000 staff and supports a community volunteer organization. An American Psychological Association-approved internship program and Cuesta College Psychiatric Technician Training program are operated on-site and a state-sponsored 20:20 program is available for career advancement.

ASH is a fully state licensed and Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (J.C.A.H.O.) accredited facility. In 1993 and 1996, A.S.H. received "Accreditation with Commendation", the highest level of accreditation awarded by the Joint Commission.


ASH is located in a region that encompasses 100 miles of pristine coastline, a rapidly growing wine industry, agricultural lands, ranches and a carefully preserved rural quality. An unpolluted environment spiced with charm and friendliness, the central coast offers the amenities of an urban area in a serene country setting.

The area is host to five state parks, part of the Los Padres National Forest, four lakes, scenic mountains and snug hills and valleys, each contributing to a wide selection of outdoor recreational activities. Among its many activities, San Luis Obispo County boasts its own Mozart Festival and is host to the Mid-State Fair, one of the largest in the State.

The climate is as varied as the terrain with coastal moderation and inland areas experiencing four distinct seasonal changes. Pleasant small communities with excellent schools, California Polytechnic University at San Luis Obispo, Cuesta Community College, and access to land and air transportation are all readily available.

The seaside communities of Pismo Beach, Morro Bay, and Cambria offer ocean breezes, beautiful beaches, fine dining and entertainment. San Simeon and Hearst Castle are less than an hour's drive to the north along California's spectacular coastline winding its way north to Big Sur. Within a two-hour drive to the north are Pebble Beach, Carmel-by-the-Sea and the world famous Cannery Row on the Monterey Peninsula. Two hours to the south lies Santa Barbara and its famous beaches, the Santa Barbara Zoo and many historical landmarks.

The 49ers announced their interest in building a football stadium in the City of Santa Clara. It would be located on part of the parking lot of Great America Theme Park, 5000 Great America Parkway, just south of Tasman Blvd. This land, like the land under the Theme Park, is owned by the City, and is contractually committed to Great America for parking requirements.

After one year of extensive research, discussions, and public comment, and an eight-month feasibility study, the City Council determined at its January 15, 2008 meeting that the 49ers proposed stadium presents a potential entertainment/economic opportunity for the City’s North Bayshore Area. Council directed the City Manager to move forward in the next step of negotiations with the 49ers. These preliminary negotiations are non-binding they do not commit the City to the stadium project and will be contained in a Term Sheet which will be created through negotiations with the 49ers. The purpose of preliminary negotiations is to further examine issues and clarify and document understandings and guarantees of all parties involved in the proposed project. The Term Sheet would return to the Council for review and further public discussion.


Concurrent with the work on the Term Sheet, the 49ers will begin the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) process, including an Environmental Impact Report. On March 12, 2008, the 49ers made their project application to the City for their proposed stadium. This allows the EIR preparation to begin. The costs of preparing the report are paid by the 49ers, with the City of Santa Clara serving as the lead agency in its preparation. It is necessary to begin this process immediately if the target date for the stadium opening of 2012 is to potentially be met. Starting the CEQA process does not guarantee that the project proposal will be approved by the City.

Meetings between the City and the 49ers, and discussions with Cedar Fair, are ongoing. In a letter to the City dated December 14, 2007, which was placed on the City Council Agenda of December 18, 2007, Cedar Fair laid out specific conditions they believe would be needed for the stadium to co-exist on the theme park parking lot. The parking lot is owned by the City but is used by the City to provide required parking to the theme park, under the theme park's lease with the City. Following several meetings and discussions with Cedar Fair representatives, the City responded to Cedar Fair's December letter with a letter on April 17, 2008, summarizing discussions and potential options for resolutions.


On January 15, 2008, the actions taken by the Council/Redevelopment Agency were as follows:

• Determined that the Feasibility Study is complete and that it indicates the 49ers stadium project is feasible, but that there remain many outstanding issues requiring resolution in the negotiations phase

• Determined that the project is feasible only if the City contribution does not exceed $136 million, including Redevelopment Agency funding resources, and Utility Funds (for relocation of the electric substation)

• Referred to the City Manager to negotiate an Exclusive Negotiating Rights Agreement (ENRA) with the 49ers, to enter into preliminary negotiations for a 4-6 month time, resulting in a Term Sheet that would memorialize key understandings, obligations, responsibilities and financial commitments between the City and the 49ers. The non-binding Term Sheet would allow the Council to determine if they wish to proceed further to negotiating a lease that would address stadium construction and operations issues. The ENRA would return to Council for approval

• Referred to the City Manager to continue discussions with Cedar Fair and the 49ers to resolve issues pertaining to the proposed stadium location and other Cedar Fair concerns

• Referred to the City Manager to return to the January 22, 2008 Council meeting with a recommendation on the type and timing of a ballot measure for a stadium

• Referred to the City Manager to develop a proposed consultant budget for continuing staff support, for the next phase of the stadium project, and return to the Council/Redevelopment Agenda with this information.

At its January 22, 2008 meeting, the City Council discussed the type and timing of a ballot measure for the proposed stadium. At their March 4, 2008 meeting, the Council determined that a November 2008 City ballot measure will be held on the proposed stadium project with information for the ballot measure being taken from the Term Sheet currently under negotiations between the City and the 49ers, and the ballot language would clearly state that the measure was subject to the stadium project completing California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review. Staff asked for and received an extension of the negotiation period to February 1, 2009 to complete the Term Sheet, with the ability for negotiations to continue beyond this date. As mentioned earlier, the negotiations are continuing in order to address critical issues and provide the community the necessary information for an eventual stadium ballot measure for Santa Clara voter consideration.

Feasibility studies of this complex proposal have covered a wide range of questions and community concerns including legal, financial, infrastructure and stadium location issues. The Term Sheet will further clarify the following issues, among others:

• The potential for a direct land lease payment to the City.
• Resolving concerns expressed by Cedar Fair
• Determining who would be responsible for construction cost overruns beyond 2013. The 49ers have already agreed to pay for any overruns through 2013.
• Analyzing the potential expansion and current costs of a proposed 1,800-space, publicly funded parking garage in order to meet the parking needs of both the stadium and the Theme Park. The City has committed up to $42 million for the construction of a garage to serve the Santa Clara Convention Center. If the stadium went forward, the parking garage purpose would be for the stadium and Theme Park, rather than the original designation for the Convention Center. The final cost, location and who would pay for an expanded garage will also be a discussion item.

Endicott Era, 1891-1928(including the Taft Era and World WarI)

As the United States completed its westward expansion and continued to industrialize in the late 1800's, the government turned its attention to establishing the United States among the world's great military powers. The Navy expanded to become a truly international force, and the Army assumed responsibility for the defense of the nation's coasts and ports. President Cleveland established the Endicott Board in 1885 for the purpose of modernizing fortifications. Chaired by Secretary of War William Endicott, the board recommended new defenses at 22 U.S. seaports. The new reinforced-concrete gun batteries that resulted are known as Endicott batteries, and in fact the Endicott Era of coastal defenses lasted 50 years, with some modification, until the end of World War II.


The Endicott Board deemed San Francisco Harbor second only to New York's in strategic importance. As a result, an extensive series of forts, batteries, and guns were proposed for the harbor entrance, occupying both shores of the Golden Gate. In the Presidio of San Francisco construction began in 1891, when ground was broken for Battery Marcus Miller. On the north side of the Gate, Battery Spencer followed in 1893. Batteries were subsequently built south of the Presidio at Fort Miley, north of the Golden Gate at Forts Baker and Barry, and in the inner-harbor, at Fort McDowell (Angel Island) and Fort Mason.

The Spanish-American War and the Philippine-American War that followed (1898-1902) increased the pace of military spending on the West Coast. In 1905, President Roosevelt asked his Secretary of War William Taft to head a board to update Endicott defenses. The Taft Board recommended further innovations including minefields, electrification, searchlights and telephonic communication. This development culminated in a targeting system, known as fire control, which used widely spaced observation posts scattered along the coast. These posts, called base-end stations, had 3-man crews that provided range, bearing and speed information to artillery crews, who then used this data to triangulate on and target a moving enemy ship.


In 1912, Fort Winfield Scott was formally established on the western portion of the Presidio to serve as a coast artillery post. It contained approximately 63 guns mounted at 15 gun batteries and was the headquarters for all other coast artillery posts in the Bay Area until they were disarmed after World War II.

The Coast Artillery soldiers lived in barracks within marching or driving distance of their gun batteries. Many considered the duty a privilege because it was close to the social life of San Francisco. The officers were trained at the Army's elite coast artillery school in Fort Monroe, Virginia. The soldiers maintained the massive guns and practiced firing at targets miles out to sea. They received reports on their accuracy from pilots of the Army Air Corps flying overhead. The biplanes flew from Crissy Army Air Station, established in 1921 on the Bay Shore of the Presidio.


World War II Era, 1937-1948

Although airplanes were a minor factor in World War I, their threat prompted the Army to make additions to the defense system, including small, rapid-fire anti-aircraft guns and camouflage. The existing batteries could be covered with vegetation-colored netting, but if detected, they remained vulnerable to aerial bombing. Thus, the next, and last, generation of seacoast guns was mounted under thick concrete shields covered with vegetation to make them virtually invisible from above. Sixteen-inch guns, which fired 2,000 pound projectiles to a maximum range of 25 miles, were intended to keep the newest battleships from reaching striking range. Work on the first battery for guns of this type in the U.S. began in 1936 at Battery Davis in Ft. Funston, south of the Golden Gate. The first test firing took place in 1940, from Battery Townsley in Fort Cronkhite, north of the Gate and residents of San Francisco complained that the concussion broke their windows!


As World War II approached, the Army made further improvements to the Harbor Defenses of San Francisco. Additional base-end stations, mines, searchlights, and anti-aircraft guns were installed. After Pearl Harbor, the entire Western Defense Command was placed on high alert, but the three West Coast attacks that did occur caused only minor damage. In 1942, a Japanese submarine shelled an oil refinery near Goleta, Southern California, another sub fired upon Ft. Stevens, Oregon, and a balloon launched by the Japanese exploded in forest near Brookings, Oregon. The most important wartime development in coastal defense was radar, which vastly improved enemy detection and fire control around San Francisco Bay.


But World War II was much more than a time of "improvements" to weaponry. A vast change in the nature of warfare also occurred. Of greatest pertinence to harbor defense, the war was fought and ultimately won from the air. New types of warfare included amphibious assault on undefended coasts, carrier-based air attack, high-elevation bombing and atomic warfare. Defending a harbor against ships became a superfluous activity, and even before the war ended, some seacoast guns were scrapped to become new weapons, and soldiers of the heavy artillery were transferred to anti-aircraft or even infantry duties.

Just 2 years after the war, all guns remaining in the seacoast defenses of San Francisco were declared surplus, and the last weapons were removed in 1950. The Coast Artillery was deactivated that same year.

Life is too short and the World is too big, so don't wait too long and start discovering yourself by discovering the world traveling. Book worldwide Vacation Rentals for all your vacations, holidays at affordable prices.

San Francisco hosts thousands of sporting events, street fairs, festivals, and concerts annually. Although these events bring communities together, they also generate large amounts of waste. To cut down on this volume of waste, the city passed an ordinance that requires recycling at special events. In addition, San Francisco banned the use of polystyrene food service ware by vendors. As a result, San Francisco's innovative public space recycling program helped the city achieve a 70 percent waste diversion rate in 2006, surpassing the state-mandated recycling law.


Waste generated at public venues and special events like fairs and festivals can build up in a short time. To curb the volume of waste, the California legislature passed Assembly Bill (AB) 2176 (Montanez, Chapter 879) in 2004, which requires large public venues and special events to develop and implement solid waste management plans and strategies to increase recycling and reduce waste. The law also promotes planning for recycling during design and operation of those venues and events.

In addition, all California cities and counties must comply with the Integrated Waste Management Act of 1989, which mandates that each jurisdiction reduce waste disposal by at least 50 percent. As part of their annual reports on waste diversion to the state, cities and counties report their waste reduction progress at the top 10 percent (by waste generation) of large venues and special events.

To help cities, counties, venues, and event operators comply with AB 2176, the California Integrated Waste Management Board created a Web site that helps users develop waste reduction and recycling programs. Tools include sample ordinances and policies, cost calculators, case studies, and links to government and industry resources such as recycled-content product suppliers and material recyclers.


San Francisco requires recycling at all special events. Event coordinators are required to recycle the following items:

• Glass bottles and jars
• Aluminum and tin cans
• Plastic containers (#1 and #7)
• Plastic tubs and lids (#2, #4, and #5)
• Rigid plastics, such as clamshell and plant containers
• Newspaper
• Corrugated cardboard
• Office paper
• Other paper items, including egg cartons

As the first large city in the nation to collect food scraps citywide, San Francisco offers event coordinators the opportunity to compost food scraps, including shellfish, meat, bones, banana peels, and coffee grounds; food-soiled paper such as paper napkins, paper milk cartons, and pizza boxes; and plants such as floral and tree trimmings. The food scraps are made into nitrogen-rich compost for use by vineyards in California's wine country.


Among other things, event coordinators are required to do the following:

• Achieve or exceed a 20 percent recycling rate.

• Submit proof of trash and recycling service to the

• Department of Parking and Traffic (DPT) 30 days prior to the event.

• Attend a recycling training workshop and submit the certificate to DPT 30 days prior to the event (or contract with a city-registered provider of recycling services for special events).

• Provide event vendors information on recycling practices and related products and encourage them to use recyclable products.

• Mark all trash and recycling bins clearly, place blue recycling bins next to each trash bin, and frequently check them during the event to make sure trash isn’t mixed in with the recyclables, also known as contamination.

• Oversee and ensure consolidation of recyclables into debris boxes.

San Francisco's Pier 27 along the city's storied Embarcadero, NOAA and the Exploratorium announced a five-year partnership to bring cutting edge climate and ocean science to the public. Collaborating with NOAA scientists, the Exploratorium will develop interactive experiences to help explain and illustrate dynamic scientific discoveries.


"Some of society's biggest environmental challenges are the most difficult to convey and comprehend," said Dennis Bartels, Ph.D., executive director of the Exploratorium. "This partnership will give the Exploratorium a direct connection to NOAA science, so together we can engage the public in these challenges."

Known as a leader in hands-on informal education, the Exploratorium will take public audiences on an ocean journey from surface to bottom in real-time as if they were aboard NOAA’s high-tech ship, the Okeanos Explorer. Follow-on projects will bring NOAA’s advanced research, ocean, weather and climate science to the public with the Exploratorium developing interactive experiences to engage the public on some of the most critical environmental science issues of the day.

"Forty years ago our nation united behind a great challenge, then celebrated when the Lunar Module Eagle landed on the moon," said Jane Lubchenco, Ph.D., under secretary of commerce for oceans and atmosphere and NOAA administrator. "Today we can unite once more, this time to explore, understand and protect our oceans. NOAA's partnership with the Exploratorium is a terrific opportunity to bring to life the excitement of ocean discovery and new knowledge."


Because the Okeanos Explorer will explore largely unknown ocean areas, there will be opportunities for audiences to experience discoveries as they happen. During a recent mapping test, the ship's hull-mounted multibeam sonar detected what scientists believe may be a plume of methane gas rising 4,500 feet from the seafloor, about 18 miles off Cape Mendocino, Calif.

The Exploratorium will create an online and museum presence for the Okeanos Explorer that will include ship blogs, video and audio clips from recent discoveries, tracking on Ocean in Google Earth, and live streaming high-definition video from the ship. Future projects may include hands-on exhibits and interactive Web sites that inspire and inform the public about phenomena such as tsunamis, El Nino, and local and global fisheries issues with a particular focus on climate change.


"NOAA research spans the globe," said Mary Miller, Exploratorium project director for public understanding of science. "We plan to be there with scientists as they make discoveries and help bring new understanding about nature and our changing environment. With advanced technologies and old-fashioned story-telling, we'll connect audiences to important advances in ocean and atmosphere science wherever in the world they take place."

Founded in 1969 by noted physicist Frank Oppenheimer, the Exploratorium is considered the prototype for hands-on museums around the world and a leader in the movement of museums as educational centers. It was the first independent museum on the Web and has won four Webby Awards for bringing science to the public. A proposal to relocate to Piers 15/17 on San Francisco's waterfront in 2012 would allow for a new emphasis on environmental science.

NOAA understands and predicts changes in the Earth's environment, from the depths of the ocean to the surface of the sun, and conserves and manages our coastal and marine resources.

Washington D.C. – Speaker Nancy Pelosi issued the following statement today on the passing of San Francisco Giants Senior General Partner Sue Burns:

"Like so many San Franciscans, I am shocked and saddened at the death of Sue Burns.

"Sue and her late husband Harmon Burns deserve our gratitude for their many charitable endeavors that enriched our lives. In 1992, Mr. and Mrs. Burns were instrumental in preventing the Giants from moving to Tampa-St. Petersburg, Florida by joining a group of local investors to purchase and keep the team in San Francisco. Later, the couple helped build AT&T Park, where Sue attended more than 1,000 games in her trademark orange, cheering the team in good times and bad.

"Many have observed that watching Sue Burns at the ballpark was like watching a mom at Little League - she took such pride and personal interest in the players, families, staff, and fans. She shared her love of the game as an active member of the Giants Community Fund and its efforts to teach baseball and leadership skills to young people.

"Sue Burns enhanced the lives of families throughout the Northern California with her dedicated public service to numerous organizations, including Sequoia Hospital, St. Pius Church and the St. Francis Center.

"I hope it is a comfort to the many who loved Sue, including her daughters Trina Burns Dean and Tori Burns, her mother Inge Trina, her grandchildren and other family, that so many are mourning her loss at this sad time."

The HIV Voluntary Testing Program began in the San Francisco County Jails as a response to inmates not taking advantage of the opportunity to test at Confidential or Anonymous Test Sites while out of custody. As jails in California primarily house inmates for short periods of time, community testing has always been strongly encouraged by the Health Educators who work daily in all four jails. Inmates in San Francisco perhaps not unlike those in North American jails use their incarceration time to seek primary medical care and to take care of other health needs. There exists in the State of California legislation which impacts the confidentiality of inmates who self report HIV positivity at reception into a facility or who test antibody positive while in custody. This paper will present both the findings of the results of the HIV Voluntary Testing and Prevention Program in the jails and the ethical dilemmas for health care professionals providing these services in the environment in which confidentiality is compromised.

Publication Types:

• Meeting Abstracts
  

Keywords:

• Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
• Anonymous Testing
• California
• HIV Infections
• HIV Seropositivity
• Immunologic Techniques
• Mass Screening
• Residential Facilities
• San Francisco
• instrumentation

The most convenient airports to Walnut Creek are San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and Oakland International Airport (OAK). The Oakland airport is closest to Walnut Creek, but SFO offers a slightly easier connection to the regional train system, Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART), which stops near several Walnut Creek hotels. (Local shuttle service to your hotel can be arranged through the hotel.) Rental cars, shuttles, cabs, etc.

Public Transit to Walnut Creek

From Oakland Airport
Get on the AirBART shuttle (tickets are $3), which takes you to the Coliseum BART stop. Board a Richmond-bound train. Transfer to a Pittsburg/Bay Point train at 12th St. (Oakland City Center). The train fare is $3.30. Get off at the Walnut Creek station. From this station, walk east on Ygnacio Valley Road, away from the freeway. Turn left onto N. California Blvd., and then take a slight left onto N. Main St. (total distance is 3/4 mile). The Marriott also has a complementray shuttle to and from BART.

From San Francisco Airport
BART stops inside the international terminal at San Francisco International Airport. The free AirTrain shuttle provides connections from other terminals to the SFO BART station, though all are within walking distance (5-15 minutes). From SFO, take a Richmond or Pittsburg/Bay Point train. Passengers on Richmond-bound trains will need to transfer at 12th St. (Oakland City Center). The train fare is $6.90. Get off at the Walnut Creek station. From this station, walk east on Ygnacio Valley Road, away from the freeway. Turn left onto N. California Blvd., and then take a slight left onto N. Main St. (total distance is 3/4 mile). The Marriott also has a complementray shuttle to and from BART.

Driving to Walnut Creek Marriott

From Oakland Airport
(Estimated travel time: 30 minutes)

• Follow Airport exit signs onto AIRPORT DR.
• Turn RIGHT onto HEGENBERGER RD.
• After traveling about 0.8 miles, take the I-880 NORTH ramp.
• Travel about 1.5 miles and follow signs to get onto I-980 EAST.
• I-980 merges with and becomes CA-24 after about 4.4 miles.
• Travel 13.5 miles on CA-24 EAST through the CALDECOTT TUNNEL.
• Take the I-680 NORTH exit on the LEFT towards CONCORD/SACRAMENTO.
• Travel 0.3 miles on I-680, then take the N. MAIN ST exit.
• Turn left at N. MAIN ST.
• Travel approximately .2 miles on N. MAIN ST and then turn right at the light.

From San Francisco Airport
(Estimated travel time, non-afternoon commute hours: 50 minutes)

• Follow the SFO Airport EXIT signs to US-101 NORTH
• Take US-101 NORTH towards SAN FRANCISCO.
• Follow the signs to get onto I-80 EAST.
• Cross the SF Bay Bridge on I-80 EAST.
• Take I-580 EAST EXIT (towards HAYWARD/STOCKTON/DOWNTOWN OAKLAND).
• Stay on I-580 EAST until you reach the CA-24 EAST exit (towards BERKELEY/WALNUT CREEK).
• Take the CA-24 EAST exit.
• Travel on CA-24 EAST approx. 12.5 mi. through the CALDECOTT TUNNEL and past PLEASANT HILL exits.
• Take the I-680 NORTH exit on the LEFT towards CONCORD/SACRAMENTO.
• Travel 0.3 miles on I-680, then take the N. MAIN ST exit.
• Turn left at N. MAIN ST.
• Travel approximately .2 miles on N. MAIN ST, and then turn right at the light.

The United States Commercial Service is pleased to announce an active program to promote the export of US clean technology, products and services.

In addition to the calendar of events listed below, we will be co-hosting regular "Greening Asia Clean Technology Forums" in cooperation with the California Asia Business Council.1 These forums will disseminate intelligence on clean technology market developments in Asia, and will serve to coordinate international market development activities among critical stakeholders. For more information on these gatherings or any of the events listed in the calendar, please contact Stephan Crawford at 415-705-2301.

What is "Clean Technology"?

"Clean Technology" optimizes resource use while delivering equal or superior performance compared with traditional technology. In doing so, it addresses the challenges of achieving energy, food and water security, combatting climate change, and managing rapid urbanization. Clean technology covers a broad scope of industries, including those related to energy, water, materials, transportation and design/planning.

Converging Factors Are Creating Opportunities . . . .

A number of economic and policy factors are driving the now explosive growth in the clean technology sector, including long-term energy price projections and supply security, recent advances in critical technologies, developing regulatory regimes, growing consumer demand for more innovative products, opportunities for profit through greater efficiencies, and growing raw materials scarcity in some industries. As a result, the sector has seen a massive infusion of capital over the past several years. Clean technology is now well-established as a venture capital category, with major investment banks and funds also making significant commitments in the sector—including California's public pension fund, CalPERS.

For U.S. Clean Tech Companies in Overseas Markets

Industry sources see international markets as being critical to the growth of the sector in the United States. Opportunities exist for US cleantech firms in many countries around the globe. Watch this space for information on upcoming international business development events for clean tech firms.

Developers trying to build smart growth developments in the San Francisco Bay Area have an unusual ally, a conservation organization called the Greenbelt Alliance. Smart developers have found that a Greenbelt Alliance endorsement can help level the regulatory playing field that is tilted against smart growth in many communities.

In 1987, the Greenbelt Alliance realized that to conserve open space, communities would have to build more compactly to accommodate new growth and provide affordable housing. To address this concern, the alliance began endorsing affordable, compact housing developments as a complement to their open space conservation programs. Since then, the alliance has added mixed-use development projects that include affordable housing to the program.


The endorsement process begins when a developer submits an application that includes a description of the project, an environmental clearance, a description of the surrounding area, a description of the public hearing schedule, and a planning staff contact. One member of the endorsement team reviews the project against the following criteria: location, effect on automobile dependency, minimum density, affordability, design, size, and community input. The reviewer prepares a report for the whole committee, which then makes the endorsement decision. Endorsed projects get a letter of support and a news release that can be used to publicize and promote the project. The alliance also actively supports some projects at hearings and other public forums.


Completed projects endorsed by the Greenbelt Alliance include Ryland Mews, a high-density (56 units per acre) mews-style condominium apartment in San Jose. Completed in 1996, this project offered a moderately priced alternative to high housing prices in Silicon Valley during the dot-com boom. Because it is two blocks from a light rail transit stop and near shopping areas, the developer could keep the parking ratio to a relatively low 1.77 spaces per unit. This freed more space for housing, allowing 131 units to be built on less than 3.5 acres in a four-story building.


Another endorsed project, the Emeryville Warehouse Lofts, was one of the earliest housing developments in an old industrial and warehouse area in Emeryville. The old fruit-drying warehouse was converted into 157 loft-style condominiums, and two new buildings provided six live-work townhouses, 15 studio lofts, and a parking garage. Twenty-one of the units were sold to moderate-income households, and five were sold to low-income households. This project proved the economic viability of housing in this area and helped balance the jobs-housing ratio in Emeryville. Built in the middle of an industrial and warehouse area, the Warehouse Lofts are now surrounded by a vibrant residential, retail, and office community.

Swan's Market is a mixed-use redevelopment of an abandoned historic market in downtown Oakland. Reopened in 1998, it includes 18 units of rental housing affordable to families with 20 to 60 percent of area median income, 20 market-rate co-housing condominiums, and one live-work space. The average residential density is 27 units per acre. In addition, a market hall houses the tenants of the historic Housewives Market, formerly located across the street. Restaurants and shops round out the commercial tenants. Civic presence is provided by a public courtyard, which is also home to a farmer's market every Friday, and the Oakland Museum of Children's Art.


Like many of the projects endorsed by the Greenbelt Alliance, Swan's Market has won several awards in 2001, including a Pacific Coast Builder's Golden Nugget award, a California Preservation Foundation Design Award, a California Redevelopment Association Award of Excellence, an AIA/HUD Secretary's Mixed-Use/Mixed Income award, and a Rudy Brunner Silver Medal for Urban Excellence.

From 1990 to 2004, the Greenbelt Alliance has endorsed 95 development projects and 17 neighborhood plans that, if built, would create more than 48,000 residences within existing city limits. By endorsing these projects, the Greenbelt Alliance is making smart growth easier to build while simultaneously reducing pressure to build over green space.

This information is provided by the British Government for the convenience of enquirers, but neither Her Majesty's Government, nor any official of the Consulate, take any responsibility for the competence or probity of any firm/lawyer on these lists or for the consequence of any legal action initiated or advice given.

Contact information for the Bar Association of each state can be found at the bottom of this page.

Honorary Legal Advisor to the British Consulate General
Mr. Norman MacLeod
381 Bush Street, Suite 200
San Francisco, CA 94104
Tel: 415 362 4090
Fax: 415 362 1305

Can advise on UK and US law General practice but not criminal or immigration cases.

ALASKA

Ely and Havelock
632 Christensen Dr, Suite 100
Anchorage, AK 99501
Tel: 907 276 1916
Fax: 907 258 9053
Former Attorney General of Alaska, US, UK and Canadian law.

Daniel Patrick O’Tierney
16320 Bridgeview Dr,
Anchorage, AK 99516
Tel: 907 269 5153
Administration regulatory and utilities law

IDAHO

Bosch, Daw & Ballard Chartered
225 North Ninth Street Suite 210
Boise, ID 83702
Tel: 208 344 9140
Corporate, Taxation, Real Estate Law, Family law, Criminal law

Ringert & Clark Chartered
455 South Third Street
Boise, ID 83702
Tel: (208) 342 4591
Fax: (208) 342 4657
www.ringerlaw.com
All Forms of Law Except Immigration

Hawley, Troxell, Ennis & Hawley
Wells Fargo Bank Building
877 Main Street Suite 1000
Boise, ID 83702
Tel: (208) 344 6000
www.hteh.com
Corporate, Business, International, Immigration Law

MONTANA

Antonioli & Wade
700 South Avenue West Suite F
Missoula, MT 59801
Tel: 406 543 5773/Fax: 406 721 0528
Family and employment law

Karey Law Firm
225 West Broadway
Missoula, MT 59802
Tel: 406 728 0011
Civil, Litigation

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

Baum and Blake
2 Boston Ship Plaza
San Francisco, CA 94111
Tel: 415 956 5544
Fax: 415 956 5547
Plaintiff’s personal injury and wrongful death litigation.

Carroll, Burdick and McDonough
155 Sansome ST, Suite 810,
San Francisco, CA 94104
Tel: 415 989 5900
Fax: 415 989 0932
www.cbmlaw.com

Business litigation and transactional matters. Also international law.

Campbell and DeMetrick
220 Montgomery Street, Suite 966
San Francisco, CA 94104
Tel: 1800 334 8242
Fax: 415 392 2620
www.drunkdrivingdefensepro.com

DUI and Vehicular Homicide defense.

Cooley Godward LLP
One Maritime Plaza, 20th Floor
San Francisco, CA 94111
Tel: 415 693 2000
Fax: 415 951 3699
Email: sanfrancisco@cooley.com

US and International Matters. Business Law, Immigration and employment specialists, covering a broad range of US and International, commercial, intellectual property, licensing, immigration and litigation matters.

Elliot and Maycock
220 Sansome Street, 12th Floor
San Francisco, CA 94104
Tel: 415 765 5111
Fax: 415 765 5122
www.emvisa.com

Immigration and Nationality Law. Offices also in Washington DC.

Epstein Becker and Green
2 Embarcadero Center, Suite 1650
San Francisco, CA 94111
Tel: 415 398 3500
Fax: 415 398 0955
www.ebglaw.com

Full service national law including international employment and labour law. Has a very large health care practice.

Fallon, Bixby, Cheng and Lee
130 Battery, Suite 550
San Francisco, CA 94111
Tel: 415 781 2338
Fax: 415 781 6564
www.fbcl-visa.com

US Immigration and naturalisation matters.

Lew, Fong and Leung
456 Montgomery Street, Suite 700
San Francisco, CA 94104
Tel: 415 781 8251
Fax: 415 434 3748

General practice. Translations from Chinese characters. Some knowledge of Hong Kong law.

Graydon S Staring
Embarcadero Center, Suite 2700
San Francisco, CA 94111
Tel: 415 984 8200
Fax: 415 984 8300

General corporate law, taxation, two banking, commercial and litigation expertise.

Edward R Litwin
425 Market St,Suite 220,
South San Francisco, CA 94104
5201 Great America Parkway, Suite 320, Santa Clara
Tel: 650 588 7100
Fax: 650 588 4302
Email: info@litwinlaw.com

US Immigration.

Bingham and McCutcheon
3 Embarcadero Center, Suite 1800
San Francisco, CA 94111
Tel: 415 393 2000
Fax: 415 393 2286
www.bingham.com

General practice, but no criminal law.

Pillsbury Winthrop
50 Fremont Street
San Francisco, CA 94105
Tel: 415 983 1000
Fax: 415 983 1200
www.pilsburylaw.com

Corporate law. General practice, but not divorce or criminal cases.

Saveri and Saveri
1 Embarcadero Center, Suite 1020
San Francisco, CA 94111
Tel: 415 217 6810
Fax: 415 217 6813

General practice but not criminal cases. Trust accounting, probate.

Simmons and Ungar
50 California Street, Suite 470
San Francisco, CA 94111
Tel: 415 421 0860
Fax: 415 421 0772
www.simmonsungar.com

Immigration and Nationality law. Primarily for corporations.

Dennis M Sullivan
601 California Street, 16th Floor
San Francisco, CA 94108
Tel: 415 982 5454
Fax: 415 982 1732
www.dmsullivanlaw.com

General civil practice with emphasis on international business and personal transactions, including corporation and partnership law, real estate, probate, personal injury and wrongful death and business insolvency. Related trial practice.

Munro, Nelson and Pearl
315 Montgomery ST, 7th Floor
San Francisco, CA 94104
Tel: 415 771 7500
Fax: 415 771 5009
www.immigrationlaw.com

Specializes in immigration matters. Also general international and domestic law.

Brayton Purcell
222 Rush Landing Road
Novato, CA 94948
Tel: 415 898 1555
Fax: 415 898 1247
Email: gpurcell@braytonlaw.com
www.braytonlaw.com

Asbestos litigation, personal injury and product liability.

Law Offices of Marsh and Perna
235 Montgomery St, Suite 620
San Francisco, CA 94104
Tel: 415 781 4050
Fax: 415 781 2554

Emphasis on business-related immigration matters including professional working visas, intra-company transferees, and general immigration matters

Tim J Fricker
409 13th Street, 17th Floor
Oakland, CA 94612
Tel: 510 663 8484
Fax: 510 663 0639

Family, custody, criminal and ERISA (long-term disability insurance claims)

Squire, Sanders and Dempsey
1 Maritime Plaza, Suite 300
San Francisco, CA 94111
Tel: 415 954 0200
Fax: 415 393 9887

UK and US law. General practice, including both international business and immigration law.

Law Offices of Elizabeth R Monnet
667 Lytton Avenue, Suite 6
Palo Alto, CA 94301
Tel: 650 833 1880
Fax: 650 833 1888
www.monnet-law.com

This practice will emphasize general corporate and business law for American, British and European entrepreneurs.

International Law Offices
1931 N Street, Suite 300
Sacramento, CA 958
Tel: 916 443 1117
Fax: 916 443 5758

US law. General practice including both international business law and foreign law and immigration.

Kronick, Moskovitz, Tiedmann and Girard
400 Capitol Mall, 27th Floor
Sacramento, CA 95814
Tel: 916 321 4500
Fax: 916 321 4555

Kronick, Moskovitz, Tiedmann and Girard
(Bakersfield Office)
1675 Chester Avenue, Suite 320
Bakersfield, CA 93301
Tel: 661 864 3800/ Fax: 661 864 3810
San Luis Obispo Office
1432 Higuera St
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
Tel: 805 786 4302/Fax: 805 786 4319
www.kmtg.com

Areas of Legal Practice

Banking and Creditors Rights, Business law, Construction Law, Education law, Eminent Domain, Labor and Employment law, Energy, Environment law, Insurance Coverage, Litigation, Municipal and Public Agency, Non Profit Organisation, Public Finance, Real Estate Law, Redevelopment and Housing, Special Education, Water law.

OREGON

Davis, Wright, Tremaine
1300 Southwest Fifth Suite 2300
Portland, OR 97201
Tel: 503 241 2300
505 Montgomery St, Suite 800
San Francisco, CA 94111
1201 3rd Avenue, Suite 220.
Seattle, WA 98101

www.dwt.com
Mainly Corporate and Environmental Law

Bullivant, House, Bailey
888 Southwest Fifth Avenue Suite 300
Portland, OR 97204
Tel: 503 228 6351

www.bullivant.com
All Forms of Law Except Criminal and Domestic

Lane, Powell, Spears, Lubersky
601 Southwest Second Avenue Suite 1200
Portl, and, OR 97204
Tel: 503 226 6151

www.lanepowell.com
All Forms of Law Except Criminal and Family

Miller Nash LLP
3400 U.S. Bancorp Tower
111 S.W. Fifth Avenue in 3400 US Bancorp Tower
Portland, Oregon 97204-3699
Toll-free: 1-877-220-5858
Tel: 503 224-5858
Fax: 503 224-0155
Email: clientservices@millernash.com

www.millernash.com
*Miller Nash is a Board Member of the British American Business Council, Seattle*

Williams, Kastner & Gibbs PLLC
Pioneer Office Tower
888 SW Fifth Avenue, Suite 600 in pioneer office tower
Portland, OR 97204-2025
Phone: 503 228-7967
Fax: 503 222-7261
Email: info@wkg.com

www.wkg.com
*WKG is a Board Member of the British American Business Council, Seattle

WASHINGTON

Cairncross & Hempelmann
524 Second Avenue Suite 500
Seattle, WA 98104
Tel: (206) 587 0700

www.cairncross.com

Carney, Badley, Spellman
700 Fifth Avenue Suite 5800
Seattle, WA 98104
Tel: (206) 622 8020

www.carneylaw.com
All Forms of Law

Davis, Wright, Tremaine
1201 3rd Avenue, Suite 2200
Seattle, WA 98101
Tel: (206) 622 3150

www.dwt.com
Corporate Law

Foster, Pepper & Shefelman
1111 Third Avenue Suite 3400
Seattle, WA 98101
Tel: (206) 447 4400

www.foster.com
Corporate, Real Estate, Land Use

Helsell & Fetterman LLP
1001 Fourth Avenue Suite 4200
Seattle, WA 98101
Tel: (206) 292 1144

www.helsell.com
All Forms of Law Except Criminal

Lane, Powell, Spears, Lubersky
1420 Fifth Avenue Suite 4100
Seattle, WA 98101
Tel: (206) 223 7000

www.lanepowell.com
All Forms of Law Except Criminal and Domestic

Miller Nash LLP
4400 Two Union Square
601 Union Street
Seattle, Washington 98101
Toll-free: 1-877-220-5858
Tel: (206) 622-8484
Fax: (206) 622-7485
Email: clientservices@millernash.com

www.millernash.com
*Miller Nash is a Board Member of the British American Business Council, Seattle*

Perkins & Coie
1201 Third Avenue 40th Floor
Seattle, WA 98101
Tel: (206) 583 8888

www.perkinscoie.com
Mainly Corporate Law

Williams, Kastner & Gibbs PLLC
Two Union Square
601 Union Street, Suite 4100
Seattle, WA 98101-2380
Phone: 206 628-6600
Fax: 206 628-6611
Email: info@wkg.com
*WKG is a Board Member of the British American Business Council, Seattle*

Paine, Hamblen, Coffin, Brooke & Miller LLP
717 West Sprague Avenue Suite 1200
Spokane, WA 99201
Tel: 509 455 6000

www.paine-hamblen.com
All Forms of Law

Witherspoon, Kelley, Davenport & Toole, PS
US Bank Building 11th Floor
West 422 Riverside
Spokane, WA 99201
Tel: 509 624 5265

www.wkdtlaw.com
All Forms of Law Except Criminal

Eisenhower & Carlson LLP
1201 Pacific Avenue Suite 1200
Tacoma, WA 98402
Tel: 253 572 4500

www.eisenhowerlaw.com
All Forms of Law Except Criminal

Gordon, Thomas, Honeywell, Malanca, Peterson & Daheim
1201 Pacific Avenue, Suite 2100, (in Wells Fargo Plaza Building)
Tacoma, WA 98401
Tel: 253 620 6500

www.gth-law.com
All Forms of Law

Williams, Kastner & Gibbs PLLC
1301 A Street, Suite 900
Tacoma WA 98402-4200
Phone: (253) 593-5620
Fax: (253) 593-5625
Email: info@wkg.com

www.wkg.com
*WKG is a Board Member of the British American Business Council, Seattle*

Miller Nash LLP
500 E. Broadway, Suite 400
Vancouver, Washington 98660-3324
Toll-free: 1-877-220-5858
Tel: 360 699-4771
Fax: 360 759-4694
Email: clientservices@millernash.com

www.millernash.com
*Miller Nash is a Board Member of the British American Business Council, Seattle*

WYOMING

Davis & Cannon
40 South Main
Sheridan, WY 82801
Tel: 307 672 7491

www.davisandcannon.com
All Forms of Law Except Criminal, Immigration

Widerspahn & Reese
2015 Central Avenue, Suite 200
Cheyenne, WY 82001
Tel: 307 638 6417/Fax: 307 638 1975
All Forms of Law Except Immigration, Tax (no criminal or family law)

The primary focus of the San Francisco Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve is to support tidal marsh restoration through research, monitoring and education.


Location: The San Francisco Bay Reserve is comprised of two components-Rush Ranch and China Camp State Park.

Total Acreage: 3,710

Designation: 2003

Lead State Agency: San Francisco State University Romberg Tiburon Center

San Francisco Bay has lost nearly 97 percent of its historic tidal wetlands due to development pressures within and around the bay. Tidal wetlands are critical for flood prevention; sediment management; and habitat for small mammals, migratory birds and fish species, many of which are threatened and endangered.


Since 1999, approximately 11,420 acres of wetlands have been restored to tidal influence in San Francisco Bay. Plans for restoring 25,500 acres are underway. However, the effectiveness of restoration can only be measured relative to the remaining 3 percent of relict tidal wetlands. The two reserve components are highly utilized as reference sites against which enhanced, restored or created wetlands are evaluated. The value of these reference sites, coupled with the monitoring, research and education programs sponsored by the National Estuarine Research Reserve System, create an opportunity for agencies to direct research priorities and benefit from scientific studies addressing key restoration issues in the bay area.

The SF garter is often called the most beautiful snake in the U.S. Because they are so beautiful, some people collect them illegally.

So there are quite a few SF garter snakes in private hands. Read a story about how we obtained 10 of these snakes. They are at the San Francisco Zoo. The photo at the top of this page shows kids looking at one.

DESCRIPTION:The first things you notice are the turquoise blue body and bold stripes.

The stripe pattern is black, red-orange, black. The stripes run along the snake's "shoulders."

Large adults can reach a meter in length. (3 feet)

SF garter snakes sometimes go into a dormant state during summer months when their ponds dry up. They use rodent burrows for this. On the coast, they hibernate during the winter. Farther inland, they may be active year-round.

SF garter snakes are active during the day. They may hunt after dark on warm evenings.

Garter snakes are not dangerous. In California, only rattlesnakes have venom that is dangerous to humans.


FOOD:Adults mainly eat small frogs such as the CA red-legged frog .They are one of the few animals able to eat the toxic CA newt. Young snakes depend on Pacific tree frogs.

HABITAT:Densely vegetated ponds near open hillsides.

MATING: Females give live birth from June through September. Litters average 16 babies.

PREDATORS: Birds such as hawks and herons. Other snakes. Domestic cats and other small mammals.Adult bullfrogs probably prey on smaller San Francisco garter snakes. This may be a factor in their decline.

RANGE: Historically, from about the San Francisco County line south to Ano Nuevo Point and Waddell Creek. Much of this range is private land. We don't know how much is still inhabited.

THREATS: Loss of habitat from agricultural, commercial and urban development. Illegal collection.

Decline of the CA red-legged frog. It is an essential prey species. Bullfrogs. They prey on both San Francisco garter snakes and California red-legged frogs.

We are working with the CA Dept. of Fish and Game, the National Park Service, Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy, the CA Dept. of Parks and Recreation and other partners to provide habitat.


The Park Service created two wetlands at Mori Point in Pacifica. They are habitat for California red-legged frogs and Pacific tree frogs. These frogs are the garter snake's favorite food.

WHAT YOU CAN DO: Mostly its up to adults to save the SF garter snake. You can help by keeping your pets where they don't harm snakes.

See What You Can Do to Help Wildlife and Plants ideas about protecting the environment.

EXPLORE: Visit the San Francisco Zoo. If you live in the SF Bay area, your teachers may be able to have someone from the zoo bring snakes to your classroom.

Wherever you live in California, there are zoos and nature centers where you can see and learn about snakes.

If you are lucky enough to see an SF garter snake, it will probably slither away quickly. Do not try to pick it up. It may bite you or poop on you. Anyway, it is against the law to mess with endangered species.