https://www.briones.horse/initiatives daily 0.75 2024-04-30 https://www.briones.horse/initiatives/project-one-x97zr monthly 0.5 2021-03-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fad639a9da25065529fc4b3/1613584206389-GFCH481KGUS8SFSF190C/DSC09163.jpg Blog - Briones Broadband Wagon https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fad639a9da25065529fc4b3/1613584271745-3QMRAYQM2XEB2ME56LG5/DSC09166.jpg Blog - Briones Broadband Wagon https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fad639a9da25065529fc4b3/1606855345506-TSZ1BA8LY2H1I6QZ35IK/BRC08465.jpg Blog - Briones Broadband Wagon - East of Bear Creek Road on Alhambra Valley Road, Comcast transitions to aerial. The upper Comcast cable, with the orange sleeve, is fiber optic. In spite of the cables being there, Comcast doesn’t offer service to Briones, even along Alhambra Valley Road. One or both cables are likely “middle mile,” or “backhaul” links within their system that don’t supply end users. The lower Comcast cable is lashed sloppily; compare its lashing to AT&T’s below it. East of Bear Creek Road on Alhambra Valley Road, Comcast transitions to aerial. The upper Comcast cable, with the orange sleeve, is fiber optic. In spite of the cables being there, Comcast doesn’t offer service to Briones, even along Alhambra Valley Road. One or both cables are likely “middle mile,” or “backhaul” links within their system that don’t supply end users. The lower Comcast cable is lashed sloppily; compare its lashing to AT&T’s below it. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fad639a9da25065529fc4b3/1606855306332-WT9UJOYMKTN9JJ8SUO5X/BRC08442.jpg Blog - Briones Broadband Wagon - This is aerial conduit (the one with blue pin stripes) carrying fiber optic cables. Another mile of it would provide gigabit internet service. This is aerial conduit (the one with blue pin stripes) carrying fiber optic cables. Another mile of it would provide gigabit internet service. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fad639a9da25065529fc4b3/1613583848626-N9S6KCGVTLH3LFRFZGOY/DSC09228.jpg Blog - Briones Broadband Wagon - The surface marking letters read “CATV” meaning cable television and “F/O” meaning fiberoptic. The surface marking letters read “CATV” meaning cable television and “F/O” meaning fiberoptic. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fad639a9da25065529fc4b3/1613668320833-VUYB8VO407U2IB1BQLFB/Aerial+plant+extension%2C+Comcast+community.jpg Blog - Briones Broadband Wagon Comcast tromps through Briones on Alhambra Valley Road with high-capacity backhaul lines, but can’t be bothered to offer service to end users down Bear Creek Road and up Pereira Road. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fad639a9da25065529fc4b3/1607016264098-M5JHBBKQWXTYPO2QOQUF/Briones+RDOF+eligible+areas+in+yellow+w+Briones+boundary+ps.jpg Blog - Briones Broadband Wagon What’s this? The red outline shows the Briones boundary. The yellow shows the RDOF eligible areas. RDOF is the a federally-funded subsidy called the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund, with these areas showing Phase I Auction 904 published on 10/08/2020. The RDOF maps are known to have lots of local inaccuracies which include all of the non-yellow portions of Briones. Without the map errors, all of Briones is eligible. The nearest serviced addresses are to the east of the magenta line (not to be confused with the Maginot Line:), which is the boundary of the City of Martinez and sprawl. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fad639a9da25065529fc4b3/1615650732147-ZJQYRWMO8MNZ72L8I9EO/DSC08816+1.jpg Blog - Briones Broadband Wagon https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fad639a9da25065529fc4b3/1615650737874-KSTYF2G9VTC2WEILM60P/DSC08820+1.jpg Blog - Briones Broadband Wagon https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fad639a9da25065529fc4b3/1615650737838-Z8MBJX97OMTJIHTH2FGS/DSC08824.jpg Blog - Briones Broadband Wagon https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fad639a9da25065529fc4b3/1615650739683-27BDQNRR4OTJAUDOWSVW/DSC08827.jpg Blog - Briones Broadband Wagon https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fad639a9da25065529fc4b3/1615650744781-TZ8OODQS9PMTFYYFNEQD/DSC08839+1.jpg Blog - Briones Broadband Wagon https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fad639a9da25065529fc4b3/1615697186390-YO6SFY0U78G4O0LI63B7/DSC08833.jpg Blog - Briones Broadband Wagon https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fad639a9da25065529fc4b3/1613757490195-OVIKMG6VNKUVQY1SFMOP/DSC08778.jpg Blog - Briones Broadband Wagon - Here is Comcast’s sloppy mess that they’ve left there for years, even after their crew did at least one survey. All those irregular loops are supposed be laid straight and lashed to the messenger wire. A 180º change in direction is supposed to use a snowshoe, as AT&T has done here. Not only that, the sloppy cable goes down the pole bare, without an aerial-underground down-lead cover provided for their other cable. Comcast: Who cares? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fad639a9da25065529fc4b3/1613344032474-EUG5ONRQ1P6KUQ1SKCWV/DSC08764.jpg Blog - Briones Broadband Wagon - This photo: Marking of buried Comcast cable on Alhambra Valley Road west of Bear Creek Road. Contra Costa County grants Comcast the right-of-way to pass through the heart of Briones, yet doesn’t require them to install a few short miles of aerial plant that would provide gigabit broadband to Briones. Comcast doesn’t even offer service directly from this cable to premises on Alhambra Valley Road. So close, yet so far. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fad639a9da25065529fc4b3/1613667726478-RKEHPS5KL8LAQA53W2X9/Aerial+plant+extension%2C+ATT+community.jpg Blog - Briones Broadband Wagon Lore within AT&T has it that fiber-to-the-node was extended to the then-new node at Hampton Road because an AT&T executive lived in Briones. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fad639a9da25065529fc4b3/1606764493649-13XOCF5XDJCHRJSQO7X7/BRC05675+5+ps.jpg Blog - Briones Broadband Wagon - These are AT&T’s 2007-vintage electronics enclosures just south of Hampton Road which are fed, or “backhauled” from their central office in Martinez via fiber optic cables. Connection from this node to customer premises is via old-fashioned copper wires. These remote nodes were the basis of AT&T’s upgraded DSL service called IPBB, a short-lived half measure which they are now phasing out by not accepting new customers. (Even older DSL was copper all the way from central office to the customer premises.) A modest extension of the aerial fiber could deliver FTTP, fiber to the premises, and the prospect of gigabit Ethernet. These are AT&T’s 2007-vintage electronics enclosures just south of Hampton Road which are fed, or “backhauled” from their central office in Martinez via fiber optic cables. Connection from this node to customer premises is via old-fashioned copper wires. These remote nodes were the basis of AT&T’s upgraded DSL service called IPBB, a short-lived half measure which they are now phasing out by not accepting new customers. (Even older DSL was copper all the way from central office to the customer premises.) A modest extension of the aerial fiber could deliver FTTP, fiber to the premises, and the prospect of gigabit Ethernet. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fad639a9da25065529fc4b3/1613681645209-PJDCHA7ZVZ07TJH5X086/DSC08798.jpg Blog - Briones Broadband Wagon - A decades-old fiber optic line runs west of the cross roads on Alhambra Valley Road. It apparently still functions judging from Comcast’s having it marked in advance of the washout repair at the eucalyptus trees. A decades-old fiber optic line running west of the cross roads on Alhambra Valley Road. It apparently still functions judging from Comcast’s having it marked in advance of the washout repair at the eucalyptus trees. https://www.briones.horse/initiatives/excessive-vehicle-noise monthly 0.5 2021-02-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fad639a9da25065529fc4b3/1606855495462-E5GAH38EZXBMR33E2UOC/BRC08450.jpg Blog - Excessive Vehicle Noise This is what quiet looks like at the corner of Bear Creek and Alhambra Valley Roads. 35 dBA is very quiet. https://www.briones.horse/initiatives/sudden-oak-death-sod monthly 0.5 2021-03-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fad639a9da25065529fc4b3/1608922810547-XN393MTXIZ6Q1PD7O7E3/P.+ramorum+ET+55G.jpg Blog - Sudden oak death (SOD) Above: Courtesy of your federal government, here are microscope photos of the dreadful creatures. “Phytophthora ramorum (ex-type CPHST BL 55G) asexual phase (a–h): (a) sporangia in sporangiophores, (b–d) semipapillated sporangia with short pedicels; (e–h) chlamydospores, (f) terminal, (g, h) intercalary and lateral; photos by Gloria Abad, USDA-APHIS-PPQ.” Oomycetes are neither plant, animal, nor fungus. They’re in the grab-bag, everything-else kingdom called Protista. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fad639a9da25065529fc4b3/1616104399476-AA7U541X7T4X3KW9YTUS/DSC08863.jpg Blog - Sudden oak death (SOD) Craggy. Click the photo for the definition given in the 1933 Oxford English Dictionary. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fad639a9da25065529fc4b3/1615063448451-F0TT0QRV4O2JKCEXK803/DSC08724_1.jpg Blog - Sudden oak death (SOD) Early buds of a California black oak (Q. kelloggii) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fad639a9da25065529fc4b3/1615063364887-KM7IV7PEZW8W52DFXNAO/DSC08802.jpg Blog - Sudden oak death (SOD) - Here’s a dead-standing coast live oak (Q. agrifolia) at the washout on Bear Creek Road. The leader stems have broken off, with the primary scaffold branches to follow suit. Here’s a dead-standing coast live oak (Q. agrifolia) at the washout on Bear Creek Road. The leader stems have broken off, with the primary scaffold branches remaining, so far. Taken with an extreme wide angle lens, the left area of the image is front-lighted while the right area is back-lighted. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fad639a9da25065529fc4b3/1606406353369-Y6PYOYS0CTTUMI1LAN0G/DSC08581.jpg Blog - Sudden oak death (SOD) - Bole failure in a ~24” dbh Q. Agrifolia (Coast Live Oak) Above: Bole failure in a coast live oak (Q. agrifolia). P. ramorum spores muster in California bay laurel reservoirs. Bay trees don’t suffer significant disease from ramorum. When rained on, the spores germinate into swimming zoospores that travel to oaks by water splash and wind-driven spray. On the oak, they invade the phloem which is the thin layer just inside the bark. Phloem is rich in sugar and is somewhat edible to humans. Once infected all the way around the circumference, the tree starts to die and becomes vulnerable to true fungi and insects, including cramp balls and ambrosia beetles, which invade the xylem which is the wood part of a tree. The tree can keel over while still having green leaves as in the photo above, or it can be dead-standing. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fad639a9da25065529fc4b3/1606440793535-U2QTEVC252S4C3FPHGNX/DSC08577+1.jpg Blog - Sudden oak death (SOD) When a large tree goes over, it can break branches of neighboring trees as shown above. https://www.briones.horse/initiatives/briones-boundaries monthly 0.5 2021-09-03 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fad639a9da25065529fc4b3/1606853919447-T6UVH6KO7K5X5KUWK75X/BRC08447.jpg Blog - Briones boundaries Looking south at the northern terminus of Bear Creek Road. Although “Welcome to Briones” implies a border at this location, a large portion of Briones is located north and east of here, an area served by Pereira and Alhambra Valley Roads. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fad639a9da25065529fc4b3/1615585352279-3ZJSYFVGF7KOAPLTC8T9/Bing+maps+Briones.png Blog - Briones boundaries Bing has it right. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fad639a9da25065529fc4b3/1615585411147-PS8PECKF28H9D5YTPL6O/OpenStreetMap+with+arrow.jpg Blog - Briones boundaries OpenStreetMap has it right. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fad639a9da25065529fc4b3/1630642018475-PAX4STBQDEDBKGLP43BK/Briones+Census+County+Division+2021-09-02_190254.png Blog - Briones boundaries - Make it stand out Here’s another view of the Census Bureau’s Briones Census County Division. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fad639a9da25065529fc4b3/1613576777058-4VC5VELLMGOCJ5SEVCTD/USGS+GNIS+list+for+Briones.png Blog - Briones boundaries - According to the U.S. Board on Geographic Names, “Briones” the way we think of it doesn’t even exist. The list at right shows all uses of the title “Briones” in Contra Costa County. None refer to our community. And there’s a second Briones Valley near Brentwood. There’s even an electric substation named “Briones” out that way. We can’t effectively advocate without first becoming a place. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fad639a9da25065529fc4b3/1613622750885-ZTN80QIX9Z239BOWAMYU/DC10CT_C06013_001+with+Briones+overlay%2C+update+2-16-2020.jpg Blog - Briones boundaries Briones is in the center of census tract 3560.02, in green with red outline in the illustration above. The closest urban sprawl is the Alhambra Valley neighborhood of the City of Martinez, to the east of Briones. Also included in 3560.02 are the Christie neighborhood to the north, and small parts of Pinole and Hercules. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fad639a9da25065529fc4b3/1613623109191-FWROQT3N6F4H8486OKGY/Google+maps+with+Briones+layer+and+arrow+update+2-16-2020.jpg Blog - Briones boundaries Here’s a screenshot of where Google Maps thinks Briones is. Their location is not even within the boundaries of what we consider Briones. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fad639a9da25065529fc4b3/1626034791316-AIO0EVY6AE4T58QJTZ31/Nextdoor+neighborhoods+2021-07-11_131803.png Blog - Briones boundaries - Make it stand out Nextdoor calls the northern section “Valley Orchard.” Is that a generally accepted name? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fad639a9da25065529fc4b3/1606493307490-JTPB6VUZ7N71Y0WNAGSK/Briones+township+boundary%2C+11-26-2020+ps.jpg Blog - Briones boundaries Above: One possible boundary map encompassing about 6 square miles, or 3,800 acres. (Compare this size to the 2020 August Complex Fire which burned over 1 million acres, 300 times the size of Briones.) The western and southern boundaries are formed by EBRPD and EBMUD lands. The northern boundary is formed by Franklin Ridge and related ridges that have no public through roads. The unambiguous eastern boundary is the Urban Limit Line which was established in 1988 and largely follows the city limits of Martinez in that area. However the map shown here puts the boundary a bit farther west to reflect the cohesion of the neighborhood. Why is it underserved by telecommunications? Because 1) Its population is less than 200 businesses and residences, resulting in a density of about one entity per 19 acres. Thus the cost per customer is higher than in non-rural regions. 2) It doesn’t advocate for itself with a unified voice. And 3) Briones is not even recognized as a geographic place. https://www.briones.horse/initiatives/emergency-map monthly 0.5 2021-06-22 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fad639a9da25065529fc4b3/1624382779270-OGAUE0OHR3WMHPGD485U/Emergency+map%2C+June+2021.jpg Blog - Emergency Map https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fad639a9da25065529fc4b3/1609036376569-E49689M6ONQQCGHYRKG1/DSC08585+ACR.jpg Blog - Emergency Map - Skid unit for ember and spot attack. Skid unit for ember and spot fire attack. Ansul Silv-ex is a foam additive that greatly enhances water’s suppression properties. Add 1 quart per 60 gallons. https://www.briones.horse/initiatives/pgampe-power-outage monthly 0.5 2021-02-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fad639a9da25065529fc4b3/1612977148044-TRDHVQ8J4O524NSA95FQ/DSC08665.jpg Blog - PG&E Power outage - What is this? Open fuses supplying Briones. On this crossarm in the Stonehurst neighborhood, we see the two fuse holders in the distribution line that supplies PG&E power to Briones. Both are hanging open because the fuses are blown, probably due to vegetation falling across the lines during the stormy night. This line supplies 201 electric meters. Power was out for nearly 12 hours. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fad639a9da25065529fc4b3/1613216951510-IVT9FUQ54ES2CWQ0R0FC/DSC08679.jpg Blog - PG&E Power outage The fix: Retrieve the fuse holders using a highly insulating “hot stick,” replace the fuses, and put them back up. Once snapped into place, voila! https://www.briones.horse/initiatives/etheric-wins-rdof-auction-promises-wireless-gigabit-for-briones monthly 0.5 2021-02-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fad639a9da25065529fc4b3/1614045219215-9MEEJ66UGVUS768L4QEZ/FCC+announcement+2021-02-20_161357+with+Briones+boundary.png Blog - Etheric wins RDOF auction, commits to gigabit for Briones. - The screenshot at right shows FCC’s RDOF locations in green. Etheric won these areas. The Brionean overlaid the approximate Briones boundaries in red. As noted in the BBW page, the dark regions (meaning no RDOF funds) were omitted from FCC’s map due to notorious mapping errors. Indeed, much of Bear Oaks is omitted even though it has the highest population density in Briones. Etheric confirmed to The Brionean that the omitted regions will also be served barring any unforeseen technical impediment. https://www.briones.horse/initiatives/passing-bicycles-in-a-motor-vehicle monthly 0.5 2021-04-08 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fad639a9da25065529fc4b3/1613528379762-0EHGFBBE3JVV8AHC3U6O/DSC08745.jpg Blog - Passing bicycles in a motor vehicle The incognito cyclist. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fad639a9da25065529fc4b3/1613925699583-FI3MJ9OL500X0P3L2QHI/BRC08544.jpg Blog - Passing bicycles in a motor vehicle Many states have exceptions, California does not. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fad639a9da25065529fc4b3/1617755267644-PB07I7X2NIOGA1SKH474/BRC08587+1.jpg Blog - Passing bicycles in a motor vehicle - Not ketchup. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fad639a9da25065529fc4b3/1617843748829-40XVV9YVMQRELEZRXAOH/BRC08587+2.jpg Blog - Passing bicycles in a motor vehicle - Trek wrecked. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fad639a9da25065529fc4b3/1613351422043-ZBAF8OOS5IAZJDT8XFO7/DSC08761.jpg Blog - Passing bicycles in a motor vehicle How about just tail the bikes until the lane widens? The vehicles behind you probably won’t share your patience and will pass both you and the bikes (unsafely). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fad639a9da25065529fc4b3/1617843607712-H8TTLZZBMGI4Y1ACNXIM/BRC08583.jpg Blog - Passing bicycles in a motor vehicle - March 20, 2021, around 11:30 a.m. What happened? Accident on March 20, 2021, around 11:30 a.m. What happened? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fad639a9da25065529fc4b3/1613351134386-YRXCH304AUZZO1WAF2E5/DSC08747.jpg Blog - Passing bicycles in a motor vehicle Safe passage, but not legal. https://www.briones.horse/initiatives/how-to-pronounce-briones monthly 0.5 2021-04-14 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fad639a9da25065529fc4b3/1618264222816-TLI7948HJ921QVFL7LT2/How+to+pronounce+Briones.png Blog - How to Pronounce “Briones.” International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA). Pardon the breviloquence. Click the image for the page from the 1933 OED with that word. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fad639a9da25065529fc4b3/1618374559601-5N82VY2ZGNMVBXQHHXEZ/DSC09242.jpg Blog - How to Pronounce “Briones.” Poppy’s little bugs. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fad639a9da25065529fc4b3/1618374488893-SFO0RG38TYI8X74HDTXY/DSC09251.jpg Blog - How to Pronounce “Briones.” Leaf out. https://www.briones.horse/initiatives/april-2021 monthly 0.5 2021-07-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fad639a9da25065529fc4b3/1619285569500-R829MNT2KVAHTY0U6C7B/DSC09233.jpg Blog - April 2021 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fad639a9da25065529fc4b3/1619285573587-HMF2OF2RQT2MCHNGRQFL/DSC09287.jpg Blog - April 2021 - EBMUD's skid unit. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fad639a9da25065529fc4b3/1619285579835-IL2WA0OXSEUAFW73KGQO/DSC09306.jpg Blog - April 2021 - Uh oh! Car pole! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fad639a9da25065529fc4b3/1619753955026-3TPIY4J6XUYNIDPWPXKC/DSC09303.jpg Blog - April 2021 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fad639a9da25065529fc4b3/1619285597046-18DAZDV9LOY5FJIVECHB/DSC09433.jpg Blog - April 2021 - Pulling optical fiber for Comcast who refuses to connect Briones because they think we're not worth it. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fad639a9da25065529fc4b3/1619285632708-O4XI5BMRZ4OJC3V5F9FS/DSC09430.jpg Blog - April 2021 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fad639a9da25065529fc4b3/1619286416736-PGVM7H6OW0ZFZFJOR7TQ/DSC08727.jpg Blog - April 2021 - Corporate Ladder https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fad639a9da25065529fc4b3/1619286419051-FFEWBN3RLOOM1AAB0QI6/DSC08732.jpg Blog - April 2021 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fad639a9da25065529fc4b3/1619397828180-BR61DRZLMU7NQIWK33H3/DSC08781.jpg Blog - April 2021 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fad639a9da25065529fc4b3/1619400511854-7TL1YUU5AE49162EEJNX/BRC08579+1.jpg Blog - April 2021 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fad639a9da25065529fc4b3/1619400533681-UUL2P8XG8FZ1KLZ6NGNF/DSC09236.jpg Blog - April 2021 - Bravo Mike 3155 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fad639a9da25065529fc4b3/1619412271418-BX3F99G6NAGFRU7HKPNZ/BRC08610+1.jpg Blog - April 2021 - Pole 1711 features the two fuses through which all of Briones' PG&E power runs. One or both blown fuses knocks out power to all of Briones. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fad639a9da25065529fc4b3/1619238044602-PKVUK2KLUI4UZ6JXF70N/BRC08609.jpg Blog - April 2021 - There's the problem. One fuse has blown, killing the whole circuit to Briones' 201 meters. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fad639a9da25065529fc4b3/1619238056960-ALN4TEGIV5XGPDCI3AFE/BRC08597.jpg Blog - April 2021 - The slender rod hanging down means the fuse is blown, and since the primary sides of the transformers are only connected to the pair of phase conductors, one open fuse kills the whole shebang. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fad639a9da25065529fc4b3/1619313468605-F0XRK2HN7T10CBB6DBH7/BRC08615.jpg Blog - April 2021 - Here's what an unblown fuse looks like, utterly calm, bathing insouciantly in an azure sky. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fad639a9da25065529fc4b3/1619238083746-RRLD8N2EITLMGOAM1GOD/BRC08617.jpg Blog - April 2021 - Have you seen this troubleman? He's the same one who changed the two blown fuses in January. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fad639a9da25065529fc4b3/1619238282406-N3Q18W5P2H02SYE51SX4/BRC08624.jpg Blog - April 2021 - After renewing the 65-amp fuse cartridge, it is slammed back into the holder. Then the 780 kW capacity circuit is back in business. That's a little over 1000 horsepower. https://www.briones.horse/initiatives/summer-2021 monthly 0.5 2021-09-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fad639a9da25065529fc4b3/1625283306016-LD1SY4MU7Z0WKVLOFM6X/DSC09353.jpg Blog - Summer 2021 - Corrosion sculpture https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fad639a9da25065529fc4b3/1625283294677-UGGRKSHHPK2283CFXW67/DSC09186.jpg Blog - Summer 2021 - Leaf galls Northern California Black Walnut Juglans hindsii https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fad639a9da25065529fc4b3/1625283302648-71MBPHGUUKGC2ESM57P0/DSC09183.jpg Blog - Summer 2021 - Northern California Black Walnut, Juglans hindsii https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fad639a9da25065529fc4b3/1625283307325-Y9YLHEHXGKXA3368F30I/DSC09318.jpg Blog - Summer 2021 - The rainbow ends ... at the cemetery. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fad639a9da25065529fc4b3/1625283317901-B83Z33TBYVNL6FHDA70V/DSC09397+acr.jpg Blog - Summer 2021 - Radical saturation reveals subtle color differences A form of false color. California bay laurel, uprooted sua sponte. Umbellularia californica, a sui generis species. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fad639a9da25065529fc4b3/1626033146604-049B6ZNB7EQFK2365UDM/DSC00191.jpg Blog - Summer 2021 - Evaporative cooling https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fad639a9da25065529fc4b3/1626033147045-SOVHCUZE3YUM69YWORNP/DSC00189.jpg Blog - Summer 2021 - Choose a spray pattern https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fad639a9da25065529fc4b3/1625283293528-ZB2SXMOC89YSHQ5I0WWO/_DAC8461+1.jpg Blog - Summer 2021 - Phos-Chek LC95W See also PHOS-CHEK INSUL-8 and PHOS-CHEK FORTIFY, short- and long-term retardants. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fad639a9da25065529fc4b3/1630622806567-JXH2QKF6HRKXLS7UNKPY/DSC09472.jpg Blog - Summer 2021 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fad639a9da25065529fc4b3/1630690987479-65615UHUYDB9SEAQXLJF/DSC09446.jpg Blog - Summer 2021 https://www.briones.horse/initiatives/winter-2022 monthly 0.5 2022-02-25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fad639a9da25065529fc4b3/1645591887089-8HC8J51ZW27QRMBUAQIF/DSC09496.jpg Blog - Geography, optics, and geology. Q. kelloggii https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fad639a9da25065529fc4b3/1645592020079-ZRFLJXCUXKMJL5W6EJAC/DSC09508.jpg Blog - Geography, optics, and geology. Q. lobata https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fad639a9da25065529fc4b3/1645592266244-KFHILDZSCY6V8Z716MXH/DSC09831.jpg Blog - Geography, optics, and geology. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fad639a9da25065529fc4b3/1641688179843-N7YN9V35IK6LQ3MJZ2M5/DSC09490.jpg Blog - Geography, optics, and geology. - Last light https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fad639a9da25065529fc4b3/1645721878745-XPCZ6Z01WH1Q409T907C/DJI_0121+1.jpg Blog - Geography, optics, and geology. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fad639a9da25065529fc4b3/1641682302136-GQKZ4NAOPBI57V6JTDCG/DJI_0124.jpg Blog - Geography, optics, and geology. - Grass always greener https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fad639a9da25065529fc4b3/1642954156283-K2IWH9HY92J7Q5J6YKDU/DJI_0133+1.jpg Blog - Geography, optics, and geology. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fad639a9da25065529fc4b3/1641689047325-ICGESDVZZPHTXG4YFJE6/DJI_0106.jpg Blog - Geography, optics, and geology. - EBMUD slide https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fad639a9da25065529fc4b3/1641708441382-5R2TT6Q7B64FPUESGRKI/DJI_0111.jpg Blog - Geography, optics, and geology. - Bovine isoclines https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fad639a9da25065529fc4b3/1641677118017-8VR39YO23U5NANO1IXZ5/DJI_0119.jpg Blog - Geography, optics, and geology. - Another perspective https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fad639a9da25065529fc4b3/1641677188661-XTW1KHEP3ESAQVIUQDA2/DJI_0097.jpg Blog - Geography, optics, and geology. - Cattle stomping ground https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fad639a9da25065529fc4b3/1642826223494-YQK3EY0V9A3Z72RMOVTC/DJI_0130.jpg Blog - Geography, optics, and geology. - Even barns have a dark side. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fad639a9da25065529fc4b3/1645424175768-0TKVEEJLZ2WVMZD7GDZK/DSC09823+1.jpg Blog - Geography, optics, and geology. - Cross-polarized epi-illumination by flashlamps. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fad639a9da25065529fc4b3/1645424213115-8EX5BG5FRXRRJ85VY1W8/DSC09828.jpg Blog - Geography, optics, and geology. - Cross-polarized epi-illumination by flashlamps. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fad639a9da25065529fc4b3/1645424256913-JQ9RFLVHE2VKLHBS7Z9M/DSC09816.jpg Blog - Geography, optics, and geology. Q. agrifolia https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fad639a9da25065529fc4b3/1645424289800-ZI0EH9OR49HWWCSXHU73/DSC09821.jpg Blog - Geography, optics, and geology. - Cross-polarized epi-illumination by flashlamps. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fad639a9da25065529fc4b3/1645722925807-7VIUXDSM5FLFSPM4J3CH/DSC09484+1.jpg Blog - Geography, optics, and geology. Known by some locals as "That tree," it is likely an Incense Cedar, Calocedrus decurrens https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fad639a9da25065529fc4b3/1645818541744-LK5NBMO0VSCQ31QWFP2Q/DJI_0090+1.jpg Blog - Geography, optics, and geology. - Briones at a crossroads https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fad639a9da25065529fc4b3/f0790bc0-8421-4736-8efc-41cd601c4850/Bear+Creek+Road+redefinition+overlay.jpg Blog - Geography, optics, and geology. - Make it stand out Click the map for the pdf version, 89 MB. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fad639a9da25065529fc4b3/e6dbd85e-1e37-4367-be9e-15c965a8a57f/Pages+from+Radbruch+reformat-2.jpg Blog - Geography, optics, and geology. - Make it stand out Bedrock geology of Briones and the East Bay. Click the image for the full file with extensive text and legend, 75 MB. https://www.briones.horse/initiatives/summer-2022 monthly 0.5 2022-12-27 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fad639a9da25065529fc4b3/1669256928628-0KRAXRH1EX419Q2EJIYS/DSC09791_1.jpg Blog - Summer 2022 - Looking westward at the prior fuse pole PG&E owns most of the utility poles in this region, and leases them to telecom providers. Power and telecom don’t touch the other’s equipment, so when a new pole is installed, the old pole is truncated, still supporting telecom whose job it is to transfer its equipment to the new pole. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fad639a9da25065529fc4b3/1669256932461-S46TU2WU91M1Z8OZBHNI/DSC09794_1.jpg Blog - Summer 2022 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fad639a9da25065529fc4b3/1669256949827-83U9BI6S5FZVLU8N45NX/DSC09801_1.jpg Blog - Summer 2022 - Third recloser not used. The second-from-left recloser has no connection other than ground. It would be connected if this were a 3-phase system. The little 1 kVA transformer supplies power to the recloser system. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fad639a9da25065529fc4b3/1669256955510-SPJTCZISXM6F5QUY5PS2/DSC09803.jpg Blog - Summer 2022 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fad639a9da25065529fc4b3/1669256897940-AF6TZARKPHNXYUE95FYA/DSC09811_1.jpg Blog - Summer 2022 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fad639a9da25065529fc4b3/1669256972381-KG4GULB6MLQS5P45BHJQ/DSC09809_1.jpg Blog - Summer 2022 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fad639a9da25065529fc4b3/1669256916359-FDM5MZPB349QT9W5Z449/DSC09814_3.jpg Blog - Summer 2022 - Pole Brand Tag SJC = Stella-Jones, manufacturer [obscured] 7/2021 = Treated July 2021 PGE = PG&E assumes the role of independent inspection agency? DFPA = Douglas fir treated with the biocide pentachlorophenol in petroleum solvent .60 = 0.60 lbs per cubic foot minimum retained preservative A = unknown so far 1/55 = USDA Rural Utilities Service Class 1, 55 ft EUGENE OR = Treatment plant location SQC = statistical quality control? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fad639a9da25065529fc4b3/1662820057947-RN8UIWQ1H4GZKS1SQMIT/_LKF8718.jpg Blog - Summer 2022 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fad639a9da25065529fc4b3/1662820069418-EID4MZ1OB6SXS3ULV553/_LKF8698.jpg Blog - Summer 2022 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fad639a9da25065529fc4b3/1662820063207-LUZ5N1Z7RKC7X4X4CETP/_LKF8723.jpg Blog - Summer 2022 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fad639a9da25065529fc4b3/1662820063493-1XN7QE1TFCQMBD9UR0SS/_LKF8695.jpg Blog - Summer 2022 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fad639a9da25065529fc4b3/1662820067599-5F3E0LOZK1Q87KF06YXQ/_LKF8701.jpg Blog - Summer 2022 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fad639a9da25065529fc4b3/1662820073546-DYGPYXKJZDIDT7S14LSS/_LKF8709.jpg Blog - Summer 2022 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fad639a9da25065529fc4b3/1662820074264-XAJKIKCUGUF1I5OJVABR/_LKF8715.jpg Blog - Summer 2022 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fad639a9da25065529fc4b3/1662820059798-M8RVECZYYM2RH2PR7LL8/Interrupter+image.jpg Blog - Summer 2022 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fad639a9da25065529fc4b3/a61efb66-f075-489f-919b-0b0edb97b241/GE+image+of+recloser+and+old+circuit+breakers+with+markups+copy.jpg Blog - Summer 2022 - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fad639a9da25065529fc4b3/1662768594005-D5SPUAXI8085NL872TWM/DSC09891.jpg Blog - Summer 2022 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fad639a9da25065529fc4b3/1662768538306-BGZVSWV20D593AG8GO6Q/DSC09886.jpg Blog - Summer 2022 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fad639a9da25065529fc4b3/1662768553868-K4FOSZTCV35I1JXTEVIC/DSC09888.jpg Blog - Summer 2022 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fad639a9da25065529fc4b3/1662768647593-DBE78TUSN9JEM8OJMA1Z/DSC09895.jpg Blog - Summer 2022 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fad639a9da25065529fc4b3/1662768623738-AGUGPWU6GXGWINTC26HX/DSC09894.jpg Blog - Summer 2022 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fad639a9da25065529fc4b3/1662869467276-HK1CSO6I438O507M6D0S/DSC09844.jpg Blog - Summer 2022 - Rage, rage against the advancing of the light Apologies to Dylan Thomas https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fad639a9da25065529fc4b3/1662869382316-RNXLAXZJ9S7IGFITLABJ/DSC09851.jpg Blog - Summer 2022 - A hoseline with foam outperforms a crew of nine https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fad639a9da25065529fc4b3/1662869296214-K1PLPAXV5Z4F7A8E5150/DSC09861.jpg Blog - Summer 2022 - A hand crew member with McLeod tool https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fad639a9da25065529fc4b3/1662869337549-SHYTTG9AB1WG82504BJJ/DSC09866.jpg Blog - Summer 2022 - Caterpillar D6N configured for wildland fire work Roughly $0.5 million https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fad639a9da25065529fc4b3/1662869335821-1KY0ODU1U3HYRTC3Y4H7/DSC09871.jpg Blog - Summer 2022 - Did the blade hit a rock? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fad639a9da25065529fc4b3/1662869406290-ZNO62SVFKXSKO2HP96M8/DSC09853.jpg Blog - Summer 2022 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fad639a9da25065529fc4b3/1662869433251-AHLWH006U8DVOIOZCKS7/DSC09855.jpg Blog - Summer 2022 - Cozad California Fire Special trailer https://www.briones.horse/initiatives/q8u3mfl2ml4e2c54zdt9twymyqd6gl monthly 0.5 2023-01-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fad639a9da25065529fc4b3/1672166108538-T1QSO4X3VX59YMFDSAQR/Cover+page+of+Geologic+Atlas+of+the+US%2C+San+Francisco+folio%2C+Lawson+1914-2.jpg Blog - Winter of Discontent with CPUC - See USGS's version at https://pubs.er.usgs.gov/publication/gf193 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fad639a9da25065529fc4b3/1672166168122-5MCGTX1WZ661I94BYJFO/Structure+sections+from+Geologic+Atlas+of+the+US%2C+San+Francisco+folio%2C+Lawson+1914+annotated.jpg Blog - Winter of Discontent with CPUC - A full-resolution crop of one of the engravings, here with annotations. The route from Briones to Orinda was via Hampton Road. The driveway spur to the east became part of “Bear Creek Road” with the construction of Briones Reservoir in the early 1960s. This crop of the sections plate of the Concord quadrangle is The Brionean’s version. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fad639a9da25065529fc4b3/1672595386417-LWMC2VK91KB7GLXB052M/Crop+of+USGS+Concord+section+for+web.jpg Blog - Winter of Discontent with CPUC - USGS version https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fad639a9da25065529fc4b3/1672446196759-W718TK7QRBD082QTYDNZ/Table+of+contents.jpg Blog - Winter of Discontent with CPUC https://www.briones.horse/initiatives/2023 monthly 0.5 2024-04-30 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fad639a9da25065529fc4b3/2f312379-6fe5-41f9-9962-7afa3f279bf2/Board+of+Supervisors+action+naming+Briones%2C+July+27%2C+2004.jpg Blog - 2023 - Correction - Make it stand out Board of Supervisors Action naming Briones https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fad639a9da25065529fc4b3/ba036de8-1687-4ca5-9fb3-45f0e8adb0d5/DSC00367.jpg Blog - 2023 - Correction - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fad639a9da25065529fc4b3/1714233943176-OT9RSMQ6KKIHGW4HHVF7/DSC00921+1.jpg Blog - 2023 - Correction In the night the troubleman had snipped the broken wire to get it off the road until crews arrived to reinstall it. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fad639a9da25065529fc4b3/1714233973581-MIRE12YOOMJH78LJJ1VP/DSC00926.jpg Blog - 2023 - Correction https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fad639a9da25065529fc4b3/1714234125215-SY4CGB1C7TINNGAIVSBR/DSC09914.jpg Blog - 2023 - Correction Rolling shutter https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fad639a9da25065529fc4b3/1714235766961-SMK1O4TLFJWZHTF8ZQFR/DSC09913.jpg Blog - 2023 - Correction https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fad639a9da25065529fc4b3/1271e37d-ad92-4549-8bf3-6e915c6117a9/DSC00311.jpg Blog - 2023 - Correction - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fad639a9da25065529fc4b3/5aa5199b-cb10-4274-adaf-7c9a4849f3d5/DSC00920+2+ps.jpg Blog - 2023 - Correction - Make it stand out The September 24 outage, fortunately not during a Foehn wind. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fad639a9da25065529fc4b3/3bbbad12-bb28-4763-9963-aca87399b3dc/Briones_2023Boundary.jpg Blog - 2023 - Correction - Make it stand out This is the current map of Briones published by the county. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fad639a9da25065529fc4b3/1714272295692-OC9SL5I5JU8CLO0K0G2C/DSC09825.jpg Blog - 2023 - Correction https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fad639a9da25065529fc4b3/1714272310011-1UWHXFNY3PAYZXECU3GO/DSC09827.jpg Blog - 2023 - Correction https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fad639a9da25065529fc4b3/1714272329425-MNYHLM5PDNUVFSYY4B21/DSC09822.jpg Blog - 2023 - Correction https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fad639a9da25065529fc4b3/1714272431985-52WWB4L6T3YQFK8URBGS/DSC00263.jpg Blog - 2023 - Correction https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fad639a9da25065529fc4b3/744f69f9-72fd-44da-9670-2b65038eb605/DJI_0752.jpg Blog - 2023 - Correction - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fad639a9da25065529fc4b3/bd679378-2d72-44ba-8e59-9fd91a2f039f/DSC00370.jpg Blog - 2023 - Correction - Make it stand out “So the darkness shall be the light, and the stillness the dancing.” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fad639a9da25065529fc4b3/c2b85173-9da7-406d-8920-83c566c443d4/Community+from+OED+Vol+II+C+1933.jpg Blog - 2023 - Correction - Make it stand out The page containing “community” from the 1933 Oxford English Dictionary. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fad639a9da25065529fc4b3/11f3241e-cc06-4d70-b747-59eb5e491189/Morbark+8400XT+wood+hog.jpg Blog - 2023 - Correction - Make it stand out Longer logs are readily handled by a conveyor chipper on a crawler undercarriage. In a year after mixing and rotting, the resulting soil will support a net carbon sink. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fad639a9da25065529fc4b3/161979a2-bdb7-4f3c-8bae-ce09e1c08529/Morbark+1300+tub+grinder.jpg Blog - 2023 - Correction - Make it stand out Morbark’s magnificent wood grinder, producing the organic ingredient for sublime soil. Courtesy Morbark, LLC. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fad639a9da25065529fc4b3/ccd544d2-17d9-4869-aa25-54bb4d1d9259/DSC00307+1.jpg Blog - 2023 - Correction - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fad639a9da25065529fc4b3/127878e4-bd4c-4efd-bbb4-16f4ca56534d/USFS+video+still+frame2024-04-26-13h19m53s604.jpg Blog - 2023 - Correction - Make it stand out This is not your father’s tub grinder purchased down at Sears and brought home in a Buick Estate Wagon. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fad639a9da25065529fc4b3/564c7973-263f-450c-95e4-fa21cadaa052/DSC00353+1.jpg Blog - 2023 - Correction - Make it stand out Verizon sector antennae, not located in Briones, but needed in Briones, the ramshackle bracketry notwithstanding. (For one thing, it’s missing the upper tube holder, and the pole is too short, allowing the assembly to pitch down and out of alignment.) https://www.briones.horse/home daily 1.0 2024-04-22 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fad639a9da25065529fc4b3/1607058828799-6L2CRL3E9H6PYFWE5U6K/DSC01278.jpg Home - Ready to take the next step? Join the Briones Broadband Wagon. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fad639a9da25065529fc4b3/1607055156346-TW7QENC4Y215P04DJFCU/BRC08422.jpg Home - Revolutionizing connectivity is possible. We’ve done it before. Once raging demand is turned loose on the free market, amazing network speed will become a reality. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fad639a9da25065529fc4b3/1609005666419-MLZ3AQSA7K76GE0FYU6F/DSC00811+2.jpg Home - Birds. Two of them. Thanks to Bill Hudson for identifying these as “American White Pelicans, which prefer fresh water in contrast to the salt water Brown Pelicans on the Bay; both are wonderful fliers.” https://www.briones.horse/about daily 0.75 2021-06-20 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fad639a9da25065529fc4b3/1608508313457-O0EHP1OZNBWTP5RSG8QC/The+widow+Briones+portrait%2C+ps+adjusted+1.jpg About Dyer’s Photograph Gallery, Ferry St., Martinez Mrs. Briones, Wife of Philipe [sic] Briones c. 1863 — c. 1871 Carte de visite photo Courtesy, California Historical Society, CHS2013.1342.tif, toned and colorized by The Brionean The California Historical Society’s curatorial team believes this photo depicts María Manuela Valencia de Briones, who was granted Rancho Boca de la Cañada del Pinole after the death of her husband, Felipe. María Manuela would have been in her late sixties or early seventies at the time this photograph was taken. https://www.briones.horse/contact-us daily 0.75 2021-02-13 https://www.briones.horse/take-action daily 0.75 2021-07-20