Can the zebra mussel do good?
”
Isn’t a beneficial byproduct of the zebra mussel infestation the
cleaning of the water they inhabit?
”
Can the zebra mussel do good?
“Isn’t a beneficial byproduct of the zebra mussel infestation the cleaning of the water they inhabit?”
Dear Wondering,
According to Santa Clara Valley Water District spokesperson Susan Siravo, the answer is no.
“The zebra can eat so much microscopic plant growth, or phytoplankton, that water turns clear, allowing sunlight to quicken the growth of bottom algae. That algae can cause significant taste and odor problems in drinking water supplies,” she said. The little pest – which was found in the San Justo Reservoir in Hollister earlier this month – clogs water pipes and can choke out aquatic life. The discovery was the first in California. The invasive mussels can be spread through recreational boating. San Justo has since been closed.
I miss the daily paper
“I sure do miss the newspaper coming to my home everyday. It was pretty much my favorite time of day to sit down with coffee and cereal and read the newspaper. It’s not comfy to sit with my computer and read. I also have a question. What is the fastest way to go to the computer if I do want to see the news that happens between days the paper comes out? I just want to see that news. I don’t want to see all the news I see in the paper. I just want to see that news in various categories that wasn’t printed. What is the fastest way to work through everything else and just get that?
Dear Paper-in-hand,
We haven’t heard this much bellyaching since we switched over from stone tablets.
We know you miss your physical morning paper – we do too sometimes – but posting on the Web offers some advantages (think breaking news, additional photos, interactivity) that just weren’t possible in print.
As for not wanting to double-read stories, there is no way currently to skip over print stories just to get stories posted on the Web. However, it might be worth checking out a story that you already read in print. Because we are not restricted by space issues, many of our online stories have additional content or are accompanied by additional photos from our talented photographers.
With daily e-mails and breaking news e-mail alerts soon to be available, we are certain you can re-establish a morning routine in the glow of your laptop. As for your discomfort while reading at your computer (and please note that Red Phone did not actually graduate from chiropractic school), here’s what we recommend: pillow in the small of the back. Then lean back and enjoy the news.
How high is Mt. Madonna?
“My 6-year-old son was wondering how high Mt. Madonna is. He heard on the news this morning that snow is possible at ‘elevations of 2,000 feet.’ Alex is a curious kindergartner at Las Animas Elementary (School).”
Dear Curious Kindergartner,
Mt. Madonna County Park is one of the most majestic of Santa Clara County’s regional park and recreation areas and a fun place to visit. This 3,688 acre park is dominated by the redwood forest so characteristic of the Santa Cruz Mountain range. To the east, the park overlooks the Santa Clara Valley, to the west, Monterey Bay. Now, for your answer, the highest point in the park is 1,850 feet in elevation, according to Senior Ranger John Heenan. Snow did fall at the summit last week, though it melted quickly. So keep listening to the weather, and the next time snow is forecast, you’ll know whether snow could fall again in the park.
