Color Page BAYAY ROSSINGSROSSINGS “The VoiceB of the Waterfront” CC July 2011 Vol.12, No.7 A View to a Spill Gateway to the North Bay Cup Catamarans’ Bay Debut Vallejo Transit Center Opens Friendlier Shade of Green The Bay’s Forgotten Jewel Lawn Conversions Take Root Nature, History on Angel Island Complete Ferry Schedules for all SF Lines Color Page Mention this ad and receive a 2 for 1 Just a Ferry Ride Away… Reserve Tasting WINERY & TASTING ROOM 2900 Main Street, Alameda, CA 94501 Right Next to the Alameda Ferry Terminal www.RosenblumCellars.com Open Daily 11–6 • 510-995-4100 ENJOY OUR WINES RESPONSIBLY © 2009 Rosenblum Cellars, Alameda, Ca ������������������� �� Excellent Financing is Available ���������� ���������������������������������������� ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������� ������������������������������������������ �������������������������������������������� ������������������������������������������������������������������ ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� ���������������������������������������������� ��������������������������������������������������������������������� Bel_BayCrossing3.15.indd 1 3/15/11 6:10 PM columns features 10 BAYKEEPER 14 AMERICA’S CUP Safest Protection Offered AC45 Catamarans by Mineral Sunscreens Exercise License to Spill 22 by Deb Self in Thrilling Bay Debut by BC Staff guides 11 IT CAME FROM BENEATH THE SEA 16 GREEN PAGES 20 WATERFRONT ACTIVITIES The Sevengill Shark Is Homeowners Reap Green Our recreational resource guide Benefits of Lawn-to- the Bay’s Top Shark WETA FERRY SCHEDULES by Kati Schmidt Garden Conversions 24 Be on time for last call by Bill Picture AROUND THE BAY 12 SAILING ADVENTURES 26 To see, be, do, know A Brief History of the news S.S. Jeremiah O’Brien Vallejo Transit Center Is by Captain Ray 04 New North Bay Gateway ON OUR COVER 06 WATERFRONT NEWS Port of S.F. Solicits July 2011 Volume 12, Number 7 Bobby Winston, Proprietor Cargo Proposals Joyce Aldana, President Joel Williams, Publisher by Patrick Burnson Patrick Runkle, Editor U.S. Coast Guard Offers ADVERTISING & MARKETING 08 Joel Williams, Advertising & Marketing Director Summer Boating Tips GRAPHICS & PRODUCTION Francisco Arreola, Designer / Web Producer SAUSALITO ART DIRECTION 09 Francisco Arreola; Patrick Runkle; Joel Williams A Destination for Fine COLUMNISTS Dining and Shopping Last month, the next-generation AC45 catamarans—45-foot Captain Ray Wichmann; state-of-the-art vessels that are the precursors to the 72-foot boats Paul Duclos; Patrick Burnson; Kati Schmidt; Deb Self Waterfront Films Return that will compete in 2013—reveled in winds between 15 and 25 18 knots as they made their Bay Area debut in a series of test runs, WRITERS & PHOTOGRAPHERS to Jack London Square Bill Picture; Joel Williams; helping America’s Cup Race Management advance its digital systems and refine the configuration of the racecourse. One of ACCOUNTING CULTURAL CURRENTS Cindy Henderson 19 the boats, piloted by ORACLE Racing’s Russell Coutts, took a Advertising Inquiries: Prodigal Son and Picasso dramatic spill, pictured above. The footage of the boat capsizing (707) 556-3323, [email protected] by Paul Duclos made international news, but thankfully, no one was seriously injured. Photo: Gilles Martin-Raget/www.americascup.com Bay Crossings Ferry Building, #22 ANGEL ISLAND San Francisco, CA 94111 22 www.baycrossings.com The Bay’s Forgotten Jewel Corrections & Letters A Division of Nematode Media, LLC We appreciate the opportunity to publish our readers' comments, letters or Is Four Parks in One requests for corrections, which can be sent to [email protected]. www.baycrossings.com July 2011 3 TRANSPORTATION NEWS Vallejo Unveils New Transit Center BAY CROSSINGS STAFF REPORT Metropolitan Transit Commission an integral investment in the broader to provide maximum visibility to the (MTC), Solano Transportation Authority Solano I-80 system vision, connecting passenger loading area with a “captain’s (STA), Solano County Transit (SolTrans) Solano residents to the San Francisco view” from the second floor for better n June 6, the City of and the Office of Historic Preservation. Bay Area and Sacramento from the heart security. Security will also be improved Vallejo held a ribbon- The event marked an important of this new mega-region and providing by better lighting and video surveillance cutting ceremony milestone in the development of the transit for the Napa and Solano County cameras. t o c e l e b r a t e t h e Vallejo Station Intermodal Facility, labor force serving San Francisco and The administration building was completion of the representing the first major step toward other Bay Area communities. also designed with sustainability Vallejo Transit Center at 311 Sacramento the transit-oriented development This project included the relocation principles in mind with the use of solar OStreet, which is a bus terminal and envisioned in Vallejo’s specific plans for and improvement of Vallejo’s existing panels, reflective roofing that meets administration building that represents its waterfront and downtown. These downtown bus transfer center, offering a cool roof requirements, sunshades the first phase of the Vallejo Station plans include a multimodal waterfront 12-bay bus shelter for transit riders as well to minimize heating and cooling Intermodal Facility. Speakers at the event transportation facility intended to be the as the construction of a transportation requirements, widespread use of included Vallejo Mayor Osby Davis as well principal transit hub serving Vallejo as administration building that houses recycled materials, use of natural as representatives from Congressman well as providing a gateway to the North ticket agents, public restrooms, light to minimize lighting George Miller’s Office, Bay and Solano County. security and operator’s break requirements, and efficient These expanded facilities are, in turn, room. This building is situated Photo by Joel Williams 4 July 2011 www.baycrossings.com TRANSPORTATION NEWS Photo by Aldrich Bautista, City of Vallejo Vallejo Mayor Osby Davis addresses the crowd in attendance at the opening of the new Vallejo Photo by Deb Grainger, Harris & Associates, Inc. Transit Center at 311 Sacramento Street in Vallejo. The administration building is situated to provide maximum visibility to the passenger loading area with a “captain’s view” from the second floor for better security. HVAC and water circulation. The bus Thanks to the efforts of Congressman shelter roof evokes sails and the center George Miller, $4 million in federal development in the downtown and are planned to transition to residential and rotunda represents a steam liner stack to funding was secured for the Vallejo waterfront areas, will create the transit village “live work space,” retail offices, restaurants, celebrate Vallejo’s maritime history and Transit Center Project with the remaining concept that has been supported by the City open space and a renewed and dynamic 140-year relationship with Mare Island $4.7 million in project costs being of Vallejo and its federal, state and regional downtown Vallejo waterfront, attracting Naval Base. funded through a combination of State funding partners. Surrounding land uses businesses to bolster Vallejo’s economy. The Vallejo Transit Center will and Regional Measure 2 funding. And provide a central and secure bus transfer approximately 100 construction jobs center for an estimated 1.4 million were generated by project activity over WE PROMISE TO EARN THE RIGHT TO BE YOUR DENTAL OFFICE FOR LIFE riders annually of Vallejo Transit and the past two years. With the help of its other connecting transit systems. The funding partners on this project—Federal Transit Center will also be home to the Transit Administration, California recently formed transit agency, SolTrans, Transportation Commission, CalTrans, Over 25 Years Serving Our Community which consolidated transit services of MTC, Bay Area Toll Authority and the Cities of Vallejo and Benicia. Upon STA—the City of Vallejo is in an Cosmetic and Family Dentistry completion of the remaining phases of excellent position to take advantage of the Vallejo Station Program, the existing the next private development surge. HE DIFFERENCE ferry parking will be consolidated into a These public improvements, SEE T RELAX ILL ING W parking structure with a pedestrian paseo combined with the W ATERF N OU RONT LOCATIO connecting this downtown bus terminal proposed private Y to the ferry terminal. CEREC Open 8AM - 5PM One-visit dentistry Tuesday - Friday David K. White, D.D.S. Kevin B. Duquette, D.D.S. New Patients Welcome Conveniently Located Next to the Vallejo Ferry Terminal The Vallejo Transit Center represents the first major step toward the transit-oriented development envisioned in the City’s specific plans for its waterfront and downtown. 285 Mare Island Way, VALLEJO MarinaVistaDental.net www.baycrossings.com July 2011 5 WORKING WATERFRONT NEWS Port of San Francisco Solicits Cargo Proposals BY PATRICK BURNSON water 1,000-foot berth, on-dock rail access and dioxide) reduction in diesel exhaust Speaking at the annual “Ports & at the site and access to the Port’s five-track starting in 2014. This measure affects some Terminals” luncheon sponsored by the Pacific rail yard. 4,400 local drayage trucks, or approximately Transportation Association in Oakland last he Port of San Francisco, 75 percent of the total port fleet, according month,