An alert system , alerts their registrants about any calamity or emergency in your area by calling your cellphone number.Santa Clara county has finally launched this system.Most of the landlines are already registered in their system.
But they are missing cellphones and email addresses of residents.I would highly recommend Santa Clara county residents to enroll in this system.
You can read more about it @ http://www.mercurynews.com/topstories/ci_13447993?nclick_check=1 and to register your number please go to http://www.alertscc.com/

posted at: 03:07 | category: /sfbayarea | permanent link to this entry

On June 20th we went to this helicopter show.My son enjoyed it alot.
The helicopters are parked very close to the audience and gives people a chance to look at these magnificent flying machines up close.
We stayed there the entire day .
The rescue efforts demonstrated by CHP or Fire department , lacked the fun , it was more of an infomercial at best.
Personally I feel that atleast the fire dept helicopter should have thown water from the helicopter on some audiences, maybe that could bring some life to the show.
The price for the show is very reasonable especially considering that it includes the price for the museum.
This place was extremely crowded as expected and there is no parking nearby so don't drive to this location to be dissappointed.
Either take public transportation.Caltrain setup a special shuttle from the San Carlos station to this event every hour.
Or park your car at the airport parking and then they provide shuttle to the event.
There is a lunch break from the show for about 1 hour or so and it is not sufficient to get food and eat.Lines are extremely long  for getting food.
I highly recommend carrying food and drinks yourself to avoid the long lines and expensive ripoff prices(fries for $5)
Carry your beach folding chairs as there is no place to sit there to watch the show and considering the show lasts for a couple of hours ,  kids would get tired standing all day.
Though I have to say the show lacks a "punch".Red bull flipping helicopter was probably the high point of the show.
So after spending a day there I would say that I prefer the blue angels show during the fleetweek much better then this.

You can go to Hiller Museum website for more information.

posted at: 15:36 | category: /sfbayarea | permanent link to this entry

We went to the fair yestrday and it was extremely crowded.
Parking lot was full and we got parking almost a mile walk in the parking lot.
Overall , I didn't like the fair as it was too expensive.The entry fee hardly covers anything.Every ride is minimum $3 for each ride.I find it very expensive.
Overall I'm not planning to go next year.

More info @ http://www.alamedacountyfair.com

posted at: 15:15 | category: /sfbayarea | permanent link to this entry

If you want to read about the statistics of the silicon valley and alternate news , away from the traditional mass media , a few engineers have come up with this site where they claim
" "
I like a lot of their statistics and it helps me look at a view different then mass media .
You can read more about it @ http://www.viewfromsiliconvalley.com/index.html

posted at: 01:47 | category: /sfbayarea | permanent link to this entry

Every year during Nov-Dec the Cesar Chavez park in San Jose downtown , the park is decorated with lights and displays from local schools/businesses etc.There is live performances by local artists.
It is a cool place to spend a couple of hours with the kids as they love the lights and the various displays.
There is no entrance fee for this event.
You can read more about it @ http://www.christmasinthepark.com/

posted at: 16:44 | category: /sfbayarea | permanent link to this entry

It is amazing how housing bublle has bursted and has brought down some of the mo st expensive/desirable locations including the silicon valley.
In my mind this is just the beginning because the current housing price impact i s due to general economy and yet has to see the full effect of more layoffs in t he valley.
Read the full article @ 1 in 7 homes in Santa Clara County is 'underwater'

posted at: 16:26 | category: /sfbayarea | permanent link to this entry

For those who live in the San Francisco bayarea , we live under the constant threat of an earthquake.
Here are some bone chilling video simulations by USGS in case the "big one" hits the bayarea.
http://earthquake.usgs.gov/regional/nca/simulations/hayward/
I would request all folks in the SF bayarea to enroll in the USGS ,  Earthquake Notification Service @ https://sslearthquake.usgs.gov/ens/

posted at: 15:41 | category: /sfbayarea | permanent link to this entry

The USGS is providing a service to notify you via email about eathquakes in your chosen profile area within a couple of minutes after it happens.
Check out their website for more details @ https://sslearthquake.usgs.gov/ens/

posted at: 04:38 | category: /sfbayarea | permanent link to this entry