Cotton Coulson, a National Geographic photographer and filmmaker, died on Wednesday, May 27, after losing consciousness while diving off the coast of Norway.

The dive was part of a 17-day National Geographic expedition to the Norwegian fjords and the Arctic Svalbard archipelago on a 150-passenger cruise ship operated by National Geographic Expeditions and Lindblad Expeditions.

Coulson, 63, has directed more than 40 stories for National Geographic and National Geographic Traveler. He spent most of his career in Europe, shooting and filming a number of missions ranging from the Arctic and Scandinavia to Italy and France.

In recent years, Coulson and his wife, photographer Sisse Brimberg, have served as experts on National Geographic expeditions, leading photo walks, training tourists in photography and telling stories about their time there.

“National Geographic is devastated by the loss of our longtime friend and collaborator,” said Lynn Cutter, executive vice president of travel and licensing at National Geographic.

Coulson and Brimberg, Cutter added, “were adored by the crew, staff and guests who were fortunate enough to travel with them.”

The incident occurred on Sunday, May 24, on the fifth day of the cruise. According to members of the cruise team, Colson and his diving partner were diving into cold water to capture images to be shared with passengers on the cruise when Coulson signaled his partner to surface.

Shortly afterwards, Coulson lost consciousness. He was helped to the surface and onto a rubber dinghy and taken back to the ship. He was then transported to a local hospital in Sandnessjoen, Norway, and then transferred to a larger facility in Tromsø. He died on Wednesday evening.

Coulson graduated from New York University Film School in 1975 and joined National Geographic as a contract photographer in 1976. His assignments included stories about Ireland, Berlin and the Brendan Voyage, a sixth-century Irish monk's sailing voyage across the Atlantic. Coulson has won numerous awards from the National Press Photographers Association and the White House Press Photographers Association.

He was also an assistant cameraman at US News & World Report and a cameraman at the Baltimore Sun.

In the mid-1990s, Coulson joined the Internet revolution and moved his family to San Francisco, where he became vice president of CNET Networks, a media website focused on technology news.

The family then moved to Paris and later to Denmark, Sisse's home country.

“The wonderful thing about Cotton was how completely he immersed himself in his stories,” said Cathy Newman, author and editor of National Geographic. “When he wrote a story about Italy, he came back completely Italian, with this tailored, elegant Italian suit and exquisitely polished leather shoes. While writing a story about Kansas, he came back chewing on a stalk of wheat. Sisse used to say that she never knew who she would meet when she got off the plane after completing an errand.”

Coulson and Sisse met at a National Geographic photography seminar and worked together often over the course of their 30-year marriage. They own a media company, KEENPRESS, which produces photographs and HD films on the topics of the environment, climate science and international travel.

“Most of us divide our time between family and work,” said Ford Cochran, program director for National Geographic Expeditions. “They found a way to combine those things and do the things they loved.”

In addition to his wife, Coulson is survived by their adult children, daughter Saskia and son Calder; his parents, Robert Coulson and Mary Evangelista; two sisters and three brothers.

Service plans will be announced at a later date.

Check out some of Cotton Coulson's works

A ride at dawnA fisherman cuts through the morning light on Lake Hallstatt in Austria in 2009. “His photographs were imbued with a really subtle beauty,” says Moran.

Photo by KEENPRESS/Nat Geo Image Collection

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The Historic U.S. Coast Guard Chimney Rock Boathouse.

Chimney Rock is located at the eastern spur of the Point Reyes Headlands. The Chimney Rock area is a popular destination for visitors wishing to view elephant seals, birds, and wildflowers. The 1.75-mile (2.8-km) round-trip Chimney Rock Trail leads along the ridge crest of a narrow peninsula, offering spectacular views of Drakes Bay and the coastline stretching to the southeast. The historic Chimney Rock Lifeboat Station offers a glimpse into the harrowing jobs of rescuing crew and passengers from ships that ran aground along this rugged coastline.

Come Prepared

• Print out the Chimney Rock Area map. (125 KB PDF)
• Fuel: The closest gas station is 20 miles (32 km) away in Point Reyes Station. Be sure you have sufficient fuel in your vehicle for a minimum 40-mile (64 km) round-trip drive, not including side trips to other points of interest within the National Seashore.
• Weather: Visitors may experience stiff winds, cool temperatures, fog, and/or rain at Chimney Rock; so dress appropriately. Wear layered clothing.
  National Weather Service Forecast for the Chimney Rock area
• Water: Bring a water bottle. There are no potable sources of water at Chimney Rock. The nearest potable source of water is a water bottle filling station/water fountain located near the east end of the green garages that are located approximately 100 yards (100 meters) before one arrives at the Lighthouse Visitor Center or a water fountain located in the courtyard of the Kenneth C. Patrick Visitor Center at Drakes Beach. Bottled water is not sold at Point Reyes National Seashore’s visitor centers or bookstores.
• Food: There are no food services west of Inverness, which is a thirty-five-minute drive from the Chimney Rock parking lot. Bring food from home or purchase food at one of the stores or restaurants in West Marin before heading out to Chimney Rock if it is close to mealtime.
• Restrooms: Restrooms are available at the Chimney Rock parking lot from 6 am to midnight. Be sure to use the restrooms before heading out on area trails.
• Phones: Cell phone reception is very minimal to nonexistent in the Chimney Rock area.

• Drones: Launching, landing, or operating a remotely operated aircraft (aka “remotely piloted aircraft,” “unmanned aircraft,” or “drone”) from or on lands and waters administered by the National Park Service within the boundaries of Point Reyes National Seashore is prohibited.

  If you observe drone use in Point Reyes National Seashore, please call park dispatch at 415-464-5170 or contact staff at the nearest Visitor Center as soon as possible. If you observe drone use in other National Park Service areas or if you find photographs or videos online or elsewhere that were illegally taken within National Park Service areas from drones, you can report the violation to the National Park Service tip line at 888-653-0009 or by email.

• Pets: Dogs may be walked in the parking lot and along Chimney Rock Road west of the parking lot (i.e., back toward Sir Francis Drake Boulevard); otherwise, dogs are prohibited. Please be aware that most visitors to Chimney Rock are away from their vehicle for an hour or longer. Please do not leave your dog unattended in your vehicle; leave your dog at home instead. This prohibition does not apply to working service dogs, which are allowed on trails and in public buildings. If you have a service dog, please inquire at a park visitor center for information before heading out to the Chimney Rock area. Visit our Pets page for more information about visiting Point Reyes National Seashore with your dog.

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Sir Francis Drake Boulevard passes through a number of ranches on its way to Chimney Rock and the Point Reyes Headlands.

The Drive

Chimney Rock is located at the eastern-most end of the Point Reyes Headlands. Drive west ~19 miles (~30 km) on Sir Francis Drake Boulevard. After passing through the “A” Ranch, turn left at the Y signed for Chimney Rock and follow Chimney Rock Road ~0.9 miles (~1.5 km) to the Chimney Rock parking lot. Chimney Rock Road is only about ten feet (3 meters) wide, but serves as a two-way road. Please observe the speed limit and look ahead to keep watch for oncoming traffic. If you do notice a vehicle heading your way, pull into the next turnout until the other vehicle has had a chance to pass.

Sir Francis Drake Boulevard is windy and slow-going, so allow forty-five minutes to drive the ~20 miles (~32 km) from the Bear Valley/Olema/Point Reyes Station area to the Chimney Rock parking lot (one hour and thirty minutes round-trip), not including any time you will spend in the area. Allow one hour and forty-five minutes for the drive (three hours and thirty minutes round-trip) from the Santa Rosa area, northwest San Francisco, or the northern East Bay. Many visitors spend at least an hour or two in the Chimney Rock area.
Directions to Chimney Rock from the Bear Valley Visitor Center.

RVs and Trailers

Recreational vehicles (RVs) and vehicles pulling trailers with a combined length in excess of 24 feet (7.3 meters) are prohibited on Chimney Rock Road. If you are traveling with a trailer or are driving an RV towing a passenger vehicle, consider unhitching at the bus/RV/trailer-only parking lot at Bear Valley and taking only the passenger vehicle for the drive out to the Chimney Rock area. Overnight parking/camping in RVs and trailers is prohibited throughout Point Reyes National Seashore.

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Parking

The parking lot at the Chimney Rock Trailhead can only accommodate twenty vehicles. As a result, parking space availability is very limited, particularly in the afternoon. Please observe all “No Parking” signs. Please refrain from parking along the shoulder of the road or off of the pavement. Doing so kills vegetation and increases erosion.

Parking Lot

Chimney Rock Parking Lot

• 
  
  20 total spaces
  

• 
  0 oversized spaces
  

• 
  37.995124821, -122.979734524
  

A small paved parking lot with space for 20 vehicles. Park here to hike the Chimney Rock Trail, walk to the Elephant Seal Overlook, or visit the Historic Point Reyes Lifeboat Station. A vault toilet is located at the southeast corner of the parking lot. The Chimney Rock Parking Lot is approximately 45 minutes by car from the Bear Valley Visitor Center via Sir Francis Drake Boulevard.

Parking Fee

No parking or entrance fees are charged at Point Reyes National Seashore.

Cost: $0.00

Closures & Seasonal Exceptions

Amenities

Accessible Lot
Yes
Number of ADA-designated spaces
1
Number of ADA van-accessible spaces
1
Number of ADA step-free spaces
0
Total number of spaces
20
Number of oversize vehicle spaces
0

Accessibility

The parking lot at Chimney Rock has one van accessible parking spot and is composed of asphalt. The path to the Elephant Seal Overlook involves a rather short but moderately steep descent along an asphalt driveway (which is degraded in places), and then a flat traverse along a rammed-earth 0.2 mile-long (0.3 kilometer) trail. Individuals in wheelchairs may need assistance with the descent and accent of the driveway.

Individuals with a Disabled Person parking placard or plate may drive their personal vehicle to the Lifeboat Station’s Boathouse parking area. Please drive slowly and carefully since this section of the one-lane access road doubles as the pedestrian path from the main Chimney Rock parking lot to the Boathouse. Volunteers sometimes staff the Boathouse on weekends and holidays from January through March. The Boathouse’s first floor and boat bay are wheelchair accessible. There is also an accessible restroom within the Boathouse. At other times, visitors may explore the Lifeboat Station grounds, where wayside exhibits provide information about the U.S. Lifesaving Service and U.S. Coast Guard history at Point Reyes.

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Stay on designated trails

The only official trails in the Chimney Rock area are shown in the map to the right.

Hiking along the bluff tops can be unsafe and is not recommended. Stay away from cliff edges. Loose soil and/or rock can give way suddenly and you may fall. Do not climb cliffs.

Visitors walking off of official trails and paths trample vegetation, which may lead to the death of the trampled plants. Over time, as more and more visitors use a route, it starts to look more and more like an official trail, and more and more visitors use it, resulting in a feedback loop that makes the “trail” look “official.” However, these “social paths” tend to exacerbate erosion and harm threatened and endangered species. These paths also can lead to locations where visitors may be more at risk to injury, endangering themselves and any potential rescuers.

Do not “hop” the fences to get a “better” photo or for any other reason. Fences and other barriers are there for your safety. The bluffs and cliffs in the Chimney Rock are prone to collapse with little warning. Stay well away from the bluff tops. Individuals who are found on the wrong side of fences will be cited for entering a closed area.

During the winter, hundreds of northern elephants seals can be seen from the Elephant Seal Overlook.

Elephant Seal Overlook

From the Chimney Rock parking lot, walk down the driveway 150 feet (~50 meters), bear left at the Y, and continue along the Fish Docks access road another 260 feet (~80 meters) to the trailhead for the Elephant Seal Overlook Trail. The relatively flat dirt trail leads 850 feet (~260 meters) northwest to the Elephant Seal Overlook. While it may be possible to view northern elephant seals from here on any given day of the year, December through March is the period during which visitors may view several hundred elephant seals hauled out at the southwest end of Drakes Beach as the seals return to give birth and to mate.

Please visit our Viewing Elephant Seals page for more information.

Chimney Rock Trail

This spectacular 1.75-mile (2.8 km) hike offers views of Drakes Bay and the Pacific Ocean and is renowned for great spring wildflowers. Rocky cliffs drop off steeply to the water, so there is no beach access. While it is possible to see a few whales any given day of the year, from March through May, dozens to hundreds of gray whales migrate north past Chimney Rock every day. Fog and wind can make this hike challenging. Start this hike from the southeast corner of the Chimney Rock parking lot.

Photo of a park employee standing over and pointing at a newly developed fissure along the Chimney Rock Trail on December 21, 2015.

Fissures Near the Chimney Rock Trail

Cracks were reported on a portion of the bluff near the Chimney Rock Trail on December 21, 2015. These fissures could indicate the possibility of a weakening cliff face in the area. The land may be unstable and a collapse or erosion could occur. Visitors are reminded to stay on designated trails.

Bluffs along the California coast are inherently unstable. They are prone to crumbling and sliding, especially in wet weather. It is very dangerous to climb or walk along the edge of cliffs. Be aware of falling rocks if walking near the base of a rock face.

View:
Close-up photograph of the fissure. (172 KB jpg)
Photograph of the area with the fissure from the southeast. (117 KB jpg)
Aerial photograph of the location of the fissure marked in yellow. (216 KB jpg)

The Historic U.S. Coast Guard Chimney Rock Boathouse.

Historic Lifeboat Station

Despite the efforts of the men and women who worked at the Point Reyes Lighthouse, which was constructed in 1870, ships continued to wreck on the rocks and beaches along the dangerous Point Reyes peninsula. In 1889, the U.S. Life-Saving Service opened a Life Saving Station on the Point Reyes Beach, the first of two built at Point Reyes. The U.S. Lifesaving Service was combined with the U.S. Revenue Cutter Service to form the U.S. Coast Guard in 1915. In 1927, the Coast Guard moved their operations moved from Point Reyes Beach to the protected waters at the southwest end of Drakes Beach near Chimney Rock. Eventually modern technologies eclipsed the need for the Lifeboat Station at Point Reyes. In 1969,the Point Reyes Lifeboat Station was closed and, shortly thereafter, was transferred to the National Park Service for preservation.
Visit our Lifeboat Station History at Point Reyes page for more information.

The Lifeboat Station buildings are visible from the Chimney Rock Trail and the station’s access road (which is open only to NPS and other authorized vehicles). Visitors may explore the Lifeboat Station grounds, where wayside exhibits provide information about the U.S. Lifesaving Service and U.S. Coast Guard history at Point Reyes.

Today, the Historic Lifeboat Station at Point Reyes National Seashore is primarily used as an educational facility for non-profit groups learning about the resources of the natural and cultural resources of Point Reyes. The Boathouse is sometimes open to the public from 11 am to 4 pm on weekends and federal holidays from January through March, if volunteer staff is available. The Boathouse contains the historic Coast Guard Motorized Lifeboat CG-36542 and has the last intact marine railway on the West Coast. Kids activities, a 10-minute video on elephant seals, and complimentary hot beverages (cocoa, tea, coffee) are available when the Boathouse is open, along with hands-on interactive activities allowing both children and adults to learn about seal and whale adaptations.

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In Spanish

On the morning of April 18, 1906, a massive earthquake struck San Francisco, California. Although the quake lasted less than a minute, its immediate effects were catastrophic. The earthquake also sparked several fires around the city that burned for three days and destroyed nearly 500 city blocks.

Despite a quick response from San Francisco's large military population, the city was destroyed. The earthquake and fires killed an estimated 3,000 people and left half of the city's 400,000 residents homeless. Help arrived from across the country and around the world, but those who survived faced weeks of difficulty and hardship.

Survivors slept in tents in city parks and the Presidio, stood in long lines for food and had to cook on the streets to minimize the risk of further fires. The San Francisco earthquake is considered one of the worst natural disasters in US history.

Congress responded to the disaster in various ways. The House and Senate appropriations committees approved emergency aid for the city to pay for food, water, tents, blankets and medical supplies in the weeks after the earthquake and fire. They also provided funds for the reconstruction of many damaged or destroyed public buildings.

Other congressional responses included requiring the House Damages Committee to address claims from property owners seeking reimbursement for destroyed property. For example, the committee received complaints from the owners of several saloons and liquor stores whose stocks of alcoholic beverages were destroyed by police officers to minimize the spread of fires and the risk of mob violence. In the days following the earthquake, officials destroyed an estimated $30,000 worth of intoxicating liquor.

The Senate Committee on Public Buildings and Grounds reports on damaged buildings in San Francisco, Oakland and San Jose and estimates of repair costs. The Senate also passed a resolution requiring the Secretary of War to transmit to the Senate a copy of a report on the earthquake and fire. The U.S. Army's relief effort report and accompanying captions are now in the records of the Senate Printing Committee.

The following images are records from the U.S. Senate, National Archives from Records Group 46:

Similar resources:

1906 San Francisco earthquake and fire Documents about the aftermath of the earthquake from our archive in San Francisco.

When an American city is destroyed How the U.S. military became the “first responder” and assumed responsibility when an earthquake struck San Francisco a century ago.

Aftermath of the San Francisco Earthquake, 1906 in the National Archives Catalog Photos and documents about the aftermath of the 1906 San Francisco earthquake have been digitized and relate to the San Francisco earthquake and fire.

Hetch Hetchy environmental debates Between 1908 and 1913, Congress debated whether to make a water resource available or preserve a wilderness when the growing city of San Francisco, California, proposed building a dam in the Hetch Hetchy Valley to ensure a steady water supply. Located in Yosemite National Park, Hetch Hetchy Valley was protected by the federal government, leaving Congress to decide the valley's fate.

Other documents presented

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For those pursuing a career in musical theater, life on tour can be a blessing and a curse. Casting a touring production of a Broadway musical means steady work—eight performances a week, a sizable paycheck, and a per diem that covers food, lodging, and other related expenses.

But traveling to a different city every week can take its toll on any artist, regardless of age. Being on the road also means living out of a suitcase for months. Additionally, an actor might be in San Francisco when an important audition takes place in New York.

For the two leads on the Disney/Cameron Mackintosh tour of “Mary Poppins,” which opens in Oklahoma City on Election Day, this show is a major credit on their resumes and an opportunity they are eager to take advantage of. The hardships of the road obviously didn't dampen their spirits.

Con O'Shea-Creal, a 2008 graduate of the University of Oklahoma, plays the cheerful chimney sweep Bert. University of Michigan graduate Madeline Trumble plays the title character in the musical that made young Julie Andrews famous.

Although both contracts run until January, the young actors approached their roles very differently. As a student at Michigan, Trumble had limited performance opportunities because the musical theater program was so competitive.

“I never thought I could do this,” Trumble said recently. “In college I did a few plays and a few ensemble roles, but this role seemed so out of reach. Because of my performance, I got the audition (“Mary Poppins”) and then got about three callbacks before I was hired as an understudy for the tour. That’s why I appreciate getting this role even more.”

In contrast, O'Shea-Creal worked steadily as a student at OU, landing roles in “The Scarlet Pimpernel,” “Anything Goes,” “Company” and “Urinetown.” He has also been cast in Lyric Theater productions of “Swing!” and “42nd Street” and appeared in four consecutive productions of the Oklahoma City Philharmonic’s “A Very Merry Pops.”

After graduating, O'Shea-Creal went to New York, where he quickly landed roles in the Broadway musical White Christmas (limited holiday runs in 2008 and 2009), Annie Get Your Gun at the Goodspeed Opera House, and Singin' in the Rain in Westchester, NY

Resilience pays off

All along, this versatile performer had his eye on the role of the chimney sweep in Mary Poppins.

“For a song and dance man, Bert was a role that was always on my radar,” O'Shea-Creal said recently. “I didn’t know if it would happen, but I was determined to do whatever it took to get there.

“I first auditioned for Mary Poppins in 2008 when I was in White Christmas. From that point on I probably went there about ten times every year. I showed up so many times that they knew what song I was going to sing. I also got to the point where I didn't think I could audition for the show anymore.

“But I criticized every aspect of my audition and stuck with it. Last year I think I was called back 14 times. A great gift of this experience is resilience. You audition no matter how many times you are asked. It finally worked for me. I was understudy to Bert for about five months and while I was on a break from the show, I got the call that I would be taking on the role.”

Based on the Mary Poppins novels by PL Travers and the 1964 Disney film, the stage musical premiered in London in December 2004. Laura Michelle Kelly won an Olivier Award for her role as Mary Poppins; The production also won an award for choreography.

The Broadway production premiered at the New Amsterdam Theater in New York in November 2006 and won a Tony Award for Best Scenic Design the following June. The production is still playing to sold-out crowds and celebrates its six-year anniversary on November 16th.

Nine of the film's 17 musical numbers – written by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman – were adapted for the stage production, which was subsequently supplemented by seven new songs by British songwriters George Stiles and Anthony Drewe.

O'Shea-Creal said that after hearing one of Stiles and Drewe's new numbers, one of the Sherman brothers reportedly called it “the best song he had never written.”

The opportunity to perform in the city where you were born or where you went to school is a highlight for actors in any touring production. This will be O'Shea-Creal's first opportunity to return to Oklahoma City. There are also plans to conduct master classes for OU musical theater students.

“My whole family is from Nebraska and the OU musical theater school purchased a block of tickets for the show,” O'Shea-Creal said. “Performing in Oklahoma will allow me to give back and thank everyone at OU, the Lyric Theater and the Philharmonic for giving me such great opportunities.”

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By J. Elliott Mendez

At 11:53 PM, Sunday, The National Weather Service issued a Coastal Flood Advisory warning the King Tides “will cause minor coastal flooding at low lying spots during high tide Monday night.”

In addition to flooding, “the lowest tides of the event will be observed in the early morning hours which may lead to trouble for mariners navigating shallow waterways,” said NWS.

While tidal levels will also rise along the Pacific coast, impacted areas will be more localized to San Francisco, North Bay Interior Valleys and the San Francisco Bay Shoreline.

“Tides have receded tonight allowing tonight’s advisory to expire,” said NWS. “But tides will increase again Monday night and successive nights this week.”

The advisory is to take effect at 8:00 PM Monday, and will last 4 hours, expiring at Midnight. However, NWS expects tidal readings to peak around Wednesday night.

Copyright © 2022 Bay City News, Inc. All rights reserved. Republication, rebroadcast or redistribution without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited. Bay City News is a 24/7 news service covering the greater Bay Area.

Copyright © 2022 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited.

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SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — A magnitude 5.1 earthquake rattled the San Francisco Bay Area on Tuesday, causing delays of some commuter trains. There were no immediate reports of damage or injuries.

The US Geological Survey said the 11:42 am quake was centered 12 miles (19 kilometers) east of San Jose at a depth of about 4 miles (6 kilometers). The area is hill country about 40 miles (64 kilometers) southeast of downtown San Francisco.

Lucy Jones, a veteran California seismologist, told KNTV-TV that the quake happened on the Calaveras fault, one of eight major faults in the Bay Area.

“The Calaveras fault is one that tends to have smaller earthquakes,” Jones said.

It was the largest earthquake in the Bay Area since a magnitude 6.0 jolt in the Napa wine country in 2014, Jones said in a social media post.

The 138-mile (220-kilometer) long Calaveras fault is a major branch of the San Andreas fault and runs from San Juan Bautista in the south to San Ramon in the north, Jones said.

Numerous moderate earthquakes have occurred along the Calaveras fault, including the 6.2 Morgan Hill earthquake in 1984, Annemarie Baltay, a seismologist with the US Geological Survey, said in a video statement posted on Twitter.

Rich Constantine, the mayor of Morgan Hill, a city next to San Jose, said he was struck in the kitchen of his home when Tuesday’s “long and steady” quake.

“We had a frame in the house fall, everything was shaking but once it stopped, there was no damage,” he said.

Constantine said Morgan Hill’s City Hall and other city offices were evacuated but that everyone returned to work soon after.

People reported feeling the quake as far south as the scenic Big Sur coast, 75 miles (120 kilometers) south of the epicenter in the region of Joseph Grant Ranch County Park, a huge natural area.

Nearly 100,000 people reported receiving a warning before the shaking started through California’s earthquake early warning system, according to the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, or Cal OES.

“Advance notice varied from two seconds for those very near the epicenter to 18 seconds for those in San Francisco,” the agency said.

MyShake, a statewide cellphone app that went live to the general public in late 2019, relies on an earthquake detection and notification system developed by the US Geological Survey and partners.

A 3.1 aftershock followed about 5 minutes later, according to the US Geological Survey.

Several commuter train companies, including Cal Train and the Bay Area Rapid Transit system, known as BART, held trains to check for damage. BART returned to normal service by early afternoon.

Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

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SAN FRANCISCO, July 16, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — Today, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi along with community leaders and partnership for the Presidio Representatives celebrated the opening of Presidio Tunnel Tops. This highly anticipated new park destination marks the culmination of a 20-year transformation of the Presidium’s waterfront. Presidio Tunnel Tops adds 14 acres to the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. It is built on top of highway tunnels connecting san francisco to the iconic Golden Gate Bridge, bringing national park experiences closer to people across the Bay Area and visitors from around the world.

Presidio Tunnel Tops in the Presidio of San Francisco opens July 17. This highly anticipated new park destination marks the culmination of a 20-year transformation of the Presidio’s waterfront and adds 14 acres of new national park land to the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. Almost a decade in the making, Presidio Tunnel Tops was built by the community for the community bringing national park experiences closer to people across the Bay Area and visitors from around the world.

Presidio Tunnel Tops in the Presidio of San Francisco opens July 17. This highly anticipated new park destination marks the culmination of a 20-year transformation of the Presidio’s waterfront and adds 14 acres of new national park land to the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. Almost a decade in the making, Presidio Tunnel Tops was built by the community for the community bringing national park experiences closer to people across the Bay Area and visitors around the world.

“Today is a day of celebration for San Franciscans as our city opens a majestic new public space,” said Speaker Nancy Pelosi. “Presidio Tunnel Tops will serve as a beautiful beacon of recreation, education, and community. Thanks to the tireless efforts of the Presidio Trust, National Park Service, Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy and the immense generosity of many supporters and volunteers, visitors in the Bay Area and beyond will benefit from this magnificent new park – now and for generations to come.”

Presidio Tunnel Tops features scenic overlooks with stunning views of the Golden Gate Bridge, the bay and the city, paths and gardens, a welcome plaza with food and visitor services, a campfire circle, picnic grounds and more. Kids and adults alike can learn about nature, explore and have fun at the two-acre “Outpost” nature playscape and Field Station. Presidio Tunnel Tops opens to the public Jul 17 kicking off with an inaugural season of free family-friendly events and activities through October.

Additional photos and videos, including from the opening event, are available HERE. For more information, visit www.presidiotunneltops.org.

About Presidio Tunnel Tops
In 1993, Bay Area leaders, urban planners and citizens were faced with the need to replace the seismically unsafe Doyle Drive, which cut the Presidio in two as it led to the Golden Gate Bridge. A vision to construct the highway into tunnels and reconnect the park by creating new land over their tops was put forth and the Presidio Tunnel Tops project was born. Hundreds of hours of community engagement with more than 10,000 participants shaped the final design of the site. James Corner Field Operations, the firm behind New York’s High Line, was selected as the design partner. This new site allows the partnership for the Presidio to provide more national park experiences to people across the Bay Area and serves as a gateway to the greater Golden Gate National Recreation Area and broader National Park System. Led by the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy, the Presidio Tunnel Tops campaign raised over $98 million of the $118 million project. It was built by Swinerton Builders.

SOURCE Presidio of san francisco

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More than 2 million people in the United States live in homes without running water or basic plumbing.

From New York City to the Navajo Nation, people across the country are facing climate-driven water scarcity, exorbitant utility bills, aging or incomplete infrastructure, community disinvestment, and political inertia, all of which limit or completely cut off access to essential water resources .

America’s water gap exacts a significant price on the well-being of individuals and the overall economy. More than $8.5 billion is lost annually as a result of time spent collecting water, high health care bills related to injuries, waterborne illness, and mental health challenges associated with water insecurity, according to a June 2022 report from nonprofit DigDeep.

The water gap persists in all 50 states, from urban to remote communities, but it is not socially or geographically random. Water insecurity is associated with other socioeconomic disparities and disproportionately impacts communities of color. According to DigDeep, Indigenous households are 19 times more likely than white households to live without plumbing. Black and Latino households are twice as likely.

While rural homes are the most likely to lack running water, the majority of Americans residing in unplumbed homes live in cities. Plumbing poverty in urban areas is getting worse. Researchers found the average tenant in San Francisco living without piped water spent 44% of their income on rent in 2017. Water connection fees in San Francisco can cost several thousands of dollars—a financial burden low-income renters cannot afford, and negligent landlords may not want to pay.

While urban residents considered “plumbing poor” are hidden in plain sight, rural residents impacted most severely by the water gap are almost entirely hidden from the nation’s collective consciousness. In colonias along Texas’ southwestern border with Mexico, tens of thousands of people live without access to running water or sewer service. Any water they can access is believed to be unsafe, contaminated with arsenic, E. coli, and other harmful toxins.

Over the last 40 years, federal water infrastructure funding has fallen from 63% to roughly 9% leaving communities without the financial resources to upgrade and expand water and sewage systems. However, the White House says the recent infusion of money via President Joe Biden’s Infrastructure Investment and Job Act will speed up progress in prioritized underserved communities.

Passed in November 2021, the law allocates roughly $50 billion for programs designed to improve state and local drinking water and wastewater treatment infrastructure. The Environmental Protection Agency also distributed $154 million to tribal territories and Native Alaskan villages. The average per-state funding for all 50 states was $138.7 million.

Even for the millions of Americans with access to basic plumbing and running water, utility bills are unaffordable. A 2018 analysis by the Guardian found that across a sampling of 12 major US cities, water and sewage bills had increased by an average of 80% in just eight years, with low-income households bearing the greatest burden.

In 11 out of the 12 cities included in the study, 100% of people with incomes below 50% of the federal poverty threshold could not afford their water bills. According to the study, water bills exceeding 4% of household income are considered, for this analysis, unaffordable. This problem is not isolated just to the lowest-income households. Over the next eight years, average Americans neglected by federal funding are likely to feel the pressure of high-cost utilities in cities with low-quality water and wasteful infrastructure.

Stacker determined the 10 metro areas in the US most lacking in complete plumbing facilities based on the percentage of people in each metro without this basic access. The data is sourced from the 2020 five-year American Community Survey US Census Bureau. The census question asks whether a housing unit has hot and cold running water, a bathtub or shower, as well as other questions about kitchen appliances. Puerto Rico was excluded from these results.

At a county-by-county level, the reasons why people lack access to basic plumbing are not closely or consistently tracked. Where we could find specifics, we have listed those here. Where we could not, we’ve provided contextual information about the state of that metro area’s water and sewage infrastructure.

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Jun. 6—A Madison Village-based company has secured national recognition for superior accomplishments in its profession.

Hearn Plumbing, Heating & Air recently was named 2022 Medium Contractor of the Year by the National Comfort Institute. NCI presented that award as part of its annual conference in Scottsdale, Arizona.

This honor salutes a heating, ventilation and air conditioning contracting firm’s outstanding achievements in high-performance contracting, quality workmanship and dedication to customer service.

Companies in the Medium award category attained between $2 million and $6 million in annual sales.

Hearn Administrative Manager Dennielle Hearn said the company was delighted to win the award.

“It was a very pleasant surprise,” she said. “We’re extremely proud of our team, and excited to see their hard work recognized on a national level.”

Tom Hearn, the company’s owner and general manager and Dennielle’s husband, accepted the award at the conference in Arizona.

During that same event, National Comfort Institute also named HVAC contractors of the year in the Small and Large categories. NCI classifies small contractors as those recording sales below $2 million a year; while large contractors achieve sales of more than $6 million annually.

NCI selects heating, ventilation and air conditioning contractors of the year based on specific standards. To be eligible for the award, companies:

—Must be in the process of, or already completed, implementing high-performance testing as prescribed by the National Comfort Institute.

—Must have in place or be in the process of having in place a performance-based business culture.

—Must have a strong service department, and sell and maintain service agreements.

—Must target system renovation sales in addition to equipment replacement sales.

—Must include training as part of the company culture.

NCI-certified contractors, such as Hearn Plumbing, Heating & Air, send their service professionals to NCI classes, where they train to use specialized equipment, and stay up-to-date on the latest diagnostic and repair techniques.

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In addition, NCI monitors its certified contractors and requires recertification every two years.

Over the past two decades, NCI has trained and certified more than 20,000 HVAC professionals.

Hearn Plumbing, Heating & Air was founded in 1946 under a slightly different name by David Hearn.

The business, then known as David Hearn Plumbing & Heating, set up its headquarters inside a barn in the back yard of the owner’s home on North Lake Street in Madison Village.

David’s son, Dan, then became an official employee after graduating from high school. Eventually, the company evolved into David Hearn and Son Inc. Plumbing & Heating Supplies and Service.

In 1980, the father-and-son duo relocated their business from the backyard barn to a building on West Main Street in downtown Madison Village.

David and Dan bought the Kimball Brothers Hardware Store, where the elder Hearn once worked.

The Hearns simultaneously operated Madison Hardware and ran the plumbing and heating business from the rear section of the building.

In the early 2000s, David retired, and a decision was made to close Madison Hardware. But the plumbing and heating business continued, with Dan welcoming aboard son Tom to help lead the company.

Around that same time, Dan and Tom built Hearn’s new shop at 319 Lake St. The business is nearly across street from the house and barn owned by David, who died in 2004.

In the years that followed, Tom played a pivotal leadership role in helping to chart a new course for the company’s success.

Today, Hearn Plumbing, Heating & Air focuses on working in residential homes and providing excellent service to its customers. The company employs 16 people and tallied more than $2.7 million in sales in 2021.

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