In the comments on a post about the removal of state(-level) funding for library services across California, this is a deservedly well-circulated comment about libraries and their role in providing internet access.

"Dutch researchers Christiaan Behrens and Eric Pels analyze the passenger market between London and Paris from 2003 through 2009. The primary competitors in this corridor are conventional air carriers like Air France and British Airways, low-cost carriers like easyJet, and the Eurostar high-speed rail service. Over the course of the study — which looked at roughly 9,500 business and 18,000 leisure trips — the Eurostar has been far and away the dominant travel choice."

"The ballot measure for the project required that the L.A.-to-San Francisco trip take no more than two hours, 40 minutes. Achieving that would mean building more viaducts and tunnels, which are costly."

"For 53 hours, workers will shut a portion of “the 405”. The stretch is not long—ten miles northbound and four miles southbound—but it is strategic." "A European might ask why people don’t bicycle instead, or take a bus or train." Oh, those silly Europeans!

Subtitled "Auto-Free Outdoor Adventures in the San Francisco Bay Area". One to refer to. The most recent post (announcing a hiatus, boo) has a good overview of available walks (yay).

"The economic crisis has contributed to a glut of bees in California. That raises questions about whether a supposed global pollination crisis is real" The Economist on bees, almonds, supply and demand. Possibly too anecdotal? Not really qualified to judge.