At its most basic, tequila is an alcoholic, distilled drink made in the arid highlands of central Mexico, from fermented and distilled sap of one species of agave (also called a maguey), an indigenous plant (a succulent related to the lily family, not a cactus). Archeologists say agaves have been cultivated for at least 9,000 years, and used as food for even longer. The agave has woven its fibres through the entire course of Mexican history.
Tequila is technically a mezcal, as are all agave spirits, but it is limited as to where it can be produced and where its source agave can be grown. Like cognac is a brandy from a specific region of France, tequila is a mezcal from a specific region of Mexico. – Excerpted From “For Tequila Lovers” Tequila Defined.
What does a reference to Tequila and mezcal have to do with the rest of this post? More on that later. But first, a few announcements:
VETERANS DAY PARADE This November in Livingston
Mark your calendar! The Livingston/Delhi Veterans of Foreign Wars #8327 and Ladies Auxiliary will be hosting the Annual Veterans Day Parade in the City of Livingston on November 11, 2011, at 11:00 am.
If you wish to have an entry in the parade, for an entry form contact Denis Wells at (209) 394-2059..
And for more on the History of Veteran’s Day CLICK HERE!
Livingston Rotary Crab Feed, November 12, 2011
Our Livingston Rotary Club Winton-Campini Crab Feed will be held Saturday, November 12, 2011, 6 pm. Contact any Livingston Rotarian or Livingston True Value Hardware for tickets. As always, it is all you can eat, family style with a raffle and dessert auction. It’s an opportunity to meet and greet old friends and raise money for local projects like the donations of library books, picnic covers, college scholarships, leadership camps, speech contests and disc golf course.
VFW 
Ladies Auxiliary Rummage Sale
The next Ladies Auxiliary Rummage Sale will be held November 30 and December 1-2 , 2011. If you have anything to donate contact Denis or Sue Wells and let us know where and when you would like someone to pick the items up.
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here’s Still Time to Help Give the Lil Guys and Gals and even better place to play!
In 2006 the city purchased the storm drain basin (4 lots) next to the park and filled it in with the intent of making it a park to service the ball park participants and their families. Since then, Lil Guys and Gals field has been a ball park used for many years by the residents of Livingston.
The Recreation Commission determined in 2011 to take on the park as a project. The commission wanted to involve the community and let them help bring this project to reality. By purchasing a stepping stone the community not only provides the financing for the park, but in turn places a personal monument in the park for years to come.
Stones will be sold until there are enough sales to cover the completion of the park. The Commission’s goal is Summer of 2012.
Once you have purchased a stone you will be called by the Recreation Department for an appointment to make/create your stone.
If you are interested in creating a Memorial Stone and/or participating in one of the many work days that will take place to upgrade the park, call the Recreation Office at 394-8830 for more information.
Free Senior Breakfast, November 17th
Seniors who are interested in learning how they can save money on their energy bill are encouraged to attend the FREE SENIOR BREAKFAST which will be held at the Livingston Veteran’s Memorial Hall 1605 7th Street, Livingston on Thursday, November 17th , 8-10 am. This event is free for the first 150 Seniors who sign up.
For a full sized copy of the Flyer/Application Form CLICK HERE
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Heeeeesss Baaaaaaaaaack!
Yep! Mike Sperry is going back to the Planning Commission: looks like another pass at eventually re-opening the Tequila Club.
According to the APRIL 12, 2011 Draft Minutes Mr. Sperry first approached the Planning Commission with an idea to reopen the Tequila Club (which is located at 444 Main Street) but he ran smack into the limitations imposed by a footnote in the Zoning Code which states:
“All retail establishments serving alcoholic beverages for consumption on premises within the Downtown Commercial District (DTC) shall be located no closer than two City blocks between similar establishments. Two City blocks for purposes of this Title shall consist of 1,000 feet measured in all directions from an existing retail establishment serving alcoholic beverages for consumption on premises.”
However, since the El Diamate Bar has closed, there doesn’t seem much standing in the way of the Tequila Club reopening. (Except for, maybe, those changes in the State Building Code that have been enacted since the Tequila Club closed a few years back, and parking of course)
It is interesting to note that while the Planning Commission Agenda lists a “ Presentation Concerning a Parking Plan for a Proposed Business at 444 Main Street”, the Staff Report states clearly that Mr. Sperry wishes to open a Night Club.
The staff Report also goes on to state that the address of 444 Main Street already has a Conditional Use Permit which allows for the sale of Alcohol by the Glass and that this Conditional Use Permit “runs with the land”.
In other words, because of the way the original 2001 Conditional Use Permit was worded, unless that CUP is revoked by the Planning Commission, it’s as valid today as it was back in 2001
While We’re on the Subject of “Adult Beverages”
Unless things have changed significantly over the weekend our own City Manager is the President of a company that distributes alcoholic beverages.
Nope. Not Tequila.
Mezcal – with most of the product going to 14 stores in the Parlier, Reedly, Fresno Area and 1 in Turlock.
Small world. Isn’t it?
Planning Commission Chair Luis Flores to be Reappointed
Planning Commission Chair Luis Flores’ term on the Planning Commission ended December 31, 2011. The Council had the option to reappoint Mr. Flores to the Commission or re-advertise to attract additional applicants.
Both Council Person Land and Mayor Espinoza wanted to keep Mr. Flores and not Open the position up to the Public. The City Attorney stated that since this Agenda Item was talking about “Giving Direction To Staff” the Formal Resolution appointing Mr. Flores will have to come back at a Future City Council Meeting.
While We’re Still on the Subject of Planning Commission
You might be interested in Commissioners Form 700’s.
What’s a Form 700?
The Political Reform Act of 1974 (Gov. Code sections 81000-91014) requires many state and local public officials and employees to disclose certain personal financial holdings. The Act, which frequently has been amended, began as a ballot initiative approved by over 70 percent of California voters in the wake of the Watergate political scandals.
One of the Act’s stated purposes declares: Assets and income of public officials which may be materially affected by their official actions should be disclosed and in appropriate circumstances the officials should be disqualified from acting in order that conflicts of interest may be avoided. (Cal. Gov’t. Code section 81002(c).) In its findings and declarations, the Act adds: Public officials, whether elected or appointed, should perform their duties in an impartial manner, free from bias caused by their own financial interests or the financial interests of persons who have supported them. (Cal. Gov’t. Code section 81001(b).) Excerpted From “Your Duty To File”, Fair Political Practices Commission.
To See a Copy of Planning Commissioners Form 700’s CLICK HERE. (You’ll have to “page down” past the City Manager’s and Assistant City Manager’s Initial Filings to get to the Commissioners’ Pages, but hey…)
Just Because I’m Interested in Such Things
For Those who are interested in such things as Iran and Nukes the "Implementation of the NPT Safeguards Agreement and relevant provisions of Security Council resolutions in the Islamic Republic" Report is out
http://isis-online.org/uploads/isis-reports/documents/IAEA_Iran_8Nov2011…
For more from the Institute for Science and International Security you can go to
http://isis-online.org/
And now on to the
LIVINGSTON PLANNING COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING AGENDA
NOVEMBER 8, 2011 6:00 P.M.
CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 1416 C STREET, LIVINGSTON
Members of the public are advised that all pagers, cellular telephones and any other communication devices be put on vibrate mode or turned off during the Planning Commission meeting.
Call to Order: 6:00 PM
Roll Call – Chairperson/Commissioners
Pledge of Allegiance
Item No. 1 – Presentations
a. Presentation Concerning a Parking Plan for a Proposed Business at 444 Main Street Mike Sperry.
Item No. 2 – Public Comment
a. Members of the Audience – At this time, any person may comment on any item that is NOT on the Agenda. PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD. While the Planning Commission encourages participation from the audience, no more than five (5) minutes are allowed per discussion item. Topics not considered urgency matters may be referred to City Staff and/or placed on the next agenda for consideration and/or action by the Planning Commission.
Item No. 3 – Reports
a. Planning Commission
b. City Staff
Item No. 4 – Adjournment to regular meeting on December 13, 2011.
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance to participate in this meeting, please contact the Community Development Department at (209) 394-8041, Ext. 112. Notification 48 hours prior to the meeting will enable the City to make reasonable arrangements to assure accessibility to this meeting.
Members of the public who have questions regarding any agenda item may comment on that item before and during consideration of that item when called upon by the Planning Commission Chairperson.
All actions of the Livingston Planning Commission can be appealed to the Livingston City Council by filing an appeal, in writing and paying the appropriate fees, with the City Clerk.
And Don’t Forget the following
A Few Form 700’s About Who Owns What and Where in Livingston
2011 CITY COUNCIL Agendas and Meeting Minutes
Police Chief Recruitment City of Livingston
The “Mission of the Utility Rate Stakeholders Committee” Series
- February 15, 2011 Discussion: Utility Rate Stakeholders Committee
- In Which the idea was first proposed for a Stakeholders Committee in which members would work with City Staff and Consultants
- April 05, 2011: Discussion of Utility Rate Stakeholder Committee Member Appointments
- In which the people who would be working with City Staff and Consultants were chosen
- June 07, 2011 Discussion of Utility Rate Committee Meeting
- In which it was revealed that the people who would be working with City Staff and Consultants already had their first “get together”. But the public was not invited.
The “Brief History of How We Got Into This Mess” Series
- A Brief History of Time (Spent on “Fixing” Water, Waste Water, and Garbage Rates-and other related issues) Part 1—1995 through 2002
- A Brief History of Time (Spent on “Fixing” Water, Waste Water, and Garbage Rates-and other related issues) Part 2—2003 through 2007
- A Brief History of Time (Spent on “Fixing” Water, Waste Water, and Garbage Rates-and other related issues) Part 3—January 2007 through February 2008
- A Brief History of Time (Spent on “Fixing” Water, Waste Water, and Garbage Rates-and other related issues) Part 4— January 2008 through October 2008
- A Brief History of Time (Spent on “Fixing” Water, Waste Water, and Garbage Rates-and other related issues) Part 5— October,2008 through June 2009
- A Brief History of Time (Spent on “Fixing” Water, Waste Water, and Garbage Rates-and other related issues) Part 6— Some Background Information and a Brief Recap of What Happened Between 1995 and June 2009
- A Brief History of Time (Spent on “Fixing” Water, Waste Water, and Garbage Rates-and other related issues) Part 7: Some Enterprise Funds Basics, Meeting Highlights: July 7, 2009 through December 01, and a City Council Agenda
- Who knows, I may actually get around to writing Part 8
A Few Letters, Sun-Star & and Mike McGuire Articles about Livingston Politics (and a few other things Worthy of Note) (The links here go all the way back to the 2008 Election Cycle)
The 1995 Water Rate Resolution (Do you see anything in there that says “Industrial”?)
California Department of Health Sept. 2010 Letter on Water System Funding
Well #15 Enforcement Letter & Staff Report
Well #15 Manganese Enforcement Letter Discussions
How They Voted in 2011 (Granted, it’s a Work in Process, but there are links to things there you might be interested in.)
City Council Draft Meeting Minutes for 2010
City Council Draft Meeting Minutes for 2009
City Council Draft Meeting Minutes for 2008
City Council Meeting Minutes for 2007
City Council Meeting Minutes for 2004
2010-2011 Merced County Grand Jury Final Report
2009-2010 Merced County Grand Jury Final Report
