Hi Lowell,

I did a rather in-depth reading of your report tonight for two reasons. The first was that I wanted to know what you would say in regard to the quake occurring 2 miles from Bodega Bay this morning and also knowing tomorrow was the anniversary of the Great San Francisco Earthquake.

Don ran a catalog search for the Bodega Bay quake and found that there has never been an earthquake within 24km of that location. I was thinking this morning I knew it was a rare spot, but had no idea it was that rare. Even more rare was the fact that I got to watch its affects on the seismo as it was occurring.

Todays after effects from the Great 1906 earthquake are still making their presense known via the debris from that earthquake. It was used as landfill and today one of San Francisco's most prestigous neighborhoods sits right on top of it. It's known as the Marina District as the homes sit near the marina. But when Loma Prieta occurred it shook that area hard, caused a fire, considerable damage and trapped one woman deep down into the infrastructure of an apartment building. Thanks to a fireman who was extremely brave, despite the smell of a natural gas leak, he got out, gathered his equipment and saved that lady's life.

Since Loma Prieta a lot of retrofitting has been done in the Marina District and hopefully things will go a lot better the next time around.

As to the death toll from the 1906 earthquake, Jim Berkland did a person research project some years ago and found it was far higher than was reported. But despite his efforts, the records have not been changed.

Other reports indicate that the damage from the earthquake was far more extensive than reported also. It seems as a general point of view from many they wanted the final report to look as though the fire was the main cause of the destruction rather than the earthquake in fear that people would relocate away from the city or not come at all.

And history has shown that The City By the Bay, San Francisco, is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. No threats from Mother Nature have caused those who reside there to want to leave and more arrive every day. Millions of visitors come every year to enjoy the sites and sounds of a multi-cultural environment. I love San Francisco. I've worked there and been in the city when they have had earthquakes and these occurrence have never kept me from returning time and again.

To be at Fisherman's Wharf and smell the scent of fresh cooked crab on the street is wonderful. The scent of chocolate pervades at Ghirardelli Square and a little tiny restaurant in Chinatown called the New Far East Cafe is the only place I've ever eaten shrimp in lobster sauce that's worthy of consumption. Out at Stow Lake inside of Golden Gate Park they sail miniture replicas of large sailing vessels. These are the $5,000 and up variety and they rent little paddle boats. I could go on forever, because San Francisco has so much to offer.

I haven't left my heart in San Francisco. The city is in my heart, a place I will always love.

Petra