Don't Go In the Water

Our little town of 30,000 has the distinction of having three of the top-ten most polluted beaches in California, beating out favorites such as Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego.

Signs (right) have begun sprouting along the walkways warning of "algal mats" that produce toxins harmful to human beings, fish, and animals.

Foster City's lagoons have appealed to potential residents--particularly wealthy Asians from abroad who prize proximity to water--and are undoubtedly a factor in the escalation of home prices. Your humble blogger fervently hopes that the bacteria, toxins, and signs will be swept away by a normal winter's storms. The alternative is too bleak to contemplate.

Meanwhile, paddleboard, canoe, and water-ski to your hearts' content, just don't fall in.