This week we bring you stories on three different scales: (inter)national, statewide and local. Though one’s importance (a freaking iceberg is heading towards a continent!) clearly outweighs the others, the stories are all important in their own right. An iceberg drifting towards Australia is blatantly news as its story is about more than just a big pile of ice heading towards a coastline, thus deserving international news. The Sierras got the first big snow day, signaling the start of the ski season for many Californians. And Diamond Valley Lake’s boat ramp opens up to the public on Sunday, giving southern Californians back one of their best fishing spots.

Giant Iceberg Headed For Australia

An Iceberg Off The Coast of Australia. Photo Courtesy: EPA

Chances are you’ve seen this story. It’s been reported on by hundreds of outlets. Doesn’t matter. Worth Repeating: An iceberg, measuring 12 miles long and 5 miles wide, is heading towards Australia’s West Coast. I’m just going to type that again because, well, because, it’s hard to stomach. An iceberg, measuring 12 miles long and 5 miles wide, is heading towards Australia’s West Coast. Even as the iceberg, which is around 1,000 miles away (don’t let that fool you), takes direct aim at the Australian mainland, Dr. Neal Young (keep on rockin?) from the Australian Antarctic Division says the chances are extremely slim that the iceberg, in its present form, will collide with Australia. From the UK Telegraph’s article:

“As the waters warm, the iceberg will thin out, so it is not going to get to Australia, the further north it goes, the more it break up,” he said.

Regardless, the fact that this has happened twice in the last two months should be a little more than alarming. If this isn’t a “Oh My Gosh This Is Global Warming” moment I’m not sure what is. Sure, extremely large pieces of ice break off all the time (it was fairly common in the 19th century around Australia). And, sure, there are probably tons of other factors in deciding this iceberg’s course (wind, currents, an iceberg naturally breaking off), but the pure sight and size of the iceberg is just too obvious a metaphor.

It’s Snows BIG In The Northern Sierras

…As it is usual this time of year. So, why is it newsworthy? Because snow is fun! And mostly because a heavy snow in the northern Sierras means that it’s ski season in Tahoe! And that’s obviously great news for all northern Californians. Even though Tahoe got their first snow on October 4, the region was completely coated for the first time last week. From last Friday until Monday a storm rolled through the region and dumped 5 and a half feet on the higher elevations, bringing that week’s total snowfall to over 8 feet. That meant tons of powder for the skiers and snowboarders who got the chance to head out on Monday and Tuesday. Current ski conditions are largely based on the mountain (right now it’s mostly packed powder), but across the board runs are opening up and more and more lifts are running every day- early signs of a great ski season. Better yet, this weekend looks like it’s going to be absolutely beautiful.

Diamond Valley Lake’s Boat Ramp Opens

I’ve reported on it a couple times before and I know you’ve thought at least once, “Why does he keep harping on the fact that a boat ramp opened on some random lake an hour and a half outside of LA?” Perfectly fair. But, I’ll tell you why: The lake has been off-limits for private boats since October of 2008 due to the state’s droughts.  And that’s crazy considering Diamond Valley boasts some of the best fishing in the entire state. Shore fishing and fishing from rental boats were mainstays but that doesn’t really replace taking your own fishing boat out on the water. In fact, it was such a big deal that the Metropolitan Water District invested $650,000 in a project to extend three of the boat ramp lanes (out of 11) another 228 feet (that’s a big ramp). The ramp was supposed to be finished in January of next year, but good weather and a good schedule allowed the construction crews to get it done 2 months early. Now, beginning Sunday the 20th, all boat owners will be allowed to fish on the lake for a fee of $12 (fees were doubled to make up for the cost of the ramp extension) assuming the boat passes a Quagga inspection. This is great news considering the surrounding towns (mostly Hemet) have been counting on the newly formed lake (2002) as a source of tourism and recreation and, therefore, additional revenue.