PERSONAL: 2014 is the year to try a Dual Sport!

The Power of Intentions:

THE YEAR I TRY A DUAL-SPORT

Yes, many of our friends have dual-sport dirt bikes, and I’d like to try one, or buy a “beginner” bike and try it out. Maybe I’ll like it, and maybe I won’t, but

if I don’t start now, I never will. What I’m looking for:

- you don’t have a dual-sport but are interested, so let’s talk!

- you have a bike and want to teach me the ropes 
- when and where and I’m there (Rubi tried at the

Keeler New Year’s trip, but we opted for a 4x4 trail ride instead - thanks Scott for the offer - maybe another time?)

*****
GB: Right after I took this picture I took the towel off the dashboard and started the motor to see if it would go. Cranked a few times and started up. Once the bike moves you forget the tallness. Lots of cool bikes out there and hard to go wrong. KTMs are popular. We went on a ride a while back and a lightweight man had a 250 which was OK until we hit 101 and then it was a struggle. Suzuki Vstrom is also a 650 and it is lower. I got mine on Craigslist for $3400 from a guy in Happy Camp that wanted a sand rail. Also ebay has bikes for sale.

PERSONAL: Silver City

Email Tim to get the captions for these images. Click to enlarge.

1. 

SLO: County Needs Affordable Housing - Part I

*****Update 3/23/2014: I just came across this story about the "Tiny House Family" that you can read about by clicking here. Here's a brief description from the article:

They used their small savings to buy a plot of land in Virginia in 2011. There, they built a home that’s smaller than 200 square feet. And they couldn’t be happier. During 2008, Hari and Karl Berzins lost their home and restaurant business. The recession hit them hard, but they didn’t let their misfortunes stop them from moving forward. They learned their lesson and vowed never to use credit again. So when they rebuilt, they did so on a small scale. (Literally.) They are the Tiny House Family.

*****Update 1/28/2014: Question: Why is it so hard to build affordable housing, or new housing in general? Answer: fees, red tape, regulations, and NIMBY ("Not In My Back Yard") opposition. Read this article on how difficult it is to build new housing in San Francisco by clicking here. 

SLO: "Tommy Benjamin" Film to be shown at SLO-IFF on 3/9/2014 at 1pm

3/9/2014: After seeing Tommy Benjamin in Paso at the SLO International Film Festival, we sojourned at Norm and Connie's beautiful home in Atascadero to have a wonderful Italian buffet dinner. Johnee and Co. put together these 2 wonderful photos of the group. In the meantime, 5 adults (including me) were asked to come forward and perform an improv skit for the crowd - yeah, I can do that. Johnee says he videoed it, so maybe it'll see the light of day sometime. Until then, I can hope that it won't!

SLO: Mountain Biking, Backpacking and Hiking with Meetup.com

Meetup.com: I'm doing all my mountain biking rides through meetup.com, so I encourage you to sign-up for the SLO Mountain Biking meetup group. I am also in the Central Coast Hiking meetup group. Finally, I am also in the SLO and Central Coast Backpacking meetup group. I encourage you SLO types to join all 3 and go on some great outings.

If you don't know what meetup is, read bout it by clicking here. Meetup is an online social networking portal that facilitates offline group meetings in various localities around the world. Meetup allows members to find and join groups unified by a common interest. For me, I joined the Mountain Biking, Backpacking, and Hiking meetup groups in San Luis Obispo - you should try it. We had a great ride yesterday (Saturday 12/14/2013) out at Montana de Oro.

Willow Springs Trail Work Day Friday 12/13 and Saturday 12/14/2013: Things are going well on this project.   BUT we will definitely be working this Saturday.  We've had a pretty good volunteer turnout so far but for sure need folks this Friday the 13th and Saturday the 14th, 2013.  I think we are set for tomorrow (Thursday 12/12/2013) with some A.G. hikers and Forest Service folks.

Above: Manzanita tree next to a trail work tool (photo from Sunday 12/8/2013 CCCMB.org trail work day at Santa Margarita Lake in SLO County. See trail tools for more information on the tools we use for building trails, including the McLeod tool above.

OBAMACARE PART II: ObamaCare is Coming 1/1/2014 - Get Ready!

*****12/10/2013: Another quick update. Just got word from our Health Insurance Broker that since continuing our 2013 policy was not an option (killed by ObamaCare, according to Blue Shield of Calif.), the premium for the next closest thing available will cost nearly double our current rate, plus another $500 increase in our 4-figure deductible. As much as I hate to put the information out there publicly (because its nobodies business but ours), I will do it because the Obama administration claims folks like us don't exist (i.e., small group plans getting cancelled due to ObamaCare).

Here we go: we currently have Blue Shield's 2013 "PPO 1500" plan (named assumedly because it has a $1,500 per person deductible), which costs us $954 per month, which we consider a ton of money - basically, a good size mortgage payment in most parts of the country (but not California). The replacement plan for 2014 from Blue Shield will cost us approximately $1,780 per month with a $2,000 per person deductible - a good size mortgage even in California. This sucks!

Note that even at this late date, we are still awaiting other possible options from our Health Insurance Broker at Morris & Garritano, as there may be other options available. Stay tuned.

SLO: Homelessness Issues

Homeless Shelter Overflow

Seeking Overnight Volunteers - No Experience Necessary: My friend John Cook  (805) 440-5622 jl_cook@charter.net manages the homeless shelter overflow for the month of December every year at the Mt. Carmel Lutheran Church. He is seeking volunteers to help for the month of December. Please contact him if you can help. I will be doing 2 overnight shifts. When you volunteer, it gives a homeless family a safe warm place to sleep for the night, just like you get every night. Please help. No excuses. Call John now. Thank-you. 

SAN LUIS OBISPO: City of SLO Spends $270,000 Fighting the Homeless (Jan. 2013): The local Tribune Newspaper report that the City of SLO ordered by Judge to pay attorneys fees in homeless case. The article describes how Superior Court Judge Crandall awarded approx. $134,000 in attorneys fees ($300 per hour) to attorneys Stewart Jenkins and Saro Rizzo for acting in the public interest, resulting in 99 criminal citations (sleeping in their vehicle) being dismissed, and re-shaping the formulation of various anti-homeless laws. 

I just have to believe that the $270,000.00 spent by the city of SLO on this issue could have been better spent on dealing with the homeless problem, and associated problems. Its not a pretty issue or fun to deal with, but it is not going away, either.

Those who call these 2 lawyers greedy are being unfair; they did legal work, and the law (as interpreted by the Judge) said they were entitled to payment for their time. If you wanted to make that kind of money, you could have gone to law school, dental school, medical school, etc. or founded a profitable business. Hopefully, Jenkins and Rizzo donate some of their fees to homeless causes, but make no mistake, they earned it; they were at great risk of not making a penny for their work on behalf of the homeless population.

The Tribune put out another good article on January 12, 2013 entitled Homeless Situation in SLO Called a Crisis.

Tim's Summary of Homeless Issues: As stated before, homeless is a complex issue. Jobs are hard to find in California, with a stubborn 10% unemployment rate. Each homeless person has a different story to tell. Some are willing to work but cannot find work. Others are just not hirable due to personality quirks or their own homelessness or lack of recent employment. Others cannot find work due to mental or physical disability. Many cannot navigate the complex requirements of seeking government benefits. Many have no family or friends to turn to, or the other people in their sphere of influence are also just barely scraping by.

What is the solution? I do not know - that's what makes it such a difficult problem. I believe that there will always be homelessness, but that the local law enforcement and citizens should combat ancillary crime associated with that homelessness, such as burglary, theft, rape, assault, panhandling, litter, etc. SLO should not be an attractant to the homeless outside our area, but we should try to assist local homeless with ties to our community.

As I have said many times before, I believe that in our affluent society, we should be able to shelter and feed everyone, regardless of circumstance. Not luxury accommodations. Not gourmet food. But a roof that doesn't leak, a warm safe bed, and 2,000 calories a day of affordable, healthy food. 

New Proposed CAPSLO Facility:I have come out against the proposed new homeless shelter facility with 200 beds that costs tens of millions of dollars. Take a look at the architectural plans for this behemoth. It looks more like a modern art museum than a facility for getting people back on their feet. Below is one of the images of the facility, and you might see why something a little bit more functional and affordable should be pursued:

Tim's Homeless Guidelines: I have a few recommendations regarding homelessness:

1. Do NOT give any money panhandlers on the street; instead, go through organizations like CAPSLO or the Food Bank or your local religious organization for donation of cash and goods.
2. Talk to the homeless when you have a few minutes and you have no reason to fear for your safety (safe looking transients, safe location with other people around). It helps draw them in as participants in the community instead of pariahs.
3. Personally, I will always buy a homeless person a cheap meal at McDonalds or the like - its inexpensive, you find out if they really are hungry or not (my experience: its about 50/50 whether they accept or not), and you don't feed their bad habits (smoking, alcohol, drugs, etc.)
4. Volunteer through CAPSLO and their various programs (Prado Day Center, Maxine Lewis Memorial Shelter, Home Shelter Overflow, Food Bank, etc.).

My previous blog posts regarding the local Homeless Population:

1. LOCAL: CAPSLO Safe Parking Program Discussion 3/19/2012

2. LOCAL: Response to SLO City Homeless Safe Parking Area 3/17/2012

3. LOCAL: SLO Homeless Harassed in the Middle of the Night 3/7/2012

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