LOCAL: Bonetti Ranch Development Could Use More Housing

Update 12/16/2014: I've spoken with Bonetti Ranch Development people about including more housing of all levels in the development. They've told me that the city of SLO, through their housing policies, will not allow it. Specifically, they said they wanted to build 500 square foot housing units, and city policies basically made it unfeasible.

Original Article Introduction: On September 6, 2014, the Tribune published an article on the proposed Bonetti Ranch Development  located on the north east corner of Tank Farm Road and Higuera in San Luis Obispo. You can read an article on the development in The Tribune newspaper by clicking here.

Above: Corner of Tank Farm and Higuera. Left to right: Barn that will be torn down, windmill, ranch house.

NATION: The So-Called Republican "War on Women" Continues (The Hobby Lobby Decision & more)

*****Update 9/10/2014: Persecution of Women and Christians in the Middle East - I try to avoid partisan politics whenever possible and stick strickly to the issues, but sometimes I just can't keep quiet. This is one such occasion. Read on.

Democrats continue to push the idea that the Republicans are at "War with Women". Apparently, this idea resonates in opinion polls, but is ridiculous on it's face. Much of this argument has been fueled by the recent "Hobby Lobby" contraception opinion by the U. S. Supreme Court. You can read the Wikipedia page on the Hobby Lobby decision by clicking here.

The real war on women is being fought in the Middle East, where women have no rights whatsoever. In addition, muslim extremists are kidnapping, torturing and raping women and have been legally doing so for decades and centuries. For good measure, there is also currently mass genocide of those of the Christian and other minority religions in the Middle East. These issues are the ones that should concern us, rather than the "war on women" political farce being perpetuated by the Democrats on the uneducated public.

Above: Havasupai Creek, Grand Canyon, May 2014. Photo by Tim Waag. Ya gotta see it 2 believe it!

SLO: County Needs Affordable Housing - Part II

Introduction: Creating truly Affordable Housing in SLO requires a full-court press. This means that every form of affordable housing must be pursued and implemented. One form of affordable housing is what I like to call "Affordable Green Micro-Housing". It has already been done here in SLO County, around our country, and around the world. It consists of homes primarily in the 200 to 400 square foot range (10 x 20 feet = 200 square feet; 20 x 20 feet = 400 square feet) - that is, bigger than an old-fashioned dorm room with a bathroom and kitchenette, but not by much.

The Need to Attract Affordable Housing: The city of San Luis Obispo works hard to attract businesses to move to SLO. However, it appears to do little to create city policies that would allow those who work here to also live here. This would require policies that promote so-called "workforce housing". "Workforce housing" is a nice word for "Low low low low Income housing". We have many workers in the hospitality / service / tourism / retail industry that cannot afford to live in SLO (or often, anywhere at all - thus, remaining employed and homeless). 

In my opinion, the city of SLO has a moral obligation to allow policies that create low income housing to match the employers that it recruits to move their business here. These would include low per-unit fees for "micro-housing" development and more permitting for high density in-fill within the city, as well as "homesharing" and granny unit development.

*****RESOURCE: TINY HOUSE BUILD.COM 
Web Site (Tiny House Friendly Map of the United States)

Web Site (TinyHouseBuild.com: Magazine about small houses)

According to the "Tiny House Friendly" map of the US, no municipalities in SLO county are shown on the map - not a surprise. Also, much of the current trend in "tiny homes" involves those with high incomes that want to live a simpler, less resource intensive lifestyle. That is, they can afford the "McMansion" but choose to live in a "tiny home".

*****RESOURCE: TENT CAMPS TO TINY HOUSE VILLAGES - A HISTORY
Please consider buying this book: Tent City Urbanism: From Self-Organized Camps to Tiny House Villages by Andrew Heben. It is available for around $16 from Amazon, and you can find it by clicking here. Yes, indeed, there is a "Tiny House" Movement in this country, and I hope we can do some of this in SLO County.

First, let's  take a look at the many different implementations that of "tiny home villages" that are out there now.

HHH: "50 Now" Program to Provide "Housing First"

*****Update: January 8, 2015
There is a local group called "SLO Housing Connection" that has a link to some sources for the "Housing First" model that you can read about by clicking here. The SLO Housing Connection non-profit is run by SLO locals with a wide range of experience in this area, led by tireless homeless advocate Mary Parker. I encourage you to support the group and donate to them if you can (I just wrote a check to them!).

Above (click to enlarge): An article without an image is boring, IMHO. Since I don't have any photos to go along with this article, I included an image that I took of the crystal clear ocean waters at Catalina at the Isthmus in August 2014.

*****Update: January 3, 2015
The Tribune Newspaper ran a story on the 50 Now program by AnnMarie Cornejo on January 3, 2015, which you can read by clicking here. 

A few highlights from the article. These quotes help to illustrate why I am so passionate about supporting homeless causes and creating affordable housing:
- 50 Now program provides homes for the chronically homeless
- Britta Daigneault (age 45) was homeless for 6 years before this program
- She (Britta) was previously married with 2 kids, living in a home with a job
- “But when you become homeless here, everyone sees you differently.”
- “I (Britta) was in a state of panic, anxiety and shock,” 
- She (Britta) said she was raped five times.
- “I took a beating, both mentally and physically,” 
-  “I made enemies quickly because I talked to the police,”
- She (Britta) was Dumpster diving and living in a field by the airport 
- 50 Now takes those with the greatest risk of dying on the street
- The 50 Now clients face a host of mental health and medical issues
- “The thought of losing this (program) … to me that would be a death sentence,”
You can reach reporter AnnMarie Cornejo at 781-7939.  

*****"50 Now" Survey Results: 9/25/2014 Update

The “50 Now” program collected 297 surveys in total of the “unhoused”, which have all been handed over to T-MHA (Transitions Mental Health Association), who will be doing case management for the top 50 chronically, vulnerable homeless.  They have assured us that they also plan to engage with ALL of the people who were surveyed, since all have some needs that they could use help with, besides just housing.  Below are some current statistics from the campaign.  If you are interested in helping follow through with some of the people you interviewed see the bottom of this email for ways you can help. 

Current Statistics from the 50Now Campaign (as of Sept. 16, 2014): 
10% of those surveyed were Vets.
4% of those surveyed were under 25.
The average age of those not vulnerable was 46 ½, the average of those that were vulnerable was 50 yrs. old.
7% over 65 years old, some over 70.
14% in Foster care at some point.
81% had been in jail at least once in their lives, 94% of top 50.
86% answered yes to mental health, or had signs of mental illness according to surveyor.
68% answered yes to substance abuse at some point in their lives.
78% were living in this area when they became homeless, and the remaining people had some kind of connection to this area.
60% have dual diagnosis.
520 ER visits in last 6 months.
124 inpatient visits in last 6 months.
On an average the top 50 have been homeless for at least 8 years.
Those on top 50 were spread out very evenly throughout County:  20% from North County, 26% from South County, 28% from SLO and the rest from institutions.

PERSONAL UPDATE: Remembering the Waag Family Dog - Shayna Punim

Remembering our Waag Family Dog:

Shayna Punim (RIP - April 8, 2013)

****Update 4/23/2024: In honor of Shayna, who was great with our family, but not always friendly with others!

My previous dog was not friendly to SOME dogs. Her name was Shayna. What Shayna disliked most was unleashed dogs running up to her at speed, which she interpreted as an attack, and acted accordingly. Can't say that I blame her. If some human ran up to me in such a way, I might take a defensive stance also. YOUR UNLEASHED DOG MIGHT BE FRIENDLY, BUT MY "CONTROLLED, LEASHED" DOG IS NOT. CONTROL YOUR DOG.

PHOTO: My dog Shayna (may she RIP), a beautiful but protective dog. Around 60 pounds or so. Should I never be able to take her out in public on a leash because other dog owners have their dogs running around out of control (usually illegally unleashed).

*****Update 2/11/2017: I'm updating this page in honor of the passing of brother Larry's dog Mia. These are photos taken on a camping trip between 2003 and 2004 to Arizona with the family. We love you, you crazy dog!

*****Update 8/28/2014 for National Dog Day: I vowed to continue to remember our wonderful family dog forever, and this is one way to do it: Update her tribute page. The way I'll update it is to add 3 random photos of Shayna. These were taken at Fossil Falls in Owens Valley March 2008 with some friends. Just happened across these photos, and it made me sad, but happy to remember her. 

This also gives me the chance to not only honor our family pet, but to encourage others to do so as well. We love them while they are alive, and I believe we should honor and love them after they have moved on and are gone. So here goes!

Above (click to enlarge): Shayna learned the "get up" and "get down" command rather well. She is up on the picnic table because we issued the "get up" command!

Above (click to enlarge): A few minutes after that, our oldest son Andrew is spending some quality time with his dog. We believe that Andrew loved Shayna in that special way that is shared by boys and their first dog. Shayna was Andrew's first dog; we got her when Andrew was 6 years old.

Above (click to enlarge): Nice group photo, with Shayna well-posed. Shayna was a very cooperative subject for picture taking, as can be seen here. Left to right: James (our youngest son), Brian (my brother), Sue (my wife), Douggie, Greg, Andrew (my oldest son), Bob (my Dad), Lewee.

UNIVERSAL: Love May Not Always Work, But It NEVER Gives Up!

Updated 9/23/2015. Title updated 5/6/2020.

DISCLAIMER: I am not a psychologist or psychiatrist or related professional in any way. Please exercise all caution and consult a true professional when confronted with a situation where you are uncertain as to how to proceed in attempting to help a person at a time of personal crisis or loss.

CRISIS DEFINED: This advice is directed towards how we can best interact with people who have suffered trauma or loss. It could loss of a loved one, friend, family member, co-worker or pet. It could be a damaged or destroyed relationship, such as divorce or estrangement. It could be a traumatic or catastrophic injury or illness.

Introduction: I first drafted this article after a relative suffered a severe personal loss. Many family and friends wanted to help my relative and let them know that they were there for them. The situation motivated me to do some research on how to help people who are in emotional duress, grief and/or depression. These techniques can also apply to situations where there is severe or unexpected illness or accidents.

Many people avoid the situation because they do not know what to say or do. Though I do not avoid these situations, I've often sensed that I do or say too much. With that in mind, I found this on-topic article about this issue, titled "Talk Less, Listen More" in the Wall Street Journal. However, the WSJ does not let you read the link anymore without a subscription, so I deleted the link - you'll have to take my word for it!

Based on the article, I summarized the key points below, and then I added input from my own extensive experience in this area. Later, I added comments made by others who had suffered loss and had some helpful insights on the subject. Here we go!

People are not comforted by mere concern, but by what exactly you say and do. Often, well-meaning friends and family inadvertently say and/or do the wrong things, causing the person who is suffering to feel misunderstood, unheard and even judged. Congratulations - you have just made your loved one feel even worse. Plan what you are going to say and do in advance. 

SLO: GleanSLO.org and Food Bank!

The continuing saga of Housing, Hunger and Homelessness. We encourage the people of SLO to participate in GleanSLO.org, a Food Bank program to pick unused or unwanted local crops used for to stock their warehouse with fresh produce for those who are underfed.

My wife Sue and I participated in our first "Glean" event last Saturday 7/19/2014 at Rick's Avocado Orchard in Morro Bay. During the event, I had a brief discussion with Jen Miller of GleanSLO/Food Bank. In it, I informed her that I learned about GleanSLO from our meetup.com group, "The Common Good" (which I highly encourage SLO folks to investigate). 

The Common Good group seeks to encourage activities that unite us and do not divide us. "Gleaning" is one such activity. In addition to benefiting all of society, it also enables us to get back in touch with our hunter/gatherer roots, a time (not so long ago!) when our ancestors developed their humanity. Thanks GleanSLO (and Food Bank), for your wonderful work to enhance the common good. Cheers!

The Saturday 7/19/2014 Glean event was covered on the front page of today's Tribune (7/23/2014). The article features several photos by me, and so does this web link about the event which you can read by clicking here.

Below: A few more photos of the day's 2-hour event (click to enlarge):

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