WORLD: The Case for "Intelligent Design" (aka G*d) Has Been Made

The Wall Street Journal makes the scientific and mathematical case for the "intelligent design" of our universe and life on our planet, which you can read by clicking here. I'll give you the "Reader's Digest" version below:

In 1966, no less a world-famous astronomer than Carl Sagan announced that there were 2 important criteria for life on a planet: the right kind of star, and a planet the right distance from that star. Given that there were believed to be 1 octillion (1 with 24 zeroes after it) planets in our universe, there should be about 1 septillion (1 with 21 zeroes after it) planets capable of supporting some sort of life.

Above (click to enlarge): The Waag Clan enjoys an odd Christmas/Chanukah Tradition - a fun day at Magic Mountain on Christmas eve. We've executed this fun tradition at least 5 or 6 times, and it continues today. Why put a photo in here? Because text-only articles are boring, and I like pictures. In fact, how about one more? (below).

Above (click to enlarge): Andrew and James gettin' ready to rock on Magic Mountain's INSANE X2 Roller Coaster. We were able to ride it 4 times (a fact only meaningful to roller coaster fans).

WORLD: US Moves to Keep Control of the World Internet Until 2017

Despite the wishes of the Obama Administration to give over control of the internet to G*d only knows who, Congress has stepped in to prevent that from happening until at least 2017. The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers, also known as Icann, will remain under US control until at least September, 2017.

IMO, this is a great relief. The forfeiture of internet control was one of many moves by the Obama Administration to act on the belief that there is no such thing as "American Exceptionalism" - only the belief that all countries, including ours, are exceptional. Proof of that America is "special", just like "everyone else", would be giving up control over the internet, and showing that any crazy regime could do what the United States has done to keep the internet free and open to all comers.

This news has so far only appeared in the Wall Street Journal, as far as I can tell. You can read the Wall Street Journal on the subject by clicking here. Stay tuned for confirmation of this news.

Above (click to enlarge): Random photo. Grapepicker Tim at a GleanSlo event at a winery in SLO county.

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SLO: Fresh Eyes Come Up With Fresh Ideas

I responded to a Viewpoint article in The Tribune written by teacher and friend Brian Miller, way back in 2011 with a corresponding Viewpoint article a week later. I had deleted the interchange from this web site, so it's time to bring it back.

You can read Brian's original article entitled "Viewpoint: SLO's Homeless Need Real Solutions" published by the Tribune on September 17, 2011, by clicking here. By Golly, what Brian said still rings true now. Just a snippet from his full article:

"A few years ago, I designed a unit on homelessness for my sociology class at San Luis Obispo High School. We visited the Prado Day Center and Sunny Acres. We worked on the farm at Sunny Acres and served breakfast at the Prado Day Center. We had speakers in, and we pored over statistics. We researched, role-played and wrote essays. We debated, and we discussed. And then we took to the task of offering solutions. On paper, they are long gone, but these solutions resonate still in my mind. We sent our solutions to Adam Hill, we sent our solutions to Dan De Vaul. Neither party gave us even a response. Both parties will now swear they never saw my email with our solutions. No one would ignore high school students wanting to help, would they? That’s some cold stuff, man. But both parties did. Make of that what you will. All I can tell you is this. In 50 minutes, my students came up with ideas that I don’t see happening right now in our county."

Dear elected representatives: Nothing has changed in the past 3 years. Brian Miller is still dead on correct.

My response, entitled "Viewpoint: Don't Wait on 'Real' Solutions for Homelessness - Act Now!", published in response to Brian's letter on September 25, 2011, which you can read by clicking here. 

Just a snippet from the full length article:

"I decided that the time for talking about problems was over for me and that the time for doing something about them was now. There are numerous things that an ordinary person can do to help. Some ways to get started include: 

• Donating money to homeless support service organizations; 

• Calling a homeless support organization (examples: CAPSLO, Food Bank, Sunny Acres, etc.) and ask how you can help; 

• When you see a homeless person, treating them as a real person, and not as somebody you see right through. If you have a few minutes (and you are in a safe, public location), stop and talk to them like you might to any other person; just being treated with respect and dignity might make their day; 

• Talking to your friends and family about what you are doing to help, and encouraging them to get involved in any way, no matter how small — every little bit helps. 
My goal in helping with the homeless situation is to be inclusive and not divisive. I hope that The Tribune’s readers see these words and get started “being a part of the solution.” 

In reading this article 3 years later, I realize that my approach has not changed. If you care about the problem, get out and do something now - don't wait for the powers-that-be to do something, or you'll be waiting a long time!

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SLO: County Needs Affordable Housing - Part V

*****ORIGINAL ARTICLE: December 19, 2014:

I tend to be long-winded and take forever to get to my point. Often, by the time I get there, the message is convoluted. Stay with me here. That is the reason that I am a doer, and though frequently invited, I rarely/never accept invitations to serve on boards or committees, or anything that requires sitting in a room with a bunch of people for more than 20 minutes. I've been true to that commitment, until this year.

Above: I've never seen a homeless shelter comic, so I had to snag this one - thanks Sally G. for pointing this out to me!

Somehow, through a twist of strange fate, I ended up serving on the Homeless Services Oversight Committee's (HSOC) Housing Committee. Briefly, I'll tell you how I got there. I am on the Interfaith Coalition for the Homeless' (ICH) Homeless Shelter Overflow Program, helping to manage the overflow every year during the month of July. The ICH identified an opening in the HSOC full committee (not the Housing sub-committee) that nobody was stepping forward to fill. Knowing that it was important that someone from ICH fill the "faith" position on HSOC, I reluctantly applied. In the interim, somebody else (apparently more qualified) stepped forward and was awarded the position. Great - I didn't want to be on it anyways, for all the reasons previously mentioned. 

SLO: County Needs Affordable Housing - Part IV

*****December 19, 2014:

The Tribune ran my letter to the editor in the 12/19/2014 edition on page B4. You can read the article "Adding to the Homeless" by clicking here. It is a slightly modified letter that I sent to the SLO City Council to oppose their "Rental Inspection Program" (RIP) that they recently voted in favor of by a 3-2 margin. I am in favor of RIP only if it is accompanied by an equal or greater program for affordable housing. The idea is to at least offset the housing we are losing to the RIP by creating affordable housing in place of the lost housing.

*****December 18, 2014:

To make it easier, I'm removing the identity of the city council people that I am corresponding with, as it does nothing helpful, but may not be constructive. Also, printing the back-and-forth emails is counter-productive as well. Nothing but well meaning discourse, resulting in nothing. If any concrete action is ever proposed (in the future), I'll print that.

Dear Slo-City-Council-Person, 

Thanks  for taking the time to get back to me. I appreciate your concern for homeless and workforce housing issues. Unfortunately, the workforce model that you describe below does not appear to work. Why do I say that? Because it does not produce affordable housing. At least that’s what homeless people in search of Section 8 housing told me recently - there isn't any. Same with the 50 Now program - no affordable housing for the program. Don't believe me - ask them yourself.

SLO: National Homeless Persons Memorial Day.

Next Thursday, Dec. 18th, from 5pm to 6pm in front of the SLO Courthouse, the Homeless Services Oversight Council (HSOC) is hosting a Homeless Persons Memorial Event to commemorate those we have lost this year on the streets. Note that this is also a fundraising event for the “50 Now” Project and our local warming centers. There will be many speakers from homeless service providers, who will be setting up tables with more information, and there may be live music as well.

Anyways, I'm not generally one to attend these things, as I am better off helping a homeless person rather than listen to politicians and others talk about it. However, this event does create awareness to the plight of our local homeless population, and I am on the HSOC Housing Committee, so I am attending. If you want to attend, then that's great. More importantly, I encourage you to help those in need in a way that you see fit for yourself. This is a year 'round effort, and not just at the holidays. Blessings to all.

Poster of event below (click to enlarge):

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SLO: Winter is Here: Volunteer at Prado Warming Station

**********

12/4/2014 PRADO WARMING STATION 

Each year Prado Day Center in San Luis Obispo opens up as a “Warming Station” to provide overnight accommodations to those homeless individuals and families that would otherwise be outside in the elements.  The Warming Station opens when freezing temperatures and/or more than 3 nights of rain are forecast.

Prado Day Center is looking for volunteers who have a heart for those in need and are willing to donate their time to covering the Warming Station shifts. Please email CAPSLO manager Shawn Ison at sison@capslo.org so that you can get on the distribution list. Later this winter, when they plan to open the Warming Station, you will get an email asking if you’d like to volunteer. Just like with the Homeless Shelter Overflow, no experience is necessary - only compassion for your fellow human beings.

I found a good explanation online for the "Warming Station"  (note that some details may have changed since this was written). The interior of the Prado day center does not change. No beds would be offered. There may be blankets and sleeping bags, but people would have to utilize the interior as is. The accommodations are similar to an 'airport style' of comfort. People can rest in chairs and/or sleeping bags, but no beds will be brought in.

Additional Information

- Warming Station Shifts: 4:30pm-12:00a, 12:00am-8:30am or 4:30pm-8:30am

- Volunteers must complete a volunteer application

- Volunteers must show a photo I.D.

- Volunteers must be willing to be called upon within 24-hours’ notice

Above (click to enlarge): My son Andrew on a backpack with us earlier this year in Surprise Canyon in the Panamint Mountains. Yes, somebody did inscribe "Human Stupidity Has No Limit" into the canyon walls. Yes, this should be considered awful, but we find it clever and funny, and it is a great source for photos. What does this have to do with the Warming Station? Absolutely nothing, but I love photos on text-only postings!

If you can’t volunteer your time, Prado Day Center needs the following items to support the Warming Station:

- Blankets, Pillows, Sleeping Bags

- Disposable plates/bowls/cups/utensils

- Milk, juice, lunchmeat, cheese, mayonnaise, mustard, sliced bread

- Coffee/tea, creamer, sugar, snacks- Cup of Noodles/canned soups

Send your email address to Shawn Ison at sison@capslo.org to get on the Warming Station email list. Note that Prado just completed their first "Warming Station" session of the season, starting on Monday 12/1/2014 and ending on Thursday 12/4/2014. I did not participate, as they had already filled all the spots, but the reports are that it went well.

You can read more about the Prado Warming Station in SLO at the HopeDance website by clicking here.

SLO: You Can Help Support "Housing First"

*****Update 4/7/2015: A friend forward this article about the "Housing First" program in Washington DC, which I found particularly relevant. You can read the entire article in the Huffington Post by clicking here. I inserted some minor clarifications to an excerpt from the article that you can read below. 

In DC, the "housing first" program is only for the chronically homeless, and I tend to agree with that. The chronically homeless are defined as being homeless for more than a year, and are disabled or mentally ill. The article notes both that housing the chronically homeless saves the government money (in theory), and is in contrast to many government municipalities that make homelessness a crime through citations and arrests for people trying to survive on the streets.

Begin Excerpt:

In the entire United States, chronically homeless represent just 14 percent of the overall homeless population, and “housing first” is not a solution for the 7.7 million Americans at risk of homelessness for economic reasons. But chronic cases -- people who've been homeless more than a year and suffer from a disability of some kind -- are the most visible of the homeless, the kind many city dwellers see on the street every day.

Pathways D.C. (the group running the housing first program in Washington DC) said that since the group opened its D.C. office in 2004, Pathways has housed 600 formerly homeless people here, of whom 90 percent have remained in their apartments. Pathways is one of several organizations helping administer the 1,312 currently filled slots in the city's permanent supportive housing program. The number of chronically homeless individuals within city limits has declined from 2,110 in 2010 to 1,609 in 2014, according to the most recently available data.

Housing first is not only effective in getting homeless people off the streets. It is also designed to save the government money. The District's 400 most vulnerable chronically homeless people soak up an average of $40,000 per person annually in ambulance rides, hospitalizations and run-ins with the law, according to a February analysis commissioned by Miriam’s Kitchen, another homeless services provider in the city. By contrast, rent and social services for someone in a permanent supportive housing program run about $20,000 annually.

Despite the proven effectiveness of housing first, many cities have taken a more punitive approach to addressing homelessness, outlawing things like sleeping in public or panhandling.

*****Original Post: December 2, 2014
Beginning of "Welcome Home Kit Drive" Flier

Welcome Home 

Kit Drive

For Homeless Individuals Being Housed

December 2, 2014 - January 9, 2015

The 50 Now Project is a program to house the top 50 most vulnerable, chronically homeless people throughout SLO County. Kicking off on Giving Tuesday 12/2/14, the Welcome Home Kit Drive will help make their future homes more cozy and ensure that the newly housed have everything they need. This is a great project for your family, friends and coworkers during the holidays!

YOU CAN HELP! Collect individual items or create your own kit. See suggested essentials below: 

PERSONAL HYGIENE - toothbrush - toothpaste - soap - lotion - toilet paper - deodorant

HOUSEHOLD BASICS - paper towels - trash bags - sponges - mop - broom - dustpan

LAUNDRY - detergent - fabric softener - laundry basket - dryer sheets - roll of quarters - basket/hamper

KITCHEN - dish soap - pots - pans - aluminum foil - cling wrap - utensils

***Non-perishable, non-food items only, NO BLEACH OR AMMONIA products please.***

Lobby Drop Off Locations:

Your local Social Services office, including:
- Arroyo Grande – 1086 Grand Avenue - SLO – 3433 South Higuera
- Atascadero – 9415 El Camino Real - 
- Paso Robles – 406 Spring Street
- Nipomo – 681 W. Tefft Street, Suite 1 (Department staff will accept donations)

United Way of San Luis Obispo County: 1288 Morro Street #10, Corner of Morro & Pismo in Downtown SLO

Transitions-Mental Health Association: 784 High Street, SLO

*****End of "Welcome Home Kit Drive" Flier

ANOTHER WAY TO DONATE: In addition to donating the above items for the "Welcome Home Kit", there is now an option to make a monetary donation. You can write a check made out to:

Transitions Mental Health Association

Attn: Mark Lamore
784 High St, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401

On the check, please indicate that the check is for the "Welcome Home Kit" Drive (i.e., write "Welcome Home Kit Drive" on the "For" section of the check). I will be sending in my donation today (12/3/2014). I hope you will consider doing so as well.

NATIONAL: Why So Many People Hate the Homeless

*****UPDATE: 12/12/2014: I found a blog called "SLO Homeless" that I really liked that dealt with a similar issue, entitled "Why Do Some People Object to Helping the Homeless", which you can read by clicking here. I encourage you to read it also, even though it was written way back in 2010 - local homelessness has only gotten worse since then. In fact, here's is the link to this "SLO Homeless" blog that you can go to by clicking here.

The "SLO Homeless" article referenced above makes these major points regarding why some object to helping the homeless:
- Not In My Backyard (NIMBY)
- It costs too much.
- Providing services will draw more homeless to the community.

The writer concludes with this:
"Sooner or later, we are going to have to come to terms with homelessness. And we are going to have to provide the resources necessary to empower each and every homeless person who wants to get off the streets with a viable opportunity do so. But before we can do that, we are going to have to move beyond our personal objections to providing effective and meaningful homeless support services to those who live on the streets of our communities. Continually raising objections to providing services to assist the homeless doesn’t solve the issue. All it does is put our arrogance on display for all the world to see."

JUST FOR FUN: Halloween, 2014!

It's no secret that the Waag's love Halloween. Rick and Brian create a crazy Haunted House every year down in Southern California, and this year is no different. Thanks to them, as well as their spooky spouses, for building the Spook House and creating all the costumes for us, so we can come down and have some fun. Andrew joined us this year, which made it even better. A few photos from the event:

Above (click to enlarge): Rick chooses the theme every year. This year's theme was "Casa de VooDoo" which was a great one. Think jungles, gorillas, shrunken heads, etc. Rick carves the "masthead" above the Haunted House, which is lit up at night.

Above (click to enlarge): Sue in costume (left), and Andrew still in corporate Hulu attire - just showed up (right). Rick and Chris make all the costumes for us, the cast of creeps! Note that Sue designed and applied her own make-up. They have a huge make-up kit available for us to use to create our own crazy look.

Above (click to enlarge): Sue and I create 4 new Halloween themed drinks for the Haunting every year, and we always have a winner, and this year, the above was it: the Fractured Froggie - it looks gross, tastes great, and you just shoot it!

Above (click to enlarge): The crowds for the VooDoo haunt are always huge and around the block, and this year was no exception. A streetview above. Funny side note: during the running of the spook house, I leave (in costume) and go out and take the above photo - with a beer in my hand; I was standing in the middle of the street getting this shot, when who shows up but a cop car - but they didn't even blink. It would be a bummer to have received a citation while quickly leaving the set to go take a photo of the line action. Fortunately, the police were more worried about the crowd we were attracting!

Above (click to enlarge): Reina and Chris - a VooDoo Princess (daughter) and VooDoo Queen (mother)! How sweet! Great costumes...

Above (click to enlarge): Brian (left) as a sort of VooDoo Indiana Jones. Laura (right) in a crazy VooDoo feather-dress, complete with yellow and orange tooth makeup - and oh, what's in here right hand? Correct: she's about to down a "Fractured Froggie"!

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WORLD: Watch This Video!

Some of my favorite videos. Many involve me or people that I know. Have fun viewing them.

19***** It's no secret that E. Clampus Waagus has a weakness for the late great Johnny Cash's "Ring of Fire". Mark M. sent me a link to this you tube music video of a cover (by Avi Kaplan of Pentatonix) of Ring of Fire. Okay, I liked it. Not as much as the original from the Man in Black, but pretty entertaining, so listen to it by clicking here.

18***** The secret of how the "Moving Rocks" at Death Valley's Racetrack actually move has finally been revealed in this fascinating video, which you can watch by clicking here. Previously, many researchers thought they had found the answer, but this video proves them dead wrong. Many theories. Many projects. These guys finally figured it out. BUT they still don't know how the larger moving rocks actually move. Guess there's always some mystery left to figure out! This same group also has a web page at http://www.racetrackplaya.org/  

SLO: County Needs Affordable Housing - Part III

*****November 6, 2014:

They ran my letter to the editor (below) in the San Luis Obispo Tribune Newspaper on 11/6/2014, which you can read by clicking here.

Added commentary on this subject:
The real question is, other than myself and a handful of other so-called "crazies", does anybody actually care about these homeless people? Enough to actually do anything about it? The answer, of course, is no - nobody cares enough to actually do something.

My blog here at/timwaagblog.blogspot.com is filled with things that people can do to help the homeless. Remember, "there but for the grace of G*d go I", which means - it could be you that is homeless, instead of them. 

HOMELESS METERS: Homeless Donation Meters

Introduction: Many folks have asked me what I think about the parking meter style donation centers that are springing up across the country. Today it started with this message from a friend: "What do you think of Pasaena’s effort to repurpose parking meters to collect change for the homeless, Tim?" You can read about Pasadena's program in the LA times by clicking here. This and numerous other inquiries lead me to devote a website page to describe the various programs, how they are doing, and what I think of them. Much has been written about these fund-raising programs, and they've gotten a lot of local press. But are they worth it? Let's see.

What Do I Think of These Programs? First, we need a better name than "Programs to Convert Parking Meters into Fundraisers for the Homeless". That just doesn't work, in a conversational sense - way too awkward. Though each of the various municipalities have their own names for their programs, I'll go with the generic "Homeless Donation Meters" for now (unless someone comes up with something better).

In general, I am in favor of city parking meter programs that encourage donations to organizations that benefit the homeless and provide an alternative to giving money to panhandlers. We have 7 parking meters here in San Luis Obispo in a program called "Change for Change". They don't raise enough money (so far) to help provide affordable housing to the homeless, and their primary benefit is to increase awareness of homelessness and provide an alternative to paying panhandlers.

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.