Mast of the items listed here are posted exactly as received from the organization presenting the event.
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100+ Women Who Care
Susie McCormick-Lilley, Lynelle Newitt-Hollarman, Eileen O'Grady, Liz Helgerson, Grenda Ernst, Cathie Orrick, Janice McKee, Jeanne Robbins, Jeanne Malik
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The Atascadero Library is now closer to moving into their new location thanks to an $8,800 donation by 100 Women Who Care. The Friends of the Library have raised most of the $2,060,000 which will be matched by the county, and with $110,000 left to raise, this latest donation was a most welcome step toward meeting their mid-January deadline. Their fundraising campaign has been based on the good will of the community and they hope the gift from the 100 Women Who Care will inspire others to invest in the future represented by Atascadero's new library. For more information about the library, go to Atascadero Friends of the Library.
100 Women Who Care is a local group whose goal is to have a positive effect on our local communities. Since 2008, they have contributed more than $49,000 to San Luis Obispo county non-profit organizations. They meet biannually, choose a local charity, and each member writes a $100 tax deductible check directly to that organization. In 30 minutes, this group has raised thousands of dollars to help a local charity. If you are interested in learning more about them, visit www.100womenwhocareslo.com
California Health Professional Students Alliance Lobby Day Event - February 10
I recently met with our teams of volunteer facilitators who conduct healthcare-reform workshops countywide for "intentional communities;" that is, groups of people who gather regularly for a purpose. These volunteers facilitate a rational discussion on healthcare reform, the outcome of which is the consensus articulation of first principles for the healthcare system that each intentional community envisions. These workshops are powerful experiences during which people realize that we must come together to relieve the financial burden that medical costs continue to place on people we encounter daily. You can learn more about the workshop by emailing me at heathdom@yahoo.com.
Some facts emerged from our meeting that I would like to share with you because they will play a role in the national discussion on health-insurance reform in 2013. First, there are no legions of government employees processing Medicare payment claims. That job is contracted out to private, for-profit health-insurance companies that accept 6% administrative fees to perform the function. Second, those same health-insurance companies currently receive 15% fees to administer large-group health plans and 20% to administer individual and small-group plans.
Health-insurance companies are passing along double-digit percentage increases in premiums to their policyholders at a time when overall utilization of healthcare delivery is down. When an industry is guaranteed 15-20% gross profit, it only makes sense to increase top-line revenue. Let's not forget that health-insurance companies are guaranteed to get more customers because people who don't have health insurance will be required to purchase it beginning October, 2013.
Speaking of which, here's one example of how quickly people can join the ranks of the working poor so that health-insurance companies can be subsidized at 2.5-3x the rate of a reasonable profit. At $1 more than the maximum annual income to receive a subsidy to purchase for-profit health insurance ($93,700), a family of four will be expected to pay $14,425 just for insurance premiums for a policy that will cover only 60% of their medical costs! Even with out-of-pocket maximums, this family will be expected to pay up to $12,500 in deductibles and copays for a grand total of $26,925 in annual medical costs! Consider a chronic illness situation and you will see how quickly a working family can be financially stressed. Why are we subsidizing an industry that could survive on 2.5-3x less profit at the expense of people?
You aren't yet hearing about the impending October, 2013 "surprise" in health-insurance premiums but you will. California OneCare remains engaged with educating people at the grassroots, facilitating a rational conversation on healthcare reform and building critical mass for change. Our Education Fund now has non-profit status, so your contribution is tax-deductible. Your check, made payable to California OneCare Education Fund, will be greatly appreciated. Please mail your check to P.O. Box 5116, Novato, CA 94948. Any amount that you can afford to contribute will make a difference for our work.
Yours for healthcare justice,
Walter Heath
P.S. I will be speaking at the California Health Professional Students Alliance Lobby Day for our bill to insure all Californians with a single, public, not-for-profit health plan on February 10-11, 2013 in Sacramento.
Cambria Community Services District, February 12
The Cambria Community Services District (CCSD) will be conducting a special meeting on an update to the CCSD’s Water Conservation Plan. The meeting will take place on Tuesday, February 12, 6:00 PM, at Cambria Veterans Memorial Building, 1000 Main Street, Cambria.
The purpose of this meeting will be to solicit public input to the CCSD’s Draft Water Conservation Plan update.
On January 17, 2013 a presentation on the CCSD preliminary draft was made to the CCSD Board during their regular business meeting.
The CCSD’s Water Conservation Plan update may be considered for adoption by the CCSD Board of Directors at the February 28, 2013 regular meeting, 12:30 PM, Veterans Memorial Building.
For further information, you may contact CCSD General Manager, Jerry Gruber, at 927-6223 or jgruber@cambriacsd.org.
Will You Be My...Volunteer? Sweet Springs - February 14
What better way to gear up for Valentine’s Day by doing & feeling good! There’s no shortage of things that need doing at the Sweet Springs Nature Preserve in Los Osos & we would love to have your help! We have plenty of planting and mulching and weeding and watering and raking to do. We’ll meet up on the east side at the corner of 4th and Ramona at 9am on Saturday, February 9th to put a few more plants in the ground. When we get done with that, we’ll work on getting rid of all of those pesky weeds that are coming up all over the place and break by noon. So ditch the silly cupids and conversation hearts and lace doilies and join Audubon for a volunteer day at the preserve. Tools, tips and treats provided. All ages welcome! More info: Holly Sletteland, Preserve Manager, Morro Coast Audubon Society
City of Morro Bay
Morro Bay, CA 93442 (805) 772-6200
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From: Andrea K. Lueker, Morro Bay City Manager (805) 772-6206
The City of Morro Bay is pleased to announce the appointment of Steve Knuckles as Interim Fire Chief for the City of Morro Bay. Mr. Knuckles has been employed by the City of Morro Bay since May 1999 where he began work as a Fire Captain Paramedic. In his 14 years with the City of Morro Bay, Mr. Knuckles has been involved with a number of projects and programs in the City including Acting Fire Chief on numerous occasions, Department Training Officer, Mutual Aid Strike Team Leader, NIMS/SEMS Training Coordinator, and Emergency Operations Center Manager for the City of Morro Bay. Mr. Knuckles has been a part of fire training throughout our County through the San Luis Obispo County Training Officer’s Association, and is the recipient of the 2010 Training Officer of the Year Award. In addition, Mr. Knuckles has been an active member in the County Fire Investigation Strike Team since 1994. Mr. Knuckles is a local Cal Poly San Luis Obispo graduate and is certified as a Chief Officer through the California Fire Marshal’s Office.
Steve has over 29 years of diverse fire operational and supervisorial experience with both the City of Morro Bay and the City of Atascadero. Mr. Knuckles’ areas of expertise are diverse with extensive experience in training, supervision and management.
City Manager Andrea Lueker has worked with Mr. Knuckles in a variety of capacities since he began with the City and she is extremely pleased to have him heading up the Fire Department. She states that, “the City of Morro Bay Fire Department is entering into an exciting time with new facilities, new equipment and a new Fire Chief. Having Steve at the helm of the Department is a great move for the City of Morro Bay; we are thrilled to add him to our cohesive Department Head team”.
3rd Annual Cayucos Sea Glass Festival - MARCH 9-10, 2013—Saturday, 10:00am - 5:00pm; Sunday, 10:00am - 4:00pm
Calling all Sea Glass enthusiasts, Sea Glass craftspeople and Sea Glass jewelers and artists!
Come discover why sea glass collecting is so popular on coasts all over the world. Cayucos Chamber of Commerce is hosting this exciting Central Coast event by the beach. Vendors from around the nation will be selling and displaying their sea glass treasures and creations. Also, place your bids at the silent auctions to win some great prizes. Local wine, beer and food vendors will be selling their specialties under the tent next door, overlooking the surf. Enjoy live music and dancing both days!
NEW THIS YEAR! Richard LaMotte, renowned author of "Pure Sea Glass," will be selling and signing his merchandise. Become a sea glass expert at the new Sea Glass Discovery Station and smile for the camera with real mermaids.
Cayucos is located halfway between Los Angeles and San Francisco, near the world famous Hearst Castle. This quaint town has lodging to suit every beach lover's needs as well as fantastic weather and beaches. See Cayucos Chamber of Commerce for more information.
City of Morro Bay Goal Setting Workshop and Public Participation - Monday March 11 & Wednesday, March 13
Contact: Andrea K. Lueker
City Manager
(805) 772-6206
(805) 772-6200
The City of Morro Bay is excited to announce their 2013 Goal Setting Workshop. This year the plan is for increased opportunities for the public to provide input. There are several ways to accommodate this: 1) complete and submit the Public Input Form which can be found online on the City’s website morro-bay.ca.us; 2) pick-up a Form at any City Department and then return the form to City Hall, 595 Harbor Street, or to the Mayor or any Councilmember; or, 3) fax it to 805.772.7329. You may also submit your comments by e-mail to goals@morro-bay.ca.us or the City will be taking comments at the February 13th and 26th City Council meetings where there will be a special opportunity for the public to provide their input, specific to goals, beginning at 7:00 p.m.
The City Council will also hold two ½ day sessions which are scheduled for Monday, March 11, 2013 from 5:30–8:30p.m. and Wednesday, March 13th from 1:00-4:30p.m. Both sessions will be held at the Morro Bay Community Center Studio Room. The City of Morro Bay looks forward to your participation in this very important process. For more information please contact the City Clerk at 772-6205 or the City Manager at 772-6206.
Items listed on this page are submitted by various community groups and posted as received. If you have an upcoming event you would like to have posted here, send email to Events Editor. If appropriate, we will be happy to list it.
Visit various local city sites for their upcoming events listings: Los Osos, Morro Bay, Cayucos, Cambria.
