Edition 1 January 2024

Calendar

MON 1/15 1-2 PM	Honor Martin Luther King with Pacifica Peace People, corner of Manor and Palmetto, see flier
MON 1/15 6:30-7:30 PM	Virtual Coastside Indivisible zoom – Click Here
TUE 1/16 7 PM	Planning Commission, Council Chambers
TUE 1/16 6 PM	Half Moon Bay City Council considers rental registry
WED 1/17 2:30-4 PM	CoastPride Pacifica Teen Group begins meets every other WED email contact@coastpride.org for more information
FRI 1/19 7-9 PM	Then Is Now opening reception at Sanchez Art Gallery. See post.
SAT 1/20 9 AM	Pacifica Beach Coalition annual planting at Linda Mar Beach. See post.
MON 1/22 7 PM	City Council Housing Element adoption, Council chambers
TUE 1/23 per agenda	San Mateo County Board of Supervisors may consider shelter ordinance
TUE 1/23 12-1 PMa	Bay Area Housing Finance Authority virtual webinar Bay Area Regional Eviction and Legal Services Launch Register eventbrite.comxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxx
WED 1/24 11 – 12:15 PM	SB4, Yes in God’s Backyard Implications, see post to register
TH 1/25 7 PM	The People’s Law: The Coastal Act and the California Coastal Commission An invitation from Pacifica Environmental Family. See post.
MON 2/5 7 PM	Planning Commission, Council Chambers
FRI 2/9 6 – 8:30 PM	Pacific Beach Coalition annual surf movie. See post.
SUN 2/11 3 PM	Concluding program at Sanchez Art Gallery of Then is Now. See post
MON 2/12 7 PM	City Council, Council chambers
MON 2/26 7 PM	City Council, Council Chambers
THU 2/29 7-9 PM	Leap Into Kindness Sing-A-Long at Mildred B Owen . Collaboration of Pacificans Care, Pacifica Collaborative, and Sanchez Art. See Post
SUN 3/3 TBA	A special conversation with Rosanna Xia author of California Against the Sea. See post
MON 3/11 7 PM	City Council, Council Chambers
SAT 4/20 TBA	Earth Day of Action
SAT 6/1 TBA	Save the date to celebrate Pacifica Pride

See posted calendars for:

• Sanchez Art Gallery
• Pacific Beach Coalition
• Pacifica Sharp Park Library Events
• Pacifica Sanchez Library Events

Photos have been contributed by Leo Leon and Mark Hubbell

Pacifica Voice is eager to receive articles on issues important to our community. Please send them to editor@pacvoice.org for consideration.

To receive press releases and periodic messages from the Pacifica Voice please add your name and email address to our subscriber list – SUBSCRIBE HERE. FREE

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FOR CONSIDERATION

My Hope for a Better Future in Gaza – The Atlantic

Pacifican Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib shares his personal story about his home in Palestine and his visit to the United States as an exchange student – a trip that proved his last time home. Pacifica Voice is proud to refer you to Ahmed’s recent article in the Atlantic.

Read Ahmed’s Alantic Article

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Gazans are starving. Airdrops of aid could help change that

Forward Article By Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib

Since the horrific events of Oct. 7 and the ensuing Israeli war, conditions inside the Gaza Strip have become increasingly dire. Many residents now face hunger and starvation, and spend hours each day searching in vain for drinkable water and scraps of food.

My brother’s wife and four young children, along with other friends and family members, have lost significant amounts of weight. Many Gazans are barely surviving. A recent U.N. report found that 93% of Gazans are experiencing crisis levels of food insecurity, and predicts that conditions could constitute a famine as soon as February.

Fresh produce, meat, canned goods and nutrient-dense foods are hard to find and have quadrupled in price. The financial system has largely collapsed, making it difficult for people to withdraw money or receive support from abroad…

Read The Remainder of the Article

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Pacifica Peace People Update

Thank you, Pacific Voice, for always giving voice to our peace messages and our efforts as the local grassroots peace organization. At our January 09, 2024 monthly meeting, we had a sobering, and yet, hopeful, conversation about our future — after nearly 21 years of service to our community, Pacifica Peace People seeks a younger generation of peaceful residents to step up and take the torch from us elders. Pacifica Peace People need other, younger generations of peace makers to take the leadership roles from those of us who are presently in those roles.

We would love nothing more than to have you continue with us in the work. We are finding it increasingly challenging, and sometimes impossible, to carry the peace work forward. For a viable presence and effort towards peace in our beautiful town, say “YES” and let us know you are interested. A small [or large] group is needed. Thank you! 
Contact Delia: deliaforpeace39@gmail.com.

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Reflections on a year of service on our City Council

I took this selfie Friday evening after a beautiful sunset. The halo is disconcerting. While I am a spiritual person, I know I am full of flaws, and I am certainly no angel in your midst here to save Pacifica from all our woes. That doesn’t stop me from trying though!

As I reflect on my first year in office, some of it has been difficult, especially as there is never enough time. I wish it paid enough so I didn’t have to keep doing my other full-time job. Learning the hard truth about how slowly government moves (no, we haven’t solved homelessness or our coastal erosion issues yet) is also frustrating. Some has been truly wonderful, including connecting with residents and businesses and solving some issues, making a direct impact, like moving a bus stop that was hazardous to students at Ocean Shore school. Or seeing my words make a policy difference in council deliberations such as in the aftermath of the hateful zoom booming. I’m so glad to be “in the know” now with what the council and city staff are working on to manage and try to improve our town. I still enjoy reading detailed agendas and digging into technical and financial reports, asking a lot of questions so that I can understand and make informed decisions.  Public engagement and clear communication to the people of Pacifica are still a key priority for me and I try to publish a newsletter about once a month explaining the key items the city and council are working on, and alert residents to upcoming meetings so you can participate and be heard. If you are not yet subscribed, send me an email at christineforpacifica@gmail.com.

There’s a lot coming up this year. As part of Vision 2025, we’re working to help Pacifica be more financially stable. Measure Y allowed us to invest in our staff, including hiring amazing new leaders with our Police Chief Maria Sarasua, Economic Development Director Tara Schiff, and Parks and Rec Director Bob Palacio. There is already a new energy and many ideas flowing to improve Pacifica for residents and businesses and to raise funds for our aging roads and infrastructure. For example, Tara has applied for a development grant for Sharp Park that would also provide money for upgrading drainage infrastructure. We’ve hired an intern to work on our Climate Action and Adaptation Plan with a fabulous new citizen led committee, and just last week approved funds to hire a part time person focused on affordable housing and implementation of our Housing Element. Personally, I have been doing outreach to affordable housing developers and the County Housing Office to understand what it will take to bring them here to Pacifica where our needs are great. Our middle-class town is suffering with rising housing costs; we’re losing residents and our children who can no longer afford to live here.

I understand residents are reeling from increased costs, inflation, utility fees, and many are still trying to recover from the pandemic. City costs are increasing enormously too, and so we need to continue to work together to find creative solutions to bring more money to our town, in concert with better planning for our future, including continued work on our Housing Element and the Local Coastal Plan. Pacifica is at the onset of change, some of it being forced upon us by the state, some of it being forced upon us by our changing climate. Whether we adapt and thrive is up to all of us working together to envision the Pacifica we want to become.

With that being said, elections for 2 council seats are coming up this year. Sue Vaterlaus will be termed out of District 1 after serving for 8 years, and Tygar’s seat in District 4 is up for reelection. Currently, we 5 are a motley crew, one writer/Safeway employee, one real estate agent, one school librarian, one school mental health professional, and one architect. It’s not political experience, but a big heart for Pacifica that is the most important requirement to serving on council. I encourage you to think about what gifts you might bring to Pacifica, and to consider serving the community with us on the Council, or on one of a number of citizen led subcommittees, or amazing non-profits, that are so necessary for the city to function and for all our residents to be well cared for. This Google map will tell you which Pacifica Council District you live in.

I wish each of us, and the entire City of Pacifica, a joyous, healthy, sustainable, fulfilled, and prosperous 2024!

Christine Boles
Councilmember, District 2

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HOUSING

Passionately Pursuing Perseverance on the Path with Perspective

A personal narrative on the pathway to housing and stability by P⁵

So where do I begin?

I am a woman who can stand tall these days… everyone could benefit from my character-building classes: courses in mindfulness, self-compassion, retelling our stories, process group, expressive arts, – (ACT, IFS, DBT and CBT, -life saving acronyms.) My favorite time is when we all come to the self-care group to achieve just that – a half an hour of self-care – and journal about it before and after. These classes have been a part of my life for a few years now. I have participated in a recovery program on the Peninsula that has supported me through all the semesters of school that I have strung together. To be honest, none of these habits had been a part of my life prior to the pandemic. 

For 8-10 years I lived in encampments and local shelters. I lost track of time due to hardships and I tried to escape by using drugs.

By now, one of two things may have happened; 

1. you just became close minded to the rest of the story that I have to share, or 
2. you found something you could relate to and are inspired to find out how I got from there to here.

I don’t know which category you just fell into. I DO know that I have a lot of empathy for other people’s situations. I was one of society’s ignored nuisances when I was unhoused -a recent politically correct term. To survive, I grew to love these people, and I got to know people and their backgrounds. Because of my experiences,  I can relate when I hear of folks that have migrated,  have been trafficked, or have experienced other such hardships. 

The twelve steps taught me that my true surrender came on my birthday. Yes, that’s right! It was not a day of celebration. At 10:30 in the morning, I insisted that I could have pursued a legal case for harassment or stalking by the police department -I mean really, who gets picked up on their birthday? For real! Especially, without having the opportunity to celebrate, if you catch my drift.

So, I threw a tantrum during the entire car ride to intake that was conducted at the men’s jail before being transported to the women’s correctional facility. I was so loud that the dispatcher could not make out why the officer was bringing me in. There were at least 9 female officers in the driveway to take me out of the car. I immediately told them, “Wait a minute! It’s my birthday!!! I am not a happy camper!  Y’all could all take a step back because, even with cuffs on, I could get outta the car myself, thank you very much!”

After losing visitation to my second-born the Friday before Mother’s Day, I had been living as rebelliously as I wanted. By this point, you probably have made some judgements about me and my situation. That’s alright. But ask yourself why and what you would have done differently. If I were continuously housed, I probably would have made decisions to steer clear of someone so “wreck-less”, but we all have stories to tell. 

In my book ‘Street Wise by Gringa Estupida,’ I outline my birthday progression from destruction and how I came out of it after eight months in jail. The journey literally consumed me and ended up being a blessing in disguise, to get real, real! 

You see, my expedition to get into housing wasn’t a straight line. Prior to my last incarceration, I had been in jail seventeen times over four years. I had apartment arrangements with roommates through my psychiatry team and several residential recovery homes that I had to complete. I was asked to leave one residential program for false positive drug test results. I had to lean on my community college for a 4-week hotel stay to re-enter the shelter system again. That really felt like a step in reverse. However, the director of that shelter went to bat for me and advocated for me. After nine months of being in the system, I received a housing voucher. 

So, I encourage you to persevere through the steps of progress that improve your situation, even if it feels like a step backward. As a friend of mine frequently says, “Keep your eye on the prize!”

These days, I am entering into an internship in the paralegal trade. I hope to graduate this spring. I live in a third story ocean-view apartment a block from the beach. I am no longer living on the side of the freeway.

God does exist! He’s provided for my every need, stability, drama-free life, and other time-efficient provisions. I’ve recently been told, “you can’t have spirituality without ritual as the root word.” Interesting, huh?

I believe it brings us all a bit closer if we all can just stay a bit more open-minded to each other’s background – because each story helps explain the momentum of a person’s existence. If we can all look to improve ourselves even in the slightest way, the light from each of us can ripple into the next person and throughout our communities. 

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Updated national statistics on homelessness

Updated national statistics on homelessness have recently been released. Here are excerpts from the report:

 “A new report from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) found that roughly a third of all homelessness and half of all unsheltered homelessness occurs in California. The number of people experiencing homelessness in California increased by nearly 6% over the last year.

“Nationwide, homelessness increased by 12% between 2022-2023… the highest increase since reporting began. The data suggests…sharp rise in the number of people who became homeless for the first time…attributes this to several factors, such as changes in the rental housing market and the winding down of pandemic-era protections that prevented evictions and housing loss. The number of unaccompanied youth in sheltered locations increased by 20 percent while the number in unsheltered locations increased by nine percent.”

Would you like to participating in the Bay Area homeless count?

Volunteer registration is still open so please continue to share this opportunity! Volunteers can provide their contact information, sign up for a training, and indicate their preferred deployment site by going through the registration form (linked below).

TO VOLUNTEER FOR THE COUNT, REGISTER BY USING THIS LINK: General Volunteer Registration – 2024 One Day Homeless Count.

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Half Moon Bay to look at tenant protection

By Joanne Rokosky, Coastside Faith in Action

For over two years, members of the Ayudando Latinos A Soñar (ALAS) Affordable Housing Committee have testified at Half Moon Bay City Council meetings on housing challenges faced by the city’s very low and extremely low-income residents.  ALAS conveyed the stories of entire families only able to afford rent of one room which sometimes excluded kitchen or laundry privileges. ALAS reports it is common to pay $1500/month for a single room with a shared bath. Rent increases can occur several times per year. There is the constant worry of increased rent or eviction. Families suffer the mental and physical health impacts of overcrowding.   

ALAS members participated in monthly marches to call attention to the critical need for additional housing and the immediate need for tenant protections, chanting “Escucha Consejo” (Listen Council).The Half Moon Bay City Council listened and has committed to development of rental housing and rental protections for extremely low, very low-, and low-income households.  

When investigations following the shooting deaths of seven farmworkers on two mushroom farms in January 2023 revealed substandard living conditions and the urgency for safe, affordable housing, the City acted. Two housing projects on city-owned land are currently in the planning stages and designated primarily for farmworkers and their families.  One is a joint project between ALAS and Mercy Housing and will provide 40 units of affordable senior farmworker housing.  The other project, also designated for farmworkers, will develop 47 modular homes.

However, these planned projects are insufficient. The need for affordable housing in Half Moon Bay is estimated to be over 1000 units. The City recognizes the need, until additional housing is built, to protect tenants. On November 7, 2023, the Half Moon Bay City Council held a work session to direct City staff in the development of a specific Tenant Protection Ordinance.    

Four of five Council members emphatically advocated for rent control. Councilmember Rarback commented that most of the emails he received in opposition to rent control came from non-residents of the Coastside – representatives of the California Apartment Association and the San Mateo County Board of Realtors. Rarback emphasized Half Moon Bay’s obligation to low-income residents.   

City staff identified that approximately 350 rental units would be subject to rent control. Due to the prevalence of sub-tenancy, the City estimated that these 350 rental units could house as many as 2800 residents. As Half Moon Bay’s population is 12,000, a significant number of residents could be protected. 

The council directed staff to craft a robust Tenant Protection Ordinance with several components. A city-wide rent control program will be based upon the California Costa-Hawkins Act. The first step in development of the ordinance is to create a Residential Rental Registration Program to collect and analyze data on rental units, tenants, and rental rates. The intentions of the Program are to clarify the extent of sublets, facilitate tenant and landlord education, and mediate disputes. The Half Moon Bay City Council will consider the Residential Rental Registration Ordinance at its January 16, 2024 meeting. 

Further steps are needed to create a City-wide rent control program: to extend protections to tenants of single family rental homes and to provide assistance for tenants displaced by code violations. These topics will likely be presented  in early Spring, 2024.  Information can be found at this site: Residential Rental Security Measures | Half Moon Bay, CA (half-moon-bay.ca.us)

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HIP Housing’s Home Sharing Program

HIP Housing helps match individuals seeking housing with people with a room or Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) to rent.

Currently, the Home Sharing Program has 4 rooms and 1 ADU for rent in Pacifica! Rent prices vary between $1,000 – $1,900.

To participate in the Home Share Program as a renter you must live, work, or attend school in San Mateo County.

If you have questions or would like to make an appointment, call us at 650-348-6660 or click here to fill out our inquiry form today!

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YES IN GOD’S BACKYARD – SB4 AND ITS IMPLICATIONS FOR CONGREGATIONS

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CLIMATE AND ENVIRONMENT

The People’s Law: The Coastal Act and the California Coastal Commission

A FREE educational program presented by Pacifica’s Environmental Family

Thursday, January 25, 2024, 7 – 9 pm
Mildred Owen Concert Hall

In 1972, concerned about development along the California coast —from nuclear power plants to structures obstructing views and access — the people of California passed Proposition 20, “The Coastal Initiative”.   The initiative, placed on the ballot through the work of an energized group of coastal advocates and environmentalists and Californians-at-large, won by a ten point margin (55% to 45%).   The “California Coastal Act of 1976” made the California Coastal Commission (CCC) a permanent, independent quasi-judicial body; and the Act defined the role of the CCC as the coastal zone planning and management agency responsible for regulating the coast.

Concerns at the time are still relevant today: rapid population growth, rising property values, and intensifying coastal development – industrial, commercial and residential. The work of the CCC is critical to preserving access for all beaches and is further complicated by the climate crisis, accelerating storm intensity, erosion, and sea level rise. Beaches are being squeezed by the tide and by hard armoring sometimes chosen to “protect” municipal infrastructure and even private property. 

Times are polarized, dynamics are volatile, and interests are divided.  How do the Coastal Act, the Public Trust Doctrine, and private property rights interconnect? In times like these, humans seem to seek an “enemy”, a scapegoat for our anger, an entity to blame for inevitable tough decisions. Rather than battlegrounds, our communities must work collaboratively.

Residents and visitors alike recognize Pacifica’s beautiful beaches, and our coastal access is invaluable. To ensure that we maintain the California coast and beaches for the benefit of future generations, we need to understand the Coastal Act, its value, legality and the assigned role of the California Coastal Commission.

We hope that the community at large will attend this program, presented by Pacifica’s Environmental Family, intended to provide background and current information to enable us to collaboratively move forward in a more positive way to address the challenges we collectively face.

Dr. Charles Lester, Director, Ocean + Coastal Policy, Marine Science Institute, UCSB (and past Executive Director of the California Coastal Commission) will share a powerpoint presentation.  The event includes a curated question and answer period after the talk.  The event is FREE, with advance registration (to assist with logistics).

AND, Mark Your Calendar for: 
Pacifica Against the Sea? A talk with Rosanna Xia, author of “California Against the Sea”, and Los Angeles Times environmental reporter. Sunday, March 3, 1:00 pm, location To be Announced.

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Pacificans likely to bear the extreme cost of sea level rise

By Stan Zeavin, Reprinted from the Pacifica Tribune with permission of the author

The extra cost of a new seawall to Pacifica’s taxpayers could easily reach $100 million of city taxpayer’s money by the end of the proposed seawall’s life.

The city of Pacifica is proposing to build a hybrid seawall at Beach Boulevard. The new project is called the Beach Boulevard Infrastructure Resiliency Project (BBIRP). The projected cost is $114 million. This includes planning, design, construction, maintenance and removal of the old seawall along with the cost of beach nourishment. What percentage of the project’s total cost will be paid for by grants and what percentage by Pacifica’s citizens?

The city has not signaled whether it’s aiming for grants to cover every cost of the seawall or just a percentage. For example, if the city is aiming for grants to pay 70% of the $114 million, then the city (that is, you and me) will not only pay the other $34 million, but also any interest on loans, those inevitable cost overruns, possible higher inflation rates than predicted, etc. What if that hypothetical 70% in grants isn’t reached? That could increase the taxpayers’ payment load by multiple millions.

While 40% of our residents benefit from a Sharp Park sewer system, there is a need to consider moving it due to possible erosion by 2030, according to page 17 of the BBRIP. The city’s main effort should be aimed at finding grants to pay for that infrastructure move.

Council has chosen to equate the cost of managing a retreat with the BBIRP’s “no project” alternative. The long-term projected cost of the alternative – dealing with removal and moving issues as sea level rises – is $243 million. Building a 50-year wall will postpone the removal of expensive homes and relocation of the wastewater pumps and lines. However, this delay will be costly. The need to move infrastructure and buildings behind the seawall and address “no project” issues will not disappear. It will just become more expensive by the time the seawall fails.

If we build the seawall, the price for moving the sewer system and pump will increase the longer it is ignored. Add the dollars Pacifica citizens will pay for the seawall’s non-grant covered costs, the rising property values of both older (“no project”) and new buildings due to the seawall, and the extra cost to our taxpayers could go over the $100 million range.

The city staff’s new idea, the Special Resilience Area, seems to be another attempt to deflect public attention away from the seawall in order to get the seawall built.

Is the city’s long-term plan to keep rebuilding the seawall? If so, multiple walls will make the extra $100 million paid for the first seawall chump change.

As University of Oxford climate researcher Lisa Schipper said, “It’s not just that something goes a bit wrong. (Critical maladaptation) undermines opportunities for further adaptation, and that’s what we should be looking out for.”

Questions:

1. What percentage of the cost of the proposed seawall will grants cover?
2. How long is the city going to search for these grants before a decision has to be made?
3. Given the 10-15 years it takes to complete this kind of project, won’t the seawall’s life be closer to 30 years?

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Pacific Beach Coalition 2023 Impacts – MLK Beach Planting – Surf Movie

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27th Annual Beach Planting !!! Join PBC’s MLK JR Day of Service BEACH CLEANUP & HABITAT RESTORATION on Saturday, January 20th!

BEACH CLEANUP – 9 AM: Linda Mar State Beach
Linda Mar parking lot near the Taco Bell. Parking passes will be given when you check-in. Supplies and directions will be provided but we encourage everyone to bring their own gloves and bucket

PLANTING/HABITAT RESTORATION – 10 AM: Linda Mar Beach
Find us on the Linda Mar Beach Coastal Trail (north of the Crespi at Hwy 1 intersection). Walk from the Beach Cleanup site or parking at the Pacifica Community center – 540 Crespi Drive, Pacifica is closer to the meeting spot for the beach planting than the main Linda Mar beach parking lots. Bring your favorite planting tool or a shovel if you have one but lots of  tools and instructions will be provided.

CLICK HERE for more PBC MLK Day of Service Details

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17th Annual Surf Movie – Of Wind and Waves – The Life of Woody Brown

Join us for the 17th annual Surf Movie Night Fundraiser featuring the captivating documentary “Of Wind and Waves.” This film is a tribute to the legendary Woody Brown, an icon of surfing, sailing, and soaring.

We will have the privilege of hosting two special guests for open Q&A, Director and Producer David L. Brown and Jeffrey Brown, son of Woody Brown

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Tree City Pacifica: A Review

By Paul Totah

Tree City Pacifica was formed five years ago, in part, because hundreds of city trees were scheduled for removal with no plan to replace them. This diminishment of our urban forest canopy concerned us, and we knew we could remedy this on two fronts, including lobbying for the first Arbor Day in 2019. That year, we planted trees in front of the Pacifica School District office and around Calera Creek in Vallemar.

In 2020, we were presented with the challenge of gathering volunteers to plant trees during the pandemic. We were able to add trees to both the Sanchez Library and the Sanchez Art Center safely and effectively.

The following year, in the hopes of creating some geographic diversity, we planted trees in the north end of the city at Fairmont Park and in front of homes on nearby streets. For our fourth year, we looked to the midpoint of the city and collaborated with Oceana High School to add trees to its campus. This past year, we planted trees at Fairway Park around the three baseball diamonds. 

Along the way, we also organized the planting of trees at many schools in the Pacifica School District. We know that teaching our students the value of trees is as important as planting trees. These students will grow along with the trees they plant, and as they do, the good they will do will multiply.

Planting trees on Arbor Day was the first front. We knew we had to do more, so we opened a second front by helping the city to revise ordinances pertaining to trees on both public and private land. Thanks to the good work of city staff and city councils, they passed the ordinance and ensured that for every tree removed, two would be planted in its place. We are already seeing this happen around the city.

 In addition, many of the trees planted long ago didn’t quite fit the mantra of planting “the right tree in the right place.” The new trees serve us better as they will not  interfere with power lines or disrupt foundations. These trees are chosen to fit our changing climate and conditions.

Now, we are planning for the next Arbor Day in November 2024. We will choose a new site, and for this, we are open to your suggestions. Is there a green area in your neighborhood — a park, a playground, anything really — that could use 20 trees or so? If you can think of such a place, send an email to treecitypacifica@gmail.com. Even if we don’t get around to planting there next November, we will keep a list of suggestions handy for future years.

As we think about our own family trees — our own genealogical branches and roots — keep in mind that we, too, are creating our own biotic family tree right here in Pacifica. As it grows and flourishes over the years, we all will look back with great satisfaction at the good we have done right here. 

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COMMUNITY UPDATES

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Pacifica Peace People invites you to join us 

Monday, January 15, 1 pm – 2 pm

in front of Walgreen’s in Pacific Manor Shopping Center

“THERE COMES A TIME WHEN ONE MUST TAKE A POSITION THAT IS NEITHER SAFE, NOR POLITIC, NOR POPULAR, BUT HE MUST TAKE IT BECAUSE HIS CONSCIENCE TELLS HIM IT IS RIGHT.”

(Martin Luther King, Jr.)

Bring along signs and banners. We will have extras.

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Updating Aging Pacifica Elementary & Middle Schools, Measure G

By Staff of PSD

Pacifica School District (PSD) provides local students on the Pacifica coast with a quality  education thanks to our dedicated teachers and staff. Our commitment to our community  ensures students are prepared for an evolving world. Parents and community members alike  tell us that PSD schools help to improve the quality of life in Pacifica and protect the value of  our homes. 

While updates and repairs have been made to our schools in recent years, due to the damage  done to schools and classrooms by the coastal weather, many facility needs remain unmet. Old  heating, HVAC, and electrical systems need to be replaced, and classrooms and labs need to be  updated to meet current student safety and educational standards.  

Our District has very few options when it comes to funding the necessary repairs and updates  that our schools need. Unfortunately, our District is among the lowest funded districts in San  Mateo County and the State does not provide funding for facilities. Redirecting funds in the  current budget would take resources out of our classrooms and away from our students.  

The Pacifica School District Board of Trustees has therefore placed Measure G on the March 5,  2024 presidential primary election ballot. Measure G is a $70 million bond measure that would  be used to complete needed repairs and improvements across all our elementary schools,  middle schools, and District facilities. The annual cost of Measure G is estimated to be $30 per  $100,000 of assessed value (not market value) per year. Assessed value is determined by the  San Mateo County Assessor and is often much closer to the original purchase price of the home  than to the current market value.  

Measure G could provide the funding needed to fix and improve school facilities to ensure we  can continue to provide a safe, modern learning environment for all local students and continue  to attract and retain highly qualified teachers.  

Pacifica School District remains committed to providing local affordable rental workforce  housing to District teachers and staff. Measure G would enable the District to stay competitive  with other nearby districts offering the same benefit, helping PSD to attract and retain highly  qualified teachers and staff.  

If approved by local voters, funding from the local bond measure could be used to update  classrooms and science labs and provide safe, modern learning environments to protect quality  academic instruction in core subjects like math, science, reading, and writing. Measure G could  also be used to ensure access for students with disabilities and equip all schools with 21^st– century learning technology. 

By law, Measure G requires accountability protections to ensure proper use of taxpayer funds.  All Measure G funds would be controlled locally for Pacifica schools only and could not be taken  away by the State. Additionally, an independent citizens’ oversight committee and mandatory annual audits would ensure all funds are spent as voters intended. A detailed project list  outlining the expected use of funds is included in the measure. Pacifica School District undertook extensive community outreach to develop Measure G and  has put the measure on the ballot so that voters may decide the best path forward for updating  and repairing local schools. To learn more about Measure G please visit  pacificasd.org/District/Portal/schoolimprovements.

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Expanding Economic Security to the aging community

By Puente Staff

Expanding Economic Security services to the aging community is one of Puente’s top priorities which became more apparent during our strategic planning. Our strategic plan now includes these goals and outcomes: that seniors are more connected, less isolated, and better informed about services for social-emotional and health care. Sixty percent of low-income seniors on the South Coast are connected to one another and to relevant services and programs through Puente and our partners.  

Our goal is to create a network of programs and services that are guided by the input from the individuals that will be impacted by the 60+ Connection and Wellbeing program. The components of this program include community building and connection, resources, and staff outreach and support. We collaborate with other local agencies whenever possible. However, there are limitations to what our aging population can do because of distance, housing, financial circumstances, deteriorating health, transportation, access to online resources – just a few of the factors. We want our 60+ neighbors to age with dignity and we want to be able to support them.  

The services of the 60+ Connection and Wellbeing Program are ongoing and tailored to the needs of the participants. The service model is to work one-on-one and in groups. For example, we assist with weekly grocery deliveries to individuals. We create group outings and gatherings that take weather and proximity into consideration.

Our aging community members in the program need our support. Many live on fixed incomes, with, on average, about 95% of their monthly expenses going to rent, gas and groceries.

We hope to count on you to collect new items for a delivery at the end of January.

Support our wishlist through Amazon or purchase them yourself and drop off at our office (620 North Street, Pescadero) by January 23, 2024.  You can also donate through our website, mypuente.com (Select: Community Health Program).  

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Foad Satterfield, Fog Fest Photography Invitational and AGP Light & Shadow at Sanchez Art Center

Sanchez Art Center begins 2024 with three exhibitions with an array of artistic mediums including, a stirring painting retrospective of work by Foad Satterfield, a photography exhibition featuring the work of the Fog Fest Photography Contest award winners and judges, and a group show with the members of the Art Guild of Pacifica, themed Light & Shadow. The opening reception is on Friday, January 19, from 7 to 9 pm, with live music. 

In Then is Now, 1995-2023, Foad Satterfield shares a retrospective of his works from various series of his paintings.  Satterfield notes that while each painting is unique within the context of its series, collectively they share an internal structure weaving them together with an intentional logic grounded into a pictorial intimacy and personal narrative.  Working with the artist to select the pieces, curator Jerry Ross Barrish (Sanchez Art Center’s Artistic Director) notes that the show is more than a painting exhibit, veering into “an installation bringing nature inside the gallery.  Visitors will be surrounded by a world of nature as Foad Satterfield sees it”. 

Satterfield, who began his professional artistic practice committed to painting in 1973, has long explored his, and by extension our, relationship with nature.  His work is grounded in his early years, born in 1945 in Orange, Texas, and raised along the Gulf Coast of Louisiana.   The geographic area, rich in texture, color and light welcomed him to explore nature while providing a diversion to the tension of the Jim Crow south.  A journey by a great aunt traveling to Spain and Rome and collecting trunks full of artifacts sent to family back in Louisiana, provided fascination and a sense of the broader world, that drew him into art.  Satterfield earned his B.A. at Southern University, Baton Rouge, LA and his M.F.A. Painting from Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA.  From 1980 – 2018, he was Professor of Art, Dominican University of California in San Rafael, and also Curator, of the San Marco Gallery at the university, through 2015.    

Loose brushstrokes, infused with a depth of color and energy generate an interior light in each of his works that can be viewed as both abstractions and representational landscapes.  The artist notes, “As life’s processes reveal themselves to me, I am more able to view and articulate the textures and the warm and cool colors of the earth, and to contemplate and perceive this living world and the unchanging mystery from which Life began.” 

Then is Now, an exploration of the artists journey over time, will conclude with a program on Sunday, Feb. 11, beginning at 3:00 pm with musical reflections on the artists work by Bernini Baroque Trio, immediately followed a conversation with the artist.     

The East Gallery presents the Fog Fest Invitational Photography Show, featuring the winners of the annual Pacific Coast Fog Fest Photography Contest and the judges (Alan Grinberg, Edwin Hacking, and Sharron L Walker).  While the Contest has specific categories for entry, the Invitational provides the opportunity for each photographer to share the work they would like included in the exhibition.  Photographs by George Surmaitis reflect how nature displays the continuing cycle of death and rebirth, a type of covenant with the promise that this circle will be unbroken. Often something profound is hidden right in front of us.  Falu Bakrania is sharing work from a long dreamt of trip to photograph the slot canyons in the Navajo Tribal Park, Arizona.  In this series, she captures the stories in the flow of colors, textures, and shapes.  In a more intimate collection, Gretchen Telzrow presents an exploration inspired by the essence of an individual of great significance in her life, her mother.  She notes, “The play of light and shadow in each frame is more than a visual display; it’s an homage to the profound impact she had on my artistic journey”.   The public is invited to a Gallery Walk and Conversation with the photographers on Sunday, Jan 28, beginning at 3pm.

Ringing in the new year, the Art Guild of Pacifica presents Light & Shadow, a group show.  Open to any artwork or interpretation on the theme provides the opportunity for artists to share their own perspective, making a very interesting and engaging exhibit.   The Art Guild will also offer small artworks and art cards for purchase (cash/check). 

Sanchez Art Center is located at 1220 Linda Mar Blvd in Pacifica, about a mile east of Highway 1. Following opening night, the galleries are open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, 1–5 pm, and by appointment, through Feb 11.  For more information call 650.355.1894 or visit SanchezArtCenter.org.

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Pacifica Library Events

Magic the Gathering
Wednesday, January 17 & Wednesday, January 31 at 2:30pm at Sharp Park Library
Learn how to play the fantasy card game Magic the Gathering! This program is geared towards middle school and high school students. You will have the chance to sort cards, build a deck, and play a match. The best part? You get to keep the deck you build! DROP IN (Young Children and Teens)

Diaper Distribution
Friday, January 20 at 10:30am at Sharp Park Library
Families are invited to pick up free diapers and wipes. Diapers will be distributed on a first- come, first-served basis and are available in sizes 1-6, while supplies last. DROP IN (Preschoolers and Adults)

Paws for Tales
Tuesday, January 23 at 3:45pm at Sanchez Library
Do you have a reluctant reader? Sign your child up to practice reading to a therapy dog in the library. Space is limited, so register early for your 10-minute slot. REGISTER HERE (6-11 years old)

Cave Adventures with CaveSim
Wednesday, January 24 9am-4pm at San Pedro Valley Park
Drop in anytime between 9am-4pm to experience CaveSim is a realistic cave with over 60 feet of tunnels to explore, a 12 foot vertical caving tower, cave rescue practice with a real stretch, STEM lessons with working cave rescue phones, and energetic games about bat biology. Learn about caves and test your careful-explorer skills with CaveSim, an all-in-one portable caving experience. We will have activities for ages 3 and up and the mobile cave is best for ages 5 and up, but can be explored by children ages 3-4 with an adult or responsible sibling. Please note: This event is taking offsite at the San Pedro Valley Park. All parking fees will be waived for participants. (All Ages)

Dungeons & Dragons
Wednesday, January 24 at 2:30pm at Sharp Park Library
Challenge yourself to a Dungeons & Dragons one-shot! Intended for middle and high school
students. Handbooks and dice are provided; bring a character sheet or use one of our premade
sheets. Space is limited, please register online to reserve your spot. REGISTER HERE (12-18 years old)

Senior Surf Computer Class: Email Part 1
Tuesday, January 30 at 1pm at Sharp Park Library
Welcome to Email Essentials, your comprehensive guide to mastering the basics of email using Gmail and Yahoo Mail (note: depending on students’ needs, we may cover additional email programs). Whether you’re a novice or looking to sharpen your email skills, this class will empower you to communicate effectively and efficiently through email. REGISTER HERE (Adults)

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January Pacificans Care Highlights

Pacificans Care welcomes 2024!  Here’s a brief recap of our 2023 year:

Annual Core Agency Grants:  In 2023, Pacificans Care raised over $125,000 in donor and memorial contributions, fundraisers, and investment proceeds to support much-needed services provided by the Pacifica Resource Center, Pacifica Child Care Services, Pacifica Senior Services, and the Pacifica Youth Service Bureau and support of our Community Grant and Holiday Gratitude programs. Our annual grants totaling $90,000, to the core agencies supported emergency housing and rental assistance for Pacifica families in need, educational and learning experiences for children, home delivered nutritional meals for home-bound seniors and persons with disabilities, and counseling services for teens and their families.

Holiday Gratitude Program: Three years ago, Pacificans Care created the Holiday Gratitude program to recognize the outstanding efforts of our core agencies in providing services to their clients and the community.  Above and beyond the annual grants, the Holiday Gratitude program focuses on support for the special needs of our core agencies. Here is a recap of the Holiday Gratitude Program gifts presented to our core agencies:

• $2,000 to the Pacifica Resource Center for a new freezer for their pantry to replace a nonfunctioning freezer.
• $2,000 to Pacifica Childcare Services for four child care sites:
  • Ocean Shore: Replacement Couch set and sofa chair in the children’s reading area.
  • Sunset Ridge: One toy and games storage cabinet and children’s size chairs to replace broken ones.
  • Cabrillo: Two Ikea cubbies (shelves) to replace the worn-out ones. 
  • Vallemar: Two toys and games storage cabinets and holiday arts & crafts supplies.
• $2,000 to Pacifica Senior Services for a new overhead projector for the Game Room.

Community Grants: Pacificans Care approved two $1000 community grants to Pacifica Collaborative to support our participation in the Art for Peace, Justice, and Kindness Project and to the CORA project to provide training for Pacifica businesses and organizations related to domestic violence prevention.

Save the Date:  It’s A LEAP YEAR SPECIAL EVENT! So, mark your calendars and join in on Thursday evening February 29th from 7:00 to 9:00pm at Mildred Owen Concert Hall for a spectacular community sing-along event with Pacificans Care, the Pacifica Collaborative, and the Sanchez Art Center. The evening will be a free uplifting sing-along of inspirational, “non-political” songs about kindness, peace, and justice, led by some of Pacifica’s most talented musicians. Remember “Where have all the Flowers Gone” by the Kingston Trio or “Get Together” by the Youngbloods or “This Land is Your Land” by Woody Guthrie? Those are the words we will be singing. No special singing voices, knowledge or skills needed. Refreshments will be provided.

This is a chance to lift ourselves up individually and collectively as a community and to affirm Pacifica’s positive values. Bring the entire family for this special community get-together and sing out to build more kindness and community.

Pacificans Care is the only Pacifica nonprofit organization solely dedicated to supporting social services in Pacifica from children and youth to families and seniors. Pacificans Care is an all-volunteer organization administered by an active Board of Directors composed of community members dedicated to making a difference in our community.

For more information about Pacificans Care visit our website or email pacificanscare1982@gmail.com.

PacificansCare.com
P.O. Box 875
Pacifica, California 94044
facebook.com/pacificanscare

Pacificans Care, EIN 77-0004308, an exempt organization permitted by Section 501(c.)(3.) of the Internal Revenue Code

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Leap Into Kindness

A collaboration of Pacificans Care, Pacifica Collaborative, and Sanchez Art Gallery

Save the Date — February 29, 2024, 7-9 pm — to “Leap Into Kindness”, a fun-spirited and inspiring evening where voices will be lifted to sing out for peace, justice, kindness and compassion.  

Mark your calendars and spread the word.  Share about the event to your network via email, social media and old fashioned talking to each other!    

This free event welcomes the community to come together and sing-along to joyful , encouraging and non-political songs.  Don’t fear!  You don’t need to be versed in three-part harmony or part of a chorus.  We’ll be led by some of our talented local singers and musicians with lyrics provided on the big screen.

The sing-along is brought to you under the umbrella of “Art for a More Peaceful and Just Community” a creative collective project of the Pacifica Collaborative (community-based organization partners, school districts, and city) including Sanchez Art Center, and grant-funded by the San Mateo County Arts Commission.  A response to hateful actions and crimes that have occurred in Pacifica and surrounding communities, the grant emphasizes the utilization of arts in all forms to proactively promote tolerance, kindness and compassion.  To paraphrase Bob Marley:  The people who are trying to make the world worse never take a day off.  So why should we?  Let’s come together to light up the darkness.  

When:  Thursday, Feb 29, 2024, Leap Day!  7:00 – 9:00 p,
Where:  Mildred Owen Concert Hall, 1220 Linda Mar Blvd, Pacifica
Community — Singing —Fun — and, Refreshments too!

Pacificans Care has generously sponsored “Leap into Kindness” sing-along and invites everyone to lift ourselves up individually and collectively as a community to affirm positive values.  “Come on, people now.  Smile on your brother.  Everybody get together.  Try to love one another right now.”  (Get Together, The Youngbloods) 

Look forward to seeing you on Thursday, February 29! 

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