Comment Archives: stories: News & Features: Features
Re: “Bedside Bankroll”
Great article and very informative. As another Eldercare professional, It's highly recommended that families avoid privately hired caregivers as they are often NOT less expensive and expose families to extraordinary risk. I would also suggest interviewing caregiver agencies thoroughly, ask tough questions and for references, and make sure the agency is bonded and insured. Since there is no licensing for Non-medical Homecare in California, it's best for the agency to have a Licensed Clinical Social Worker on staff, that they contract with local government agencies and have a strong trusted reputation in the Senior Care community--one that is much MORE than positive branding, like Visiting Angels for example!
Albert DeSilver, Co-Director of Visiting Angels Senior Homecare for Sonoma and Napa County.
Re: “Bedside Bankroll”
Outstanding article Rachel! As a health care professional, I'm well aware of the need for quality care for the elderly in the privacy and comfort of their own home. It's truly a shame there are people out there only too willing to exploit that need.
Re: “Reaching for the Stars”
I just saw the play today and was so moved and impressed by these actors. The work they put into the performance (using some of their personal experiences) was amazing. We can all learn about overcoming challenges from these wonderful people!
Re: “Bedside Bankroll”
Kudos to Ms. Dovey and the Bohemian for shedding important light on this very important topic. There are many different delivery models for home care services, and each have their positives and negatives. Hopefully, this article will help families decide on the safest and most reliable provider when it comes to finding assistance for their loved ones. Let's keep seniors safe at home.
Mark Winter
Hired Hands Homecare
Re: “Hot Summer Guide 2012”
Don't forget the Mendocino Music Festival, July 7-21! Get away from the heat and come to this beautiful town to hear professional musicians playing classical, jazz, bluegrass, celtic, chamber and more! Go to www.mendocinomusic.org for the full schedule.
Re: “Reaching for the Stars”
A wonderful article about amazing people and a fantastic program. Thank you for taking the time to write about something so positive and worthy of public awareness. I think if we could all heed the lessons of Pin Pin and embrace differences, in all their flavors and colors, we would all be in a better, richer, more exciting place.
Re: “Reaching for the Stars”
Nice article. Can't wait to see the play.
Re: “Reaching for the Stars”
Wonderful article about a great program....truly artists!! Congratulations to everyone! It will be a great show!
Re: “For Richer or for Poorer?”
WE NEED HELP .. There are a group of families (even newborn babies) that have been evicted /and or told "YOUR TIME IS UP-GET OUT" by Homeward Bound of Marin FEC (family emergency center) they put locks on your door and anything they can find along the window sill to block it from opening so you can't get your PERSONAL BELONGINGS out. Maybe a change of clothes, your food, family pictures etc.. (got pictures) This management they have there at FEC is beyond any words I can say, they are mean, rude, discriminate, cut you and your children down, (even go tell your small children grown up things to pass to their parents example "Better tell your mom/dad you ALL have to get out soon-you should be packing not playing with other kids) WOW... Children are/have ben to the hospital due to Bed bugs (FEC protocol catch one put it in a zip-lock bag and show us..) are you joking. Families that are on SSI-we are NOT appropriate for any of their housing. Go to them to say the heater is not working for months Comment is "This is NOT a 5 star motel.."". I could go on lol.. but theres just to much.. Did I mention why the small children have gotten so sick(also my 17 son) called Black Mold on top of thousands of cockroaches.. We are all that tried to tell the management - FEC threw out into the cold. Tell me where the $5.1 million dollars a year is going or ask the management what new cars they have gotten. The program in itself is fantastic - its the people whom run it... Thanks for listening...
Re: “Fruits of Their Labor”
I own the vineyard management company these women work for and I am offended by Gabe Meline's writing because it is not truthful. It is written to form a view of an outcome he wants to achieve, an outcome that is not accurate. We gave this all female crew a chance to pick all the way through harvest. Something more than rare in this industry. We paid them exactly the same as the men for picking. As a crew, they were far more detailed oriented than the male crew, but they picked much slower. During harvest we pay by the lb but have a guaranteed floor rate by the hour. So when you put the two crews side by side, yes the men make more (generally) because they pick more. And they did pick side by side many times. It is also true there is speed difference between our male crews. During the harvest season we actually provided the female crew with extra help carrying their full picking lugs and emptying them into the trailer. We did not do this for the male crews. Based on their speed, the female crew was paid by the hour on many occasions, as were the male crews. Every crew member was given copies of the certified weigh tags. They were given a pay stub that showed the pay by the hour and the pay by weight. We paid them the higher of the two. Finally, the female crew received an end of harvest bonus because they did good work in a tough environment. And I am grateful for that. They also all showed up at our end of harvest party and had a great time and many of them expressed to me their gratitude for allowing them to do this. So, when you read Gabe's writing, you need to know it is not truthful. Ps. These women all have the documents required to work for us. There are strict laws and guidelines and we follow them to the letter of the law.
Re: “For Richer or for Poorer?”
I am in agreement with Bob. For the sake of sounding selfish, I worked hard my entire life saved my money, bought a house and raised a family here in Marin. My children grew up with the knowledge that they probably couldn't ever afford a house here and moved to where they could. I am opposed to the State mandated affordable housing requirements and its basis. The fact that we in Novato are considered an urban area is totally false. This is based upon population rather than density. San Francisco for years has been removing their housing projects and not replacing them. Are we now supposed to build them here?
Re: “A Sense of Place”
I loved the Emma Caites Way. The author's use of setting, history, personal growth and writing style made this one of my favorite books this year! IMO a must-read and I hope to see more from this author. Thanks for the leads on other books.
Re: “For Richer or for Poorer?”
Kathleen!!! CONGRATULATIONS!!! LOVE that you have a home. You look GREAT gal! Hi from me and Bodhi (remember us - Golden Retriever Service Dog and lil ole me ; ) Please get in touch with us if ya can ecologyproduction@gmail.com
ecologyproductions.com
Re: “For Richer or for Poorer?”
Usually jobs, family, friends and church ties us to an area where we want to live. For those that do not work, that is one less tie to the community where they want to live. Yet some folks still want to live in one of the most expensive places in the United States even if they have to cut back on their medicine and food. It seems to me that folks that don't work or are looking for a job would have a better quality of life if they would be willing to relocate to an area where there is a lower cost of living. Housing advocates say folks should be able to live where they want to live even if tax payers have to subsidize them. Well I want to live on the water in Tiburon but I can't find anyone to subsidize me.
Re: “For Richer or for Poorer?”
Rachel,
You article on housing in Marin County is excellent.
Your stories were so impactful.
Congratulations on a job very well done.
Re: “For Richer or for Poorer?”
I so appreciate Kathleen, Terry, Ruth and Curt giving us this personal perspective on the need for reasonably priced homes in Novato and Marin. Marin has a proud tradition of preserving our open space and resisting sprawl. And now as a caring community, we must also continue to provide well designed homes for our seniors, working families and persons living with disabilities.
Re: “For Richer or for Poorer?”
Rachel, thanks for a beautifully presented story. You did justice to the need of senior and disabled housing in Marin County. I challenge people to see this need and be an agent for change. Please join Stand Up for Neighborly Novato or other organizations that represent affordable housing. Thanks again, Rachel, for your compassion and honesty in presenting this article. Kathleen Burkland
Re: “For Richer or for Poorer?”
Rachel - What a great job you did on this story, and we were happy to provide our perspective. There are so many people in need in Marin. I hope that some of the stores who are not yet donating their "spoils" will get in touch with us so we can help them make a difference in this county.
Congratulations again on this excellent article.
This Week's Issue
Re: “Reaching for the Stars”
My sister is one of the crickets. I warn you. The songs get into your head...