Kiwanis and Golden State Water Company Donate
San Luis Obispo Food Bank Chief Executive Officer Molly Kern (L) receives a $500 donation from Kiwanis Club of Bay Osos President Deanna Sweeney and the Golden State Water Company.
Photo by Annie Wahler
The Kiwanis Club of Bay-Osos in Los Osos participated in the 33rd annual Operation Gobble, in partnership with Golden State Water Company and the California Water Association. This annual philanthropic event gives back to families with limited resources across California.
San Luis Obispo Food Bank Chief Executive Officer Molly Kern recently accepted a $500 donation made possible by a partnership between the Kiwanis Club and the Golden State Water Company
For more than three decades, the Golden State Water Company has partnered with community leaders to distribute thousands of turkeys and donations to charitable organizations that assist individuals and families with limited resources.
“The cash donation assures the most efficient use of the funds by utilizing the buying power and distribution system of the SLO Food Bank, allowing us more bang for the bucks,” said Kiwanis Program Chair Al Strunk.
The Kiwanis Club of Bay-Osos meets for lunch and informative programs at the Sea Pines Golf Resort in Los Osos on Wednesdays at noon. Visitors are welcome to attend and find out more about Kiwanis.
New Barber in Town
Jon Elliot of Mike’s Barber Shop has a new, home-grown barber on staff, and fellas needing a trim, a shave or cut can book appointments now.
Elliot introduced Joel Liedenger to the City Council at the last meeting, which is broadcast on Charter Cable Channel 20 and streamed on slo-span.org. Liedenger is a Morro Bay local who recently graduated from the San Luis Obispo Barber School and became a licensed barber, Elliot said.
Liedenger will be manning the company’s Northside Mike’s Barber Shop, located at 2300 N. Main St. Clients can book appointments by calling or texting to: 805-772-9316; or online at: mikesbarbershop.com.
Northside Mike’s is open Tuesdays-Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Elliot said his new barber had worked in maintenance for hotels and casinos before barber school, so he should have some pretty good stories to tell.
In the photo, Liedenger stands ready for business at Northside Mike’s Barber Shop. Submitted photo
SLOCOG Transit Survey
Take an online survey about transportation published by the San Luis Obispo Council of Governments.
This analysis report, called the Unmet Transit Needs Assessment, is reviewed by the Social Services Transportation Advisory Council, which provides a recommendation for unmet transit needs findings to the SLOCOG Board of Directors.
The Cambria Chamber of Commerce is encouraging locals to take part in the survey to help workers in the area with transportation.
“Many of our employees here in Cambria come from longer distances for the jobs due to the cost of housing,” wrote Oz Barron said in a Chamber newsletter.
The study, according to SLOCOG, entails a comprehensive needs assessment and a public outreach program and public hearing to obtain testimony on any transit deficiencies that exist. Once the testimony is obtained, it is analyzed to determine if there are any transit needs that meet the adopted criteria for “unmet transit needs” and “reasonable to meet”.
The deadline for the on-line survey is February 14. A public hearing takes place at the Board of Supervisors meeting on Feb. 7 starting at 9 p.m. in the BOS Chambers at 1055 Monterey St. in SLO. Take the survey at slocog.org/programs/public-transportation/transit/unmet-transit-needs
PG&E Dollar Energy Fund
Folks having a difficult time paying their energy bills might find help from the very business they own money to.
Pacific Gas and Electric Company (contributed $55 million to support the Dollar Energy Fund, marking an expansion of the Relief for Energy Assistance through Community Help (REACH) program. The REACH program helps income-eligible families pay their energy bill during a crisis, by providing a bill credit for qualifying customers with unpaid balances to prevent service disconnections.
The infusion of $55 million will be implemented in two phases, the first of which started January 2024. In the first phase, approximately half of the funding will double the maximum amount of financial relief available to California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) enrolled or eligible households from up to $500 to up to $1,000. The temporary shift from traditional REACH assistance guidelines is part of PG&E’s commitment to providing tangible relief for more qualifying customers across its service area.
Information on the program including how to apply is online at dollarenergy.org. The remaining funds will be made available to a larger group of income-eligible customers later in the year, with details released in the coming months.
“This time of year, our customers rely more heavily on energy to heat their homes, which can significantly impact household finances. This historic assistance marks PG&E’s largest contribution to the REACH program, reinforcing our support for customers when they need it most,” said Vincent Davis, Senior Vice President, Customer Experience.
Are you or a neighbor Taking Care of Business. Is your business, including non-profits, supporting our community? Maybe you’re launching a new business, or you’re making updates to your current business model, or re-opening. Perhaps you have a job opportunity, or have been doing some volunteer work, or are collaborating with another business or a non-profit. Or maybe you know someone who is. Submit your awesome local efforts for publication to Editor@EsteroBayNews.com.
