Sally, visiting dog, playing on bed
April 2023 Guest Dogs
All posts by jah
April 2023 Selfies
With dogs:
At home:
Out and about:
Presentation to Vallejo City Council for Tobacco Retail License
Some of our team poses after our rushed presentation:
City of Vallejo Volunteer Recognition
Got some nice swag and nice words, but most importantly it was a good night to meet other local volunteers. I met some activists I had known from online but only met in person this evening for the first time since I moved here during Covid. It feels great to be recognized for the work that we do! I know a lot of folks in this picture, but you can find Shando and me toward the right.
April 2023 Home Decor
I take our coffee station very seriously! I also think that the balance of what is left on the counter is very important.
In other news, I’ve decided that many nicknacks will constantly be on the move in my home, just to keep things interesting. How they capture light, reflect in the windows, and contribute to the best growth of the live plants is all important, not to mention kinetic items, such as solar-powered bobbleheads.
With the grey cabinetry in a home we bought with a renovated kitchen, I like neon colors that pop on accessories. For example, I recently stole the idea for a retro-style covered toaster from my friend Linda, which I love because it reminds me of a Volkswagon Bug. The electric can opener that is supposed to be neon yellow was kind of a fail, but at least I have a bright red Keurig with some lime green and dark red containers nearby.
More and more I’m also learning to look up and make sure there are things high up to take advantage of having cathedral ceilings. It also helps to keep more valuable things I don’t want the dogs to be too interested in, while still giving people something to look up to, especially with some uplighting that turns on every evening at sunset with the smart plugs.
Tobacco Retail Licenses, and Why Vallejo Needs One
I have the privilege of presenting with a coalition of organizations at the City Council meeting Tuesday night, April 25, about a very important subject that will make a difference for the future of Vallejo youth if we can get it adopted. Last year with the same coalition LGBTQ Minus Tobacco, Bay Area Community Resources and VibeSolano, we successfully got a Smokefree Multi-Unit Housing ordinance passed unanimously.
After Proposition 31 prohibiting the sale of most tobacco flavors in California (including menthol) passed last November, it is important that we give some teeth to the new rules that are designed to protect our youth from access to very addictive nicotine products like cigarettes, cigarillos, vapes, cigars, hookah, etc. It’s shocking how many products every tobacco retailer in Vallejo I visited in January had available. Most alarming was that some of the delivery devices looked like highlighters and USB drives to help youth hide their tobacco consumption from teachers and parents. This is by design.
Some of you know that I’ve been volunteering against Big Tobacco since losing my father when he was fifty due to his smoking, not to mention other family members. I encourage Vallejo residents to speak in favor of a TRL by doing one of the following if you are so inclined.
Here is a fact sheet on TRL’s:
April 2023 Kayaking
Dan Foley Park Lake Chabot in Vallejo with giraffes eating over my shoulder in some of these pictures! This was the first time my friend Steve Guy joined me kayaking.
April 2023 Glen Cove Marina Superbloom
Most of these “rowing” pictures are not even on the boat, but on the way to the whaleboat and back.
31st Birthday for Alexandra
Daughter’s Celebrity-Gram
From Uncle Ruckus of Boondocks fame!