Eligible low-income residents aged 55, older may receive funds for housing
Source: City of La Mesa and Jewish Family Services
March 21, 2025 (La Mesa) – The City of La Mesa and Jewish Family Service of San Diego (JFS) are launching the City’s first-ever Older Adult Rental Assistance Program, assisting seniors aged 55 and older who are at risk of homelessness. The program, operated by JFS, will provide 40 participants with a $500 monthly housing subsidy paid directly to their landlords for 12 months and individualized case management. Applications are being accepted beginning the last week of March. Priority will be given to applications filed by April 4.
According to the UCSF Benioff Homelessness and Housing Initiative, nearly half of unhoused Californians are 50 and older, and more than 41% are experiencing homelessness for the first time in their lives.
"With many seniors on fixed incomes challenged by increasing expenses, this program serves as a vital lifeline,” said La Mesa Mayor Mark Arapostathis. “The program will help rent-burdened older adults in La Mesa maintain housing stability and financial security, allowing them to age in place with dignity.”
Applicants must be 55 and older and reside in the incorporated area of La Mesa with a household income at or below 50% of the city’s median income. They must be currently spending at least half of their income on rent or be at risk of losing their housing. Their landlord must also be willing to participating in the program. Priority will be given to heads of household who are 65 and older and households with incomes at or below 30% of the area median income.
Working closely with the City of La Mesa, JFS will provide monthly case management, creating individualized plans and assessing each participant’s needs at the end of the program.
To apply and learn more, visit www.jfssd.org/our-services/older-adults/la-mesa-older-adult-rental-assistance. Or call (858) 637-3217.
JFS staff are also available to answer questions, help determine eligibility and begin the application process during the following office hours, with appointments required:
- March 24, 1 to 4 p.m.
- March 26, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
- March 27, 4-7 p.m.
Individuals can call 619-667-1322 to reserve a 20-minute appointment. All sessions are hosted at the La Mesa Adult Enrichment Center located at 8450 La Mesa Blvd.
“We look forward to partnering with the City of La Mesa to run the Older Adult Rental Assistance Program. There is a great need for programs like these as studies show the number of older adults accessing homelessness services has more than doubled in the last seven years,” said JFS COO and incoming CEO Dana Toppel. “At JFS, we run a number of programs dedicated to supporting older adults’ health and well-being to assist them as they age in place with dignity. We are looking forward to continuing that mission through this innovative program in La Mesa.”
In addition to JFS’s On the Go rideshare, Fix It home modification, meal delivery, congregate dining and day center programs for older adults throughout San Diego County, the agency operates a privately funded Older Adult Rental Assistance Subsidy Pilot through its Center for Jewish Care. The pilot supports 27 Jewish participants at risk of homelessness with a $360 per month subsidy paid directly to their landlords for 12 months.
About Jewish Family Service of San Diego – Moving Forward Together
Founded in 1918, Jewish Family Service (JFS) is one of San Diego’s most impactful nonprofit agencies – providing resources and support to over 105,000 people every year. Through integrated services, the organization empowers people of all ages, faiths, and backgrounds to overcome challenges, set goals, and build more stable, secure, and connected lives. JFS is committed to helping individuals and families move forward, while developing innovative strategies to break cycles of poverty and strengthen our San Diego community.
East County News Service
March 10, 2025 (San Diego) – The Greater San Diego Association of Realtors (SDAR), San Diego County’s largest trade association for San Diego-area real estate professionals, recently honored California Senator Pro Tem Emeritus Toni Atkins with the “Golden State Private Property Champion Award” for her dedication and significant contributions to protect California’s private property rights for homeowners and renters.
An SDAR resolution presented to Atkins said that Atkins has demonstrated unwavering dedication to the State of California through her extensive public service, notably in the California State Assembly and State Senate.
It said, “Atkins has been a steadfast advocate for housing accessibility and property rights, authoring and championing legislation to expand homeownership opportunities and protect private property.” SDAR noted that Atkins authored Senate Bill 9, the California Housing Opportunity and More Efficiency (HOME) Act, which simplifies the process for homeowners to create duplexes or subdivide properties, which increased housing supply and affordability.
The resolution also said, “Senator Atkins played a pivotal role in the creation of the California Dream for All program, a shared appreciation loan initiative that has enabled thousands of families across California to achieve homeownership. Senator Atkins has consistently supported legislation aimed at protecting consumer rights and enhancing access to affordable housing, thereby strengthening the economic stability and well-being of California residents. Her leadership has been instrumental in addressing California’s housing crisis, promoting fair housing initiatives, and ensuring the protection of consumer and commercial private property rights.”
Atkins was honored at SDAR’s “New Laws and Industry Outlook” conference that featured up-to-date information on new laws and regulations affecting the industry and what to expect just over-the-horizon for real estate. More than 350 people attended the event.
Atkins, a Democrat, is running for governor in 2026 after current Gov. Gavin Newsom hits a term limit. She made history as only the third person in 150 years and the first woman to hold both of the state Legislature’s top jobs, including speaker of the Assembly (2014) and president pro tempore of the Senate (2018-2023). Due to term limits, she left her Senate seat after November 2024. She was the first woman and first openly gay person to lead California’s upper legislative chamber.
Atkins came to California in 1985 to work at a women’s health clinic before getting elected to the San Diego City Council in 2000. In 2005, after former Mayor Dick Murphy’s resignation, her council colleagues elected her deputy mayor to lead the city until voters chose Jerry Sanders as Murphy’s replacement.
East County News Service
March 2, 2025 (Borrego Springs) – The Anza Borrego Desert Natural History Association invites you to the 2025 Borrego Home and Garden Tour on Saturday, March 15 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Explore four special homes in the heart of the desert, at your own pace. Each home showcases unique architecture, landscaping and design elements.
Tickets are available online at www.abdnha.org/gardentour or visit the ABDNHA Desert Nature Center (652 Palm Canyon Drive, (760) 767-3098).
By Miriam Raftery
February 27, 2025 (Rancho San Diego) – Tomatomania returns to the Water Conservation Garden at Cuyamaca College on Friday and Saturday, March 7-8. The free, two-day event celebrates 75-80 incredible varieties of your favorite summer treat—tomatoes. You can purchase tomato plants including some rare varieties, cherished heirlooms and legendary classics—plus get tips from experts on how to grow the most flavorful tomatoes. Hours are 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on March 7 and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on March 8.
Admission to Tomatomania is free, though there is a $25 charge to reserve space in the “Totally Tomato Cooking Demonstration” on March 7 from 12-1 p.m. Garden chef and instructor Nicolai Winkler will showcase tomato soup paired with a fresh tomato Panzanella salad. Class includes a personal portion of soup and salad, take-home recipe and up-close demonstration. REGISTER HEREYou can also sign up for a free workshop titled “That’s Swale” on March 8 from 10-11 a.m. with Eric Saline of Wild Made Design. Soil is the most efficient water storage you can have on your property, and building good healthy soil benefits every level of a garden ecosystem. Before you install plants, rain tanks, and grey water systems, be sure your landscape is designed to handle and harvest as much water as possible – passively. REGISTER HERE
Registration is required for both special classes.
Cuyamaca College is located at 12122 Cuyamaca College Drive, El Cajon, CA 92019. For more information, visit Events at The Garden - The Water Conservation Garden
Bidders must register at sdttc.com by March 6th to participate in auction featuring 640 properties
February 26, 2025 (San Diego) - San Diego County Treasurer-Tax Collector Dan McAllister reminded those interested in participating in the County’s 2025 online property tax auction that bidder registration must be completed by March 6. This year’s auction features more than 600 properties for sale.
“We encourage hopeful bidders to go online and register for the available properties we have in San Diego. It’s our goal to sell every parcel; selling these properties enables us to generate revenue for the county, and helps us provide needed services in our community,” said McAllister.
Anyone around the world can bid during the online property tax auction from March 14-19. To participate, bidders must register before March 6 at the Treasurer-Tax Collector’s tax auction website, sdttc.mytaxsale.com. They must also submit a refundable $1,000 deposit and a non-refundable $35 processing fee (some parcels may require a larger deposit).
It’s important to note that owners of the auctioned properties can avoid going to sale by redeeming their property and paying the taxes and fees owed. They have until 5 p.m. on March 13 to do so. Before the sale, every effort is made to contact the owners of these properties to notify them about the impending sale.
“These properties have been in tax default for five or more years. In accordance with the California Revenue & Taxation Code, it’s time to get the properties back on the tax roll generating revenue for public services. Our online system makes it simple to research and bid on a variety of properties across San Diego County.”
“We have 65 residential or commercial properties, 488 timeshares, and 84 parcels of land for sale. Several timeshares start with a minimum bid of $100. The County stands to bring in $16.3 million in tax revenue if all the properties are sold for the minimum bid,” McAllister continued. “Potential bidders are encouraged to sign up for e-notifications at sdttc.com to receive reminders about important deadlines.”
All sales are final, so this is a buyer beware sale. The TTC recommends beginning the research process on its website.
By Melinda Myers
Photo: rain barrels can help manage the water on your property and provide water to use in your gardens. Photo courtesy melindamyers.com
January 14, 2025 (San Diego’s East County) -- Each gardening season seems to offer new growing challenges. Our gardens are exposed to more drastic and variable weather with changing weather patterns. Floods, droughts, wind, temperature extremes, and unseasonable weather episodes can have immediate and long-term impacts on our plants.
Monitoring and noting these occurrences will help you diagnose immediate and future plant and garden problems. It also reminds us to adjust plant maintenance when these stressors occur and watch for potential insect, disease, and plant decline that may appear in the future.
Create your own weather station with a rain gauge, snow gauge, and high-low thermometer. These gauges monitor the conditions in your backyard as opposed to those reported for nearby locations. Having information from your yard allows you to make any needed adjustments to watering and care to help your plants thrive.
Record significant weather extremes that can negatively impact plant health and longevity. Check with local nature centers, botanical gardens, and extension services for gardening calendars. Many include information on significant weather events in your area. You can then add your observations for future reference. Refer to this information as needed in the future to help diagnose plant problems that may result from these extremes.
Large trees and other established plantings are often overlooked when weather extremes occur. Extended dry periods, temperature extremes and flooding can stress and weaken these plants making them more susceptible to insect pests, diseases, and decline in the coming years.
Always select plants suited to the growing conditions and start watching for those that appear to be more tolerant of extremes. Visit local public gardens and consult with your University Extension specialists and other plant experts when selecting new plants for your gardens.
Adapt your landscape maintenance and design to reduce the negative impact of flooding, drought, and temperature extremes. Protect plant roots from temperature extremes with a layer of organic mulch. Incorporate organic matter into the soil to improve drainage and increase the water-holding ability of fast-draining soils. Cover the soil with plants and mulch to help protect the soil from compaction and erosion during heavy downpours. Healthy soil is the key to growing plants that are better able to tolerate environmental stresses.
Manage water that falls on your property. Check with your local municipality for any restrictions or support for these efforts. Create rain gardens to capture, clean and direct rainfall to groundwater to help manage water where it falls. These also support pollinators and provide added beauty to your landscape. Enlist the help of rain barrels, if permitted, to capture rainwater to use on ornamental plantings and containers when needed.
Take this interest one step further and volunteer to be part of a network of volunteer weather watchers. The Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network (CoCoRaHS) is a non-profit community-based network of volunteers that provides daily measurements of rain, hail, and snow that fall in their backyards.
The goal of the Network is to provide more localized weather information to scientists, researchers, resource managers, decision makers and more. The data is used for natural resource, educational and research applications.
Weather watching is a great project for the family or classroom. It helps boost gardening success while increasing our awareness and knowledge of what’s happening around us.
Melinda Myers has written over 20 gardening books, including Midwest Gardener’s Handbook, Revised Edition, and Small Space Gardening. She hosts The Great Courses “How to Grow Anything” instant video and DVD series and the nationally syndicated Melinda’s Garden Moment radio program. Myers is a columnist and contributing editor for Birds & Blooms magazine. Myers’ website is www.MelindaMyers.com.
Drop-off locations and curbside pickup info for all San Diego County residents
Source: I Love a Clean San Diego
Image: CC via Bing
December 14, 2024 (San Diego) -- Did you know a Christmas tree can take hundreds of years to decompose in a landfill due to lack of oxygen? San Diego residents can help prevent waste and save landfill space by transforming their old Christmas trees into nutrient-rich compost or mulch.
The County of San Diego and I Love a Clean San Diego make it easy for residents to recycle their real Christmas trees by compiling a list of drop-off locations and instructions for curbside pick-up. The countywide recycling resource, WasteFreeSD.org, hosts the 2024/2025 Christmas Tree Recycling Guide with listings for curbside and drop-off locations.
When Christmas trees are recycled, they embark on a new journey that benefits the environment and the community. Through processes like mulching or composting, these trees are broken down into valuable organic material that enriches soil with essential nutrients. This process not only reduces the amount of waste sent to landfills but also plays a crucial role in lowering greenhouse gas emissions, as decomposing organic waste in landfills produces methane, a potent contributor to climate change.
According to the EPA, organic materials like Christmas trees, food, and yard waste are the number one material sent to landfills, composing two-thirds of the solid waste stream. By giving Christmas trees a second life through recycling, San Diego residents can contribute to a sustainable celebration of the holidays.
Christmas Tree Recycling Tips
- Do not flock or purchase flocked trees. Fake snow (flock) contains chemicals that interfere with the composting process
- If you choose to use tinsel, it must be completely removed (and placed in the trash) from your tree before it can be recycled.
- Make sure to remove all ornaments, garland, lights, nails, tree bags, and tree stands (metal or plastic) before recycling.
- For areas where curbside tree recycling is available, trees taller than four feet should be cut in half.
- Reuse or donate artificial trees that are in good condition.
- Do not let real trees sit around too long after the holidays. They can dry out and become fire hazards.
- Natural wreaths and similar decorations can be recycled with trees.
How to Compost Your Christmas Tree
Many local waste haulers offer curbside pick-up of Christmas trees and wreaths, in addition to dozens of community drop-off sites. Collected Christmas trees are mulched or composted, which is then used to improve soil health at public parks, local farms, and home landscapes and gardens. Visit WasteFreeSD.org for a list of drop-off locations and communities with curbside pickup.
About I Love a Clean San Diego
Founded in 1954, I Love a Clean San Diego is an environmental nonprofit supporting residents and businesses of San Diego County through youth and adult education, and local action through impactful volunteer events and workshops. For more information, to volunteer or donate, visit CleanSD.org. Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram , and LinkedIn.
East County News Service
January 17, 2025 (San Diego) - Does your home need a design refresh or a whole makeover? Are you curious about working with a professional interior designer but don’t know where to start? The American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) San Diego Chapter offers affordable in-home design advice during Winter Spruce Up. The program runs from February through March and provides in-home design consultations that give consumers an easy, affordable, no-stress introduction to working with a designer.
For a $115 donation to ASID, a consumer can consult for an hour with a professional interior designer in their own home,” said event chair Shannon Rice, ASID. The fee supports the ASID chapter programs; the designer donates their time.
Rice explains the designer can help with any design question. Examples include furniture placement and design, color selection, window treatments, aging in place, media rooms, kitchen and bath remodels, outdoor kitchens and patios, and multi-generational living.
ASID will pair consumers with the ideal professional based on their individual needs and geographic location.
“Professional design guidance is not a luxury,” said Rice. “Designers can help minimize costs by eliminating costly mistakes and getting the most value for the money you invest in your home.”
As Dara Hensley, a former Spruce Up client, said, “The ASID Spruce-Up program provided an interior designer’s excellent eye and expertise to unclutter, update, and freshen my home. Per her suggestions, which were given in a kind and focused way, I moved a lot of art to a stylish effect, removed unnecessary decor, and moved towards greater spaciousness. ASID Spruce Up afforded inspiration and uplift—greatly appreciated!”
Pre-paid appointments can be arranged at convenient times throughout February and March throughout San Diego County. To arrange a consultation, visit “2025 Winter Spruce Up” on Eventbrite. For additional information, contact ASID through Eventbrite or email administrator@casd.asid.org.
The full Eventbrite Link is: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2025-winter-spruce-up-tickets-1125735748929?aff=oddtdtcreator
ABOUT ASID
The American Society of Interior Designers believes that design impacts lives. Through its programs, networks, and advocacy, ASID serves all those in the interior design profession and practice. This support extends to their membership, encompassing practitioners of all levels of training across all sectors of design, including Affiliate Members and Partners, to represent all contributors to the built environment. ASID thrives on the strength of cross-functional and interdisciplinary relationships among designers of all specialties, including workplace, healthcare, retail and hospitality, education, institutional, and residential. As a leader in shared conversations around topics that matter in design, from evidence-based and human-centric design to social responsibility, well-being, and sustainability, ASID showcases the impact of design on the human experience and the value interior designers provide.
In 2025, ASID celebrates a legacy of 50 years of leadership in design, with an ongoing commitment to broadening the impact for the future of design in the places we live, work, play, and heal. Learn more at asid.org.
By Melinda Myers
Photo: rain barrels can help manage the water on your property and provide water to use in your gardens. Photo courtesy melindamyers.com
January 14, 2025 (San Diego’s East County) -- Each gardening season seems to offer new growing challenges. Our gardens are exposed to more drastic and variable weather with changing weather patterns. Floods, droughts, wind, temperature extremes, and unseasonable weather episodes can have immediate and long-term impacts on our plants.
Monitoring and noting these occurrences will help you diagnose immediate and future plant and garden problems. It also reminds us to adjust plant maintenance when these stressors occur and watch for potential insect, disease, and plant decline that may appear in the future.
Create your own weather station with a rain gauge, snow gauge, and high-low thermometer. These gauges monitor the conditions in your backyard as opposed to those reported for nearby locations. Having information from your yard allows you to make any needed adjustments to watering and care to help your plants thrive.
Record significant weather extremes that can negatively impact plant health and longevity. Check with local nature centers, botanical gardens, and extension services for gardening calendars. Many include information on significant weather events in your area. You can then add your observations for future reference. Refer to this information as needed in the future to help diagnose plant problems that may result from these extremes.
Large trees and other established plantings are often overlooked when weather extremes occur. Extended dry periods, temperature extremes and flooding can stress and weaken these plants making them more susceptible to insect pests, diseases, and decline in the coming years.
Always select plants suited to the growing conditions and start watching for those that appear to be more tolerant of extremes. Visit local public gardens and consult with your University Extension specialists and other plant experts when selecting new plants for your gardens.
Adapt your landscape maintenance and design to reduce the negative impact of flooding, drought, and temperature extremes. Protect plant roots from temperature extremes with a layer of organic mulch. Incorporate organic matter into the soil to improve drainage and increase the water-holding ability of fast-draining soils. Cover the soil with plants and mulch to help protect the soil from compaction and erosion during heavy downpours. Healthy soil is the key to growing plants that are better able to tolerate environmental stresses.
Manage water that falls on your property. Check with your local municipality for any restrictions or support for these efforts. Create rain gardens to capture, clean and direct rainfall to groundwater to help manage water where it falls. These also support pollinators and provide added beauty to your landscape. Enlist the help of rain barrels, if permitted, to capture rainwater to use on ornamental plantings and containers when needed.
Take this interest one step further and volunteer to be part of a network of volunteer weather watchers. The Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network (CoCoRaHS) is a non-profit community-based network of volunteers that provides daily measurements of rain, hail, and snow that fall in their backyards.
The goal of the Network is to provide more localized weather information to scientists, researchers, resource managers, decision makers and more. The data is used for natural resource, educational and research applications.
Weather watching is a great project for the family or classroom. It helps boost gardening success while increasing our awareness and knowledge of what’s happening around us.
Melinda Myers has written over 20 gardening books, including Midwest Gardener’s Handbook, Revised Edition, and Small Space Gardening. She hosts The Great Courses “How to Grow Anything” instant video and DVD series and the nationally syndicated Melinda’s Garden Moment radio program. Myers is a columnist and contributing editor for Birds & Blooms magazine. Myers’ website is www.MelindaMyers.com.