Friday, September 25, 2009

A surprising story about state government relations

I just had to share this story because it surprised and delighted me.

I try to find and follow all regulations and requirements. It takes some doing, considering the myriad requirements of city, county, state and federal government. After much research and sifting through conflicting information, I determined that we should have a sellers permit from the Ca Board of Equalization (BOE) because a very small amount of the income (a whopping $57) from our car show is actually taxable. So I went through the application process and got the durned thing right before the car show. Filing is quarterly, so I’ve been waiting for October to file. Meanwhile, I received two letters from the BOE notifying me that they require a $2,000 security deposit.

So I called them up, got to the right person (which was actually easier than I expected) and explained that we have $57 to pay taxes on, meaning that our total tax liability will be about 5 bucks. Therefore a $2,000 security deposit is way out of line and makes it unreasonable for me to comply with the regulations. You can imagine my surprise when the state of California understood my logic, agreed with me and waived the security deposit. They even invited me to call them up when I’m ready to file (about next week) and they will walk me through it the first time. These folks are downright reasonable and sociable!

Just had the share the good story,

Capt. David Bacon
Executive Director,
SOFTIN
dbacon@softininc.org
www.softininc.org

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Seeking the perfect venue for SOFTIN’s next car show fundraiser

After such a rousing and fun car show fundraiser this year, SOFTIN’s Programs Manager, Capt. Tiffany Vague (tvague@softininc.org) is searching for the perfect venue for our next car show fundraiser. We have the date… Sunday, July 25, 2010, so mark your calendars and please plan to join the fun as a visitor or maybe enter your car. We will have a long list of show categories. Entries can be handled with Capt. Tiffany.

The location will probably be in the tri-counties area (Santa Barbara, Ventura or San Luis Obispo counties of California), but we may find a perfect place elsewhere. We expect more cars, more vendors, more fun things for kids to do and fun things for the adults, too. I’m thinking a dance contest might be fun, with music from the 50’s 60’s 70’s, 80’s 90’s and 2k tunes as well.

I hope you will be there!

Capt. David Bacon
Executive Director,
SOFTIN
dbacon@softininc.org
www.softininc.org

Thursday, September 17, 2009

Porpoise and dolphins and other SOFTIN friends

Loud cheers and high excitement fill SOFTIN’s boat with joy whenever porpoise or dolphin are spotted during our educational adventures. This month we are spotting porpoise frequently as they lazily and at times playfully cruise along the coast – often just outside the surf zone – looking for their favorite forage fish. These fun and funny critters remind us of the old Flipper show and our special-needs passengers just love them.

Excitement runs high when common dolphins move inshore to chase bait fish. These high-energy critters swim fast and jump high, much to the delight of SOFTIN adventurers. The best part is when they gather around the bow of the WaveWalker (SOFTIN’s excursion vessel) and ride along with us.

Seals and sea lions are our constant companions around the harbor and we nearly always have a chance to visit them. Sea birds and shore birds are likewise ever-present partners on SOFTIN trips.

High adventure and good times await special-needs friends of SOFTIN. Do you know people with disabilities, impairments, and other special needs? Contact SOFTIN to arrange for an educational adventure they will grow from. Capt. Tiffany Vague organizes our trips. She can be contacted at tvague@softininc.org.

Capt. David Bacon
Executive Director,
Seafaring Opportunities For Those In Need (SOFTIN), Inc.
dbacon@softininc.org
www.softininc.org

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

SOFTIN receives funding from Santa Barbara Yacht Club Women

Santa Barbara Yacht Club Women Foundation donated $1,200 to SOFTIN to fund educational adventures for special-needs kids. SOFTIN will work with collaborating organizations to identify recipients, based upon needs assessment or reward system, who will benefit from learning about the waterfront, various vessel types, ocean-related career opportunities, marine mammals, sea and shore birds, marlinspike seamanship, fishing, marine resource management, water quality management, marine debris prevention and the concept of becoming trusted shipmates.

The rewards of these educational adventures are profound and meaningful and SOFTIN thanks the Santa Barbara Yacht Club Women for making such adventures possible.

Capt. David Bacon
Executive Director,
Seafaring Opportunities For Those In Need (SOFTIN), Inc.
dbacon@softininc.org
www.softininc.org

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Sailboat & Slip donated if SOFTIN can cover expenses

A kind and wonderful couple offered to donate their sailboat (a Cal 25’) and slip to SOFTIN. This allows us to add a significant and powerfully therapeutic service to SOFTIN’s program of providing at-sea educational and self-esteem building experiences to special needs people we serve.

We are thinking that once a passenger works through our curriculum aboard the WaveWalker (our existing service vessel), this allows an option for continuing education and adventure aboard the sailboat. This concept will provide both an incentive and reward for our passengers and give us the opportunity to help them grow and experience another dimension of adventure at sea, first-hand and hands-on. I can just picture their ear-to-ear grins as they haul on ropes, watch the wind fill the sails and feel the power of nature provide momentum.

The challenge facing us (and I hope you will help us with this) is a first year expense of roughly $14,500. Subsequent years will be less costly. The costs of the first year are weighted by slip transfer and other one-time fees. Our deadline for raising the funds is nearly November.

Always for SOFTIN,

Capt. David Bacon
Executive Director,
Seafaring Opportunities For Those In Need (SOFTIN), Inc.
dbacon@softininc.org
www.softininc.org

Thursday, September 3, 2009

Invitation to make good things happen

SOFTIN has the capacity to establish and maintain collaborative relations with additional organizations which provide services to special-needs people. Our list of collaborators is impressive (YMCA, Parents of Special Education, Child Abuse Listening & Mediation, and others) and we have room for more. We invite and encourage contact from potential collaborators so that we can enrich lives by providing at-sea educational adventures.

Please make contacts for us, should you know of someone who works at such an organization. You can make good things happen for some very deserving people. Do you have special needs people in your family or circle of friends? Tell them about us and help them contact us.

Contact Capt. Tiffany Vague at tvague@softininc.org, to explore a collaborative relationship or to schedule educational adventures for special-needs people.

Capt. David Bacon
Executive Director,
SOFTIN, Inc.
www.softininc.org

PS: We do not charge our special needs passengers. Our work is to benefit them.