Hero
We usually wake up in the morning, take a nice hot shower and start our day clean and refreshed. Unfortunately, most homeless people don’t have access to this basic need we take for granted. The Showers program, a new service run by Marin Mobile Care, is working to change that. They bring shower facilities to those in need, with two mobile shower and restroom trailers that travel to different locations throughout the county. Clients of the free service receive shampoo, conditioner, body wash and clean, fresh towels. Good hygiene is the critical first step in finding and keeping a job and place to live, not to mention rediscovering dignity, according to Marin Mobile Care. “It makes me feel re-energized and puts me in a good mood,” said a first-time client. The Showers launched in San Rafael and Novato earlier this year and now operates a pilot program in Sausalito. To schedule a shower, call 415.497.1318.
Zero
The creativity of scammers never ceases to amaze us. Of course, their incessant phone calls annoy us, but now a new con actually brings us face to face with them in parking lots. A Mill Valley woman left Trader Joe’s in Greenbrae and entered her car. A man approached her in a shiny blue truck and explained that her vehicle had body damage. Sure enough, she found damage that wasn’t there earlier in the day. Of course, this chivalrous chap, in an imposing manner, offered to fix it on the spot with his mobile body shop. She hired him to repair it right there in the parking lot. In the moment, it was easy to fall prey to the swindle, but later she realized he caused the damage to begin with. Though she contacted the police with his description, she didn’t have his license plate number. If this charlatan tries to separate you from your money, get as much information as possible and call the authorities. Let’s lock him up.
Got a Hero or a Zero? Please send submissions to [email protected]. Toss roses, hurl stones with more Heroes and Zeroes at pacificsun.com.
