San Salinas Island Tenants

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Beautiful September/People Power

Juliette here. I am one of the core organizers of our rent strike, and I am pleased to announce that we are in our fourth month of #organized #rentstrike. 

When I moved here, I was a charter school teacher looking for cheap rent and access to the mainland. I noticed that a few things were not quite right with how the island is run and the limitations placed upon us by the landlords of this island, but it was not until covid shut down much of our lives that we all came together and decided to do something about it. 

I am so grateful to be part of this community, part of this rentstrike, part of this blog. I look out over the ocean now and feel peaceful thinking about the power of neighborly solidarity and class consicousness, in the midst of these troubled times. 

Peace and solidarity from San Salinas Island <3 

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okay now

This is Marnie. Yes, I get that we have a blog now and we are highlighting our struggle against BAD LANDLORDS. But I don NOT want the NARRATIVE of the island to get twisted into all sunshine and ponies. 

San Salinas Island, like all communities, has it’s share of GOOD AND BAD PEOPLE. I came on here and am reading all about fellowship and yada yada all the fun stuff. But there are many rude people on san salninas island. 

Yesterday at the grocery store I was LAUGHED AT by some teenagers because I could not fit the cart back into the other carts. They are named Nicolas P. and Drew (?). They did not offer to help with the carts and when I said “GENTLEMEN THIS IS NOT A WAY TO ACT TOWARDS ELDERS” they laughed more. 

Anyway. I do not come on here for pity. Just to set the story straight. 

This is not a nice way to treat old people on the island. I have lived here for seven years. about half of these young mens’ life span. Rent striking is good. but do NOT mistake this island community for a bastion of fraternite - it is not that.

Thank you. solidarity. -Marnie 

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sunday on san salinas (debbie is writing this post)

Well here we are another beautiful weekend on San Salinas island. Ofcourse, a goal of this blog is to tell the mainland about our rent strike and unfair landlords. #rentstrike But I said to myself that it would be a shame to not also talk about the beautiful things on San Salinas island. 

This island is special. It is a community. Just one example we have a cat named Mick. No not like the slur, we do not tolerate that kind of thing on San Salinas island. 

Mick is short for mcafee. Nine years ago, a mcafree man from the mainland came to install cyber security for the island. His cat was in his truck, this was back when we were still connected to the mainland by a road. The second the door opened that cat shot out of the car and ran around and around the island befriending many people. the cyber installer said he never had seen the cat so animated and it was clear that the cat belongs on San Salinas island. He has been our cat ever since. He belongs to all of us just like the rent strike is for all of us. 

Thank you for reading and please keep us in your thoughts. Solidarity and a happy weekend from San Salinas Island.

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Oh captain, my captain, Zach!

Hey Everyone!

I'm Toby's English Teacher and if I'd known he was doing this sooner he would've gotten extra credit! What a remarkable kid!

I've been here on the island since the 70s when I moved here with my wife, now EX, Beula. She broke my heart. Beula, if you're out there, I want you to know if I could take everything back I WOULD!

But that's not what I'm here to talk about! I'm here to talk about how much I love our little island. After my bitter divorce, the community really came through for me with nightly ziti deliveries, shoulders to cry on, and ears for listening. They gave me the care Beula never could. What a stone cold bitch! Okay. I gotta stop badmouthing her. My therapist said I need to move past anger at this point because it's been 10 years.

Anyway, the island showed up for me when I needed them the most so it's only right that I join them in our rent strike. I love where I live; and my neighbors and I have each other's backs. I DARE anyone to mess with us.

Thanks for having me on here Tobes!

Solidarity from San Salinas.

Zachary

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blog post - Mervin

yes so I have heard that the island is starting a blog. normallyI am not one to put personal business out in the open for anyone to see. that’s the way I am.

but everyone is excited about this new site. I thought about it, maybe having a blog isn’t a bad idea. we will see. there is certainly a lot to blog about, with the way things are here on san salinas island. 

I would not like to write more personal information about myeself, until I know more about what kind of website this is. but I will say that I am proud to be on RENT STRIKE with other inhabitants of san salinas island. it’s not the kind of thing I would have planned on doing. but there is no other way to fight the unfair conditions of our landlords. 

I will write more about this later. thank you for reading. 

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Hello from Mark!

Hi! I'm Mark, the landscaper and math tutor on the island. I came here in the summer of 95 for a job on the golf course, and then I fell in love with Dr.Tamara! Haven't set foot on the course since which hasn't bothered me but it does feel kind of weird? But anyway! I digress!

I love making our island look beautiful and enriching the young people so that they'll know how to do their taxes some day... ha ha.

I love Toby's idea for this blog! Our island has so much to offer and it's great to see our young people taking pride in where they live. Did I mention Toby is shredding at long division?

Solidarity from San Salinas!

Mark

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Dr. Tamara is in!

Hi! This is Tamara! I'm the Island pediatrician and Toby's doctor. According to HIPPA, I cannot give you an update on his health without his permission but he said I cooouuuld let you all know he's above the 90th percentile in everything. What a champ!

Although I focus on the health of most of our island's kids, I like to see myself as a caregiver to the community. It takes a village to raise a child and a healthy village will raise a child all the way to their dreams.

I love our island and I'm proud to stand in solidarity with my neighbors. We are a strong, healthy community!

#Solidarity from San Salinas 🌠

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Paloma Writing

Hello everyone out there. My name is Paloma and I am an artist and professor. I've lived on the island since '84. I came looking for a quiet place to paint, and the spirit of these bluffs swept me away. 

Since classes at the college where I teach (I value my privacy.) were cancelled, I’ve been able to spend more time getting to know my neighbors. Who knew such a rich tapestry of events was whirling around me all the while I was hunting for inspiration? Silly me. After everything I've learned recently, I'll never have to leave the island for a new subject to paint again. Toby is a plucky young boy. I am thrilled he asked me to write an entry for his log. Solidarity from San Salinas Island. 

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happy friday (from debbie)

Happy friday from beautiful san salinas island. My name is Debbie and I am babysitting toby while his parents visit the mainland for lumber. people on san salinas help each other out. I have lived here since I retired. he said he is starting a blog and I thought my word. 

And then I said, well why not! It’s about time the people on this island got some word out. Things aren’t fair here. I will collect my thoughts and post more later. but for now, I wish you a happy weekend and send #solidarity from san salinas island. 

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Hello. my name is Toby R. and I live on san salinas island in California. I love it here. my whole family lives here. we lived here since I was 8. I am starting a Blog for our island because a lot is going on and I want the wider world to know. I am 11 years old. This is my mom’s computer but she said it is okay if I start a blog, I just can not use pics of myself. Thakn you for reading. solidarity from san salinas island