The problem is finding a one-bedroom or studio apartment for each of them; after weeks of trying, not one available apartment has been located.

The rent is guaranteed, and these folks will have case managers who oversee every aspect of their return to becoming mainstream functioning members of our community.

They are ready to come in from the cold, but it seems there is no room for them at the inn. If housing is not located, they will fall back through the cracks and funding will be lost.

For those seeking low income Section 8 housing in Santa Clara County, the last time the waiting list was opened up for receiving new names was April 2006. According to the Housing Authority, it is estimated that the waiting list will only reopen for five days once every 8 to 10 years, so this housing opportunity through St. Joseph's Family Center is truly a unique life-changing opportunity for someone in need.

SJFC welcomes Gustavo Alcantar, newly hired employment services coordinator, who already has his nose to the grindstone in his first two weeks on the job with demand by those seeking work at an all-time high.

Dale McAnally sends out a big THANK YOU from the South County Garden Railroaders to our readers for being a "Hero to the Hungry."

Their recent Garden Tour entrance fee was a donation of food to benefit St. Joseph's Family Center and the Community Food Pantry. McAnally says, "We collected three truckloads of food and more than $1,200 in cash to help feed the hungry in our area, and shared our gardens with 400 of our friends and neighbors this year."

If you would like to be added to our invitation list for next year, please e-mail: dalemcanally@verizon.net

Cheryl Huguenor, Coordinator of Live Oak Adult Day Services on Sixth Street, writes to tell me that Live Oak's 15-year anniversary is Oct. 11.

"So we're having a celebration on Friday, the 10th - we're inviting all the families of Live Oak seniors to join us for root beer floats and karaoke singing with professional DJ, 'Kryptonite' Randy. If you need an idea for your column anytime soon, we'd be happy to be mentioned!"

On another musical note, tonight and tomorrow are your final chances to catch Pintello Comedy Theater's current hit musical revue, "Pump Boys and Dinettes." Take a trip to paradise on Highway 57 at the Double Cupp Diner where you'll enjoy eating homemade apple pie at gingham-checked tables. You'll enjoy, "I may be a retread but I ain't no spare," as well as "There's only one kind of fish I chase, the one with a mustache on his face," from "Catfish."

Crowd favorites included "The Night Dolly Parton Was Almost Mine," and "Every Girl Wants a Man With a Farmer Tan." For info, call (408) 776-8004.

Also not to be missed: a couple of great local singers, Ted Sanchez and Donald "Elvis" Prieto are performing at Westside Grill tonight (Sept. 12) from 10 p.m. to midnight. They are fun showmen and will cover a good mix of material.

Ted does a lot of Sinatra/Michael Buble kind of stuff, as well as rock/pop oldies, and even a bit of blues. And

of course, Prieto is Gilroy's Elvis, a man known for his award-winning interpretation of Elvis tunes, as well as his

dedication to serving others in our

community.

Kat Teraji Kat Teraji is communications coordinator for a large non-profit organization that benefits women and children. Her column appears every Thursday in the Take 2 section of the Dispatch. You can reach her at kattoy@verizon.net.