This idea is a response to the story in The Peninsula Beacon on lifeguard towers with ads (“Beaches one step closer to commercialization,” July 29 Beacon, page 1). The beaches in Los Angeles have created a wonderful program called Portraits of Hope, where deserving children are involved in painting lifeguard towers. There are corporate sponsors and their name is shown on a very small portion of the tower (see the Izod example at right). Having ads for soft drinks, bars, restaurants and other products is not a good vibe for our beaches! When you compare our beaches to LA, we have the free parking, the better air, and overall, we have the coast with the most. Let’s find a way to raise the money we need with colorful results.  Our local artists could also have their work on display through a new program.