The Coast News
VISTA, SAN MARCOS, ESCONDIDO
VOL. 11, N0. 2
Jan. 19, 2024
SMUSD sees enrollment woes ahead
Man charged with abusing teen drivers Ex-driving teacher faces 33 sex counts
State funding loss could drain district’s reserves
By City News Service
VISTA — A driving instructor accused of molesting and secretly filming multiple female students, most of whom were underage, pleaded not guilty Jan. 16 to nearly three dozen felony and misdemeanor charges. Richard Joseph Banks, 50, of Escondido, is accused of sexually abusing female students during driving lessons, as well as “using secret cameras hidden in the instructional car to record his students’ BANKS private areas,” according to the San Diego Police Department. At the time of the purported offenses, Banks was an instructor with El Cajon-based American Driving School, according to San Diego police, who are involved in the case because one of the alleged crimes occurred within their jurisdiction, according to SDPD Capt. Mike Holden. All but one of the 11 victims listed in a criminal complaint were underage at the time of the alleged offenses, according to Deputy District Attorney Casey French. The complaint states the alleged crimes occurred between April and November of last year. Banks was booked into county jail last week. He faces up to 18 years and six months in state prison if convicted of all 33 charges he faces, which include counts of child molestation, sexual battery and possession of child pornography. He remains jailed without bail but a hearing was scheduled for Friday to re-examine his bail status. American Driving TURN TO DRIVERS ON 3
By Laura Place
FACULTY MEMBERS and their families picket outside Sacramento State University in December. A systemwide strike of all CSU campuses, including Cal State San Marcos and San Diego State University, will commence on Monday to protest unsuccessful contract negotiations. Story on 3. Courtesy photo/Californis Faculty Association
Hearing held in double-fatal crash By Laura Place
VISTA — A man accused of killing a San Marcos mother and daughter in a suspected DUI crash on Interstate 15 near Fallbrook last spring appeared in court for a preliminary exam on Wednesday. Erick Arambula, 24, of Oceanside was charged with seven felonies, including gross vehicular manslaughter and driving under the influence causing great bodily injury, after crashing head-on into a Kia carrying Courteney Taylor, 29, and her fouryear-old daughter Amaya,
on April 23, 2023. Neither the mother or daughter survived. The Silverado also struck the front end of a white Tesla carrying three passengers, causing minor injuries. A preARAMBULA liminary exam is typically held prior to a trial to hear testimony and review evidence. Several witnesses, including California Highway Patrol officers and a California
Department of Fish and Wildlife officer who were on scene the day of the crash, were called to testify in Vista Superior Court by Deputy District Attorney David Uyar. Five members of the Taylor family were present in the courtroom, all wearing shirts featuring photos of Courteney and Amaya and the phrase “never forgotten.” Fish and Wildlife warden Mario Noriega testified that on the afternoon of April 23, he saw a Toyota Silverado, whose driver was later identified as Ar-
ambula, run through a red light on Old Highway 395, which he pursued with his lights on for about 20 seconds until he stopped due to the dangerous rate of speed. Noriega said the Silverado did not yield or slow down, and then crashed into a fence on the side of the 395, which runs alongside and above I-15, creating a cloud of dust. The officer parked in the area and exited his vehicle, and saw the Silverado down the hill on the 15, turned upside TURN TO HEARING ON 5
Board game fans gather
New play area is all-inclusive
Hundreds of enthusiasts attended the ninth annual EsCon Gaming Convention in Escondido, a three-day event featuring unique and trending board games.
Kiwanis Club dedicates playground along the lakefront at Dixon Lake, the first ADA-compliant facility in Escondido and one of the few in San Diego County.
Story on 7
Story on 15
SAN MARCOS — Leaders in the San Marcos Unified School District are bracing for continued financial challenges in the coming years due to ongoing declining enrollment and will be relying on the current buildup of reserves to weather the storm. Like most districts in California, San Marcos Unified has seen a steady decline in students since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, losing around 1,100 students in the 2020-21 school year and around 240 more in the past two years. Because state funding is calculated based on average daily attendance, or ADA, using a three-year average, the loss of students year-over-year also results in a drastic loss of funding. Looking ahead, state funding for San Marcos Unified will be based on an ADA of around 18,300 students in 2024-25, which leaders say is a major drop from the figure of just over 19,000 students this year. Previously, the ADA was based on pre-pandemic numbers, which kept the average higher. “It costs more money to open our school doors next year even if we do everything exactly the same,” Erin Garcia, assistant superintendent of business services for San Marcos Unified, told the district board at their Dec. 14 meeting. “The main reason why this is happening is because our revenues are dropping and our expenditures continue to increase or stay steady as we move out.” Based on current trends, district leaders predict that San Marcos Unified will lose another 100 students in each of the next two school years. San Marcos Unified was previously considered at risk for
SMUSD is expected to lose 100 students in each of the next two school years.
TURN TO ENROLLMENT ON 5
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CSUSM faculty joining CSU strike By Laura Place
DR. BILL STACY, founding president of Cal State San Marcos, is shown in an undated photo. Stacy, who served as school president from 1989 to 1997, died Jan. 4 at age 85. Courtesy photo/CSUSM
CSUSM founding president dies By Laura Place
SAN MARCOS — Nearly 34 years after the opening of Cal State San Marcos, university leaders are mourning the loss of the school’s founding president, who passed away earlier this month. Dr. Bill Stacy, who served as CSUSM president from 1989 to 1997, died on Jan. 4 in Cape Girardeau, Mo., following a lengthy illness, according to the university. He was 85. In his first year as president, Stacy was tasked with hiring the university’s founding staff and laying the groundwork for the school’s programs and campus. Now enrolling over
16,000 students, the university opened in 1990 with around a dozen faculty members, nine majors and under 450 students. A t the time, CSUSM was the country’s first new STACY state university in over two decades. Ellen Neufeldt, CSUSM’s current and fourth president, shared her admiration for Stacy and sympathy for his family. When Neufeldt was named president in 2019, she said Stacy was one of her first phone calls. “Dr. Stacy’s inspiring leadership as the first
president of CSUSM paved the way for the university we are today — a model of student success, academic excellence and exemplary community engagement,” Neufeldt said. “I’m grateful for his vital contributions to our university and extend my deepest condolences to the Stacy family on behalf of everyone at CSUSM.” Originally from Bristol, Tenn., Stacy earned his bachelor’s degree in speech communication from Southeast Missouri State, which he attended on a football scholarship. After graduating, he returned to teach at his alma mater and led its change in designation from a college to a university. He was then named the first dean of its graduate
school. Simultaneously, Stacy earned his master’s and then his doctorate from Southern Illinois University. He also served as president of Southeast Missouri State from 1979 to 1989 before joining and founding CSUSM. After departing in 1999, Stacy was chancellor of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga until 2004 and headmaster of the Baylor School in Chattanooga until 2009. Stacy is survived by his wife of 34 years, Dr. Sue Stacy, who has taught at several institutions, including MiraCosta College, as well as his three children, five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Man gets 130 years for ’99 Escondido rape By City News Service
VISTA — A man convicted of abducting and raping a 19-year-old woman in Escondido nearly 25 years ago was sentenced Jan. 4 to 130 years to life in state prison. Mark Thompson Hunter, 66, was found guilty by a Vista jury of seven felony counts stemming from the Feb. 17, 1999, kidnapping and rape of the victim. According to the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office, DNA evidence collected at the time did not match anyone in a statewide offender database, but genealogy DNA technology later linked the DNA to Hunter. He was living in the Riverside County city of Hemet when he was arrested in 2021, prosecutors said. The D.A.’s Office said
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School’s owner, Daniel Tackett, said in a statement that Banks passed a background check before he was hired. Prosecutors said Tuesday that he does not have any
Hunter, who was 41 years old at the time, approached the victim at a gas station on the night of Feb. 17 and asked her for directions. She then agreed to have him follow her car to the location he was looking for and during the drive, he waved her into a parking lot near Valley Parkway and Fig Street. There, prosecutors say he pulled her into a van, drove to a dead end street and raped her. “The victim was 19 years old when she was brutally attacked by this defendant and put through a nightmare scenario,’’ said San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan. “Justice was delayed, but thanks to investigators at the FBI, sheriff’s Crime Lab, Escondido Police Department and District Attorney’s Office, who lever-
aged the power of modern DNA and never gave up, this rapist is now being held accountable for his crimes.’’
VISTA — A San Marcos man who beat his mother to death with a hammer, then set himself on fire inside a car where he’d concealed her body, was sentenced Jan. 10 to 31 years to life in state prison. Sean Devin McCarthy, 32, pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and burglary charges in the June 8, 2021, slaying of 68-year-old Denise McCarthy. Prosecutors say McCarthy broke into his parents’ home on El Toro Lane and attacked his mother after his father had left the home to go to work. After killing the victim,
he put her body in the trunk of her car, drove to Escondido, then set himself on fire while still inside the vehicle, according to the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office. Police and fire personnel found the car ablaze on Foothill View Place. McCarthy was rescued by fire personnel and taken to a hospital burn ward with serious injuries that the DA’s Office said have left him permanently disabled. “This is a horrific case of murder and elder abuse that affects an entire family and the community in which the parents lived,” District Attorney Summer Stephan said in a statement. “When a life is taken by a family member, nothing can make the family whole again, but today’s sentence provides a measure of justice for the defendant.”
prior criminal history in San Diego County. Tackett said, “We were shocked by the allegations against Joe. His actions are his alone, and they violate the trust and policies of our company and those of the DMV regarding inappro-
priate behavior. He hasn’t taught any students after SDPD notified us of their investigation. We’ve always encouraged parents to ride on the lessons for observation of our teaching methods.” San Diego police said anyone who believes they
might be a victim was advised to call police and speak with investigators. Anyone with information was asked to contact SDPD’s Northeastern Division at 858-538-8026 or Crime Stoppers at 888-5808477.
Man gets 31 years for killing his mother
SAN MARCOS — Faculty at Cal State San Marcos and San Diego State University will join their colleagues at other California State University campuses in a strike planned for next week. The California Faculty Association, which represents 29,000 employees, including instructional faculty, librarians, counselors, and coaches, across 23 campuses, called for the system-wide strike last month following unsuccessful contract negotiations with CSU management. The five-day action is planned from Jan. 22 to Jan. 26. Negotiations have stalled around four specific articles related to salaries, health and safety, paid leave, and benefits. CSU has offered faculty a 5% raise set to take effect Jan. 31, while CFA has pushed for a 12% salary increase for its members. “Our members refuse to give in to what they know is beneath their worth,” said Charles Toombs, CFA President and professor of Africana Studies at SDSU. “Unlike management, we are unwilling to be complicit in the harming of our colleagues, students, and staff. Our commitment to one another is unshakeable.” CSU management said they respect the rights of their employees to strike and will plan to minimize any disruptions on their campuses. “The CSU respects the rights of the CFA to engage in strike activity and takes seriously any such planned union action. CSU will continue to meet its educational commitment to students. All CSU campuses will remain open during a strike to serve students and have contingency plans in place to maintain university operations,” the university system said in a statement. At Cal State San Marcos, university spokesperson Brian Hiro said all student services and resources will continue as planned. The strike is not anticipated to have an impact on students’ ability to complete their courses or graduate on time. “It is important to note that CSUSM has not canceled classes during this period and does not intend to cancel any classes. However, individual faculty members may decide to strike that week, which could result in individual classes being canceled,” Hiro said. “As we respect the faculty’s right to exercise their right to strike, CSUSM is dedicated to ensuring continuity in education and minimizing disruptions for our student community.” Along with the requested 12% salary increase, CFA is pushing for
a semester’s worth of paid parental leave, more counselors to support students, the addition of gender-inclusive bathrooms and lactation spaces on campus, and commitments to protecting faculty rights during interactions with campus police. These conditions are crucial to Dr. Sharon
The 5-day action is set to start on Monday, the first day of spring semester classes at CSUSM. Elise, a 20-year sociology professor at CSUSM who serves as a CFA bargaining team member as well as a chapter representative and chair for the CFA Council on Racial and Social Justice. “Our slogan this year was rights, respect and justice. We want that for all our faculty,” Elise said. “We’re not just bargaining for economic positions; we’re really bargaining for social conditions for faculty. We really believe our social conditions are mirrored in student conditions.” Currently, the floor for the lowest-paid lecturer is around $55,000, which Elise said is not enough to support a family. CFA’s salary demands also include raising the base salary to be closer to $64,000. The university system has defended its offer for a 5% raise that will be in effect for two years in a row, stating that it is consistent with the terms negotiated with five other unions. CFA members were also angered to discover that the new CSU chancellor, Mildred García, receives a salary of just under $1 million. For paid parental leave, faculty are demanding that the currently offered six weeks be increased to an entire 15week semester. According to Elise, CSU management has countered with an offer of eight weeks. While relations with management on the San Marcos campus are generally cordial, Elise said larger CSU management has communicated a strong disdain for faculty in the bargaining process, which is part of why she said a strike is necessary. “I believe they don’t appreciate how aggrieved faculty feel,” Elise said. “This is not what we would expect from the people who are nurturing the largest education system in the country… It has to be nurtured, it has to be resourced, and trying to skin it down to bare bones is not serving the students.”
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High-speed train to bankruptcy
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By David Ditch
n Dec. 8, the federal government made two seemingly disconnected but inexorably linked announcements that do not bode well for America’s future. First, the Department of Transportation hyped an $8.2 billion grant for passenger rail projects. Second, the Congressional Budget Office revealed that the federal government racked up a $383 billion deficit in just the first two months of FY 2024, with interest payments increasing by a shocking 65 percent year-over-year. Washington’s continued refusal to rein in wasteful and unnecessary deficit spending has led to an unfocused, unaccountable and increasingly unaffordable federal government that threatens to derail the economy. To see why, start with the rail money—the bulk of which will go to California. The state’s High-Speed Rail Authority will receive $3.1 billion to continue its singularly awful 520-mile boondoggle from San Francisco to Los Angeles. Following its initial approval in a 2008 referendum, the project has racked up an impressive list of failures over the course of 15 years, including an increase in the estimated cost from $33 billion to over $128 billion; a delay in the estimated completion date from 2020 to at least 2033; and a 2022 New York Times expose revealing many details of California’s staggering incompetence and overregulation. While the project has been beset with then-unforeseen problems, it was primarily undermined by fundamental flaws that
should have doomed it from the beginning. “Should have” because unfortunately both California and the federal government refuse to let this boondoggle die. Even with Washington’s latest $3.1 billion injection, the project needs an additional $7 billion just to complete its initial 117-mile segment from Merced to Bakersfield. Each additional dollar spent makes the project increasingly resistant to criticism or elimination, as the sunk-cost fallacy ensures that politicians will feel obligated to see it through to the bitter end. The Biden administration is also gambling $3 billion on a high-speed rail line connecting Los Angeles and Las Vegas, spearheaded by the Brightline corporation. Brightline, known for its privately funded service in Florida, recently opened its high-speed line from Miami to Orlando. The project’s relatively smooth construction and more reasonable cost put it in strong contrast with the ongoing debacle in California. However, success in Florida does not guarantee a similar outcome for the L.A.to-Vegas venture. Mountainous western terrain alone will add complexity and costs not seen in the Sunshine State. Add in mountainous bureaucratic and legal burdens from California’s Environmental Quality Act, along with assorted cost-increasing mandates that come from accepting federal funding, and Brightline’s plans could go up in smoke. The Biden administration’s total $8.2 billion rail “investment” flows from the 2021 infrastructure pack-
age, which was riddled with budget gimmicks and slush funds from the start and looks even worse with the implementation. The infrastructure bill was part of an unprecedented $7.5 trillion spending spree from 2020 to ’22. This deficit-fueled bender was a key factor behind the ongoing surge of inflation and, in turn, can be blamed for the recent interest rate spike. Every dollar wasted on political pork, fraud and poorly considered infrastructure makes the country’s fiscal situation even worse. America’s $33.8 trillion gross national debt is the result of Washington’s failure to properly budget and prioritize federal activity over the course of decades, although half of the total has been added since October 2013. The Congressional Budget Office report helps to underline the near-term severity of the problem. Due to the interest rate jump, net federal interest payments rose 65% in October and November compared to the year before. Interest payments could eclipse defense spending as early as this year and help drive deficits to unsustainable levels. Coupled with over $75 trillion in unfunded liabilities for Social Security and Medicare, the U.S. government’s finances pose a tremendous threat to the country’s economic prospects. One small step in the right direction would be for Washington to stop bilking taxpayers for the sake of rail projects that might never be completed, let alone come close to being worth the cost. David Ditch is a senior policy analyst at The Heritage Foundation.
ne of the more interesting statements in a recent news story about the just-arrived $34.50 per month increase in the average household bill came from California’s largest utility, Pacific Gas & Electric, from Carla Peterman, a top PG&E executive. The money PG&E (soon to be matched by its south state counterparts Southern California Edison, Southern California Gas and San Diego Gas & Electric) will receive in this new $414 per year average levy on each PG&E customer will be used to make the electric system safer and more renewable, Peterman claimed. That’s pious talk typical of major utility executives, who usually take home high six-figure salaries and have never been held personally accountable for their professional actions and failings. One example: When PG&E was criminally convicted and fined hundreds of millions for causing multi-fatal disasters like a natural gas explosion and the wildfire destruction of virtually an entire town, no executive suffered any legal consequence. No one has even asked executives to speak under oath about why they didn’t make their system safer long before the many disasters of the last seven years. Peterman, it turns out, has had a major role in all this. Now executive vice president and a major spokeswoman for PG&E, she was not long ago one of the five state regulators who consistently neglected to hold utility executives responsible for their actions. Was this part of a plan or a deal? From December 2012 until December 2018, Peterman was one of the virtually untouchable members of the California Public Utilities Commission, holding an appointive job where she could not be fired, not even by the governor who put her there, Jerry Brown. This sequence leads to questions about whose interests Peterman really pursued while a utility regulator — those of the mass of Californians who are utility customers or those of the utility company whose ranks she would later join. There could also be
california focus
tom elias
reasonable questions about whether her votes on the commission were motivated at least in part by promises of a high-paying future job. No one but Peterman and the folks who put her where she now is can know for sure about that. But if she had held a federal regulatory job with policy-making power similar to the post she occupied for six years, she at least could not have joined any company under her old job’s purview until five years after leaving the government post. Peterman is not unique. A similar apparent conflict of interest exists for Michael Peevey, a former president of SoCal Edison, all 14 years he was a PUC member, serving as its its president most of that time before resigning in disgrace in 2014. Peevey was implicated in an apparent conspiracy with Edison executives over whether customers or the company would pay most costs of the Edison blunder that wrecked the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station. These are just a couple of examples of the kind of conflicts of interest spawned by a system where the five PUC commissioners are essentially immune from public pressure during their terms. There has often been speculation about whether some had secret understandings with regulated companies involving high-paying positions in exchange for favors done. What’s known right now is that as PG&E bills begin arriving in the mailboxes and computers of both private customers and businesses of all sizes, costs for everything from food to roofing to appliances will rise. If that’s not a loud call for state legislators to take action to preclude future conflicts of interest, it’s hard to see what could be. Email Thomas Elias at tdelias@aol.com.
California must prioritize residents over migrants
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By Jim Desmond
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Jan. 19, 2024
gainst numerous challenges in California with a staggering homeless population, the highest gas prices in the country, exorbitant utility costs, crumbling infrastructure, while facing a $68 billion budget deficit, the decision for free health insurance to undocumented immigrants paid
for with taxpayer dollars is unfathomable. California is in crisis mode, grappling with a myriad of issues, and instead of addressing the urgent needs of our residents, state politicians are choosing to prioritize non-citizens. This decision is not only incomprehensible but also a blatant disregard for the hardworking people of Cal-
ifornia. Locally, the impact is unsustainable, with over 65,000 migrants entering our county in the past three months. The County of San Diego is expending over $1 million per month on migrant services from local tax dollars earmarked for housing and homelessness. Our local resources are meant
to address our community’s needs, not fund services for those who have just entered our country. If the federal government chooses to allow migrants into our country, they should foot the bill. Not our residents. We have never seen anything like this at our border before, and the federal government is nowhere to be found.
If the State of California had any common sense, it would halt the free health insurance program for undocumented immigrants and refocus on the pressing needs of Californians. It’s time to prioritize our residents first. Jim Desmond represents District 5 on the Board of Supervisors.
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Jan. 19, 2024
Operator chosen for Vista, Encinitas shelter By Laura Place
VISTA — City leaders have selected a homeless services provider to operate a non-congregate shelter that will serve both Vista and Encinitas residents, with an anticipated opening date in early March. The agreement with Retread, Inc., approved unanimously by the Vista City Council on Jan. 9, is one of the last major steps toward opening the 48-bed Buena Creek Navigation Center along South Santa Fe Avenue. Prior to this, Vista and Encinitas leaders entered into a memorandum of understanding regarding the planned site and saw the approval of a master lease with the property landlord. Retread was selected as the operator during a request for proposal process that began in September. The Buena Creek Navigation Center, or BCNC, is planned to host 250 clients per year, including 190 from Vista and 60 from Encinitas via a 75%-25% split. Clients can stay as long as 120 days, but many are expected to be able to exit the center earlier with the needed support. As a low-barrier shelter, a service that is lacking in the region, Buena Creek will not
TWO BUILDINGS along South Santa Fe Avenue in Vista are slated to become a non-congregate shelter co-leased by the cities of Vista and Encinitas. Photo by Laura Place
require clients to be sober in order to be admitted, but the use of illegal drugs on site will be prohibited. “We will just try to get as many people into this low-barrier shelter as possible. We have assembled a staff that really, really cares about the homeless, and really, really care about people,” Retread CEO Hannah Gailey said. The shelter is funded for a three-year period by $5 million in state funds netted by State Sen. Catherine Blakespear (D-Encinitas). BCNC clients will be in
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two-person rooms with their own bed, dresser, nightstand and locking storage. They will also receive hygiene kits, three daily meals, and laundry services, and will also be able to bring their pets and their partner if needed. The shelter will be staffed each day by five employees living onsite, two navigation coaches who will be supervising the two buildings, and one individual monitoring CCTV camera footage, and one on-call security officer living onsite. Three full-time case managers will also meet
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down and near two vehicles with front end damage. “I went back to my patrol vehicle and I got my medical bag, because I saw a huge commotion down there,” Noriega said. The vehicle was going over 100 mph at the time of the crash, officers said. Defense Attorney Laurel Harris noted that no alcohol or stimulants were detected in Arambula’s system. However, toxicology run on blood samples did detect marijuana, according to CHP Detective Ryan Nilsen. Several CHP officers said they also responded to the scene after the collision. Officer Alexander Smith became emotional on the stand when describing the child who was pulled from the vehicle, later identified as Amaya Taylor. Smith and other officers testified that they were unsuccessful in performing life-saving measures on Amaya, and that Courteney Taylor was pronounced dead at the scene by the fire department. She was trapped in the vehicle and unable to be immediately extricated. At the scene, officers said Arambula was conscious and receiving medical aid but not responding to questions from officers. Smith testified that he informed Arambula he was going to perform a preliminary alcohol screening, which required him to breathe onto the device, and that Arambula appeared to “deliberately close his lips” and hold his breath. Smith also testified that a diary, appearing to belong
financial insolvency due to structural deficit issues dating back to before the pandemic. However, with the help of grants and additional state funds during the COVID-19 pandemic, the district has received a positive budget certification in the past two years. Despite this, a drop in state funding could still pose significant financial challenges. The governor’s office has yet to confirm whether districts across the state will experience a decreased cost-of-living adjustment, or COLA, in the upcoming two years. While the state implemented a “healthy” COLA for this current year of around 8.2%, it is expected to be much lower in the next two years at 3.4% and 3.9%, although it could be closer to 1%. Under the higher-COLA scenario, San Marcos Unified’s current unrestricted reserves of around 9% — or around $34 million as of the start of the year — would drop to 7% and then just above the required minimum of 3%, Garcia said. Under the 1% scenario, the district’s reserves would be in the red within three years. “The good news is, it’s not time to panic now. We have time to listen and understand how the state’s maybe going to address some of these things. Because we have reserves, we can play this out a little bit and have time to make good decisions,” said Garcia.
COURTENEY AND AMAYA Taylor, 4, died in the April 2023 crash. Courtesy photo
to Arambula, was found in his vehicle that mentioned drug use. Combining this with the way Arambula was driving before the crash, his eyes being glazed over at the scene and the scent of alcohol, Smith said he concluded that Arambula was under the influence of drugs and alcohol. During cross examination, Harris asked officers how they knew the diary belonged to Arambula since it did not include his name, suggesting that it could have belonged to a previous passenger in the car. Harris argued that Arambula’s driving did not rise to the level of gross vehicular manslaughter, as stated in the charges, and said there was no evidence that he was evading the Fish and Wildlife officer, Judge Blaine Bowman disagreed. “This is not a situation where this is simple negligence. This is clearly gross negligence … The driving is horrendous in this case. Absolutely horrendous,” Bowman said. “He was in fact evading police at the time he ran into these innocent victims.” Arambula will be back in court on Jan. 31 for an arraignment on the amended complaint. No trial date has been set.
Staffing
As enrollment declines and brings down funding
with clients each week for check-ins and to connect them with services. Lung said case management will not be required, but will be strongly encouraged for all clients. Individualized service plans, which include goal setting and evaluation of needed services, will be developed within five days of intake. Clients will also have access to regular classes and group meetings focused on topics like trauma, addiction and recovery, anger management, faith and financial literacy. Jonathan Lung, Vista’s homeless services program manager, said the city and Retread are planning a grand opening for March 4. “We’ll probably be able to start taking referrals before that opening date, and we might be able to intake clients the day of. Otherwise we will open referrals for clients on that day,” Lung said. The 12-month agreement with Retread has the option for two additional 12-month extensions. Additional funding will need to be identified for the shelter beyond the initial three-year period, Lung said. City Council members also asked how they will be
provided data about intakes, demographics and outcomes for clients. This issue has caused contention with other homeless service providers in the past, with city officials pushing for more detailed data from providers who receive city funding to serve Vista residents. Lung said that because the city itself is not a homelessness services provider, it will not have access to case management information systems such as HMIS and Clarity. However, Retread will be able to make reports on this data to the city. In addition, Lung said, the city is working on creating a public online dashboard that will publish data from all of the homeless service providers that the city contracts with. When it comes to intake, Retread said they will not accept individuals who have been charged with arson and will determine whether to admit low-risk sexual offenders on a case-by-case basis. “Unless there is an imminent danger to our staff and residents, especially our DV [domestic violence] -impacted and sex trafficked victims… We will let everyone into our shelter,” Gailey said. The latter caused concern for council members,
who said they did not want anyone admitted to the shelter who has been required to register as a sex offender under PC 290, even if they are considered low risk. “Many of the people experiencing homelessness are victims of sexual violence, and while there might be a case in which someone ends up on the registration as a sex offender that are not related to a violent sexual violaton of another person, I think as a general rule, we should have more stringent requirements,” said Deputy Mayor Katie Melendez. The shelter site is on a parcel that includes two multi-family residential buildings and a four-bedroom single-family home with a detached garage. Lung said considerable renovations to two of the buildings were completed in December, and that the single-family home is continuing to be renovated. Over the next six to eight weeks, Retread will continue procuring and installing furniture and other infrastructure for the site and hiring and training staff. “We are excited to get the facility up and running, and we’re delighted that you’re gonna be running it,” Mayor John Franklin said.
with it, district leaders have considered reductions in staffing as a way to cut costs in recent years. Employee salaries and benefits make up 81% of the district’s $323 million budget this year, with the remainder going toward services and operating costs, capital outlay, and books and supplies. Garcia explained last month that while the district is losing students throughout different schools and grade levels, staff cannot be reduced in the same way. “When you lose kids, you don’t lose them in nice packages of 25 kids in the same grade level. You kind of lose them everywhere, and you still need your full staff to support them, but you’re getting less funding to do it,” Garcia said. In the past, the district has taken the approach of issuing layoff notices early in the calendar year based on a conservative view of the state budget, only to rescind them once the actual budget is confirmed in June. In 2022, district leaders faced heavy criticism for issuing reduction-in-force notices to nearly 200 classified and certificated staff in an effort to “rightsize” due to declining enrollment. By the end of the year, only six layoffs actually ended up going through. “School districts are required by the Education Code to issue March 15th layoff notices to any employee who may potentially be laid off. While many times districts are able to rescind the majority of these notices, they have to notice any potential staff of a possible layoff per the legal requirements of the March 15th
layoff process,” said district spokesperson Amy Ventetuolo. “We are currently staffed at the appropriate levels for our district size and remain committed to the appropriate staffing levels for the number of students we are serving.” Dale Pluciennik, president of the San Marcos Educators’ Association (SMEA), said while that process was very uncomfortable, the district has since made an effort to mend relationships with the teacher’s union. The union is going into its second year of a program called BRIDGE (Building Relationships, Increasing Dialogue, Growing Empathy), which involves regular conversations with district leaders. “I’m going to commend the district on that,” Pluciennik said. “I give us credit too… We were open to that, to try to regain labor peace.” Pluciennik said he believes that whenever possible, the district should rely on leaving positions vacant after retirement or other forms of attrition if they want to reduce staffing costs.
During this process, Garcia said they discovered that the district can avoid major boundary changes by instead moving Discovery Elementary’s special education LAB Program to San Elijo Elementary. This is anticipated to better serve students in the program and also alleviate immediate capacity concerns at Discovery by freeing up three classrooms, Garcia said. “We wanted to create a solution that had the least disruption to students and families,” she said. “We do not have to then move forward with a formal adjustment to our boundaries.” The LAB (Language, Academic and Behavior) program is unique due to the level of specialized instruction and aid it offers for highly impacted students in the district, leaders said. There are currently 14 students enrolled, each with a one-on-one teaching aid. Special Education Director Lori Cummins said San Elijo Elementary will offer a broader continuum of services for students than the program’s current home at Discovery. In addition, the location of classrooms will allow more opportunities for sensory breaks and easier access to the playground. “It really is a huge benefit to the overall program to be able to move,” Cummins said. “I’m super excited about the opportunity, as have been the parents.” While moving the program temporarily alleviates the need for attendance boundary changes, the district will have to take another look at larger-scale adjustments in 2025, Garcia said.
Avoiding boundary changes, for now
Because declining enrollment has also led to uneven student populations at different schools, many sites are well below capacity while others, like Discovery Elementary and the recently-rebuilt Richland Elementary, are packed near full. In order to balance things out, San Marcos Unified leaders recently began the process of exploring school attendance boundary adjustments to take effect next school year with the help of a demographer.
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T he C oast News - I nland E dition
Jan. 19, 2024
Prop. 28 boosts SMUSD arts, music programs By Laura Place
SAN MARCOS — It’s a good time to be a student interested in art, music and dance in the San Marcos Unified School District, as local schools reap the benefits of new state funding under Proposition 28. This is the first year that schools have received additional funding under Prop 28, or the Arts and Music in Schools Funding Guarantee and Accountability Act, since it was passed by voters in 2022. In the 2023-24 school year, San Marcos Unified received a state allotment of $2.7 million, which allowed the district to hire dozens of new full-time-equivalent instructors for subjects like music, dance, drama, visual
THE MISSION HILLS High School band performs in 2019. San Marcos Unified received $2.7 million in arts funding under Prop 28. Courtesy photo/MHHS Instrumental Music
arts like ceramics, and digital media. Matt Armstrong, the district’s Visual and Performing Arts Coordinator,
NEWS?
By Laura Place
Business news and special achievements for North San Diego County. Send information via email to community@ coastnewsgroup.com. PRESIDENT’S LIST
Mila Spengler of San Marcos and Adyson Baker of Carlsbad were ranked in the top 3% of undergraduate students, earning their spots on the fall president’s list at Miami University in Ohio. ‘OLD MAN’ by Craig Reesor won Best of Show at this The following students month’s Escondido Art Asmade the fall dean’s list at sociation show. Courtesy photo DEAN’S LIST
BIKE SAFETY BILL
Sen. Catherine Blakespear’s (D-Encinitas) legislation to improve bike safety and access in coastal areas by making it easier for bike lanes to be constructed passed two Senate committees on Jan. 9. ALL AMERICAN GAMES
Tony Duckett of Carlsbad High School is one of 724 high school basketball players who have been nominated to play in the 2024 McDonald’s All American Games on April 2 at the Toyota Center in Houston. NASA TEACHERS
David Forester, a science teacher at Mission Vista High School in Oceanside in the Vista Unified School District, is one of multiple educators from around the country participating in the 2024 NASA/IPAC Teacher Archive Research Program. ART WINNERS
The Escondido Art Association has announced
less. This kind of money, this sort of dedication to the arts — I was at a complete loss for words. I know that this money in the grand scheme of
just over $37,000, part of which will go toward a new kiln for the ceramics program, Armstrong said. Funding allotments for each of the district’s 10 elementary schools range from $88,000 to $155,000. While funding for elementary arts has been precarious in past years due to budget cuts, these Prop 28 funds add stability for areas like theater and music. “Historically, we’ve taken a backseat to other core subjects,” Armstrong said. “We are now able to run our elementary programs without the risk of them being eliminated, which is amazing.” However, visual arts in TURN TO ARTS ON 11
San Marcos panels welcome new members
Who’s
their respective collegiate institutions: Adam Walker of Oceanside at Ohio Wesleyan University, Hailey Mullen of Oceanside at Hofstra University in New York, Ricky Johnson of Oceanside at Olivet Nazarene University in Illinois, Maxin Marinez of Carlsbad at Roger Williams University in Rhode Island, Angelina Schaber of Carlsbad at Washington College in Maryland, and Pietro Lanza di Scalea of Carlsbad and Emma Thomas of San Marcos at Miami University in Ohio.
described the impact of these funds at the school board’s Jan. 11 meeting. “When I received this information, I was speech-
things is not a lot, but for us, it’s absolutely game-changing,” Armstrong said. Of the total annual funding — which must be used within three years — 80% is for credentialed and classified employees, 19% for professional learning and supplies, and 1% goes to administrative expenses. The allocation is expected to be around the same amount in the coming years, allowing the district to maintain newly hired positions. On the per-school level, Mission Hills and San Marcos high schools received around $419,000 and $461,000 in funding, respectively, to support various arts and music programs. The smaller Twin Oaks High School received
the following winners of its January show, “And Now For Something Completely Different!” which will run until Feb. 2: Craig Reesor’s “Old Man” won Best of Show; George Mrazek’s “Closing Time” won first place, Doris Bertch’s “Cliffs at Torrey Pines” won second place and Sean Cathey’s “Hidden” won third place in the oil category; Byron Marler’s “Sailing” won first place, Lorraine Page’s “Sticks and Stones” won second place and Carole Kuck’s “Cool Blues” won third place in acrylic; Larry Baker’s “Horsin’ Around in Nightmare Alley” won first place, Daniel Tobin’s “Presence” won second place and Ginger Samuel’s “Freddie” won third place in mixed media; Karen Langer Baker’s “Flurry” won first place, Kathryn Peterson’s “Pacific: Cool Waters” won second place and Jinx Lennon’s “Babe” won third place in watercolor; Peggy Stokes’ “The Library Has Eyes” won first place, Tokeli Baker’s “Dreamscape: Falling/Failing” won second place and Peggy Stokes’ “Can I Trust You?” won third place in photography and digital media. Honorable mentions include “Time Out of Mind” By Sean Cathey, “Painting Plein Air” by Craig Reesor, “Persian Delights” by Karen Langer Baker, “Teamwork” by Kene Lohmann and “Bradbury Building” by Roy Henderson.
SAN MARCOS — City committees and boards have gained new members to help advise city leaders on development, traffic, parks and recreation, climate, and more. The San Marcos City Council made appointments to fill open positions on seven different committees last week, with some positions receiving up to eight applicants. Terms for these committees vary between two and four years. Planning Commission: There were four regular positions and one alternate position open on the commission, which reviews land use matters, including specific plans, conditional use permits, and rezones. The council re-appointed incumbents Kevin Norris and Fatima Rios Perez as regular members, along with new applicant Michael Barnett, and current alternate Lionel Saulsberry was also made a regular member. Steve Kildoo, who previously served as a Planning Commissioner and on various other city committees, was appointed as an alter-
COMMITTEES and boards advise San Marcos city leaders on development, traffic and more. Terms vary from two to four years. Courtesy photo
nate, along with former Traffic Commissioner Arturo Rico. All terms are four years long. Commissioner Dave Nuttall did not reapply, and Commissioner Robert Crain was named to another committee. Traffic Commission: The traffic commission, which reviews recommendations related to improving traffic conditions, operations, safety, and regulations, had three regular positions open with fouryear terms. Incumbent Kirk Ericksen was re-appointed, and new applicant Natasha Hildes and former alternate Ian Clark were made regular members to replace departing commissioner Mike
Hansen and commissioner Rico, who was appointed to the Planning Commission. A new applicant, Brad Pederson, was named as a new alternate. Parks and Recreation Commission: Two regular seats were open on the commission, which advises the city on matters related to recreation programs, activities and facilities. The council re-appointed incumbents Travis Lindsay and Sasha Smith. Youth Commission: New applicant Sophia Scollick was named to the open alternate position for a term of three years. The commission comprises members under 21 who advise the city on developing youth programs and the general
welfare of young people. Budget Review Committee: New applicant Sam Neuhauser was appointed as a regular member, replacing departing member Glenn Winn, and Benjamin Barlow was appointed to a new alternate seat, each for three-year terms. The committee reviews the status of each department’s budget, considers cost-saving measures and makes recommendations regarding project priorities. Community Foundation: The council re-appointed incumbent Carol Gendel as a regular member and named Planning Commissioner Robert Crain to the regular seat left open by departing member Colleen Lukoff. The foundation provides financial assistance grants to local nonprofit organizations. Climate Action Plan Working Group: Incumbent group member Rebecca Rosaler was re-appointed to another term on the working group, which makes recommendations to the City Council and other committees regarding implementing the Climate Action Plan.
Sweet sweepstakes could leave sour taste
S
core one for consumers, as another of the big guys messes up. It seems Reese’s (the fun folks who claim to have married chocolate and peanut butter) violated a bunch of laws with its new sweepstakes on two-packs of peanut butter cups. The packages read, “You could win $25,000,” and in smaller print, “See details inside.” The details inside include the fine print, “No purchase is necessary to enter the sweepstakes.” Governed by state laws, sweepstakes require no purchase is necessary to participate. A contest requiring a purchase is a lottery, with different rules. Reese’s owner, Hershey, says its website contains full promotion details, and some packages have QR codes for more infor-
ask mr. marketing rob weinberg mation. The company also says there are display signs showing how to enter without making a purchase. Reporters spot-checking Hershey packaging and displays around the country found neither signage nor QR codes. Busted! This seems to be a pretty compelling reason to have government regulation and oversight. Because, though I love Hershey’s products, the fact is their packaging
for this effort is deceptive and suggests to consumers that they have to buy the merchandise to enter this sweepstakes. In fact, just the opposite is true. I share this story today because you, too, may be considering running a drawing, contest or sweepstakes to help promote your business. If so, you should know that there are a lot of rules and regulations that you’ll have to follow. Some are state guidelines, others federal. Some are simple, others complex. You’re not allowed to selectively choose which ones you’ll follow. Sorry. Sales promotions can do great things for any business, acting as a short-term boost to generate visibility, traffic and sales.
But in addition to economic considerations and having the right offer for your audience, the key to making any sales promotion successful is knowing how the rules work and structuring your efforts to stay within the guardrails. Because despite whatever you may have previously heard, there is such a thing as bad publicity. And the last thing you need is to have some consumer advocate publicly calling for you to have a massive recall because the type on your package isn’t big enough or in the right place. With that said, I wish you a week of profitable marketing. Get your details straight at www.askmrmarketing.com.
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T he C oast News - I nland E dition
Jan. 19, 2024
Escondido hosts annual board game convention By Samantha Nelson
ESCONDIDO — Hundreds of board game enthusiasts from around the region attended the ninth annual EsCon Gaming Convention, a three-day event featuring hundreds of unique and trending new board games for players to experience. More than 240 players flocked to Escondido Charter High School’s American Spirit Theater between Jan. 5 and 7 to choose from a library of around 500 board games to play. Most of the board games belong to Steve Paap, the founder of the convention. “It’s primarily open gameplay,” he said about the convention. “We provide a library of 500 games that are available for anyone who wants to play.” Paap said he stays up-to-date with the latest trending board games to keep his library fresh and interesting for convention goers. After choosing a game, players sit down at one of the dozens of tables and begin to play. Signs are provided for players to use if they are looking for additional players to join their game or if they need teachers of the game to lend a hand. Unlike in a tournament setting, where the atmosphere can be more intense and competitive, the EsCon convention is meant to provide a fun, easygoing
MARA SALAMON, left, and Jason Eberwein, right, consider moves while playing Age of Innovation, a strategy board game on Jan. 6 at the EsCon Gaming Convention at Escondido Charter High School. Photo by Samantha Nelson
environment where players learn together, play together, and support each other’s wins. “Tournaments tend to have a competitive spirit, while the vibe we’re looking for is open gaming and trying new things while playing together,” Paap said. “We’re all trying to have fun and experience the game, and even though winning is often the objective, it’s not the main reason we’re here – it’s to
experience the game and have fun.” For Paap, who discovered his passion for board gaming in 2006, the main driver is the social engagement that comes with learning and playing board games with others. He favors cooperative games, where players work together to reach a common goal rather than against each other. Finding the right group to play with is key, he noted.
The convention also featured tables stacked with various games for sale and two game designers who were present to showcase new board games that have launched or are launching soon on Kickstarter. One of those designers is Los Angeles-based Ta-Te Wu, who was showcasing his latest game, Aqua, a set collection tile placing game where two players work as art curators tasked
with curating an exhibition of impressionist-style paintings while maximizing points. The game takes about 15 minutes to play and is meant for ages 10 and up. Wu not only designed Aqua but also painted all 18 of the different paintings featured in the game. Aqua recently debuted on Kickstarter.com and has already surpassed its pledge goal with 238 backers as of Jan. 9, with 22 more days on Kickstarter to go. Wu has also created games, including Fork, Boba Mahjong, and Cleocatra, among several others. His website, sunrisetornado.com, provides more information about the games and illustrators that he has worked with in the past. Mission Valley-based Trevor Kerth was the other designer at the convention, showcasing his first original, new game called Pantheum: Demigods of Olympia, due to hit Kickstarter. com in May. Pantheum is a two- to four-layer game that takes about 40 minutes for ages 12 and up. Now a strategic, area control, and engine-building game based on Greek mythology, the game’s earliest origins stem from a 30-day challenge Kerth gave himself to create a new game by combining tic-tac-toe and rock, paper, and scissors.
“It has developed so much more beyond tictac-toe and rock, paper, scissors,” he said. “It’s an in-depth strategy game of controlling different areas and trying to reshape the land by bringing in different landscape tiles onto the map, interacting with other players, hiring demigods from Greek mythology to help, and sometimes cooperating with other players but mainly competing against them to foil their plans.” More information about Pantheum can be found at get.archwoodgames.com. The convention has grown in size after nearly a decade of attracting board game players to North County, outpacing its previous locations at Cal State San Marcos and the Best Western Escondido Hotel for its latest location at Escondido Charter High School’s American Spirit Theater. “We’re very proud of how we’ve grown mostly through word of mouth,” Paap said, noting that the convention hasn’t done much advertising over the last nine years. Paap and fellow convention organizers are looking forward to celebrating its 10-year anniversary next year. “We’re going to do something special for our decade anniversary,” he said.
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T he C oast News - I nland E dition
Jan. 19, 2024
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T he C oast News - I nland E dition
Jan. 19, 2024
Moon Base gives kids a taste of lunar living hit the road e’louise ondash
M
ost people look at a jungle gym and see a jungle gym, or a Mylar balloon and see a Mylar balloon. But Craig Wilson looks at the former and visualizes the perfect components for building a space station. And the balloon? A lunar volleyball, of course. The ability to see what others don’t and transform ideas into reality is the reason Wilson is the lead fabricator of exhibits for the San Diego Air & Space Museum. His latest creation is Moon Base San Diego. The family-friendly, interactive exhibit is designed for kids (although adults also are sure to learn a thing or two) and aims to teach them what it would be like to live and work on the moon. “I was approached last summer by the curatorial and education departments and asked if I had any ideas about making a moon-base play area for kids ages 1 through 12,” said Wilson, who has been building the museum’s exhibits for six years. “Although I’ve never been involved in making a space meant solely for kids, inspiration came almost in
LANDON BARNHART, left, of Carlsbad, tries his hand at flying the jet he designed with the “Full Throttle” video game at the San Diego Air & Space Museum. Center, Craig Wilson designs and builds most of the exhibits at the museum, including the Moon Base exhibit. Right, Wolfie Ritter, 6, of Savannah, Ga., Shannon Woods of Vista and Landon Barnhart, 8, prepare to see “Legend of Apollo,” a 3D/4D film about the moon landing and exploration of the Apollo 15 mission. Photos by E’Louise Ondash
a flash, probably due to my love of sci-fi. I could just see (the exhibit) in my mind’s eye.” The result is that pintsized visitors can explore, among other things, study tables with microscopes (Wilson frequently changes what’s under the lens, but they always are common items such as fish scales or grains of salt); a hydroponic wall garden; and a mockup of a “lunar loo,” because, well, kids love bathroom talk. The lifelong love of design and problem-solving has been both avocation and vocation for Wilson. As a kid, he spent many hours working with and for his parents
and grandparents, owners of aviation industry-related enterprises in El Cajon. He later went on to work for many companies around San Diego, working on “anything from airframes for stealth technology development to sport-bike racing fairings,” Wilson said. It’s been “a lifelong quest to broaden my skillset and experiences to enable me to build anything I can imagine.” Our group — two grandmothers, two parents and three kids, ages 8, 6 and 4 — put the exhibit to the test. Grownups enjoyed a few rounds of moon volleyball, and the boys (8 and
6), found the NASA space capsule, the lunar loo, a temperature map and the microscopes worth their attention. We got caught by surprise when the air-lock door made the big whoosh, simulating “the inevitable imbalance of air pressure from inside the habitat to the inside of the air lock,” Wilson said. The effect wasn’t easy to create, though. “(I had to bring a) high pressure air line from the basement to the upstairs of a historical building that is built like a castle,” he said, but in the end, “I was able to convince everyone (that it was) imperative.” The pressure line comes
in pretty handy, too, when Wilson needs to reinflate the Mylar balloons. Elsewhere in the museum: All ages gave thumbsup to the short film “Legend of Apollo,” the perfect complement to visiting Moon Base, showing every half hour in the 36-seat, 3D/4D Zable Theater. The film chronicles the 1971 exploits of Apollo 15 — the fourth moon landing and first use of the Lunar Rover Vehicle. 3D glasses put viewers in the middle of the action during blast-off, the moon landing and exploring the surface in the LRV. The 4D features are produced by the interactive the-
ater seats, which rock, roll and rumble with the various maneuvers of the rockets and spacecraft, and by wind gusts that blow from somewhere. Another popular stop: “Full Throttle,” an interactive exhibit that involves touch screens and joysticks; hence magnets for 6- and 8-year-old boys. The video game allows users to design their own planes by choosing various features based on speed and maneuverability. Players fly their completed planes through an obstacle course on a second screen. The exhibit is designed so that even adults can do it.
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T he C oast News - I nland E dition
Jan. 19, 2024
Eat & Drink
EVERY KITCHEN should be equipped with a slow cooker, LE CREUSET’S enameled cast-iron Dutch oven with lid is a THE BEST home kitchen deep fryers for 2024 were All-Clad such as the classic CrockPot. Photo by Kitch Bain must-have for any home chef. Courtesy photo and Chefman, according to Serious Eats. Courtesy photo
Lick the Plate’s kitchen essentials for 2o24
A
s we entered the new year, I was doing my annual deep clean and reorganization of my kitchen and was quite proud of how I'd reduced my kitchen clutter and non-essential gadgets. I’ve been guilty in the past of getting sucked into kitchen items that sounded great but, in reality, just took up space and were more hassle than they were worth. One that comes to mind is a chopped salad maker that was downright dangerous. A decent knife and some solid chopping skills were all I really needed. So here's my list of 10 kitchen items I consider essential to my home cooking and meal preparation activities. And yes, some of these items are pricy, but worth the quality and will last a lifetime with the proper care. I’ll start with my favorite all-purpose pan, my “desert island pan," if only allotted one cooking device: Le Creuset 26, 5.5 quarts, enameled, cast iron Dutch Oven with a lid. I have two of them, one red and the other blue. Besides being what I consider the most beautiful line of cookware available, one that you will want to proudly display, this pan is a do-all workhorse that will last you a lifetime. They come in many shapes and sizes, but this one has done
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lick the plate david boylan the job for me for years. And as a bonus, they have a store in the Carlsbad Premium Outlets where you can pay a bit less. They aren't cheap — expect to pay around $300, but again, this is a lifetime purchase and worth every penny. While some purists scoff at non-stick pans, I consider having one in my mix essential and was thrilled recently to learn of the Mueller Healthy Stone 12-inch pan. Engineered in Germany, this is non-stick cooking at its best, free of all the nasty chemicals found in most nonstick pans. Fried eggs slide out of this pan along with any other foods prone to sticking. Mueller offers three sizes, but the 12-inch is the most versatile, and it’s only $49. I’ve found that this cookware company makes a whole range of quality kitchen products at affordable prices. A decent-quality pan set is also a key part of my kitchen mix, and the Cui-
sinart 11-piece Chef’s Classic Steel Collection is still going strong after several years. The assortment of saucepans, skillets, stockpots and more with an attractive stainless steel finish provides the functionality and looks I desire. And for $129, it’s another good value. OK, now that we have the essential cookware covered, I’m going to segue into some accessory items that I use with regularity. I love making soups and found that using my Oster immersion blender is the best way to easily make a creamy version of broccoli, potato, carrot or any other healthy vegetable soup. Blenders can do the job but always seem to create a big mess, and a solid immersion device does it with ease. A decent one can be found for around $50 or less. Speaking of blenders, the most gadget-like device I have is my Nutribullet blender. I’ll take a blended smoothie over juicing any day and found it’s the perfect way to ensure a healthy dose of fruits and greens I might not include in my meals. (Side note: The Green Drink from Morning Star Ranch at the Leucadia Farmers Market has been
the delicious and nutritious base of my smoothies for years.) The Nutribullet also functions as a solid multi-purpose blender and $50 or so will get you one. I am a huge fan of homemade French fries, fish and chips, and other deep-fried delights, so a modest-size deep fryer is in my collection. Peanut oil is best for high-heat frying, so keep some of that handy as well. And that is a perfect segue to my next item, which is a mandoline slicer to cut those perfect fries and so much more. Mueller makes a nice five-blade slicer for $40, and you will find plenty of more uses for it. This may seem like an old-school choice, but I find myself using my Crock Pot on a regular basis, especially during the colder months. I love it for a chuck roast, chili, or any other low-andslow dish you can start in the morning and have ready for dinner. Crock Pot is the trusted brand, and $40 will get you a seven-quart unit. My last essential kitchen item is a high-quality set of knives that includes all the desired sizes, along with a solid pair of shears. Henkels offers a premium-quality 15-piece set that will get you the nod of
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approval from most knife snobs and only set you back around $150. Of course, there are many other peripheral items one should include in a well-stocked kitchen; food storage comes to mind, but
this mix will let most home cooks attain a high level of home kitchen proficiency in style. If I’m missing something you think should be included, I’d love to hear from you.
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T he C oast News - I nland E dition
Jan. 19, 2024
New crime, traffic safety laws for 2024 By City News Service
REGION — The California Highway Patrol released a set of traffic safety laws passed last year and signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom that took effect Jan. 1, 2024. The new traffic safety laws include: Vehicle registration (AB 256): Amends existing law requiring current month and year tabs to be displayed on the registered vehicle’s rear license plate. As of July 1, 2024 and until Jan. 1, 2030, a violation of vehicle registration shall not be the sole basis for any enforcement action before the second month after the month of expiration of a vehicle’s registration. Late registration fees from the Department of Motor Vehicles still apply. Vehicle removal (AB 925): Requires law enforcement to verify the lack of current vehicle registration with the DMV before towing a vehicle for expired registration longer than six months and prohibits the vehicle from being towed if the officer or traffic enforcement official does not have CARLSBAD POLICE traffic enforcement officers clock speeds of motorists. Starting this year, immediate access to those law enforcement is required to state the purpose of a traffic or pedestrian stop before asking any other questions. Courtesy photo/Carlsbad Police Department records. Crosswalks (AB 413): Designed to increase visibility at crosswalks by prohibiting parking or stopping a vehicle along a curb at least 20 feet from a marked crosswalk or 15 feet of a crosswalk where a curb extension is present. The regulation only applies to the side of the road of the vehicle’s approach to the crosswalk. Local jurisdictions may
establish different distancEducation transpores by marking areas with tation (SB 88): will require signs or paint. drivers and their vehicles, which are used by a loCruising (AB 436): cal educational agency, to Removes city and county provide pupil transportaauthority to regulate cruis- tion for compensation and ing via local ordinances. to meet certain safety reAdditionally, the law quirements. legalizes “low rider” vehicles allowing them to cruise Zero-emission school streets by removing the buses (SB 775): Authorizes height restriction on low- a school district, county ofered vehicles. fice of education, or charter
ARTS
opportunities it will provide for students. “I feel like the arts, theater, music saves lives. It really does, and it makes you feel like you’re included, and you’re seen, and you’re heard,” said Board President Carlos Ulloa. Trustee Stacy Carlson did express concerns that some schools like San Elijo and Double Peak have more visual and performing arts resources than others, and wondered whether some schools receive more resources. Armstrong noted that many of these resources are part of after-school programs by parent-teacher organizations, and that Prop 28 funding can only be used for programming during the actual school day. Looking ahead, the district is already making plans for their visual and performing arts needs in the 2024-25 school year, in anticipation of the next round of Prop 28 funding. Armstrong said he is focused on creating a program that can continue to grow and endure. “I want to make sure we don’t throw things in place that are not sustainable,” Armstrong said. “I’m truly excited about where all of this is going.”
CONTINUED FROM 6
particular continue to be a “glaring omission” at elementary schools. This is something Armstrong said he hopes to address going forward by securing additional grants and reigniting the Arts Reinforcing Curriculum initiative, which seeks to blend visual arts into other subjects. At local middle schools, funding per site ranges from around $147,000 to $180,000. Armstrong said the district is looking for ways to share visual and performing arts teachers between school sites, noting that hiring a full-time teacher for each middle school is not realistic. This is partially due to the current middle school schedule, which allows students to pick just one elective each year. “As we think about our middle school redesign, part of that process are the types of courses we want to be able to add, but that will be directly dependent on the schedule that we create for our middle schools,” said Deputy Superintendent Tiffany Campbell. Board members expressed excitement about the new funding and the
school using a zero-emission school bus to transport pupils at or below the 12thgrade level to place signage on the rear of the bus identifying it as a clean-air zero-emission bus. It also authorizes the CHP to issue guidelines governing the size and placement of that signage.
an automobile dismantler to include individuals in possession of nine or more catalytic converters. The law also creates penalties for those illegally acting as auto dismantlers. Repair shops and other entities with a legitimate purpose for having catalytic converters will be excluded from the penalty. Additionally, AB 1519 makes it illegal to remove a Vehicle Identification Number from a catalytic converter or to possess three or more catalytic converters that have had their VIN markings removed. And lastly, SB 55 requires a motor vehicle dealer or retailer to have the catalytic converter engraved or etched with the VIN number before a new or used truck or car is sold. The governor also signed several new crime and law enforcement-related bills into law during the last state legislative session. Most of the new laws took effect on Jan. 1, 2024 and include: AB 701: Imposes harsher penalties for people trafficking large amounts of fentanyl. As of Jan. 1, those convicted of dealing a kilogram or more of fentanyl will face stiffer penalties and sentencing enhancements for dealers.
SB 14: Prescribes harsher penalties for those arrested and tried on charges of sex trafficking of minors for monetary gain. The new law designates human trafficking of minors for commercial gain as Catalytic converters a serious felony, resulting (AB 641): The law redefines in harsher prison sentences
and inclusion in California’s Three Strikes Law. AB 2282: Expands the definition of hate symbols to include any symbols or marks with “the intent to terrorize another person,'' such as Nazi symbols and nooses. The bill also speaks to the need to address hate crimes with symbols against certain minority groups. SB 700: Modifies existing law to make it unlawful for an employer to request information from an applicant relating to the applicant's prior use of cannabis or to use a prior criminal history of cannabis use. AB 1418: Bans local California governments from enforcing crime-free housing policies. Such policies prevent landlords from renting to those with prior convictions but may also call for the eviction of tenants based on arrests or contact with law enforcement. AB 2773: Requires police officers to state the purpose of a traffic or pedestrian stop before asking any other questions. Officers can only skip stating the reason for the stop if they deem it necessary to protect life or property from an imminent threat. The new law is intended to prevent pretextual stops, in which an officer stops a vehicle or pedestrian for something minor, with the intent of searching to determine if a larger crime is evident.
Allen Brothers Family
Clifford Henry Hahn Jr. Oceanside December 30, 2023
Caroline Joyce Decker Encinitas December 26, 2023
Ginni Evelyn Felling Carlsbad December 19, 2023
Eugenia Catherine McHugh Encinitas December 27, 2023
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RECIPE OF THE MONTH Buffalo Chicken Tortilla Roll Ups ¨ 8 ounces light cream cheese, softened ¨ 1/4 cup blue cheese, crumbled ¨ 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded ¨ 2 tablespoons sour cream ¨ 2 cups shredded cooked chicken ¨ 1/2 cup buffalo wings sauce ¨ 4 six-inch flour tortillas (at room temperature) ¨ 2-3 green onions, thinly sliced (optional topping) Combine the first 4 ingredients, then toss in the shredded chicken and the buffalo wings sauce. Lay a tortilla on a plate and spread an even layer of 2-3 tablespoons of the mixture up to the edges. Roll up the tortilla tightly and place on a separate tray. Repeat until all ingredients have been used. Chill for two hours. Slice each rolled up tortilla into 1 inch rounds and serve as a chilled appetizer or a delicious snack.
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Jan. 19, 2024
T he C oast News - I nland E dition
EVENTS CALENDAR
13
Know something that’s going on? To post an event, visit us online at calendar.thecoastnews.com
JAN. 19
SUCCULENT SWAP
Bring clippings of succulents to pot, trade and share with fellow plant lovers. Small containers and dirt provided while supplies last. Free, 2-4 p.m. Jan. 27 at Escondido Public Library, 239 S Kalmia St, Escondido.
THE AGGROLITES
Catch ska band The Aggrolites with The Upbeat at the Belly Up. $20, 9 a.m. at Belly Up, 143 S Cedros Ave, Solana Beach. CALLOWAY ORCHESTRA
The Calloway family has been dazzling audiences since the 1920s and this year is no exception. Calloway Brooks, Cab’s grandson, leads the Cab Calloway Orchestra. $35-$75, $20 students. 7:30-9:30 p.m. Jan. 19 at California Center for the Arts, 340 N Escondido Blvd, Escondido.
BERRYHILL AND KRUTH
Cindy Lee Berryhill and John Kruth, two bi-coastal, slightly off-center musical talents with a long history, do their first full show together. $15-$18, 7:309:30 p.m. at Pilgrim United Church of Christ, 2020 Chestnut Ave, Carlsbad.
MICHAEL PALASCAK
Join us to watch Michael Palascak live. Seen on The Tonight Show, Conan, The Late Show. 8:30 p.m. at Grand Comedy Club, 340 E HAWK WATCH, hosted by the Wildlife Research Institute, returns at 10 a.m. each Saturday in January and February at BeGrand Ave, Escondido. gent Ranch in Ramona. Courtesy photo/Wildlife Research Institute
‘PETER PAN’
Ovation Theatre presents the Tony Award-winning Broadway classic “Peter Pan.” $35+ adults, $25+ children. Shows run through Jan. 21. at Howard Brubeck Theatre at Palomar College, 1140 W Mission Rd, San Marcos. BACH AND ROCK
Watch the Hutchins Consort's latest installment of music of J.S. Bach paired with arrangements of great rock and roll artists. $40, 7 p.m. at St. Andrews Episcopal Church, 890 Balour Dr, Encinitas.
JAN. 20
HAWK WATCH
nealogist Kelli Bergheimer present “DNA Misconceptions” in hybrid format. 1 p.m. at Georgina Cole Library, 1250 Carlsbad Village Dr, Carlsbad. ‘THE TEMPEST’
“Shakespeare’s comedy about a major act of betrayal, ill treatment, the development of magic arts and a plot of revenge.” $20-$27, 8 p.m. at Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center: David & Dorothea Garfield Theatre, 4126 Executive Dr, La Jolla. NERD COMEDY NIGHT
A unique event that combines the best of both worlds - nerdy humor and stand-up comedy - for a night of laughs and good times. $15, 8 p.m. at New Village Arts Theatre, 2787 State St, Carlsbad.
Learn about birds of prey up close and personal with the Wildlife Research Institute’s Hawk Watch team. Free, 10 a.m. at Begent Ranch, 18528 HighKINGS OF LA JOLLA land Valley Rd, Ramona. Come dance and sing along to the greatest hits LED ZEPAGAIN Led Zeppelin tribute from the 60s, 70s and 80s band, Led Zepagain, at the performed by the King of La Belly Up. $26, 9 p.m., 143 S Jolla. Free, 6-8 p.m. at Pit Cedros Ave, Solana Beach. Stop Diner Oceanside, 3825 Mission Ave, Oceanside. ART ON THE GREEN
COAL Gallery member artists display their artwork at Art on the Green every weekend, weather permitting. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Carlsbad Inn Outdoor Art Venue, 3075 Carlsbad Blvd, Carlsbad.
‘THINNER’ REUNION
gift card at Cococabana or Q&A Restaurant and Oyster Bar, complimentary coffee at Succulent Coffee and free fitness. Contact Tom at tom@osideproperties.com. $350. The Brick Hotel, 408 Pier View Way, Oceanside.
JAN. 21
TU B'SHVAT FOOD FOREST
Coastal Roots Farm is inviting the public to celebrate Tu B’Shvat, the Jewish New Year of the Trees. $20, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Jan. 21 at Coastal Roots Farm, 441 Saxony Rd, Encinitas.
The DNA Interest Group, sponsored by North San Diego Genealogical Society, will meet to hear internationally known ge-
BRICK HOTEL
The Brick Hotel, nestled in the heart of downtown Oceanside, is extending a limited-time deal for locals, which includes a $100
Tuesday Night Comics is hosted by Mark Christopher Lawrence, who taps into his extensive list of talented comedian friends and shares the North Coast Rep stage with them. $40, 7:30 p.m. at North Coast Repertory Theatre, 987 Lomas Santa Fe Dr, Solana Beach. COFFEE ON EL CAMINO
The Encinitas Chamber of Commerce’s Coffee on El Camino sessions return with the HOPE Team, COPPS Team, Deputy Mayor Joy Lyndes, Councilmember Bruce Ehlers, city staff and more. 8-9 a.m. Jan. 23 SAVE THE OCEAN 4 Visit the opening re- at The Cottage Restaurant ception for “Save the Ocean Encinitas, 127 N El Camino 4,” a collaborative exhibit Real, Encinitas. by the Surfing Madonna Ocean Project and Front RESEARCH A VETERAN Porch Gallery, Jan. 17 to The North San Diego Feb. 29. 12-2 p.m. at Front County Genealogical SoPorch Gallery, 2903 Carls- ciety will host via hybrid bad Blvd, Carlsbad. format Jennifer Holik, who will present “Research a Veteran.". 10 to 11:30 a.m. Jan. 23 at Faraday Center, Faraday Ave, Carlsbad. 3D PRINTING 101 Meet with a 3D printing expert who can answer questions, troubleshoot projects, help with design YOUNG GUN SILVER FOX ideas and teach how to use Catch Young Gun Silver a 3D printer. No experience Fox and The Silverstone at necessary. All ages are wel- the Belly Up. $27.50, 8 p.m. come. 3:30-5 p.m. at Enci- at Belly Up, 143 S Cedros nitas Library, 540 Cornish Ave, Solana Beach. Dr, Encinitas.
JAN. 22
JAN. 24
Join Director Tom Holland, cast and crew at Oceanside’s Star Theatre on Jan. 20. The event includes a screening of “Thinner,” Q&A session (get your questions ready) and a meet and STATE OF COMMUNITY The Vista Chamber of greet. $30-$40, 4 p.m. at Commerce hosts the annuStar Theatre Company, 402 BEARS WITH A MISSION al State of the Community Join us for this delight- N Coast Hwy, Oceanside. Luncheon, offering guests ful teddy bear show, Free a chance to network with show featuring artists, vin- OCEANSIDE DEMS CLUB tage teddy bears/animals, Oceanside Democrat- business owners and comraffles, door prizes, and light ic Club to meet for its first munity leaders. $95, 11 a.m. refreshments. Free, 10 a.m. meeting of the year. The to 1 p.m. at Vista Civic Cento 3 p.m. Jan. 20 at Court- club will discuss endorse- ter, 200 Civic Center Dr, yard by Marriott San Diego ments for the 2024 General Vista. Airport/Liberty Station, Election. 9 a.m. at Virtual 2592 Laning Rd, San Diego. Zoom Room, San Diego. DNA INTEREST GROUP
TUESDAY NIGHT COMICS
ARTSY ADULTS: SPIN ART
Experience the wonders of spin art during the next quarterly craft time for adults at the library. 6:307:30 p.m. Jan. 24 at Escondido Public Library, 239 S Kalmia St, Escondido.
JAN. 25
MOONTRICKS
Watch Moontricks perform live at the Belly Up with Siren & Seer as the opener. $18, 8 p.m. at Belly VICTOR WOOTEN Victor Wooten and the Up, 143 S Cedros Ave, SolaWooten Brothers on their na Beach. Sweat Tour at the Belly Up. $35, 8 p.m. at Belly Up, 143 HIGH SCHOOL 101 S Cedros Ave, Solana Beach. Learn about high school
JAN. 23
‘BACK TO PARIS’
The Six String Society brings its very popular “Back to Paris” production to the Brooks Theater. The stage will be set in Gregory Page’s 16th district Parisian apartment. $30-$90, 8 p.m. at Pacific Ridge where stu- at The Brooks Theatre, 217 dents thrive through ac- N Coast Hwy, Oceanside. ademic challenge, exploration and a connected, TRAFFICKING AWARENESS Soroptimist Internaengaged community. 6:15 to 8 p.m. Jan. 25 at Pacif- tional of Vista and North ic Ridge School, 6269 El County Inland invites the public to its 18th Annual Fuerte St, Carlsbad. Human Trafficking Awareness Walk. 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. ASSISTANCE LEAGUE We invite energetic Jan. 27 at United Methodist retirees to attend an infor- Church of Vista, 490 S Melmational meeting on how rose Dr, Vista. we support underserved children on Camp Pendleton and in Oceanside, Vista and Carlsbad schools with clothes, shoes, and health kits. 8:30 to 11 a.m. Jan. 25 at Shadowridge Golf Club, 1980 Gateway Dr, Vista.
JAN. 26
ALO, SWAY WILD
WESTMONT OPEN HOUSE
Westmont Living, a family-owned senior living provider, marks the official grand opening of its fifth San Diego County community with an open house. 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Westmont of Carmel Valley, 5720 Old Carmel Valley Rd, San Diego.
ALO and Sway Wild perform live at the Belly Up. $25, 9 p.m. at Belly Up, 143 COWBOY MOUTH S Cedros Ave, Solana Beach. Cowboy Mouth and The Thieves About at the ‘FUN HOME’ Belly Up. $25, 7:30 p.m., 143 New Village Arts S Cedros Ave, Solana Beach. presents “Fun Home,” the groundbreaking Broadway musical that delves into the complexities of family, iden- THE THIRD MIND tity, and self-discovery. $63. Catch The Third Mind Shows from Jan. 26 to Feb. perform live at the Belly Up. 21 at The Conrad Prebys $27, 8 p.m. at Belly Up, 143 Theatre at The Dea Hurston S Cedros Ave, Solana Beach. New Village Arts Center, 2787 State St, Carlsbad.
JAN. 28
JAN. 31
FEB. 1
JAN. 27
GRIEF YOGA IN CARLSBAD
Experience the practical magic of writing a poem. Workshop facilitated by Dr. Marit Anderson. For adults. 12-2 p.m. at Encinitas Library, 540 Cornish Dr, Encinitas.
Yoga class in Carlsbad. Free. No yoga experience required. 10-11:30 a.m. at Las Flores Church, 1400 Las Flores Dr, Carlsbad.
THERESA CAPUTO
VISTA GARDEN CLUB
The Elizabeth Hospice
AWAKEN THE POET WITHIN sponsors a monthly Grief
Theresa Caputo, known worldwide as the Long Island Medium and star of the new Lifetime Series “Raising Spirits,” is set to appear live at Harrah’s Resort Southern California. $59, 8 p.m. at Harrah’s Resort Southern California, 14631 Vesper Rd, Valley Center.
FEB. 2
California native landscaping will be the topic of Vista Garden Club’s February meeting. The speaker is Lucy Warren, master gardener and co-author of two books on California native plants. 1:45 p.m. at Jim Porter Recreation Center, 1200 Vale Terrace Dr, Vista.
T he C oast News - I nland E dition
Jan. 19, 2024
628 Virginia Drive, Orlando, FL 32803 CUSTOMER SERVICE: 800-708-7311 EXT. 257 TRIVIA TEST #12345_20240115 FOR RELEASE JANUARY 15, 2024 By Fifi Rodriguez
FROM KING FEATURES WEEKLY SERVICE,
FROM KING FEATURES WEEKLY628 SERVICE, Virginia Drive, Orlando, FL 32803 CUSTOMER SERVICE: 800-708-7311 EXT. 257
628 Virginia Drive, Orlando, FL 32803 TRIVIA TEST #12345_20240115
FOR RELEASE JANUARY 15, 2024
CUSTOMER SERVICE: 800-708-7311 EXT. 257 By Fifi Rodriguez
TRIVIA TEST #12345_20240115 FOR RELEASE JANUARY 15, 2024 By Fifi Rodriguez
1. MOVIES: What state is the setting for the 1990s movie “Twister”?
1. MOVIES: What Lake stateOkeechobee is the setting 2. GEOGRAPHY: in which U.S. state? for the is1990s movie “Twister”? 3. U.S. PRESIDENTS: Which president adopted the expression, “Speak 2. GEOGRAPHY: Lake Okeechobee softly and carry a big stick”? 4. MUSIC: is in which U.S. Actor/singer state? Jared Leto also is the front man for which rock 3. U.S. PRESIDENTS: Which presmusic band? 5. HISTORY: The U.S. Civil War ident adopted thewhen expression, ended in 1865 Gen. Robert “Speak E. Lee surrendered to Union forces in softly and carry a big stick”? which Virginia town? 6. SCIENCE: Which elementJared has the Leto 4. MUSIC: Actor/singer symbol Pb? also is the front What manis the fordestination which rock 7. GAMES: in the board game Candy Land? music band? 8. TELEVISON: Who was the long-running host of “American Band- War 5. HISTORY: The U.S. Civil stand”? STATES: What is the capital ended in9. U.S. 1865 when Gen. Robert E. of Alaska? Lee surrendered to Union in 10. LITERATURE: Who isforces the author of the autobiographical work which Virginia town? “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings”? Answerselement has the 6. SCIENCE: Which 1. Oklahoma. symbol Pb? 2. Florida. 3. Theodore Roosevelt. 7. GAMES: What is the destination 4. Thirty Seconds to Mars. in the board game Candy Land? 5. Appomattox. 6. Lead. 8. TELEVISON: Who was the 7. Candy Castle. 8. Dick Clark. long-running host of “American Band9. Juneau. stand”? 10. Maya Angelou. © 2024 King Features Synd., Inc. 9. U.S. STATES: What is the capital of Alaska? 10. LITERATURE: Who is the author of the autobiographical work “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings”? Answers 1. Oklahoma. 2. Florida. 3. Theodore Roosevelt. 4. Thirty Seconds to Mars. 5. Appomattox. 6. Lead. 7. Candy Castle. 8. Dick Clark. 9. Juneau. 10. Maya Angelou. © 2024 King Features Synd., Inc.
1. MOVIES: What state is the setting for the 1990s movie “Twister”? 2. GEOGRAPHY: Lake Okeechobee is in which U.S. state? 3. U.S. PRESIDENTS: Which president adopted the expression, “Speak softly and carry a big stick”? 4. MUSIC: Actor/singer Jared Leto also is the front man for which rock music band? 5. HISTORY: The U.S. Civil War ended in 1865 when Gen. Robert E. Lee surrendered to Union forces in which Virginia town? 6. SCIENCE: Which element has the symbol Pb? 7. GAMES: What is the destination in the board game Candy Land? 8. TELEVISON: Who was the long-running host of “American Bandstand”? 9. U.S. STATES: What is the capital of Alaska? 10. LITERATURE: Who is the author of the autobiographical work “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings”? Answers 1. Oklahoma. 2. Florida. 3. Theodore Roosevelt. 4. Thirty Seconds to Mars. 5. Appomattox. 6. Lead. 7. Candy Castle. 8. Dick Clark. 9. Juneau. 10. Maya Angelou. © 2024 King Features Synd., Inc.
FROM KING FEATURES WEEKLY SERVICE,
1. MOVIES: What state is the setting for the 1990s movie “Twister”? 2. GEOGRAPHY: Lake Okeechobee is in which U.S. state? 3. U.S. PRESIDENTS: Which president adopted the expression, “Speak softly and carry a big stick”? 4. MUSIC: Actor/singer Jared Leto also is the front man for which rock music band? 5. HISTORY: The U.S. Civil War ended in 1865 when Gen. Robert E. Lee surrendered to Union forces in which Virginia town? 6. SCIENCE: Which element has the symbol Pb? 7. GAMES: What is the destination in the board game Candy Land? 8. TELEVISON: Who was the long-running host of “American Bandstand”? 9. U.S. STATES: What is the capital of Alaska? 10. LITERATURE: Who is the author of the autobiographical work “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings”? Answers 1. Oklahoma. 2. Florida. 3. Theodore Roosevelt. 4. Thirty Seconds to Mars. 5. Appomattox. 6. Lead. 7. Candy Castle. 8. Dick Clark. 9. Juneau. 10. Maya Angelou.
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© 2024 King Features Synd., Inc.
15
T he C oast News - I nland E dition
Jan. 19, 2024
Family Health Centers of San Diego is the #1 enrollment entity for Covered California in San Diego County. The 2024 Open Enrollment Period starts November 1, 2023 and ends January 31, 2024. CHILDREN play on the new merry-go-round at Dixon Lake’s lakeside playground, the city’s first ADA-compliant playground. Photo by Samantha Nelson
Esco Kiwanis Club dedicates new all-inclusive playground
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By Samantha Nelson
ESCONDIDO — Following years of work to revamp the lakeside playground at Dixon Lake, the city is now home to its first-ever all-inclusive, ADA-compliant playground. The Kiwanis Club of Escondido-Hidden Valley, the group behind the new playground, held a dedication event on Jan. 12 in honor of the playground officially reopening. Over the last eight years, the club has raised funds and applied for grants to fund the two-part playground, which now features a jungle gym resembling a ship and a brand-new ADA-accessible merry-go-round. The jungle gym was completed during the COVID-19 pandemic but wasn’t accessible to the public until spring 2021. The merry-go-round was next, breaking ground and completing construction last year. According to Jim Mac Isaac, assistant director of the project, the dream of such a playground surfaced in early 2000, but work didn’t begin until 2016. With two fishing derbies each year and many other tasks to complete, it took some time for the club to raise the necessary funds and get things rolling for the
Health Plan Benefits THE KIWANIS CLUB of Escondido-Hidden Valley celebrated the opening of Escondido’s first all-inclusive playground at Dixon Lake on Jan. 12. Photo by Samantha Nelson
new playground. Altogether, the project cost about $253,000. “It took us a long time to reach that,” Isaac said. The new playground replaced the former aged and deteriorating playground that previously sat in the same spot by Dixon Lake and is now the city’s first and only all-inclusive, ADA-compliant playground. Few other all-inclusive playgrounds exist throughout the county. Last month, Poway opened its new $1.4
million all-inclusive playground at Lake Poway. Several club representatives, city firefighters and other officials visited Dixon Lake for the playground dedication. Councilmember Christian Garcia praised the new playground, noting that his young son, nephews and nieces will get to enjoy it. “This is a beautiful thing,” Garcia said. “I want to thank the Kiwanis Club for everything that you’ve done.”
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T he C oast News - I nland E dition
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Jan. 19, 2024