The Inland Edition, December 23, 2022

Land purchase closes door on Newland bid

By Laura Place

SAN MARCOS — A

2,000-acre site previously designated for a controversial housing project has been purchased by luxury spa Golden Door in San Marcos, prompting celebration among environmental activists that have long fought against the area’s development.

The legendary spa — a favorite SoCal destination among the rich and famous — completed the purchase of the site just north of Deer Springs Road and west of Interstate 15 in November. The area is in the rolling hills north of Escondido known as the Merriam Mountains, and just across the street from Golden Door.

While details about how they will use the land remain to be determined, Golden Door leaders said they plan to identify a “highly qualified land stewardship organization” to oversee the protection of the open space and its wildlife.

“We are excited to finally secure this remarkable benefit for climate action initiatives,” said Kathy Van Ness, Golden Door’s general manager and chief operating officer. “Protecting this property reflects our deep commitment to sustainability, which we believe is part of our responsibility to our community and beyond.”

The land purchase appears to be the final nail in the coffin for Newland Community’s planned housing project, which developers spent over a decade fighting to make a reality.

The project, which included plans for around 2,100 homes, was approved by the San Diego County Board of Supervisors in 2018 but quickly garnered opposition from Golden Door and environmental groups like San Diego Sierra Club.

Opponents of the controversial development near Merriam Mountain submit-

HAT’S THE SPIRIT!

Vista council battles over SANDAG rep

By Steve Puterski

VISTA — A heated debate over the future of transportation and who represents the city on the board of directors of the San Diego Association of Governments ended without a selection during the City Council’s Dec. 13 meeting.

Newly elected Mayor John Franklin presented a slate of selections for the City Council members to represent the city, with the big fight being over SANDAG and its controversial $172 billion Regional Transportation Plan.

Franklin appointed himself as the primary representative, but the three Democrats — Corinna Contreras, Katie Melendez and Dan O’Donnell — wouldn’t sign off, leaving the city without representation for the time being.

Prior to Franklin’s slate presentation, Contreras tried to nominate Melendez as the primary. However, Franklin said under the city’s charter and state law, only the mayor has the authority to put forward a slate.

However, the three Democrats are expected to bring back an ordinance in January to override the mayor’s authority to determine who presents the slate. Vista is likely to not have a representative through at least January.

“I am deeply concerned about a 5 cent-per-mile charge and what that would mean for the poorest members of our community,” Franklin said,

Supervisors bring Harmony Grove housing project to halt

By City News Service

REGION — County

supervisors voted unanimously Dec. 14 to rescind the permits for a contested North County housing project near Escondido and the Elfin Forest Recreation Reserve.

A previous board in July 2018 approved the

Harmony Grove Village South proposal, which involved rezoning land near the intersection of Harmony Grove Road and Country Club Drive.

Along with the General Plan amendment that originally cleared the way for the project, supervisors also voted to rescind the re-

zoning designation, specific plan, major use permit, environmental impact report and site plan.

The project was planned on 111 acres between Escondido and San Marcos.

According to the county, it would have included 453 single-family and

multi-family homes, 5,000 square feet of commercial or civic uses, 4 acres of private and public parks, multi-use trails, and 35 acres of biological open space.

In August 2018, the Sierra Club, Elfin Forest Harmony Grove Town Council, Endangered Habi-

tats League and Cleveland National Forest Foundation filed a lawsuit challenging the project, claiming it violated the California Environmental Quality Act.

In February 2020, a trial court sided with the plaintiffs. According to the

Creative and colorful garb was on display at the 64th annual Vista Christmas Parade in downtown Vista on Dec. 3. The theme this year was “A Toy Stories Christmas.” Photo by Karli Cadel

TURN TO HARMONY GROVE

FRANKLIN

How does Escondido Creek Conservancy create a new preserve?

By Ann Van Leer

People often wonder how we acquire land and protect it. There is no magic formula other than hard work and persistence by people, as the land can’t save itself.

Our newest preserve in the Olivenhain area, the LeoMar Preserve, to honor Leonard Wittwer and Martha Blane, two founders of the Escondido Creek Conservancy, is an example.

After three decades of conservation work, we know a lot about the landscape of the Escondido Creek watershed, which areas have the best remaining native habitat and how animals move through these last undeveloped areas along the coast and inland.

We have created a target acquisition list and are always on the hunt, as we are in a race against time to get ahead of development.

One of the first dilemmas: Do property owners want to sell? Unfortunately, because of the potential for development in Southern California, property owners often wish to refrain from selling for conservation as they assume they will get more money in development. That is only sometimes the case.

As a developer would, we offer to pay a fair market price. Convincing sellers to work with us is where hard work and persistence

step up. We write letters to property owners introducing ourselves and asking for a meeting to discuss a potential acquisition. They often ignore us.

We try to figure out someone who knows someone who knows someone who might be able to make an introduction to us. We have an impressive track record of successful purchases, and sometimes that works. Other times not.

Persistence continues. I have personally delivered flowers, honey, fruit, candy,

expensive liquor and other incentives to property owners to get a meeting. Sometimes that works.

After 30 years, we take the long view. We often know a property owner is just not ready to sell when we ask. We understand, take notes and revisit the request periodically. We’ve had some properties on our radar for decades and keep checking in with owners to assess if circumstances have changed.

The next obvious dilemma is how do we fund

a conservation purchase when we have a willing seller? The Conservancy, sadly, doesn’t have a checkbook that lends itself to multi-million-dollar land transactions.

This is parallel persistence; while we are lining up property owners, we also seek grant and private funding to allow us to complete purchases.

Additional time is spent on due diligence, i.e., researching properties to ensure there is nothing wrong with the title or the land that would compromise the Conservancy’s ability to protect it in perpetuity. All this takes people, persistence, time and money.

We’ve all heard the quote: the harder you work, the luckier you get. This has been true for the Conservancy. The people of the Conservancy — staff, board members and donors who support our work — are the reason the Conservancy has been able to help protect over 7,000 acres and currently owns or manages 3,000 acres of conservation land. It is people that save the land.

The LeoMar Preserve is the most recent example of what people can do together. Through hard work and persistence, the Conservancy has secured three strategic properties as the cornerstones of the pre-

Ruby

serve.

We are thrilled in 2022 to have an additional property in escrow, 49 acres, located between Elfin Forest and Olivenhain.

More good news: The California Department of Fish and Wildlife was awarded a $1,827,800 federal grant through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Section 6 Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund program to be provided to the Conservancy in 2023 to pay part of the purchase price. We are now seeking the balance of the sale price from state grants.

Once purchased, the land will be protected by the Conservancy’s dedicated land staff, who work tirelessly through their efforts and by engaging volunteers in restoration.

Another critical component is our outdoor educators who work with students so that the next generation will love the land like we do.

We launched our latest campaign, “All Hands In,” to connect our supporters with our mission to protect and restore the Escondido Creek watershed. Please see escondidocreek.org for opportunities where you can help us save the land!

Ann Van Leer is the executive director of the Escondido Creek Conservancy. Read more Conservancy

BOTTGER

4 locals make skateboarding national team

By Staff

REGION — Four North County skateboarders, including one from Vista, have joined the national skateboarding team with plans to compete in the 2024 Summer Olympics.

The United States governing body announced in mid-December that 16 athletes would be joining the 2023 National Skateboarding team, including Ruby Lilley, 16, of Oceanside, Bryce Wettstein, 18, of Encinitas, Braden Hoban, 21, of Encinitas and Gavin Bottger, 15, of Oceanside and Vista.

The National Skateboarding team is divided into four categories: men’s park, men’s street, women’s park and women’s street.

Bottger was placed in the men’s park group.

hope

Thanks to a generous matching gift from the Resource Partners Foundation, gifts to San Diego Humane Society by Dec. 31 will be doubled — up to $500,000 — to save twice as many lives.

Every donation will provide animals like Ruby with safe shelter, lifesaving medical care, behavioral training, rescue from cruelty and neglect, and more.

THE CONSERVANCY’S newest preserve in the Olivenhain area is called the LeoMar Preserve to honor two founders of the conservancy. photo by Richard Murphy

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Green resolutions for 2023

By A.J. van de Ven

As one year ends and another begins, many of us like to make resolutions or set goals for the new year.

As there’s no more pressing issue than our impact on the environment, here are some ideas — inspirations, perhaps — for achievable 2023 sustainability resolutions.

Do a waste audit at home or work. See what you’re throwing away each week, and check what might be reused or recycled instead of disposed of.

Single-use plastic disposables are prime culprits: bottles, straws, plastic sandwich bags and plastic razors.

You can switch to reusable alternatives or investigate local recycling opportunities.

An increasing number of strategies look to recycle waste that would previously have gone to the landfill. See if there are drop-off spots near you.

Switch to rechargeable batteries wherever possible. Battery waste is especially difficult to deal with in an environmentally responsible fashion.

This is particularly relevant for parents, guardians or those buying for children, where every second toy seems to require at least three AAA batteries.

Cut down on your paper towel use. If every U.S. household used just one less 70-sheet paper towel roll each year, more than half a million trees would be saved.

And that’s not taking into account the water required to make paper towels — estimated at around 20,000 gallons for a ton of paper.

Reduce your use, and switch to eco-friendly toilet paper where you can, too.

Just as auditing your household or business waste is a useful exercise to see

what could be recycled or replaced, auditing your water use can reveal important potential efficiencies.

Could you benefit from doing one less dishwasher load a week or using cold water for your laundry?

In your garden, if you have one, could you introduce drought-tolerant plants or utilize smart irrigation?

learn about natural lifecycles.

Even if growing food is out of the question, you can encourage wildlife with a bug hotel or bird feeder and discover more about the nature around us.

Volunteering is a great way to give a truly valuable resource: your time.

Find a local organization helping to make a dif-

DAs urge transparency in early release system

There is nothing most California convicts want more than to be released before their sentence is up, even before they have earned enough good-conduct credits to qualify for early release.

Across California’s prison system, many inmates are getting their wish, thanks to a steady program of early releases for prisoners whose offenses are legally deemed “nonviolent,” even though that category can include things like human trafficking, rape of an unconscious person and domestic violence.

This is not parole, which must be approved by appointive panels operating independently of the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR).

This is arbitrary action aimed at emptying the prison system as much as Gov. Gavin Newsom’s administration can get away with under the guise of reducing the risks of prisons becoming super-spreader sites for COVID-19.

While it’s true that convicts are often kept at close quarters with one another, both in cells and on exercise yards, masking and vaccines usually can prevent major outbreaks of the dangerous virus.

One lengthy investigation by CBS-TV concluded the early release process — conducted under emergency regulations — has been both dangerous and arbitrary, conducted entirely out of the public eye.

It has even seen the release of prisoners who were denied parole for substantial cause.

It’s unknown whether those rules will automatically expire if the public emergency Newsom declared in spring 2020 ends in February, as the governor has promised.

california focus

tom elias

and violent felons into our communities by reducing their sentences by as much as 50 percent puts the public in danger… Victims and their families deserve to be heard on how the (emergency) regulations might affect them and public safety in general.”

But the D.A.s never filed a formal court petition.

They have now asked CDCR to explain how it decides which prisoners to release early — “especially those who have not engaged in rehabilitation programs… This needs to stop now. This is not reform. It is an anti-transparent experiment that is gambling with public safety.”

Added Yolo County D.A. Jeff Reisig, “The public has a right to know what these people are doing to rehabilitate themselves.”

Meanwhile, legislators bent on cutting down the prison population and possibly closing some of the state’s most remote penitentiaries also passed a law in 2019 allowing early release of many inmates who committed felonies while juveniles, but were convicted as adults.

The D.A.s always objected to that law, known as SB 1391, saying it could free hundreds of dangerous prisoners. One they sometimes cite is Adrian Gonzalez of Santa Cruz, convicted on the basis of video evidence of raping and killing an 8-year-old neighbor girl and dumping her body in a trash bag.

Businesses and organizations can commit to upgrading their irrigation systems and introducing weather-based sensors, which ensure plants and lawns are neither undernor over-watered.

Shopping locally is an easy way to reduce your carbon footprint and supports small businesses near you.

Please be sure to look for retailers that source their products locally, where possible.

If you’re lucky enough to have a garden or green yard space, investigate options for growing your own food.

See what fruits or vegetables might be feasibly cultivated.

You can save a little money, reduce transportation impacts and costs, and both kids and adults can

ference, whether through a clean-up program, a recycling initiative, a campaign to save important wildlife, or any sustainability or green issue you feel passionately about.

You could also raise funds for an eco charity to help increase awareness of environmental issues.

You don’t even need to do any of this in a particularly formal way, either.

You could make your voice heard by becoming an active participant in your workplace or school as a voice for change and sustainability, a champion if you will.

A.J. van de Ven is president and CEO of Carlsbad-based smart irrigation company Calsense and a board member of the nonprofit ECOLIFE Conservation.

As long as 18 months ago, 41 elected district attorneys from around the state filed a petition with CDCR asking for repeal of those regulations and the unpublicized releases.

That was even before the release of convicted domestic abuser Smiley Martin, the main suspect in last April’s mass shooting in Sacramento, which killed six.

Martin, authorities have said, was able to get out after serving just four years of a 10-year term despite a record of prison fights with other convicts because his original offense was legally considered nonviolent, allowing him to earn good-conduct credits faster than formally violent criminals.

Riverside County D.A. Mike Hestrin, one of the signers of the district attorneys’ petition, wrote that “Releasing dangerous

Because he was aged 15 years, 8 months at the time of his crime, he will be released in 2024, just nine years after the rape/ murder. If he had been tried as an adult, he could have gotten a 100-year sentence.

Considering how much national Republicans used fear of crime in the November 2022 election, the Democrats who control Sacramento might want to revisit SB 1391, whose toll in repeat crimes is sure to rise in coming years as more onetime juvenile felons are released.

For Democrats might just want to assure their continued domination of California politics by doing something to prevent Republicans from making crime a major future issue here, as they have elsewhere.

Email Thomas Elias at tdelias@aol.com.

Zoe Morris • Ava DeAngelis

Trial date set in San Marcos fatal stabbing

By Laura Place

SAN MARCOS — A trial has been set for Jan. 9 in the case of a man who allegedly stabbed his former classmate who was walking near his home in San Marcos last year.

Kellon Razdan, 21, was charged with first degree murder for the brutal attack of Aris Keshishian, his former elementary school classmate, in August 2021. Keshishian was walking his dog near his home in the 1100 block of Via Vera Cruz when he was attacked and stabbed 44 times.

Keshishian was discovered by family members bleeding in his neighbor’s driveway and died shortly afterwards at the hospital. He was 20 years old.

Razdan was arrested by authorities and charged with the attack shortly afterwards. He has pleaded not guilty and is being held without bail at the Vista Detention Facility.

Authorities still have not named a potential motive in his attack, but evidence presented at a preliminary hearing in March indicated that Razdan waited to gain access to the gated community where Keshishian resided and had a knife on his person.

A pre-trial readiness conference scheduled for Dec. 6 has been continued to Dec. 20 at 9:30 a.m.

Keshishian was a graduate of San Marcos High School and is described on his family’s GoFundMe page as someone who was “the peacemaker and brought encouragement and laughter to everyone’s life,” and who valued his family above all else.

In late 2021, the San Marcos City Council approved a resolution naming a popular hiking trail in Ashishian’s memory. The nearly one-mile trail around the perimeter of Discovery Lake is now called the “Gratitude Trail, In Memory of Aris Keshishian.”

HARMONY GROVE

county, the court ruled that the project also had numerous drawbacks, including inadequate greenhouse mitigation measures and air quality analysis.

The project was inconsistent with the San Diego Association of Governments’ Regional Plan, the county’s General Plan on affordable housing and a community plan policy requiring septic tanks, according to the court ruling.

On Oct. 14, 2021, an appeals court affirmed the

More pandemic relief funds going to city parks

By Samantha Nelson ESCONDIDO

— The City Council this month approved several updates to projects throughout the city that will be paid for by federal pandemic relief funding.

Escondido received $38.8 million from the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, funds that can only be used to support public health costs, address negative impacts caused by the pandemic, replace lost public sector revenue, provide premium pay to essential workers, and make investments in water, sewer and broadband infrastructure.

The City Council first approved a list of ARPA-funded projects in September 2021 totaling $22.8 million. In April, the council directed staff to finish allocating the remaining funds. Staff returned to the council on Dec. 7 with additional funding needed for several of the approved projects.

Most of the projects receiving additional funding are within the city’s many parks.

The Queen Califia event space plan requires

an additional $585,000 to construct a new, rentable event space next to the Queen Califia Magical Circle sculpture garden in Kit Carson Park.

Due to a lack of interest in designing the event space because of the project’s small scope in size and budget, staff recommended

purchasing an event structure in advance and issuing another request for proposals to construct a concrete pad and install the pre-purchased event space there.

“Community input is important so if there’s a way to get the community involved in that before its final design, I would very

much recommend that,” Councilmember Consuelo Martinez said.

An additional $400,000 will be allocated to build standalone pickleball courts at Mountain View Park in an effort to prevent clashes between pickleball and tennis players. And $35,000 will be dedicated to creating an archery range at Lake Wohlford.

Another $300,000 will be used to match a previously approved $271,000 grant to construct a 1-acre bike park at Jesmond Dene Park named after the late John Masson, a council member until his death in March 2020.

The city is currently working with Kimley-Horn to design the park with opportunities for public input coming in January. Construction on the park is expected to begin in late summer 2023.

Two tennis courts at Washington Park are set to be replaced by futsal courts with an additional $215,000 from ARPA funds. Futsal is a soccer-based game played on a smaller court, typically indoors. The San Diego Loy-

Court dates in abuse case moved to Jan.

By Laura Place

VISTA — The next court dates in the case of a swim instructor charged with molesting two children in San Marcos and Rancho Santa Fe have been continued to January to allow for continuing discovery, the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office confirmed.

Nicholas Piazza, 19, faces one charge stemming from an incident in July 2021 and another from September 2022. While the trial related to the first charge was originally planned to begin at the end of this year, prosecutors are now aiming to combine the two cases into one trial.

“Before you can combine cases, you have to complete the preliminary hearing, then you can make a motion to combine,” said Deputy District Attorney Isaac Jackson. “I believe the people will request to combine the cases.”

A readiness hearing for both cases, initially scheduled for Dec. 6 at the Superior Court North County Division in Vista, has been continued to Jan. 10.

A preliminary hearing will then take place on Jan. 24. At that time, the two cases could be combined, and a trial date could be set.

In the meantime, the Sheriff’s Department is continuing its investigation into Piazza and seeking out any potential additional victims he may have.

NEWLAND

CONTINUED FROM FRONT

ted more than 100,000 signatures as part of a referendum to rescind the Board of Supervisors’ approval of the project.

“The entire signature gathering process has made a travesty of truth and democracy,” Rita Brandin, Newland Communities vice president, told The Coast News in 2018. “The East

trial court’s ruling.

In October, the trial court issued a revised order requiring the county to rescind all Harmony Grove project approvals within 60 days.

During a public comment period, J.P. Theberge of the Elfin Forest Harmony Grove Town Council said the previous Board of Supervisors didn't take community concerns about wildfire risks seriously.

“The era of sprawl developing in fire-prone areas is over,” Theberge said, adding that he and other area residents have start-

Coast billionaires of the Golden Door and their outof-town signature gatherers fraudulently collected these signatures by telling falsehoods about our approved Newland Sierra plan, including the ridiculous claims that it would raise people’s taxes, that we are building a casino, and that the project encompasses 430,000 acres of land. With what they were claiming, we were even tempted to

ed a nonprofit that focuses on contested development projects.

Kelvin Barrios of the Laborers Union Local 89 urged supervisors to let the project go forward.

“We have an agreement; they’re working with local labor,” he said. “We want to see this project done.”

Supervisor Jim Desmond was absent, and his office didn't provide a formal reason.

The meeting, which focused on land use and environmental issues, was the last for 2022.

sign.”

The ballot initiative was eventually brought before voters in 2020 in the form of Measure B, which was soundly defeated.

“Sierra Club members are overjoyed about the purchase for conservation of such an important habitat area after decades battling in court, at the ballot, and in front of the Board of Supervisors against ill-conceived sprawl development

proposals,” said Lisa Ross, San Diego Sierra Club chair. “The result is a sensational reward for the persistence of environmental organizations, businesses and residents working together on behalf of climate action and protection of threatened species.”

Newland Communities, the developer behind the planned project, did not respond to requests for comment.

Adoption fees waived for adult dogs

By City News Service

REGION — The San Diego Humane Society is waiving adoption fees for adult dogs for the rest of the year, thanks to a $10,000 donation from local animal lover Randy Spicer.

Due to Spicer’s donation, all dogs older than 7 months can have adoption fees waived.

Out of nearly 700 animals available for adoption at San Diego Humane Society, 260 are adult dogs, officials said.

Those who adopt from

SDHS get pets who are spayed/neutered and vaccinated, have been medically assessed and cared for, and also receive training advice and educational information from the organization for the life of the animal.

The San Diego Humane Society is open for walk-in adoptions Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at its campuses in Escondido, El Cajon, Oceanside and San Diego.

To view animals available for adoption, visit sdhumane.org/adopt.

Jackson did not confirm whether any additional victims have come forward but said no new charges had been filed against Piazza as of this week.

Piazza was working as a swim instructor at Callan Swim School in San Marcos when he faced charges for sexually abusing a 6-year-old student in 2021. He was arrested but released on bail that fall and was prohibited from working around children.

Piazza then began conducting private swim lessons in the summer of 2022, and it was during this time he allegedly molested another victim, age 7.

Piazza was arrested again in September and is currently being held without bail at the Vista Detention Facility.

Anyone whose child may have been abused by Piazza is urged to contact the Sheriff’s Child Abuse Unit at 858-285-6293.

Individuals can also anonymously contact Crime Stoppers at 888580-8477.

KESHISHIAN

PIAZZA

AFTER YEARS of controversy and political arm-twisting, luxury spa Golden Door in San Marcos has purchased the adjacent 2,000-acre Newland Sierra site to preserve it as open space. The Coast News file photo

WITH THE HELP of federal American Rescue Plan Act funds, Jesmond Dene Park in Escondido will soon be home to a new 1-acre bike park. Photo by Samantha Nelson

TURN TO PARKS ON 6

Supervisors OK program to boost use native plants

By City News Service

REGION — San Diego County supervisors voted 4-0 Dec. 14 in favor of a multi-year program to increase the use of native plants in the region.

The program was developed by the San Diego Regional Biodiversity Working Group, which formed via a proposal from Supervisors Nathan Fletcher and Terra Lawson-Remer.

Lawson-Remer said that more native plants aren’t just good for environment, they also benefit the regional economy in the form of more landscaping and related service jobs.

She said the program will provide incentives to “residents, landscapers and businesses to protect

the biodiversity that makes our region so beautiful and unique, as well as require native plants be used in many county projects.”

With climate change threatening the county’s unique habitats and ecosystems, “the good news is that we have the power to protect these fragile habitats, and this initiative will make doing so easier than ever,” she added.

Fletcher added that more native plants will also help with habitat corridors, drought management and stormwater reduction.

The program calls for planting demonstration gardens and develop educational materials for San Diego County students. Seven development strategies are:

• a landscaping design manual featuring definitions, and installation best practices and parameters;

• a requirement for native plants at new county facilities or retrofits, if possible;

• a website offering educational and training resources;

• educational materials and resources for residents and landscaping professionals;

• a landscaping professional certification program in collaboration with community colleges and other regional partners;

• incentivizing native plants for private developments in the unincorporated areas, in the form of rebates for converting lawns; and

• free, easy-to-use landscape design templates online.

The full program will be carried over a six-year period, according to a county Planning and Development Services report.

Native plants include the California lilac, Cleveland sage, coast live oak, Penstemon and sticky monkeyflower.

During public comment period, most speakers were in favor of the program.

Frank Landis of the California Native Plant Society said his group was committed to helping the program succeed.

“We've got a long way to go, and hope it will be a very rewarding journey,'' he added.

A vision of loveliness

small talk

jean gillette

I

If any gift-giving reader out there is breaking out in a sweat thinking I mean jewelry, I don’t. I don’t even mean a gift.

It’s the shimmering time of year and I find myself sadly reminiscing about my youth when this time of year meant an excuse to buy a new dress.

As I flipped through some Christmas catalogs, I found myself filled with longing for a real outfit — a gown, some shoes, a wrap — and a place to wear it.

Meanwhile, life becomes a bit drab when you have no more occasions to get really dolled up. In high school and college, there was at least one each season.

But once we move into the marriage, children, and/or career drill, most of us run out of opportunities to really make an entrance.

need something sparkly.Sure you can throw your own party, but that has several obstacles. First, you can’t make an entrance at your own party. Next, it’s Southern California, home base for casual. You are just not going to see many tuxedos. Not even if we remind him that he looks like James Bond.

I’m lucky if I can get my husband to wear pants with belt loops, much less a cummerbund. Finally, it’s a little anticlimactic to get beautiful for those friends you see all the time.

In loving memory of Marie (Polly) Emma Rose

- 2022

Our beautiful loving mother, Marie Emma Rose, 88, peacefully passed away Monday, December 12, 2022 in Leucadia, California.

Mom was born July 31, 1934 in Flint, Michigan, the daughter of John and Helen (LaPratt) TerBush. She was the third oldest of nine siblings and grew up on the family farm in Mayville, Michigan. As a very young girl, Mom especially liked to snack on crackers, thereby earning her nickname; closest friends and family still refer to her as “Polly”. Upon graduating high school and turning 18 years old, Marie moved out on her own to the YWCA in downtown San Diego, Cali-

Loretta Rose Heiser, 84 Oceanside December 15, 2022

Donald Leon Hadley, 73 Carlsbad December 11, 2022

Rodolfo Sandoval Hernandez December 3, 2022 Oceanside

fornia because she wanted to be closer to Hollywood movie stars. Mom soon met and married our dad, Darrell Francis Hudson, and they eventually settled in Carlsbad, California to raise their three children: Clifford Charles, Linda Marie, and David Lyle Hudson. Mom was a lifelong homemaker and lived at our family home from August 1959

Parviz Entezari, 78 Carlsbad December 8, 2022

Susan Marie Humphrey Oceanside December 7, 2022

Frances Mary Grajek, 96 San Marcos November 28, 2022

until July 2022, when it was decided to move her into the Leucadia House, a residential care facility.

Survivors include her children; Cliff and Vicky Hudson of Lewisville, Texas, Robin (Rose) and Gary Maple of Vista, California, and David and Chia Hudson of Colorado Springs, Colorado; Polly’s siblings; Joyce Papkey of Davidson,

Michigan, Hazel Wagner of Caro, Michigan, Shirley Beutler of Burton, Michigan, Melvin and Elaida TerBush of Waterford, Michigan, and Raymond and Diane TerBush of Mayville, Michigan; and her many grandchildren and nieces and nephews.

Polly was preceded in death by her parents, her first husband Darrell Hudson (1970), her second husband Alvin (Lefty) Rose (2019), her precious daughter Linda Hudson (2022), and her siblings Viola Kukulski (1998), Richard Terbush (2005) and Sharron Tedford (2014).

Somewhere out there, in social circles that will never include me, women are buying these gorgeous things to wear during the holidays. They have galas to attend and social standings to uphold. Nothing on my calendar requires more than a clean pair of jeans.

Most women will agree, there is nothing quite as delicious as sliding into a gown that makes you feel beautiful. You just know you’ll get a wolf whistle from your significant other.

And even if he is foolish enough not to notice how radiant you look, you will get that look from several other men at the party. That may even be the best part.

You know, and they know you know, that it is just seasonal flirting, but it can raise your self-esteem right through the roof. God bless the man confident enough to tell your husband he had no idea he had such a beautiful wife.

PARKS

CONTINUED FROM 5

al soccer club has committed to providing programming at the futsal courts, which will be open to the public at times as well.

An additional $675,000 has been allocated to provide LED lighting on seven of the eight fields at Ryan Park, which will allow soccer teams to play into the evening during the winter months.

Plans have been in the works to make El Caballo Park a reality since 2014, but there have been hangups with the park’s environmental impact report. Another $200,000 of ARPA funds has been committed to complete the environmental document for the El Caballo Park Master Plan.

What we are truly wishing for is to be Cinderella, that breathtaking woman no one can take their eyes off of. We want to hear whispers to our escort of, “Wow. Who’s your date?”

Ah well. I know there are clubs in New York and balls in La Jolla where this all still happens, but somehow my invitations got lost in the mail.

It’s just as well. I’d have to get my furs out of the vault and my jewels out of the safety deposit box, which is really such a bother.

And besides, I simply couldn’t decide between the black, hand-beaded silk shantung and the bright red number dripping in sequins.

Instead, I believe I’ll be wearing my fabulous flannel with matching fuzzy slippers. Inside, however, I’ll be glittering.

Jean Gillette is a freelance writer going for cozy over dazzling. Contact her at jean@coastnewsgroup.com.

include replacing 15 ambulance gurneys for $230,000 and allocating $1.5 million to the Escondido Community Foundation, which provides funds to nonprofits in the community to adopt safer operating procedures, sustain operations during closures like the COVID-19 shutdown and mitigating financial hardship stemming from the pandemic.

Photo: $25 Art: $15 (Dove, Heart, Flag, Rose)

“I’m happy for those folks who held on for 10 years,” Deputy Mayor Tina Inscoe said during her last council meeting. “I’m looking forward to El Caballo Park becoming another truly appreciated and well used amenity.”

ARPA-funded projects that have been completed

Other projects still in the works include $150,000 for the relaunching of Visit Escondido to promote economic development and tourism; $500,000 for business improvements; $400,000 for economic revitalization; $1 million for Kit Carson amphitheater improvements; and $2.5 million for sidewalk and Escondido Creek Trail connection improvements throughout the city.

As with Inscoe, Dec. 7 was also Paul McNamara’s last council meeting as mayor. He commended staff for their work on the additional ARPA allocations.

“It’s really impressive what you’ve done,” McNamara said.

Who’s NEWS?

Business news and special achievements for North San Diego County. Send information via email to community@ coastnewsgroup.com.

HOMELESS FOCUS

Lucky Duck Foundation announced its inaugural Shamrocks & Shipwrecks, which analyzes the effectiveness of regions/elected officials in addressing homelessness. San Diego County made a commitment to make $10 million available to all 18 cities throughout the county to increase shelters and fund urgently needed beds. The cities of San Diego, Oceanside, and Vista were awarded Shamrocks for pursuing and securing these funds because of plans to add immediately available beds.

NEW FACE AT PALOMAR

As per the District’s Governing Board approval Dec. 6, Palomar College welcomes Todd McDonald as the new assistant superintendent/vice president of finance & administrative services. McDonald will start at Palomar on Jan. 23.

GIFT OF VISION

Sunglass Hut gave back to the community by partnering with the OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation, a global vision care foundation. In early December, the organizations teamed up to provide free vision correction and protection, offering comprehensive eye exams, glasses, and sunglasses at no cost to more than 650 under-resourced patients in Vista. Out of the patients seen, 91% needed prescription glasses and 100% received sunglasses.

CARDS FOR A CAUSE

The La Costa 35 Athletic Club, a local nonprofit organization, hosted its Cards For A Cause 11th annual Texas Hold ‘Em Poker tournament Nov. 12, benefiting the Boys & Girls Clubs of Carlsbad. More than $45,000 in net proceeds was raised for the Clubs. For more information, call (760) 444-4893, email info@bgccarlsbad.org or visit bgccarlsbad.org.

EXCELLENCE IN ART

Oceanside Museum of Art has received a 2022 Superintendent Award for Excellence in Museum Education from the California Association of Museums and the California Department of Education. This award recognizes their Literacy Through Art program which promotes reading proficiency for third-grade students by closely looking at and analyzing works of art.

SHOWING KINDNESS

The Vista Chamber of Commerce has been recognized as a Kindness Certified Chamber of Commerce for having demonstrated visionary leadership, elevating kindness in business and honoring its members who are good to their people, community, planet and world.

HELP FOR AIDS VICTIMS

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Office of HIV/ AIDS Housing announced it will award more than $13 million in Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS Permanent Supportive Housing Renewal and Replacement Grants, which assist with tenant based rental assistance, supportive services, and other housing activities. This is the second of two rounds of grant announcements.

GRATIS HEARING AIDS

The Home Instead office in North San Diego County presented an anonymous donation of 1,600 brand new hearing aids Dec. 14, to distribute among local seniors. The donation allows the offices to extend their care for older adults with hearing impairments.

KUDOS FOR HWAC

Helen Woodward Animal Center President and CEO Mike Arms, addressed the United Nation’s Economic and Social Council for the first time since the Center was officially appointed special consultative status in August this year. Helen Woodward Animal Center is honored to take a seat at this table among the world’s most influential non-governmental organizations.

GRAND OPENING

Transformative Wellness held its grand opening Dec.13 at 138 Civic Center Drive, #205, Vista.

RENT WRECK

On the West Coast, California’s low-supply of apartments showed Orange County was the hottest renting spot, followed by San Diego — a sign that both these markets continue to attract renters from Los Angeles and San Francisco. In fact, Orange County, coming in at no. 8, and San Diego, which took the 13th place, were the only California markets to reach our top 20 this year.

STAR SEAPORT

Seaport San Diego has been honored with 2022 ICSC GOLD Award for Evolving Innovation and Aspiration, a design award, the latest milestone for this transformative redevelopment proposed for the Downtown San Diego waterfront within the Port of San Diego. The $3.6 billion project is currently preparing to enter the environmental review process, a critical step for any large development.

NEW DIRECTOR NEEDED

The Vallecitos Water District is currently seeking a new Division 4 director to sit on the board of directors. Submit a letter of interest to the Vallecitos Water District, 201 Vallecitos de Oro, San Marcos, CA 92069, Attention: Anthony Flores, senior executive assistant. The letter must state qualifications and reasons the applicant desires to be appointed to the Board. Applications will be accepted by mail; by e-mail to aflores@ vwd.org; or by hand delivery during the district’s office hours.

New San Marcos council sworn in

By Laura Place

SAN MARCOS — The San Marcos City Council welcomed one new council member and said goodbye to another last week as they recognized the results of the November election.

Incumbent Mayor Rebecca Jones was elected to a second term over challenger Randy Walton, who represented District 2 on the council for the past four years. Mike Sannella was elected to Walton’s old seat after emerging victorious in a four-man race.

At the City Council’s Dec. 13 meeting, city staff and community members thanked Walton for his work on the council, as well as his previous service as an elected official on the San Marcos Unified School District board. They presented him with a plaque.

“We hope you stick around and continue your extraordinary service to our community. Whatever you choose, I know it will be meaningful,” resident Kathy Steel said.

Walton, whose noncity work includes managing a law firm and serving as a board member for the San Marcos Promise, also expressed his gratitude to the community and his colleagues.

“It’s been an absolute

privilege and an honor to serve in this role and it’s been an experience that I will cherish for the rest of my life, and I thank you all sincerely,” he said.

Sannella previously served eight years on the Vallecitos Water District board, representing parts of San Marcos, Carlsbad and the Lake San Marcos community. He said one of his goals is to foster continued collaboration between the water board, the city and the school district while on council.

“I know the City Council has come a long way in

working together and collaborating and partnering with all the other entities,” he said. “One of my goals and one of my hopes is to continue and take that to another level, and to have all three of those entities kind of moving in the same direction more frequently.”

Jones thanked the community for their support in electing her to a second mayoral term.

“I have had such a privilege to represent San Marcos for the last 16 years, and this is my second term as mayor and I could not be more thrilled,” Jones said.

Opening on Vallecitos water board

By Staff

SAN MARCOS —

Due to the recent general election, Vallecitos Water District has a vacancy on its board of directors.

The water district is currently seeking a new Division 4 director to replace new San Marcos City Councilman Mike Sannella. Directors assist in setting policy and direction for the public agency.

Eligible persons interested in being appointed as a Director to fill the vacancy must submit a letter of interest to the Vallecitos Water District, 201 Vallecitos de Oro, San Marcos, CA 92069, Attention: Anthony Flores, Senior Executive Assistant.

The letter must state the qualifications of the applicant and the reasons the applicant desires to be appointed to the Board. Applications will be accepted by mail; by e-mail to aflores@ vwd.org; or by hand delivery during the District's office hours.

More information at vwd.org.

San Marcos Chamber

Meet Chamber Members Dr. Chase Parlett and Dr. Kasey Pierce of Life Source Chiropractic

Today we are featuring San Marcos Chamber member Life Source Chiropractic. Dr. Chase Parlett and Dr. Kasey Pierce opened their business located at 844 W. San Marcos Blvd. in San Marcos in 2018.

They specialize in pregnancy chiropractic, chiropractic care from car accidents, as well as helping pediatric and senior care patients. Their mission is to improve the health and wellness of the community through chiropractic care.

What sets you apart from other chiropractic practices?

State of the Art Diagnostic technology to get to the root cause of our members health problems.

What questions are you most frequently asked?

Can you help? The an-

swer is definitely Yes!

What motivated you to join the Chamber?

I wanted to join a group of like minded business owners who wanted to be part of a community where everyone can grow

together and help improve the city of San Marcos.

What’s your best piece of advice?

Write down your monthly and yearly goals and do everything in your power to reach those goals

consistently.

Business website: www.golifesource.com

Instagram: Lifesourcechiropractic Facebook: LifeSource Chiropractic

DR CHASE PARLETT AND DR. KASEY PIERCE of Life Source Chiropractic.Courtesy photo

RANDY WALTON, right, is recognized for his service on the San Marcos City Council as City Manager Jack Griffin looks on at the Dec. 13 meeting. Courtesy photo

In Antarctica, Padres’ Musgrove brings heat for disabled athletes

sports talk

The pitch reached 86 miles per hour while the thermometer showed 26 degrees, with No-No Joe transforming into Snow Globe Joe. What exactly was Padres’ right-hander Joe Musgrove doing heaving five pitches off a makeshift mound in Antarctica?

Musgrove, the only Padre to toss a no-hitter, was throwing for dough in the frigid conditions. He aimed at a blustery target 60 feet, 6 inches away, with a delivery that was felt in North County and beyond.

The benefactor of this bizarre event after a blizzard was the Sorrento Valley-based Challenged Athletes Foundation, which provides compromised competitors with the financial and emotional support to live an active lifestyle.

When realizing how these determined CAF athletes overcome the loss of limbs and other obstacles and still shine, maybe Musgrove isn’t that big of a star.

Oh he is, but this was a victory for human kindness in Antarctica, and not one Musgrove often finds in the box score.

“This was his brainchild,” CAF’s Christy Fritts said. “He wanted to turn his vacation and bucket-list fishing trip into bringing CAF athletes with him to show them what they could do.”

Long ago, Landis Sims put Musgrove on his stringer of admirers. Sims, a baseball player minus hands and lower legs, became a buddy with Musgrove when he played with the Houston Astros.

That launched a friendship that continues and Musgrove was bent on making sure Sims, 16, made the trek with him.

The good news is a September event Musgrove hosted raised funds for Sims’ inclusion. When Musgrove kept tugging at the attendees’ emotions, enough cash was collected to also take two CAF Paralympic athletes: Roderick Sewell and Justin Phongsavanh.

Those warm hearts assisted in an outing that had moved at a glacier pace.

“It was freezing out there,” said Carlsbad’s Fritts, the CAF media relations director and yes, she has stopped shivering. “But those three CAF athletes were incredible and took

on every challenge at every turn. The entire trip was amazing.”

Among those headwinds was getting approval to play catch in one of the most environmentally sensitive places on earth. Musgrove and crew waded not through icy waters but the bureaucratic hula hoops to get permission for their pitches.

The result was the fastest pitch to be thrown in Antarctica, with the seal of authenticity from Guinness

World Records on the horizon.

But Musgrove’s offering didn’t carry as much weight as Sims’ tickling 43 mph with the first of his two pitches.

“You have to get that to 44 for me, Landis,” Musgrove said, urging his pal to find more velocity.

Sims followed orders and hit 44, which of course, is Musgrove’s jersey number.

“I’m constantly inspired by Landis Sims and

the athletes from CAF who overcome their challenges every day to achieve their goals,” said Musgrove, who returned Dec. 12. “Antarctica is one of the most remote and extreme destinations in the world. I can’t think of a better place to showcase pushing the limits of what’s possible.”

Musgrove is fresh from an All-Star year and he continues to do right to those needing assistance through CAF, which has touched countless athletes in North

County and points elsewhere.

Since 1994, CAF has collected nearly $150 million that has funded more than 40,000 requests for athletes in all 50 states and about 70 countries. Like Musgrove’s heave in Antarctica, the CFA pitch is one that is remembered by its eventual impact.

Want to pitch in as well? Musgrove would approve. Go to challengedathletes. org to donate.

Musgrove got busy filling the CAF coffers in Antartica, where one of the balls he threw went for $4,500 and the glove he was wearing fetched a similar figure.

That’s $9,000 to put more courageous athletes on cloud nine and who can resist an offering like that?

“We not only present the athletes with grants but a lot of times it’s something more important and that’s being part of a community,” Fritts said. “A newly injured athlete might be missing an arm and he sees someone like him. That creates a lifelong friendship.”

Musgrove clicked on various levels, by going way out of his way to help others.

Contact Jay Paris at jparis8@aol.com and follow him @jparis_sports.

JOE MUSGROVE throws an 86 mph fastball on Dec. 2 to fellow pitcher and former Padres teammate Sean Manaea, setting a record for the fastest pitch thrown in Antarctica. Musgrove made the trip to the remote continent to raise awareness and funds for the Challenged Athletes Foundation, a Sorrento Valley-based nonprofit that supports disabled athletes. Three CAF athletes accompanied Musgrove on the trip. Photo by Werner Kruse/Albatros Expeditions

jay paris

MUSGROVE and Landis Sims, a 16-year-old baseball player born without hands and feet, pose for a photo during the trip to Antarctica. Photo by Werner Kruse/Albatros Expeditions

Food &Wine

A Cheers! Christmas: Holiday cocktail ideas

iconic holiday hard candy and a nice minty treat right after second breakfast or first lunch. Don’t judge. It’s the holidays. The candy cane legend goes back 350 years when a choirmaster in Cologne, Germany, asked a local candy maker for something to shut up those dang kids during church services.

When this column is printed, I will be firmly ensconced in a lounge chair near a fireplace. Snowflakes will accumulate out the window, and I will listen to the family argue over which puzzle to put together.

I’m looking forward to the holidays because I'm filled with the “holiday spirit” for the first time in my adult life.

I’ve embraced the lights, the matching holiday onesies, and the tree. It’s an old Snoopy tree that has seen better days, but still.

My nights have been filled with both classic and nauseatingly nostalgic holiday movies. I’ve already watched the Lindsay Lohan one, “Elf,” “Die Hard,” “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation,” “Scrooged,” and one with Zach Morris from “Saved By the Bell.”

During my transition from holiday cynic to holiday enthusiast, I learned that it takes a lot of time

and energy to be filled with the season’s joy. So much time and energy that my efforts as the family bartender seem to be flagging.

I don’t want to make a half dozen gingerbread white Russians every half hour, so I’ve been leaning into the idea of batch cocktails for the rest of the season.

Here are my favorites for ease, beauty and time of day.

Morning

Along with an enormous French press filled

with Zumbar Coffee & Tea’s Hummingbird blend coffee, fill the punch bowl with a Christmas Mimosa. I always wonder what makes it a “Christmas” mimosa. I assume that it is the red color.

This batch only requires three ingredients with forgiving ratios and a few optional garnishes, making it perfect for mixing up early in the morning before my eyes are fully open.

It looks pretty, tastes sweet and tart, and with a rosemary garnish, reminds the drinker of the Rockwellian holiday scene.

Dump all the following ingredients into a big bowl, rim some champagne glasses (or coffee mugs) with sugar, and let the masses ladle up in the kitchen.

Christmas mimosa

2 parts cranberry juice

2 parts champagne 1 part orange liqueur like Cointreau or Grand Marnier

Optional garnishes: fresh sprig of rosemary, sugared cranberries

Midday

Candy canes are an

Candy Cane White Russian

4 parts whole milk (or milk alternative)

2 parts coffee liqueur (like Kahlua)

2 parts peppermint schnapps

Optional garnish: crushed Candy Cane around the rim

Directions: Mix all ingredients in a large serving bowl

Serve on the rocks in a tall cocktail glass with a candy cane or crushed candy cane around the rim.

Evening

Want an easy-peasy cocktail? Buy pre-made cider. Do you need a break from the family for a few minutes but haven’t smoked a cigarette since college? Blend it yourself.

Do you want something with the sweetness of brandy or the burn of whiskey?

Steel Mill, Vista Village

Where: Steel Mill Coffee, 253 Main St, Vista, CA Open: Daily 7 a.m. - 2 p.m. What: Warish batch brew Region: Mexico Chiapas Turquesa

Tasting Notes: Tangerine, chocolate, juicy Price: $3

By Ryan Woldt

Steel Mill Coffee, in the heart of Vista Village, relocated from Oceanside at the start of the year.

They won’t be the only ones. Vista Village is about to be the next hot coffee community in North County.

Archer’s Coffee House just opened down the street, and another local coffee roaster is moving in soon, not to mention Danny’s Donuts, Curbside Cafe and Brewed Vista are already in the neighborhood.

I like Vista Village. Parts of it, like this particular spot next to the Avo Playhouse and across from the Vista Village Pub, feel like the kind of place that has been staring into the eyes of gentrification for

RAIN, WIND, AND FIRE...

“The three menaces to any chimney, fireplace, or stove.”

Every year there are over twenty thousand chimney / fireplace related house fires in the US alone. Losses to homes as a result of chimney fires, leaks, and wind damage exceeds one hundred million dollars annually in the US.

CHIMNEY SWEEPS, INC., one of San Diego’s leading chimney repair and maintenance companies, is here to protect you and your home from losses due to structural damage and chimney fires.

Family owned and operated and having been in business for over 30 years, Chimney Sweeps Inc. is a fully licensed and insured chimney contracting company (License # 976438) and they are certified with the National Fireplace Institute and have an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau.

For a limited time, readers of this paper will receive a special discount on our full chimney cleaning and safety inspection package with special attention to chimney water intrusion points in preparation for the rainy season.

THIS HOLIDAY season, try making a Hot Cider Punch cocktail Courtesy photo

Photo

hit the road

e’louise

The ultimate journey, surely, is flying in space.

Just 558 people (300-plus Americans) of the Earth’s 8 billion have had such an adventure.

Maybe one of the most thrilling experiences in space is depicted on page 59 of “The Space Shuttle: A Mission-by-Mission Celebration of NASA's Extraordinary Spaceflight Program.” The picture is at once both stunning and disturbing.

Taken by astronaut Robert “Hoot” Gibson in 1984, the photo shows astronaut Bruce McCandless floating in outer space — away from the space station — untethered. The blackness of space is at his back; the Earth at his feet, 170 miles below.

The image is reminiscent of an early scene in the 2013 film “Gravity,” in which George Clooney’s astronaut character purposely cuts his tether and floats away to save Sandra Bullock’s astronaut character.

Fortunately, in McCandless’ case, life does not imitate art.

He had the advantage of an MMU — a manned maneuvering unit — that enabled him to propel himself back to the safety of the space station.

Still, scary stuff, and we’re fortunate to have this photo and 139 others that have been compiled in “The Space Shuttle” by professional photographer Roland Miller, a Chicago native and dean emeritus of the Grayslake Campus of the College of Lake County in Illinois.

“As a young child in the 1960s, I was mesmerized by America’s space program,” he begins. But like many Americans, he lost interest in the program after the 1969 and 1970 moon landings. It was the launch of the first space shuttle in 1981 that rekindled his at-

tention.

Then, in 1988, Miller was called to Cape Canaveral as a consultant and

was drawn to photograph deactivated launch pads. Later, working with one of the astronauts, he directed a photo shoot of the interior of the space shuttle.

As a result, “I had this idea for a book for a while — the best 100 photos of the space shuttle,” Miller said in a phone interview from his home in Ogden, Utah. “This one is close. We ended up with 140 photos — five free flights and 135 actual launch missions. They are all NASA photographs except one.”

To find those 140 photos, Miller examined “three-quarters of a million to a million photos” from NASA and the National Archives.

“I wanted to go to the archives in person,” he said, “but then COVID hit,

and the archives closed.”

That meant Miller spent a lot of time online, looking at photos that were suitable in both content and quality.

“We treated the book as an object itself,” he said. “I didn’t want to pick just the greatest hits. I tried to strike a balance between best-known and lesser-known images.”

My favorites are those that showcase the astronauts: Gary Harbaugh pulling himself along the handrails on the exterior of the orbiter Endeavor (1993); Russian cosmonaut Valery Polyakov peering through the window of the Mir Space Station, watching the orbiter Discovery approach (1995); John Olivas, during a spacewalk, repairing a thermal blanket on the or-

biter Atlantis (2007).

Miller also wrote the text, which offers plenty of understandable detail and anecdotes to keep the interest of even the non-expert.

Readers get a glimpse into what it takes to build, maintain and repair space-worthy vehicles. And most helpful is the two-page, full-color graphic depicting all the NASA-crewed space flights from 1961, when Alan Shepard became the first American in space, to 2011, when the orbiter Atlantis made its last mission to the International Space Station.

Proper tribute also is given the Challenger and Columbia tragedies (1986 and 2003, respectively), which reminds us just how tenuous and complicated these missions into outer space are. Their stories illustrate how the tiniest detail can cause massive destruction and perhaps make us wonder why tragedies aren’t more frequent.

“If someone doesn’t know about program, this book is a good introduction,” Miller said. “If they do, we get a little beyond the description of each mission.”

ondash

ASTRONAUT Bruce McCandless was photographed free-floating in space by fellow astronaut Robert “Hoot” Gibson in 1984. This was the first test of the MMU — the manned maneuvering unit — a self-propelled gizmo that allowed astronauts to work untethered from the space shuttle. Courtesy photo

THIS PHOTO shows the deployment of the Hubble Space Telescope from the orbiter Discovery in April 1990. Having a telescope in orbit allows us to see places in the universe that are impossible to see from the Earth because of our atmosphere. Courtesy photo

ROLAND MILLER, professional photographer and author of “The Space Shuttle,” chose photos for the book from nearly a million in NASA’s files. Courtesy photo

The need for local journalism has never been more important than it is today. Misinformation, biased reporting and fake news impact your ability to make informed decisions. The Coast News needs your help to continue honest communitybased reporting you can trust. Just like many of you, our team at Coast News Group has also been impacted by the coronavirus. In order to continue our mission to provide quality local journalism, we are now accepting reader donations. We appreciate all your support during this time of need. To

referring to the controversial road user charge in the transportation plan. “I will not apologize for the fact that I have been a vocal critic of the road user charge.”

Councilman Joe Green supported Franklin.

One of the sticking points between Franklin and his Democratic colleagues was the widening of state Route 78 to include carpool lanes and the road user charge, a per-mile fee. Franklin supports widening the 78 and is against the road charge, while Melendez said she would not support the widening of the 78 but would bring a “balanced” approach to get the public more excited about active transportation.

Franklin, though, said he would not put a slate forward with someone who supports the road user charge. Melendez did not state any opposition to the road charge.

“I believe I have the pull to bring the community into these discussions,” she

BEAN JOURNAL

CONTINUED FROM 11

a decade without losing its soul.

In Oceanside, Steel Mill was in a long space on Mission Avenue downtown. The space was heavy metal, and the vibe was a little cold. It wasn’t my favorite spot.

The new Vista location is smaller, warmer, and friendlier but still with a hint of metal. They share the small shop with a vintage clothing retailer, Oldfield Vintage.

This morning, I pass a rack of pearl-buttoned cowboy button-downs that would have been in my closet twenty years ago to get to the counter. It is free of clutter and holds only the essentials: bags of whole-bean coffee, a register, and a covered plate of glazed donuts.

A record player spins in the corner under a curated bookshelf that holds up a pair of sharp-looking speakers and a motorcycle helmet. The black-and-white menu board reflects the simplicity of focus and features Steel Mill’s selection

said.

Contreras said she’s tracked SANDAG through her job as a policy advocate for the Climate Action Campaign. The organization has come under scrutiny for accepting funding from local governments while also lobbying for climate initiatives, although it is unclear if the nonprofit has accepted any funds from SANDAG.

The CAC also supported the effort to put a halfcent tax measure on the ballot in November, but it failed to get the required number of signatures. A coalition of labor unions, climate groups and at least one current SANDAG contractor has said it will attempt to get the measure on the 2023 or 2024 ballot.

Contreras also said she has not seen any urgency from former Mayor Judy Ritter, who was the previous Vista representative, and Franklin. She said SANDAG needs a more comprehensive strategy to provide equity and that electric vehicles and widening the 78 won’t solve the problem.

“We have deep pock-

of coffee, tea, flavors, and specials, including the Bone Tomahawk.

I order a Warish batch brew, a coffee from the Chiapas region of Mexico that, according to Conrad the Barista, “…is a kind-of, punch you in the cheek, sort of coffee.”

I’m paraphrasing because I was so delighted by the phrasing that I forgot to write it down. I take it outside and sit on one of two black table-and-chair sets looking back into the cafe.

A line of decaying flowers (mums?) are lined up in a black and gold flower box under the window. They are a near-perfect depiction of the death of the fall season.

It’s quiet in Vista this morning. I can see a few late breakfast eaters in front of the cafe down the street, but most shops still need to open. Sidewalk traffic is limited to coffee drinkers and locals walking or biking to work.

According to the staff, there were a lot of reasons for the move from Oceanside, not the least of which was the impact of COVID-19.

JOIN THE VISTA SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT

SENIOR VOLUNTEER PATROL

ets of poverty here in Vista that makes it difficult for people to have a vehicle,” she said. “They also want the freedom of choice and to go to the grocery store without using their car and use micro transit because we

ple onto transit.

However, the transit improvements in North County, according to the plan, are limited. SANDAG will double-track the Coaster line, known as the Los Angeles-San Luis Obispo-San Diego (LOSSAN) corridor, double-track the Sprinter line and extend it to the Westfield mall in Escondido.

Other parts of the plan include transit hubs, flexible fleets and more with the goal being to increase ridership to 10%.

However, the funding is also a challenge. Del Mar City Councilwoman Terry Gaasterland said in a recent interview the plan is a “money grab” for San Diego to boost its transit options.

have a plan in the city that is matching up with the regional plan and we’re bringing more funding.”

Those critical of SANDAG’s plan have pushed back against the cost, road charges, potential tax increases for county and city of San Diego residents, managed (toll) lanes to push peo-

While they may miss old regulars, this location is more affordable than their old spot, and in a boon to the business, their collaboration with Oldfield Vintage and the smaller size of the shop has led to even more customer engagement.

I sit and sip, and sip and sit. Juicy and chocolate, milk chocolate on the finish, are perfect tasting notes. I get antsy before I finish, so I take it with me for a walk around the neighborhood. I’m not planning on returning, but for some reason, I find myself back at the counter about half an hour later. I order an espresso.

Employees at Steel Mill pull Motorbreath, their signature coffee, as an espresso, served in a brown demitasse cup on a saucer with a silver spoon and sparkling water, displayed on a slab of wood. I take mine back outside to a table and take a moment to consider what I’ve done.

I’m surprised by myself. I rarely order espresso anymore. I’ve been burned too many times, and despite my penchant for immediate gratification, espressos dis-

CHEERS!

With a batch of Hot Cider Punch, you’ve got options that end with a drink sure to ward off the chill of the winter wind blowing in from the Pacific.

Pro-tip: Top with whipped cream and a caramel-dipped slice of apple.

Hot Cider Punch

3 parts apple juice

1 part orange juice

½ part pineapple juice

1 part booze of your choice. I recommend, in order: brandy, whiskey, cognac, and spiced rum. Substitute ginger beer for alcohol to make a non-alcoholic punch.

¼ cup brown sugar

2 cinnamon sticks

2 teaspoons whole clove

The board majority, meanwhile, has it wants to make transit “free for all” by 2030, thus eliminating between $12 billion to $21 billion in revenue from passenger fares, along with eliminating toll fares from the Southbay Expressway, which removes at least $1 billion from funding toward the plan.

appear too quickly. I slurp the crema from the top of the mug, and oh! Oh, wow.

My entire body relaxes, and I feel at home, or instead, I feel the comfort that comes with being at home. The richness of the coffee is offset nearly perfectly with a bitter, salty finish. I cleanse my palate with some water and take another sip. Espresso changes quickly as you work your way through.

My second and third sip is sweeter, smoother, and syrupier. This espresso makes me feel things. I’m filled with love for all beings.

I’m reminded of how good life can be when focusing on the little things. I want to hug someone to share the warmth that has encompassed my heart.

So yeah, I’ll be back at Steel Mill Coffee in Vista, and I’ll be back sometime soon.

Get more Bean Journal on roastwestcoast.com or listen to the Roast! West Coast coffee podcast on Spotify. Follow @RoastWestCoast on Instagram.

2 teaspoons allspice Optional garnishes: dash of nutmeg, whipped cream, caramel-dipped apple slice, cinnamon stick

Directions: Put ingredients in a pasta or sauce pot on the stove.

Turn on low and stir slowly until brown sugar is fully dissolved and the punch is hot (approximately 7-10 minutes).

Serve hot in a coffee mug topped with your favorite garnishes

Note: If you don’t want any spices (not the brown sugar) in your mug, put them into a tea ball or cheesecloth bag before dropping them in the pot.

Don’t forget to follow Cheers! North County on Instagram.

I will not apologize for the fact that I have been a vocal critic of the road user charge.”

John Franklin Vista mayor

EVENTS CALENDAR

DEC. 23

CASH'D OUT

Cash’d Out, Buzz Campbell and the Heartaches. 9 p.m. at Belly Up, 160 S Cedros Ave, Solana Beach.

‘NUTCRACKER’ BALLET

San Diego’s City Ballet “Nutcracker” returns to the stage with live music by the City Ballet Orchestra. 7:30 p.m. at California Center for the Arts, 340 N Escondido Blvd, Escondido.

ESCONDIDO BOOK SALE

Half price sale in the Escondido Library Friends Bookshop. Cash only. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 23 at Escondido Public Library, 239 S Kalmia St, Escondido.

THE EXILES

Live Entertainment. 9 p.m. to 12 a.m. Dec. 23 at Mr. Peabody's Bar and Grill, 136 Encinitas Blvd, Encinitas.

'RIVERS AND MOUNTAINS'

An earth-inspired photo and sculpture show. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 23 at Oolong Gallery, 349 US-101, Solana Beach.

NIGHT SKIES

Palomar College Planetarium host two shows every Friday with its “The Sky

Tonight” program. 7 p.m. at Palomar College, 1140 W Mission Rd, San Marcos.

BILLY NATION

Billy Nation is a premier Billy Joel tribute band with an authentic look and sound, based in Southern California. 8 p.m. at Humphreys Concerts by the bay, 2241 Shelter Island Dr, San Diego.

CAMP CHRISTMAS

Come get into the holiday spirit with Camp Christmas! $10-$17, 5 p.m. at Pine Valley Camp Christmas, 8668 Pine Creek Rd, Pine Valley.

HOLIDAY HOME TOURS

Professional designers are giving their time and talents to create elegant holiday decor in four beautiful homes across North County San Diego. $25, 5 p.m. at Virtual, 92612, Irvine.

DEC. 24

SANTA’S WORKSHOP

Holiday craft pop-up shop. 5 p.m. at BFREE Studio , 7857 Girard Ave, La Jolla.

COASTAL BIRDING

Join Coastal 101 Birding along the Buena Vista

Lagoon. Meet at the Buena Vista Nature Center. 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Dec. 24 at Buena Vista Nature Center, 2202 S Coast Hwy, Oceanside.

SCROOGE’S BIG SHOW

A comical reimagining of Dickens’s “A Christmas Carol.” 7 p.m. at Old Globe Theater, 1363 Old Globe Way, San Diego.

DEC. 25

FARMERS MARKET

Best local foods and

fresh produce in North County, every Sunday at the Leucadia Farmers Market! 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 25 at Paul Ecke Central School, 185 Union St, Encinitas.

DEC. 26

POP UP ART

Experience pathways and color play on State Street at “Pop Up Colors of the Season.” 5 to 10 p.m. Dec. 26 at Carlsbad Village, 300 Carlsbad Village Dr, Carlsbad.

DEC. 28

STATE STREET MARKET

Starting Nov. 9, the State Street Farmers Market will have its Fall/Winter hours in effect and will close one hour earlier than usual. 2:30 to 6 p.m. Dec. 28 at State Street Wednesday Market Carlsbad, 2907 State St, Carlsbad.

DEC. 29

SHAYNIE RHOADS BAND

Live Entertainment.

9 p.m. to 12 a.m. Dec. 29 at Mr. Peabody's Bar and Grill, 136 Encinitas Blvd, Encinitas.

DEC. 30

TROMBONE SHORTY Trombone Shorty on stage. 9 p.m. at Belly Up, 160 S Cedros Ave, Solana Beach.

ART EXHIBITION

BFREE Studio announces its current exhibition “More Than 1” An Art Exhibition of Multiples. 5 p.m. at BFREE Studio, 7857 Girard Ave, La Jolla.

NERD COMEDY NIGHT

Clever comedy and a smart audience make this Carlsbad tradition one-of-akind. $15, 7 p.m. at Harding Community Center, 3096 Harding St, Carlsbad.

THE ONEDERS

Live Entertainment. 9 p.m. to 12 a.m. Dec. 30 at Mr. Peabody’s Bar and Grill, 136 Encinitas Blvd, Encinitas.

NIGHT SKIES

Palomar College Planetarium host two shows every Friday with its “The TURN TO CALENDAR ON 18

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

TROMBONE SHORTY, who has toured with the likes of Jeff Beck and the Red Hot Chili Peppers, performs Dec. 30-31 at the Belly Up Tavern in Solana Beach. Courtesy photo

ITEMS FOR SALE

(760) 7575445

AUTOS FOR SALE

2016 Mazda CX5 Grand Touring: Automatic, red metallic, black leather seats, original owner, 94,661 miles, selling because purchased new Tesla, $19,500., Escondido (760)746-7209

Copy and Cancellations

FRIDAY (DISPLAY) • MONDAY (LINERS) 4PM

Ask for Classified Dept. 760-436-9737 ext. 100

To place ads please send email with verbiage to classifieds@coastnewsgroup.com or stop by office at: 315 S. Coast Hwy. 101, Encinitas

HELP WANTED

HELP WANTED

POSITION AVAILABLE WITH HOMEFED CORPORATION IN CARLSBAD, CA

Sr. Financial Analyst. Req. Bach. Deg. in Fin., ACCT. or Bus. Admin. & 7 yrs. progressive exp., or a Mas. Deg. in Fin., ACCT. or Bus. Admin. & 5 yrs. exp., in job offered or a rel. role perf. fin. analysis; 2 yrs. exp. perf. real estate fin. modeling for a publicly traded corp., building fin. models for master planned communities, perf. fin. modeling for income prod. prop., perf. debt restructuring & debt re-fin., preparing & presenting fin. presentations to Boards of publicly traded comp. & C-level exec.; & exp. w/ Excel.

Qualified applicants may apply with HomeFed Corporation by submitting resumes to HR@hfc-ca.com

TECHNICAL

RENTAL WANTED

Chronic Pain Management Postural - Musculoskeletal Alignment and Restoring proper function with regard to the Body's Design Motion

on Chronic Pain Management Postural - Musculoskeletal Alignment and Restoring proper function with regard to the Body's Design Motion

Cisco Systems, Inc. is accepting resumes for multiple positions in Carlsbad, CA: Director, Engineering (Ref#: CAR197A): Manage a cross-functional Cloud Operations Test Automation team to deliver best-in-class automation and QA frameworks. Telecommuting permitted. Please mail resumes with reference number to Cisco Systems, Inc., Attn: G51G, 170 W. Tasman Drive, Mail Stop: SJC 5/1/4, San Jose, CA 95134. No phone calls please. Must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. without sponsorship. EOE. www.cisco.com

Your hometown merchants are ready to meet all of your holiday shopping needs with great gift ideas and seasonal merchandise.By supporting small businesses in our area,you’re doing your part to help build a stronger local economy and community.So keep your hard-earned dollars at home this holiday season, and shop locally for the best value!

Contact John Hoover: regards2john@gmail.com

Contact John Hoover: regards2john@gmail.com

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MobileHelp, America’s premier mobile medical alert system. Whether you’re home or away. For safety & peace of mind. No long term contracts! Free brochure! 1-888-489-3936

Free high speed internet if qualified. Govt. pgm for recipients of select pgms incl. Medicaid, SNAP, Housing Assistance, WIC, Veterans Pension, Survivor Benefits, Lifeline, Tribal. 15 GB internet. Android tablet free w/one-time $20 copay. Free shipping. Call Maxsip Telecom! 1-833-758-3892

!!OLD GUITARS WANTED!! GIBSON, FENDER, MARTIN, etc. 1930’s to 1980’s. TOP DOLLAR PAID. CALL TOLL FREE 1-866433-8277

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What is the primary setting of the Netflix series “Bridgerton”?

GEOGRAPHY: Where is the Republic of Maldives located?

LITERATURE: What is the subject of Walt Whitman’s poem “O Captain! My Captain!”?

LANGUAGE: What is the third letter of the Greek alphabet?

HISTORY: When was the last time the Liberty Bell rang in Philadelphia?

MOVIES: What was Henry Fonda’s jury number in “12 Angry Men”?

MATH: What is a heptahedron?

BUSINESS: In what year did McDonald’s introduce the Big Mac to all of its customers?

U.S. PRESIDENTS: Which president tried to ban Christmas trees from the White House?

ANIMAL KINGDOM: What do bees collect from flowers and use to make honey?

ARIES (March 21 to April 19) You’ve let yourself get distracted from what’s really important. But love finally gets your attention this week. However, it comes with a challenge that could create a problem.

TAURUS (April 20 to May 20) Be careful not to bully others into following your lead. Best advice: Persuade, don’t push, and you’ll get the cooperation you need to move forward with your plans.

GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) Resist the urge to gloat now that you’ve proved your detractors wrong. Instead, charm them back into your circle. Remember: A former foe can become your best ally.

CANCER (June 21 to July 22) You might want to claim all the credit for making this holiday season special. But is it worth producing a lot of hurt feelings by rejecting offers of help? Think about it.

LEO (July 23 to August 22) Ignore a co-worker’s questionable behavior. Instead, put your energy into making your own project special. Then sit back and purr over your welldeserved applause.

VIRGO (August 23 to September 22) You might not want to accept those suggested changes in your workplace, but don’t chuck them out before you check them out. You could be happily surprised.

LIBRA (September 23 to October 22) Your plans might have to take a back seat for a bit so that you can handle a problem with a friend or family member. Your schedule will return back to normal in a few weeks.

SCORPIO (October 23 to November 21) Relationships in general are beneficial during the early part of the week, including in the workplace. Also, expect some overdue changes in a personal situation.

SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to December 21) “Prudence” should be your watchword this week. Best not to be too open about some of the things that are currently happening in your life.

CAPRICORN (December 22 to January 19) Money is on your mind, so you’d best mind how you’re spending it. Take another look at your budget and see where you can make adjustments.

AQUARIUS (January 20 to February 18) Resolving to revive an old friendship could open some old wounds. Are you sure you want to risk that? Think this through before making a commitment.

PISCES (February 19 to March 20) Your need to know more about a new friend could lead to some startling revelations. Best advice: Keep an open mind about what you learn until all the facts are in.

NOMINATIONS BEGIN ON

JANUARY 18TH

Sky Tonight” program. 7 p.m. at Palomar College, 1140 W Mission Rd, San Marcos.

WHERE THERE’S SMOKE...

Redination presents the traditional hip-hop of Where There’s Smoke There’s FYAH. 8 p.m. at The Music Box, 1349 India St, San Diego.

DEC. 31

TROMBONE

CYCLE CLUB

North County Cycle Club rides every Saturday morning. 8 a.m. at San Marcos Restaurant Row, 1020 W San Marcos Blvd, San Marcos.

NERD COMEDY NYE

Welcome in the New Year with laughter at the historic Brooks Theater. $35-$55, 7 to 8:30 p.m. Dec. 31 at The Brooks Theatre, 217 N Coast Hwy, Oceanside.

Methodist Church of Vista, 490 S Melrose

JAN. 2

PARKINSON'S EXERCISE

SHORTY

Trombone Shorty on stage. 9 p.m. at Belly Up, 160 S Cedros Ave, Solana Beach.

SHREK RAVE

The New Year’s Eve “Shrek Rave” will include green drinks, lasers, wacky outfits and odd yet nostalgic music. 9 p.m. at House of Blues, 1055 5th Ave, San Diego.

KONA KAI NYE GALA

From tray-passed hors d’oeuvres paired with champagne, to a delectable multicourse meal crafted by our expert culinary team, dancing the night away to Frank Sinatra’s best songs and much more! $269-$499, 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. Jan. 1 at Kona Kai Resort & Spa , 1551 Shelter Island Dr, San Diego.

NYE L’AUBERGE DEL MAR

There is no better way to welcome 2023 than by enjoying all of L’Auberge Del Mar’s NYE festivities. 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. Jan. 1 at L’Auberge Del Mar, 1540 Camino del Mar, Del Mar.

PRI BAND

Live Entertainment. 9 p.m. to 12 a.m. Dec. 31 at Mr. Peabody’s Bar and Grill, 136 Encinitas Blvd, Encinitas.

NERD COMEDY

Scientist turned comedian Tim Lee hosts “Nerd Comedy,” an alcohol-free event. $30, 7 p.m. at Oceanside Theatre Company at the Brooks, 217 N. Coast Hwy, Oceanside.

COASTAL 101 BIRDING

9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Dec. 31 at Online, 92101, San Diego.

JAN. 1

LIGHT MY FIRE

A new rock musical called “Light my Fire” is equal parts theater and concert in its depiction of the rollercoaster lives of Jim Morrison and The Doors. 12 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. Jan. 1 at Light Box Theater, 2590 Truxtun Rd, San Diego.

'2 PIANOS, 4 HANDS' Jefferson McDonald and Matthew McGloin take us on a musical comedic journey about their wouldbe careers as concert pianists. 7:30 p.m. at North Coast Repertory Theatre, 987 Lomas Santa Fe Dr, Solana Beach.

LIGHTSCAPE

Lightscape will illuminate the San Diego Botanic Garden for the holidays. 5 to 8:30 p.m. Jan. 1 at San Diego Botanic Garden, 300 Quail Gardens Dr, Encinitas.

JUNGLE BELLS

Jungle Bells will be ringing this holiday season at San Diego Zoo. 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Jan. 1 at San Diego Zoo, 2920 Zoo Dr, San Diego.

‘30 MILES IN 30 DAYS’

Soroptimist International of Vista and North County Inland hosts a VisVirtual Walkathon fundraiser. 5 p.m. at United

This group exercise class is appropriate for anyone with Parkinson's Disease. We focus on PWR! Moves, flexibility, strength, endurance, balance and coordination. Modifications are provided and everyone is welcome! This free class meets the first Monday of each month from 12pm-1pm with our next class on April 4th. 12 to 1 p.m. Jan. 2 at NeuroLab 360, 2146 Encinitas Blvd, Encinitas.

THEATER CLASSES

New Village Arts Theater offers a host of acting classes beginning in January. 5 p.m. at New Village Arts Theatre, 2787 State St, Carlsbad.

JAN. 3

FREE APHASIA CLASS

This group is for individuals with difficulty communicating after a stroke or a brain injury. It is led by a licensed Speech Language Pathologist. Join this group to connect and communicate with individuals with aphasia, and rejoin life's conversations in a fun and supportive way. This free group meets the first Tuesday of each month from... 11 a.m. at NeuroLab 360, 2146 Encinitas Blvd, Encinitas.

INLAND PARKINSON’S

The Inland North County Parkinson’s Support Group features speaker Kristen Rigsbee, a San Diego County Ombudsman. 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Jan. 3 at San Rafael Church, 17252 Bernardo Center Dr, San Diego.

JAN. 6

APRIL & FUNK JUNKIES

Join April and the Funk Junkies Happy Hour to benefit La Colonia Community Foundation. 5:30 p.m. at Belly Up, 160 S Cedros Ave, Solana Beach.

DECEMBER ART SHOW

Every artwork in the Summation 2022 Escondido Arts Partnership exhibition tells a story. 5 p.m. at Escondido Arts Partnership , 100 E Grand Ave, Escondido.

VISTA GARDEN CLUB

Garden Hand Tools will be the topic of a presentation at the Vista Garden Club meeting. 12 to 2:30 p.m. Jan. 6 at Gloria McClellan Vista Senior Center, 1400 Vale Terrace Dr, Vista.

NERD COMEDY NIGHT

Clever comedy and a smart audience make this Carlsbad tradition one-of-akind. $15, 7 p.m. at Harding Community Center, 3096 Harding St, Carlsbad.

PECHANGA POWWOW

Pechanga Tribe hosts a free, three-day event including tribes from across North America. 5 p.m. at Pechanga Resort, 45000 Pechanga Pkwy, Temecula.

Dr, Vista.

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