The San Diego Union-Tribune: Feb. 6, 2022 Edition

MARINE FAMILIES MONITOR HEARINGS INDEATHS

Parents of thosekilled in’20 vehiclesinking frustrated by results

BY ANDREW DYER

AletaBathsataloneinthe backof a CampPendletonmilitary courtroom,shakingher headas a lawyer explained to threeMarineCorpsofficers why his client was not atfault in the tragic 2020 sinking of an armored amphibioustroop transport.

Theboard hadheard testimonythat the Marines receivedtrainingonescaping the vehicles.Bathknew that was disputedbytheCorps’ ownofficialinvestigation. “No,”shesaid to herself.

“That’s nottrue.”

Onherlaplay a photo ofher soninhis MarineCorpsuniform.Pfc. EvanBath, 19, and seven other young Marinesand asailor diedwhentheirAssault

Amphibious Vehicle known asan“amtrack”or “track”by Marines sankbeneaththe waves of the Pacific two summersago.Hercellphone was open to the textsshe exchangedwithhimup to theday hedied.

Bathand a handfulofother parentsofthosekilledhave been a consistentanddetermined presence overthepast monthin thehearing rooms where Marinesofvariousranks

SEE PARENTS A19

IMMIGRATION DRIVING U.S. POPULATION INCREASE AS BIRTHSSLOW

Fewer babies,risein deathsbringgrowth rate down to just 0.1%

BY MIRIAMJORDAN & ROBERTGEBELOFF

Overall 2021 will go downas the yearwiththeslowestpopulation growthin U.S.history. New census datashows

why:Both componentsof growth gains fromimmigrationand the number ofbirths in excessofthenumberof deaths have fallensharplyin recent years.In2021, therate of population growthfell to an unprecedented 0.1 percent.

Yet within thesesluggish figures, a new patternisemerging.Immigration, even at reducedlevels,isforthe firsttime makingup a majority ofpopulation growth.

Inpart thisisbecause Americans are dying athigher ratesandhavingfewer babies, trendsacceleratedduringthe coronaviruspandemic.Butitis alsobecausethere are signs thatimmigrationispickingup again.

Even after four years of stringent controlsonimmigrationimposedunderformer President DonaldTrump,the overall share ofAmericans borninother countriesisnot onlyrisingbutalso coming close to levelslastseenin the

SEE POPULATION A8

MEXICAN PRESS SEEKS SAFETY IN PROGRAM

But government often fallsshort of goal for journalists,others

BY GREGMORAN,ALEXANDRA MENDOZA &WENDYFRY

January wasa horrifying monthfor journalistsin Mexico. Four were murdered, two of theminTijuana, gettingthenew year off to a bloody start andsettinganentire professionon edge.

Things didn’timprove when February began.

“Iamgoing to kill you likea dog.”

That’s what Netzahualcóyotl Cordero García,the 47-year-old director general ofanonline newssite inCancun,heard inthe darknessonthestreet outsideof hishome Tuesdaynight.

He escaped death,narrowly. Hisattacker’s pistolmalfunctioned— reportssay the bullet fellonthe groundasheleveledit athis target— which allowedthe journalist to knocktheassailant offhisbike.

ONEOFTHEIR OWN

Claire Hough was nearing her 15th birthday whenshetraveled from Rhode Island to San Diego to visit her grandparents.

Shenever got to blow out any candles.Somebody killedher first.

Hermurderin Augustof 1984 became oneofthe county’s mosttroubling unsolvedhomicides brutal inits detailsand frighteninginitslocation:scenic TorreyPines State Beach, visited bythousandsof people annually.

THESERIES

Today: Acoldcase.ADNAhit.And finallyjustice.Or wasit?

Sunday, Feb.13: “Imusthave had sex withher.” Doubtscreepin asa detectivespringshistrap.

Sunday, Feb.20: “Theyarenot going to get away withthis.” Awidow’squestdeliversadramatic courtroom twist.

Asthe years went by, SanDiego police cold-case detectives revisitedtheslaying fromtime to time, lookingthroughthe files for missed clues andasking criminalists ifthere was somenew way to extractDNA fromthe evidence.

It turned out therewas.

Whathappened nextisthe stuffof Hollywood movies,mystery novelsand true-crimepodcasts— atlonglastananswer to thequestion ofwhat happened to Claire Hough. A triumph,itseemed,of tenacity and technology.

But the DNA results becamemore complicated than that, and more tragic Story beginson A12.

Cordero Garciasaidhehad receivedthreats byphoneand text for a monthabouthis reporting.Hehadtakenthemseriouslyenough to enroll 10 days before the attackinthe Federal

SEE SAFETY • A20

Today, anOpinionspecial sectionpresents commentaries abouttheslain journalistsin Mexico anddisplaysthephotojournalismofAlfonso Margarito MartínezEsquivel,who was killedlastmonth. Inside

S.D.,AFGHAN STUDENTS CONNECT OVER ZOOM

Virtualmeetingsbetween Carmel Valleyclassroom, learningcenterin Kabul

BY KRISTEN TAKETA

On a recent Thursdaynight after8 p.m., two SanDiego high school girlstaught a lessonabout DNA to a classof girls and boysin Afghanistan, a country that does notallow girls their age to attend school. The exchange was happening through Zoom, from a classroomat CanyonCrestAcademyin wealthy Carmel Valleyallthe way toMawoudLearning Academy,a private educationcenterinKabul.

PicturedonCanyonCrest’s Zoomscreen were faces ofmore than two dozen Afghan teenagers, mostly girls,sittingon wooden benchesin a sun-filled roomat Ma-

InMarketplace:

woud.Their eyes smiledbehind blue and black surgicalmasks whenever CanyonCrest seniors, AditiAnand and April Zuo, laughed or made jokes during the lesson. Closest to thecamera their teacher Najibullah Yousefi smiled ashetranslated forhisstudents.

Anand and Zuo explainedthat dish soap can beused to help extractDNA,because its hydrophobicpropertiesbreakdownmembranessurrounding the inner parts of a cell,includingDNA.

“Ithink we catch it,” Yousefi said. “Thatsoapcausedthemembraneofthecell,thecellmembrane, away fromthe water.”

“Yes, wonderful!” Zuo said, and around her more than two dozen CanyonCrest studentsbroke into applauseattheunderstanding thatbridgedthe two cultureson opposite sidesofthe world.

Since lastAprilstudentsat

SEE STUDENTS A18

The snowboarding gold medalistsays he’s retiring fromthesport after the Beijing Games. D1

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Astudentatthe Mawoud Learning Academyin Kabul,Afghanistan,showsherartwork to CanyonCrest AcademystudentsinCarmel ValleyviaZoomonThursday.

ANA RAMIREZ U-T

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BY TAMMYMURGA

AsthesunsetSaturday, dozensofcandles brought light to a street in Mount Hopenear where a 14-yearoldboy was fatallyshot daysearlier.

Familymembers, friendsand community leaders gatheredforavigil on 36thand J streets to mournthelifeof ErickBalanzarLoeza andcallforan end to violence.The event was heldbyShaphatOutreach church which hosts DreamingOf Violence-free Everywhere, orDOVE,vigils to providesupport for familieswhohave lost someone to violence.

“We are here to standup forErick’s loss. We want justice. We want to make sure thatnoother family goesthroughthis,”said EmirBalanzar, Erick’s aunt who was amongmore than 150 inattendance.

“It’s not fairfor theparents.

It’s not fairfor the siblings.”

The teen was walking with friendsalong 36thnear Jwhenatleastone gunshot was fired fromanSUV around4:30 p.m. Monday, strikingErickinhis groin, SanDiego policesaid. Thoughthe vehiclespedoff, itslicenseplate number was reported to police.

Lessthananhourafter theshooting,law enforcementlocated the SUVand tookfour teenagersinto custody On Wednesday, policearrested a fifth person thesuspectedshooter, 17, who was not identi-

fiedbecauseofhisage.

Three ofthe five suspects Bryan Escobedo, 18; Omar Morales, 18; and EthanPeaslee-Guerrero, 19 pleadednot guilty Thursday to murder charges and gangallegationsinSanDiego SuperiorCourt.Thesuspected shooter andthe remaining suspect,whoisalso 17 were expected to appearin JuvenileCourt.

AsofSaturday, officials hadnot disclosed a motive for the shooting. Erick’s familyhas receivedanoutpouringof support withmore than 100 donationsthrough a GoFundMe campaign setup to helpwithfuneral expenses. More than$11,600hadbeen raisedasofSaturday. City Council President SeanElo-Rivera,whose 9thDistrictincludes

MountHope,saidFriday on Twitter thathevisited with the familyandcalled foranend to violence.

“Theviolencethat robbedErick’s family ofa future withhimmustend anditisallofour responsibility to dowhat we can to preventfuture tragedies. We mustprotectour young people. We mustinvestin theirsafety, theirhealth, andtheirfutures,” readhis tweet, in part.

Atthevigil,thefamily tooktime to share more aboutErick,who wasa freshmanatKingChavez Community HighSchool andhad two brothers and two sisters.He was describedas a “reallycalm boy” whoenjoyedmusic andcars,saidBalanzar.

Motherswhohadalso losttheir children including TanyaHarris,

whosesondiedin2019 after he was fatallystruckbya vehicle in LemonGrove— offered wordsof comfort. Schoolofficialsandfaithbasedmembersofthe communityalso joinedthe vigil. JesusSandoval, a memberofSan Diego’s CommissiononGangPrevention andIntervention,saidhe has gone to “dozensofsimilarvigils” over thepast20 years to support families and connectthemwith services. He said the commissionis workingonaninitiative calledPeaceatthe Park that would connect neighborhood churches,organizationsandneighbors to “establish a presence” andimprove safety. tammy.murga @sduniontribune.com Twitter:@tammyxmurga

IT’SASMALL,SMALL WORLD

Adam Large(inhat)andothershoppersbrowsebooths

Saturdayatthe SanDiegoMiniatureCrafters showand sale,which continues todayatthe SanDiego MarriottDel Mar. Craftersand collectorsofminiatureitems cangetideas,participatein workshopsandseemorethan40 exhibits.

PEOPLE

Garnercelebrated as Woman of Year

“Alias”actor Jennifer Garner was honoredas Hasty PuddingTheatrical’s Womanofthe Yearat aparadeinhistoricHarvard Square onSaturday afternoon. Garner was paraded

throughthestreetsof Cambridge, Mass.Despite the frigid temperatures, Garner was allsmilesas she waved to thehundreds ofspectatorsalongtheparade route. “Thisiscrazy. Thisis nuts, Garner said. Garner, 49, was bestowedthe group’s iconic puddingpotat a traditional roastSaturday evening.After the roast,Har-

vard’s famedtheater troupe was to performits latestproduction,“Ship Happens,”the organization’s third timefeaturing bothmen and womenin thecastandits firstproductionsincethe coronaviruspandemicbegan in2020 Hasty PuddingTheatricals, which dates to 1844 and billsitself asthe thirdoldesttheater groupinthe

world, establishedits Womanofthe Year award in 1951 to honorpeoplewho have made“lasting and impressive contributions to the worldofentertainment.” Last year’s recipient was Viola Davis andpreviouswinnersinclude Meryl Streep, Katharine Hepburn,Ethel Merman and Cher ASSOCIATEDPRESS

U.S.EXPERTS: RUSSIA COULD SEIZEUKRAINE CAPITALIN2 DAYS IN ATTACK Assessmentsestimate civiliandeathscould hit50Kacrossnation

Russia isclose to completing preparationsforwhatappears to be a large-scaleinvasion of Ukraine that could resultinup to50,000 civilian deaths decapitate the governmentin Kyivwithin two days, and launch a humanitarian crisis withup to 5 million refugees fleeing the resulting chaos according to updated U.S.military andintelligenceassessmentsbriefed to lawmakers andEuropeanpartners over thepastseveraldays.

walk toward the tunnelastheirson’s body wasbeing retrieved Saturday,fourdaysafterhe fellintoa wellshaft,inthevillageofIghranin Morocco’sChefchaouenprovince.

CREWS UNABLE TO SAVEBOY STUCKINWELL

Hopesdashedas rescuers recover5-year-old’sbodydays afterheplunged 100 feetdownshaftinMorocco

BY VIVIANYEE,AIDAALAMI &MONAEL-NAGGAR

CAIRO The vigil had lasted for four days transfixing tensofthousands ofpeople aroundthe world who watched, tweeted, cheered and prayed as a small band of rescuers in a tiny Moroccanvillage tried to free a 5-year-old boy from the deep wellinto which hehadplunged.

#SaveRayan, theypleaded.

OnSaturdaynight, workers whohad duga rescue tunnel finally reachedRayan Oram,theboy But themedicalhelicopterthathad been waitingfordays to take him to ahospital hadnoneed to take off. He was dead.

Unitedfordaysinhope, Moroccans and othersinnorthwestAfrica were suddenlyunitedin grief.

“I wanted to believe thatmiraclesstillhappen,” said Mehdi Idrissi, 32,a doctorinthe Moroccancity of Fez whofollowed the rescue effort fordays,doubtingthat Rayan couldsurvive hisordealbut clinging to optimism. “As a country, we needed a bit of hope,and even thoughtheending was tragic, itdidbringusall together May he restinpeace.”

Atsomepointsduring theoperation,more than 100,000people were monitoringone of the

livestreamsthatshowed the trench where the rescuers, working dayandnight, were digging by bulldozer and by hand.Thousands more followed alongonother livestreamsandonsocial media.

For days,there appeared to be reasonforhope:OnThursday,a camera that rescuers had lowered into the wellappeared to show Rayan moving,ifbloodied Workers were alsoable to sendhim oxygen and water.

ButbySaturdayafternoon, when rescuershad tunneled to withininchesofwhere the boy was stuck,authorities wentquietabout his condition.Atonepoint,theysaid they couldnotassesshishealthbecausehe waslying onhissideinsuch awaythatit was difficult to see him. Later, they refused to describe what they were seeingatall.

Asthe hourspassedwithnoofficial word onRayan’s status,itbecame harder to avoidthequestion ofwhetherhe was stillalive.

Allthat was clear was thatthe diggers were still digging.

Initially, rescue workers tried to pullhimup fromthe 100-foot well where hehadfallen Tuesdayafternoon. Butfearingtheshaft’s walls would collapse,theyswitched tacks.First,theybulldozeda trench next to the well,thenthey tunneledhorizontally from the

trench toward the bottomof the well, shifting coursewhen theyhita barrier ofsolid rock.

AllSaturdayafternoon, rumor haditthatthe rescuers were about to breakthrough thatthey would have theirhands on Rayanwithin two hours, orat any moment only forthe tunneling togo oninterminablyastheyhit obstacles.

Around9:30 p.m., cheers of joy broke outaroundthe well,where hundredsofspectatorsand rescue workershad gathered overthe course of the week some even sleepingundertrees asthey kept vigil.Rayan was out.

But rescuershuddledtightly around himastheycarriedhim to an ambulance,makingitimpossible totellwhetherhe was alive or dead.

Minuteslater word spread: The kingof Morocco, MohammedVI, hadcalledRayan’s parents,Khaled Oramand WassimaKhersheesh,offering themhis condolences.

The king “confirmedthathe hadbeenfollowingthe developmentsofthistragic accident closely, andhadissuedinstructions to allthe concernedauthorities to take thenecessary measuresandmake theutmosteffort to save thelifeofthedeceased,” according to a statement fromthe royal court publishedonstate-run

media.“It was GodAlmighty’s will,”thestatement concluded, thatRayanhaddied.

Video fromthescenehadshown rescuers manuallydrillingsideways toward Rayan,their work lit byheadlamps as prayersand shoutsofencouragementburst fromtheonlookers gathered aboveground.

Rainandhard rockthat got in the way ofthe drilling complicated theprocess overnightinto Saturday andthe work proceeded slowly.

Thevillage ofIghran,about60 miles from theblue-wallednorthern Moroccancity ofChefchaouen, hadbeen sleepless forfournights asthe rescueeffort continued.As onlookers gathered at the well, Rayan’s familymade couscous,the traditional Moroccan dish,and served it to thecrowd. Othersdistributedbreadanddates.

Rayan’s father told reportershe hadbeen intheprocessof fixing the well,which he owns,when Rayanfellin,buthadnot realized at first where the boy had gone His mothersaidthefamilyhadsearchedtheareawhentheynoticedhe was gone,not at first suspectinghe had tumbledinto the well. Yee,AlamiandEl-Naggarwrite for TheNew York Times.

NAVY SEAL CANDIDATEDIES,ANOTHERISHOSPITALIZED

2sailorscomedownwith unknownsicknesshours aftergruelingtraining

BY JEFF MCDONALD

Hoursafter they completedthe lastlegof the grueling“Hell Week” phaseofthe Navy SEALtraining regimen, two candidatessuccumbed to anunknownillnessand one died, NavyofficialssaidSaturday. Theincident occurredFriday, shortlyafter the two SEALcandidates completedthebasicunder-

water demolitionclass, the Navy said in a statement.OneofthecandidatesdiedFriday at SharpCoronadoHospital; theother remainsin stable conditionat Naval MedicalCenterinSanDiego.

Thecauseofdeath is currently unknownand remainsunderinvestigation.

Thesailors were notactively training whenthey reported their symptoms the Navy saidin a statement.They were immediately transported to emergencycare. Thefamily ofthedeceased sailorhasbeennotified of thedeath, butunder Navy policy theidentity ofthevictimiswithheld fromthe

publicfor24hoursafter thenextof-kinnotification.

Theincidentoccurred at the conclusionofwhat’s called Hell Week, a 5½-daytrainingsession thatendsthe firstphaseofassessmentandselectionfor Navy commandos,according to the Navy.

Hell Week typicallybeginsona Sundaynight and concludesthe followingFridaymorning Thecandidates’physical andmental endurance are put to the test.It’s so grueling thatmore thanhalfofthe candidatesdonotmake it through.

TheSEALcandidates run 200 miles or more— often carrying equipmentwiththem.Theyalso

are calledupon to swim andperformhoursofphysicaltrainingon almostnosleep.

The two sailors hadsuccessfully completed the trainingbutbegan showing symptoms ofillness a few hourslater NeitherSEAL candidate had experiencedanaccident oranythingunusualinthe course ofthetraining, Navyofficialssaid.

Navy SEALSare amongthe best-trained and elite membersof the U.S.military specialoperationsforces.

TheAssociated Presscontributed to this report. jeff.mcdonald@sduniontribune.com

The rising concerns come as theRussian military continues to dispatch combatunits to the Ukrainianborderinbothits own territory andBelarus.Asof Friday, seven people familiar withthe assessmentssaid, therewere 83Russianbattalion tactical groups with about 750 troops each, arrayedfor a possibleassault.Thatisup from60 two weeks ago, and comprises about 70 percentofwhatRussianPresidentVladimirPutin needs to have inplaceifhe wants to maximizetheoperation.

Thosemore than 62,000 troops are backedby tens of thousandsofadditionalpersonnel to providelogistics, air powerandmedicalsupport. U.S.officialshave saidtheRussianpresencealong Ukraine’s borders totalsmore than 100,000; one Western security officialputthenumberat 130,000.

Russia haslongbristled over Ukrainianindependence. Ukraine was part ofthenow-defunctSoviet Union,andpartsof its territory forcenturies were ruledby Russia.Ukraine also aspires to NATOmembership, which Putin adamantly rejects.

Key military enablers,includingbridge-buildingunits, havecontinued to arrive onthe border andmore battaliontactical groupsare now in transit, with only a few in far-flunglocations,such as the Arctic, remaining at theirhome bases.As aresult U.S. officials initially skeptical lastfallthat a largescale invasion wouldbe launchedappearnow to have shifted theirthinkingasthe buildup continues, a congressionalaidesaid.

The assessments,thepeople familiarwiththem confirmed, also judged thatthe window for adiplomatic resolution of the crisisappears to beclosing. Evenas a steadystreamofEuropeanleadershave beenin contactwithPutin,further meetingshave been scheduled, andtheKremlinhas repeatedly denied any invasion plans,the numberand configurationof troopmovementshave continued to pushthe West’s consensusintheopposite direction.

“Our worry would be that you don’tpark battle groups... onthe borderofanother country twiceanddonothing,” one European official said, referring to anearlier buildup last year.

CA Lic.#513115

Theparentsof5-year-oldRayanOram

MOSA’ABELSHAMY AP

XI:CHINA, EGYPTHOLD‘SIMILARVISIONSAND STRATEGIES’

Leadersmeet for talkson sidelines of Games,affirm strategic partnerships

ASSOCIATEDPRESS

BEIJING ChinaandEgypt“share similar visionsandstrategiesindefending their own interests,”Chineseleader XiJinpingsaidSaturdayinameeting withEgypt’s authoritarianPresident

Abdel Fattah el-Sissi.

TheEgyptianleader was one ofat leastfourheadsofstate whometXi after attendingtheopeningofthe Beijing WinterOlympics,seeking closertieswithChinawhileshunning Westerncriticismoftheirheavy-handed rule.

Xi“hailedenhancedpolitical trust” betweenthe countries,citing cooperationin fightingthepandemic.Their comprehensive strategic partnershipis a modelof“ChinaArab,China-AfricaandChina-developing worldsolidarity,” Xisaid,according to CGTN theinternational arm ofstate broadcaster CCTV.

“ChinaandEgyptshare similar visionsandstrategiesindefending their own interests,pursuing commondevelopment,enhancingtheir people’s well-beingandpromoting fairnessand justiceinthe world,as the world isundergoing changes unseenin a century, Xisaid.

Thesideswill“continue to support each otheronissues related to core interestsandmajor concerns,” hesaid.

Sincetakingpower, el-Sissihas overseenawidespreadcrackdownon

‘Queenconsort’ title for Camillaurged

eringtrade, energy and other fields andissued a jointstatementinwhich ChinabackedRussiainopposing NATO’s expansion a move seen as signifyingXi’s growing perceptionof himselfas a globalleader “PresidentPutinemphasized thatthestrategicsignificanceofRussia-China relationsisunprecedented,”ChineseViceForeignMinisterLe Yuchengsaidin a commentary on the meetingposted to the ministry’s website. “Russia firmlysupportsChina’s legitimate positionofsafeguarding its core interests,”Lesaid.“During thetalks,the two heads ofstate reiteratedthatanyattempt to harm theinterestsofChinaandRussiaand divideChina-Russia relationsis doomed to failure.”

SHEN HONG XINHUAVIAAP

ChinesePresidentXi Jinping(right)meetswithEgyptianPresidentAbdel Fattahel-SissiinBeijingon Saturday.

dissentandopposition,jailing tensof thousandsanddrawinginternational criticism.

In2017, the governmentarrested dozensof Uyghurstudentsstudying atCairo’s Al-Azhar University and deported them to ChinaamidBeijing’s crackdownon Muslim minorities.

Egypt was the recipient ofseveral free shipmentsofChinese-made Sinopharm coronavirusvaccines andChinasaysithelpedsetupAfrica’s firstvaccineproductioninthe country.

El-Sissiisoneofmore than 30 worldleadersand heads ofmajorinternationalorganizationswhoflewto Beijingfor Friday’s openingofthe WinterOlympicGames.

Not having left China since 2019

amidthepandemic,Xiisholdinga seriesmeetingsonthesidelinesofthe Gameswithleaderswhosemostly undemocratic countriesare anxious to strengthen relationswiththerisingsuperpower.

By aroundmiddaySaturday Xi hadalsometwithheadsofKazakhstan, TurkmenistanandSerbia. TheleadersofArgentina,Ecuador, Qatarand Polandare alsoamong thosein town.

Themeetings followa mini-summitbetweenXiandRussianPresident VladimirPutinonFridaythatunderscoredthe growing alignmentof their authoritarian countries’positionsas theypushbackagainsttheliberal worldorderdominatedbytheU.S.

The two leaders oversaw thesigningofmore than20agreements cov-

WhileChinaformallyeschewsall military alliances,thesideshave held aseriesof joint war games,including navaldrillsandpatrolsbylong-range bombers overtheSeaof Japanand theEastChinaSea.In August,Russiantroopsforthefirsttimedeployed to Chinese territory for joint maneuvers. Alltheleadersofthe five former SovietrepublicsofCentralAsiacame to Beijing,highlightingthe region’s increasinglycloseties to itseastern neighbor Tradeisbooming between Chinaandthe region, a key sourceof gas andother resourcesfortheChinese economy The U.S.andseveralother Westerndemocraciesdeclined to send dignitaries to Beijingunder a diplomaticboycott to protestChina’s humanrights record andpoliciestargetingMuslimminoritiesinthefar westXinjiang region.

TRUCKER-LED PANDEMICPROTESTS SPREAD ACROSS CANADA

harassment.

urday, thoughloud, remained mostlypeaceful andfestive.

BY IAN AUSTEN& VJOSA ISAI

OTTAWA,Ontario ProtestershereandinothercitiesacrossCanada took to the streetsSaturdayforthesecond weekendin a row to continue demonstrations againstpandemic restrictions.Thedemonstrations that beganwithtruckers critical of vaccinemandateshave grown to include a range ofotherpolitical causes,including opposition to PrimeMinister JustinTrudeau.

Althoughpolice and officials bracedfor rowdycrowds andpotentialviolence,theatmosphere ofthe demonstrationsbymiddaySat-

InOttawa despite frigid temperatures, a bandperformedonthe street in frontofParliament Hill underneath a Canadian flagdangling from a large construction crane. Nearby severalinflatable bouncycastles were setup,and makeshift canteensthroughout downtown dispensedfood.At a municipalbaseballstadiumparking lotthattruckers were usingfor staging andcamping, three saunas were broughtin. Onthestreets,manypeople walking to theprotest greeted one another withraised fistsandshouts of“Freedom.”

Althoughthe demonstrations have notdevolvedinto seriousviolence,theyhave nevertheless paralyzedOttawa’s downtown core withtraffic,noiseand complaintsof

PAIDADVERTISEMENT

“I’m receivinghundreds and I’mnot exaggerating hundredsof emails telling me:‘I wentout toget groceries, I got yelledat, I got harassed. I got followed down the street I’msoafraidthat I can’t go out,’ Catherine McKenney city councilorfor the area,said Thursday afternoon. Throughoutthearea many businesseshave beenclosedforthe past week resulting in tensofmillionsofdollarsinlost sales.Those thathave remainedopenedhave struggled to enforceprovincial mask rules.

In Toronto,dozensofcars,pickupsandheavy trucks were parked alongthecity’s high-endshopping districtdowntown bymidday north oftheclosed-offlegislature building area,withsoundsofhornsand shoutsof“Freedom” ringingout.

HELP YOURLOVEDONEGETQUALITY NURSINGHOMECAREWHILE SAVING FAMILYASSETS

Don’t befooled by themythofthe“Medi-Cal SpendDown!”

ByPhilLindsley

TheLong Term CareMedi-Calprogram pays forcareinskilled nursingfacilities. Thisisnotaninsuranceprogram, buta form of Federalassistance forfamilies facingthecrushingcostsof nursingcare. Thisprogramofferssignificantbenefitsto mostofthepeople we see.Unfortunately, thereisagreat dealofmisinformation andmisunderstanding aboutLong Term CareMedi-Cal.Asa result,manypeople whocouldqualifyneverapply. Much ofthismisinformationisdispensed by professionals whobelieve theyunderstand theprogram, butdonot.

Mostpeoplefirsthear aboutMedi-Cal Long Term Carecoveragewhen aloved oneishospitalizedandthendischargedto a“rehabilitation”orskilled nursingfacility. Medicareorinsurancewillcovercarefor awhile…butnotlong.Themaximum periodMedicarewillpayforis100days, butusuallystopspayingafter20days. Forthose whodonothave longterm careinsurance,thechoicethenbecomes topaythecostthemselves,orapply for Long Term CareMedi-Cal.Those who mustpayfromtheir ownfundsfindthat facilitycosts exceed$8,000.00permonth. Fewcouldafford this forlong.

Theclearalternative is Long Term CareMedi-Cal, whichwillpayupto 100% of nursinghome expenses,withno limitationonlengthofstayorcoverage. UnlikeotherMedi-Calprograms,your and yourspouse’sincomeisirrelevantin determiningeligibility.Somemayneedto payapartial“shareofcost,”butmany willnot.Eventhosewith arelatively high shareofcostpayfarlessthantheprivate payrate.

As aresult ofmisinformation,many peoplethinkthey mustspendtheirassets downtolessthan$2,000toqualify for Long Term Care Medi-Cal.Thisisalmost nevertrue.Manyassetsareconsidered exemptorunavailableandnotcounted inthequalificationprocess.Thereisno penaltyif youmoveassetsthatare not exemptintoassetsthatare.There are alsosubstantialallowancesandplanning opportunities availableforthose whoknow andusethem.Butdon’t expect health careorMedi-Caleligibility workersto properly educate youaboutthis!

ThoughtheCOVID-19crisishasmade visitingfamilymoredifficult fornow,it

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haschangednoneof yourrightsunderthe lawtostayinthefacility while applying forLong Term CareMedi-Cal. Whether advanceorcrisisplanning,the majority ofthose whoconsultwithuscanqualify forLong Term CareMedi-Callegally preservingmost,ifnotall,oftheirassets. We canhelpminimizethe“shareofcost,” and avoid recoveryclaims by theState. Therules aboutMedi-Calqualification arecomplicated.Manythousandsof your family’s dollarsmaybeatstake.Every year thousandsofpeopleunnecessarilyprivate paybecausetheydon’t knowtheirrights. Don’t letthisdescribe yourfamily. Before assuming youwillnotqualify forMediCal,pleaseconsultwithus at SanDiego ElderLawCenter.Wecanbecontacted at (619)235-4357or youcanvisitour website at www.sandiegoelderlaw.com.

PhilipLindsleyis aStateBarCertifiedElderLaw Attorney(CELA),oneoffewinSanDiegoCounty. Heisalso aCertified LegalSpecialist(CLS) inEstatePlanning, TrustandProbate Law.Hespecializes inplanningfor Medi-Caland VA benefits,consumer rightsinlongterm careandfamilyasset protection.Philhas beenpracticing law inSanDiegoforover 35years.

Protestersheldupsigns of theCanadian CharterofRightsandFreedomsandusedhockey sticks as flagpolesforCanadian flags and Gadsden flags.People scaleda dumptruck,andonemanclimbed intoa tree near the Royal Ontario Museum.

The Toronto Police announced theyhadarrestedonemanforassault with a weapon and toldthe public to steer clearofthe demonstrations.

ThroughGoFundMe,someof the organizersraised 10 millionCanadian dollars about $7.8 million U.S.,buttheonlineservicehasonly turned overabout$1millionofthat. OnFriday evening,theplatform saidin a statementthat after speakingwiththepolice,it wouldnot release anymore of the money.

AustenandIsaiwrite for TheNew York Times.

QueenElizabethIIofferedhersupport Saturday to have theDuchess ofCornwallbecomeQueenCamilla —using a specialPlatinum Jubilee message to makea significant decision inshapingthefuture of the British monarchy.

In remarks deliveredon the eve of the 70thanniversary ofher accession to the throne,themonarch expressed a “sincere wish” that Camillabeknown as “Queen Consort” whenher eldest sonCharles,thePrinceof Wales,succeedsher as expected to thethrone.In givingher blessing,thepopular and respected sovereign is placingsignificantheft behind the move.

Atthetimeoftheirmarriage, royalaideshadsuggestedthatCamilladidnot want to becalledqueenand “intended” to beknowninstead as PrincessConsort— afirstinBritishhistory But thecarefuluseofthe word “intend”led to thepossibility of change lateron. Themove isseenasaneffort to safeguarda smooth transition to thefuture as the queennavigates the twilightofher reign.

Turkey’s president positive forCOVID

PresidentRecep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkeyhas tested positive for the coronavirus,heannounced on Twitter Saturday two days aftera visit to Ukraineduringwhich hemetwiththat country’s president, VolodymyrZelenskyy. Erdogansaidheandhis wife,EmineErdogan,had been testedafter experiencingmildsymptoms and learnedthat they were infectedwiththeOmicronvariant.

Erdogan,hiswifeand several Turkishministers and journalists visited Kyiv onThursday There,the president announced a deal to provide weaponsanddiplomaticsupport to Ukraine. Thepossible exposure of Zelenskyyandotherofficials maynotcausedeep alarm. TheUkrainianleaderand several of his aides were alreadyinfectedwith the coronavirusin2020.

U-TNEWS SERVICES

GOLDBERG’SREMARKSSPARK TALKS ABOUTJEWISHIDENTITY,HOLOCAUST Identityisacomplex mix ofreligion, ethnicity, culture

BYLUISANDRESHENAO, PETERSMITH & DAVIDCRARY

Theuproar over Whoopi Goldberg’s remarks about theHolocausthascatalyzed somber reflectionsbymany American Jewsaboutnot onlythelegacy of theHolocaust butanti-Jewishdiscriminationinthe United Statesandtheirsenseofa collective identity.

The actor and TV host swiftly apologizedfor saying onABC’s “TheView” that the genocide was notabout race but rather “man’s inhumanity to man,” noting in subsequent remarks that shehadfailed to acknowledge thatthe Nazis considered Jewsaninferior race.

AsGoldberg servesa two-week suspension from theshow, a range of Jewish leadershave notedthe complexity ofdescribing how race fitsinto the overall concept of Jewish identity. It entailsa mixof religion,nationality ethnicity, culture andhistory, said Greg Schneider executive vice presidentoftheConference on Jewish MaterialClaims AgainstGermany,a New York-based group thatseeks restitutionforHolocaust victims.

“Butthehatredofthe Jew isunfortunatelynot as complicated.It’s deepseated.It’s millenniaold. We don’t seem to have a cure for it,”hesaid.“Soit’s notso easy to put a label, to puta name on whatitis to be Jewish.Butit’s certainlyeasy to see whatitis to be antisemitic.” Schneiderandothers expressedhopethattheepisode remindspeoplethat Jewshave historically experienced extensive dis-

Abusloadofarrested Jewishmenare questioned beforebeing taken awayinBerlinonApril 11, 1933.

criminationinAmerica, such as being barred from purchasinghomesincertain areas, excluded from country clubs anddenied admission to some universities.

Inthepast there even were travel guidesfor Jews with tipsonhow to avoid discriminationonthe road, guidebooks thatpreceded the 1936 debutof “The Negro MotoristGreen Book,” which providedsimilar adviceforAfricanAmericans.

Rabbi Noah Farkas,president and CEO of the Jewish Federation of GreaterLos Angeles recalled growingup inPlano, Texas,where the handful of Jewish families, includinghis own,sometimes experiencedantisemitism.

“We never saw ourselves inthesamecategory as any ofthe White AngloSouthern Baptists,”hesaid. “Although we hadwhite skin, we didn’t considerourselves part ofthe White culture.”

Theracialequationhas only grown morecomplex as Jewsof color includingAfricanAmericans,Hispanics andAsianAmericans accountfor a growingpercentage ofthe overall Jewish population.

“Jews are multiethnic, multiracial,” Farkassaid.

“We don’t considerourselves

just a community offaith.”

Farkassaid systemicdiscrimination against Jewsin the U.S.haslargelyfaded overthedecades,butantisemitismpersists and antisemitic violence overthe past five yearshasbeenatits highestlevel indecades. Whilehistorical awarenessoftheHolocaustmaybe common among younger generationsof Jews,that’s lesstrueofthebroader U.S. population.According to the Conferenceon Jewish MaterialClaimsAgainstGermany, 63percentofrespondentsina 2020surveyofadultsunder40 didnotknow that 6 million Jews were murderedby the Nazis.And 36 percent thought 2 million or fewer Jews were killed.

StefanieSeltzer an83year-old Holocaustsurvivor whoas a child was smuggled byhermotheroutof a ghetto in Poland,hasbeentalking to U.S.students sincethe mid-1970s abouther experiences and said sheis alarmed by a pervasive lack ofknowledge.IntheGoldberg episode,sheseesopportunity.

“Maybeitwillkick open thedoor to discussionin school,”Seltzersaid. Henao,SmithandCrarywrite for TheAssociated Press.

JOEROGANAPOLOGIZES FORUSING RACIALSLURS

Videoshowingclips

of episodes over 12 yearsemerges

ASSOCIATEDPRESS

NEW YORK Spotify’s popular U.S. podcaster Joe Roganapologized Saturdayafter a video compilation surfaced that showed himusingracial slursinclipsofepisodes over a 12-year span.

In a videoposted onhisInstagram account,Rogan,who hosts a podcast called “The Joe Rogan Experience,”said hisuseoftheslurs was the “most regretful and shameful thing that I’ve ever had to talkabout publicly.”Buthesaid the clips were “takenoutof context.”

“It’s notmy word to use.I am well aware ofthatnow, butfor years I useditin that manner,”hesaidduringthe six-minute videoonhisInstagramaccount.“Inever usedit to beracistbecause I’mnotracist.”

Rogan’s mea culpafollows Grammy award-winning singer-songwriterIndia.Arie’s announcementon Thursdaythatshe was removinghermusic fromthe SpotifystreamingservicebecauseofracialslursthatRoganhadmadeduringhispodcasts.Shepostedthevideo montage ofRogan’s clips on herInstagramaccount.

Inhervideo,Ariesaid even ifsomeof Rogan’s conversations were takenout of

context,“heshouldn’tbeutteringthe word.”

“Don’t even sayitunder any context,”sheadded.

Rogan’s apology comes asSpotifyispromising to combatthespreadof COVID-19 misinformation aspart of a damage-control campaign sparked after musician Neil Youngcalled out thestreaming service’s top podcasterformagnifying vaccineskepticism.

LastSunday, Spotifysaiditwillsoon adda warningbefore all podcaststhat discussCOVID-19, directinglisteners to factual,up-to-date information fromscientistsandpublic health experts.The company alsoaims to bolstertransparencyabout itspublishingdecisionsby laying out the rules ituses to protectusers’safety.

Spotify garnered 31 percent of the 524 million worldwidemusicstreamsubscriptionsinthe secondquarter of2021, more thandouble that ofsecond-place Apple Music according to Midia Research Spotifyisn’talwayspopularwithmusicians, many ofwhom complainthat it doesn’t pay themenoughfortheir work

Arie said on her video thatSpotifyisbuiltonthe back of themusicstreaming businessandthatituses thatmoney to reward Rogan in a lucrative deal.Shesaid she doesn’t want togenerate moneythatpaysforthepodcaster.

Spotifydidn’t respond immediatelyfor requestfor comment.

JoeRogan

POPULATION

late 19thcentury.

Thenumbers are not nearly what theyonce were The latest report, from theCensusBureau’s population estimates program, showeda net gain of244,000 new residents fromimmigrationin2021 —a farcry from themiddleofthe previousdecade, whenthebureau regularlyattributedannual gains of 1 millionormore to immigration. Yet that drop-off pales in comparison to theslowdown inwhat demographerscall “naturalincrease,”the excessofbirths over deaths.In2021, that figure was 148,000 orone-tenth the gain that was normal a decadeago,and smallerthaninternational migration forthe firsttime.

AsofDecember immigrants represented 14.1 percent ofthe U.S. population,matchingthepeakof thedecadeslongimmigration boomthatbeganinthe 1960sand approachingthe record 14.8 percent seenin 1890 shortlybefore large numbersof Europeans began disembarking from vesselsatEllis Island.

Theforeign-born populationis increasingly concentrated among middle-age groups,with a large number ofimmigrantshaving lived inthe UnitedStatesformany years About1 in 5 Americansbetween theagesof40and64 was born overseas.And two-thirdsof foreign-born residentshave been inthe country more than a decade, thecensusdatashows.

Inthat respect,the country’s demographics reflectthelongtermeffectsofthehuge levelsofimmigration it experienced during the 1970s and 1980s.

“We get soused to beingaround people who have beenhere for decades andnavigate Americansociety seamlessly that we almostforget they’re immigrants,”said Tomás Jiménez, a Stanford University professor who researches immigration andassimilation.

The recentslowdown inimmigration was an apparent resultnot onlyof the tougherimmigration policiesbut alsoofmeasurestaken in response to theCOVID-19 health crisis.Intheearlymonths of2020, the governmentsealedtheborders with Mexico andCanadaandlimitedinternational entriesbyair. Theclosure of U.S. consularoffices around the globe derailed visa

processing.

Butthedatasuggeststhat tougher restrictionsontheborder maynothave beenthebiggestfactor intheslowdown. Manyimmigrantsdecided to leave the country. During the first yearsof Trump’s administration,thenumber ofimmigrants cominginto the country heldsteady, while the numberleavingincreased, figures show. Some datasuggests thatthe pace ofimmigrationhaspickedup lately U.S.CustomsandBorder Protection reporteda surge inenforcementactivity last year and theCensusBureau’s monthlyemploymentsurvey alsodetectedan uptickinforeign-born respondentsinlate 2021.

Theeconomicandpoliticalcircumstancesthat compel people to leave theirhome countries have persisted,anddemandforforeign workersofallskilllevels remains brisk.

ThenewcomerssincePresident Joe Biden tookoffice come fromall overtheglobe,asthe government haslifted thecapon refugees, welcomedthousandsoffamiliesseekingasylumonthesouthwestern borderandreopenedthedoortoforeign workerson temporary visas.

Amongthemis JeffQuetho 28, ofHaiti,whocrossed the border withhis3-year-oldson,hoping to build a more stablelife;Param Kulkarni,34,anIndian scientist whospecializesinmental health technology andartificialintelli-

gence,who recentlysettledin New York;and Feroza Darabi, 22,ofAfghanistan,who arrived in Phoenix withher 13-year-oldnephew, Ali.

“I am happy to besomewhere safe,”Darabisaid recently duringa break fromanEnglishclassfor refugees atFriendlyHouseinGlendale,Ariz.

Darabi hopesshewillbe joined onedaysoonbyfamilymembers who were unable to scrambleonto theplanesheandhernephew boardedout of Kabul,Afghanistan.“What I wantmostnow is to have my familynext to me,” shesaid.

Ifimmigration returns to even its relativelymodestpre-pandemic pace,itispossibletheshare of Americansborn overseas could reach the record 14.8 percent from 1890.

The current laborshortage has heightened callsforforeign workers,in fieldsasvaried as restaurant serviceandnursing, to help fillvacancies.

“Thepandemicoffers a little taste ofwhat we maybe facing ifdemandis robust and we don’thave workers,”saidPiaOrrenius, a senioreconomistwhostudiesimmigration at the FederalReserve BankofDallas “We willsee price and wage inflation,and growth will be chokedoff.

“Immigrationisnot going to make thisproblem go away butit certainly couldhelp,”Orrenius said.

Ifimmigrationhad continued

at a pre-pandemicpace,the economy wouldhave 2 millionadditional foreign-born workers inoccupationssuch asmanual labor and computer science,according toa recentstudybyeconomists at the University ofCaliforniaDavis.

Whilethepandemicisseenas contributing to theslowdown in newimmigration,itmayhavealso helped propupthenumberofforeign-born residents,sincethat numberdependsnot justonhow manyimmigrants arrive but also how manyleave Virus travel restrictionsmadeitharderforimmigrants to enter the UnitedStates, buttheyalsomadeitlesslikely they would depart, said Jeffrey Passel,a senior demographerat thePew Research Center.

“Duringthepandemic, you couldn’t leave the country, basically,”hesaid.

Some ofthe growthintheforeign-bornpopulationis related toa surge ofmigrantsatthesouthwesternborderthathasbeen going on, to varying degrees, since2014. Butitisalmostimpossible to know thefull extent. Not only isthere no reliableaccounting ofhow many peopleare enteringthe country illegally itis not clearhow many of themare beingquickly expelled.

Thedeclineinbirthrate that has resultedinforeign-bornpeople becoming an ever-larger share of thepopulationispart of a worldwidedemographicpattern.Historically, nationssee a dropin birthratesastheybecomemore

prosperous, a trendthatcan undermine thatprosperity.

When low fertility is coupled withlow mortality, the resultisa bulgingpopulationofseniorsand relativelyfewer workers to sustain them, a scenariofacedby Japan andmanyEuropean countries that thensaw theireconomies shrink.

Themovementofthebabyboom generationoutofthelabor forceamid a plummetingbirthrate hasputinto sharper relieftheneed to reversethedeclineinnew immigration.Thiswillbecrucial,analystssay, despite thelarge numbersof immigrantsalreadyliving in the country;soonthosehere legallywillbedrawingmore fromSocialSecurity and Medicare.

Theimmigrants alreadyhere mayprovidepart ofthesolution. Foreign-born residents typically accountfor a disproportionate share of all birthsbecause recent immigrant womenare more likely thanothers to beintheirprime childbearing yearsand to have more children.

Lower immigration from Mexico, traditionallythebiggestsource ofnew immigrants,has contributed to falling U.S.birthrates overall.

Butitwill take boldpolitical moves to harnesstheeconomic benefits of the existingforeignbornpopulation.Already anestimated 11 millionofthem areliving in the country withoutlegalpermission,meaningtheycan work onlyaspart oftheunderground economy Biden tookofficewitha pledgeto legalizethembuthasnot wonbipartisansupportnecessary forsucha move in Congress.

He tooksteps to jump-start legal immigration, rescinding a proclamationby hispredecessorbanningtheentry offoreignerson work visas.

Lastmonth,hisadministration unveiledpolicies to attractinternationalstudentsand toextend thetimethatforeign graduatesin scienceand technical fieldscan remaininthe country to work, from one year to threeyears.

InDecember the government announcedthat20,000seasonal guest worker visas wouldbeadded totheallotmentof33,000forthewinter to assist employersinlandscaping, constructionandhospitality, desperatelyinneedof workers. Yet Biden’s Republican opponentshave consistently resisted large increasesin new immigration,and the questionofhow the country moves forward is likely to bedebatedascampaigningpicks upsteamforthis year’s congressional elections.

JordanandGebeloffwrite for TheNew York Times.

Women fromtheIglesiaApostolicamakeandsellpupusasoutsidethe church indowntown Springdale,Ark.The community grew withanincreaseinimmigrationoverthepastfewdecades.

TERRA FONDRIEST NYTFILE

Lower growth rate may affect labor shortages

DEMONSTRATORSPROTESTKILLINGOFCONGOLESEREFUGEEINBRAZIL Protesterssay

racisma factorin thebeatingdeath

BY DIANEJEANTET &DIARLEI RODRIGUES

RIODE JANEIRO

Demonstrators gathered onSaturdayinRiode Janeiro,SaoPauloandother Brazilian cities to protest thekilling of a 24-year-old Congolese refugee who was beaten to deathon Jan.24, andwhich sparked outrage and revulsion acrossthenation. In Rio, they gathered outsidethesamebeach kiosk where MoiseMugenyi Kabagambehad recently been working in BarradaTijuca, a neighborhoodknown foritsupmarket condominiumsandshoppingmalls.

The two lanesin frontof thekiosk were covered with bannersfeaturingimages andphotosof Moise.Some ofthesigns were attached to thesoundtruck.Oneof

them,heldbymore than 10 people, besideanimage of thedead youngman’s face, said “Justicefor Moise. Blacklivesmatter!Stop killingus!”

“Moise was beatenfor 15 minutes,on a busybeach, wherepeoplepassbyallthe time,andatnotimedidanyonecallthepoliceandtry to separate them,” saidattorneyRodrigo Mondengo,of Brazil’s BarAssociation in Rio.“Wehave nodoubtthat ifit were a White person there beingbeaten,someone would goto thatperson’s rescue.”

Kabagambe’s assailants were caughtonsecurity camerafootage thepolice havereleased to themedia. Itshowsthree men violently attackingthe youngman, and over the courseof 13 minutesholdinghimdown andbeating himwith a rod —and continuing to doso even after heloses consciousness.Theyare later seenattempting chest compressions,then rollinghis body over.

Policeare investigating thecircumstancesthat promptedKabagambe’s killing. Manyfeltnoneed to await official findings ina city where murderoften goesunpunished; theyasserted Kabagambe’s death was evidence ofracism, xenophobiaandimpunity.

On SaturdayinRio,a group ofprotesters tore downthesign ofthekiosk where Moise was killed,but theorganizersoftheprotest called forpeace.

HumanRights Watch denounceda “deplorable” crimein a Feb. 1 statement. “COWARDICE.SAVAGERY. BARBARITY,” blaredthe frontpage oflocal newspaper Extra’s Feb.2 frontpage,alongwithimagesofthe assault.

Kabagambemoved to Brazilin2011 fromhisnative Bunia,capitalofCongo’s northeasternIturiprovince, in2011, his cousin Yannick Kamanda confirmed to AP. The country’s easthasbeen miredin conflictfordecades, andlocalmedia reportssaid

PROTESTERSINISTANBUL CONDEMN MIGRANTDEATHSONGREEK BORDER

BY MEHMETGUZEL& ANDREWWILKS

ISTANBUL

Hundreds of peopleinIstanbulmarched to the Greek consulate on Saturday to protestthedeaths of 19 migrantsnear Turkey’s borderwithGreece.

Turkish authoritiessaid they froze to deathearlierin the week after beingillegally pushedbackacrosstheborder byGreek guards.Athens has strongly rejectedtheaccusation.

Thedemonstration,organized by Turkishhumanitarian groups saw about 300 protesters walk to the consulate nearoneofIstanbul’s mainshoppingstreets behind a banner reading “Close borders to racism, open to humanity.” Dozensofriotpolicestoodbyasaid workers addressedthecrowd.

“People were strippedof theirclothes andtheirbelongings were taken.They were left to dieandthewhole

world remains silentabout this,”said FehmiBulent Yildirim, chairmanofIHH,a humanitarian aid group.

Hecalledon the EuropeanParliament to “take actiononthisissue assoonas possibleandstopthiscruel attitudethat commitsthese crimesagainsthumanity.”

KenanAlpay vice chairman of humanitarian group Ozgur-Der, saidthepushbacks showed “brutality beyondhypocrisy. He added: “We invite theGreek government to abandon these ugly policies.”

Turkeyhas frequentlyalleged thatGreece carries out pushbacks ofmigrantsseeking to cross the northwesternlandborderortrying to reach Greece’s Aegeanislandsoninflatable dinghys.

Inaninterview with broadcasterAHaberonFriday VicePresident FuatOktayaccusedGreeceof “murder,” adding that“allEU countries,unfortunately, are responsibleforthedeathsof

19 people.”

TurkishPresidentRecep TayyipErdoganhaspledged to raisethealleged ill-treatment ofmigrantsbyGreece duringhismeetings with worldleaders.

Greece’s MigrationMinister NotisMitarachi has described thedeathsasa “tragedy butstronglydeniedthe claim thatGreek forceshadpushedbackthe migrants,insistingthatthe migrantsnever madeit to theborder.

Turkeyis a majorcrossingpointformigrants from theMiddleEast,Asia and Africaseeking a betterlifein EU countries,withmost crossinginto Greece.

TheEU,whichsaw1millionmostlySyrian refugees enterits territory in2015, signed a migration agreementwith Turkeyin 2016 thathasseenthe flow of peopledramatically reduced. Guzeland Wilkswrite for TheAssociated Press.

thefamilyhad fled fighting betweentheHemaand Lenduethnic groups.

“Moise’s mother fledwith her children fromCongo to Brazilfearingthey woulddie thesame way ashermother, ordisappearthesame way as Moise’s father, saidRio state lawmakerDani Monteiro,whoheads the state legislature’s humanrights commission and met with thefamily.

More than2,500Congolesepeoplehave been recognizedas refugees in Latin America’s largestnation since2000 according to the

justice ministry, which overseesimmigration.

“My son grew up here, studied here Allhis friends are Brazilians, hismother told televisionnetwork Globoat hisburialon Jan. 30 “I want justice.”

In recent years,Brazil alsohasbecomeanincreasinglypopulararrival point forCongolese andCamerooniansseeking to make the overlandtrek to the U.S. border. Congolese Foreign AffairsMinisterChristophe Lutundulasummonedthe Brazilianambassadoron

Wednesdayinaneffort to learnmore aboutthecircumstances surrounding the youngman’s killing. Riostate’s civilpolice forcehas arrestedthree men in connectionwiththekilling. Familymemberssay Kabagambeenteredintoan argumentthatnightafter complainingabout two days ofpayhe was owed. Policehave questioned thekiosk’s owner butnot namedhimas a suspect,policesaid. Jeantetand Rodrigueswrite for TheAssociated Press.

GAETZFRIENDREQUESTS THIRDSENTENCINGDELAY ASSOCIATEDPRESS

ORLANDO,Fla. AformerFloridatax collector whosearrest led toa federalprobe into U.S.Rep. Matt Gaetz wants a judge to delayhissentencingscheduled fornextmonthfor yet another time as he continues to cooperate with federalprosecutors.

JoelGreenberg’s attorney on Friday askeda federal judge inOrlando,Fla., to allow him to file a motion seeking a delay in the sentencing hearing currently scheduled for March 29 U.S. District Judge Gregory Presnellpreviously granted two delays. In court papers,Greenberg’s attorneysaidhis clienthadbeen cooperating with federalprosecutorsin Orlandoand Washington in active investigations. AttorneyFritzScheller saidheintended to file a motion outliningthe reasons forthe extensionbutthatit contained“sensitive”infor-

WAFFLEHOUSEGUNMANGETSLIFEINPRISON

mation about the investigations,as wellasGreenberg’s cooperation.Becauseofthe confidentialnature of that information, that request andanysubsequenthearing should besealed and kept outofthepubliceye, Schellersaidinthecourtpapers. ThejudgelateronFriday granted the request to seal themotionaskingfor a delay.

Greenberg isfacingup to 12 yearsinprison after pleading guilty last May to sixfederalcrimes,including sex traffickingof a child, identity theft,stalking,wire fraudand conspiracy to bribea publicofficial.

Greenberg’s plea agreementwith prosecutors requires continued cooperationwith anongoing probe into sex trafficking. Hiscooperationcouldplaya roleinan ongoinginvestigationinto Gaetz,who was accusedofpaying a 17-year-old girlforsex.Hehasdenied theallegations.

No parolepossible forkiller of four in2018shooting

BY JONATHANMATTISE

NASHVILLE Tenn. Amanwhoshotand killed fourpeopleata Nashville WaffleHouse in2018 received a sentence oflifeimprisonmentwithoutthepossibility ofparole on Saturday.

Jurorshandeddown the penalty for 33-year-old TravisReinkingafter hearing about two hours of testimony from familymembers ofthefourpeoplekilled. Theysobbedandtrembled as theytalked about their loved ones and how losing them continues to fracture theirlivesmore thanthree yearslater Jurorshadthe option of givingReinking the chanceforparoleafter serving 51 yearsinprison.

Naked save for a green jacket,Reinkingopened fire inside the restaurant justafter 3:20a.m. on April 22, 2018,

killing TaureanSanderlin, 29; JoeyPerez,20;Akilah Dasilva, 23; andDeEbony Groves, 21. He fled after restaurantpatron James Shaw Jr wrestledhisassault-stylerifle away from him,triggering a manhunt.

“I’ve alwaysbeensomebodythat theysay isunbreakable becausenomatter what our family has been through,Iwillalwaysbethe one to bringourfamilyup,”

PatriciaPerezsaidthrough tears aboutlosingherson Joey “Thishasbrokenme.”

Jurors on Friday rejected Reinking’s insanity defense astheyfoundhim guilty on 16 charges,includingfour countsof first-degree murder Thetrial opened Mondayafter jury selection the previous week. Prosecutors in2020indicatedthey would notseekthe death penalty and wouldseeklifewithout parole.

Reinking’s defense team, which didn’tput on anysentencingwitnessesSaturday, arguedforthepossibility of parole,sayinghe was mentallyuntethered.Prosecutorsarguedthe evidence showsReinking planned out theattack and wanted to kill everyoneatthe restaurant.

Prosecutorsalsodirected jurors’attentionback to heart-wrenching testimony fromfamilymembers.

ShaundelleBrooks saidher sonAkilahDasilva wasa giftedartist,a brilliantstudentand a talentedmusicianwhobuilthis own computer to work onhismusic, which heused to urge people toturn away from gun violence.

“Heloved his family but mostofallAkilah wanted to live,”Brooks said,crying. “He wanted to create positive change inthis world.He showed compassion,not anger Hespreadlove, not hate.”

Evidenceattrial showed Reinkinghadschizophrenia andhadsuffereddelusions for years,believingunknown people were tormenting him.He contactedlaw enforcementseveraltimes to

report that he was being threatened,stalkedandharassed. In July2017, he was detainedby theSecretService after he venturedunarmed intoa restrictedareaonthe White House groundsand demanded to meetwith then-PresidentDonald Trump. State policeinIllinois, where helivedatthetime, revoked Reinking’s state firearms owneridentification.But thatonlymeanthe had toturn overhis guns to someoneelse with valid identification. Reinking surrendered the guns to hisfather wholater returned them to hisson.

Since law enforcement declined to take his delusionsseriously Reinkingbegan to feelthattheyand otherrandompeople were part of a conspiracyagainst him,psychologists testified. Shortlybefore theattack he believed someonehad drugged him brokeninto his apartmentandrapedhim. Reinking toldpsychologists thatwhilepraying about what to do,he receiveda command fromGod togoto the WaffleHouseandshoot three people

To prove Reinking was not guilty by reasonof insanity, defenseattorneyshad to show thathesuffered from severe mentalillness that left himunable to understandthewrongfulnessof his actions. Prosecutorspresented evidencethatReinking was calmand cooperative after hisarrest,able to understand and respond to commands. AlthoughReinking was naked whenhe walked fromthe crimescene,whenhe was captured nearly two dayslater he was dressedandcarrying a backpackloaded with water bottles,sunscreen,a pistol,ammunition, a Bible andseveralsilverbars.And theymentionedhehadasked to talk to anattorneyafter his arrest.

The jury also convicted Reinkingonfour countsof attempted first-degree murderandfour countsofunlawful employment of a firearmduring commissionofor attempt to commit a dangerousfelony Mattisewrites for TheAssociated Press.

People reactasthe guilty verdictsare read Fridayin TravisReinking’s murdertrialin Nashville, Tenn.

ANDREW NELLES AP

AMIR LOCKE,KILLED BY OFFICERIN MINN., WANTEDA CAREERINMUSIC

kickingthe couch where Locke’s familysaidhe was sleeping.Onthevideo,heis seenwrappedin a comforter, beginning to move with a pistol inhishand justbefore an officer fires his weapon.

AmirLocke was bornin the St.Paul suburb of Maplewood.He grew upin thesuburbs,where heplayedbasketballinmiddleschoolandtried outforhishighschoolfootball team.

BY SARA BURNETT

Before he was fatallyshot by a Minneapolispoliceofficer AmirLocke hadbeen makingplans.

The 22-year-old Black manhad filedpaperwork to starta musicbusiness, his mothersaid,andhad already designedalogo Nextweek,he planned to move to Dallas, where he wouldbe closer to hismomand he hoped— buildacareerasahip-hopartist,followinginthemusical footstepsofhisfather

Hisdeathinside a Minneapolisapartmentwhere policewereservingasearchwarrantearly Wednesdayhas renewed callsforpoliceaccountability and justicefor Blackpeoplewhoare too often victims.Italsoleft Locke’s tight-knitfamily, friendsand a community grievingforthelifehedidn’t get to live “Amir wasa brightlight, andhedeserves to beable to shine,”hisfather Andre Locke,saidduring a news conferenceFriday

Manyquestions remain abouttheeventsleadingupto

Locke’s death.But a police bodycamvideoshowsofficers entering the apartment withoutknockingandanofficer

Locke’s familysaidhehad nocriminal record andhe had a licenseand concealed carry permitforthe gun, which theysaidhehadfor protectionbecauseheworked as a driverfor a fooddelivery service.Hisfamilyincludes severalpeoplewithbackgroundsinlaw enforcement andthemilitary, andhisparents and a cousinsaidthey spoke often withAmirand other young Blackmen inthe family about how to handle interactionswithpolice: keep yourhands visible,don’t make anysuddenmovements.

Theybelieve thatAmir, whotheysay wasa deep sleeper wasstartledwhenthe officerkickedthecouchinside his cousin’s apartmentand didn’tknow who was inside whenhe grabbedforhis gun.

Thoseclosest to him repeatedlydescribedhimas“a goodkid.”

“You took a good kid who was trying to make thebest outof hisenvironment,and surpassitandsucceedandhe was doingit,”saidReginald McClure, a close cousinofAndre Locke who works in law enforcementin Texas.“He was figuringoutlife,buthe was doingitsafely.”

1.00%

for15months 1.25% APY1 for2years

Buthistruepassion was music,andhehad a natural talentforit,hismothersaid. Locke enjoyedhip-hop,and speakingabout “the realities ofwhat’s goingoninthe neighborhoods,”Andre Locke said.Healso wanted to work with youngpeople,his mothersaid.

McClure also recalled AmirLocke ashaving“abig heart.”

Whenhis grandmother diedlast year Amirdidn’t want to see her bodyin the casketsohestayedoutsidein theparkinglotduringthefuneral, McClure said.After the funeralended,Andre Locke andthefuneral directorarranged to have Amir go inside through a backdoorsohe couldbe alonewithhis grandmother

“We have thesepictures withhim,andhe’s standing there andhe’s saying goodbye tohisgrandmother,”McClure said. “Andhere’s thecrazy part.Thesamefuneralhome thathe was soheartbroken to go see his grandmotherinbecause of the bigness of his heart,isthesame one he’s going to bein.”

Burnett writes for The Associated Press.

Inthisimage taken frompolicebody cameravideo,Amir Locke iswrappedina blanket on a couchholdinga gunbeforehe wasfatallyshoton Wednesday.

MINNEAPOLISPOLICEDEPARTMENTVIAAP

Family recallsa‘good kid’who was figuring outhislife ‘safely’

T

ACOLD CASE, ADNAHIT AND FINALLY JUSTICE... OR WAS IT?

ThirtyyearsafterClaireHough was murdered,anew round of forensic testingpointed to two suspects. One of them was familiar to thepolice.

ThemurderofClaire PenelopeHough wasthekindof mysterythat keeps homicide detectives awake atnight, pulling atloose threads. For almost 30years, they’d tugged and tugged andcouldn’tunravelit. Now they wanted to try again. Theirpersistence was due partly to Hough’s age—a month shy of 15 when she was sexuallyassaulted andstrangled on an Augustnightin 1984. Cops have teenage daughters, too.

Part ofit was thesavageryof the attackat Torrey Pines State Beach She was battered inthefaceandslashedon theneck Sand was stuffed down herthroat.Her left breast was cut off.

So yes, they wanted to catch thismonster, even asthe years ticking bymade that more difficult Time isnoally to crime-solvers: evidencedegrades,witnessesdie detectives get assigned to othercases.

Butas the calendar advanced sodidscience.

Every coupleof years,new techniquesor equipment would comealong, offeringhope to cold-casedetectives working unsolved murders. They would retrieve old items stored in evidence rooms andasktheforensicscientists to have another go.

Soit was inthesummerof2012 that LynnRydalch, a San Diego Police Department homicide detective,sent anemail abouttheHough murder to thedepartment’s lab.

“Idon’t want to leave any stoneunturned,”hewrote. “Any ideas you have forsomething that mighthave beenmissed would be greatlyappreciated.”

The request went to criminalistDavid Cornacchia He’s an expert inDNA,the increasinglysophisticated identification ofcriminalsuspects from even thetiniest bits of blood,salivaandotherbodily fluids. Sinceitsintroductioninthelate 1980s, ithas revolutionizedcrime-solving, consideredsoirrefutableas evidencethatit spawneda maxim:“DNAdon’tlie.”

Earlier testsdone overthe yearson clothingandother evidence located stainsthatappeared to be fromhumans. Butthelabnever hadenoughmaterial to linkit to anybody.

This time,usingmore powerful tools, Cornacchia extractedDNA,amplifiedit, andcreated a geneticprofile.Heranit throughlaw-enforcementdatabases to see ifthere wasa match. InHollywoodmovies television cop dramas andtrue-crimepodcasts, this is theswellingmomentofdelicioustruth.

Lady Justice rebalances herscalesand reachesacrossthedecades to tap a bad guy ontheshoulder.

Sometimesshetapsin reallife, too.

BloodspotsonHough’s jeans and underwearcameback to a felonnamed Ronald Tatro. Hiscriminal record includedrapinga womanatknifepointinArkansasin 1974 andattempting to kidnap a teenager in La Mesain 1985after zappingher twice with a stun gun. He once checked himselfintoa psychiatricclinic,troubledbyhisinability to controlviolenturges.

Finally itseemed,theplanets had aligned to solve Claire Hough’s 28-yearoldmurder. Butthere wasa complication. Cornacchiaalso gota DNA hit on

vaginalswabs collectedallthose years ago duringthe girl’s autopsy Andit wasn’t Tatro. Thespermcellsbelonged to someone familiar to thecrimelab.Heused to work there.

KevinBrown grew upin Sacramento,the youngest of two children.

Hisfather wasa podiatrist hismotheran administrative assistantinstate government.He went to CalState Sacramento and gota bachelor’s degree in forensicscience.After he graduated,in 1979, hestarted workingas a criminalist forthe New Mexico state police. Brown likedthe job butnotthelocation.He wasa Californian at heart Three yearsin,hemoved to theSanDiego policelab.Hestayedfor20 years, rotating throughvariousunits narcotics, firearms,serology, trace evidence before leavingin2002.

Adecadelater hisDNAshowed upin theHoughcase.Anditstunnedthepolicelab. Manager JenniferShenandother supervisorshuddledbehindclosed doors,trying to figure outwhatthe result meantandwhat to doaboutit. Shenknew Brown.Theyhadbeenin thesamelabforseven yearsatthebeginning of hertimethere andtheendofhis. She remembered himas“a very pleasant person” andhadenjoyedtheiroffice interactions. It was upsetting to think that oneof their own couldbe a murderer especiallysomeone who was byallaccounts mild-mannered, even timid. Brown was 6-foot-4butnotimposing.

Murderedwhilevisitingher grandparentsin 1984,Claire Hough was 14 yearsold.

TOP:Claire wasdrawn to the water, both athomeinRhode Islandandwhenvisiting San Diego.Shefoundthesetting peaceful.Thisarea,at Torrey Pines StateBeach,iswhere she waskilledin 1984,althoughthe bridgeisdifferentnow.It was replaced in 2012.

K.C.ALFRED U-T

He was someone whosebossesdinged himin evaluationsfor gettingrattled and tongue-tiedduring courtroom testimony. Onefemalecriminalist considered him “weak-jellied” andsaid, “I could beat the crapoutofhimmyself.”

ButifBrown didn’thave itinhim to assaultHough,thatmeanthisDNA woundupinthe evidencethrough contamination, a prospectthatpresentedits own worries to labmanagement.It would make themlookbad,raisequestions abouttheintegrity ofthe work there.

Inadvertent contaminationhappens with surprising regularity incrimelabs. Techniciansbrushupagainst a bicycle or cough over a handgunandtheirDNA windsupinthemix.

Theypickup a penusedbysomeone else,andtransferthatperson’s DNA onto apiece of evidence downtheline.

That’s whyBrown andothercriminalistsprovide genetic samplesforthelawenforcementdatabase, to weedoutmistakeswhentheyhappen.

ButBrown’s DNAintheHoughcase wasn’t from wandering skin cellsordropletsofsaliva.It was sperm,onvaginal swabs. Lab managershadnever encountered sucha thing. Theyunderstoodhow it couldhappen,intheory. It’s little-known outside labs,butcriminalists routinely keep their own semenat work deposited onsmall piecesofclothknownasstandards.The samplesare used to make sure test chemicals are properlydetectingthe presenceofsperm.

Ifananalystsomehow broughta semen standard in contactwith a pieceof evidence,that couldcause contamination.

BYJOHNWILKENS

ONEOFTHEIR OWN

Thelabmanagers couldn’t imagineanyonebeingthat sloppy Evenin 1984,before anyoneknew anythingaboutsupersensitive DNA testing,criminalists understoodtheyhad to be careful.

Butthesupervisorstrying to figure allthisout weren’t in the labbackthen,whenit was not justin a differenterabutina differentbuilding.Theydidn’t know how thesemen standards were stored orhow thecriminalists cleanedtheir tools,or even whethertheyalways wore masks orgloves.

Theydidn’task,either becausetheydidn’t want word of Brown’s DNAhitspreadinginthe office.

Theydidknow this,however: Brown wasn’ttheanalystwho examinedtheHough evidencein 1984.That was JohnSimms,a criminalist respectedbyhispeers forhisthoroughness.

Simms,stillinthelaband servingasitsquality assurance officer, was mortifiedbytheidea that somethinghe’d donemight have messedthings up.Hadhe used Brown’s semenstandard instead of his own?He toldShen hedidn’tthinkso, althoughhe couldn’t recall workingthecase. There had beensomany overthe years.

Thelabmanagers were ina quandary. Should they tellthe cold-casedetectivesabout Brown’s DNA,orwrite it off as contamination, even thoughthey doubtedthat’s whathappened?

Dismissingit wouldallow police to tie Tatro,the convictedrapist, in a tidyforensicbow.

Shenandtheothersdecided to putitallonthetable.Let detectivesinvestigate. Maybe they would findmore evidence tying Brown to thecrime. Maybe they would connecthim to Tatro, figure outhow the two ofthem woundup togetheronthebeach with the girl. Maybe they would findmore reasons to suspect contamination.

“We were in a very difficult

spot, recalled PatrickO’Donnell, thesupervisor in charge ofDNA testing.“We needed to disclose this resultbutdoitin a way that provided a complete set of explanationsas to why we are seeing this result.That was our obligation. “Had wecovered upthis result,andthenthreeyearslater there isadditional evidencethat KevinBrown somehow wasa serial killer, then wewouldnot have doneourduty.”

Theideaof a serialkiller wasn’tidlespeculation.Six years before Hough’s murder another teen,Barbara Nantais, 15, had beenmurderedonthesame beach, and in thesamemanner: sexually assaulted,beaten,mutilated,strangled. Herslaying was unsolved, too.

Normallycriminalistsletdetectives know byphone whenDNA results are in. Thistimethey

diditinperson. Themeeting was heldinthe fallof2012 in a locationthat spoke to how thornythecase was: aconference roominthepolice chief’s office. Shen attended,alongwith O’Donnell.Rydalch,the coldcasedetective, was there withhis boss. No written record ofthemeetingisknown toexist Thelab managers would saylaterthat they toldthedetectivesthis: Theybelieved contamination had notoccurred,thatit wouldhave required a “colossalbreach of protocol,”butthey couldn’t ruleit out.It’s alwayspossible.

That’s notwhatthedetectives heard.Theyleft themeeting certain that thescientistshad exploredandeliminated contamination,leavingonlyone explanationforBrown’s sperm:sexual contact.

Andthat’s themessage they passed along a few dayslater to detective Michael Lambert,who had just joinedthe cold-case

SANDIEGOPOLICEDEPARTMENT

Longafterhe’dlefttheforce, KevinBrownstored hisSDPDbadgewithother keepsakesinhisChula Vistahome.“Helovedhisjob,”according to his wife,Rebecca,but composureproblemshehad while testifyingin courtderailedhis career.

TOP: KevinBrown,photographedatacrimescene in 1991, workedasacriminalistforthe SanDiego PoliceDepartmentfor20 years,leavingadecade beforeDNA resultsimplicatedhiminthemurder ofClaireHough.His reputationwithhislab colleagues wasmixed.

team.HeinheritedtheHough file fromRydalch,who was retiring.

BorninBerlin, thesonofan Army soldier, Lambert grew up ontheEastCoastand joinedthe Navy after graduating from high school.Heserved five years and then joinedtheSanDiego police academyin 1989 at age 25.

He’d wanted to be a cop since childhood —a friend’s uncle was anofficer butnot justany cop. On the firstdayoftheacademy, when recruits stand up and share theirhoped-for futures,hetalked aboutbecominga homicide detective.

About 12 yearsinto hiscareer, he got hiswish.He’d done stints bytheninpatrol,narcoticsand as a generalistinthedetective pool.He workedmurdersfor about a decadebefore moving to the cold-case team.

Heimmersed himselfinthe Hough file,which numbered thousandsofpages.Helearned that the teen was fromCranston, R.I.,the youngestof two children in a middle-classfamily. She was entering 10th grade,a bright girlwhodidn’tcare much forschool.Shelikedpoetry and thebandsKissand Van Halen. She wouldstickupforpeopleshe thought were beingpickedon, andsometimes do orsaythings to shockothers.Shesmoked Marlboro Lightsandhada boyfriendbackhomewho was four yearsolder. In August 1984,Houghcame out to SanDiego witha friend. TheystayedinDel Mar Heights with Hough’s grandparents,a 15-minute walk from TorreyPines State Beach, which they visited almostdaily Theysaton towelsonthesand neara bridge,listening to music from a portableradio/cassette recorder.

Her friend returned to Rhode Islandafter theyhadbeen here for abouta week. Withouther companion,Hough toldher grandparentsshe was bored.On thenightshe was killed, she slipped undetectedoutofthe houseand walked to thebeach, stoppingat a Circle K to buy cigarettes.Theclerk there thoughtshelooked20, not 14.

Around 5 thenext morning,a man collectingaluminumcanson thebeach swepthis flashlight acrosswhatheassumed was someonesleeping.She was onher rightside,on a white towel,her sandalsoff. Whenhesaw the blood,hecalledpolice.

Thebeachcomber’s name was Wallace Wheeler,a self-proclaimedpsychicwithschizophreniawhohad recently beenarrestedas a “peeping Tom.” Police consideredhim a suspect especiallyafter hebegansending weeklyletters to Hough’s parents, sharingvisionshehadofthe killeras a long-hairedmanwho was missinganear.

Attheurgingofdetectives,the Houghsplayedalongfor a while, incase Wheeler decided to confess Henever did.

Four yearslater hekilled himself, jumping fromthe 13th floorofanapartmentbuildingin SanDiego.

Theforensiclab’s doubleDNAhitleft Lambert withquestionsashebegan to investigate:How did Ronald Tatro,a convictedrapist,and Kevin Brown, a former policeemployee with nocriminal record, ever meet,letalone commit a murder together?

Or were theylone wolveswho justhappened to preyonthe same girlatthesameplaceatthe same time?

The detective flew to Minnesota to interview the friendwho hadbeeninSanDiego with Hough.Heshowed herphotosof the two men,taken aroundthe timeofthekilling,when Tatro was 40andBrown was 32.

Shedidn’t recognize either one Lambert showed her a photo ofthevan Tatro was drivingback then— nothingthere,either.

The friend,Kimberly Jamer, toldhimHough was faithful to herboyfriend theytalked about everything, shesaid and wouldnothave beeninterestedin menthatold.The only people theymetinSanDiego were teens aroundthesameage hangingout atthebeach,andthat was justin passing.

Lambert andhispartner Lori Adams,lookedinto Tatro’s history BorninElmhurst,Ill., he made it through the 10th grade before droppingoutandlater earning a GED He was divorced andhad two children.Heserved six yearsintheArmy, in two separate stints,andblameda “run-in hehadwith a female servicememberforhissubsequent crimes.

In 1974, in Arkansas, helureda store clerk to hiscar shoved her inthe trunk anddrove to an isolatedarea.Hestuck a knifein hermouthandrapedher Prior to being arrested,he went to a psychiatric clinicinHotSprings, tellingthedoctorthis wasn’this firstoffense andthat hehadno control overhis compulsions. Sentenced to 40 years,he served eightand was paroled to SanDiego,where hissisterlived. He worked as a handyman,doing maintenance work forapartment ownersand realestate agents.

InSeptember 1984,onemonth after Hough was murdered, Tatro was investigated bySanDiego

U-TFILEPHOTO

ONEOFTHEIR OWN

policeforhispossibleinvolvementinthemurderofCarol

DeFelice, a prostitute.He was never charged inthatcase.

Then,in June 1985,a 16-yearold girlwhosecarhadbroken downon University Avenuein La Mesa was offeredhelpby a manin abluevan.After she got in he tried to subdueherwith a stun gun andorderedher to sitbetween theseats.Shescreamed, foughthim off,andescaped, memorizingthevan’s license plate numberasshe fled.

Theplate was registered to Tatro. Policefoundhimathis sister’s house,inthebackofthe van He was naked onthe floor, bleeding frombothwrists. Two razorblades were nearby, as was apornographicmagazinedepictingbondage andsadomasochism He’d writtena note leaving allhispossessions to hissister. He was taken to a hospital, andthen to court,where he pleaded guilty and was sentenced to threeyearsinprison “I want psychiatric help,” Tatro tolda probationofficer, “and I want to livea normallife.”

Whenhe got outofprison,he was sent back to Arkansasfor violatinghisparolethere and eventually woundupin Tennessee.On Aug.24,2011 27 years to thedayafter Hough’s body was found Tatro drownedinwhat authorities ruleda boating accident on a river.

Was thedatea coincidence or amessage? Tatro’s hat,glasses and wallet were still ontheboat, tucked awaysafely Officialssaid it appearedhe wentinto the water onpurpose.

Ifit wasa suicide,it was the secondoneinvolving someone associatedwiththeHoughcase. Andnotthelast.

In every oneof Tatro’s crimes,heactedalone,a possible red flagfor detectivestrying to connecthim to KevinBrown,thecriminalist Ornot.

Lambert’s experience workingallsortsofcases, from lowlevel misdemeanors to murder, taughthimthat “there are many times where people actedalone whenthey were outthere,and thenthere are instanceswhere thosesame people whoactalone incrimeswillalsoactin concert orwithotherpeopleinother crimes.”

Sodetectives keptlookingfor links,andbeganmaking plans to

search oneplacewhere they thoughttheymight findthem: Brown’s house.

Althoughthecriminalisthad left theSanDiego Police Department a decadebefore hisDNA showed upintheHoughcase, he was stillinthearea.Heshareda two-story, three-bedroomhome inChulaVista withhiswife Rebecca,hermother andoneofher brothers.

After quittinghisSDPD job— hisbosses hadmadeitclearhis difficulty onthewitness stand jeopardized his continuedemployment— he returned toNew Mexico andthestate crimelab for a few years Thenheandhis wifecameback to SanDiego, where he workedinanelectronicsstore until he was 55, old enough to begindrawinghis policepension.

Lambert expectedatsome point to try to interview Brown, buthe workedaroundtheedges first,talking to criminalists who knew him fromthelab.

Helearnedthings that roused hissuspicions. Brown had a nicknameamong co-workers: “Kinky Kevin.”It stemmed from a fondness for strip clubsandnudephotography activitieshepursued during his first decadehere,whilehe was abachelor.

Severalofhisformer colleagues told LambertthatBrown didn’t just goto stripclubs he bragged aboutthevisits.They saidBrown also regaledthem withtalesoforganized photo shootsinvolvingnakedmodels, includingonein a hotelthat was raidedbythevicesquad.Heonce asked a female employeeto pose forhim.

Annette Peer a retiredcriminalistwhofoundBrown “creepy,” saidshe wasalonewithhimin thelabonedaywhenhestarted reading outloud from a police report.Criminalistsdidthis from time to time,laughingatsections theyfoundodd oramusing.

There was nothingfunny about the report Brown had, Peer toldthedetective.Itdetailed a sexualassault “very violent.”Peer couldn’t understand whyBrown hadthe report inhisdesk,letalonewhyhe chose to share itwith her.

PeersaidBrown alsobrought apornographic movie to work onedayandshowed it to several male colleagues. Strippers nudemodels,porn —Lambert wonderedifthose were theshadowy worldswhere

Ronald Tatro was linkedbyDNA to theHough case, too,and cold-case detectivestried in vain to find evidence connectinghim to Brown. Thisphoto was takenin 1984,the same yearHough wasslain.

TOP,clockwise fromupperright: ClaireHoughand aportionofher autopsy report.

Ronald Tatro,a portionofa case toxicology report andaphotoof Tatro’s van. Aportionofa SanDiego Police departmentpress releaseaboutthe caseanddepictionsofaDNA strandandspermatozoa.

KevinBrown, drawings from aninvestigator’s evidencenotes regardingblood onHough’s pants andaphotoofher blouse.

A SanDiego PoliceDepartmentphotoof thebridgeabove whereHough’s body wasfound andaportionof the case’soriginal evidencelist.

Brown and Tatro met.Birdsofa feather?

Bytheendof2013 thedetectives were ready to approach Brown directly.

Aconfessionisoften themost powerful evidenceprosecutors presentin a criminaltrial, so detectives work hard toobtain them Lambert toldPeerthathe might have to “sweat Brown to closethecase.(“God, I wishI could be a fly onthe wall,”she replied.)

Lambert alsosoughtpermission to search Brown’shouse.In early January 2014, he fileda 34-page affidavitoutlining the history ofthecase,theDNA results andthe“Kinky Kevin” stories Itsaidthecrimelabhad determinedthat contamination “is notpossible”asan explanationforBrown’s spermshowing upinthe evidence. SuperiorCourt Judge Frederic Linksignedthe warrant.It authorizedpolice to take cellphones, computers newspaper clippings,photographs andother itemsthatmighthave information relating to Hough, Tatro or themurderinvestigation.

Ateam was assembled About adozenpoliceofficers waited outsidewhile LambertandAdams walked to the frontdoor. They had notinformedBrown they werecoming.Hedidn’t know he was underinvestigation.

Brown answeredtheknockon thedoor It was about8:30 a.m. andhe was still inhispajamas and robe.“Good morning,”he said,andallowedthem in.

Lambert saidthey wanted Brown’s help withsomeoldhomicidecasesinvolvingprostitutes. Heshowed Browna photo ofone ofthevictims,killed in February 1984.Brown didn’t recognizeher.

There’s a man we believe might beinvolvedinthemurder, thedetective said. Maybe you know him.

Theman was Tatro.The detectivessaidhehadbeen contactedbypoliceinSeptember

1984.That wouldhave beenone month after Hough was murdered.He was parkedin a Dodge vanonElCajonBoulevard,inan area frequentedbyprostitutes, theysaid.

Anofficer filled out a field interview card,andontheback scrawleda note: Tatro said he knows a SDPDemployee named Kevin Brown. Noneofthat was true.There was nopolicestop,no fieldinterview card,noclaim by Tatrothat heknew Brown. This isknownas a ruse,and it’s beendeemedlegalbythe courts. Policecanlie to a suspect

whilepursuing a confession,as long astheydon’tcrosstheline into illegal coercion.But just where to draw thatlineis controversial,andseveral states— Oregon, Illinois, New York— have passedorproposedlaws to curtailfalsehoods.

Thedetectivesshowed Brown aphoto of Tatro and anotherone ofhisvan.“Maybe you were buddies atthetimeorsomethinglike that,” Lambert said,suggesting the two mighthave met at a strip club or a bar.

“Itdoesn’tring a bell,”Brown said.

“Youmusthave hadsome kind ofinteractionwithhim,” Adamssaid.

Brown:“Idon’tknow how he got to know me.”

“Forhim toto drop your name,” Lambert said,“obviously heknew you existedand obviouslyheknew thatit wasa police employee, becausehow else wouldheknow thatif you had never met?” Brown keptlooking atthe photo, wrackinghisbrain.He mentionedthenudephotography wondered ifmaybe Tatro hadbeentaking pictures, too. They talkedaboutthatforseveral minutes,thedetectives askingfordetailsaboutwhether themodels were alsostrippersor prostitutes.

Thedetectivessaid Tatro was someonewhotargeted young females. They mentionedthe La Mesastun gun case andasked Brown ifmaybethat joggedhis memory. Itdidn’t.

“We feelpretty confident this guy isprobably goodforsome othercases,” Lambert said. “That’s ourbig reasonfortrying to findsomebody thatmayhave knownhimback thenthat would beable to give ussomekindof insight as to the typeofpersonhe was.”

Brown went to his computer andlookedupthenameof a man whoorganized thenudephoto shoots.Hesuggesteddetectives contactthat guy togeta lineon Tatro.

Then Lambert said they were looking at Tatro in connection with a particular case He showed Browna photo ofClaire Hough.

“Oh,”Brown said,“I rememberher.”

This story was compiled from thousands of pages of police reports, courtfilings sworn depositions and trialtranscripts. Unless otherwise noted, thequotesused are from those records. john.wilkens@sduniontribune.com

COURTESY PHOTO

CRISTINA BYVIK U-T

STUDENTS

FROM A1

CanyonCrest, a highschool intheSanDieguito Union HighSchoolDistrict,have beenmeetingperiodically viaZoom with students at Mawoud.Thesessionshave become a sourceofmotivation, educationand joy for bothsetsofstudents.

Themeetings beganwith simpleice-breaker conversationsand evolvedinto bigger projects between the two groups. For example, CanyonCrest students helpedtranslate one Mawoud girl’s poemsinto Englishandarrangedfor them to be performed atapoetry eventinSanDiego.

Now theCanyonCrest students are developing sciencelab lessons which Mawoudstudents don’t have in their curriculum— andtranslating textbooks listedontheformerAfghan Ministry ofEducation’s website sotheycanstudy with Mawoudstudents.

TimothyStiven,theCanyon Cresthistory teacher helping to leadthe partnership alsohas beenraising moneyfor Mawoud via GoFundMeto help keep the school open.

Thedonationshave funded a security guard for theschoolandsalariesfor the teachers. Morerecently Mawoudhasbeenusing the donations to buybasicfood stapleslike cooking oil,potatoesand onionsforits teachers,who don’t have enough to eatthiswinter.

Mawoud,which is technically anafter-schoollearningcenter has become the onlysourceofschooling for itsfemalestudents,who make upmost of the enrollment.

The Taliban,which retook control overAfghanistan in August have bannedhigh school girls from going to publicschool. Mawoud’s director Yousefi, hasmanaged tokeep Mawoudopen despite thesafety riskand a shortage of electricity, foodandschool supplies.

HesaidtheZoommeetings withCanyonCrest are the only reasonsome students attend Mawoud. There are manyforcesand peopletrying tokeep girls from gettinganeducation.

There’s fearfortheir safety he said In2018 Mawoud’s previouslocation was destroyedby a suicide bomb claimedbytheIslamicState.Dozens ofstudents were killed.

There’s fearofthe Taliban.Andthere isdiscouragement fromsomeparents,who telltheir children that girlscan’tlearn, Yousefi toldStiven.

“Thiskindofmeetingin the wonderfulZoomapplication,andwiththehelpof studentsofSanDiego,can motivate ourstudents,and students comehere… only for thismeeting,” Yousefi saidThursday “Thismeetingcanhelpthem tokeeping their way.”

Privilegesorrights

Thepartnershipisn’t justbenefiting theAfghan students;it’s teaching the CanyonCrest students aboutwhat’s happening to students on theother side of the world. “We see movies, we see

documentariesaboutthisa lot, but when we experience thisforourselves,it’s really enlightening, saidAnand, 18 “We’re a lot more similar thanitseems to be.Atthe endofthe day, we’re all teenagers.”

Theyhave bondedas they shared similar experiences walking to school, dealingwithCOVID, and stressing over exams,the students said Theysaw thatthe Mawoudstudents find joy inthesamethings they do, like birds and music.

SeveralCanyonCrest studentssaidtheyespeciallyenjoyseeingthe Afghanstudentslaughand behappy despite theircircumstances.

“These girls,they’re like targets, and they’re coming here andI’mmaking the joke aboutsugarandphosphate andthey’re laughing,” said Zuo, 18 “It’s incredible, eventhatlittlebitof happinessoroptimism.That’s going to stickwithmefora while.”

Zuo saidmeetingthe Mawoudstudents “really openedmyeyes to what’s goingonandwhatother people are goingthrough,” addingthatshe realizeshow much privilege she andher peershave livinginAmerica.

“Learningshouldbea right, butitis a privilege rightnow because I think notenoughpeople are fighting to make it a right,” Zuo said.“Evenashighschoolers, I think wewant to do whatlittle we can to contribute to that fight to return education from a privilege to a right.”

Stiven,whohastaught for 36 years mostlyinelite schools,likes to saythisis thekindofeducationstudentswill rememberthe rest of theirlives;not the textbookmaterialsthey crammedinforAdvanced Placement tests.

In SanDieguito, a North County schooldistrict where themedianhouseholdincomeisupwards of $135,000, Stivensaidhe thinks hisstudents were aware oftheirprivilege “in theabstract,”butmeeting Afghanstudentsface-tofacehelped themsee it clearly.

Thepurposeofthis collaborationisn’tforstudents to feel guilty or to feelsorry fortheAfghanstudents,he said;it’s to dosomething aboutit.

“Asa history teacher,I really wantedmystudents to understandthathistory doesn’ttake place in textbooks.Ithappensallaround us,it’s happening to usright now, Stiven said. “Andif we have allthisprivilege,using thisprivilege to helpothers is why I teach.”

‘We want to live... we have hopes’

After Anand and Zuo finishedtheirDNA lab on Thursday it was theAfghan students turn to present. Ratherthan a PowerPoint, theyshared works ofart theycreated.

Oneboyshowed calligraphyart hemade— bold, blackPersian characters that read, “Art isbetter than entertainment.”

Anotherstudentshowed pearl-white handkerchiefs shehadembroideredwith goldenandpurple flowers. OneboyZooming from

homeshowed hisdrawings of a small,bright red Santa Claus, a green Christmas tree and a picture of a girl’s and boy’s hands joined at thepinkies. One girlshowedtheSan Diego classmore than a dozen of her drawings.Shehad drawnsmallbirdswithsoft bellies huddled together on abranch, a hummingbird with flutteringwings,a howling wolf,and a swan coupleforming a heart with theirnecks withthe words “Happy Valentine’s Day” written inEnglishabove them.

Oneofherdrawings showed fourmenplacinga cover over a girlwho was clutching books to her chest,while a bystander raisedtheirhand. “Very powerful,”Stivensaid.

TheCanyonCreststudentsapplaudedand “oohed”atthe work of every student, whilethe Mawoud studentsbeamedand blushedbehindtheirmasks.

When Yousefi displayeda student’s drawingtitled “BTSArmy” with a girl’s handpinching a heart,the CanyonCreststudents laughed, realizingthis Afghan student shared their love ofthe world’s most popular K-pop group. Onestudentsatin front ofthe computercamera just to talk to theSanDiego students “I want to justsaymy message forallof you so you canhearmy voice,”hesaid inEnglish.

He spoke abouthis gratitudeforthepartnershipbetween theSanDiego classroomandhisschool. Then he spoke aboutthe Taliban taking control ofhis country.

“Peoplearoundthe world, andsomeofourpeople,theAfghanpeople,they thinkthat there isnoany hopesforAfghanistan… But I discourage thisidea,” hesaid. “We want to live.Becauseofoursituation, we try toget our aim. I just want to sayfor the people around the worldthat we we have hopes.”

Thestudent said hisaim inlifeis to succeed atentrance exams,attend a university, majorin journalism, and become a reporter.

“Ilike myaim. I love my aim,”hesaid,smiling, to applause fromSanDiego.

Thelastactofsharing came from a youngmanwho was Zooming in fromhome.

He played the Persiansetar,a stringedinstrument, whilesitting on a stoolinan empty roomdecoratedwith arug.Hesangwhilehis fingersstrummedswiftly, and inthe other Zoomwindow, theAfghan girls gently smiled asthey watchedhim.

After he finished playing and aftera roundofapplause, Stiven told Yousefi thathehad to dismisshis students.It was gettinglate here,and they have tests on Friday.

Stiven placedonehand overhisheart then pointed at the computerscreen with his otherhand.

“Everyone do this and point to thecamera,”heinstructedhisclass. Two dozenhandspointed to hands outstretched fromtheZoom window ofAfghanstudents.

“That’s us connecting,” Stivensaid.

Students fromCanyonCrest AcademyinCarmel Valley watchasasstudentsatthe Mawoud Learning Academy,aprivateeducationcenterin Kabul,Afghanistan, showsomeoftheirartwork onThursday. Timothy Stiven,ahumanitiesandhistory teacher,arrangestheZoom callswith Najibullah Yousefi, Mawoud’sprincipal.

ANA RAMIREZ U-TPHOTOS

CanyonCrest AcademyseniorsAditiAnand(left)andApril Zuo teachalab aboutDNAviaZoom to about40studentsatthe Mawoudcenter.

PARENTS

andtitlesdetailedthe events leadingup to the July 30, 2020 sinking Parentshave testified at two hearings to providevictim-impact testimony The boardsofinquiry are beingheldatthesamebase where thedead Marines livedandtrained.Onoccasion,thatserves to give the proceedingsastarksenseof military reality.

Witness testimony being heard over the phoneatone hearinghad to pausefor a jet to fly over During closingargumentsatanotherboard,a military lawyerhad to closea dooropen to theoutsideafter Marinemarching and drill commands from justbeyondthe courthousebecamedistracting.

Three boardsofinquiry have beenheldsofarat CampPendleton,andone other atthe MarineCorps BaseQuantico, Va Two more boards theseones for two enlisted Marines— are scheduled over thenext two weeks.

Theboardsare administrative processes andalthoughnottrials noneof those facing them are charged withcriminaloffenses theyare similar in how theyare conducted, with governmentlawyersarguingthecaseagainstthe Marinesand defense attorneysmountinga defense. Each sidesubmits evidence andcancall witnesses. ThreeMarineofficers comprisetheboard— different onesforeach— and get to questionwitnesses as well.

After each side’s cases are presentedtheboard deliberatesandissuesits findings.Allthosefacingthe boardsrisk expulsion from the Marines.

However, forthethree boardsheldatCamp Pendletonsofar thathasn’t happened.

‘Substandard,’butstaying

AlthoughtheCamp Pendletion-based I Marine Expeditionary Force,which isthe conveningauthority fortheboards,has granted access to reporters toobserve theboards,itisnotallowingmembersofthepress into the courtroom to hear the resultsafter deliberations.In a statement,a Marinespokespersonsaid theboard results are not final,andnotforpublic release.

However, Aaron Meyer, the civilianlawyer representing the former vehicle platoon commander, 1st Lt. Thomas MacAleese,disclosedthe resultsin court on Jan.28.

According to Meyer, Lt. Col.MichaelRegner theformer commandingofficer of Battalion Landing Team1/4, was found“substandard”in his job performance athis board. However, the board recommendedhebe retainedinthe Marines not forcedout.

Capt.George Hepler,the former commanderof1/4’s Bravo Company, received thesame resultathisboard, Meyer said.Hisperformance was also found to be“substandard,”buttheboard recommendhebe allowed to remaininthe Marines.

MacAleese, Meyer told the Union-Tribuneinaninterview Monday, was found not to besubstandard inperformance meaning there was “no basis”for the Corps to even considerkickinghim out.

Theboard heldonthe EastCoastin December,for Lt.Col. KeithBrenize,the former commanding officer ofthe3rd AssaultAmphibianBattalion, is in recess andhasn’t ruledonthecase.

The outcomeshave frustratedsome of theparentsof someofthe youngservice memberskillednearSan Clemente Island.Bathsaid the boards are failing to hold anyoneaccountable.

“It’s like a slap inthe face,”she toldthe UnionTribune. “You come to the hearings and everyoneis pointing fingersand coveringforeach other Who are you holding accountable?”

Two investigations one bythe Marines,theotherby the Navy described a sequenceoftrainingandmaintenancelapses thatled to the tragedy

AnAssaultAmphibious Vehiclesankaboutan hour after leavingSanClemente Island to return to the amphibious transport dock Somersetduring a training exercise

Theinvestigationsfound thatmostofthe vehicles were inoperablewhen they

were firstprovided to BLT 1/4by the3rd Amphibious AssaultBattalion. Col.FridrikFridriksson, wholedoneofthe Marine Corpsinvestigations into thetragedy, during testimonyatoneboard ofinquiry lastmonth described the amtracks that were sent to theSomerset as“garbage.”

The confluenceof Marine unitsand commandersinvolvedinthe accidentcan bewilder even themost savvyof observers. One of the Marineinvestigationsfocusedsolely on theformationofthe 15 MarineExpeditionary Unit, which iswhere BLT 1/4 was assigned.

MEUs are comprisedof severaldistinct Marineand Navy commands,including ships,infantry units, aviationunits,logistics and commandunits.Once together, the 15thMEUfellunderthe command oftheSanDiegobased MakinIslandAmphibious Ready Group and the Marine’s CampPendleton-based I MarineExpeditionary Force.

TheCampPendletonbased1st MarineDivision was responsiblefortheinfantry elementoftheMEU, including the amtracks from 3rd Tracks and the grunts of 1/4. These layersof command have provedaninsulating forcewhenassessing responsibility. Defense attorneysarguedatboardsthat faultlieseither at the top of thedivision,withtheformer commanding general, orinsidethe vehicleitself,where aMarinestaffsergeant waited too long to orderthe troops to evacuate.

Investigatorslaidblame upanddown the chain of command.Thelowest-ranking Marinesfacingboards are two enlistedmenwho were staffsergeantsin July 2020 theformer platoon sergeantandthe vehicle commanderofthe track that sank.

At the higher rungs ofthe command ladder, investigatorsfound Marineleaders failed to makesure the Marinesandsailors were fully trainedbefore sendingthem into the water.

Theinfantry Marinesassigned to 1/4 were notswim qualified,theinvestigation found. Worse,investigators said,theyhadnotbeen trained to escapean amtrackunder water, asthe pool on basewhere that trainingisheld was closed for a monthahead of the MEU exercisethatsummer.

According to Regner’s testimony, heraised concernsabouttraining to his commanders.ButsinceI MEFpolicyatthetime did not require the training, he was toldanother, lessstringentshallow-watertraining wouldsuffice. Thatpolicy was changed inthe wake oftheaccident. ‘Theyneverlookedus inthe eye’ PeterOstrovsky, wholost hisson,Pfc. Jack-RyanOstrovsky 21 intheaccident, saidheis frustrated thatthe Marine officers won’t take responsibility for what happened Having beenin court forRegner and Hepler’s boards,Ostrovskysaidhe came away disappointedin themen. “I was surprisedby their

reaction to (families)being there,”hesaid. “Theynever lookedusintheeye. I didn’t feel good about it.”

Regner Hepler and MacAleeseall testifiedat theirboardsand,during that testimony expressed remorseforthelossofthe menonthe AAV. Heplerdid, during testimony, look toward the gallery from the witnessstand toexpress condolences, but Ostrovsky saidthe gesture fellshort.

“He wasn’t even looking atus he was lookingat(a reporter),”Ostrovskysaid. “I expectmore from a Marineofficerand Marine leader.”

Thefamilieshave questioned whyonlymid-career officers and sergeantsare facing boardswhilehigherranking commanders are not.Bathsaidshe doesn’t understandwhytheformer commanding generalofthe 1st MarineDivision, Maj. Gen.Robert Castellvi, and theformer commanderof theMEU Col.Christopher Bronzi,aren’tfacingboards oftheir own.

Castellvi,who went on to ajob as the MarineCorpsinspector generalafter rotatingoutof thedivision, was fired fromthat rolein June after theCorpsinitially chosenot to punish him. Bronzi was removed from commandoftheMEUin March

“It frustrates me,”said Bath.“Someofus (parents) want to know:Castellvi? Bronzi? Where are their boards? Why are they allowed to retire?”

BethanyPayton-O’Bri-

en, a civilianmilitary defense lawyer said theboards

themselvesare what accountability lookslike inthe military.

“It’s meant foraccountability— that’s exactly what accountability is,”PaytonO’Briensaid. “(The military)istrying to fireyou from your job.”

Payton-O’Brien,who served in the Navyas a lawyer and judge,said the processcaninsulate high-rankingofficers frompunishmentwhilecrackingdown onthose lower inrank.

“Theday-to-daysupervisorsarebeingheldaccountable butthesupervisorswho werewell aware ofthelack of training, or theproblem with the vehiclesthemselves,escape responsibility, she said. “Thatis a problemwith oursystem we holdsome accountable and (not)others.”

‘There’saleadership crisishere’

Michael McDowell, a formerBBC journalistand currentnational security fellow at a Washington, D.C.,think tank,saidthemilitary hasa “leadership crisis”whenit comes to trainingaccidents.

“There’sa shamefulpatternwhere enlisted or junior officerswhomayormaynot be to blame ...theaction’s againstthem, hesaid.“But rarelyabove thatin termsof captain,major, colonel,et cetera.”

McDowell’s son,1stLt. Conor McDowell, was killed in2019 onCampPendleton when hislightarmored vehicle rolled overintoa ditch during a training exercise. Togetherwithother Gold Starfamilies, McDowell pushedCongress to investigate resultingin a GovernmentAccountability Office studypublished last year that foundlapsesintraining andsupervisionamongthe Army and MarineCorpstactical vehicleunits. McDowellsaid a new law isneeded to hold seniorofficers— admiralsand generals at faultwhenaccidents occur due to impropertrainingand oversight.

“There’saleadershipcrisishere,” McDowell said. “Generals —one-starallthe way throughfour-star— their job descriptioncan’t justbe combat.Itmust (also)besafety, readiness andtraining.”

McDowellsaidmiddle managersinthemilitary, such asthosefacingboards now, need to beempowered to callofftrainingwhen issues like safety andtraining deficienciesare apparent.

“Theyneed to beable to make callsonsafety without retaliation,”hesaid.“We have to protect the (noncommissionedofficers)and juniorofficerssotheycan say‘stop.’That’s leadership.”

Ifthathadhappened on July 30 2020 Ostrovskysaid, lives wouldhave beensaved.

“Ifit was career suicide for you,as a leader, to say ‘we’re stopping,’I’d rather

someone commitcareer suicide and save lives,”hesaid.

DuringRegner’s board, PeterVienna,fatherof Navy Corpsman 3rd ClassChristopher“Bobby” Gnem, testifiedthathedidn’tunderstandwhythe Marines were pushingbackagainst the findings oftheinvestigation.

“Are they pushingback justsotheycan retire ata higherrank?” hesaid.“We seek just a sliverofaccountability.”

Ostrovsky testified at the sameboard he was shocked bythe “top-down incompetence”ofthe MarineCorps officersinhisson’s chainof command.

Bath testified at Hepler’s board thatshe doesn’t hate the Marinesbut was disappointedthatsomanyhada handinherson’s death.

Familymembers were deniedthe opportunity to testify at MacAleese’sboard after the defenseraisedan objection.

‘Makesure...thisdoesn’t happenagain’ Bathsaidshe’s not expecting the review boards to offerany justicefortheloss ofherson,nor to holdanyoneaccountable.

“Mysonisdeadandthus farnoonehasadmitted to making a mistake assmall as forgetting to turn off a light switch,” shesaid. “Thisisthe MarineCorps they’re supposed to bemen of honor— andI’mlistening to leaders that are coveringforeach other.”

Severalother Marine Corpsofficersinvolvedwith theinfantry and amphibious vehicle community have testifiedattheboardsas characterwitnesses insupport of those officers.

Althoughshe’s disappointedin MarineCorps leadership,Bathsaid,she doesagree withtheboard’s finding in MacAleese’s case. “I(feel)like even thoughhe mademistakes...he’s one whowill wear theuniform withhonor,”shesaid.

MacAleese,who was in charge ofthe AAV platoon, did everything inhispower toget thetracks in good shape ahead of the July exercise,hislawyer Meyer said.

Althoughhe objected to family testimony at MacAleese’s board, Meyer saidthefamiliesneed to be heard, both bythe Marines andthe Navy.

“It’s justthat a board of inquiry isnotthatforum,”he said.

To Ostrovsky, justiceis those responsible beingheld accountable,hesaid, “to make sure anincidentlike this doesnothappen again.”

InDecember, the Marine Corpspulledits entire fleet ofamtracksoutofthe water for good,barringanemergency, it said The replacementAmphibiousCombat Vehiclehasbeen fielded and will deploy for the first time later this year. andrew.dyer@sduniontribune.com

Fromleft,ChristianaSweetwood,motherof LanceCpl.ChaseSweetwood,Aleta Bath,motherofPfc.EvanBath,andLupita Garcia, motherof LanceCpl. Marco Barranco,appearatanewsconferenceinOceansidein July2021, a yearaftertheirsonsdiedinanaccident.

SAMHODGSON U-TFILE

have been

The remainsofseven Marinesanda sailorareplacedonanAir Forceplaneat MarineCorpsAir StationMiramarin August2020.

LANCECPL.BRENDANMULLIN VIAAP

MarineLt.Col. MichaelRegner

U.S. MARINE CORPS Marine1stLt. Conor McDowell

COURTESY OF FAMILY

Aleta Bathgazesoverthe water FridayinOceanside.“Mysonisdead...andI’m listening to leadersthatare coveringforeachother.”

ANA RAMIREZ U-T

Protection Mechanismfor HumanRightsDefenders and Journalists known more simply as “the mechanism.”

Launchedin2012 it allows journalistsandrights workerswho believe theyare indanger to seekprotection fromthe government— everything from bodyguards to panic buttons,security cameras, even relocation to safe houses.

Plaguedprogram

But the programis plaguedbyseverallimitations.There are inconsistencies inhow itis administered fromstate to state,andbetween statesandthe federal government.

Italsoishamperedbya lackof resourcesand expertise.And journalists are wary, for good reason:Some have beenthreatenedbyofficialsinthe very governmentstheyare askingfor help.

Since2012, nine journalists who were enrolledinthe mechanismhave beenkilled, according to Carlos MartinezdelaSerna,program directorfortheCommittee to Protect Journalists, which tracks attacks on journalists aroundthe world.

Amongthose was Lourdes Maldonado, an experiencedbroadcast journalist whohad covered Tijuanafor years Maldonado was killed outsideofherhomeon Jan. 23 Justsixdaysearlier Margarito MartínezEsquivel was shotthree timesashe headedoff to work in the morning.

Martínez was in theprocessofseekingprotection through theprogram from theBajaCaliforniastate governmentwhenhe was killed. Maldonadohada panicbutton installedinside herhomeafter her vehicle was damagedinan attack, andhadpolice patrols going past herhome atintervals.

Theirdeaths were thelatestofthe 148 killings of journalistsin Mexico since2000, according to a grimtabulation ofthehumanrights groupArticle 19

The frequency of those killings led groups like CPJ to pressure Mexicanauthorities to act,which in turn birthed theprotectionprogramin2012 said Martinez delaSerna.

OdilónGarcía, a Tijuana journalistwho was previouslyundertheBajaCaliforniaprotectionmechanism from2018 to early2021, said theprogramneeds to do more. “We needmore than words, we need a realplan to protectour colleagues, becausemanyofthose who have been underthemechanism have died for example Lourdes Maldonado,” said García,whoisthe director ofthenews site Diario Tijuana “We needaction, we needprotection.”

Afragmented system

There are about 1,500 peopleseekingprotection via the program, about 500 ofthem journalists.Thebalance are humanrights workers. Catalino Zavala,Secretary General of Government inBajaCalifornia, said last weekthat 18 people— journalistsandhumanrights workers are receiving state protection.

Butthereisnosingleapproach orplan covering journalists wherever theymay work in Mexico.Instead,the programvarieswidely from state to state, dependingon theelected administration.

The typeofprotectiona journalist receivesalsovariesdepending onthelevel of risktheybelieve theyface, saidSoniadeAnda who leadstheTijuana journalist collective #YoSíSoyPeriodista(#YesIAmAJournalist).

“Soif,for example, I were threatened,theState System fortheProtection ofHumanRightsDefendersand Journalistscalls meand

asks mehow I feel,”shesaid. “In short,they ask,whatare myneeds? Whatprotective measures do I think are necessary?”

Fromthere,deAndaand others explained,itcanbe somewhatof a negotiation and conversation about whatmeasuresare necessary. Wary journalists want safety but alsoneed freedom to work

“Almostnone ofus want to have to have a guard fulltime onourbacks,” said de Anda,who runsthenews site Esquina 32.

Aspart oftheprotection, Garcia received a panicbutton, a cellulardevicethatallows a reporter to sendan emergencymessage to local policingauthorities.Hesaid hehadnever usedit.

Healso received permanentsurveillanceoutsidehis home SinceGarciahas coveredthepolicebeatfordecades,hespecifically requestedthepolice officers who wouldbein charge ofhis security, which,hesaid, madehimfeelsafer.

Both the federalandBaja

California protection mechanismsare under review, authoritiessaidlast week. Meetings were held between the state government groupthat oversees theprogramand journalists inTijuana Ensenadaand Mexicali.

Zavala expectsthatin lessthan a month, recommendationsissuedby journalists couldbeincorporated to the revised protection plan.Hesaidthatmanyof theproposals collectedso far couldbeimplemented immediatelysincethey wouldnot require a legislative process. Anyadditionalhelp wouldbe welcome, advocatessaid, to a program where demandhas grown whileassistancehasnot.

MartinezdelaSernasaid applicationsfortheprogramhave increasedeach yearithas beenoperating. But resources fromthe government have not keptpace.

“We have been consistentlycallingout the need formore resourcesandmore funding,”hesaid.“We’ve

alsofound there is a lackof trainedpeopleonstaffthat fullyunderstandthethreats journalists face.”

Reporters WithoutBorderssoundedthesame alarminDecemberand cited a “seriousdeficiency” instaff The group said that there were about 50government officials responsible fortheprotectionof 1,500 peoplenationwide.

Timeisanotherissue.“In somecasesittakes a long time to deploy all the measures that were decidedon inthecase,” Martinezdela Sernasaid.

Though Margarito Martínezhad reached out to thestate protectionsystem —an actionthatissupposed to alert thefederalprotectionagency hehadnot beenfullyenrolledbecause ofpaperwork, deAnda explained.

After Martínez’s death, thesecretary of government forBajaCalifornia,Catalino Zavala Márquezpromised he would work to make the enrollment processmore automaticfor journalists

andhumanrightsdefenders whohave receivedthreats.

Theproblem of impunity

Fatalattacks on journalists in Mexico can’tbeseparated fromthenation’s overalldescentinto violence over thepast two or more decades,fueledlargely by drug cartelsandtraffickers,said DavidShirk, a University of SanDiego professor, chairof theDepartmentof Political Scienceanddirectorofthe Justicein Mexico program. There were twice as many homicidesin Mexico last year thanin 2008-09, hesaid. More cripplingthanthe sheernumbersofdeathsis theimpunity:few people are prosecuted,hesaid.

The government admits asmuch. Mexico’s Interior Undersecretary Alejandro EncinassaidinDecember thatmore than 90percentof murdersof journalistsand humanrightsdefenders remainunresolved.

A2018 Justicein Mexico report found journalists were atleastthree times more likely to bemurdered thanthe generalpopulation. Shirk,whohasstudiedviolencein Mexico for years, saidthattheprotectionprogramappears to be“little more thana Band-Aid”for journalists.

“Theyassign anescort fortheperson,maybe give them a bulletproof vest,”he said.“Whatthe Mexican governmentneeds to dois not givejournalistsbulletproof vests.Itneeds to properlyandvigorouslyinvestigate thesecrimes to their conclusions,whetheritis the drug trafficker,a girlfriendorthemayor.”

Violenceagainst journalists,andtheimpunity that nearlyalways comeswithit, can’tbeseparated fromthe larger problemswithviolencewracking Mexico, Martinez de laSernasaid.

“Youdon’t fix thewhole press freedomcrisisin Mexico if you don’thave a system that works,”hesaid. “A system thataddressesthe killings andcrimes.And brings thecriminals to justice.”

For now, journalistsand rights workersmustlargely rely on their own wits,andthe flawed “mechanism offered by a beleaguered government Thatisnot comforting for journalistswhoare doing whatisbecoming anincreasinglyperilous job,where itis not even safe to beonthe street in front oftheirhomes.

The weeklynewsmagazineZeta,which hasseen editorskilled and attacked overthe years, reported Maldonado’s attackers were lyingin waitnearherhome whenonesupervisingpolice patrolpassed by to check on Maldonado’s property.

“Itisclearthatthesystem isnotsavinglives,”de Andasaid, “norisittaking anyrisk away fromus.” greg.moran@sduniontribune.com alexandra.mendoza @sduniontribune.com wendy.fry@sduniontribune.com

Membersofthemediaandthepublicholdavigilatthe Mexican consulatein SanDiegoforslainjournalists recently. Mexicoisoneofthemostdangerous countriesinthe worldforjournalists.

SANDYHUFFAKER

Margarito MartínezEsquival wasintheprocessof joiningtheprotectionmechanismwhenhe wasslain.

U-TFILE Lourdes Maldonado,killedoutsideherTijuana home, wasenrolledinthegovernmentprogram.

ALEJANDRO TAMAYO U-T

CSLB#781576

NEW DELHI Theeditorofa news website has beenarrested inKashmir, inwhat critics called thelatest example of awave ofharassmentof journalistsbytheauthorities inthetroubled region. Theeditor, Fahad Shah of TheKashmir Walla, was arrested Fridayafterbeing summonedby the police, said YashrajSharma, a colleague.Hehad beencalled inforquestioningfourdays earlier overthesite’s coverage of a deadlypolice raid inlate January Sharma said. That raid, inthe Pulwamadistrict,left fourpeopledead. Thepolice describedthree ofthem as militantsandthefourth,a 17-year-old,asa “hybrid mil-

itant.” TheKashmir Walla interviewed the teenager’s family who saidhe was an innocentcivilianandappealed to the government to returnhisbody. The news website’s articlealso includedthe perspectivesof the policeandthearmy.

TheKashmirpolice said Fridaythat theyhadarrestedShahfor “uploading anti-national content and thathe was stillintheir custody. Shah’s arrestshowed the Kashmirauthorities “utter disregard forpress freedom and the fundamentalright of journalists to report freelyandsafely, said Steven Butler Asia program coordinatorforthe Committeeto Protect Journalists.

“Authorities must immediately release Shah,

andallother journalistsbehind bars,andcease detaining and harassing journalistsforsimplydoingtheir jobs,” hesaid.

TheIndiansecurity forceshave tightenedtheir griponKashmirsince Prime Minister Narendra Modidissolvedthe region’s elected government in2019 andbroughtitunder direct rule from Delhi, with a heaviermilitarypresence.

Increasingly, journalists andactivists critical ofthe security forceshave been called inforquestioning, andseveral have beendetained. Authoritieshave alsoeffectivelyclosed down Kashmir’s pressclub,a baseof support for journalists, forcingitoutof the government-ownedbuilding where ithadbeenoperating.

PERIPHERAL NERVE PAIN ANDCHRONIC PAIN WARNING

SANDIEGO,CA—

Themostcommonmethod your doctorwill recommend to treat yourchronicpainand/ornerve painiswithprescriptiondrugs thatmay temporarily reduceyour symptoms. Thesedrugshave namessuch as Gabapentin, Lyrica, Cymbalta, andNeurontin,andareprimarily antidepressantoranti-seizure drugs. Thesedrugsmaycause you to feeluncomfortableandhavea variety ofharmfulsideeffects.

Chronicpainand/orperipheral nervepainisaresultofdamage to thenervesoftencausing weakness,pain,numbness, tingling,andthemostdebilitating balanceproblems. Thisdamage is commonlycaused by alackof bloodflowtothenervesinthe handsand feet,whichcausesthe nerves to begin to degenerate due to lack of nutrientflow.As youcanseeinFigure2,asthe blood vesselsthatsurroundthe nervesbecomediseasedthey shrivelup,causingthenerves to notgetthenutrients tocontinue to survive. Whenthesenerves begin to “die”theycause you to have balanceproblems,pain, numbness,tingling,burning,and manyadditional symptoms.

Themainproblemisthatyour doctorhas told youtojustlive withtheproblemortrythe drugswhich youdon’tliketaking becausetheymakeyou feel uncomfortable.Thereisnowa facilityright here in SanDiegothat offersyouhopewithouttaking thoseendlessdrugswithserious sideeffects. (Seethe specialnervepainseverity screening at theendofthis article.)

Inorder toeffectivelytreatyour nervepainthree factorsmustbe determined:

1. What istheunderlyingcause?

2.Howmuchnervedamagehas beensustained?

NOTE:Onceyouhave sustained 95%nerveloss,thereislikely nothingthatwecando foryou.

3.Howmuchtreatmentwill your condition require?

Thetreatmentthatisprovided at SanDiego Pain Relief Centerhas threemaingoals:

1. Increasebloodflow

2. Stimulate andincreasesmall fibernerves

3.Decreasebrain-basedpain

Thetreatmenttoincreaseblood flow, stimulate smallnervefibers

andgetyouback to healthisour ElectroChemical Stimulation (ECStim)treatment.

Inaddition, we use astate-ofthe-artdiagnosticsliketheTM Flowdiagnosticunit to accurately determinetheincreaseinblood flowand asmallskinbiopsyto accuratelydeterminetheincrease insmallnervefibers.

The EC Stim electric cell signaling systemdelivers energy to theaffectedareaofyour body at varying wavelengths, includingbothlowfrequency andmiddlefrequencysignals.It alsousesamplitudemodulated (AM)andfrequencymodulated (FM)signaling.Duringa treatmentsession,the ECStim systemautomaticallychanges to simultaneouslydeliverAMandFM electric cellsignalenergy.

THEGREATNEWSIS THATIT’SUSUALLY COVERED BY MEDICARE, TRICAREANDMOST INSURANCES

Dependingon your coverage, yourtreatmentcould belittle to no cost to you.

Theamountoftreatment needed to allowthenerves to fully recovervariesfrom person to personandcanonly bedeterminedafter adetailed neurologicaland vascular evaluation.Aslongas youhave notsustained at least95%nerve damagethereishope!SanDiego Pain Relief Centerwilldo achronic painandnervepainseverity screening to determinethe extent ofthenervedamageas apublic servicetoyouand/or your family andfriends.

Thisnervepain/painseverity examinationwill consistofa detailedsensory evaluation, extensiveperipheral vascular testing,and adetailedanalysisof thefindingsof yournervepain.

Iwasdiagnosedwith Peripheral Neuropathybyanotheroffice.Theydid

sharemy experiencewithDr.Harperandthis treatment.

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Call858-293-4261foran appointment to seeif your chronicpainandperipheral nervepaincanbetreated.

Warmandmild todaywithplentifulsunshine. Winds willbe generallylight fromthenorth-northwest, butwithafewstronger gustsfurtherinland.Clear anddry conditionswill continueinto tonight. Warm conditions expectedinto Monday.

The RosetteNebula,acloud of gasanddust,due east of Betelgeuse of Orion.

Dryandmildconditionswillcontinueacrossthestate todayintonext week.It’llbecome very warmduringthestart of the workweek.

Forecastsandgraphicsprovided by AccuWeather,Inc. ©2022

Alightaccumulation of snowis forecastinMichiganand Wisconsin today. Showers willdampen parts of Florida.Most otherareascan expectadrydaywith warmth beginning to buildalongthe Westcoast.

sandiegouniontribune/sdweather AccuWeather: accuweather.com National WeatherService

STOREEMPLOYEE STABBEDAFTERARGUMENT

SAN DIEGO

Acustomerstabbedan employee of a supplemental nutritionstore during analtercation over a product returnFriday evening at WestfieldUTCmallin University City, San Diego police said. The attackerstabbed the victim multipletimesinthe backduringtheincident, which policeare investigatingas a robbery, Officer Robert Heimssaid in a news release Paramedics tookthe victim to a hospital, but his condition was not known.

Ithappenedabout 5:50 p.m. justoutsidethe GNC store atthe mall on La Jolla Village Drive,Heimssaid.

The customerandemployee were arguinginsidethe store over a returnwhenthe customer pickedupthe itemandleft.

Theemployee followed himoutsideandstopped him,atwhich timethe customerdropped theitem andstabbedtheemployee, Heimssaid Themanthen picked uptheproducthe’d takenand fled, and was last seenheadingeast toward TownCentre Drive.

Policeprovided onlya vaguedescription ofthe robber, who was notin custodyFridaynight. alex.riggins@sduniontribune.com

Two soughtin home invasion

NORTH PARK

San Diego police were searchingfor two mensuspectedin a home-invasion robbery in a North Park apartmentonFriday night.

Officials saidthe 31-yearold victim opened the front doorofhisapartmenton ArizonaStreet just southof University Avenue about 10:45 p.m. to a manhehad recentlymet.

Two menwith gunsentered theapartmentand demandedproperty, police said.

Oneofthe robbers went intoa bedroomwhilethe othermanstayed with the victim,whobegan toyellfor helpand fightwith the gunman according to police. Thevictim was struckinthe headwiththe gun before he

was able to wrestle it away, officialssaid.

The weapon turnedout to be a BB gun,policesaid. Theproperty loss to thevictim was still beingdetermined. jeff.mcdonald@sduniontribune.com

SWAT teamsafely apprehends suspect

RANCHOBERNARDO

Astandoffbetweena

SWAT teamand a Rancho Bernardo manended peacefullySaturdayafternoon,aboutsixhoursafter

San Diego police responded to reports of gunfire inthe residential neighborhood.

Theman,whosename was not released was taken into custodyabout2:30 p.m. after dozensofofficers responded to 911 calls ofshots being fired from a residence onRobinia Court near MatinalCircle.

No one was injuredduring theordeal The man’s girlfriendandhersister were in thehome whenthe shootingbeganbutthey were able to make itsafely outofthehome.

Police evacuatednearby residents anddirectedothers to shelter in placeafter receiving theinitial reports ofshotsbeing fired justafter 8:30 a.m.

SanDiego policeOfficer

Darius Jamsetjee said the SWAT teamused tear gas to accessthehomeandtake the man safely into custody. Investigators were stilltrying to determine whether the man would be charged with a crimeortakenfora mental-health evaluation, hesaid. jeff.mcdonald@sduniontribune.com

Suspectin custody after boat standoff

OCEANSIDE Amansuspectedof stealing a motorbike led Oceansidepoliceofficerson abrief pursuitFriday afternoon,then jumpedintoa smallboaton the SanLuis ReyRiverand refused to surrenderforaboutseven hours,police officialssaid. Thestandoffended around 11 p.m. whenthe

man finally gave upand dropped a handguninto the water, allowingofficers to safelyapproach andtake him into custody Oceanside policespokesperson JenniferAtenza said.

Theordeal began a little after3 p.m.whenanofficer spotted the man who was allegedly wantedon a felony warrant, riding a stolenmotor sport bike,Atenza said.

Theofficerattempted to stoptheman but he rode off toward theSan Luis Rey RiverTrailbetween FoussatRoad andBenetRoad.

Atenza didnot have detailsabouthow heendedup intheboat,butsaidshebelieved hehappenedupon thesmall watercraft and jumpedin.

“We hadanarmed suspectin a body of water, which made ittactically very difficult to apprehend himsafely,”Atenza said.

“We askedhim many times overmany hours to remove

OFF-DUTYNEW YORKCITY COPSHOT; 7THTHISYEAR ASSOCIATEDPRESS

the weapon fromhis reach.

Acrisisnegotiation team responded to theriver alongwiththeSWAT unit, firefightersandlifeguards fromOceansideand a helicoptercrew fromthe Sheriff ’s Department,Atenza said.

“Everyone workedtirelessly to give him every opportunityto endthispeacefully,” Atenza said. “They keptthedialogue going throughoutthenight.They workedwithhim,talked to him They were extremely patient. Around 11 p.m.,theman placeda handgunonthe frontof theboat,and shortlythereafter pushedit into the water, allowingofficers to approach andtake himinto custody, according to Atenza, who saidnoinjuries werereported.

Theman’s name was not releasedFriday night. alex.riggins@sduniontribune.com

An off-duty New York Citypoliceofficer wasshot intheleft footSaturdayas he was leaving a vigil ata Manhattan community center, police said It was the seventhtimeanNYPD officer hasbeenshotthis year

Theshooting happened around4:30 p.m.near Broadway and 130th Street intheborough’s Manhattanvilleneighborhood.The officer wastaken to Mount Sinai Morningsidehospital instable conditionandis expected to makea full recovery policesaid.

Chief Jeffrey Maddrey, head oftheNYPD’s HousingBureau,said the officer saw two men firing gunshotsashe was leavingthe buildingandappeared to have beenstruckashe was divingfor cover.

Maddrey saidit wasn’t cleariftheofficersaidany-

thing to themenoridentifiedhimselfas a policeofficer No arrestshave been made.

Maddrey saidtheofficer, who’s assigned to policing a housing complex in theBronx,didn’t realizehe was woundeduntil a few minuteslaterwhenhefelt paininhisfoot while assisting respondingofficers with a description ofthe suspects.

On Tuesday, an off-duty officer was shotinthe shoulderduringanattempted robbery ashe was driving to work inthe Rockaway section of Queens.

Lastmonth, two officers were fatally wounded while responding to a domestic dispute callata Harlemapartment. “Ourpeople andour communities,ourneighborhoods, we shouldn’t have to live like this,” Maddreysaid.

MICHAEL SMOLEN S Columnist

A‘safe village’ homeless campthat worked

Theshadow ofSanDiego’s deadlyhepatitisA outbreakstilllooms over the city.

Thosedark days come to mind whenever sickness linked to unsanitary conditionsstrikeshomeless residents.

Such was thecasewhen stomach illness was reported amongpeopleliving inthe growinghomeless encampment alongSports ArenaBoulevard,which the city citedinlaunching two majorcleanupsofthesqualid conditionsthere last week.

Late last year an outbreakofshigellosis which cancause fever, stomach crampsanddiarrhea also broughtbackshuddering memories ofhow hepatitisA spreadthrough,andbeyond,the region’s homeless populationin2016-18,killing 20people and hospitalizing hundreds.

Local governmentagencies then were caught flatfooted— despite yearsof warnings thatsucha fate was likelydestined— but eventuallydid jump to action installinghandwashingstationsaround the region,power-washing sidewalks and expanding shelteropportunities.

Oneofthefew positives to comeoutofthose grim times was somethingofa desperation experiment.

Whilelargetenthomeless shelters were authorized andbeingsetup,thecity andhomelessserviceagencies created a temporary camp on a public works yard northeast of downtown. Separate tentsforindividualsandfamilies were placedondesignated spacesin a parkingarea. Foodandtransportation were provided,and restrooms,showers,playareas and commonareas with televisions were available.

Newsstoriesatthetime were filledwith thankful testimonials fromthenew residentsandtheaccompanyingphotographsand videosshoweda tidy orderlycamp.Thefacility just southoftheBalboaPark Golf Course wasa welcomed rayofoptimismamidthe larger dourscenecreatedby thehepatitisoutbreak.

“It was reallykindof cool,”Bob McElroysaidlast week.“It worked out really well.”

SEE SMOLENS • B14

MARINECORPSINVESTIGATINGRESERVIST

Son of formerGOPleader couldhave ties to White supremacistgroup

BY ANDREW DYER

SAN DIEGO ASanDiego-based Marine Corps reservist isunderinvestigationbythe Marinesafter membershipinterviewswith a White supremacisthate group were leaked byactivistsandhighlightedina subsequent Southern Poverty Law

Center report onthehighpercentage of applicantsthatclaimedmilitary ties. Inits report,theSPLCfound that1 in 5 applicants to thehate groupPatriotFrontclaimed to either beon active duty or veteransof themilitary. It highlighted one applicantwhosaidhe wasa SanDiego-based Marine veteran. Localactivists notedthatCpl.

Victor Krvaric, 21, shares the same biographicaldetails such asage, jobtitlesandfamilybackground— as the anonymous applicant cited intheSPLC report. Krvaricis a son

of TonyKrvaric,the ex-chairman of the county RepublicanParty SanDiego activistsaffiliated withTheActivist Podcast were the first to point to Krvaricaspossibly beingtheunnamedpersoninthe SPLC report. Inadetailed thread on Twitter Wednesday, thepodcast pointed to thesimilarities between Krvaric and the applicant,whois namedintheleaked chatsas“Interviewee 441515.” AMarineCorpsReserve spokesperson confirmed Wednesdaythat theserviceisinvestigatingwhether Krvaricistheinterviewee inthe

leaked communications.

“The MarineCorpsinvestigates when a command receivesinformationthat a servicemembermaybe involvedinactive participation withan extremist organization or extremist activity, said Lt.Col. CraigThomas, a spokespersonfor the Marine Forces Reserve, ina statement. “There isnoplacefor extremisminthe MarineCorps.Our strengthisderived fromtheindividual excellence of every Marine regardlessofbackground.Bigotry andracial extremism run contrary

SEE RESERVIST B14

WYNN, WYNNWIN FOR ICE CREAM

SanMarcoscouple take nationalhonors fortheir shop’s chocolate dessert

BY PAMKRAGEN

SAN MARCOS Lotsofbusiness ownerslike to claim their products are thebest in America or even the world.But newbieicecream entrepreneurs Chris andSarah Wynnhave thescience to backitup.

In November, thehouse-made chocolate ice cream the Wynns serve attheir2-year-old Wynston’s IceCreamCo.shopinSan Marcos was rankedoneofthefourbest chocolate icecreamsinAmericaby the North AmericanIceCreamAssociation

Thedense, velvety andnot-toosweet “Forthe WynnChocolate”ice creamearned thenational bluerib-

ESCONDIDO LOSES VOICEON SANDAG BOARD

CityCouncil’s majority removes mayorfrom panel

BY JOE TASH

ESCONDIDO

Thecity ofEscondidono longerhas a voiceonthe board ofdirectorsforthe SanDiego Association of Governments, a regional transportation agencythat controlsplanning andfundingfor roadprojectsand oversees regionalprojects fromhousing to beach replenishment.

That’s becausein January, in a split vote alongpar-

tisanlines,theEscondido CityCouncil removed MayorPaul McNamaraandhis two alternates fromtheir rolesas representatives to the SANDAG board. TheSANDAG board ismadeupof elected representatives fromthe county ofSanDiego andits 18 cities.Althoughmembers haveremoved their representatives,such as whentheOceanside council removed Mayor Jim Woodin2013 SANDAG officialssaidthey were not aware of a community removingitsentire slate of

representativesandsendingno replacements. Thedispute reacheda standoffatthe Jan. 12 councilmeetingwhen,after removing McNamara,the council majority rejected McNamara’s nominationoffellow Democratand Councilmember Consuelo Martinez. McNamaraopted not to nominate any other councilmember to thepost. Whilethe council hasthepower to confirm and removerepresentatives to boardsand commissions, only the mayor

cannominate candidates forthepositions.

Atthemeeting, council membersMike Morasco, Tina Inscoeand Joe Garcia, allRepublicans who voted to oustDemocrat McNamara fromtheSANDAG post,stressedthat theiraction was notintended asa personal affront to themayor, butrather a protest over policydirectionstakenby theSANDAG board. Morasco,whoplaced the itemonthe council’s agenda said at themeeting, “Themayor andI have had multiplediscussionsabout this.He knowsthisisnothingmore than philosoSEE ESCONDIDO • B8

bon alongsidethree other chocolate icecreams fromshopsinMichigan, OhioandVirginia. The competition involved a double-blindtaste test byprofessional foodscientistsat Cornell University as wellasan extensive scientific study of theice cream’s ingredients inCornell’s dairy lab.

The award tookthe Wynnsby surprise,butthey’re grateful forthe recognition,as followingtheir dream to openanicecreamshop hasbeen a rocky road,andnotone oftheicecreamvariety.

When theyopened their 110square-foot shopinthe North City development nearCal State San Marcos inOctober2020 the area was deserted. Mostofthestudent apartmentsin North City were empty asthecampus was closed and virtuallyalloftheneighboring retailbusinesseshadclosed due to thelossoffoottraffic due to thepan-

OCEANSIDECONSIDERS ANOTHERPROJECT PITCH

Mixed-use, 295-unit complex wouldbe next to trainstation

BY PHILDIEHL

OCEANSIDE Another transit-oriented mixture of apartmentsand retail shopsisheaded to the Oceanside City Council, which has approvedsimilar projects recentlydespite widespreadopposition from residents.

Councilmembershave acknowledged people’s frustrationswithincreased traffic,

difficult parking and the changingskylineof their neighborhoods.But they say Californialaws require the city to approve projects that addressthestatewidehousingshortage and encourage more people to use public transit.

Theprojectcalled Ocean Creek willhave 295apartmentsand 3,000square feetof retailspace in five four-story buildings proposedfor the corner of OceansideBoulevard andCrouch Street.The site isabout three blocks east ofInterstate 5, near a Sprinter light-rail staSEE PROJECT • B14

Paul McNamara

RachaelandBenjamin Webster,2,ordericecreamat Wynston’s IceCreamCo.on Tuesdayin San Marcos. Theshop recently wonone ofthefournationalblueribbonsforits chocolateicecream givenbythe NorthAmericanIceCreamRetailersAssociation.

ANA RAMIREZ U-TPHOTOS

SEE ICECREAM • B7

Ella Wynn, 17,scoopsicecreaminherfamily’s Wynston’s Ice CreamCo.shopon Tuesday.

Director talksabout filmon teeninmixed-status family

In“Fruitsof Labor,” a coming-of-age feature documentary viewers watch Ashley Pavonnavigate her final year of highschoolwiththoughts ofprom, college andfamilyundertheshadow ofanincreaseinraidsinher Watsonville community by U.S. ImmigrationandCustomsEnforcement. To helpsupport her family andprotectthemembers ofitwhoare undocumented,Ashley goes to work in thestrawberry fieldsand a foodprocessing plant.

“Yousee how this teen istraversing the seen and unseen forces that keep herfamilytrappedin poverty, saidEmilyCohen Ibañez,the film’s director producer cinematographerand co-writer “It’s a lyrical meditation onadolescence, nature andancestralforces.It reallylooks atwhatit meansfor a young, working woman to comeinto her own power.”

The filmisoneamong a numberofstoriesfeaturedinthis year’s HumanRights Watch Film Festival,beinghostedonlinethrough TuesdaybySanDiego’s Museum ofPhotographicArts.Ibañez,who holds a doctorate inanthropology from New York University and has also creatednumerous commis-

sionedshort filmsforvarious outlets,isback on thefestival circuitwithherdebutfeature documentary Ibañez tooksometime to talk abouther film, working with Pavon (whois 17 inthe filmand 21 now),andherdesire totell a coming-of-age story that focusedona young womanof color (Thisinterview hasbeeneditedforlength andclarity. Fora longer versionof this conversation,visit sandiegouniontribune.com/sdutlisa-deaderick-staff.html.)

Q:How did you findAshley?

A:

I have a longhistory of workingin Watsonville aroundunion organizingforfarmworkers,and I was teaching a class invisual sociology atUCSanta Cruzin2015.I partnered withmy sister, whoisthe executive director ofanorganizationcalledthe Community Agroecology Network,andtheyhave thisGrowing Justice youthprogramaround this community gardenthey’d foughtfor While I was teaching my class, I wantedmystudents to thinkabout collectivelyauthored filmsandwhatthatmeans, experimentingwithformanddifferent waysof goingaboutmaking films.

Itaughtthe college students production,andtheirtask was to

NORTH COUNTY: ANGELA BRANDT

Following community meetings anda successfulsurvey,thePowayCityCouncilrecentlyadoptedtheCommunity Park Needs Assessment.Thenext stepsintheprocess willbe to developanactionplanandthensecure fundingfortheprojects officialssaid.

Themainpriority found was shade. City staffisnow tasked withcreatingmore shadedareasaroundthepark anditstrails as well asamenitieswhere people congregate Thismightbedonewithtreesand shadestructuresorsails,officialssaid.

Another concern voicedintheassessment was accessibletrailsand connectivity. Respondents want a connectionofpedestrian loopsand to make thetrailsmore universally accessible.Another response was wantingbike accessthroughoutthepark alongsidebicycleparking.

Signage andpark visibility were another needlistedon theassessment. Options for enhancedvisibility include reducingthe tennis court fencing and relocatingtheoperationalyard.Increased signage throughout thepark was encouragedfor awareness directionalandinterpretive purposes.

Park amenitiesandan all-abilitiesplaygroundalsomadethepriority list. The idea is to modernizeplayareas to include all-abilities playgroundsandintroduce pickleball as wellasadventure amenities toexpand the park’s usability.

Lastly, the needforadditional resources for awarenessandmaintenancebystaffor contractsupport was listedintheneedsassessment.Theplan wouldbe to investadditional resources tokeepupwiththepark maintenanceas additionalamenitiesare added to thepark.Oneideais to createa

TheCommunity Park NeedsAssessmentfoundthat Poway residents wantmoreshade andaccessibletrails. Signage,enhanced visibility,park amenitiesandan all-abilitiesplaygroundalsomade theprioritylist.

COURTESY PHOTO

teach the youngfolks intheGrowing Justiceprogram,andthen collaborate withthemonmaking films.That’s whereI metAshley. Indoingthis video collective withthese youth,mostofthem went to work in the fieldsafter the2016 election.There was alabor gap because there wasa marked increaseinICE [U.S.Immigration andCustomsEnforcement]raids after the election, especiallyin workplaceslike factories and fields. Undocumented adults were becomingincreasinglythreatened andscared to goto work in the fields,so youngpeoplewho are often borninthe U.S. to undocumentedparents, were fillingthe labor gap.

lems,but we aren’tallowed to be fullhumanpersonsonscreen.So, theaim was to justfollow Ashley’s last yearofhighschooland go through allofthe joysandstruggles ofthat,andallofthe awkwardness and whatitmeans to be ateen.Of course,all of thatis withinthe context ofher reality of having to work nightshiftsina factory that freezesstrawberries. Then,trying togoto school and strugglingwith graduation.

Ashley Pavon

to comeinto herpower as a working young woman of colorinthis country?

Q:

What was itabouther story andperspective that led you to want to document part of her life and experiences?

A: There are fantastic filmsin thefarmworker movement that reallyfollow ouricons,like Dolores Huertaandthe film“Dolores.”There are also other films that reallyfocus onsocialissues, andsometimes,peopleof color becomestand-insforsocialprob-

NOTEBOO KS

FromUnion-Tribune reportingstaff

Survey:Moreshade,accessibletrails

website app to aidinthe growthof marketingand communicationefforts to create greater awareness about theofferings particularlyat the community recreationcenter.

TheCommunity Park NeedsAssessmentwillassistintheplanningandprioritizingofimprovements andthenindeveloping along-term conceptplanforthepark,which offersmulti-generationalprogrammingand opportunities.Community Park ishome to theMickeyCafagnaCommunity Centerand the recentlyupdated PowayCommunity SwimCenter Community Park alsoserves as theheart ofdevelopmentinthe Poway Roadarea.Impactfees fromthenew developmentprojects are oneofthesources of fundingforfuture improvements atCommunity Park,officialssaid.

Atthemeeting councilmembers voiced aneagerness to start improvementsassoon aspossible.

“I want to move theballdown the field,” saidCouncilmemberBarry Leonard. “I just don’t wantthis to take longerthanithas to.”

City Manager Chris Hazeltine assured themthatwhilestaffwillbe building a multiyearplan to addressthe top priorities some oftheprojectswill beincludedfor consideration inthe2022-23 fiscal yearbudget.

Hazeltine saidsomeofthe cheaperand easierprojectsor“low hanging fruit” canbe tackledsooner.

“We’re always lookingfor ways to get money outthere that we can leverage to better ourprojects. No doubt,”headded. Brandtwrites for the U-T Community Press.

When you see the film, I think it’s hard not to kindoffall inlove with Ashley andherfamily The firstquestionI askedheroncamera was,“Whatare yourdreams?” Her dream was to bethe firstin herfamily to graduate fromhigh school,andshe really wanted togo to college.Throughoutthe film, there’s someambivalence about that route and you see thathappening Shedoes graduate from highschool,andshe’s finishingher associate’s degree.She’sa fulltimestudentnow, she’s finishing up a certificate in Latinobusiness atSantaClara University, and we’re workingonhertransition into finishing herfour years.She’s doingit. No childshouldhave to be that resilient,and yet, you see Ashley.

Q:WhatdidAshley come to learn aboutwhatitmeans

A:I think a lot ofit was havinga recognitionofher own selfworth and a recognitionthatsheis enough, what sheisdoingis enough Actually theburdenis too much. Justthat recognitionalone is a place to stand from Herstory matters,herdignity and respect matter, andshehas a voice and she canspeakup.Herdreamsare worth it. You’llsee in the film,she justkindofsaw deadends Cominginto her own meantthat, despite all of these difficulties, she canstill fight to aspire forthe things thatshe wants.Bytheend ofthe film, you see herfallinlove withChicanostudies and psychology ather community college.I thinkthat’s reallyher cominginto her own,andtheideathat you’re notaloneandshe recognizesthat sheisn’t alone.There’sa lot of youngpeople with a similar experience. Tickets to screen allfive of the festival’sfilmsare on saleonline for $35 and for individualfilms for $9, withdiscounts available for Museum of PhotographicArtsmembers as well as members of Human Rights Watch. For more information,go to ff.hrw.org/san-diego. lisa.deaderick@sduniontribune.com

Library’sBlackHistoryMonth events

Astudentcreativity contestand a vir-

tual eventwithbestselling author Heather McGhee are amongthehighlights oftheSanDiego Public Library’s BlackHistory Month celebration.

“We’re invitingourpatronsandallSan Diegans to learnaboutthehistory, achievementsandstoriesof BlackAmericans,” Library Director Misty Jonessaid in a statement.“Whetheritisattendinga thought-provokingauthortalk,creatinga pieceofart thatcelebrates Blackhistory orpickingup a recommended read, there are many ways toexplore the contributionsBlack Americans have made throughouthistory.”

The contestinvitesstudentsin grades 4to 12 to submit anessay, poem, visual artwork, song, rap orothercreative work. It should representan eventor figure from Black Americanhistory that influenced the student’s personallife orshaped the world.Deadlineforentriesis Feb.28.

Top prizesinclude$150 for first place, $100forsecondand $50 forthird.Allen-

SAN DIEGO STORIES

Blackhistory &heritage

Inhonor of Black History Month,the Union-Tribunehas partnered with the San DiegoHistory Center to presentitems each day in February onlocalBlack history.

SanDiegoUrban League It was theperseveranceofDr JackKimbrough,amongothers that was crucial in establishing a local UrbanLeaguebranch in 1953. Inmanycities,thelocalNAACP branch foughtforcivilrights,butinSanDiego it was the UrbanLeaguethatplayedthe pivotal role after World War IIinpushingfor civilrightsandfullinclusioninthecity’s growingeconomy TheSanDiego Urban Leaguehadan ability to unify competinginterests,and work onbehalfof communities of color Among itssuccessfulprograms was avocationaleducationprogramintroduced to city schools in 1956 Anothersuccess was theAdopt-A-Childprogram,a charitable collaborationbetweenseveral

FROM THEARCHIVES

Thirtyyearsago today, TheSan DiegoUnion-TribunelaunchedtheNight&Day weekly entertainmentsection.Thatsame week,themorningSanDiego UnionandafternoonTribunehadmerged into thesingle newspaper you know today

ThepremiereeditionofNight&Dayincludedacenterpiecestoryonthecoffeehousecraze inSan Diego (few of 11 espressobars reviewed still exist) There werereviewsofmovies,theater, albumsand televisionshows.There were also 10 pagesofpersonaladsandthis 1990s tech advice fromthe new Singles Scene column: “Whole new way to flirt:By way of PC modem.”

Manythings havechangedsince 1992 Night&Day remains.Thesectionisnow published onFridaysinsteadofThursdays. Thedebutsectionalsoincluded a couple of bylines that willbefamiliar to readers:Karla Petersonand George Varga.

FromThe San Diego Union-Tribune Thursday Feb. 6, 1992:

WHENEARLTHOMASSINGS HISSONGS, CALLHIMMR.BLUE

ByKarlaPeterson,ArtsWriter

WhenyouhearEarlThomas sing the blues,youhaveplentyof reasons tobegrateful Youcanbegratefulthatthelocalsinger hassuch a finewaywith a tune. You canbe grateful thathisbandissosharp.Andyou canthankyourlucky stars thatThomasis singingthebluesinsteadofmakingyousing themyourself.

“Ialwayswantedtobeanentertainer,but Ididn’tthinkmusicwassomething I could do,”saidThomas,whobringshisBluesAmbassadorsto BlindMelonsonSaturdayand

Winston’s onSunday.“Ithoughtthemusic businesswassomebigthingthatyouhadto fighttoget into,so I decidedtobe a dentist instead.”

WhenheenrolledatHumboldt StateUniversity,Thomasintendedtospendhistime listeningto thebuzzof adrill insteadofthe humofanelectric guitar. A dorm-room singalongconvinced himtochange his majorto music,butthe Tennesseenativewasstilla fewstepsawayfromthepathofmusicalrighteousness. “AtHumboldt,I studiedclassicalmusic

forthreeyears.Iwasintrainingtobeanopera singer or a vocalinstructor,” Thomas said from his home inUniversityHeights “But once I heard Muddy Waters, I couldn’tignore it.” SoEarlThomas,dentistrydropoutand classicalcasualty,becameEarl Thomasthe soulstylist.Hemoved toSanDiegoinlate 1987 andjoined theRhumboogies a few months later.Afternearlytwo years withthe electric bluesband,Thomasformedthe BluesAmbassadors.Hereleased“ISingthe Blues” onan independentlabel in1990,and thatsmokycollectionof soulfulballads and raucousR&Btunesgotthesinger a contract withBizarreStraightrecordsof Hollywood. Aftersomeretouching andrewriting,“I

trantswill receivea gift More detailsare availableat thelibrary’s BlackHistory Month website, sandiego.gov/sdplblackhistory.

McGhee isthe New York Times bestsellingauthorof “TheSumof Us: What RacismCosts EveryoneandHow We Can Prosper Together.” A nonfiction journey acrossAmerica,it challenges the “zero sum” ideathat oneperson’s progressmust comeat the expenseof someone else,and itspotlights groups thathave figured out how to accumulate whatshecalls the“Solidarity Dividend.”

Hervirtual event,hostedatthe Central Library isscheduledfor6:30 to 8 p.m Feb. 28 Registration is availableat thelibrary’s BlackHistory Month website. OtherBlackHistory Month eventsincludetake-home kits forpreschoolersand elementary students,a fieldtrip to the La JollaHistoricalSociety and a “Reach for the Stars”story time.

john.wilkens@sduniontribune.com

SANDIEGOHISTORY CENTER

County SupervisorDeGraff Austin and National Urban LeagueExecutive Secretary LesterB.Grangerata San Diego Urban Leaguemeetingin 1955

socialserviceagencies.

SOURCE: SANDIEGOHISTORY CENTER

TheHistory Centerisat 1649ElPrado,in Balboa Park.Hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.Friday, Saturdayand Sunday. (COVID-19 rules: Facemasks mustbe worninside regardless ofvaccinationstatus.) To learnmore about thecenter goto sandiegohistory.org.

Aspecialpresentationtitled“Gems fromtheArchivesReflectingtheRichHistory ofBlackSanDiego”isscheduledfor noon Tuesday.RSVPatbit.ly/SD101Feb22.

SingtheBlues”became “BlueNot Blues, a title Thomas hopeswillexplainsomething about the musichediscoveredhecouldn’t ignore. “Mymusicisn’treallyinthestyle of great blues artists likeMuddy Waters B.B.King or Bobby‘Blue’Bland,butit’sveryconnectedto that.Icalledthealbum ‘Blue NotBlues’because thesongsarerealitybased,andthey dealwithhumanemotions. I don’tdealwith those thingsexactlythesamewaytheold guysdoit. I put myownstyleto it....Itcomes fromR&B,soul blues rock,jazz,country. It’sall inthere, I’mjust not surewhatto call it.” AndwhileThomas isspreadingtheword, he’ll begettingsomeassistancefromsoul masterSolomonBurke who recorded three songsbyThomasandwritingpartnerPhilip Woottonforhislatestalbum.

Withhissupplevoiceandcommanding stage presence,Thomasisquicklybecoming theentertainerheneverthoughthecouldbe. Asforthecareer indentistry Thomas hasno secondthoughts.Althoughtherearestill timeswhenhecoulduseashotofNovocainor two.

“It’sstillkind ofscary sometimes,”Thomasadmittedsheepishly.“WhenIfoundoutI’d beplayingSlim’s, I had a whole monthto prepareforit. I wasn’tnervous forthewhole month,butaboutfiveminutesbeforethe showwassupposedtostart, I startedshakingand I couldn’t stop.Whenwedothese otherbigshows,someone mayhave tocarry metothestage.Butonce I hearthemusic,I dojustfine.”

SAN DIEGO: JOHN WILKENS

ARMENIANCHURCHOPENSITSDOORS

BY LINDAMCINTOSH

CARMEL VALLEY

After yearsofplanning, theSt.SarkisArmenian Church hasopened in Carmel Valley, about 2 miles southeast oftheDel Mar FairgroundsacrossInterstate 5. Itisnear the Harvest Evangelical Church ofSan Diego onElCaminoReal. Thenewlybuilt8,500square-foot sanctuary was designedtoresembletheseventh-century ArmenianApostolic church St.Hripsime in Etchmiadzin,in Vagharshapat,Armenia Thesanctuary hasfour28-footstained glasswindowsonitsnorth andsouthsidesportraying stories fromthe Bibleand earlyArmenian religious history Itssteepleis over90feet high to the top of the cross. Since 2008,theSt.Sarkis congregation formerly knownas St. JohnGarabed, started to make plans to move fromits overcrowded building in North Park and settlein North County where alarge numberofitsmemberslive.The church serves roughly 1,200familiesinSan Diego County. A groundbreakingforthe $7 million church project was heldin spring2019 after being grantedcity andstate permits “It’s takenthe community 15yearsofhardworkandperseverance to make this dream a reality. The church is not justforArmenians— itis forallofSanDiego andbe-

St SarkisArmenianChurch

Carmel Valley.

yond,”said Nora J. Balikian, co-chairof thethe church’s ConsecrationCommittee.

The church’s 18-acre campus isslated to include a socialhall, youthcenterand gymnasium andeducation and culturalbuilding with classroomsandlibrary.

Thesebuildings andthe sanctuary are slated to occupyabout a third ofthesite with the restleft as a protectedpreserve AnArmenianHeritage Park is planned onthecampus, including a memorial forthe Armenian genocideand openmeditationspaces The church israisingmoneyfor the remaining construction.

“Besides weeklyservices, we planon havingArmenian language andheritage school

LINDAMCINTOSH U-T

onElCaminoRealin

forthe youth, concertsand festivals and much much more,”said LisaKradjian cochairofthe church’s ConsecrationCommittee.

Severalconsecrationcelebrations,includinganopeningceremony andFirst Badarak(Divine Liturgy) were held Jan.28-30 atthe church led byHis Eminence ArchbishopHovnanDerderian,Primate ofthe Western Dioceseofthe Armenian Church of North America, and the Very Rev. Fr Pakrad Dz. V. Berjekian Parish Priest.

The church isopen to the publicforSunday services, which are from 10:30 a.m. to noon.

linda.mcintosh@sduniontribune.com

TEENMUSICALEXTRAVAGANZARETURNS

BY LINDAMCINTOSH

EASTCOUNTY After two yearswithouta concert becauseof COVID-19, theHonorBand andHonorOrchestraof Grossmont UnionHigh SchoolDistrictisbackwith afree community performance Feb. 12 atHelixHigh School in La Mesa.

Theshow highlightsthe skills of themost advanced musiciansinthedistrictand isoften considered bymusic students to be a top high school artisticachievement.

Musicians werechosen to participate based on recommendations fromeach school’s music director Criteriaincluded excellencein

musical achievement,student availability for rehearsalsandtheperformance alongwith overall citizenship Student were challengedwithadvancedmusicalselectionsperformed underthedirection of guest conductors fromlocal community colleges.

Band and orchestrastudents from 11 schoolsinthe districtare slated to perform,including HelixHigh, Grossmont, Valhalla,El Capitan, Santana, Mt. Miguel, Monte Vista West Hills and SteeleCanyon,El Cajon ValleyandGranite Hillshighschools.

“The eventissignificant becauseorchestras,bands and choirs,onceanintegral

part of communities across the country, have diminishedin recent yearsalmost to thepointof extinction in some areas,”said James Villegas,GrossmontHigh Schoolbanddirector.

“Attending the concert is away to support artsinthe community,” Villegassaid. Theorchestra concert is atnoon, directedby guest conductorAlyzeDreiling. Theband concert isat 1:30 p.m.under the directionof guest conductor James SepulvadoatHelixHigh School 7323University Ave.

For more information, go to guhsd.net. linda.mcintosh @sduniontribune.com

Fallhead over heelsinlove with

5592ElCamino Real,Carlsbad, CA 92008 LaMareaSeniorLiving.com

EastCounty

VOLUNTEERCOURIERSONMISSION TO SAVELIVES

LaMesanamong thosewhohelpwith medicaldonations

BY PAMKRAGEN

LAMESA

Wellbefore dawnlast

Monday, La Mesa retiree

BrendaPatrick got out of bed,packedaspecial cooler with frozen packets,threwa backpack overhershoulder andheadedforSanDiego InternationalAirport.By8

a.m.she was on a flight to Florida to collectsome very preciouscargo

Patrick, a retired nurse practitioner isoneof 570 Americanswho volunteer theirtime year-roundas couriers,hand-carryinglifesavingvialsandbags ofdonated bonemarrow blood stemcells and umbilical cord blood to transplantpatientsforBethe Match, the donor registry maintained by the National Marrow DonorProgram. Courier work isunpaid, stressfulandoften exhausting,withup to 20-hourdays wearingPPE gearinairports,planes,trains,cars andhospitals.ButPatrick saidshethriveson the challenge and rewards ofthe job.

SinceOctober2020 shehas undertakenmore than 30 couriermissions,andshe vows to carry onaslongas she’s physicallyable.

“It’s absolutely rewarding. We’re savinglives,” she said.“Whathappens when you’re travelingis you’re so concernedwiththepaperwork, thedirections andtrying toget it donethat you forget aboutwhat you’re doing.Then when you deliver it, you realize ‘Oh,myGod, someoneis getting a transplant fromthis.’My very first delivery was bonemarrow to achildren’s hospitalin Texas andwhen I walkedoutof thereI was in tears.”

SinceBethe Match was foundedin 1987 theMinneapolisnonprofithasfacilitatedmore than 111,000 transplants. Manyofthose operationsinvolved the work of a courier eithera volunteer or a Bethe Match

employee Last year, couriers averagedabout 500 trips each month.

Rut Kessel,the courier programsupervisor forBe the Match,saidtimeisofthe essencein gettingtheblood products to patientswithin 24hours,sothehuman componentofthedelivery processisabsolutely essential to itssuccess.

“Couriershave toget to thepatientassoonaspossiblewithout any hiccups, and even before thepandemicthere were lots ofhiccupslike weather delays, canceled flightsand flight crews going overtheirhours sotheycan’t fly anymore,” Kessel said “A courier thatis hand-carrying theproduct willdo everythingintheir power to keep itmoving.If snow cancelsthe flight, they’ll go find a carservice. In a pandemic,they’ll get vaccinatedand testedand keep goingbecause they know theyneed toget the product to itsdestination.”

Patricksaid figuringout travel logistics,dealingwith flight changes and meeting tightschedulesisalmostsecondnature to her, sinceshe traveledthe country as a dialysisproductsales representative formany years.

“Being a courier doesn’t require a medicalbackground.I justhappen to have one. You justhave to payattention be detail oriented,think on yourfeetand

GROSSMONT,CUYAMACA

BY LINDAMCINTOSH

EASTCOUNTY

Throughout February, El Cajon’s Grossmontand Cuyamaca colleges are puttingon workshops,musicperformances literature readings andanart exhibit to celebrate BlackHistory Month.

The free online and inperson community events honorthelegacies, traditionsand contributionsof BlackAmericans. CuyamacaCollege’s eventscanbeaccessedon theStudentAffairs website at cuyamaca.edu/studentsupport/student-affairs/culture-community-circle.php.

Grossmont College’s inperson eventswill beopen only to thecampus commu-

PREPSPORTS

have good critical thinking skills,” Patricksaid.

Kesselestimatesthat more than 70 percentofBe the Match’s volunteer couriershave whatshe calls“skin in the game.” They’re compelled to helpbecause they’re either a transplant survivor or they have loved ones whohave benefited fromtransplants. Most couriersare alsosignedupas potentialdonorsinthemarrow registry.

“These are definitelypeoplewho want to beoutthere forsomeoneelse They’re notoutthere to crankup flightmilesorcreditcard points,” Kesselsaid.“I just got back from back-to-back couriertripstravelingall hours of thenightand waitingaroundinairports. That’s not thefunpart.The funpart isdoingsomething that trulymattersin a situation thatis even more complicatedrightnow with COVID.”

Patrickisnot a transplantsurvivor, but during her 15 yearswithKaiser Permanente intheBayArea, she worked for a timewith recoveringkidney transplant patients.Patrick retiredandmoved last June to SanDiego,where she grew up and hasfamily Withher grandkids grown,shesaid she was lookingfor ways to fillher free timeby giving back to the community. Her biggestlocal charita-

nity because ofCOVID-19 protocols,butwillbeaccessible to everyonethrough livestreamviewingonthe Grossmont College YouTube channelortinyurl.com/ mtkpx588.

Here’s thelineupof events ateach of the community colleges:

CuyamacaCollege

•TheSoundsofBlackness:College HourProgram, presented by KendrickDial andBrisa Lauren, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. WednesdayfeaturingLyricalGroove,a local award-winningsoul, gospel, hip-hopandspoken-word band,livestreamed from the CuyamacaCollege Theater.

•OpenMic, 2 p.m. Feb. 16 to share your work orinterests.

bleeffort isspending every Sundayafternoon withher cousinand friendsmaking care packagesoffoodand personalcare itemsfor homelesspeopleindowntown SanDiego.On weekdays,shemakes courier trips. BackwhenBethe Match was started, all of the blood andmarrow products were transported only by employees.Butby2004,thenumber oftransplantsforleukemia andlymphomapatientshad grown solarge thatthe volunteer program was started. Kessel saidthat today a little overthree-quartersofthe couriersare volunteers.The rest are staff.

Kesselsaidtheprogram neverhadahardtimerecruiting volunteersuntilthepandemichit,whenmanyofits older couriers opted to stay homebecausethey were ina highrisk groupforCOVID-19. Butsincethevaccinearrived, manyofthose retiree couriers havereturned to service,so she’s nolongerinneedofnew couriers.

Kesselsaid volunteer couriersrange in age from 21 to 80and they come fromall walks oflife.Dependingon theirpersonalcircumstances, volunteer couriers travel anywhere from two to 35 timeseach year Thelongest-serving courier is a retiredBethe Match employee whostarted makingdeliveriesbackin 1987

HOLDBLACKHISTORY

Bethe Match sends out requestsfor couriers about two to three weeks before scheduledtransplants,with the goalofbooking a courier wholives eitherclose to the hospital ofthedonororthe transplantpatient to reduce travel time.Bethe Match organizesand coversalltravel expenses andoffers couriers smalldaily per diem.These expensesare allbilled to the transplantpatient’s insurance company. Patrick saidshetakes couriertrips about twicea month.Earlier this week, shepickedupbloodproductsinFlorida on Tuesday morningand flew withthem to a hospitalinLosAngeles thatsame day. Shesaid mostofher trips take about two daysandherideal goalis toget thebloodproducts to the transplant teamwithin five to 10 hours.She said that overthepast two yearsshe’s beenimpressedbyhow well Be the Match coordinates travel,butshehasencountered someunexpected challenges.

Onetimeshe got strandedinthemiddleofthe night at a small airport in Arkansas and couldn’t finda carservice toget her delivery to thehospital.Another time,a security screener at anairport in New Yorkrefused to acceptherBethe Match paperwork soshe had to stay overnightat a hotel and try againthenext morning.Andonone flight, she couldn’t fit thebluecanvas coolerbagunderher seatorinan overheadbin,so shehad to strapitinto the seatbelt on an empty seat to ensure itssafepassage.

Evenwiththeoccasional travel snafus,Patricksaid shelovesthe work.Theonly thing thatmaystopher somedayiswhenshe gets too old to lift the coolerbag, which can weightup to 40 pounds, depending onits contents.

“It’s still a pretty new thing formebutit’s a great way to give back, especially for someonewho’s retired andlookingfor things to do. It’s been very rewarding.”

pam.kragen@sduniontribune.com

MONTH EVENTS

TheLyrical Groovewill perform Feb. 9atCuyamacaCollege Theateras partofBlack History Month.

COURTESY OF THE LYRICAL GROOVE

•Barriers to beinga First-GenerationBlackCollegeStudent workshop,9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Feb. 17

•In His Words:DissectingTruth, Justiceand MartinLutherKingJr presentation, 11 a.m. to noon Feb. 23 ledby Yaa Faraji,a LosAngelesscreenwriter, spoken word poetandauthor.

•AfricanAmericanSoldiers inPhilippineAmerican War (1899-1902) workshop, 10 to 11 a.m. Feb. 25.

•MentalHealthStigma in the BlackCommunity workshopwithdiscussion, noon to 1 p.m. Feb. 28

GrossmontCollege

•SoundBites – Rap and

EAST COUNTY HAPPENINGS

Citycouncils

ElCajon, 3p.m. Tuesday; La Mesa, 6p.m. Tuesday; Santee, 6:30p.m. Wednesday

School boards

AlpineUnion School District, 5:15p.m. Wednesday; Cajon ValleyUnion School District (El Cajon), 5:30p.m. Tuesday; GrossmontUnionHigh SchoolDistrict, 6 p.m. Tuesday; Jamul-Dulzura Union SchoolDistrict, 6:30p.m. Tuesday; Lakeside Union Elementary SchoolDistrict, 6 p.m. Thursday; LemonGrove SchoolDistrict, 6 p.m. Tuesday; MountainEmpire Unified SchoolDistrict, 6 p.m. Tuesday

LaMesacommunity

discussioncomingup

TheLaMesaCommunity Relationsand VeteransCommissionandthe Advancing HealthLiteracy Programare hostingavirtualCommunity Conversation at 6p.m. Feb. 23 to discussthechallenges, successes,andopportunities sincethebeginning of the pandemicastheyaffectaccess to healthcare and resources. The eventisfreeand open to thepublic. Register at https://bit.ly/3Hd2m8c to receivethelink.

Santeechurchgroup holds fooddrive today

HipHopandthe Worldseries withdiscussion, noon weekdaysthrough Feb. 28on history ofrapmusic.Register attinyurl.com/ myyb8ybe.

•Afro-LatinXConnection, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Feb. 17.

•AfricanandAfrican AmericanArt Display, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Feb. 21-25 at HydeGallery inthePerformingandVisualArts Center, byappointment only atalex.decosta@gcccd.edu.

•BlackHistory Month Celebration, 9 to 11 a.m. Feb. 22, followed byAfrican American Lit Readings, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., MainQuad. Visit gcccd.edu. linda.mcintosh @sduniontribune.com

ASEZ WAO, aninternational volunteerservicegroupfrom the WorldMissionSociety Church of God,is holdinga fooddrivefrom 10 a.m.-4p.m. todayat 9230 Prospect Ave., Santee, to benefit TheJacobs and CushmanSanDiego Foodbank. Thechurchis aiming to collectenough food tofeedaminimum of 2,000 families.Nonperishable food items only:cannedfruits, vegetables,soups,beans, meatsand fish; pastaandrice; cookingoils;crackers;peanut butter;instantmashedpotatoes. ASEZ WAOstands for “Save the Earth fromA to Z” and“WeAre One.” Theinternational volunteerservice groupconsists of Church of God youngadult workersfrom 7,500churches worldwide. Visitsdwmscog.org.

Fooddistribution inSpring Valley

FeedingSanDiegoishostinga drive-through fooddistribution from 10 a.m.-noonMondayat FaithChapel, 9400 Campo Road,Spring Valley. Register at https://feedingsandiegofeb7.rsvpify.com. Every registered attendeewill receive about50pounds of dry goods, freshproduce,andafrozen meatprotein. Visit feedingsandiego.org/together-tour. Senditems to fyi.east@sduniontribune.com at least two weeksbefore events.

IT’SALLGOOD FORTHEGRANITEHILLS BASKETBALLBROTHERS

BY STEVEBRAND

EL CAJON

There is a word thatthe Edmond brothers, Tre and Derek,use a lot.

Fun.

Sincethe two are the leading scorersfortheGranite Hillsbasketball team, that’sa goodthing. Whetherit’s playing againsteach otherinthe backyard,in a bigplayoff contestor just a pickup game,theend resultisthe same.Theyhave a good time. Each has a highlight “fun” timethis year togo with the overall experience ofplayingona teamthat started the week 15-5 overall and4-2intheGrossmont HillsLeagueandanallbut certainDivisionIIIplayoff participant. Goinginto the weekthe Eagles were the No.5 team. But first,those highlights.

Tre’s was easyenough. PlayingagainstCastlePark, itdidn’ttake longforhim to realizesomething very special was going on By halftimethe6-1 guard hadalreadyscored 38 points.

“I couldhave shotwith

myeyesclosedandit would have gonein,”saidTre ofthe school-record 54pointshe collected with previous record-holder Nick Taylor (53 in2006),inthestands watching.

“Byhalftime I realizedI was close to the record,so wewentforit. I got the54 pointsinless thanthree quarters,and I was havinga greattime.Coach (Dan Duffy) toldthe teamabout the record and even people inthestandsknew.

“Once I got the record, coach tookmeout,of course Now that was real fun.”

Ithelpedboosthis average to 21.1 points a game.

Derekhadhishighlight, too.

Inpractice,usuallyat home,heandTre would bouncetheballoffthebackboard withtheotherplayer slammingitin.

Earlier, DereksetupTre fortheslambutTre didn’t get free fromhis opponent quickly enough to convert it.

The roles were reversed againstElCapitan,andthis time,ona two-on-onebreakaway Derek, a 6-3smallforward, heard Tre yell“back-

board”andknew thepass was coming Hetimed it perfectly forthecrowd-pleasing slam.

“That was oneofmybetter slams,”saidDerek,who averages 17.1 pointsa game.

“When he yelled ‘backboard,’ I knew what was coming.”

It’s justone example of how the two are sofamiliar

with each other’s games theycansensewhatthe other isplanning to dobefore anyoneelse. Familiarity, in this respect,breedssuccess. They’re bothhopingthat the“fun” can continuebeyond the first roundofthe playoffs. They’ve beenthere before,withTre making two

appearances Sophomore Derekparticipated last year.

You guessedit both agreedit was fun.

“That was an experience that I want toexperience again,”saidTre of theplayoff games the last two years. “Theatmosphere is electric; it’s high-energy We get good crowds, but for theplayoffs everybody comes.

“We had a bigcrowd for the Valhalla gamethis year. Bothsidesofthestands were packed,butit’s even more fortheplayoffs,and the goodthingis we travel well.

“We canhear(thefans), which makesitmore fun. Sometimes I eventalk to our fans.Theyalwayshave something to pointout to us thatthey thinkwillmake us better. It’s all good.”

Tre turnedanankle, slowinghimdown,before last year’s openingplayoff setback to Calexico,but the yearbefore hestarted ina loss to San Ysidro.

Inthestands, watching, was Derek.

“ForsureI went to that game—I went to allofhis games,”saidDerek. “This yearwillbe a lotmore funbe-

causethismightbethelast

chanceI have to play on the same team.“

Both are captains,but Derek usually leadsa different groupofplayersthan Tre.

“Tre takescare of the juniorsandseniorshe’s come upwith,whileDerekhasthe freshmen and sophomores,” saidDuffy, goingon to compare the two.

“Derek isthebetter rebounderandmore outgoing —more light-hearted.Tre is aquietleaderand very steady Tre is a natural guard,whileDerekhasa chance to be a forward ora guard ashe fillsout.Both have the green light to shoot whenever they want.”

Dereksaysthatwhilethe brothersare very competitive andhave beenknown to trashtalkeach other it never gets too serious.

“We’re competitive with each other, butwhen we’re onthe court together we turn that toward theother team,”Dereksaid.“Fight? No, we never fight.”

That wouldn’t bemuch fun. Brandisafreelancewriter.

BrothersDerek(left)andTreEdmund are theleadingscorersfortheGraniteHills team.

COURTESY PHOTO

Brenda PatrickwithaCredoProMedbagthat keepsbloodbagsandvials cool. NANCEEE.LEWIS

NATIONALCITYWILLOPENAPPLICATIONS FOR CANNABISBUSINESSES

BY TAMMYMURGA

NATIONALCITY NationalCity willstart acceptingapplications Monday fromcannabisbusinesseslooking to set up shop. Businesseswillhave 60 days, oruntil April 7, to submittheirapplicationsinperson to thecity’s Finance Department,saidAssistant City Manager Tony Winney.

TheSouthBaycity adoptedits cannabisordinance in Mayof last year allowingforup to six business licensesfor retailsales, cultivation,distribution manu-

facturingandtransportationofcannabis and cannabis-relatedproductsinindustrial zones. Of the sixpermits,one will be reserved for a consumption lounge to operate withinthecity’s tourist commercialzone thatis west of Interstate 5. Two permits will be reserved forapplicantswho are localbusiness owners, which the city defines as someone who haslivedin NationalCity foratleast threeyearsprior toNov 9, 2021, and holds at least 51 percent ownership. To apply businesseswill

have to payabout$11,000, which will covera deposit, background check andmultiple reviews of the applicant.

“Theseare necessary to recover the costsassociated withcreatingand administeringtheapplicationprocessfor cannabislicenses,” said MollyBrennan the city’s administrative servicesdirector.

NationalCity Council membersapprovedthepermit fee in December, which thecity saidfallswithinthe average costofbetween $7,000 to $10,000setbyother SanDiego County cities,

CHULAVISTA MAYOR WANTS ROUTE125 TO BE TOLLFREE

BY TAMMYMURGA

CHULAVISTA ChulaVista Mayor Mary Casillas Salasispushing to turnSouthCounty’s only toll roadintoa free highway.

SouthBayExpressway, which openedin2007, is the 10-milestretch of state Route 125 that runs from state Route 905 in Otay Mesa to state Route 54in Spring Valleyandseesabout 54,000driversdaily Tolls range from 50 cents to $3.50 formotorists.

The SanDiego AssociationofGovernments,the county’s leadtransportationplanning agency has operatedthe roadsinceit acquireditin2011 for$341.5 million, about one-third of what a private consortium spent to buildit, according to theagency.

In2017, SANDAG refinanceditsoutstanding loans and, asofOctober 2020 owed about$182 million according to its November2020debt overview report. Toll revenueisused to repaytheloans and the costsofdaily operationsand maintenance.

SANDAG must payoff thatdebtby2042, but Salas saidshe wantsit to bepaid by2027. SalassaidChulaVista residents who commute for work and school are the most affectedbythe toll road and thatithashinderedbusinesses from openingshopinthecity.

“To us,it’s a matter ofthe ability forus to in South Bay, really flourisheconomically and to attractthose companies that wewant to provide the jobs that we need,”shesaid.“Ithinkthat thisis a goodthing toget rid of this toll sooner rather thanlater.”

Withunanimoussupport fromtheChulaVistaCity Council,Salasaskedthe SANDAG board ofdirectors,ofwhich sheis a member to consider a financial plan to retire thedebtby 2027. At a SANDAG meeting late lastmonth,shesuggestedtheagencytake advantage ofanopportunity to refinanceoncemorein2027. ShouldSANDAG refinance, there wouldbeabout a $40 million gap to payoffthe remainingbalance saidAndre Douzdjian,the chief financialofficerwithSANDAG.

“Idon’tlike debt.Ilike to payoffdebt,” said Douzdjian.“I comeback to the board and refinanceas much as I can and that wouldbethe goalbut we’re notthere yet.”

Thehope,saidDouzdjian,is to build reserves,especiallyafter revenues droppedamid the COVID-19 pandemic.SinceSANDAG took over the toll road,there was about a 6 percentannual growth,butin 2020, revenues droppedbyabout25 percent,hesaid. To date,the agencyhas about $80million inSouthBayExpressway reserves,headded.

Salas’proposal received mixed reviews fromthe SANDAG board. Terry Gaasterland, a Del Mar coun-

cilmember supported her request.“Mayor you are defendingnotonlythepeople wholive and work within your city, but yourstudents,”she saidduringthemeeting. “Theyhave negative income. They’re paying togoto school,they’re payingtheir tuitionandthey too are affectedbythis toll,especially whentheyliveinyourregion.”

SanteeMayor John Minto cautionedthat removing the toll could potentiallyincreasetraffic congestion inEastCounty, sayingthat“onething always leads to another.”

CoronadoCouncilmember Bill Sandke added thatif atoll removalis considered, “We better dothisdeliberatelywithsome datapoints andstudiesandsomemore research backgroundon this.”

CatherineBlakespear, SANDAG chairperson and mayorofEncinitas,saidthe issue involveslookingatthe budgetmore closely, which theboard agreed to doata future meeting.“Itseems like there are policy considerationsandGHG(greenhouse gas) considerations andequity considerations and financial considerations Andso, we need, you know, thatbudget,” shesaid. tammy.murga@sduniontribune.com

said Megan Gamwell, the city’s economicdevelopmentspecialist. NeighboringChulaVista’s is on the high endwithafee upwards of$16,000.

The estimated$11,000 willbepaid asapplicants move along a three-phased application process. The firstphase determines if a business meetsthe minimum eligibility requirements andwill costallapplicants$1,859 There will also bea$350 background check fee per ownerand$80fora zoning verification letter, which verifieszoning andentitlementson a property.

Thosewhomove onto phase two will be charged $3,765 for anapplication evaluation.Applicationswill bescoredandrankedusing amerit-based systemthat looks at a business’plansfor safety andsecurity, neighborhood compatibility, laborandinvestmentinthe community The top sixapplicants witha minimum score of90percentmove onto the finalphase,said Brennan.

Phasethree includesa $5,000deposit to receivea cannabislicenseandthen enterintoa development agreementwiththecity. The

SOUTH COUNTY HAPPENINGS

Citycouncils

Chula Vista, 5p.m. Tuesday

Schoolboards

Chula VistaElementary SchoolDistrict, 6p.m.

Wednesday; National SchoolDistrict(National City), 6p.m. Wednesday; SanDiegoUnified SchoolDistrict, 5p.m.

Tuesday; San Ysidro SchoolDistrict, 5p.m.

Thursday; SouthBay Union SchoolDistrict (ImperialBeach), 6p.m.

Thursday

OnStage Playhouse presents ‘Admissions’ “Admissions,”anewplaythat explodestheidealsandcontradictions of liberalwhite America, isbeingpresented at OnStage Playhouse, 291 Third Ave.,Chula Vista. The play runsthrough Feb. 24 and showtimesare8p.m. Thursdays Fridays andSaturdays,2 p.m.Sundays Ticketsare$25, or$22 forstudents, seniors, militaryandeducationprofessionals,andare available at https://www.onstageplayhouse.org/2021-2022-season. Call(619)422-7787 oremail

City Council would then have to provide finalapprovalandallow thebusiness to applyfor a land-usepermit andbusinesslicense.

If a business wants to appealtheprocess,such asif theapplicantdisagrees with how thecity scoresitsapplication,thebusinesswill have to pay a fee of$3,586. Thecity will revisitfees annuallyandadjustpermit costsasnecessary, according to city staff. Application formswillbe availableonthecity’s website Monday. tammy.murga@sduniontribune.com

info@onstageplayhouse.org.

Bonitamuseum

hostssculpture exhibit

The BonitaMuseum& Cultural CenterannouncestheNationalSculpture Society California exhibitionin February andMarch. The exhibition features38pieces by master California sculptors. The museumis at 4355 Bonita Road, Bonita.Hours are 10 a.m.-4p.m. Wednesday throughSaturday Call(619) 267-5141;visitbonitahistoricalsociety.org.

Senditems to fyi.south@sduniontribune.com at least two weeksbefore events.

TWO-TERMIMPERIALBEACHMAYORDEDINA DELIVERSHISLASTSTATE-OF-CITYADDRESS

BY TAMMYMURGA

IMPERIALBEACH

ImperialBeach Mayor

Serge Dedina deliveredhis firstState of the City addressseven yearsago.On Wednesday he gave hislast.

“Ithas truly beenanhonorand one of mymost rewardinglife experiences to serve asthemayorofmy hometown,”hesaidin a prerecordedaddress “What hasmadeitso rewarding was theopportunity to improve thequality of lifeinthe community I grew upin across every corner ofourlittlebeach town forfamily, friends,neighbors community faithleaders,business ownersandvisitorsalike.”

Dedinawillnot be runningfor re-election, and he hasnot yet publiclyshared plansforwhat’s nextinhis politicalcareer. In2020 he hadannouncedinterestin former Sen KamalaHarris’ openseat,which isnow filled bySen.Alex Padilla.He was sworninasthecity’s mayor in November2014 after becoming the firstinthecity’s history to unseatanincumbent,former Mayor Jim Janney In2018, Dedinabegan hissecond term. Before discussingpri-

oritiesforthenew year, the mayorhighlightedsomeof hisoffice’s accomplishments overthepastseven years, which includepavingalleys that were oncedirt,attractingnew businesses,installing streetlightsandanoutdoor fitness gym, andbringing murals to areasthat hadbeen fouledby graffiti.

Underhis leadership, thecity also sued thefederal government over theongoingcross-bordersewage pollution.

“Thanks to local nonpartisanleadership,theEPA (EnvironmentalProtection Agency)isnow developinga comprehensiveplanforthe necessary infrastructure to addressthese concerns,” saidDedina.

Last yearfocusedon COVID-19 recovery efforts andhow to use $6.56 million in stimulusfunding. A large portionofthefundswill go toward grantsandloansfor businesses and household assistance,as well asimprovementsforcity facilities and recreation.

Thisnew yearisputting those plansinto action.Dedinahighlighted the council’s January voteto developarchitecturalandengineering designs to revampthevacant,city-ownedPalm Avenuebuildingintoa new community center.

The renovationispart of thecity’s plan to rebuildits Parks and Recreationprogram,which Dedinasaidwill be the focus ofhis final yearin office.ImperialBeach dissolvedthedepartmentin2014 due to budget cutsanditis now buildingit fromscratch.

“We will createa program that every residentinour community willenjoy We willbuild community pride throughinvolvementinan inclusive programthat accountsfor residents fromall walks oflife and every incomelevel,”hesaid.

Dedinaalso recognized several community organizationsthat contributed to the community last year, amongthemtheUCSDCenter for Community Health’s nutritionpantry program andtheSunCoast Market Co-op which is a natural grocery store co-oplooking to openinI.B. tammy.murga@sduniontribune.com

The SouthBayExpresswayon-ramp to the tollportionofstateRoute 125inChula Vista.

EDUARDO CONTRERAS U-T

Serge Dedina

Torrey Pines reservea rare gemthatneedsalittlepolish

On a map ofSouthernCaliforniathere is a tiny speckof wilderness wild coastsurrounded by a seaof urban rooftops.

Atlessthan2,000acresinsize, TorreyPinesState NaturalReserve is a smalltreasure inCalifornia’s wildlandscapeaspart of thestate park system.

Butit’s technicallynot a state park.

While TorreyPinesincludesa popularstate recreationbeach, theheart ofthe reservewas set asidefortheprotection ofits namesake pinetrees onlyfound here andonSantaRosaIslands off the California coast.Thetrees were first recognizedas a new speciesin 1850.

Theuniquehabitatwithin the reserve alsohostsseveralrare and endangeredplants, a lagoon, and nestingplacesforseveraluncommonbird species.

The reserve differs from a state park becausetheprimary mission ispreservationofhabitat and the tiny grove ofrare trees.There are over 300 units in California’s state park system,but only 16 are classifiedas reserves. Unlike other pinesthatstand tall andstraight,the Torreypine canberandomlyshaped, twisted and convolutedasit grows toa height of nearly 50 feet.

Visitors to TorreyPinescan enjoymiles of hiking trails,but there are no campgrounds or picnicfacilities,andpetsare not allowedanywhere in the reserve. With the reserve’s smallfootprint andits collectionofunique species,such activitiesare simply not compatible. Thatmakes TorreyPinesa hiker’s paradisewhere one can wander on miles oftrailsand enjoy a stunninghabitatthathas not changedsignificantlysince the Kumeyaaycalledthese coastalpine groveshome. The deeplyerodedsandstone landscapeisdotted withthe tortured pinetrees, a collectionof wildcreatures,unseeninurban areas and breathtaking vistas of earth,skyand ocean.Attheright time, visitorslookingseaward

mayspotthespoutingof a surfacingwhale, or evena rising fluke as they turn to dive.

Theearth’s history is on displayhere, as theinterfacebetween landandseahas cut awaysandstonecliffs that tell a story of creation goingback 50 million years.Onthesecliffs,nesting falconsdelightbirders every spring as eggs hatch and chicks learn to fly andhunt.

Despite thebestefforts ofstate park rangers,park staffand dedicated volunteers, TorreyPines Reserve is beingloved to death.

Withnearly 3 millionannual visitors,limitedstate budgets and increased visitor demand, this rare gem is a bit tarnishedand needs a littlepolish.

That’s what RickGulleyhopes to do.

Gulley will becomepresident of the TorreyPinesConservancy later thismonthandisbringing lots ofideasandenthusiasm to hisnew job. Gulley replacesPeter Jensen whohas served forthe pastnine years. The conservancyis a groupof supportersthatprimarily raise funds and engage inadvocacyfor the reserve It works closelywith

the TorreyPinesDocentSociety whose volunteersstaff thevisitor center, conductinterpretative and children’s programs,andassist with trail work.

Gulley comes with a deephistory ofsupportingthe environment havingserved on the boardsoftheAnzaBorrego Foundation, SanDiego Zoo Global ScrippsInstitutionof Oceanography, NationalRecreation and Park Association, and as a memberoftheSanDiego City Parks and RecreationBoard. Thisformerinsurance executive doesn’tthinksmall.

Asthenew leader of the conservancy, he comeswith a goal of restoring the adobe visitorcenter, alsoknownasTheLodge, thatwill mark its 100th anniversary next February.

Thishistoric adobe was built as a restaurantin 1923 byEllen BrowningScripps, a historical iconofSanDiego.Recognizing theneed to protectthese rare pine trees,Scrippspurchased two parcelsoflandforpreservationin

1909and 1912 Bythattime,neglectandindifferencehad reducedthe Torreypinenumbers to only a few hundred Today there are over 3,000trees, thanks to protection planting and restorationefforts.

Good fortune,foresightand fortitudecame together to create TorreyPinesReserve.

Asearly as 1888it was suggested thatthepinesbeprotected, but it was notuntil 10 yearslaterthatSanDiego created TorreyPinesPark. By 1921, thepines were being destroyedby firewood collectors andthisled to creation ofthe reserve thatincluded the Scripps parcels Inthe 1950s, the beach andupland reservewere transferred to thestate.

Over the years,theadobe lodge hasdeteriorated.Design plansfor restorationare complete, but anestimated$3 to $4 millionisneededfor the work and that’s whatGulleyhopes to find.

Hehas other grandvisions thathesharedas we meandered throughthepines,includinga new rangerheadquartersand observationbuilding better restroomfacilities,landscaping, and

Scripps.

programs “thatwillmake sure thisplaceishere forfuture generations.”

“I want to make certain an uncertainfuture for TorreyPines,” Gulley said.

Gulleyhas a deep respect for theScrippslegacy, alongwitha profoundlove of nature Torrey Pinesoffershim a nearbyplace where hehikes weekly and can enjoytheplantsandanimals where ocean and land collide.

Summershere can be hot,but there canbefoggy spring days, strong winter storms,blooming spring wildflowers,andthe excitementofmigratingbirds.

Gulleyknows thatmostof the visitors to TorreyPinesare local, buthe wouldlike to see thatfootprint expanded.

“We know thatmanyarea residentshave never beenhere.I’d like to make them feel welcome,” hesaid.

IwishGulley greatsuccess.As wildplacesbecomeharder to find, ajewel like TorreyPinesbecomes even more necessary to future generations. Emailernie@packtrain.comorvisit erniesoutdoors.blogspot.com.

PHOTOGRAPHERANDLAJOLLASECOND-GRADERS COLLABORATEON BOOK

you’re safenow.’”

Mosssaid.

LAJOLLA Anew projecthastaken flightamonglocalphotographerEssyGhavameddini andstudentsatStella

MarisAcademyin La Jolla.

Overthepastfew months,Ghavameddiniand the childrenhavecomposed abookcalled“Welcome Baby Hummingbirds,”a collectionofGhavameddini’s photographs ofa hummingbird anditsbabies with text written bythe students.

The conceptforthebook was laid when Ghavameddinivisited friendsin Rancho Santa Fe Their2-yearolddaughter was enamored of a hummingbird andits nest justoutside their front door andshowed Ghavameddini.

Ghavameddini, who

once owned a photography gallery in La Jolla’s Village andhas 30years’ experience as theofficialphotographerfor SanDiego’s sportsarena and several more years shootingnational sporting events, decided to photograph the hummingbird andher babies every other day over 28 days.

Ashisidea to compile thephotosintoa book grew, Ghavameddinifeltit would be bestif the words were written by children.

He approachedStella MarisAcademyPrincipal Francie Mossforhelp.

Moss asked her staffif anyone was interestedin taking ontheproject and saidsecond-grade teacher MichelleCampagna volunteered,anarrangement that alignedwithherclass’s curriculum on animal habitats.

Thebook “really fit in beautifully withthestudents studies, Mosssaid.

ShesaidCampagna thendisplayedeach of

Ghavameddini’s photos andaskedher 17 students to write text for them. Thestudents then voted ontheirfavorite text for each page, and Campagna ensuredeach studenthad one page inthebook.

The text, Moss said, serves ascaptionsforthe photos“butit’s in children’s language, taking on the personaofthehummingbird (such as)‘Oh,thebaby birdsare hungry Feedme, Mommy ...Daddy’s home;

Celebrations

70THANNIVERSARY

Cosimo &Joan Busalacchi

12THBIRTHDAY Kieralyn Fontelera

“(It’s) pretty different thananyotherkindof book, Mossadded. Ghavameddinisaid visiting the classroomand watchingCampagnalead thestudentsinthewriting project was “so exciting... the greatesttimeinmylife.”

The29-page book also contains a briefdescription ofthe discovery of the nest, plusclassphotos and more, Ghavameddinisaid.

Hesaidhehopes to share “WelcomeBaby Hummingbirds”with children all overthe country.

“It’s a really goodbook: educationalandsomething brand-new.”

Hesaidhehaspre-sold several copies to various organizations and contacts and will donate some to groups that work with children.

“Part ofthe reason we wanted toget involved was becauseofthe charitable end ofit,making sure that it goes to hospitalsand librariesandnew mothers,”

Ghavameddini said the bookwillbeprinted by spring and will besoldat Warwick’s bookstore in La Jollaandother locations. Each purchasewill come witha three-minute video hemadeofthebaby hummingbirdsintheirnest.

Headdedthat there will be a big reveal of the finishedproductwiththe students who wrote the text, alongwith a daywhen the children can sign their pages. Now that the students’ work is finished, “thefun part starts the anticipationofthebook coming out,” Mosssaid.

Ghavameddini said he enjoyed the processso much that he’s getting readyfor a second book.

“WelcomeBaby Hummingbirds”is available for prepurchasefor$25 To learnmore,emailessysstudio@gmail.com.

Fraustowrites forthe U-TCommunity Press.

Busalacchi 70thAnniversary February2,1952 to 2022.Cosimo &Joan were married at OurLadyof SacredHeartinSanDiego. Theyrenewedtheir vows at OurLadyofthe Rosary CatholicChurchlast week surrounded by familyandfriends. Congratulationsand God’sBlessingsonyour 70th Anniversary! We aresoblessedtohaveyour continuallove and guidance.

All OurLove,Your Children,Grandchildren,Greatgrandchildren,and“FurryKids!”

Thisdaughterofminehasbeen my mini-me for thelongesttime.Everyoneknowthatshelovesto takepictures evenas alittlegirl!She’s our extrovert thatlovestosing,playvolleyball, computer gamer and amodel!Shealwaysliketostrikeapose! Iam soproudofherinmanywaysespeciallyintaking on responsibilities! Iloveyou babygirland youare growingupso fast!

Mom

ERNIE COWA N Outdoors

ThedramaticlandscapeofBrokenHillin Torrey Pines State NaturalReserve.

Theadobevisitorcenter,alsoknownasThe Lodge, wasbuiltas a restaurantin 1923 byEllenBrowning

ERNIE COWAN PHOTOS

Rick Gulley

Essy Ghavameddinihopes to share “WelcomeBaby Hummingbirds”with childrenalloverthe country.

KARENPERKINSMOORE

CITYHEIGHTSSCHOOLTEACHESCULTUREANDDIVERSITYTHROUGHMUSIC Itseesitselfas aplace to build thecommunity

BY DIANE LOPEZ

SAN DIEGO

It’s more than musicat City HeightsMusicSchool; it’s alsoaboutlearning culture andhistory. Itsofferings include MariachiVictoriade SanDiego, MariachiPrep,Percussive Wave andtheAfro-Cuban Ensemble.

Theprogramisledby musicianswho want to provideanopportunity to the public to honetheir musical skillsandcreate connectionsin their community.

What was launchedasa coachingmusic outreach programin2000, evolved into the LatinAmerican

ICECREAM

Soldonly by scoop,pint andshake

—no cones

FROM B1

demic.Thenlastfall,the

Wynns were forced to change theirbusinessnamebecause another companyalready owned the “Wynn’s” trademark.

So,whenthe Wynnsattendedtheir first“ConeCon” convention inOrlandolast fallandenteredtheir chocolate icecream inthe North AmericanIceCreamAssociation’s annualIceCream Clinic competition,theyhad low expectations. “We saw itas a great and inexpensive way toget some feedbackand research on ouricecreamthat would normally cost a lot of money,”Chrissaid.

Soonthe finaldayof ConeCon2021, whenthe winnersnames were announced to thecrowd,the Wynns were nowhere to be found.They’d left early to take theirdaughterona campus tour at a nearby university.

“We started gettingall these texts frompeoplesaying‘congratulations’ and we didn’tknow whatthey were talking about,”Sarahsaid.

The contest’s winningice cream flavors— in chocolate,vanilla,strawberryand mixed flavors— were tested intheSensory Evaluation Center and AlcaineResearch Grouplabs atCornell The ice creams were graded by flavor texture, sweetness meltingquality, appearance and colorand they were also testedfor butterfat contentand bacterialevel.The top four scorersineach category earned the blueribbon. As word aboutthe award hastrickledout,businessat Wynston’s has exploded. Last weekend,the Wynns sold 170 gallonsoficecream, which is a lot for a shop whose icecreammakercan only churnout11⁄2 gallonsat atime.Althoughpeopleare makingspecial trips to try FTWChocolate,it’s still trailinginpopularity behind theshop’s two top-selling flavors: CookiesInCream andThatCookie Dough.

IcecreamhasbeenalifelongpassionforChris,a Michigannative whonever tiresofeating the frozendessert every day. He was 16 whenhemetSarah,who grew upinBrazil,thedaughter ofChristianmissionaries, and moved to Michigan at 17 They’ve been together ever since andhave two teenagerswho both work inthe scoopshop: Ella, 17, and Max, 16 For more than 20 years,

MusicProjectin 2006,which offeredmusiclessons.As popularity grew, LAMPin 2010 becamewhatisnow knownas City HeightsMusicSchool to providediverse musiclessonsand teachthe importanceof culture.

Afro-CubanEnsemble communicationsdirector DavidCastañedasaidthe classesbeingtaughtare usuallyonlyofferedinthe collegiate settingandcanbe too expensiveformany residentsinthearea.The enrollmentfee for thesemester startsat$50, butstudentscholarships are availablefor residents facing financialburdens.

“We havea fullplethora ofdifferentspectrumsof LatinAmericanmusic availablehere atCity Heights that we’rereallytrying to pushandmake an emphasis on to thesurrounding com-

munities,”Castañedasaid.

Hesaidtheclassesare available to adultsand childrenofallages,including families, sothattheycan learnandbuild together. Students come from asfar asEscondido.Oneof their eldeststudentsisan85year-old woman.

“Ithink themostimportantthingthat we cando today as people working in the artsis to providepeoplea space to build community,” Castañedasaid. “Youhave somethingthatimmediatelyputs you within the realmofhistory and culture all at thesametime.”

Instructorshighlight thatmusicis a combination ofhistoryand culture.

“Youcan’ttalkabout musicwithouttalking about history, Castañeda said. “Youcan’ttalkabout history without talking

aboutpeople,thelineages and the lived experiences thattheysharewithoneanotherwhentheyshare their music.”

MarioEguia,theschool’s assistantdirector saidthis isnotonly a placewhere otherscanlearnaboutthe Latino community but where Latinoscan learn abouttheir community too.

“Sometimes, we don’t even know our ownculture that well,”Eguia said. “This is a beautiful way, whether it’s Mariachi,whetherit’s throughtheAfro-Cuban, whetherit’s acombination ofallofthem, we feelthat theneedisapparent.”

Diversity plays a significantfactorforEguiaasa musicinstructor Hesaid discriminationandprejudicecanstem fromignoranceof people notbeing exposed to other cultures.

Hesaidmusic, regardlessof culture,isessentially the same. “At theendof the day maybe a littledifferent rhythmhere orthere,but we’re allsingingaboutthe sameideas we’re singing aboutlove, sadness, happinessand joy, Eguiasaid. “We get to create together.”

CastañedaandEguia addedthatanyone from any backgroundcanbenefit fromthemusic classes.

Theschoolhasstudents whoare not fluentEnglish speakerslearn how to play aninstrument and learn to singin a foreignlanguage.

“It’s going to besomethingthatpeople from every demographic,socio-economicstratum, culture and ethnic groupis going to be able to take alotofpleasure notonlyinbeing a part of, but alsolearning a lotofand thenbe able to take these

useHigh Mountain Honeyin theirhoneyalmond,Copa Vida coffee intheir coffee flavor andhand-rolledBrazilian trufflesfortheir Brigadeiro icecreams.Comingin March willbeDani’s Next Level Samoa,made with Girl ScoutCookies.

Businessis growingso fast these days, the Wynns are burstingattheseams. To keep upwith customerdemand, they are storing extra tubsof icecreaminfourdifferent freezers aroundthe North City retailzone.And becausethebusinesstakes upsomuch of the family’s time, they’ve instituteda Wednesdayfamily meal night to decompress togetherandtalkabout topics other thanice cream.

Inthespring,theshop will move across North City Drive to a larger commercial space withmore freezer capacity and a bigger productionareathatwillserve asa flagshipkitchenfora planned expansion.They’re hoping to open their second scoopshopinOceansideby theendofthe year

Chrishas workedasan executive producerinthevideo gameindustry, producingtitlessuch as MaddenNFL, Gearsof War and,most recently Looney Tunes World of Mayhem.The job hastakenthe Wynnfamily to five statesand three countries includingSweden, before theysettledseveral years agointheSanElijo community southofSan Marcos.

As their kidsmoved into their teens,the Wynnsdecidedthey were ready to settledownandpursuetheir dreamofopeninganice creamshop. While still working fulltimeforScopelyStudiosinCulverCity, Chris started experimentingwith icecream recipesathome. The very first flavor which hespent a yeardevisingand refining, was chocolate.

“That was going to bethe proof to methat we were ready to start the business.I figured if I can’tmakea great chocolate ice cream,I shouldn’t even try, Chris said,addingthathiswinning recipeismade with Dutchprocess cocoa powder froma

European chocolatier, milk, cream,sugarand a touch of salt.

To keep the freezer free duringChris’s experimentationphase,Sarahstarted selling pints to friends, neighborsandfellow moms via group text,whoprovided valuablefeedback and wouldbecome a built-in customer basewhentheshop finally opened

Finding a space wasn’t easy No landlords wanted to lease to the couplebecause theyhadnobusiness track record Butthestaffatthe UnionCoWork space at251 N. City Drive in North City offered a corneroftheir lobby to the coupleasan“entrepreneurialincubator” spaceandtheshop was born.

The Wynston’s business modelissimple.Itonlysells scoops,pintsandshakes. No cones no toppings andno sundaes.Themenuisalso limited.There are seven “always” flavors like chocolate, strawberry andvanilla; two dairy-free options;and a rotating variety of“some-

times” flavors that change every month.Sincetheshop opened,Chrishasmanaged to introduce about 100 new flavors whilestill working fulltimeinthe gaming world. The Wynnsenjoy collaboratingwithotherlocalbusinessesonnew flavors.They

Chrissaidit’s been gratifyingthatthey’re starting to geta lotofinquiries from landlords,lenders andinvestorsafter struggling to find a spacein2020

“We’ve come a long way,” hesaid.

pam.kragen@sduniontribune.com

lessonsinto the workforce andinto the greater society to very powerfuleffect,”Castañedasaid. ArtisticdirectorVictoria Eicheraddsthatmusicisa great way to fillthe cultural gapandenrich students. Shesaysthatwhen youngerkidsaretaughtmusicoutsidetheir community theylearn compassion andare moreculturally aware.Thisistheschool’s goal toteach diversity throughmusicandprepare students to achieve their music goals,whetherlearning a new instrumentasa hobby orpursuing a career inmusic. More information onthe classes, schedules and eventscanbefoundat https://cityheightsmusicschool.org.

Lopez is a freelancewriter.

TODAY IN HISTORY

TodayisSunday, Feb. 6,the 37th day of 2022 Thereare 328days left inthe year

Today’shighlight

On Feb.6, 1778,duringthe Revolutionary War, theUnited States won official recognition and military support from Francewiththe signing ofa Treaty of Alliancein Paris.

Onthisdate

In1911, Ronald Wilson Reagan, the40thpresident of the United States, was bornin Tampico,Ill.

In2008, the BushWhite Housedefendedtheuse of the interrogation techniqueknown as waterboarding,sayingit waslegal—not tortureas critics argued— and had savedAmericanlives.

Today’sbirthdays

ActorMamie VanDorenis 91.

ActorMike Farrellis 83 Tom Brokaw is 82 Singer Fabianis 79. ActorGayleHunnicutt is 79. Actor KathyNajimyis 65. Axl Rose (GunsN’ Roses)is 60.SingerRickAstleyis56.

ASSOCIATEDPRESS

Chrisand Sarah Wynnintheiricecreamshopin San Marcoson Tuesday.Chris Wynnspenta yeardevelopingtheir award-winning chocolateicecream.

ANA RAMIREZ U-T

MAJ. GEN. JOHNSINGLAUB 1921-2022

OFFICERANDSPECIALOPSSOLDIERCLASHEDWITHPRESIDENT CARTER THENEW YORKTIMES

Maj.Gen. John Singlaub,who waged clandestine warfare forthe U.S.Armyand the CIA fromthe World War II years to Vietnam, then retired from themilitary underpressure after repeatedly criticizingPresident Jimmy Carter’s nationalsecurity policies,died Jan.29 He was 100.

TheSpecial ForcesAssociation chapterin Tampa,Fla., anorganizationof veteranswhohad waged covert warfare,said that Singlaub’s wife, Joan,had notified afellow memberofthe group,Billy Waugh,ofhisdeath.Itdidnotsay where he died.The generalhad beenlivingin Franklin Tenn., just southof Nashville.

Singlaub trained resistance fightersinGerman-occupied Franceand rescuedAlliedprisoners of war held by the Japaneseduring WWII.He conductedintelligence operationsduringtheChineseCivil War andinthe Korean War while assigned to theCIA, and he commandedsecretArmyforaysinto North Vietnamandneutral Laos andCambodiaduringthe 1960s to ambush communisttroops.

Asturdy 5-foot-7 with an enduringmilitary brushhaircut, Singlaub seemed fit for combat longafter hislast war.

He was “thekind of guy you’d like to have on yoursidein a barroombrawl,”PatMurphy, anacquaintance and thepublisherof The ArizonaRepublic atthetime,

phical,itisnotpersonal. I don’t know ifthismeans I won’t geta Christmascard ifthis were to pass tonight.”

“You’re stillonthelist,Mike,” McNamarainterjected.

After themeeting, Morasco said it was unfortunate theissueplayed outthe way itdid,leavingEscondidoasthe onlycity inSanDiego County without representationon SANDAG’s board.

“We are inlimbo, it’s not optimal but it’s better thanthealternative, having a representative making decisions thatare not in thecity’s bestinterests,” Morasco said.

The standoff appears to have beentriggered inDecemberwhen McNamara,asthecity’s representative, joineda majority of the SANDAG board in votingfora $160 billiontransportationblueprint to guidethe regionthrough2050.

chairmanofthe U.S.Councilfor World Freedom,atanewsconferencein 1986.

toldThe New York Timesin 1986.

Singlaub’s numerousdecorationsincludedtheSilver Star, the BronzeStar, theDistinguished Service Medal,theLegionof Merit andthePurpleHeart.

Butforallhismilitary feats, Singlaub’s career ended overissuesof grandstrategy.

Carter removed himasthemilitary’s chiefofstaffinSouth Korea in May 1977 after he told a reporter forThe Washington Postthatthe president’s plan to withdraw American troops there couldlead to another North Koreaninvasion.

Singlaublatermaintainedthat his remarkswere offthe record,an assertion disputedby the Post.

One controversialelementof theplanisthe way it wouldbe funded,throughsalestaxhikes and a proposed per-mile road-use fee charged to drivers.At a meeting in November Morasco ledthe councilmajorityinpassinga resolution opposing“anynew SANDAG-imposedtaxes, charges orfeesonmotorists.”

Morasco saidSANDAG hasa track record ofbreaking promises —in particular to the North and EastCounty regions fortransportationprojects.Hecitedprojects along the State Route 78 corridorthat were slated to receive funding frompastsalestaxincreases,but were never completed.

Rather thanfundingneeded roadimprovementsin North and EastCounty, Morasco said, SANDAG hasfocusedonpublic transitprojectsintheurban core of SanDiego.

“We needed togetSANDAG’s attentionthatenoughisenough,” Morasco said “We want them to

ButCarter was outragedatwhat heperceivedas a challenge to civilianauthority. Hisorder recallingSinglaub from Korea was the firstactionofits typesincePresidentHarry S.Truman fired Gen.Douglas MacArthur asthePacific commanderwhen MacArthuradvocated extending the Korean War into China.

After being reassigned to Fort McPherson inGeorgia,Singlaub criticizedtheCarter administration’s military policiesagainin April 1978 in a talk before ROTC cadetsatGeorgia Tech Hecalled Carter’s decision not to producea neutronbomb “ridiculous”and “militarily unsound andcriticized

recognize we’re not going to take it anymore and there needs to be change.”

McNamarasaidthe resolution passedbythe councilmajority made the city look“foolish because SANDAG has noauthority to levee taxes,which mustinstead beapprovedby voters.

Whilehe concededthat SANDAG inthepasthad comeup short onfundingprojects in North County, hesaidtheagencynow has new staff and is looking to the future. Funding mechanismssuch as sales tax and road-use fees are an alternative to the currentCalifornia gas tax, which he said places an unfairburden on working-class residents.Supportersofthe SANDAG planhave notedthat driversofelectric vehiclesdon’t paythe gas tax,sothey’re not contributing to themaintenanceofthe roadstheyuse. McNamara also contendedheis the appropriate representative on

the administration’s efforts to give up control ofthePanamaCanal.

TheArmyorderedhim to report to thePentagon immediately, announcinga day laterthat it had accepted his request to retire.

Inthe 1980s,Singlaub playeda major roleinraisingfunds andarrangingarmspurchasesforthe Nicaraguan rebelsknownasContras,who were battling the leftist Sandinista government.Hesolicited contributions fromprivate sourcesforfood,clothingandmedicine,andtraveled to South Korea and Taiwan to seekmilitary aidfor theContras fromthose countries.

Singlaub testifiedbefore Congress in May 1987 duringitsinquiry into theIran-Contraaffair the Reaganadministration’s secret saleofarms to Iranwitha diversion ofsomeoftheproceeds to theNicaraguan rebels, despitea congressionalbanonsuch aid.

Singlaub toldCongressthatLt.

Col.Oliver North,while a National Security Councilstaffaide, had approvedofhisbeinghighlyvisiblein his support for the Contras.The goal,Singlaub testified, was to take publicattention away fromthesecret governmentprogram North was eventually convictedof obstructingCongress,destroyingofficial documentsandaccepting an illegal gift but the convictions were later overturnedonappeal.

Singlaub,whoactedasa private citizeninhelpingtheContras, was never accusedofwrongdoinginthe investigation.Butinhis 1991 mem-

SANDAG becausehe was elected bytheentire city, and councilmembersare electedbydistrict.

“Iamthe voiceofthe community asthemayor,” McNamarasaid atthemeeting,noting thathe receivedmore votes inhiselection than Morasco, Inscoe andGarcia combined. McNamarasaidhehopesthe councilwill reconsideritsdecision to remove him fromtheSANDAG board,because leavingthecity withouta representative hashurt thecity’s interests.

“Ithink in a democracyit’s important every voiceisheard,and rightnow we don’thave oneforEscondido atSANDAG,” McNamara said.

Encinitas Mayor Catherine Blakespear, whoservesas chairof the SANDAG board,saidthe transportation agencywill continue workingonits projectsinEscondido,sothecity won’t bepenalized becauseithasno representative on theboard.

oir “HazardousDuty, written with Malcolm McConnell,hebristled atwhathe consideredthedefaming ofhis character.

“For a decadeI’d beensmeared as a right-wingfanatic, evena crypto-fascist bysomemembers ofthemedia,”hewrote.“I’d always foundthisironic, consideringthe factthat I was oneof a handful of Americansoldiers whohad risked torture and execution bybothGermanand Japanesefascistswhile servingbehindenemylinesinEuropeandthe Far East.”

JohnKirk Singlaub was born July 10, 1921, in Independence,Calif., and developed aninterestinbecominganArmyofficerwhileat Van NuysHighSchoolintheLos Angelesarea.

He joinedtheArmy duringhis senior yearatUCLAand was commissionedas a lieutenantin January 1943 He volunteered to transfer to a parachute regiment,where his training andFrench studiesat UCLA madehimanattractive recruitfortheArmy’s OfficeofStrategic Services, the forerunnerofthe CIA.Heparachutedinto central Francein August 1944astheleader of a three-man Jedburgh team,the codenamefortheOSSunitslinking upwiththeFrench Resistance. Soonafter Japansurrendered in August 1945 Singlaub led a parachute teamthat rescuedbrutalized Australian and Dutch prisonersof war heldbythe Japanese onChina’s HainanIslandbefore they couldbe executed.

Butshesaid McNamara was representing hiscity wellonthe SANDAG board andshehopes he’llbe reinstated to thepost.

“Thisisan internalpolitical dispute,Ihopethey getit workedout soEscondido can continue to send arepresentative (to SANDAG),” Blakespearsaid.“I expectit to get worked out.”

It’s notthe firsttimeamember oftheboard hasbeen removed.

In2013,a majority oftheOceanside City Council voted to remove Mayor Woodasits representative to theagency. They contended hehad donea poor job gettingtransportation moneyfor North County andhad blocked roadprojectsimportant to Oceanside,including completinga missingportion of MelroseDrive to linkstate Route 78 withstate Route 76 and building a state Route 78 interchange atRancho delOro Drive. Tashisafreelancewriter.

Retired U.S.Army Gen. JohnSinglaub,then

J. SCOTTAPPLEWHITE AP

TOP-SELLINGARGENTINE SINGERANDSONGWRITER ASSOCIATEDPRESS

Argentinesinger-songwriterDiego Verdaguer, whose romantichitssuch as “Corazondepapel,” “Yo te amo”and “Volvere soldalmost 50 million copies,has diedof complications from COVID-19, hisfamilysaid Friday He was 70.

Thenaturalized Mexi-

can-Argentinemusician, who was married to singer AmandaMiguel,died Jan. 27 inLosAngeles. Verdaguerdedicatedhis lastblogpost to hiswife, writing: “Iwillnever tire of dedicatingthissong to you. You are thethiefwhostole myheart!”hewrote, referring to hissong “Thief.”

Verdaguer contracted

COVID-19 in December and was hospitalized.Hispublicistin Mexico,Claudia LopezIbarra,saidhe was vaccinatedagainstthe coronavirus. “Yes,he was vaccinated butthevirusattackedhim in the U.S.when the Delta variant was present,”Lopez Ibarra toldtheAPin a text message Miguelhaspublicly expressedanti-vaccineviews. According to thepublicist, Verdaguer frequently traveled to the United States,especiallyafter the birthofLucca,the eldest

sonofAnaVictoria,who livesinLosAngeles. Verdaguer was bornin Buenos AiresonApril26, 1951 anddebutedas a soloistattheage of 17 with the single “Lejosdelamor”, which was followed byotherssuch as “Yo te amo” and “Volvere.” Since 1980 hehadlived in Mexico,a country to which hededicatedhis album“Mexicanohastalas Pampas,”which was nominatedfor two LatinGrammys, and its sequel,“MexicanohastalasPampas2,“ as wellasthelive album

“Mexicanisimos.”

“Ican tell you, I ammore

Mexican than anything.I love Mexico, I love what Mexico hasmeantinmylife, Ilove theopportunitiesthat

Mexico has given me,”the artistsaidinaninterview with TheAssociatedPress in2019.

VillageCremation

303 FSt.,ChulaVista, CA 91910 (619)422-7900 VillageCremations.com

LifeTributes

JaymeDee Bouman

December16,1955 -January2,2022

SANDIEGO—

Jaymepassed away unexpectedlyonJanuary 2,2022withherhusband anddaughtersholding hertightly.She wastaken fromusfar toosoon.

Jayme wasa firmbeliever inangelsand we truly believethattheangels above have aspecialplan forher.

Jayme wasbornin Illinois to Jimand Virginia Dickerson.Herfather servedintheUSMCand thefamilysettledinSan Diegowhenshe was young.Asa childand teenager,Jaymeloved to dance, andalongside hersister,dancedin numerous competitions. Aftergraduatingfrom ClairemontHigh School and MesaJunior college, Jaymemarriedthe boynextdoorandher highschoolsweetheart Ward. They were best friendsandpartnersin everything.InAugust 2021they celebrated43 yearsofmarriagewitha familytrip to Hawaii.

Whentheirchildren, KristiandKelli, were young,Jayme wasable to stayathome toraise them.She tookparticular

SANDIEGO —Wayne CalvinSmithpassed away peacefullyinthe PointLomahomethathe andhiswifeof71years, Barbara,hadbuiltin1954.

Forevergiving,Wayne spentthefinal weekof hislife“holding court” in thefamily room,usingall his remainingenergy to conveylove andguidance to the countlessfamily andfriendswhovisited eachday, includingall 7ofhischildren(Steve, Daryl,Rick,David,Lori, Mark,andJeff),16 grandchildrenand2 great-grandchildren.

Wayne grew upin Point Lomaand attended

joyinparticipatinginher children’s lives,helping outintheirclassrooms, being aGirlScoutleader,a Team Mom,PTApresident and workingtirelesslyon fundraisers forschools, sports teams,girlscouts and RadyChildren’s Hospital.

Onceherchildren were older,she went to work parttime forSan DiegoCitySchoolsasan administrativeassistant. It wastheperfect work/ lifebalanceforJaymeas she wasstillable to beher kids’biggestcheerleader foreverythingtheydid. She worked at several schoolsandeventually foundher “home”working at TierrasantaElementary School.She retiredin

2012shortlyafterherfirst granddaughterwasborn to embarkonherfavorite careerofall:fulltime Grandma.

As afulltimeGrandma, Jayme’s liferevolved aroundcaring forher fivegrandchildren3 to 4daysaweek.She absolutelylovedtaking them to andfromschool, doing “projects”(aka makingmesses)with them, teachingthem to cookandbaketreats, takingthemshopping andanywhereelse they wanted to go.Her grandkidslovinglycalled her“Mayme”andshe passedalongherfun lovingadventurousspirit to them.

Jaymelovedtotravelto Hawaiiand Europewith herfamilyandfriends,but herfavorite placetogo wasthefamilyhomeon the Colorado River. She lovedwatchingsunsets onthedeckand warm firesinthefireplaceatthe Riverhome.Shecalled itherhappyplaceand everyone wasalways welcome,especially for happyhourwhereyou couldfindherwitha scotchinherhandanda

WayneC.Smith

June14,1929 -January30,2022

becamepresidentof SanDiego Paperuntilit waspurchased by the KentLandsbergPaper Company.

smileonherface. If you knewher well,you were luckyenough to know if she teased yousheliked youandif youreally made herlaugh you’dhearher snort!

Jayme wasbeautifulon theinsideandout,always willing to helpanyone at anytime.She wasloved by everyonethatevermet herandlikewisesheloved them.

Jaymeissurvived by herhusband Ward, theirdaughters Kristi (Mike)andKelli(Ricky),5 grandchildren(Madison, Kassidy,Mackenzie, Aubreyand Colton),her fatherJim,hersister Sherry,herbrotherinlaw Ross(Marsha),hernieces andnephew,numerous cousinsand countless friendsthatbecame family overthe years.

Acelebrationoflifewill beheldon February25, 2022,please contactthe family fordetails.Inlieu offlowersdonationsmay bemadeinJayme’s honor to theGirlScoutsofSan Diegoor to theSanDiego BloodBank.

PleasesigntheGuestBookonline obituaries.sandiegouniontribune.com

In2019 Verdaguer was recognized by the Mexican Society of Authors and Composers with a special award forhis 50-yearcareer. In recent years, Verdaguermade the leap to streamingandaccumulated more than2 millionfollowersonsocialnetworks

Bydonatingyourbodyfor medicalscience.Donations aremadetotheUCSDBody DonationProgram,which coversthecostofcremation andscatteringatseaafter studyiscompleted. Forinformation,call: (858)534-4546 orvisit: bodydonations.ucsd.edu

Everlasting memories of lovedones

MichaelGinger

June16,1929 -January19,2022

RANCHOBERNARDO—

MichaelGingerpassed away peacefullyinhis 92nd yearonJanuary 19th. Born in Montreal, Quebec,heandhis wifeLydiaemigratedto Californiain1961,just afterhegraduatedfrom ConcordiaUniversity with aBSc.Afterthirty yearsas apharmaceutical representative, he retired andspenthistime avidly gardeningtheirbeautiful property andbegan aserious collectionof knives.

Whenheand Lydia movedintotheir retirementcommunity in Rancho Bernardo,he notonlytravelled to events forhuntingdown knives,buthealsobegan to make kitchen knives. Many friendsand relatives who receivedparing,fillet, andchef knivesnowhave usefulmementosofhim.

wifeLydiapassed away in 2006afterfifty-one years ofmarriage. Heissurvived by his nieceMarilynGingerand hisnephew WayneGinger. Also,hissister-in-law Monica vonKursell,and nephewsArthur von KursellandAlexander (Sasha) vonKursell.

SDSUbeforejoining theArmy to serve inthe Korean War. Following the war, Wayne worked inthefamily-ownedSan Diego Paper &Chemical Companyandultimately

MaryCastillo

March24,1919 -January24,2022

LOSANGELES —We

announcethepassingof Mary Castillo,onJanuary 24,2022, at theageof 102.She wouldalwayssay thathersecret to lifewas nosmoking,nodrinking, andnocussing. Mary wasbornina mining towninArizona. As ayoungchild,she movedwithherfamily to LosAngeles.Marylived afulllifeasafarmgirlin Torranceand Imperial, thenas ahomemaker, and awonderful mother.Movingfrom SanDiego to Maryland, thenback to LosAngeles, shedevotedherlifetoher family.

Mary wasanavid sportsfan,closely followingbasketball, baseball,bowling,and horse racing.Maryloved herUCLAbasketballand herClippers.She was highlyskilledinbowling. Mary had awarm, caring,andvivacious personality, andalways madepeoplearoundher laugh.Sheneverskipped abeat.Shemadefriends everywhereshe went. Mostofall,sheloved herfamily.Marywas thebelovedmotherof

Linda(Don,Steve),proud grandmotherofChristina (Adrian),proudest greatgrandmotherof Sophia. Predeceased by her husband Tony,devoted sister Rosie,brotherJoe, andsister-in-lawIsabel.

Shewillbedearly missedand foreverinour hearts.

Acelebrationof Mary’s lifewillbeheldon Friday, 2-11-22. Viewingfrom10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Funeral serviceat12p.m. at Funeraria DelAngel Humphrey,Chula Vista, CA.

Followedbyburial at 1:30 p.m. at Greenwood Memorial Park,SanDiego, CA. PleasesigntheGuestBookonline

In retirement, Wayne directedhisenergyon50 acresof rollinghillsthat heandBarbarapurchased in Sonoma’s Alexander Valley.IcariaCreekisnow aflourishingvineyard with abeautifulhome they’vegraciouslyshared withfamilyandfriends overthepast25 years. Hisgreatestjoy, however, wassailing hisboatoutoftheSan Diego YachtClub,which he continued to do well into his90’s. Theclub

alsoservedasaperfect venue fortheentirefamily to gatherand celebrate countlessmilestones. Alwayskindand grateful, Wayne attributedhis blessedlifetothestrong faithhedevelopedasa memberof PointLoma CommunityPresbyterian Church,whereamemorial willbeheldSaturday, February12th at 11am. Address:2128Chatsworth Blvd, SanDiego,CA 92107. In lieuofflowers, thefamily requests donationsin Wayne’s name to thechurch’s endowmentfund. PleasesigntheGuestBookonline obituaries.sandiegouniontribune.com

JuneHokanson June17,1923 -December28,2021

SANDIEGO— JuneHokansonpassed away December28,2021, at theageof98.She was bornJune17,1923,in Fargo, ND.She grewup in Fargowithherparents andthreesisters.June metherhusband,Marvin, whenhe washomeona furloughfrom WorldWar II. Afterthe war, they were marriedin1945.Junehad twodaughters,Sandra in1948andSharon,in 1949.June worked for manyyearsmanaging thefamiliesapartment houses. Afterherhusband retired,theymovedto SanDiego to benear hermother,sisters,and daughter. Sheenjoyed herchildrenand grandchildrentaking longdaily walks.enjoyed gardening,yoga,fitness classes,and wasan excellentseamstress.She andherhusbandenjoyed travels to Europeand to Asia. Juneshusband,Marvin, passed away in1991.June livedindependentlyin her Mira Mesahomeuntil theageof94whenshe movedtoTorreyPines

AssistedLiving. Juneissurvived by her twodaughters,Sandra (Bow)Bowman,and Sharon(Dale)Hebl,four grandchildren, Tiffany Hunt, Ryan Lorello,Tara Shuman,and Scott Hebl,andseven greatgrandchildren, Connor Hunt,JacksonHunt, Julian Lorello,Savannah Shuman, TrevorShuman, KassenHebl,KyleighHebl, and AudraJuneHebl. Burial washeld at El Camino Mortuary inn Sorrento Valleyon January20,2021.A celebrationoflifewillbe held at alaterdate. PleasesigntheGuestBookonline obituaries.sandiegouniontribune.com

Michael wasalsoan athlete. When young in Montreal,hechose boxing.Hereached andparticipatedinthe provincial GoldenGloves events collecting afew impressivetrophies butnotthegold.When he retired,hetookup archery. And,aswith otherinterests,he proceeded to excelby competinginsenior competitions,including the SeniorOlympicsall overtheUSA,wherehe collectedmanymedals.

Michaeland Lydia traveledthe world, visiting Australia, South America,andseveral countriesin Europe.

Michael wassadly predeceased by his daughterMonica Michele andson MichaelJr.His

Michael,alwaysthe dappergentleman, was generous to afault; sharingwhathehadwith hisfamilyandhelpingout friends.Wherehelived, untilhealthpreventedit, he wasthego-toperson to repairand refinish furnitureforfriendsand residents.

Michael’s family wouldlike to takethis opportunitytothankthe wonderfulstaff at the Casadelas Campanas AssistedLivingandHealth Centre foralltheircare andhelp at thissadand difficulttime.Adeeply heartfeltthanks to the hospicestaff at Comfort and Peace. Acelebrationoflife and/orintermentdate ispending.Condolence messagesmaybesentto mhginger92@gmail.com PleasesigntheGuestBookonline obituaries.sandiegouniontribune.com

Stephen Allen Stoven

August14,1944 -December24,2022

SANDIEGO— StephenAllen“Steve” Stoven,lovinghusband, father,stepfather,brother andson, wasbornin Milwaukee,WI.,movedto Billings,MT, in December 1954,then to SanDiego, CA,inDecember 1956. In 2003,movedtoCookville, TN,andin2005,movedto Old Hickory, TN. Heissurvived by his fourthwife, Heather McKeehan-NealStoven,daughter, Julie Gillespie,son,Jon Stoven,(Shannon), four grandchildren, Dylan, Jordyn,Siennaand Jack,stepsons Benjamin andChristianNeal, stepson RandyLinn,and stepdaughterTracy Linn, herson Devin,sister, SueStoven-Waller,and nieces MarciaNooneand TrishHummel.Hewas precededindeath by his motherElaineandfather Smokey.

Growingup,Steve enjoyedfamilytime, includingcamping at Yellowstone,Yosemite and Cuyamaca.Steve wasanamateurboating enthusiastandloverof life.

Steveattended ClairemontHigh Schoolin SanDiego,beforeserving his countryinthe U.S. Army duringthe1960’s. He wasstationedin Heidelberg, Germany, asa truckdriver,achievingthe rankofsergeant. Afterthreefailed

marriages,Steve met Heatherin2001and theymarriedin2003. Healwayssaid,“shehad anoldsoulandhe was young at heart”They were aperfect match.

Beforeretiringin

2014,Steveworked inOperationsas Administrator at Solistics inOld Hickory. Stevehad alongbattle with COPD,butit was cancerthatwasthefinal blow. Hepassed away peacefully,athishomeon Christmaseve, December 24,2021,withHeather,his devotedwifeof19years, andfamily,byhisside. On afutureday,a CelebrationofLifefor Stevewillbeheldwhere hisasheswillbescattered intheoceanoffSan Diego. Donationsmaybemade inSteve’sname to the ASPCAoralocalanimal shelter. PleasesigntheGuestBookonline obituaries.sandiegouniontribune.com

DIEGO VERDAGUER •1951-2022

LifeTributes

SANDIEGO— DonW.Mitchellpassed away peacefullywhile surrounded by family membersonJanuary

19,2022,in Carlsbad, following acourageous andlengthybattlewith Parkinson’s.

Donwasbornathis grandfather’s farmhouse inMt. Perry, Ohio,onJune 22,1928, to Ralphand SaraMitchell(Sterrett).

Upon graduationfrom GlenfordHigh School, heimmediatelyenlisted intheNavalAviation Midshipmanprogram.

It wasanine-year commitment: twoyears of college,thenfiveyears ofactivedutyasaNavy pilot, followedbytwo moreyearsof collegethat allowedyou to obtaina degreeinany profession youchose.Theoldestof fourboys,allofwhom servedinthemilitary, he wasthefirstpersoninhis familytree to graduate from college.Heearned anundergraduate degree in Accountingin1954 and aJ.D.in1957,both fromtheUniversityof Colorado (CU),while alsoflyingintheNavy ReservesProgram during hisschooling. While at CU,Don metthelove ofhislife,

June22,1928 -January19,2022

ofhis ownpocketand amountedtothe cost of twopostagestamps, which wererequiredon theenvelope containing hissubmission to run for office. He wasamember ofthe Scripps Memorial Hospital Foundation formanyyearsandalso servedastheChairmanof the BoardofTrusteesof Scripps.

SusanBrownofNorth Hollywood,also aCU student. They were marriedin1956and relocatedtoSanDiego, CA,beforemoving to Cardiff,CA,in1958. Don joined Ward Kimball’s law practiceindowntown Encinitas,CA,in1962, whereKimball&Mitchell wasborn;theymayhave beentheonlylawyersin Encinitas at thetime.

Donwasinvolvedwith Toastmasters,Encinitas YMCA,andtheEncinitas CommunityResource Center.Hewaselectedto theSanDieguitoUnion High School Boardof Trustees,whereheserved from1964-1979and wasthe BoardPresident from1966-1972.He was proudofthefactthathis totallifetimecampaign contributionscameout

Donwas amember ofthe RotaryClubof Encinitasand greatly enjoyedthe relationships establishedandnurtured overeveryWednesday lunches for50-plus years. Hehad awonderful group offriendsthatheplayed pokerwithoncea month wherethenight’s“big winner”wouldbelucky to takehome$5.He was an avidrunner,starting with aYMCA-supported programinthe’60s called“Run ForYourLife.” Heenteredacountless numberof10Keventsand wasactivelyrunningpast age75.

After40years ofthe activepracticeoflaw, Donretired at theageof 70.He continued to act as atrustee,executor, andfiduciaryforclients andcharitabletrustswho requestedthatofhim untilage85.

John CrossWebster

February23,1920 -December29,2021

Theylatermoved to Iowa City, whereJohnbegan work on aPhDprogram inpsychoacoustics,the scientificstudyofsound perception.

Throughitall,Don was most focusedonhis family.Hewas aman ofincrediblepatience, honesty, and good temperament. He was agood listener,filled withwisdom,andhada wholesome,positivespirit bornfromhisfamily-first mid-westernroots.Helaid astrong foundation for familymembers to follow. Hewillbemissed,buthis legacyremainssecure withthosehe touched and foreverloved.

Donissurvived by his wifeof65years,Susan Mitchell; twochildren, Scott Mitchell(Lisa)of SanClemente,CA,and Laurie Owen (Brad)of Carlsbad,CA;andthree grandchildren,Kelsey MitchellofSanClemente, Sam OwenofSanDiego and Matt Owenof Chicago,IL.

Charitabledonationsin hismemorymay bemade to the Boys andGirlsClub ofSanDieguito, wherehe servedasatrusteeofthe foundation.

Acelebrationof Don’s lifewillbeheldon Friday, February11at10:30 a.m. at Solana Beach PresbyterianChurch, wherehewas amember since1959. PleasesigntheGuestBookonline obituaries.sandiegouniontribune.com

nearby villageandtaking extendedtripsin Europe in aVWcamper.

Everlasting memories of lovedones

EL CAJON— StephenC.Shoemaker passed away onJanuary 6,2022inSanDiego, California.Stevewas borninSiouxCity, Iowa, onJuly15,1941,the onlychildofHarold andDalethShoemaker. SteveattendedIowa Falls High Schoolandlater theUniversityofIowa. He wasa memberof Phi Delta Theta Fraternity and graduatedwitha Bachelor’s Degree in1964.

AftergraduationSteve joinedtheUnitedStates Navy.Heenteredflight training at theNavalAir Training Command at Pensacola,FL, receiving hiswingsin1966.He wasthenstationed at MiramarNavalBaseinSan Diego,Californiawhere hebegantraininginthe

F-4 Phantom(Squadron 121).He wasreassigned to FighterSquadron 92aboardtheUSS Enterprise.Steve flew174 combatmissionsduring hisfirst tourin Vietnam. At 28 yearsold,Steve joinedtheBlueAngels andflewwiththe demonstration team for the1969-1970seasons. Hissecond yearhe was theirleadsolo(#5).

Afterhistimewith theBlueAngels,Steve returned to Vietnamon theUSS Constellation. Stevewas awardedthe SilverStar forshooting downanenemyMiG-17.

proudly raisedtheirfamily in ahomefullofendless activitiesandpets.After retiringfromtheairlines, Steveand Kitenjoyed travelingthe U.S.intheir motor coach. Stevewasan avid woodworker,enjoyed hispets,westernmovies, Sundaybrunch,popcorn, theIowa Hawkeyesand allthingshistory. Hehad aloveforsportsthathe passedon to hischildren and grandchildren.He couldoftenbefoundin theeveningenjoyinga bookonhispatiowith hisfavorite scotchanda cigar.

GLENS FALLS,NEW

YORK —JohnCross

Websterdied December 29,2021,inGlens Falls, New York,attheageof 101.Heissurvived by his wifeBarbara,sonsJohn (Nalani), Tom,Bill(Mary), CharlieandDan(Maria), grandchildrenBryant (Audra),Ellis,Kimmianne and Sean,and greatgrandchildrenIsaacand Mirah. John wasborn February23,1920,on his grandfather’s farm nearRunnels,Iowa, to Harry Newtonand Merle Ann (Winegar) Webster.

Heandhismotherleft thefarmafterhisfather diedoftuberculosisin 1923,movingfirst to DesMoinesandthen Iowa City, whereat CityHigh Schooland latertheUniversityof

SANDIEGO,CA—

LoisBaker,passed away onJanuary23,2022,due to age relatedillness,just shyofher91stbirthday. In atrueCircleofLife, Lois’ youngest great-grandson wasbornjusthours beforeherpassing.

Lois,anativeSanDiegan wasborninOceanside, CA and grewupin Fallbrook.She wasthe youngestchildofBilland LoisAnderson. Loisspent herearly yearsoutdoors roamingthe ranchin Fallbrookwithherolder brother,Grant.The ranch wassoldwhen Lois was ateenandherfamily movedtoLaJollaand then to PointLoma.

Lois graduatedfrom PointLoma High School in1948.Duringhigh school Loismether husband-to-be,Daniel Baker,who attendedSt. Augustine High School. Theymet at aparty ofa mutualfriendin Mission Beach.Danand Lois marriedin1950. BothDan and Lois graduatedfrom SanDiegoState College whereLoisobtaineda

Iowa hestudiedmusic anddevelopedinto an accomplishedclarinet player. He graduated with abachelor’s degree inmusicin1941anda master’s in1943. With WorldWarII underway, Johnserved as acivilianinstructorat anarmy air corpstraining facilityatYaleUniversity in1943and1944, teaching radiooperators deploying to Europethe fundamentalsoftheir bombers’radiosets.After the twoyears at the radio school,hetookajob asanacoustic research engineerwithC.G. Conn, thebandinstrument maker,inElkhart, Indiana. WhileinElkhartin1945, he wasmarried to Mary Bryant,whomhehad metwhilebothservedas radioinstructors at Yale.

In 1947John accepted aposition in apsychoacoustic researchunit at theNavy ElectronicsLaboratory (NEL)inSanDiego.Heand Mary movedtoSanDiego, livinginthe communityof Pacific Beach,wherefive sonsand adaughterwere bornbetween1948and 1958(thedaughter, Mary Ann,diedininfancy), returningbriefly to Iowa Cityin1951whileJohn completedhis PhD. Dr.Websterhada longanddistinguished career at NEL,wherehe publishednumerous professionalpapers and wasactiveinthe Acoustical Societyof America.Outsideofthe labheplayedclarinet intheLaJollaCivic Orchestra,sanginthe Pacific Beach Methodist Churchchoir,and coached littleleaguebaseball.In 1959andagainin1966, hearrangedexchangesin whichhespentthe year working at aresearch laboratoryinCambridge, England,whilelivingwith hisfamilyoffiveboys ina

March13,1931 -January23,2022

degreeineducationand her teachingcredential. Lois’first teachingjob was at FrontierElementary Schoollocatedoff Midway DriveinPointLoma. Lois furtheredhereducation and receivedhermaster’s degreeinspecial education.Shetaught second gradeandspecial education at KitCarson ElementarySchoolin Linda Vista formanyyears. Danand Lois raisedtheir twodaughters,Leslieand Kathy, in PointLoma. Lois wasactiveinmanyclubs including Makua,Bridge, Pi Beta Phi, Investment Club,PointLoma Association, PointLoma

Assembly,Wednesday Clubandmore. Loisso enjoyedhertimewith WednesdayCluband servedontheboardfor several years.Loisserved ontheSanDiego County GrandJuryinthe1980’s. Danand Loishada richsociallifefilledwith treasuredfriendships. Theytraveledthe world ontheir ownandwith friends.BothDanand Loischerishedtheirfive grandchildrenand were “handson”grandparents. Each grandchild was lovedandcherished.

Lois waspredeceased by herhusband,Danin 2017,andherdaughter Kathleen Hibbetsin 2012.Sheissurvived by herdaughter, Leslie Harringtonof PointLoma; her grandchildrenBlake Harrington(Michelle)of SanJosedel Cabo; Todd Harringtonof Pinehurst, NC; RossHarrington (Rachael)of PointLoma; JimOliver(Lindsay)of Virginia Beach;Shannon Leyko (Aaron)of Virginia Beachbutstationed acrossthe countrywith

In thelater1960sand early1970shis work at thenavy labincreasingly involvedobservation and testingaboardnaval shipsatsea,oftenin distantoceans.These travels tookhim to many foreignlands,providing opportunities forhis hobbyofphotography butalso requiring extendedabsences fromhomeandfamily.

In 1975heand Mary were divorced, andJohn retired to upstate New York wherein1977he wasmarried to Barbara Jancar.The remainder ofhislifewasspent at theirhomeinthe Adirondack Mountains nearChestertownandon frequenttrips together to far-awayplacesaround the world.

It wasJohn’s wishthat aportionofhisashes beburiednexttohis daughter’sgrave at El Camino Memorial Park in hisfamily’s hometownof SanDiego.Acelebration ofhislifewillbeheld at El Caminoandonlineon February10at1:30.

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the CoastGuard;andnine great-grandchildren. We willmiss Lois’ opinions.Asshesaid, “oftenwrongbutnever indoubt”– she was mostoftenright. We will missherincredible work ethic,alwaysplanning aninterestingouting, correctingour grammar, thebeautiful,andhealthy, mealssheenjoyed preparing forus, andher willingness to alwayshelp.

Ourprofoundthanks to thestaff at ActivCare MissionBayforproviding compassionate careand comfortinLois’finaldays andthroughoutherstay.

ACelebrationofLife willbeheld at the BaliHai Restaurantin PointLomaon March 27th,4:00PM–7:00PM. Memorialdonationsmay bemade to TheSanDiego FoundationDanieland LoisBaker Scholarship Fundc/o TheSanDiego Foundation:2508 Historic Decatur Rd.,Ste200,San Diego,CA92106 PleasesigntheGuestBookonline obituaries.sandiegouniontribune.com

Towardstheendofhis navalcareerStevemet Kit;theymarriedin1973. Stevebeganhiscareer asanairline Captain for PSAwhichlaterbecame USAirways.KitandSteve

Stevewaspreceded indeath by hiswifeKit. Heissurvived by his3 children,Stacy(Tod) Sarkela,Stephanie (Aaron) Silberand Scott (Ashley) Shoemakerandhis6 grandkids,Gunnar,Asher, Noah, Gabi,Grantand Gianna. Serviceswillbeheld at MiramarNational CemeteryonFebruary 24,2022 at 11:30amwith aCelebrationofLifeto follow. PleasesigntheGuestBookonline obituaries.sandiegouniontribune.com

August19,1930 -December24,2021

SANDIEGO —Minta wasborninAlbany, New York to Jamesand MargueriteTetley.She livedinSanDiegomost ofherlifeandhadone brother,James TetleyJr. Mintagraduatedfrom HooverHigh School whereshemadelifelong friends.She continued hereducation at Colorado Springs College.The love ofherlife, Eugene Ricard, waswaiting for herbackinSanDiego andthey were marriedin 1950. They celebrated69 yearsofmarriagebefore Eugene’s passingin2019. Theyhad fourchildren: Connie,Ricky, Jesseand Peter. While raisingher children, Mintacompleted hereducation at San DiegoState University. She went on to become anelementaryschool teacherwhichshe enjoyeddoing forover30 years.

Minta’slovefor teachingchildrenmade her afunandadventurous mother.Traveling, camping,going to the beach,entertaining, andspendingtimewith familyandfriends were mostimportanttoher. Minta’shomeandheart were open to all.She was alwaysthereforthose

Jose THurtado

September6,1953 -January19, 2022

sheloved, to encourage andsupportthem.Her generosityextended farbeyondfriendsand family,asshe waswilling to helpanyoneinneed. She wasa practicaljoker, dogloverandalwaysa joy to bearound.

Minta’sotherpassions includedPTA, Zeta-Rho andnumerousother volunteerservices.She wasinstrumentalin creatingandleading theHooverHigh School Alumni Association for manyyears.

Mintaissurvived by her fourchildren,eleven grandchildren,andfifteen greatgrandchildren. Mintawas at peaceatthe endofherlife, assuredof herfaithinthe Lord and her reward inheaven. PleasesigntheGuestBookonline obituaries.sandiegouniontribune.com

SPRING VALLEY —Jose, 68. Retiredfrom Rohr 2020.Survived by wifeLinda;children Joseph, Priscilla;three grandchildren;sixsiblings. Greenwoodmemorial. com. PleasesigntheGuestBookonline obituaries.sandiegouniontribune.com

GeorgeSantayana

Sign aguest book for someoneonthis page. Share memoriesand express condolences intheonline Guest Booksnow available withThe SanDiegoUnionTribune’sDeathNotices. You canalsoviewphotos,send flowers, finddirectionsand donatetocharities. To write or readguest bookentries, pleasevisit: obituaries.utsandiego.com

LoisA.Baker

Don W. Mitchell

MintaAnn Ricard

“Thereis nocurefor birthand deathsave toenjoythe interval.”

LifeTributes

Joseph J. Pallazola

June11,1928 -January20,2022

Everlasting memories of lovedones

SANDIEGO— Joseph Pallazola “Joe Pal”,93,diedpeacefully at hishomeinSanDiego withhiswifeCarolandhis sister-in-lawLinda Dennis at hisside.

Joe wasbornin

Gloucester,MA,onJune 11,1928, to Gasparand Grace(Nicastro) Pallazola. Agraduate ofSt.Ann High School,heenjoyed singingandacting inchurch(choir)and communityproductions (CapeAnn TheaterGuild). Healsodirectedand actedinmanyshows for StAnn Parishinthe’60s.

As ateenageself-taught musician,heplayedwith severallocalbandsand soon formedhis own group–“TheJoe Pal Quartet.”Theyplayed at manyNorthShore restaurants,lounges, clubs,andhundredsof weddingsandfamily events.

Besidesmusic,Joe worked avarietyofjobs, including:fishingwith his grandfather,father, uncles,and cousins,fish cuttingandinstructing andJoe Kyrouz Meat Marketwhereheusedhis abilitytospeakSicilian to manycustomers. Thelastjobhelped himsupporthis growing family(7children).

Uponhis relocation to SanDiego,having beeninvolvedwith theAFMmusician’s union(presidentof 324Gloucesterlocal), hejoined Local325in SanDiegoandbecame presidentin1986-1995.

These were problematic years,butunderJoe’s leadership,the Local

becamefinanciallystable. Healso remodeledthe buildingseveraltimesand updatedthephoneand computersystems.

Duringthattime, heplayedwithmany talentedandspecial musicians(toomanyto mention)as asideman orleader.Afterhis retirementfromthe presidency, Joe continued to playgigs.Hislast gig wasata nursinghome on December22,2021, wherehewasolderthan mostofthe residents!

As afaithful Catholic, Joebecame very involved at St. Mary Magdalene ChurchinSanDiego.He wasa lectorand adaily mass attendeewherehe ledthe Rosaryfor35 years andtheChapletofDivine Mercyforthelast25 years andheld aprayergroup at hishome forover40 years.Heandhiswife Carolandfriends formed agroupcalledtheDivine MercyMovementofSan Diego.Theypromoted thedevotion for25 yearsandsponsored 23 conferences,some havingmorethan1000 attendees.Hewanted everyone to know how mercifulour Lord is.

In the40plus yearsthat helivedinSanDiego,Joe tookmanytrips “back home”tovisitfamilyand friends (his wifeworked forDeltaAirlines).He alwayshad his sax with himandplayedinchurch withhisdaughterLuAnn, localnursinghomes, familyparties,community concerts,senior center jamsessions,andof course,sittinginwith hislife-longbuddyHerb Pomeroy,whohadhisfirst paidjobwithJoe(for$6 each).

He wasanactive memberofthe Knights of Columbus(council 215)andbecameGrand Knight. As anactive memberoftheBPO Elks Lodge892,he becameExaltedRuler;He remainedanElksmember uponhisarrivalinSan Diego.Hereached over65 yearsmembership.

Joe Palwas awarm, loving,kind,funny, talentedmanwhomade animpressiononall whomethim. We willall misshim,especiallyhis beautifulsmile!

In addition to hiswife Carol(Newell) Pallazola, Josephissurvived by hischildren Gaspar “Gap”Pallazola(Patricia) of Ipswich, MA,Michael Pallazola(Patricia)of Gloucesterand Lucy “LuAnn”Pallazolaof Gloucester;grandchildren

Steven Curcuru,Erin Pallazola, Megan Pallazola, Christina Kalinowski, Alicia Tarr,YvettePallazola, and Michael PallazolaJr.; great-grandchildren,Julia, Gray,and Gaspar Njoroge, Fern Kalinowski,Alexis LaFontant.

ElsieBurtonHaake

April16,1925 -January18,2022

Joeisalsosurvived by hisbrother Vincent Pallazola (Jane)of Gloucester,sister MaryAnn Fittroof Gloucester,sister-in-law Linda Dennis(Lloyd “LD”) ofthe Villagesin Florida, brother-in-lawDana Newell (Cindy)alsoofthe Villages.Hewillalsobe missed by manynieces, nephews, and cousins.

In addition to his parents,Joe was predeceased by former wifeGrace (Catania) Veerman,sons Peter P. Pallazola,Joseph J. Pallazola,Christopher J. Pallazola,anddaughter SaraJean Tarr. He wasalsopredeceased by hisin-laws,WilliamC. andEstherNewell,and brothers-in-lawFrancis Fittroand WilliamE Newell.

AFuneral Masswill takeplaceinSanDiego

February19at11am at St Mary Magdalene 1945 IllionSt. Rosary, and ChapletofDivine Mercy willprecedethe Mass at 10am.Due to Covid restrictions,aCelebration ofLifewilltakeplaceata futuredate. Burialserviceswilltake placeinGloucester,MA, at alaterdate.

In lieuofflowers, donationsmaybe made to:Memorialson Eden Hill https://www. memorialsonedenhill. org/donate (Supports the Marians to spreadthe messageofDivine Mercy anddevotion to Mary) orHoly Family Parish(St. AnnChurch),74 Pleasant Street,Gloucester, Massachusetts01930. PleasesigntheGuestBookonline obituaries.sandiegouniontribune.com

CARLSBAD —Jack Millsdiedpeacefully, surrounded by loved ones,onDecember6, 2021.He was93years old.Jack grewupin Waldoboro, Maineand, althoughheleftatthe ageof17,he remaineda “Maine Man”.

Afterhighschool graduation,hetraveled by bus to Oceanside, Californiatowork constructionwithhis brother,Neil.They builtmanyofthesmall duplexesthatstill standinOlde Carlsbad today. While attending Oceanside-Carlsbad Junior College,Jack discoveredthat construction waswhathe lovedtodo.

HeservedintheNavy intheir Construction Battalion (CB),more commonly knownas the“Sea Bees”. He was stationedin Bermuda, Cuba,andNewfoundland.

In 1968, workingas acarpenterduringthe week,Jackspenthis weekendsbuildinga home forhiswifeand two kids.Asheworked,his children, Lori and Troy, playedinthedirtand climbedthetreesonthe groundwhereitwasbuilt. They grewupinthehouse thatJackbuilt. Years laterhis grandchildren, Nick,Courtney,Nate,and Morgan wouldplayinthe samedirtandclimbthe sametreesinthehouse that“Papa”built. Jackbuiltmany schools,firestations, militarybasesandhomes throughout Southern California. In hisspare time,he“played”inhis workshop,building cabinetsand workingona widearrayofprojects.He trulylovedhistrade.

Jack’s otherpassions includedboating,dune buggies,golf,camping, andnature. In theearly 1960’s, hebelonged to the Pacific PowerBoat Clubandspentmany weekendsbuildingor racingboats.Duringthat

time,healsoacquireda love forgolfandjoined the Carlsbadchapterof the Mexican-American Golf Association.Upon retirement,he workedas amarshal at “GoatHill” golf coursein Oceanside. Heusedhisearnings to fundgolftripsback to his homestate of Maineand foradreamtripgolfing throughNew Zealand. Intheearly70’sJack built adunebuggy.His familyenjoyedtrips to thedunesofGlamis,CA to campandbuggyin thesand.Inaddition, thefamilyspentmany summerstravelingacross countrytovisit Maine in acampercraftedby Jack.Thosesummers stillstandoutassome ofhischildren’s fondest memories. In hisdowntime, Jackenjoyedreading, solvingSudokupuzzles, and watchingsports.His teams were the Boston RedSox andtheNew England Patriots,of course! Above all,Jack valuedhardworkand resourcefulness.The foundationofthese values wasrootedinhis deep commitmentto provide forhisfamily, whichhedidwithoutfail. Hewillbedeeplymissed and foreverloved.His storieswillliveonandbe toldtimeandtimeagain, andtheywillalwaysmake ussmile.

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SANDIEGO— ElsieBurtonHaake,96, passed away peacefully at homeonJanuary18, 2022. She wasbornApril16, 1925,in Lebanon,TN. She grewupon afarm and wasoneofseven childrenofthelate Grover ClevelandBurtonandLela Gibbs. Elsie attendedNashville Business Collegeand workedinNashville,TN.

Aftergraduating,she worked awhilewith the Tennessee Central Railroad.

During WorldWar II,she livedand workedinOak Ridge,TN,withUnion Carbideonthe Manhatten Project.

Duringtheevening, threetimes aweek, she servedasaRedCross Nurse’s Aide. She wasalso amember ofthe K-25 CarbideGirls Club.

WhileinOakridge,TN, Elsiemet EugeneHaake andmarriedonJanuary 20,1951, at thehistorical Chapelonthe Hill.

Elsieand Eugenemoved to Ft. Worth, TX,where theylived for10yearsand

raisedtheirthreechildren.

WhilelivinginFt. Worth, Elsie wasamember ofAmericanBusiness Women’s Association andtheLaJollaChapter ofOharaSchoolof Ikebana (Japanese Flower Arrangements). Shewasalso amember of TrinityLutheranChurch and Ridglea Hills Garden Club.

Elsieenjoyedflower arranging,gardening, and growingorchidsand roses. She wasalsointerested ininteriordecoratingand design.

Elsie,Eugene,andthe childrenmovedtoSan Diego,CA,in1962.

Elsiebecame amember

Michael PatrickBrown August2,1960 -December15,2021

SANDIEGO— Michael PatrickBrown, age61,diedpeacefully on December15,2021, surrounded by hisloving family.Michael wasa belovedfather,son, brother,and grandfather, butmostofall,he was anextraordinaryhuman being. Michaelwillbe remembered forhis generousand kindnature, hisselflessdevotion to others,andhisdedication to the Knightsof Columbus.Michaelspent timeboating,cycling, andsurfing.Heenjoyed hostingfriendsandfamily at his restaurantinSan Diego.Hewas alifelong baseballand footballfan supportingthe Padres andChargers. Above allelse,he wasa familyman. What brought Michaelthemostjoywas spendingtimewithhis twodaughtersandhis grandchildren.

Michaelissurvived by hisdaughters: Candace andJacqueline;his mother,Sandra;his brother,Robert;his sister,Mimi;andhis two grandchildren:Charlotte and Ford.

In lieuofflowers,the familyhasprovided alink to donateto the Pancreatic Cancer Foundationinhisname PANCAN. PleasesigntheGuestBookonline obituaries.sandiegouniontribune.com

ofClairemontLutheran Church,wheresheserved onseveral committees.

She wasamember oftheAltarGuildand Women’s Group forover 48 years. Elsie wasveryactivein her community. She workedas atravel agentfor15+years and co-ownedBayPark Cruises &Tours. Herhobbiesincluded sewing,quilting,creating porcelainlacedraped dolls,andmakingjewelry. Shedesignedand copywritedpretzel jewelrywiththe words Faith,Hope,andCharity called Pretzels &Prayers. Elsiealsolovedcooking andbaking,and collected hundredsof cookbooks. She wasanexcellent gourmet cook. Sheandherhusband Eugenetraveled extensively to various partsofthe worldand tooknumerouscruises.

At age80and81, for herbirthday, she went skydiving.

At age83,she wasasked to modelclothing fora women’s fashiondress storecalledDraper’s&

Damon’s inLaJolla, CA. Shemodeled fortwo years. Elsiehad abeautiful smileand ayouthfullook, andalwaysmaintaineda generouslovingspirit. Shewillbemissed dearly. Elsieissurvived by her sonRonaldHaakeand daughterJanetHaake ofSanDiego,CA,and daughterBarbaraHaake of Plano,TX. Viewingwillbeon Tuesday, February8, from12:00 -4:00 PM at ClairemontMortuary (4266MtAbernathyAve, SanDiego). Agravesideservicewill beheldon Wednesday February9,at11:00 AMat El Camino Memorial Park /Freedom Terrace(5600 Carroll Canyon Rd,San Diego) In lieuofflowers, donationscanbemade to Helen Woodward Animal Center,SanDiego Humane Society, orany otheranimalorchildren’s charityofchoice.

PleasesigntheGuestBookonline obituaries.sandiegouniontribune.com

SandraMarie ElderDay August20,1936 -January21,2022

SANDIEGO —Sandra MarieElderDaypassed away peacefully surrounded by thelove ofherfamilyandfriends. She wasdedicated to herfamilyandher community, serving inmanyvolunteer andleadership roles throughoutherlife, the last50 yearsofwhich were inSanDiego.She wasa championof women’s rightsandpublic education. Agraduate ofbothStanford(1958) and Radcliffe(1959), she wasanavid reader, traveler,foodlover, social commentator, andtheatergoer.Sheis survived by her 3children (Rosemarie,Chapin,and Roby),theirspouses (Steve, ElenaandDawn), and 8grandchildren (Kate, Andrew,Ellie,Rue, Sophia,Jasper,Jordan,

andJackie).She was predeceased by her husband,Chapin Walker Day, Jr.Burialwillbewith him at MiramarNational Cemetery. Amemorial servicewillbeheldin February. Please consider adonationinherhonor to theAmerican Association ofUniversityWomen. PleasesigntheGuestBookonline obituaries.sandiegouniontribune.com

LAJOLLA—

Deborah T. Cooperman passed away onJanuary 22,2022,afteralong battlewithbraincancer. Born and raisedinthe San FranciscoBay Area and Ventura, California, she graduatedas valedictorianfrom Mills High School,Millbrae, California,in1972,and subsequently Magnacum laudefrom Westmont CollegeSantaBarbara, Californiain1976.She thenpursued acareer in X-raytechnologyand ultrasound,working at SequoiaHospitalin RedwoodCity, California. Lifetookhereast to Connecticutin1982, whereshe continuedher career at theUniversity of Connecticutandoffice practice. Shemovedto theSanDiegoareain 1996,accompanyingher husband’s retirement. Shethenembarkedona newinterest,becoming aninstructorandsales associate at theGreat NewsCooking Schooland Cookware in Pacific Beach. Her rangeofpersonal skillsandactivities were considerable,beinga superbswimmerand lovinglong-distance running,hiking,tennis, sailing,windsurfing,

andskiing.She wasa greatcookandbread maker,enjoyedpuzzles, andcreating great alliterationsaspartofher gift messages,alongwith beautifulcalligraphy. She hadanenormouscapacity forempathyand kindness and wasa greatlistener, whichdrewpeople to her. Herphysicianhusband alwayssaidshe would have made asuperb doctor. Remembrances forher canbesenttoKPBSSan Diego. Sheissurvived by her husbandLarry (shethe love ofhislifeandhe thelove ofhers),her sister TamaraFedunof Austin, Texas,andfather MarloweTylerofSanJuan Capistrano,California. PleasesigntheGuestBookonline obituaries.sandiegouniontribune.com

ShirleyAnn Belden

January24,1936 -January3,2022

SANDIEGO—

AnativeofSanDiego, ShirleyAnn Belden was bornJanuary24,1936and diedonJanuary3,2022.

Sheissurvived by her husbandof66 years Don Belden,theirdaughters Carolyn, Becky, Ann,10 grandchildren,19 greatgrandchildrenandher brother WeldonHavins. Shirley waspreceded indeath by hermother, father,brother,sister, andherdaughterNancy Belden-Martinez.

Deborah T. Cooperman November27,1954 -January22,2022

Jack B. Mills August22,1928 -December6,2021

LifeTributes

Ruth Virginia Waldsmith

June5,1929 -January19,2022

Everlasting memories of lovedones

January21,1924 -December15,2021

ESCONDIDO —Our motherpassed away the morningofJanuary19, 2022, at 92 yearsofage, inEscondido,CA. Mom lovedand wasloved by many. We have many beautifulmemoriesofher thatwillliftusupduring thistimeofsadnessand reflection. Ruth wasborntoEarl Warnerand FloraAnne BiggsinCleveland,Ohio, onJune5,1929. Waiting to welcomeher to the family,alongwithher parentsand grandparents, was5-year-oldsister, Janet.

MomlivedinLakewood, Ohio,and attended schoolsthere, graduating fromLakewood High School(1947)and continuedhereducation at BowlingGreenState University, graduating with aBachelor’s Degree in Education,hoping to becomeanelementary school teacher.She wasa proud FalconandAlpha Delta Pi sororitysister. Sheenjoyedvisitingthe campusasanadultwhile ontrips to seefamily, friendsand attendhigh schoolclassreunions

Momstayedintouchwith severalofherclassmates and roommatesfrom college,celebrating birthdays andholidays fromafaruntiltheend. HerfriendJeanandI recentlyspoke,reminding meshe wastheonewho arrangedtheblinddate forEugene Karl (Gene, Wally) Waldsmithand Ruth,which wasthe beginningof alonglastingfriendshipand marriage.

Ruthand Wallymarried June12,1951,just afew days afterRuth’s 22nd birthdayandtheir college graduation. Ashorttime

CARLSBAD—

Captain RobertL. Murrill,aproud veteran oftheUnitedStatesNavy, passed away peacefully onNovember25,2021, in Carlsbad,California.

Thesonof Randall T. Murrill,Sr.,and Mary Elise Stophlet, Robertwasborn in Bonne Terre, MO,on May20,1926,and grew upin Fredericktown, MO,wherehegraduated from FredericktownHigh Schoolin1943. At theageof17, Robert joinedtheUnitedStates Navy by enrollingin the V-12programfor acceleratedofficer training.Whileinthe Navy,heearnedhis

Bachelor’s Degreefrom NorthwesternUniversity inChicago,Illinois,and (later)his Master’s Degree fromStanfordUniversity in PaloAlto, California.He valuedhismilitaryservice highlyand attainedthe rankof Captain, retiringin 1974asthe Commodore ofSubmarine DevelopmentGroup Oneofthe Pacific at Fort Rosecrans,CA. As partof hisserviceoverthe course

afteradjusting to married life, dadwassentto participate intheKorean War. Theirfirstbornchild, Frederick(Fred, Freddy), wasbornin1952. The family continued growing withGreta,bornin1955, followedbyAmy in 1956andNancyin1960. Youngestdaughter, Anne, wasbornin1966.

In Autumn1960,the familypackedupand movedtoCalifornia, leavingthe coldOhio wintersbehind.We rememberthestories mom toldofgetting uschildrensituated onourfirstplane ride, withNancyina bassinet attached to thefrontwall ofthe row, justsixmonths old;momhandlingitall so well.Dadhadgone ahead to startwork.

Afteryoungestdaughter, Anne,wasinschool,itwas time forRuth to goback to school tocontinueher education.Sheachieved amedicalassistant certificate andbecamea memberofthe California Certified Medical Assistants.Sheenjoyed working forDr. Loring,Dr. Aden-Wansbury, andDr. Pardoe,whoseofficeshe retiredfromin1991.

Ruthand Wally became grandparents to grandsons: Tyrenin1980 and Trentonin1982; and

in 2003, granddaughter, Chloe,was born. Momanddad were married37 yearsuntil hisunexpectedpassing in1988,leavingmoma widowattheageof58. Wanting to becloser to hersister,Janet,after livingin Eureka for24 years,shemovedto Escondido,whereshe resideduntilherpassing.

ThroughoutRuth’s life, shekeptbusywith volunteer work with theSt.JosephHospital AuxiliaryasaPinkLady in Eureka,California,the PalomarHospital Pink LadiesinEscondido(you couldfindher greeting everyonewhocame into the gift shop),and alsoasanusherwith the California Center for theArtsbeginningin 1997.Shelovedgreeting patrons,directingthem to theirseatlocation,and theperkofbeingable to enjoythearrayofarts events overthe15+ years she wasable to volunteer.

Ruthlovedtotravelby auto(to visitherchildren and grandchildren),cruise ship(Hawaii,Alaska, Panama Canal),hotair balloon overtheNapa vineyards,dirigible(aka the Goodyearblimp) over SanDiego,internationally (Germany, Austria, Canada, Ireland twice, New Zealand,Australia) anddomestic(toomany places to name).

Sheenjoyedcreating chocolate candydelights, countingcross-stitch, calligraphy, reading, writingpoetry, and watchingliveand televisedsportsofall kinds.OnHalloween, she woulddressupand meettrickortreaters at thedoorstepin costume. Someofhermemorable

Capt.RobertL.Murrill,USN(retired)

May20,1926 -November25,2021

Medal,WWIIVictory Medal,NavyOccupation Medal(Europe),China ServiceMedal,National Defense ServiceMedal (w/BronzeStar),and Submarine Insignia.

costumes were Pinocchio, mermaid,andLittle Miss Muffet. Often,she would beinthekitchenbaking goodies to sharewith others.

Ruthlovedtobesocially connected. Shebecame amemberofAAUW (American Association ofUniversityWomen) in1967,whilelivingin Eureka and continuedas amemberinEscondido, holdingmanyofficer positions.Ruth wasa memberofthe Catholic Widowand Widowers (CWW)inEurekaand inEscondidoand wasa memberoftheEscondido Women’s Club. Ruth waspredeceased by herhusband,Eugene Karl (Wally) in1988; daughter, Annein 2010;anddaughter, Nancyin2020.Surviving momareson, Fred (Arlene);daughters: Greta (Greg)andAmy (Glenn); grandsons: Tyren (Laura), Trenton(Kit); granddaughter, Chloe; and great-grandchildren: Emery, Easton, Everett, and Ava. Afuneralmasswillbe held at 10 AM,Tuesday, February15,2022, at the ChurchofSt. Timothy at 2960 Canyon Road, Escondido,California. Ruthwillbeinterned at Ocean View Cemeteryin Eureka,California,with herhusband. Donationscanbe madeinRuth’s name to Interfaith Community ServicesinEscondido, 550 W. Washington Ave., Escondido,CA92025 or BowlingGreenState UniversityFoundation Inc.,Attn:GiftProcessing, 1851N. ResearchDrive, BowlingGreen,OH43403. PleasesigntheGuestBookonline obituaries.sandiegouniontribune.com

LAJOLLA —Carolyn Yorston Wellcome, anotedandwidely respectedphilanthropist, died at herhomeinLa Jolla, CA,December 15,2021. Carolyn was bornJanuary21,1924 inCincinnatiOhio,to Louis F. and FlorenceH. Weyand.In1960, Carolyn madeherhomeinLa Jolla,whereshewasa benefactressintheArts and Educationuntilher death. Carolynservedas aBoardmember,Trustee and Benefactorofthe AthenaeuminLaJolla,as wellas at TheOldGlobe TheaterinSanDiego,for almostthreedecades.In 2011,sheearnedthetitle of TrusteeEmeritusfrom TheOldGlobe Theater.

Carolyn’s commitments toTheOldGlobe range frominvolvementinthe foundingoftheCraig Noel LegacySociety, manytransformative advancementcampaigns, andhercherished‘Lady

Carolyn’s Pub’ onthe Conrad PrebysTheatre Centerplaza. In addition, Carolynwas asteadfast supporteroftheLaJolla Music Society. She was onthe BoardofDirectors andservedasacharter memberofthe Medallion Society. Foralmosta decadesheservedonthe SummerFest Committee andthe GalaHosting Committeeandshe provided anaming gift forThe Conrad Prebys PerformingArts Center.

Carolyn’s breadthof knowledgeandpassion forthe CulinaryArts extended to the founding of TheCulinaryInstitute ofAmericabranchinLa Jolla.Shejoinedwith JuliaChild to preserve theSimone-Lowenstein collectionof rare books ongastronomyatUCSD’s

GeiselLibrary. Carolyn createdtheEndowment FinancialAid Fund for Bishops School,honoring herfamilytraditionof supportingstudentsand education.Shegenerously supportedFriendsofthe Prado,acharitable group sustainingBalboa Park, TheSanDiego Zooand shehad apreservationist andcharitable role at the LaJolla Historical Society. Formanyyears,Carolyn wasveryinvolvedwith theLaJollaMuseumof ContemporaryArt and theMuseum’s ‘Carolyn’s Cafe’. She wasa trailblazer andaninspiration forall whomether,youngand old.Herinterests were vast,andherheartwas huge.Shegenerously sharedherhomeand timeandopenedher home to artists,musicians, andfriends.Carolyn’s nurturingandelegant style,warmhospitality, energetic zest forlife, touchedsomanyin the communityaround her.Shewillbedeeply missed by herfamily andfriendsaroundthe world. Sheissurvived by hersons,DustyandJohn Teal,her granddaughter Hannah Tealandher threechildren,and by herstepdaughterWendy Stevensandher twosons. PleasesigntheGuestBookonline obituaries.sandiegouniontribune.com

DavidErnestKiss

August17,1955 -January22,2022

of30 years,heearnedthe highest respectofthose whoservedbesidehim andunderhis command. Heleavesbehind alegacy ofdiscipline,honor,and integrityafterserving astheexecutiveofficer oftheUSS Seafox and the commandingofficer oftheUSSBlueback, USS Truckee,and thefleetofmanned, deep-seasubmersibles (Bathyscaphes)used for deep-sea rescueand research.Amongthe numerousmedalsand commendations Robert receivedarethe Legionof Merit(w/GoldStar),Navy Commendation Medal, American Campaign

LouiseBauschHolder

December21,1927 -December5,2021

SPRING VALLEY —Born in Whitehall, Montana, attended cadetnursestraining, graduatinginJune1948. Traveledand workedin multiplecities,finally landinginSanDiego, whereshemetthelove ofherlife, GilHolder. Survived by Daughter Carolyn(Steve)and sonGreg(Marcie)4 grandchildrenandone great-grandchild. Very involved at St. Luke’s LutheranChurch, El Cajon Lutheran ChurchandBibleStudy Fellowship.Although missed,weare comforted to know Louiseis resting

inthearmsofher Loving Savior,JesusChrist.A memorialservicewillbe heldonSaturday, Feb. 19th,2022 at Mt. Miguel Covenant,Bailey Center at 2pm,325KemptonSt, Spring Valley,Ca. PleasesigntheGuestBookonline obituaries.sandiegouniontribune.com

OnApril21,1949, Robertmarriedthelove ofhislife, Jeanne Manson, from Desloge,MO. Jeanne wasa devoted wifeandmotherwho steppedupandledthe familythrough Robert’s manydeployments and temporaryduty assignments.Robert’s careerintheNavy providedopportunities forthefamily to call severalinterestingplaces homein California, Florida, Connecticut, Virginia,andHawaii. Jeannepassed away in July2014. Togetherthey were married for65years. Robertissurvived by hisdaughter, Terry; his daughter, Sandraandher husband,Scott Evans;and hisson,Larry,andhiswife, CharleneLarsen. Robert has four grandchildren: Gina Perezandher husband,Francis,Amy Stanley,andherhusband,

Josh; Ryan Evansandhis wife, Cyntra;andSarah Fravel.His foursurviving great-grandchildrenare WillowStanley,Wilder Stanley,Nathan Perez, and Myles Evans.Heis alsosurvived by hissister, Elise McHenry, andher children, Mark andLisa. As afather,husband, uncle,andbrother,Robert willbe remembered forhispatriotism, commitmenttofamily, passion forgolfing andtraveling,andhis entrepreneurialspirit as founderandCEOof BluebackEnterprises, International,uponhis retirementfromthe Navy.Robertserved asaninspiration to others by hisexample ofunwaveringhigh standards,workethic,and businesscreativity.

OnJanuary27,2022, RobertL.Murrill,Sr.,was rememberedduring afull MilitaryHonor Guardserviceandburial ceremonyheld at Miramar National Cemetery, attended by membersof theimmediate family. PleasesigntheGuestBookonline obituaries.sandiegouniontribune.com

Maria Cruz(Hernandez) Salas 1937 -2022

OCEANSIDE— OnJanuary31st, Maria passed away at home surrounded by loved ones.Maria wasborn at homein Oceanside to DavidHernandez and Trinidad(Nolasco) Hernandez. Mariawillbe greatly missed by allwholoved her.

Mariaissurvived by herhusband,brothers, sisters,sons,daughters, grandchildren,and great-grandchildren.

Preciousmemorieswill fillourheartswithlove

and gratitude.May God restherbeautifulsoul. PleasesigntheGuestBookonline obituaries.sandiegouniontribune.com

SANDIEGO— David Kiss(66)passed away onJanuary22,2022, fromlungcancer.Hewas bornonAugust17,1955, to Ernieand Kathleen (Kay)Kiss.Hegrewupand livedmostofhislifein South Oceanside.

Before graduatingfrom Oceanside High Schoolin 1973,hebegan working forhisdadandmom at North County Printers, establishedin1960and locatedonSouth Hill Street. Thisiswherehe learnedtheprinting business.Davidlatertook overhisparent’sprinting businessafterhisfather Erniepassed away.Over the years,healsoacquired alocalsignshop to add to hisprintingbusiness services.Hewas asmall business owner forover thirty-fiveyears.After sellingtheprintandsign shop,hecontinued to be anactivebusinessman withhisBanner Company untilhispassing.He providedprinting,sign, andbannerservices to manyorganizations, groups,businesses, andindividualsinhis communityformany years. Hispassion overthe years washismanypets. Hehadmanyvarietiesof fish,severalfaithfuldogs whoneverlefthisside, and afew tortoises.David grewuplovingallthings growinginthelocal lagoonsandshorelines andsharedthatinterest withhisdad.

Heandhiswifewere activewith volunteering andfundraisingevents withthe Boys andGirls Club formanyyears. David wasa founder ofthebelovedOTL Tournamentsheld at

our OceansideHarbor, whichbroughtmany visitors to ourcity. He andhiswifealsostarted anannualturkeydinner event(Turducken) invitingtheirbusiness associates, friends,and familymembers.A goodtime washad by allwho attended.David donatedhistime graphic andprintingservices to manycommunity organizationsfundraisers. Healsodonatedprinting services to anyonewho neededmemorialcardsor programs fortheirloved ones.Davidlovedthe communityhelivedin! David wasprecededin death by hisfatherErnie, mother Kathleen(Kay), andbrotherSteven. Heissurvived by hiswife Roseanne,daughterJen (Jason) Mendez,andhis bestfriendinthewhole world, his granddaughter Riley Mendez. Gone to soon,hewillbe missed by many. Therewillbea celebrationofDavid’s lifeatthe Oceanside Buccaneer Beach Park, 1500S. PacificStreet, Oceanside,CA92054on February27th,2022, at 2:00pm. PleasesigntheGuestBookonline obituaries.sandiegouniontribune.com

Carolyn Yorston Wellcome

LifeTributes

Everlastingmemoriesoflovedones

To placeanobituary call: 866-411-4140

FlorenceRuskHudson

June22,1935 -January30,2022

NATIONALCITY—

FlorenceRuskHudson, 86ofNationalCity, formerlyfromSan Marcos, California,passed away on Sunday, January30,2022. She wasbornonJune22, 1935in Palisade,Colorado to Jamesand Florence Rusk,the youngestof four children.

Florenceattended Highland School(now John Otis),National CityJunior High and graduatedfrom Sweetwater High School in1953.Shemarried Lloyd Gary Hudson in1955andtheyhad threesons—James,Gary and Michael.Inhermid 30’s, she went back to SDSU to gether teaching credentialandtaught intheNational School DistrictatOlivewoodand El ToyonSchools,retiring in1995.

She attendedEmmanuel Faith CommunityChurch inEscondido formany years,whereshe wasa memberofthechoir.She lovedanimals,especially hercatSapphire. She especiallylovedspending timewith grandchildren and great-grandchildren, oftenreading to them.

Sheissurvived by hersons,Jim(Sharon)

Eugene F. Kopecky

February15,1929 -January24, 2022

ofChula Vistaand Gary ofSan Marcos, 7Grandchildren (Christopher,Kristin, Tawni, Katherine,Tabitha, MichaelandHolly),11 great-grandchildren, andmanyniecesand nephews. She waspredeceased by herparents, brothersJimandDave Ruskandsister Frances Milligan,herhusband, Lloyd Gary Hudsonand herson, Michael.There arenoservicesplanned at thistime.

Family wouldlike to thankthecaregiversand staff at Parkview Memory Care inNationalCity, as wellasSilveradoHospice fortheirprofessionaland kindcareduringthelast monthsofherlife.

PleasesigntheGuestBookonline obituaries.sandiegouniontribune.com

SarahJoyce‘Sally’ Green

January1,1928 -January22, 2022

ESCONDIDO —Withhis family by hisside,Richard PaulDubrule,peacefully passed away of congenital heartdisease at hishome lastSundayevening.

Born in Worcester, Massachusetts,heisthe sonof RolandandLillian Dubrule.Withhisfather’s passing at anearlyage, hismother workedas atelephoneoperator earning anominalincome while raising fourchildren onher own. At age18, Richardjoinedthemilitary servingasAirman First Classinthe U.S.Air Force duringtheKorean War. Shotdown overenemy lines,hesufferedsevere bodilyinjuries,acoma, and ayearlongintensive recoveryperiod.Awarded multiplemedalsand citations,heiscredited for hisbraveryandsuccessful effortsinsaving aSouth Koreanvillage.InJune 1954,hemarriedHarriet Dodge.The young couple, ages19and23, worked hardtomakeandliving andpayfor Richard’s collegetuition.AnMIT graduate,Richardserved as anuclearengineer for GEwithassignments at OffuttAir ForceBasein Nebraska, VandenbergAir ForceBasein California, andGE’sheadquarters inSanJose,California. In 1973,the coupleand

their fourchildrenmoved to Escondidowherethey establishedEmerald Enterprises,asuccessful Tupperware franchise for23years.Witha strongbusinessacumen, Richardsponsoredseveral business ventures ranging fromhomesatellite servicesandpromotionof Transdel Pharmaceuticals ofLaJolla, amedical productforthetreatment ofarthritis.Hewasa shareholderandbusiness advisor to Writing by Design, acorporation providing K-8th grade proven-effectivewriting instruction to schools andhomeschool parentsthroughoutthe countrywithemerging internationalsales. Throughouthislifetime, hedemonstrated countlessdeedsof dedication to the welfare ofothersearningthe

respectandaffectionof peoplefromall walksof lifeandallages,including his101-year-old former next-doorneighbor, Amelia Cooper,whohe relocatedtoEscondido andcared foruntilher passing. Anactivecivicleader, Richardservedas PresidentofSanDiego’s PrivateIndustryCouncil, memberof Interfaith CommunityServices,and Rotarian. Richardwas akind andcaringmanwho enjoyedgolfing, crosswordpuzzles, casinopokerplaying, football,andbefriending hummingbirds.Although, he wouldadmitthathis greatestjoywasspending timewithfamily.He authored twobooks SonnyandGrowing Up Ferragamo,and became afervent writer ofletters to theeditorof the San Diego Tribune, eventuallyexpressinghis opinions in ablog under his penname Roland Roberts.Heissurvived by his devoted wife of 68 years,daughters Karen, Deborah,and DawnDubrule,son,Barry Dubruleandhiswife Lanita, grandsonAnthony Venierandhiswife Autumn, great-grandsons Broderickand Lukas

Venier,granddaughter

HailiDubruleand great-granddaughter EllieDubrule,older brother SonnyDubrule, andseveralotherdear relatives,andhisclosest friendfrom Michigan Bob Jubenville.

Nomattertheday orthe conditionofhis health,whenasked howhewasfeeling,he wouldboldlyprovidethe same response,“Pretty good forayoungguy.” Richardbrought90years ofinspiration,support, love,joy andbeautiful memories to allwho knew him.

To celebrateRichard’s lifetime contributions, thefamily requests that,inlieuofflowers, donationsbemade to The ElizabethHospice, online @elizabethhospice.org, or by check to 500La Terraza Blvd, Suite 130,Escondido, CA 92025,orphone 760.796.3737. Familyand friendsarewelcome to schedulememorialvisits afterFebruary9,2022, between 7a.m.and7 p.m.daily at El Camino Memorial Park in Sorrento Valley,5600 Carroll Canyon Rd,SanDiego. PleasesigntheGuestBookonline obituaries.sandiegouniontribune.com

SANDIEGO— Janet TheresaAlbright diedpeacefullyinher sleeponthemorningof November30,2021.

Jan wasbornatSan Diego’s MercyHospital, thethirdoffour childrenborntoRobert MoldenhauerandAnne Moldenhauer(nee Sullivan).She attended BlessedSacramentParish School,WillC.Crawford High SchoolandSDSU.

SANDIEGO—

Born inOmaha, Nebraska, Eugenecame to SanDiegoinhisearly childhood. He ownedandoperated Acme Truck Rental at 15th &Ffrom1954 to 1978, and wasoneofthefirst importersofLamborghini automobiles to SanDiego.

HediedinAngeles City, Philippines;and issurvived by histhree children:Jean,John,and Robert. PleasesigntheGuestBookonline obituaries.sandiegouniontribune.com

•••

ClintonMyers Petty

June4,1923 -December16,2021

CHULAVISTA— Sally wasathomewithfamily whenshepassed away at age94. Visit www. dignitymemorial.com/ obituaries/bonita-ca/ sarah-green-10550899 PleasesigntheGuestBookonline obituaries.sandiegouniontribune.com

Steven Richard Pearce

April2,1954 -February5,2021

Janmet WaltAlbright whenboth wereworking at theSanDiego Gas& Electric Company. Each had achildfrom aprior marriage,Jan’s son,Erich, and Walt’s daughter, Kathlyn(Katie).Janand Waltmarriedin1971and sharedfifty yearsoflove, friendship,andmany happymemories.

Jan worked at UCSD Medical Center,initially at theUCSDGifford Clinic,andthenas AdministrativeAssistant to UCSD’s Directorof Medicine,apositionshe helduntil retirement.

Janenjoyedthe outdoors,including campingtripswith

DEATHNOTICES

Acosta,Prisca

9/10/1929 -1/12/2022 www.glenabbeysandiego.com

AddisonII, LeRoy 01/10/1944 -01/27/2022 www.eastcountymortuary.com

Bloemers,Michael Peter 05/27/1940 -01/27/2022 FeatheringillMortuary.com

Boyd,John 09/23/1957 -02/01/2022 www.EastCountyMortuary.com

BrownIII,Harold

06/29/1957 -01/30/2022 www.eastcountymortuary.com

Waltandtheirchildren, summer festivals andwinterskiing at Thanksgivingin MammothLakesand hikingintheSierras. She alsoenjoyedtraveling with Waltthroughout theUnitedStatesand worldwide,visitingseveral continentsandnearly50 countries.

Jan’s highestpriority washerfamily.She cherishedhermanytalks withdaughter, Katie, and tookheronfun-filled shoppingevents.She embracedbeing “team mom”forherson,Erich’s baseball,ice hockey, andsoccerteams;she closely followedallofher

Hitzeman,June 05/31/1938 -01/30/2022 www.eastcountymortuary.com

Huynh,Hien Thi 12/27/1975 -01/25/2022 www.eastcountymortuary.com

Ireland ,Robert 04/03/1943 -02/03/2022 www.eastcountymortuary.com

Jordan, Eugenia J. 11/03/1927 -01/30/2022 FeatheringillMortuary.com

Kalasho,Aziz 07/01/1932 -02/01/2022 www.EastCountyMortuary.com

grandson,Ethan’s baseball gamesinOregon;and she regularly attended athleticeventsinwhich herniece, Debbie,and nephew,Matt, were participants.Birthday partiesandChristmas Eveatsister-in-law, Judy‘s homeandsharingin contagiouslaughterwith nieces,Maggieand Betsy, were favorite memories.

Janalsoenjoyedtrips with Walt to visithissister, Kathy, andherfamily in Virginia,spending timewithniece, Molly, andnephews, Brian and Tom,and attending their graduationsand weddings.

Above all,Jangave unselfishlyofherself to othersand foundjoy andpurposeinsodoing. Sharingherbeautiful smile,she couldengage anyonein conversation. Her warmthand kind heartwerefelt by allwho knewher.

Jan waspredeceased by hersisters,Patricia Moldenhauerand Mary Dietrich.Sheissurvived by Walt,herhusbandof 50 years;theirson,Erich

DEATHNOTICES

Wilson,wife, Jennifer,and grandson,Ethan Wilson, of Portland,OR;their daughter, Kathlyn Lewis, andhusband,Lincoln, of Cullman,AL;their niece, DeborahDietrich, ofSanDiego;herbrother, RobertMoldenhauer, wife, Jillandnephew, Matt Moldenhauer, of Solana Beach;her sister-in-law, Judy Andrews, andhusband, Joel,ofCoronado;and nieces: MaggieAndrews and Betsy Castillo;and hersister-in-law, Kathy Hoffman,andhusband, Dennis,ofWoodbridge, Virginia;niece, Molly HoffmanDrake;and nephews:BrianHoffman and TomHoffman.

AFuneral Masswill beheldon Thursday, February17,2022, at 10:00a.m., at St.Gregory theGreatCatholicChurch, 11451Blue CypressDr., SanDiego,CA92131. In lieuofflowers,please make acontribution to: TheAmericanDiabetes Association, P.O. Box7023. Merrifield,VA22116. (800-342-2383) PleasesigntheGuestBookonline obituaries.sandiegouniontribune.com

CEMETERYLOTS

SAN MARCOS,CA—

ClintonPettypassed away at 98.He wasa WWIIBattleoftheBulge veteranand aprofessor ofmathematics.Heis survived by 4childrenand 26 great/grandchildren. PleasesigntheGuestBookonline obituaries.sandiegouniontribune.com

DearSteve, It hasbeen one year(Feb.5)sinceyou have passed away.You aresomissed.Imissthe wayyoumademelaugh with yourquickwit,and yourheartfulhugs,and theperson youbecame with your grandchildren. Please know thatare lovedandmissedso muchandwillnotbe forgotten. Love Raine PleasesigntheGuestBookonline obituaries.sandiegouniontribune.com

Honor your lovedones

For $185 youreceive aone-time, fixed-sizedprintedmemorial notice on theobituarypages intheLocal section.Youalsowill receiveacustomwebpagelinktoLegacy.comthatyou canshare online. Choose “Obituary -7 lines” attheweb address below.

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Campbell,ElsieBernice 10/04/1935 -01/23/2022 In LovingMemory

Carda,EricJay 10/25/1963 -01/18/2022 www.BalboaCremations.com

Church,Alma

12/26/1925 -01/13/2022 GoodbodyMortuary.com

Cien,RobertAnthony 04/04/1951 -12/25/2021 WWW.GLENABBEYSANDIEGO.COM

Dotinga, Sudelle Winn 01/26/1941 -01/31/2022 www.glenabbeysandiego.com

Duarte,FrankJavier 07/31/1964 -01/30/2022 FeatheringillMortuary.com

Espinoza,Mona

08/31/1954 -01/21/2022 www.eastcountymortuary.com

Evans,Trudell Faye 09/17/1953 -01/25/2022 Cortez Cremations(619)240-7620

Grant,Karen 12/03/1950-02/03/2022 www.eastcountymortuary.com

Guzman, Socorro“Coco” 01/12/1951 -01/24/2022 www.glenabbeysandiego.com

Kapule,DerekAina 08/15/1968 -01/24/2022 In LovingMemory

Li, Leung 04/16/1927 -01/29/2022 www.eastcountymortuary.com

Lopez,Oscar 08/15/1938 -1/27/2022 www.eastcountymortuary.com

Martinez, Steven 1/20/1969 -01/27/2022 www.eastcountymortuary.com

Mercado,Cheri 06/03/1941 -01/30/2022 Cortez Cremations(619)240-7620

Milchen,JosephA 04/14/1941 -01/24/2022 Cortez Cremations(619)240-7620

Mitchell,RosaM. 03/28/1924 -01/27/2022 elcajonmortuary.com

Morris,FrancesAnn 05/26/1939 -01/30/2022 www.eastcountymortuary.com

Munoz, PedroAbundio 07/11/1936 -01/19/2022 www.glenabbeysandiego.com

Palmer,Darold 06/04/1931 -12/17/2021 www.eastcountymortuary.com

Pangilinan,AlexanderA. 06/20/1943 -01/13/2022 www.greenwoodmemorial.com

Pangilinan,AlexanderAngeles 06/20/1943 -01/13/2022 www.greenwoodmemorial.com

Perez, Violeta Fernandez 09/17/1935 -01/24/2022 In LovingMemory

Pineda,Ricardo 02/01/1954 -01/28/2022 www.eastcountymortuary.com

Provinzano,Vincent “Vinny” 06/22/1939 -01/17/2022 elcajonmortuary.com

Ridon, LourdesPiga 04/13/1928 -01/09/2022 www.glenabbeysandiego.com

Sitto, Naima 03/03/1931 -02/01/2022 www.eastcountymortuary.com

Small,SharlottHardesty 06/27/1928 -01/27/2022 FeatheringillMortuary.com

Traxler,James Lawrence 09/14/1961 -01/25/2022 Erickson-AndersonMortuary

Weide,ClaraM. 11/07/1919 -01/13/2022 www.greenwoodmemorial.com

William, Eccles 11/26/1945 -01/28/2022 Cortez Cremations(619)240-7620

Young,Douglas 04/30/1961 -01/28/2022 www.glenabbeysandiego.com

Yousif,Najah 07/10/1959 -02/01/2022 www.EastCountyMortuary.com

Zabala, Tomas

07/27/1946 -01/4/2022 www.eastcountymortuary.com

DEATHNOTICES •••

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IMMIGRATIONREFORM:IT’SA LOTLIKEGROUNDHOG DAY

Thesituationatthe U.S.Mexicoborderfeelsalotlike GroundhogDay,minusPunxsutawneyPhil.

GroundhogDay wascelebratedatGobbler’s Knobin Punxsutawney,Pa.,on Wednesday.Phillefthisburrow earlythat morning,asusual, to lookforhis shadow. Incase youmissedit,Philsaw hisshadow, whichmeanssix more weeksofwinter.Ifonething istrueaboutthis 136-year-old ritual,it’s this: Nobody givespoor Philanotherthoughtforthenext 364days,oncehispredictionis made. Andsoit goesattheborder. LastSeptember,photosand videosurfacedofagentsonhorsebackswinginglong reinsnear Haitianmigrantswhohad crossedthebordernearDelRio, Texas.A groupof 15,000had amassedundertheDelRiointernationalbridge,livinginmakeshifthutswhile awaitingtheir turn to be processed.Theoppressive conditions were made worse bythe Texasheat,with temperaturesabove 100degreeson consecutivedays.

tionandalongoneofthe city’s busiest Breezebus lines.

“Youcan’t get anycloser to transit than that,” project representative William MorrisonsaidFriday “It’s consistentwiththecity’s Smart andSustainableCorridors Program and its Climate ActionPlan.”

Bothdocumentsadvocate for a planning policy often called“smart growth.”

Itsuggestsbuilding higher density housing inolder neighborhoodsnearpublic transit to create walkable communities reducetraffic congestionandimprove air quality.

Butnot everybodysees the Ocean Creek projectas smart growth.Anonlinepetition requestingthecity’s denialhadmore than200signaturesby Friday.

“Thisproject willcause significant trafficandsafety impacts to the existing Fire Mountain community,” statesthepetition placedon Change.org byOceanside resident Jennifer Meyerdierks.

“Fire Mountainhasbeen arespected,safe, friendly neighborhoodfor over a century,”thepetitionstates.

“Oursafety is anissue, and willbecome a bigger issue withincreasedtraffic.Fire Mountain residents object to thevastincreaseintraffic, congestion,pollution, noise, andspeedingthroughour peaceful neighborhoodwith thisnew high-density development.”

Thedevelopersare aware ofthose concerns and are workingwiththecity to addressthem, Morrisonsaid. Additional studiesare under way ofnearbyintersections and changesthatbetter accommodate theadditional traffic.

“We believe thatopening upSouthOceansideBoulevard will alleviate existingissuesandoffer a route away fromFire Mountain,” hesaid. Thedeveloperalsois workingwiththecity to adda leftturnpocket fromCrouch Street onto SouthOceanside Boulevard.

SMOLENS

FROM B1

McElroyistheCEOof theAlphaProject,thenonprofitthat runsprograms to helphomelesspeoplethat oversaw operationsatthe camp forthecity. The experienceonthelot at20thand B streets could providelessonsforpossible future “safevillages,” recentlyadvocatedbytheSan Diego Downtown Partnership andothers in response to growingnumbers of homeless peopleandencampments onthestreets.

Butthekindofsuccess therecouldbe a singular experienceandhard to replicate. SanDiego,like other cities,isunderincreasing pressure frombusinesses and residentsnot just to cleanupunsanitary conditions,but to clearoutunauthorizedhomelessencampments.After the Sports ArenaBoulevard operation, peoplewho were livingthere were allowed to return. Theproblem isthere are not a lotofplacesforthose folks togo especiallysince sheltershave limitedor stoppedtakinginpeople because oftherapidly spreadingOmicronCOVID variant.

Indiscussingthe20th and B camp, McElroy em-

Asa country, wewereoutraged.Theincidentdrew swift condemnation fromseniorofficialsinPresident JoeBiden’s administration,whopledged to investigateitin“days,not weeks.”

ButtheDepartmentofHomelandSecurity tookapass, referringtheincident to the U.S.CustomsandBorderProtection’s OfficeofProfessionalResponsibility. Ithasn’tbeen resolved.And we’vemovedon.

Still,thenumbersofundocumentedmigrantscrossingthe U.S.-Mexicoborder continues to grow.According to theBorder Report, U.S.authoritiesstopped 496,148migrantsinthelastquarterof2021, a 137percentincrease overthesameperiodin2020. More than 2millionmigrants were apprehendedor turned themselvesinlast year.

Historically,mostmigrants attempting to crosshavecome from Mexicoorthe Northern Triangle countriesof Latin America—Guatemala,HondurasandElSalvador.Butlast month,theborder filledwith peoplewhose journeys were muchlonger: fromplaceslike

Venezuela,Russia,Ukraine, TurkeyandIndia. Theupswinginborderactivity hasoccurredbecauseof—or despite— U.S.immigrationpolicy,dependingon yourviews. WhenBiden wasonthecampaign trail,hepromised to eliminatethe MigrantProtectionProtocols, betterknownas“Remainin Mexico.”Thepolicy was firstimplementedbyformerPresident DonaldTrump;it requiresasylumseekersarrivingattheborder to waitin Mexicofortheirhearingsin U.S.immigration court. WhileBidenfulfilledhispromise,it wasshort-lived.Remainin Mexico was reinstatedinDecember,followinga courtorder,but withimprovementslike greater access to legal resources.Still,the administrationhasaskedthe SupremeCourt to allowit to terminatethepolicy.Adecisionis expectedbytheendof June.

Expulsions fromthe U.S.have beenhastenedbyTitle 42,a 75year-oldpublichealthlawthat’s becomepandemic-erapolicy.

Title 42 givesauthoritiesthe power to summarilyoustmigrantsonhealth groundswithout

High-densityhousingplanned forOceansideBoulevard OceanCreek wouldhave 295apartments and 3,000 squarefeetofcommercialspacenexttothe Crouch Street SprinterStation.

providingthemtheirlegallymandatedopportunity to seek protectionhere Justlast week,the DepartmentofHomelandSecurity announcedit wouldbegin returning Venezuelans to Colombiaiftheyhadpreviously resettledinthat country, citingTitle 42.

Evenaspolicies comeand go (and comeagain), we’renocloser to solvingtheimmigrationproblem.Itdoesn’tmatterwhethera DemocratorRepublicanisinthe WhiteHouse. We neednewand differentapproaches,insteadof relyingonenforcement to effect change.Ithasn’t worked yet.

Maybe we canstartby recognizingthehumanityinothersand treatingthemwithdignity.

We canfollowthe exampleof Sister NormaPimintel, executive directorofCatholicCharitiesof theRioGrande Valley.In2014, Pimintelfoundhercalling:providingaid to unaccompanied migrant childrenandfamiliesat theborder.Sincethen,herorganizationhashelpedmorethan 150,000people. Pimenteliscarefulnot to criticize U.S.immigrationpolicy.

thestate’s requirementsfor high-density housing, and theyhadno choicebut to approve itor facethepossibility of a lawsuit.

In October thecity’s PlanningCommissionapproved a four-story, 54-unit condobuildingonSouth CoastHighway, despite objections fromneighborhood residents,alsociting concern aboutstate housinglaws.

State law alsoappears to havetrumpedtheopposition to the585-home North River Farmsprojectproposedfor 177 acres inOceanside’s agricultural community ofSouth Morrow Hills.

North River Farms would placeup to 15 homesper acre,alongwith a hotel, retail shopsandoffices,on itsVillage Core areainwhatisnow farmland.Other partsofthe project wouldbelessdense, withsingle-familyhomes, community gardensand spacepreserved fornative habitat.

Instead,shetalksabouttheimportanceof changingthe way we think about and treat people who aresodesperate to come to our country. Afterall,Pimintelsays, we areallpartofthesamehuman family. Shepoints to negative rhetoric asthesourceofourfear-based thinking. We buildinternal walls tokeepourselvessafe.Andwith wallsinplace,it’s easynot to care. Instead,Pimintelinsists, we need to allowourselves togetclose enoughso we canfeelwhatmigrantsarefeeling.Thecaringwill follow.

UnlikePunxsutawneyPhil, we can’tburrow away.Migrantswill continue to come to our country fromall cornersoftheglobe, seekingeconomicopportunity andsafety. Above all, we need to remember:It’s notaboutpolicy.It’s aboutpeople.

Dinkinispresident of theNationalConflict ResolutionCenter,a SanDiego-based group working to create solutions to challengingissues,includingintolerance andincivility To learnaboutNCRC’s programming,visitncrconline.com.

RESERVIST

FROM B1

to our core values.”

Constructionis expected to begin bytheendof 2023 andthe firstunits could open in 2025 Morrison said.Sofar noPlanningCommissionor City Councilhearings have beenscheduledfortheproject,thoughthedeveloper hasbeen meetingwithcity plannersandneighborhood residents.

Theapartmentswill range from 591 to 1,301 square feetandhave one, two orthree bedrooms.Somewill be reserved forlow-income residents,butthenumber hasnotbeendetermined yet, hesaid.

Plansinclude 10,000 square feetofinteriorspace for conference rooms, a game room, a gym,dogspaand bike cafe,alongwith a totalof 478 parkingspaces,ofwhich 299 wouldbe covered incarportsor garages.Openspace willincludeacourtyard,pool, spaandbarbecuearea.

Thomas D. Weese, a trustee fortheRobert A. Weese familytrust, ownstheproperty, according to documents on filewith the city Planning Department.The developer isJPI DevelopmentCo.of San Diego andthearchitect isArchitecturalDesign Col-

phasizedthere were strict rulesaboutbehaviorthat aren’t typically found at someothercampssetupby othercities. Withoutthem, hesaid, he wouldnot get involvedthistimearound.

“I wouldnotbeinterestedindoing a campgroundthat wouldallow people to usedrugs and bringparaphernaliaon site,”hesaid.That goesfor alcohol as well.

Hesaidthelargetent shelters run bytheAlpha Projectallow peopleat various levelsofinebriation in,buttheycan’tbedisruptive. Use of drugs oralcohol onsite isprohibited. McElroyis a believer inenforcementand rules that require people to behave in return forthesafespaceandservicestheyare receiving.

“There has to besome kindofpersonal responsibility, hesaid.

“Ourfacilitieshave lowbarrier rules butthere are rules,”headded. “Thevast majority ofpeople want to besafe. We don’t want to bringthesameaspectofthe street intoa facility.”

The tentcampsetupin 2017 hadmanyfamilies with children,along with individual womenand individual men.Somecampselsewhere aren’tsofamilyoriented.

LosAngeles,SanFrancisco,Seattle,Sacramento

laborative of LagunaHills.

Oceanside hasapproved anumberof higher-density residentialprojects in recent years.Thetrendisencouragedbystate lawsthat require incentivesfordeveloperswhoincludelow-incomehousingandbuildinfill projectsclose to public transit.

Lastmonth,the OceansideCity Council voted 3-2 to approvea singleeight-story building with 115 studio apartmentsand64hotel roomson1/3-acre gated parkinglotat the cornerof Seagaze Drive and Nevada Street.

Trafficandparkingissues ledthelistof concernsraised by neighborhood residents, nearlyallofwhom objected to theheightand density of thebuilding.However the projectwillinclude 12 apartments reserved forlow-income occupants,which allowsit to waive someofthe locallimitsonthings like parkingandbuilding heights.

Mayor EstherSanchez and Councilmember Kori Jensen opposedthe Seagaze project.Butthe councilmajority saidtheproject meets

and othercitieshave createdvillage-camps using tents,tinyhomes,pallet houses and otherstructures. McElroy has visited some of themanddeclared them“disasters” becauseof thedrugand alcoholuse alongwithlax rulesthat allow people to “comeand go as you please.”

Atemporary “SafeSleep Village”inLosAngeles receivedmixed reviews,according to KCRW Thecamp didnotputmany restrictions onsubstanceuse.Ifithad, some residentssaidthey wouldn’tstaythere. Thatunderscores a dilemma.Allowingdrugs and alcoholmayseemantithetical to helpinghomeless people,inaddition to potentiallycausingproblemsata camp.Butmanyhomeless peopleuseoneorboth,andif the goalis togetthemoffthe street intoa more sanitary space andthey won’t go becauseofthe restrictions— somecampadvocatesfeel allowancesshouldbemade. Whatthepolicywillbeif SanDiego moves aheadwith asafevillage pilotproject somewhere,astheDowntown Partnershipsuggests, remains to beseen. The 136-spaceSanDiego campnearBalboaPark that tookinsome200peoplehad other restrictionsandservices thatare rare.People there weren’t allowed to

Oceanside voters overturned theCity Council’s approvalof North River Farms with a ballot referendumin November2020 However, thedeveloper IntegralCommunities, filedsuitanda judge ruledthatthe referendum was “preempted”by state Government Code 66300, which theLegislature passedin2019 to maximize housingdevelopment.

Aseparate caseagainst North River Farms, filedby the nonprofitPreserve Calavera overenvironmental issues, remainsundecided andsofar constructionhas notbegun.

In a San Diego court case, ajudge ruledlastmonththat theluxury 525 Olive building goingupinBankersHill overlooking BalboaPark is allowed to be25 percent taller thanthe city’s building heightlimitbecausethe structure includes 18 subsidizedapartmentsforlow-income residents.

Community groupswho suedthe developersaidthe 20-story building would blocktheirviews, was too close to thestreet,castshadows overtheneighborhood anddidn’t fit wellwiththe community. phil.diehl@sduniontribune.com

simply walkinandout.

AlphaProjectmembers shuttledadults to and from thesite throughouttheday to appointments and drove children to school.

There were somebumps alongthe way, butnothing that couldn’tbe overcome, such as a minorissueabout gettingcableTVimmediatelyhookedup.

“Nobodyaskedmewhat kind of tents to buy,” McElroysaid. “Theybought thewrongones,but we made it work.”

But then,thehepatitisA outbreakbrought a great senseofurgency toget peopleinto safeshelter quickly.

McElroysaidthe20th and B camp was upand runningin 10 days.

Tweet of the Week

Goes to Ron Nehring (@RonNehring),former chairoftheRepublican Party ofSanDiego County andCalifornia.

“Since 1988,theRepublicannominee forPresident has won thepopular vote exactly...once In2004.Governing requires consentof the governed Spending timetrying to figure outhow to change theprocess to win whilelosingmissesthe point.Earnmore votes.” michael.smolens @sduniontribune.com

Military membersare prohibited fromparticipatingin extremistorganizationsandthePentagonhas increasedefforts to rootout extremisminitsranks inthe wake ofthe Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol insurrection. Krvaricdidnot respond Tuesday to a text message sent to a numberassociated with him When a UnionTribune reporter called Wednesdaymorning,a youngman answered, refused to identifyhimself and hung up.“Have a nice day,” themansaid.

Krvaric joinedthe Marinesin July2018 andis currentlyassigned to theSelected MarineCorpsReserve asalight-armored-vehicle Marine.He’s assigned to the4th LightArmored ReconnaissanceBattalion atCampPendleton,the Marinessaid.

According to the SPLC, Patriot Front was founded inthe wake of the deadly2017 Unite theRightrallyin Charlottesville, Va., after breakingoff from neo-Nazi group Vanguard America. Itsfounder Thomas Rousseau,led Vanguard Americamembersat the rally.A manphotographed holdinga Vanguard Americashield, JamesFieldsJr., wenton to drive his carintoa crowd ofanti-racistprotesters,killing one.In2019, Fields was convicted of murderandfederalhate crimes andsentenced to lifeinprison.The groupdeniedFields wasa member In January, activists from the reporting collective UnicornRiotpublished more than400 gigabytesofleaked Patriot Front communications.

“Ostensiblyprivate,uneditedvideosanddirect messages reveal a campaign to organize actsofracialhatred whileindoctrinating teenagersinto national socialism(Nazism),” Unicorn Riot saidin a story announcing the leak.The U-T was unable to independently confirmthe authenticity ofthe documents.Thomas Rousseau,theleaderofPatriotFront, confirmedina podcaston Jan. 27 thatthe organization was hacked.

In a membershipinterview report,“Interviewee 441515” toldthehate group hebelieved inantisemitic conspiracytheories and that non-Europeans shouldn’tbeallowed inthe U.S.unlessthey were “doctors” or a “netpositive to theeconomy.

The applicantdiscussed the MarineCorpsduringhis interview, according to the leakeddocuments,saying hehad a tumultuous experience,including a fightata MarineCorps ball.Healso toldPatriot Frontthathe “foundoutabout Jews”after joiningtheCorps.

The applicant toldthe grouphe was currently working as a guard with the DepartmentofHomeland Security, handlinginmate check-ins.According to his LinkedInaccount,Victor

Krvaric works for contractor StratusSecurity Management,handlingdetainees fortheDepartment of HomelandSecurity.

Theapplicant also told the group he currently works forhisfather’s financial practice. TonyKrvaric,the former chairman ofthe county RepublicanParty andVictorKrvaric’s father, isthepresident and CEO of KrvaricCapital & Risk Management.VictorKrvaricis listedonthe company’s websiteasa clientservice associate.

TonyKrvaric did not respond to a request for comment.HomelandSecurity and the contracting company did notimmediately respond to a requestfor comment Wednesday.

Theinterviewee toldthe grouphe was 21 yearsold and livinginSanDiego,andsaid he wasa first-generationimmigrantandthatbothofhis parents were fromSweden. TonyKrvaric was born and raisedinSwedenbefore immigrating to the U.S.in 1992, hepreviously told Voiceof SanDiego.

Theinterviewee also told Patriot Fronthehadpreviouslybeen“doxed”at a BLM protest.VictorKrvaric was identifiedat a BLMprotest in August2020whenprotestersaccusedhim of “antagonizing them.

ThePatriotFrontinterviewee creditedhis brother with exposinghim toextremistideology. VictorKrvaric’s brother, OliverKrvaric, 23, was theformer headof the SanDiego State College Republicans While in charge oftheorganization,OliverKrvaric tookthe group to the extremeright and frequently engaged with and retweeted accountsaffiliated with the White nationalist“Groyper movement,according to The DailyAztec.

Anarchivedscreenshot ofanInstagram account alleged to beVictorKrvaric’s, published byKPBS, shows that,atonetime,healso identifiedas a “Groyper.” PatriotFronthasbeen active inSanDiego since at least2018, whenits flyers were distributed at SDSU. The flyers,which featured the White supremacistslogan “notstolen, conquered” over a graphicof the continental UnitedStates, were foundin a DailyAztecnewsstandneartheuniversity’s music building.They also featured the group’s website URL:“bloodandsoil.org.”

Anotherformer Marine, LanceCpl.Thomas Martin, sharedthesame graphicon socialmediain2019 Martin was kickedout of the Marinesaftera Union-Tribune investigationinto hissocial mediaaccounts.

It’s notthe firsttimethe grouphashadits communicationsleakedby Unicorn Riot.In2019, Discord messaging app chatlogs from several extremist groups were published,including thoseofPatriotFront.Some ofthe chats revealeddetails about extremistactivity on SanDiego college campuses. andrew.dyer@sduniontribune.com Twitter:@SDUTdyer

A MarineCorpsReserve spokesperson confirmed thatCpl. VictorKrvaricisunderinvestigation.

STARTS AT $914,990

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Project: The Foothills Community: SanMarcos Homes forsalein’22: 107 Developer: KBHome

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Project: OakCreek Community: Escondido Homes forsalein’22: 65 Developer: KBHome

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STARTS AT $807,990

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Project: Sundance at ParkCircle Community: ValleyCenter Homes forsalein’22: 50 Developer: KBHome

RAREANDGETTINGSMALLER

To start2022,thereareonlyabout1,000newsingle-familyhomesinSanDiegoCountyconfirmed by developers,withthebulk of new residentialconstruction reserved forapartmentsand townhouses

BY PHILLIPMOLNAR

Ina dusty fieldinChulaVista, KentAdenthinks heseesthe future ofSanDiego housing.

Thehousingindustry veteran,who has overseen two master plan communitiesinChula Vista,saysthesmaller detachedhousing at Whitmore might justbethebest way for first-timehomeowners to finally get intoa traditionalhouseintheincreasingly expensivelocal market.

New homesat Whitmore from 1,947 to 2,166 square feet,are inthemid-to-high-

5KEY TAKEAWAYS FROMTHELATEST U.S.JOBSREPORT

BY PAUL WISEMAN

Themessage the U.S. jobs report sent Friday wasa surprisingone:Despitea surge inviral casesin January, the labormarket is sohealthythat employers kepthiringlast monthat a pacethatfarsurpassedanyone’s expectations.

Before Friday, the widespreadview was thatCOVID-19’s highlytransmissibleOmicronvarianthad keptpeoplehomeandheld downhiringin January. Someeconomists even predicted a job lossforthemonth.Instead,employersadded467,000 jobs.

Atthesametime, though thesizzling job marketmeansthatinflationwilllikely keep simmering,allbutensuringthatthe Federal Reserve willraiseinterestratesseveral timesthis year to try to slowthesteepprice increases for food, gas, rent,carsand manyother items thathave squeezedmil-

$600,000range, a price seenlocallyfor townhousesand condos.Itisn’t cheap by moststandards but itis lessthanthe medianprice of a SanDiego County resalesingle-familyhome,$820,000inDecember

Aden, president ofHomeFedCommunities,saidthe Whitmore project hasappealed to buyers whoare purchasing housesbefore theyare completed becauseitis a chance toget the type of home mostpeople want: A housewith a yard andnoneighbors to share wallswith.

“Theuniquethingis you are still getting a detached,single-familyhome,”he

saidduring a recent touroftheprojectin OtayRanch. Whitmore mightbe a brightspotin homeshoppers’pocketbooks,butthe overallhousingpicture this year could stillbe roughforthose planning toget into their first home.

ThosehopingSanDiego County’s new homesupplymightincrease overall home inventory inthetightmarket willbedisappointed. To start 2022,there are only about 1,000new single-familyhomes confirmedbydevelopers,withthebulkof new residential construction reserved for apartmentsand townhouses.

Earlyestimatestakeintoaccountdevelopers’projections forhow many homestheywill releasein a given project. Guessesatthestart ofthe yearare typicallymuch lower than whatendsupbeing built becausedevelopers will increase theirproduction basedonhow wellsales are doing.

Roughly 1,000new single-family homes confirmed to start the yearislow compared to demand,andtheprice reflectsthat Costsfornew homesrange fromnearly $700,000 to more than$2million.Themajority ofnew homesare in

SEE RARE C6

Talk Willsandtrusts have key differences for estate planning

Dear Liz: I understandwhathappens with a livingtrustwhenbothspouses dieat once.Butwhathappenswhen justonedies? Isthetrust tossedout,sincethesurviving spouseis usuallythetrustee? What about thestuffthatthedeceased wanted togoto hisorherkids?Andwhataboutthewills? Whendoesthat get dispersed?Please explainhow trustsandwills work, especially forblended families.I’msure I’mnotthe only one withquestions.

Answer: A complete answer wouldtake many manymore words thanthis column allows,which iswhy you should consulta knowledgeableestate-planning attorney whocan giveyou personalizedadvice.

Butin a nutshell,willsandlivingtrusts are bothdocumentsthat allow people to namewhothey want toget theirproperty

SEE DEARLIZ • C2

LIZ WESTON Money

THOUSANDS MISSINGOUTON COLLEGEGRANTS, STUDY FINDS

BY ANN CARRNS

Hundreds of thousands of studentsare missing outon free college aidbecausetheyare not completing a peskyfederal form knownasthe FAFSA, a new analysis finds.

Roughly 1.7 millionhighschool graduates didn’t filetheFree Applicationfor Federal Student Aidinthe2020-21 school year. And justunderhalf of them— about 813,000students were eligibleforfederalPellGrants aimedatlow-incomestudents, according to a report bythe NationalCollege Attainment Network,a nonprofit group that works onbehalfoflow-income andminority students.The average grant,which doesn’tneed to be repaid, wouldhave beenalmost $4,500.

All told,thehighschoolclass of2021 left anestimated$3.7 billionin available PellGrants unclaimedbyfailing to file the form,thenetwork found.Itsaid that thenumberofstudents filing the FAFSAhad droppedduring thepandemic.

The FAFSA istheportal to most typesof financialaidfor college studentsandmustbe filed annually. Thefederal government uses theform to determine whetherstudentsqualifyfor financialaid,includingPell Grants (Manystatesand colleges award their own aidbased onthe FAFSAas well.)Schools with high concentrationsoflowincomestudents andstudentsof color consistentlyhave lower FAFSA completionrates, the network said. Studentswho complete the

FAFSAare much more likely to attend college than thosewho don’t,soit’s frustratingthatthe number ofstudents filingthe FAFSAhasfallen,saidKimCook, thenetwork’s CEO.

Whendistrictsswitched to virtualclassesinthe2020-21 school year to avoidspreading COVID-19, manyschools weren’t able to holdtraditionalhelpsessions to guidestudents andfamiliesin completingtheform. Just overhalf(53 percent)ofstudents intheclassof2021 completeda FAFSAbythesummer, down fromabout 56 percentin2020 the network estimated.Schoolswith concentrations oflow-income students andstudentsof color saw greaterdeclines.

“Theclass of 2021 was disconnected fromsupport,”Cooksaid. “Somestudentsdon’t even know there isfederalstudentaid available.”

Other research has raised concernaboutthe FAFSAas well. Asurvey last yearbyEAB, an education consulting firm,found thatlow-incomeand first-generationstudents were farmore likely to report difficulty filling outthe form and in gettinghelp gatheringtaxdocumentsandother necessary information.Students often don’t fillouttheformbecause theythinkthey won’t qualifyforaid,saidBrett Schraeder, managingdirectorof financialaid optimizationatEAB.

Thefederal government recentlyapprovedlegislation to reducethenumberofquestions on the FAFSA andotherwise simplifytheform,butthe changes aren’tscheduled to take full effect untilthe2024-25school year.

Some states,including Louisiana,have made filing the FAFSA agraduation requirementfor highschoolstudents to helplift completionrates Cook’s network isencouraging schooldistricts to usesome of the fundsthey receive fromthefederalpandemic reliefprogram to expandsupport forpost-high schoolpreparation including FAFSA completion assistance. Here are somequestionsand answersaboutthe FAFSA and student aid:

Howmuchaidcould

I getfroma PellGrant?

Themaximum grantissetby Congressandis currently$6,495. Not alleligiblestudents get the fullamount;that dependson financial details reported inthe FAFSAandotherfactors,like the costoftheschooltheyare attending.Legislationpending inCongress woulddoublethemaximum amount and expand eligibility for the grants butitsoutcomeis uncertain.

WherecanI gethelp completingthe FAFSA?

Mostschoolsare back to inperson learning,and counselors should bemore available,although manyhave heavy workloads, Cook said.“Reach out and ask a counselor,”shesaid.

Some schoolsare working with community groups to bolster college preparationforstudents.

OneGoal, a nonprofit groupwith programsinIllinoisandseveral otherstates, works withschools to helpthem expandin-school instruction forstudents onposthighschoolplanning.Classes,

taughtbyschool staffwithsupport fromOneGoal coaches, typicallyinclude helpwith FAFSApreparation.

SchraederwithEABsaidthe FederalStudentAidofficehas helpfulinformation onits website,including a YouTube channel withvideosthat walk you through theprocess.

WhenshouldI filethe FAFSA?

Each year,a new FAFSAbecomes availableOct. 1 for the following academic yearandmay be fileduntil June 30 after the applicableschool yearends.(The formforthe2022-23 school year, forinstance, openedOct. 1, 2021, andcanbe fileduntil June 30, 2023.)

It’s alwaysbest to filetheform assoonaspossibleafter it becomes available.Somestatesset earlierpriority deadlinesfor allottingtheir own aidandscholarships to students,so filing early increases your chancesofmaximizingaid.

Butwhenit comes to Pell Grants,Schraedersaid,students can fileatanytime Studentsoften assumethatif theymissed a state’s priority deadline,it’s not worth the bother

Butthat’s notthecasewith PellGrants,if you qualify You can filethe FAFSA forthe currentacademic yearuntilthe end of June.

If you haven’t filedforthe currentschool year hesaid, you maybedepriving yourself of cash assistance.“It’s stillnot too late forthis year,”Schraedersaid.

Carrnswrites for TheNew York Times.

Themaindifferenceisthatliving trusts avoid probate,the court processthatotherwisefollows death.

Livingtrustsare considered revocable,which meansthecreatorscanmake changesduring their lifetimes. At some point, though,thetrustusuallybecomes irrevocable,which means changes nolongercanbemade.

If a singlepersonmakes a living trust,thenthetrust wouldbecome irrevocable whenthatpersondies. With a married couple,part ofthe trustoften becomes irrevocable when the first spousedies with the restbecoming irrevocableat thesecondspouse’s death. Sucha setup allows you to bequeathmoneyandpropertyto yourkidsif you’re the first to die, ratherthanhoping yoursurviving spouse andpotentially your survivingspouse’s future spouse —willdosolater.

SocialSecurityisinsurance

Dear Liz: Mywifediedin March 2020.I receive nothing fromher SocialSecurity (otherthan$255) andwill receive only a portionof minedue to thewindfalleliminationprovision.Isthere anythingI candosince I am receivingnoneof whatshepaidinto SocialSecurity andonly a fractionofmine?

Answer: In a word, no If you’re receiving a pension from a job that didn’tpayinto SocialSecurity, the governmentpensionoffset reducesanySocialSecurity survivor orspousalbenefitby two-thirds of the amount of yourpension.If two-thirdsoftheamountof your pension is greaterthan yoursurvivorbenefit, you don’t geta survivor benefit.

Isthatanoutrage? Perhaps if you thinkthatSocialSecurity should actlikea retirementaccount.In reality, it’s insurance. (The formalnameforSocialSecurity isOldAge,Survivorsand Disability Insurance.)

With a retirementaccount, what you take outusuallybears some relationship to what you put in. Withinsurance,that’s not necessarilythecase. You maytake outmore than you putin,less or nothingatall.

ManypeoplepaySocialSecurity taxesfordecadesbutultimately get more from a spousal orsurvivorbenefitthan from their own workrecord Thenthere are those, like you,whohave their retirement benefit reduced,ora survivor benefit eliminated,because they have a generouspension froma government job that didn’tpay into theSocialSecurity system.In these cases,itcanfeellike the SocialSecurity taxespaid the “premiums,”if you will have been wasted even if financially you’vecomeoutahead.

Taxesaftermortgagepayoff

Dear Liz: In a recent column, you answered a question froma couplewho justpaidofftheir mortgage. You suggestedincreasing retirementoremergencysavings orpossibly charitable contributions.All good, but you should have pointed outthatthemortgage lenderwillnotbe responsible forpaying theproperty taxand fire insurance goingforward.I wouldsuggestthe coupleopena separate accountandbuildupa fund to paythose expensesorthey couldbefacing financialhardship whenthetaxandinsurancebills come.

Answer: Goodpoint. Many homeownersare accustomed to payingtheirhomeowners insuranceandproperty taxesthrough escrow accountssetupbytheir mortgage lenders.Oncetheloanis paidoff,these billsbecomethe homeowners’ responsibility to pay. Westonisacertified financialplanner. Questionsmaybesent to her at 3940Laurel Canyon,No. 238, StudioCity, CA 91604,or by usingthe“Contact” form at asklizweston.com.

The opportunity to make moneywhile we sleepisonefew of us would turndown.Andpassive income,atfacevalue,suggests we cando justthat.

Social mediais chock-fullof influencers tellingushow to make passive income.Andwhile manyof those contentcreatorsdoactually earnmoney even whenthey’re not ontheclock,fewer ofthemare forthcomingaboutthe workrequired toget there.

“A lotof peopleare surprisedby how much work ittakesbecauseI think a lot ofpeoplewhoare earning a passive incomeare talking abouthow greatitishavingearned that,”saysPatFlynn, a Californiabasedentrepreneurandcreatorof the“Smart Passive Income”podcast.“Buttheydon’tnecessarily tell you thewholetruth. You’re seeingthetipof theiceberg.”

“Passive”income inmost cases, won’t becreatedpassively. Whatever thepursuit investing instocks to receive dividends, buying rentalproperties,earning

ad revenue on video channels— you’llhave to put in work upfront before you canstart makingmoneywhiledoinglittle, or no, work. Andinmanycases, you’llhave to keep doing work to maintainthat income, too.

Passive incomehasnoset

definition: Whendoes a job orside hustle turninto passive income? Thatdependsonhow you defineit. There isnoclear-cutpoint

where income turnspassive. For some,it couldbewhenno work or upkeep is required,orforothers,it couldbewhen a minimalamount of work each weekis required.And “minimal work” isalsosubjective.

“Passive income,forme,is reallysomethingthat you have to work to setup,butafter that,it takes very minimal work to maintainand tokeep that income stream coming,”says Joseph Hogue, a chartered financial analystandcreatorofthe YouTube channelLet’s Talk Money Othersourcesofpassive incomeinclude investinginbondsor peer-to-peerlending generating ad revenue from a blog,orputting yourmoneyin a high-yieldsavings account.Eventhemoneyanartist makesthrough playsoftheirsongs on a streamingplatform canqualifyaspassive income. If you wantpassive income,be ready to work: Contrary to what thephrasepassive incomesuggests you need to putin work in order to attain it. Investingmoney you inherited or won in a lottery maybetheonly

path to trulypassive income,start to finish.Butformostof us,creatingthisnew revenuestreamwill involve investingmoneymade from more traditionalmeanslikea job,or investingourtimebuilding a source ofincome fromthe groundup.

Without a large initial financial investment,peopleoften underestimate the“sweatequity or timeandenergy requiredatthe beginning,says Jannese TorresRodriguez, a Florida-basedentrepreneurandcreatorofthe “Yo Quiero Dinero”podcast

“Thatinitial workload,that timeit’s going to take toget toa placewhere it’s passive,iswhat freaksa lotofpeople out and makesthemthink that,‘Oh, well, thisis obviously a scam becauseI just want to make moneyquickly,’” says Torres-Rodriguez.

For both Torres-Rodriguezand Flynn,it tookatleast a yearbefore theysaw earnings fromsome of their currentsourcesofpassive income.Bothsaidthatit took consistent work during thatperiodbefore theystarted seeing money come from theirblogs,

including from affiliate marketing, ad revenueandselling courses, amongother sources. Theamountof work upfront candependontheincomestream andwhat you want toget outofit. For instance,if you’re making income from rental properties, you canhirea personor a company to take care ofalltheproperty management.That’lltake away from yourearnings,butputtingin your own timewillmake theincome more active thanpassive.

If you’re looking to make passive income, keep inmindit’s not guaranteed downthe road even if you doputinthe work There’s nopromise yourinvestment, whetherthat’s timeormoney, will payoff.Inevitably, there isrisk involved.

Seeingotherpeoples’successes,orhearingaboutthem,can trigger thatfear of missing out on agoodthing.Butbefore you try to emulate them, considerthe journey It’s not unattainable,butit won’t happen overnight. Beresfordwrites forNerdWallet.

TILLLAUER THENEW YORKTIMES

THE MOTLEYFOOL

Providing financial solutions for investors

THE FOOL’S TAKE Room for Zoom?

Zoom VideoCommunications’(Nasdaq:ZM)stock soaredasthepandemictookhold,withmillionsofpeople usingitssoftwareforvideocalls.Itsshares were recently downmorethan75percentfromtheirall-timehigh,though, dueto a slowinggrowthrateandtheworrythatZoomwill fadeoncethepandemicwindsdown.Butthismaybea greattimetosnapupsharesat a relativelylowprice— becausethere’sstill a lot tolikeaboutZoom.

Forstarters,Zoomwasalreadygrowingrapidlybefore thepandemichit.It’sprofitable,withpositivefreecashflow and a fortress of a balance sheet.Theendofthepandemic willdeliver more workersbacktoworkplaces,butit’slikely thatsignificantremote workwillremain. A September 2021 Gallup pollfoundthatmostofthosepolledwhowereworkingfromhomeatleastpart-timewantedtokeepdoingso. Notallwillgetto,ofcourse,butmanycompanieswill offer remote options toretainworkers.

Meanwhile,besidesitsflagshipZoomMeetingstechnology,ZoomhasZoomPhoneandZoomRooms which arguablyhavegreaterlong-termgrowthpotential.They shoulddowellevenasworkersreturntotheoffice,because ZoomPhoneupdates a company’sinternalphoneinfrastructurewhileZoomRoomsmodernizesconferencerooms.

Risk-tolerantlong-terminvestorsshouldtake a closer lookatZoom (TheMotleyFoolownsshares ofandhas recommendedZoomVideoCommunications.)

FOOL’S SCHOOL

Theshortstory

Here’s a differentwaytomakemoneyinstocks:byshorting,whichinvolvesreversing thetypical“buy-low,sell-high” order.

Thisishowitworks:Let’ssaythatmanyinvestorshave boughtsharesofScruffy’sChickenShack(ticker:BUKBUK), expectinggreatsuccess.Butyou’reskepticalandexpectthe businesstofail.Youcontactyourbrokerageandplacean ordertoshortScruffy’s, a stockyoudon’town.Yourbrokeragewillborrowsharesfrom a Scruffy’sshareholderandwill sellthemforyou.(Yes,thisislegal,andcommonlydone.)

Later,ifthestock doesfallinvalue you’ll“cover”your shortbybuyingshares ontheopenmarketatthenow-lower price,toreplacetheonesthatyouborrowed.Ifyoushort Scruffy’sat$120andcoverwhenithits$90,you’llmake$30 pershare(lessanycommissions).

Shortingcanbeprofitableifyoucorrectlyidentifystocks thatwillfall.Iftheoverallmarkettanks,yourshortpositions willlikelymakeyoumoney,andevenin a boomingmarket, therewillbecompaniesintroublethatshrinkinvalue.

Buttherisksinshorting aresignificant:If,insteadoffalling,Scruffy’ssharesroseto$150,andyoucoveredyourshort then,you’dhavelost$30pershare(lessanycommissions).

Andconsiderthis:Ifyouinvestin a stock expectingitto riseanditfallstozero,you’lllose 100percent of yourmoney —butnomore.A shortedstock,though,could keep rising; itmightdoubleortripleinvalue.Ifyouhangonthroughall that,yourlosscouldbe200percent,300percent or even more thelossistheoreticallyunlimited.

WHATISTHE STRONGESTBID FORTHESPORTS ARENASITE?

ECONOMISTS

MIDWAYRISING: Havingmultipleunanswered/to-be-determinedconcerns— exception for30-footcoastalheightlimit, realizedfull-sizedstate-of-the-art arena, improvedtrafficaccess to the site includingtrolleylineconnectingtheOld Town transithubmorethanamile away this seemsthemost realisticandcommunity-friendly plan The developer partners allhave localties to San Diego The separate residentialstructuresfromcommercialandentertainmentbuildingsconnected by anurbanpublicsquareand rooftop parksseemsapreferableconcept.

NEIGHBORHOOD NEXT: Themorenew residential unitsare constructed,the more affordable SanDiegohousing will become,irrespective of thenumber of unitsthat aredesignatedas“lowincome.” Logistically, the way to build moreresidentialunitsis to buildupward. Usingground-level floors forshopsand restaurantscancreate a vibranturban community. If a pedestrianbridgeallows people towalk or bike to the trailaroundMissionBaythat’s a real plus.

NEIGHBORHOODNEXT: Thedense Euro-inspiredconceptsimilar to Little Italyisamodel forsuccessfulfuture high-densitydevelopmentintheSan Diego region.Itis the type of concept includedin SANDAG’s Regional Plan The CulturalHub,increasedhousing,and ampleopen spacemakesthisconcept an excitingchoice forthe redevelopment of the Midway area. Our regionisshort by nearly 100,000 housingunits. Thisproposalprovides1,400moreunitsthan thenextclosestconcept.

Ilove that we have localsinvolvedinall of theseplans,suchasJMI,Chelsea, ConAm, Affirmed, Zephyrandlocal experts like DavidMalmuthand Gary Londonasconsultants. Eachhasmerits or featuresthatoutdoestheothers. Midway+hasthemost recspace,NeighborhoodNexthasthemosthousing, othershave greatmarketsandarenas. HomeTownSDhasa huge childcare facility. DiscoverMidway has toomuch office.I’dpicktheonethatneedstheleast amount of publicsubsidyand isled by locals.

EXECUTIVES

NEIGHBORHOODNEXT: Thecityhasan opportunity torecreate anurbanvillage muchlike we see in Europe. With 5,400 housing units,and at least25percent of themsetaside for workforcehousing, anda balance of openspace, promenade and parks,itseems we canmake a big dentinour workforcehousing goals. Housingshouldbethe focusandan updateof the arena willbea boon to the neighborhood.

DISCOVERMIDWAY: Thestrongestbid shoulddemonstrate local knowledgeand connection, (and)becommunity-driven, whilehavingatrack record of success andthe financialwherewithal forprojects of this scale.So far, the DiscoverMidway teamhastherightcredentialsinmixedusedevelopmentand financing,arena managementandoperation,andaffordablehousingcreation.Shouldthearenabe renovated,it shouldn’tjustbeaesthetics;sound andseatingshouldalso be remedied to make ita first-class venue.

NEIGHBORHOODNEXT: Whilenot my favorite froma designperspective,the primaryneed fortheareaisnumerous housing units.Beyondthat,amodern sport/event venueand parkspacewitha pedestrianbridge (access to ariver walk) areimportant toreinvigorate thisconcretedesert.Iview office, large retailand hotelallocationsaseitherunneeded or nearby.Several of the projectshave goodideas for community spaces,added venues ormarkets.

HOMETOWNSD: Allthebidscomefrom strongdevelopment teams. Butif you believe inpickingthe jockey overthe horse,IpickHomeTownSD.Monarchand JMI offerthebestchance forasuccessfulproject.Specific to JMI,they produced theBallparkDistrictthathasbeen acompletehomerun. The project team mustbeable to handle theentitlements, developmentandconstruction flawlessly. The combination of MonarchandJMIprovides everythingthat isneededhere.

3XN&THE CONAMGROUP AlanGin University of San Diego

Similarly when shorting,yourgainiscapped at 100percent(ifthestockfallstozero),compared tounlimitedpossiblegainswhenyoubuy a stocktheusualway, hopingitwillrise.

Ifyoushort a company,you’llhaveitsmanagement working againstyoutomakethecompanysucceed.Shortingisbestpracticed byexperiencedinvestors andeven theycandowellwithoutit.

ASK

THE FOOL Overvalued?Undervalued?

Q:I’mnewtoinvesting.Howcan I tellwhen a stock is overvalued orundervalued? D.L.,Venice,Fla.

A company’sintrinsicvalueistosomedegree a subjectivenumber.Smart, experienced analystswho studythesamecompanyandperform calculationswith fancyspreadsheetsarelikelytocomeupwithresultsthat aresomewhatorevenverydifferentbecausethey’llbe basedondifferentassumptions andestimates Evengreat investorswill oftendisagreeonthefairvalueof a stock.

PepsiCo,for example wasrecently tradingwith a P/E near30. A glanceatitspastratios(available atMorningstar.com,amongothersites)showsthatits averageP/E overthepastfiveyearsisroughly25.Thatsuggeststhat PepsiCo’sstockmaybeovervalued rightnow.Ofcourse, there’s muchmoretothepicture.Potentialinvestors shouldassess PepsiCo’sstrengths,weaknesses andcompetitiveadvantages alongwithitscash debt,profitmarginsandgrowthrates,amongotherthings.

Thereareothervaluationmeasures tocheckout,too, such as price-to-salesratios.

Q:What’stheshort-termtaxrateforstocks? F.W., Detroit

Still,there are waystogetatleast a roughideaofhow attractive a stock’spriceis.Youmight,forexample,compareitscurrentprice-to-earnings(P/E)ratiowithitshistoricalP/Erange overthe pastfiveto10years.A:Theshort-termcapitalgainstaxrateisthesameas yourordinaryincometaxrate,anditappliestostocks heldfor a yearorless.

However,thelong-termcapitalgainstaxrate,forqualifyingassetsheldatleast a yearand a day,isonly15percent rightnowformanypeople.There’stalkofchangingtax ratesthesedays, too.

MY DUMBEST INVESTMENT

Gotschooled

Mydumbestinvestment?Itwas“investing”$5,000ina “markettraining”course.Theonlinelessonsweregarbage, andthecompanyessentially stolemymoney. M.H.,online

TheFoolresponds: Justasregularcolleges varyintheir valuepropositionsdependingontheirfaculties,classsizes, costsandoutcomes(amongotherthings), onlineinvesting coursesalsovary.

Becausesomanypeople areeagertomake a lot ofmoney,manycompaniescananddochargethousands ofdollars forlessons.Somemaybequitegood and effective,butothersmayleaveyoufeelingcheated.It’sbesttoresearchsuch courses asmuchaspossiblebeforeyousignup,andtoask aboutsatisfactionguarantees (Notethatsomecourseson investingcostaslittleas a fewhundred dollars.)

Therearealsoplentyofwaystolearnaboutinvestingat littleor nocost.Forexample,youmightreadbooksabout greatinvestorsandtheirwisdom;itcanalsobeeffectiveto readupongreatbusinessestolearnhowtheygrowandhow torecognizethem.Somebrokeragesofferfreeeducational resources.AndwebsitessuchasFool.comoffertonsofarticlesforfree oninvesting,on specific companies andmore.

Once youstartinvesting,youmightwanttogoslowuntil you’recomfortable,andgiveyourself a chancetolearnsome lessonsthehardway bymakingcommonblundersand losingsomemoney.

FOOLISH TRIVIA

Namethatcompany

Gary London LondonMoeder Advisors

Lynn Reaser Point Loma NazareneUniv.

ReginaldJones JacobsCenter for NeighborhoodInnovation

Chris VanGorder ScrippsHealth Neighborhood Next Neighborhood Next Midway Village+ Not participating this week Not participating this week Not participating this week

Itracemyroots backto1849,whentwocousinsfounded meinBrooklyn.MyheadquartersmovedtolowerManhattanin1868 it’sinmidtown Manhattantoday.By1936,I wastheworld’stopproducer ofvitaminC,andduring World WarII,thetoppenicillinproducer.Today,with a market valuerecentlytopping$300billion,I’m a majorpharmaceuticalcompany;drugs thathavebeensoldundermyname include Advil, Chantix,Lyrica,Prevnar,Viagra,Xanax and Zoloft andeven a COVID-19vaccine. I spunoffmy Upjohn genericsbusiness in2020; itjoined Mylanand became Viatris.WhoamI? Last week’striviaanswer: HenkelAG

Businessesare learninghow to operate withthevirus

lions ofhouseholds.

Yet the jobspicture seems to besteadily brightening,with wages up,layoffs downandmanyemployers eager to fill jobs Inits report Friday the government sharplyupgradedits estimatesof job growthfor NovemberandDecember too.

“What we’re reallyseeing here isbusinesseslearning how to live withthe virus and operate with thevirus,” LaborSecretary Marty Walsh said.

HenotedthattheproportionofAmericanswho teleworked rose from 11.1 percent inDecember to 15.4 percent lastmonth,suggestingthat manyemployees were able to work fromhome even asomicroncasessurged.

Overthepast year the economyhasaddedmore than 550,000 jobs a month, extendingitssteady rebound from2020’s deep twomonth recession.Still,the UnitedStates remains2.9 million jobsshort ofthe numberithadintheprepandemicmonthof February 2020. Here are five takeaways from the January jobs report:

Betterthan we thought

Not only were the January jobsnumbersunexpectedlylarge butthe Labor Department reportedthathiringlate last year was much strongerthanithadoriginallythought.It revisedup its estimate of the numberof jobsemployersaddedin NovemberandDecemberbya combined 709,000.

Andrew Flowers,labor economistatthe recruiting firmAppcast,suggested that theupgradedrevisionsforjob growth “radically changed ourunderstanding of thelabormarket’s trajectory. Insteadof a slowingtrend from lastsummer job growth looks to be trendingupward.”

Help wanted at restaurantsandhotels

Among the mostsurprising figuresinFriday’s jobs report was thathiringat restaurantsandhotels— thekindsof employers that wouldpresumablydelayhiringduring a wave ofviral cases— rosesharplyin Jan-

uary despite theOmicron surge Thehiring gainsin thatsectorsuggestedthat manyAmericanshave learned to live withthe virus andare continuing togo out to eatand take trips. Restaurants and barsadded more than 108,000 jobs last month,hotelsnearly 23,000.

“It confirmsthateach successive wave of thevirus ishaving a smallerand smallerimpactonactivity andlabordemand,”said BrianCoulton, chiefeconomist at Fitch Ratings.

Offthesidelines

Theunemploymentrate tickedup from 3.9 percentin December to a still-low4 percentin January. But itdidso,

atleastinpart,foranencouraging reason: ManyAmericans came off the sidelines of the workforceandstarted lookingfor a job,andnot all of themfoundoneright away. Asaresult,theywerecounted asunemployed. Thepercentage of people workingorlookingfor work —theso-calledlaborforce participationrate— rose lastmonth to 62.2percent.

That was the highestsuch rate since March 2020, thoughstillbelow pre-pandemiclevelsofmore than 63 percent.

Theinfluxof workers couldhelpeasethelabor shortagesthathave left many companiesstruggling tokeep upwithsurging con-

sumerdemand. “There are financial reasons to return to the workforce,” saidBernard Baumohl, chiefeconomistatthe EconomicOutlookGroup. “Washingtonisnolonger mailingoutemergency checks to households,and inflation continues to erode thepurchasingpower of consumers.”

Risingpay

Because the economy’s unexpectedlyswift rebound has left employersscrambling to find workers,many haveresponded by jacking up wages.Hourly pay rose lastmonthby a strong 5.7 percentforall workers and 13 percent forthosewho

work for hotels, restaurants andotherleisure andhospitality companies. Still,pay overall hasn’t been keepingupwithinflation, which inDecember was running atthefastest yearover-yearrate since 1982 In December, average hourly wages were actuallydown2 percent from a yearearlier after adjustingforhigher prices

Agreenlight forthe Fed

Thestrengthofthe jobs report helps clearsthe way forthe FederalReserve to reverseitspolicyof keeping interestratessuper-lowto protecttheeconomy from coronavirusfallout Thecentralbankhas indicatedthat

itwillstart raisingitsbenchmark rate,now nearzero, several times beginningin March to try to combathigh inflation. “The (jobs) report inits totality stillpoints to a robustlabormarket, characterized bylow unemploymentandstrong job creation, thatmanaged to successfullypushthroughthe disruptions created by the omicronvariant,”said Jim Baird, chiefinvestmentofficer atPlante MoranFinancialAdvisors.“Notthatthe Fed needed another reason to tighten in thenear term, butthey just got it.” Wisemanwrites for TheAssociated Press.

Thestrengthofthejobs reporthelpsclearthe wayforthe FederalReserve to reverseitspolicyof keepinginterest ratessuper-low to protecttheeconomy from coronavirusfallout.Thecentralbankhasindicatedthatitwillstart raisingitsbenchmark rate in March.

SAMUEL CORUM BLOOMBERG

RARE • Somedevelopers offeringsmallerhomes at lower cost

ChulaVista’s masterplan community of OtayRanch, ValleyCenter’s Park Circle community, Fallbrookand 3RootsinMira Mesa. Housing expertssaida large reasonthere aren’t more single-familyhome projectsinSanDiego County this year orinthe near future,isstate and community planners are favoringdenser development near transit Thatmeans large single-familyprojects in ruralSanDiego— already likely to be voted down, not approvedor stoppedbylegal action couldbe a thing of thepast.

Itisn’talldoomand gloomforhomeshoppers becausemanydevelopers have shiftedinto smaller home productsthatarestill detachedbut are lesspricey than some condos Inaddition toWhitmore theTrailsideprojectin Valley Center hashomesaround2,000 square feetthatstart inthe $630,000 range,andthe CrestlineprojectinSpring

Valleyhashomes 1,700 square feet to 1,800square feetthatstart inthemid$600,000s.

“Itis a goodthing anda trendthathas to continue,” said Gary London, a San Diego housinganalyst.“It’s landuseefficiency Smaller homes,smallerlotsand smallerpricesall gotogether.”

Thetrendofsmallersingle-familyhomesisnot yet at thesamelevel as Japanese “pencilstyle”homesthat dominateTokyosuburbs,but itis a change forthe region— especiallyafter manyofthe large SanDiego County projectsthatcameoutafter the GreatRecession. For example,oneofthe biggestprojectsinthelastthreeyearshas been the SterlingHeights community northofBlack MountainRanch.Thehomes range from4,936 square feet to6,540square feet.Theprojectisnow soldoutbuthomes were selling forasmuch as $3.4 millionin March 2021.

Londonsaidit’s true manySanDiego homes were larger becausethat’s what local governingbodies were approving,butit’s notlike developers hadmuch motivation to pushbackon plans.

“Theycanmake asmuch money,ifnotmore,building the McMansionandselling to onepersonvs. 10 people,” hesaid.

Kerry Garza,founder andpresident ofPark Circle master developer TouchstoneCommunities,saidthe size ofitsnew Valley Center homes were basedonhow practicalthey were withlocalplans.SanDiego County plannershave been pushing formore than a decade for denservillages,which ishow thedevelopment was approvedunderits general plan.But,hesaidhe doubtedthe ValleyCenter community would approve of a very dense townhouse projectsothatiswhythey wentforsmaller detached houses Garza saidthe result was creating a mix ofhomesthat are inhighdemand.

“Theyare sellinglike hot cakes,” hesaid.

ParkCircle:Largeyards andopenspace

ValleyCenterisabout to geta lotbusier

ThePark Circlemaster plan,with 632 homes, started constructionin summer2019 inunincorporatedSanDiego County and hasbeen a quicksellforall thedevelopersinvolved.Itis about20miles eastofthe coastandnorthofEscondido,makinghomebuyers more likely to bethosewho work in North County. There are severaldevelopers workinginthe 186-acre Park Circle,includingKB Home,BeazerHomes, Meritage Homes,SheaHomes andRichmondAmerican Homes. TouchstoneCommunitiessaidmore than 7,000 peoplesigneduponaninterestlistin early2021 whenthe firstsalesstarted.

Oneoftheprojectsis Sundance which features 2,061-square-foot to 2,620square-foothomesthat start at$807,990. Itisoneof thepricierprojectsinthedevelopment,butstilllessthan aresale detachedhomein areascloser to downtown.

“Thebiggest attractionis itisonlysinglestory, said DanielLoth,vicepresident ofsalesandmarketing.

Unlike many of the smallerhomeprojectsinthe county thatmaximize space, Touchstone’s effort to not get in a battlewiththe ValleyCenter community witha denserprojectmeans amuch bigger lotat Sundance. Not onlydobuyers have large frontandbackyards,they get two-car ga-

rages with anoptionfora three-car garage. Park Circle couldhave included 700 more homes, basedonwhat was approved forthemasterdeveloper It is a sharp contrast to Chula Vista’s OtayRanch master planthathasfavored denser development with townhouses,apartmentsand,in somecases,smallerhomes.

Like allnew homesbuiltin Californiathis year housesin Park Circle comewith solar panels.Thelaw requiringsolar tookeffectin2020 but projectsthatstarted before that were exempt.Thisisthe firstyearinSanDiegoCounty where themajority ofnew homes comewithsolar.

Park Circle residentswill allbe allowed to use a large park, community center, gym,poolandhot tub in the center of thedevelopment.

About 250 homeshave beensoldinPark Circle, TouchstoneCommunities said.Ofthose, 100 homesare occupiedwhilethe restare stillunder construction.

Lothsaidthey expected most of thebuyers to come from North County, butthe desire to live inmore rural, openareasduringCOVID-19 seems to have motivated shoppers.Hesaidtheyhave seenbuyers fromSouth County and even outside of SanDiego.

Côta Vera:Amasterplan withinamasterplan Thecenter of new home constructionforthenextfew yearswilllikelybetheCôta VeraprojectinChulaVista. Ithasspacefor2,300housingunitsspreadout among townhouses,apartments, subsidized housing, condos andsingle-familyhomes.

Thesizeoftheprojectis even more intensewhen considering itispart ofthe OtayRanch masterplan (nearly thesizeofSan Francisco)thatwillinclude around 18,000homesat final buildout.Côta Verais a sort ofmasterplanwithin a master planthathasits own blueprintandamenities separate fromOtayRanch. Itislocatedattheendof La MediaRoadinanundevelopedareaaround Rock Mountain westofstate

THEARAMCOREPORT

Route 125.

The400-acre Côta Vera willincludetrails,anurban core with retail,pool,an MTSrapid bustransitstop, gas station, fire station park and elementary school.Luxury gym LifetimeFitness recentlysigned a lease fora new structure inthemaster plan’s urban core

Like Park Circle,Côta Verahas a master developer —HomeFedCorp. that sells plots to developers who have their own home types. Lennar is responsibleforthe Whitmore project,which maximizesspacewithsmall yards, shared drivewaysand built-upwith two stories (unlike spreadoutsinglefamily homesinSundance). Inaddition toWhitmore, there are two othersinglefamily homeprojectsopeninginCôta Verathis year. Lucca, fromSheaHomes, features2,535-square-foot to 2,830-square-footsinglefamily homesthatstart at $790,000 Itsother project, Savona,ismuch larger: 3,157 square feet to 3,577 square feet.Itisstillinitsearly stages andthepricehasnot yet been released.

Buyingin Whitmore mightbedifferentthanwhat new homeshoppersare

Americansare paying morefor home repairs

ByMehranAram,RealEstateandMortgageAnalyst

You’veaccomplished theAmericanDream: you’re ahomeowner. Whilethismajor achievementisworthy ofcelebration,new homeownersshould alsobemindfulthat savingforthedown paymentwasonlythe beginning.Itcosts moneytomaintaina homeandaccordingto recentreports,thatcost isincreasing.

Asurveyfromhome repairsite,Angi,of1,000 homeownersintheU.S., itshowsthatAmericans arepayingmorefor homemaintenancecosts inthelastyear.More than40percentofthese

repairsarefromordinary wearandtearandpartof thenormalcostofbeing ahomeowner.

Onaverage, Americansshellout over$3,000eachyear inhomemaintenance. Appliancerepairsand newroofsareamong themostcommonand costlyexpenses.Whileit maynotcoverallcosts, homewarrantiesare oftenrecommendedby realestateexpertsto minimizethesecosts.

Today,conforming no-point30-yearfixed mortgageratesare averaging3.0percent and15-yearratesare near2.25percent.

used to Lennarsaiditis“entertaining offers inthe high $600,000s”— meaningpropertieswilllikely goto the highestbidder AlmostallSanDiego developmentshave setprices fornew homes, makingit rare that a buyer paidmore

fora house thananeighbor.

For instance, when you goto othernew home communitiesinOtayRanch, a salespersonhands youa printout withthe costforitshome types Then, you get ona waiting list and,althoughit differs fromdeveloper to de-

veloper it typicallyinvolves alottery if demandis too high. There mightbe a workaroundforpotential buyers at Whitmore.Inabout two monthsthe firsthomesare set to closeandbuyerswill be able to search soldhome prices on websiteslike Redfinor Zillow, and geta better ideaofwhat to offer Lennar declined to commentonwhyithadinstituted an offerprogramat Whitmore.Italsohasother new homeprojectsacross Californiathatuseoffersystems.

Mark Goldman, a realestate analystwithC2FinancialCorp.,saidLennarhad created a “silentauction” for thehomesbutitmade sense in the hot market Hesaid costsofmaterials keep going up, and withsofew homes forsale,homeprices keep increasing.Goldman relatedit to the resalemarket where homesare goingforsomuch overaskingpotentialbuyers are often left stunned.

“Nobody knowstheprice (thehome will go for) not even thebuilder,”hesaid. phillip.molnar@ sduniontribune.com Twitter:@phillipmolnar

Newsingle-familyhomesareunder constructionintheearlystagesatSheaHomes’Lucca projectinCôta Vera inChula Vista.

EDUARDO CONTRERAS U-T

DON BOOMER

The Park Circle masterplanin ValleyCenterhasseveraldevelopers working withinit.The Sundanceprojecthaslargerlotswithlessdensity,butispricier.

PREPS STATE NO.1 TOPS POWAY

Titanswrestlinglosesbig to Clovis Buchananbutcoachsays teamlearnedplenty. D7

TheL.A. Coliseumis ready forNASCAR’s BuschLight Clash today asthe racingserieskicks offitsseason beforethe Daytona 500in two weeks. D4

SUV boastsmorepower andbeefierpresence. D9

2022BEIJINGOLYMPICS

WHITE BACK FOR ONE LAST SHOT AT GLORY

NO CALL ONSDSU’S LAST SHOT PUZZLES

It was7th gamein 7nights for refwho swallowedwhistle

BY MARKZEIGLER

FORT COLLINS,Colo.

Three thoughtsonSan Diego State’s 58-57 lossat ColoradoState onFriday night:

1. Thenon-call DidSDSU get the short endofthestick?

Theshort answer:probably.

Thebroader context is that Matt Bradley’s aggressive drive andwhistle-less collisionwith6-foot-10 260poundColoradoState center James Moorsinthe controversial,closing seconds was just one momentina 2,400-second game, all with theoreticallythesameimpactonthe result.

“Listen,allthese games that comedown to the wire …”ColoradoState Niko Medvedsaid, “we losta gamein Laramietheother night,and I don’t want to hearanything aboutpeople talkingabouttheofficials thisandthator whatever. There area lotofpossessionsinthe game There are somanythings thatcan influencewinningorlosing. You don’thavecontrol over allthose things.”

Interesting Medved shouldmentionthe gamein Laramie, an84-78 overtime loss HisRams were down onein regulationwhenstar forward David Roddy went barreling downthe laneand crashedinto Wyoming’s GrahamIke,who jumped verticallywithhisarms extended.Official Mike Reed whistled a foul even though replaysindicatedRoddylost theballbefore contact.

finalcompetition

BY LES CARPENTER

BEIJING

One day last November, Shaun White satinthesnow on thesideof a mountainin Austria, deflated.Hisknee ached;hehad spenttheday watching younger snowboarders “throw down heavytricks;”andthen,duringa practice run,hisankle “just gave out.”Hefeltold.

Finally, White got upand headedfor a gondola to take him

to the top ofthehalfpipe and wentthewrong way. To get to where he wanted to be,he climbedonto anempty chairlift andbeganthelong,slow ride backupthemountain.

TheSanDiego native thought about all the signs tellinghimhe couldnolonger keepup theinjuredankle, the wrong turn,thefutilesearch for theright gondola anddecided thismonth’s BeijingOlympics wouldbehislast.And there,

FormerCharger Gates finds a new way to compete

In 16 NFLseasons,formerChargerstightendAntonioGatesused histalentedfeet to assemble a Hall of Fame-worthycareer with 11,841 yardsand 116 touchdowns.There’s stillmagicleft inthose route runners,apparently.

Gates, 41, usedthosesamefeet to transformhimself to 1963 anda Virginiamountainlodge, channelingPatrick Swayze’s character JohnnyCastleintheiconicmovie, “Dirty Dancing.”

Instead of worrying about flag routes,Gatesfocusedon a freshand completelyforeign typeoffootwork in the current Fox reality show, “TheRealDirty Dancing.” Ready set stress.

“Isaid,letmetry thisthing,”Gatessaid. “I was very uncomfortable. Never danced,never had a class. Ibarelydancedonmy weddingday.”

dangling aloneabove thetrees, the 35-year-old godfather of snowboardingcried.

“It was sort oflikeI was sad,” White says recalling thestory overthephone two monthslater.

“But thenit was likea joyfulness because I was sittingthere thinking:‘Like, wow what a run, you knew thisday would come,like you know it’s inevitablethisis going to happenatsome point, and to know that todayisthat day. Thisdecisionhasbeenmade.’”

White madesure the world heard his decisionSaturdayin Beijing, telling reporters,“Inmy mind,I’ve decidedthiswillbemy last competition.”

Notpressure,inspiration

Before White could retire after his fifth Olympics,hehad to

SEE WHITE • D3

Roddy was awarded two free throwswith 1.7 seconds left. Madethe first,missed the second, and they went to overtime.(Youknow the saying:Balldon’tlie.)

Here wasa similar call

SEE AZTECS D6

D6 No.7Arizonapulls away latetotopNo. 19USC.

Nevada at Aztecs

Today: 1p.m., ViejasArena Line: Aztecs by 121⁄2

Ontheair: CBSSN; 101.5-FM,1360-AM

CINCINNATI FANS SEEKHOLYGRAIL

After waitingthree decades,Bengals backersenergized

BY JEFFMILLER

CINCINNATI Hesatinthebarhe owns, theone justdown thestreet fromPaulBrown Stadium, theonethat openednearly 11 years ago butnever has beenmore perfectlynamed thannow.

TheHolyGrail. Jim Moehring firstdescribedthevictory that causedhim totearup, then theonethatnettedhisbara gameball,and finallythe triumphthatstunkofsweet cigarsmoke.

Three weeks.Three wins. One topic.

SuperBowl LVI Rams vs.Bengals

Feb.13: 3:30p.m.,SoFi Stadium,Inglewood Line: Rams by4 Ontheair: Ch. 7/39

Cincinnati’s NFL team. “Here we are talking abouttheBengalsin February, hesaid.“We haven’t donethatin 30years. Well, that Super Bowl was in January. So we’ve never done that Ever.”

Yes,theBengalshave outlasted everything from their wanting history to their loaded conference to their unyieldingdoubters on a ti-

WhileShaun White, 35,isanagingstarina youngman’s sport,heinsistshehasthetricks to winamedalinBeijing.

AMYSUSSMAN GETTYIMAGES FORUSOPC

D3 SnowboarderJulia Marino wins firstmedal for U.S.

12:30p.m. NBA Atlanta at Dallas,3p.m. ESPN

Milwaukee at L.A.Clippers,6p.m. BSSD

NFL ProBowl,NFC vs.AFC,noon 10,ESPN

Trackand field

BostonGrand Prix,9a.m. 7/39

WinterOlympics

Women’s hockey

U.S. vs Switzerland,5:10a.m.,2p.m. (delayed) USA

Curling,mixeddoubles;Men’s luge;Skijumping, Men’s normalhill, 7:30a.m. USA

Speedskating,Men’s 5000; Cross-countryskiing, Men’s skiathlon;Skijumping, Men’snormalhill, 11a.m. 7/39

Figureskating;Alpineskiing, Women’s giantslalom; Women’s freestyleskiing;Bigairqualifying;Moguls final;Men’s luge,4p.m. 7/39

Alpineskiing, Women’s giant slalom; Freestyle skiing, Women’s bigair;Cross-countryskiing,Men’s skiathlon;Skijumping,Men’s normalhill, 4:30p.m. USA

Women’s hockey Canada vs ROC,8p.m. USA

Alpineskiing, Women’s giant slalom; Snowboarding,Men’s slopestyle,9p.m. 7/39

Freestyleskiing,Men’s bigair, 10:30p.m. USA

Snowboarding,Men’s slopestyle,11:45p.m. USA

Speedskating, Women’s 1500,12:30a.m.(Mon.) USA

Curling,mixeddoubles, U.S. vs.GreatBritain,2a.m.(Mon.) USA

Men’s short track, 1000;

Women’s shorttrack,500,3:30a.m.(Mon.) USA

Women’s luge,5:05a.m.(Mon.) USA

Women’s soccer FASL,ManchesterCity at Chelsea, 4:30a.m. CNBC

WNBA REPORT

DREAMTRADE CARTER TO L.A. FORWHEELER

U-TNEWS SERVICES

ChennedyCarter isheaded to LosAngelesfor a freshstart.

TheAtlantaDreamtraded Carter and therights to Li Yueru to theSparks forErica Wheeler LosAngeles first-rounddraft choicenext yearandthe No 15 pickthisseason.

“Ericais a versatile guard in the primeof hercareer and we think she’s going to bea great fit here inAtlanta,”General Manager DanPadoversaid.“Bothofthesepicksare going to be key assetsforusas we aim to rebuildthis teamintoa title contender This trade positionsus to berightwhere wewant to bein2022 andbeyond.”

Carter averaged 16.1 pointsand 3.4 assists over two seasons withAtlanta after the Dreamdrafted herwiththethird overall pickin2020. She was suspendedin Julyfor conduct detrimental to the teamand didn’t returnforthe restoftheseason.

“ChennedyCarter hastheskills to bean All-WNBAtalent,”Sparks GMand coach DerekFishersaid. “She canscore atall three levelsandhas a tenaciousapproach to the game.At just 23yearsold, we’re excited about the potentialforher to be a star formany years to come.”

Wheeler averaged a career-high 13.6 points and 3.1 rebounds per game with the Sparks in 2021.

WNBA receivesinvestment

The WNBAadded $75 million to its coffersthrough acapitalraise that brought in new investments fromsome of thebiggest namesinbusiness,athleticsandentertainment.Thelistofinvestorsincludedformer secretary ofstate Condoleezza Rice CarnivalCorporationandMiamiHeat owners

Micky and Nick Arison Dellfounder Michael and Susan Dell, formerWNBA star SwinCash, formerNBAplayers Baron Davis and Pau Gasol Wizards andMystics owner Ted Leonsis andNike. Thefundswillbeused in a variety of ways to increaseleague revenueand growth throughinvestment. Part oftheplanis to put more resources into playerandleaguemarketing, growing thefanbasewithmore opportunities to interactwiththeleague,globalization and investmentsinoperations.

A-Gone finally gonefromthe baseballdiamond

FormerPadresfirstbaseman AdrianGonzalez announcedhis retirementonInstagramon Saturday.

Gonalezalsoplayedforthe TexasRangers(theteamthat draftedhim),theBostonRed Sox,theLosAngelesDodgers andtheNewYorkMets.

Gonzalezhit.287overhis 15-yearcareer,with317home runsandan.843careerOPS.

InhisfiveseasonswithSan Diego,hehit.288with161homersandan.888OPS.

“Iamofficiallyannouncing myretirementtoday,”theEastlakeHighgraduatesaidinhis post.“Igottoplayin@MLBfor 15yearsplustheminorleagues, Mexicansummerandwinter league.TheCaribbeanSeries, theWorldBaseballClassic,and theOlympicgames.Whata blessing.

“Baseballhasbeeninmydna sinceI was bornanditwillalwaysbeapartofwhoIam.

“WiththisIsaygoodbyeto mybaseballplayingcareer.

“Ialsowanttosaythankyou tomyincrediblefans.ThankYou forallyourloveandsupport,”he continued.“Itsnowtimeto continueonwithmylifeintonew andcontinuedbusinessesand partnerships.”

GonzalezledtheAmerican Leagueinhitswith213with Bostonin2011,hisfirstyearafter thePadrestradedhimthere.He ledtheNationalLeagueinRBIs with116RBIsin2014whilewith theDodgers. HewasfourthinNLMVP votingin2010withthePadres, hitting.298with31homeruns and101RBIs.

Gonzalezkepthiscareeralive

byplayingforTeamMexicoin recentyears.Hislastseasonin themajorswas2018. GonzalezplayedintheTokyo Gameslastsummer,notching threehitsover11at-bats,includingadouble.

Triviaquestion

NextSunday’sSuperBowl willbejustthesecond with both quarterbackshavingbeen draftedNo.1overall.Whowere thefirsttwotofaceanotherNo.1 overallpickinaSuperBowl?

Theysaidit

• From DwightPerry ofThe SeattleTimes:“CriticssayMajor LeagueBaseballhasdevolved intotoomanystrikeoutsandtoo littleaction.Butenoughabout thebargainingsessions.”

• From MarkWhicker,inhis finalcolumnforTheOrange CountyRegister,ontheRams’ 40-year-oldlefttackle:“I’m lookingforsignsthatindicate whetherTheAsteroidwillcrash intoearthbefore Andrew Whitworth retires.”

• TweetfromBearsHallof

Famer DickButkus:“Ithinkit’s great Giselle let TomBrady retire.Hopefullyshe’lllethim keep RobGronkowski inthe yard.”

• From JackFinarelli of SportsCurmudgeon.com,onthe newCommandersnickname:“It wasnicetouchfortheteamto nameitselfafter PresidentBiden’sdog.”

Triviaanswer

TheDenverBroncos,with PeytonManning atquarterback, defeatedtheCarolinaPanthers, with CamNewton atQB,24-10 onFeb.7,2016.Manningwasthe No.1overallpickbytheColtsin 1998.NewtonwastheNo.1 overallpickin2011.Thisyear’s matchup,withtheRams’ MatthewStafford (2009)and theBengals’ JoeBurrow (2020), meansthattwoNo.1shavenever matchedupintheSuperBowl withtheiroriginalteams.Stafford wasdraftedbytheDetroitLions.

COMPILED BY BOYCE GARRISON FROMU-TNEWS SERVICES, ONLINEREPORTS

Ramsdefensive tackleAaronDonald,holdingthe GeorgeHalasTrophyafterdefeatingthe San Francisco49ersintheNFC championshipgameat SoFi Stadium,isadefensiveplayertheother teamhas to game-planagainst.

Donaldhas taken mantleasbest DT ever

Sez Me Here are somepersonal observationsofwhat had to bethemost remarkable final two weekendsof January in NFL history:

• Pete Rozelle wasa freakforparity andnever really got any It’s here. No dominant teams.Thesix gamesplayed over the playoffs’ final two weeks were decidedby 21 totalpoints.The rout?

NICK CA NEPA Columnist

Chiefs 42 Bills 36. Are Super Teams thenew vogue,buildingbyspendingmoneyonproventalent— in-seasonandoffseason instead of throughthedraft?TheBucshave doneit, now theRams.L.A.hasn’thad a No.1 in five years and probably won’t have oneforseven.QB Matt Stafford andRBSonyMichel cameduringtheoffseason,LB Von Miller and WR OdellBeckhamJr duringtheseason.Eric Weddle was an 11th-hourdesperationmove atsafety Eric hadninetacklesvs. theNiners.They’re notplaying athome nextSundaywithoutthem.

TheChiefs wet thebed.AndyReid’s playcallattheendofthe first halfof Bengals-Chiefs was the worst sincePete Carroll’s atthe finishoftheSeahawks-Patriots SuperBowl,which seemsimpossible to match.Butit was stupid,andPatrick Mahomesshouldhaverealizedit.Great QBs don’tthrow awaypoints.

• Mahomes’secondhalf was hisseasonin

miniature Something was missing.Great attimes,ashe was in the first half,not even near-average inthesecond.Three points after intermission?Blow an 18-pointlead? Athome?Theystunk.It wasa Patrick-Andy defeat. Thebest coachesadjust.Bengalshead man Zac Taylorand D coordinatorLou Anarumodid a terrific job the final 30 minutes.ButwithCincyinthat rushing-threedropping-eightdefense,whydidReid give uponthe run?Thelonger Mahomeshad to throw, themore unsure hebecame. A horrible job, Andy. Joe Burrow is brilliant,hasbeenbrilliant. But he looks andactslikea grown-up Kevinin“HomeAlone,”andthatelevates him.He’s unafraidwitharmandmouth. Namathswagger. I alwaysthoughtBob Lilly was the greatestdefensive tackle, followed closely by MerlinOlsenand Mean Joe Greene.But AaronDonaldhassurpassedthemall.He changes gameplans. Never rests.Andthe Rams’trueleader.

• KyleShanahan,theoffensive genius. Deebo Samuel,hismostdangerousplayer, didn’t touch theballinthe final 12:30 of regulationvs.Rams.FromESPN: Kyle’s Ninershave beenshut out 53-0inthefourth quarter ofhislastthree playoff games

• Kylewill regretthedayheallowed JimmyG. to leave Hate to sayit,butthemostdominant playersintheplayoffs were kickers Kickers

are like water andbreathing.Can’tlive without ’em. If I coachedfootball at anylevel— my defensive backs andlinebackers would spend 15 minutesof every practicesession catchingballs. I realizemanybecomeDBs because theycan’tcatch,butlast weekend was stupid, game-changing.Gloves are like Gorilla Glue TheNinersprobablywinif theirDBs didn’thave thehandsofReid’s clock. I’mallinfavor ofofficialslettingthem play. ButI get thefeelingplayers recognize that,anditbecomesridiculous.Zebras aren’tbadenough to misssome of these things.Passinterferenceandillegalmotion becamemythsintheseplayoffs.

• For me,theplayoffs were a diamond with one flaw TheChiefs beattheBills.…

TheRaidersare raiding thePatriots, plucking theirnew head coach andGM fromthenot-always-fruitful New England BillBelichick tree The Vegas ExPatriots.… Mac Jones madethePro Bowlasan alternate.All you need to know aboutThe WorstSportsShow onEarth.…

Ishetheother Tom Petty? Maybe,but what does Tom Brady owe thePatriots?As myuncle John wouldsay:“Diddlysquat.” Tom’s slightoftheminhiseight-page retirementscribble was intentional.He’s too smart and aware for it not to be.…

Belichicksayshe was privileged to draft Brady No, he was beyondfortunate....

Belichick:Great coach,bad texter.…

BrianFlores,a coachI greatlyadmire,is suingtheNFLformisfeasance,racismand gettingcannedbyMiami owner Stephen Ross for refusing to breakthe rules.He’s also accusingtheGiants andBroncos of dishonesthiringpractices Wonderwhat college job he’llbe getting.…

Butwhathe’s doingtakes a spine.…

Ifwhathesays istrue,thatRoss wanted to payhim$100,000 to tank gamesin2019 so Miami could geta higherdraft pick(Flores says he refused),thenthe Fedsare butting in,andoddsmakersare drinkinghard

Pepto

Inhis own way, Florescanbecomethe NFL’s Jackie Robinson Oscar Robertson and Curt Flood

“Youplay to lose the game.”How coulda coach possibly get his players to tank?…

RogerGoodell says “efforts”fordiversity inthehiringprocesshave been “unacceptable.” Weak,asusual.But remember, Goodellisan employee

TheRooney Rulehasallthe teethofan aginghockeyplayer NFLquicklysaidthelawsuitiswithout merit(probablywithout readingit).But lettingairoutof a football was?

How manyBlack coacheshiredthus far?…

Commanders?I thoughtforsure the Washington Football Team would go with now-available Indians.…

Dan Snyder finally achieves hislifelong dream:CommanderinChief.…

StinkO’The Week Sezment:Hypocrite

football coaches. Nick Saban isripping the NIL,saying athletes are puttingbusiness before playing.Nick,didn’t Bryce Young, your Heisman-winningquarterback, geta million inNILmoneybefore throwing a passatAlabama?…

IsaidUSC,rich,withpower alums, would be a transferdestinationunder a clever coach. Clever Lincoln Riley hasseen to it Moneyhas a Pavarotti voice.…

Jim Harbaugh never interviewsforthe Vikingsjob withoutbelievinghe’s gettingit.…

Jim lost to formerAztecsQB/good guy KevinO’Connell ofwhomonce-JetsGM Mike Tannenbaum saysofhis ex-player:“Ithink he’s going to be a coachingsuperstar.” Kevinis theoneplayerwho’s sentme a thank-you card.…

Bradyisn’tthe onlystar retiring.Orange County Register columnist Mark Whicker,a friend,andoneofAmerica’s very very finest sports columnistsfor decades, isputtinghis keyboard to rest. Too smart.… You can’tbeat Mountain Westofficials.Can you,Aztecs?…

Sadly, Pernicano’s Pizza Restaurant/Casa diBaffi hasbeenbulldozed. Now, if wallsonly couldwrite,those could typeentire libraries. Our TootsShor’s OurMusso & Frank.…

Just read a report claimingthat 10 Downingis guilty of excessive drinking Firsttime? Didn’tthatlegendary teetotaler Churchill hang 10 duringWWII?…

Ibelieve Snapdragon Stadium canbe completed earlieriftheymake itsmaller

Twelve peopledonotmakea rally Teslais recalling54,000 vehiclesthatmay disobeystopsigns.Socarsare takencare of. Now what aboutbicyclists?…

Stand corrected.SanDiego doesn’tdo everythingsmall. Largestpower billsin America. Joe West isquittingtheumpire dodge.I thoughtthathappened 5,460 gamesago sezme.godfather@gmail.com Twitter:@sdutCanepa

Sportspoll

Q:

Which teamwillwintheSuper Bowl?

1.Bengals

2. Rams Call(619) 293-2727 to vote by midnight Wednesdayor go to www.sandiegouniontribune.com to cast your vote untilnoonSaturday.

Last week

Do youlikethenewSaturday finish for the FarmersInsuranceOpen?

1. Yes,88(60percent)

2.No, 59 (40)

OLYMPI CS

NEW ZEALANDWINS1ST GOLD

Sadowski Synnott’s final runbumps U.S.’Marino down to silvermedal

BY EDDIEPELLS

ZHANGJIAKOU, China

Zoi Sadowski Synnott captured New Zealand’s first gold medalin WinterOlympichistory, stompingdowna pressurepacked run onherlasttrip down the mountain late Saturday (SanDiego time) to win thetitlein women’s slopestyle.

The20-year-old was oneof the very few to putdown a clean run on a supersized course where hardpackedsnow and bone-coldwind chills made things difficulton all 12 finalists, including two-time defending champion JamieAnderson, who finishedninth.

SadowskiSynnott wentinto her last ofthree runstrailing American Julia Marinobut cameupbig.

She landed a double-cork 1080on thesecond-to-last jump, including a solid grabofthe middleofthe board,andheld it long enough forthe judges to see itclearly Andthen she repeatedthe double cork in a differentdirection the way shedid in hervictory at the WinterX Gameslastmonthwhenshebecame the first woman to pullit off. She raisedher hands in the air after landing,knowingwhat she’d done Marino, who won silver, andthird-place finisher TessCoadyof Australia knew it, too. They tackledheratthe finishline to celebrate.

Afew minuteslater, the scoreboardconfirmedtheoutcome,and New Zealandhadits first WinterGamesvictory—

qualifyforhis fifth Olympics,and this was not easy Sincewinning histhird gold at the2018 Winter Games, White haslingeredonthe periphery ofthesport’s hierarchy. Injuriesand age have kept him fromhisformer dominance. Enteringthelastqualifying event before Beijing,the LaaxOpen in Switzerland,heneeded to perform well to bolsterhis WorldCup ranking and justify U.S.Ski and Snowboard makinghim a discretionary pick.

He finished third.Good enough.

Heisthird on the four-man U.S. team,behind Taylor Gold andChase Josey and ahead of newcomerLucas Foster whois 13 years youngerthan White.Hehas labored to find consistency But he’s alsoShaun White,with 13X Gamessnowboard goldmedals, andwhenheisonandthe run is smoothandnothinghurts,he stillcanpropelhimselfinto the air in tightly wound twists that make himbelieve hesomehow willleave China with one last Olympicmedal.

Littleinthepast yearsuggests thiswillhappenwhenqualifying is conducted Tuesdaynightand the final runsfollow Thursday evening (bothSanDiego time).

But a part of White’s successhas come fromhisimpudence Heis almostalwayscertain he will win. Theonlytimehe wasn’t was at the2014 SochiOlympicswhen he finishedfourth a resultthat gnawedathimforthenextfour yearsuntilhe won goldat Pyeongchang.Heloves thebuzz thatfollowshimaroundthehalfpipes, the hum of expectation thatheis going to dosomething big every timehearrives atan event. Most would view thisas pressure Heseesitasinspiration. “Idon’tknow ifthat’s something that’s justlike inmeor what,”hesaysofthisassuredness. “Ifeel I justfeltthat way aboutthesport— aboutcertain things whenit’s mymoment to shine, I feel likeI know itand I can walkthatpath.” Thistimefeelsdifferent, though.Theinjurieshave slowed him.Hedoesn’thave thesame staminahedidinhis20s.Hehas learned to practicelessthanhe

RUSSIALEADS TEAMFIGURE SKATING EVENT

BEIJING Olympic favorite Kamila Valieva nearly eclipsedher own world record in the short programofthe team figure skating event at theBeijing Olympics. ThatsentherRussian teaminto thelead headinginto themen’s free skate later Sunday(Beijing time).

The 15-year-old Valieva’s score of90.18 points to “In Memoriam” bytheRussian pianistand composer KirillRichter at the BeijingGames was justoffthe record of 90.45pointsset just weeksagoattheEuropean championships.

TheRussians moved into first place with 36 points, two aheadof Day 1 leader TeamUSAandseven aheadof Japan.

KarenChen tooktheicefortheAmericans but made a coupleof mistakes,including a fallon hertripleloopnearthe endofthe program.Thatleft herin fifth place intheshort programand costher teamvaluable points.

WakabaHiguchi was second,pushing her Japanese teaminto podium contention

brought homeby an Australianbornshredder withan American motherand a Kiwifather. Theymoved to Wanaka, New Zealand,when Zoi was six. For thesecondstraight Olympics,this was not the finestshowcaseof women’s talent onsnowboards. In Pyeongchangfour yearsago,a harsh,shifting wind turned the contestintoa demolitionderby.

Anderson anAmerican, somehow survivedthatdayand came awaywithhersecond gold despite usingtricks that were far fromstate ofthe art.

Four years later the wind wasn’t a factor, butthesuperhard snowpackandthesizeof

didinthepast.At 35 hisbody can’ttake the constantpounding ofboard crashingonice.

White used to power through practices, workingforhours to get landings justright. “Four yearsago, we used to dreaddays off,”his coach J.J. Thomassays. Days off meant more time to think,more time to let doubt chisel away at the certainty. Now, White needsdays away He’s learned to appreciate whathis 21year-oldprotege Toby Miller describes as“quality overquantity.” He’s learned to bepatient.He’s learned to relax.

Lastfall was filledwithimperfection White never expected.He losthis first event,theGrand PrixatColorado’s Copper Mountain,whenhesays “thenerves got to me,”causinghim to stumblein the final. A weeklater duringthe Dew Touronthesamemountain, his binding broke in his first finals run,causinghim to finishseventh.

Momentumhasbeenhard for him to find.Hisknee andankle keep hurting.He getstired.He’s had a perpetual coldsincethe start ofthefall.He coughsashe talks.It’s a horrible,hacking coughthatsoundslike thestarteronanoldjalopy. He was certainit was COVID but the tests kept comingbacknegative. Then,rightbefore thenew year, the cough camebackstronger. Thistime,the test was positive. More practicescanceled. More delaysinthepursuitoftheperfect run thatwillbring himback. “It’s justlaughable,”hesaid.

Breakinginvisibleceiling

Snowboarding changed over 10 dayslastOctober.

That’s when four Japanese snowboarders,including White’s rival, AyumuHirano beganlanding frontside triple cork 1440s— four complete rotations and three off-axis flips inpractice runs.Thoughthetrickhadbeen aroundfor years White worked onitwhen he was trying to compete inslopestyle as wellashalfpipebefore the2014 Olympics— thetriple cork hadbeen a kindof invisibleceiling.

Andwhilethe Japaneseriders were landingonairbags forsafety theprecisionwithwhich they were doingtheirtriple corks meantthatsnowboardinghad leapedintoa new phase, a younger higher more dangerousspace

BRONZE—Teresa Stadlober, Austria

FREESTYLESKIING Men’s Moguls GOLD—Walter Wallberg, Sweden SILVER—Mikael Kingsbury, Canada BRONZE—IkumaHorishima,Japan

SKIJUMPING

Women’s NormalHillIndividual GOLD—UrsaBogataj,Slovenia SILVER—KatharinaAlthaus,Germany BRONZE—NikaKriznar,Slovenia

SPEEDSKATING

Women’s 3000m

GOLD—IreneSchouten,Netherlands SILVER—Francesca Lollobrigida,Italy

BRONZE—Isabelle Weidemann, Canada

SHORTTRACKSPEEDSKATING

the course— dottedwithiceblock replicasof TheGreat Wall and evena pagoda-roofed “guard house” to run rails off— madeit tough on everyone. Evenwiththesun shining it was3 degrees Fahrenheit witha minus-13 wind chillatthestart ofthe contest. Ofthe 36 runs,25 were abortedeither because offalls orspeedissuesthatmadethe hardest jumps too risky to navigate Sadowski Synnott’s winningscore of 92.88 was theonly mark over90.

It was only two weekendsago inperfect conditionsinAspen, Colo.,thatSadowski Synnott becamethe first woman to land

thatnolonger resembled the world White haddominatedfor solong.Thomas,who was there, said he couldhearthepingingof people’s phonesatthehalfpipeas videosofthetriple corks circulated.

“Thesport leapedmore than ithadin 10 years,” Thomassays.

“It’s gone to anotherlevel,andit’s going to beat a differentlevel fromnow on.”

White says the Japanese riders triple corkswere onhismind amonth laterin Austria Thefact they were onthe verge oflanding onein competition,which had never beendone (Hiranohitone attheDew TourinDecember), wasanothermessagethatit was time to retire.

Butthesignshave been everywhere.Recently hehasnoticed howmanyofthe rebelphotographerswho chronicledsnowboarding’s early risenow have grayintheirhair Heseesformer competitorshis own age standinginthecrowd,hoisting their kidsontheirshoulders.

“Idon’tknow how you keep doing this at yourage,”people keep tellinghim.

He’s notthe goofykidanymore. Instead,he’s anagingmillennialin a Gen Z world, constantlywritingthoughts,ideas and remindersinbrown Moleskinenotebooks thatheordersin packs ofthree Still, White insistshehasthe tricks to win a medalinBeijing.

“I’mnot,like, going to just handit over,”hesays. “I’m not going to walk away I’m going to give it everythingI have atthis Olympics.It’s mytitle to defend.”

“Butknowingwhat was lying ontheother sideof thisOlympics kindof gave me a secondwind,” he continues. “And we’re like: ‘OK, well,ifthisisthe choiceand thisisthe decision, I canletthis crumblemeandI’llcrawl away and give up’orlike,‘Hey thisis yourlast go: Let’s besafe;let’s do thisthing;but let’s pushit to the pointofbreaking.’”

Transformativemoment

There was somethingelse aboutthatday White cried onthe chairlift:His decision to retire wasn’tmadeforhim.

“No one calledmeinto an office and was like ‘Oh, you got traded, you’re done,it’s over,’ ” he says. Healwayshashad a needfor

SCOREBOARD

back-to-back double cork 1080s aspart ofher gold-medalperformance She won bigair, as well andwillhave the chance to dothesameattheOlympics— that contest issetfor Feb. 15. She won bronzeinthat event four years ago.

For now, though there’s plenty to celebrate in New Zealand which longhasserved asa trainingbaseforriders inthe Northern Hemisphere who need toget work in during June, Julyand August. So, yes,ithassnow, and halfpipes,and mountain resorts. And now, a goldmedal, too.

Pellswrites for The Associated Press.

control, to understandwhatis goingon, to bein charge And whilehisriseincludedfalls— including anarrestfortrashing part of a hotel room and thesettlingof a sexualharassmentsuit filedby a woman who was inhis band he alsohasbecomeone of thebiggestnamesinaction sports,withclothinglinesand board deals.

Whenhe won in Turinheinstantlybecame a sensation the way-out,pimpled,bandanawearingface of Burton snowboardsandwhoever else wanted to write him a check.Hebecame whatthemarketingindustry likes to call “adeliverable,”handedscriptsfor commercials written bypeoplewhodidn’tknow him yet knew what theythought heshouldbe.

Fora while heplayed along until finally,a few yearsinhe told themarketingpeoplehe wanted to control the way he wassold.It wasa transformative moment, hesaid.Butitalsoforcedhim to ask questions henever hadbefore.

“How do I portraymyself? How dootherssee me?Isthat good?”

Helearnedthathelikedmaking decisions, andhelping to design clothes unleashed a creative side.Hediscoveredsatisfaction inseeingpeopleathalfpipe events wearingclothes from the linehehelpedinvent.Itmade himmore than theFlying Tomato

Recently, White starteda clothing company with his brother Jesse, called Whitespace. Withhiscareer nearing an end,heimagineshemight usehis new company to domore than sellclothes. Whatifthey could have a teamofriders? Maybe he couldbethenext Jake Burton launching a new generationof riders onto mountains.

“I don’t know there’s justso manyfunopportunities,andit meanssomuch knowingI’m retiringandstartingthis thingsimultaneously,”hesays justbefore hangingup. “It’s kindof like theendingof somethingandthebeginningof somethingelse.”

TheAssociated Presscontributed to this report.

Carpenterwrites forthe Washington Post.

Reigning goldmedalistCanadasurvived the cutoffthanks to a strongperformance from MadelineSchizas,while China claimedthelastspotinthe free skatesbywinninga tiebreaker with Georgia.

U.S. womenblank Russia

Goalie Nicole Hensley was finewith the UnitedStateshaving difficulty findingitsoffensethrough two periodsbefore finallypulling awaywith a 5-0 win over the Russians.

Solong as Hensley keptstopping every shot,theoutcome wasn’tin jeopardy forthedefendingOlympic champions.

“Theymadeit a reallyhard game, really frustratingforus,”saidHensley, whostopped 12 shots inher 2022 tournamentdebutattheBeijingGames, adding,“Ifanything it’s just going to bringus closer together.”

The U.S.(2-0)nextplaysSwitzerland (0-2) today.

Hilary Knight had a goal and assist, withherno-lookbackhandpassthrough thecreasesettingup Savannah Harmon’s opening goalinthe firstperiod.

Knight scoredinthesecond, and the U.S.broke things openwiththreegoalsin afive-minute spaninthethird.

China records first gold Chinaekedoutits first goldmedalof the BeijingGames,winningtheOlympic debut of mixed team relay in short track speedskating.

Wu Dajing edged Pietro Sighel ofItalyby .016 seconds orhalf a skate blade —to claim gold.Hungary earned bronze.

Qu Chunyu Fan Kexin and Ren Ziwei joined Wu forthevictory.

“It wasa huge relief,” Wu said “Now we finally realized our dream on the first day.”

Norway startsmedalhunt Norwayissailing towarda second straight turnatopthe WinterGames medal countaftera goldenstart.

Cross-country skier Therese Johaug won the first goldmedaloftheBeijing Olympicsinthe women’s 15-kilometer skiathlon,and JohannesThingnesBoe moved aheadofhisFrench andRussian rivalsin the final metersofthe mixed relay to give Norway goldinthe firstbiathlonrace.

Notable

Irene Schouten gave themighty Dutch a goldmedalinthe firstspeedskating event of theGames breaking a 20year-oldOlympic record inthe women’s 3,000meters.

Schouten turnedin a blazing finallap to post a winningtimeof 3 minutes, 56.93 seconds.Thatbroke theprevious Olympicmark of 3:57.70, setbyGermany’s Claudia Pechstein atthe2002Salt Lake City Games.

In a fittingbookend to the event,Pechsteinskatedinthe openingpair to becometheoldestfemaleathlete in Olympichistory at49 TheGerman finishedlast.

Walter Wallberg ofSwedenupset “TheKing to take homethe goldmedal inthemen’s moguls. Wallberg lookedin shock whenhis score of83.23 flashedon the board,edging defendingOlympic champion MikaelKingsbury ofCanada.

Notable

U.S.bobsledder Elana Meyers Taylor saidshe was about to leaveisolation and couldstart preparinginearnest to competeattheBeijingOlympics. MeyersTaylor, anOceansidenative, revealed Tuesdayshehad testedpositive for COVID-19

isha;AbzalAzhgaliyev),2:42.575 (QB).

SATURDAY’S OLYMPICMEDALISTS

BIATHLON Mixed Relay4x6km(W+M) GOLD—Norway (Marte Olsbu Roeiseland, Tiril Eckhoff, TarjeiBoe,Johannes ThingnesBoe) SILVER—France (AnaisChevalier-Bouchet, JuliaSimon,EmilienJacquelin,Quentin Fillon Maillet) BRONZE—ROC(UlianaNigmatullina,Kristina Reztsova,Alexander Loginov, EduardLatypov)

CROSS-COUNTRYSKIING

Women’s 7.5km+ 7.5kmSkiathlon GOLD—ThereseJohaug,Norway SILVER—NataliaNepryaeva ROC

Mixed Team Relay

GOLD—China(Kexin Fan,ChunyuQu, Yuting Zhang,Ziwei Ren, Dajing Wu) SILVER—Italy (Arianna Fontana,Martina Valcepina,Arianna Valcepina,Andrea Cassinelli, Yuri Confortola,PietroSighel) BRONZE—Hungary(PetraJaszapati, Zsofia Konya,John-HenryKrueger,ShaoangLiu,Shaolin SandorLiu) SATURDAY’S OLYMPICRESULTS CURLING Mixed Norway 10 Australia4

Sweden6, Switzerland1 United States 7, China5 Britain8, Czech

Finland1

Republic3, Sweden1

States

ROC0

U.S.SUMMARY United States 5, ROC0

States1 13 —5 ROC 000—0 First Period—1,United States,SavannahHarmon(HilaryKnight,HannahBrandt),12:29(pp). Penalties—Alexandra Vafina, ROC(hooking); Yelena Provorova, ROC (tripping).

Period—2,United States,HilaryKnight (SavannahHarmon, KendallCoyneSchofield), 28:51. Penalties—HayleyScamurra,United States (tripping);NinaPirogova, ROC (tripping); Polina Bolgareva, ROC (cross-checking);AbbeyMurphy, United States(illegalhit). Third Period—3,United States,Grace Zumwin-

kle(Dani Cameranesi,MeganBozek),43:57. 4, United States,JesseCompher (AbbeyMurphy, HayleyScamurra),46:15. 5, United States,Alex Carpenter (Amanda Kessel,SavannahHarmon), 48:44. Penalties—MariaBatalova ROC (tripping); Maria Pechnikova, ROC(boarding);AbbeyMurphy, United States (roughing);AnnaShibanova, ROC(illegalcheck to theheadorneck). ShotsonGoal—United States19-17-26—62. ROC 2-4-6—12. Goalies—United States,NicoleHensley, Alex Cavallini. ROC, DariaGredzen,MariaSorokina. Referees—TijanaHaack,Germany;Anniina Nurmi, Finland;AnnaHammar, Sweden;Jenni Heikkinen, Finland.

Short TrackSpeedskating Mixed Team Relay Quarterfinal3

1.Hungary(PetraJaszapati; Zsofia Konya; ShaolinSandor Liu;John-HenryKrueger),

2:38.396 (Q).2. ROC (Sofia Prosvirnova;Ekaterina Efremenkova;SemenElistratov KonstantinIvliev),

2:38.445 (Q). 3. U.S.(KristenSantos;Maame Biney;Andrew Heo;RyanPivirotto),2:39.043 (q).

4. Japan(Yuki Kikuchi;Sumire Kikuchi; Kazuki Yoshinaga; Kota Kikuchi),2:39.112. Semifinal1

1. Canada (CourtneySarault; KimBoutin;JordanPierre-Gilles; PascalDion),2:36.808 (QA).2. Italy (Arianna Fontana;Martina Valcepina;Pietro Sighel;Andrea Cassinelli),2:36.895 (QA).3. Kazakhstan(YanaKhan;Olga Tikhonova;DenisNik-

Semifinal2

1.Hungary(PetraJaszapati; Zsofia Konya; ShaoangLiu;ShaolinSandorLiu),2:38.052 (QA).

2.China (QuChunyu;Zhang Yuting; Wu Dajing; RenZiwei),2:38.783 (QA).3. ROC (Sofia Prosvirnova;ElenaSeregina;SemenElistratov; KonstantinIvliev),PEN.

3. U.S.(K.Santos;C. Stoddard;A.Heo; R. Pivirotto),PEN.

FinalA

1.China (QuChunyu; Fan Kexin; Wu Dajing; Ren Ziwei),2:37.348.2.Italy (Arianna Fontana;Martina Valcepina;PietroSighel;Andrea Cassinelli),

2:37.364.3.Hungary(PetraJaszapati; Zsofia Konya;ShaoangLiu;ShaolinSandorLiu),2:40.900. 4. Canada(FlorenceBrunelle; KimBoutin; Steven Dubois;JordanPierre-Gilles),PEN. FinalB 1.Netherlands (SuzanneSchulting;Selma Poutsma;SjinkieKnegt;Jens van Wout), 2:36.966.2. Kazakhstan(YanaKhan;Olga Tikhonova; AdilGaliakhmetov;DenisNikisha),2:44.148.

TODAY’SSCHEDULE ALPINESKIING Women's

United States’ Julia Marino(9), NewZealand’sZoi Sadowski Synnottand Australia’s Tess Coady(5)celebrateafterwinningthemedalsinthe women’s slopestylefinals.

LEEJIN-MAN AP

WHITE

STAGE ISSET FOR COLISEUM CLASH

KevinHarvickhas twice raced a stock carthrough thestreetsofLosAngeles. He watchedMickeyThompson’s supertrucks on television whentheyracedinside theLosAngeles Memorial Coliseum.

ButtheBakersfieldnative hadnever actuallyseen theColiseuminperson,not untilSaturdaywhen NASCAR started itsengines on the 2022 seasonandhe drove his Ford pasttheUSC locker roomandthrough the same tunneltheTrojans use on game days.

Harvicksteered his way onto the asphalt thatnow coversthefamed field.Then he turnedlapsonthe temporary quarter-mile track built insideoneofthemosthallowed venuesinsports.

“Thisis overthe top and looks great,”Harvicksaid.“I don’t think you canscrew it up at this point. The event is here.Theracetrackdidn’t fly up.Practice went good. Thecarsallmadethe corners.People were passing each other You can’tscrew it upatthispoint. You can’t.I am telling you.Therace doesn’t even matter.”

Nope,theBusch Light Clash scheduledfor today is not your grandfather’s race.

Butthisisn’t your grandfather’s oldNASCAR,either. The series has takena freshapproach to its staid scheduling and cookie-cutter tracks,itslatest gamble thismade-for-TVspecial eventattheColiseum. A collaborationbetween NASCAR and Fox Sports, theprojectblew pastits$1 millionbudgetbut guaranteed NASCARsixhoursof live programminganda freshattempt to buildmomentumaheadofthe Feb. 21 season-openingDaytona 500.

The industry has firstday-of-schoolenergy and teamsseem genuinely motivated to perform tonight. NASCAR, claimingitis pleasedwithticketsales, andsaidatthestart ofthis weekthat 70 percentof peoplewhohadboughtseats identifiedas first-time NASCAR attendees.

“We talkaboutthisallthe time the Los Angelesmarket ishuge forus,”saidBen Kennedy the 30-year-old great-grandson of NASCAR’s founderand cur-

GOLFREPORT

BuschLightClash

Today: 3p.m.,L.A.Coliseum Ontheair: Ch. 5/69

rentsenior vicepresidentof strategy andinnovation.

“Thisis a huge opportunity for us to come to Los Angelesanddoitin a different way that we’ve ever done before,”headded,“But to doit two weeks before our biggest eventofthe year theDaytona 500? You think about ‘new and ‘innovative’and ‘bold’thekindof words that are starting to beingrained inour culture.”

Aconcert stage for a preracePitbull show and a performancebyIceCubeat “halftime” was builtalong thePeristyleplaza.Their setswillbeperformedunder theOlympiccauldron torch builtforthe 1932 Summer Games.

The torch is litforspecial events at theColiseum.

It was glowingSaturday, theday before NASCAR’s expensive exhibition.The Clash was heldatDaytona every yearsinceits 1979 inception and ithad beenthe unofficialseason-opener the

last40 years.

“Thisisthe typeof event that you need to blow itout of the water atthestart of theseason to get theeyeballs,”Harvick said.“We live indifferent times andtrying new things and having the guts to doitissometimes hard to do, but the rewards are pretty big ontheother sidewhenit works.”

TheClash was alwaysan exhibition appetizer to the Daytona 500 and typicallya preview of “TheGreat AmericanRace.”Butits prestige haddiminished, NASCARlast yearmoved therace to Daytona’s road course,andTheClash stoppedfeelingspecial years ago.

“Thatrace was kindof just goingon, I feellike, to go on,” said reigningCup champion Kyle Larson.“It added a weekofbeingin Daytona all for what?”

Thatenergy changed as soonasNASCAR completed the deal to raceattheColiseum, the centerpieceofboth the 1932 and 1984Summer Gamesandsite ofsomeof the top sportsmomentsin history. TheColiseumin 2028willbecomethe first venue to host three Summer Games.

“Whenthis was first

drawnup,I’msure there were a lot ofpeople that probably didn’tthinkit was possible,” Larsonsaid.“It’s added a lot of excitement. It’s given our televisionpartnerssomething to promote differentlythan justusbeing atDaytonaforanother week.It gives us an opportunity to notonlyhave more eyesonthis eventbutalsobe able to promote theDaytona 500 throughthis event.”

ChaseElliott was fastest inSaturday’s practicesession;NASCARdividedthe 36 carsinto three groupsof 12 andeach group was on trackforthree eight-minute sessions.

Single-carqualifyinglaterSaturdayset the lineups forheatracesthatwillbe heldaheadofTheClash today Theheatraceswilldetermine the 23 cars thatadvanceinto TheClash, a 150lapracethatwillbestopped athalfwayfortheIceCube concert.

Winningtherace counts nothing toward the championship thedriverand team get only a trophy anda share ofthepurse

But with the new venue came renewed enthusiasm forwinningtherace.

“Ithinkit wouldbesuper

LEAGUE TO BOLSTER INCLUSION POLICIES

NFLCommissioner RogerGoodell told teams Saturdaythattheleague willlook to bolster policies meant to encourage hiringof minorities,particularlyas head coaches andhe pledged aninvestigation into tankingallegations raisedbyBrian Floresinhis discriminationlawsuit againsttheNFL.

“We will reevaluate and examineallpolicies, guidelinesandinitiatives relating to diversity, equity andinclusion,includingasthey relate togender,”Goodellwrote in amemo to theleague’s 32 clubsthat was obtainedby TheAssociatedPress.

The commissioneradded that the league’s record on hiringminority coacheshas been “unacceptable.”

cool to bethe firstperson to winthisrace,”Elliott said “If you’re standingon top ofthe mountain at theendofthe dayforsomethinglike this, this typeoflocationandthis typeofan event, I thinkitis special anditshouldbefor whoever wins.”

Hamiltonsurfaces LewisHamilton returned to socialmediaSaturdayfollowing a lengthysilencethat dates to lastseason’s controversial Formula 1finale.

Hamiltonhaddropped outofpublicsightafter he was denied a record eighth championshipintheDecember finalein AbuDhabi. He re-emerged with a post thatshowed theseven-time championsmiling from whatappears to bethe GrandCanyon.

“I’ve been gone. Now I’m back!”wrote Hamilton.

Hamiltondidonebrief postraceinterview following hisDec. 12 loss to MaxVerstappen inAbuDhabi He skipped themandatory news conference,skipped the galainParis,andhislast publicappearance was three daysafter theAbuDhabi racewhen Hamilton receivedhisknighthood at WindsorCastle.

SPIETHJUMPS INTOTHEMIXWITH 63

ASSOCIATEDPRESS

JordanSpiethputhimself into themixSaturday at the AT&TPebbleBeach Pro-Amtitle,andhelived to tellaboutit.

On a day whenSeamus

Power wentbackward to allowa half-dozenotherplayersbackinthe game, Spieth wentbackwardjust to make sure hedidn’tfall over a 60foot cliff Evenifitmighthave lookedmore dangerousthan it was,hisapproach fromthe edge ofthe cliff on the eighth holeatPebbleBeach stole theshow on a Saturdaythat typicallybelongs to BillMurray Macklemore andthe restofthecelebrities.

Spieth had a 9-under 63, hiscareer low atPebble Beach, togo from 10 strokes behind Power to oneshotbehind theleadingtrioofBeau

Hossler, Andrew Putnam and Tom Hoge. “That was byfarthemost nerve-wracking shotI’ve ever hitinmylife,”Spieth said to caddieMichael Grellerafter hisshot went justleft of the green. His tee shot ran out through thefairway, short of going over theedge. Keeping allthe weightonhisrightleg, Spiethhittheshotandimmediatelybackpedaled to level ground.Fromthe rough,he chippeddownthe slippery green to 18 feetand made theparputt.

It was highentertainmenton a Saturdaybuiltfor such theatrics And while thecelebritiesattracteda big gallery thatlinedfairwaysonanotherglorious

Tacoma at Sockers

day, the final round was loaded withpossibilities.

Hosslerhad a 65 atPebble Beach,narrowly missing asecondeagleofthe round onthe 18thhole.He wasthe first to reach 15-under200.

Putnamstarted on the backnineatPebbleBeach andranoff five straightbirdieswithhardlyanyone watching, finishingwitha parfor a 68atPebbleBeach. Hoge was atSpyglassHill andshot a 68 to jointhem.

Today: 5:05p.m., PechangaArena

Streaming: MASL.TV (subscription)

Starsupdate: Tacoma(3-5)iscoming offan8-7 overtimevictory overtheOntario Fury,endinga three-game losingstreak.Nick Perera hada goal and fourassists to lead the Stars. Vinicius Dantas

Patrick Cantlay, at No.4 thehighest-rankedplayerin the field,started and finishedhis roundwith a pair of birdiesanddidn’tdo alotin between.Hehad a 68and was oneshotbehind,along withSpiethand JoelDahmen(66 atSpyglass).

“I’min greatposition and Ilove this golf courseand everyonewillbe playingonthe same golf course tomorrow soitshould be fun,” Cantlay said.

Akey figure inallthisfun was Power the34-year-old Irishman, whoset the 36hole tournament record at 128 andlookedasthoughhe coulddowrong. Hehad a five-shotlead to parand a four-shotleadon strokes,buthis roundat par-71 MontereyPeninsula became a struggleoffthe tee andaround the greens. Powerhad consecutive birdies toget back to 16 under— even forthe day— until bo-

andAlexMegsoneachhad two goals. Perera also leadsin points fortheseasonwith 24,13from goals.

Sockersupdate: WilltheSockerslosethisseason?

Surely,butthey are9-0-1 to startthecampaign. San Diegois 2-0alreadythisseason against Tacoma, outscoringthe Stars19-10.IntheSockers’ winthe

geyson two ofhislastthree holes for a 74.

Even so, he was only two shotsbehind goinginto the final round.

VarnerleadsSaudi event

Harold VarnerIII birdiedthepar-5 18thhole to shoot a 2-under68andtake aone-stroke lead over Adri Arnaus into the final round oftheSaudiInternational.

Defending champion Dustin Johnson was five strokesbackattheAsian Tour event,which paid big appearance fees to lurea slew ofPGA TourandDP World Tour regulars.

Arnaus was 11 under aftera 69 TommyFleetwood was anothershotbackafter his second consecutive 67.

CameronSmith (70)bogeyed three of hislastsix holes and trails Varner by fourstrokes.

Elsewhere

Leona Maguire became the firstIrishwinner in LPGA Tourhistory, closing with a 5-under 67 for a threestroke victory in the LPGA Drive OnChampionship at Crown Colony.

Tiedwith Marina Alex for the second-roundleadaftera 65 onFriday Maguire had seven birdies and two bogeys thelastonthe par-5 18thwiththeoutcome decided.The 27-year-oldformerDuke star finishedat 18under 198.

• NicolaiHojgaard shot an8-under 64 on Saturday to takea three-stroke leadinto the final round of theRasal KhaimahChampionshipin UnitedArabEmirates.

lasttime outagainstUtica,JuanManuel Rojohad two goalsand twoassists,andChristianGutierrez added two goalsandanassist. LeonardoDeOliveira had fourassists. Tavoy Morganleadsthe way with15 goalsonthe season, fourthintheMASL.

Thememocame five days after Floressued the leagueandthreeteams over allegedracisthiringpracticesfor coachesand general managers sayingtheleague remains “rifewithracism” even asitpublicly condemns it.

TheNFL’s main avenue forincreasing diversity inits leadership ranks isthe twodecade-oldRooneyRule, which requires teams to interview minority candidates for jobsincludinghead coach and generalmanager. Despite the rule,there is currentlyoneBlackhead coach intheleague:Pittsburgh’s Mike Tomlin.There are no Black team owners, justa handful ofBlackGMs and relativelyfew Black coordinatorsin a leaguewhere more than 70 percentofplayersare Blackoranotherethnicminority. Goodellsaidtheleague willincludeoutside experts inits review along with“currentandformerplayersand coaches,advocatesand otherauthoritiesinthis area.Our goalissimple: make oureffortsandthose ofthe clubs more effective so that realandtangible resultswillbeachieved.”

In a statement,Flores’attorneyssaidwhile Goodell’s memoappears to be a positive firststepin confronting systemicracisminthe league,they“suspectthatis itmore of a public relations ploythan real commitment to change.”

Flores’mostserious allegation ishisclaim that StephenRoss toldhimhe wouldpayhim$100,000for every lossduring the coach’s firstseasonbecausetheDolphins owner wantedtheclub to “tank”soit could get the top draft pick.

“We alsotake seriously anyissue relating to theintegrity ofNFL games,” Goodell’slettersaid. “These matterswillbe reviewed thoroughly and independently We expectthat these independent expertswill receive full cooperation from everyone associatedwith theleagueoranymember club asthis work proceeds.” Jags tweakpowerstructure Doug Pederson won’t have thepower Urban Meyer hadwith Jacksonville. The teamanditsfans can onlyhopethat’s a good thing Owner ShadKhan introducedPederson as the Jaguars’ coach andsaidthe teamhasapplied to theNFL to hire an executive vice president, a personwho would report directly to Khanand overseePederson andGeneral Manager Trent Baalke

It’s a much different structure fromwhatthe Jaguarsemployedthelast two years.Khan’s onlyotherEVP was two-timeSuperBowlwinning coach Tom Coughlin whoheldthe job for three seasons (2017-19) and was in placewhen Jacksonvillelast madetheplayoffs.

Khan plans to hire an EVPas wellasanassistant general manager to work underBaalke,whocame under fire in recentmonths after Khan opted tokeep himinsteadofcleaning house.The Jags alreadyinterviewed ex-MinnesotaGM Rick Spielman who could endup filling eitherspot. Notable

ThePackerspromoted JohnDunn to take overas tightends coach for Justin Outten, wholeft to become Broncosoffensive coordinator. TheGiantsmade Kevin Abrams seniorvicepresidentoffootballoperations andstrategy.

NASCAR’s exhibitionopenerwillbeheldatthe LosAngeles MemorialColiseum todayforthefirsttime.

MARCIOJOSE SANCHEZ AP

Jordan Spiethfollowshisshotoutofabunkerup to thefourth greenofthe PebbleBeachGolf Linksduringthethird roundofthe AT&T PebbleBeachPro-Am.

ERIC RISBERG AP

BENGALS

FROM D1

tle-game runforeseenonly bythosefanslookingwith theirhearts.

Andfor 33 yearsthis team has teased and tested, even twistedtheheartsofits faithful. Now,a franchiselocallyfamousforsplitting apart souls isbringing acity together.

“Allthe bumps alongthe way—no,notbumps—major roadblocks ...” Moehring, 54,said,“allthequestioning of ownershipandthequestioningof desire andthe questioningof everything else... everybody’s just galvanizednow.”

Thisis what’s coming to meettheRamsinSuper Bowl LVI atSoFiStadium:a regionunifiedbya teamthat hasknockedofftheAFC’s topseedsin consecutive weeksandswallowed completelythenotionthatit’s somesort ofunderdog.

InL.A.,questionspersist aboutwheretheRamsand Chargers fitinthesports landscape.Thereareno suchissueshereinan addictedcity with a major Bengalsproblem.

Cincinnatihasn’tbeen thisfarsincethe 1988season —Jan. 22 1989, to beprecise —andonly twice total,losing both times.The town’sstoriedbaseball franchisehas won five WorldSeriestitles, true,butnonesince 1990. Suddenly,inthespanof three January weekendsof “WhoDey” hysteria,thiscity isthehappiestplaceon earth.

“TheBengalsaren’tthe onlyones going to theSuper Bowl,”localrestaurateurJeff Rubysaid. “Thecity of Cincinnati andallofnorthern Kentuckyare going too.It’s likethey’reonthesame plane.It wasour teamwhen they were losing.It’s certainly going to beour team whenthey’re winning.”

Gospel of BengalJim Heis popularenough aroundhere that recently as he was receivinghis COVID-19 booster theperson administeringtheshot asked,“Hey aren’t you ‘Bengal Jim’?”

Jim Fosterearnedthat nicknamewhile growingup becausehe almost always dressedin Bengals gear,a kidwhoseimagination was firstcapturedbythe team’s colorfuluniforms.

Now 51 Fosterhasn’t missedahome gamein nearly 30years.He andnine friends—theycallthemselves “TheBengalRoadies” —have attended every game thisseason, home and away. Hehas a podcastthathas countedCrisCollinsworth andAnthonyMuñozamong its guests,a roomin his homehecalleda “museum” ofBengalsartifactsanda buspaintedintigerstripes.

Three ofhisfour sons have Bengals-inspired middlenames:Corey Anderson, for Ken;CameronCurtis,for Isaac;andAaronRiley for Ken.

Cincinnatinominated FosterfortheNFL’s “Fanof the Year”campaign,atrib-

recalculate histhoughts about competition.

More FredAstaire Less FredDryer.

“That was probably the biggestlearning curve,” Gatessaid. “Thewhole show feltlikea life-skill lessonforme. For thesimple fact, mywholelifesinceI was 12, I’ve beenplaying sports. “Programming-wise,I feltlikeI was breaking through a barrier from being institutionalized because you’re usingless force. Not sostrong. Not so rough.Those are things that get you patsonthebackasa player ‘Good job. Way to be aggressive.Don’ttake (bull) fromnoone.’

“To bein a danceclass when you trulydepend on yourpartner.”

Gates was pairedwith BrieBella, a professional wrestler Show highlights includetheformerNFLstar droppinghispartnerintoa lake attemptingoneofthe movie’s mostmemorable moments at fictional Kellerman’s Lodge.

GiventhatGates finishedhiscareer with the seventhmost touchdown receptionsinNFLhistory while settingthescoring standard fortightends, drops generallyaren’t his thing.

“It’s almostlikea golf swing.It’s more of a technique,”saidGates,whois 6-4andplayedat255 pounds. “The guy that was

ute to his relentlessoptimism,a beliefthat remained intact even duringthe desolate DavidShula/Bruce Coslet yearsbeginninginthe early 1990s. Foster couldbe the very faceof Cincinnatisports— roundandfull,withdarkrimmedglasses tucked underaBengalsbuckethat. Heis thesmilingfacethese days, Foster redefining jolly inaplacethateachDecemberstages a SantaCon. “Ilove theReds,”hesaid. “Butthere’snothingthat brings thiscity togetherlike theBengals.There’s way morepassionaroundthis team. Nothinghere compares to theBengalswhen they’re doing well.”

If Foster’s fandom hasa signature,hehaswritten itin theparkinglotof the team’s stadiumfor every home gamesince 1993

“Beforethe Roar is a tailgate party that, beforethe Bengalsplayed Las Vegason wild-card weekend,attracted2,000 people.

In Nashvilleforthedivisional round— yes,“Before theRoar”has goneon the roadduringtheplayoffs and willtravel to SuperBowl LVI —an estimated 5,000people showed up.

Alongwithspreadingthe orange-and-black gospel, “Bengal Jim” andhistailgatesannuallyraisemoney for charity. Thanks to Cincinnati’s successthisseason, hesaidthey could reach $60,000, four times the previousbest.

“Thiscity desperately needs a winner, Fostersaid.

“Well,they got one.”

Burrow huge really Joe Burrow willstandtall

FROM PA GEONE

showingmeand teaching me,hemight weigh 160 and he was doingthings that were effortlessthat I struggledwith from a power standpoint.

“I’mlike,‘I’meighttimes these guys’size. I know I’m stronger.’But I struggled withit. Yourpower was only part ofit.” The experiencesparked memoriesofhistime and timing onthe field.

“Theyhave a thing,the seven-eight countindance, that wasa direct correlation to route running,”Gates

atSoFiStadium.That’s not apredictionbutafact.He’ll stand25feettall.

The giant,inflatablelikenessarrivedin November, custom-madeinChina,and —muchlike theBengals’ youngstarquarterback— quickly wasa sensation.He evenhashis own Twitteraccount:@BigBurrow9.

“It has become a beacon,” saidCraig Johnson,one of Foster’s cohorts.“We used to getatleast 20 questionsa week fromnewbiesas to where thetailgate islocated. Now,theansweris, ‘It’s underneathBigBurrow!’” Burrow as abeacon? Works in reallife, too.Hisarrivalasthe No.1 overallpick in2020 was thecentralmove inapushbolsteredby consecutive yearsofsignificant free agentspending.

Hehasan ability, confidenceand charisma around whichthis franchise—and city —hasrallied.Inastrikingly briefamount oftime, Burrowhasbecomepartof Cincinnati’s core. If you walkintoThe Precinct,oneofRuby’s restaurants, youcanorder theSteak Burrow, a 14ounce,blackened New York stripthatisCajun-based asa nod to thequarterback’s timeatLouisiana State.

Thedishis finishedwitha crawfishand asplash ofcreole sauce. To understand howmuchpeoplehere are devouring everythingBurrow, realizethat a man recentlyorderedhisdessert in thesamestyle,Ruby’s staff servingup acrustaceantopped wedge of cheesecake.

“He’s Cincinnati’s answer to Joe Namath,”saidRuby, whohasbeeninthe restaurantbusinessfor40-plus

years.“Ifhe were any cooler, he’dbeillegalin Utahand someother conservative states.”

Styleandsubstance Burrow joinedtheBengalsnearly two yearsago, but didn’ttrulyarriveuntil this playoff run,mixinghisonfieldsubstancewithan offfieldstylethathassparkled intheglaringlight of social media.

Fromhis rose-colored CartierCDecorglasses to his “JB9” chain theoneGQ describedas “icy”— Burrow hasbecomeasviral-worthy before andafter gamesashe typicallyisin thetime between.

Atage69,Dave Lapham has watchedthis all unfold with wonder. He wasanoffensivelineman onthe Cincinnati teamthatmadeSuperBowlXVIin 1982 and now, as part of the radio crew, has surpassed 45 years withthe franchise.

“We captivatedthecity andthetri-stateareaback then,too,butthatwasbefore socialmedia,” Laphamsaid. “Now,it’s likesomeonehas poured gasolineonthe fire.”

Still,forallofBurrow’s flash,hepossesses a grit that’s as Cincinnatiasall those flyingpigstatues around town.

Thatquality never was more ondisplaythan during theBengals’ 19-16victory overtheTitans two weeks ago.In that game,Burrow was sacked ninetimesand yet his teamnever trailed.

“There’s thiskindred thingwithinthecityabout that,about getting knocked downbutnotout,”saidDan Wright,the chef/ownerof Pontiac restaurantin Cin-

cinnati’sOverThe Rhine neighborhood.“Hisswagger haspeoplearoundhere realizingthatsamesort of confidenceinthemselves.”

Cincycivicpride

Just aroundthe corner fromPaulBrown Stadium stands another version of Burrow:a mannequin dressedinhis No 9 uniform.

ThefauxJoe greets everyone walkinginto Koch SportingGoods,aCincinnatitradition,as thesign out front reads,“since 1888,” when thisplaceopenedasa supplieroftheater curtains.

Inthebackof thestore sits 39-year-oldEric Koch, who representsthe fifth generationofthefamily He’s unpackingboxes ofSuperBowl LVI T-shirts, attempting to keepup with thespikingdemand. Koch said January sales were up 300percent from a yearago.Heestimatedtheincrease from February 2021 couldbe 600 percent.

“That justspeaks to the civic pride thatthecitizens of Cincinnatiarehaving rightnow, Koch said. “They feel good.They’re puffing their chestout.They’reon thesamelevel as a LosAngeles,atleastfor two weeks.”

Thefactthatheissitting cross-leggedonthe floor,in anarea cordonedoffbyracks ofclothes,is a fittingimage. There’sno roomin the store’s normalunloading areabecauseof the 1,000SuperBowlhats that justarrived.

Sucha snapshotis telling. Andthere are others:

Peopleliningupoutside CincyShirtsinnearbyHyde Park on Mondaymorning despitebeing toldthestore

NFL quick-fire withGates

wouldn’t reopenuntil Tuesday. ThecityofHillsboro 55 mileseastofCincinnati,temporarily changingitsname to Hillsburrow. Alocal coupledecidinga SuperBowlberth would resultin ahead shaving.So, whentheBengalswinthe AFC,she goesthroughwith it.

“Cincinnatiissucha greatsports town,”saidAnderson,whoquarterbacked theBengals to that firstSuperBowl appearance. “There’ssomuchpride here inour sports teams.That’s oneofthethingsusold guys leanon.”

Gameballs

Thereisprideinthese Bengals, to besure,the connectionas tightasthelaces ona Wilsonfootball.After each postseasonvictory, the teamhashandedout game balls to localbusinesses.

Coach Zac Taylor explained thathe wantedthe city to sharein the team’s success,notingthathisplayers particularlythe younger ones— “mightnot understandthesignificance”of whattheBengalshave accomplished.

Of course,thisis a new tradition,andCincinnati still is relearninghow to celebrate.So,whenthe 38-yearold Taylorstoppedatthe Mt. Lookout Tavern to presentit witha gameball,he was cardedandbrieflydenied entry becausehedidn’thave hisdriver’s license.

TheHolyGrail received its gameballafter the Tennesseewin.Displayingthe ballat thebar, Moehringis morethanwilling to share it withhispatrons,sincethe ideaof sharingis what landedthethinghere in the firstplace.

Afew days ago apolicemanforthecity stoppedin afternearbyS.W.A.T. training and askedif he couldsee theball.

“Here’sthis rough, tough guy—a commander alieutenant—allof asudden cradlingthisfootball like it’s his6-month-oldbaby,” Moehringsaid,smiling. “The response hasbeen unbelievable.”

Onewin away

Noneofthis wassupposed to happen,which makesthesceneall over townmore delightful.

TheBengals won six games combinedthelast two seasonsand, even with Burrowonboard and every arrow pointing up,the team was thought to stillbe a year away atleast. Now,thosearrowsare pointingallthe way up,into the gray,dreary, winter clouds and beyond.

“They’ve beentheunderdogs andthat’s whatthiscity is,” Moehringsaid.“It’sa blue-collarcity that’s usually theunderdog. Ithink we’re starting to sensethatAmericaloves theunderdog.”

Perhaps,butnotasmuch asCincinnatidoes,this parchedcity justonewin away fromtippingbackfootball’s holy grail.

Millerwrites for theL.A. Times.

FormerChargersAll-Pro AntonioGates reacted to a range of football topics.

Hall of Famechances: “I’malwaysanoptimisticperson. Basedonseeingwhatpeople getinwith,I’ve doneorsurpassed (much of that) But at theend of the day, you never know. There areguys youthinkshould getinthatdidn’t getin. …Justanxietyandnervousness…becausethat’s the pinnacle. That’sthestarsamongstars.”

BesttightendinNFL: “Thebestis probably (George) Kittle (ofthe 49ers),because he means the most to his team.” Tom Brady retirement: “When youhave the opportunity to playagainstaguylikethat,that’s something you can tell your kidsabout,‘Iplayed against TomBrady.’ Hemakesthe game easier.…WhenI wentintothehuddle withhimin ProBowls, whateverhe tells you, youthinkit’s going to work.Hecould tellme to run to thecooler overthereandI’drun to the cooler.Hehadthatleadershipability.”

Brian Flores,NFLlawsuit: “We’re pushingtheenvelopeinthe rightdirection.…In terms ofsystemic racism, experiencing that asan AfricanAmerican,a Blackman,a man of color, thingsdohappen. Themore we can voice our opinionandbe aware of certainthings,themorethingscanchange for the better for everybody.”

than the scenes.

said.“Inmymind,it’s likea five-step(quarterback) drop.That’s essentiallya seven count,in a way. I was able to graspsome of the conceptsfaster becauseI have thatsysteminmy head.”

Some mentalwiring required flushing. “Inever considered dance,a situationwhere you need to bevulnerable to yourpartnerand yourpartnerisbeingvulnerable to you,”hesaid “Theleast vulnerable person insports is generallythemostsuc-

cessful.

“… I walked away a brand new humanbeing, a brand new man, a brandnew father justforthesimplefact that I was vulnerableandI was OKwithit. I feltlikeI hadmore strength,being vulnerable.”

Gatesadmitted hehad notseenthemovieuntilhe started preppingforthe show. Puttinginthe work and competingcamenaturally. Studying a new playbooktranslated,as well. Intheend, the sounds caughthisattentionmore

“Ihadn’tseenthemovie, sothat was anotherdynamic,”hesaid.

“Everything was predicatedaround danceand chemistry and togetherness,trust.Ithad a lot of similarities to mybackgroundinsports. You have to prepare the way you want play, in a sense.That was theeasypart.Gettingthe stepsand routinesdown, that was thehard part.

“Andshoot, I love the soundtracknow.” Through itall,Gates

BRYCEMILLER

indeedhadthetimeofhis life.

“It was probablythe mostfunI’ve hadinmylife,” hesaid.“WhatI’ve learned overtime,withmy 16-year career, I typically regretthe thingsI don’ttry. Sothat was really oneofthebiggest (factors) inwhy I wanted to get involved.” Thoughnobodyputs Babyinthe corner theshow will revealifGatesfound himselfthere. Choose yourFred wisely. bryce.miller@sduniontribune.com

JoeBurrowissohugeinCincinnatithatapopular25-footinflatablelikenessofhimwillbeatthe SuperBowl. PAUL SANCYA AP

FormerChargerstightendAntonio Gates (right)is retired fromfootballandtrying new thingslike appearinginthe Fox reality show, “TheRealDirty Dancing.”

ALEX GALLARDO 2021APFILE

6,2022 CO LLEGE BA SKET BA LL

ROUGHFIRSTHALFDOOMSUSD AS BRONCOSROLL

Assequels go thisone wasa box office flopforthe home team. Twelve daysearlier, USD andSantaClaraplayeda gamethat was aboutastight asimaginable.There were 24lead changes, 17 ties.Biggestlead by either team: five points.Overtime was required before theBroncos escapedwith a win.

Andthe rematch Saturdayafternooninside JennyCraigPavilion?

Putitthis way:it’s doubtfulUSD’s 2021-22 highlight

videowillincludeanyclips. The Toreros fell behind by 23 inthe firsthalf,never got closerthan 10 and woundup absorbing a 79-66 lossin frontofanannounced crowd of 1,221. Adeep dive into thebox score wasn’t required to identify the difference USD was outrebounded25-9in the firsthalf.TheBroncos attacked the glassfornine offensiverebounds.USD hadnone.

“As simplyas I canputit,” said the Toreros’ JoshParrish, “they cameoutwithan edge and we didn’t. Where

KerrKriisalookedlikea borderlinemadmanattimes duringthesecondhalf fistpumping, flexing his arms, screaming and gesturing toward thehome fans,imploringthem toget ontheir feet.

Inbetweenthetheatrics, Arizona’s point guard even foundsometime to leadhis team to another win.

Thisone wasn’teasy Arizona (19-2,9-1 Pac-12) trailed for a decent chunkofthesecondhalfandneeded a 10-0 run late inthesecondhalf to take control againstUSC (19-4, 9-4).

we’re trying togo asa program, as a team, you can’t comeout withhalveslike that.”

BY DONNORCROSS Santa Clara

Thisone got away early Tiedat 14, SantaClara went on an 18-4 run to takea 32-18lead.Thedeficit swelled to 44-21. By halftime,USDtrailed 48-29.

USD’s leading rebounder, fifth-yearsenior Terrell Brown-Soares,played 14 minutesinthe firsthalfand didn’t grab a singleboard. He finishedwithfour. Head coach Sam Scholl

wouldn’tsingleout Brown-Soaresforthe problem. “We reboundasa team,”saidScholl. “We hadnine reboundsatthehalf. That’s a reflection of allofus,meincluded.” SantaClara finishedwith a 43-28 reboundingedge. Twelve days earlier, USDoutrebounded theBroncos 38-34in a 78-74 overtimeloss. Twiceinthesecondhalf USD cut thedeficit to10, but the Toreros never got within

singledigits.Santa Clara had fourplayerswith five or morerebounds.USDhad one, MarcellusEarlington, who finishedwith 23 points andeightboards.

Jalen Williamsledthe visitorswith 19 points.

“Iknew they were going to come out and fight in the secondhalf,”said Scholl of his team. “Theyhave a lotof pride.Butthisisthe West CoastConference. You can’t get downby 19 atthehalf.”

ThelossdroppedUSD to 13-11, 6-5 in the WCC.Santa Claraimproved to 16-8,6-3. USD’s six conference

Upnext

Toreros at Saint Mary’s Thursday: 6p.m.,McKeon Pavilion, Moraga Streaming: toreros.com

winshave comeagainst Pepperdine,LMU Pacific and Portland,which came into Saturday a combined 620in WCC play The Toreros are 0-5 againstUSF BYU, SantaClaraandGonzaga. Norcrossisafreelancewriter.

TRITONS STRUGGLE TO SHOOT

UNION-TRIBUNE

UCSantaBarbara got off to a hotstart, connectingon 10 ofits first 12 shots andtheUC SanDiego men’s basketball team couldn’tplaycatch-up Saturdayafternoon.

The result was an84-48 drubbingat thehandsofthe hostGauchos, the worstloss oftheseason fortheTritons.

Azuolas Tubelisscored 18 pointsand grabbed 11 rebounds Kriisa added 13 points and No.7 Arizona ralliedinthe secondhalf fora 72-63 win overvisiting No 19 USC onSaturday

Krissascoredall 13 ofhis pointsinthe secondhalf.It helped himbreak outof shootingslumpthatstarted with a dreadful 0 for 12 shootingperformace in a loss to UCLAlessthan two weeks ago.The6-foot-3sophomore saidhenever lost confidence and creditedhis resurgence to a little more practice and even some video games.

“If you go througha slump it’s not like I’m going to panicorcry athome,”Kriisa said.“I just take some extra shots,sleepmore and playmore Fortnite. Just trying toget back on track.”

The Wildcatsknockedoff anotherrankedopponent just two daysafter beating No.3 UCLA 76-66 ina bounce-backwin after losing to theBruinsonthe road on Jan.25 Arizona’s 13-0at home thisseason and havea 15-game homewinning streakinTucsondatingback to last year.

AZTECS

FROM D1

Only one official was in position to make thecall: PaulSzelc.Eric Curry was on the opposite side of the court near the Aztecsbench,a good 30 feet awayand shielded by thetangle ofbodies.Chris Rastatter was trailingtheplayas theAztecsfuriouslyraced to theother end.

Thatleft Szelc.Hestared directlyatBradley and Moors andswallowed his whistle.

Was it because he was employing a no-blood, no-foul policy forthe game’s final minute that he wouldn’thave for the first 39? Or was it because he genuinelybelieved there was nocall to make?Or did henot want to risk overtime becausehehad to catch aflight?Complicatingany analysisisthat Fox Sports 1, curiously, did not showa replay fromtheirdifferentcamera angles.

“Obviously no coach is going to behappywith every call,” coach BrianDutcher said “All you want from anofficiatingcrew is consistency. Ifthey’re callingitall game, callitall game.”

ExhibitA:In the firsthalf, Moorsmade a similar play againstSDSU’s Keshad Johnson wallingupwithhis bodybutpitching hisarms forward and hitting Johnson’s arm Rastatter calleda foul. Thequestion becomes whetherBradleyinitiated the contactor was justlytrying toget to thebasket.

“Verticality is a hard thing to call,”Dutchersaid. “Just because a guy’s armsare up doesn’tmean he’s vertical if he launches himselfinto the guy who’s shooting. Sometimes theysay, well, you’re

No.1 Auburn 74, Georgia 72: WendellGreen Jr madea tie-breakinglayupwith four seconds remaining and the visitingTigers(22-1, 10-0 Southeastern Conference) got pasttheBulldogs (6-17, 1-9), extending the nation’s longestwinningstreak to 19 games.

No.4 Purdue 82 Michigan 76: JadenIveyscored 23 pointsandTrevion Williams added 19 as the hostBoilermakers(20-3, 9-3 Big Ten) snappeda five-gamelosing streak to the Wolverines (11-9, 5-5)and gavecoach Matt Painter his400thvictory asacoach, 375atPurdue and25atSouthernIllinois.

No.5 Kentucky 66, Alabama 55: TyTy Washington scored 15 points,Oscar Tshiebwe had 15 rebounds andthevisiting Wildcats (19-4, 9-2SEC) won their fourth straightwith a victory overtheCrimsonTide(14-9, 4-6).

No.9 Duke 87, North Carolina 67: FreshmanA.J Griffin scored aseason-high 27 pointsinthe Blue Devils (19-3 9-2 ACC) routedthe Tar Heels (16-7, 8-4)in retiringHallof Fame coach Mike Krzyzewski’s final visit to Chapel Hill.

No 10 Kansas83, No.8

initiatingthe contact. No, we’re going to therimand they’re launchinginto us. We have a right togo to the basket.”

Bradley gestured in frustrationafter hisshot bounced harmlessly offthe backboard andorange-clad CSUstudentspouredpast him onto the floor. “I’ve beenplayingforfour yearsnow, Bradleysaid.“I thinktheofficialslike me,although I can give thema hard time sometimes Next time I see them,I’ll askthem aboutit. I don’t think there’s anyillintentonnotcallingit. Itrulybelieve they just didn’t see it. I feel like everybody else in the gym did.” Asfor Szelc henodoubt hasseenthetapebynow.

In a 2012 interview with OnMilwaukee the Wisconsin resident said: “My wife will tell you,I’ll get home at midnightandI’llthrow (onthevideo) and say, ‘There’s a play in the secondhalfI’ve got to see if I got it right. Ifit’s wrong,iteats at you. I always tellpeople, ‘For 38 minutes you canbe really good but thelast two minutes you can’tbewrong.’”

2.Seven days seven games

The issuemayhave been less Szelc thanSzelc’s schedule.

Friday was hisseventh gameinseven days inseven differentstates andthree differenttime zones. A week earlier, he worked Indiana at Maryland The nextnight, Ohio State atPurdue.The next, Iowa atPennState. The next,Providenceat St. John’s Thenext,Butler at Xavier Thenext,UCLAat Arizona.Thenext,SDSUat ColoradoState. Saturday?

He worked Michigan State atRutgers in a4 p.m. ESTtip which meansthe only way togetthere intime was to takea red-eye from Denver after the SDSU-CSU game(and the airport isa good 75 minutes fromcampus) Eight gamesineight days…

Butthis is the nomadic, jet-lagged life of college basketballofficials,whoare

Baylor59: Christian Braun and Ochai Agbaji each scored 18 points asthehost Jayhawks (19-3, 8-1) routed the Bears(19-4, 7-3) to hold on to the top spotintheBig 12 Conference race.

No 11 Wisconsin, 51, Penn State 49: Tyler Wahl made atie-breakinglayup with 30.5secondsleft to help extendtheBadgers’(18-4, 9-3 Big Ten)homewinning streakintheserieswith the Nittany Lions (9-10, 4-7) to 21.

No 12 Villanova 85, No 17

UConn 74: EricDixonscored acareer-high24points as the Wildcats (17-6, 10-3)beatthe visitingHuskies(15-6 6-4) to win their fifth gameof the season against a Top25 team Rutgers 84, No 13 Michigan State 63: Paul Mulcahy had his first-career double-

Nevada at SDSU

double with 15 points anda career-high 12 assists and RonHarper Jr added 17 points as the host Scarlet Knights (13-9, 7-5 Big Ten) routed the Spartans(17-4, 8-3). No 14 Texas Tech 60, West Virginia 53: Bryson Williamsscored 15 points as theRedRaiders(18-5,7-3Big 12) rallied pastthe Mountaineers (13-9, 2-7)fortheir second wininsix road games. No 18 Illinois 74, Indiana 57: TrentFrazierscored 23 pointsand Kofi Cockburn added 17 as the visiting FightingIllini(17-5, 10-2Big Ten) rolledpastthe Hoosiers(16-6, 7-5)fortheir fourth straightwin. DePaul69, No 21 Xavier 65: Courvoisier McCauley scored 21 pointsand Jalen

Records: Nevada9-11,3-6;SDSU12-6,4-3 Serieshistory: SDSUleads 22-6andhas wonsixstraight (andnine of 10).Both regular-season gameslast year were at ViejasArenaandboth were close— 69-67and 65-60 The Aztecsalso won 77-70in thesemis of theconference tournament. Wolf Packupdate: Theconfoundingseasoncontinues. The Wolf Pack received first-place votesinthepreseasonpolland waspickedthirdbehindColorado StateandSDSU,thenlost itssecond gameagainstUSDandit’s beendownhill ever since. Eight of the11losseshave been by double figures, and SteveAlford’s team comes toViejas Arenahavingdropped fourstraight by 11, 29 nineand 17 points. Nevadahasno advantagein restortravel,alsoplaying Fridaynightonthe road (a 73-56loss at Fresno State) Thehighhopes rested aroundthe returning backcourt ofWichita State transfer GrantSherfieldandBrown transferDesmond CambridgeJr., plus 7-footer Warren Washington(MissionHillsHigh). But Sherfield(18.3points,6.2assists)and Washington(10.1 points,6.2 rebounds) are bothhurt,and Cambridge was removedfromthestartinglineupagainst Fresno State. Texas transfer WillBaker,another 7-footer,hasnotbeentheimpact playermany hoped, averaging 10.7 points butstruggling defensively.Anothertransfer,Oregon’s Addison Patterson, wasdismissedfromthe teamduringthe offseason. His replacement, RobertMorristransferAJBramah, wasbooted after four games. Aztecsupdate: This isthe rescheduled gamefromJan.8, afterNevada raninto COVID-19issues.Mountain West teams typicallydon’tplay twicewithin48hoursduringthe regular season,butTVcommandedanafternoontipdespiteboth teamsplayingonthe road Fridaynight.SDSUcanceledits commercial flighthomeSaturday morning and instead flew charterimmediatelyafterthe game to maximize its preptime Saturday TheAztecs return to thefriendlyconfines ofViejas Arena,wherethey are9-1this seasonand averagenearly 10 pointsmorethantheydoonthe road (wheretheyarenow 1-4 after Friday’s58-57loss at Colorado State).Both teams shouldbetired,butSDSUshouldhave anedge with adeeper rosterand fewerinjuries. TheAztecsalso have this going for them: They’ve won20straight followingaloss when thenext gameis at home,including five timesthis season.Matt Bradley continues to bethe primary offensive weapon, averaging 19.6 points inconference games.Nooneelse averagesmore thanLamont Butler’s 8.5. Despite beingin fifth place,SDSU hastheMountain West’s leading scoring margin at 9.0 points because two of its threeconferencelosseshave been close andtheir threehome winshave been by 30,25and25.

Nextup: at San Jose Stateon Wednesday (8 p.m.,CBSSN) MARKZEIGLER

independent contractors withnonational regulation. Szelc primarily works the Big Ten and BigEast. But he’s alsopart ofthe WesternOfficiatingConsortiumthat includesthePac-12 and Moun-

tain West, occasionally wedging in a gameor two between trips acrosstheMidwestand East. Sowhat you had Friday night wasa bleary-eyed ref whohadlittlefamiliarity with

Terry had 13 as thevisiting BlueDemons(11-10 2-9 Big East)snappeda four-game losingstreakbybeating the Musketeers(16-6, 6-5).

No 23 Texas 63 No.20 Iowa State 41: MarcusCarr and Andrew Jones each scored 14 pointsasthe host Longhorns(17-6, 6-4 Big 12) routed the Cyclones(16-7, 3-7). No 22 Tennessee 81, SouthCarolina 57: Zakai Zeigler tiedhiscareer high with 18 points allinthe second half, as the Volunteers (16-6, 7-3 SEC)poundedthe Gamecoacks (13-9, 4-6).

Vanderbilt75 No 25LSU 66: Rodney Chatmanscored aseason-high24pointsas the Commodores (12-10, 4-6 SEC)beattheTigers(16-7, 4-6)fortheirbiggestwinof the season.

theplayers or coaches,suddenlythrustinto makinga game-altering decisionon the finalplay of a high-stakes Mountain Westshowdown. Hehad workeda Colorado State gameonce before —a homewin against Utah State last month.He was working justhis third SDSU game— all away, alllosses— and the first inthree seasons. Hedidn’tknow Bradley’s tendenciesondrives.He didn’tknow Moors tendencieson blocks Hehadnever workedinthe crazedenvironment ofColorado State’s annual “Orange Out game atsoldout MobyArena.

Andhow much sleep did he get in thelast week, rushing to oh-dark-thirty flights sohecangettothenextgame in a far-flung college locale?

Eight days, 6,262 miles.

Butif you were Szelc you would sign upfortheinsane travel schedule, too. Top conferencescanpay$3,000per game andnonational entity is tellingthem how often they can work.

Saturday was Szelc’s 40th gamesince the Nov. 9 start of theseason,andhe’d be well into the 50s had henot gone without an assignmentbetweenDec.15andJan.11,presumably because of COVID-19 protocols.Roger Ayers an ACC regular has worked 63 games alreadythis season. John Higginshas worked58.

In2018-19, thelastfullpreCOVID season, Szelc worked 87 in 144 days.That’s more than $250,000inless than five months,minus travel expensesthey’re responsible for covering.

Sleep? Who needs sleep?

3. A familiar face WhenDutcher walked into MobyArena for shootaround Fridaymorning, waitingthere was Fox Sports1 color commentator JessSettles.Theysmiledand embraced Ithadbeena while.

Settles grew upon a corn andsoybean farm, a strapping 6-7 country boy who was Iowa’s Mr Basketballin 1993 attiny Winfield High. Dutcher andSteve Fisher

UCSB built a 24-13 leadwithits hotstart,but theTritons answered with a 3-pointer each from JakeKosakowskiandToniRocak, cuttingtheGauchos’lead tofive 24-19 with9:26toplayin the first half.

But the Gauchos(9-9 1-4 Big West) wenton a 18-2 run of their own over thenextthree minutes togo up 42-21 with 6:17 left in the firsthalf and the Tritons wouldnotthreaten again UCSDtrailed46-24at haltime.

TheTritons(10-12 4-7 againstBig West teams) were just18of48fromthefield,a37.5 percent clip. They were led by Bryce Pope’s 10 points,the onlyTritonindouble figures.

Upnext

UCIrvine at Tritons

Thursday: 7p.m.,RIMAC

Arena

Streaming: ESPN+

werecoachingatMichigan, recruitingtheclass that would replace the Fab Five, and targeted Settles. They went on a homevisit to thefarm, 40milessouthof Iowa’scampusandfourmiles northofa town withnostoplights and a population of 1,000

UC Santa Barbara 84 Tritons 48 that wenttheRams way again,thistimebecauseit wasn’t called What made it more suspect was thatBradley didn’tlosetheballand that,unlike Ike, Moors arms were not straightupbut pitched toward Bradley’s body creating contactonhis shot.

“There was no GPS,” Dutcher said.“We called your parentsfor directions.Go to County Road 7, when you hit the double silos turnleft. That’s how we foundthem.”

Settlesnarrowedhisfinalists to Iowa Michigan and Notre Dame.He wentona campusvisitto Michiganand was hosted by Dugan Fife, the same weekend that Juwan Howard hosted Jacque Vaughn (who would pickKansas and now coaches intheNBA).

“We had the most wonderfultime,”Settles said 30 yearslater “AsI was getting ready to go to the airport to leave Fish walkedmeacross CrislerArena andsaid, ‘Is there any way you couldput thisuniform onand wearit in (Iowa’s)Carver-Hawkeye Arenafourtimes during your career?’ I said to him,‘I’d have noproblem.’

“Isaidthat, but my heart was like,there’s no way. But that’s whothey were He wanted to make sure I knew what I was gettinginto.”

Settlesultimatelypicked the school40miles away and becamean all-Big Ten selection.Onething alwaysstuck withhim, though.

“When I was being recruited, I wouldalways try to get coaches to saysomething badaboutotherprograms,” Settles said “A lot of coaches would.Those guys refused to bad-mouthanyotherprogram.Dutch andFish would notdoit.I’dask:‘Whatdoyou thinkabout Notre Dame? What do you think about MichiganState?’They’d say: ‘Greatprograms, great coaches, great men. You’d do wellthere.’

“Mymomanddadandmy grandma alwayshadsuch great respectforthemfor that reason.”

mark.zeigler@sduniontribune.com

BASKETBALLREPORT

Arizonapoint guard KerrKriisa,whoscoredall 13 ofhispointsinthesecond half, reactsduringavictoryoverUSCon Saturday.

REBECCA NOBLE GETTYIMAGES

DEFENSE,QBS SHINEIN LOW-SCORINGSENIORBOWL GAME

Thepass rushersdid theirbest to steal theshow fromquarterbacks DesmondRidder and KennyPickett intheSenior Bowl.

Cincinnati’sRidder threw two touchdownpasses andthe National teamhad eight sacks ina20-10victory over the American teamSaturdayat Mobile, Ala.

“Wedidn’t comeouthere to lollygagthroughit,“Minnesotadefensivelineman Boye Mafe said. “We told each other togo out and have ourbest gamesandplayour bestfootball.This was our lasttime to get to represent our schoolssowhynot go out on a goodnote.”

Ridderhelped finishoffa jobstarted byPittsburgh’s Pickett, a HeismanTrophy finalist who was 6-of-6passingfor89yardsanda touchdowndespiteonlyplaying the firstquarter. The Nationalpass rushersmadeit a toughafternoonfortheirquarterback counterparts,polishingoff the weeklong showcasefor topseniorand graduated junior NFL prospects. Oklahoma’s Perrion Winfrey,PennState’s Jesse Luketa and Mafeeachhad twosacks.Luketa and Mafe also both forced a fumble on

sacks of NorthCarolina

quarterback Sam Howell Winfrey wasthe overall gameMVP, while Mafe was the Nationalplayerofthe game and Western Kentucky defensivelinemanDeAngelo Malone waspickedasthe top American teamplayer.

Localcolleges TheSanDiego State women’s basketball team (10-12 4-7 Mountain West) lostatBoiseState(8-14,4-7) 72-63despite 20points from SophiaRamos and 15 from Asia Avinger Forthesecondtimeinas

manydaysSanDiegoState diver Ximena LechugaGonzalez won theday’s competitionattheLumberjackInvitationalat WallAquatic Centeronthecampus of NorthernArizonainFlagstaff, Ariz.OnFriday,the senior wonthe 1-meter eventand backedthatuponSaturday with a victoryinthe3-meter competition.

TheCalStateSan Marcoswomen’sbasketballteam (15-2, 13-1 CCAA) collected its 11th consecutivevictory with a 72-61winatCalState DominguezHills(9-9, 7-6).

Jordan Vasquez had 22 pointsand 10 reboundsfor theCougars. Despite 13 points from

National receiverBo Melton(18)runswiththeball whilepursuedbyAmerican’s JoshThompson.

SydneyBrown theUCSan Diego women’s basketball team(9-10,6-4Big West) struggled offensivelyinthe secondhalf to fall to visiting UCSantaBarbara(11-7, 5-4), 59-47.

Soccer When the FA Cup game enteredstoppage time, West Ham was facingahumiliatingloss to sixth-tier side Kidderminster. Alex Penny had scoredinthe 19thminute for the National North division’s third-place teamwho were outplayingthemillionaires fromLondon,whoare only

point away fromtheChampions League places inthe Premier League. Only DeclanRice’s equalizerforcedthe game into extratime to prevent WestHam frombeingonthe receiving endofthebiggest upset inthe 150 years of worldsoccer’s oldest competition.Then to avoid a penalty shootoutatthe 6,000-capacity centralEngland stadium,it took JarrodBowen scoringin stoppagetimeof extratimetorecovera2-1victory against the team 113 placeslowerin theEnglish leaguesystem.

It was astruggle too in London forEuropean champion Chelsea,needing to come frombehind to eliminate third-tierPlymouth2-1 in extratimeatStamford Bridge to reachthe fifth round. Sevilla wasteda chance to move only onepoint behind Spanishleagueleader Real Madrid after Ivan Rakitic hadaninjury-time penalty saved in a 0-0draw at Osasuna.

• Olivier Giroud again showedwhyhecanneverbe writtenoff,scoring twolate goalsas AC Milan rallied to beatcity rivalInterMilan2-1 and re-ignite theSerieA title race.

Cameroonproducedan epic fightback from3-0down tofinishat3-3beforewinning thethird-placematch againstBurkina Fasoin a 5-3 penalty shootoutat theAfricanCupof Nations.

• Robert Lewandowski endedhisone-gamescoring drought. The Polandstar scoredhis24th goalin 21 games to helpBayernMunich stretch its Bundesliga lead to ninepointswith a 3-2 win overvisitingLeipzig.

Horse racing

ExpressTrain ranperhapsthebestraceof hisca-

reerinwinningtheGradeII, $200,000San PasqualStakes forthesecond yearin a row at SantaAnitaPark inArcadia. ExpressTrain($5.20) powered to a 3¼-lengthvictory. Merneith ($7.60)went to the front,shookoff a challenge fromheavilyfavored CeCe and went on to a 3-lengthwin intheGradeII,$200,000 Santa Monica.Finally, Count Again ($7.60)stormed homethroughthelane to taketheGradeIII,$100,000 ThunderRoad.

• Early Voting ($4.60) gave trainer ChadBrown and owner Klaravich Stables back-to-back Withers wins whenhedominated 10 othersintheGradeIII $250,000 Withersat New York’s AqueductRacetrack.Early Voting received 10 KentuckyDerby qualifyingpoints.

• GulfstreamPark-based trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. tookthe firstofhishome track’s seriesof Kentucky Derbypreps thanks to White Abarrio ($14).The RaceDay coltpressuredpace-setter Galt andthen took command cominginto the stretch to win theGradeIII, $250,000HolyBullStakes. WhiteAbarrio covered11⁄16 milesin 1:42.80and earning 10 Derbyqualifyingpoints U-T NEWS SERVICES

OLYMPIANGIRLS PINDOWNCROWN

BY KEVIN J. FARMER

ESCONDIDO

Every wrestlerhas differentthoughts thatmoment theirhandisraisedproclaimingthemachampion—ranging from the teambanneron the wall to their own family.

Pushingfour girls into the finalswiththree champions, OlympianHigh tookcare on the teambanner part,rackingup 211 team pointsand outdistancingMira Mesa with 190 to win theDivisionI titleofthe SanDiego Section Girls WrestlingChampionships on Saturday at San PasqualHigh.

“I’msopleased withall we’ve beenthrough to walk off with this,” said Angelina Leal, whopinned SteeleCanyon’s Kennedi Jones to win theheavyweight title forthe third time.“Despite allthe challengeswithCOVID and coaching changes,it really shows the hardwork we’ve done paidoff. We overcame it all.”

STATENO.1HANDLESPOWAY

state meetanyway If we lose, nothing changes. We’re still the No 2 team. We gained somedataonthem.

outthey get hard-foughtduals.Thisisthe toughestdual we’ve hadin a few years.

turnedaroundanddowned theTitansat thestate meet laterthat year.

Angelina Leal Olympian Highwrestler,ontitle

win at 123 pounds.

Mira Mesamade a late run atthe teamtitle.The Marauderssweptallfiveofthefinalsthey were in Their champions were: Emma DeGraziano (103 pounds),Lena Truong(113),HelenaInsko (118), Kyla Pattillo(133) and HannahCatungal(152).

BY TERRYMONAHAN

PowayHigh,the No.2rankedwrestling teamin California, wentnorth to Clovis on Saturday afternoon to face thebest team around.

Top-rankedBuchanan, whichhas wonthelast five state championshipsin the pastsix yearswithno state title offeredin 2021 because of coronavirus,is ranked No. 1in thestate and No.4 inthe nation, wasup to the challenge oftheTitans.

Buchanan won 11 ofthe 14 matchesfora 55-9victoryin thedual meetin Buchanan’s footballstadiumonaraised stage atmidfield.

“The atmosphere was spectacularwithonesideof thestadium almost filled,” Poway coach John Meyers said.“It was like nootherdualmeetI’ve ever seen.

“I toldthemif we win, great.But we’llhave to see themin three weeksatthe

“Wemadesomecritical mistakes. We couldhavewon three orfour more tight matches.”

Poway which hadthree sophomoresand five freshmenin thelineup, got wins from freshman Edwin Sierra (108pounds), freshmanAngelo Posada(160)and junior LucasCondon(170).

“Thebrightspots were Sierraat 108andCondon at 170, Meyerssaid. “They wrestled completematches, perfect matchesforallsix minutes.That’s what you need to do to beatthose guys.

“Posada wonhismatch, buthe got reversedin the final five secondsand we losta teampoint.He wonhis match,butthat’s notwhat wewant to beinstate meet.”

Meyers got plenty of data forthenext three weekson theBears,buthealsoknows hiswrestlersbetter now, too.

“Wecameouthardin mostmatches,”he said. “One advantage theyhave in Clovisis weekin and week

“This wasa definite learning experience for our guys.I woulddothisagain. What we neededatthistime. We were exposedinalotofareas.We’d staywiththemforfour or five minutesandthenmakea mistake.

“I’mhappy we didthis.”

OfBuchanan’s 11 victories,fourwinscameviapins —juniorCisco Cabrera(120) over freshmanBilly Townsonin 2:42 juniorSloan Swan(152) oversophomore Laird Rootin 3:09 senior Joseph Martin(195) over BradenPeasein 4:37 and junior KeanuTrellas (220) oversophomoreAdam Farha in 3:15.

“It’s allabout getting readyfor March,” Meyers said.“We’reinsameboat we were in yesterday.Theride homecouldhavebeenbetter.

“I’mnotdiscouraged. We’relickingour wounds.I feelsorry today butby Monday we’llstart rockingand rollingagain.”

Meyers recalledadual meetin2006when Poway beatBuchanan,which

“Crazierthings have happened,”he said.“Itcanbe done.Theyare oneofthe top teams,the top publicschool inthe country for a reason.

“Istillbelieve we’reas goodasthose guys. None of ourkids were in aweof them.”

PowayhoststheSanDiegoSectionDivisionII championshipsSaturday withthe Master’s Meeton Feb. 18-19at ChristianHigh inElCajon,\followedbythe State Championshipson Feb.24-26in Bakersfieldat the MechanicsBankArena. Monahanis a freelancewriter.

Clovis Buchanan 55, Poway9 108pounds —Sierra(P)dec.A.Harris(Buchanan)4-1; 115 R.R. Harris(Buchanan)dec. Navida(P)6-2; 122 Cabrera(Buchanan)pinned Townson(P)2:42;

128 —Contino(Buchanan)dec. Kelly(P)6-4;

134 J. Gioffre(Buchanan)dec.Bobzien(P)11-2; 140 —M.Gioffre(Buchanan)dec. Lopez(P)8-0;

147 —Lake(Buchanan) dec. Tolentino(P) 2-0;

154 Swan(Buchanan)pinned Root(P)3:09;

162 Posada(P)dec.Espinoza (Buchanan)9-2;

172 —Condon(P)dec.Mendoza (Buchanan) 5-2; 184 Kampbell(Buchanan)dec.Bomberger (P)6-3; 197 —Martin(Buchanan)pinned Pease (P) 4:37; 222 Trellas(Buchanan)pinned Farha(P) 3:15; HWT Rodgers(Buchanan)dec. Lytle(P) 3-2.

Leal was also celebrating her birthday with thetitle.

Thisisthe first timethe divisions were heldsince2019 whentheEaglesalsowereDivisionI champions. Last year thesection justheld one combined tournament in May, the only section to hold achampionship.

For fellow Olympian champion CelinaEsquer, havinghernameincluded among school champions meanssomethingmore.

“Comingin I was prayingI couldhave mynameupthere next to my brother Mikey’s onthe wall,”saidEsquer the seniorwho took upthesport justtwoyearsagoaftergiving up soccer. “He’s intheArmy right now and I thinkI’m going to join the military myself.”

Esquerpinned Alexa Davis at2:56 to claim the 128poundtitle.

Another championinfluenced to give things up becauseofhersiblings was Powaysophomore Alejandra Valdiviezo.

“I wasa cheerleader but gave itup to be a wrestler,” said Valdiviezo “Allmy brotherswrestled so I had to learn to defendmyself.I fellin love with it.”

Inthe final Valdiviezo registered an 11-2major decision over RBV’s KaylaEdwards to

Olympian was able to holdonasAlinaSolisdecisioned Elizabeth LeNoir of SteeleCanyon 4-1 to win at 139. No stranger to themedal stand is Calexico’s Karen Solis,who won her fourthsectioncrown bydecisioning XiomaraGallego of Poway 4-1 inthe 108-pound final.

“With nostateslast year I’m notable togetmyfourth state medal,soI’m very happy with gettingmyfourth CIF championship,”saidSolis. Otherwinners were: Grossmont’s KyliStanley (145),Carlsbad’s Sanchez Yessenia(162), Aurora Hardy of Torrey Pines(172) and Faith ManisofSteele Canyon(192).

DivisionII Host Brawleyplacedsix wrestlersinthe finalswith champions,four by first periodpins, to claimanother DivisionIItitle.

Thequickest of those pins was by Mia Navarro at 108, who needed just 27 seconds to pin Yadirah Chavez ofImperial.

Other first-periodpinners were Delarie Jaurz at 118 (1:40) Savannah Gomez at 139 (1:06) and Dylan Jardon at 172 (1:27) The Wildcats’ fifth champion was Jaylee Cazares at 103. She needed 35 seconds ofthesecond period before winning her title.

Farmeris a freelancewriter.

FALCONSMAKEBIG STATEMENTINSHOWCASE VS. PARKER

BY JOHNMAFFEI Torrey Pines 74, Parker 57

Withone weekof league play remainingbefore the playoffmeeting,Saturday’s seven-gameBattleofthe

Bayserved as a seedings showcase.

And No.3 Torrey Pines made a statementatMisisonBayHigh,beating No.8

FrancisParker 74-57.

Currently seeded No.5 by MaxPrepsin theeight-team OpenDivision field,the defending champion Falcons (19-5) figure to jumpupas highas No 3, barringanything crazy.

“We want to winitall again,”saidOtto Landrum, TorreyPines’6-foot-9center, whois committed to Boston University “We want

to make to the finalsfour yearsin a row.

“We’ve hadsome really bigwinson the road,but we play really wellat home, shoot really wellathome.

“And I think we have the beststudentsectioninthe county. That’s why we push ourselvesinpractice, push ourselvesin games.”

Landrum finishedthe nightwith 15 points, 13 rebounds and blocked three shots.

Senior guard LoganHuston had a careernightforthe Falconswith 33 points 28 inthesecondhalf. “Finallycrackedthe 30 mark,”saidHuston,who av-

erages 13.2points a game.

“Francis Parker is a really good team, very athletic. But we had a sizeadvantage, and the way theyplaydefense, I thoughtI mighthave agoodnight. I thoughtI couldspinoffthepick-androllsand get to thehole.”

TorreyPinesled 38-37 midway through the third quarter then wentona 23-5 run to open a 19-pointadvantage.

“Honestly last week we were a littleoffinpractice,” Hustonsaid.“Withtheplayoffs coming, we decided to bringsomeenergy andsee whathappens.”

FrancisParker, which playswith five guards,has to bringenergy, andthe Lancersdid.

But they couldn’tmatch the6-9 Landrum,plus6-6 EdenPennand6-5 Zachary Jackson.

“Thebigkid(Landrum) isn’t just big,heplayswitha fire in hisbelly,”saidParker coach Jim Tomey “We have to make shots, we have to guard and we have to rebound to playwiththem.”

TorreyPinesheld a 39-17 rebounding edge.

“Rightnow, we’re onthe bubble(sitting No 9)inthe OpenDivision,” Tomey said. “That’s where wewant to be.”

Camden McCormickled Parker with 28pointsand hadseven rebounds JJ Bartelloni had 14 pointsfor TorreyPineswhile Pennhadeight rebounds

and Jacksonseven. Inother games:

No.7 MissionBay69, Mater DeiCatholic 51: Gelo GilledMissionBaywith 23 pointsandThomas Metcalf added 18 astheBucsuseda big third-quarter run to pull away KJ Gonzalezand Kris Gonzalezeach had 15 for Mater DeiCatholic.

No.4 MissionHills 64, San Diego 48: Caleb Hofmeister finishedwitha game-high20points,includingsix3-pointers fourina row inthesecondquarter— to leadMissionHills. Jayden White added 17 forthe Grizzlies and Justin White had 13 Kyle Neffledall rebounderswitheight Jayden Wade andBaron Noble each had 10 pointsforSanDiego.

No.9 Cathedral Catholic 58, La JollaCountry Day 44: Shea Fitzgerald ofCathedralledallscorers with 19 points,while Jaden Label added 14 pointsand 13 rebounds.AnthonyArfulloled LJCDwith 13 LJCD was outrebounded 42-21 and scored justthree pointsina 15-minute stretch fromthe firstquarter to thethird. No 10 Carlsbad 64, Santa Fe Christian 48: Carlsbadled40-20atthehalf andsubstituted freelyinthe secondhalf. Jake Hallled Carlsbadwith 13 while Tony Duckett had 12 and Mason Bowers 11 DanielGreathouseledSFCwith 12 and Brycen Mackenzie added 11 john.maffei@sduniontribune

BUTCHDILL AP

Poway’s Paul Kellywrestlesvs.ClovisBuchananfoe LeoContinoatdualmeet onBuchanan’s footballfield. ROLLIN F. SWAN

“I’m so pleased withall we’vebeen throughto walkoff withthis.”

SUN

BIGGER&BETTER

Bronco Raptor boastsmorepower, beefierpresence

Bigger, brawnierand fasteroff-roadthan any Ford SUVthat camebefore Ford’s 2022 Bronco Raptorwillhit the roadthissummer with more power, luxury anda seriouslyupgradedsuspension and chassis.

Priceswillstart at $68,500, plus$1,495destination charge.

That’s more thandoublethebasepriceof a 2022 four-doorBronco,which is $33,450, according to Ford.

That gets youa Bronco that’s wider tougherlooking,better equipped and more capableofboth high-speed desert racing andslowlycrawling over rocks,Bronco brandmanagerEstebanPlaza-Jennings said.

Ford willstart taking ordersfor the Bronco Raptorin March butmost ofthe first year’s productionis expected togoto peoplewho convert existingBronco reservations to theRaptor The automaker won’t sayhow manyRaptorsthe Wayne, Mich.,assemblyplantcan make,butoutputwillbe “limited.”

TheBronco Raptor’s bi-turboV6is expected to producemore than 400 horsepower, compared with 315 forthe top current model. YouthinktheBronco looks tough?

TheBronco Raptor— thesecond Ford togeta Raptorperformance model,after theF-150 pickup— is 9.8 incheswiderthana regularBronco, design chiefPaul Wraith said.

Thatincludes an 8.6-inch wider track the distance betweenthecenterofeach wheel on the frontor rear axle andmassively bigger fendersand flares.

The extrasizemakes room for 37-inch BFGoodrich all-terraintires,thelargest production tiresmadein America andnot coincidentally 2 inchesbigger than thetiresonthe Wrangler XtremeRecon,theoff-road warrior Jeep addedlast year to fight a wave ofpositive publicity forthe Bronco.

Other exterior changes includea new grillewith “Ford”written acrossitand abigger openingforincreased cooling.The front bumperisalsonew, and there’s a visiblesilverskid plate with tow hooks.Highintensity LEDlights mountedinthebottom outboard corners come with capsbecause they’re

too bright to legallyuse on-road. The front fendersand hood have functional vents. Arockrailwithstepshelps with entry and exit, given theRaptor’s 4.8 inches of additional groundclearance to 13.1 inches.

Betterlookand feel

Theinterior featuresa super-clear customizable 12-inch instrumentcluster that emphasizes thetachometerand 12-inch touch screen. The beefyleather steering wheelisthicker than thestandard Bronco andhasbuttons to adjust suspension,steering and exhaust,plusan“R button for customizeddriving

preferences. Magnesium paddleshiftersalsoare standard.

Thebaseinteriorhas marine-gradevinylseats and a rubberized floor. Seatswithleatherbolsters andsuedeinsertsare optional. Other optionsincludecarbon fibertrim.

Adaptive cruise control and 10-speakerB&Oaudio are available.

Tougherchassis, more towing A3.0L bi-turboV6is expected to producemore than400hp, 10-speedautomatictransmission and four-wheeldrive are standard. The chassisandsuspension were reinforced to handlethe extrapower and impacts fromhigh-speed off-roading.

The frame largelycarries over fromthebaseBronco, butnew shock towersand other changesincrease wheeltravel to 13 inchesat the frontand 14 in the rear. The rearaxleand front half shafts all fromsupplier Dana were bothupgraded to handlethe extra power andimpacts. Acrossbarinthe roof andC-pillarbracehelp increase torsionalstiffness more than 50 percent.The plastichard top is removable. Arearbraceincreases towingcapacity 1,000

Repairshop fails the test by failing to test

Dear Car Talk:

Iwasin a collision; thankfully, onlythe car’s front end was damaged. I took the car to a tire shop and toldthem I needed it repaired They replaceda control arm andstruts anddid an alignment.

Itookitonthehighway, anditshook something terrible onceI got to 60mph. I went back to theplace andthey tookoff the left front wheel spunitonthehigh-speedtire balancer and said it was bent Theysaidthey couldn’t have eyeballed thatwhen they gave metheestimate,whichI believe Butthey alsosaidspinningthewheel to find out ifit’s bent isnotpart of the process.

Iaskedhow itcannot bepart oftheprocesswhen they knew I was in a front-end collisionandtheyhad the front wheels offanyway to dothestruts and control arm? Shouldthey havechecked for a bentwheel as a matterof course? I say yes;theysaidno. Who’s right? —Eric

Theirmistake wasn’t failing to remove the front wheel to see ifit was bent, Eric.Theirmistake was not test-drivingthecarbefore givingitback to you.

After any repair— especially onethatinvolves steering,suspension,wheels or tires— we alwaystake the repaired caroutfor a test drive Infact, we’ve gota pile

Ford BroncoRaptor

Four-wheel, five-passenger four-door off-roadperformance SUV

Baseprice: $68,500 (excluding $1,495 destinationcharge)

Onsale: Summer 2022

Engine: 3.0Lbi-turboV6 Output: Projected over400hp Transmission: Ten-speed

pounds, to 4,500 The drive modeselector adds a tow/ haulmode.

TheBronco Raptoralso borrows someparts from thebigger F-150 Raptor, includingitsbrakes.

Phelanwrites for TribuneNews Service.

inches Width: 85.7 inches (mirrors folded) Passenger volume: 103.7 cubic feet Minimumgroundclearance: 13.1 inches Maximum wheeltravel: 13inchesfront, 14 inches rear.

GETTY IMAGES

ofspeedingticketsbecause thelimit on the road closest to the garage is40 mph,and we make sure we testthe carsathighway speed, too, before givingthem back to the customer. Had they done a proper testdrive, they would have felt the carstart to shake at 60mphand would have

known instantlythat there was more work to do. Ashimmy that reliably occursata certain speed is oftena sign of a badorunbalancedtire or a bentwheel. Andthey would have saved themselves considerable embarrassmentby returning to the garage and findingthe cause oftheshaking before calling you andsaying“It’s all set,Eric!”

Ineffect,theymade you the testdriver. That’s not cool. So yes,they made a mistake in missingthebent wheel at first But that’s an understandablemistake.I couldhave easily donethat. Butfailing totest-drive it was their real mistake. Postquestionsonline atCarTalk.com.

MARKPHELAN Firstlook

TheSUV’s baseinteriorhasmarine-gradevinylseats andarubberized

TheBroncoRaptorstartsat$68,500,morethandoublethe costofabase-pricedBronco. Ford willstart takingordersforthebeefySUVin

CLICKAND CLA CK Ray Magliozzi

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SPREAD IN G THE WO RD

BY SANDIDOLBEE

It took about 10 minutesfortheultimate frozen chosen to thaw The royal audience atthe wedding ofPrinceHarry and Meghan Markle actuallylaughed a little. ■ Thenthere was more laughter More nodding heads More knowing smiles. ■ After BishopMichael Curry stepped down fromthepulpit on thatspring day in2018, many of thepeople attending andtheestimated2 billion watching— discoveredwhatmanyofusonthisside of thepond already knew: The presiding bishop ofthe EpiscopalChurch isoneofthe best preachers of his generation. ■ Media reviews cemented the verdictfor this son of anEpiscopal priestand descendant of slaves. ■ “Stunning.” ■ “Amazing.” ■ “Broughtdown the house.” ■ Readers will soon geta chance to sample severalofCurry’s more-recent homilies, courtesyof a new book featuring sermons delivered duringthe first year of theCOVID-19 pandemicatthe Washington NationalCathedral home ofthe Episcopal Dioceseof Washingtonand a spiritual beacon for manyofAmerica’s faithful. ■ “Reconciliation,Healing, andHope:Sermons From Washington National Cathedral,”due Feb. 22, includes five of Curry’s sermons alongwith dozensofothers deliveredbyanarray ofspeakerswho sought to bringsolace to thousands of worshipperswho had turned their couches into pews.

JohnnyGandelsman relisheshis return to liveperformances. E5

WhytheNationalArboretumisone of America’shidden gems. E13

Sasha Koozel Reibstein exploresnewplanes at QuintGallery. E6

APPHOTO/U-TPHOTO ILLUSTRATION

Upclosewith Michael Curry,presidingbishop of theEpiscopalChurch,who’s dealingwithseveral pandemics

Tuningoutthecriticism

Highlysuccessfulsaxophonist KennyG isunfazed by threedecades of potshots,asdemonstratedinanewdocumentary

BY GARY GERARDHAMILTON

KennyGorelick, known to millions as KennyG,has beenone ofthe mostbeloved andhated figures inmusicthroughout thelast three decades.Butthe musicsuperstar, synonymousforhislong, curly brown hair as much asforhissoprano saxophone, hasignored hiscriticsand remained largelyunbothered, well before the term wasa popular socialmedia hashtag.

“If you’re going to criticizeme, I’m justnot going togo withthat becauseI alreadyknow thatI’m doingmy very very best.So, there’s where the confidence comes from,” said theGrammy winner whohas a sold-out concert Friday atPechanga Resort andCasino.“Didit ever really hurt me?Honestly, no.Because I’ve got myarmorofknowingI’m doingmy very very best. That’s why I practice every dayI’mnever alittle rusty— ever.”

KennyG’s unconventional journey to the top and thejazz purists’feathers he’s ruffledalong the way— is exploredinthenew documentary “Listening to KennyG,”directedbyPenny Lane and now streaming on HBO Max.Inaddition to thecriticism, the filmdetailshisSeattle upbringing,beingdiscovered bylegendary music executive Clive Davis,andthemassive successofhitsongs like “Silhouette,”“Songbird”and “Sentimental.” KennyG,who’s also releaseda new albumcalled“New Standards,”talks abouthisparticipation inthe film,hislegacy, and workingwith currentmegastar artistslike Kanye WestandThe Weeknd.(Answershave been editedforclarity andbrevity.)

Q:The film opensupwith some very harshcriticismof you,but you seem to have tough skin Was thereevera timeitbothered you?

A:Since the’80s,I’ve always thoughtofitkindofthis way:Theydon’tparticularlylike mystyle of music SothesongsI putout,especiallyoncethey got popular of course,oncethey got popular theyhateditmore. They’re justthinkingthatmaybe I’m justcreatingthese melodies because I know somehow it’s going to sell records andI’m going to be rich andfamousbecauseofthis, whichI hadnoideaof.I’m just playingsongs the way that I hear them. I love a melody that’s played properly.

Q:What convinced you to participate in a documentary withPenny Lane?

A:She was not necessarilya fanofmymusic,whichI thought was coolthatshesaid thatrightoffthebat.Butnotthat shedidn’tlike it,she just wasn’t thisbigfan that wanted to makea movieaboutme.She justsaid thatthere’sa story totell about how “there’sa groupofpeople that reallyhave a problemwith yoursuccess.AndI’d like totell thatstory.”I said,“I’ve been

Thismorningas I layinbed, I heard frommyleft hip flexor, ithad a high-pitched tone, too tightlystrung

Thenmyrightankle joinedthesong

Thenmyleft toe

Irolledonto mybellyandimaginedunbucklingmyhips

Unbucklingmyankles

Draggingmyarmsdown to mysides I unbuckledmy shoulders

Hasanyone ever written aboutunbucklingtheheart,I wondered?

Unbucklingtheheart, Lettingthedisappointment flow outofthe chambers

Thesadnessand grief tuckedinto themitralvalve might need a littlescraping to flushitout

hearingthatsincethe’80s.”

Q:

Because you’ve faced so much criticism fromjazz purists,do you think you’ve influencedup-and-comingjazzartists?

A:I think soinsome ways. You know, first:thefactthatthe saxophoneisoutthere somuch— that peopleare hearingthesax.I know thesopranosaxhasdefinitely gotten a resurgencebecause ofmeandthefactthatI’ve been outthere somuch withthesoprano,mostly.

Q:You’veconnectedwith Kanye WestandThe Weeknd. Isthat how you’ve stayed current?

A:I’m really flattered whenI get thosephonecalls from Kanye and thenThe Weeknd, of course.Itmakesmefeel great that somehow they wantmysound to bepart oftheirmusic.Andthey’re sopopularnow— theydon’tneed

By Julie Potiker

me.I’mnotdoingthem a bigfavor. They’re not reaching out to mesoI canhelpthemsell records.They’re justdoingitpurelybecause,creatively, theythink,“Oh, wow, (we love) yoursound.”

Q:Kenny whatdo you think yourlegacywillbe? I think thedocumentary leads to that question.

A:Gosh,I’ve never even thoughtaboutsomething like that.I don’tthink ofmyselfso seriously to have a legacy ButI mean, I don’tknow— hopefullyit inspires people to want to play the saxophone. Maybe part ofmy legacyispeople reallyinterested maybemore inmebecause ofthe notoriety that I have butmaybeI cansteer them toward someofthe oldtraditionaljazzstuffthatthey maynothaveever heard,and I can keep that music alive longer.” Hamiltonwrites for TheAssociated Press.

KennyGplaysthesoprano saxophoneinascene from anewdocumentary directedby Penny Lane.

KennyG

When: 8 p.m Friday

Where: Pechanga Resort and Casino, 45000 Pechanga Parkway, Temecula

Tickets: Soldout Online: ticketmaster.com

The existentialangstatallthatislost every day inour

humanfamily

Thatblows awayinplaceslike KentuckyandthePhilippinesthistime

Next timesomeothervillage or town willlose to nature— ourbluemarbleindangermakingitselfknownagainand again

After theheart isunbuckled,anddrainedinto theriver, there is roomforthepackages to arrive Precioussquaresofmomentsintentionally wrappedand delivered to you, fromthepersonthatknows you best

Unwrapthesmile you remember in a child’s eyes

Unwrapthelight flashingonthe water

Unwrapthewindblowingthroughthemountaintrees

Unwrap youruniquepearlsof awe

Unwrapthetruththatloveresideshere

Saxophonist KennyGinthedocumentary“Listening to KennyG,”whichisnow availableonHBO Max.Theartistperforms Fridayat PechangaResortandCasino.

HBOPHOTOS

Hagarbets on Las Vegas

Legendary rocker,stillfull of energy at 74,says he’s ‘asstrongasahorse’ashebeginshissecond residencyon The Strip

BY GEORGE VARGA

SammyHagar haslearned to rollwith thepunches,as befits a former boxer turned Rock & RollHallof Fameinductee whoin 1995 was fired fromhis decadelong gig asthelead singer in Van Halen. The veteransolo starhas alsolearned to stay extremelyactive,on stage andoff.

“I’maboutasbusyas a man canbe and I don’tknow why.

I’m confused!”Hagarsaid,speakingbyphone recently from his MarinCounty home.

How busy?Here area few examples.

In January, he was namedthe first-ever honorary tourism ambassador ofLosCabos,the once-sleepy Mexicanmunicipality-turnedresort-hub where heopened his highlysuccessfulCabo WaboCantina nightclub and restaurantin 1990.Hagar was also awarded a Los Cabos MedalofHonor, in recognitionofhis decadespromotingthe area,where he firstbeganspending wintervacationsinthemid-1980s.

Lastfall,helaunched a lineof canned rum cocktails,Sammy’s Beach BarCocktail Co.It’sa successor to hisCabo Wabo Tequilaline,which hesoldmore than adecade ago for$91 million and hismore recentSammy’s Beach BarRum.

Alsolastfall,hebeganthe first Las Vegas residencyofhiscareer atTheStratHotelCasino & SkyPod.Hissecond residencythere begins WednesdaythroughSaturday, followed byperformances March 23-26

He’ll beaccompaniedatThe Stratbyhislongtimeband The Circle.It teamshimwith onetime

LedZeppelin drummer Jason Bonham,lead guitaristVic JohnsonandbassistMichaelAnthony, whoisHagar’s formerbandmate in Van Halen.Their first residency saw them joinedbyanarrayof guestsmusicians,including GratefulDead co-founderBob Weir, former teen idolRickSpringfieldandRatt singerStephen Pearcy,a formerSanDiegan.

‘Areyou a Deadhead?’

“Areyoua Deadhead?Bob isa very very spaced-out guy, Hagar saidwith a chuckle.

“Youaskhim,‘Whatdo you want to play?’He’llsay, ‘Figure it

out,’and tell you 120 songs. You rehearsethem,and comethat night he wants to play a differentsong.So you rehearsethat. Then,when you get onstage,Bob says,‘I want to change the tempo onthatsong,andthe key.

“With guitarsolos,hisfamous lineis,‘Letstakea long walkinthe woodsonthissolo.’”

Hagarspoke to The SanDiego Union-Tribune fornearlyanhour. Here are edited excerptsform that conversation. A longer versionoftheinterview canbe read onlineatsandiegouniontribune.com/entertainment.

Q:You are playingatThe StratTheateratTheStrat

Hotel,Casino & SkyPodin Las Vegas,so I have to ask: Are you playing a vintage FenderStratocaster, or a specialnew Fender Stratocasterattheshows?

A:You know, I’m a GibsonLes Paul guy. I can’tplay a Fender Vic,mylead guitarist,playsa Fender. For me,playinga Strat islike trying to wrestlea professionalwrestler. I was raisedon Gibson guitars,andmyhandsfeel rightwhenI’mplayingone.

Q:Whatdoes a Las Vegas residency allow you to do that a one-off concert doesn’t?

A:I thinkthat,outofthesix nights I playedatTheStrat lastfall, I onlydidmaybe 10 songs twice. We were doingabout20 songsa nightandprobablydida totalof 140 orsodifferentsongs. Onenight, we didthewhole first Montrose album.Anothernight, we did a dozen Van Hagarsongs, and two orthree songs from a new Circlealbum coming outlaterthis year tentativelycalled“Crazy Times.” We reallypushourselvesin Vegas,and I love mixingitup.

Q:Ifsomeonehad told you 50yearsago,or even 10

SammyHagar& Friends

When: Wednesday,FridayandSaturday;March 23,March25andMarch 26

Where: The Strat Theater, The Strat Hotel, Casino&SkyPod,Las Vegas

Tickets: $100-$150;VIP packagesare$600

Phone: (800) 998-6937 Online: tickets.thestrat.com

COVIDprotocols: Allticketholdersaresubject torestrictionsand requirementsputinplace by venues teams or governmentauthoritiesasit pertains to proof of COVID-19 vaccination, proof of anegative COVID-19 test, socialdistancing, wearingpersonalprotective gear,age restrictionsand similarmeasures.

years ago,that in2021 and2022 you’d beplaying a residencyin Vegas,how would you have reacted?

A:I wouldhave laughedthem outofthe room! When I was ayoungbuck,trying to bethe coolest guy inthe world, Vegas was nottheplaceforthat Anditstill isn’t.ButI’m 74 And I’msitting here going, ‘Yeah, myfansare old enough to come to Vegas now, and I’m old enough.’But Vegas really has changed.Everyoneplaysthere now, including the youngest, coolestbands inthe world.Every concert tourstopsthere,and Vegas has great restaurants, great hotels and some ofthe greatest shows. Ithink Vegas hasbecome a very hip, coolplace.Butitisone of thosethings where peoplemight stillthinkofdoinga residency there asbeingforpeople inthe retirement community. Well hell, I’m one of them!AndI’mhavinga goodtime.

uponshore.

It’s likeI wouldthink, “Thisis kindof a goodidea,”andI’ve learnedhow to doitandmake it happen.Butbeinganentrepreneur? I hadnoideawhatthat meant. I didn’t grow uplike that. Inmyfamily, wewere blue-collar, hardworkingpeople steel workers dish washers, cooks.I’maddicted to work, success, goodideas and gettingthemdone.

Q:

In 1995 you toldme:“I’m going to be48andI’mproud ofit now.When you firsthit40in thisbusiness,peoplesay, ‘Hey, say you’re only 36.’AndI thoughtthat was bull.Butthere wasa five-year periodinmy early 40swhereI didn’t tell peoplehow old I was. Now I’mproudofmyage.I’m strongandhealthy andI’mdoing better shows 2½ hourslong— thanI could doin 1973 when I was in Montrose.I’minshapenow and Iknow how to take care ofmyself. ...I’mplanning on takingitasfar as I can.” You are now 74 How muchfartherdo you plan to take it?

A:

Q:

In 1990,I interviewed you here inSanDiego about yourthen-new Red RockerHyperActive Wearline,which followed yourRedRocker Mountain Bike line Now, you haveyournew canned cocktaillineand you’ve had a lot ofbusinessesinbetween, including your restaurant chain. When you were sittinginhigh schoolin Fontana, did you ever imagine you wanted to be an entrepreneurofanykind?

A:I didnot even know the word “entrepreneur.” I don’t like to take inventory and reflectonmy life,but you can’thelpitatmyage. There are somanydreamsthatI didn’t dreamthatdidn’t cometrue for a longtime. I alwaysthought it wouldbe great to be a rockstar. Andit’s great to beintheRock& RollHallof Fameandhave gold andplatinum records, and to go on tour and berich andfamous.But allthisotherstuffcame to melike amessage in a bottlethat washed

Oh,man, you’re killingme! Theseare greatquestions; you’re makingmethink. To answer yourquestion, I reallydon’t know. But I amproudofmyage. I’mhealthy.I do 50 pushups and 100 cruncheseach morning. I walk 4to5 miles every day.I don’t run anymore becausemykneesare beatup from jumpingoffstages witha 22-poundLesPaul.

Icanstillsing every song I ever wrote. I putthemin a lower key now, and tunedown a wholestep, not a halfstep,which ismyadvice to anybodywithsemi-perfect pitch I have goodpitch andI know whenI’m off. I toldsomebody recently “Idon’tknow how much longer I can do thisandstill be good.”Because I don’tneed money...it’s notmymotivation anymore.It was,when I was young. But now, I’m justmotivatedbydoing coolthings that excite me,andmusicstilldoesthat....

If I couldn’tsing well, I would notdothat to myfans.Ticket pricesare sohighthat,if I wasn’t good, I wouldn’t dothat to people. Iwillnotembarrassmyself,ormy fans,orfamily But,rightnow, I’m asstrongas a horse,man! george.varga@sduniontribune.com

SammyHagar(left)withEddie VanHalenin 1985.

S.D. Opera’s new territory

BY PAMKRAGEN

Two yearsago this week,San Diego

Operapresented its last pre-pandemic performanceatthe SanDiego Civic Theatre On Saturday itwill finally return The new productionof Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s “Così fan tutte”willnotonlybethe company’s first fully staged indoor production since February 2020, itwill also marka number of other firsts.

Acclaimedinternationalopera directorTimothy Nelsonwillmake his companydebut,alongwithfour oftheopera’s principalsingers: baritonesReginaldSmithJr.and JohnBrancy,mezzo-soprano SamanthaHankeyand tenor Konu Kim.SopranoSarah Tucker, who playedMicaelainSanDiego Opera’s 2019 productionof“Carmen,” willbe makingher roledebutas Fiordiligi.Andthiswillalsobe an all-new productionwithscenery and costumescreatedin-houseby SanDiego Operadesigners.

Finally formanySanDiego Operaticketbuyers, thismaybe the firsttimethey’ve ever seen “Cosìfan tutte, which the company lastproducedin2005. Nelson whoisdirecting“Così"forthe firsttime,saidheknowswhythe operaisn’t donemore often.It’s tough to direct and even more challengingforitssingers.Buthe’s excitedthatitwillbethe first opera to welcomeaudiencesback.

“Ithinkit’s theperfectopera to return to indoorperformances with,” Nelsonsaid. “Theyhaven’t done itin 17 years,which makesit reallyspecialandthiscastis just dynamite It’s a tremendousopportunity formeas a directorand also foraudiences toexperiencea typeofopera that’s reallyvividand vibrant.” “Cosìfan tutte,”which roughly translate from Italianas“all womendothesame,”premieredin Viennaon Jan.26, 1790 It was the third and final collaborationbetween Mozart andhisItalian librettistLorenzo Da Pontefollowingthebetter known “The Marriage ofFigaro”in 1786and“Don

Giovanni”in 1787

Thestory begins whenanold bachelor, Don Alfonso,bets two youngsoldiers,Guglielmoand Ferrando,thattheir fiancées, sistersFiordiligi andDorabella, won’t staytrue to them. The soldiers testtheir women’s faithfulness bydonningdisguisesand courtingeach other’s fiancées, only to discoverthey’re each better suited to theother’s fiancée The sistersalsolosetheirhearts to the disguisedmen.

‘Così fan tutte’

“Così fan tutte”willbeperformed inItalianwithEnglishsupertitles projectedabove the stage. TheSanDiego Symphony willbe conducted by Bruce Stasyna, who isSanDiegoOpera’schorus master andmusicadministrator.

When: 7:30p.m.Saturday and Feb.15and18;2p.m. Feb.20

Where: SanDiegoOpera at the SanDiegoCivic Theatre, 1100 Third Ave.,SanDiego

Tickets: $35andup

Phone: (619) 533-7000

Online: sdopera.org

COVID protocol: Proof of full vaccinationornegative COVID-19PCR test within48hours of showtime required. Facemasks requiredindoors.

andundergo emotionaltrials to find theirtruth.So, workingwithSan Diego OperascenicdesignerTim Wallace Nelsonhascreated a productionwith a forestthatwill grow darker astheplotthickens.

Theproduction willbesetin contemporary America and will beginin a locker roomwhere the menmake theirbet.Thenitwill moves to what Nelsoncallsa “darkeningforestofthemind.”He has alsoadded a new character to thestory: a weary, withered and wordless Cupid, whose presence in thestory representsthelossof idealizedlove.

Nelsonsaidcreating a new production conceptcanbehard for veteransingerswhohave performedthesame rolesdozensof times.Sohe’s grateful to havea youngandadventurouscastwho are excited toexplore “Così ina fresh way. Hisfavorite sceneinthe operaisFiordiligi’s mournful second-actaria“PerPieta,”which beginswiththe words “Inpity’s name, my dearest/ forgive the misdeed of a loving soul.”

That’s alsotheoperahighlight for Tucker SanDiego Opera’s Fiordiligi.TheHouston-based sopranois a Mozart specialist whosewillfollow “Così"with a run asPaminain North CarolinaOpera’s production of Mozart’s “The Magic Flute.”

“The greatthingaboutsinging hismusicishe justputsitallin there for you,formomentslike fear andanger Evenif you don’tknow whatshe’s saying, you hearitinthe music, you hearitinthe coloratura andthe contrasts,” Tuckersaid. “Themusicis justunbelievable. For me, choosingmyfavorite part,it’sa contestbetweenthe firstacttrio “Soave Sia il Vento”(“maythewind be gentle”)and“PerPieta.”

“It’s hard and vulnerableandso satisfying.Themusicis juststunning,” Tuckersaid.

Nelson,whoisalso a conductor, said Mozart’s opera-composing skills grew dramaticallybetween “Figaro” and “Così"andthatcan beheard inthescore.

“‘Figaro’and‘DonGiovanni’ are wonderfulbecausetheirstoriesare sorich andtheir charactersare sovivid.Butbythetimehe gets to ‘Così,’hehasmasteredthe art of telling a story withmusic,” Nelsonsaid. “Here he’s trying to create withmusictheuniversal emotional experienceofwhat it feelslike when yourheart breaks forthe firsttimeand you realize love is not a fairy tale.

“It’s a whole different typeof theaterhe’s inventing.It’s not aboutplot.It’s more aboutsitting

in a momentandhavingit wash over you withthemostincredible music,” Nelson said. Nelsonhasdirectedmore than 70 operaproductions worldwide andhasserved asanartisticdirector forfouropera companiesinthe U.S.andEurope.Hisinnovative new and contemporary reimaginationofclassic works have led criticsatthe New York Timesand Baltimore Sun to callhis work “the future ofopera.” Butforall of his experience, Nelsonsaidhe wasn’t ready to tackle“Così"untilnow.

“I’ve dancedarounditformymy entire career,” hesaid.“‘Cosìfan tutte’isbyfarmyfavorite Mozart opera,and I think the greatest

Mozart opera,whenhe was atthe pinnacleofhispower as a classical composer But I’ve hadthisnagging questionofwhetheritcanbe staged inany way thatdoesn’tdiminishits quality asanopera.”

Finallyhecameupwith a creative solution.In“Così,”thestory beginslightand comic,thenit takes a dark andintrospective turn inthesecondact,where theheartbroken youngloversare exploring theirhearts,disillusionmentand nostalgiaforwhat was lost.

Nelsonsaidthisshift fromlight to dark reminded himoftheplotsof

Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” and Stephen Sondheim’s “Into the Woods,”where confused lovers flee into dark forests

Whileher characterhasher heart brokenin“Cosìfan tutte,” Tucker’s own love lifehas a storybookending. Justbefore thepandemic,shemet Japanese bassbaritoneHidenoriInouein a PensacolaOperaproduction of Mozart’s “DonGiovanni.”Onthe morningoftheir finalperformance,she worked upthe courage to askhimoutfor coffee.Thenext daythey wenttheirseparate ways butquickly reconnectedbyphone, andwhenthepandemicshut downtheopera world,theyhad all thetimeinthe world toget to know each other They got married earlylast year.

“Longdistanceoperatic romancesare really tough,”shesaid. “Youhave to figure outwhen you canafford to investin getting to know thisperson. I thinkifthe pandemicdidn’thappen,it would have taken a lot longerforus toget together.”

pam.kragen@sduniontribune.com

DirectorTimothy Nelson(left)directsascenefor SanDiegoOpera’supcomingproductionof Mozart’s “Cosìfan tutte.”

EDWARDWILENSKY

Tim Wallace’sscenicdesignfor SanDiegoOpera’snewproductionof Mozart’s “Cosifan tutte,” whichopens Saturdayandrunsthrough Feb.20atthe SanDiegoCivicTheatre.

SANDIEGOOPERAIMAGES

Timothy Nelson,director of SanDiegoOpera’s“Cosi fan tutte.”

Sarah Tuckerplays Fiordiligi inthisproductionofthe Mozartopera.

BY BETH WOOD

Violinist Johnny Gandelsman considersthe audiencean

integralpartnerinhis concerts,whether it’s with theintrepid Brooklyn Rider string quartet, Yo-Yo Ma’s SilkRoad Ensemble or a herculean solo performance.

“Ispendmany hours practicing,” Gandelsman said. “But you canonlylearn abouthow thepiece affects you when you playitforan audience.

“Itimmediately changes everything about howI play, howI listen. You canspend 100 percent oftimelearning apiecein your room,and then you learn 100 percent more onhow you’re affected bythepiecewhen you performit.”

Bornin Moscow and raisedinRussia and Israel, Gandelsmancame to the U.S. to studyatPhiladelphia’s CurtisInstitute of Music in 1995 He wona 2016 Best WorldMusicGrammy Award for co-producing “Sing Me Home,”bySilk RoadEnsemble. Gandelsman’s exquisite “JS Bach:Complete Cello Suites(Transcribedfor Violin)” was releasedin February 2020,a month before his original concert withArt ofElan, which had to cancelitdue to the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, Art ofElanisbringingGandelsman to SanDiego to openits 15thseasonwith “ThisIsAmerica”atthe Institute forContemporary Art (ICA)CentralinBalboa Park and“BaCH @ The JAI |Bach CelloSuites”atThe JAI at the ConradPrebys PerformingArtsCenterin La Jolla.

“ThisIsAmerica”isa new recordingprojectfeaturing more than20 works forsoloviolin written by Americanand U.S.-based artists.Theproject was commissionedby20arts organizations from the UnitedStates,including Art ofElan.

BecausetheCOVID-19 pandemiccausedcancellationofhisnational tour more than once,Gandelsmanusedthetime to put “ThisIsAmerica” together. The concert features a diverse arrayof contemporary composers, includingmany women.

“BaCH @ The JAI| Bach CelloSuites,”meanwhile, willfeature theformidable violinistperformingallsix suites. Withthecellosuites, Gandelsman respectfully fiddles a bitwithBach.He was inspiredbyhis friend and frequent collaborator, Irishmaster fiddler Martin Hayes.

“Martin’s anincredible

OPENS SATURDAY!

violinplayer,”Gandelsman said “Hebowswithsomuch beautiful articulation. I love that While working onthe cello suites, I tried to see ifI couldapproach themina littlemore of a fiddleposition, not reallyBaroque.I love folkmusic.”

BecauseBach indicated afive-stringcelloshouldbe used to performthesixth suite,Gandelsman learned to play a five-stringviolin.

“It gave meanopportunity for growth,”hesaid.“It’s unusualintheclassical music world to play a fivestring.Butinthe fiddle world,it’s very common.I really enjoyedit.”

Theviolinisthasknown thehusband-and-wife team

Violinist drawn to the crowd

JohnnyGandelsman, openingArt of Elan’s 15thseasonafter two cancellations,isthrilled to playinfront of anaudienceagain

offormer New York cellist Alex Greenbaum and violinistKate Hatmaker executive directorofArt ofElan, formore thana decade.

“It’s a realthrill to have JohnnyinSanDiego for these two highly compelling and contrastingprograms,” saidHatmaker ThisIsAmerica’features sucha diverse lineup of artistsandsound worlds fromfolkmusic to jazz to more classicalpieces;it’s like amusicaltapestry reflecting our country’s current culture And to have him performthe complete Bach CelloSuitesonviolinthe followingnightisalmost mind-blowing. Johnnyis trulyoneofthemost versa-

‘ThisIsAmerica’with

JohnnyGandelsman

When: 7 to 8:30p.m. Feb. 13.

Doorsopen for exhibition viewing of “GabrielRico: Unityin Variety” at 6p.m.

Where: Institute for ContemporaryArt(ICA) Central, 1439El Prado, Balboa Park

Tickets: $35 general admission;$25ICA members;$10students

Online: artofelan.org/concerts/ johnny-gandelsman

“BaCH@ The JAI| Bach CelloSuites”

When: 7 to 9 p.m. Feb. 14. Pre-concert talk at 6 p.m. by cellist and Baroquespecialist

AlexGreenbaum

Where: The JAI,Conrad Prebys PerformingArts Center, 7600 Fay Ave.,LaJolla

Tickets: $35 to $75

Online: artofelan.org/concerts/ jai-concert

Gandelsmanisnonovice atthese two-hoursolo concerts.In2018, he recorded andperformedBach’s Complete Sonatas and Partitas forViolinon tour includinga concert attheCarlsbad Music Festival.

Whatattractshim to the musicalequivalentof runningmarathons?

tile andthoughtfulartists outthere rightnow and we cannot wait to share his talentwithourSanDiego audiences.”

Art ofElan,underHatmaker’s direction launched theBaCHInitiative (Beyond a Concert Hall)in 2019. Its goalis to presentBach’s works in nontraditional spaces.

“We’re very closemusically and otherwise,”Gandelsmansaid.In2019 “our familycameout to San Diego andit was fun.It’s reallynice to have friends like them. You bringtheman idea:‘I want to playcello suites,whatdo you think?’ It’s soencouragingwhen they say, ‘Yes,of course’!”

“Ilike theideaof a deep dive into something,”Gandelsman said.“Mostofmy timeiswithBrooklynRider, SilkRoadEnsembleand other groups.And I produce records.Allofthathas to do with workingwith a lot of peopleandaligningmultiple schedules.There’s something refreshing aboutbeing responsiblefor just yourself.

“I got excitedabout doing thecellosuites,butpeople were saying, ‘Why would you dothat?’‘What wouldcellistssay?’ Manypeoplesaid not to doit.That just gave memore motivation.

“It’s beenso rewarding to work onthesepiecesand to now have thisotherbodyof work that I know fromthe inside.” Woodisafreelancewriter.

SHERVINLAINEZ

Shooting for the stars

Just before headinginto Quint Gallery in La Jolla,I takea moment to watch aslocals and tourists walkbythespace.I’m early for myinterview with Sasha KoozelReibstein, a localsculptor whose new show, “Are You OkayintheDark?, recently openedatthe gallery.

To understandthe work of Reibsteinis to intimatelyknow the place betweendiscomfort and captivation. For over a decade, she has constructedstartlingly colorfulsculptures fromherhome andstudioin La Mesa.Her work is beautiful andtransfixing,bright and resplendentinuse of glitter anddrips.Itcanalsobedeeply unsettling,withits geologic textures,basesthatseem to beliquifyingunder the weight,and,in somecases,spikesandshards jutting out likea protectant.

Thisismostclearly representedin“Devouringa Star,”the Reibsteinpiecethatis currently displayedintheQuintGallery window. It isoneofher firstpieces intended to bemounted on a wall, ratherthandisplayedon a surface.

Ithasanalmost typographical quality to it,somewhatdisconcertinginnature andnotsolelybecause ofitsprotruding black spikesmade from flockfabric.

WhileI’mvisiting,I witness two peoplestopatthewindow to take itin,its24-karat white golddrippings glistening intheafternoon sun.Theymarvel atit,scratching their chins,andonepasserby shakeshisheadbefore walking away.

“Ipulledthatoneoffbytheskin ofmy teeth,”Reibsteinsaysonce

I’minsidethe gallery. She adds thatithadbeen over a decade since she’d done a sculptural piece meant to bemountedonthe wall. “I want to make thousandsmore ofthem.”

When I point outtheintimidatingnature ofthepiece,Reibsteinsmiles mischievously and simplysays, “thank you.”And that’s justit, really Reibstein createshighly reactive works, but what reactionstheyelicitare

highlydependentontheperson viewingthepieceandwhere they’re atintheir own lives.Ceramics,as a practice,canbe frustrating and reactive initself,but Reibsteinfullyembraces this chaos, experimentingwithnew materialsand workingalmost scientifically to create herotherworldly pieces.

“Myaesthetichas changed dramatically, mostlyinthesense oftighteningup,”saysReibstein, who grew upinPhiladelphia. “Texture has alwaysbeen very presentforme,butit was always thismessy, physicalthing.Andso, refiningitand controlling itisthe dramaticdifferenceinmy work now.”

Sincemoving to theSanDiego area,Reibsteinhasdisplayedher work in dozensof group and solo exhibitions.She won an“EmergingArtist SanDiego Art Prizein 2016, has worked as a gallery director at the Boehm Gallery inSan Marcos,andis currentlythehead oftheceramicsdepartmentat PalomarCollege.Evenwithall thesethings goingon,Reibstein’s own work has evolved exponentially overthe years. Whilesome localartistswillsimply find a form andpracticethatsuitsthemand stickwithit,the works ondisplay at “Are You Okay intheDark?”are representative ofanartistwhois notonly working atthe top ofher game,butalso of onewhosepersonaloutlookhasshifted to directlyembraceherpersonal experienceswithmotherhood,trauma andmentalhealth.

“There’sa clarity inmythought now thatI wasn’table toexperiencebefore andthathashelped me refinesomeofthethings that I’mdoing,”Reibsteinsays. “Just tighter and probablymore beauti-

ful.I’mfeelingless chaoticwith myself,andthat’s probably reflectedinthepieces.”

EvensomeofReibstein’s signature elements,such astheuse of dripformsshebeganusingin2018, have takenon a differentfeeling. Shesaysthat,atthetime,theuse ofthedrips was about“collapse” or“givingup,”butshenow sees themassomethingmore sanguine and representative ofher overall outlookonlife.

“It was thisideaof,atwhat pointdo you collapse?” recalls Reibstein. “Andthathas evolved dramatically to where itbecame, whatifit’s about releaseorletting go ofsomething Maybe somethingalive and growing,andalso embodyingthe transformation andmakingthese objectslooklike they’re inmovement.”

This ideaof“letting go” is currentthroughoutthepiecesin “Are You OkayintheDark?”Reibstein usesbroadscientific concepts such as astrophysicsandastrobiology to address interpersonal issues,the conceptoftimetravel to addressintergenerational trauma,interstellarportals to address existentialdread. For Reibstein,whohasdealtwith issuessuch asmiscarriagesand infertility overthepastdecade, shebegan toexamineher own family’s issueswithsimilartraumas.Shespeaks ofher greatgrandmother fleeing from Russia andlosing fivechildreninthe processwhilealsobeingimprisoned.Onlyoneofher children, Reibstein’s grandmother, madeit to the UnitedStates.

“I’ve done research onintergenerationaltrauma,and I know how itcan change your genes,so I was reallythinkingaboutthat,andhow spaceis a way to separate fromthe rightnow, ofhow time works asa construct,”Reibsteinsays. “The ideaofstoppingtimeandmaybe coexistingwiththem, a way to connectwiththemandseparate myself fromthehere andnow.”

Onethingthathasinformed thisoutlook isher9-year-oldson who,like most children,isbeginning toexplore these types of scientific concepts. For example, Reibsteinpointsouthow she learned fromhersonhow astronautshave a thinlayerof gold on theirvisors to protectthem from UVrays.Shesaysthatherunderstandingof gold,especiallywithin her work was limited to itsemittingoflight,ratherthanusing lightas a protectant.In current pieces such as “AstralCrust and “CrazedHeaven andGroaning Earth,”theviewer cansee this shift inperspective, withReibstein’s golddripslookingasif they’re growing on thepiece to perhaps,oneday fullyshieldit from outsideforces.

“Justmaking thatliteral connection,thatthishas resonance that I didn’t even know about,” Reibsteinsays “Thinkingofitas protective lightthatalso referencesmythoughts aboutlight fromwithin comingout,asopposed to darkness absorbingand consuming you.It wasa reiteration;it cuedinto some subconsciousthings andputmore value onthem.”

To callReibstein’s current work “beautiful”is a distinction shestill finds a bit dubious.Itis,inmy opinion,someofthemostbeautiful workcurrentlybeingproduced inSanDiego,butitisalso, to paraphraseRodgers and Hart, bewitching,bothersome andbewilderingin waysthatmake passersbyin La Jollastopandtake notice. Justasifshe were anastronomerattempting to mapthe stars Reibsteinhaslearned to work within theunknown.Shehas embracedthe disorderwithinthe universe andthetravailsoflife, creating mini monumentsofher timeonthisastralplane.

“Ididn’t findthe work soothing before,butnow in allaspectsI’m able to appreciate theneedfor soothingnessand,particularly thesepast two years,theneed for escape,”Reibsteinsays.“My work candothatandthathasvalue. Thisideaofpure escapism,somethingthatcanbemagicaland unknown; to embracethatand want to beable to offerit to other people.I never wantpeople to look atitandsay ‘Iknow whatthatis.’I wantthem to lookatitandbelike, ‘Ooh,whatisthat?’” Combsisafreelancewriter.

Recent sculpturesby SanDiegobasedartist and curator Sasha Koozel Reibstein.

LILE KVANTALIANI COURTESY OF QUINT GALLERY

“There’saclarity in my thought nowthatI wasn’t able to experience before. Just tighterand probablymore beautiful.I’m feelingless chaotic with myself,and that’sprobably reflectedinthe pieces.”

Sculptor Sasha Koozel Reibstein

WHAT’SNEW

“HowHigh We Gointhe Dark” by Sequoia Nagamatsu(WilliamMorrow):Nagamatsu,who livesinMinneapolis,beganwritinghisdebut

novel 10 yearsagoina Toyko Internetcafe— longbeforeanyonehadheard of COVID-19. The yearis2030,anda researcherintheArctic unwittingly releasesalong-frozenvirusthat sendsaplagueintothe world.

“TheMatchmaker:ASpyinBerlin” byPaul Vidich(PegasusCrime):Whenher EastGerman husband goesmissing,anAmericantranslator workingin WestGermany realizeshermarriage was basedondeception.

NEW YORK TIMESBESTSELLERS

Fiction

1. “TheMidnightLibrary” by Matt Haig(Viking)

2. “TheMaid” by NitaProse(Ballantine)

3. “TheLincolnHighway” by Amor Towles(Viking)

4. “TheHorsewoman” by James PattersonandMike Lupica(Little,Brown)

5. “One Step Too Far” by Lisa Gardner(Dutton)

6. “TheLast ThingHe ToldMe” by Laura Dave (Simon&Schuster)

7. “TheJudge’sList” by JohnGrisham(Doubleday)

8. “The StrangerintheLifeboat” by MitchAlbom(Harper)

9. “Wish You Were Here” by JodiPicoult(Ballantine)

10. “To Paradise” by Hanya Yanagihara(Doubleday)

11. “CallUsWhat We Carry” by Amanda Gorman(Viking)

12. “Cloud CuckooLand” by AnthonyDoerr (Scribner)

Nonfiction

1. “The 1619Project” edited by NikoleHannah-Jones, Caitlin Roper, IlenaSilverman andJakeSilverstein (One World)

2. “EnoughAlready” by ValerieBertinelli(Harvest)

3. “TheBetrayal of Anne Frank” byRosemarySullivan(Harper)

4. “Unthinkable” by Jamie Raskin(Harper)

5. “Greenlights” by MatthewMcConaughey (Crown)

6. “Will” by WillSmith withMark Manson (Penguin Press)

7. “CryinginHMart” by Michelle Zauner(Knopf)

8. “The Storyteller” by Dave Grohl(Dey Street)

9. “Untamed” by Glennon Doyle(Dial)

10 “BloodintheGarden” by ChrisHerring (Atria)

11. “Taste” by Stanley Tucci (Gallery)

12. “The RealAnthony Fauci” byRobert F. KennedyJr. (Skyhorse)

WARWICK’S TOP SELLERS

1. “Violeta” by IsabelAllende

2. “TheLincolnHighway” by Amor Towles

3. “TheAnomaly” by Hervé Le Tellier

4. “The ThursdayMurderClub” by Richard Osman

5. “ThesePrecious Days” by Ann Patchett

6. “Migrations” by Charlotte McConaghy

7. “TheMaid” by NitaProse

8. “A GentlemaninMoscow” by Amor Towles

9. “OlgaDiesDreaming” by XochitlGonzalez

10 “TheNatureof Fragile Things” by SusanMeissner

CALENDAR

ADVENTURES BY THEBOOK,(619)300-2532

Online: adventuresbythebook.com

Virtual event:“TheOnes We Keep”:a Virtual Fireside

Adventurewithdebutnovelist BobbieJeanHuff

4p.m. Wednesday

Virtual event: “AmericanDirt”: Free Virtual Adventure with Jeanine Cummins,4p.m. Thursday

In-person event:“The Power of Regret”:aliveand

in-person Adventure featuring DanielPink,2p.m.

Saturday MYSTERIOUS GALAXY, (619) 539-7137

Online: mystgalaxy.com

Virtual event: SeressiaGlass discussing“The Love

Con,”2p.m. today

In-person event: DanaSchwartz discussing

“Anatomy,” 7p.m.Monday

Virtual event: ScottDrakeford (“Rise of theMages”)

inconversationwith L.E.ModesittJr., 6p.m. Tuesday

In-person event: RobOsler discussing“Devil’sChew Toy,”7p.m. Wednesday

Virtual event: Tracy Wolff discussing“Court,”7p.m.

Thursday

Virtual event: AprilAsher (“Notthe Witch You Wed”)

inconversationwith Erin Sterling,7p.m. Friday

SANDIEGOPUBLICLIBRARY, (619) 236-5800

Online: sandiego.librarymarket.com/events

Virtual event forBlackHistoryMonth: Localauthor

Wanjiru Warama,(“TheColonizedandtheScramble for Africa”),2p.m.Saturday

WARWICK’S,(858) 454-0347

Online: warwicks.com

In-person event: Weekends With Localswith Wayne

Raffesberger (“ThankGodIGot Polio:ALife of Adventureandthe Adventure of Life”),2p.m. today

Virtual event: JoeIde (“TheGoodbye Coast”)in

conversationwith Jeniffer Thompson,6p.m.

Tuesday

Virtual event: RebeccaSacks (“City of a Thousand Gates”)inconversationwith Vu Tran,4p.m.

Wednesday

Author gets more than skindeepin ‘Anatomy’

DanaSchwartz digsupbodies,as wellasissues of classand gender,innew YA novel

BY SETH COMBS

At onepoint duringour interview, Dana Schwartzpoints toa particular row onone ofherbookshelves.

“All of thatshelfis corpses andaboutthedawn of surgery,”Schwartzsays from herLosAngeleshome, a mischievousliltinher voice.

“There are somebooks in there withsometruly gruesomeillustrations.”

She goeson to callthese books,andtheadditional research shedidforher recently releasednovel “Anatomy: A Love Story,”a “fun gift” that,as grimassome ofthe detailsmayhave been,helped give her the confidence to write thenovel.

“Themore research I did, themoreI realizedthatwhatI was learning was a gift, because everything I was learning was fascinatingand compelling— things that I wanted to putin thebook,”Schwartz says.

Yes, “Anatomy” ismany things: A Gothic romance set in 19thcentury Edinburgh, Scotland, complete with understated feminist themes inthe veinofBrontë andShelley It’s also a youngadult mystery novel that sparkeda bidding war amongpublishers and was pickedforReese Witherspoon’s bookclub.And it’s a deepdive into classism and wealth gapsintheearly 1800s.

Butwhatmakes “Anatomy sucha consummate book forour current momentisits emphasisonscience and deductive reasoning at a time whensomanyseem to be happy to ignore facts out of fearorbecause ofpolitics.

Attimes,it works almost likea detective novel,withits chiefprotagonist, a young womannamedHazel using logic to fulfillherdreamsof becoming a surgeonat a time where women were notallowed.

“She’sa scientistatheart,” Schwartzsays.“She’s some-

MysteriousGalaxy presents DanaSchwartz

When: 7p.m.Monday(in-person event)

Where: MysteriousGalaxy, 3555 Rosecrans St.,No. 107, Midway District

Tickets: Free

Online: mystgalaxy.com

Hazel and Jack, a “resurrectionman (arather poetic descriptorfor a personwho dugup fresh corpses from graveyards to sell to hospitals anddoctorsfordissection).

“Anatomy” by DanaSchwartz(Wednesday Books,2022; 352 pages)

onewho’s good at analyzing dataand coming to conclusions,and I thinkshe’s very pragmatic.” Andsure,theblood, gore andmacabre depictionsof grave-robbingandsurgical procedures usingdescriptionssuch as “pulledouta molarwith a sickeningcrack” and “pulledat a few ofthe still-bleeding veins” will likelybecringe-inducingfor many readers. Yettheyare necessary to understanding how science was evolving aroundthistimeandwhy Hazeldesperately wants to be part ofthat awakening. “IalwaysknewI didn’t want to shy away fromthe more gruesome elementsof surgery,”Schwartzsays.“It was very important to me to make sure everyoneknew that this wasn’t justsome romanticizedview ofthepast.People are alwayslike,‘I want to live inthe goodold days,’andI’m alwayssaying,‘Um,no you don’t.It was awful.’” Thenthere’s thatsubtitle: “A Love Story.” Readers could thinkthey’re inforsomekind of torrid,pre-Victorian romancenovel.And yes,there’s aromanticsubplotbetween

GivenHazel’s affluent upbringing and Jack’s impoverishedbackground,thestory has all theelementsof a forbidden romance,butSchwartz maintainsthatthetrue“love story” is one thatismuch more “nonspecific.”

“Hazelisfallinginlove with more than just a person,” Schwartzsays.“It’s a love story between a girl and the restofthe world.”

AndwhileSchwartz says she’s reluctant to usethe word “historical fiction,”because readersmightsee it as“stuffy” and“boring,”shedoesseamlessly weave in descriptionsof classandsocialstatusesin 1800sEdinburgh.Both through Hazeland,more explicitly, through Jack, Schwartzsaysthere are contemporary issuesthatthe readerwill recognize.

“ThemainmysteryI wanted to pick atandunravel iswho getsforgotteninsociety andforwhatpurpose,” Schwartzsays.“Obviously today there is a huge wealth gap that continues to grow, butinthe 1800s, the aristocracymadethat wealth gap explicit There wasa socialand cultural line,so I wanted to explore in a way thatdoesn’t necessarilylabelthe charactersasheroesorvillains.”

Schwartzhas explored these typesofissuesbefore In addition to beinganaccom-

plished cultural andentertainment journalist sheisalsothe hostof“NobleBlood,” a podcaststarted in2019 that explores theoften brutal reigns ofsomeofhistory’s most notoriousmonarchies.

“I’ve written hundreds of thousandsof words of narrative history fortheshow,” Schwartzsays.“So I feltmuch more confidentinthe voiceof the 19thcentury thanI otherwise wouldhave.”

It’s stilleasy to see her razor-sharpwit,most evidencedonheroften hilarious Twitter posts,onthepagesof “Anatomy as well.Shebrings aslysenseofhumor to an otherwiseseriousnovel filled with grislyelements to a point where the readermight find themselveslaughingoutloud mere seconds after reading abouttheinnardsof a corpse.

“Isort ofbeganmycareer writingsnarkythings onthe Internet and I sort of gravitated towardsbeingfunny but it was alsoliberatingforme to write a reallyearnestnovel,” Schwartzsays.“I wouldnot havewanted to writea novel that wasn’tfunnyordoesn’t have funnylines, butatthe same time, I wanted to putmy bleedingheart outonthe page.” Justas “Anatomy” hasshot up toNo.1 onthebestselling fiction charts,Schwartz says she’s already working ona sequel to thenovel.Sheisn’t sure ifshe envisions “Anatomy” asanongoingseriesof novelsbutseemsopen to the idea.

“I want to take each story asit comes,and I wouldn’t want to writea bookif I wasn’t genuinely excitedaboutthe story, Schwartzsays.“But rightnow, I have anideafora sequelthatI really want totell and I thinkwillbe really fun.I thoughtthis was going to bea one-off,butwhen I reachedthe ending, andI sat withthatfor afew months, I thoughtthat there’s somethingelsehere.” Combsisafreelancewriter.

RECOMMENDEDREADS Welcome to our literarycircle inwhich San Diegans pass the(printed) word onbooks

PaigeDillard

Job: LibrarianI,LemonGroveBranchLibrary, SanDiegoCountyLibrary

Sherecommends: “Legendborn” byTracy Deonn (Margaret K.McElderry Books,2020; 501 pages)

Why? WhenBreeMatthewsbeginsaresidential programforhighschoolstudentsattheUniversityofNorthCarolina,littledoessheknow thatshesteppedontoacampuswhere magic, mystery,legend and demons exist.WhenBree beginstoexperienceamagicalpower,shequicklyunderstandsthatshe needstolearnmoreabouttheother studentson campus andwhysheis suddenlyseeingdemonic beingsthatneedtobevanquished.Joining forceswiththe heirsofKing Arthur’sthrone,Breediscoversthemeaning ofgrief,herownfamily’shistory,loveandtheresponsibilitythatcomes withgreatpower.ThisfirstbookinDeonn’s“LegendbornCycle”isfilled with magic, mystery,adventureand romance.

JamesJensen

Job: Bookseller, Warwick’s

Herecommends: “AllAboutMe:My RemarkableLifeinShowBusiness”by MelBrooks(Ballantine,2021;480pages)

Why? ThisbookshouldbeintheSmithsonianInstitutionsinceMelBrooksisa nationaltreasure.Asthetitlestates,it’s allaboutMelBrooksandhisrisefroma kidinDepression-eraBrooklyntothe award-winningactor,directorandwriter thattookHollywoodandBroadwaybystorm.Asidefromaheartwarmingbiography, Brooksprovidesanentertainingandoften hilariouslookattheearlydaysoftelevisionaswellasthecrazy behind-the-scenesworkingsofhitplayslike“TheProducers”and envelope-pushingmovieslike“BlazingSaddles.”Toldlikehewas sittingacrossfromyouattheCarnegie Deli, “AllAboutMe”isa truedelight.

SELASHILONI

JoeIde revives alegend

BY SETH COMBS

Everything was goingswimmingly for Joe Ide. He was riding high with the success of his bestsellingand critically acclaimed “IQ”mystery series. What’s more,the novels, which center on a Black private detective named Isaiah Quintabe,hadsparked a seven-waybidding war for the TVadaptationrights. Thewinnerofthe rights? Alcon Entertainment with none otherthanSnoop Dogg himself attachedas a producer.

Then, justlike oneofthe detectivesinhisnovels,Ide got anunexpectedcall.

“They reallycalledme outoftheblue,”Ide recalls ofthe firsttimehe was contactedbytheestate of RaymondChandlerinquiringas to his interestinwriting a contemporary novel featuringChandler’s signature private detective Philip Marlowe “Apparentlyan agent was in theairport, andhelikedthe cover of‘IQ’ andendedup reading iton theplane. I don’t know what happenedbetweenhimand membersofthe estate,but apparently he convinced them that I should takea crackatwritinga contemporary Marlowe novel.”

The resultisthe recently released “TheGoodbye Coast,” a modern-dayupdate onPhilip Marlowe,a characterthat notonlyis beloved,buthasinspired generationsofmystery noir andthrillerwriters. With classicsinthe genre such as “TheBigSleep” and “The

LongGoodbye,”Chandler, wholivedinLosAngeles andlaterin La Jolla,where hediedin 1959 isoften creditedwithinventing,or atleastestablishing,the hard-boiledstyleofmystery fiction.Ide(pronounced “eee-day”)saysheemphaticallyagreed to take onthe projectof a new Philip Marlowe novel.Headmits, however, thathedidfeel pressure to be respectfulof thelegacywhilealso wanting to puthis own stampon the character.

“That was exactlythe dilemma. I almosthad to write thebookforpeople whodidn’tknow Philip Marlowe,”Idesays fromhis homeinSanta Monica.“It was those two things thatI had to balance: I had to pay homage to theoriginal Marlowe as wellaswrite it as a good,stand-alone detective novel.”

Theprocessof rebooting, updatingor releasing posthumoussequels to a writer’s signature characterisn’ta

new trendbyanymeans. BothSirArthurConan DoyleandAgathaChristie’s creations(SherlockHolmes andHercule Poirot, respectively) have been rebooted and,inthecaseof Poirot, resurrectedbyvarious writers overthe years.Even inthecaseof Marlowe, bestsellingmystery writer Robert B.Parker wrote an authorizedsequel to “The BigSleep”in 1991 and,more recently, author Lawrence

Osborne released“Only to Sleep,”which sawa now elderly Marlowe livingand workingin Mexico. Still,Ideis avoiding using any words withthe prefix of “re-“(“reboot,” “retool”or “reimagining,” for example) to describe “TheGoodbye Coast” and prefers to see thenovel as simplywriting a “contemporary Philip Marlowe.”

“That was my assignment. I rereadChadler and Itried to take theoriginal Marlowe’s qualities his attitude,personality and worldview— andmove that into the 21stcentury as opposed justtakingthe sameHumphreyBogart characteranddropping him into 2021.”

“TheGoodbye Coast” beginsinsignature fashion: ayoung,brashdetective is hired to lookinto thedisap-

pearancesof two children, butashe digs deeper he begins to suspect hisclients are hidingsomething The caseslead,naturally to entanglementswithmobstersand even darker elementsofL.A.’s underworld. Withdeft precision andtheknowledge ofa lifelong L.A resident, Ide effortlesslyinhabitsthe Marlowecharacter Justlike Chandlerbefore him,Ide paints a gritty picture of contemporary L.A. and its inhabitants,whilealso allowingthe reader to understandwhy a character like Marlowe triessohard to fightbackagainstthose darker forces.

“LosAngelesas a backdropis a huge part ofChandler,”saysIde,who’s making a virtualappearance Tuesdaythrough Warwick’s bookstore “Hemakesthe citya character sothat was definitelypart ofmytask: to findsomething recognizable butuniqueabout everywhere we go inthebook. Ido itthrough thepeople wholive there, throughtheir own livingspace.”

“Ihave thatideaforthe bookand I start to write,but I’m reallythinkingabout relationshipsandthinkingof

thepeople,”Ide continues.“I thinkthemostinteresting partsofthenovel are when theprotagonistisbumping into other charactersand overcomingtheirpersonalitiesandissues.”

Ide often had toovercomesomeofthesesame issueswhile growingupin SouthCentralLosAngeles. Thesonof JapaneseAmericanparentswholivedina predominantlyBlackneighborhood,hesaysheoften feltlikea “misfit in a family that was “scrapingby.”

“Throughoutmostofmy growingup, I was culturally all overtheplace, Ide recalls.“I wasn’tBlack,I wasn’t White, I wasn’t Japanese.So I often feltlikeI didn’tbelonganywhere.”

Idesayshefoundsomethingof a literary kindred spiritinmiddleschoolwhen he firstbegan readingthe SherlockHolmesmysteries.

“He was like meinthe sensethathedidn’tbelong,” Idesays “Butunlike me he hadanidentity and hehad confidence.He coulddeal with anything inhis world with hisintelligence,andthat was very inspiring.I’m a small kidin a big neighborhood, andthose books gave mea senseofoptimismbecauseit saidI could face my own worldandnotbeafraid.”

Idelaterdiscoveredthe Chandler mysteriesin college,andit’s easy to see abitofboththe Marlowe andHolmes characters inthe“IQ”series ofnovels, the firstofwhich hepublishedin2013 He’s already hard at work onthesixth novel intheseries,but saysthathisbriefsojourn to writea Philip Marlowe novel served as a nice “palate cleanser” andthatit wasa “great experience.He knowssomeChandlerdiehardsmightbe reluctantor dismissive,butis readyfor any receptionthebook mightincite.

“Ithinkthe responses are going to beall overthe place,”Idesays “Ithink there willbepeoplewhosay it’s a travesty andsome peoplewhothink it’s exciting.Either way, I was really happy to write it.” Combsisafreelancewriter.

Writer tapped by RaymondChandler’s estate to pen‘TheGoodbye Coast,’ apresent-dayPhilipMarlowe novel

Author JoeIdeintheareaof SouthCentral LosAngeleswherehe grew up.

Theneighborhoodandlandscapehave helpedshapedhiswriting.

FRANCINEORR LOSANGELES TIMES

“TheGoodbye Coast” by Joe Ide(MulhollandBooks, 2022;320 pages)

PANDEMICBOOSTING D&D’SPOPULARITY

BY LYNDSAYWINKLEY

WhatI’mobsessedwith: Dungeons &Dragons OK,nerd.Why?: Have you ever pickedupabookorstartedamovie andthencame to hourslater feeling like you’djust returnedfromanother world? Dungeons&Dragonscastsa similarspell, except youand your friends get to craft and experience itsmagic together.Itisawildly fantasticaland often-humorous role-playing gamethathingeson teamworkandimagination.Inits mostcondensed form, the gameis about donning a persona of your choosingand goingonanadventure. Youmightbecomea woodelf ranger who,bowinhand,decides to explore a forgotten realm.Ormaybe you’rea dragonbornsorcererwhosewild magicisamenace to your enemies —andsometimes yourfriends. That’sthemake-believe part Butthe relationships you’llbuild andthe ideas you’ll explorewhile youplay are quitereal.

Today: ActorMamie VanDorenis 91.

ActorMike Farrellis 83.NBCnews

anchorman TomBrokaw is 82 Actor

GayleHunnicuttis79.Singer Fabianis

79. ActorMichael Tucker(“L.A.Law”) is 77 ActorJon Walmsley (“The

Waltons”)is 66 Actor-director Robert

Townsend(“The Parent‘Hood”)is 65.

Actor KathyNajimy(“Veronica’s

Closet,”“King of the Hill”)is 65.

DrummerSimonPhillips of Toto is 65.

ActorBarryMiller(“Saturday Night

Fever,”“Fame”)is64. Actor Megan

Gallagher(“Millennium”)is 62.

CountrysingerRichie McDonald of

Lonestaris60. VocalistAxl Rose of GunsN’ Rosesis60.SingerRick

Astleyis56.Bassist TimBrown of the

Boo Radleys is 53.TVhostAmy

Robach(“GoodMorningAmerica”)is

49 ActorJosh Stewart (“Criminal Minds,”“Third Watch”)is 45.

ActorBenLawson (“Designated Survivor”)is42.

ActorCrystal Reed (“Teen Wolf”)is 37 ActorAnna Diop(“24: Lega-

cy”)is 34 Singer Tinasheis29

Monday: SaxophonistBrian Travers of UB40is 63.Comedian RobertSmigel (TriumphtheInsultComicDog) is 62.

ActorJamesSpaderis 62.Country singer Garth Brooksis60. Keyboardist

Thebasics: Youstepintoadamp cave, your footstepsmuffled bya mysterioushumliltingupfromthe darkness.Whatdo you do? Thefreeinganswerin D&Disanything you want. The gamemaster (ordungeon master)isin charge of describingthe worldandpresenting scenarios,but playersbringthat world to life through theirchoices.Do youlaughin the face of dangerandcharge in?Do yousoftlyhum back?Do youcasta spell to lightthe way? It’s up to you… andthedice.Players forgetheir own pathsthroughthedecisionsthey make,butit’s thedicethatdetermine howsuccessfultheyare.

A wordof advice: Leanin to failure. Inmany games,the object is to win. ButinDungeons&Dragons,the goal is to experience. Itdoesn’tmatterif you fluba rollwhilecharging ata dragonorpickpocketinganobleor persuadingawizard.In fact,those misses oftenfuelthe game’s most memorable moments. Every outcome leads yousomewherenew, and every pathis filledwithits ownkind of

DavidBryan of BonJoviis60.ComedianChris Rockis 57 ActorJason Gedrick(“Windfall,”“Boomtown”)is 55. Actor Essence Atkins(“Halfand

Half,” “Smart Guy”) is50.Guitarist

WesBorland of LimpBizkitis 47.

Bassist Tom Blankenship of My MorningJacketis 44. ActorAshton Kutcheris44. Actor Tina

Majorino(“NapoleonDynamite,”“VeronicaMars”)is 37 ActorDeborahAnn Woll(“True Blood”)is 37.

Tuesday: Composer-conductorJohn Williamsis90.ABCNews anchor Ted Koppelis 82 ActorNickNolteis81.

Comedian Robert Kleinis80. ActorguitaristCreedBatton(“TheOffice,” The Grass Roots)is79. ActorBrooke Adamsis 73 ActorMary Steenburgen is 69 AuthorJohnGrishamis 67 Actor Henry Czerny (“Revenge,”“The Tudors”)is 63.Singer VinceNeil of MotleyCrueis61. ActorMissy Yager (“Manchester by theSea”)is54. Actor Mary McCormackis 53 ActorSusan Misner(“Billions,”“TheAmericans”) is51.MusicianGuy-Manuelde

Homem-Christo of Daft Punkis48.

ActorSethGreen(“Austin Powers,” “Buffy The VampireSlayer”)is48.

ActorJoshuaMorrow (“The Youngand the Restless”)is48.BassistPhoenix of Linkin Park is 45 Actor William JacksonHarper(“TheGoodPlace”)is

wonder. That’s aprettygood perspective to have outside of D&D, too. HowdoI getstarted?: Roll for initiative.I’m kidding,althoughthat phrasedoeskick-startmostcombat encounters.(You’lllearnaboutthat later.) Theeasiest way to getintothe gameis to play it. Thanks to popular shows like“Stranger Things” and

42. ActorJim Parrack(“TrueBlood”) is41.MusicianJoeyRyan of Milk Carton Kidsis40. ActorCecily Strong (“Saturday NightLive”)is38.MusicianAnderson.Paakis36. Actor Karle Warren(“JudgingAmy”)is30.

Wednesday: ActorJanetSuzmanis

83 Actor-turned-politicianSheila James Kuehl(“TheMany Loves of DobieGillis”)is81.Singer Carole King is80.SingerBarbara Lewisis79. ActorJoe Pesciis79. AuthorAlice Walker(“TheColor Purple”)is 78. ActorMia Farrow is 77.SingerJoeEly is 75 ActorJudithLight(“UglyBetty,” “Who’s the Boss”)is 73 ActorCharles Shaughnessy(“TheNanny”)is 67. Actor Ed Amatrudo(TV’s“Nashville”) is 66.Saxplayer Steve Wilsonis61. Countrysinger Travis Trittis 59 Actor Julie Warner(“Nip/Tuck,”“Family Law”)is 57 ActorSharon Case(“The Youngandthe Restless”)is51. Actor JasonGeorge (“Grey’s Anatomy”)is 50. ActorAmber Valletta (“Bloodand Oil,”“Revenge”)is48. ActorCharlie Day(“It’sAlwaysSunnyinPhiladelphia”)is 46.SingerChad Wolf of CarolinaLiaris46. ActorA.J. Buckley (“CSI:NY”)is 45. GuitaristRichardOn of O.A.R.is43. Actor TomHiddleston (TV’s “TheNightManager,” film’s “The Avengers”)is41. Actor DavidGallagher(“SeventhHeaven”)is 37 Actor Michael B. Jordan(“Black Panther,” “Creed”)is 35. Actor Rose Leslie (“Game ofThrones,”“Downton Abbey”)is 35. Actor Camille Winbush (“TheBernieMacShow”)is32. Actor

cult-favorite podcastslike“Critical Role,” D&Dis experiencinga resurgenceinpopularity. These days,it’s pretty easyto findanearbyDungeons&Dragonsmeet-up. Butif strangers—andthe pandemic— make that option feelrisky, you can alwayspickupastartersetandpeer pressureacouple of yourclosest companionsinto tryingsomething

JimmyBennett(“NoOrdinary Family”) is 26 Actor Evan Roe(“Madam Secretary”)is 22.

Thursday: Actor Robert Wagneris 92. Singer Roberta Flackis85.Singer JimmyMerchant of Frankie Lymonand the Teenagersis 82 BassistBob Spalding ofThe Venturesis 75. KeyboardistCory Lerios of Pablo Cruiseis71. Actor KathleenBeller (“Dynasty”)is 66.Countrysinger Lionel Cartwrightis 62.“GoodMorning America”co-hostGeorge Stephanopoulosis61. ActorLauraDernis 55. CountrysingerDudeMowrey is 50. ActorJasonOlive(“ForBetteror Worse)is50. ActorElizabethBanksis 48. ActorJulia PaceMitchell(“The Youngandthe Restless”)is44. Reggaetonsinger Don Omaris44. Actor Uzo Aduba(“OrangeistheNew Black”)is41. Actor StephanieBeatriz (“BrooklynNine-Nine”)is41. Actor MaxBrown(“BeautyandtheBeast,” “The Tudors”)is41. ActorBarrySloane (“Revenge”)is41.SingerEricDill(The Click Five)is40. KeyboardistBen Romans ofThe Click Five is40. Actor TrevanteRhodes(“Moonlight”)is32. ActorEmma Roberts(“American Horror Story,” “We’re theMillers”)is 31. ActorMakenzie Vega (“The Good Wife”)is 28 ActorChloeGraceMoretz

new. Evenif youdecideit’s not your thing, you won’t regretthe experience.Andwithalittleluck of the dice, youjustmightdiscoverthat you’ve beenthehero of yourstoryall along.

D&Dstartersetsare available at localbookstoresandonAmazon. lyndsay.winkley@uniontribune.com

is25. Actor Yara Shahidi(“black-ish”) is 22.

Friday: ActorConradJanis (“Morkand Mindy”)is 94. SingerJimmy Carter of TheBlindBoysof Alabamais90. Actor

Tina Louise(“Gilligan’s Island”)is88. MusicianSergio Mendesis81. Actor PhilipAnglim(“The ThornBirds”)is 70 Actor CatherineHickland(“One

Life to Live”)is 66 Drummer David Uosikkinen ofTheHootersis 66 Actor CareyLowell(“Law and Order”)is61. SingerSherylCrow is60. Actor JenniferAniston is 53 Actor Damian Lewis (“Billions”)is51. SingerD’Angelois 48. ActorBrice Beckham(“Mr. Belvedere”)is46. VocalistMike Shinoda of Linkin Parkand of Fort Minoris 45. Singer-actorBrandy (“Moesha”)is43.BassistJonJones of Eli YoungBandis42. Actor Matthew Lawrence (“BoyMeets World”)is42. Singer Kelly Rowland (Destiny’sChild) is41. ActorNatalieDormer(“Game of Thrones”)is40.Singer Aubrey O’Day (Danity Kane)is38. ActorQ’orianka Kilcher(“TheNew World”)is32. Actor TaylorLautneris30.

Saturday: ActorJoeDonBakeris86. CountrysingerMoeBandyis 78 Actor Maud Adams(“Octopussy”)is 77.

Actor CliffDeYoungis 76 Actor MichaelIronsideis 72.Guitarist Steve Hackett (Genesis)is 72.SingerMichael McDonald(DoobieBrothers)is 70.

ActorJoanna Kernsis 69 Actor Zach Grenier(“TheGood Wife,” “Deadwood”)is68. Actor-talkshowhost ArsenioHallis 66 ActorJohnMichael Higgins(“RaisingtheBar,” “A Mighty Wind”)is 59 Actor RaphaelSbarge (“OnceUponA Time,”“Mass Effect”) is 58. ActorJoshBrolin(“True Grit,” “NoCountry for Old Men”)is54. SingerChynnaPhillips ofWilson Phillipsis54.BassistJimCreeggan of BarenakedLadies is 52 Keyboardist Keri Lewis of Mint Conditionis51. ActorJesse Spencer(“House”) is43. Rapper GucciManeis42. ActorSarah Lancaster(“Chuck”)is42. Actor ChristinaRicciis42 ActorJennifer Stone(“Wizards of WaverlyPlace”)is 29 ActorBaylieandRylieCregut (“RaisingHope”)are12. ASSOCIATEDPRESS

Players are turning to Dungeons & Dragons amid the coronavirus pandemic.

CAKEWATCH

CURRY FROM E1

Thebook was inspiredby thecascade of cardsand letters thanking thecathedralforthesesermons,a sentiment reinforcedbya survey ofnew supporters that singled outtheimportanceofthispreaching.

“Reconciliation,Healing, andHope”beginsandends with sermonsdelivered by Curry fromPentecost Sunday2020 to Pentecost Sunday2021 (Pentecostis thepost-Easter holyday that’s generally regardedas thebirthdayoftheChristian church).

Sohow doeshedoit?

What’s themagicformula for weavingtheright words together to persuadeand inspire heartsandmindsin 20minutesorless?

The 68-year-old prelate, the firstAfrican-American to headtheEpiscopal Church, sayshestartswitha question: Who is theaudience andwhatdotheyneed?

“Whatisthe deep yearningofthehumanheart that brings us togetheratthe time?”he tellsmeinan interview fromPittsburgh, where he was in town fora funeralservice.

Then comesthe challenge to make themessage relevant to the worldoutside the walls ofthe church For that,he turns to thelate theologianKarlBarth,who taughtthatpreachers shouldholdtheBibleinone handand a newspaperinthe other.

Consider this excerpt fromthe firstsermoninthe book. Like otherhousesof worship acrossthe country, the NationalCathedralhad beenshuttered bythepandemicanduncertainty prevailed Then, just days before Curry was due to preach,George Floyd was killedby a Minneapolis policeofficerasthe world watched.

Curry had a perfectly goodsermon already written.Hethrew itout.

“To avoiditis to deny Christmas,”hesaysofthat terriblescene andthefuror itunleashed.“Christmas is aboutGod coming into the world. Not God avoidingit.”

Andsohe turnedhis attention totwo pandemics plaguingthis country.

■

Thispast week, we have notonlyhad to endurea pandemic occasioned bya virus—a viral pandemic— but we’ve had to endure and

MichaelCurry, presidingbishopoftheEpiscopalChurch,presidesoverthe funeralserviceofformer Secretaryof StateColin Powellin November.

face a spiritual pandemic: the roots ofself-centeredness, where oneperson can look uponanotherperson anddespise and rejectthem, andnot even beholdthem as afellow child of God. We have seen once again theunthinkablebecome thinkable.It’s caused great pain or better said,increased the great pain that was already there There is a part of usthat justwants to throw up our hands,andinthe words of thePsalmist cry: How long? How long, O Lord? How long?And yet, we are not victims of fate We are people of faith. We are not doomed and condemned to continueourpast into our presentandfuture. We need notbe slaves of fate We follow inthe footsteps of Jesus.This Jesus taughtusthatlove will makea way out of no way. Hetaughtusthat sometimes you have to take upthecross and follow in his footsteps andthat if you dare to follow his way of love, you will findGod’s way of life.

—May 31 2020

■

Curry isnotafraid to put himselfinthesermon or hiswholebody Hishands, hisarmsandhisfacial expressionsare extensionsof his words,punctuating, cajoling,beseeching.His cadence islyricalattimes, repeatingphrasesand words likea composer’s rhythmic refrain. Hecredits a parishhe served earlyoninhiscareer, where thefaces hestared into each Sundayranged

fromdomestic workerswho mayormaynothave known how to read to well-educated professionals.

“They made me learn how to preach andhow to use everything I could genuinely includingmy very self, to communicate thatmessage to a diverse groupof people ofdifferenteducational levels,differentlife experiences, hesays.

It was oneofthose domestic workerswhobecame aSundaymorning compass for gettingitright. “At thedoor ifthesermonspoke to her she would say, ‘OhLord, you preached thismorning, you preached thismorning,’”he remembers. “Andifthesermon didn’tspeak to her, she wouldsay, ‘That’s a nice robe you have on today.’”

Askedwhyheoften makesthemessage personal,hequotesPhillips Brooks, an Episcopalpriest perhapsbestknownforhis Christmas carol“O Little TownofBethlehem,” who describedpreachingasthe communicationoftruth throughpersonality.

“You don’t need too much ofthepersonbecause thesermonisnot about you,”Curry cautions.“But to beauthenticmeansit’s got to bethe communicationoftruththrough you, throughthelived experience.”

Itmaybeassimple as personalizing a scholar you are about to quote Oras intricate asputting a human faceontheGoldenRule.

■

Iwas probably 16 or 17.I

was getting ready to go off to college.I was inthe car with my daddy, andhe said something to me whathe had said to us growingup. He said,“When you get to college, you treat every girl the way you want somebody else to treat your sister.”I rememberthinking,“Man, you havejust ruined allthe dreams I had for college.”

But I knew whathe meant.He said, “Treat every girl the way you want somebody else to treat your own sisterbecause that girl is your sister Treat every boy the way you want somebody else to treat yourbrother because heis yourbrother. Treat every womanlike she’s yourmother because she is.Treat every manlike he’s your father, because he is.Treat themlike you want your own family to be treated because theyare your family. Show themthe samelove, honor, care dignity and respectthat you would want for your own.Dounto others as you would have themdo unto you.”

Thisisnot rocket science, butitis world changing.He said,“If we didthat, if we didthat,then every child wouldhave access to quality education.If we did that, thenthere wouldbe justice andequality for everybody inthisland andaroundthe world.”

—May 23, 2021

■

His attempts to persuade sometimes comewitha spoonful of confession. Whenthemask wars erupted,headmitted itisn’t

fun to wearthefacial covering.Buthe wearsitanyway.

“Thepossible miracle couldbethatif I wearit to protect you fromme,and you wearit to protectme from you,ortheviruswithin, we get protectedand we all win.”

It’s a smallsacrifice,he added, “thatactuallymaybe asymbol of what it means to love.”

Sharing your own reluctancecanmake you vulnerable headmits,butitalso makes you genuine

“I’mnottalkingabout pretending to besomething else.I’mtalkingaboutopeningup yourselfboth to God and to Godin frontofother people.”

AChicago native who was raisedinBuffalo, N.Y., Curry hasbeenanEpiscopal priestsince 1978, thesame yearhe got hismaster’s degree from Yale University Divinity School.Heserved churchesin North Carolina, Ohio and Marylandbefore beingelectedbishopofthe Diocese of North Carolinain 2000.

Fifteen yearslater, he was electedpresiding bishop,becomingpresident and chief executive officer of amainlineProtestantdenominationthatoperatesin 17 countriesand counts more than 1.7 millionmembers.TheEpiscopalChurch is a memberofthe worldwide AnglicanCommunion. Curry alreadyhaddistinguishedhimselfas a champion ofcivilrights, women’s ordinationandLGBTQ equality— alongwithsomething you’ve probablyalreadypickedupon:anunwavering convictionthat Godislove.

Thatlove remains his epicenter “I’m telling you,thatisthe key to anykindofpreaching,” Curry declares,withmore than a little excitement. “You can dothatin two minutesor you candoitin 15 minutes. But justdoit.”

Hementionsthebiblical story of Lazarus,who was broughtback to life from his own tombby Jesus. When Jesusnoticedthat Lazarus was still wearinghisburial clothbindings,hecalledout forsomeone to unbindhim andlethim go.

“Unbindpreachers,” Curry says, “andletthem go to bethe vessel,theinstrument,forGod’s love, to pour throughthemand communicate to otherfolk.”

He’s getting warmedup now, leaningcloser to the Zoomcameraashetalks.

“That’s when preaching

happens.Andthat’s how preaching comesalive.And itisvulnerable.Itisrisky It isnotacting.”

IfCOVID-19 doesn’t cause anotherpostponement,folks here will geta chance to hear fromCurry upcloseandpersonal later this year, whenhe’llbethe featuredspeakerat a “Good News Festival”hostedbythe Episcopal Diocese ofSan Diego onDec.9-10 atthe TownandCountry Resort

Hotel.(Details: thegoodnewsfestival.com)

You canbethe’llbe bringinguptheloveword.

“Iam convinced,”he tells me, “thatthedecision to live bythe way ofsacrificial love is going to bethedecision thatis going to make or breakus.”

■

Let mebringthis toa conclusion. A few yearsago, Iwas listening to public radio on a Sunday afternoon,probablyinthesummer.I suspect I was on vacation.There came a broadcast about a mannamed NormanGershman, who had recently publisheda photographicessay and publisheda documentary ontheMuslims of Albania...

As Nazi armiesadvanced toward the small country of Albania,messages weresentby couriers to the Albanian foreign ministry. “Youare to identifyall JewslivinginAlbania, providetheiraddresses andany contactinformation.”

It so happened thatthe foreign minister of Albania wasa Muslim, a member of thissmall community. And inthespirit of Harriet Tubman,heorganized an underground railroad, if you will.He sentout word to thesmall —I want you all to hearme to the small Muslim community in Albania.

It said, “The Jewish peopleare to be your people. They must live in your homes.They must sleep in yourbeds They must eat at yourtables You are to treat them as members ofyour own family for thatis who theyare.”AndtheMuslim community of Albania saved 2,000 Jews fromthe Holocaust.

—May 23, 2021

LIFE SS

IFE

E S LIF SUCK L SUC

CHIP SOMODEVILLA GETTYIMAGES

Backyard Renaissance has new home stage

Backyard Renaissance Theatre, which spentits first sixseasonsmoving from venue to venue, has announced its seventh seasonand a new home theater space. Allthree showsofthe comingseason, which beginslaterthismonthand runsthrough December, willtake placeatthe Tenth AvenueArtsCenterat 930 10th Ave.in EastVillage. In addition to the three full productions,theseasonwill includeshort-term events like thefourthannual Live Lip Sync Face-OffandBad B-MovieStagedReadings. For ticketsandmore details,visitbackyardrenaissance.com.Here’s thelineup:

“Abigail’s Party” by Mike Leigh: Describedasa suburban comedy ofmanners,thiswickedsatire is about a 1970s-era woman whose plans to hosta cocktailpartygo awry with a mix ofscandals, gossipand suburban drama.Directed byRosinaReynolds,it features a castof five Feb. 24through March 19

“Steel Magnolias”by Robert Harling: This bittersweet 1987 off-Broadway smashisthestory of Southern women whomeet regularlyat a hairsalon to gather gossipandsupport one anotherthroughsometimes heartbreakingtragedies DirectedbyAnthony Methvin,thiswillbethe firstproductionof“Steel Magnolias inSanDiego in adecade. Aug. 25 through Sept. 12

“TheOctoberNightof

JohnnyZero”by Francis Gercke: This worldpremiere playisbasedon events realandimaginedin theDelaware Valley.It’sa truecrime/science fiction taleabout two highschool classmates exploringthe myths andmonstersthat lurk beneaththesurface of small-town Americanlife. Nov 17 throughDec. 10.

Pacific Lyricdebuts

youth symphony

PacificLyricAssociation,anEscondido-based opera company willintroduceitsnew youthsymphony inaninaugural concert laterthismonth.

Theorchestrawillperform Tchaikovsky’s overture to “Romeoand Juliet and Rimsky-Korsakov’s “Scheherazade”at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 18 attheCaliforniaCenter fortheArts,Escondido.

ThePacificLyricAssociation Youth Symphonyis open to graduate andpost-

graduate-level college playersages 18 to32 The orchestrais conductedby PacificLyricartisticdirector Alexandra Keegan. Youthmusicianswill receivea smallstipendand willplaysidebysidewith 12 professionalmusicianmentors

“This youthsymphony is a wonderful addition to ouropera company Itwill provide youngplayerswith professional experience, much-needed financial support,andnew connections,” Keegansaid.

FoundedinL.A.in2009 by retiredphysician and operasingerCarlosOliva, PLAhasproducedannual operaproductionsinthe 404-seatCenterTheaterat theEscondidoarts center since2013 In2019, local conductorandpianist

JustinGrayand Keegan tookthe reinsoftheorganization whenOliva retired. PLA’s missionis to provide an appealingintroduction to operafor first-timers, students and youth.Its operasare slightly condensedandsungintheir originallanguage butwith thesung recitative portions replaced withspokenEnglish-language vignettes to setthescenebetween songs.

PLA’s 2022 operaproduction,which willfeature thePLA YouthSymphony inthepit,isGeorges Bizet’s

“Carmen,”which will run forsixperformances Oct. 14 through 23 For more,visit pacificlyricassociation.org.

Bodhi Treeand operanews

DianaDuMelle, cofounder and co-directorof SanDiego’s Bodhi Tree Concerts,isin New York this weekservingasproductionstage managerfor New York City Opera’s worldpremiere production of “TheGarden of theFinziContinis, a new operaby RickyIanGordonand Michael Korie basedonthe novel byGiorgio Bassani Pulitzer Prize-winning SanDiego composerAnthonyDavis,who’s creating anew operaforBodhiTree Concerts,“PanchoRabbit andtheCoyote,”willhave anotherofhis works “X: The LifeandTimesof Malcolm X,” producedby the MetropolitanOperain New York in 2023. And finally SanDiego contralto SharmayMusacchio,who regularlyappears withBodhiTree, recently createdthe roleofIphigeniatheElderinthe world premiere of WayneShorter andEsperanza Spalding’s jazzopera ...(Iphigenia),” which was presentedin Decemberatthe Kennedy Centerin Washington, D.C. pam.kragen@sduniontribune.com

We wish youa glorious 25th anniversary! We areinawe of your continuous dedicatedserviceto BalboaPark, raising over$4.97 milliontosupport itsmuseumsand theatresin theircreationofamagic panoplyofworld-class arts,science, andmulticultural experiencesfor thepeople of San Diego, California, theU.S.,and theWorld to embrace! We honoryouandofferoursupport inall that youdo!

With Love, Your Patron Rangers!

Since1997,PatronsofthePradohavefundedmorethan $4.97millioningrantstosupportthemissionofworld-class arts,science,historicalandculturalorganizationsin BalboaPark.EachyearourBucks4Busesprogrambrings 50,000K-12students—over65percentofthemfrom Title1schools—tomuseumsandlivetheater,inperson andvirtually.Formany,it’stheirfirsttimeexperiencing theseculturaltreasures,inspiringtheminds,spiritand imaginationofyouthinourbelovedSanDiego.

Back Rowleft to right:TKBryson, PeterStiehly, Cody Sears, Reid Abrams,AdamDay, MaxGuidoboni, JonBook, John Vance,SonnyNevarez, DonVaughn,Stephen Doyle, Bill Perkins,MarcGeller, BobSalt, FredLink. FrontRow left to right: DavidRex,Jay Sarno, SteveWheeler, MauricioRivillas,Anthony Napoli, BobNovak. Notphotographed:Marco Alessio, JonAmmon,AubreyBurer,Blair Davey, ChrisEddy, DavidInmon,Barry

Left to right: Adam Day, SuziDay,FredLink, Roxy Link,Bob Novak,Julie CowanNovak, Merridee Book,Jon Book,NancieGeller, Marc Geller.

BEST BETS

Sunday

“TheTopTenRevealed”:AXS TV,8p.m. Sitdownforthe ultimatemusicalcounseling sessionasexecutiveproducer/hostKatieDarylanda panelofexpertscountdown thegreatestself-loathing songs.

“IceAirportAlaska”:SmithsonianChannel,8p.m.Season finale.Season2endswith back-to-backepisodes.In

“WarPlanesandSledDogs,” CustomsBorderProtection interceptsanunidentified powder,whichcouldpotentiallybeadeadlytoxin.Four hundred milesnorthofthe TedStevensInternational Airport,EvertsAirboastsa WorldWarIIcargoaircraft on amission, whileAirportPolice race tosavean armed and suicidalmanintheterminal. In“Mayday,”springisonthe horizon,butheavysnowfall, anearthquakeandaterrifying planecrashthreatenthe airport’s safety.

“Guy’sChanceofaLifetime”: Food Network,9p.m. Season finale.Tonight,thesearch endsforanentrepreneurto take overafranchiseofGuy Fieri’sChickenGuy.

“Claws”:TNT,9p.m. Series finale.NiecyNashandtherest ofthisgloriouscastbid goodbyetotheircharactersand thoseamazingnail designs as theseriescomestoitsclose afterfourseasons.We’ll see who’sleftstandingand friendlyafter Desna’sriseto powerinthecrimeworld.

“PowerBook IV:Force”: Starz,9:15p.m.Newseries. Thisthirdspinofffromthe Powerjuggernautfranchise followsTommy Egan(Joseph Sikora)ashecutstieswith New York.Tommymakesa quick detourtoChicagoto closeanoldwoundthat’s beenhauntinghimfordecades.Whatwassupposedto bea quickstop,however, turnsintoalabyrinth offamily secretsandliesTommy

“TheGirlBefore”: HBOMax Thursday

Newseries.Inthislimitedseries,Jane (GuguMbatha-Raw)movesintoahousedesigned by anenigmatic architect(David Oyelowo) with exactingrules by which she mustabide. Janestarts tofeel thehousechangingherinunexpected ways,butwhenshemakesthe shockingdiscoveryaboutherpredecessor, Emma (JessicaPlummer),sheis forced to confrontunnervingsimilarities.Janebegins to questionif her fatewillbethesameas that of the girl before All fourepisodes are available today.

thoughtwerelongburied.One stepleadstoanotherand Tommy quicklyfindshimself inChicago’s druggame, insertinghimselfbetweenthe city’stwobiggestcrews.

Monday “March”:TheCW,8p.m. Withhomecominginthe rearview,the bandmembers need to focuson theirnextbig event—agame withhistorical gravitas—atTexasA&M University.Withthebandina pressurecooker torise inthe ranksandgetreadyforthebig game,someofthemembers areworryingabouttheir gradesaftermidterms.

“OneThousand Years of Slavery”:Smithsonian Channel,8p.m. Thisfour-part specialuncoversthetruthofa 1,000-yearstoryofslavery acrosstheworld,asleading Blackactors,celebritiesand influencersgoonjourneysto confronttheirpersonalconnectiontoslaveryandits legacytoday.From Africato theCaribbean,fromNew

OrleanstoIstanbul,thespecialexploresslavery’slasting andpersonalimpactonindividualsandsocietyinorderto reframehistory.TheSeekers uncovertheirconnection to thosewhofoughtthepowerof slavery—“agentsofchange” likeJamaicanMaroons,the Amistadrebellionandthelast Africansenslavedinthe AmericanSouth.Barack Obamalaunchedintoour nationalconsciousness atthe 2004DemocraticNational Conventionandeversince he’sdeliveredmessagesof patriotism,unityandhope throughthepowerofwords. Interviewswitheminenthistoriansandkeyfiguresinhis writing processgiverare insightsintohisiconic speeches, aswellasthe Obamapresidencyandthe manhimself.

“PromisedLand”:ABC,10 p.m. Margarethasanofferfor Carmen.Meanwhile,Joehires anewgeneralmanager,and Veronicaisputina tricky situation.

“Clotilda:LastAmerican SlaveShip”:NatGeo,10p.m. ThisspecialtiesinwithNat Geo’srecentlylaunched “Into theDepths”podcastseries thatfollowsBlackscuba diverssearchingforslave shipwrecksaroundtheworld (alsofeaturedin National Geographicmagazine’sMarch coverstory).Thisdocumentaryisaboutthemostintact slaveshipwreckfoundtodate, andtheonlyoneforwhichwe know thefullstoryofitsvoyage,itspassengersandtheir descendants:theClotilda, whichinJuly1860carried110 kidnappedAfricanstoslavery inAlabama. Forthefirst time since the ship arrived in America maritimearchaeologistsenterthesunken schoonerinadangerousdive.

Tuesday

“LoveIsBlind: Japan”:Netflix. Newseries.TheunscriptedAmericandating seriesisexportedtoJapan.As intheoriginalseries,here, singleswhowanttobeloved forwhotheyare,rather than

whattheylooklike, have signed upforalessconventionalapproachtomodern datingwheretheyhopeto meetthepersontheywantto spendtherestoftheirlives with—withouteverhaving seenthem.Asthecouples plantowardtheirwedding day,theywillquicklydiscover whetherthey canturntheir emotionalconnectionintotrue lovebeforethefast-approachingceremony.

“Jeopardy!NationalCollege Championship”:ABC,8p.m. Newseries.HostedbyMayim Bialik,thismulticonsecutivenighteventfeatures36studentsfrom36collegesand universitiesfromacrossthe country,battlinghead-to-head forninedaysofintensecompetition,airingTuesdays throughFridays.

“TheResident”:Fox,8 p.m. Whenalostchildisbrought intotheERwithphysicalsigns of abuse,Conrad(Matt Czuchry)andCade(Kaley Ronayne)trytogettothe bottomofwhathappenedto herinthenewepisode“Now YouSeeMe.”

Wednesday

“Farmer WantsaWife”: Discovery+ Newseries.Six singlefarmersembarkupona questtofindromanceand, hopefully,everlastinglove. Theheatisturnedupateach stageuntiloneluckyladyis chosenforeachfarmer.

“TheBookofBobaFett”: Disney+ Seasonfinale.Season1ofthisseriescentered aroundfamed“StarWars” bountyhunterBobaFett (TemueraMorrison)concludes.Ming-na Wenalso stars.

“Disenchantment”:Netflix. Seasonpremiere.The misadventuresofhard-hitting, hard-drinkingQueen Bean (voiceofAbbiJacobson),her feistyelfcompanionElfo(Nat Faxon)andherpersonal demonLuci(EricAndré) returnanddeepeninthe fourthseasonofMattGroening’sanimatedcomedy/ fantasyseries.

“TheSkyIsEverywhere”: Apple TV+ Original film Tuckedamongthemagical redwoodtreesofNorthern Californiaandsurroundedby hergrandmother’s(Cherry Jones)gargantuanroses, 17-year-oldLennieWalker (GraceKaufman),aradiant musicalprodigy,struggles withoverwhelminggrieffollowingthesuddenlossofher oldersister,Bailey.WhenJoe Fontaine(JacquesColimon), thecharismaticnewguyat school, entersLennie’s life, sheisdrawntohim.But Lennie’scomplicatedrelationshipwithToby(PicoAlexander),hersister’sdevastated boyfriend,startstoaffect her buddingromancewithJoe. Throughhervividimagination andhonest,conflictedheart, Lennienavigatesfirstloveand losstocreateasongofher own.

“TheInBetween”:Paramount+ Originalfilm.This supernaturallovestorycentersonateenagegirl,Tessa (JoeyKing,alsoa producer), who,afterbouncingaroundin fosterhomesformostofher childhood,doesn’tbelieve she deservesherownlovestory. Everythingchanges aftershe hasa chanceencounterwith Skylar(KyleAllen),asenior froma neighboringtownwho isatrueromantic.Asher heartbeginstoopen,tragedy strikeswhenacaraccident takesSkylar’slife,whileTessa survives.AsTessasearches foranswersintheaftermath oftheaccident,shesoon believes Skylarisattempting toreconnect withherfrom the afterworld.

“AncientAliens”:History,9 p.m. Some2,600yearsago, themostsacredrelicofthe ancient world—theArkofthe Covenant—suddenlydisappearedfromhistory.Could descriptionsoftheark’sincrediblepower revealthatit wasa highlyadvancedtechnologicaldevice?Andiffound, willitprovideundeniable proofofhumanity’sextraterrestrialpast?

Saturday

CW CBS 8News at7pm Seinfeld “Pilot” (CC) March “Homecoming” Performing forhomecoming. Horror Stories Horror Stories AmericanNinja Warrior “HoustonFinals”(CC) MacGyver MacGyveris taken hostagein abank. (CC)

MYTV Movie:“True Grit” (5:00) TheImmortals TheBig Bang Theory (CC) TheBig Bang Theory (CC) TheBig Bang Theory (CC) TheBig Bang Theory (CC) Seinfeld “The Calzone”

(N) KUSINews at Ten (N) KUSINews at 11:00PM (N) Pawn Stars (CC)

UCSD TheArt and Scienceof AtmosphericRivers Technologyand Pain:Neuromodulation Autism ResearchandNeurodiversity:Sir Simon Baron-Cohen Genesand Autism TheImmune System in Regeneration

AZTC Movie:“Dueloalatardecer” (1971)RodolfodeAnda. After five yearsofprison, amanhopesforfreedom.(NR)

TELE ExatlónEstadosUnidos (N) (SS)

Pelicula: “JuanelDesalmado” (1970)JuanMiranda.Un mestizosedirigealdesierto paravengarunamuerte.(NR) Lo quelagentecuenta

Pelicula:“Source Code” ››› (2011)JakeGyllenhaal.Un soldadotieneochominutos paracumplirunamisión. (SS) Noticias TelemundoFDS Zonamixta (N) (SS)

UNIV Aquí yahora (N) ¿Quién es lamáscara? Unapersonalidadvuelvecomojurado.(N) Perdiendoel juicio (N) Maríade Todos Noticiero Univisión:Fin

A&E TheFirst48 Amanis found deadinhisbedroom. (CC) TheFirst48 Murder ofa belovedneighbor;robbery. TheFirst48 Possible gang-relatedshooting. (CC) TheFirst48 (10:01) Athief kills amaninhishome.(CC) TheFirst48 (11:04) ANew Orleans couplegoesmissing.

AMC Movie:“ConAir” (6:30) ›› (1997, Action)Nicolas Cage, John Cusack. Vicious convictshijacktheir flight.(R) (CC) TheWalking Dead:Origins Thestory ofCarol.(N) (CC) Movie:“TheHobbit:The Battle of theFiveArmies” (10:04) ›› (2014,Fantasy) IanMcKellen.(PG-13) (CC)

ANIM Lone StarLaw Asuspected duckandgoose poacher. Lone StarLaw:Biggerand Better (8:01)(N) Lone StarLaw Backyard hunterswreakinghavoc.(N) Lone StarLaw (10:02) Acar crash turnsintoamanhunt. Lone StarLaw (11:01) “Shrimpand Run”

BET Movie:“FridayAfterNext” (6:20) › (2002, Comedy)Ice Cube,MikeEpps. (R)(CC) Movie: “A Low DownDirty Shame” › (1994) KeenenIvoryWayans.A privateeye goesafter adruglordwho waspresumeddead.(R)(CC) FirstWives Club (CC) Bigger (CC)

BRAVO BelowDeckMediterranean “A MightyWind” (CC) TheRealHousewives of Salt LakeCity (CC) TheRealHousewives of SaltLakeCity The womenhoundMeredith.(N) (CC) TheRealHousewives of Salt LakeCity (CC) Housewives of NJ

CMT Reba “Reba andtheOne” Reba “AsIs” (CC) Reba (CC) Reba “No GoodDeed” Reba (CC) Reba “Have Your Cake” Reba (CC) Reba “Invasion”(CC) TheGolden Girls (CC) TheGolden Girls (CC)

COM Seinfeld “The Opposite” Seinfeld “The Chaperone” Seinfeld “The BigSalad” Seinfeld “The PledgeDrive” Seinfeld (CC) Seinfeld “The Couch”(CC) Seinfeld “The Gymnast” Seinfeld “The Soup”(CC) South Park (CC) South Park “FreeHat”

CTN County Connection Down To Earth CountyConnection BoardofSupervisors

DISC Dirty Jobs “EscalatorMaintainer /ScorpionSweeper” Dirty Jobs Miketrainsasa traumasurgeon.(N) (CC) Dirty Jobs (9:01)Mikevisits aship-building community. Dirty Jobs (10:02)Miketravels to the BlackHills.(CC) Dirty Jobs (11:01)“Fireworks Technician”(CC)

E! Movie:“GrownUps” › (2010,Comedy)Adam Sandler.Fivefriendslearn thatageandmaturitydonot,necessarily,coincide.(PG-13) (CC) Movie:“GrownUps” › (2010,Comedy)Adam Sandler.Fivefriendslearn thatageandmaturitydonot,necessarily,coincide.(PG-13) (CC)

ESPN Maninthe Arena SportsCenter (N) (CC) SportsCenter (CC) SportsCenter (CC)

FOOD Guy’sGrocery Games Regional cookingon abudget. Guy’sGrocery Games “Anti-ResolutionGames” (CC) Guy’sChanceofaLifetime (SeasonFinale)(N) (CC) Beat Bobby Flay (CC) Beat Bobby Flay (CC) Beat Bobby Flay (CC) Beat Bobby Flay (CC)

FX Movie:“Fast&FuriousPresents:Hobbs&Shaw” (5:00) Movie: “Jumanji: TheNextLevel” ›› (2019)DwayneJohnson.Premiere. Fourfriends re-enterthe fantastical world of Jumanji.(PG-13) (CC) Movie: “Jumanji: TheNextLevel” ›› (2019)DwayneJohnson.(PG-13) (CC)

HGTV Home Town Angie findsher dreamhome.(CC) Home Town Acouplelook for ahomeinLaurel.(N) Home Town (9:01)Jesse and Laurenarebuying ahouse. Home Town (10:01) “A Second Chance” (CC) Home Town (11:01)“The Cafe House” (CC)

HIST Pawn Stars Figurinesfrom TheSimpsons.(CC) Pawn Stars Abladefrom WWIIcatchesRick’s eye. Pawn Stars (9:02)“The Pawn StrikesBack” Pawn Stars (10:05) Ahandheldvideogame system. Pawn Stars (11:05) Atoy gun from a’60sshow.

ION NCIS Anundercoveroperationis compromised. NCIS Gibbsprobesan anti-governmentmilitia. NCIS Theteaminvestigatesa hit-and-run. (CC) NCIS “Nonstop” Apetty officerismurdered. NCIS Abbyisfound to possess arealbomb. ITV Academic League “Monte Vistavs. West Hills” ArtofTeachingtheArts (CC) Bridging WorldHistory Destinos: Introduction DW Newshour:LateNight Edition Global 3000 (CC) Arts 21

LAND Twoanda HalfMen Twoanda HalfMen Twoanda HalfMen Twoand aHalfMen (8:45) (CC)

Twoanda HalfMen Twoanda HalfMen Twoanda HalfMen Twoanda HalfMen Twoanda HalfMen

LIFE Movie:“Vanished: Searching forMySister” (6:00)(NR) Movie:“Single Black Female” (2022)AmberRiley. Awoman’s derangedassistantplans to take overherlife. (NR) MyKiller Body WithK. Michelle (10:03)(N) (CC) Movie (11:03) (CC)

NATG Gordon Ramsay:Uncharted “Peru’sSacredValley” (CC) Gordon Ramsay:Uncharted (CC) Gordon Ramsay:Uncharted “TheMountains of Morocco” Gordon Ramsay:Uncharted (CC) Gordon Ramsay:Uncharted “Alaska’sPanhandle”(CC)

OWN 20/20 on OWN Asmall town girldisappears. 20/20 on OWN Policeexaminehome securityfootage. 20/20 on OWN TheLong Island Lolitaincident.(CC) 20/20 on OWN TheLong Island Lolitaincident.(CC) 20/20 on OWN Ateenencouragesboyfriend’ssuicide.

OXY Killer Relationship With FaithJenkins (N) (CC) TheRealMurdersofAtlanta “FinalJudgment”(N) (CC) Snapped Agrandmotheris shotexecution style.(CC) Snapped: Behind Bars “Sabrina Zunich”(CC) Killer Relationship With FaithJenkins (CC)

PARMT Movie:“The BlindSide” (6:30) ››› (2009,Drama) SandraBullock, TimMcGraw.(PG-13) (CC)

TCM Movie:“FreedomonMyMind” ›› (1994)Mississippi voter registrationprojectfrom1961-’64.(NR)(CC)

Movie:“Forrest Gump” ›››› (1994, Comedy-Drama)TomHanks,Robin Wright.A slow-witted Southerner experiences 30 yearsofhistory.(PG-13) (CC)

Movie:“TenNightsinaBarroom” (9:15)(1926,Drama) CharlesGilpin,MyraBurwell.(NR)

TNT Movie:“CaptainMarvel” (6:30) ›› (2019)BrieLarson. CaptainMarvelgetscaughtinthemiddle of analien war. Claws Desnahas ashowdown withQuietAnn.(N) Claws Desnahas ashowdown withQuietAnn.

TRAVEL Paranormal Caughton Camera (CC)

Movie:“ChungkingExpress” ››› (1994)

Movie:“CaptainMarvel” ›› (2019)BrieLarson.

“Nature”:KPBS,8p.m. Inthe episode“Penguins:Meetthe Family,”thiscelebrationof oneofEarth’smosticonicand belovedbirdsfeatures footage of all 18speciesofpenguins forthefirsttime. Filmedin locationsfromNewZealand andCapeTown,totheGalapagosIslandsandAntarctica, theepisode spotlights penguins’heartwarmingfamily dynamics,astonishingadaptationsandremarkablebehaviors.

“NextLevelChef:”Fox,9 p.m. Porkisonthemenuin thenewepisode“WhenPigs Fly,”asGordonRamsay, NyeshaArringtonandRichard Blaisissuenewchallengesto theirteams.However,the mentorsdropa bombshellas thecompetitionmovesforwardwithteamimmunity beingeliminated.

Thursday “Kimi”:HBOMax. Original film.InStevenSoderbergh’s thrillersetinSeattleamid the COVID-19pandemic, Zoë Kravitzstarsasanagoraphobictechworkerwhodiscovers thatviolentcrimeshaveoccurredina datastreamandis metwithresistancewhenshe triestorevealtheevidenceto hercompany.Togetinvolved, shefacesherbiggestfearof venturingoutsideofherapartmentandintothecity.

“JoeMillionaire:ForRicher or Poorer”:Fox,8 p.m. The ladiesgettoseeKurtand Stevencompeteinarelay raceinthenewepisode

“Ready,Set, JOE.”

“CallMeKat”:Fox,9p.m. Kat (MayimBialik)andRandi (KylaPratt)suspectthat Sheila’s(SwoosieKurtz) boyfriend might becheatingin thenewepisode “Call Me Unfaithful.”

Friday

“Warning”:AMC+ Feature filmexclusive.Setinthe not-too-distantfuture,this sci-fithrillerexploresthe repercussionsthatmankind faceswhentheiromniscient technologybecomesasubstituteforhumancontact.Life beginstounravelwhena globalstormcauseselectronicstogohaywire,leadingto terrifyinganddeadly consequences.ThomasJane, Alice EveandAlexPettyferstar.

“PuppyBowlPresents:Puppy Mania”:Discovery+ Puppy athletesandtheiramateur trainersbattleitoutadorably inthreerounds ofcompetition.RunningbackRashad JenningsjoinscomedianKym Whitleyand apanel ofjudges astheydecidewhichpuphas earnedthePuppyMania trophy.

“Attenborough’sGlobal Adventure”:BBCAmerica,8 p.m. Newseries.Whenlegendary Britishnaturalist Sir DavidAttenborough wasinhis mid80s—about10yearsago —manythoughthehadretired.Instead,hewasembarkingonanewseven-year journey,revisitingsomeofthe mostastonishinglandscapes andcreaturesontheplanet andusingadvancedtechnologiestoshareafreshperspectiveonourworld.Fromthe depthsoftheGreatBarrier Reefto therainforestsof Borneo,fromthefastestbird onearthin Rome tothelegendary dodoin theNatural History Museum,thisthreepartseriesshows the results ofAttenborough’stravels acrosstheglobeandthrough time.

“TheWeddingVeilUnveiled”: HallmarkChannel,8 p.m. Originalfilm.Emmatravelsto Italytoteachandresearcha weddingveilsaidto bringits ownerlove.Whilethere,she meetsPaolo,thesonofalocal lace-makingfamily.Stars Autumn Reeser,Paolo Bernardini,LaceyChabert andAlison Sweeney.

“LineSisters”:Lifetime,8 p.m. Originalfilm.Foursororitysisters—Valerie(LeToya Luckett),Cassandra(Kierra Sheard-Kelly),Simona (Ta’RhondaJones)andDominique(DrewSidora)—reunite ataBlackGreekweekend celebrationheldontheOuter BanksofNorthCarolina. Having pledgedtheAlpha BetaOmegaSororityInc.,they sharemorethanthebondsof sisterhoodafterthemysteriousdeathofthedeanof pledges15years prior.Butthe pastcomesknockingontheir doorastheyarriveonthe island,andstrangeandinexplicable things beginto happentoeachoneofthem, threateningtounearththe deadlysecretthatmaytear themapart.

TRAVEL

Greenandgrand innation’s capital

How to makethemost of theNationalArboretum, fromthe redwoodgrove to thesecret pavilion

BY FRITZHAHN

The National Arboretum is a placefull of contradictions. It was established byCongressin 1927 aspart ofthe U.S.Agriculture Department“for purposesof research andeducation concerning tree and plant life.” Ninety-five yearslater, scientistsstill work inits greenhousesand open fields,while generationsof Washingtonianshave adopteditas a government-owned city park, a place to situndertrees with friendsortake kids to ride bikes.

At446 acres,it’s oneof Washington’s largest green spaces,butit’s cut off from the city bymultilane commuter routeson two sides,andthe Anacostia Riveronanother. It regularly turnsup on listicles

for“D.C. hidden gems,”butthe National Capitol Columns, whichwere featuredonthe East Portico oftheCapitol from 1828 to 1958and were placedin thearboretumin 1990 are includedin justabout every

“MostInstagrammableplaces in D.C.” roundup online. And yes,the columnsarea wondrousthing: Evocative of the ruinsof an ancient temple, placedinthewildEllipse Meadow theymakea stunning and popularbackdropforphoto shoots.Butthere’s somuch more to see atthearboretum than oldsandstone. When warmer weather returnsinthespring,itwill bringthebloomingofmagnolias, dogwoods, cherries and azaleas.Thefacility itself remainsaffectedbythe coronavirus the NationalBonsai & PenjingMuseumis temporarilycloseduntilatleast April,asisthebucolic Fern

Valley, where thepathways are too narrow for social distancing —buthorticulturistsandthe Friendsofthe NationalArboretum offersuggestionson what to explore inthefuture.

TheAsianCollections

Occupyingtheeasternmost edge ofthearboretum,the AsianCollections fill a scenic landscapethatslopesdown toward theAnacostiaRiver. Gravel paths andstonesteps windpastvalleysofshrubs and evergreens,leading toterraces withpeacefulbencheswhere you canpauseandadmire the viewsof flower-coveredhillsides as wellastheriver It’s one ofthemore romantic sections ofthearboretum. Differentsectionsare namedfortheplants’ countries oforigin Japanese Woodland KoreanHillside,China Valley stitched together harmoniouslyas you navigate thetrails,which canbe twisting andsteep. A highlightis a Chinese-stylepagoda,which looks out overtheChineseandAsian valleys,andcanalsobebusy with groupstaking photos. Atthe end of thetrailclosest to theparking lotis a glenof

chainsare

Attheendoflast year, the Tahoe region receiveda record-breaking 212inches ofsnow. Luckily, ourfamily and friends gotinandout between twoepic stormsin mid-December. Someof us snowboarded, elatedatthe stunningvistas,some ofus satin the hot tubafter scrapingsnowoff its cover and oneof us surviveda plunge into the watersof Lake Tahoe. Our youngestfell 8feet through a gapbetweena pierandanadjacentramp.

Thesmallopening was hidden bysnow.Sheswam afew strokesintheicy waterbeforerealizingshe could touchthebottom. Luckily, she wasunhurt and embracedthe experienceas anadventure.But theincident was an effectivemetaphorforthedangersthat snow can conceal. Tahoe,which straddles theborderbetweenCaliforniaand Nevada, isa premierwinterdestination.

Famously home to the 1960 Winter Olympics,itboasts acrystallinealpinelake surroundedbydramatic mountains. “Tahoeis oneof the most beautiful fun placesonthe planet,”says DavidReichel, executive directoroftheSierra AvalancheCenter.Buthe’s

quick to addacaveat. “Any placewithsnowand mountainshasdangerassociated withit.”

Thatdangercanbe compoundedwhenout-oftownersencounterunfamiliar weather. (Just because youlove wintersports doesn’t mean you’re snowsavvyofftheslopes.) Journeyingintosnow country canbeimmensely rewarding,butitalso requires preparation: In Tahoe,as we discovered,what you don’tknow can hurt you.

Be aware ofroad conditions,closures Becauseofthedramatic riseoftheSierrarange, peopledrivein fromdry landand findthemselvesin awhollydifferentclimate.

The NationalCapitolColumns,probablythe NationalArboretum’smostInstagrammedattraction, were partoftheCapitol’s East Porticofor 130 years.

AMANDA VOISARD PHOTOS FORTHE WASHINGTONPOST

Visitors walkamongthe cherryblossomsinlate March. Some 70 varietiesof cherrytreesareplantedinmultipleareasthroughoutthearboretum.

Adawn redwood grovedisplaysagenusthought to be extinctbeforethey were discoveredinCentralChina. Seedsmadetheir way to thearboretumin 1948

Apagodaisapopularspotoverlooking theChineseandAsian valleysinthe arboretum. Sectionsofthearboretumare namedafterplants’ countriesoforigin.

brightly coloredcamellias. Their beauty is a tribute to thearboretum’s scientific mission.Harshwintersin the 1970s killed941 ofthe arboretum’s 956 camellia plants. A NationalArboretum scientistnamed WilliamAckermanbegan breedingthehardysurvivorswithothercamellias, seeking to findonethat couldsurvive the region’s cold temperatures.He ultimatelycreatedmore than 50 new hybrids.

Cherryblossoms

This year’s National Cherry Blossom Festival, which iscelebratedacross thecity, willbeheld from March 20 to April 17 Atthe arboretum,oncepeak bloomfortheTidalBasin’s cherry blossomsarrives, theymightstickaroundfor seven to 10 daysafter that, dependingon conditions.

Butat thearboretum,which ishome to more than 70 varietiesof cherry tree, someornamental cherries may flowermore thana weekbefore theblossoms downtown,andothersmay reach theirpeaklater.

Cherry blossomsare planted in multiple areas throughoutthearboretum, sometimesalongsideother flowering Japanese fruit trees.Beyond keepingan eye outforwhite, coralor rose-coloredpetalsas you strollthroughthe grounds, takea lookattheselfguided cherry blossom tour onthearboretumapp.The research fieldson Valley Road,neartheparkinglot, are home to a sun-dappled grove oftrees collectedin Japan, experimentalhybrids,andtrees usedfor breedingandpreservation purposes.

Crape myrtlenursery and ResearchNursery6

Ifthere’s anarea that demonstrateshow easy itis to misssomeamazing plantsatthearboretum,it mightbetheseadjacent research fields,located between Meadow Roadand ValleyRoad.“It’s a very, very beautifulspot,”saysbotanist KevinConrad,the curatorofthearboretum’s WoodyPlant Landscape GermplasmRepository. “To situnderneathsomeof thoseincrediblyoldand stunninglybeautifulcrape myrtlesis really a horticultural experience.It’s a plant thatis exquisite frommany perspectives.”

Lookforthe exampleof Lagerstroemia fauriei that thearboretumhas given the accessionnumber 10536-P. “Thistree isanoriginal from the JohnCreech expedition in Japan to the’50s,where he collectedthistree and broughtitback,”andusedit inthecreationofnumerous hybrids resistant to powdery mildew, such as NatchezandArapaho, Conradsays.It’s notlabeled butit’s hard to miss: “The tree is 30 feettallby 30 feet wide,with a trunk that’s got to be 2feet indiameter The bark isdark,withbrown and blackishmottlingthroughout.It’s incredible.”

Thedawn redwoods

Across fromtheentrance to theGotelliConifer Collection,clusteredona triangle-shapedisland between two roads,isa standoftall,skinnytrees with flaredbasesand knobby roots.They exude age andnobility. You have to crane yourneck to see the crowns.

Theseare dawn redwoods,which fossil records tellus grew across Europe and North Americamillions of yearsago.Butthenthey

TAHOE

FROM E13

She recommendsthat travelersvisitquickmap.dot.ca.gov ordownloadthe CaltransQuickMapappfor up-to-the-minutehighway conditions.

Maintain yoursupplies Inaddition to chains, foodand waterareboth essentials to have inthecar.

If youdon’tliveinsnow country, itmaynotoccur to you to bringanicescraper to clearthewindowsand to makesure yourantifreezeis toppedoff.Check your wiperbladesand fluid,tire pressure,treaddepthand theforecastbeforeleaving. Youmaybespendingsignificanttimein yourcar,so ensurethatit’s gassedup, that you’recharging your phonewhile youdriveand that youhave blankets just incase.

Dothelocalsafavorand stockupinadvance.Ann BryantofHomewood,who runstheBearLeague,a

became extinct orso biologistsoncethought.In the 1940s, a researcherin CentralChina’s Hubei provincebegan examining someunusualoldtrees,and in 1946 Chinesebotanists announcedthatthe genus Metasequoia hadbeen rediscovered.

Seedsmadetheir way aroundthe world,including to thearboretum,which acquireditsseedsin May 1948 “Juststandthere and enjoythe moment,because you’re in a grove oftrees that were thought to be extinct,”saysConrad. “The grandeurofthem,thebuttressedtrunks,thefactthat they’re in a grove really makesit a magicalplace.”

TheDogwoodCollections

Cathy Kerkam,thedirector offundraisingand communicationsforthenonprofitFriendsofthe NationalArboretum,knows what to dowhensheneeds to takea break:Sheheads fortheDogwoodCollections,perchedintheupper northeast cornerofthe grounds,far fromthepopularareas.“Whenthedogwoods comeoutandthey’re infullbloom,there’s every color you can imagine,”she says.“It’s just a fairy tale backthere.”

Butbefore thedogwoods blossommightbethebest timeof all.

“There is a littlesecret pavilioninthe woods,called theAnacostiaOverlook,” Kerkamsays. “Youcansitin thatlittlepavilionand you’re up on a precipice lookingdown overtheAnacostiaRiver Andsometimes you cansee theeagles hunting.”

It’s notthat you should ignore the floweringtrees, andthelong, grassyallee thatleads fromtheen-

trancedown to anornamentalfountain.Butthistranquilperch, overlookinga bendintheriver, is worth seekingout.

GotelliConiferCollection

Christmastrees are probablythe first conifers that come to mind,orpossibly a scenicpineforest with a needle-strewn floor. The GotelliConiferCollectionisproofof justhow much more isoutthere:See astunningseafoam-green atlascedarthat resemblesa spikymopof a weeping willow, a dwarfbluespruce thesizeandshapeof a small boulder, andtrees whose needlesare icyblue,sunset goldorelectriclime green. The contrastsinshape, texture and colorare most strikingwhen you can takea stepback to compare,so takea moment to pausein anattractive hillsidepagodaoratoneof the wooden benchesalongthe grassy paths. WilliamGotelli, a private collectorwhoassembled 1,500 conifersforhis New Jerseyhome,donatedhis treasures to thearboretum in 1962. What makes this sectionsoenjoyable to browseisthelayout,with the conifersarrayedin gravelor rock-linedbeds, alongwith a mix of ground cover, flowersandsmaller shrubs.Thisarrangement gives plantsspace to breathe,andletsthetrees andshrubs shine,inalltheir hues.

TheMorrisonGarden

Azaleashave floweredon theslopesof MountHamilton,thehighestpointonthe arboretum grounds,since thelate 1940s,thanks to Benjamin Y. Morrison,the firstdirectorofthearboretum. Morrison was de-

ConifersintheGotelli collection,overlookingapond,arespacedoutin rocklinedbedsalongwithanarrayof ground cover, smallershrubsand flowers.

voted to theideaofbreeding large, colorfulhybridazaleasthat couldsurvive MidAtlanticwinters. Thewidevariationsin colorsandshapes,fardifferent fromtheazaleason displayinmostsuburban yards,draw crowdsofazalealovers to thetrailsof MountHamiltonduringthe bloomingseason,which beginsinlate Aprilandearly May.

But year-round,there’sa calm to befoundinthe Morrison Garden, a brickwalledformal gardenat the baseof themountain.Rows of Morrison’s hybridGlenn Daleazaleas,namedforthe Maryland town where Morrisondidmuch ofhis research at a USDA facility, feature vivid colorsand unusualstripes,providinga startling contrast to boxwoodhedgesand a shaded brickpathleading to a large, ornate pottery planter.A solitary bench undera trellisprovides a view upthe mountain,which rises to 240 feetabove sealevel,and popsof color fromthe floral plantings there.

Onthe way out,take noticeoftheChineselacebark pinetree whose exquisite bark ismottledwith abstractsilver white and grayblotchesasengaging asan impressionistpainting.

Hahnwrites for The Washington Post,wherethisarticle first appeared.

1846-1847 —someofwhom resorted to cannibalism to stayalive—stillprovidesa cautionarytalesheishappy to sharewithparkvisitors. If youskiorsnowboard, usethebuddysystemand share yourwhereabouts withanappsuchas Life360 orFindMyiPhone.

If you go

Hoursandentry: TheNationalArboretumisopenfrom8a.m. to 5p.m. everyday exceptChristmas. Admissionisfree. Car accessisallowedthroughthe gate at 2400 R St.N.E.until 2p.m. Afterthat,carsmustenterthrough 3501 New York Ave. N.E.,a gate thatis reachedfromaneastbound service road neartheintersectionwithBladensburg RoadN.E.Either way, the parkinglotsnearthe gates fillquicklyon weekends.

Parking: The Friends of theNationalArboretum recommend usingthe parkinglotnearthe Grove ofState Treesandpicnic area,onthesouthside of thegrounds Fromthere,it’s an easy walk to the Capitol Columnsandother collectionsmentioned above.Also,whiletherearesmaller parkinglotsnearsome collections,suchastheAsianCollectionsortheconifers, theselotsusuallyhave room foronly 10 to 12 cars. At peak times, it’s easier to park and walkthan to drivefromsiteto site.

COVID-19precautions: Because offederal regulations,visitors must wearmasks andmaintainsocialdistance at all times. Self-guided tours: Before youhead to thearboretum,downloadthefree U.S.NationalArboretumapp to yoursmartphone.

Zoominonaninteractive topographicmap of the grounds to learnthename of thecurious-lookingtreeor floweringplant next to you, and whereand whenit was collected. TheHere/ Now tabprovidesnews aboutwhat speciesare floweringthis season—camellias!daffodils!—andwhere to findthem. Some of the informationisoutdatedbecause of the pandemic. Self-guided tours,though,arethe reason to keep firingupthe app, offeringmoreinsightbeyondtheinterpretivesigns aroundthearboretumorthefreevisitorsguidebrochure availablethroughoutthegrounds. First-timevisitorscanstart withtheArboretumOverview, whichvisitsmostcorners of the park; for amore narrow focus, there are tourslooking at the lavenderorchilepepperplantswithintheNationalHerb Garden.Apopularoneinspringstops at more than two dozen varieties of cherryblossomtreesalonga3.2-mile path, showing offaclone of a Yoshinotreeplanted at the Tidal Basin by first lady Helen Taft in1912,orinvitingvisitors to see experimentaltrees in the Research Fields. The formatallows you to explore at your own pace.

attractthem regardlessof theseason.Bryantsays onlyone-half to three-quartersofthe Tahoearea’s bruinsarehibernatingright now, whichmeansvisitors stillmusttakeprecautions.

electricalmats—likean anti-welcomemat—becauseifabearhas come once,itwillprobably return.

Ablanket ofsnow covershomesinHomewood. Visitorsareadvised to bring groceriesandothersuppliesinadvance.Snow canlimitdeliveriesforlocals.

24-hourcallcenterforbear issues, requeststhatvisitorsbringtheir own groceries.Shesaysstoresranlow onfoodlastmonthafter stormsdelayedsupply trucks. Tourists“boughtall thefoodoutofthe grocery storesandusedallour gas, allrightduringChristmas,”shesays.“It was horrible.”

Respectthesnow DianaPratt-Simar,a historian/docentatDonner MemorialStatePark,says snowcancatchpeople unawares.“I’vehadkids comeupinsandalsinthe snow. Theyslipandslide throughthe tour.”The DonnerParty, wagon-train emigrantswho gotstuckin theSierrainthewinterof

Although avalanchesare primarilyadanger to backcountry recreationists, visitors to theareashould educatethemselvesabout thehazardstheypose.A goodplace to startisthe Sierra AvalancheCenter. HeadquarteredinTruckee, thecenterisanonprofit organizationinpartnership withthe U.S. ForestService.The groupprovides avalancheforecasting basedon weather, avalancheandsnowpack conditionsonits website.

Don’t forget aboutbears

Althoughmanybears hibernateinwinterbecause theylacknaturalfood sources,thefood(andthe garbage)thatpeoplebring to snowydestinationscan

Terri Tangney,amiddle schoolsecretarywhohas livedinHomewoodfor 50 years,hasbeenthevictimof repeated vehicularbreakinsbybears. “Theyopenthe [unlocked]doors,climbin, dowhateverthey’re going to do,andclimbbackout the waytheycamein,”she says.Adecadeago,abear gottrappedinhercar,anda friendhad to whipopenthe doorwhilestandingbehind it.

Areahomeownersdrape electricalwires overdoors andwindows to discourage bearentry. Our rentalcabin fazedmeat firstwhenI arrivedat twilightandhad to performa MacGyverstyledefusingso wecould getin.Apparently,the systemdoesn’thurthumans,dogsor evenbirds whoperch onthewire.The BearLeagueloansout free

Hunkerdown Tangneypointsoutthat evenif you reach yourcabin, youmightnotbemobile thereafter. Afterbigstorms, itcantakedaysforplows to get to sidestreets.Even then, “the two gasstations nearusranoutof gas”after thelateDecemberstorms, shesays.

Mike Moshier,a tech workerin FairOaks,spent 10 daysinDecember snowedinwithhisfamilyat theirsecondhomein Homewood. Withaneyeon theforecast,they wentupa fewdaysearly,knowing they wouldbeunable to leave partofthetime.“We knewthepower was going togo out,but we havea wood-burningstove to cook onand keepus warm,”he says.

Mailmanis a freelancewriter

Thisarticleoriginally appeared in The Washington Post.

Year-round,theHollyand MagnoliaCollectionsdisplay floral varietiesbythethousandsdevelopedby researchersatthearboretum.

AMANDA VOISARD PHOTOS FORTHE WASHINGTONPOST

The contrastof colors, texturesandshapesinthe GotelliConiferCollectionisastrikingsight.

Thirteenjournalistshave beenkilledinMexicoin thelastninemonths. Four were killedinJanuary, two in Tijuanajustsixdays apart. Above,a

ALFONSOMARGARITO MARTÍNE Z ESQUIVEL

AJOURNALIST’S IMAGES

MargaritoMartínezEsquiveldocumentedthe grislymurder scenesthathave becomea daily presenceinTijuana He made hisliving tellingstories that were uncomfortablefor the city’s establishmentand underworld alike.He rushed to crime scenes whilethebodieslayinthe streets,then sold theimages to local newssites that report theviolenceand corruptioninthe city. Occasionally his work appearedinthe Union-Tribune butmost ofit was too graphicfor U.S.newspapers.Thephotosshown here illustrate thedangersofhismissionand thebrutal honesty ofhis work in a city that recordednearly2,000 homicideslast year Itis impossible totell Martinez’s story without acknowledging and seeing theperilofhisprofession,which may havecosthimhis life He was shot inthehead outsidehis homeon Jan. 17

Detectives fromthe State Attorney General’s Officesearch atruckinwhich twomen were shotand woundedinColonia Jaliscoin September2021.

Aman wasfoundwrappedandsetonfireintheEjido Francisco VillaneighborhoodinDecember2021.

Tijuanapoliceofficersarrestamanwhoshotattheminacemetery duringapursuitinthecity’s Nueva Aurora neighborhoodin September2021.

Thebodyofamanwho was shotmultipletimeslieson DíazOrdazBoulevard,one ofTijuana’s busieststreets, inDecember2021.

A young couple were killed ina rollovercrashon Rosas MagallonBoulevard inOctober2021. Another coupleinthe vehiclesurvivedwithminorinjuries.

Thebodyofa manliesinthe shoulderonthe Tijuana-Tecate highwayintheEl Refugioneighborhoodafterhe wasrunoverin October2021.

MexicanArmy soldiers guard theareaaftera homicidedetectivewiththe State Attorney General’s Office waskilledashe lefthishomein thePlayasde TijuananeighborhoodinOctober2021.

Investigators examinethe scenewherethe bodyofaman inhis20s was foundinan abandonedlot inColonia Lomasde Tlatelolcoin December2021.

MARÍA GUADALUPE LOURDES MALDONADO LÓPEZ

AJOURNALIST’S WORDS

MARCO UGARTE AP

Renee Maldonadoshowsaphotoofher aunt,journalist Lourdes Maldonado Lopez,killedon Jan. 23.

“Ifearformylife.”

That’s what MaríaGuadalupeLourdes Maldonado López told Mexico PresidentAndrés Manuel López Obrador in2019 at a news conferencewhile discussingher job as a journalist.Those fearsledtheBaja California state government to grantherprotectionsshe requested, including a “panic button” andpolice patrols atherhouse. She stil fearedforherlife,butshe still kepttalking truth to power, focusingonTijuanapoliticsandnews online.

“Ihave eightmonthswith police protectionandhuman rightsprotection and I know thatthey takegoodcare of you,butnoonecanprevent, not even undertheir supervision,that when you leaveyourhometheywil kill you and murder you insucha cowardlyandartful way.”

That’s what Maldonadosaid onthe show she livestreamed on Facebook “Brebaje con Lourdes Maldonado,”on Jan. 18 one dayafter Alfonso Margarito Martínez Esquivel was shotandkilled outsidehishome. Five dayslater she was shot and killed outside her home.

Detectivessearch a vehicleinwhichaman waskilledinthe Mariano MatamorosneighborhoodonTijuana’s eastsideinDecember2021.

WHATBEING AJOURNALIST MEANS TO ME

BY SONIADEANDA

Almostsix yearsago, I moved to Tijuana Mexico, from Tabasco, Mexico,whereI hadlivedformore than20 yearsandbeentrainedasa journalist. I left Tabasco because journalists were silent after the killingof a communicator Moisés DagdugLutzow,the owner of media company GrupoVX, who was stabbed to death onemorning in February 2016 insidehishome.

Before lastmonth’s killings of two journalistsinTijuana,ithad been 18 yearssinceanattackona journalistinTijuana.Somepeople saythatthisisnothing compared to whathappensinthe country’s centralandsouthernareas,where journalistsmaybekilledfortheir work andfor confronting cacicazgos (tyranny)orcriminal groups. Journalism“heatsup”criminal organization’s areasbecause journalistsdocumentdailyhomicidesincity streets.

Until Jan. 17, wewouldarrive withsecurity to riskyareas withoutincident Then reality intruded andoneofus was shotandkilled while leavinghishomeinthe Sánchez Taboadaneighborhood. Thefatalshootingof Margarito Martinez “cuatro-cuatro as we allcalled him hadusinshock.

Apriest givesaprayerattheviewingfor María Guadalupe Lourdes Maldonado Lópezat Gayoso FuneralHomeinZonaRioin

Tijuanaon Jan.26.The veteranjournalist wasshot to deathon Jan. 23 outsideherhomeinTijuana.

PERIODISTASMUSTPRESS FORANSWERS

BY DORAELENA CORTÉS

While we have experienced seriouslyshockingandshattering events overseveraldecades, the week of Jan. 17 to Jan. 23 was oneofthesaddestandmost difficultin yearsfor journalistsin Tijuana. Twocolleagues,known bythe greatmajority ofuswho work in journalism bythose withmany years of experiencein this fieldandbynewcomers— were shotandkilled.

Tijuana journalistsLourdes MaldonadoLópezandAlfonso Margarito MartínezEsquivel didn’tdeserve to have theirlives endthis way, butsomething wentwrong and someonedecidedtheir deathsin a very similar way.

Margarito was executedon themorning of Monday, Jan. 17, outsidehishome, whenhe was about to leave for work Lourdes was assassinatedonthe evening ofSunday, Jan. 23, insideher vehicleoutsideherhome.These deathshave unifiednational journalismin a way thatisrarely seen. Withunexpected resolve, 52 Mexicancitiessimultaneously heldprotestson Tuesday Jan. 25 to demandauthoritiessolve these incidents in a country where dozensof journalistshave diedformany reasons inthepast few years.

Unfortunately,I was notable to personally jointhemandmy other colleagues,as I wanted, becausesincethemiddleoflast

yearI’ve beenfacinghealth issuesthatlimitmypresencein public. I still continue to work as ajournalist,andfollow themedia coverage.

Despite mydesire to joinso many journalists to sayfarewell, thedoctorsadded a warning of thedeadlydangerthataninfectionofCOVID-19 couldmeanat thismomentofphysicalvulnerability forme.So I had to say goodbye to both colleagues from adistance andwithmypen.

Investigationsinbothcases are underway, andwithourmore demandingsociety, it’s clearthat thepublicdoesn’t wantthe authorities to skip over doinga thoroughandfullinvestigation insteadofnaming justanyone as asuspect to keep thepublic calm.Already, pain andfear aboutwhathappenedhave affectedoursociety, and other journalists especially The real causesthatled to these deaths are stillunknown,butinboth casestheorieshave arisen,and thepublichasits own ideas.

Butwithoutknowing exactly whathappened,feelings ofhelplessness and even vulnerability have appeared and a fearof finding a murdererbehind every doorhasspread to everyone,and ismade worsewiththe realizationthat,aswithothercrimes, theperpetratorsstayunpunished.

We know that at timeslike these whenthe authorities seem to be,or reallyare, over-

whelmed the criminals are on thelookout to know iftheycan continue oriftheywillfacelegal punishment.

InTijuana, we have a history ofcrimesagainst journalists El Imparcialpublisher Manuel Acosta Meza whoonce worked atTheSanDiego Tribune,and Fernando MárquezSánchez,the ownerof a printingpressusedby severalnewspapers, were killed in 1956 Noticias columnistCarlosEstradaSastré was killedin 1961. Zeta columnistHéctor“El Gato” FélixMiranda was killed in 1988 El MexicanophotographerDante Espartaco Cortés was killedin 1995.Theboydguard ofZetafounder Jesús Blancornelas was killedin 1997 in anattackthatleft the journalist withfourbullet wounds.Zeta directorFrancisco JavierOrtiz Francowas killedin2004.

Elsewhere inBajaCalifornia, there have alsobeencrimes against journalists.CNR NoticiasCanal54 reporter Luciano Rivera was killedinRosarito in 2017.

Exceptforthose whodiedin themiddleofthelastcentury,I cansay I knew them,andtherefore I’m overwhelmedwitha strange feelingknowingthat at one timethey were amongus, andnow theyaren’t.

ImetLourdes Maldonado López whenshe arrivedinTijuanainthelate 1980s andshe workedas a reporter for Televisa on channel 12.I didn’tagree with

her journalisticstyle;however,I respectedher work andsometimes I foundherperformances entertaining especiallywhenI saw her reportingorpresenting anews story. I knew Margarito Martínezbecausehe workedasa photojournalistinmynews agency forsometime,and I can saythat I was surprised to see how hemanagedtheassignmentsand covered thepolice sources,which didnotalways save him fromproblemswiththe police orsomeindividuals,who forsome reason, complained abouthispress coverage. These have been too manyof thesekillings, even thoughthey have been committed overa periodofseveral decades Like everyoneelse we as journalists hopethatthere isnoriskof losingourlivessimplyfordoing our job. As journalists, we demand to practice journalism without runningthesameriskasour colleagueswhodiedin2022 ina hail of deadly bullets.Theatmosphere isuncertain and terrifying, andthatshouldn’thappenina democratic country. I urge journalists inBajaCalifornia,and across Mexico to takea stance forthe resolutionofthese and othercrimes.

Cortés isthedirector of Agencia FronterizadeNoticiasde Tijuana,adaily website. Thisessay wasinitiallywrittenin Spanishandtranslated by TheSanDiego Union-Tribune.

IDON’T FACETHE SAME DANGERMYPEERSDO

BY CARRIEKAHN

I’mpart ofthe Mexicanpress corps,but really, I’m not.

The firsttime I was face-tofacewith a high-rankingofficial, challengingtruth to power, like we’re told we are supposed to do as journalists, was in Tijuana.

It was themid-1990s. I had justbeenhired at KPBS San Diego’s publicradiostation as itsnewlymintedborder reporter.

Theofficial was SanDiego’s then-U.S.attorney Hehad come acrosstheborder, withSan Diego reportersin tow to praise cross-border cooperationin solving a murdercase.

Istoodup,fullof youthful bravado,bluntlyquestioningthe official’s sincerity. I boldly pointedoutthat U.S. governmentdocuments showed his BajaCaliforniafellow prosecutor was accusedof colludingwith oneofthemostpowerful Mexican drugcartels terrorizing Tijuanaatthetime. Mypuffed-uppride was quicklydeflated.The U.S.official gave me a publicdressing-down formakingwhathesaid were baselessclaimsandinsults aboutourneighbor Trembling,I slunk backinto myseat.

MySanDiego colleagues continued questioningthe two officialsabouttheircross-border bromance. Whathappened next,though, I’ve never forgotten. Tijuana’s reporters,without hesitation oneafter another, insistedthe U.S.official address myinquiry andadded a bitof scoldingoftheir own,fortreating meso rudely After all,I was just doing my job.

Thatday I feltlikeI had joinedthepress corps ofTijuana and Mexico.I felt I had arrived andhad joinedtheclub.ButI hadn’t really, andI’mstillnotin it.

I’m a foreign correspondent workingfor a U.S.news outlet.I report all over Mexico (and CentralAmericaandtheCaribbean),butwhileI’ve now hada few scoldings frompublicofficials,I’ve never had to dealwith thedangerandfearmy Mexican colleagues do. Mexico hasbeencalledthe mostdangerousplaceinthe world to be a reporter outsidea war zone.Thepress rights group Article 19 hasdocumented 148 killings of journalistsin Mexico since2000 There have been29 sincePresident Andrés Manuel LópezObrador tookofficein 2018 Onlyoneofthese journalistskilledin Mexico thiscentury hasbeen a foreigner, a New York City independent journalist killedinOaxacain2006

On a recent chillynightin Mexico City, hundredsofmedia workersandsupporters gatheredoutside theInteriorMinistry to protestthree journalists’ killings inthe firstthree weeks of this year: a reporter stabbedat leastseven timesin Veracruzon Jan. 10,a photographer gunned downinTijuanaon Jan. 17 and oneofthatbordercity’s longtime broadcast journalistsshot to deathsixdayslater.A fourth reporter was killed,thistimein Michoacán,after theprotest,on thelastday of January, bringing thetally to fourinthisbloody beginning to 2022.

In Mexico City, many reportersspoke aboutthefearthey’ve

faced workingin Mexico.Some talked aboutbeingbeatenup, receivingthreateningphone callsand gettingbulliedonsocial media.Besidessomemean tweets,I’ve never faced such abuses.I’ve never receiveda deaththreator evena menacing warning. Sure,I’ve been told to leave somewhere while reporting, beenpushed, chasedandfollowed bysecurity agents I’ve even foundmyselfinadvertently inthemiddleof a shootoutin Michoacán. When worried relativesand friendsquestionme aboutmysafety while working in Mexico, I usually tellthemwhatI tellmyselfallthetime:If I were to dieonthe job,it wouldprobably be a resultof a caraccident ratherthan repercussions froma storyI did.

Don’t get me wrong.I’ve written about corruptpoliticians in Mexico about drug trafficking andorganizedcrime gangs infiltratingmuch oflifehere.ButI report outof Mexico City, not ina small town where everyone knows everyone and knows who isbeholden to whom. I don’tface thesamedangerssuch journalistsdo. When I work outsidemajor city centers orinother countries, I often hire local reporters to helpmemaneuver around areasthatare unknown to me, findtherightpeople to talk to and remainsafewhentalking to thewrongpeople. We callthem fixers, and it’s hard to fix what they dealwith.They tellme about the dangerstheyfaceand how theymanage to do journalisminsomeofthemostdifficult placesinthe world We stayin

touch longafter mystories are filed.

Latelythosecatch-up conversationsare not cheery.

When a coolerwith a severed head was placedinthe parking lotofthenewspaper in a northernborder town where one fixer worked, I called himimmediately.I was so relieved whenhe pickedupthephone. Whena photographer was gunneddown in Port-au-Prince,Haiti, I called mylongtime fixer and justlistened to himtalk about his colleague’s killing When a wellknown journalist whose door was always open to international colleagues was gunneddown on thestreet inCuliacán, Mexico, nearhis office, I flew in to attend hisfuneral.

Iflew againlastmonth to Tijuana to attendanother funeral,huganotherwidow, andoffer condolences to the childrenofa slain colleague. I metupwithold reporter friends,saw thenew cropof journalists fillthehalls andspilloutinto thestreet ofthe funeralhome.

Ifeel the anger my colleagues here andaroundthe regionfeel asthemurdersofmedia workers climb.I feeltheirimpotenceas impunity rages and thesekillings go unsolved. I listen,I cry, I write stories aboutthesavagenessofit all. I even shouted “Justice!”a few timesatthatprotestin Mexico City. But I stilldon’tfeelthesame dangerthey do.

EventhoughI’mpart of Mexico’s press corps, I reallyamnot. Kahn isacorrespondent forNational Public RadiowhocoversMexico,Central Americaandthe Caribbean.

Iwanted to cry hard,but I held backmy tears,because I didn’t want to be recordedinphotosand invideointhat condition,while we waitednext to thepoliceline.I askedmyself, over and over again, “What wentwrong? Why didn’t we see it coming?”

Margarito had toldus justa monthbefore that hefelt at risk.

Ikept repeating his words in my head while I checkedhismessages onmyphonebecause hehad come to me to seekmore information abouttheprotectionmechanism Mexico hasfor journalistsand human rightsdefenders—a system thatcanprovide protections such asarmed guards,surveillancecamerasandpanicbuttons forthose whofearfortheirlives. It’s a systeminwhich I’manadviser to other journalists.

That week I couldn’tsleep and onSaturday we had a workshopin whichI didnotstopcryingand reflectingonthe “what if.”ButI understoodthatthere was nothingleft to dobut go out and demand justiceforour colleague.

ThenthatSundayat 7 p.m.,six daysafter Margarito’s death,when Iwasabout to review thenewscast’s script, I received another callalertingmethatLourdes Maldonadohadbeenkilled and again, I feltthesame anguish, despair and hate, knowingthat this couldhave beenprevented.

For yet another week, I couldn’t sleep,and I didnotstopanswering calls andmessages from journalists everywhere whoaskedformy opinionaboutwhathadhappened to our two beloved colleagues. Manyofthemalsoaskedme whatit was like to be a journalistin Tijuana. I was hesitant to reply consideringthebigdifference betweenwhatitfeltlike before these two executionsandafter them.As a result, I donotfeel secure.

Dayslater,I stillcrya little when I reflectonthe “whatif?”But nowI feelmore confidentansweringthisquestion.Being a journalistinTijuanameans workingwhile athighriskasitisin Mexico Our president,Andrés ManuelLópez Obrador, whoispart of the Morenapoliticalparty accuses journalistsofbeing a mafia.He calls outandcriticizes reporters publiclyat press conferences when hedoesn’tlike theirquestions.He accusesusofseekingproblemsin hisadministration.

Being a journalist inTijuana meansthat you mustdealwitha society ofpeoplewho,inperson or onsocialnetworks show you their hate because theyhave adopted the government’s propaganda.In recent years,bloggershave sided withthe government, reinforcing itspropaganda every day Someof themviolate the journalistic code ofethics,andtheyhidebehind freedomof expression laws to extort threatenandlibelvictims. Andtheyaccuseusofbeing boughtand controlledbythe government.

Being a journalist inTijuana meansdodgingdanger from organizedcrime and even fromthe government,which makesup systemsitclaimswillprotect you, butunfortunatelymany of the aggressions and threatsthat our colleaguesfaceare connected to elected officialsandauthorities, and too often thecrimesare not investigated.

Despite alltheabove beinga journalistinTijuanameansbeing part of a group thathasbecome more unitedthan ever, demanding justice forourfallen colleagues, coming together to setself-protectionmeasures,andthatwillno longer remain silentor run awayin fear We willnotbesubduedbecause feardoesnotparalyzeus.

DeAnda isamember of theeditorial board of Esquina32,adailylivestreamnews

Facebookandmember of the #YoSíSoyPeriodistacollective.

ALEJANDRO TAMAYO U-T

PROTECTION LACKING FOR JOURNALISTS

BY VICENTE CALDERÓN

Thekillings of two colleaguesinTijuana inlessthan a week are part of a larger tragedy On Jan. 17, theday Margarito Martínez was shot andkilled,seven homicidesincludinghis were officially registeredinthecity by thestate authorities.On Jan. 23 withthe assassinationofLourdes Maldonado,the death tollclosedatfour thatday.

It’s notclearifeither was killeddue to theirprofession,and we need tokeep the pressure onthe authoritiessothatpossibility willnotbeignored.

Butthecrimeshappened inanenvironmentofviolenceandimpunity that Mexico experiences every day and that hasbeen worseningfor years. We must demandthat authoritiesinvestigate whethertheydied directlyorindirectlybecause of their jobs.

We know that in Mexico journalistscan betargeted bydrugcartels,politicians or businessmendue to theirpublications.

Thatiswhyaround2012, andunderpressure fromdifferentorganizations the Mexican governmentcreated a mechanismfor protectionfor journalistsandhumanrights defenders.Itis a seriesof measuresthat range from providing journalists a panic button to providingthembodyguardsand even to relocatingthem to a differentcity, dependingonthelevel ofdanger.

It’s a mechanism thathasproveninsufficient somecallituseless atprotecting journalists,anditsbroader goal,protecting therights of freedomofpressand expression,sinceseveral reportershave beenkilled whileunderthatsupposedprotection.Lourdes Maldonado was one of them,while Margarito had juststarted theprocess to be included onthestate-level mechanism.

Homicidesare so commoninTijuana that even thehighnumbers attractlittle attention from readersorviewers.Andthe perpetrators(especiallythemasterminds) ofmostofthesekillings are notpunishedor even identified.

Unfortunately inthiscity itisnot just reportersandphotographerswhoare victimsofviolence. We couldsaythesame aboutpoliceofficers, humanrightsactivists, lawyers, women,doctors studentsandcitizens.Evenminors are killed more andmore often.

Anotherpart ofthistragedy which has manydimensions— isthelabor conditions for journalismin Mexico.

Margarito workedwithoutanylabor protections.Atthemediaoutlets with which he collaborated,he was anindependent contractor— very similar to theso-called “stringers”oflocalTVstations inthe United States.

Stringers go outmainlyatnight, guided bythepoliceradio frequency, following ambulancesandpolice cars to crashes, fires, crimesandother events.Theirphotosand videosare thensold to mediaoutlets which turnthatraw materialinto their own for theirviewers.

Theyare notpaidaspoorlyas reporters in Mexico Butinhiscase, Margarito went to work without a safety net.

“El Mago,”ashis friendscalled him,decided to take therisks of goinginto thecanyonsandhillsofTijuana’s neighborhoods aloneandatnight,inoneofthemost dangerouscitiesinthe world.It was notentirelyhis own decision There was no companywilling to take responsibility foranemployee with that risklevel,despite theimportanceofthat position.

Longago,Tijuana’s TVstations canceled nightshifts. Manydependonstringerslike Margarito,whoare left withno choicebut to gathermaterialsandputthemselvesin danger ifthey want to sellthem. Inthe case ofLourdes Maldonado,shebecamethe story, without planning it.Itstarted when she decidednot to allow thelaborabuses by themedia companyPacificSpanish Network (now Primer Sistemade Noticias), ownedby theformer governorofBajaCalifornia, Jaime Bonilla Valdez.

In Mexico there is a longhistory ofmedia outletsthatskimponthelegalbenefitsof their workersbyoutsourcing.Itisnotuncommonforthem to usetheirpower ofinfluence to pressure laborauthorities, complicatinganemployee’s rights claim. A 2019 videoofLourdes Maldonadodemanding PresidentAndrés ManuelLópezObrador’s support sothathispersonal friend, Jaime Bonilla Valdez wouldtreat her correctly wentviralonlyafter she was killed.

Apparently, herpetition to thepresident workedandLourdes was close toobtaining compensationlegally Her courage in daring to confront a man who because of his closeness to the Mexicanpresident, was practicallythemostpoliticallypowerful guy inallofBajaCalifornia— and above all her tenacity, gave Lourdesthepossibility of writing a story that would confirmwhat was aloudsecret a caseoflabor abuse bya media companyagainsta journalist.

Sadly thisisthestory ofmany butone only a few have dared to write.The freemarket journalismthat Mexico’s pressprofessionalsendure islessdangerous,but just asharmful to journalismandultimately to society’s right to know. Yearsago, a groupof local journalistsproposedtheneed toexplore a new relationshipbetween companies, news consumers, journalistsandother stakeholders. Joking andusingourSpanglish, we said that we should move from“Free Trade Journalism” to a kindof“FairTrade Journalism,”where we pay attention to both theproduct and the conditionsunderwhich it’s produced.

That’s becauseit’s notunusualfor reportersandphotographers,eager to survive in Mexican journalism, togo out for a story withouttheslightestlaborprotectionsand witha mechanismthat inthe current conditionsofimpunity, doesnot reallyprotect journalistsoranyoneelse.

You don’t reallyhave freedomofthepress if yourneighbordoesn’t.Andnobodyis really safe whenthislevel ofviolenceandimpunity issoclose to home.

Calderón isthe founderanddirector of TijuanaPress.com,adailynewswebsite.Hehas worked onbothsides of theborder for over30 years. Thisessay wasinitiallywritteninSpanishandtranslated by TheSan DiegoUnion-Tribune.

TOGETHER,WEFEELLESSALONE

BY MARIANA MARTÍNEZ ESTÉNS

Ifindoutabout Margarito’s murder and go mute. A memory comesclearly;themorning heinvitedmeforbreakfastat hismom’s house. We hadgloriousburritosaftera longnight of covering too much death.He was generous to a fault,despite ourlimitedinteractions.

Ithinkabouthisdaughter now left fatherless,andhow shefoundhisbody.I’mbeginning to wrapmyhead around thatcruelty whenI hearabout Lourdes. Mysilencewidens, deepens.

Inprivate and away from thepubliceye, I help,support, participate thebest I can.In public, I amsilent. I don’t have anything to saythatdoesn’t stinkofthesame old shit I grew uphere inTijuana.This borderismyhomebasewhere Ihave been a reporter for20 years. Ifeel asifmybodyis floatingin a bodyof water. I’mdizzy, sad,angry fearful,indisbelief. Ifeel guiltand relief to be alive. Allthese feelings hitmein waves despite my bestefforts toget work doneordothe dishes.

Itry not to bepart ofthe samecastof characterssuspendedintimein anendless playofsorts.Thekillingofa journalistin 1997 2004,2012

feelslikea sadanddusty rerun of a show with thesameplot:a journalistdoesherorhis job, getsthreats, files a complaint, changessourcesfor a few months, even has a cop outside thehousefor a bitor getsa phoneappinstalledwitha “panic button.”

The journalist isafraid,but keeps workinguntilheorsheis killed.The journalistsleft behind lead a protest. We cover our own protestsandtake turnstakingpictures.The state agentssaythisisunacceptable Theypromisea thorough investigation and thendonothing. Thenanother journalist getsthreats and the same show starts to rerun.

Someone on themany chats I belong to saidsadly that“society doesn’t get outragedwhen we are killed.”

Iimaginethe average Mexican,without job security or safety inthestreets, walking home every nightfearingfor themselvesandloved onesin this country fullofmass graves andinjustices. Dopeople have anyanger left over to share withus?Isit fairthat we askforthat? For journalists, deathinthe lineofduty istheultimate cost, yet there are manyothersthat add upbeforea killing. Reportersfacelow payand

often nobenefits,with Mexican outlets paying$2.50 U.S.per picture used or $50 for a story. Thousandsof journalists all over Mexico work withnosupport,little restandnomental healthprotocols. After decadesof working professionally theystillstruggle to support andraise a family, or even have enoughofa private life to have timefora familyinthe firstplace. That’s the context.

According to Artícle 19,a journalististhreatenedin Mexico every 12 hours.The mainaggressors are governmentofficialswhoare known to even usepublicforce to make goodonsuch threats.Read thatagain.Themainaggressorsare governmentofficials whoare known to even use public force to make good on such threats.

Itmakesmy chesthurt.

Despite the constant fingerpointingatnarcos andorganizedcrime,datashowsthe biggestenemyof journalismis our own governmentatvarious levelsand offices,including thoseinpoliticalpartiesand those runningforpublicoffice.

Icatch mybreath and think thatmaybethisinformation canbeused as a threadthat mightbindourpain to the rest ofthe grieving,suffering people in Mexico Our constantag-

gressorisnotsomuch organizedcrimeasitisthestate actors eitherthrough their actionorinaction.They constantly feedinjusticeanda culture ofdeath anddespair. Somaybetheanswerliesin sharing our painwithother pains,softlythreading our experiences together to feel less alone getting together to push forcitizen participation that has consequenceand binding human rightsinvestigations,looking for justice mechanismsthat actually work.

Ialsocan’thelpbutfocuson theurgentneedforbetter working conditionsfor journalists andhow maybe all ofit working togethermightcrack alightinthisheavycementgrayscenario.

As I finishmy work andmy dishes,I’mstilldizzy with conflicting feelings coming in waves.Stillmute, I lighta candle to remindmyself:It’s alwaysdarkestbefore the dawn.

MartínezEsténs isa Tijuana-based Mexicanjournalistwith over 22 years of experiencecoveringtheborderwith NBC,AP,Milenio Radioandother outlets.Her firstbook, availablein EnglishandSpanish,“Inside People: Historiasdesdela reclusión,”cameout in2021anddetailsher experiences workinginprisons.

LET’STURNAPPRECIATIONINTO ACTION

BY ERINSIEGALMCINTYRE

Nearly 10 yearsago,the AmericanwriterMichelle García and Mexican reporter IgnacioAlvaradoAlvarezpublished a searing reported essay that examinedthe exploding caninepopulationofCiudad Juárez,looking at what happened to dogs duringthecity’s peak violence.Attimes,their piece noted, we needonlypause to noticetheanimalsaroundus to fully grasp justhow frayed thesocial contracthasbecome

Thesixhazy daysbetween the assassinationsof Margarito “4-4 MartinezandLourdes MaldonadoinTijuanadidn’t provideenoughtimefor reality to sink in betweenkillings.The press continued reportingthe news,cloakedinpolishedprofessionalismandunable to pause.

And as collective disbelief meltedinto uneasy comprehension, a photographlitupsocial media feeds.It wasa simple image takenbyphotographer Yolanda Moralesoutside Maldonado’s home. Init theslain journalist’s dog,Chato,lies at the doorasifin wait. Yellow crime scenetapesurrounds the frontyard.ElPaís columnist JacoboGarcíadescribedit,in part,as a portraitofan“abandoned profession.”

Thepress organized, yet again.Thistime,themarch wasn’toutside La Antigua, asit was inRosarito backin2017 after Luciano RiveraSalgado, 29 was shotinthehead.Andit wasn’t a demonstrationwhere we stoodfor a national periodof silence, as we did in frontofan armyofsmallpaintedcrosses bytheborder wallinColonia Libertadafter thekillings in 2012 Again, we turned to the

statistics aboutthe Mexican pressthathumiliate uswith theirstark impotence and relentlessabstraction:atleast 467 journalists underfederal protection; a journalistattacked roughly every 10.75 hours,a third ofall journalists killed worldwide in2021, 15 journalistsdisappearedwho remainmissing. A 45percent spike inattacks onthemedia workersbetween2019 and2020. Astunning95percentofthe killings since2011 stillunsolved. Butasmediaprofessionals andmembers of a sprawling cross-border community, we mustseizemeaning.Our veneerofemotionaldistance cannotdrive thenarrative ina way thatunderscores importance We must resist.

AsTijuana’s Gabriela Martínez toldNPR witha steadyeloquenceandpoise that reducedme totearsinmy kitchen whileour colleagues cannolonger continuetheir work we can.It’s ourhonorand responsibility Letuspourourappreciationinto action. To start,don’tsuccumb to thepaceofthenewscycle. Instead pitch continuing coverage to youroutlet.Ifa bossoreditorpushesbackwith “no onecaresaboutwhathappens to journalists except other journalists,”aslongtime AP Mexico City bureau chief KathyCorcorannotedlast week,be ready to educate.In fact,passthem a copyofCorcoran’s piece Coveringthe “what next” withrigorand excellence is a choice,andit’s up to each of us to ignite those conversationsinournewsrooms Worriedaboutclicks? Use thedog photo— justmake sure the photographer ispaid,andpaid

equitably.

To engage inthe “rarestand purestformof generosity,” as Simone Weilputit,issimple: Decide to pay attention.

Second, we canpushfor collaboration,anddraw inspiration from recentaccomplishments. Working together deepensour reporting,broadensour reach,andmaximizes our resources.Thebinational collective ElColectivo 23 de Marzo followed theaftermath ofthe killing of La Jornada’s MiroslavaBreach. “TheCartel Project,” a five-part seriesby60 reporters,publishedin2020 across25outlets worldwide, investigatedthe2012 murder of Proceso correspondent Regina Martínezin Veracruz.

Third, as Marcela Turati statedin a powerful keynote speech atoneoftheannual Investigative Reportersand Editors conferences,when Americansthinkaboutthe dangers Mexican journalists face,it’s not “justabouthelping us,it’s abouthelping yourselves as well.”Organizedcrime operatesacrossborders. Powerful people frequently hold dual citizenship,andwhathappens inone country affectstheother.

Electedofficials verbally degradethepress inboth countries;ideasplantedbydisinformationcampaignsdripinto public discourseonbothsides. We can financiallysupport professional organizationslike Periodistas a Pie,Article 19, the Committeeto Protect JournalistsandReporters Without Borders(ReportersSansFrontiéres or RSF),furtheringtheir work We canencourage the U.S. government to sustain ongoinginitiativesatthe U.S. AgencyforInternational Development(USAID) that provide crucialbackingfornongovern-

mentalorganizations working onpress freedomin Mexico and beyond.

Fourth,forthosewho teach journalism, we candiscuss positionality, openlyand frankly. What are our responsibilities to colleaguesinsideour newsroom? Whataboutbeyondourborders?

Why?The internsare the change agents. It’s not hyperbole to saythey embodyourhopefor a better future. We mustmustempower them,helpthem realize just how much isatstake,and underscore how necessary their voicesare.

Finally we canraisethebar when it comes to professionalisminforeign reportingby U.S journalists,insisting on theuse ofmore accurate termslike “producer or “reporter” insteadof“fixer.”Advocate for fairpay Share yourbylineand give creditwhere it’s due,be transparentabout yourday rate withothersstringingfor thesamewire or outlet,and start conversations aboutpay disparity. AsAline Corpusof Reforma andmanyothers have noted,creditingpartnersenablesvisibility. If co-produced work endsupwinning journalism awards,nooneisleft outof thecelebration.Thatmight soundtrite,butit’s crucial when it comes to findingthe strengthneeded tokeep going andbuilding collective resilience.

Every small joy helpsthwart despair inthefaceofsuch abjecthorror. We’re alive, yes, but we’re onlyasstrongasour collectiveresilience.

SiegalMcIntyre isaninvestigative journalist,authorandprofessor of journalism at the University of North Carolina at ChapelHill.Shelivedand workedin Tijuanafrom2010-2019.

Holdingherglasses,Elena Frausto,wifeofAlfonso Margarito MartínezEsquivel, saysgoodbyeathis funeralatCemetery Santa Gemaon Jan. 21 inTijuana.Thephotojournalist wasshot to deathoutsidehishomeinTijuanaon Jan. 17.

ALEJANDRO TAMAYO U-T

Dr Patrick Soon-Shiong

Executive Chairman

Jeff Light Publisher and Editor Lora Cicalo

Managing Editor Matthew T. Hall Editorial and OpinionDirector

JOURNALISM ANDTRUTHUNDERFIREINMEXICO

Awarontruthis claiming more casualties in Mexico than in any other country. Thirteen journalists have beenkilledin Mexico in the last nine months,four in January alone, two inTijuana justsixdays apart For years,more journalists have beenkilledin Mexico than in any other nationon Earth,according to data fromtheCommitteeto Protect Journalists No nation has more journalistdeaths inthe past five years.Only war-tornSyriahas more in thepast decade.Since2011, 95 percent ofthecasesof journalists killedare unsolved.

Thekillingoffour Mexican journalistsin January— each with historiesof reporting on violentdrug cartels or government corruption orboth— was only thelatest chance forthe nation’s leaders to reckonwiththis.Reporter José

Luis GamboaArenas was stabbed atleast seven times in Veracruzon Jan. 10, then three others were shot to deathin a spanof two weeks: photojournalistAlfonso Margarito

MartínezEsquivelinTijuana on Jan. 17 online newshost María

Guadalupe Lourdes Maldonado

López inTijuana on Jan. 23, and lawyerand journalistRoberto Toledoin Michoacán on Jan. 31.

Vigils were held in dozens of cities across thenationon Jan.25

Journalismundersiege

after Maldonado’s killingand a 2019 videoofher telling PresidentAndrés Manuel López Obrador(AMLO) “I fear for my life”circulated widely. But willtheseunjustdeaths lead to greater protectionsfor journalists and principles of freedom ofthe press freedom of speech andthe powerof truth-telling that they represent? It’s impossible to predict— and hard to beoptimistic.

Adecadeago,the Mexican governmentestablished a program meant to provide protectionsfor journalists and humanrights activ-

istswhofacedthreatsof violence.It sounds good providing journalists witha cellphone appthat functions asa “panicbutton,” havingpolice check ontheir homesand relocating them in a differentcity if theyfaced extreme risk But Maldonado was only oneof many journalists killed despite being enrolled in thisprogram.Anddespite thedecade-old program, Mexico remains the most dangerous nationfor journalists.

The consensus is that the governmentlikes the status quo, welcomes journalists feeling constantly intimi-

dated, anddoesn’t wantthe spotlight putonlocal, state andfederal officials who are often workingwith the cartelsthatdominate much of the nation.

Nothing suggests otherwise.

AMLO’s hostility to the media rivalsthat ofthe 45th U.S.president. “Who’s Who inThis Week’s Lies”— an excoriation of journalists whose reporting he contends is exaggerated orinvented is a regular feature inhis frequentnews conferences InApril 2019, four months after taking office,AMLO told reporters,“If you gotoo far you know what will happen.” He laterdenied that wasa threat ofphysicalviolence againstthosewhose reporting displeased him,butin a nation where journalistsare killedwith impunity, itsounded like one.

Homicidesandviolent crime in general marthebigger picture that Mexico is a vibrant successstory,a nationonthe rise that has a wealthier, healthier, more educatedmiddle class than ever. But without journalists toexpose official corruption,there is a limit onwhat Mexico can become.Anduntil AMLO andother Mexicanleaders acceptthecrucial role journalists play, anddomore to ensure their safety, more are sure to die.

Es verdad

Mexicoleadsthelistofcountrieswiththehighest countofjournalists killedin2021. According to theCommitteetoProtect Journalists, 45 reporters were killedin21 countrieslastyear. Amonthinto 2022,fourjournalists inMexicohave alreadybeenkilled.

Arctic Ocean

Georgia:1 AleksandreLashkarava,July11

Lebanon:1 LokmanSlim, Feb. 3or4

Canada

United States

Netherlands:1 PeterR.deVries, July15

Azerbaijan:2 SirajAbishov, June4

MaharramIbrahimov, June4

Afghanistan:4 Bismillah AdelAimaq,Jan.1

MinaKhairi,June3

DanishSiddiqui,July 16

Toofan Omar,Aug.8

Greece:1 GiorgosKaraivaz,April9

India:5 SulabhSrivastava,June 13

Chennakeshavalu, Aug.8

ManishKumarSingh, Aug.8-10 Raman Kashyap, Oct.3-4 AvinashJha,Nov. 9-12

Bangladesh:1 Borhan UddinMuzakkir,Feb.20

Mexico:9 BenjamínMoralesHernández,May2-3

Gustavo SánchezCabrera,June 17

SaúlTijerina Rentería,June22

Ricardo DomínguezLópez,July22

JacintoRomeroFlores,Aug.19

ManuelGonzálezReyes,Sept.28

GerardoAntonioMorenoAranda, Oct.4

Fredy FernandoLópezArévalo,Oct.28

AlfredoCardoso Echeverría, Oct.31

Haiti:1 DiegoCharles, June29

Atlantic Ocean

Colombia:1 Marcos EfraínMontalvo, Sept.19

Israelandthe Occupied

Pacific Ocean Pacific Ocean

Palestinian Terrority:1 Yousef AbuHussein,May19

Yemen:1 RashaAbdullahal-Harazi,Nov.9

Burkina Faso:2 DavidBeriain,April26-27

RobertoFraile,April 26-27

Democratic Republic of theCongo:1 JoëlMumbereMusavuli, Aug. 13

Myanmar:2 SoeNaing, Dec. 10-14

SaiWin Aung(A SaiK), Dec. 25

Philippines:3 RenanteCortes, July22

Orlando“Dondon”Dinoy, Oct.30 JesusMalabanan, Dec.8

Ethiopia:2 Dawit KebedeAraya,Jan.19 Sisay Fida,May9

Pakistan:3 AjayLalwani,March18 Shahid Zehri, Oct. 10 Muhammad ZadaAgra,Nov.8

Indian Ocean

Somalia:2 Jamal FarahAdan,March1 AbdiazizMohamudGuled,Nov. 20

Indonesia:1 MaraSalemHarahap,June18

’18’19’20’21’22

JournalistskilledinMexicobyyear Mexicoisconsideredone of themost dangerous countriesinthe world forjournalists outsideactivewar zones. Alreadythis year,fourjournalists have beenkilled.Since 2000,therehave been129killed.

STEV E BREE N TheSanDiego Union-Tribune

CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS

NOTE: Somecity councils have reopened theirmeeting spaces to thepublic Public participationisstillpossible by phone links to the meetings,livestreamingmeetings and/oremailing comments. Visit each agency’s website for details,usually found under“Meetings or “Agendas.”

TEMECULA

The TemeculaCity Council meets at 7 p.m.onthesecond andfourth Tuesdaysof the month.Thenextmeeting is Feb.8 City Councilmeetings are televised live on SpectrumChannel 3 and Frontier FiOS TV Channel 3 and rebroadcastonthefollowing Tuesday Theycan also bestreamed live on TemeculaTV; gototemeculaca.gov/tv. Public commentsmaybesubmitted via email to thecity clerk, randi.johl@temeculaca.gov

HEMET

TheHemetCity Council meetsat 7 p.m.on thesecond andfourth Tuesdaysofthe month.Thenextmeetingis Feb.8.Councilmeetings can beviewed live online athttps:// www.hemetca.gov/816/Council-Chambers---LIVE,orcan be watchedlateronthecity’s YouTube channel, www.youtube.com/user/ thecityofhemet.Public commentsmay be submitted on orbefore2 p.m.onmeeting daysby filling outtheformat https://tinyurl.com/hemetcomments.

LAKEELSINORE

The Lake Elsinore City Councilmeetsat 7 p.m. on the secondand fourth Tuesdaysofthemonth. The next meetingis Feb.8.CityCouncil meetings are televised live onSpectrumChannel29and FrontierChannel 31 They can alsobestreamed online athttp://www.lake-elsinore.org/city-government/ city-council/webcast-videos. Public commentsmaybe submitted via email to calvaraez@lake-elsinore.org.

MENIFEE

The Menifee City Council meetsat 6 p.m onthe first and third Wednesdaysof each month.Thenextmeetingis Feb. 16 Councilmeetings can beviewed onlineat http://menifeeca.iqm2.com/ Citizens/calendar.aspx.Public comments canbesubmitted via email to publiccomments@cityofmenifee.us.

MURRIETA

TheMurrietaCity Council meetsat 6 p.m.onthe first and third Tuesdaysofthe month.Thenextmeetingis Feb. 15 Councilmeetings can beviewed live via the city’s website athttps://www.murrietaca.gov/129/AgendasMinutes-Video oron Facebook Live at www.facebook.com/CityofMurrieta.

PERRIS

ThePerrisCity Council meets at 6:30 p.m on the second andlast Tuesdays of the month.Thenextmeetingis Feb.8. Live and recorded meetings canbeviewed at https://tinyurl.com/perrismeetings. Public comments may beemailed to publiccomment@cityofperris.org.

WILDOMAR

The WildomarCity Councilmeetsat 6:30 p.m.onthe second Wednesday of the month.Thenextmeetingis Feb.9.Councilmeetingscan beviewed live onlineonthe city’s website,cityofwildomar.org,byclickingonthe livestreamlink at the top of the homepage,oronTVon FrontierChannel 36 or AT&TChannel99 Public commentsmay besubmitted viaemail to jmorales@cityofwildomar.org.Agendas and videoscanbeviewed online athttps://tinyurl.com/ wildomar-meetings.

BOARDOKS FIREMITIGATIONCHARGES FORPROPERTY OWNERS CITYNEWS SERVICE

RIVERSIDE

TheBoard ofSupervisorson Jan.25approvedtheRiverside CountyFire Department’s request to attach fire mitigation charges to thetaxbillsofmore than 300property owners who officials say have notpaidthe costof abating weeds andotherpotential fire hazards aroundtheirparcels.

“We have to recover our costs.

We’re nottrying to padour General Fundhere,”SupervisorChuck Washington saidaheadofthe5-0 vote.

According to the fire department, 327property ownersin communities countywideare delinquentand owe a total$178,530 under the county’s Fire Hazard

Reduction Program.Theamounts stem fromactivityin calendar year 2020. The reductionprograminvolvesdeploying contractors to clear weedsand related overgrowththatmightotherwisefuel brush fires duringwildfire season, which generallyspans May to November. Inmostcases,the parcels that were mitigated were vacant, setoff frommain residencesand near roadsthatmightbethreatenedduringwildlandblazes,according to the fire department. Officialssaidpropertyowners were served withorders to abate, or mitigate,thepotential hazards, andwheninspectors receivedno replyorsaw thatnoactionhad beentakenwithin a 30-dayperiod, landscaping contractors were sent

to the locationsunder fire departmentauthority to clear awaythe excessfoliage. “ThepurposeoftheFire Hazard ReductionProgramis to reduceor eliminate fire hazardscreated by vegetative growth and the accumulationof combustibledebris,which poses a danger to the health,safety and welfare ofthe residentsinthe vicinityofany real property as wellasirreparable harm to sensitive habitatand species,”according to anagency statement. According to documentsposted to theboard agenda,delinquent propertyowners were billedanywhere from$254 to $3,159perproperty.A $254 administrativefee was alsofoldedinto the final invoices sent to thepropertyowners.

LOCAL COLOR

Editor’snote:Amidthe recent increaseof coronavirus cases, some events may be canceled or movedonline.Pleasecheckwiththe eventorganizers/websites to confirm before attending.

Feb.6

TEMECULA

Sunday Funday at VailHQ

VailHeadquarters will hostits weeklySunday Funday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.withlocal vendors,train andstagecoach rides,familyactivitiesand a DJonthe VailHeadquartersStage. VailHeadquarters isat 32115 TemeculaParkway For information,visitwww.vailhq.com.

Feb.8

WILDOMAR

Coffee talks

ThemonthlyCoffee withthe City of Wildomarseries continues at8:30a.m. Feb. 8. Heldthesecond Tuesday of the month,the free eventshostedbythe city andthe Murrieta/WildomarChamber of Commerceprovidean opportunity for residents to connect withcity officials.EmailRhonda Warnerat rwarner@mwcoc.org formore information.

Feb. 10

MURRIETA/WILDOMAR

Networkingbreakfast

TheMurrieta/WildomarChamber of Commerce holds itsmonthly

networkingbreakfaston Feb. 10. Themeetingincludesnetworking from 7:30to 8 a.m.followed bythe regularprogramat 8 a.m. Cost is $15 forpre-registeredmembers $25 forpre-registerednon-members, $30 atthedoorforanyonenot registered inadvance;SoapBox Minute costs$25 Information:https:// tinyurl.com/murr-chamber-events.

Feb.12

TEMECULA

SecondSaturday

The Temecula ValleyMuseum offersitsSecondSaturday cultural programSaturday Feb. 12 withactivities exploring other cultures. The February program, inhonor of Black History Month, will examine the culture andtraditions of Benin, Africa Programshave explored Mexico,Germany, Scotland, Hawaii, Australia, Jamaica,Cuba, VietnamandIndia, among others. To checkouttheprogramandthe activities, visit https://tinyurl.com/ tvm-second-saturday.

Feb. 16

TEMECULA

EveningMixer

The Temecula ValleyChamber ofCommercewillholdsits February EveningMixer from 5:30to7 p.m. Wednesday Feb. 16 The event is free for chambermembers,$30 for guests.Registerathttps://members.temecula.org/events

Feb.19

TEMECULA

HipletBallerinas

The final performanceofthe Te-

meculaPresents’DanceSerieswill feature theHipletBallerinas with theirmixofballet and hip-hop.The performancewill be at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 19 attheOld TownCommunity Theater 41051 MainSt.Ticketsare availableatthetheaterandonline at temeculatheater.org. A free, 90minute MasterDanceClasswill be offeredat 11 a.m. Feb. 19 Register fortheclassbycalling(866) 6538696

Feb. 22

MURRIETA Coffee talks

TheCoffee withtheCity ofMurrietaseries continues at 8:30 a.m. on thefourth Tuesdayof themonth. The free eventshosted by thecity andtheMurrieta/WildomarChamberofCommerceprovideanopportunity for residents to connectwith city officials Information:https:// business.murrietachamber.org/ events/calendar/2022-01-01.

Feb. 23

TEMECULA

MorningMixer

The Temecula ValleyChamber ofCommercewillholditsvirtual

February MorningMixerat 9 a.m.

Wednesday, Feb. 23, via Zoom.The eventis free for chambermembers, $30 for guests.Registration is requiredathttps://members.temecula.org/events.

Feb.25

TEMECULA Rughooking exhibit The Temecula ValleyMuseumin cooperationwiththe North County

The charges will now function astaxliensontheproperties.

Last August,Supervisor Kevin Jeffries expressed concernthatthe fire departmenthadnotmoved forward with revisingits appeals process to addressmistakenlyimposed charges. “There have beencasesinthe pastwhere it was nottheactual propertyowner who was abated, but a party with a parcelnext to them,” Jeffriessaid. “Sothewrong parcel wascitedin theassessment. Therehasn’tbeen anappeals processforanimproperassessment.” Officialsassured Jeffriesthat theagency wasmakingprogressin amendingthe currentprocess to ensure errantassessmentsare dealt withprior to reachingthe board.

WoolGathererswillopen an exhibit onTheArtof RugHookingon Feb. 25 The exhibitwill run though April 3at themuseum at SamHicks MonumentPark,28314 Mercedes St., Temecula.Themuseumisopen Tuesday throughSunday 10 a.m. to 4p.m. For more information, visit temeculavalleymuseum.org.

Ongoing

TEMECULA

Children’s storytimes

TheRonaldH.Roberts TemeculaPublic Library holds severalstorytime eventsforbabies, toddlers and preschoolers every week.Generallyheldmornings on Tuesdays throughThursdays,the eventsfeature avarietyofstoriesand related activities.Information:https://temeculaca.gov/445/Ronald-H-Roberts-Temecula-Public-Library.

VALLEYWIDE

Blooddonations

Donations of blood andplasma are neededforpatients throughout the region. LifeStream continues to hostmobileblooddrivesatvarious locations as wellas collections atits regularlocations. Face coverings are required ofalldonors, regardless of location and all potential donorsare subject to a temperature check and COVID-19 symptom review.TheMurrieta donationcenter is at40365 Murrieta HotSprings Road, and isopenseven daysa week;hoursvary. Information: www.lstream.org.

Emailcommunity eventinformation at least three weeksinadvance to temecula@sduniontribune.com.

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

CLASSICPEANUTS byCharlesSchulz

HAGARTHEHORRIBLE/ byDikBrowne

HANKKETCHAM'SDENNISTHEMENACE

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SALLYFORTH/ by FrancescoMarciuliano &JimKeefe

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PARDONMYPLANET/ byVicLee

LA CUCARACHA/ byLaloAlcaraz

POOCHCAFE'/ byPaulGilligan

THEDUPLEX/ by GlennMcCoy

BIGNATE/ byLincolnPeirce

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RETAILTRENDS

Circus Vargas returning to SanDiego regionwith exhilaratingnewshow to indulgethesenses

Thebigoneisback.Aftera two-yearhiatusCircus Vargas is bringingitshigh-energy action-packedentertainment experience back to theSanDiego region.

Thecircus’all-new 2022 production,“Circus Vargas Express,”is billedas a “amust-see,show-stoppingspectacularcertain to spark theimaginationandindulge thesenses.”

Each two-hour performancefeatures world-classperformers, aerialists,acrobatsand comedic characterswhowillthrill and enchantaudiencesundertheBig Top,creatingunforgettable memoriesforfamiliesandattendeesofall ages.

Performanceswillbeheld:

• Feb.4-14 at WestfieldPlaza Bonitain NationalCity

• Feb. 18-March 7 at WestfieldMission ValleyinSanDiego March 11-28 at Westfield North County in Escondido Masks are requiredforpatrons,in keepingwiththe county mandate. For timesandticketinformation,visitcircusvargas.comorcall (800) 675-2441.

Catchthe excitementofthebig topatCircus Vargas’allnewproduction touringthe SanDiego regionthrough March.

Welk TheatreinEscondidopresents zany “Nunsense” featuringperformersbeloved by San Diegoaudiences

WelkResortsTheatre iscelebratingthenew yearwith a hilariousproductionofthepopularmusical, “Nunsense,” runningnow through March 27.

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WelkResortsTheatreispresentingthehilariousmusical, “Nunsense,”nowthrough March 27

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Withstar turns,tapandballet dancing anaudiencequiz,and comicsurprises,“Nunsense”hasbecomeaninternational phenomenon,withmore than 5,000productions worldwide in 21 languages. The Welkshow isbeingdirectedby Noelle Marion,whohas appearedas a castmemberinpast “Nunsense”productions and is deeplyfamiliar withtheshow. Luke Harvey Jacobsisthe choreographer Performancesare at 1 and 7 p.m.Saturdaysand 1 p.m.Sundays Thetheaterisat8860 Lawrence WelkDrive inEscondido For tickets,visitsandiegotickets.welkresorts.com.

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Thepeoplecreating the chaos were above heronthe organizational chart.

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Thisproblemhasstoppedme fromlookingfor work because Idon’tknowwhat to say to theinevitable“Why did youleave?”question.Ileftbecause Irefused to be mistreated.Anysuggestions?That,of course,ison topof the3-year gapInow have onmy resume.Andno, Ihaven’t beenusingmytime to volunteerorgotoschool.Thanksin advance,andsorryfor venting.– Anonymous

INDUSTRYLEADERSNOWHIRING

DearAnonymous: Ioftenhear from candidatesdealing withthesamedilemma—theyleftapositiononlessthan perfect termsandarenow worriedabouttheimpacta negativereferencemayhave ontheir jobsearch.Thisisa stickysituationasyou neverknowwhat aformeremployer willsayabout youduring areference check.Still, youcan beproactivetoavoid yourpotentialemployer receivinga lessthanstellar reviewofyourperformance.

First,do youhaveanylettersof recommendation you couldglean fromindividualswhohadtheopportunityto work withyouduringthattimeframe?Idon’timagine youweretheonlymistreatedemployee,correct? Iwould recommendtrying to arm yourselfwithasmuch“proof” that yourdismissalwasnotperformance-related.Perhaps even connectwithpast coworkersvia LinkedInandseek recommendationsthat way—mucheasierfor youandthe recommender—and compile alistofthose commendations to providewith your referencesheetataninterview.

Speakingof referencesheets,can youplaceanyone elseotherthanthe company’sHRrepresentativeoryour formersupervisoron your referencelist? Ioftenadvise candidates to use aformerpeer,adifferentsupervisor, or evensomeone youused to work withwhoisnolonger affiliatedwiththe company,allowing youtoselectthe individualwhowillprovidethemostunbiasedandglowing recommendation.

Asforansweringtheinevitable “Whydid youleave yourlastemployer?”question,I’drecommendsomething like,“While Ithoroughlyenjoyedthemajorityofmy experiencewithXYZCompany,unfortunately,towardthe endofmy tenure,the workplaceandthe culturebecame

intolerablyhostiledue to someleadership changes.I have alwaysbeen committedtomyemployers,displayed unmatcheddedication,andoutperformed expectations, butunfortunately,Icouldnot overcomethenegativityin theoffice generatedbythosewho were playing adirect role inmy oversight.Therefore, Iselected to resign,handling theentireexperiencewiththeprofessionalismandtact Ihaddisplayedthroughoutmyentirecareerwiththe organization.As youcanseefrommyrecommendation letters,myperformance wasstellarduringmy tenure, andmy references—who were formerpeerswho worked withmeeachday—willattest to mydiplomatichandling ofanunfortunatesituationas wellasmy work ethicand dedicationas atop contributor.”

Of course, youarecorrectinnottrying to bad-mouth youremployer,and Idon’tbelieve theabove statement doesthat,but youdohavetobehonestwiththe conditions of yourdeparture.Thisalsowillensurethatifthe company is contactedfor areferenceforsome reason,thehiring managerwillhave aframeof referenceinwhichtojudge thevalidityofany commentsmade. Iwish youthebestof luckin yourtransitionbackintothe workplace.Remember, if youcontinue to letthishinder your

SamanthaNolanisan Advanced PersonalBrandingStrategistandCareer Expert, founderandCEOofNolanBranding. Do youhavearesume,career,orjobsearchquestion forDear Sam? Reach Samanthaatdearsam@nolanbranding.com. ForinformationonNolanBranding’sservices, visitwww.nolanbranding.com or call888-9-MY-BRANDor614-570-3442. ©2021NolanBranding

LagunaAssetManagementisnowhiring afull-timemaintenanceperson

LagunaAsset Managementis afull-serviceproperty management companyspecializinginmanufacturedhousing communities,mobilehomeparks,and RV parks.Full-service managementincludes overseeingofphysicalfacilities,on-site personnelandcapitalprojects,managing resident relations, leasingvacantspaces, rent collection, compliancewith government regulationsandfullbookkeepingassociatedwith

BOOKKEEPING

WORKINGHOURS: 20-25Hrs./week (Flexible)

SALARY: $18-$20/Hour

&EXPERIENCE:

Excellent communicationscapabilities.

Abilitytoanalyze andproblemsolve.

Exceptional attention to detail.

Comfortable workinginoffice setting.

Mustbefully vaccinated

theproperty operations.Additionalservicesincludemobile homeinstallation,property financing,andsales. Overthe yearstheydevelopedsystemsandprocedures to fulfillthesepurposessimultaneously keepinganeyeon theday to daydetailsandmaintaining avisionofthebig picture. Today,LagunaAsset Managementcreates astrategic partnershipwith aselectnumberofsimilarmindedproperty

ownerswho resteasyknowing LagunaAsset Management’s teamofprofessionalsis givingtheir communitythesamelevel ofcareMcKayandRalph expectfortheir owncommunities. We arecurrentlyhiring afull-timemaintenanceperson to handleallmaintenance &landscapingdutiesinEncinitas, CA. To apply,pleaseemail: tony@lagunaassetmanagement.comor 949-481-0910 ext. 191.

ENGINEERING

CAREGIVERS PERSONNELSERVICES,INC. hiringcaregivers forelderly livingin SanDiego County. Work willbeperformed inthe comfortofclients’ homes. F/Tnoexperience req’d. Send resume to personnelservices9@gmail. comorto3403E.Plaza,Ste L,NationalCityCA91950, Attn:JulietMendoza

Cashier:

Receivepaymentandissue receipts.No. Exp.Req’d. Resume to KCOMM(dba: ParisBaguetteatChula Vista)2020Birch Rd.Chula Vista, CA 91915

COMPUTER/IT Optum Services,Inc.SoftwareEngineer.SanDiego, CA.Design,develop,test& deliverhighqualitysoftware solutions to meetexternalor internalcustomer requirementsinan Agile Developmentenvironment. Mail resume:UHGGMI Recruitment at 9900Bren RoadEast, MN008R120, Minnetonka, MN55343andindicate applying for22-CA-3681.

COMPUTER/IT CCSGlobal Techhas fulltime positionsin Poway CA.Forgn eqdegreesok. Mayreqtravel/reloc. Send resume to 13475Danielson StSte230 PowayCA92064 or recruitment@ ccsglobaltech.com.SOFTWAREDEVELOPER.Duties: Createand maintainstrategic&tacticalplans.Design solutions forimplement ofapps &components. Supporttoprogrammers on productdev processes, tech reqandsysintegrations. Devsys designandspecsincluding programlogicflow, flowcharting,test,debug, anddocumentation. Participate inclientinteractions& partnerwith teamSMEs to devsyssolutions.Takebusness reqsanddevthe tech designonmodrately complexprojects andensure properusageinbuildingsys into prod.Bchelors inCS,IT, Engrg or rel.

COMPUTER/IT IT Advisor(ServiceNow) (Business Ops.)(Mngr.) (Mult.Pos.)(605223),Ernst &Young U.S.LLP,San Diego,CA. Analyzebusiness, andotherdataprocessing problems to improvecomputersystems.Requires travelupto80%,of which 20%maybeinternational, to serve clientneeds.Employer willacceptanysuitable combinationofeducation, training,orexperience. For completejobdescription, listof requirements,and to applyonline,goto: ey.com/ en_us/careers,andclickon “Findjobs”(JobNumber605223).

COMPUTER/IT NuVasive, Inc. seeks aDirector, ITGlobalOperations Systems.Collaborateswith keybusinessand technical stakeholders to developand convey aglobaloperational systemsstrategy,visionand roadmapthatwillmaximize business results.Workseffectivelywith awide range of teams to deliverand sustaintheend-to-end customerexperience. Reqs Bachelor’s in Computer Sci, Computer Info Systems, ElectricalEng,orclosely related+10yrsexperiencein anIToccupation.Up to 20% domestictravel tocorporate sites.Telecommutingfrom anyUSlocationpermitted. Jobsite:SanDiego,CA. To apply,pleasesend resume to HRConnect@nuvasive. comand referenceJob Code NUV-P01.

Yourclassified adwillgo to over amillionpeople. Oneofthem must wantthat car you don’t want. CallUs. 866-411-4140

COMPUTER PrincipalBusinessIntelligenceDeveloper sought byCallawayGolf Company in Carlsbad,CA. Design, configure, implement&support SAPsBIsolutions.Req:MS+2 yrs/BS+5yrs.Apply by mail to:Staffing Dept(SW),2180 Rutherford Rd.Carlsbad,CA 92008(Must Ref. JobCode VR0210)

CAST OFF YOUR FISHINGGEAR. THE SANDIEGO

UNION-TRIBUNE CLASSIFIEDS CALLUS. 866-411-4140

COMPUTER/IT Becton,Dickinson &Co. (BD)seeksmultipleSr.Engineers,Software- multiple positionsinSanDiego,CA responsible fordeveloping andmaintainingon-premise andhostedsoftwaresolutions.Req.MS+2orBS+ 5yrsexp.Toapplymail resume to:(BD), Attn: Debbie Tucker,3750 Torrey ViewCt., SanDiego,CA92130.Must referenceJob Title &Code: 000960.EOE.

Cast off your fishing gear. The SanDiego Union-Tribune Classifieds. Call 866-411-4140

COMPUTER/IT MultipleIT PositionsinSan Diego,CA: .NetDevelopers: Analyze, design& rewrite legacyprograms &C#apps usinglatest.NET, .Net core& Ul/UX Technologies. DevOpsDevelopersII: Analyze &implementContinuous Integration /Continuous Dvlpmnt/Continuous Testinginfrastructure, tools,& scriptingengg teams to focusonbuilding features quicklyusingautomated processes. FullstackDevelopers: Dvlpsophisticated client-sideapps forthe web &mobile webbyusing HTML5,CSS3 &JavaScript frameworksuch asAngular JS,React.js/Redux,Backbone.js &Vue.js. Integration Specialists: Managethe design& implementation ofRESTAPIsusingMuleSoft platform&toolslike Design Center, AnypointStudio, Cloudhub &AnypointPlatform. QualityAssurance AnalystsII: Dvlp,document&maintainfunctional testcases &other testartifactslikethe testdata,data validation,harnessscripts& automatedscripts.Allpositions reqtravel/reloc tovariousunanticipatedlocations. Indicate position& send res to:SydataInc.at:paralegal@ sydatainc.com Taxithat carout of yourdriveway. Sellit inthe Classifieds. CallUs. 866-411-4140

COMPUTER Senior Software Engineer (SanDiego,CA).MSinCE, EEor rel; Familiarw/Linux &proficiencyinC/C++, Python, &MATLAB;Expw/ deeplearningframework like TensorFlowand PyTorch; Solid knowl&insightunderstandingof computervision; Clear comm&abilitytowork w/others.Apply to theHRof XSense.ai Inc.,15070 Avenue of Science, Suite101,SanDiego,CA92128.

CAST OFF YOUR FISHINGGEAR. THE SANDIEGO

UNION-TRIBUNE CLASSIFIEDS CALLUS. 866-411-4140

COMPUTER Software Engineer: Developsoftwarethrough theentiredevelopment lifecycle forFinTechlendingindustry, usingindustry specificsoftwaresuchas third-party datainterfaces to developinternalbusiness softwarethat:1)integrates withthird-party dataprovider;2)involves business logic relatedtolending process;3)securesfinancial systemsdata; &4)meets FinTechindustryregulatory compliancestandards.Use object-orienteddesign, Web Services,relationaldatabases, &engageinfront-end &back-end webdevelopment. Performsystemsanalysis.Design, tests, &deploy enterprisesoftware. Collaborate w/team to define clear requirements,deliverables,&milestones.Write &debug codeusingJava, Python,Java Script,Linux Shell.Designalgorithms& implementworkflowsolutions.Troubleshootnetwork issues.Analyze&solvecomplexproblemsacrossstack. Communicate w/3rdparty data-providers.Send CV to HR@applieddatafinance. comorjoblocation:Applied Data FinanceLLC,15373 InnovationDr,Ste 250,San Diego,CA92128

Cashier:

Receivepaymentandissue receipts.No. Exp.Req’d. Resume to YummyShabu Inc. 5667Balboa Ave, San Diego,CA92111

ENGINEERING

Wagner Aeronautical,Inc. seeks SeniorStructureEngineerinEscondido,CA, to perform damage tolerance, fatigue &staticanalysis& testingonaircraftstructures utilizingfatigue &fracture mechanics,non-linear FEM. RequireBachelor’s or foreigneqv.Deg.inMech. Engr.,AerospaceEngr.,or relatedfield.Send CV to tchapman@ wagneraero.com

COMPUTER Principal Software Engineer inSanDiego,CAtoanlyz,dsgn, code,dbug,tst,& dplychngs to systm. Initiativ &dploymntplnn’ng. Comm projstats toteam &bizusrs. Wrkwteamlead to evalsystms&mkdcsionsonfutur dvlpmnt.Lrnemergtech &reslvprblmsinintgrtng new tech wsystms.Maint’n &imprvsystmdoc ovrtime. Ass’tspprtprsnnl nengrs to hlpcmpltassgnmnts.Cndct &perfrglr code rviews. Prtcptinepc,sprnt,&dplymnt plnn’ng. Req’d:Bachin Comp SciorCompEng’g or USequiv.3yrsexpas Dvlpr, S/wreDvlprorS/wreEngr.3 ormreyrsexpdvlpmntdut’s inclanlyzng,dsgng,cod’ng, bldg,tst’ng& dply’ngapp systmsin abizenvrnmnt. Exp wAgiles/wredvlpmnt mthodspref.Exp wSymfony orLaravelfrmwrks;Strng undrstndngofobjctorientd bstprctcsinclSOLIDprncpls &RESTarchtctr.Reqsexprts w ff tech:Lnguags:PHP, HTML,CSS &Javascript.D/ bases: MySQL,OS:Linux. Send CVstoLinda Condon, Business Manager,Slashdot Media,LLC,225Broadway Ste1600,SanDiego,CA 92101. Sayciao toyour Ferrari. SellitintheClassifieds. CallUs. 866-411-4140

Position avail inSanDiego, CA:Senior Application Architect. Mail resumew/ job code to Veyo LLCAttn: S. Reynolds,Job#MK100384,4250Executive Square, Ste. 200,SanDiego, CA 92037. Veyo isproud to bean EqualEmployment OpportunityandAffirmative Actionemployer. We donot discriminate basedupon race,religion, color,national origin,gender(including pregnancy, childbirth,or relatedmedical conditions), sexualorientation,gender identity, genderexpression, age,statusas aprotected veteran,statusasanindividualwith adisability, orother applicablelegallyprotected characteristics.Additio ally,Veyoparticipatesinthe E-Verifyprogramfor alllocations.

Need to liquidate your waterbed? Sellit in The SanDiego Union-Tribune Classifieds. CallUs. 866-411-4140

ENGINEERING Quality TestEngineerIII soughtbyLexisNexis Risk SolutionsFL IncinSanDiego CA to develop/execute automated& performance testing forassignedprojects. MinofMastersorequivin Comp Sci, CompEnggor rltd +1 yrexpinjobofferedor rltdrqd. EE reports to LexisNexis Risk SolutionsFL Inc office in SanDiego CA but maytelecommutefromany locationwithinUS.Apply by mail to ToyiaHayward, 1100 AldermanDr,Alpharetta,GA 30005.

MECHANICAL Heavy EquipmentMechanic. Mountain MoversEngineering Contractors,Inc.San Marcos, CA.JobDuties: Inspectingtrucks,bulldozers &CAT excavators;diagnos faultsusing computerized &non-computerizedequip; perfelec,hydraulic &mech repairsas wellaspreven maint;adjustingequip& replacingfaultyparts;service& maintainour range ofheavy dutyconstruc equip; reportall repairs& diagnoses to management. Hazmatlicense req. 24 mths ofexp req.res&contactinfo to ATTN:KeliSmith545 E. Mission Rd.San Marcos,CA 92069

MEDICALDEVICES

Reqs.5%dom. &5%int’l travel;expensespaid by emp.Mail resumew/Job Code to Dexcom, Inc., Attn.HR,Job#PP-0822, 6340 SequenceDr.,San Diego,CA92121.EOE.

Research&

TurnsOfPhrase

BY NANCYSTARKANDWILLNEDIGER /PUZZLEEDITED BY WILLSHORTZ

GAMES

BY FRANKA. LONGO #2,076

ForgetTheWholeThing

UNDERDOGWINS!

Bothvulnerable,Southdeals

NORTH ♠ KQ1042 ♥ A84 ◆ Q6 ♣ 654

WEST EAST ♠ 86 ♠ 753

♥ Q10 ♥ K95 ◆ J10972 ◆ A853 ♣ 10 932 ♣ A87

SOUTH ♠ AJ9

♥ J7632 ◆ K4

♣ KQJ

Thebidding: SOUTHWESTNORTHEAST

1NT Pass2♥*Pass

2♠ Pass3NT Pass

4♠ Allpass

*Transfertospades

Openinglead: Jackof ◆

Perfectlynormalbidding willsometimesleadtoapoor contract,andthatiswhathappenedhere. Thereweretwo minorsuit acestolose,sosuccessdependedonholdingthe heartstooneloser. Thereare very fewliesoftheheartsuit thatwouldallowthattohappen,but South found away todoit.

Chess SHELBYLYMAN

Throughtheyears,assortedprofootballplayers haveplayedchesstosharpen theirabilitiestooutmanuver opponents. MembersoftheDenver Broncos’OrangeCrushdefenseofthe1970sand’80s playedchess —andpassed alongthattraditiontothe team’sSuperBowlwinnersin 1998and’99,includingquarterbackJohnElway. BaltimoreRavenslineman JohnUrschelplayedchess withquarterbackMattSchaub in2015.UrschellefttheNFL in2017tofinishhisPh.D.in mathfromMIT,andhehopes somedaytobecome anational chessmaster. Thisseason’sNFLplayoffs boasted ahandfulofathletes whoenjoychess:AmariCooperandMicahParsonsof Dallas,JalenHurtsofPhiladelphia,KylerMurrayofArizona andJoeBurrowofCincinnati. Murray,astarquarterback, joinedhiselementaryschool chessclubin Texasandbecameschoolchampion. Today, heplaysonhiscellphonevia theappChess WithFriends. BengalsquarterbackBurrowlearnedchessingrade schoolinOhiowhencold weatherforced recessinside. Intrainingcampthispast summer,achessboardona rollingcartbecame afixturein Cincinnati’slocker room.Burrowplayedwithteammates ThaddeusMossandChidobe Awuzie.

“Chessisfun,”Burrowtold reportersin2021.“It’svery strategic,andyouhavetoplan allyourmoves.Thatkindof callstome.”

“Thefactthatheplays chessletsyouknowthathe’s abletoprioritizecertainthings andarticulatethingsveryfast andhaveformation recognition,”AwuzietoldESPN.com.

Below,formerRavenJohn Urschellosestograndmaster FabianoCaruanainanexhibitionatthe2016LibertySci-

WordyGurdy TRICKYRICKYKANE

Southplayeddummy’s queenofdiamonds at trick one,losingtothe ace.East led adeceptivelow club.A lowheart,instead,mighthave defeatedthe contract,butthat wouldhave beenadangerous play. Thelow club wasagood effort.Therewasnodeceiving Southintheclubsuittoday. He wonwithhiskingand continuedwiththequeenofclubs. Eastwon withhis ace andnow shiftedto alow heart —low, 10,ace.

Southcashed tworoundsof trumps, followedbythe king ofdiamondsandthejackof clubs.He exitedwith aheart to West’s queen.Westhadonly minorsuitcards remaining andhadtoyieldaruff-sluff. Southruffedinhand whilediscarding theheartloserfrom dummy.Making four!

South wasabitlucky, but heputup agoodfightand hedeservedhisresult.The underdog won!

Everyansweris arhymingpairof words(likeFAT CAT andDOUBLETROUBLE),andtheywill fit inthelettersquares. Thenumberafterthe definitiontells you howmanysyllables ineach word.

Features Syndicate

Today’sCryptoquipClue: RequalsU

SUDOKUMONSTER

Man’ssecrecywithiPad raises newquestions forwife

DearAbby: I’ve beenmarried to my husband,“Derrick,”for32 years. We considereachothertobe ourbestfriend, excepthe refuses toallowmetoseeorusehisiPad. (Hehasitpassword-protected.)

Derrickand Ihavebeentogether sincehighschoolandhave maintained avery good relationship. I’mnotsurewhy itbothersmeso muchthatherefusestoletmesee histextmessagesoremails. Idon’t thinkhe’s cheating,but my intuitionissendingme warningsignals thatthiscan’tbe good.Should Ibe concerned,andshould Iconfront him?

OpenBookIn NewYork

DearOpenBook: HasDerrick alwaysbeenthisterritorial,oris hissecretivenesssomething fairly recent?Ifit’sthelatter,then your intuitionistelling yousomething importantand youshouldbe concerned.Beforeyou “confront”him, ask yourself whatyouintendto doif your worstfearsarerealized, andbeprepared forthat.Once that’sdone,tell yourhusband what youhavetoldme —thathiding histextsandemailshasmade you

afraidhehasbeenstraying,and youneed reassurance.

P.S. In the33 yearsmylatehusbandand Iweretogether,Inever, everfelttheneedtolook at his wallet,hismailoremail,orphone becausehenevergavemereason to.Hewasalwaysveryopen,and toldme Iwas welcometo.The reversewasalsotrue.Neitherofus keptsecretsfromtheother.That is what Iwouldwish foryouand Derrick.

DearAbby: My80-year-old motherhasalwaysbeen “difficult.” She’s alwaysthevictim/martyrand createsdrama by fabricatinglies, spreadinghalf-truthsandembellishing.Ihaveverylittle contact withher(maybe atextoncea month).

During arecentphysical examination,she wasscreened fordementia.Shepassed everytestwith flying colors.

Iamretired,and my husband willbe retiringsoon. We areconsideringmovingoutofstate,butI am getting alotofpushbackabout itfromherfriendsand afewextended familymembers. Ifeel my

husbandand Ihaveworkedhard anddeservetoretirewhereverwe seefit.

How do Irespondtopeopletryingtoheapguiltonme for“abandoning my elderlyparent”? Iwould likeasnappycomeback to their comments.

FleeingIn Illinois

DearFleeing: Itseemsthereis neverashortage of “concerned”individualsspeakingoutaboutthings thatare noneoftheirbusiness.I vote fortellingthemthetruthwith nosugar coating:“Momand Ihave neverbeenclose.Our communicationisinfrequentandusuallyinthe formof amonthlytext.Herdoctors sayshe’s in excellenthealth,and we arenot worried.Thismove is something my husbandand Ihave planned fora longtime.I’m sure thatifanythingchangeswithher youwillletmeknow, and we will handleitthen.”Period.

DearAbbyiswrittenbyAbigailVanBuren, alsoknownasJeannePhillips,and was foundedbyhermother,PaulinePhillips.Write DearAbbyat www.DearAbby.comorP.O.Box 69440,LosAngeles,CA90069. ©2016UniversalUclick

Daughter asksfor larger percentageofparents’will

Dear Carolyn: We havetwo children. Ourdaughterandherhusband have beenlevelheadedinmanaging theirbudget.Herhusbandhasa goodjobandisthemainbreadwinner.Inthepast,oursonhashad difficulties and we have spent agreat dealofmoneyhelpinghim.Heisnow settleddown, isin astablemarriage, andhas agoodjob.

ittotheirchildren,and whenthey bathetheminequallight.And,tobe fair,whenthekidsthemselvesare temperamentallycapableofhearing andinternalizing thesemessages.

yourestatemorethoughtfullyor equitably —and yourdaughteralso couldbeaninsightful resource.

PREMIERCROSSWORD

Ourcurrentwilldividesour money50/50. Ourdaughter recently commentedthatsheshould geta largerpercentage ofourmoney becauseoursonhas costusso muchinthe past.Butherhusband’s parentsarecomfortable financially, ownproperty, and heisanonlychild. Theparentsofourson’s wifeare divorced,have noproperty, have each remarried,andare financially strapped.

Althoughoursonhasgivenus heartacheinthepast, we areecstatic thatheisdoing well. We wantto keepourwill50/50butdonotknow howtoexplainthistoourdaughter withouther feelingthatsheisbeing punished forher responsiblepath.

ConfusedParents

So when Isee arequestlikeyour daughter’s, Isee arequest formoney as aproxy forthoseparentalintangibles. Forwhateverreason,she doesn’t feelequallyloved,orequally/ fairlyservedbyyourresource decisions,orjustequallyseen,heardand appreciated.Thelogicof yourparentalallocationsdidn’tpersuadeher,so she wantsherduein yourwill.

If thatimpressionistrue, then comingback at herwiththeargumentthatherin-lawsare well-fixed andherbrother’saren’twillonly makemattersworse.Thatcould change,forone,plusit’s notabout themath.

Instead,tryto respondbyseeing her,hearingher,appreciatingher. Maybe:“I’mhearingthatyou feel shorted by us —probably notso muchwithmoneyaswithourtime and attention?”

Then,ifshe agrees,assumingit’s honest:“You’re right. Iamsorry aboutthat.

The reason forthispartisn’t merelyemotional. Isn’titpossible, afterall,thatshe’s moreinvested thanevenyouareinherbrother’s financialsecurity? Whatifshesees herselfastheheirto your roleashis safetynet, evengrudgingly?Even siblingswhoaren’tclosesometimes strugglewiththeideaoflettingone oftheir owngointoeconomicfreefall,especially whentheyhavethe meanstohelp —andthiscan come withreal resentment evenwhilethe roleisjust aprojectedone.

Yoursonmighthavevaluable thoughtstoshare, too.Hemight wanttosquarethingsmorewithhis sister.

JUMBLESOLUTION

Jumbles

TENANT VANITY IRONIC SHAKEN EMBODY SPIGOT

Theownersofthedayspa sawrisingprofits with so manypeople— Payingthem avisit Answer

CRYPTOQUIP SOLUTION

UNUSUALPOPGROUPWHOSEMEMBERSAREKNOWN FOR WEARINGKIMONO SASHESWHILEPERFORMING:OBIGEES.

WORDYGURDYSOLUTION

Horoscopes BY GEORGIANICOLS

MoonAlert: Avoidshoppingor makingimportantdecisionsfrom noon until 6 p.m. EST today (9 a.m. to 3p.m.PST).Afterthat,theMoon movesfromAriesintoTaurus.

HAPPYBIRTHDAY forSunday, Feb. 6 2022: You are a creative and artisticdreamer.Youhave highhopes foryour careerand yourpersonal relationships. Peoplelikeyoubecause you are attractive and you radiate warmth.Thiswillbe ayearofchange andnewfreedom foryou.

ARIES(March21-April 19)

★★★★ Be aware of today’s Moon Alert,whichwill restrictshopping.It’s OK to shop forfoodand gas, butbeware of buyinganythingelsebecause it will likely disappoint you.Tonight: Check yourfinances.

TAURUS (April 20-May20)

★★★★ AftertheMoonAlertis over, the Moon will be in your sign and bring yousomeluck. Usethistoyour advantage, especiallyif youwanta “yes”answertosomething.Until then,treadwater.Tonight: Youwin!

GEMINI(May21-June 20) ★★★ Thisis agreatdaytoenjoythe companyoffriends,groupsandorganizations.However, avoidmaking importantdecisionsduringtheMoon Alert.Tonight: Solitude.

CANCER (June21-July22)

★★★ Be awarethatpeoplenotice youtoday,andtheyknowpersonal detailsabout yourprivatelife. Meanwhile,youhave strong feelings.Tread carefully.Tonight:Befriendly.

LEO(July 23-Aug.22) ★★★

LikeCancer,youarehigh-viz today. Note: Avoidimportantdecisions. Don’tvolunteer foranythingduring theMoonAlert.Meanwhile,emotions arerunninghigh today.Tonight: You arenoticed. VIRGO(Aug. 23-Sept.22) ★★ Todayyou want to travel.Youwant to “get away fromallthis.”Nevertheless, be awareofthe restrictions of the MoonAlert today, especiallyifshopping foranythingotherthan foodand gas.Tonight: Explore!

Answer: Thissoundslikea resentmentproblem,not amoney problem.Speakingfrom anecdote, notdata:Kidscanunderstandthe expressionofequallove inunequal forms —askids even,butespecially whengrown.Theycan respectparents’decisionstodistribute resourcesbasedonneed.Theycan accepta nuanceddefinitionoffairness.They canalsograspthatthechild who receiveslesscan feelmorefortunate andbetterequipped —bylife, by theirparents, whatever—thanthe child whoreceivesmore.

Youcanscoff at that,sure. Or you canthinkabout why.

Kidscandothis whentheirparentshave aconsistent, coherent,respectfulapproachand communicate

LIBRA(Sept.23-Oct.22) ★★

Whenit comestodecisionsabout inheritances, sharedproperty, taxes anddebt,besmartand waituntil aftertheMoonAlertis overtoday. Untilthen,enjoysocialoutingsand funtimeswithothers.Tonight:Check yourfinances. SCORPIO (Oct.23-Nov. 21) ★★ Todayit’sbesttocooperatewithothers, becausetheMoonisopposite yoursign. Don’tagree to anythingimportantduringtheMoonAlert.Wait untillater todaysoyou aremorefully awareofwhat’sgoingon.Tonight: Cooperate.

SAGITTARIUS(Nov. 22-Dec.21)

★★★★ Thisis aplayful,creative day! Avoidimportantdecisionsor shopping foranythingotherthan foodand gas.Enjoyschmoozingwith othersand exploringcreativeideas.

Tonight:Getorganized.

CAPRICORN(Dec.22-Jan. 19)

★★★ Youwant to relaxathome today.Aconversationwith afemale relativecouldbeimportant.However, aftertheMoonAlertis over, you’ll enjoyplayfultimeswithkidsor watch sportsevents.Tonight:Stay mellow.

AQUARIUS(Jan. 20-Feb.18)

★★★ Thisis abusy, fast-paced day, andyet youfeelindecisiveand notsureaboutwhat to do.That’s becauseoftheMoonAlert.However, later todayyouwill focusonhome and familymatters.Tonight: Family matters.

PISCES(Feb. 19-March 20)

★★★ Be careful. DuringtheMoon Alert,theMoonisin yourMoney House, which temptsyou to spend money. Not good. Restrictspending to foodand gasduringtheMoon Alert.However, latertoday youhave thegreenlight.Tonight:Listen.

©KingFeaturesSyndicate

FindmoreGeorgiaNicolshoroscopesat www.georgianicols.com

“Iamsoproudof whatyouhave done,inbeing responsibleandindependent. Youdidthisonyourown whileour attentionwasmostlyon yourbrother.Yetinsteadofnoticing that, we tookitfor granted wecould focuselsewhere. Iamsorryfor not recognizing youneededustooand sayingearlierandoftenhow proud we are.”

Thisisnotinlieuof rebalancing yourwill,norisittheentiretyofyour responseto yourdaughter.Thepoint istomakeupfor what I’mguessing is the realdeficit,theemotional one. Validateher.

Then,ideally,youcanencourage allof youtothink,talkandplanbigger. Therecouldbe waystohandle

MaybeI’mgiving yourdaughter more creditthanshedeserves(and youlessofit),andshehasnothing butmoneyinmind.Maybeyourbalancewith yoursonistoohardwonto riskdisruptingoverthis.Maybethat 50/50split,nodiscussion,is genius giventhesensitivitiesinvolved. In thatcase,the validation foryour daughter wouldbetheendofthe conversationalline.

Butthebiggerstoryis worth thinkingabout,andtalkingabout withanestate attorney. Is there away tohonorthe“responsible” daughter,whilealsostructuringthe “difficult”son’s safetynetsothatshe neverhastostepinonhisbehalf? Justbecauseitisn’tthethingshe complainedaboutdoesn’tmeanit can’tbethething youdecideto fix.

EmailCarolynat tellmewashpost.com,follow her on Facebookatwww.facebook.com/carolyn.haxorchatwith her onlineat 9a.m.Pacific timeeach Friday at www.washingtonpost. com.

©2016Washington PostWritersGroup

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Petitionof KIMBERLEEANNJONESLESLIE FORCHANGEOFNAME

To All Interested Persons: KIMBERLEEANNJONESLESLIE fileda petitionwiththis courtfor adecreechangingnamesas follows:

Presentname KIMBERLEEANNJONESLESLIE to

Proposedname KIMBERLEEANNJONES

TheCourt Ordersthatallpersonsinterestedinthismattershallappear beforethis courtatthehearingindicatedbelowtoshowcause,ifany, whythepetition forchangeofnameshouldnotbe granted. Anypersonobjecting to thenamechangedescribedabove mustfile awritten objectionthatincludesthe reasons fortheobjection at least twocourt days beforethematterisscheduled to beheardandmustappear at thehearing to showcausewhythepetitionshouldnotbe granted. If nowrittenobjectionistimelyfiled,the courtmay grant thepetition without ahearing.

NOTICEOFHEARING

Date:2/28/2022 Time:8:30A.M.Dept:C-61

Theaddressofthe courtissameasnotedabove.

AcopyofthisOrder to ShowCauseshallbepublished at leastonce each week forfoursuccessiveweeksprior to thedate setforhearing onthepetitioninthe followingnewspaperofgeneralcirculation, printedinthis county: THESANDIEGOUNION-TRIBUNE.

NOHEARINGWILLOCCURONTHE DATEABOVE;PLEASE

SEE ATTACHMENT

Date:Jan13,2022 Michael T. Smyth JudgeoftheSuperior Court

ATTACHMENT TO ORDER TO SHOW CAUSEFORCHANGEOFNAME (JCFORM#NC-120)NOHEARINGWILLOCCURONTHE DATESPECIFIEDINTHEORDER TO SHOW CAUSE.The courtwill reviewthedocumentsfiledasofthedate specifiedontheOrder to ShowCause for ChangeofName (JCForm#NC-120). If allrequirements fora name changehave been metasofthedate specified,andnotimelywritten objectionhasbeen received(required at leasttwo courtdaysbefore thedate specified),the Petition forChangeofName (JCForm#NC100)willbe grantedwithout ahearing.One certified copy oftheOrder Grantingthe Petitionwillbemailed to thepetitioner.Ifallthe requirementshave notbeenmetasofthedate specified,the courtwillmail thepetitioner awrittenorderwithfurtherdirections.Ifa timelyobjectionisfiled,the courtwillset aremotehearingdate and contactthe parties by mailwithfurtherdirections.A RESPONDENTOBJECTING TO THENAMECHANGEMUSTFILE AWRITTENOBJECTION AT LEAST TWO COURTDAYS(excluding weekendsandholidays)BEFORETHE DATE SPECIFIED.Donot come tocourton thespecifieddate.The courtwill notifytheparties by mailofafutureremotehearingdate.Any Petition forthenamechangeof aminorthatis signed by onlyoneparent musthave this Attachmentservedalongwiththe PetitionandOrder to ShowCause,ontheothernon-signingparent,andproofofservice mustbefiledwiththe court. Pub:1/23/22,1/30/22,2/06/22,2/13/227836523

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Name Change Name Change Name Change ORDERTOSHOWCAUSE FOR CHANGEOFNAME CaseNumber37-2022-00000367-CU-PT-CTL SuperiorCourtofCalifornia,CountyofSan

Name Change Name Change Name Change

QUICKREPAIRQUICKROOTERPLUMBING 20-50%off1st TimeCustomers! Water Heaters,Clog,Leaks,Re-pipes, Tubs, Toilets, LeakdetectionandFloodService. Allcreditcards.Lic.#945711 24hrsEmergencyService619-440-4424 Name Change Name Change ORDERTOSHOWCAUSE FOR CHANGEOFNAME CaseNumber37-2022-00003956-CU-PT-CTL SuperiorCourtofCalifornia,CountyofSan Diego 330 WestBroadway,San Diego,CA92101

Petitionof

JohnIssaBatarse &JacquelineBatarseonbehalfof LondonBatarse,a minor FORCHANGEOFNAME

name LONDON BATARSE to

Present

NOHEARINGWILLOCCURONABOVE DATE.SEE ATTACHMENT AcopyofthisOrder to Show Causeshallbepublished at leastonce each week forfoursuccessiveweeksprior to thedate setforhearing onthepetitioninthe followingnewspaperofgeneralcirculation, printedinthis county: THESANDIEGOUNION-TRIBUNE.

Date:Feb 1,2022 Michael T. Smyth JudgeoftheSuperior Court ATTACHMENT TO ORDER TO SHOW CAUSEFORCHANGEOFNAME (JCFORM#NC-120) NO HEARINGWILLOCCURONTHE DATESPECIFIEDINTHEORDER TO SHOW CAUSE.The courtwill reviewthedocumentsfiledasofthedate specified on theOrder to ShowCause for ChangeofName (JCForm#NC-120). If all requirements fora name changehave beenmetasofthedate specified,andnotimelywritten objectionhasbeen received(required at least twocourt days before thedate specified),the Petition forChangeofName (JCForm#NC100)willbe grantedwithout ahearing.One certified copy oftheOrder Grantingthe Petitionwillbemailed to thepetitioner.Ifallthe requirementshave notbeenmetasofthedate specified,the courtwillmail thepetitioner awrittenorderwithfurtherdirections.Ifa timelyobjectionisfiled,the courtwillset aremote hearingdate andcontact the parties by mailwithfurtherdirections.A RESPONDENTOBJECTING TO THENAMECHANGEMUSTFILE AWRITTENOBJECTION AT LEASTTWO COURTDAYS(excluding weekendsandholidays)BEFORETHE DATE SPECIFIED.Donot come tocourton thespecifieddate.The courtwill notifytheparties by mailof afutureremotehearingdate.Any Petition forthenamechangeof aminorthatissigned by onlyoneparent musthave this Attachmentservedalongwiththe PetitionandOrder to ShowCause,on theothernon-signingparent,andproofofservice mustbefiledwiththe court. Pub:2/06/22,2/13/22,2/20/22,2/27/227839585

Petitionof

Chenet Estiverne; TiffanyBeth Cadetteandonbehalfof minorchild FORCHANGEOFNAME

All Interested Persons: Chenet Estiverne; TiffanyBeth Cadette andonbehalfofminorchild filed apetitionwiththis courtfor adecreechangingnamesas follows:

Proposedname a. TIFFANYBETHCADETTE to TIFFANYBETHESTIVERNE b. KADENADAM CADETTE to KADENADAMESTIVERNE TheCourt Ordersthatallpersonsinterestedinthismattershallappear beforethis courtatthehearingindicatedbelowtoshowcause,ifany, whythepetition forchangeofnameshouldnotbe granted. Anypersonobjecting to thenamechangedescribedabove mustfile awritten objectionthatincludesthe reasons fortheobjection at least twocourt days beforethematterisscheduled to beheardandmustappear at thehearing to showcausewhythepetitionshouldnotbe granted. If nowrittenobjectionistimelyfiled,the courtmay grant thepetition without ahearing.

Date:2/17/2022 Time:8:30A.M.Dept:61 Theaddressofthe courtissameasnotedabove.

NOHEARINGWILLOCCUR:PLEASESEE ATTACHMENT

AcopyofthisOrder to ShowCauseshallbepublished at leastonce each week forfoursuccessiveweeksprior to thedate setforhearing onthepetitioninthe followingnewspaperofgeneralcirculation, printedinthis county: THESANDIEGOUNION-TRIBUNE.

Date:Jan05,2022 Michael T. Smyth JudgeoftheSuperior Court ATTACHMENT TO ORDER TO SHOW CAUSEFORCHANGEOFNAME (JCFORM#NC-120)NOHEARINGWILLOCCURONTHE DATESPECIFIEDINTHEORDER TO SHOW CAUSE.The courtwill reviewthedocumentsfiledasofthedate specifiedontheOrder to ShowCause for ChangeofName (JCForm#NC-120). If allrequirements fora name changehave been metasofthedate specified,andnotimelywritten objectionhasbeen received(required at leasttwo courtdaysbefore thedate specified),the Petition forChangeofName (JCForm#NC100)willbe grantedwithout ahearing.One certified copy oftheOrder Grantingthe Petitionwillbemailed to thepetitioner.Ifallthe requirementshave notbeenmetasofthedate specified,the courtwillmail thepetitioner awrittenorderwithfurtherdirections.Ifa timelyobjectionisfiled,the courtwillset aremotehearingdate and contactthe parties by mailwithfurtherdirections.A RESPONDENTOBJECTING TO THENAMECHANGEMUSTFILE AWRITTENOBJECTION AT LEAST TWO COURTDAYS(excluding weekendsandholidays)BEFORETHE DATE SPECIFIED.Donot come tocourton thespecifieddate.The courtwill notifytheparties by mailofafutureremotehearingdate.Any Petition forthenamechangeof aminorthatis signed by onlyoneparent musthave this Attachmentservedalongwiththe PetitionandOrder to ShowCause,ontheothernon-signingparent,andproofofservice mustbefiledwiththe court. Pub:1/16/22,1/23/22,1/30/22,2/6/227834835

ClassicViewHomeinLaJolla CountryClub -Gregg Whitney/ Billionaires Row

HistoricCharmOne BlockFromBeach -LindaDaniels /WillisAllen Real Estate

Exquisite Hilltop Estate -Melissa GoldsteinTucci /ColdwellBankerWest

SpaciousSingleStory in PointLoma -Bob Rodrigues /RealPropertiesGroup

OpenSun.1-4p.m.

EXQUISITEHILLTOP ESTATE

Coldwell Banker West

Exquisite 12-acrehilltop estatewithtwo separatehomes,saltwaterinfinitypool, entertainer’sdream backyard,and 60-panel ownedsolar system.Privacyabounds in this secluded yetconvenientlocationwith endlessviews of theocean, downtown San Diego, mountains, valleys,andsunsets. The luxurious4,591-square-footprimary residencefeaturesaninviting, openfloor planwith five bedrooms, sixbathrooms, three-car garage,multiple bonus rooms, amazingattentiontodetail,andhigh-end finishes. Enjoythe gourmetkitchen that wouldimpress anychef, optionaloffice areawith private balconyand powder room,and openlivingand diningrooms.

Melissa GoldsteinTucci

619.787.6852 sold@melissatucci.com melissatucci.com

DRE# 01380034

Location: Jamul

Askingprice: $3,475,000

Year built: 2008 Livingarea:6,122squarefeet, 7bedrooms, 8bathrooms

Features: Detached1,143-square-footguest housewithtwobedrooms, twobaths andprivate one-car garage;spaciouscabana/game room;expansive pooland spawithbeach entry;firepit; bath with outdoor shower;rockwater slide; waterfalls; grassy play area; battingcages;stables The

SPACIOUSSINGLESTORY IN POINT LOMA

Real Properties Group

This beautiful single-level homesitsona 14,200-square-footcornerlot in PointLoma’s covetedFleetridge neighborhood.Custom remodelfeatures alargegourmetkitchen, breakfastnook,spacious open family room with vaultedceilings,fireplaceand surround sound–great forentertaining.Formalliving room with fireplaceand largeformaldining room.Optional400squarefootofficecanbe used as recreationroom, gym, or guest room or combinedwith an adjoiningbedroom and bathroom to create aperfectADU.Beautiful tropical landscaped backyard with covered patio,outdoor dining, barbecue,firepit,tiki torchesand largejacuzziwith waterfall. Oversized2-car garage with storageroom, plus additionalparking andadjacentstorage.

BobRodrigues,President-Broker 619.987.6768

rpgre.com

DRE#00810769

Greatlocation,with

built: 1970

Features:

PointLoma’sConcertsin theParkright across thestreet; customlaundryroomwithcabinetsandroomfor twowashersanddryers; ownedsolar panels;two heaters;andtwo airconditioners.

The Details

HISTORICCHARM ONEBLOCKFROMBEACH

Willis AllenRealEstate

Historic charmmeetstimelessluxury at this gatedEnglish Storybook/FrenchNormandy Tudor masterpiece originallydesignedin 1924 by masterarchitect, EdgarV.Ullrich, thathas beenbeautifullymaintainedand expanded throughout theyears. The iconic home issituatedonanexceedinglyrare

11,219-square-footcornerlot in theBeach Barber Tractneighborhoodjust one block from MarineStreetbeach anda shortwalk to all of theamenities of La Jolla’sVillage. Enjoyindoor-outdoor livingand effortless entertaining ineither of thehome’stwo grand livingspacesandtheoriginal formalliving room with cathedralvaultedceilings or the sprawlingfamilyroomwithsoaring, three-story ceilings.

LindaDaniels

858.361.5561

LindaDaniels@willisallen.com

TheDanielsGroup.com

DRE#00545941

Features: Original detailsthroughout; vaultedceilings;hardwoodfloors; leaded glass windows;Juliettebalconies;five en-suite bedrooms; threeoffices/optionalbedrooms; detached one-bedroom,one-bathguestapartmentwithits ownprivateentry.

CLASSIC VIEW HOMEIN LA JOLLACOUNTRYCLUB

GreggWhitney/Billionaires Row

Legendaryarchitect TomShepherd designed this stately1930’sSpanish Colonial-style residenceinthe La JollaCountry Clubtoshowcasethemesmerizingviewover thegolfcourse to thePacificOcean. Adramaticentry wayopenstothe grandroomfeaturingsoaringceilingwithhand-paintedbeams, fireplaceand archedwindowtothe unobstructedviews. Craftedtopleasethemost ardent traditionalistwithcurvedstairway, wrought-iron railing,floor-to-ceilingfireplace andarchedpassageways evokingold world charm.Southand westward facingbackyard, meticulously maintained with expansivepatio with astunningpanoramicviewtoocean’s horizon,makingitthehomeatopa knollthat everyone wantstoown.

GreggWhitney/Billionaires Row 858.456.3282

info@billionairesrowlajolla.com

BillionairesRowLaJolla.com

DRE# 01005985

Askingprice: $4,298,000

Location: 7231 MonteVista Avenue, La Jolla, 92037 Askingprice: $6,995,000

Year built: 1924 Livingarea: 5,250squarefeet, 5+bedrooms,6.5baths

The Details

Location: La JollaCountryClub

Year built: 1936 Livingarea:2,739squarefeet, 3bedrooms+1optional, 3bathrooms

Features: Updatedkitchenwith stainlesssteel appliances; formal living room;diningroom;sun room; denorlibrary;archedpassageways; French doorstoJuliet balcony; Spanishpaversinsideand out, stretching underportico to expansivewood patio

The Details

Nothing Compares.

ThePacificSotheby’sInternational Realty2022GlobalLuxury Outlook reportisoursecondannualin-depth exploration of high-endresidentialmarketsacrosstheglobe.Inthis report, we followthetrendsthatare likely to shapethe comingmonths acrossthe world’sprimehousingmarkets,fromthe resurgence ofurbancities to the returnoftheinternationalbuyer.This comprehensivereportoffersinsightintothehigh-end real estate industry,asthe startsand stopsofthepandemic’s reopeningfueledevenstrongerdemandandinventory struggled to keeppace.

This researchis exclusively available to Sotheby’sInternationalRealty.

LUXURYOUTLOOK.COM

Tired of walkingaround your houseinwintertimeand frequently gettingstaticshocks when you touch something?Haveyour houseplantsbeendrooping a bit? Notice any woodwork crackingor bowinglately? You couldbenefit frommore moisture intheair,a problemeasily solvedby a wholehomehumidifier.

“Keeping yourhomeattheright temperature isimportant,butthe volume ofmoisture intheairis equally important to your comfort and well-being,” notes Tatiana Sorokina,headofheating andair conditioningforLosAngelesbasedHomeAlliance.“Humidifiersare excellent devicesfor adding moisture to dry winterairbecause theyare efficientandlow maintenance. A whole-househumidifier

automatically controlsindoor humidity, allowingit to bemaintained at a comfortablelevel.The humidistats on a whole-house humidifierallow you to adjustthe idealhumidity level in yourhome, andthesystemwillpumpout moisture untiltheset relative humidity level is reached.”

Contrary to popular belief, whole-househumidifiers won’t make yourindoorclimate too damp,provided you choosethe rightsettings. Whenproperly installed,thesedevicesare designed to interactwith yourHVAC system to offer consistent and appropriate moisture levels throughout yourhome.

“Whole-househumidifiers dispersehumidity throughout Humidifiers canhelppreventasthmaandallergysymptomsbycreatinganenvironmentthat inhibitsmolds,mites, fungi,viruses,dustmites,andpathogens.

SEE HUMIDIFIER • PAGE8

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HUMIDIFIER

FROM PAGE 6

yourhomeusing yourductwork, soitcanbeapplied to many rooms atthesametime. They are plumbed intoa water line, eliminatingtheneed to refill,andmaintenanceissimpleandintuitive,” explainsMindy Wetzel,senior productmanagerofhumidifiers forAprilaire,a Madison, Wis.basedhealthyindoor air and humidity controlmanufacturer. “Keepingproperhumidity levels makes yourhomefeel warmer, thereby allowing you to keep your thermostat setpointlower and save onenergy costs.”

Ideal indoor relative humidity levelsare between40%and60%, according to Allan Feys,theDetroit-based directorofsales for GeneralFilters,whoseGeneralAire brandmakeswhole-house humidifiers.

“Thistarget level willilluminate conditionsunderwhich harmful organismsthrive,includingmolds, mites,fungi, viruses,dustmites,

GETTYIMAGES

andpathogens,” Feyssays.Asa result, respiratory infections,viral transmissions,andsymptoms related to asthmaandallergies canbe avoided.

Humidifiersystemscanalso helpeliminate chappedlips,dry skin,dandruff, creaking wood floors,bloody noses,sore throats, andsinusirritations.

Awhole-househumidifierwith automatic controlswilladjust automaticallybasedontheoutside temperature andthe relative humidity inside yourhome.

Inother words,onceproperly installed andprogrammed, you shouldn’thave to continually adjustitmanually.

There area few caveats to whole-househumidifiers, especiallyiftheyare notappropriately set and maintained.

“Moldandmildew canformin yourHVAC systemorwithin your humidifierwithoutproperupkeep. You need to replace yourfurnace air filters regularlyandcleanthe whole-househumidifierasspecifiedinthemanual.Also,if your housesuffers fromairleakage,the whole-househumidifiermaynot work properly,”cautionsSorokina.

To determinethe typeandsize ofwhole-homehumidifierthat’s bestfor yourneeds, choose an experiencedHVAC contractor to evaluate yourhomeandinstalla recommended system.

“An HVAC professionalcan takea lookat yourheatingsystem andmakea recommendationthat bestsuits yourhomesizeand structure,nomatter how your houseisheated– even homeswith boilers,mini-splits,orbaseboard

heatcanbeequippedwitha whole-homehumidifier,” Wetzel says.

On average, countonpaying between$400and over $700fora whole-homehumidifierprofessionallyinstalled.

Thedeviceitself typically costs between$100and$300, while HVAC contractorsoften charge between$50 and $70 perhour, per Sorokina. Popularbrands include Dyson, Greenhouse, Vornado,and Aprilaire.

Alternatives to having a wholehousehumidifierinstalledinclude old-schoolapproacheslike leaving thedooropenwhile you takea shower, gettingmore houseplants, placing a bowl of water near your return vent,hanging yourlaundry to dry indoors, andusing a portableplug-inhumidifierdevice.

“Butthese methods don’t work effectivelyataddingproperhumidity to yourhomeandmaking sure your relative humidity remainsbetween40%and60%,” adds Wetzel.

Features

CTW

Awhole-househumidifierwill adjustitself automatically.

To determinewhatkind of whole-home humidifier youneed,choose an experiencedHVAC contractor to evaluate yourhome andinstallit.

InEscrowwithMultipleOffers

3118 VistaBonita, La Costa

2BR|2 BA |1,409 sq.ft. |$799,000

Beautifully remodeledandraretofind onelevel home withoceanbreezesand panoramicviews! Resort-style living year-roundatSea PointTennisClub.Four tennis courts,poolsandspas.

ElaineGallagher

858.449.4786|DRE# 01076151

4BR|3 BA |1,856 sq.ft. |$899,888

Incredibleviewsaboundinthissinglelevelhomesitting on a16,300 sq.ft.lot.Upgradesinclude hardwood floors, newfurnace&A/C,new carpet, newelectrical panel, exteriorpaintandnewerroof.

JohnHernandez 619.990.1435 |DRE#01990576

7630 Road to Singapore Rancho SantaFe

5BR|5.5 BA |7,175 SqFt |$4,799,900

Unobstructedviewsofthe Crosby GolfCourse adjacent toRSF. Built by wellknownbuilder,GregAgee. Ever so SpaciousChef’s Kitchen contributes to theseamless indoor-outdoorliving, perfectfor entertaining.

FrancescaDeRosa |Realtor 858.829.2020 |DRE#0215999

TurnkeyLuxury

888 West ESt.,Residence1204 SanDiego

2BR|2 BA |1556sq.ft |$1,788,800

OneofPacificGate’smostdesiredfloorplans.This exceptional 2-BR,2-BAresidenceshowcases thehighly sought-afterSouth West views. Perfectly positioned to encapsulatevistasofPointLoma,thePacificandbeyond.

CristiChaquica |DRE#01259769

619.206.7000 |Info@FinePropertiesSD.com

3BR|2.5 BA |3,034 sq.ft. |$1,899,000 Lightand brightvillaintheCrosbyofRanchoSanta Fe. Nestledin acul-de-saclikelocation, featuringan ever so spaciousprimarybedroomonentry level.

FrancescaDeRosa |Realtor 858.829.2020 |DRE#0215999

10790CastleHeightsDr

4BR |3.5BA|3,445 sq.ft. |$1,695,000

Rare customsinglelevelestatehomeset on over8acres. Great room w/ beamed vaultedceilings, formal dining room,gourmet kitchen, master suite. Panoramicviews, pool,3-cargarage.10790CastleHeightsDrive.com

MarkMarquez |BrokerAssociate

619.933.0050 |DRE#01232386 |markmarquez.com

Compassis arealestate brokerlicensedbythe StateofCaliforniaandabides by EqualHousingOpportunitylaws.License Number 01527365.All materialpresented hereinisintended forinformationalpurposesonlyandiscompiled from sourcesdeemed reliablebut hasnot been verified.Changesinprice, condition, saleor withdrawal maybemadewithout notice.No statementismadeas to accuracyofanydescription.All measurementsandsquarefootagesare approximate.

Valley Center

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16928SimpleMelodyLane SanDiego

ADDA BACKUP GENERATOR TO KEEP YOURHOME CONNECTED E

Soonerorlater, thepower goes out.Andthat’s whenthe frustrationsetsin,as fridge-cooledfoods begin to spoil,indoor tempsdrop precipitously, andlackofInternet turns otherwisetranquilfamily membersagainsteach other. Butthe temporary lackofelectricity doesn’thave to be a dress rehearsalfordisaster You can

keep thepower flowing – atleast on a limitedbasis – by gettinga backup generator, either a portableunitor a standbywhole-house generator.

“Somuch ofourlife’s conveniencesare powered byelectricity that we often take for granted,” saysRebeccaBridges, chiefmarketingofficer for NaturalGasPlans.cominHouston.“Consider thatthe2021 winterseason wasa difficultone,andforecasts from the NationalOceanicandAtmos-

SEE GENERATOR • PAGE14

BY SEAN O’NEILL Scenario#1

As Imentioned last week;For some reason youare nowtheproud ownerofahomein theSanDiegocounty area.You didnotbuy thehome, but youstillfind yourselfincharge of this asset.There couldbemanydifferent ways that youcameinto ownershipandnow have responsibility foravacanthomein San Diego.

Thefirstsolutionandthemost popular is tosellquicklywith asolidprofit.Howdoes

thishappen? Iwould simply makeyouan allcash offer, closingquicklyin10days or so ifdesired.There arenoshowings, noappraisals,noloancontingencies, no requestsfor repairs, itissimple and easy and hasslefree. Thetransactionisdone through escrowandtitle companiesto ensureweare allprotected. Whyisitthemost popularoption? Because it is easy andprofitablefor you! Once most peoplestart to thinkaboutthe timeandmoneyinvolved to improve the

homefor sale,theyrealize it isanadventuretheydo notwanttoexperience. Also, many peopledo nothavethe cash to make the improvements. Iwillshow youcomparable salesand whatpriceI would expect to resell thehome, so that we can agreeon afairpricefor you. Youdonot have to cleanortrashoutanyitems youdon’t want. Inlessthan two weeksweare done.

>Nextweek, Scenario#2

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Checkratesdailyatwww.rateseeker.com/rates

Rate:3.250 15YrFixed 2.500 0.000$190020%2.570

3.290%

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RateCriteria:Theratesandannualpercentagerate(APR)areeffectiveasof02/01/22.Allrates,feesandotherinformation aresubjecttochangewithoutnotice.RateSeeker,LLC.doesnotguaranteetheaccuracyoftheinformationappearingabove ortheavailabilityofratesandfeesinthistable.Theinstitutionsappearinginthistablepay afeetoappearinthistable.Annualpercentagerates(APRs)arebasedonfullyindexedratesforadjustableratemortgages(ARMs).TheAPRonyourspecificloanmaydifferfromthesampleused.Allratesarequotedon aminimumFICOscoreof740.Conventionalloansarebased onloanamountsof$165,000.Jumboloansarebasedonloanamountsof $510,401.LockDays:30-60.Pointsquotedinclude discountand/ororigination.Paymentsdonotincludeamountsfortaxesandinsurance.TheAPRmayincreaseafterconsummationandmayvary.FHAMortgagesincludebothUFMIPandMIPfeesbasedon aloanamountof$165,000with5%down payment.Pointsquotedincludediscountand/ororigination.FeesreflectchargesrelativetotheAPR.Ifyourdownpaymentis lessthan20%ofthehome’svalue,youwillbesubjecttoprivatemortgageinsurance,orPMI.VAMortgagesincludefunding feesbasedon aloanamountof$165,000with5%downpayment.Ifyourdownpaymentislessthan20%ofthehome’svalue,youwillbesubjecttoprivatemortgageinsurance,orPMI.Thefeessetforthforeachadvertisementabovemaybecharged toopentheLicensedbytheDepartmentofBusinessOversightundertheCaliforniaResidentialMortgageLendingAct,(BA)indicatesLicensedMortgageBanker,NYSBankingDept.,(BR)indicatesRegisteredMortgageBroker,NYSBankingDept., (loansarrangedthroughthirdparties).“CallforRates”meansactualrateswerenotavailableatpresstime.Toaccessthe NMLSConsumerAccesswebsite,pleasevisitwww.nmlsconsumeraccess.org.Toappearinthistable,call773-320-8492.

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GENERATOR

FROM PAGE 10

phericAdministrationprojectit willbe even colderthiswinter And recenthurricanes, such astheone thatcrippled New Orleansandthe surrounding area,haveconsumers concernedabout relyingonthe grid.”

AnthonyBoucher, vicepresidentof A&J Generatorand EquipmentLLCinOxford,Connecticut,sayspurchasinga backup generatorprovidespeace ofmindthat you’llalwayshavea reserve sourceofpower.

“There are many reasonswhy people geta generator, fromthe need to run medicalequipment to worries aboutfailedsumppumps orpipes freezing,”hesays. “The whole world relies on key appliancesintheirhome,whetherit’s heat, oven, AC, orthe fridge.The generatorhasnow madeits way onto thelistofthings thatarea must forpeople’s homes.”

GETTYIMAGES

With a backup generator, you can typically go oneof two routes: Choose a portableunitthat runs on gasoline,propane, orlithium-

OCEANBEACH

ionbatteries,orselect a standby generator commonlypowered by natural gas.

“Portableunitsusually run between 10 and 14 kWandare very limitedonwhat theycanpower–maybethe refrigerator, some lights,and a few plug-indevices, butnot your AC systemandallof yourlights.They require lugging themoutofthe garage orbasement toget themstarted, refueling every few hours, and running extension cords into thehouse,” says Tom Wysocki,presidentof Pennsville, New Jersey-headquartered WysockiElectricInc.

Standby generators,by contrast, commonly work witha transferswitch thatmonitorsthe current comingin fromthe grid to yourhome. Whenitidentifiesthat the currentisdead, itautomatically wakes upthe generator andpowers yourentire house. If the transferswitch senses an increaseinelectric current, it shutsdownthe generator to protect yourhome from power surges.

Thenice convenience of a natural gas-powered standby unit is

thatitwillfeedinto your existing natural gas lineandnot require you to manually refuelthe generator.

Alternatively, somestandby automatic generators run on propane, operating forbetween three and20daysbefore refueling isneeded – dependingonthesize of your required propanetank, according to Boucher.

“Standbysystemsare designed to be totallyautomated,perfectfor elderly residents, secondhomes, orpeoplewhotravel and want to ensure theirfamilyandhomeis alwayssecure with power,” Joe Grushkin,directorofsalesfor PalmBeach County, FloridabasedEnergizedElectric, explains.

“A whole-homestandby generatorfor a typical2,000-square-foot residenceusuallyoffers 16 to 18 kW ofpower andcanrange inprice from$8,500 to $12,000installed,” Bridgesnotes. “A portable generator willlikely costbetween$500 and$2,000, dependingonthesize andpower capacity.”

If you optfor a portable genera-

tor, you caneliminate theneedfor running extension cords into your homeif you hire anelectrician to install a manualtransferswitch. This connects to a selectionof circuitsin yourhome,allowing you to manuallystart the generator andtransferthe generator’s power to yourhome’s circuits.

“When consideringwhether to choose a backup generatorora standby generator, you need to weighthebenefits versus the cost,” suggestsBridges. “Ask yourself:How often do you think you willusethe generator?Is your areaofthe country prone to hurricanes, heavyrain,orblizzards?Is having reliable power more importantif you have vulnerable individualsinthehome,such asolderor youngerpeople?Andhow long are you willing togo withoutpower?”

Whenshoppingfor a generator, lookclosely at thefeaturesincluded,lengthofthe warranty, service,andmaintenance required,andwhathappensifa warranty claim needs to bemade.

WOODEDAREA/POINT LOMA

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Standbygeneratorsareoften poweredbynaturalgas.

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©2022BerkshireHathawayHomeServices CaliforniaProperties (BHHSCP)isamemberofthefranchisesystem of BHHAffiliates LLC. BHHS andthe BHHS symbolareregisteredservicemarksofColumbia Insurance Company,a BerkshireHathawayaffiliate. BHHAffiliates LLCand BHHSCPdonot guaranteeaccuracy ofalldataincludingmeasurements,conditions,andfeaturesofproperty.Informationis obtained fromvarious sourcesand will notbe verifiedbybroker or MLS. Buyerisadvisedtoindependently verify theaccuracyof that information.*Basedon 2020productioninthe BHHSGlobalNetwork.

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ESTANCIA AT OTAY RANCH |CORNERSTONE 707LaCumbre Ave,ChulaVista,91913

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