The Pastor Says . . .

prophets of doomsday telling us that our money will be worthless with digital currency being controlled by big government. Much of this can create some fear. Many teenagers have expressed dismay and insecurity due to world conditions and feel life isn’t worth living so they commit suicide.

Living With Confidence In 2023

Can we face the new year with confidence? I try to listen to the expert analysts and get differing opinions. Some say we are heading into a recession and tough times. Others tell us that with climate change we can expect more violent weather plus the loss of habitat for animal species such as the polar bear. The real pessimists focus on inflation and the cost of food produce and the lack of other necessary items such as toilet paper. There are

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from page 10 ma Yai, who Jessica would read along with, during visits, since her grandmother has dementia.

Jessica was amazed at how reading along with her grandmother and then having discussions about what they had just read together was greatly beneficial to her grandmother’s mind.

Those greatly therapeutic moments of reading with her grandmother, was the seedling which inspired Jessica to found the San Diego Seniors Book Club for all seniors, and not just those afflicted with dementia.

Says Jessica: “That was kind of the moment of inspiration where I knew that I needed to do something about it, because waiting around . . . well, these seniors don’t have a lot of time to be waiting around.”

Due to Jessica’s towering achievements in helping seniors in her Cards4Kindness, and now her San Diego Seniors Book Club, Jessica Ong was selected as the 10-News Leadership Award Winner just months ago -last November of 2022.

Reflecting back on this most incredulous journey, Jessica’s Cards4Kindness timeline seems unreal and unattainable.

It only began in June of 2020 from her home in Rancho Penasquitos.

But really, are things that bad? Is there no hope in the future? Is it all gloom and doom? True, some people have it bad. Wars, drought, disease, poverty, and death have brought misery to millions of people. There doesn’t seem to be any panacea or simple solution to many of life’s problems. But is there?

Can we trust our fellow man, have confidence in him/her? Not all people are nice. But many are. I saw a kid help an old man cross the street the other day. I see dozens of people packing lunches and serving dinners to the homeless daily.

Doctors Without Borders cross international boundries to help the afflicted. And whether we agree with the war between Russia and Ukraine or not there has been an

Within only a fortnight, her campaign had already spread across the entire United States!

And in less than two months, her random acts of kindness project then exploded like a vengeance across all time zones around the world!

But it wasn’t always easy for Jessica. Due to her young age, it was often tough sledding and she well remembers in her very own words: “We’re kind of looked over because of our age sometimes, but this kind of lets us know that our voice is just as powerful,” she said.

Today, she feels empowered.

Today, in 2023, Jessica Ong is a bit older, but, still a young 16-yearolde student.

And she now has over 400 ambassadors joining her Cards4Kindness around the Earth. And she still wants others to join in on her project of love.

You can find Jessica Ong on Instagram.

This is the stuff of dreams. And a young North San Diego County girl – achieved it. Imagine that, San Diego.

Over 23 countries, and countless foreign cities, have maps with pins outpouring of aid and assistance for millions of people. Yes, I believe in my fellow man. And if I might add a personal note of a call we made on a friend confined in an assisted living facility who seldom has a visitor commented how our call enriched his life even at ninety five. You can be a fellow confidence builder. How about trusting the economy? We love it when the stock market goes up, gas prices are low, our home value keeps climbing, but when the bubble bursts it is the end of the world. But who can remember when only a fraction of all we have, can purchase, or live in the comfort of so much has been our life? While not all is perfect there are many good and great things in our lives to give us confidence for the future. And I add one last thought. We have engraved on our money, “ In God We Trust.” When you think all is lost, life is only gloom and doom, try trusting God. stuck on them – showing the exact global location of this unknown region of the world called North San Diego County – where they are now ambassadors -- all recruited by Jessica Ong!

Pastor Huls Remember to call 760 746 6611 for encouragement, guidance, and hope for confidence.

Oh, and by the way.

Remember that senior citizen named Cedric at the top of this story? The senior, whose life has changed for the better due to Jessica’s anonymous Cards4Kindness?

Jessica remembers: “One of the seniors (Cedric) that I gave a card to messaged me back and said that he put it in his office and it has a permanent spot there, so it’s just heartwarming,” she said. Well, Jessica never forgot Cedric.

You see, she now takes walks with Cedric every Saturday.

If you go on Instagram, you can see a smiling Cedric for yourself, proudly holding that very first card he received from Jessica Ong.

And speaking of Cedric, when CBS-8 news reporter, Jeff Zevely, travelled to Rancho Penasquitos to do a ‘live’ news report, he sat down and asked Jessica about her new senior friend, Cedric, who she takes walks with every Saturday.

“How old is he?” asked the reporter, as countless television viewers looked on.

Letters from page 4 even higher bills for 2023 as they implement their 20% increases.

The environmental terrorists (a small percentage of our population) is dictating every aspect of our lives: e.g. vegetarian life-styles, how we maintain our homes, what we can invest our money in, how (if) we can travel in this state, if we can maintain pets, etc.

Now they are forcing through a bill that will require Sempra to discontinue accessing energy from Mexico, fossil fuel derived energy from other states and increasing the tax burden by requiring charging stations (at consumer cost) electric vehicles at taxpayer costs, etc.

They also demand high-rise apartment buildings, condos, etc with “affordable housing” that their “friends” benefit from the construction, sale, and rental in the name of “fixing” homelessness.

Only our representatives and state senators can reverse this non-democratic trend. Be careful who you

Letters continued on page 15

Jessica paused on camera and said: “I don’t know if he wants me to say.”

The ‘live’ news reporter exploded into loud laughter and said: “Good for Cedric!”

The newscast gives a spoiler alert of sorts: “More than a thousand cards have been sent already in San Diego County, so if you’re a senior or first responder – check your mailbox!”

To this day, even Jessica finds her dream hard to believe.

When asked if she can believe all that has happened, her reply brings tears to the eyes: “I really can’t. I still kind of think it’s a dream, but it just gives me faith that the youth of tomorrow wants to make a difference. I think everybody deserves to be cared for.”

Then, her very words that follow, linger in the air, like an anthem for the world: “It makes me want to care for people more, when I see that complete strangers are now sending so much love to each other!”

For all she has done, young Jessica Ong has even brought peace and comfort to her mother, Asira.

Says her mother: “If I pass away, I know she will be in good hands.

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She will know how to choose right from wrong.”

Something tells me that Jessica Ong will always know right from wrong.

Her young legacy has already proven that.

Local News

from page 4

Notice of Public Hearing

The Escondido City Council will hold a public hearing, in the City Council Chambers, Escondido City Hall, 201 N. Broadway, Escondido, CA at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, February 15, 2023, to consider the item below:

ZONING CODE AMENDMENT – PL22-0645:

REQUEST: A series of amendments to the Escondido Zoning Code to address changes in state laws, correct errors, and clarify or improve existing regulations. The proposal involves minor amendments to Articles 1 (General Provisions and Definitions), 6 (Residential Zones), 16 (Commercial Zones), 26 (Industrial Zones), 27 (Emergency Shelter Overlay), 39 (Off-Street Parking), 44 (Home Occupations), 47 (Environmental Quality), 49 (Air Space Condominium and Community Apartment Projects), 56 (Miscellaneous Development Standards), 57 (Miscellaneous Use Restrictions), 61 (Administration and Enforcement), 63 (Transient Lodging Facilities), 64 (Design Review), 66 (Sign Ordinance), 67 (Density Bonus and Residential Incentives), 70 (Accessory Dwelling Units and Junior Accessory Dwelling Units), and 73 (Temporary Use, Outdoor Display and Sale of Retail Merchandise); and the rescission of Article 22 (Heliport Overlay Zone).

PROPERTY SIZE AND LOCATION: Citywide

ENVIRONMENTAL STATUS: The proposed code amendments are categorically or statutorily exempt from further environmental review pursuant to Public Resources Code section 21080.17 and CEQA Guidelines sections 15282(h), 15301, 15303, or do not qualify as a “project” under CEQA.

If you challenge this item in court, you may be limited to raising only those issues you or someone else raised at the public hearing described in this notice, or in written correspondence delivered to the City Council at, or prior to, the public hearing.

PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: On January 10, 2023, the Planning Commission voted 4 – 0 to recommend approval of the project.

PUBLIC COMMENT: To submit comments in writing, please do so at the following link: https://escondido-ca.municodemeetings.com/bc-citycouncil/webform/public-comment. All comments received from the public will be made a part of the record of the meeting.

The City of Escondido recognizes its obligation to provide equal access to public services for individuals with disabilities. Please contact the American Disabilities Act (A.D.A.) coordinator (760) 839-4643 with any requests for reasonable accommodations at least 24 hours prior to the meeting. The City of Escondido does not discriminate against any person with a handicapped status. All interested persons are invited to attend the meeting.

The staff report will be available at the Escondido Planning Division, 201 N. Broadway, Escondido, CA 92025; and on the City’s website at https://escondido-ca.municodemeetings.com/ after Thursday, February 9, 2023.

For additional information, please contact Veronica Morones, Principal Planner, at (760) 839-4548, or via email at vmorones@escondido.org, and refer to Case No. PL22-0645.

SPECIAL THANKS. Very special thanks to San Diego News station NBC 7 and anchor woman, Melissa Adan. Also to CBS-8 News with news reporter, Jeff Zevely. And also, many thanks to our readers who requested that we publish this most remarkable, positive San Diego County news item which, indeed, captured the world’s attention in countries around the world.

To all our readers, please keep your story suggestions coming!

EXTRA SPECIAL THANKS. And most importantly: Extra Special thanks to young Jessica Ong, now age 16, a true American visionary who personifies the “American Dream” and all that is right and proud and hopeful in our nation’s future generation.

To view an excellent newscast on Jessica, simply log onto the following website: https://www.cbs8.com/article/ news/local/zevely-zone/zevelyworldwide-senior-thank-you/5096e578b9c-c6b6-4999-90906beaa0e70b82

Its tagline, “Discover Life’s Possibilities,” was used as unifing theme throughout the event as a reminder that the best for San Marcos is yet to come. “Our tagline points out that San Marcos is proactive. We are always looking for new discoveries,” said Mayor Jones. “We don’t push for change just to be new or different in San Marcos. Instead, we have a keen eye for possibility, and aren’t afraid to try innovative things that can make our community better. Our best days are still ahead of us.”

San Marcos’ key points of distinction:

• Population of 94,926 making it the fastest growing population in North County, but still remains the smallest in size overall.

• Home of four institutes of higher education, including the region’s only public university.

• Birthplace of San Diego’s most iconic craft beer company, Stone Brewing.

• Boasts more than 300 acres of park space, which earned it the nickname of San “Parkos.”

• Ranked as the top unified school district in North County San Diego.

• Maintains one of the lowest crime rates in San Diego County.

For more information about the City of San Marcos’ current projects and historical facts, please visit san-marcos.net.

Pinkerton from page 7