April 6, 2023

University of Travel

By Cecil Scaglione

Years of travel for work and pleasure have not only broadened my ability to cope with other cultures and get along in a few languages but they’ve also compiled a mental list of things to do when traveling.

The first thing you should know about travel is: Do it. Sure, there are war zones, crime spots and badweather times to avoid but there is still a multitude of safe and stable

locales that beckon.

You can start by picking something you’d like to see – Niagara Falls, Eiffel Tower, Grand Canyon, riding around the Pyramids mounted on a camel. Or opt for an event like Carnaval do Rio de Janeiro, the merry Mardi Gras in New Orleans, Munich’s Oktoberfest, Buckingham Palace’s changing of the guard.

As a travel writer over the years, I’ve been fortunate to be hosted by

top-of-the-line folks and facilities. While awaiting the rest of my entourage for a Swiss trip, I was a guest in the Dolder Grand Hotel, arguably the Continent’s most laid-back luxury hostel with its all-encompassing view of Zurich and the lake of the same name.

The general manager was a congenial gentleman who I promised (and delivered) to send his son a San Diego Padres baseball cap. Later during that trip, we sallied

through the southernmost Swiss canton called Ticino, where we were treated to all forms of polenta, the Italian version of grits, ranging from kitchen-fresh tomato pasta sauce to cool savory syrup-covered dessert.

It was in Park City, Utah, that Norwegian Olympic gold-medalist Stein Eriksen gave me some quick tips on skiing. After strapping on our boards, he skipped off the brow of the slope and quietly commanded, “Follow Me.” It was quite a lesson.

Following Stein Eriksen (in red, me in blue and kahki)

1

In Australia’s Deep North, I was treated to bay bugs, a flatter and harder-shelled relative of the lobster, after drying myself off from a scuba tour of a portion of the Great Barrier Reef.

On that long-haul trip over the Pacific, the cabin crew invited us to share the empty first-class lounge on the Boeing 747.

We’ve been fortunate by escaping rude, talkative, complaining, oversized and just plain obnoxious airplane seat-mates over the years. On a leg where an oversize, unruly and under-supervised brat behind us kept flipping open the meal tray in the back of my seat, I asked the mother of the problem if she might move her to another seat or keep her from bothering me. When I was told she just a child playing, I headed to the rear of the aircraft and quietly explained that I’d worked in the airline industry and needed her help to find a solution to my situation.

She didn’t say a word and I returned to my seat. Less than 10 minutes later, with the kid still banging the heck out of my seat, the flight attendant approached us and, in a quiet voice loud enough for the folks in the seat behind us to her, said, “Mr. Scaglione, we have free seats for you and Mrs. Scaglione in First Class. Please

Give Us This Day our Daily Chuckle

This week, a compendium of wit, wisdom and neat stuff you can tell at parties. Enjoy!

A counselor was helping his kids put their stuff away on their first morning in summer camp. He was surprised to see one of the youngsters had an umbrella. The counselor asked, “Why did you bring an umbrella to camp?”

The kid answered, “Did you ever have a mother?

Words of Advice

“Always carry a flask of whiskey in case of snakebite, and furthermore, always carry a small snake.”

~ W. C. Fields

follow me.” Lesson learned: don’t complain, ask for help.

On another flight, a Hollywood household name sitting beside me spent the entire three-hour SeattleLos Angeles flight leaning away from me and murmuring to himself like he was working on lines for an upcoming role. As we lined up to debark, a pretty-well-known television luminary was stepping through the exit door and my seatmate leaned over and asked “What’s his name.” I pretended I didn’t hear or notice him, a lesson I learned from him.

Food has taught me as much about the local culture as well as the cuisine and has spoiled me in many ways.

Scrunched around a bubbling pot of fresh lobsters with old friends in Prince Edward Island has prohibited me from ever ordering any more of those succulent crustaceans until I get back there again. The same after feasting on crabcakes fashioned in Baltimore. Stopping at gelato shops has made the memories of my many jaunts throughout Italy much sweeter. My favorite shop overlooks Rome’s Trevi Fountain, made famous in a movie about some folks who tossed in three coins.

Traveling as part of a group on most travel-writer junkets taught me and my wife to travel on our own when we traveled on our own. We eschew booking tourist-packed hotels and hot spots and seek out-of-the-way

Ageless Reflections

Last week, I stated this woman was the ugliest woman I had ever seen. I have since been visited by her sister, and now wish to withdraw that statement.

~ Mark Twain

The secret of a good sermon is to have a good beginning and a good ending; and to have the two as close together as possible.

~ George Burns

Santa Claus has the right idea. Visit people only once a year.

~ Victor Borge

Be careful about reading health books. You may die of a misprint.

~ Mark Twain

By all means, marry. If you get a good wife, you’ll become happy; if you get a bad one, you’ll become a philosopher.

~

Socrates

I was married by a judge. I should have asked for a jury.

~ Groucho Marx

My wife has a slight impediment in her speech. Every now and then

inns and apartments.

And we never – never – wore brandname attire, or T-shirts emblazoned with anything, so we wouldn’t stand out like North American sore thumbs. We donned muted colors and comfortable tops and trousers that let us blend into whatever part of the world we visited. My wife used to tell me she had trouble picking me out of a crowd. I had the same problem with her now and then.

When we took pictures of wherever we are, we made it appear like we’ve been there before and were wrapping up a film chore. When someone offered to take our picture with our camera, we gave them the withering look all thieves deserve.

Before heading to a new country, I always make sure I know how to say “Please,” “Thank You” and “How do you say that?” in the local lingo. Those three easy-to-remember titbits have helped me work my way around the world. Opening our introductory remarks in their language has been exceptionally handy because, after the locals listen to our awkward tangling of their tongue, they immediately start practicing their English on us.

We also skip asking the concierge or hotel staff about our surroundings. We step into a shoe store or pharmacy and ask the sales clerks where they eat lunch or dinner. By using a lot of sign language and being sincere in our quest, the advice received has always been top notch

she stops to breathe.

~ Jimmy Durante

I have never hated a man enough to give his diamonds back.

~ Zsa Zsa Gabor

My luck is so bad that if I bought a cemetery, people would stop dying.

~ Rodney Dangerfield

Money can’t buy you happiness. But it does bring you a more pleasant form of misery.

~ Spike Milligan

Until I was thirteen, I thought my name was SHUT UP.

~ Joe Namath

I don’t feel old. I don’t feel anything until noon. Then it’s time for my nap.

~ Bob Hope

I never drink water because of the disgusting things that fish do in it.

~ W. C. Fields

We could certainly slow the aging process down if it had to work its way through Congress.

~ Will Rogers

and there would be added frills, such as sites to avoid and sights to see, when we told our hosts the source of our referrals and recommendations.

As an example of where good advice can be found anywhere, a worker in the royal palace stables in London told us to wait until we got to a coastal community before trying the fish-and-chips for which the United Kingdom is famous. It was sound advice.

Strolling to nowhere in Savona on the Italian Riviera, we bumped into a mother and daughter shutting up their dress shop for the day. We asked them for a good spot to eat and they immediately garbled out some descriptions and directions while the older, and much smaller, woman kept rapping at my elbow to get my attention to where she was pointing. It was a pizza joint.

They tugged and dragged us there and was repeating bene (good) and migliore (best) as a gentleman came from behind the counter, steered us to a ramp at the rear of the building and told us to wait. We could hear the crowd inside and they sounded happy. After about 20 minutes, we were deciding to leave when a woman with menus in her hand waved us in to a table they’d prepared for us.

The rest of the evening was fabu-

continued on page 10

Don’t worry about avoiding temptation. As you grow older, it will avoid you.

~ Winston Churchill

Maybe it’s true that life begins at fifty. But everything else starts to wear out, fall out, or spread out.

~ Phyllis Diller

By the time a man is wise enough to watch his step, he’s too old to go anywhere.

~ Billy Crystal ***

I know it’s late notice, but I have two tickets for the Super Bowl in Minneapolis, MN at the new U.S. Bank Stadium on Sunday February 4th.

They are 50 yard line box seats and I paid $3,500 per ticket. They include the ride to and from the airport, lunch, dinner, a $400.00 bar tab and a pass to the winners locker room after the game.

What I didn’t realize when I bought them last year was that it’s on the

Chuckles

from page 2

same day as my WEDDING. If you are interested, I’m looking for someone to take my place.

It’s at St. Paul’s Church at 3 pm. Her name is Ashley. She’s 5’4”, about 115 pounds, a good cook, loves to fish and hunt, and will even clean your truck. She’ll be the one in the white dress. Any reasonable offer is OK.

***

They had been up in the attic together doing some cleaning. The kids uncovered an old manual typewriter and asked her, “Hey Mom...what’s this?”

“Oh...that’s an old typewriter,” she answered, thinking that would satisfy their curiosity.

“Well what does it do?” they asked.

“I’ll show you,” she said and returned with a blank piece of paper. She rolled the paper into the typewriter and began striking the keys, leaving black letters of print on the page.

“WOW!” they exclaimed, “that’s really cool...but how does it work like that? Where do you plug it in?”

“There is no plug,” she answered. “It doesn’t need a plug.”

“Then where do you put the batteries?” they persisted.

“It doesn’t need batteries either.” she continued.

“Wow! This is so cool!” they exclaimed. “Someone should have invented this a long time ago!” ***

When General Douglas MacArthur retired from the military in 1951, he stated famously, “Old soldiers never die, they just fade away.” But five-star generals are not the only ones who never die:

Golfers never die, they just lose their drive.

Lumberjacks never die, they just pine away.

Accountants don’t die, they just lose their balance.

Bank managers don’t die, they just lose interest.

Vehicle mechanics? They re-tire every day.

Teachers don’t retire, they just

mark time.

Roofers don’t retire, they just wipe the slate clean.

Engineers never retire, they just lose their bearings.

Beekeepers never retire, they just buzz off.

Musicians never retire, they just decompose.

Farmers never retire, they just go to seed.

Watchmakers never retire, they just wind down.

Academics never retire, they just lose their faculties.

Painters never retire, they just put a gloss on it.

Tree surgeons never retire, they just branch out.

Old librarians never die, they just check out, become overdue, and lose their circulation.

Old crossword puzzlers never die, they just go across and -- hopefully -- up.

Old milkmaids never die, they just kick the bucket and lose their whey.

Old plumbers never die, they just get out of sink and go down the drain.

Old teachers never die, they just grade away and lose their principals, their faculties, and their class.

Old math professors never die, they just go off on a tangent.

Old mimes never die, they’re just never heard from again.

Old housemaids never die, they just return to dust. ***

Dickson’s Gardening Rule: When weeding, the best way to make sure you are removing a weed and not a valuable plant is to pull on it. If it comes out of the ground easily, it is a valuable plant.

The easiest way to find something lost around the house is to buy a replacement.

Sex is like air; it’s not important unless you aren’t getting any.

Never take life seriously. Nobody gets out alive anyway.

Chuckles

continued on page 13

Oodles!

Looking

City Council Workshop on Mobility & Transportation

Thursday, April 6th • 6 pm Vista Civic Center 200 Civic Center Drive

Save the date, Vista - the City Council wants to hear from you about mobility and transportation at its workshop on Thursday, April 6, at 6 pm. This is an opportunity for Vistans to share their concerns and suggestions on these topics and to learn about the work the City of Vista is doing to make the City’s transportation infrastructure more efficient and safe. The workshop will include a presentation from SANDAG. ***

Green Business Expo

Saturday, April 8th 8 am - 12 pm

Carlsbad Chamber Office

This event is being hosted in conjunction with the City of Carlsbad’s Shred Event. This event will include 500 - 1,000 people and we would love to have you there. Tell your friends and family to join us too, the more the merrier.

There is no cost for attendees. Discover workshops with great content, vendors, door prizes, and electric cars that attendees will be able to see, touch, and test drive.

If you have any sustainable products, services, or business practices, we encourage you to become a vendor. Booth Registration is only $149 for members and $199 for non-members.

The window to register for a booth is closing very soon, so don’t delay. Register for your booth today at https://web.carlsbad.org/atlas/ events/green-business-expo-3131/ register ***

Ribbon Escondido Chamber of Commerce Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

Thursday, April 13th • 10 - 11 am

Hidden Glenn Senior Living 662 Tranquility Glen Escondido, CA 92027

Please join the Escondido Chamber of Commerce as they celebrate and welcome Hidden Glenn Senior Living officially into the Escondido business community.

Hidden Glenn prides itself in worldclass personal care at an affordable rate, with services including memory care, assisted living, and more. Their community comprises more than two acres of fenced and gated private grounds with buildings specifically designed to provide a quality home-like environment for those who live in their care.

Free to attend.

Visit https://escondido.chambermaster.com/eventregistration/ register/8192 to register.

***

Route 78 Rotary Club’s 9th Annual Mariachi Festival and John Halcón Scholarship Fundraiser

Sunday, April 16th California Center for the Arts Escondido

Returning once again to Escondido is Route 78 Rotary Club’s Annual Mariachi Festival and fundraiser. The 9th Annual Mariachi Festival takes place at the California Center for the Performing Arts on Sunday, April 16.

The event begins with the very popular VIP Tacos & Tequila reception and top-shelf tequila and silent auctions from noon to 2:30pm. The reception is followed by the Mariachi concert from 3:00 - 5:30pm and features the 11 time GRAMMY nominated Mariachi Divas de Cindy Shea. The concert also features the Ballet Folklórico dancers of Tierra Caliente Academy, directed by José Jaimes.

This year’s Mariachi Festival has special meaning to Route 78 Rotary Club members. “This year we kick off the John Halcón Scholarship. John and his wife María de la Luz Reyes were founding members, educators, mentors, and the godparents of the Mariachi Festival. Because of the work they and members of Route 78 Rotary

continued on page 13

Fatal Injury Traffic Collison

On March 30, 2023, at 6:49 a.m., the City of Carlsbad Police Department responded to the 2700 block of Faraday Avenue regarding a traffic collision involving three vehicles.

Upon arrival, officers located the collision and reported a Mazda MX-5 on fire. The Carlsbad Fire Department extinguished the vehicle fire and provided medical care to the Honda Accord’s and Toyota Corolla’s occupants, who were transported to hospitals. The occupant of the Mazda succumbed to their injuries at the scene.

Initial evidence and witness statements indicate the Mazda was traveling eastbound on Faraday Avenue and lost control due to its excessive speed and wet roadway. The Mazda crossed into the westbound lanes and was struck by a Honda and Toyota.

The identities of the drivers have not been confirmed, and the investigation is ongoing.

The Carlsbad Police Department is asking anyone with information about this incident to contact Traffic Accident Investigator Corporal Matt Bowen, 442-339-2282 or

matt.bowen@carlsbadca.gov.

Time for Medi-Cal Renewal

Medi-Cal recipients are being notified to renew their healthcare benefits.

If you receive a renewal packet in the mail, please fill it out and send it back. If you receive a request for more information, or you need to update your address, please call 1-866-262-9881 or go online to sandiegocounty.gov/medi-cal.

Completion of the renewal packet and updating benefits information are critical in order to keep MediCal coverage.

“Medi-Cal provides more than one million people in San Diego County with their health care benefits,” said Rick Wanne, Director of Self Sufficiency Services. “If you were notified, please respond on time. We are ready to answer questions and provide support to those who need help with their renewals.”

Medi-Cal is California’s Medicaid health care program. It pays for a variety of medical services for children and adults who have limited income and resources.

Man About Town

Himself . . .

Herewith, the official Sweet Life and Swell Times of Lyle, who was born in Windom, Minnesota on the banks of the Des Moines River (anything to save room rent), to which his great-grandfather, Hans Tollefson, came from Norway to farm and settle.

Lyle claims that, when he was growing up there, the height of the cultural season was the arrival of a Painted Turtle.

After moving to the up and coming cattle town of Omaha, Nebraska, when only three years of age, he, being the sensitive and kindly sort, allowed as how his mom and dad could join him in that journey.

At one time he had a newspaper route (little did he realize that

one day he would own his very own newspaper with a readership exceeding five people). Later graduating from Omaha’s Benson High, he would soon demand to be allowed to join the US Army but only if he was favored with a chance to take his basic training at the then-beautiful Fort Ord, California. Thoroughly cowed. the Army acceded to his demands and he grabbed the first available plane to fly out of snow covered Nebraska to sunny California. After Basic Training he was shuttled off to Brooke Army Hospital in Fort Sam Houston, Texas (near San Antonio) where he wangled a cushy job as Entertainment Director, writing newspaper columns and putting on stage shows for the troops. Following his military career of a whole two years he returned to Omaha then sped over to the University of Nebraska at Omaha, where he majored in Psychology and soon learned he was certifiably nuts . . . at which time he did the only sane thing and switched his major to broadcasting.

He soon entered the hazardous field of radio broadcasting, there to languish for 25 years . . . moving from deejay to salesman, to Sales Manager, to Vice President and General Manager, to owner, then back to VP and General Manager, then back to on-air gigs as a Traffic Reporter for KFMB in San Diego. Somewhere within these years he earned a private pilot’s license,

Information on eligibility requirements, benefits, how to apply for Medi-Cal and about the Affordable Care Act is available online at sandiegocounty.gov/medi-cal or by calling 1-866-262-9881. ***

County Offering Free Graffiti Removal for Property Owners in the Unincorporated Area

A new County program now in place allows San Diegans in the county’s unincorporated area to remove unwanted graffiti from their property free of charge.

The Board approved the initiative in January. The first graffiti abatement occurred last week when contractors removed extensive graffiti damage from the side of a building along Campo Rd. in Spring Valley.

The previous policy required the property owner to pay graffiti removal costs. Under the new program, residents in the unincorporated area can schedule the graffiti removal through the County, and a contractor will remove the unwanted graffiti free of charge.

The initiative aims to beautify the region without placing a financial burden on property owners. Close

ASEL (Airplane, Single Engine, Land) . . . spent 1967 and 1968 as a war correspondent in someplace called South Vietnam, managed to fool a few people into giving him some prestigious awards ... and, as one of his crowning achievements, actually talked this people into paying him to do all these adventures.

He also managed to sweet talk some innocent little Scots lassie into marrying him and presenting him with two sons.

He’s jumped out of airplanes (five times), took up scuba diving, karate, and has earned a black belt in the art of napping at a moment’s notice.

Following his broadcasting career he bought and sold real estate as an investor in default, foreclosed and bank owned properties; he owned Lyle’s at Dixon Lake for 27 years and Lyle’s at Moonlight Beach, Encinitas, CA., for 17 years.

Davis lives in an unstintingly pretentious mansion by the sea where every morning, you will find him on the boardwalk, bounding along in a high, senile prance, flaunting a physique at which gentle, unawakened women sob aloud with simulated desire and cling to lampposts for support, squeezing their veils with excitement. (The fact that his mansion by the sea is located some 18 miles inland, technically, is still ‘by the sea.)

to 90 percent of graffiti cases are reported in areas of the region where residents often struggle to pay the removal cost.

If you want to report a graffiti issue in the unincorporated area, there are several ways to do so:

• Download the Tell Us Now App from the Google Play Store or Apple Store

• Call the 24/7 hotline at (858) 6942705

• Email CodeCompliance@sdcounty.ca.gov

• Report the issue in person at the County Operations Center –5510 Overland Ave., Suite 300 ***

State Route 78 Update

The closure of the westbound lanes of State Route 78 continues to cause havoc for commuters in North County. The closure began on March 17th and has been extended once again. While thousands of San Diegans have been affected, SANDAG continues to disregard the voters’ wishes and fund SR-78.

Being a vigorous man of the future, Lyle has joined the cyber-revolution by inventing the world’s first treadle-operated computer, a device bristling with insights such as: “Always Tolerate The Whims Of The Solvent” and “A Perpetual Indifference Means An Eventual Goodbye.” Lyle had two splendid sons, Scott and Kenny, courtesy of his first wife, and still very good friend, Mary. Mary is from Scotland and has become very adept as speaking English though with a mighty strong brogue.

He has been told that he resembles a movie star and, in fact, he is said to be living proof that Hopalong Cassidy and Loretta Young were more than just good friends.

Today he owns his very own weekly newspaper which he cleverly has named “The Paper.” It has a reported readership of well over five people - an achievement he cherishes after having owned The Paper for over 23 years.

He is a modest, humble individual . . . chiefly, it is said, because he has a lot to be humble about.

Thus endeth the tale of Lyle the Magnificent, though humble in spirit and deed.

Though, upon reflection it has not, in fact, endeth . . . for he is still very much alive.

Almost two years later those words from an ER doctor at Kaiser San Diego still ring in my ears. It was July 2021, at the height of the spread of the Delta Variant of Covid-19, and I had just returned home a few days earlier from being a camp counselor at a youth summer camp up in Big Bear. I wasn’t feeling great but thought it was just “the camp crud” that inevitably follows a week’s worth of cabin time with a bunch of Jr. High boys. Then, as I tried to walk up the stairs in my house and found myself out of breath before I reached the top, I knew something more serious was going on.

I had no idea how serious my health situation was until this “delightful” conversation that same night. There I was stuffed in a concrete closet, lying on a cot half my size in a hospital at max capacity, with a nasal cannula of oxygen. My wife and five sons were not allowed in and I was not allowed out due to hospital protocols. My ER doctor was clearly at her wits end. Who knows how many hours and how many patients she had seen that day already, but there was clearly no room for “bedside manner”. She looked at the x-ray of my lungs that were completely clouded and confirmed that I had Covid double pneumonia. She looked down at me as I struggled to catch my breath and continued her tirade, “I’ve seen people like you at your age come in here with lungs like this and they don’t make it out. You’d better call your family while you still can because I don’t know how much longer you’re going to have the ability to talk to them depending on how this progresses.” With that she handed me a plastic bottle to relieve myself in as I was not allowed out of that room. As she walked out and closed the door to the rest of the world I can’t remember ever feeling so alone. Her words reverberated off of those concrete walls like a clock tower striking midnight on my life. I felt beat up by my doctor while simultaneously beating myself up for being this sick. I know family members and friends who have spent their lives battling chronic illness and sickness, but this was a first for me. I’d spent my entire life healthy and happy and yet, in this moment, I was sinking into the depths of despair. I had entered the dark night of the soul. Thankfully, I serve a God that works the night shift.

A lifetime ago I worked as a barista for a 24-hour Starbucks drive-through in Seattle. I did my best to always get the early morning shifts because I was at my best and, generally, so were our customers. I had heard enough horror stories from my fellow baristas on how crazy it can get the later in the night it got, proving once again, in the immortal words of Whodini, “The Freaks Come Out At Night.” As it turns out, the fears come out at night too! I was afraid I’d never see my wife and sons again. I was afraid that my story was about to be cut short. I had spent most of my life in a vibrant, daily relationship with Jesus, but in this dark moment, He felt a million miles away. What if God didn’t come through this time? There were no windows in the room and it felt suffocating. Whatever faith I had left had fallen to the floor. I couldn’t feel Jesus. But I called out to Him anyway.

There in my dark night of the soul I reminded God I had much more He had asked me to do. I wasn’t done. Though I seemed a bother to everyone else in the ER that night, my Jesus was working the night shift. I remembered reading about His dark night of the soul in the Garden of Gethsemane. Jesus felt so alone as He wrestled with the reality of sacrificing his life through the torture of the Cross. He had brought along his friends, but they had all fallen asleep. Through His anguish and tears He prayed, “Father, not my will but Yours be done.” Jesus surrendered His life in that garden long before He was ever nailed to that cross. On that dark day Jesus called out, “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me!” It was the first time in His life He had not known the comforting presence of His Father. Yet, a holy God could not be near sin, and Jesus had taken our sin upon Himself. Jesus experienced agonizing separation from God so that I would never have to!

Whether I felt Him or not, I knew He was with me in that little room. In my tears I turned on the worship songs that I didn’t have the breath to sing, but mouthed the words anyway. I had found recordings of others praying scriptures of healing and I clung to these promises. Throughout the night my mind toggled between darkness and light. During what felt like the longest and darkest night of my life it felt like Jesus was holding me. He wasn’t just the light at the end of the tunnel, He was the light IN the tunnel. Somewhere in the middle of this I heard His voice whisper to my heart, “I’ve got some new songs for you to sing - you will get through this.”

I felt I needed to ask everyone I knew to pray for a 5-day miracle.

I didn’t know why that number was significant until many months later. A nurse who served during the Pandemic told me it was usually at day 5 that if a patient hadn’t improved significantly they would intubate. She told me that recovery after intubation was much less likely. I didn’t know this, but my God did. My Savior never sleeps or slumbers. He shows up when no one else will.

Thanks to the faithfulness of my God, the prayers of His people, and the care of doctors and nurses, I walked out that hospital 5 days later without an oxygen tank. The doctor even remarked, “I’m not sure what you’re doing, but keep doing it!” I told him it was Jesus who breathed breath in my lungs and got me back on my feet again.

On His dark night of the soul, Jesus didn’t stay dead….His story was still being written. He rose from the grave on the third day, the stone rolled away, and answered the cry of everyone who would call out His name no matter how late in the night it might be.

If you’d like to meet the God who works the night shift I’d like to personally introduce you to Him.

You’re invited to join me at The Father’s House 1185 Linda Vista Dr, San Marcos, CA on Good Friday, April 7 at 6pm for candlelight and communion.

Then, join us on Easter Sunday, April 9 at 9 am or 11 am to celebrate the only One who can bring the dead back to life again!

We will have a free coffee bar, childcare and a bounce house for the kids.

If you’d like to find out more or share your story please feel free to visit our website at www.thefathershousesd.org or give me a call at 760-798-9418 or email me at jon@tfhsd.org.

“Your lungs look like hell…”

5th District Supervisor Jim Desmond

Protecting Animals, Enhancing Public Safety

Ensuring the well-being of our pets and wildlife is one of my big priorities in Sacramento. I am a trained Project Wildlife Native Songbird Rehabilitator, and my experience raising orphaned and injured songbirds and returning them to the wild has guided me in legislation I introduce and support. I’m happy to report that most of that legislation has been signed into law.

For example, my legislation created the Native California Wildlife Rehabilitation Voluntary Fund, allowing taxpayers to check off contributions on their tax returns to support injured or sick wildlife. Another bill prohibits the sale or transfer of shelter animals to research facilities for experimentation or testing. I co-authored legislation requiring any public or private college or university that uses dogs or cats for research to offer those animals for adoption once they are no longer needed, along with a bill that protects good Samaritans who break into hot cars to rescue trapped animals. Another co-authored bill prevents the sale of wild horses for slaughter when purchased at public auction, along with legislation that bans the use of mile long drift gill nets, which often have severe unintended consequences for species like whales,

What do San Diegans think of SANDAG?

dolphins and sea lions. Since researchers have established significant correlations between animal abuse, child abuse, domestic violence, elder abuse and other violent crimes, sentencing options currently available for persons convicted of animal abuse need to be strengthened. That’s why I introduced AB 829 this year. The bill will expand current counseling requirements for those on probation for animal abuse, while giving judges discretion to order mental health evaluations for animal abusers if deemed appropriate based on evidence presented during the trial.

Appropriate mental health counseling and evaluation are important tools that can protect animals, enhance public safety and reduce recidivism. Until now, those tools have been inadequate. That will change when AB 829 becomes law.

Assemblymember Marie Waldron, R- Valley Center, represents the 75th Assembly District in the California Legislature, which includes the cities of Poway, Santee, portions of the City of San Diego, and most of rural eastern and northern San Diego County.

Rebecca Jones

The City recently launched its new energy provider under the Clean Energy Alliance (CEA) for residents and businesses. As a locally controlled not-for-profit, CEA offers clean energy options at competitive rates to power the homes and businesses of San Marcos.

I am happy to say that the new CEA helps to meet our goals outlined in the City’s Climate Action Plan because it provides electricity with a higher renewable content than SDG&E. Additionally, since it’s a locally controlled not-for-profit, remaining revenue gets reinvested into our community through onbill savings and innovative energy projects or programs.

You might be wondering how the process works and it’s very simple. The CEA purchases power directly from power providers and/ or builds energy generation sources. SDG&E then delivers energy, handles the billing and serves cus-

tomers. Finally, residents and businesses receive energy at competitive rates.

For more information on the Clean Energy Alliance, visit the City’s webpage. Residents and businesses can also visit the Clean Energy Alliance website for other resources.

Have you ever heard of SANDAG?

It stands for San Diego Association of Governments and plays a vital role in our lives here in San Diego County. However, many are unaware of its existence and impact on our daily lives.

In a nutshell, SANDAG is a regional transportation board that is responsible for all things transportation in San Diego County. It brings together all the local governments and decides on transportation planning, including roads, freeways, trains, and rail. So, whether you are driving to work, taking a train or bus, or simply commuting to different parts of the county, SANDAG directly impacts your daily life.

Recently, a credible pollster surveyed San Diego County to gauge public opinion about SANDAG. The results were fascinating and shed light on many different aspects.

The first, almost 28% of San Diegans have never heard of SANDAG, while another 25% have heard of them, but are unsure of the job they’re doing. Of those who have heard of SANDAG, only

Problem

1% think they’re doing an excellent job, while 23% believe they’re doing a poor job.

The second thing that stood out to me was that San Diegans don’t want to be charged for every mile they drive. 58% of San Diegans said they would definitely oppose a mileage tax. While only 10% said they would definitely support the proposed tax.

The mileage tax is still part of SANDAG’s Regional Transportation Plan. Even though there’s been a discussion of removing it at SANDAG, the tax remains, and California is looking to implement its own mileage tax. I adamantly oppose any such tax.

I urge you to take the time to learn more about SANDAG and its role in shaping our transportation infrastructure. We must stay informed and involved in the decisionmaking process to ensure that our transportation needs are met.

San Diego County District 5 Supervisor Jim Desmond, 1600 Pacific Highway, #335, San Diego, CA 92101, United States http:// www.supervisorjimdesmond.com/

by Christopher Elliott

When Maura Ruzhnikov sends money to a stranger by mistake on Zelle, she tries to undo the transaction. That’s easier said than done. Will she ever get her money back?

Q: I accidentally transferred $3,825 to the wrong person through Zelle via First Republic Bank. I entered the wrong email address.

The person who received the deposit was initially going to send it back, but his bank advised him against this since he does not know me. He asked me to file a claim with Zelle.

The stranger now claims the money is being “held” by Zelle. He told me to contact them, but a Zelle representative told me that is not possible and I must go through their bank partners.

I tried going to a local branch of the recipient’s bank, who advised me to file a police report and said they could not help me as I am not the

account holder with their bank.

I filed a police report and I have filed two separate claims with my bank explaining all of this and that the person who received the deposit seems willing to return it, but at this point I have no idea where the funds are. I communicated with my bank earlier this month and a representative promised an update by the end of the day, but I haven’t heard back since. Can you help me get my money back?

~Maura Ruzhnikov, Great Falls, Va.

A: I’m sorry for all the trouble you experienced. But the stranger did the right thing.

The reason? Sending money to someone you don’t know is one of the biggest Zelle scams. Here’s how it works: A criminal will create a Zelle account and link it to a

By Tom Morrow

Each of us has or will experience a good amount of history as life takes us from one day to the next. Do an assessment of your own life … you might be surprised.

For a kid born and raised in a southern Iowa farming community I’ve seen a great deal of the world I’ve interviewed more than my share of notables, history-making personalities, unforgettable characters and entertainers, as well as visited many historic sights. The only thing I ever wanted out of Iowa was me. Often as the sun was setting, I would look west, picturing in my mind’s eye what might lie ahead My philosophy of life was and still is: “dare to dream, dare to do” … and, boy, did I.

Historically Speaking Confessions of a History Chronicler

In high school I learned a lot about history but struggled with anything involving numbers. I’m still waiting on a challenge involving “Algebra.” The most valuable thing I learned in 13 years of formal education was how to use a typewriter. It served me well in college, the military, and my profession. Mr. Gray, our commercial arts teacher, wouldn’t allow me and my two best friends to take more than one semester of typing. Said he, “Typing is a course for girls who will be seeking office jobs, not boys who’ll never have the need.” I don’t think he ever envisioned yours truly as a gatherer of historical “notes and quotes,” suitable for publication. Truth be told, I think old man Gray (he was way on the sunny side of thirty} thought we were trying to skate through an easy course. He was partially right, but it proved to be one of the most valuable skills I ever learned. Being able to type got me the best details in the Navy. When it came to “volunteers” if a “truck driver” was needed, you got to drive a mop. A request for a “typist” temporarily landed you in a nice comfortable office. In those days only a small percentage of young sailors could type, but oh, could they swab a deck.

I joined the Navy, presumably, to see the world and I came very close to completing that task. Over

the following six decades I traversed this great country of ours coast-to-coast (several times), flew across the Pacific Ocean from San Francisco (Los Angeles and San Diego) to Hawaii, to Guam, the Philippines, Okinawa, Japan, the Aleutian islands Alaska, Midway, Iwo Jima, and the skinny coral reef of Kwajalein in the Marshall Islands. I cruised from Guam to San Francisco in an old World War II Liberty ship. Later in civilian life as a travel writer I flew, and/or cruised thousands of miles around the Caribbean, across the Atlantic to the United Kingdom, rode the rails through Western Europe, went coast-to-coast in Australia. Caught a trout in New Zealand, visited four provinces of Canada, saw the volcanic nations of Iceland, Mexico, Costa Rica, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras as well as the Bahamas, Saudi Arabia, Aruba, the

Travel Troubleshooter

by Christopher Elliott

Virgin Islands. I’ve been in all U.S. states except two: North Dakota and Vermont. I’m told I didn’t miss much in North Dakota. A close friend of mine, who is a native of that somewhat chilly territory, once told me the only thing stopping that cold Canadian winter wind blowing down from the north is a single barbed wire fence out at the edge of his hometown of Kensal.

But I digress.

The first historical event I vaguely remember was the World War II ending V-J parade on Aug. 15, 1945, along “O” street in downtown Lincoln, Nebraska. However, the event I distinctly remember was the June 25, 1950 invasion of South Korea by the communist North Koreans. That so-called “police action” sent a good many

Historically Speaking continued on page 15

Does Amtrak owe me anything for a forced downgrade?

Daniel Onn books a business class ticket on Amtrak. Then the rail carrier removes the business class car. Does it owe him anything?

Q: I had a business class ticket on Amtrak’s Coast Starlight train from Seattle to Los Angeles. I booked business class because of my low vision and the ability to have access to Amtrak’s business class lounge. I also get 25 percent more Amtrak points for food and beverage purchases.

Just before my trip, Amtrak removed the business class car and downgraded my seats. I lost my lounge access in Los Angeles and my 25 percent Amtrak Guest Relations points after it changed my tickets from “value” to “standard” category.

I think Amtrak can do better. I’d like an upgrade to a roomette or access to the business class lounge at the train station and meal vouchers with drinks. Can you please help

me fix this?

~Daniel Onn, Saratoga, Calif.

A: Amtrak routinely reconfigures its trains, but when it does, it needs to ensure the passengers who paid for a higher level of service get compensated. Amtrak’s refund policy addresses downgrades made by passengers but not by the rail carrier.

And what does it have to say about those downgrades? It offers no refunds, but suggests a fare adjustment may be in order. Separately, the rail carrier says if it makes a schedule change, an equipment substitution or a cancellation and the new accommodation charge or rail fare is lower as a result, it will issue an eVoucher for any residual value. So check your account -you should have some credit for your downgraded ticket.

You contacted me before your departure, meaning Amtrak may still have intended to respond to your request for additional compen-

sation. I think a fare adjustment would have been appropriate. Certainly, as a goodwill gesture, a few additional points or an upgrade would have been a nice touch.

If you ever find Amtrak is responding too slowly -- or not at all -- you can contact the rail carrier through the Amtrak executive contacts I list on my consumer advocacy site, Elliott.org.

I contacted Amtrak on your behalf.

Christopher Elliott is the founder of Elliott Advocacy, a nonprofit organization that helps consumers solve their problems. Email him at chris@elliott.org or get help by contacting him on his site.

© 2023 Christopher Elliott.

A representative called and offered you 1,000 loyalty points and a $100 discount on a roomette upgrade. You are happy with that offer.

A V-J celebration parade of Japan’s surrender

A young Iowa youth at the world’s largest Buddha in Japan.

Protect Against Real Estate Fraud

OWNER ALERT is a free real estate fraud notice service from the County of San Diego Assessor/ Recorder/County Clerk.

The service sends an immediate email notification to subscribed property owners anytime a document is recorded with our office transferring title to your property.

What You Need To Sign Up

• Your Email Address

• Your Name

• Optional - Assessor Parcel Number (APN): find it on your property tax bill (highlighted in yellow) or use the ParcelQuest look up tool.

How It Works

OWNER ALERT is available to alert subscribers when a document is recorded into the County of San Diego Official Records.

If subscribed to OWNER ALERT, you will receive automated email alerts when a document is recorded containing the indexed name and/or Assessor’s Parcel Number (APN) registered. This would in-

clude liens recorded and placed on your personal, business, and trust names that you register.

You can register up to 10 different names and/or 10 APNs per registered email address.

There is no charge for this service, and you may unsubscribe at any time.

What The Email Alert Contains

The automated email will provide you with a document number for the indexed name and/or APN you registered for, and a link to view the document index information. You may also search the document number through our Official Records Index.

We will not be able to provide information regarding the contents of the document. To view the document, you may view on one of the public kiosks at our offices or purchase a copy of the document.

To sign up visit https://www. sdarcc.gov/content/arcc/home/divisions/recorder-clerk/recording/ owner-alert.html

County Kicks Off 39th Annual Blood Drive

One in seven people entering a hospital needs blood. Even more urgent, blood banks supplying those hospitals are often faced with shortages.

That is why for 39 years, the County has hosted an annual blood drive to meet the critical need for donations.

This year’s month-long event kicked off outside the County Administration Center, with Chief Medical Officer Eric McDonald describing the importance both donating and creating diversity among donors.

To help spur regional donations, the County partnered last year with the San Diego Blood Bank, a Live Well San Diego partner, to create the Community Guardians Program. The project is dedicated to promoting and expanding blood donations.

The County drive is one of the largest and most successful collection events organized by the San Diego Blood Bank.

Certain blood types and surface proteins are unique to specific groups and if you have someone with a similar ethnic background, a blood transfusion is less likely to cause a reaction.”

• All blood types are needed.

• Appointments are honored first and walk-ins are welcome.

• Before you schedule, please read all COVID-19 blood donation restrictions related to symptoms, exposure, vaccinations, travel and mask updates on the scheduling website.

• First time donors arae encouraged to give whole blood. Please allow an hour for your donation.

For more information, please contact donor services at (619) 4008251 or donorservices@sdbb.org.

For locations and to schedule an appointment visit https://www. mysdbb.org/donor/schedules/ centers

The Truth Of Easter

The Pastor Says . . .

why ham is the main course instead of lamb? I have.

This is the special time of the year for two religious groups, Jews who celebrate Passover and the Christians, who celebrate the resurrection of Jesus, the Christ. It is these two events that bring these believers together, the Jews because of their deliverance from Egyptian bondage, and the Christians, because of their hope of a resurrection from the dead.

die, we don’t want it. Over the centuries, people have tried to find ways to keep on living through drugs, special elixirs, exercise, vitamins, and secret schemes. We even have devices to keep the dead body, until we can find ways to resurrect it. But death is a reality regardless.

University from page 3

lous. The food was a good as it can get and the company was grand as people all around talked to each other and to us, too. All behind a pizza parlor.

On our first on-our-own flight to Italy, my wife and I flew into Pisa and spent our first evening sitting quietly around a comfortable bottle of wine in the lee of the renowned tower. Picking up our rental car the next morning, we kept in mind our desk clerk’s admonition that the major driving rule to remember on the peninsula is: Get Out Of The Way.

Somewhere in this world of ours we hope to find TRUTH. Is it in the Easter Bunny? Is it in the Easter Egg? Or perhaps the Easter Lily? These are the major items which we use in the celebration of Easter. Of course, we have the religious expressions such as the sunrise services, numerous church services, special musicals, fantastic lily displays, and unique sermons. Often, there are family gatherings and dinners featuring ham. Have you ever wondered

Phee

We know that being freed as a community from captivity is appreciated, but what about the resurrection? Did it really happen? What does it all mean for humanity, or was it a once in life event only for Jesus?

To answer that question, we must stop to think about death itself. What does it mean to die? By definition, it is the cessation of life here on earth, All living things eventually die, not only man. Is that okay? We live, then die. And yet, we humans, for the most part, fear and resent death. “Death is our enemy”, says the Bible. Though we all

Pet Parade

Phee is pet of the week at your Rancho Coastal Humane Society. She’s a 5-year-old, 61-pound, female, Husky mix.

Phee was at a shelter in the Imperial Valley before being transferred to Rancho Coastal Humane Society through Friends of County Animal Shelters (FOCAS.) She loves to cuddle once she understands that she’s safe.

The $145 adoption fee for Phee includes medical exam, spay, up to date vaccinations, registered microchip, and a one-year license if her new home is in the jurisdiction of San Diego Humane Society.

For information about adoption or to become a Virtual Foster visit Rancho Coastal Humane Society at 389 Requeza Street in Encini-

tas, call 760-753-6413, or log on to www.SDpets.org.

Open 11 to 4, Friday through Monday, and by appointment Wednesday and Thursday.

As for me, one life on this earth is enough. But I also have the resurrection story of Jesus. He died and rose from the dead. I join with the thousands of humanity in living with a hope of a resurrection from the dead, with a new body and future without sin, guilt, and regret, not because I am so good, but because of Jesus’ resurrection, which He offers to me by faith and acceptance. Just how all of this works as to what? when? and even why? I leave it up to God to give us the TRUTH of Easter.

Pastor Huls

You are invited to call 760746-6611 for counsel, inspiration, and encouragement.

That vehicle got us to Arrezo, Gubbio, Assisi, Todi, Orvieto, Spello, Cortona, Spoletto and a dozen other towns during our five-week stay. Whenever someone wanted to pass, we let them. A beep-beep and wave as they flashed by was the motorized version of grazie.

We eschewed renting a Tuscan villa or apartment in downtown Venice or Rome and settled on our apartment overlooking Lake Trasimeno almost plumb in the middle of Italy. We saved the high-profile Venice, Florence, Rome. Bologna, Milan and Naples for subsequent visits. Our stops in all the aforementioned villages taught us more about the customs and culture of this land than any tour operator or correspondence course could.

For example, the castle-cum-village

University

continued on page 14

Pet of the Week

Maclin

Have you met Maclin?

You won’t want to miss the chance to know this truly incredible pup! Maclin is a wonderfully goofy pup who loves walks, playtime and simply spending time with his favorite people. He is sure to impress you with his fancy sit and shake skills.

The shelter environment has been a little new and scary for this handsome pup, but he will show you his winning and sweet personality if you give him a chance to slowly get to know you.

Maclin is available for adoption at San Diego Humane Society’s Escondido Campus at 3500 Burnet Dr. If you have questions about the adoption process, you can visit sdhumane.org/adopt or call 619-299-7012.

Pastor Huls

The Computer Factory

845 W. San Marcos Blvd. 760-744-4315

thecomputerfactory.net

We set off to find out how the acceleration of modern information technology has affected the “generations gap” between OFs (born before 1965) and YFs (born after 1964), There has always been a “gap” between the “whippersnappers” and the “fogies” but in earlier generations, technology, lifestyles and knowledge changed little in the span of a lifetime. Younger generations were admired for their strength and vigor while the older generations were revered for their wisdom and serenity. These perceptions still dominate in some cultures, but in modern America, not so much. It seems that something has changed the nature of the “gap” between OFs and YFs. The “gap” is no longer simply a natural consequence of aging and maturing. Today’s YFs grow to adulthood in a social environment

OFs vs. YFs. Part IV of IV; Conclusion

that is radically different than that of the generations that preceded them. What has changed and how has it affected today’s younger generations?

Last week we chronicled the formative years of the OFs. Their parents lived through the Great Depression and fought WWII. They grew up “local”. Neighborhoods were their world, mom was a housewife, schools taught American exceptionalism and Sunday morning was church. Most males were “drafted” into the military and subject to institutionalized discipline and respect for authority. As adults they brought civil rights to minorities and equal rights to women. They developed the technologies that grace our lives today. As a group they were little different than their parents and the generations that went before them. Gen X is the oldest generation of the YFs (born 1965 to 1980). Gen X AKA, the “middle child Generation” and “Latch Key Kids,” were often raised in homes with two working parents. Left to their own devices, Gen Xers tended to be independent. Their main influencers were their peers and teachers. The movie “Fast Times at Ridgemont High” and its anti-hero Jeff Spicoli became the iconic caricature for the Gen X generation. The Millennials and Gen Y complete the roster of YFs. As broad-band Internet replaced dial-up after it created an information revolution. Any student armed with a smart phone had instant access to the latest developments and theories in hard science, pseudo science and the humanities. Educators often found

themselves years behind their brighter students in the very subjects they were teaching. Teachers soon discovered that relevance and respect from their students could be regained by catering to youth’s natural inclination to question and challenge established norms and beliefs. Theories challenging contemporary views on things like race relations, human sexuality and American history were eagerly accepted by their students. Critical Race, Non Binary Sex and other “theories” confronting widely held beliefs were opinions and interpretations and not easily challenged by those simply holding different opinions and interpretation.

Broad-band Internet access made the entirety of human knowledge available to everyone and challenged the traditional role of educators as the primary transfer vessels of knowledge. The NEA (teachers union) sought to restore relevance by incorporating human relations “theory” into educational curricula. This has widened the “gap” between YFs with their iconoclastic

view of societal norms and the OFs with their traditional beliefs. If there is an answer to closing the “gap” and bringing older and younger generations together we don’t see it. The past quarter century has seen the Internet replace libraries as the primary warehouse of human knowledge.

Technology has driven a thousand fold increase in stored, accessible knowledge. Physicists, chemists, biologists, astronomers, doctors, surgeons; these are all specialists who devote their entire lives to learning a particular aspect of their chosen profession. No one person has comprehensive knowledge in any of the above fields. What will we do as we comprehend the inadequacy of our own ability to know and understand? Will we look for answers in prayer? Will we abandon our puny attempts to reason and simply rely on our emotions? Perhaps we will seek a wise leader who will make our decisions for us? It’s all been tried before.

John Van Zante’s Critter Corner

The Easter Bunny Don’t Lay Eggs

Adult chickens and rabbits need attention every day. You never get a day off. They need food, water, and care. Then there’s the poo. It doesn’t clean itself up.

About the time I think people “get it” that bunnies and chicks make lousy Easter gifts, somebody asks, “Do you know where I can get a baby bunny or a chick for my kids for Easter?” Or they ask, “Does your shelter rent out Easter bunnies?”

No!

They’re so cute when they’re little. But rabbits live 8 to 12 years and, when the fuzz falls off, those baby chicks grow feathers and become roosters and hens.

Don’t get me wrong. Rabbits and chickens can be wonderful pets. One of my daughters and her husband have three chickens, a duck, two dogs, and a cat. A happy little farm in their backyard in Escondido. But they knew and accepted the commitment. They have daily chores just like any other farmer. And they get eggs.

My son in law built pens with a safe roost that keeps the chickens and duck in, and keeps predators out. There’s a heat lamp to keep them warm at night and a kiddie pool that my grand duck (yes, I have a

grand duck) loves, especially on hot days.

One of my neighbors buys bunnies for his kids every Easter. I

know this because, a few weeks after Easter, they come bouncing into my yard looking for attention and food. The guy insists, “Rabbits are wild animals! They can take care of themselves!”

Be honest. It’s a struggle even for wild rabbits to survive. A white bunny who has lived in a house where it was warm, dry, and fed has no chance outdoors.

If you’re still convinced that you need an Easter bunny or chick, please visit an animal shelter or a rescue group. Let them help you make an informed decision. Having a pet rabbit or chicken can be lots of fun. But, as with any pet, you need to understand the longterm responsibility.

When Travel Goes Bad, Can You Get A Vacation Do-Over?

ing to Jeff Galak, an associate professor of marketing at Carnegie Mellon University’s Tepper School of Business. “Companies don’t want their customers to have bad experiences, but when that does happen, they have an incentive to fix those problems,” he adds.

If those people tell you to get lost, appeal to their supervisors. You can ask for a manager or look up a supervisor on this list of executive company contacts on my consumer advocacy site, Elliott.org.

And always be patient, persistent and polite.

Travel insurance can let you do a vacation do-over, sort of Your travel company may not offer a vacation do-over, but your travel insurance company might.

by Christopher Elliott

Lisamarie Monaco never expected anyone to offer her a vacation doover. She was staying at a resort hotel in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and things were not going as planned. That’s putting it politely.

Her room had no working power outlets, so she couldn’t recharge her phone or use her hair dryer. Enormous palmetto bugs lived under her bed, scurrying into the open after she doused the lights.

Oh, and it was the night before her wedding.

“I went to the front desk and complained,” recalls Monaco, an insurance agent from Jacksonville, Fla. “I didn’t want to sound like a crazed woman -- but it was my wedding.”

Everyone is thinking about vacation do-overs now

It’s the busiest spring ever for domestic air travel, with an average of 2.6 million people projected to fly daily in March and April, according to airline trade group A4A.

Airfares are soaring. In-flight altercations are on the rise. Flying is becoming unbearable for everyone except the privileged few who sit in those overpriced first-class seats.

Things aren’t much better on the ground. Many hotels remain understaffed, and cruise lines are still struggling with viral outbreaks on board.

No wonder people are talking about vacation do-overs. They’re

worried they might need one soon. But there’s a right way and a wrong way to get a do-over, and few people know about it.

Here’s How The Bride Got A Do-Over

Monaco’s experience is instructive. After she complained, the hotel immediately moved her to an upgraded, insect-free room.

“After the ceremony, the hotel invited me back for two free nights for a do-over anytime,” she says. “And they also apologized.”

Monaco believes her strategy was the key to getting a do-over. She remained calm and never demanded a free room. The hotel quickly offered it to her because it’s the right thing to do when you put a bride in a bug-infested room the night before her wedding.

About five percent of the cases I receive at my consumer advocacy organization directly ask for a do-over of some kind as compensation for a trip gone wrong. But most fail.

Why Travel Companies Ignore Most Do-Over Requests

I’ve always wondered what sinks a do-over request. So I asked Tom Peyton, vice president of Kids Sea Camp and Family Dive Adventures, to help me understand.

He says vacations are rarely an entirely negative experience. For example, one of his clients might miss a dive on a trip, but the rest of the tour will go off without a hitch. And while a customer may think

this “ruins” the entire trip, the truth is, it’s only a small part of the experience.

“We’ve credited a partial trip or a discount on a trip due because of an illness or an accident,” he says. He’s never invited a client to return for an all-expenses-paid vacation.

But customers don’t always see it that way. They believe that they deserve a free do-over because they missed an event, which is central to their trip.

It gets worse. Sometimes, travelers ask for a do-over and compensation for an inconvenience. That all but dooms the request.

A few months ago, one reader asked to return and redo his cruise because the ship skipped one port of call. He also demanded an onboard credit to make up for the trouble. The cruise line quickly turned him down.

How To Get A Do-Over From A Travel Company

You can increase your chances of a do-over with a few simple strategies.

First, make sure you have a compelling case. If you can imagine it as an example in this story, you’re good. Avoid presenting the company with a laundry list of grievances; instead, choose one or two problems and focus on it. (Bugs on your wedding night -- you can already see the headline!)

Then, make sure you ask the right people. Starting with the customer service department or the hotel’s front desk is the best idea, accord-

“While travel insurance can’t help if you if you have a bad time on your trip, it may provide some relief if you got sick or injured while traveling and had to cut your trip short,” says Terra Baykal, a senior marketing manager at World Nomads.

For example, trip interruption coverage could reimburse you for prepaid nonrefundable trip costs like accommodation, tours and cruises.

But what if you don’t like your vacation? There’s a limited doover option, too.

Trawick International recently launched an insurance product called “interrupt for any reason.” It’s an optional benefit that allows you to leave your vacation for any reason and seek reimbursement of up to 50 percent of your trip cost for your lost days and additional transportation cost to return home.

“For example, if you take the family to Hawaii but get there and it rains every day, you can’t enjoy all your anticipated beach activities and may choose to cut your losses and head home,” explains Bailey Foster, vice president of trip insurance at Trawick. “Travel suppliers would not provide you with a refund. But with interrupt for any reason, you can get back some of your expenses and put them towards a redo for your future trip.”

Why We Need More Do-Overs

I realize this will offend some folks in the travel industry who think the customer is never right. It will also rub some travelers the wrong way,

Illustration by Christopher Elliott

HELP WANTED

Drivers Wanted Part Time!

Monday-Friday Split Shift $16.63 an hour CALL TODA?Y 760-721-1706 Or APPLY at www.teriinc.org

CALLING ALL CRAFTERS

Oodles from page 3

Club have done over the years, many North County nonprofits and residents have received funds for education, food and shelter,” said Héctor Ericksen, Mariachi Festival Chair.

Proceeds from the Mariachi Festival and the VIP reception will once again go to support North County nonprofits and to establish the inaugural John Halcón Scholarship.

For more information or to join the Route 78 Rotary Club, visit: www. route78rotary.org

For tickets: www.artcenter.org

Swing Into Spring

Wednesday, April 19, 2023 4:30pm to 7:30pm

Bates Nut Farm

15954 Woods Valley Road Valley Center, CA

Swing into spring with an evening out at Bates Nut Farm and Farmer’s Daughter. Bring a friend and enjoy wine, soup and salad, charcuterie and Bates store samplings.

Reservations are not required but if you do RSVP by April 17th you will receive a $10 Gift Certificate! Call 760-749-3333 to RSVP

Local Organization Hosts Climate Action Forum on Earth Day

In celebration of Earth Day, a community forum on climate action and environmental stewardship will take place in Escondido on Saturday, April 22, at 2 p.m. Speakers will focus on local needs and will provide practical ideas for individuals and families to improve and protect our environment.

Bates Nut Farm hosts a variety of craft fairs throughout the year. Visit www.BatesNutFarm.biz and click on the Events Tab to download an application

Speakers and their topics include:

• San Diego County sharing the Getting to Zero plan

• Clean Earth 4 Kids sharing local environmental action programs

• Surfrider Foundation on “Break Free on Plastic and Zero Waste”

• Sierra Club North County group on Urban Forestry

All community members are welcome. Our location is First United Methodist Church, 341 S. Kalmia, Escondido. This event is sponsored by United Women in Faith, an organization that seeks to improve the lives of women, children and youth in the United States and internationally.

Be a Fool Fur Love for a Hopeful Shelter Animal

If you spend any time with the ridiculously sweet animals at the County’s animal shelters, you might just be a “Fool Fur Love” and give one or even two a caring home. Perhaps, you might even be swooning over one of our campaign “poster” models like Olaf, a year-old blond German Shepherd, Ricky Bobby, a pot-bellied pig or Mustachio, a year-old tuxedo cat.

Starting on April Fool’s Day, the County of San Diego Animal Services began offering a Fool Fur Love $20 adoption special for any adult animal. The shelters have so many wonderful dogs, cats, pigs and more—you’d be silly not to check for your next loveable friend.

Let

Residental Care Facility For The Elderly In Escondido

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Chuckles from page 3

One good turn gets most of the blankets.

There are two kinds of pedestrians -- the quick and the dead.

Life is sexually transmitted. An unbreakable toy is useful for breaking other toys.

If quitters never win, and winners never cheat, then who is the fool who said “Quit while you’re ahead”?

ASCII stupid question, get a stupid ANSI.

Willie was a Chemist, But Willie is no more, What Willie thought was H20 Was H2SO4.

A closed mouth gathers no feet.

Health is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die.

It’s not hard to meet expenses, they’re everywhere.

Jury -- Twelve people who determine which client has the better lawyer.

Never lick a gift horse in the mouth.

The only difference between a rut and a grave is the depth.

Marriage is the triumph of imagination over intelligence. Second marriage is the triumph of hope over experience.

If you want your spouse to listen and pay strict attention to every word you say, talk in your sleep.

Walk On Water

Dallas heard that his father, grandfather and great-grandfather had all walked on water on their 21st birthdays.

So, on his 21st birthday, Dallas and his big brother Damon, headed out to the lake. “If they did it, I can too!” he insisted.

When Dallas and Damon arrived at the lake, they rented a canoe and began paddling. When they got to the middle of the lake, Dallas stepped off of the side of the boat... and nearly drowned.

Furious and somewhat embarrassed, he and Damon headed for home.

When Dallas arrived back at the family home, he asked his grandmother for an explanation. “Grandma, why can’t I walk on water like my father, and his father, and his father before him?”

His sweet old grandmother took Dallas by the hand, looked into his eyes, and explained, “That’s because your father, grandfather, and great-grandfather were born in January, You were born in June, dear.” ***

I’m so classy, my mind’s eye wears a monocle.

Avoid using foreign-language phrases in your articles unless they have a certain je ne sais quoi. Oodles continued on page 14

Before marriage, a man yearns for the woman he loves. After marriage, the ‘Y’ becomes silent.

The Mighty Mojo Page

Advertise Here Call 760-747-7117

Problem Solved from page 6

of Panicale overlooks the fourth largest Italian lake where Hannibal slaughtered more than 15,000 Roman Legionnaires during his pillaging trip after crossing the Alps. Archeologist are still picking bones out of the water.

Our second-best piece of advice came a couple of days after settling into our apartment. Riccardo, the landlord who became our friend over the more than half dozen visits we made back there, made life much simpler by pointing out the Italian approach to oenology: “There’s good wine and there’s bad wine. That’s it.”

And the folks who were our neighbors were generous sources of trip tips before we headed anywhere.

We had to sample a slice of pizza Margherita, the original red, white and green garnish one devised in Naples during a royal visit, but then enjoyed what Neapolitans eat most – fresh seafood.

We strolled by Bologna’s two leaning towers for a free concert after lunch. Not only is this bustling burg the cuisine capital of the nation, it’s been labeled the food capital of the world. It also houses the longest continuously running university on the globe. And that’s where we were told to stroll to listen to harmonies produced by music students practicing at all hours of the day.

One more tip we can pass on came from a server in Cork after my wife remarked about the greenness of the Irish landscape. The immediate response was, “That’s because it rains every day. E-V-E-R-Y day.” So take an umbrella when dropping by that region of the globe.

Before we leave on any trip, we copy all the documents we take with us: passport, visas, driver’s license, travel-insurance policies, addresses and phone numbers of where we plan to stay – everything. We leave copies with relatives and neighbors, in a safety deposit box, and pack a copy in each piece of luggage, mostly carry ons now because we’ve learned to pack little and purchase anything we need on the road – T shirts, socks, toothbrushes, whatever. We wear what we feel will be the best outfit we’ll ever have to wear and launder it immediately after we land. Then we enjoy the trip.

Local from page 4

In 2004, San Diegans approved a half-cent sales tax that promised upgrades to State Route 78 in North County. Despite paying this tax until 2048, SANDAG has yet to make the upgrades, instead opting for less-used public transportation and mass transit projects.

This sinkhole is a stark reminder that SANDAG must maintain its promise to San Diegans and make SR-78 a priority, as it is vital to the safety of North County.

It is time for SANDAG to return to the table with a regional transportation plan that benefits everyone in San Diego County. Their top priority should be making SR-78 safer and reducing traffic for drivers. Additionally, they should not tax people out of their vehicles by charging them for every mile they drive.

Do-Over from page 12

particularly those who believe doovers aren’t fair to everyone else.

Do-overs may be expensive to a company, but they are even more expensive when companies don’t do them.

Mario Matulich, president of Customer Management Practice, sums it up best. Forward-looking companies “understand that it’s worthwhile to take a minor hit to their bottom line to make things right after a bad experience,” he says.

Telling customers that “rules are rules” often leaves them feeling betrayed and deeply disappointed. They promise never to fly that airline, stay at that resort, rent from that car rental company -- and they tell all of their friends. Then they make a viral TikTok about the incident.

It’s simple economics. A comped hotel room costs far less than the long-term loss of business. Also, it’s often the right thing to do.

Christopher Elliott is an author, consumer advocate, and journalist. He founded Elliott Advocacy, a nonprofit organization that helps solve consumer problems. He publishes Elliott Confidential, a travel newsletter, and the Elliott Report, a news site about customer service. If you need help with a consumer problem, you can reach him here or email him at chris@elliott.org.

Oodles from page 13

The Fool Fur Love pet adoption special runs from Saturday, April 1 through Sunday, April 9. Fees include spaying or neutering, a microchip, a rabies shot, updated vaccinations and a one-year dog license for those in the service area. The $20 adoption special is a great break from the normal adoption fee of $75 for a dog and $65 for a cat.

Walk-in hours are from 1 to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at both the South Shelter, 5821 Sweetwater Road in Bonita, or the North Shelter, 2481 Palomar Airport Road in Carlsbad.

Fill out an application online to print or pick one up at the shelter. Applications can also be emailed but it is quicker to go in person.

If you cannot adopt, consider fostering animals or volunteering for the shelter. For more information, call (619) 767-2675 or visit the Animal Services main website.

stolen credit card. Then the scammer uses Zelle to send payments to a stranger. The sender asks for a refund but then swaps out the stolen credit card for a real one and receives your money. The person with the stolen card then disputes the charge -- meaning you lose the amount you paid back.

Pretty clever, huh?

Zelle is a peer-to-peer payment system, so the money is transferred directly from your bank to the recipient’s bank. Each participating bank has a dispute process, and I asked about your situation, but your bank would not tell me who had the money and when. In the end, it doesn’t really matter -- it’s your money and you’re entitled to it. If necessary, you could have petitioned a small claims court for a refund, and you would have received it.

But working your way through the system -- however painful it may have been -- was the right move. I outline the ways to get your money back in my guide to getting your money back from a Zelle scam or accidental money transfer. It looks like you followed the steps I recommended but still fell short. I would have leaned on your bank for a resolution, since you are using Zelle through the bank.

How do you prevent this? Make sure you always double-check the email address of the recipient before you send. If you send money to someone by mistake, cancel immediately. Your bank may be able to reverse the transaction.

I contacted First Republic Bank on your behalf. A representative contacted you and told you that the money had been moved from the recipient’s account to his bank, where it was being “held.” A month after your erroneous transaction, you received a full refund.

Christopher Elliott is the founder of Elliott Advocacy (https://elliottadvocacy.org), a nonprofit organization that helps consumers solve their problems. Email him at chris@elliott.org or get help by contacting him at https://elliottadvocacy.org/help/

© 2023 Christopher Elliott.

1020 W. San Marcos Blvd., 118, San Marcos, CA 92078. This business is operated by a corporation. First day of business: N/A

/s/ Nicholas Ceko, President Filed with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/ Recorder of San Diego on 2/10/2023

3/9, 3/16, 3/23, 3/30/2023

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2023-9004241

The name of the business: Raptors

Baseball, located at 1120 Mulberry Drive, San Marcos, CA 92069

Registrant Information: Philip Wilson, 1120 Mulberry Drive, San Marcos, CA 92069. This business is operated by an individual. First day of business:

2/24/2023

/s/ Philip Wilson Filed with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/Recorder of San Diego on 2/24/2023

3/9, 3/16, 3/23, 3/30/2023

Historically Speaking from page 7

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2023-9003593

The name of the business: Twin Oaks Animal Hospital, located at 314 S. Twin Oaks Valley Rd., #118, San Marcos, CA 92078 Registrant Information: Twin Oaks Animal Hospital, 1134 Via Vera Cruz, San Marcos, CA 92078. This business is operated by a corporation.

First day of business: 8/23/2013

/s/ Ashley Weinberg Filed with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/Recorder of San Diego on 2/15/2023

3/9, 3/16, 3/23, 3/30/2023

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME 37-2023-00008822-CU-PT-NC TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS:

Petitioner Jennifer Zalud filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: Present name: Makayla Melendrina Lomas to Proposed name Makayla Melendrina Bala and Nicolas Lomas III to Nicolas Bala. THE COURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this matter shall appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objections that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing.

NOTICE OF HEARING:

Date: 4/18/2023, 8:30 am, in Dept. 25

The address of the court is: 325 S. Melrose, Vista, CA. 92081. A copy of the Order to Show Cause shall be published at least once each week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the petition in the following newspaper of general circulation, printed in this county: San Marcos News Reporter, dba, The Paper, 845 W. San Marcos Blvd, San Marcos, Ca. 92078.

Dated March 3, 2023

/s/ Brad A. Weinreb, Judge of the Superior Court 3/9, 3/16, 3/23, 3/30/2023

of WW II veterans back into uniform during a prolonged bloody war costing more than 50,000 U.S. casualties.

As the decade of the fifties traversed the calendar; other events such as the various school segregation battles, as well as the Russians beating us into space with a 187-pound metal ball called “Sputnik.” It wasn’t until Nov. 22, 1963, an historic event that, to this day, has affected American lives like no other: the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. Much like the bombing of Pearl Harbor, those who lived it remember exactly where we were when the announcement came across the air waves. The likes of that historic event didn’t happen again until Sept. 11, 2001, with the attack on the World Trade Center in New York City.

We haven’t been the same nation since Kennedy’s death. It truly was the end of our “Camelot.” The idyllic days of the forties and fifties were gone, never to return. It was a time only those of us who lived it can believe it ever happened.

At this point you’re probably asking yourself, “What has any of this to do with history?” Most of these locations are central to World War

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME

STATEMENT 2023-9004599

The name of the business: Immediate Process Serving, located at 27 Parkwood Lane,Unit 2, Oceanside, CA 92054 Registrant Information: Rolando Benitez 27 Parkwood Lane, Unit 2, Oceanside, CA 92054. This business is operated by an individual. First day of business: 8/20/2015 /s/ Rolando Benitez Filed with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/Recorder of San Diego on 3/1/2023

3/23, 3/30, 4/6/2023

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2023-9003271

The name of the business: GR Racing Outlet, located at 1669 Live Oak Road, #29,

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2023-9005952

The name of the business: AG3 Construction Inc., located at 1234 Nolan Ave., Chula Vista, CA 91911. Registrant Information: AG3 Construction, 1234 Nolan Ave., Chula Vista, CA 91911. This business is operated by a corporation. First day of business: N/A

/s/ Albert Gurrola III, President Filed with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/ Recorder of San Diego on 3/16/2023

3/23, 3/30, 4/6, 4/13/2023

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2023-9005569

The name of the business: Unity for Change, located at 1884 Matin Circle, #151, San Marcos, CA 92069.

Registrant Information: The Foundation for Juvenile Health Incorporated, 1884 Matin Circle #151, San Marcos, CA 92069. This business is operated by a corporation. First day of business: 3/10/2023

/s/ Maryanne Trinidad, CEO Filed with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/ Recorder of San Diego on 3/10/2023 3/23, 3/30, 4/6, 4/13/2023

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2023-9005130

N. Fig St., #A, Escondido, CA 92026. Registrant Information: Jessica Navarro, 930 N. Fig St., #A, Escondido, CA 92026 This business is operated by an individual. First day of business: N/A /s/ Jessica Navarro Filed with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/Recorder of San Diego on 3/1/2023 3/23, 3/30, 4/6, 4/13/2023

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2023-9005092

The name of the business: Quality Time Billed, Q.T.B., located at 1439 La Habra Dr., San Marcos, CA 92078. Registrant Information: Kevin Woodard, 1439 La Habra Dr., San Marcos, CA 92078 This business is operated by an individual. First day of business: 1/1/2023

760.747.7117

II, all of history’s most important period, or you’ve heard stories from older family members who lived it. You’ll find most of these locations were where Americans fought and died in the name of freedom. Recorded history has never witnessed such events.

You might make an assessment of your own life’s experience … it may be something younger members of your family will find to be important in the historic scheme of things.

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2023-9006102

The name of the business: Launch Pointe Events, located at 32040 Riverside Dr., Lake Elsinore, CA 92530. Registrant Information: Common Sense Events

Inc., 700 Merit Dr., San Marcos, CA 92078. This business is operated by a corporation. First day of business: N/A

/s/ Jonathan Aymin, CEO Filed with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/ Recorder of San Diego on 3/17/2023

3/30, 4/6, 4/13, 4/20/2023

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME

STATEMENT 2023-9005286

The name of the business: Stellar Home Improvements, located at 2054 Oro Verde Rd., Escondido, CA 92027. Registrant Information: Michael Martell, 2054 Oro Verde Rd., Escondido, CA 92027. This business is operated by an individual. First day of business: 11/01/2008

/s/ Michael Martell Filed with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/Recorder of San Diego on 3/08/2023

3/30, 4/6, 4/13, 4/20/2023

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2023-9006488

The name of the business: Kindness Janitorial Services, located at 5915 Rio Valle Dr., Bonsall, CA 92003. Registrant Information: Carmen Rocio Perez-Caycho, 5915 Rio Valle Dr., Bonsall, CA 92003 and Alejandro Ricardo Perez, 5915 Rio Valle Dr., Bonsall, CA 92003. This business is operated by a married couple. First day of business: N/A

/s/ Carmen Rocio Perez-Caycho Filed with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/ Recorder of San Diego on 3/7/2023

3/23, 3/30, 4/6, 4/13/2023

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2023-9004243

The name of the business: Cynthia Joyner Homes, located at 7020 Avenida Encinas, Carlsbad, CA 92011.

Registrant Information: Cynthia Joyner, 7081 Corintia Street, Carlsbad, CA 92009. This business is operated by an individual. First day of business: 12/7/2022

/s/ Cynthia Joyner Filed with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/Recorder of San Diego on 2/24/2023

The name of the business: San Diego Appliance Installations, located at 278 Hannalei Dr., Vista, CA 92083. Registrant Information: San Diego Appliance Installations, 278 Hannalei Dr., Vista, CA 92083. This business is operated by a corporation. First day of business: 2/1/2023

/s/ Juan Soloria, President Filed with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/ Recorder of San Diego on 3/22/2023

4/6, 4/13, 4/20, 4/27/2023

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2023-9005728

The name of the business: Ergo Apparel, Ergo BG Apparel, located 979 Woodland Pkwy, X101 X115,