April 13, 2023

By Friedrich Gomez

Recently released archive diaries, manuscripts, and other personal writings long locked away in a vault, have given astonishing new insights into America’s premier humorist and master storyteller. Even when this story was being filed, snippets of the great author’s personal life were finding their way into public awareness.

Well over 100 years since his death in 1910, Mark Twain continues to

occupy centre stage in American literature, still full of surprises and continuing to manifest added brilliance to his already-remarkable legacy. He was born Samuel Langhorne Clemens in 1835 but is better known by his nom de plume “Mark Twain,” a term paddle-wheelers on the old Mississippi River steamboats used to signify two fathoms (or 12-feet) of water. His wit and wisdom would become legendary.

Mark Twain had a live-in nurse

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whom he did not take a shine to, regardless of her good intentions. He even avoided voicing her name, and merely referred to her as “No. 5.” In his most charitable moment, Twain describes her in his memoirs, as such: “She was as healthy as iron, she had the appetite of a crocodile, the stomach of a cellar, and the digestion of a quartz-mill. She ate everything in sight, and washed it down with freshnets of coffee, tea, brandy, whiskey, turpentine, kerosene – anything that

was fluid.” (“A Family Sketch,” a 64-page handwritten memoir, unpublished for over 100 years, and kept in a vault at the University of California, Berkeley.)

Such treasure troves of personal letters and anecdotes, long hidden away (such as the above humorous narrative) are still slowly finding their way into the light of day. Remarkably, much of the man’s personal life remained greatly shrouded in mystery.

Mark Twain

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Until now.

Why is this so? Well, that was the way Mark Twain, himself, wanted it. The author made this demand: that his true, unedited autobiography was not to be published until 100 years after his death. It’s now 108 years since his demise and, yet, much of that goldmine is still slowly moving at glacier speed in finding its way into the public domain. Scholars, on the other hand, have unique access to such documents that are still kept in a vault at the University of California, Berkley.

Literary pundits are given greater access to these still-hidden documents, all of which affords them a better view of this extraordinary man whom historians have tagged, “The Quintessential American Novelist.”

These recently released documents, memoirs, etc., attest to the remarkable fact that Twain’s wit and wisdom remains timeless and evergreen despite the onslaught of well over a century since his death. As academicians note: “Most humor doesn’t travel well across time. Why does Mark Twain still make us laugh, while the humorists who were his contemporaries have been long forgotten?” This was the same man who tickled us with universal truth: “A lie can run around the world 6 times while the truth is till trying to put on its pants.” His

quotes could evoke both laughter and serious reflection on the human condition at the same time: “Don’t go around saying the world owes you a living. The world owes you nothing. It was here first.”

INDELIBLE INFLUENCE TODAY. Besides his patented humor, Mark Twain had a rare access to universal truth which he often disguised in simple dialogue from uneducated folk, such as found in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, the quintessential novel which moved the great Ernest Hemingway to say: “All modern American Literature comes from that one book by Mark Twain called Huckleberry Finn. All American writing comes from that. There has been nothing before. There has been nothing as good since.”

Hemingway went so far as to say that Huck Finn should not only be read once, but it should be read every year just to remind us of it being the matrix of the nearly perfect novel.

Over 108 years since his death and there’s still no way around it – you’re required to read Mark Twain to understand the entire perspective of American literature, it’s alpha and omega.

James M. Cox, a leading Twain scholar says of the recently released 3-volume autobiography from the Berkeley University vault: “Mark Twain remains as central as ever not only in American literature but in American life.” Since his death

23 Adult Truths

1. Sometimes I’ll look down at my watch 3 consecutive times and still not know what time it is.

2. Nothing sucks more than that moment during an argument when you realize you’re wrong.

3. I totally take back all those times I didn’t want to nap when I was younger.

4. There is great need for a sarcasm font.

on April 21, 1910, Twain’s writings have, reportedly, inspired more commentary and discussion than any other American author, living or dead. His works have been translated into an unbelievable 72 different languages around the world. As a wordsmith, and favorite author, he has no equal in America.

President Theodore Roosevelt used Twain’s humor in his speeches. And President Harry S. Truman kept a framed picture of him on his desk, along with Twain’s quotation: “Always do right. It will please some people and astonish the rest.” And President Barack Obama hailed him as “Our greatest American satirist and proud son of Missouri.”

From the pantheon of America’s greatest literary minds, there is a river’s-current of nonstop assessments. Immortal playwright, Eugene O’Neil, winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature, called him “The true father of all American literature.” As did fellow Nobel Laureate, William Faulkner who said, “Mark Twain is all of our grandfather.”

TWAIN’S DECEPTIVE WRITING STYLE. Though his writings seemed simplistic, and transparent in composition, therein lies the deceptive genius, clothed in irony, analogy, and allegorical truth, inspiring literary historian, William Dean Howells, to simply sum him up as “The Lincoln of Literature.” STILL MISUNDERSTOOD. Yet

despite all the limelight of fame, accolades and academic discussions, Twain still remains one of the most misunderstood literary figures, giving new life to the saying: “A riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma.”

THE MARK TWAIN THE WORLD NEVER SAW. He lived a life most un-ordinary. And The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and Adventures of Huckleberry Finn were, yes, glimpses of Mark Twain’s youth growing up along the mighty Mississippi, but these narratives were caricatures at best, and not the true genesis nor the formula that begat Mark Twain, himself. Nonetheless, much of what constitutes Mark Twain has always been there, scattered about in bits and pieces that have longbeen published, fifty, eighty, a hundred years and more. These various snippets of his life just needed to be sewn together to better form a mosaic of the man’s primary inner core.

WHAT FORMED HIS RELIGIOUS VIEWS. There is a longstanding ‘catch phrase’ which states that, “The Child is the Father of the Adult,” which means a child’s upbringing often determines the outcome of the adult-to-be in later years. This certainly seems to have played a major role in forming Mark Twain’s inner-most character regarding life in general, and politics, and religion in particular.

When French people cuss, do they say “Pardon my English?” ••••

You are only as old as you remember you are.

I’m 30. I think. ••••

When I was born I was so mad at my parents I didn’t talk to them for two years! ••••

“Gimme all your money!

“But I’m a politician!”

“Okay, give me all my money!

5. How the hell are you supposed to fold a fitted sheet?

6. Was learning cursive really necessary?

7. Map Quest really needs to start their directions on # 5. I’m pretty sure I know how to get out of my neighborhood.

8. Obituaries would be a lot more interesting if they told you how the person died.

9. I can’t remember the last time I wasn’t at least kind-of tired.

10. Bad decisions make good stories.

11. You never know when it will strike, but there comes a moment at work when you know that you just aren’t going to do anything productive for the rest of the day.

12. Can we all just agree to ignore whatever comes after Blue Ray? I don’t want to have to restart my collection...again.

13. I’m always slightly terrified when I exit out of Word and it asks me if I want to save any changes to my ten-page technical report that I swear I did not make any changes to.

14. I keep some people’s phone numbers in my phone just so I know not to answer when they call.

15. I think the freezer deserves a light as well.

16. I disagree with Kay Jewelers. I would bet on any given Friday or Saturday night more kisses begin with Miller Light than Kay.

17. I wish Google Maps had an “Avoid Ghetto” routing option.

18. I have a hard time deciphering the fine line between boredom and hunger.

19. How many times is it appropriate to say “What?” before you just nod and smile because you still didn’t hear or understand a word they said?

20. I love the sense of camaraderie when an entire line of cars team up to prevent a jerk from cutting in at the front. Stay strong!

21. Shirts get dirty. Underwear gets dirty. Pants? Pants never get dirty, and you can wear them forever.

22. Even under ideal conditions people have trouble locating their car keys in a pocket, finding their cell phone, and Pinning the Tail on the Donkey - but I’d bet everyone can find and push the snooze but-

Mark Twain continued on page 5

Chuckles

from page 2

ton from 3 feet away, in about 1.7 seconds, eyes closed, first time, every time.

23. The first testicular guard, the “Cup,” was used in Hockey in 1874 and the first helmet was used in 1974. That means it only took 100 years for men to realize that their brain is also important! ***

Does anyone else talk to their dog? I do.

When we go for a walk I talk to her just as though she were human. I talk to her about what a beautiful day it is and point out the lovely flowers. Or, I talk to her about what great dogs we have for neighbors and isn’t it fun when she plays with them? Sometimes she looks at me quizzically and cocks her head to one side or t’other, as if pondering the thought.

I can’t help but note the look of complete admiration she gives me with those big brown eyes of hers that always seem to say, “Why, that’s brilliant! I would never have thought of that!”

I’ve decided that wherever dogs go when they die, that’s where I’d like to go. ***

I found this parrot sitting on my front porch this morning.

He keeps saying, “Good morning, you old fart.”

Is he yours?

Homer

Homer, a handsome dude, walked into a sports bar around 9: 58 P.M. He sat down next to a blonde at the bar and stared up at the TV.

The 10: 00 news was now on. The news crew was covering a story of a man preparing to jump off a ledge of a tall building.

The blonde looked at Homer and said, “Do you think he’ll jump?”

Homer said, “You know, I bet he’ll jump.”

The blonde replied, “Well, I bet he won’t.”

Homer placed 20 dollars on the bar and said, “You’re on!”

Just as the blonde placed her money on the bar, the guy did a swan dive off of the building, falling to his death.

The blonde was very upset and handed her 20 dollars to Homer, saying, “Fair’s fair. Here’s your money.”

Homer replied, “I can’t take your

money; I saw this earlier on the 5 o’clock news and knew he would jump.”

The blonde replied, “I did too, but I didn’t think he’d do it again.”

Homer took the money

HOLD EVERYTHING!

I can’t IMAGINE how this slipped my mind for 38 years, but I JUST REMEMBERED that Diane Feinstein groped me at a political fundraiser in a San Francisco hotel in 1980.

I can’t remember which hotel, or exactly when it was. For that matter I don’t remember why I would have been attending a political fundraiser for Diane Feinstein or how I got there. But I’m SURE it was her, although I’ll admit I was pretty drunk at the time and most of the evening is pretty sketchy in my memory.

Sorry I waited until she decided to make a three-ring circus out of the Senate Judiciary Committee hearings to bring this up, but both my counselor and my attorney felt this was the right time. I tried to speak with Senator Feinstein personally but every time I called, the guy who answered her cellphone spoke Chinese and I guess he couldn’t understand me.

My attorney will be demanding a full Senate and FBI investigation of Senator Feinstein before my new tell-all memoir is published in October. ***

Sometimes I run into old friends, other times just walls.

Lovemaking Tips For Seniors

1. Wear your glasses to make sure your partner is actually in the bed.

2. Set timer for 3 minutes, in case you doze off in the middle.

3. Set the mood with lighting. (Turn them ALL OFF!)

4. Make sure you put 911 on your speed dial before you begin.

5. Write partner’s name on your hand in case you can’t remember.

6. Use extra Poly Grip so your teeth don’t end up under the bed.

7. Have Tylenol ready in case you actually complete the act.

8. Make all the noise you want.... the neighbors are deaf, too.

9. If it works, call everyone you

Submarine Veterans

Saturday, April 22 • 10 am

Charlies Family Restaurant

The Unites States Submarine Service Inc. Scamp Base meets at 10:00 AM: Saturday April 22, 2023, at Charlies Family Restaurant, 210 North Ivy Street, Escondido. The veteran’s group is open to submarine crew who have qualified to wear the warfare specialty pin, the dolphins (Silver or Gold). Others can apply to become associate members. Visit ussvi.org

***

Sisters In Friendship

Saturday, April 29 • 11 am

Shadow Ridge Golf Club

The Hidden Valley Vista City Council of Beta Sigma Phi International will celebrate its 91st Founder’s Day, “SISTERS IN FRIENDSHIP”, on Saturday, April 29, 2023, beginning at 11:00 A.M.

Shadow Ridge Golf Club, 1980 Gateway Drive in Vista.

All Beta Sigma Phis – active, inactive, on leave, transferees and guests are invited to make a reservation by calling Peggy 760-4196540 by April 19th.

Cost is $33.00 per person. Menu Choices: Classic Cobb Salad, Avocado Shrimp Salad, or Vegetarian Cobb Salad.

HVVC Chapters will be honoring and celebrating the recipients for the Silver Circle, Golden Circle, and Diamond Circle rituals and the installation of the 2023-2024 HVVC officers will be conferred.

Beta Sigma Phi is a social, cultural, and philanthropic International Sorority, headquartered in Kansa City, Missouri, with chapters throughout the world. If you are interested in belonging to a special organization and make many new friends, call Patty at 707-315-9209. ***

San Diego County Fair Exhibitions Taking Entrys

Not many events have been going strong since 1880. The San Diego County Fair began that year as a two-day gathering of farmers and crafters, exhibiting and competing

for recognition in modern farming, arts and crafts, and canned and baked goods.

Over the years, the Fair’s competitions expanded to reflect diverse hobbies and growing industries. Awarding ribbons (a blue ribbon is most coveted!), trophies and prize money to the best-of-the-best is a beloved fair tradition that continues today.

What’s your hobby? Start making, baking, growing, painting, tinkering, carving, sculpting, painting... start creating.

Perform on a stage, enter a contest, showcase your hobby or artwork... just a few of the many ways you can be a part of San Diego’s favorite summertime tradition, the San Diego County Fair.

It’s time to enter your best artisanal masterpieces, culinary creations, garden harvests, crafts & collections at the San Diego County Fair.

Entering a competition is easy, and you can win ribbons and even cash prizes while sharing your talent with more than 1 million fair visitors!

For more information visit https:// www.sdfair.com/ and click on the “Participate” tab.

***

Escondido Library Events

Teen Art Studio In-Person

Wednesday, April 19, 4:00pm - 6:00pm

Turrentine Room

Join us every month to express yourself through art! This month we will create layered art using watercolor paper and your imagination. All materials provided, but supplies are limited.

Register at https://library.escondido.org/

R.A.T.E.D. G Tween Book Club In-Person

Thursday, April 20, 2023 3:30pm - 4:30pm

Turrentine Room

San Marcos Sheriff’s Station Welcomes New Captain

The City of San Marcos is proud to welcome Kevin Ralph as Captain of the San Marcos Sheriff’s Station. Ralphs’ new position with San Marcos will allow him to advance his 20-year career in law enforcement, which began in 2003 with the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department.

Ralphs’ previous history in law enforcement illustrates his dedication and devotion to serving San Diego communities. Early in his career, Ralph earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice Administration. After graduating from the 66th Regional Police Academy, Ralph went from patrol units and special investigations to most recently serving as lieutenant where he was

assigned the Alpine Patrol Station, Border Crimes Suppression Team and Major Crimes Division, managing the Family Protection Detail. From his experience in law enforcement and his previous four years serving the City of San Marcos early in his career, Ralph adheres to maintaining public safety in the San Marcos community.

Ralph said, “I recall experiencing a neighborhood feeling while patrolling the streets of San Marcos. The community was appreciative, involved and invested.”

Ralph has a variation of experience in sergeant and lieutenant roles and prioritizes earning community trust by providing professional law enforcement services. Ralph recognizes the first step to community trust begins with being available and approachable while also listening intently and compassionately to the needs of the community. He notes the importance of following through with proactive and innovative steps to reach success. “I know I have to focus on the development of my staff, so they have the tools and training to be the most efficient and professional representatives of this public safety profession,” said Ralph.

mutual membership in Kiwanis. I grew to know him even better as I edited his biography, written by Claudia Aragon.

The book detailed how Are De Jong (senior, Arie’s dad) arrived in Amerca in 1949 with his wife and 10 children, with $32.00 cash. From this humble beginning, Hollandia Dairy was to get its start. The family moved to Poway and lived with the family that sponsored them.

In his new role, Ralph and the San Marcos Sheriff’s Department plan to enhance public safety in San Marcos by listening to community concerns and working closely with the community, in addition to the City, in order to bring resolutions to those concerns.

“I am honored to be entrusted with the responsibility of continuing to make positive changes for the San Marcos community in collaboration with the City,” said Ralph. “I look forward to getting back to my roots here in San Marcos and ardently providing the citizens of San Marcos with the highest quality public safety services expected of today’s law enforcement profession.

***

San Diego County Board of Supervisors Approve Anti-Tobacco Grant Funding

Strengthening efforts to prevent youth smoking, today the San Diego County Board of Supervisors approved the acceptance of more than $1.6 million in funding from the California Department of Justice Tobacco Grant Program. The

Hello Friedrich Gomez, I very much enjoyed your article in The Paper Volume 53 - No.12 about Splash Mountain.

I also disagree with the premise that it is being closed down over racism. The plan to renovate the ride to Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is not about Disney seeing things in Black or White. Disney sees only one color - GREEN.

Uncle Remus is ancient history to today’s children, so there is little or Local

continued on page 14

Arie de Jong said none of his brothers finished high school in America, and the only reprieve from working on the family dairy was when he and his brothers were drafted into the Army.

De Jong served two years as a medic in Germany during the late1950s, while several of his brothers served in Korea.

My treasured friend, Arie De Jong, 84, passed away last Thursday morning.

It was like losing a member of my own family.

I absolutely loved the man and was proud to call him a close friend.

During the last six months, during which I went through a number of major health issues, I could count on frequent Monday morning phone calls . .. “Lyle, this is Arie De Jong. How you doing? You feeling a bit better?”

I could never figure out why this very successful and wealthy man was so fond of me. But he was. And I, of him.

We became good friends, particularly over the past year.

I had gotten to know Arie through our

One year later, the family bought a dairy on the corner of Felicita and Highway 395 (now Centre City Parkway) in Escondido. Sales at the “Cash & Carry” were about $8.00 per day. Through hard work by all members of the family, and a couple of astute business deals, the family of 12, which didn’t even own a farm in Holland, successfully founded the Hollandia Dairy on Mission Road in the 1950s. The family had saved enough money to buy their own dairy in Escondido in the early 1950s, and by 1956 they had moved all their operations to the location on Mission Road.

Even today, you’ll find two small wooden shoes (klompen) outside the front door of the DeJong family home. The Dutch farming shoes serve as a reminder to the de Jongs of the “old country” and their years of hard work.

Arie de Jong was 10 years old when the family crossed the Atlantic Ocean in 1949, and he recalled the “waves as high as hills.”

Man About Town

“It was a rough ride and everyone got seasick on the ship,”DeJong said. “But I remember waking up one morning and seeing the Statue of Liberty as we entered New York Harbor.”

After being processed at Ellis Island, the family lived with the relatives who had sponsored their move to America.

While the rest of the family worked on the dairy, young Arie deJong went to school and remembers receiving extra tutoring in English from his sixthgrade teacher, a friend of the family named Mrs. Van Dam.

De Jong said he met many friends at school, but his 16th birthday was his last day at Escondido High School.

“I wanted to stay in school and the superintendent even visited my dad to encourage him to keep me in school,” de Jong said. “But my dad said no, and he said I had to go to work.”

“That was the best experience I ever had because I did not have to work as hard,” de Jong joked. “Basic training was easy compared to working at the dairy.”

Arie de Jong would still stop by the businesses, and during a visit to the processing plant he would chat with longtime workers and Dutch friends at the facility with more than 200 employees. Of Arie De Jong, former San Marcos council member, Pia Harris-Ebert said,“He celebrates the past, and like a true entrepreneur, he looks toward the future. At the same time, he never forgets where he came from, and he is still a hard worker.” Several times Arie invited me to ride along in his pickup truck as he showed me his various properties and businesses. He dropped me off at noon and I was exhausted, but Arie was just getting started. Arie was alwas go, go, go! He would be in the swimming pool for his daily swim at 6am, then a light breakfast and coffee with his wife, Aneke, and then he was off, running all day long. No wonder he went to bed at 7 or 8pm!

Man About Town continued on page 8

Oodles from page 3

R.A.T.E.D. G stands for Read And then Eat, and Discuss Graphic Novels, which meets every other month as scheduled by the Tween Librarian. It is open for kids ages 8-12.

This month’s graphic novel is Katy the Catsitter by Colleen AF Venable.

Call 760-839-5456 or stop by the Youth Services desk to get your copy of the book or learn more! Crafts and snack will be available at our scheduled book club in-person at the library.

Registration is required. There are 17 seats available.

Register at https://library.escondido.org/

To All the Books I’ve Loved

Before: A Teen Romance Book Club In-Person

Tuesday, April 25, 2023 4:00pm - 5:30pm

Turrentine Room

Let yourself get swept away... by reading a little romance. Register for our teen romance book club and then pick up a copy of the book from the Youth Services Desk. Attend the event and discuss the book, eat some food, and much more.

April 2023: Curses by Lish McBride

Summary: Merit Cravan refused to fulfill her obligation to marry a prince, leading to a fairy godling’s curse. She will be forced to live as a beast forever, unless she agrees to marry a man of her mother’s choosing before her eighteenth birthday.

Tevin Dumont has always been a pawn in his family’s cons. The prettiest boy in a big family, his job is to tempt naïve rich girls to abandon their engagements, unless their parents agree to pay him off. But after his mother runs afoul of the beast, she decides to trade Tevin for her own freedom.

Now, Tevin and Merit have agreed that he can pay off his mother’s debt by using his con-artist skills to help Merit find the best match . . . but what if the best match is Tevin himself?

Dia de los Ninos, Dia de los Libros / Day of the Child, Day of the Book Cultural Celebration In-Person Saturday, April 29, 2023 11:00am - 12:30pm Turrentine Room

Celebrate Children’s Day, Book Day and the joy of reading with

bilingual stories and songs from Mexico and around the world, traditional paper flower bouquet, crafts, and more!

Participating children may receive a free book (while supplies last) Registration is not required, but plan to arrive early as supplies may be limited.

Sponsored by the Friends of the Escondido Public Library.

Library hours are Monday/Friday/ Saturday 9:00-6:00 pm. Tuesday/ Wednesday/Thursday 9:00-8:00 pm. ***

Escondido High School Golden Reunion Picnic for Cougar Alumni in May 2023!

A special celebration marking the 76th Anniversary of EHS Golden Reunions is being held on Saturday, May 20, 2023, at Escondido High School from 11am to 3pm.

Everyone in Cougar classes from 1973 and before is invited to come and reconnect with classmates, enjoy a delicious picnic lunch, and help usher the class of 1973 into the 50-year ranks.

Jeff Felix, class of 1971, and co-chair of the committee, says: “Cougar spirit is riding high this year as hundreds of people are registering to spend an afternoon with old friends. Our volunteer committee has been working hard to contact all our classmates and solicit financial support while planning this major event.”

The picnic lunch will be provided by the Wrangler Barbecue restaurant, a longtime sponsor of the Golden Reunion. The Rincon Band of Luiseño Indians will once again be the premier sponsor of the event.

Tickets and information are available on the EHS Golden Reunion website at EHSGoldenReunion.org. Tickets, which include food and drinks, are $40 per person.

Riding tours of the campus are given free of charge. Handicap parking is provided.

This Golden Reunion event is produced by the EHS Golden Reunion 2023 Committee in association with the Cougar Alumni Club, a nonprofit organization. Donations to the EHS Golden Reunion are tax deductible.

You can also follow the Golden Reunion on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, or email with questions at info@ehsgoldenreunion.org.

Mark Twain from page 2

Twain’s acrimonious view of organized religion and Biblical accounts, for example, can be traced to his earliest years when he was forced to attend Sunday Services. These formative years as a mere child, left an indelible imprint that lasted his entire lifetime. These were the beginnings of his darkest lifetime moments that decimated and traumatized a young Samuel Clemens. Church sermons and hymns in his upbringing days were long, tortuous, and mournful, aimed at lost souls and eternal suffering and damnation in hellfire. To Samuel Clemens, a mere child in bloom, God seemed to be nothing more than a menacing brute, what he referred to as an overbearing “Big Policeman up in the sky,” just waiting to pounce on him with curse after curse in retaliation for his sinning and ways gone wrong. In her excellent account of these horrific days for Samuel Clemens, gifted author and unexcelled biographer, Nora Stirling, writes with great emotion of young Clemens’ nightly visitations, which scarred him forevermore: “Sam, knowing he was doomed, tossed and screamed in nightmares each Sunday night, but each Monday morning he was back at his sinning ways; and so he went, piling up a reserve of guilt and fear that was to last the rest of his life.” (“Who Wrote the Classics,” Vol. 1, by Nora Stirling.)

It is punishing to just imagine a human child, literally, waking up screaming at the top of his lungs, in nightmares, each and every Sunday night. And yet, it was so.

In full adulthood, Samuel Clemens – who now morphed into world-famous celebrity, Mark Twain -- often dipped his pen in vitriolic ink: “If Christ were here there is one thing he would not be – a Christian.” And, “Surely the ass who invented the first religion ought to be the first ass damned.”

Since his boyhood days, Mark Twain was certain that God, in retrospect, punished him with tragedy after tragedy for his wayward ways of smoking, cursing, and hating school.

THE SECRET LIFELONG GRIEF OF A MURDER HE BELIEVED HE COMMITTED. One particular moment in Twain’s boyhood forged a dagger in his brain and led him to believe – all his life – that he had, inadvertently, murdered another human being. According to Mark Twain’s own memoirs, this is what transpired. At the tender age of fourteen, Twain was in the company of his boyhood chum, Tom Blankenship (whom Mark Twain transformed into Huck Finn in his Huckleberry Finn novel; Mark Twain, himself,

became Tom Sawyer). One particular night the two young teens took note of a vagabond drunk who was placed in the town’s one-room jailhouse and decided to pay him an unauthorized visit. Peering at each other through the jail bars, the derelict finally asked the two youths for a light for his old smoking pipe. It was against town rules to even converse with the incarcerated; it was triple-wrong to hand him any matches. Not one for rules, Mark handed the drunk some matches. Short time later, the boys, now at the opposite end of town, noticed a bright orange ball illuminating the evening sky. Running back to the jailhouse, it was too late. Engulfed in an unforgiving inferno, the frantic screams from a man tearing at his bars was suddenly silenced. The dead man was only the first of many tragedies that Mark Twain would blame himself for. He felt certain, the Big Judge in the sky (the Biblical God), was reaching out to punish him for all his wrongdoings, all his transgressions, all his careless behavior. Mark Twain would later write, “. . . the swindle of life and the treachery of a God that can create disease and misery and endless crime – create things that men would be condemned for creating – that men would be ashamed to create.” Truths often couched in humor have long been a Mark Twain trademark. However, when wrestling with such raw experiences such as death, suffering, and pain, Twain often took off the gloves and wrote his thoughts down hard, bare-knuckled, uncensored, and filtered with disguised humor.

The celebrated author never relished the company of Christians, nor subscribed in their belief-system and, in fact, boasted that his early church-tending days seemed happily over.

“Nothing agrees with me. If I drink coffee, it gives me dyspepsia; if I drink wine, it gives me the gout; if I go to church, it gives me dysentery.”

CONFLICTING RELIGIOUS VIEWS AND AMENDMENTS.

Despite his acrimonious view on organized religion, Mark Twain found it most ironic that his supreme idol was a Catholic saint, by the name of Joan of Arc (The Maid of Orleans). “It took six thousand years to produce her; her like will not be seen in the Earth again in fifty thousand.” (“Personal Recollections of Joan of Arc,” by Mark Twain, 1896.) She was the summit of Twain’s admiration, “She is easily and by far the most extraordinary person the human race has ever produced.” (“Saint Joan of

Mark Twain

Fentanyl Crisis Hits Tribal Communities

On March 28th, the Native American Caucus held a hearing in Sacramento to discuss fentanyl’s impact on tribal communities and to raise awareness along with identifying solutions to the crisis. As a member of the Caucus, I was extremely honored to take part in this eye-opening discussion.

Participants included representatives from reservations throughout California, including the Pala Band of Indians and the Manzanita Band, both from San Diego County. Healthcare providers, law enforcement and other tribal officials attended.

A few sobering statistics from Northern California were provided:

• In Del Norte County in 2021, Emergency Department visits for fentanyl-related overdoses of Native persons were 54.49 per 100,000 residents; for whites the rate was 5.87 per 100,000

• The fentanyl-related overdose death rate for Native peoples in Humboldt County was 114.99 per 100,000, vs. 26.32 for Hispanics and 23.80 for the white population

These tragic statistics are not unique to Northern California. Throughout the state, we have seen a significant increase in opioid overdoses (most-

ly from illegally produced synthetic opioids like fentanyl brought to the reservation by non-tribal people), along with increased suicide rates, homelessness, domestic violence and child abuse.

The societal cost of these poisons is massive, and the problem is magnified in Indian Country. Emergency response is often too far away, there is a significant lack of regional treatment services in rural/ tribal areas, and mental health crisis teams are mostly unavailable. Solutions include providing overdose reversing drugs such as Naloxone for reservations, increased drug prevention/education programs aimed at youth, and increased state investments in Medically Assisted Treatment (MAT) delivery services in rural communities.

By working directly with California’s tribal governments, thousands of lives will be saved. I will continue my efforts to make that happen.

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.

A Word from San Marcos Mayor Rebecca Jones

Taking San Marcos One Step Closer To California’s Zero Waste Goals

The City of San Marcos takes clear action to be environmentally friendly to improve the City and the planet. I encourage all residents to partake in sustainable practices, such as our new organics recycling program by EDCO.

EDCO offers residents the opportunity for trash and recycling to pick up organic waste during their regularly scheduled trash day. Residents can now combine leftovers, organic waste and yard debris in their green cart. Organic waste comes in many forms, including the following:

• Food scraps

• Landscaping and pruning

• Non-hazardous wood cuttings

• Food-soiled paper waste

Residents who start organic recycling will help turn their organic waste into natural resources rather than leaving it to be dumped into a landfill. Organic waste does not properly decompose when placed in

A County Update

It’s been a crazy and unfortunate week at the County Board of Supervisors. I wanted to give you an update on the latest regarding Nathan Fletcher. On March 26th , Mr. Fletcher claimed he was stepping away temporarily due to alcohol abuse and PTSD. However, it’s clear that this was just a coverup for infidelity and alleged other crimes. The next day, two women accused Supervisor Nathan Fletcher of sexual harassment and assault. On March 29 th , Mr. Fletcher announced he would be resigning from the Board of Supervisors on May 15. While this is a pending civil case, it’s clear that Mr. Fletcher should end his County employment immediately. He is still getting paid by the taxpayers, and if he remains in his position until May 15, he will gain another $25,000.

While the Board of Supervisors does not have the power to remove Mr. Fletcher, it’s clear that he should not be receiving taxpayer funds while he sorts out his issues.

San Diego County faces many pressing issues, including homelessness, affordable housing, and inflation. Mr. Fletcher’s actions are causing unneeded distractions, and his resignation should be effective immediately.

This situation raises the question of what happens next. There are two options: the Board of Supervisors can appoint someone if there’s a majority consensus, or there will be a special election. There are pros and cons to both options. Selecting someone will save the taxpayers about $2 million, but the voters of District 4 won’t have a say. During the first meeting in May, the Board of Supervisors will discuss their options, and it’s important for everyone to stay involved in the process.

The County of San Diego does not tolerate any form of harassment, and victims must know they have resources available. If you’ve been a victim of harassment and are a County of San Diego employee, you can call the County at (619) 531-5174. If you don’t work at the County but are suffering abuse, harassment, or sexual assault, reach out to One Safe Place in San Marcos, or call my office, (619) 531-5555, and we will get you to the right person for help.

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

Problem Solved

by Christopher Elliott

When a U.S. Customs agent confiscates Adriana Cordero’s passport, she tries to get it back. But government bureaucracy is standing between her and her ID.

Q: Last year, U.S. Customs confiscated my passport in Montreal as I was returning to the United States. The reason the officer gave me was that it had been reported as “lost or stolen.” It was neither because I was holding it in my hands!

site gives that same number to call for help. There are no options on the website, forms, or phone tree for my particular situation.

Finally, I filled out a complaint form on their website, and that yielded a phone call. A representative gave me an address to send a letter with documentation about my situation. That was three months ago, and I have no way to contact anyone to follow up.

a landfill due to the lack of oxygen, resulting in the release of harmful gases into the environment.

Together, let’s begin our organic recycling journey!

For more information, visit the City’s Recycling webpage or contact recycling by phone at (760) 752-7550 ext. 3333

What I had reported as “lost or stolen” was my passport card. I had applied for both a passport and passport card. I received the passport but never received the card. I reported the card as missing, and in time received a replacement.

When I got home, I started to call and email the State Department. There is no way to speak to a human. The phone recording tells you to go to the website, and the web-

I’ve spent hours trying to figure out how to fix this. I know passports are taking longer than usual, but I’m uncomfortable not having my legit passport in hand. Can you help me?

~Adriana Cordero, Washington, D.C.

A: The State Department really got its wires crossed with your missing passport card. You reported a miss-

Historically Speaking Things of Yesterday that no longer exist

photo of two African-American cherubs … years before today’s political and social correctness.

In the hand soap category we preferred a bar of “Lava.” Founded in 1893, today it’s produced by WD40. Dad liked it because it cleaned grease from his hands; Mom liked to threaten me by “washing my mouth out with soap” if I uttered any bad words. “Damn” got me a taste of Lava.

In the winter when colds were prevalent and coughs persisted there always was the Smith Brothers’ cough drops to keep you from hacking. The boys were well worth the dime … tastier than Luden’s or Vick’s.

The soda companies re-used the bottles. It was a common-place way for us kids to get spending money.

Mercurochrome” was used for skin scrapes if you didn’t want it to burn, but Methylate was what Mom used if she wanted it to heal … but, boy, did it burn.

By Tom Morrow

As you probably know there are many products that come and go, never again to be marketed and are quickly forgotten. Here are a few things from the past 80 years no longer with us.

The two washing detergents used by many housewives were “Rinso,” and “Gold Dust Washing Powder.” Rinso, a product of England, was introduced to the U.S. market in 1918. Today the brand is only available in Turkey and Brazil. You might recall the radio jingle: “RinsoWhite, RinsoBright, Happy Little Wash Day Song.”

The main reason for the U.S. disappearance of the Gold Dust Twins was because the label depicted a

And while we’re on the subject of bar soap, I spent time in the Navy on Midway Island out in the Pacific. Fresh water had to be brought in from Hawaii, hence we had only “salt water” showers available. The only soap that would “lather up” was a bar of Vel. If you didn’t want to smell and itch from salt water after showering you used Vel. Today that product is available only in Denmark, (after all, the Danes are surrounded by salt water).

For keeping your teeth clean there were several brands. “Ipana” toothpaste was one early product. In the early 20th century you couldn’t find tubed toothpaste. In those days prior and during World War II the more common teeth and mouth cleaner was powder in a can, or you could use Mom’s baking soda. No brush? No worries. You just used your index finger.

For sugar beverages of choice, we youngsters always liked “Dad’s Old Fashion” root beer primarily because it came in a squatty brown bottle like the real brew our dads drank. Royal Crown Cola and Pepsi Cola were popular drinks primarily because of their bottle size was 12 ounces; Coca Cola only had 6 ounces, but Coke always was the leader. Pepsi’s popular radio jingle was: “Pepsi Cola hits the spot, 12 full ounces that a lot!” All three are still readily available, but not in glass bottles).

Soda pop glass bottles could be returned to any store that sold soda pop and receive .02 cents in return.

by Christopher Elliott

Krista O’Brien accidentally pays $449 extra for her checked luggage on an Aer Lingus flight. Why won’t the airline help her undo the mistake?

Q: I recently booked tickets through the Aer Lingus website. When I did, the site only listed a carry-on as included with the fare rather than both a carry-on and one checked bag before final purchase.

I was confused, and I unknowingly added three extra checked bags, which was unnecessary. I overpaid Aer Lingus $449 because it included an additional checked bag for each passenger on my itinerary.

I called Aer Lingus twice on the same date of ticket purchase, and filed an online request that it return the luggage fee. I kept receiving messages that the fee was nonrefundable.

I believed Aer Lingus’ online booking was very confusing and deceptive, so I also filed a complaint with the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). I received no further information from the DOT other than acknowledgment of my complaint.

I want my $449 back. Can you help me get it?

~Krista O’Brien, New Haven, Conn.

A: Aer Lingus should have been clear about what was included in your fare. Most longer international flights include a checked bag, so maybe it assumed everyone knew -- but everyone did not know.

Your case raises several important issues. First, there’s the issue of an airline intentionally making its booking interface confusing in a way that benefits it. This is most

common with seat assignments. If you have an airline ticket, you have a seat. The airline will try to sell you a seat assignment -- meaning you get to select where you sit. But it sometimes leaves you with the impression that you don’t have a seat at all. That’s a deceptive booking interface.

Did Aer Lingus have a deceptive interface? I couldn’t check because doing so would require that I buy a ticket, which I don’t need. But I believe you when you say you were confused. I don’t know if the confusion was intentional. It might have been, and maybe that’s something for the Department of Transportation to investigate.

The second issue is the refundability of fees. Already, the DOT says your airfare must be refundable if you cancel within 24 hours, unless you are a week or less before your trip. So why not apply the same

After World War II, factories began turning out products the buying public demanded … automobiles, kitchen appliances, sewing machines and the like were in popular demand. But, all during the late forties up until present day market it was television sets the public wanted for movies, news and entertainment brought into our living rooms. Down through the years TV sets have continued to sell in the $400 to $500 range. The difference? Those early sets were all made in America.

The public-rejected 1959 Edsel

A number of American automobiles are no longer with us: Kaiser, Frazier, Henry J. Also, the Cord, Graham, Desoto, Pontiac,

rule to fees?

And finally, there’s the fee itself. Every plane ticket should include a seat, a checked bag, and on longer flights, something to eat and drink. And if you think the latter is a luxury, you should have been on the budget airline flight from Madrid to Buenos Aires where they tried to sell us breakfast and drinks at the end of a 13-hour flight. I’m surprised there wasn’t a riot on board.

Remember, if you can’t make progress with the lower-level contacts at an airline like Aer Lingus, you can always take your complaint to the top. I list the names, numbers and email addresses of the customer service executives of Aer Lingus on my consumer advocacy site, Elliott.org.

Mark Twain

from page 5

Arc,” by Mark Twain, 1919.)

Equally ironic is that the celebrated American was traveling through the Holy Land as a correspondent when he chanced upon a portrait of a young, staunch Christian girl, petite and slender, and with piercing dark eyes and, suddenly, his mind was reversed. Reversed regarding comporting with Christians, and also in regards to the fairer sex. As a journalist and lecturer, he had often boasted that he was a confirmed bachelor. “I’ve never had the wish or the time to bother with women.” Now, something strange and indefinable crystallized within Mark Twain, now in his thirties, and he heard himself say, “I could worship a girl like that.” And he did, for the remainder of his life. Mark Twain had found his other half of existence, in the form of his wife-to-be, Olivia Susan Langdon (“Livy”). She was the best thing that ever happened to him, and their love was unparalleled by any standard. Forty years after they married, Mark Twain said, “From the first day I saw her, she has never been out of my mind.”

But, Mark Twain was ever leery of that Big Judge up in the sky (the Old Testament God), ready to pounce on him for his every transgression, past to present. When Twain had lost his father earlier in his life, who died at the young age of 49,

Man About Town

from page 4

Anther memory of Arie . . . as we drove around Escondido and San Marcos he would see a house or an elderly person and he would say, “I used to deliver milk to them!”

I soon came to believe that when Arie was delivering milk in the early years that he must have delivered milk to eveyr single house in Escondido and San Marcos!

He had a fascinating memory for people, houses, and neighborhoods.

To show what a class guy Arie was . . . last Tuesday, Pastor Richard Huls and I visited Arie at home. He was quite ill, completely blind by now, and a great deal of pain but when I announced, “Hi, Arie, this is Lyle Davis and Revered Huls is here with me,” his face lit up and and he said, “Lyle Davis! How are you! And Pastor Huls! Thanks for coming by!”

We only stayed about 20 minutes but as we left I shook Arie’s hand and said, “Arie, Pastor Huls and woould like to come back and visit you again, whenever you feel up to it.”

he blamed himself, because he felt God was punishing him through his father’s death. Same when he lost his brother, Benjamin, struck down as a mere child of ten. His life seemed a cursed one. A cursed one in spades! He had lost his sister, Margaret, who died at age nine, leaving Mark, a confused toddler only four years old. Then, curse upon curse, he lost his other brother, Henry, when death claimed him at the young age of 20. Mark was 23 when his brother, Henry, died, and he felt as though the moon and the stars had fallen upon him. The trauma, torment, and confused pain, all pressed upon his young psyche, and shredded it. Surely, he thought, God’s long judgmental hand eagerly swatted him. Yet, Twain seemed to differentiate his qualms between the Old and New Testament as reflected in his own handwriting: “God, so atrocious in the Old Testament, so attractive in the New – the Jekyl and Hyde of sacred romance”.

To his way of thinking, it is little wonder he turned with reckless abandon, to rough-housing, cursing, smoking, and a taste for liquor early on and which persisted through later years. But surely, Livy -- now his newlywed wife -- could save him from his irreverent ways. Part him from his taste for liquor, cigars, and profanity. Smoking and liquor can be modified, she reasoned, but the profanity had to go. Once, when Mark Twain was getting dressed he blew his fuse when he found a missing

And as we shook hands he once again sad, “Lyle, how are you doing? Are you feeling better?”

Arie knew he was dying but here he was again, inquiring about my health. That, to me, is class.

A day ad a half later, he passed.

It’s hard for me to accept the fact that this lovely man with the big, booming voice is gone. I shall miss his cheery phone calls, “Lyle, this is Arie De Jong! How you doing? You feeling better?”

••••

Regular readers of this column know I enjoy good food and frequently comment on local restaurants. They also know that while enjoying good food I also enjoy and expect, good service.

The yardstick by which I measure good service is by the servers at Charlie’s Family Restaurant and Dominic’s. The serving staff at Charlie’s, particularly by long time servers Tracy and Tina, is superb’ similarly, Michele at Dominic’s sees to it that her patrons are treated like royalty. I kinda like being treated like royalty.

shirt button. He launched into irreverent language, cursing that would have caused the Seventh Fleet to blush! Unknown to him at the time, Livy had heard his every curse word from behind a door. Lifting her petite and tiny voice as best she could, she aimed at shaming her husband by repeating his every word back to him. “Livy,” Twain said, very shocked, “did it really sound like that?” When his wife answered, “Of course it did, only worse. And I wanted you to hear just how it sounded.” Mark Twain stood straight, to his full height, pulled down on his shirt, cleared his voice, and said, “Livy, it would pain me to think that when I swear it sounds like that. You got the words right, Livy, but you don’t know the tune.” (“A Family Sketch,” Ibid)

PERSONAL TRAGEDY HARDENED HIS HEART. Again, disaster was close behind. Livy gave birth to a little boy (Landon Clemens, 1870) and they all soon moved to Hartford, Connecticut. Out riding with the baby on a frigid day, Mark accidentally let the blanket slip from the baby’s legs, unnoticed, and the infant caught cold. Diphtheria set in, and he died soon after. Mark forever blamed himself for bringing such a curse upon his only son. He never forgave himself. Nor the God overhead who oversaw everything.

At times, Mark Twain felt at rope’s end. But, the drama unfolding in his private life was not through

It didn’t start out as a particularly scary evening . . . far from it. Rather routine, in fact.

I had hired a beautiful young gal named Katrina to help take the load off of keeping the house and my office tidy.. Katrina knew how to keep books, was familiar with Quicken, Excel, all the stuff accounting types need to keep the dollars and cents in line. She was bi-lingual, speaking English, Spanish, Farsi (Persian) and Arabic. Single and attractive, I didn’t know how long she’d be with us before some gallant young lad would come and sweep her off her feet and dash off to a lovely little cottage with a picket fence.

I told Katrina I was going out for some fresh air, thought I’d go up and visit my old stomping grounds, Dixon Lake, where I had owned the concession for boat rentals and fishing permits for some 27 years. She said she’d catch any phone calls.

So, off I went to Dixon Lake. The sun had already set but I had brought along a flashlight and, together with the night time lighting in the picnic area where the ranger offices are located, I managed to retrace some of the paths I had often trod during those 27 years that I

with him yet. Over time, his daughters were the beacon in his life: Susy, Clara, and Jean. But wife, Livy, she was the valve, the pump, the ventilator which kept his heart going, and for a while, life seemed good. His family was his everything.

But, slowly, little by little, he saw his precious family begin to vanish. One by one, he saw them go. Susy, the eldest daughter, died first. She had become ill when Mark and wife, Livy, were abroad, on a worldwide lecture tour. Daughter Clara went with them to Europe; Jean was too young and stayed home, with Susy. Mark was in London when a cable reach his hand, announcing the death of his daughter Susy. She had died of spinal meningitis. And he was not there for her. Mark blamed himself again, for his wayward life and the curse he brought down upon his precious family, or so he thought. He was devastated beyond words, and it is amazing he did not take his own life. In his own words, he scarcely believed he was able to survive this ordeal, “It is one of the mysteries of nature,” he cried, “that a man, all unprepared, can receive a thunderstroke like that and live.” For a long period, there was no laughter in the house, neither were there any birthdays, or any observance of Christmas. All such celebrations were halted. It

Mark Twain continued on page 9

owned “Lyle’s at Dixon Lake.” Lots of great memories.

Then the reverie was broken as my cellphone buzzed. I checked it and saw in incoming text message.

“You are in danger! Someone is tracking you and intends to kill you! He is upset because you’ve been arguing against gun control and supporting the 2nd Amendment. He heard about your presentation to the Escondido Fish and Game Association and he is livid! He wants to make you an example! This guy is dangerous! Keep your eyes and ears open!”

Well! Had I been a young 25-35 year old guy, I would have been alarmed at this message. But I’m considerably past the 25-35 year old category. Another twenty years and I will qualify as an ‘elderly gent.’ Not quite as swift of foot, or mind, nor am I quite as strong as I used to be. How to deal with this? I’ve never been stalked or hunted before. You can bet your last nickle that I was alarmed.

I headed toward the ranger station but though the lights were on, there was no

Man About Town

continued on page 12

from page 8

ate at him, because he knew his precious daughter, Susy, had made such fun and laughter and celebration over these days, and he could no longer bear it without her presence. Twain was so diminished by his daughter’s death that he never returned to live at the Hartford House, which is now a museum.

On June 5, 1904, the cruelest blow imaginable fell squarely upon Mark Twain’s already crippled existence. His beloved wife, Livy, long ill, had quietly passed away. She was the cornerstone of Mark Twain’s earthly existence. He felt no strength left. He wrote with soul in hand, after the death of his wife, a letter to his wife’s brother, “I am a man without a country. Wherever Livy was, that was my country.”

His daughter, Clara, had collapsed after her mother died. She had to be committed to a rest home for a period of time. And even though Clara continued to live long after, and eventually married, she was never, ever the same person she once was. Mother-Daughter bond was so great, that Clara had never fully recovered from her mother’s death. Daughter, Jean, body rav-

aged by seizures brought on by epilepsy, also had to be committed to a rest home. In 1909, Jean, his 19year-old daughter, suffered her final seizure and drowned in her bathtub. It seemed like Mark Twain’s agony and tragedy paralleled Job’s in the Old Testament Bible. How cruel, Twain thought. Mark Twain, wrote concise words that crystallized his inner-most thoughts, “The problem I’ve had with Christianity is that God’s defenders try to make him seem somehow the victim of man’s sin. If he really is allknowing, then he knew, even before the beginning of time, that his human creations would disappoint him and thus ‘earn damnation.’ So why did he go ahead and make us anyway, if not for the sadistic pleasure of torturing us in hell by the billions?”

Soon after, Mark Twain’s best friend, American financier, Henry Rogers, who had once salvaged Mark Twain’s life from bankruptcy, died. Twain had once written a concise volley that summed up his heart and spirit, “If god does exist, he is a malign thug.”

All this had fallen upon him, America’s premier novelist and essayist. And all through these deadly and unforgiving trials and tribulations, Mark Twain turned to what he did best – writing. He wrote books that brought us joy

and fulfillment and wonder, and he authored anecdotes that tickled our every funny bone. It is the absolute zenith of irony, that this poor, tormented man, from the debris of his own existence, somehow created a beautiful, literary kingdom seldom seen on Earth.

Mark Twain’s resiliency is supreme and unmatched. “Will I ever be cheerful again, happy again? Yes. And soon,” he wrote in his diary. “For I know my temperament. And I know that the temperament is master of the man, and he is its fettered and helpless slave and must in all things do as it commands. A man’s temperament is born in him, and no circumstances can ever change it.”

On his 70th birthday he never lost his touch. He stood and faced the huge gathering of friends, dignitaries, and loved ones before him and said, “I have achieved my seventy years in the usual way: by sticking strictly to a scheme of life which would kill anybody else.” The crowd laughed through tears and understanding of what he said, and the road he had had travelled. “It sounds like an exaggeration, but that is really the common rule for attaining to old age . . . . I will offer here, as a sound maxim, this: That we can’t reach old age by another man’s road.”

His books and all he authored, were his underpinnings. The man who stood before them on his 70th birthday, was the Mark Twain the world seldom saw, or even knew. When he was asked if he feared death, he replied with a smile and a chuckle, “I was dead for millions of years before I was born and it never inconvenienced me a bit.”

Though he never felt self-pity, that is not to say he never felt lonely at times, as all humans do. And though he was resilient and strong in emotional constitution, he never recanted his views of how wicked life could become and summed this up by stating, “There has been only one Christian. They caught him and crucified him – early.”

RELATIVELY UNKNOWN RACIAL VIEWS. His nature was unpredictable at times, and he was a firebrand who danced to a different fiddler. He once took his black butler, George Griffin, with him on a visit to his publisher’s office. The scandal and outrage it produced in 1893, of a white man and a black man, seen together – as equals -under such circumstances, was pyrotechnical. It produced such a vocal outburst, that Griffin was embarrassed. Mark Twain was res-

Twain continued on page 14

Mark Twain

Mark

Mark Twain

from page 9

olute and defiant. He later wrote of the embarrassment it created: “But not for me, for the companionship was proper; in some ways he was my equal, in some others my superior.” (“A Family Sketch,” Ibid)

Twain’s early life shaped him. He was a product of Missouri, a slave state, and his father and uncle owned slaves and his young, impressionable eyes had him witness a slave owner brutally murder a slave for, as Twain wrote: “Merely doing something awkward.” In this scenario, the owner threw a rock at the slave with such force it killed him, outright.

Unknown to many, Twain’s views on life were lightyears ahead of his day. In a handwritten letter by Twain almost 120 years ago today he wrote: “I do not believe I would very cheerfully help a white student who would ask a benevolence of a stranger. But I do not feel so about the other color. We have ground the manhood out of them, & the shame is our, not theirs; & we should pay for it.”

A recently discovered archive

Twain letter, dated December 24, 1885, was addressed to Mr. Francis Wayland, Dean of the Law School.

Twain’s subsequent handwritten post-Civil War letters openly voiced his opposition to slavery and his revulsion of slave owners in general. Over 75 years after Twain’s death, Edwin McDowell of The New York Times released a letter from his archives revealing that, unknown to most, he pro-

vided financial assistance to one of the first black students at Yale Law School. The letter, authenticated by Yale scholars, reveal that the great author wrote to Francis Wayland, the law school dean, dated December 24, 1885. In it, Twain wrote: “I do not believe I would very cheerfully help a white student who would ask a benevolence of a stranger, but I do not feel so about the other color. We have ground the manhood out of them, & the shame is ours, not theirs; & we should pay for it.”

Mark Twain financed the student’s education until his graduation in 1887.

Sterling Stuckey, a black professor of history at Northwestern University and who teaches Twain in his course on the arts and history commented: “It couldn’t be a clearer, more categorical indictment of racism in American Life, and I’m not at all surprised to find that it came from Twain.”

The black student Twain financed, identified as Warner T. McGuinn in Twain’s personal diary, became a brilliant lawyer after graduating in 1887 and would become a director of the local branch of the N.A.A.C.P. “He was one of the greatest lawyers who ever lived,” said Thurgood Marshall, Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. “If he had been white, he’d have been a judge,” Justice Marshall sadly commented.

When McGuinn died on July 10, 1937, the obituary in The New York Times referred to his lifelong friendship with Mark Twain stat-

Pet Parade Sigman

Sigman is pet of the week at your Rancho Coastal Humane Society. He’s a 2-1/2-year-old, 9-pound, male, Domestic Short Hair Cat with a Blue Tabby coat.

Sigman was a stray before he was taken to a crowded shelter in Riverside County. He was transferred to Rancho Coastal Humane Society through FOCAS (Friends of County Animal Shelters.) He’s a friendly cat who loves playing with human feet.

The $100 adoption fee for Sigman includes medical exam, neuter, up to date vaccinations, and registered microchip.

For more information or to sponsor a pet visit Rancho Coastal Humane Society at 389 Requeza Street in Encinitas, call 760-753-6413, or

log on to www.SDpets.org.

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

ing: “Their friendship endured until the death of the author.”

BOOKS BANNED. For a spell, Mark Twain’s books were banned as racist and for profusely using the dreaded “n” word. For Twain, he was writing in the vernacular of his day, showing the ignorance and hatred of society’s underbelly. In his Adventures of Huckleberry Finn novel, Twain used allegory and symbolism to point out the evil of slavery. The character, Huckleberry Finn, is shown as a runaway boy with his friend, Jim, a runaway slave, as they sailed together down the mighty Mississippi river. Symbolically, both had escaped abuse (the boy at the hands of his family, and Jim from his slave owners. As they travel, ironically, the slave becomes a caring, loyal friend and eventually a father figure to a confused Huckleberry Finn, finally opening the young boy’s eyes to the human tragedy that is slavery. Huck sympathizes so profoundly with Jim the slave, that he frees him. (At the time of the book’s publication in 1884, Southern society was greatly repulsed at the idea of Huckleberry Finn helping a runaway slave, who was thought to be human property and, therefore, freeing a slave was viewed as the worst crime you could commit short of murder.)

Twain often repeated “Man is the only Slave. And he is the only animal who enslaves.” (From Mark Twain’s “The Lowest Animal.”) Not understanding or seeing the allegorical truth symbolized in his characters, Twain would be banned in various schools under the condemnation of “racism.”

Many black academics, however, defended him for what Twain was truly saying, disguised in the uneducated language of the day. Black University professor Sterling Stucky of Northwestern University commented: “My sense of the criticism is that it comes mainly from the non-academic sector of the black community, not from black intellectuals. In my judgement, ‘Huck Finn’ is one of the most devastating attacks on racism ever written.”

Ironically, like the Biblical text he alienated himself from, Twain’s own words were often richly adorned with parables, allegory and veiled truth ensconced in symbolism. Huck Finn championed racial equality through characterization, yet his masterpiece work was misunderstood, condemned, and banned for all the wrong reasons.

POIGNANT MEETING WITH

HELEN KELLER. A most touching moment occurred in 1895 when Mark Twain met with 14-year-old Helen Keller. Pressing her fingers gently on Twain’s lips, he proceeded to tell her an amusing story. All along the narrative, the young teenage Keller, both deaf and blind, broke out in laughter at all the right places, as Twain punctuated his story with humor. Her tiny fingers ‘read’ his lips, and her dark world suddenly lit up with laughter, and sunshine, and all the things that make children happy. Deeply touched at her childlike innocence,

Pet of the Week

Your day isn’t complete until you’ve seen Buttermilk Biscuit! His smile and wiggly walk are world famous for their ability to turn any frown upside down. Be warned though: You can lose hours gazing into his sweet eyes. (One hazel and one blue!) Buttermilk Biscuit loves a good walk to sniff around the neighborhood and will never turn down a tasty treat. This Australian cattle dog and blue heeler mix is almost the whole package… All he’s missing now is a home and family to love! Buttermilk Biscuit 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 619-2997012.

Online profile: https://www.sdhumane.org/adopt/available-pets/animal-single.html?petId=855425

Mark Twain continued on page 13

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

thecomputerfactory.net

Your smart phone does a great job of keeping you in text and voice contact with your world. If it also meets all of your Internet access and browsing requirements, read no further. You already have everything you need. This article is for those folks who prefer to finger a real keyboard, a mouse bigger than your finger and a screen large enough to read the fine print without squinting. Our smart phones give us instant personal contact and Internet connection when we are out and about, but when it’s time to do some serious work, nothing beats the versatility and comfort of a Personal Computer workstation. There are four basic PC platforms, desktop/towers, All-in-Ones, laptops and micros.

Whatever Floats Yer Boat?

The most versatile type of PC is the laptop. Laptop PCs have all the features of smart phones including phone calls, photos, movies and battery power. The only thing you can’t do with a laptop is carry it in your pocket. In addition, the laptop has all the features and functions of the other PC platforms. While the laptop is mobile and fully functional anywhere with its integrated power and devices, it can also morph into a comfortable work station. Just close the lid and connect a large screen monitor and wireless keyboard, mouse and peripherals, voila!

The All-in-Ones are simply giant laptops without hinges. They also combine all of the features of smart phones and PCs, but unlike smart phones and laptops, they are not mobile and they don’t have an integrated power source (battery). They are great home and business workstations where space is at a premium or clutter is to be avoided.

With wireless keyboard, mouse and Internet The only wire is the power cord. AIOs make very comfortable and compact big screen home or business work and entertainment centers.

The workhorse of this group is the PC desktop/tower. Popular as home or business workstations and LAN servers, they come in all sizes and shapes. The PC case is configured to incorporate the various options

They

Earth Day is about clean air, plastic, and chemicals in our water. It also includes adopting a “recycled” pet from a shelter or rescue rather than supporting puppy mills or backyard breeders that harm the environment and flood the market with unwanted animals.

that might include multiple onboard peripheral devices IE storage drives, DVD R/W, webcam docking bay, speakers etc. The monitor or monitors are sized to user requirements. These microprocessor based PCs range from low power single purpose Internet terminals to high powered editing workstations and LAN servers.

Last of the platforms is the micro, these little guys are only 6 X 6 inches and an inch and a half high and weigh about a pound. They have all the CPU power, RAM and storage (SSD) of desktop/tower PC workstations. They are certainly useful where space is tight, but where they really shine is in situations where a user has two primary

work locations, like at home and the office. With the monitor keyboard and mouse set-up in each location, users simply stick the micro in their pocket and move seamlessly and fully equipped between their home and work set-ups.

We’ve been here at the corner of Bent Ave and San Marcos Blvd building, upgrading and repairing Windows PCs since 1995. Our cranky old friend, Cactus Jack who owned The Rainbow Computer Emporium had a sign over his door that read “If I ain’t got it, you sure as hell don’t need it.” We wouldn’t go quite that far, but we have borrowed this line from ole Jack, “If we ain’t seen it, it ain’t happened yet.” RIP Jack.

“I don’t want a used dog. I want a purebred dog!”

You’ll want to watch this video from our buddy, Emmy-nominated pet rescue advocate Rocky Kanaka.

With Earth Day coming up on April 22nd, we’re reminded how easy it can be to lessen your family’s carbon “pawprint.” Join one billion people worldwide to support environmental programs. Start by saving a shelter pet.

Here are a few things you can do at home to protect the planet.

• Start with your pet food. Ask your vet about a diet that provides the vitamins and minerals your pet needs. Studies also show that chicken-based kibbles have less impact on the environment than beef.

• Pick up after your pets. When you don’t, it can end up in the ocean or our drinking water. (YUCK!) For extra impact, use biodegradable poo bags.

• Use environmentally friendly pet shampoo, cat and dog toys, and beds made from natural products.

• Pets who are not spayed or neutered can impact the environment as much as a Sport Utility Vehicle. Allowing your pet to create unwanted litters of kittens or puppies multiplies the issue. Altering your

pets stops this problem 100%.

• Some flea control products pose a cancer risk to children. Ask your vet about safe, environmentally friendly treatments you can make at home.

Set an example this Earth Day. Adopt a “recycled” pet.

Four million animal lovers worldwide have watched this Rocky Kanaka video that was shot at Rancho Coastal Humane Society.

Log on to YouTube.com then search for Ungrateful Boy Doesn’t Want Used Dog.

One more thing. Rocky and his family live here in North County. If you run into them, say Hello! Don’t be surprised if Rocky asks to see a picture of your pet.

Might Not be New – But They’re Good as New John Van Zante’s Critter Corner

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month

In honor of National Child Abuse Prevention Month, San Diego County Child Welfare Services (CWS) is joining partners this April to raise awareness through activities that support child abuse prevention.

Among the partners in the collaboration are the YMCA of San Diego County, Rady Children’s Hospital, Palomar Health, the San Diego County Office of Education (SDCOE), Promises2Kids and the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office who are partnering to support families and build upon the strengths of parents to care for their children safely.

From July 2021 to June 2022, CWS received more than 39,000 reports of alleged abuse and neglect, representing 67,824 children.

“The regional commitment to ensuring children throughout San Diego County grow up safe and nurtured is strong, as evidenced by the collaboration of these organizations,” said

Man About Town

from page 8

one inside. I figured they were on their nightly rounds, checking the campgrounds and such.

I was alone. In a darkened park. No protection. (And, no gun). No means of protecting myself.

Suddenly, headlights! Maybe that was the ranger truck! No, it wasn’t. It was a sedan of some type. One man got out and he was carrying what looked like a Kalishnokov. A high powered assault weapon. Great!

And I didn’t have so much as a pistol to defend myself with.

“I know you’re here, Davis. Come out, come out, wherever you are! I wanna have a little talk with you!”

I ducked down behind some bushes and dialed 911.

“Your call is very important to us. Please remain on the line as we attend to other callers. You will be in a queue and we will answer your call in the order received. Your call is very important to us . . . yadda yadda yadda . . .”

The hunter now shouldered his weapon and pulled out a huge sword or knife. What in the hell is going on?!

I became aware of some rustling to the right of me and suddenly, there was Katrina!

“Katrina! What in the hell are you doing here?! We’re in danger! Get down!”

Dr. Kimberly Giardina, CWS director. “Every person in the region can play a role by joining us in connecting families to strengthening services that can keep them together.”

Get involved this April

• Palomar Health and Rady Children’s Hospital will display “Pinwheels for Prevention” at their locations.

• Virtual Town Hall – Tuesday, April 25- Town Hall will cover child abuse prevention for child-serving healthcare providers in San Diego County.

• Press Conference at County Administration Center with Chairwoman Nora Vargas, Promises2Kids and CWS—Wednesday, April 26, 1 p.m.

• County Administration Center lighting in blue—Wednesday, April 26

• San Diego County Office of Education officials will provide toolkits

“I thought I could help. I heard you were in trouble.”

“You should have stayed away; now it’s gonna be twice as hard to avoid this guy. Here, give me your hand. We’ll move over behind the ranger offices. There’s better concealment there . . . maybe a park ranger will show up.”

I took her hand and began to lead her in the direction of the building when I both felt and heard a click; I whirled around and looked and there on my hand was a handcuff, the other cuff being held by Katrina. I looked at the handcuff and looked at Katrina who was now wearing a smile that looked remarkably like a smirk.

“We have been looking for you for some time, my colleagues and I.”

“I have him! Come ahead!”

A rustling in the bushes and there he was. My hunter. A bearded, husky guy . . . with a sword about three feet in length . . . frightening just to look at.

“We are about to make you famous, Davis. You will be known worldwide. My colleague in the car will be here in mere moments . . . with his camera. He will record this!”

With that he grabbed my hair, held my head tightly and brought his knife to my throat.

“We will saw your head off. Slowly! He will videotape it and you will be on YouTube within the hour. Your body here . . . and your severed head dangling from my hand. That will teach the world

for parents on how to prevent child maltreatment.

• Virtual Run/Walk Challenge throughout the month organized by Rady Children’s Hospital

• YMCA Healthy Kids Day – Saturday, April 29, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. – Family health and well-being resource fair and activities at 14 YMCA locations. Event is free and open to the public.

Throughout the month of April and beyond, the County and its partners will work with a broad range of groups and individuals to assure that all San Diegans recognize how they can play a role in making San Diego a model for child and family strengthening. Ensuring parents have the knowledge, skills and resources they need to care for their children is a proven strategy for supporting the social and emotional well-being of children and youth and preventing child maltreatment within families and communities.

that it is not wise to oppose the wise counsel of your President and argue against gun control. You see, Davis, if you have guns, we cannot conquer you. If you do not have guns . . . well . . . I think I make my point.”

With that his colleague appeared, videocamera in hand . . . a toothy grin on his face.

My hunter drew back his knife and began to speak in Arabic . . . I noticed Katrina had a glazed, fascinated look in her eyes . . and just the touch of a contented smile. The knife approached my throat and began to saw . . . I knew that my screams would not be heard . . . and that, soon, only the gurgle of my hot blood, pouring out of my arteries would replace the screams.

I’ve never been so frightened in my life.

. . . . and then I woke up.

My body was sweating. I was wide awake.

There was no Katrina. There was no hunter. There was no one videotaping me.

It wasn’t a dream. It was a friggin’ nightmare! And all because of my strong belief in the 2nd Amendment.

That we sure as hell have a right to bear arms . . . and not to just hunt animals . . . but to protect ourselves from tyrannical governments, both local, state and federal . . . and foreign.

You know, the stuff of which dreams are made.

Historically Speaking from page 7

Oldsmobile, Studebaker, Packard, Hudson, Nash, Mercury, and, don’t forget Ford’s marketing disaster, the “Edsel” which was introduced in 1959. The Edsel was a good car, however two marketing factors killed it: the price was nearly the same as Ford’s more popular Mercury, and, most of all people hated the grill. The Edsel was named after old Henry’s son and was futuristic in many aspects, but it just didn’t sell. Car buyers knew what they wanted and it wasn’t the Edsel. But today it’s a vintage car-show delight.

Throughout the thirties, forties and early fifties radio programming was the mainstay for home entertainment. Weekly live audience participation game shows were big hits. There was Ralph Edwards and his “Truth or Consequences,” Art Linkletter hosted “People Are Funny,” and a trivia question and answer program, “Dr. I.Q.” If an audience member got a question correct they would receive “64 Silver Dollars and a box of Mars Bars.” Mystery radio programs such as “Lux Radio Theater,” “The Shadow,” “Inner Sanctum,” “Johnny Dollar,” “Dragnet,” and “Gunsmoke,” all had our brains painting mind’s eye pictures. Our brains got dull and lazy when TV began providing pictures.

Electronic companies raced to the TV set marketplace: Crosley, Sylvania, Raytheon, General Electric, Philco, Emerson, RCA, Magnavox, DuMont, and Westinghouse were among the many TV sets … all built in the good ol’ U.S.A.

Four networks produced and aired TV programming. DuMont was the nation’s first national TV network. RCA’s National Broadcasting Co., Westinghouse, and Columbia Broadcasting System followed suit. Some segments of Westinghouse Broadcasting still exist; NBC and CBS are giants with news and entertainment programming. DuMont disappeared in 1956, but who among the older of us will ever forget “Captain Video” and “Saturday Night Wrestling” live from Chicago with Jack Brickhouse.

To reminisce always is a fun trip for those who’ll never see 70 or 80 again.

Chuckles from page 3

know with the good news!

10. Don’t even think about trying it twice.

‘OLD’ IS WHEN...

Your sweetie says, ‘Let’s go upstairs and make love,’ and you answer, ‘Pick one; I can’t do both!’

‘OLD’ IS WHEN...

Your friends compliment you on your new alligator shoes and you’re barefoot.

‘OLD’ IS WHEN...

Going bra-less pulls all the wrinkles out of your face.

‘OLD’ IS WHEN.....

You don’t care where your spouse goes, just as long as you don’t have to go along.

‘OLD’ IS WHEN...

You are cautioned to slow down by the doctor instead of by the police.

‘OLD’ IS WHEN

‘Getting a little action’ means you don’t need to take a laxative today.

‘OLD’ IS WHEN....

‘Getting lucky’ means you find your car in the parking lot.

‘OLD’ IS WHEN...

An ‘all nighter’ means not getting upto use the bathroom.

‘OLD’ IS WHEN....

Your spouse offers you super sex, and you reply, “I’ll have the soup.”

Some people just need a hug. Around the neck. With a rope.

There are two kinds of people in the world. And I don’t like them.

Not to get technical . . . but, according to chemistry, alcohol is a solution.

I planted some bird seed. A bird came up. Now I don’t know what to feed it.

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Problem Solved

from page 6

ing passport card, but the government thought you had lost your passport.

I had no idea that U.S. Customs would confiscate a passport reported as lost or stolen, but that makes sense. What makes less sense is that the State Department didn’t return your passport when you pointed out the mistake.

The passport system is a vast bureaucracy that even experienced travelers don’t fully understand. And you are absolutely right about the phone numbers and websites -that reflects my experience and that of most other travelers. The problem with the system is that it can’t identify serious errors or assign a level of urgency to them. The government had taken your passport -- and kept it -- for several months by the time you contacted me. So, apart from visiting Canada and Mexico (which your passport card gives you access to), you were pretty much confined to the country.

There was no way you could have avoided this problem. While you were trying to fix this problem, you kept a flawless paper trail, which you forwarded to me. I shared the information with my State Department contact. It took some time, but you finally received a new passport.

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.

Travel Troubleshooter

from page 7

I contacted Aer Lingus on your behalf. A representative responded to me. “We have reviewed Ms. O’Brien’s case,” she told me. “Our terms and conditions for baggage fees are nonrefundable. However, as a gesture of goodwill we have refunded her luggage fees.”

I’m not sure I would call that a gesture of goodwill. More like the right thing to do.

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.

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***

Letters from page 4

no marketability. Little girls who visit Disney for the “princess experience” have no interest in a ride that will get them and their beautiful princess dress wet, nor will many of them meet the height requirement. This is simply a make over to make money. It is similar the the Swiss Family Robinson Tree House being “remodeled” to Tarzan’s Tree House. There is money in the marketing. It will be interesting to see how it works out.

You might also enjoy PBS’s American Experience special on Walt Disney which covers the release of the movie Song of the South. I enjoyed seeing the movie as a child and still enjoy the DVD. Walt Disney appreciated great children’s literature and made money from it. The Disney Ccorporation just focuses on the best way to make money.

RE: Mr. Gomez’s article, “Disney Ride Closes Down”.

Mr. Gomez, I just want you to know, all is not lost. In spite of Disney’s “”Song of the South” receiving a world-wide ban, Amazon has the DVD for sale( $ 19.95).

I bought a copy, & my wife and I are watching it. You are so “right on” with your article.

If anything “Song of the South” epitomizes “togetherness”, not the Narrow-minded radicalism we see on both sides today.

This is why we watch the old classics like “The Andy Griffith Show”, etc. Those were the ones that taught the values we so desperately need to be brought back to our country and world today.

Mr. Gomez, keep up the good writing and work you’re doing.

God bless you, Tom & Marge P

The Mighty Mojo Page

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Escondido Coin & Loan, Inc.

241 E. Grand Avenue

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Mark Twain

from page 9

and in spite of her being cursed in eternal darkness, Twain saw something he had long overlooked. For what little in life this small fragile child had, she was supremely confident. She was supremely optimistic. She was supremely happy! He later wrote: “She is a fellow to Caesar, Alexander, Napoleon, Homer, Shakespeare, and the rest of the immortals.” (“History, Letters, Literature,” by Mark Twain.)

Though she could not talk, and even though she was totally blind, the 14-year-old Helen Keller had taught Mark Twain much, in his twilight years. All reminiscent of what Twain once learned: “Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.”

BORN AND DIED WITH HALLEY’S COMET’S ARRIVAL. In 1909 he was fond of repeating, “I came in with Halley’s Comet in 1835. It is coming again next year (1910), and I expect to go out with it. It will be the greatest disappointment in my life if I don’t go out with Halley’s Comet. The Almighty has said, no doubt: ‘Now here are these two unaccountable freaks; they came in together, they must go out together.’”

In 1910, Halley’s Comet actually made its closest approach to Earth. Almost as if it were pausing along the way to pick up a passenger. As reported by the New York Times: “On April 21, 1910, Mark Twain died of a heart attack, just as the comet made its next pass within sight of Earth; one day after it appeared at its brightest.” The very next day, a stunned world discovered the dead body of Samuel Clemens/Mark Twain. His once-kinetic body, at age 74, was now motionless. His hand forever stilled. His tongue now silenced. The tending physicians determined that Mark Twain had heart failure, due to angina pectoris. The comet that seemed to carry his spirit away would continue its elliptical orbit around the Sun. By Thursday, May 19, 1910, Halley’s Comet would actually brush the Earth with its 24-million-mile-long tail. For 6 full hours the Earth lingered in the wake of the great comet’s dazzling tail. Lingering, as if saying a final farewell from its unique passenger which it, ostensibly, seemed to be carrying away.

We had Mark Twain for 74 years here on earth, and that time now

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seems far too brief. His life was like a comet, itself, shooting across the horizon, brilliant and dazzling along its path. Today, he remains among the most misunderstood, and misquoted authors in world history. He was a chameleon, who seemed able to change color, or shape, or so it seemed. He was many different things to many different people who all thought they knew him well.

Mark Twain was a master storyteller, and words were his medium. But, in the final chapter of his life, his fondest and most eloquent words were plain and simple, as if they came from a small boy running barefoot along the mighty Mississippi. He never recovered from the death of his wife, Livy. As usual, he blamed himself and felt that the Almighty had punished him through her death. Six years had passed and he still felt alone without her by his side. Yes, he could laugh again, but not in the same way as before. He harbored an undying love for his wife, long after she departed and left him alone and feeling forlorn and abandoned. He often repeated: “Oh, how I wish I were with Livy.”

Coincidence or not, Halley’s Comet came on his birth year. And came back for him on his last year on Earth. Just as he said it would. Seems he got his two wishes. He wanted to be with his beloved wife, Livy, and his personal comet, like a chariot, took him home.

Local from page 4 grant will fund enforcement-related activities ensuring businesses in unincorporated San Diego County follow the proper protocols required to maintain their license to sell tobacco products.

The funds will be distributed over three years, ultimately reducing the opportunity for kids to illegally purchase tobacco products. The money will allow more staff to conduct decoy operations to test tobacco retailers, ensuring they do not sell to youth or sell flavored tobacco products. It will also provide educational outreach to businesses.

All eligible businesses were visited at least once during fiscal year 2021-2022 and more than 80% were out of compliance at the first visit. More than half sold tobacco products to an underage decoy and nearly a third sold prohibited items or were not following the minimum price or minimum pack size requirements.

The funding will also go toward developing a new data management system to track license applications, payments and level of compliance. It will also be used to create a multi-agency tobacco retail licensing task force to identify and address local enforcement issues. ***

TB Exposure Affects Multiple Services at Father Joe’s Villages

The Tuberculosis Control program (TB Control) in the Public Health Services department, of the County of San Diego (County) Health and Human Services Agency, and Friedrich Gomez

Father Joe’s Villages officials are working in close collaboration to notify staff, volunteers, and clients potentially exposed to tuberculosis (TB) at various Father Joe’s Villages Programs. These include the Inclement Weather Shelter, San Diego Day Center, Food Services, Employment and Education Services, and Village Health Center.

The dates of potential exposure are from January 14, 2023, to March 3, 2023.

People experiencing homelessness are at increased risk for TB for a variety of reasons. These include a higher risk for getting infected in congregate settings, challenges regarding access to healthcare for people experiencing homelessness, and the presence of certain medical conditions that may be more common and/or severe among people experiencing homelessness.

While the rate of TB is much higher among people who have experienced homelessness, among people with TB disease in San Diego County, 90% of people who are diagnosed with TB have not been recently homeless. Health concerns like TB highlight the importance of work being done by organizations in the region, like Father Joe’s Villages, that work to address the challenges faced by people experiencing homelessness.

“Symptoms of active TB include persistent cough, fever, night sweats and unexplained weight loss,” said Wilma Wooten, M.D., County public health officer. “Most people who become infected after exposure to tuberculosis do not get sick right away. This is called latent TB infection. Some who become infected with tuberculosis will become ill in the future, sometimes even years later, if their latent TB infection is not treated. Blood tests and skin tests are effective to determine whether someone has been infected.”

Effective treatments are available to cure people who are sick from active TB. It is especially important for individuals with symptoms of active TB and those who are immune compromised to see a medical provider to rule out active TB and to discuss treatment.

People who test positive for TB but who don’t have symptoms of active TB should get a chest x-ray and talk to a medical provider, as they most likely have a latent TB infection. People in this situation are infected with TB, but the infection is essentially dormant or “sleeping.” Taking medicines for latent TB infection can cure the infection and keep these people from getting sick.

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

3/16, 3/23, 3/30, 4/6/2023

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2023-9004615

The name of the business: Moonstone Cleaning Services, located at 930 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

/s/ Kevin Woodard Filed with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/Recorder of San Diego on 3/6/2023

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

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

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

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2023-9006102

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

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2023-9006488

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, San Marcos, CA 92069. Registrant

Information: Thomas D. Kinsey, 736 Via Barquero, San Marcos, CA 92069. This business is operated by an individual. First day of business: N/A

/s/ Thomas D. Kinsey Filed with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/Recorder of San Diego on 3/14/2023 4/6,

4/20, 4/27/2023

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2023-9005502

The name of the business: Aloha Grill LLC, located at 2440 S. Melrose Unit 100, Vista, CA 92081. Registrant

Information: Aloha Grill LLC, 2440 S. Melrose, Unit 100, Vista, CA 92081. This business is operated by a Limited Liability Company. First day of business: N/A

/s/ Thaniya Ryan, Manager Filed with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/ Recorder of San Diego on 3/10/2023

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2023-9007149

The name of the business: Wisteria Landscapes, located at 1116 E. Pennsylvania Ave., Escondido, CA 92025. Registrant Information: Jose F. Resensiz, 1116 E. Pennsalvania Ave., Escondido, CA 92025. This business is operated by an individual. First day of business: N/A

/s/ Jose F. Resendiz Filed with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/Recorder of San Diego on 3/30/2023

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

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME

STATEMENT 2023-9006285

The name of the business: Canari Cyclewear, located at 340 Rancheros Dr., Ste 172, San Marcos, CA 92069. Registrant Information: Leemarc Industries LLC, 340 Rancheros Dr., Ste 172, San Marcos, CA 92069. This business is operated by a General Partnership. First day of business: 1/9/2001 /s/ Scot Robinson, member Filed with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/ Recorder of San Diego on 3/21/2023

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

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME

STATEMENT 2023-9007217

The name of the business: BumperTech, located at 3620 Seacrest Way, Oceanside, CA 92056. Registrant Information: Stedman Slaughter, 3620 Seacrest Way, Oceanside, CA 92056. This business is operated by an individual. First day of business:

3/30/2023

/s/ Stedman Slaughter Filed with Jordan

Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/Recorder of San Diego on 3/30/2023

4/13, 4/20, 4/27, 5/4/2023

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2023-9006439

The name of the business: Uniquely You Wellness Pamela Renee, located at 1358 W. Valley Pkwy Suite F401, Escondido, CA 92029. Registrant

Information: Pamela Renee Miller, 436 Paseo Del Norte, Escondido, CA 92026. This business is operated by an individual. First day of business:

3/11/2023

/s/ Stedman Slaughter Filed with Jordan

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME

STATEMENT 2023-9007542

The name of the business: Cenzone Tech-Europe, located at 1401 El Norte Pkwy, Space 115, San Marcos, CA 92069. Registrant Information: Russ Radoye Stanoylovic, 1026 W. El Norte Pkwy, #198. This business is operated by an individual. First day of business:

11/30/2022

/s/ Russ Radoye Stanoylovic with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/ Recorder of San Diego on 4,5/2023

4/13, 4/20, 4/27, 5/4/2023

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME

STATEMENT 2023-9007748

The name of the business: Thriving Littles, located at 12760 Calma Ct., San Diego, CA 92128. Registrant Information: Laureen Renae Franklin, 12760 Calma Ct., San Diego, CA 92128. This business is operated by an individual. First day of business: N/A

/s/ Laureen Renae Franklin Filed with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/ Recorder of San Diego on 4/7/2023

4/13, 4/20, 4/27, 5/4/2023

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME

STATEMENT 2023-9006803

The name of the business: Golden State Exporters, located at 504 E. Barham Dr., Apt. 209, San Marcos, CA 92078.

Registrant Information: Oussama Said, 504 E. Barham Dr., Apt. 209, San Marcos, CA 92078. This business is operated by an individual. First day of business: 3/21/2023

/s/ Oussama Said Filed with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/Recorder of San Diego on 3/27/2023

4/13, 4/20, 4/27, 5/4/2023

NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF Anthony Santell

Case No. 37-2021-00030570 PRPW-CTL SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO 1100 Union Street San Diego, CA. 92101 Central Courthouse

the court a Request for Special Notice (form DE-154) of the filing of an inventory and appraisal of estate assets or of any petition or account as provided in Probate Code section 1250. A Request for Special Notice form is available from the court clerk.

Attorney for petitioner: Jennifer A. Reardon SBN 317686 Reardon Law, PC 3110 Camino del Rio S, Suite 314 San Diego, CA 92108 619-930-9420

DOP: 4/12, 4/20, 4/27/2023

CITATION FOR FREEEDOM FROM PARENTAL CUSTODY AND CONTROL Case Number AN15784 SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO NORTH COUNTY DIVISION 325 S. MELROSE DR. SUITE 130 VISTA, CA. 92081

In the matter of Gianna Faith Alanis Alcaraz, date of birth 1130/2021

To: MARCOS MARTINEZ DELGADO

You are ordered to appear in the Superior court of the State of California, County of San Diego, in Department N-24 at the court location indicated above on May 18, 2023 at 8:30 am, to show cause, whey Gianna Faith Alanis Alcaraz should not be declared free from parental custody and control for the purpose of placement for adoption as requested in the petition.

This hearing will be conducted by video or telephone through the NORTH COUNTY DIVISION 325 S. Melrose Drive, Vista, CA 92081.

This hearing will be conducted by video or telephone through the NORTH COUNTY DIVISION 325 S. Melrose Drive, Vista, CA 92081.

Filed

Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/Recorder of San Diego on 3/22/2023

4/13, 4/20, 4/27, 5/4/2023

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2023-9006920

The name of the business: North County Women’s 200 Club, Avocado 500 Club, Avocado 600 Club, located at 1312 McClelland St., San Marcos, CA 92069. Registrant Information: Diana Rene Shaw, 1312 McClelland St., San Marcos, CA 92069, Diana Chandler, 4116 Diamond St., Oceanside, CA 92056. This business is operated by an Unincorporated Association-Other than a Partnership. First day of business: 3/28/2023

/s/ Diana Rene Shaw Filed with Jordan

Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/Recorder of San Diego on 3/28/2023

4/13, 4/20, 4/27, 5/4/2023

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME

STATEMENT 2023-9007584

The name of the business: Moorpark Mix, located at 1730 Tacoma Ln, Vista, CA 92084. Registrant Information: Moorpark Inc., 1730 Tacoma Ln, Vista, CA 92054. This business is operated by a corporation. First day of business: N/A

/s/ Emily Harris, CFO Filed with Jordan

Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/Recorder of San Diego on 4/5/2023

4/13, 4/20, 4/27, 5/4/2023

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME

STATEMENT 2023-9006047

The name of the business: Simply Skincare, located at 3138 Roosevelt St., Carlsbad, CA 92008. Registrant Information: Melissa Benton, 3646 Cerro Ave., Oceanside, CA 92056. This business is operated by an individual.

First day of business: N/A

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

4/13, 4/20, 4/27, 5/4/2023

To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the will or estate or both, a notice of petition to administer estate of ANTHONY SANTELL aka ANTHONY SANTONOCI-

TO has been filed by Nick Santell and Nina Santell in the Superior Court of California, County of San Diego, 1100 Union Street, San Diego, CA. 92101 Central Courthouse. The Petition to Administer Estate requests that Nick Santell and Nina Santell be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent.

The petition requests authority to administer the estate under the Independent Administration of Estates Act. (This authority will allow the personal representative to take many actions without obtaining court approval. Before taking certain very important actions, however, the personal representative will be required to give notice to interested persons unless tey have waived notice or consented to the proposed action.) The independent administration authority will be granted unless an interested person files an objection to the petition and shows good cause why the court should not grant the authority.

A hearing on the petition will be held in this court as follows:

Date: April, 11, 2023

Time: 11:00 am

Dept: 504

Address of court: Same as noted above.

If you object to the granting of the petition, you should appear at the hearing and state your objections or file written objections with the court before the hearing. Your appearance may be in person or by your attorney. If you are a creditor or a contingent creditor of the decedent, you must file your claim with the court and mail a copy to the personal representative appointed by the court within the later of either (1) four months from the date of first issuance of letters to a general personal representative, as defined in Section 58(b) of the California Probate Code, or (2) 60 days from the date of mailing or personal delivery to you of a notice under section 9052 of the California Probate Code. Other California statutes and legal authority may affect your rights as a creditor. You may want to consult with an attorney knowledgeable in California law. You may examine the file kept by the court. If you are a person interested in the estate, you may file with

IMPORTANT: MAXIMILIANO ALANIS, please call the court promptly for instructions on how to attend this hearing (760) 201-8720 Monday-Friday 8:30 am to 11:30 PST.

At the hearing, the judge will read the petition and, if requestd, will explain the effect of the granting of the petition, any term or allegation contained therein and the nature of the proceeding, its procedures and possible consequences, and may continue the matter for not more than 30 days for the appontment of counsel or to give counsel time to prepare.

The court may appoint counsel to represent the minor whether or not the minor is able to afford counsel. If any parent appears and is unable to afford counsel, the court shall appoint counsel to represent each parent who appears unless such representation is knowingly and intelligently waived.

Someone over the age of 18 - not the petitioner - must serve the other part with all the forms and complete a proof of service form, such as Proof of Service of Citation (Adoptions) (SDSC Form #JUV-300), telling when and how the other party was served and file that with the court.

If you wish to seek the advice of an attorney in this matter, you should do so promptly so that your pleading, if any, may be filed on time.

Date 3/27/2023

Judge of the Superior Court Kelly C Mok 4/13, 4/20, 4/27, 5/4/2023