July 13, 2023

SERVING Escondido

San Marcos Vista Carlsbad

Oceanside Valley Center

Paper T H E FREE

By Friedrich Gomez

MISSING FROM TODAY’S GLOBAL NEWSCASTS.

With all the major newscasts, worldwide, suddenly discussing UFOs as never before, no one seems to be aware of how UFOs very nearly ended human civilisation on Earth as we know it.

It would have been the “Father of All Headlines” . . . “The Ultimate

Newscast to End All Newscasts!”

WHY IS “THE GREAT 1982 UFO INCIDENT” STILL (LARGELY) KEPT CLASSIFIED?

It was (largely) kept under wraps as classified information, because “behind-the-scenes operative details” and the highly-classified military playbook on how America’s “Strategic Command Posts” and “Combat Information Centres” would all (technically respond)—

The Paper • 760.747.7119

online: www.TheCommunityPaper.com

email: thepaper@cox.net

would have exposed our classified capabilities!

Ergo, only a cursory report was filed.

Virtually no mention was made of how life on Earth came close to extinction due to a squadron of UFOs (unidentified flying objects) better known to the military’s upper echelon as UAP (unexplained anomalous phenomenon).

UNKNOWN TO PUBLIC: FOREIGN NATIONS HAVE SECRETLY DISCUSSED DANGERS OF UFOs ACCIDENTALLY TRIGGERING WWIII.

Many find it a shocking revelation today, in 2023, that even before the “Great UFO Incident of 1982,” foreign nations have – for many decades now – secretly gathered and mutually discussed safeguards against an “accidental Armageddon” triggered by UFOs/UAP.

Declassified from page 1

Whether one believes in UFOs or extra-terrestrial spacecraft is not relevant here. The question is, can such mysterious anomalies such as UFOs on our military defence radar screens be mistaken for incoming enemy ICBMs (intercontinental ballistic missiles)?

Officially, that question has long been answered by world governments, but only recently have declassified files revealed the true danger of UAP (unexplained anomalous phenomenon).

It has come to light that UFOs have caused great international concern, confusion, and near-panic within the international strategic military defences around the globe.

Considering that such repercussions have already proved dangerous between nuclear-armed nations on 24/7 alert against any pre-emptive nuclear missile attack, this unexplained UFO situation demands serious contemplation.

Simply because the risk of accidentally triggering a massive nuclear war and the total end of human existence on Earth is greatly at stake, as is evident in a 1982 U.S. declassified file.

UFOs ON RUSSIAN RADAR ALMOST TRIGGERED MILITARY RESPONSE.

Declassified files reveal that in

Give Us This Day our Daily

Chuckle

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

Dillerisms

Quotes from Phyllis Diller. Whatever you may look like, marry a man your own age. As your beauty fades, so will his eyesight.

Housework can’t kill you, but why take a chance?

Cleaning your house while your kids are still growing up is like shoveling the sidewalk before it stops snowing.

The reason women don’t play

the past, there have been several internationally-tense moments of concern, such as in 1982, when the Russian military defence shields picked up a formation of UFOs heading straight in their direction!

Russian paranoia had them view these fast-moving targets as possible incoming American nucleartipped ICBMs in a probable nuclear preemptive (first strike) attack against the Soviet Union!

NUCLEAR COUNTRIES ONLY HAVE PRECIOUS SECONDS TO REACT!

The Soviet Union’s military machine has only precious minutes to determine if a ‘nuclear launch retaliation’ signal should be enacted!

There is no time for a formal bureaucratic discussion between the Kremlin and the White House.

Or a frantic transatlantic call on the President’s Red Phone.

The military axiom that the first strike by any nuclear-armed nation is the most advantageous one in any theoretical thermonuclear war, this presents a crisis that could result in instant annihilation!

A preemptive nuclear attack has the greatest margin of victory, even though such a devastating exchange would be costly on both sides. With key ground-commandposts immediately destroyed as first-priority targets, these radar

football is because 11 of them would never wear the same outfit in public.

Best way to get rid of kitchen odors: Eat out.

I want my children to have all the things I couldn’t afford. Then I want to move in with them.

Any time three New Yorkers get into a cab without an argument, a bank has just been robbed.

We spend the first twelve months of our children’s lives teaching them to walk and talk and the next twelve years telling them to sit down and shut up.

Burt Reynolds once asked me out. I was in his room.

What I don’t like about office Christmas parties is looking for a job the next day.

My photographs don’t do me justice -they just look like me.

The reason the golf pro tells you to keep your head down is so you can’t see him laughing.

missile-launch sites must be trained to act autonomously to ensure survival, at best.

UFO VELOCITIES RESEMBLE ICBMs.

UFOs aka UAP (unexplained anomalous phenomenon) add a specific danger and complexity to an already dire scenario.

When the Soviet Union’s military radar shields were tracking these 1982 UFOs, the incoming UFO formation was moving at speeds and ‘directional movement’ exactly matching airborne missiles, which further heightened the Soviet’s alert-response military system.

Then, suddenly, the UFOs broke formation and veered sharply off path and away from sensitive Russian targets.

THE SOVIET UNION VOICES DEEP CONCERNS OVER UFOs TRIGGERING NUCLEAR WAR.

In a most extraordinary expression of concern, the Russians published an article titled, “UFOs and Security,” (translated here from the original Russian), which appeared in the official Soviet Military Review.

Michael C. Luckman, from the Directory of the New York Centre for UFO Research, called the Russian statement on UFOs and security: “An extraordinary admission that UFOs are real.”

For nuclear-equipped nations, there is no greater height of concern and urgency than to eliminate any accidental launch of nuclear weapons on a massive, global scale – a true life possibility that, in the past, were almost instigated by the mysterious presence of UFOs on our U. S. combat defence systems.

THIS WAS NOT THE FIRST TIME UFOs ALMOST TRIGGERED WWIII.

This was far from being the first UFO encounter which pushed us to the very brink of World War III. That the heads of the Soviet Union, China, and the United States have already come dangerously close to suspecting incoming UFO formations as a squadron of enemy ICBMs have been kept highly classified to deter widespread public alarm and panic in these three superpower nations.

U.S. PRESIDENT HAS ONLY MINUTES TO RESPOND TO UFOS. As if UFO confusion with the threat of a missile attack were not enough to worry over, adding to the crushing dilemma is the critical time factor.

The leaders of all 3 major nuclear governments have only precious minutes to decide how to respond. This, obviously, includes the leader of the Western World, the U. S. President.

You know you’re old if they have discontinued your blood type. ***

When It Rains, It Pours

The unusually rainy winter we have had in Phoenix this year reminded me of a joke some of our Seattle, Washington relatives related a few years ago. It seems a lady moved from Phoenix to Seattle and when she arrived it was raining. While she moved in, it rained. The next day it rained... and the next.

After several rainy days, while standing on her porch, she noticed a young boy on the porch of her neighbor’s house. Trying not to sound too depressed, in a cheerful voice she called over to the lad, “Hi son, I’m your new neighbor.”

“Hi,” the boy called back and waved.

“Say, son, does it ever stop raining here?” she asked.

With a look of consternation, the youngster replied, “Lady, how would I know? I’m only six years old!”

Plane Reservations

Recently, I called to make reservations on a small charter plane that departs from our equally small airport.

I knew that I would be flying in a very small plane, so I was not surprised when the clerk said, “The plane is very full with baggage and passengers.”

Then she asked, “How much do you weigh, sir?”

Not thinking clearly I answered, “With or without clothes?”

“Well,” said the clerk, “how do you intend to travel?” ***

I took my 8 year old daughter to the office on ‘take your kid to work day’. But when we walked into the office she started to cry. As concerned staff gathered around I asked her what was wrong and she said: “Daddy where are all the clowns you said you worked with?

Declassified from page 2

Whether China or Russia is making a legitimate mistake regarding confusing UFOs with a U.S. missile attack, or if they are intentionally launching a first-strike against the United States, the U.S. President must always be prepared to make the gravest of decisions -- on very short notice!

HOW MUCH TIME DOES THE U. S. HAVE IF A NUCLEAR MISSILE ATTACK IS LAUNCHED?

Missiles launched from Russia today, for example in 2023, would give the president approximately 20 minutes (at most) to make a decision for a full retaliation with thermonuclear missiles. This small window of time would involve a quick consultation with the head of the U. S. Strategic Command.

However, to make an already-horrific scenario worse, the president might have as little as 5 minutes to respond, if missiles were launched from Russian submarines in the western Atlantic.

U. S. RADAR SHIELDS & COMBAT INFORMATION CENTRE (CIC).

America’s Star Wars EW (Early Warning) satellites would detect Russian ICBMs less than 3 minutes after they are launched and targeting America’s mainland.

In addition to the 3-minute alert from our early-warning satellite shields, America’s premier radar tracking network, NORAD (North American Aerospace Defense Command), would afford their own personnel only a crucial, additional 3 minutes to scramble and quickly analyse and do a quick recheck on all radar sensors to make certain if an actual nuclear missile attack is raining down on American soil!

FENCE SYSTEMS.

Bruce Blair, an ex-Minuteman launch officer has gone on record emphasising the tremendous stresslevel that such a real, or mistaken, Russian attack, places on our military infrastructure, such as our “Command and Control Systems.”

“LAUNCH OR NOT TO LAUNCH” DEADLY MISSILE SCENARIO CAN AFFECT HUMANKIND.

That UFOs invade international air space and then often ‘buzz’ (or fly at close quarters) to our sensitive, high-security military installations, creates extra havoc and, sometimes, dangerous internationally-tense moments of “launch or not-to-launch” nuclear missile scenarios.

THE U.S. PRESIDENT’S SECRET BRIEF CASE.

It was a crisis of another sort that gave birth to “The Nuclear Football.” The ‘football’ dates back to Dwight D. Eisenhower, but its more current usage became evident in the aftermath of the “Cuban Missile Crisis,” when John F. Kennedy, and our military network, became increasingly concerned over a possible Soviet preemptive nuclear missile strike from Cuba, just 90 miles off our shores.

UFOs DURING KENNEDY ERA NECESSITATED THE CREATION OF THE TOP SECRET “U. S. NUCLEAR FOOTBALL.”

Due to high-level secrecy at the time, the UFO phenomena also played a key role in the critical need to create the nuclear football.

UFOs were viewed during the John F. Kennedy administration as “an extreme danger of accidentally triggering an all-out nuclear war between the Soviet Union and the United States.”

RECENT JFK “DECLASSIFIED TOP SECRET UFO FILES.”

Oodles!

ty (RCNC) welcomes keynote speaker, Scott Ashton, CEO of the Oceanside Chamber of Commerce. Ashton will present “The Chamber’s Role as Advocate for the Business Community.”

Don’t miss this opportunity to receive the inside information on business issues and opportunities in Oceanside.

The Veterans’ Writing Group will host its monthly meeting on 7/15/23 at the Veterans Association of North County (VANC) 1617 Mission Avenue, Oceanside, CA 92058.

All Veterans, dependents and active-duty military members are welcome to this free event.

Our women’s group meets 10-11 live and on Zoom.

All writers meet 11-2 live and on Zoom (separate access from women’s group)

Contact Garry Garretson with any questions or to request zoom information.

Introduction to Dungeons & Dragons Workshop

July 15 • 12:00 - 2:00 pm

Escondido Library

Turrentine Room

Ashton joined the Chamber staff in 1996 and was installed as CEO in November 2016. Originally from Massachusetts, Ashton began his career at the South Shore Chamber of Commerce while attending graduate school at Suffolk University in Boston where he earned his Master of Public Administration degree. With extensive experience in the Chamber industry in a variety of sales and management capacities, he currently oversees a staff of six and the day-to-day operations of the Oceanside Chamber, as well as policy implementation and strategic planning.

There is, simply, no room for error.

It is a harrowing decision, because the balance of human civilisation as we know it, is at stake!

Such a hasty decision to launch a full retaliatory missile attack runs the risk of killing, literally, hundreds of millions of innocent people -- by mistake!

As one high-ranking Air Force officer commented on the U. S. launching nuclear-tipped missiles: “Once they’re gone, they’re gone!”

In a recently declassified memorandum dated 12 November 1963 and stamped “TOP SECRET,” U.S. President John F. Kennedy sent a message to the Central Intelligence Agency under the subject:

“Classification Review of All UFO Intelligence Files Affecting National Security.”

To this very day in 2023, these UFO declassified files from JFK still remains largely unknown to the general public. And not every detail was declassified for obvious reasons.

Declassified

continued on page 5

Get rolling with Dungeons & Dragons! Interested in playing Dungeons & Dragons but don’t know where to start? From learning how to build a character to what materials you need, this workshop will feature the basics on how to get started in starting your own adventure. Intended for adults, but all ages are welcome to participate. This workshop is presented by Knowhere Games & Comics.

Republican Club of North County (RCNC)

July 19 • 11am

El Camino Country Club

3202 Vista Way, Oceanside

welcomes Scott Ashton, CEO Oceanside Chamber of Commerce, on July 19th.

On Wednesday July 19th , the Republican Club of North Coun-

Ashton serves in a volunteer and/ or advisory capacity with numerous local organizations including the Oceanside Unified School District’s Guiding Coalition, GEAR UP, North San Diego SBDC, North Coastal Prevention Coalition, the City of Oceanside’s Downtown Advisory Committee and the Board of Directors for Visit Oceanside, MainStreet Oceanside, and the San Diego North EDC. He is a resident of Oceanside and enjoys reading, hiking and spending time with friends.

The Republican Club of North County (RCNC) believes in Republican values: individual responsibility, personal freedoms, limited government, a market economy, low taxes, and a strong national defense. RCNC meets the third Wednesday of each month at El Camino Country Club, 3202 Vista Way, Oceanside CA. Doors open at 11:00 a.m. on July 19th for time to socialize and the meeting starts promptly at 12:00 noon. Cost is $35 for RCNC members/$40 for non-members. Become an RCNC member on July 19th for $20 and pay the member lunch rate! Cash or check ONLY at the door (credit cards not accepted). For more information and lunch choices,

“ONCE THEY’RE GONE (NUCLEAR MISSLES LAUNCHED) – THEY’RE GONE!”

Give Hope To The Hulls

Local Submariner Inducted Into The Prestigious Holland Club Of The USSVI

Your kindness and generosity at this time of need would be greatly appreciated. To make a donation visit the GoFundMe page at https://gofund.me/975fae57

We all have different wants and desires and each of us should be able to make our final arrangements the way we want them . . . not some stranger, or some family member who is impacted heavily emotionally when decisions need to be made.

In my case, I opted for the simplest, cheapest disposition available. That’s what I want and that’s what Dick Jungas and his staff, and my successor trustee, will see that those plans are adhered to.

Man About Town

Things we don’t talk about . . . but should:

Death. And dying.

Just two examples.

Remember way back when ... when one did not discuss cancer? Or even pregnancy? Archaic thinking then. And, unfortunately, much of that archaic thinking remains when we consider death and dying, an issue that all too often is overlooked in our day to day activities

Several years ago I met with long time pal and fellow Kiwanian, Dick Jungas. He and his wife, Marcia, own California Funeral Alternatives.

With Dick’s help I planned out my final arrangements. So, when my time comes to join the invisible choir, my family and friends need not worry about the disposition of this old carcass of mine.

While Dick’s firm specializes in cremations, I opted for regular burial, in a military cemetery, no funeral, no graveside services, no embalming (just put me on ice), no church. Later, if someone wants to have a memorial service, that’s fine . . . as long as there is no preaching. My good friend, Dick Huls, should I predecease him, is welcome to attend and, if he chooses, to speak about me. Dick, a retired pastor, knows my religious views, and respects them. He and I meet once or twice a month for coffee and discuss world events, local events and, only occasionally, religious views and philosophies.

He and I have different religious views but we truly love, admire and respect one another.

But that’s me. Others have different viewpoints and wishes.

My ex-wife, Mary, wants a traditional funeral, with burial. Embalming, a nice casket. The works. Eldest son, Scott, wanted to be buried at sea. (Yes, it is not only legal but fairly common. Both

Right: USSVI Scamp Base President Troy Hendrickson is presenting to Retired Navy Captain John Chamberlain, a Holland Club certificate, Honoring him on the 50th anniversary of qualifying on submarines.

Dick Jungas and Dick Huls have presided over sea burials).

My partner in The Paper, Evelyn Madison, seems to prefer a traditional funeral.

Whether your preference is a traditional funeral, simple disposition, burial at sea, or cremation, you should make those arrangements now and not burden your family with difficult decisions when they are least able to think logically and realistically because of heavy emotion.

Dick Huls, who has often counseled individuals and families on pre-need planning, emphasizes this. “It’s always best,” he says, “to reduce your wishes to writing . . . then meet with the family ahead of time, prior to your demise, and go over your wishes with them. That saves a lot of emotional decisions made and often can avoid a lot of family dissension. You should brief the family on your plans and wishes . . . if there’s any disagreement, settle them now. But, remember, it’s your funeral or memorial, and your wishes should be respected. Not someone elses.”

Aside from disposition, you should also make plans for distribution of your estate. Whether large or small, your estate needs to be portioned out to wherever you want it to go. This is another area that can be an extreme burden if not prepared in advance.

In my family experience it all worked out well. Mostly.

Mom and dad had made all their fu-

neral plans in advance and paid for them. When they passed the mausoleums had been paid for, as had the funeral services; I had a minimum of paperwork and paid, maybe, $200 for incidental expenses.

The only hiccup I had was that Dad was a Mason. The Masons contacted me asked if they might be part of the funeral service. I agreed but specifically told them I did not want a religious service. They assured me they would respect my wishes.

They did not. They violated my trust.

At the funeral they put on a ceremony that was totally religious and totally against my wishes

I’ve never forgiven the Masons for that and will never have anything to do with the Masons because of that experience.

Yet another example of why it is important to pre-plan and to ensure that your wishes are locked in . . . a close friend of mine is handling the estate of her late step-father. He had done a fairly good job of preplanning but in one key area had neglected to notify his banks that his bank accounts were part of his trust. Now, the bank will not release funds without the issue going to probate, an expensive proposition and one that was needless had the proper planning been done.

Talk to a good estate planning attorney for guidance.

A word to the wise and all that . . .

Captain Chamberlain served as Command Officer, USS Grayback a submarine that deployed in the water off the coast Vietnam during the conflict. The Holland Club is an exclusive group within the USSVI where the core requirement for eligibility is designation “Quality in Submarines” for a minimum of 50 years.

Pastor Richard Huls and his beloved wife of Marcia were victims of a horrible fire in their home of many decades in Escondido. Tragically, Marcia was unable to make it out in time, while Richard is in hospital recovering from his burns and smoke inhalation. Pastor Richard had served his community diligently and selflessly for over 60 years.

Declassified

from page 3

President Kennedy’s memo raised grave concerns over UFO activity which could endanger world peace by being mistakenly identified as incoming nuclear ICBMs, for both the Soviet Union and the United States.

In the declassified Top Secret files, Kennedy proposes a mutual programme of recognition of UFOs between both countries and Kennedy ends his memorandum with:

“This will help mission directors in their defensive responsibilities.”

PRESIDENT JOHN F. KENNEDY ASSASSINATED 10 DAYS AFTER SENDING UFO MEMO TO CIA.

Before Kennedy’s UFO programme could be initiated, he would be assassinated 10 days after submitting the above CIA memo.

The legacy of UFOs, nevertheless, played a necessary role (which was cloaked in secrecy at the time) in the creation of the U. S. President’s Atomic Football, which remains a mainstay, to this very day. The existence of the President’s Nuclear Football is not an official secret, but it’s operational capability is still of TS status.

Wherever the president goes there is always an armed presidential military aide close by who carries, at all times, a black briefcase that contains a book of nuclear codes in the event of a preemptive nuclear strike against the United States while he is away from fixed command centres.

This all-important briefcase is referred to in a variety of vernacular such as, the “Nuclear Football” or “Atomic Football,” or “The Button,” and “The President’s Emergency Satchel.”

It weighs approximately 45 pounds and has a small antenna protruding near the bag handle, according to Bill Gulley, the former director of the White House Military Office.

The aide with the ‘football’ occasionally attaches it, physically, around his waist with a security cable.

No chances are risked – the aide who is entrusted with the atomic football has undergone the nation’s highest and most rigorous background check, known as “Yankee White.”

The nuclear football, itself, is a complicated mechanism containing retaliatory options and codes for the Emergency Alert System, with classified site locations for all our nuclear-launch areas, including our nuclear subs, which have nuclear warheads.

Aside from ground and air-launch capability, our nuclear-strike submarines, such as the Ohio-class variety, remain a most effective deterrent against any preemptive strike against us.

The Ohio-class guided-missile nuclear submarine is referred to as “The Ultimate Beast,” and for good reason. One sub is capable of taking out entire countries, by itself. To expound, one Ohio-class nuclear sub, for example, has the launch-power of 5,000 Hiroshima bombs!

That is enough to not only turn entire countries into ash, but enough

overkill to make the rubble bounce -- multiple times over!

That the U.S. has multiple sister ships, all Ohio-class nuclear submarines with this capability -- and all are virtually undetectable, even when ‘running silent,’ at a high tactical speed -- renders any first-strike intention as suicidal for any aggressor!

All of this, as well as airborne command posts (SAC) are at the president’s disposal, which illustrates the unlimited power that any U.S. President possesses at the crossroads of decision-making which could invoke World War III.

It matters not how many nuclear missiles an adversary has. If it lacks the most advanced systems for delivery-guidance, or the ability to prevent “jamming” (aka ECM, electronic countermeasures) – then large amounts of nuclear missiles may be worthless.

(This is evident as Russia has been embarrassed on the world stage during the Ukraine war.

Russia’s radar offence and defence ‘shields’ and their inability to ‘jam’ incoming missiles such as with the two R360 Neptune missiles which sank Russia’s prized ship called Moskva, the guided-missile cruiser and Pride of the Russian Navy. Additionally, the shocking loss of 1,000 Russian tanks, 90 helicopters, and over 100,000 Russian lives lost.)

Nonetheless, it is a horrific scenario to be avoided at all costs. A scenario that UFOs have come close to triggering.

UFOs ARE SECRETLY A REQUIRED STUDY BY MAJOR NATIONS.

That UFOs have already caused great international concern and their study is now a requirement for all nuclear-armed nations.

America, China, England, France, Israel, and Russia have, for years, secretly conducted research programmes regarding UFOs and their possible threat to our security, as well as causing confusion and anxiety amongst co-existing countries on planet Earth.

One official Russian UFO research programme ran from 1978 to 1990. Some Russian UFO studies date much older than that; some are still in existence under classified status in 2023.

The motivation behind all major countries plunging into secret UFO research programmes are all based on inter-country suspicions, military paranoia, and hostile mindsets. As one Pentagon official stated:

“Much of the motivation for this interest (of UFOs) was the worry that the strange things being reported in the sky might be Russian or Chinese – aircraft.”

RUSSIA’S CLASSIFIED DOCUMENTS REVEALED BY U.S. INTELLIGENCE.

However, with the possibility that UFOs might be more than just unidentified flying objects, but, conceivably inter-planetary spacecraft from another world, then the Russian UFO guidelines clearly state (translated from classified Russian files):

“In the case of verifying actual

It’s the summer of awful, terrible tourists. Are you one of them?

My son sat next to the world’s worst tourist on a flight from Sydney to Denpasar, Indonesia. His seatmate nursed a bottle of sizzurp -- a potent mix of codeine and Sprite -- and the man twitched uncontrollably for the seven-hour flight to Bali.

When the intoxicated tourist disembarked on the conservative Hindu island, he collapsed on the terminal floor. The last time I saw him, customs officials were trying in vain to revive him from an opiate-induced stupor.

Interestingly, Bali has been attracting a lot of bad tourists lately. Earlier this summer, a German visitor defiled a temple by roaming through it without a stitch of clothes. A Russian tourist took pictures of himself seminude on a sacred mountaintop. Indonesians were so incensed that they banned hiking in that area.

It’s not just happening in Indonesia. Bad tourists are everywhere. They’re carving their initials into the Colosseum in Rome. And it gets worse -- much worse. Last month, German officials arrested an American tourist after he allegedly pushed two women down a slope near Neuschwanstein Castle, killing one of them.

Tourists are leaving their manners at home

What’s going on? People are making up for lost time after the pandemic, experts say. They’re flooding popular destinations but leaving their manners at home.

“And that’s resulting in disruptive or disrespectful tourist behaviors,” says Carla Bevins, an assistant professor at Carnegie Mellon University’s Tepper School of Business.

Wait, hasn’t this always been a problem? Yes, but not to this extent.

“It’s gotten worse since the pandemic,” says Joel Wesseldyke, a travel advisor with JJ Travel Associates. “I think people became more entitled because the expectations changed so drastically, people felt comfortable making demands, and getting exactly what they wanted, without regard for other people.”

What’s a bad tourist?

You’d think most parents would have taught their children about good behavior, but some tourists

Terrible Tourists continued on page 12

Illustration by Christopher Elliott

CA’s New Budget – Some Positives Stop Syringe Services Program

California’s $310.6 billion budget for the new Fiscal Year was approved in mid-June. Trailer bills that make specific funding allocations for state agencies and programs are receiving approval and in many cases are still under review. As often happens, politically expedient wants are often placed above essentials. For example, spending plans still include $4.2 billion for the highspeed rail boondoggle.

Even so, the budget contains positives that I was pleased to support. Chief among these are funding to improve usability and safety of existing dams. Even though the measure inexplicably prohibits expanding dam storage capacity, it does provide critical funding for dam safety and usability improvements, including repairing and retrofitting dams to prevent catastrophic failure. The budget also permits diversion of floodwaters for groundwater recharge by exempting diversion of flood flows from Department of Fish and Wildlife restrictions so aquifers depleted during the drought can be rapidly recharged. In addition, drought relief allocations aimed at improving health, safety and improving availability of food, water and shelter that had been scheduled to end January 1, 2024, will now be made permanent.

Help for small business and

farms was also included in the budget. Grants for small agricultural enterprises will be expanded to include grants for farms affected by flooding that inundated many Northern California farms. COVID-related support for small businesses impacted by the forced shutdowns will continue for another year. These include the Supplemental Paid Sick Leave Relief Grant Program, The Venues Grant Program, and the Microbusinesses COVID-19 Relief Grant Program.

The budget also includes a $2.1 million General Fund allocation to basic aid school districts (which receive no general purpose state aid), that were impacted by the 2020 wildfires that swept much of the state.

Additional trailer bills will be considered over the coming weeks, with votes extending into August. As always, we must ensure that taxpayer dollars are spent wisely, which can be difficult in Sacramento.

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 Parks and Recreation Summer Festivities

such as Free Movies in the Park and Family Night Craft Pick-Up. To prepare for our Family Campout this month, grab a $5 kit to create your own mason jar camp lantern on Wednesday, July 19 from 3:30 - 4:30 p.m. at the San Marcos Community Center, 3 Civic Center Drive.

To register your family, visit www.san-marcos.net/register.

In 2021, the Board of Supervisors voted 3-2 to create a “Harm Reduction Program”. Part of that proposal included a Syringe Services Program, which essentially gives free drug paraphernalia to San Diegans. I was one of the dissenting votes, primarily because I don’t believe enabling drug use will get people the help they need. The majority of people living on our streets are addicted to drugs and alcohol, and promoting drug use will only perpetuate the problem.

The County of San Diego is pursuing a harm reduction program, including syringe services and safer smoking supplies, through the California Department of Public Health. The good news is you can give your input on this ridiculous plan!

This potential program involves, in part, the distribution of free needles and various other drug paraphernalia, and includes:

• Sterile syringes

• Personal sharps disposal containers

• Safer injection and wound care supplies

• Naloxone

• Fentanyl test strips

• Condoms and lube packets with instructions

• Educational information on HIV, STDs, and viral hepatitis transmission prevention

• Safer smoking supplies (including pipe covers, mouthpieces, foil sheets, clean glass stems, and bubblers)

While the intention behind this approach may seem well-meaning, I firmly believe that it will ultimately do more harm than good to neighborhoods and communities. By providing drug paraphernalia, in large part to homeless individuals, we are essentially enabling and normalizing dangerous drug use, exacerbating addiction issues, and potentially putting our community at an increased risk.

Please join me in opposing this proposal, or components of it, for North County. Your input and active participation can make a critical difference in thwarting this harmful strategy and safeguarding our communities.

Fill out the form to express your opposition and provide valuable input. (Note: SSP stands for Syringe Services Program) at https://forms. office.com/pages/responsepage.a spx?id=URsxH9n2U0GbrFXg7 5ZBuHJpW7MS7aRMqk-6PChV7XlUQkNRT0hPUThJVlozMkRMNUNTRFNTVTJJRSQlQCN0PWcu

We’ve heard concerns about this plan from many North County residents and elected officials. I have asked County staff to work with the cities and find solutions and programs that work for each community. And, importantly, identi-

Problem Solved

by Christopher Elliott

Did Amazon bait-and-switch me on this toy car I ordered online?

When Robert Preuss tries to buy a Fisher-Price Power Wheels Dune Racer from Amazon, he can’t complete the purchase. Amazon offers to fix the problem but then reneges, leaving him with a $304 bill.

13

San Marcos is the place to be for summer activities thanks to our wonderful Parks and Recreation Department. I am happy to say that this department strives to build strong relationships within our community.

Join us this summer for activities

The fun continues during Free Movies in the Park on Friday, July 21 at Bradley Park, 1587 Linda Vista Drive. We will be showing Minions: The Rise of Gru with delicious food truck options and buttery popcorn to enjoy the film.

Pre-show activities begin at 6:30 p.m. and the film will start at dusk. Don’t forget to bring a comfy lawn chair and a cozy blanket!

Q: I recently tried to order a Fisher-Price Power Wheels Dune Racer from Amazon. The advertised price was $89. I spent three hours trying to purchase it without success, but I was eventually able to buy the same battery-powered car, also on Amazon, for $393. An Amazon representative told me by phone that the company would honor the original price by refunding the difference.

Amazon didn’t refund the price be-

cause it said it didn’t price match. But this wasn’t a price match -- it was a pricing error. I can’t return the car because Amazon says it’s a “hazard.” I even got Fisher-Price to send me a letter stating it is not hazardous and can be returned. Amazon just tells me they can’t accept it. Can you help me?

~Robert Preuss, Pefferlaw, Canada

A: You should have been able to buy the Fisher-Price Power Wheels Dune Racer from Amazon at the advertised price. It’s not a price error -- I see several other Dune Racers on sale at the same

Problem Solved continued on page 14

5th District Supervisor Jim Desmond

Jim Desmond continued on page

by Tom Morrow

Rod Braswell of Oceanside, California was a World War II bomber pilot who lived to see most of the 20th century and a good portion of the first part of this century. He also was my neighbor.

Rod died on May 17, 2019, at age 98 after a long illness. One of the last of the “Greatest Generation.”

Raised as an “Army Brat” in a career military family, Rod went to a number of base schools where his father was stationed. He attended school in the Panama Canal Zone and graduated in Fort Belvoir, Virginia outside of Washington, D.C.

Rod attended Virginia Tech for two years before entering the U.S. Army Air Corps in 1942, as a pilot-in-training. He was commissioned a 2nd lieutenant and assigned to fly a “Liberator”

Historically Speaking

Low-Altitude Bombing Was at High Risk at Best!

B-24 bomber, the largest of the nation’s military aircraft during the European war. There’s a very good chance that particular plane might have been built in San Diego. Hundreds of B-24s were built at various plants across the nation, as well San Diego. But, in 1943, Rod and his crew picked up a new plane right out of the factory at the Ford plant in Detroit.

The trip to the European side of the war was not a direct mission. The long, winding route took Rod and his crew south from the U.S. to the island of Trinidad near South America. From there, they flew east across the Atlantic to Morocco in Africa and on to Italy. The distance between South America and Africa is shorter than flying directly from the U.S., hence refueling wasn’t an issue.

“The trip wasn’t uneventful,” Rod said, chuckling. “While in Trinidad, one of the guys on the crew bought a monkey. While flying over the Atlantic to Morocco the monkey got loose and started running all around the cockpit. It caused quite stir.”

Rod said at one point he almost threw the animal out the window because of the commotion it was causing but he didn’t.

At first, while flying bombing missions mostly out of Italy, Rod did something very few pilots accomplished: he flew 50 successful missions losing only one crewmember.

“You fly fifty missions and they let you go home,” he told me a few years ago in one of my television interview. “You fly fortynine and get scared and can’t fly number fifty, they wouldn’t let you go home.”

Rod said he and his crew got hit by shrapnel and bullets a “helluva” lot. He went through three B-24s.

Travel Troubleshooter

by Christopher Elliott

Q: I booked two flights through GoToGate from San Jose, Costa Rica, to Mexico City and then Oaxaca.

I ran into a problem on my flight from San Jose to Mexico City, which was on Avianca. I knew these were small planes, so I prepaid $33 for each checked bag. But when I checked in at San Jose, the agent had no record of my prepaid bags. I discussed it with them and showed my receipt. I even spoke to a supervisor. But I ended up having to pay $90 per bag.

I have copies of my boarding pass showing ‘no checked bags’ and also the receipt for the $180. When we arrived in Oaxaca, I called the phone number on my receipt, but after speaking to a representative, we were disconnected. A representative emailed me and said there should have been no issue with the baggage. She invited me to file a claim. I’ve heard nothing since.

Can you help?

~Peter Holt, Woodinville, WA

A: You shouldn’t have had to pay twice for your luggage. A quick phone call to GoToGate should have cleared this up before you left. Instead, it turned into a losing argument with an Avianca supervisor.

GoToGate is an online travel agency, which means it is supposed to represent your interests (and it also takes a commission from the airline). Even if there wasn’t time to sort out the luggage problem at the airport, the agency should have quickly refunded the extra fee. But again, no refund. By the time you contacted me, it had been more than a month.

Let’s take a step back. Why are airlines charging so much for checked baggage? Because they can. Airlines know that we need to travel with luggage, and so they charge for it when we buy our tickets -- and if

we don’t immediately say yes, they more than double the price and charge us extra at the airport.

One day, when enough passengers refuse to play along, airlines will stop this nonsense. Until then, you should know that airlines have built their entire business model on charging luggage fees. They will try to squeeze every red cent from you when you fly.

I noticed that after you called GoToGate, you quickly switched to email. That’s preferable. You need a paper trail that shows Avianca or GoToGate goofed. It looks like GoToGate intended to process your refund but never got around to it. The company needed a reminder.

Evidently, your reservation was handled by multiple online agencies, which made your resolution a little more complicated and may have led to the crossed wires. At some point, you also dealt with a

The most dangerous target he and his bomber group flew over were the oil fields of Ploesti, Romania. He made three bombing runs, which he said were enough for him. Those runs were especially dangerous because of the required “low-altitude” bombing.

“At first we didn’t have a fighter escort to protect us. We went on those missions by ourselves,” Rod recalled. “The German fighters took out a lot of us. Eventually we got fighter escorts, including members of the (famed) Tuskegee Squadron.”

Still, of the 177 B-24s assigned to Rod’s bomber group, some 53

Historically Speaking continued on page 13

third agency called Mytrip, which is owned by the European online agency Etraveli Group. I publish the names, numbers and email addresses of the GoToGate customer service contacts and Etraveli Group contacts on my consumer advocacy site, Elliott.org.

How do you avoid something like this? Book directly with the airline because going through intermediaries just leads to confusion and potential problems.

I contacted Etraveli Group on your behalf. A representative contacted you and refunded the $180 in extra luggage fees you had to pay.

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.

I had to pay twice for my checked luggage on Avianca. I want a refund!

Lt. Rod Braswell

B-24 Bomber

Folks who do thEiR shopping at REad

T H E

Paper

Yes, it’s true!

Every week, between 300 and 400 copies of The Paper are picked up at each of the Stater Brothers convenient North County locations! These discriminating shoppers know that shopping Stater Brothers ensures top quality groceries, meats and produce . . . and that they have the added bonus of a free copy of The Paper each time they shop!

Shouldn’t you be shopping at Stater Brothers? Stop by your friendly Stater Brothers Grocery Store! We’ll even give you your very own personal copy of The Paper! FREE!

Declassified

from page 5

paranormal (or space alien intelligence), any acquired extraterrestrial technology is to be applied for military use.”

SAN DIEGO’S 2004 UFO ENCOUNTER RAISES CONCERN.

U. S. classified documents on the 2004 UFO encounter over San Diego, California was declassified, piquing worldwide interest.

U. S. Navy pilot, Commander David Fravor, a veteran flier for 18 years (at the time), along with another pilot, Lt. Comdr. Jim Slaight, were sent to encounter a UFO off the coast of San Diego in November of 2004.

An Operations officer onboard the San Diego-based, USS Princeton, a deadly Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser, hailed Fravor on his F/A-18 Super Hornet radio asking:

“Are you carrying any weapons?”

Both pilots answered in the negative – they were not carrying any weapons for possible hostile engagement.

Fravor’s radio reply was: “Only two CATM-9s.” (The CATM-9s that Fravor referred to are only dummy missiles which cannot be fired since the two pilots were only on a training exercise.)

The question from the guided-missile cruiser was followed by a directive for both pilots to approach the UFO.

The cruiser’s orders were in Navy vernacular:

“Well, we’ve got a real-world vector for you.”

After receiving this transmission, both pilots were instructed to make their approach to a “merge plot” -the vicinity of the UFO.

The UFO was simultaneously being tracked from both airborne radar and ship-based radar from the USS Princeton’s Combat Information Centre (CIC).

Unknown to the public at the time, the USS Princeton had already been secretly tracking various UFO activities off the San Diego coastline for a fortnight (two weeks).

The San Diego warship is ferociously armed and battle-tested with formidable naval guns, antiair, anti-surface, and anti-submarine missiles, along with surfaceto-surface launch capability and a phalanx of other unknown (classified firepower).

As such, the Princeton was concerned over any possible hostile aircraft activity, including the UFO, over its home-port of San Diego, which she is diligently trained to protect at all costs.

According to the Princeton’s secret surveillance, the UFOs popped onto their radar scans at 80,000 feet, then suddenly dive-bombed towards San Diego’s ocean waters, finally stopping and hovering above the water at approximately 20,000 feet.

At all times, the UFOs were “locked-on” by the Princeton’s CIC radar. Being “locked-on” is only one step away from the USS Princeton unleashing any lethal

firepower if necessary for her to protect San Diego’s vulnerable coastline from any possible hostile UAP (unexplained anomalous phenomenon).

By the time both Navy pilots merged close to the UFO, it was now hovering just 50-feet above the water, as if studying something below the ocean’s surface. With the ocean waters churning beneath the UFO object, Fravor got a clear view stating in transmission:

“Getting a great, clear look at it, now. It’s about 40 feet long.”

Then Fravor’s voice suddenly came in strong over the radio transmission as he expressed disbelief:

“LOOK AT THAT THING! IT’S ROTATING!”

The UFO propulsion confused both pilots.

As Fravor stated, it just didn’t seem possible, at least by any known Earthly standards, for such an airborne craft to maneuver and hover the way it did.

In his own recorded words, seasoned U. S. Naval Commander pilot, David Fravor explained:

“It’s not possible with technology today! It has no exhaust! No vapor trail! Or discernable internal propulsion! In less than 2 seconds -- it was gone! You’re talking 50 miles of clear visibility and this thing just disappeared in seconds!”

When both pilots returned to the aircraft carrier, the USS Nimitz, Commander Favor replied to his fellow pilots:

“I have no idea what I saw. It had no plumes, wings or rotors and it outran our F-18s.”

That was back in 2004 and the U.S. Naval Intelligence classified it as: “Tic Tac UFO.” The declassified documents and UFO video were eventually released by the U.S. Pentagon, and the New York Times was among the first to publish it.

U. S. Navy Commander pilot, David Fravor (now retired), has been more open on his mysterious UFO encounter off San Diego’s coastline.

When Fravor was later asked on network TV how fast he calculated the UFO’s airborne speed to have been, the veteran military flier answered:

“Well, way beyond supersonic! Like a bullet out of a gun!”

Under further questions from his TV interview, Favor then clarified to a shocked television audience which later went mega-viral around the world, these startling words:

“No human physiology could’ve survived the ‘G-force’ of that speed.”

Looking back on it, 19 years after the incident, retired Commander David Fravor is now more certain of what he saw that sunny San Diego day: “Something not from this Earth.”

Though famed astrophysicist, Neil de Grasse Tyson, does not yet subscribe to inter-planetary visi-

Declassified

continued on page 14

Pet Parade Keeva Pet of the Week

Keeva is pet of the week at your Rancho Coastal Humane Society. She’s a 1-1/2-year-old, 39-pound, female, Terrier mix.

Keeva was adopted, then returned. Her family said she had more energy than they wanted. Plus, she’s very smart. Keeva needs lots of attention and guidance. She likes kids and other dogs.

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

For 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.

Introducing Fendy — a playful, active and friendly dog on the lookout for her forever home! Fendy is an absolute bundle of joy with her infectious energy and wagging tail. Her playful nature is bound to bring smiles and laughter to anyone lucky enough to have her as a companion. Fendy’s friendly demeanor makes her a wonderful addition to any family. She loves meeting new people and is always ready to shower them with love and affection. Her playful antics and enthusiastic spirit will keep you entertained for hours on end. With her high energy levels, Fendy thrives on engaging activities and regular exercise. Whether it’s going for long walks, playing fetch or exploring new places, Fendy is always up for an adventure. She’s the perfect companion for an active family seeking a loyal and fun-loving four-legged friend. If you’re ready to open your home and heart to Fendy’s playful antics and unwavering affection, she’s eagerly waiting to meet you at San Diego Humane Society’s

The Computer Factory

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

thecomputerfactory.net

Some folks get by with just a smart phone and a tablet, but over 90% of American homes have a PC based “workstation.” August 13th 1981 marked the dawn of the PC age with the release of the IBM 5150. There were earlier PCs (personal computers), but the IBM PC with MS-DOS (Microsoft disc operating system) legitimatized the PC and standardized the OS. The early PC pioneers disappeared and new PC makers using MSDOS began to grow with the industry. From 1981 worldwide PC (desktop and notebook) sales grew for thirty years peaking at 365 million units in 2011. With the exception of a Covid induced spike in 2020-2022, PC sales have been in decline since 2011.

Estimated worldwide PC sales in 2023 are expected to match a twenty year low of 240 million units.

Despite declining sales, the total

Do you need a PC workstation?

number of PCs in use has continued to rise each year. The reason for this counterintuitive phenomenon is simple. With the introduction of “broadband Internet” in 2001, Internet based applications slowly began to replace functions that were once “stand-alone” PC applications. By 2011 most PCs were simply “Internet terminals” needing only the speed and storage capabilities required to handle the Internet and basic stand alone functions like word processing, printing and storage. Nearly all PCs built after the release of Windows 7 in late 2009 have enough CPU speed and memory to run today’s Internet applications in real time. The Internet’s speed limitations ended the “need for speed” and twelve year old PCs run Internet applications as fast as today’s latest and greatest PCs. So even as PC sales have fallen for over a decade, the increasing lifespan of existing PCs has kept the user base in a growth mode.

Today over 90% of home and business’ have PC broadband Internet access. The “bones” (CPU. RAM, motherboard, video/audio) of a twelve year old PC are perfectly capable of handling today’s “connected universe” as long as it has a up-todate OS (Win10/11). Upgrading to a contemporary OS and a new SSD (solid state drive) are an improvement costing less than $200 for most PCs built since 2009.

When setting up or adding a workstation in your home or business, “enterprise” or commercial level, “refurbs” are definitely a smarter alternative to new “retail” PCs. Dell. HP and Lenovo “Retail” models sold in “Big Box”retail outlets and on the Internet are designed to “price com-

pete” among marginally informed “retail” shoppers. By contrast, the specifications for the “enterprise” model Dell, HP and Lenovo PCs used in corporations, schools and governments are developed by the ITs (Information Technologists) that oversee business system operations for their employers. The emphasis is on quality, reliability and performance, not price. Even a ten year old Dell or HP “enterprise refurb” is typically more reliable than a brand new “retail” Dell or HP.

PCs come in four basic “form factors”, All-in One, Desktop/Tower, Micro and Notebook/Laptop. Selecting the one that best fits your needs is key. A network connected PC with a large screen and peripherals is a standard workstation in most homes and offices. Notebook PCs provide not only mobility, but can also serve as workstation PCs when connected to a large screen, wireless keyboard/ mouse and peripherals. Micro PCs

are tiny, (6 x 6 x 1 inch) PCs. These are powerful, and completely functional PCs. Highly portable and ideal for moving back and forth between workstation set-ups like between work and home. All-inOnes are big screen PCs with all the computer components built into the screen assembly. With a wireless keyboard and mouse, All-in Ones make neat, no muss no fuss workstations, with the power feed being the only cord. Last is the versatile standard Desktop/Tower PC. It has everything that the All-in-One has but requires a separate monitor. It takes a little more space than an AiO but theyare inexpensive, durable and easily upgraded.

At The Computer Factory we have a large inventory of each of the four configurations, priced to fit your budget and with local service. We also do upgrades and take trade-ins.

Refurbished “Enterprise” Grade PC VS New “Retail” PCs Half the Price.

Twice the reliability. Higher quality components. Windows 10 or 11 Pro or Home.

Why pay twice as much and get half as much?

Over 60 notebook, desktop, All-in-One & Micros in stock

John Van Zante’s Critter Corner

Too Doggone Hot During The Dog Days of Summer

drive dogs mad.”

Even the name sounds miserable. “The Dog Days of Summer.” You can almost see a panting pooch lying under a tree, trying to find a breeze to give it relief from the heat.

Like it or not, the Dog Days of 2023 are here. They officially run July 3rd through August 11th. According to The Farmers’ Almanac, “The Dog Days are usually the hottest and most unbearable days of the season.”

They’re not fit for a dog. One poet described them as “The days that

The Dog Days of Summer are named after Sirius, the Dog Star. From July 3rd through August 11th the Sun and Sirius are visible in the same area of the sky. Sirius is the brightest star we see from Earth. During the summer, Sirius rises and sets with the Sun. In ancient Rome they believed that Sirius gave off heat, making these days even hotter.

We can’t do anything about Dog Days, but we can make our dogs’ days safer.

• Make sure they have shade and a cool place to rest.

• Fresh, cool, water to drink.

• Keep them indoors when it’s hottest in the afternoon.

• Walk, hike, or run early or late when it’s cooler.

• DO NOT leave your dog (or human

family members) in a hot car.

Even though it’s hot, that doesn’t mean you cut off all activity with your pooch. There are plenty of family friendly, dog safe things to do.

Start with the Pupologie Cardiff Dog Days of Summer on Sunday, July 16th at the Encinitas Community Park at 425 Santa Fe Drive in Encinitas.

There are dog water dishes everywhere. You and Sir Pants-a-lot can

watch or compete in the contests. See dog-related products, rescue groups, and more.

Again, this year, Rancho Coastal Humane Society will host “Rescue Row.” You’ll meet adoptable dogs from 10 rescue organizations throughout San Diego County.

You don’t need a dog to attend. You can adopt one while you’re there. And there will be hundreds of people there with dogs who would love for you to pet them.

Terrible Tourists

from page 5

evidently missed that class.Here’s a refresher.

They’re disruptive

Many tourists do not respect the customs of the place they are visiting, and they are not mindful of the environment. “They’re loud in public areas and leave trash behind,” says Pradeep Guragain, who co-founded a travel planning site about Nepal. I see it every evening in Canggu, Indonesia, as tourists trample on the incense and offerings left at the many temples.

They’re entitled

Jodi RR Smith, an etiquette consultant, says people feel “more entitled” to the vacation they want, no matter the consequences or the cost. They make outrageous demands and they ignore local customs and norms. They also don’t seem to care how their actions affect those around them.

They disrespect their hosts

The worst tourist behavior Laura Lynch ever witnessed was a tourist carving his initials into Cambodia’s historic Angkor Wat temples. (There’s a theme here -- bad tourists like to carve their names on national treasures.) “It was an appalling sight, underlining a careless approach toward the travel destination,” says Lynch, who edits a site about traveling in California. Thumbing your nose at your hosts isn’t just bad manners. It can get you arrested, imprisoned and expelled.

News flash:

You may be a bad tourist

If you think you might be a bad tourist, you probably are. And yes, I’m including myself. I’ve been traveling full-time since 2017, and the more I consider these behaviors, the more I realize I’m part of the problem.

I’m not carving my initials into the side of monuments or pushing fellow tourists off cliffs, but I’m also not being respectful of local customs.

For example, I didn’t research Indonesia sufficiently before I got there. I didn’t know the first thing about Balinese customs, and I may have even tripped over one of the temple offerings on my way to the beach.

By the way, I asked a Balinese hotelier what happened to tourists who step on the temple offerings. She said it depends on your intention. If you meant to crush the incense underfoot, bad karma. If you don’t, you are forgiven.

Still, I didn’t even learn the two most important words in Balinese -- please and thank you.

How to be a better tourist

Can you improve your tourism etiquette? You bet.

Do your homework. Learn about your destination and its norms and customs before before you visit. Also, learn some basic phrases in the local language. At a bare minimum, learn how to say “thank you.” Even if locals know your native language, saying “thank you “ in their language is a sign of respect. “Take the time to learn about local customs and environmental practices before you embark on your journey,” says Michael Donovan, who edits a site about travel to New England.

Remember that you’re a guest. Whether you’re visiting a state park or flying halfway around the world, don’t forget that you are a visitor. Be respectful of local values and customs. And please leave the caps and T-shirts with political slogans at home. “Religious or provocative imagery, curse words, profanity, sports teams, political brands and national flags are all potentially offensive,” says Harding Bush, a senior manager for security operations at Global Rescue.

Listen, don’t speak. Travel is a terrific opportunity to learn about a new place. Don’t blow it by talking about yourself. And really, no one is interested in how a place you’re visiting compares to where you’re from. “If you constantly compare your host country to home, forgetting to savor the unique beauty and customs of where you are, that’s a big red flag,” says Mal Hellyer, a photographer and travel blogger.

Reality check:

The bad tourists don’t care

It’s a safe bet that only the good tourists -- or the ones who want to be better tourists -- have made it this far in this story. The others stopped scrolling after the story about the comatose passenger.

So I can confidently make this prediction: The future will be filled with more incidents of reckless tourists defacing national treasures, passing out on terminal floors and even pushing each other off cliffs.

And to you, bad tourists, I have only one thing to say: Thank you. You’ve given this travel columnist so much material for future stories. But you have also inspired me to become a better tourist. Actually, you’ve inspired all of us.

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

Oodles from page 10

call or text Barbara at (760) 2129995. ***

LIFE at MiraCosta College

1831 Mission Ave., Oceanside

1:00 pm in the Board Room Trailer T200

A Lifelong Learning Group

July 14 1:00 Here For Nature: 150 Years and Counting Mary Dawe/ Allison Henderson

BS & MS, U of CA-Davis, Board Members of the SD Natural History Museum

The SD Natural History Museum celebrates its sesquicentennial in 2024. Learn about the history of the San Diego Natural History Museum and its exhibitions, research, education and conservation efforts.

July 14 2:30 Alsace Photos on Bastille Day Kitty Morse, Author and LIFE Member *

France’s Alsace/Lorraine comes to LIFE as member Kitty Morse, author of Bitter Sweet: A Wartime Journal and Heirloom Recipes, recounts her recent travels there following the footsteps of her French great grandfather.

July 21 1:00 To Be Determined

July 21 2:30 Liberty Station’s Centennial Laurie Albrecht, Director, Liberty Station Community Association

Liberty Station was an anchor to the Naval community and now is an award-winning adaptive reuse project. We are pleased to celebrate our Centennial with the community.

July 28 1:00 What’s happening at the Border with Notes on Asylum & Migration Kate Morrissey

San Diego Union Tribune Reporter

Take a deeper dive through Morrissey’s skilled reporting into who’s coming to the border, why they’re leaving home, and what happens when they arrive.

July 28 2:30 To Be Determined

* Speaker has books or CDs for sale.

To join a Zoom meeting, LIFE must have your email address in order for you to receive the invite link. Meetings will start at 12:45 pm (you can join 15 minutes earlier) and the speaker will start at 1:00 pm.

Email: life.miracosta@gmail.com ***

Escondido Public Libary Events

239 S. Kalmia • Escondido Artsy Adults: Friendship Bracelet

July 25 • 6:30–7:30 p.m. Turrentine Room

Join us for the next quarterly craft time for adults where you can create your own customizable friendship bracelets with thread and assorted beads! Patterns for inclusivity and diversity will be provided.

Financial Workshop

July 28 & 29 • 11a.m. - 1p.m. Library Lobby

A representative will be here to answer your questions about our upcoming Financial Literacy Workshop and to register participants.

½ Price Sale in the Friends Bookshop

July 28 & 29, 2023

All items in the store 50% OFF marked price (25¢ minimum) Only cash payment accepted.

All events generously sponsored by the Friends of the Escondido Public Library

***

The Human Library

July 26 • 1pm-3pm San Marcos Library

2 Civic Center Drive, San Marcos Free & Open to the Public

The Human Library is a global non-profit, and their mission is to create safe spaces for courageous conversations about bias and prejudice in our society, to bring us closer together with greater empathy and understanding of our shared human experience.

At The Human Library, you can borrow “A Human Book” and have a conversation with the Book about their story. You will have the opportunity to “unjudge someone,” ask questions, possibly learn something new, and perhaps talk to someone you normally would not have the opportunity to meet otherwise. In this safe place, you have a chance to examine and explore your own conscious and subconscious biases.

The link for the event from the San Marcos Library is: https:// sdcl.bibliocommons.com/ events/64484d4d753eb3611bcc375c

In the best sense of the word, The Human Library is a library of people and their experiences with prejudice. However, instead of paperback books, actual people are on loan for conversations. The concept is about acknowledging and challenging the prejudice that we all carry towards one another.

This FREE event offers an opportunity to learn more about diverse populations through conversations with persons who have lived experiences of stereotyping, biases, and prejudices.

Jim Desmond from page 6

fying those programs and services that don’t work for communities.

By taking a stand against harmful approaches, we can encourage the County to explore more effective and compassionate solutions to address homelessness and addiction such as rehabilitation, mental health support, and affordable housing.

San Diego County District 5 Supervisor Jim Desmond · 1600 Pacific Highway, #335, San Diego, CA 92101, United States. You can also keep up with San Diego County District 5 Supervisor Jim Desmond on Twitter or Facebook.

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Historically Speaking from page 7

planes didn’t return. Those Ploesti raids resulted in the group’s heaviest aircraft losses.

“Number fifty turn out to be my most harrowing,” Rod recalled.

“My nose gunner was killed, the only crewmember he lost. An anti-aircraft shell went through the seat of his chair and exploded. My navigator lost an eye.”

Rod received the Distinguished Fly Cross for his outstanding war record, but flying those high-altitude bombing runs were bitter cold.

“Let me tell you how uncomfortable it was. I had to wear a lot of clothes to keep warm, so it was hard to move. I had to

wear an oxygen mask and when I exhaled, the moisture from my breath froze and I got icicles on my neck.”

Rod also spoke of a rather unusual piece of headgear, which those World War II films from Hollywood never showed.

“I had to wear a steel helmet that crushed my ears – there were no pilot helmets in those days, so they gave me a (British) doughboy’s steel helmet,” he explained. “I got a flak suit that had all the metal and canvas in the front, but nothing in the back, so all the weight was on the front and was cutting into my neck,” he recalled. “It was freezing cold – and people were shooting at me.”

After the war, Rod returned to civilian life, finished college and

began his own civil engineering and contracting business. He eventually semi-retired to a small farm of 400 avocado trees near Fallbrook, then fully retiring to Oceanside about 24 years ago.

Up until his final months, Rod kept in contact with fellow WWII veterans each Wednesday morning at the “Old Bold Pilots” breakfasts in Oceanside. Those WWII meetings have slipped pretty much into history as most of the fliers have gone.

This is but one of the thousands of stories told by members of a historic era … World War II, the defining years of the 20th century..

The Mighty Mojo Page

Coins & Loans

760-745-1697

Escondido

Problem Solved

from page 6

Declassified

from page 10 price. If anything, $393 was too much.

You made your initial agreement with Amazon in a phone call. If a company ever promises you something again, I would get it in writing.

After that, you handled this case by the book. You kept everything in writing. That’s an essential part of self-advocacy, and I’m glad you saved everything. Otherwise, it might have been impossible to clear up this misunderstanding.

Amazon has a great reputation for helping customers. It has a four out of five in our new customer responsiveness rating (and may be on track to a perfect score). Great service is part of its DNA. I remember when Jeff Bezos would answer customer emails personally. Here are Amazon’s customer service contacts from my consumer advocacy site, Elliott.org.

I don’t understand why Amazon would not accept your return, even after you showed it proof that the merchandise wasn’t hazardous. Amazon’s return policy doesn’t mention anything about potentially dangerous battery-operated toys. I can understand why you might think the online retailer is just inventing reasons to stick you with a $393 purchase.

I like the way you patiently tried to resolve this problem in writing. You appealed to the customer service managers I list on my consumer advocacy site, but ultimately they wouldn’t help you, either.

I reached out to Amazon on your behalf. The company apologized and offered you an Amazon gift card for $304, which you accepted.

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.

tors, his admonition bears repeating here following the 2004 UFO event of San Diego:

“It’s a flying object and we don’t know what it is. I would hope somebody’s checking it out. I would hope there is a program of our defense department to make sure they do not pose a threat.”

Since that San Diego UFO event, there have been countless other similar scenarios that have played out. In late 2014, a Super Hornet pilot had a near collision with one of the UAP objects, and an official mishap report was filed.

During my 4 years in the U.S. Navy with a top secret clearance onboard various military warships including nuclear-powered flattops (carriers), we had a nickname for UAPs aka UFOs in the various Combat Information Centres (CIC) where we tracked them and – sometimes – “locked” onto them if they got too close to our battle group.

Sometimes we “scrambled” jet aircraft if their presence seemed too intimidating or distracting, especially during our missile launches during offshore support bombing for our troops.

Our advanced satellite and electronic warfare/radar shields are sophisticated enough to let us know -- unequivocally -- if the UAP we encountered were “electronic anomalies” or otherwise.

You may wish to reflect on what astrophysicist, Neil de Grass Tyson, was quoted as saying, just a few paragraphs ago.

Friedrich Gomez

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME

STATEMENT 2023-9012905

The name of the business: Dr. Leann Nguyen Acupuncture & Herbs, located at 811 W. San Marcos Blvd., San Marcos, CA 92078. Registrant

Information: Leann Nguyen Dr., 309 sunbird Ct., San Marcos, CA 92069. This business is operated by an individual. First day of business:

N/A

/s/ Leann Nguyen Dr. with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/Recorder of San Diego on 6/15/2023

6/22, 6/29, 7/6, 7/13/2023

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME

STATEMENT 2023-9012582

The name of the business: Chin Up!, Pencil Me In!, located at 425 Prarie Rose Way, San Marcos, CA 92078.

Registrant Information: Nathan Williams, 425 Prarie Rose Way, San Marcos, CA 92078. This business is operated by an individual. First day of business: 6/12/2023

/s/ Nathan Williams with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/Recorder of San Diego on 6/12/2023

6/22, 6/29, 7/6, 7/13/2023

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME

STATEMENT 2023-9011744

The name of the business: Happy Paws & Tails LLC, located at 4145 Alabar Way, Oceanside, CA 92056.

Registrant Information: Happy Paws And Tails LLC, 4145 Alabar Way, Oceanside, CA 92056. This business is operated by a limited liability company. First day of business: N/A

/s/ Sarah Sidney Gomez, CEO with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County

Clerk/Recorder of San Diego on 5/30/2023

6/22, 6/29, 7/6, 7/13/2023

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME

STATEMENT 2023-9012163

The name of the business: AAI, Alco Alert Interlock, located at 3145

Tiger Run Court Ste 104, Carlsbad, CA 92010. Registrant Information:

Clear2drive LLC, 16597 N. 92nd St., Suite A111, Scottsdale, AZ 85260. This business is operated by a limited liability company. First day of business: 5/1/2023

/s/ Daneil Rhodes, Manager with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/ Recorder of San Diego on 6/5/2023

6/22, 6/29, 7/6, 7/13/2023

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME

STATEMENT 2023-9012359

The name of the business: Discount

Drain.Net Inc. located at 1031 Palm Ave, #4, Carlsbad, CA 92008. Registrant Information: Discount Drain.net, 1031 Palm Ave., #4, Carlsbad, CA 92008. This business is operated by a corporation. First day of business: 3/9/2023

/s/ Demetrio Escamilla, CEO with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/ Recorder of San Diego on 6/7/2023 6/22, 6/29, 7/6, 7/13/2023

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME

STATEMENT 2023-9007985

The name of the business: In the Cut Barber and Beauty Lounge, located at 918 Mission Ave., Unit 115, Oceanside, CA 92054. Registrant Information: Kristy Rogers, 29538

Major League, Lake Elsinore, CA 92530 and Tatyanna Lackritz, 6779 Heath Ct., Carlsbad, CA 92011. This business is operated by a general partnership. First day of business:

3/1/2023

/s/ Kristy Rogers with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/Recorder of San Diego on 4/11/2023 4/27, 5/4, 5/11, 5/18/2023

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME

STATEMENT 2023-9012899

The name of the business: D’ Reyna Boutique, located at 205 W. 5th Ave., Ste. #202, Escondido, CA 92029.

Registrant Information: Reyna

L. Tello, 827 Hidden View Lane, Escondido, CA 92027. This business is operated by an individual. First day of business: 11/8/2009

/s/ reyna L. Tello with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/Recorder of San Diego on 6/15/2023

6/22, 6/29, 7/6, 7/13/2023

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME

STATEMENT 2023-9012623

The name of the business: Waterline Pools And Spas Services, LLC, located at 741 Santa Barbara Dr., San Marcos, CA 92078. Registrant

Information: Waterline Pools And Spas Services LLC, 741 Santa Barbara Dr., San Marcos, CA 92078. This business is operated by a limited liability company. First day of business: 5/1/2023

/s/ Holly Dreeuws, Managing Member with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/Recorder of San Diego on 6/12/2023

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2023-9013025

The name of the business: Rethink Opex, located at 1756 Merriam Rd., San Marcos, CA 92078. Registrant

Information: 3 Putt Bogey LLC, 1756 Merriam Rd., San Marcos, CA 92078. This business is operated by a limited liability company. First day of business: 6/1/2023

/s/ Harry Glazer, Managing Member with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/Recorder of San Diego on 6/20/2023

7/6, 7/13, 7/20/2023

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2023-9013089

The name of the business: Tile Countertop Solution Repair, located at 429 Daisy Lane, Suite C, San Marcos, CA 92078. Registrant

Information: Tile Countertop Solution Repair LLC, 429 Daisy Lane, Suite C., San Marcos, CA 92078. This business is operated by a limited liability company. First day of business: N/A

/s/ Jose Luis Mendoza Sanchez with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/Recorder of San Diego on 6/20/2023

7/6, 7/13, 7/20/2023

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2023-9012992

The name of the business: Redwing

Audio, located at 2703 Via Festivo, Carlsbad, CA 92010. Registrant Information: Ryan Tyler Robins, 2703 Via Festivo, Carlsbad, CA 92010. This business is operated by a General Partnership. First day of

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME

STATEMENT 2023-9012609

The name of the business: SavTec, located at 153 Mayfair St., Oceanside, CA 92058. Registrant Information: Phenome Pool & Spa Service Inc., 153 Mayfair St., Oceanside, CA 92058. This business is operated by a Corporation. First day of business: N/A

/s/ Solomon Thomson, President with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/Recorder of San Diego on 6/12/2023

7/6, 7/13, 7/20, 7/27/2023

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME

STATEMENT 2023-9011294

The name of the business: Mastiff

Kitchen, located at 3038 University Avenue, San Diego,CA 92104. Registrant Information: Tugboat Sausage Company, Inc., 657 Brightwood Avenue, Chula Vista, CA 91910. This business is operated by a Corporation. First day of business: 2/22/2023

/s/ Jacob Bartlett, CEO with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/Recorder of San Diego on 5/23/2023

6/1, 6/8, 6/15, 6/22/2023

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2023-9011295

The name of the business: RAD

Burger, Fluster Cluck Hot Chicken, The Pig’s Gig BBQ, Mastiff Kitchen, located at 8360 Clairemont Mesa Boulevard, #112, San Diego, CA 92111-1321. Registrant Information: Mastiff Sausage Company, Inc., 8360 Clairemont Mesa Boulevard, #112, San Diego, CA 92111-1321. This business is operated by a Corporation. First day of business: 2/17/2016

/s/ Eric Gallerstein, CEO with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/Recorder of San Diego on 5/23/2023

6/1, 6/8, 6/15, 6/22/2023

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME

STATEMENT 2023-9011294

The name of the business: Mastiff Kitchen, located at 3038 University Avenue, San Diego,CA 92104. Registrant Information: Tugboat Sausage Company, Inc., 657 Brightwood Avenue, Chula Vista, CA 91910. This business is operated by a Corporation. First day of business: 2/22/2023

/s/ Jacob Bartlett, CEO with Jordan

MINISTRATION WITH WILLANNEXED; AUTHORI ZATION TO ADMINISTER UNDER THE INDEPENDENT ADMINISTRATION OF ES TATES ACT

To all heirs, beneficiaries, credi tors, contingent creditors, and per sons who may otherwise be interested in the will or estate or both, of QUINGHAN WANG. A petition for probate has been filed by CHARMAINE JI in the Supe rior Court of California, County of San Diego, 1100 Union Street, San Diego, CA. 92101. Central Court house, - Probate Division. The Pe tition for Probate requests that CHARMAINE JI be appointed as personal representative to adminis ter the estate of the decedent.

The petition requests authority to administer the estate under the In dependent Administration of Es tates Act. (This authority will allow the personal representative to take many actions without ob taining court approval. Before tak ing certain very important actions, however, the personal representa tive will be required to give notice to interested persons unless they have waived notice or consented to the proposed

actions.) The inde pendent administration authority will be granted unless an interested person files an objection to the pe tition and shows good cause why the court should not grant the au thority.

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

11/21/2023

Time: 10:30 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 ap pearance may be in person or by your attorney.

If you are a creditor or a contin gent 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 de fined in Section 58(b) of the Cal ifornia Probate Code, or (2) 60 days from the date of mailing or

personal delivery to you of a no tice under section 9052 of the California Probate Code. Other California statutes and legal au thority may affect your rights as a creditor. You may want to consult with an attorney knowl edgeable in California law. You may examine the file kept by the court. If you are a person in terested in the estate, you may file with the court a Request for Spe cial 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:

Russell M. DePhillips, Esq. MILBERG & DEPHILLIPS, P.C. 2163 Newcastle Avenue, Suite 200 Cardiff by the Sea, CA. 92007 760.943.7103 DOP: 7/13, 7/20 & 7/27/2023

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2023-9013041

The name of the business: Jasmine Masssage Center, located at 313 Killgore Street, Oceanside, CA 92058. Registrant Information: Ramida Herridge, 313 Killgore St., Oceanside, CA 92058. This business is operated by an Individual company. First day of business: 11/17/2014

/s/ Ramida Herridge with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/Recorder of San Diego on 6/20/2023 6/29, 7/6, 7/13, 7/20/2023

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2023-9013141

The name of the business: Skullys Entertainment, located at 413 Autumn Dr., San Marcos, CA 92069. Registrant Information: Skullys Entertainment, 413 Autumn Dr., San Marcos, CA 92069. This business is operated by a Limited Liability Company. First day of business: N/A

/s/ Joshua Hayes, CEO with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/Recorder of San Diego on 6/21/2023 7/6, 7/13, 7/20, 7/27/2023

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2023-9013122

The name of the business: CSL Advertising, located at 15565 Walton Heath Row, San Diego, CA 92128.

Registrant Information: Cathy S. Leopold, 15565 Walton Heath Row, San diego, CA 92128. This business is operated by an individual. First day of business:

1/7/1995

/s/ Cathy S. Leopold with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/Recorder of San Diego on

7/6,

Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/Recorder of San Diego on 5/23/2023

6/1, 6/8, 6/15, 6/22/2023

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME

STATEMENT 2023-9009425

The name of the business: Golden Acres, located at 300 Carlsbad Dr., #217, Carlsbad, CA 92008.

Registrant Information: Maryam Kavousi, 300 Carlsbad Dr., #217, Carlsbad, CA 92008. This business is operated by an individual. First day of business: 4/26/2023

/s/ Maryam Kavousi with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/Recorder of San Diego on 4/27/2023

5/25,

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2023-9013820

The name of the business: Lucy’s 24 Hour Cleaning Service, located at 1954 West Dr., Apt. #11, Vista, CA 92083. Registrant Information:

Lucia Ortiz Cortez, 1954 West Dr., Apt. #11, Vista, CA 92083. This business is operated by an individual.

First day of business: 1/1/2017

/s/ Lucia Ortiz Cortez with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/Recorder of San Diego on 6/29/2023

7/13, 7/20, 7/27, 8/3/2023

NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF QUINGHAN WANG, Decedent

Case No. 37-2023-00025973PR PL-CTL

Assigned for all purposes to: Hon. Daniel S. Belsky

SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO 1100 Union Street San Diego, CA. 92101 CENTRAL