2-23-2023

By Friedrich Gomez

Are dogs truly smarter than people? In 2022-2023, scientists in steadily increasing numbers are networking around the world to better answer this nebulous question.

ARE DOGS A LOT SMARTER

THAN WE THINK? Animal researchers have found that the common pet dog is far more capable of just grasping simple commands, such as “Get the ball!” or “Stay!” or “Sit” and “Roll over.”

Studies reveal that these everyday common dogs can remember what they just did, and reproduce that action on cue, so says a new study published in the Journal of Comparative Psychology (23 July 2022).

According to several behavioural measures, dogs’ mental abilities are close to a human child, age 2 to 2.5 years of age.

However, in some areas of cognitive studies, canines seem far more

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intelligent than scientists have previously believed.

Many such studies into the true capability of the canine’s cognitive ability has stunned the scientific community and overturned previous human arrogance and towering human egos which were, ostensibly, too sensitive to be challenged.

AREAS OF SUPERIORITY

OVER HUMANS. Researchers in South Carolina discovered that

a border collie comprehends the names of over 1,000 objects, differentiating between names of objects and orders to retrieve them. Over 1,000 items can be accurately retrieved by exact name, far exceeding the memory banks of most humans.

Incredibly, such dogs have “retained in their memory” each and every 1,000-plus items and objects within their brain cells -- and then, are able to recognise any specific item or ob-

Dogs from page 1

ject merely by voice command.

That dogs have this previously undiscovered ability to create, maintain, and access a “memory filing system” created in their brain –and able to retrieve such memories filed away in their “mental indexing system” – is now considered by human counterparts to be “staggering and intoxicating to even imagine, let alone accomplish.”

Such repeated studies by researchers in America correlates the shocking findings of researchers in Germany that addresses the fundamental question: Are these dogs actually able to comprehend (understand) that the several hundred individual objects were (nouns), and not commands to retrieve the object? (Wofford College, South Carolina.)

Researchers in Toronto, Canada are on the fast-track in unveiling extraordinary findings that have long underestimated Humankind’s Best Friend.

As one scientist quipped: “Although you may not want to take lessons from dogs on carelessly crossing the street, they do have their own set of intelligence which we are only now just beginning to pioneer in our research labs, globally.”

CAN DOGS “INTENTION-

Give Us This Day our Daily Chuckle

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

What’s the best thing about Switzerland? I don’t know, but their flag is a huge plus.

How do you make holy water? You boil the hell out of it.

Will glass coffins be a success? Remains to be seen.

I used to be addicted to soap. But I’m clean now.

What’s Forrest Gump’s email password? 1Forrest1.

I was wondering why the ball was getting bigger, then it hit me.

ALLY” DECEIVE OTHER DOGS & PEOPLE? Global studies shared and networked between individual countries have reached a general consensus that seems too surreal to even imagine: viz., that dogs are much more insightful, intuitive, perceptive, and even capable of using “cognitive strategy” such as intentionally deceiving other dogs and people to their own advantage.

According to foremost researchers, such as Dr. Stanley Coren at the University of British Columbia, dogs can intentionally deceive other dogs and people for their own gain and advantage.

Dr. Coren revealed his research findings in his scientific lecture titled “How Dogs Think” which he presented at the American Psychological Association’s 117 th Annual Convention.

Adds, Dr. Coren: They can also ‘understand’ more than 150 words and intentionally deceive other dogs and people to get treats or what they want with various facial expressions, whining, barking, or using their paws to gesticulate, in much the same way we would use our fingers in poking someone in making a conversational point.

DOGS CAN SOLVE COMPLEX PROBLEMS. Dr. Coren, who is author of more than a half- dozen books on dogs and dog behaviour, has reviewed numerous studies to conclude that dogs have the ability to solve complex problems and are

Do you want to hear a construction joke? Sorry, I’m still working on it.

Though I enjoy the sport, I could never date a tennis player. Love means nothing to them.

How much space will free up in the EU after Brexit? Approximately one GB.

What do Alexander the Great and Winnie the Pooh have in common? Same middle name.

If April showers bring May flowers, what do May flowers bring? Pilgrims.

I have a joke about time travel, but I’m not gonna share it. You guys didn’t like it.

What’s the opposite of irony? Wrinkly.

Got a PS5 for my little brother. Best trade I’ve ever done!

I finally decided to sell my vacuum cleaner. All it was doing was gathering dust!

I’m thinking of a career where I es-

more like humans and other higher primates than previously thought.

Coren says. “There are three types of dog intelligence: (1) Instinctive (i.e. what the dog is bred to do).

(2) Adaptive Intelligence (i.e. how well the dog learns from its environment to solve problems such as getting outside the yard or how it is expected to behave), and (3) Working and Obedience (the equivalent of ‘school learning’).”

DO DOGS HAVE HUMAN EMOTIONS SUCH AS JEALOUSY WHEN THEY SMELL ANOTHER DOG ON THEIR OWNER? Just like their human counterparts, dogs can get jealous. And this jealousy can become an issue if it’s focused on another dog or human in your house.

In a study published in PLOS ONE, researchers Christine R. Harris and Caroline Prouvost demonstrate that dogs can show signs of jealousy.

When a dog becomes green with envy, they may bark, whine, growl, or try to insert themselves between you and the object of your affection.

But when it comes down to it, dogs get jealous for the same reasons humans do: they want a level of attention that you aren’t providing.

(PLOS ONE is a peer-reviewed open access scientific journal published by the Public Library of Science since 2006. Harris & Prouvost, Ibid)

timate crowd sizes at different outdoor events. I wonder how many people are in that field.

Did you hear how the zombie bodybuilder hurt his back? He was deadlifting.

Where does the general keep his armies? In his sleevies.

How does a squid go into battle? Well-armed.

Why don’t male ants sink? Because they’re boy-ant.

What’s E.T. short for? Because he’s got little legs.

Why do oranges wear sunscreen? So they don’t peel.

What do you call a Frenchman wearing sandals? Phillipe Phillope.

Never criticize someone until you have walked a mile in their shoes. That way, when you criticize them, you’ll be a mile away, and you’ll have their shoes.

Two men meet on opposite sides of a river. One shouts to the other,

DOES MY DOG THINK I’M ALSO A DOG? If you’re looking for the short answer to the question “Does my dog think I’m a dog?” the answer is no.

Dogs will know right off the bat that you are not a dog because of how you smell.

Dogs have the same five senses as humans do (sight, hearing, smell, taste, touch), but some of their senses are thousands of times keener than ours. For example, their sense of smell in knowing that you’re not just another dog.

Under perfect conditions, they have been reported to smell objects or people as far away as 20 kilometers (or nearly 12 ½ miles), as their sense of smell is 100,000 times keener than any human.

Dogs also hear nearly twice as many frequencies as we do.

Scientists now believe that dogs may have additional ‘senses’ beyond the human realm, such as a 6th sense, etc. which may afford them an intuitive sense and assessment on humans and their conditions. (Research, ibid, 5 December 2020.)

DO DOGS HAVE INTELLIGENCE OR INSTINCT & WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE?

Dogs continued on page 5

“I need you to help me get to the other side!” The other guy replies, “You’re on the other side!”

What did the mayonnaise say when the refrigerator door was opened? “Close the door, I’m dressing!” How do you make a tissue dance? You put a little boogie in it.

What did the bald man exclaim when he received a comb for a present? Thanks—I’ll never part with it.

Why were they called the Dark Ages? Because there were a lot of knights.

What did the left eye say to the right eye? “Between you and me, something smells.”

What do you call it when Batman skips church? Christian Bale.

A guy goes to a pet store to buy a goldfish. The salesman asks him, “Do you want an aquarium?” The guy responds, “I don’t care what star sign it is!”

Chuckles

from page 2

What do you call bears with no ears? B—.

Why were the teacher’s eyes crossed? She couldn’t control her pupils.

What’s a foot long and slippery? A slipper.

Exaggerations have become an epidemic. They went up by a million percent last year.

Two cows are grazing in a field. One cow says to the other, “You ever worry about that mad cow disease?” The other cow says, “Why would I care? I’m a helicopter!”

What did the swordfish say to the marlin? “You’re looking sharp.”

Two windmills are standing in a wind farm. One asks, “What’s your favorite kind of music?” The other says, “I’m a big metal fan.”

What do you call a bee that can’t make up its mind? A maybe.

Did you hear about the new restaurant called Karma? There’s no menu—you get what you deserve.

I was horrified when my wife told me that my six-year-old son wasn’t actually mine. Apparently, I need to pay more attention during school pick-up.

What is the opposite of a croissant? A happy uncle.

Which branch of the military accepts toddlers? The infantry.

Did you know you can actually listen to the blood in your veins? You just have to listen varicosely.

What do you call a group of rabbits backing up? A receding hare line.

I told my physical therapist that I broke my arm in two places. He told me to stop going to those places.

What washes up on very small beaches? Micro-waves.

What do you call it when a snowman throws a tantrum? A meltdown.

Where do you find a cow with no legs? Right where you left it.

What do you call a fake noodle? An impasta.

What do you call a hippie’s wife? A Mississippi.

Where are average things manufactured? The Satisfactory.

Why do bees have sticky hair? Be-

cause they use a honeycomb. A limbo champ walks into a bar. He loses.

Why did the math textbook visit the guidance counselor? It needed help figuring out its problems.

What do you call a rooster staring at a pile of lettuce? A chicken sees a salad.

Why are teddy bears never hungry? Because they’re always stuffed.

What did the Buddhist say to the hot dog vendor? “Make me one with everything.”

What do you get from a pampered cow? Spoiled milk.

Did you hear about the cheese factory that exploded in France? There was nothing left but de-Brie.

I took the shell off of my racing snail, thinking it would make him faster.

Why couldn’t the bicycle stand on its own? It was two tired.

Why don’t math majors throw house parties? Because it’s not good to drink and derive.

Why is it sad that parallel lines have so much in common? Because they’ll never meet.

What did the mama tomato say to the baby tomato? “Catch up!”

Someone stole my mood ring yesterday. I don’t know how I feel about that.

Wanna hear two short jokes and a long joke? Joke, joke, jooooooooooooooke.

How do celebrities stay cool? They have many fans.

Why was the nurse asking for a red pen? She wanted it in case she had to draw blood.

What’s the best-smelling insect? A deodor-ant.

How do you throw a space party? You planet.

What does a house wear? Address.

What do you call an apology written in dots and dashes? Re-Morse code.

What did one hat say to the other? “You wait here, I’ll go on ahead.”

What do we want? Low flying airplane noises! When do we want them? Neeeooooooow!

Oodles!

Submarine Veterans Meet

The United States Submarine Service Inc. Scamp Base meets at 10:00 AM: Saturday February. 25, 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 ***

Wesnesdays @ Noon March 1 • Noon Encinitas Library 540 Cornish Drive Encinitas, CA 92024

SDSU Master of Music, Eric Dickerson, specializes in historical lute performance. For this concert, Eric will take the audience on a journey to 18th century Germany, performing masterworks from Bach contemporary, Sylvius Leopold Weiss.

This is a free concert, no advance tickets are available. Doors open at 11:30am for first come, first to be seated availability. Seating after the concert begins is at the discretion of City staff. Once room capacity is reached, no further admittance will be allowed. ***

First Friday Breakfast

Friday, March 3

7 - 9 AM

Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce

Join us Friday, March 3, for our monthly First Friday Breakfast from 7-9 AM at the Westin Carlsbad Resort & Spa, 5480 Grand Pacific Drive.

Elaine Swann is our First Friday speaker for March.

Learn how to transform the way you deal with difficult people and challenging situations.

To register, visit https://web. carlsbad.org/events/First-FridayBreakfast-3112/register

Woman’s Club of Escondido March Meeting

Monday, March 6th is the date for the meeting of the Woman’s Club of Escondido, 10:30am, at their clubhouse, 751 N. Rose Street, (corner of Mission and Rose St.), Escondido.

The program will be presented by two Escondido Police Officers on “How to Protect Yourself from Scammers and People Trying to Get Your Information”. Other items on the agenda will be the Annual Scholarship Foundation Report, Nominating Committee’s Report, and the Bakeless Bake Sale. Members are reminded to bring items for the donation table for the Humane Society, Friends of the Library, Life Care Nursing Home, etc.

Reservations are needed by Saturday, March 4th. Cost is $15/ person if you are planning to stay for lunch. Potential members interested in attending should call the clubhouse at 760.743.9178 and leave your name and phone number and someone will contact you. Club members will be contacted for your attendance reservation.

*** Tour Escondido Disposal

Monday Mar 6, 2023 12:00pm - 1:30pm

The Escondido Chamber’s Education Committee is focused on connecting leaders in education to leaders in the business community. Their goal is to work together towards workforce development, cutting edge curriculum and educational resource sustainability.

This month they are taking field trip to Escondido Disposa. to learn about their state-of-the-art facility, including the new anaerobic digester!

Join the Chamber and Dr. Luis Rankins-Ibarra, Superintendent of Escondido Union School District

San Marcos Project Updates

Discovery Street extension

While the Discovery Street extension to Twin Oaks Valley Road is not technically part of the San Marcos Creek project, the City is coordinating with the private developers who are building it as part of the new housing development project. Here is a map of the future connection.

The Discovery Street extension is part of the Discovery Village South project which is currently under construction by Shea Homes. The project consists of 40 acres of private development to provide the following:

• 220 single-family housing units

• An extension of Discovery Street to Twin Oaks Valley Road

• Intersection improvements at Rush Drive and Twin Oaks Valley Road

When open, traffic in the area should be alleviated by the new access and widening of Via Vera Cruz and Discovery Street.

The City is currently working with the developer to open the extension from Rush Drive to Twin Oaks Valley Road. The rest of the street will not open until improvements are completed on Via Vera Cruz and Discovery Street. This is to limit traffic through the active construction zone to keep the area safe for

surrounding residents, drivers and construction crews. We understand the excitement for the new road to open, and we appreciate the community’s patience while we complete construction.

We encourage you to reach out to the Creek project team if you have any questions by phone at 877SMCREEK or 877-762-7335 or by email at creek@san-marcos.net.

The San Marcos Creek Project is a 214-acre project adjacent to the San Marcos Creek, generally bounded by:

• West San Marcos Boulevard to the north

• Grand Avenue to the east

• Via Vera Cruz to the west

• Discovery Avenue to the south

The Creek Project will add the needed infrastructure to reduce long-standing flooding issues and improve traffic circulation while revitalizing and preserving the San Marcos Creek. The project will minimize flooding risks, preserve and enhance the creek habitat, and build a new park and trails. Learn more about the project on our ***

Pediatric Dental Program Comes to North County

TrueCare has opened a new pediatric dental clinic in Oceanside to serve the communities of North County. Located at the community health center’s Mission Mesa campus, Suite 100, at 2210 Mesa

About a week ago my wife and I got absorbed in multiple episodes of “Dirty Jobs’ in a series of back to back episodes. My wife and I wanted to go to sleep but we were so fascinated with the different episodes that we were unable to turn the tv off till about 1am.

One episode in particular caught my attention.

Man About Town

I’m a big fan of Mike Rowe’s “Dirty Jobs.” For those not familiar with the program, it’s a tv series where this perfectly handsome man with this golden voice, ideal for narrating a program (which he did often, think “Deadliest Catch,” for example, involves himself, as the title implies, in really dirty, often stinky and really yucky jobs.

You and me, with our perverse interest in fascinatingly gross adventures sit in the comfort of our homes and watch Mike get dirty, bloody, greasy, oily, and yucky.

Mike visited a tannery where the principle objective was too tan deer hides into fine, tanned, finished leather.

They put Mike to work right away.

He was shown a large table stacked with freshly dressed out deer skins. Mike gathered them all up and threw them into a tumbler. A tumbler is like a large washing machine. Once loaded the tumbler is filled with water that has been mixed with foul smelling chemicals. They push a red “start” button and the tumbler . . . tumbles.

In due course and time the tumbler stops and Mike opens a gate/release valve and the tumbler releas-

Drive, the pediatric dental site provides quality care to children of all ages in a kid-friendly environment.

TrueCare’s new pediatric dental program delivers preventive, maintenance, and restorative dental health care. Treatments include routine exams and cleanings, cavity fillings, extractions, fluoride treatments, sealants, deep cleanings, and more. The clinic’s innovative design caters specifically to children and its six exams areas are equipped with screens for streaming child-appropriate educational content for a fun, low stress experience. TrueCare also offers dental care for both adults and children at five other locations throughout North County and South Riverside.

The new clinic expands upon TrueCare’s existing services in the area so that patients may now schedule convenient same-day dental and medical care at a single location. They can see their pediatrician, women’s health provider and/ or Women, Infant and Children (WIC) representative along with a dentist in one trip.

Drive Smart Program for Seniors

As the California Highway Patrol states “Driving is Freedom.”

es its foul smelling, chemically enhanced water, which swirls around Mike’s now dirty foot wear. And the water, presumably, drains off into some tye of reservoir or sewer system.

The hides are now put through a series of rollers and then a kind of rake that plucks out remaining bits of flesh and fur. Anything missed is plucked by hand,

On to the next tumbler. Mike throws the still wet and sticky hides into the tumbler, until full . . . then more water, mixed with foul smelling (and likely toxic) chemicals into the tumbler till full. The red start button is pushed and the tumbler obediently starts . . ., and tumbles. Again, in due course and time, the tumbler stops ... the release gate/valve is opened and the tumbler expels all of its foul smelling water in a torrent, flooding the floor and all who are working there . . .including Mike.

The hides are then removed. Once dried they are a beautiful white leather hide. But are they done?

No!

Keeping that freedom as we get older is the focus of the ‘Age Well Drive Smart’ program.

Join the California Highway Patrol on Friday, March 10 at 1:30pm at the Greater Escondido Chamber of Commerce at 720 N Broadway, Escondido, CA 92025.

Visit https://lcmspubcontact.lc.ca. gov/PublicLCMS/rsvp_main. php?district=SD40&rsvp=1077 or contact (760)796-4655 ***

Escondido Homicide

A homicide investigation was underway last week after a woman was found dead near a freeway offramp in Escondido.

The Escondido Fire Department was dispatched to the area and found the victim, who was pronounced dead at the scene east of the off-ramp in a known homeless encampment area, according to the CHP.

Law enforcement personnel observed signs of foul play, including defensive wounds to the victim, according to the CHP. The investigation is ongoing.

Anyone with information about the death is urged to call the CHP Border Division Major Crimes Unit at 858-944-6300.

Did you forget this is a tannery?

One more visit to the tumbler. All of the hides are stuffed into the tumbler and then bucket after bucket of foul smelling water and more potent chemicals, the red start button is pushed and the tumbler . . .tumbled,

Once the stinky water was flushed you had, indeed, a large mass of freshly tanned and dried leather hides. They were now loaded on

Dogs from page 2

In short, researchers define “Intelligent Effort” as choosing to have a purpose and to see the purpose in what we do.

“Instinctive Effort” is surviving, and what we have to do to survive.

Scientific research shows that many animals, including dogs, are very “intelligent” in addition to also having instincts.

Technically, dogs have sensory and motor abilities that are far superior to our own.

For example, dogs are able to detect diseases such as cancer, diabetes, Covid-19 (and variants), malaria, etc. – all of which still baffles and intrigues modern scientists.

Aside from Medical Alert dogs detecting diseases and maladies, they also have the uncanny ability to “predict” (ahead of time), an impending heart attack, stroke, or diabetic seizure in advance of it actually occurring.

Such Medical Alert dogs can just tell from their master’s breath what their sugar level is: too high or too low.

Also, human moods, thoughts, attitudes, emotions can be detected and “read” by Medical Alert Dogs who can even “sense” an upcoming Post Tramautic Stress Disorder (PTSD) attack, or even suicidal thoughts from their masters and, thereby, intervene to prevent their self-annihilation.

Just think, dogs have the ability to, instinctively and correctly, sense a person’s private, inner-most

Chuckles

from page 3

Why did the pony have to gargle? Because it was a little horse.

Why is Peter Pan always flying? Because he neverlands.

***

These are great. We need Burma Shave signs again!

A man, a miss, A car a curve.

He kissed the miss, And missed the curve. Burma Shave

I’m sure that Burma Shave actually saved some lives. People laughed and then were more careful! It was a REAL “service” to America, even though it was an advertise-

thoughts such as when they are quietly contemplating suicide.

This article ends with a true-life, documented storyline which will afford the reader both entertainment and enlightenment on how dogs can even sense ‘evil’ or ‘bad’ in people in a variety of ways . . . and then file away such thoughts into their own canine “memory indexing system” for later assessment and usage.

READER PRECAUTION: What you are about to read is factual, but, it may prove disturbing and/or emotionally upsetting.

Herewith, is this exclusive storyline for The Paper.

ABUSIVE BABYSITTER EXPOSED BY FAMILY DOG. It all happened back in September of 2013.

And it remains today, a pivotal point for study into the mind of the canine.

It seemed like an ordinary quest for the young married couple, Benjamin and Hope Jordan of Charleston, South Carolina.

The new parents were conducting a very thorough search for a babysitter to take care of their 7-monthold baby, named Finn.

It was a careful search, after all, their infant son was their prideand-joy, still too young to talk and, therefore, fully reliant on mommy and daddy’s selection for a babysitter.

Taking no chances and leaving no stone unturned, the Jordan couple took their time scrutinising candidates and after conducting a lengthy

ment and it was one of the RARE “really useful” ones!

For those who never saw any of the Burma Shave signs, here is a quick lesson in our history of the 1930’s and ‘40’s. Before there were interstates, when everyone drove the old 2-lane roads, Burma Shave signs would be posted all over the countryside in farmers’ fields. They were small red signs with white letters. Five signs, about 100 feet apart, each containing 1 line of a 4 line couplet and the obligatory 5th sign advertising Burma Shave, a popular shaving cream.

DON’T STICK YOUR ELBOW OUT SO FAR IT MAY GO HOME IN ANOTHER CAR. Burma Shave

TRAINS DON’T WANDER

background check, decided on a 22-year-old woman named Alexis Khan, the perfect babysitter.

On paper, she was far-and-away best-suited to care for their infant son, Finn.

Or so they thought.

There was one other member of the Jordan family that was never consulted in the decision-making.

This family member walked on all fours, had a wet nose, a wagging tail, and a most friendly disposition.

This family member relied on doggie instincts in place of human logic and reasoning.

This family member was a dog, a black Labrador Retriever-German Shepherd mix, named Killian.

The Jordan family never even considered consulting their dog Killian in choosing a new babysitter.

After all, that would be silly. Perhaps, even ridiculous.

So, Killian the dog, was totally left out of the decision-making process. Not even an introduction of any sort. Not even a ‘sniff test’ or a ‘wagging tail’ to flag the ‘okay.’ That would border on the absurd.

After all, Killian was just a simple dog, a lower-level of lifeform, unable to speak and nowhere close to human intelligence. The only thing that Killian had on his dog-resume was that he loved to fetch the ball, play with the family, and just loved being in their company.

Oh, and there was one other little characteristic the black Labrador mix had as a show-stopper: his

ALL OVER THE MAP ‘CAUSE NOBODY SITS IN THE ENGINEER’S LAP. Burma Shave

SHE KISSED THE HAIRBRUSH BY MISTAKE SHE THOUGHT IT WAS HER HUSBAND JAKE. Burma Shave

DON’T LOSE YOUR HEAD TO GAIN A MINUTE YOU NEED YOUR HEAD YOUR BRAINS ARE IN IT. Burma Shave

DROVE TOO LONG DRIVER SNOOZING WHAT HAPPENED NEXT IS NOT AMUSING. Burma Shave

BROTHER SPEEDER LET’S REHEARSE

loyalty and unconditional love ran so deep that he would, gladly, lay down his own life to save his family.

Behavioural scientists have long proven that to pack animals, such as Killian the family dog, Benjamin and Hope Jordan are not only his masters, but, by canine instincts, they are his mommy and daddy, to put it in simple dog terms.

And little Finn Jordan, the small 7-month-old infant who loved to play and frolic and hug him constantly, was most deserving of being protected because canines, such as Killian, can sense an infant’s vulnerability in the same way that canines protect their young pups.

The dog would lovingly let little Finn Jordan climb all over him without even the tiniest protest.

Sometimes a little dog ear-pulling would come into play, but, the powerful canine would just passively and gently roll over, seemingly enjoying the rough-housing, sometimes licking the small baby and, like a black sentinel, always watching, protecting, his tiny companion.

And so the babysitting scenario was set.

While new parents, Benjamin and Hope Jordan, were at work, the new babysitter was placed in sole custody and safe-keeping of little Finn Jordan.

Unknown to Benjamin and Hope Jordan, the first 5 months proved

Dogs

continued on page 12

ALL TOGETHER GOOD MORNING, NURSE. Burma Shave

CAUTIOUS RIDER TO HER RECKLESS DEAR LET’S HAVE LESS BULL AND A LITTLE MORE STEER. Burma Shave

SPEED WAS HIGH WEATHER WAS HOT TIRES WERE THIN X MARKS THE SPOT. Burma Shave

THE MIDNIGHT RIDE OF PAUL FOR BEER LED TO A WARMER HEMISPHERE. Burma Shave

AROUND THE CURVE LICKETY-SPLIT

5th District Supervisor Jim Desmond

That’s a question I’ve been asking myself and a frequent question my office has received. I’m asking the same questions, and it appears the answers aren’t simple, but there needs to be a solution.

As trending Federal Government and State energy policies are focused on switching energy sources, like taking nuclear power plants offline and reducing fossil fuel options and replacing them with cleaner, renewable energy, a chasm has grown. It is simple supply and demand, there is not enough power being generated in California.

With the Federal Government’s shutdown of the Keystone pipeline and the war in Ukraine, the cost of natural gas has also risen across the country, and especially in California. California’s utility rates are consistently 30% higher than the national average.

Then there’s SDG&E. While it’s simple for Government to point the finger at the gas/energy provider, it is a bit more complicated. Wildfire mitigation and renewable energy construction are major cost drivers for SDG&E, which then pushes those costs onto us, the ratepayers. Rather than consumers taking on these costs, the State should invest in the infrastructure, using tax dollars and fees (collected from the same consumers).

With that being said, SDG&E should not be making record profits espe-

Requesting City records just got easier

Earlier this month, the City recently launched a new portal for San Marcos residents to easily submit and track requests for public records. The City is committed to being transparent and this new resource simplifies the process for residents to request and access public records and documents. These public records include documents related to City Council minutes and agendas, contracts, reports, ordinances, resolutions and more.

The public records portal allows users to choose to create an account or submit a request anonymously. If you choose to create an account, you will have the opportunity to check the status of your request and coordinate

cially while people are suffering.

So, what can we do?

Why Are My Electric & Gas Bills So High? A Word from San Marcos Mayor Rebecca Jones

First, I encourage you to express your concerns and how the rise in energy costs is personally affecting you to the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC). You can go to their website and comment about how the prices are affecting you.

Also, most of the natural gas used in California comes from out-of-state natural gas basins. California’s Governor should be looking for ways to increase the production of natural gas within CA and ways to offset the costs of electricity.

I consistently advocate for a balanced approach to most things. Whether it’s a transportation plan or climate goals, we need to balance the future with the realities of today.

Today, costs are high, and San Diegans are struggling to afford dayto-day necessities. The unintended consequences from the State and Federal government are crushing families and seniors on fixed incomes.

I’m going to continue to look for solutions here at the County and will keep you updated on my efforts.

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

Missing Indigenous People

San Diego County has more tribal governments than any other county in the nation. Since these communities are all located within the 75th Assembly District, tribal issues are very important to me, especially regarding their safety and prosperity.

With approximately 110 federally recognized tribes, California is home to more Native American and Alaska Native people than any other state. Four in five Native American and Alaska Native women have experienced violence in their lifetime, and one in 130 Native American children are likely to go missing every year. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the murder rate for women living on the nation’s Indian reservations is ten times higher than the national average, making murder the third leading cause of death. Unfortunately, California has the nation’s fifth largest caseload of missing and murdered indigenous women.

I have served in the Legislature for over 10 years, and I find it unacceptable that we are still dealing with this crisis. Last year we took an important step by passing AB 1314, which created a new “Feath-

er Alert” system, similar to existing Amber and Silver Alerts for missing children and seniors.

Approximately 26 of California’s tribal governments have established law enforcement agencies to maintain public safety on tribal lands, and 22 have established tribal courts, serving 40 different tribes. This session I am supporting AB 44 which will enhance the authority of tribal police to enforce state laws by providing access to the California Law Enforcement Telecommunications System, and AB 273, which requires social workers and others to immediately notify authorities when a child is absent from foster care, including notifications to tribes.

Passage of legislation such as AB 1314 last year, and hopefully, AB 44 and AB 273 this year, will help rein in this ongoing tragedy.

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.

by Christopher Elliott

Christy Prince’s new GE refrigerator hasn’t worked for three months. Should GE replace the appliance?

Q: I purchased a new GE refrigerator three months ago. The refrigerator portion stopped cooling approximately 60 days later.

long for a refrigerator, especially after purchasing this recently. The technician gave me the customer service number to call to see if GE would switch out the entire refrigerator.

any questions with staff. The City will have 10 business days to respond to your public record request after your submission. Additionally, anyone in the community can search the records request archive and locate previously shared documents.

To learn more and access the new portal, please visit the City’s website at www.san-marcos.net.

The retailer only allows returns before 30 days. But my GE warranty still covers the appliance since it is almost new. I contacted GE, and it scheduled a service call. I had to wait three weeks for a technician because they only had one person who services my area.

When the technician finally came, he determined the fan was faulty. But the part he needed was on backorder and wouldn’t arrive for another two months.

I told him I couldn’t wait that

I spoke to an agent who said she would have to reach out to their parts department to see if they could get the part sooner. A week later, GE contacted me to say it has been able to locate one part and can get it shipped out sooner, but they are still checking on some other parts that they need for my repair.

This is getting ridiculous! I haven’t had a working refrigerator for three months. Please help!

~ Christy Prince, Cartersville,

Ga

Historically Speaking

The Mansion Above Arlington National Cemetery

estate originally was owned by George Washington Parke Custis who was the grandson of Martha Washington through her first marriage. When his natural father, John Parke Custis died, the junior Custis was raised by George and Martha Washington as their own son.

By Tom Morrow

High on a bluff overlooking Arlington National Cemetery is the southern mansion of Confederate General Robert E. Lee. As Union casualties mounted during the Civil War, officials in nearby Washington D.C., thought it fitting that fallen Federal soldiers be laid to rest on General Lee’s estate. However, the story is a bit more involved.

Today, Arlington is one of two national cemeteries run by the United States Army. Since the Civil War nearly 400,000 men and women have been buried in its 639 acres. Each day there are about 30 funerals conducted. All other national cemeteries across the nation are run by the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Lee’s Arlington Estate was said to have been confiscated from the private ownership of General Lee’s family following a tax dispute. The

In 1802, George W.P. Custis began building the “Arlington House” mansion on the estate he inherited. When completed in 1818, he intended the mansion to serve as not only a home but also a memorial to his foster father George Washington.

Custis married Mary Lee Fitzhugh and their daughter, Mary Anna Randolph Custis, married future Confederate General Robert E. Lee.

Custis’s last will & testament bequeathed a “life inheritance” to Mary Lee, allowing her to live at and run the Arlington Estate for the rest of her life but not enabling her to sell any portion of it. Upon Mary Lee’s death, the Arlington estate passed to her eldest son, George Washington Custis Lee. The trouble began in 1861, when Virginia seceded from the Union, Robert E. Lee resigned from the U. S, Army to become commander of the Army of Northern Virginia.

On May 7, troops of Virginia’s militia occupied the city of Arlington and Arlington House. With Confederate forces occupying Arlington’s high ground, Washington, D.

Help,

Louise Panicali’s husband receives a $1,000 Marriott gift card for doing a good deed. But the card doesn’t work. Will Marriott do a good deed by fixing the problem?

Q: My husband received a $1,000 Marriott gift card as a “thank you” for remodeling a bathroom for a needy family.

We tried to use the card a few months later at a Westin property in Boston. But when we gave a representative the gift card number, he said someone had already used it at a J.W. Marriott in Orlando.

I immediately contacted the Marriott gift card department to report the problem. Since then, I have made numerous attempts to con-

C., was left vulnerable, however, Federal troops soon recaptured the Lee estate.

At the outbreak of the Civil War, most military personnel who died in battle near Washington, D.C., were buried at the United States Soldiers’ Cemetery in Washington, D.C., or Alexandria Cemetery in Alexandria, but by late 1863 both were nearly full. Congress passed legislation authorizing the U.S. Army to purchase land for military dead.

In May 1864, Union forces suffered large numbers of casualties in the “Battle of the Wilderness.”

Travel Troubleshooter

by Christopher Elliott

tact Marriott via email and phone with no resolution. Marriott won’t replace the gift card.

Can you help me get my husband’s gift card back?

~Louise Panicali, Guilford, Conn.

A: That was a nice thing for your husband to do -- and the gift card was an appropriate gesture of gratitude.

When a gift card doesn’t work, you need to talk to the person who gave you the card. You mention that the person paid $1,000 for the gift card without offering any details. But a receipt would have helped resolve this.

Instead, it looks like you leaned on Marriott to fix the problem.

That’s fine -- after all, it’s Marriott’s name on the card -- but I don’t think the company is entirely responsible for this worthless gift card. Here’s another missing piece of information: When was the card redeemed in Orlando? Was it before you received the gift card or afterward? If it was afterward, then someone stole the card number.

This is one of the many problems I have with gift cards. Companies treat these financial instruments like cash, but they are not cash. In most cases you can only use them at one company, and according to people in the industry, many -- if not most -- gift cards are never redeemed.

It looks like you spent several months going back and forth with

The Union army examined eligible sites to establish a large new military cemetery and within weeks the Lee Estate was deemed the most suitable. The property was high and free from floods. It had a view of the District of Columbia, and it was the home of the leader of the Confederate States. Denying Lee use of his home after the war was thought to be a valuable political consideration.

The first military burial at Arlington was for William Henry Christman on May 13, 1864, on a plot

Mansion

continued on page 13

Marriott’s card department. You might have tried escalating it to one of the Marriott customer service executives I list on my consumer advocacy site, Elliott.org.

I contacted Marriott on your behalf. Instead of replacing the card, it gave you 100,000 Bonvoy points, which are worth about $980. “The matter has been resolved,” you told me.

I would use the points before someone else does.

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.

Robert E. Lee Mansion at Arlington National Cemetery

Is this really the end of junk fees in travel?

Are Travel Junk Fees About to Go Away?

Junk fees are those annoying “gotchas” like mandatory resort fees. Hotels quietly add them to your bill after an initial price quote, to cover items such as pool towels and “free” phone calls. Airline seat assignment fees target nervous dads like me, who feel they have to pay an extra $50 per seat, so they don’t get separated from their kids on a flight.

You might be forgiven for thinking these nuisance surcharges were headed for the emergency exit if you watched the State Of The Union address earlier this month. President Biden promised to “take on” junk fees like hotel resort fees and seat assignment fees for families.

“I know how unfair it feels when a company overcharges you and gets away with it,” he said. “Not anymore.”

Really?

“There’s no question that government has a role to play,” says Bill McGee, a senior fellow for aviation and travel at the American Economic Liberties Project.

But are junk fees about to end? To answer that question, you have to understand how important these fees are to the travel industry and how previous efforts to stop junk fees have fared. Travelers are ready for a change -- I know I am -- but is political rhetoric all it will take to get the job done?

What Would Happen if Junk Fees Disappeared

Junk fees are the lifeblood of the travel industry. Annual revenue from airline ancillary fees soared by 53% last year to $103 billion worldwide compared to 2021. (Many ancillary fees are considered junk fees.) Airlines tack these extras on to your ticket purchase to cover things like a seat assignment or a carry-on bag. These are items that used to be included in your ticket price.

If airlines removed the charges, it would cut deep into their profits.

How About Hotel Resort Fees

At last count, U.S. hotels were collecting $3 billion a year in these fees. They account for about 3% of revenue among hotels that charge them. These fees also used to be included in the price of a room. If hotels removed the charges, it would also cut into their profits.

Bottom line: Banning junk fees would hit the industry hard. Some

companies that have built their entire business model around fees, like the “ultra” low-cost airlines, might find it difficult to survive.

The travel industry will fight this.

To get an idea of what might happen next, you have to rewind to earlier junk fee fights.

“Hotels are lying about their room rates when they do not include the extra fees,” says Charlie Leocha, president of Travelers United, which has been fighting resort fees for years. (As a crusading consumer journalist, I co-founded Travelers United a decade ago.)

There have been lawsuits by guests against the hotels, and one action by a state attorney general.

Hotels hired the best attorneys to fight back. Remarkably, no law specifically forbids these fees from being added to a hotel bill. And in every case, the hotels won.

The action by a state attorney general was anticlimactic. In late 2021, Pennsylvania’s attorney general announced a settlement with Marriott International on resort fees. Marriott agreed to “prominently disclose” the total price of a hotel stay, including room rate and all other mandatory fees, on the first page of its booking website.

The hotel chain has negotiated several deadline extensions. At the time of this writing, it still hasn’t fully complied with the agreement.

I’d call that a hollow victory.

Travelers are Ready for a Change

“There’s a reason they’re called junk fees,” says Barry Maher, a

frequent traveler and professional speaker. “And I’d love to see the administration outlaw them. Particularly when they’re either undisclosed or disclosed in ways designed to make sure you don’t pick up on them.”

Guests aren’t just mad at travel companies for charging these extras. They’re offended.

“Junk fees are so annoying since they ultimately are based on deception,” says Thomas Plante, who teaches psychology at Santa Clara University. “If they want to just disclose what the fees will be upfront or make clear what is included in their overall price, that is OK. But leading you in one price direction only to be surprised when the real price is revealed later is not OK. It is an ethical issue, in my view.”

Junk fees won’t die until we change the way we think.

Junk fees are slippery. Even if Washington passes new laws banning certain fees, the travel industry will innovate its way around the rule.

Gerri Hether wrote to me from Maui this week, where she had tried to reserve a poolside cabana at her resort. The hotel already charges a hefty fee of $200 a day, but this year it decided to tack on a “convenience” fee of $27 per day.

“The fee covers tips for the cabana staff for service at the cabanas, which is pretty limited at best, and the online booking fee,” says Hether, a retired nurse from Mesa, Ariz.

Mandatory tips? A “convenience” fee for booking online? Come on.

Why don’t you just raise the cost of a cabana to $227 a day?

The answer: Because no one in their right mind would pay $227 for a cabana. But if you lower the price, you might get a few takers. If travelers stopped shopping for travel based on just one criterion -- a low price -- and took into account the total cost of a flight or resort stay, it might change the way travel is priced. But until they do, the fees will persist. Because they work.

Prediction: Junk Fees Will Get a Makeover Unless …

It will be difficult to get rid of all junk fees. Even if the Biden administration ends hotel resort fees and some seat assignment fees, travel companies will find a way to make up for the lost revenue.

Peter Vlitas, executive vice president of partner relations for Internova Travel Group, fears legislation would force airlines and hotels to raise rates. “If they stopped charging fees, they would shift the cost to the price of the ticket or room,” he says.

Like an old car you find in a junkyard, the travel industry will probably undertake a careful restoration of its fees, bringing them into compliance with the law but angering its customers even more.

To eliminate all junk fees, travelers need to change their behavior to consider the total price of their trip. And we would need a more sweeping law -- one that requires the price you’re quoted for anything to be the price you pay. That’s something the current administration hasn’t proposed yet. I doubt they ever will.

***

Christopher Elliott is the founder of Elliott Advocacy, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that empowers consumers to solve their problems and helps those who can’t. He’s the author of numerous books on consumer advocacy and writes weekly columns for King Features Syndicate, USA Today, Forbes and the Washington Post. He also publishes Elliott Confidential, a critically acclaimed newsletter about customer service. If you have a consumer problem you can’t solve, contact him directly through his advocacy website. You can also follow him on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn, or sign up for his daily newsletter.

Oodles

from page 3

as we tour the facility with EDI General Manager, Jim Ambroso.

Visit https://directory.greaterescondido.org/ for more information.

***

Upcoming Escondido Chamber

Ribbon Cuttings

Friday Feb 24, 2023

4:00pm - 6:00pm

My San Diego North County

1130 N. Melrose, Suite 404 Vista, CA 92083

Join the Greater Escondido Chamber of Commerce in conjunction with the Vista Chamber of Commerce as we celebrate the new home of My San Diego North County with a ribbon cutting ceremony.

David Zumaya has transformed and transitioned his My San Diego North County social media business to much more than just that, and has relocated to a brand new location in Vista’s North County Media Center, and wants to celebrate.

Thursday Mar 23, 2023

11:00am - 12:00pm

Luma Orthodontics

639 S. Escondido Blvd. Escondido, CA 92025

Join the Greater Escondido Chamber of Commerce, Dr. Zahra Hassantash and her team at Luma Orthodontics as we gather to celebrate their new location and Grand Opening with an official Ribbon Cutting ceremony.

Dr. Hassantash received her dental degree from Indiana University School of Dentistry where she graduated first in her class with Highest Distinction honors. After graduating she earned her Masters of Science in Orthodontics from Seton Hill Center for Orthodontics in Pennsylvania, and she is now excited to bring her talents and Luma Orthodontics to the community of Escondido!

***

Calling All Crafters

Craft Fair vendors are wanted for the Arts, Crafts & Vintage Mar-

Oodles

continued on page 14

San Diego Humane Society Offers Pet Training Classes

San Diego Humane Society offers a variety of tools to help support your pet behavior questions and training needs.

Training classes for dogs and cats of all ages range from the basics to unique specialty courses to address all your training needs. With more than 40 different class options, there is something for every pet.

We are currently offering a limited number of in-person classes. Class sizes are limited and classes offered vary by campus. Classes are also offered online via Zoom. Anyone is welcome to join our virtual classes, whether you’re a member of our local community or joining us from afar.

Pre-registration is required for all classes and typically closes 24 hours before the first session.

Walk & Train

Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays

San Diego Campus (in-person)

Dogs 16 weeks and up $55 per 45 min session

Meet with a trainer for a private inperson session to discuss on-leash behavior. During a walk with your dog, you’ll get customized feedback and training tips to make your walks more successful. Learn to notice nuances of your dog’s body language as they interact with the environment around them, discuss how to get their attention when distracted, improve your leashhandling skills and more. Sessions are limited at this time.

The Trainable Cat: Level 1 Online (via Zoom)

Kittens and cats of all ages $80 for 3 weekly 1 hour sessions

Learn the basics of how to train your cat to perform behaviors like come and sit. We’ll also cover how cats learn, behavioral troubleshooting, clicker training, cat care and handling related to grooming and vet visits, and leash/harness training. Kitten Kindergarten graduates can continue building their skills in this class.

Shy Cat Online (via Zoom)

Kittens and cats of all ages $110 for 5 weekly 1 hour sessions

Does your cat exhibit shy or fearful behaviors? Help them become less overwhelmed by their environment through exercises that build trust and confidence. You’ll learn how to read cat behavior and use your own as a communication tool. Appropriate for cats of any age displaying any degree of fearful or avoidant behavior, whether with family or guests. Cats are not expected to attend, and sessions are recorded weekly, so you can work at your cat’s pace.

Well-Socialized Pet Chat Sundays at 10:30 a.m. Online (via Zoom)

Pets of all ages FREE 30-minute sessions

Pets need to be socialized with various people, animals, sounds, handling, objects and experiences. Ideally this will happen before they’re 16 weeks old, but socialization is possible at any age. We discuss six

Pet Parade Blaze

Blaze is pet of the week at your Rancho Coastal Humane Society. He’s a 1-year and 10-month-old, 57-pound, male, Bull Terrier mix.

Blaze was transferred to Rancho Coastal Humane Society from a rescue partner in the Imperial Valley through Friends of County Animal Shelters (FOCAS.) He’s happy and jumpy with a wiggly body. He loves snuggling and squeaky toys.

The $145 adoption fee for Blaze includes medical exam, neuter, up to date vaccinations, registered microchip, and a one-year license if her new home is in the jurisdiction of San Diego Humane Society’s Department of Animal Services. For information about adoption 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.

socialization topics (one per weekend) and provide tips to develop well-rounded dogs and cats.

Cooperative Care & Handling

Online (via Zoom)

Pets ages 12 weeks and up $190 for 6 weekly 1 hour sessions

If the word “vet” makes you and your pet cringe, this class is for you. Designed to swap fear for fun and anxiety for calm, this class teaches practical, gentle and force-free skills to help with pet handling and care both at home and when heading to the veterinary office. Learn how to give your pet medication, nail trims, dental and ear care and more, and how tools like muzzles and carriers can make handling safe and less scary!

Puppy Playgroup

Saturdays and Sundays

San Diego Campus (in-person)

Ages 8-15 weeks

$25 per 1 hour session

Help your puppy learn social skills in a safe and supervised environment as trainers guide puppies to appropriate playmates. You’ll learn about body language and behavior as your puppy has positive play experiences. During breaks, your trainer will share tips and insight relevant to your puppy. At least one round of puppy vaccinations is required to attend.

Puppy Preschool

San Diego Campus (in-person) or Online (via Zoom)

Ages up to 16 weeks

$170 for 6 weekly 1 hour sessions

Puppies are full of energy! This

class will help you manage common puppy behaviors and develop some basic training skills. This is the ideal class to meet the training needs of your new pup.

Awesome Adolescence Online (via Zoom)

Ages 16 weeks to 1 year

$160 for 6 weekly 1 hour sessions

As puppies develop into young adults, they become more independent. Their energy levels increase while their focus seems to decrease. This class teaches basic training skills and troubleshoots adolescent behavior to set pets and their people up for success.

Level 1: Marvelous Manners Online (via Zoom)

Ages 8 months and up $160 for 6 weekly 1 hour sessions

This introductory-level class teaches the basics of positive reinforcement training, giving you the tools to teach your dog good habits and build a strong foundation in basic behaviors.

Level 2: Superb Skills Online (via Zoom)

Ages 8 months and up $160 for 6 weekly 1 hour sessions

Build on the skills learned in Level 1: Marvelous Manners (please take this class first). We focus on your dog’s response to voice and hand signals and begin generalizing behaviors in different situations.

To register for these classes and learn about other opportunities, visit https://www.sdhumane.org/ behavior-and-training/

Pet of the Week

Meet Nebula! It’s hard to not fall in love when you see Nebula’s honey eyes, wagging tail and heart of gold. This beautiful girl has lived with other dogs, cats and kids before and is friendly with everyone she meets! Age is just a number to this golden girl, and she still loves to go for leisurely walks, play with her people and receive lots of affection. Could she wiggle right into your heart and home? Nebula is available for adoption at San Diego Humane Society’s Escondido Campus at 3500 Burnet Dr. If you have questions about the adoption process, you can visit sdhumane.org/adopt or call 619-299-7012.

Online Profile: https://www.sdhumane.org/adopt/available-pets/animal-single. html?petId=850093

The Computer Factory

thecomputerfactory.net

Never buy a PC at Costco, Best Buy or Wal-Mart!

Now that we have your attention; we don’t mean to imply that there is anything wrong with these three MMs (mass merchandisers), in fact, they’re great. Over the past two generations they and other MMs have revolutionized merchandising by making products from all over the world available to us in our neighborhood shopping centers. They meet our demand for products at prices we can afford. They don’t try to shape our preferences or tell us what we should buy, that’s a job left to the companies that make products. MMs simply make it convenient, easy and affordable to buy the products we choose.

The point of the topic line at the top of this column is that buying a PC (desktop, notebook, All-in One or Micro) at an MM store or anywhere else is simply not the best option for home, school or small business users. A refurbished “commercial” PC will be higher in quality reliability and performance than a brand new “retail” PC; it will also last longer and cost less. The PCs in MM stores are “retail” class HP, Dell and Lenovo and are markedly inferior to the “commercial” class PCs used by schools, business and government agencies. “Commercial” or “enterprise” PCs have more costly, high quality components and a higher initial cost than their “retail” cousins, but they are much higher in quality, reliability and performance. It may be an oversimplification to say that “Retail” customers are “price shoppers” and “commercial” customers are “value shoppers” but essentially, that pretty much nails it.

Commercial PC buyers (schools, governments, corporations) have professional help in selecting there their business equipment. In house ITs (Information Technologist) develop the quality, reliability and performance specifications. “Enterprise” PCs are sourced through authorized distributors who provide multiyear warranty and service contracts. The cost/benefit analyses that determine equipment selection are based on known factors relating to reliability and performance. The business systems in governments, schools and

corporations represent expensive, long term investments and nothing is left to chance.

Contrast that with the process used to purchase home and small business PCs. The decision is usually made by an individual who has limited knowledge of how component quality relates to reliability and performance or the tasks the PC is expected to perform. MM stores typically outsource warranty and repair and never have real computer professionals available to advise PC shoppers. When you PC shop at an MM, you’re pretty much on your own, often with a head-full of gratuitous misinformation fed to you courtesy of Dell, HP and Lenovo. You get an entry level salesperson who earns a commission unloading computers stuffed with ads, pop-ups, trial programs and assorted “crapware.” They won’t tell you that AMD CPUs are twice as fast as Intel’s fast-

est CPUs or that some i3 and i5 CPUs are faster than many i7 and i9 CPUs, and the certainly won’t tell you that your ten year old PC is every bit as capable as the new PC they are trying to sell you.

So if you would like a reality check before you buy your next PC, come see us here at The Computer Factory. We’ve been at our location on San Marcos Blvd for twenty seven years and we’ve “been there, done that and got the T-shirt”. We are good at listening, always tell the truth and get off on helping our customers find the best solutions. Bring in your old desktop, notebook, All-in-One or micro for a free evaluation. We can repair it, upgrade it, dispose of it or offer you a trade-in when you buy a new or refurb PC. We don’t do phones, tablets or Apple products but if you need help with that, we do know just where to send you.

“We lost our pet and we’re thinking about adopting another one. Is there an age limit?”

What this senior was really asking was:

• Can I afford to adopt a pet?

• How much will it cost to feed it?

• What if it needs vet care that I can’t afford?

• Where will it go if I’m hospitalized?

There are programs for seniors at Rancho Coastal Humane Society.

Can I afford to adopt a pet?

• Rancho Coastal Humane Society’s Seniors-for-Seniors Adoption Program plac es cats and dogs, 7 years or older, with people 60 years or older. Counselors help you select a pet that fits your lifestyle and housing situation.

And it’s FREE! The adoption fee is paid by a benefac tor.

How much will it cost to feed it?

• Most of the clients of the RCHS Community Pet Food Bank are seniors and veterans. They get FREE

pet food, collars, leashes, treats, flea treatment, and other pet supplies.

What if my pet needs expensive medical care?

• You should plan for expenses like vaccinations, licenses, etc. If it’s a serious medical issue that you can’t afford, the Veterinary Care Assistance Program for Seniors at RCHS provides financial assistance for pet parents 60 and older facing economic hardship in paying for veterinary care. Applicants must be on a fixed or limited income. Fi-

nancial documentation, a written estimate, and treatment plan from an accredited San Diego County veterinarian are required.

What will happen to my pet if I need to go in for medical treatment?

• Most of us have a friend or family member who would help. But if you don’t, the Animal Safehouse Program works with veterans, seniors, and others who need temporary care or rehoming services for their pets.

Check with your local shelter first. If they can’t help, ask them to direct you to someone who can. These programs exist to help you. All you need to do is ask.

No matter what your age, there’s a pet who needs you.

Am I Too Old To Have A Pet?

John Van Zante’s Critter Corner

Dogs from page 5

to be one of horror for the small infant who was unable to speak.

During moments when a good babysitter was supposed to take care of constant diaper changes, scheduled formula feedings, and shower love and affection – well, it just didn’t happen that way.

Instead, little Finn Jordan would be tormented, physically-abused, and terrified – all of which is unimaginable during an infant’s formative years, when human mental and psychological stages are still in early development.

With the family dog strategically placed outdoors, the child’s relentless screaming and crying and overall suffering went on for a steady 150 days, reaching a total of five calendar months.

Like clockwork, when the happy new parents would return home, all seemed normal within the household.

However, there seemed to be something very odd and bizarre in the family dog’s behaviour once he was let back into the house.

At first, the Jordans felt the dog needed to be disciplined. After all, the black Lab seemed overly protective of the baby. To the point

where Killian would bare his teeth and growl menacingly at the babysitter, Alexis Khan.

As Benjamin Jordan would later recall in his own words: “We noticed the dog was getting very defensive when Alexis (the babysitter) was around. He would growl and stand between her and our infant son. His hair would stand up on the back of his neck and we knew something was up.”

At times it seemed as if Killian was about to attack, but the loyal canine was restrained.

Such unexpected and shocking behaviour from an overly-friendly dog puzzled the Jordans. As Benjamin Jordan further recalled: “He (Killian) was very aggressive towards the babysitter and a few times we actually had to physically restrain our dog from going after her!”

Deciding against any notion of punishing the dog, Benjamin and Hope Jordan spoke quietly about the incident during bedtime. It was a most confusing scenario for them. When they both put their heads together in trying to sort things out, the math just didn’t fit the formula: Killian the dog was widely-known throughout the neighbourhood for his gentle disposition. In fact, the dog’s warm and friendly nature earned him great affection from everyone he ever met.

No exceptions.

Except for one: the Jordan’s dog did not accept the highly-recommended babysitter! The babysitter they had looked long and hard for -- the perfect choice.

Yet, there seemed to be an unknown factor at play here; something missing from the equation.

A large piece of the puzzle was missing. The babysitter seemed a most worthy one. A thorough background check confirmed this. Yet, the family dog’s behaviour seemed to imply otherwise.

Finally, the young parents decided to go out on a limb and think outside the box.

It was wife, Hope Jordan, who suggested a most outlandish and wild scheme to her husband, Benjamin. Hope suggested to her husband that the couple should hide an iPhone beneath the sofa, in hopes of recording anything within the household.

At first the experiment seemed without justification, but, at this stage, something had to be done.

The following day seemed like any other normal work day for the Jordans, except for one gigantic difference: carefully placed, out-ofsight, the couple had hidden their iPhone.

The results would be devastating

to them!

Later that evening, they played back the iPhone’s recording and the couple instantly became engulfed with terror and unleashed fury!

As Benjamin Jordan remembers: “It started out with cussing! Then, you hear slapping noises and the baby crying!” Then stark terror seems to overcome the 7-monthold child: “His crying now changes from a distress-cry to a pain-cry! I just wanted to reach through the audio tape, go back in time and ju t grab and pick him up!”

The smoking gun was found and the recording device caught the babysitter, Alexis Kahn, yelling and cussing and slapping the child, ruthlessly! The babysitter’s screaming at the child could clearly be heard: “SHUT UP!! SHUT THE F*** UP!! SHUT UP!!”

The mobile phone recording revealed that their infant son was crying for 7 ½ hours a day, for nearly the entire time he was in the babysitter’s care.

The child’s mother was inconsolable with tears: “I know for 5 months, I had handed my baby to a monster!”

Dogs

continued on page 14

Only the Bold, the Best and the Brightest read The Paper

First, I discovered America. Then, I discovered The Paper!

Ever since I can remember I’ve had the burning desire to discover new places, new adventures. Because of this, I set out to discover a new country . . . and I was successful. I even ventured inland a great many miles where I discovered a place I called Minnesota. “This,” I thought, “would be a great place for Scandinavians.” So I headed back to Norway to recruit settlers. While I was gone, some clown named Columbus claimed he discovered America. Life ain’t fair. Except life also give us The Paper. I read it whenever and wherever I go exploring and only buy from those who advertise in The Paper. It’s a Viking thing.

Your friend, Eric the Red

Mansion from page 7

close to what is now the northeast gate. However, Arlington did not “desegregate” its burial practices until President Harry S. Truman issued an Executive Order on July 26, 1948, integrating the armed services.

In 1864, the Federal government acquired Arlington at a tax sale for $26,800, equal today at $464,324. Mrs. Lee had not appeared in person but rather had sent an agent to pay the assessed $92.07 in property taxes (equal to $1,595 today). But, the government turned away her agent, refusing to accept the tendered payment. Ten years later in 1874, Custis Lee, heir to the estate, sued the United States claiming ownership. On Dec. 9, 1882, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled 5-4 in Custis Lee’s favor deciding Arlington had been confiscated without due process. After that decision, Congress returned the estate to Custis Lee, and on March 3, 1883, he sold it back to the government for $150,000 at a signing ceremony with Secretary of War Robert Todd Lincoln, (son of Abraham Lincoln). The land then officially became a military reservation.

Beginning in 1863, the Federal government housed up to 3,000 freed slaves farming 1,100 acres of the Arlington reserve. The settlement was known as “Freedman’s Village.” Later the government asked the villagers to leave. The Army closed the Village on the grounds settlers had been taking trees at night for use as firewood.

Environmentalists had expressed concerns that partial destruction of a historically important stand of native trees was occurring. A historical marker near the woodland notes that, while visiting Arling-

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Chuckles from page 5

BEAUTIFUL CAR WASN’T IT? Burma Shave

ton House in 1825, the Marquis de Lafayette of France advised Mary Lee Fitzhugh Custis, to: “Cherish these forest trees around your mansion. … it is easier to cut a tree than to make one grow.”

Today, Arlington National Cemetery is one of our national treasures. As long as that mansion stands Robert E. Lee and the estate’s story won’t be forgotten.

Man About Town

from page 4

large carts and moved to the marketing department . . . where they would be prepared for shipment to anxious buyers with fists-ful of dollars. There is large market for quality leather goods.

And thus our story ends . . .but, wait! Remember those huge piles of fat, fur, various tissues? Piles about 4’ high and 5’ long? Where and how will they be disposed of? Land fill? Local dump? With this tannery running 7 days a week, 52 weeks a year . . . when will capacity be reached? And what effect will this massive amount of foul smelling, and possibly toxic material have on the environment?

And what about all of that foul smelling water, loaded with chemicals, go? To a local sewer distrct? Discharged into local streams and rivers?

Another very entertaining program, Mike . . . but do you have any answers to these concerns? Be happy to publish them.

Keep up the great work. I greatly admire what you do!

NO MATTER THE PRICE NO MATTER HOW NEW THE BEST SAFETY DEVICE IN THE CAR IS YOU. Burma Shave

A GUY WHO DRIVES A CAR WIDE OPEN IS NOT THINKIN’ HE’S JUST HOPING Burma Shave

AT INTERSECTIONS LOOK EACH WAY A HARP SOUNDS NICE BUT IT’S HARD TO PLAY. Burma Shave

BOTH HANDS ON THE WHEEL EYES ON THE ROAD THAT’S THE SKILLFUL DRIVER’S CODE. Burma Shave

THE ONE WHO DRIVES WHEN HE’S BEEN DRINKING DEPENDS ON YOU TO DO HIS THINKING. Burma Shave

CAR IN DITCH DRIVER IN TREE THE MOON WAS FULL AND SO WAS HE. Burma Shave

PASSING SCHOOL ZONE TAKE IT SLOW LET OUR LITTLE SHAVERS GROW. Burma Shave

Do these bring back any old memories? If not, you’re merely a child. If they do - then you’re old as dirt. LIKE ME! I loved reading them.

The next time you hear a politician use the Word ‘billion’ in a casual

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manner, think about whether you want the ‘politicians’ spending YOUR tax money.

A billion is a difficult number to comprehend, But one advertising agency did a good job of putting that figure into some perspective in one of its releases.

A billion seconds ago it was 1959.

A billion hours ago our ancestors were living in the Stone Age.

A billion days ago no-one walked on the earth on two feet.

A billion dollars ago was only 8 hours and 20 minutes, at the rate our government is spending it.

As I Get Older

#1 - I talk to myself, because there are times I need expert advice.

#2 - I consider “On Trend” to be the clothes that still fit.

#3 - I don’t need anger management. I need people to stop pissing me off.

#4 - My people skills are just fine. It’s my tolerance for idiots that needs work.

#5 - The biggest lie I tell myself is, “I don’t need to write that down. I’ll remember it.”

#6 - I have days when my life is just a tent away from a circus.

#7 - These days, “on time” is when I get there.

The Mighty Mojo Page

Dogs from page 12

Had the dog, Killian, been in the house, he would have torn the abuser to shreds.

After listening completely to the recording, the stunned and outraged parents rushed their child, Finn Jordan, to the MUSC Children’s Hospital in Charleston, South Carolina. Specialised doctors fully examined the small child, finally giving him a clean bill of health. Follow-up medical evaluations report that little Finn Jordan, miraculously, is doing fine and has no after-effects from his ordeal. Though he will be continually monitored.

Charleston City Police arrested 22-year-old babysitter, Alexis Khan, whereupon she made a full confession, complete with terrifying details. The so-called perfect babysitter, the 22-year-old woman, Alexis Khan, pled guilty to assault and battery charges at the Charleston Circuit Court and sentenced 1 to 3 years in prison for abusing 7-month-old baby, Finn Jordan. Alexis Khan will remain on record in the child-abuse registry upon release, which prevents her from ever working with children again.

Benjamin Jordan asked a most haunting question: “Who knows how many children she has abused or how many more she would have – had it not been for our dog?”

If the ordeal of violent physical and emotional abuse would have continued, could it have resulted

in actual death for the 7-monthold baby? Medical experts on the case fully agree that, without eventual intervention: “The baby could have lost his life.”

And the child was too young to talk.

As for the hero dog, Killian, who alerted the family to wrongdoing and saved the life of little Finn Jordan, both the baby and family dog seem happy and back to normal. However, the dog’s amazing heroics have not evaporated, nor has Killian’s keen canine sense of protection gone unacknowledged. Shortly after the horrific ordeal, that protective and loving Labrador-German Shepherd mix began training to be a psychiatric service dog.

And for the record, whenever Killian the dog raises any fuss or antics to further warn his family of any impending danger or possible wrongdoing of any kind, well, the Jordan family is now fully convinced to never ignore their dog again.

There is a lesson to be learned here.

Says Benjamin Jordan: “He is a very personable, loving dog, so for him to show aggression toward anyone is a sign that something was wrong. We hope other parents can learn from our lesson.”

This incredible story of dog heroism quickly spread from a local Charleston, Carolina story to national news on television’s Fox

services around the world!

Killian, the dog, became an instant celebrity, whose story went viral on the global internet.

But, more importantly for Killian, he became the recipient of the National Canine Award for heroism, earning him a special “doggie bag” containing squeaky toys, a chewable Nylabone to enjoy, a specialised comfortable harness to wear on walks, and a delicious box full of doggie treats to snack on!

On one of Killian’s many award certificates, are the following words:

“Dogs are more than just our best friends, as Killian demonstrated. They are our family members, our protectors, and our heroes. We hope Killian’s tenacity and care will inspire people to head to their local shelter because these shelters are full of lovable, wonderful dogs just like Killian. Better to adopt from dog shelters rather than contributing to the animal-homelessness crisis by buying from a breeder or a pet story.”

Oodles from page 9

ket held November 4th and 5th at Bates Nut Farm. Booth spaces are $135 for the weekend.

This very popular event will also have food, live entertainment and a car show.

For more information call Lisa Scarpello at 760-300-5526 or email her at Lisascarpello@aol.com.

Visit www.batesnutfarm.biz and download the application under the Events Tab.

***

Blood Drive

Hosted by the Valley Center Chamber of Commerce

Thursday, March 16th

Armstrong Feed & Supply 28520 Cole Grade Roa

Donations are scheduled from 12:00 to 5pm For more information call Marian Walters at 760749-8472 or email her at info@ vcchamber.com

Schedule your appointment today by calling 619-400-8251 or visit https://www.mysdbb.org/donor/ schedules/drive_schedule/76596

Friedrich Gomez

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2023-9001171

The name of the business: Autoglass & Tint of Oceanside, located at 3588 Mission Ave., Oceanside, CA 92058 Registrant Information: F&J Corporation, 3588 Mission Ave., Oceanside, CA

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2023-9001808

The name of the business: A Place To Grow Psychotherapy, located at 4675 Spinnaker Bay Court, Oceanside, CA 92057 Registrant Information: a Place To Grow Psychotherapy Couple Family And Individual Psychotherapy, 4675 Spinnaker Bay Court, Oceanside, CA 92057. This business is operated by a corporation. First day of business: 01/17/2023

/s/ Elizabeth Grace Dutcher, CEO Filed with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/ Recorder of San Diego on 1/25/2023

938 Taylor St., Vista, CA 92084. This business is operated by a married couple. First day of business: 01/20/2023

/s/ Pedro Medel Marquez Filed with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/ Recorder of San Diego on 1/20/2023

2/2, 2/9, 2/16, 2/23/2023

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2023-9001151

The name of the business: The Letter Bee, located at 1159 Montura Rd., San Marcos, CA 92078 Registrant Information: Brooke Elyse Karras, 1159 Montura Rd., San Marcos, CA 92078. This business is operated by an individual. First day of business: N/A

/s/ Brooke Elise Karras Filed with Jordan

Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/Recorder of San Diego on 1/18/2023

2/2, 2/9, 2/16, 2/23/2023

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2023-9000640

The name of the business: Sustainable Valor, located at 159 Warner Street, Oceanside, CA 92058

County Clerk/ Recorder of San Diego on 1/30/2023

2/9, 2/16, 2/23, 3/2/2023

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2023-9002638

The name of the business: Keep It Local, Keep It Local Valley Center, Keep It Local VC, Valley Center Keep It Local, VC Keep It Local, located at 30590 Rock Rose Lane, Valley Center, CA 92082 Registrant Information: Lisa Scarpello, 30590 Rock Rose Lane, Valley Center, CA 92082. This business is operated by an individual. First day of business: 2/1/2010 /s/ Lisa Scarpello Filed with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/Recorder of San Diego on 2/3/2023

2/9, 2/16, 2/23, 3/2/2023

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME 37-2023-00003076-CU-PT-NC

TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS:

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

NOTICE OF HEARING:

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2023-9001262

The name of the business: Leasha’s

located at 1151 Privet Street, San Marcos, CA 92069 Registrant Information: Alicia Marie Armstrong 1151 Privet Street, San Marcos, CA 92069. This business is operated by an individual. First day of business: 01/19/2023

/s/ Alicia Marie Armstrong Filed with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/ Recorder of San Diego on 1/19/2023

2/9, 2/16, 2/23, 3/2/2023

Date: 3/14/2023, 8:30 am, in Dept.

N-25

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

Dated January 25, 2023

/s/ Brad A. Weinreb, Judge of the Superior Court 2/9, 2/16, 2/23, 3/2/2023

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2023-9002470

The name of the business: No Worries Handyman Services, No Worries Home Services, located at 1578 Boulder Creek Rd., Oceanside, CA 92056 Registrant

Information: Michael Wadsworth, 1578 Boulder Creek Rd., Oceanside, CA 92056 This business is operated by an individual. First day of business:

02/01/2023

/s/ Michael Wadsworth Filed with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/Recorder of San Diego on 2/1/2023 2/2, 2/9, 2/16, 2/23/2023

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME

37-2023-00003778-CU-PT-NC

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

NOTICE OF HEARING:

Date: 3/21/2023, 8:30 am, in Dept. 25

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

Dated January 30, 2023

/s/ Brad A. Weinreb, Judge of the Superior Court

2/9, 2/16, 2/23, 3/2/2023

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2023-9002186

The name of the business: Double 3 Tree Service, located at 712 Grapvine Road, Vista, CA 92083 Registrant Information: Berto R. Sanchez Ortega, 712 Grapevine Road, Vista, CA 92083. This business is operated by an individual. First day of business: 10/17/2022

/s/ Sebastian Mauricio Sanchez Canseco Filed with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/Recorder of San Diego on

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2023-9000284

The name of the business: Liliana Luna VO located at 4670 Desmond Circle, Oceanside, CA 92056 Registrant Information: Liliana Sampica 4670 Desmond Circle, Oceanside, CA 92056. This business is operated by an individual. First day of business:

Liliana Sampica Filed with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/Recorder of San Diego on

STATEMENT OF ABANDONMENT OF USE OF FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME:

2023-9002719

Share The Wealth Records, located at 1281 Via Contessa, San Marcos, CA 92069 The Fictitious Business Name referred to above was filed in San Diego County on 2/5/2019 and assigned file no. 2019-9003250.

FICTITIOUS

Problem Solved from page 6

A: Your GE refrigerator should still work. I don’t care about the retailer’s warranty or the manufacturer’s warranty. Both companies should be getting you a working refrigerator on the double!

But that’s not how warranties work. As I note in my guide to appliance warranties, companies strictly limit their warranties. They also reserve the right to repair, replace or refund, and they almost always attempt a repair.

I list the names, numbers and email addresses of GE’s customer service executives on my consumer advocacy site, Elliott.org. I think a quick, polite email to one of them might have helped.

There’s really only one way to avoid a problem like this. You have to research your appliance purchase carefully. Read the customer reviews and run an online search for recalls. I’ve received several GE appliance cases recently, and I’m certain some of them could have been avoided with a little homework.

It’s reasonable to give a company a month to repair a problem. But by the time you contacted me, you had been three months without a refrigerator, which is unacceptable.

I contacted the company and asked if it could help you. GE expedited a part to your technician, who attempted a repair.

“GE changed out the three parts and it worked as of the moment they repaired it,” you told me. “However, it did not continue past Friday. So we are now back at square one without a refrigerator.”

I spoke with GE again. And this time, the company got it right.

“They ended up completely replacing the unit,” you reported. “The new unit is much colder than the other one ever was so I think the original one was just faulty from the beginning.”

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.