January 23, 2025

January 23, 2025

Volume 55 - No. 4

By Friedrich Gomez I was in fifth grade when I first heard my teacher talk about Mark Twain, whose real name was Samuel Langhorne Clemens (1835-1910).

Usually I was a clock-watcher; just waiting for the magical hour to come, so I could once-again run home.

And be free again!

Free from the cold discipline of school and all the tedious rule-making that went along with it.

Free from being punished by the steady drone of deadly-boring lectures from teachers who seemed older than redwoods. And who had equally-dry, wooden personalities.

He laughed a lot. And he didn’t talk at us . . . he talked with us.

tall tales and adventures along the mighty Mississippi.

One day he came dressed as Mark Twain!

School was even worse than Sunday church services where I could at least nap on my Momma’s shoulder and not be chastised for just being a little boy with a short attention span.

And he sat and spoke with a funny Midwestern accent, and told of a small boy just like me who hated school, church sermons . . . and all those unbreakable rules.

At the end of class -- one by one -- we all lined-up, and we each stopped to hug Mr. Steitzer, our new teacher.

But I was in fifth grade, and I had a brand new teacher named Mr. Fred Steitzer (real name) who seemed strangely, and genuinely, interested in us.

My whole world changed that day.

When it came my turn, I reached out with my arms fully extended and he gently leaned down to my level, like a huge powerful bear and gently hugged me.

That wasn’t my teacher talking up there in front of the class that day; making us laugh out loud, with

If I can “suspend belief” as a mere child and really cry real tears at “make-believe” movies like Dum-

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email: thepaper@cox.net

Mark Twain See Page 2

The Paper • Page 2 • January 23, 2025

Mark Twain from page 1 bo, Bambi, or even Old Yeller, then you can understand that I truly hugged Mark Twain that day in school.

And in mid-hug, I whispered in his ear: “I love you Mr. Mark Twain.”

Mr. Steitzer didn’t reply.

But when he stood tall and straight, he had tears in his eyes.

MARK TWAIN ACCUSED OF BEING A RACIST! Years later when I was attending San Diego State University, I heard news flashes on t.v. and read in newspapers that my real-life hero, Mark Twain, was being banned in some school libraries and other places because he was vilified and even demonized as being a bigoted, hateful, divisive, cruel, and dangerous racist!

Mark Twain?!

The same Mark Twain of whom the mighty Nobel Laureate, Ernest Hemingway, called America’s greatest novelist of all-time?

Give Us This Day Our Daily Chuckle

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

Two little boys are going to the hospital the next day for operations.

Theirs will be first on the schedule.

The older boy leans over and asks, “What are you having done?”

The second boy says, “I’m getting my tonsils out, and I’m afraid.”

The first boy says, “You’ve got nothing to worry about. I had that done when I was four. They put you to sleep, and when you wake up, they give you lots of Jell-O and ice cream. It’s a breeze.”

The second boy then asks, “What are you going in for?”

“All modern American literature comes from one book by Mark Twain called Huckleberry Finn.

There has been nothing before.

There has been nothing as good since,” trumpeted Hemingway.

Hemingway went so far as to anoint Mark Twain’s book as a New Commandment in that all writers should re-read Huck Finn once every year – just to remind and keep fresh in the human intellect what the embodiment and standard of near perfection looks like and by which all American novels are measured.

Even the world’s literati from foreign lands have stated: “America’s Huckleberry Finn’s only reference of excellence is itself.”

So why was this happening?

And why were some factions and movements doing this?

Erasing him from existence?

As recently as November of 2013, Mark Twain’s “Huckleberry Finn” was officially listed on The American Library Association’s “Most Frequently Banned Books.”

School District.

In many other schools across America, only ‘edited’ copies would be allowed.

TWAIN’S TRUE RACIAL VIEWS WERE NEVER TOLD. Since Mark Twain was no longer alive and unable to defend himself, I decided to do some objective research.

And I was shocked to find that the mainstream media (both print and visual) – either intentionally or accidentally – failed to present both sides of this ongoing controversial issue.

But why?

Much of what is known about Mark Twain remains hidden, and unknown.

But that was the way Mark Twain, himself, wanted it.

The author made this demand: that his true, unedited autobiography was not to be published until 100 years after his death.

into the public domain.

Scholars, on the other hand, have unique access to such shrouded Mark Twain documents that are still kept in a vault at the University of California, Berkley.

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

Without the full truth, Mark Twain’s head was now placed in a pillory (as in town squares of yesteryear) as punishment for all the world to see, and below his neckline now dangled the ignominious label of “racist” for using the dreaded “n” word over 200 times in his book, “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, and belittling the image of Black folk by portraying the runaway Black slave, Jim, as a “childlike character.”

THE LONG TALE OF THE TAPE. Since the first publication of Mark Twain’s “The Adventures of Huck-

In February of 2018, Mark Twain was officially banned from 20 school libraries in the Minnesota

It’s now 110 years since his demise and yet, much of that ‘hidden goldmine’ is still slowly moving at a glacier’s pace in finding its way

The first boy says, “Circumcision.”

I’m great in bed . . . I can sleep for days!

The rest of the year went very smoothly.

“Whoa!” the smaller boy replies.

“Good luck, buddy. I had that done when I was born. Couldn’t walk for a year.”

••••

••••

The man who invened autocorrect should burn in hello.

••••

••••

Everyone seems to be in such a hurry to scream “prejudice” these days.

My ex-wife says I have only two faults. I don’t listen and . . something else.

Gotta Love a Marine!

•••• I’m more confused than a chameleon in a bagful of Skittles.

•••• At my funeral, take the bouquet off my coffin and throw it to the crowd to see who’s next.

•••• My ex-wife thinks I’m crazy but I’m not the one who married me.

•••• The best things about the good old days was . . .I wasn’t good and I wasn’t old.

•••• Come over to my side of the argument. The view is so much clearer from here.

A former Sergeant in the Marine Corps took a new job as a high school teacher.

Just before the school year started, he injured his back. He was required to wear a plaster cast around the upper part of his body. Fortunately, the cast fit under his shirt and wasn’t noticeable.

On the first day of class, he found himself assigned to the toughest students in the school. The smartaleck punks, having already heard the new teacher was a former Marine, were leery of him and he knew they would be testing his discipline in the classroom.

Walking confidently into the rowdy classroom, the new teacher opened the window wide and sat down at his desk. When a strong breeze made his tie flap, he picked up a stapler and stapled the tie to his chest.

Dead silence…

Mark Twain continued on page 3

A customer asked, “On what aisle can I find the Polish sausage?”

The clerk asks, “Are you Polish?”

The customer, clearly offended, says, “Yes I am. But let me ask you something. If I had asked for Italian sausage, would you ask me if I was Italian? Or, if I had asked for German Bratwurst, would you ask me if I was German? Or, if I asked for a kosher hot dog would you ask me if I was Jewish? Or, if I had asked for a Taco, would you ask if I was Mexican? Or, if I asked for some Irish whiskey, would you ask if I was Irish?”

The clerk answered, “No, I probably wouldn’t.”

The customer then angrily says, “Well then, because I asked for Polish sausage, why would you ask me if I’m Polish?”

The clerk quietly replied, “Because Chuckles continued on page 13

The Paper • Page 3 • January 23, 2025

Mark Twain from page 2 leberry Finn” back in 1885, the book has been banned somewhere, someplace, every year, since it debuted over 135 years ago.

The fires of condemnation never went out; they just simmered to hot embers, waiting for the next firestorm of misunderstanding and wrongful accusations to, once again, flare up.

Americans became fatigued with the ‘race card’ labeling, so the book, ironically, again became a best-seller in 1960, selling over 10 million copies in over 40 editions in just America, alone.

THE HIDDEN SIDE OF MARK TWAIN WHICH THE MAINSTREAM MEDIA NEVER REPORTED. In my archival research, gleaned from the UC-Berkley vault, a different storyline emerged that, unequivocally, painted a true glimpse of Mark Twain.

His nature was unpredictable at times, and he was a firebrand who danced to a different fiddler.

And he was not a racist.

He once took his Black butler, George Griffin, with him on a visit to his publisher’s office. The scandal and outrage it produced in 1893, of a White man and a Black man, seen together – as equals -under such circumstances, was pyrotechnical. It produced such a vocal outburst, that Griffin, the butler, was embarrassed.

Unlike his Black butler that day, Mark Twain was resolute and defiant.

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

Twain’s early life shaped him. He was a product of Missouri, a slave state, and his father and uncle owned slaves and his young, impressionable eyes had him witness a slave owner brutally murder a slave for, as Twain wrote: “Merely doing something awkward.”

and his revulsion of slave owners in general.

Over 110 years after Mark Twain’s death, Edwin McDowell of The New York Times released a letter from the vault archives revealing that, unknown to almost everyone, Twain provided financial assistance to one of the first Black students at Yale Law School.

The 135-year-old letter, authenticated by Yale scholars, revealed that the great author wrote to Francis Wayland, the Law School dean, dated December 24, 1885.

In it, Twain wrote: “I do not believe I would very cheerfully help a White student who would ask a benevolence of a stranger, but I do not feel so about the other color.

We have ground the manhood out of them, & the shame is ours, not theirs; & we should pay for it.”

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

BLACK SCHOLARS CLOSED RANKS IN DEFENDING MARK TWAIN. Sterling Stuckey, a Black professor of history at Northwestern University, and who teaches Mark Twain in his Arts and History classes, commented on Twain’s letter of intervention on behalf of a Black student, which was a clear gesture (against) racism, as Mr. Stuckey wrote: “It couldn’t be a clearer, more categorical indictment of racism in American life, and I’m not at all surprised to find that it came from Mark Twain.”

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

When McGuinn died on July 10, 1937, the obituary in The New York Times referred to his lifelong friendship with Mark Twain stating: “Their friendship endured until the death of the author.”

Unknown to many, Twain’s racial views were light years ahead of his day.

Twain’s profuse use of the ‘n” word was to show the actual (but negative) vernacular of the times. Twain even purposely used bad grammar to reflect the characters uneducated speech of the era; a writing technique widely known as ‘verisimili-

Twain’s subsequent handwritten post-Civil War letters openly voiced his opposition to slavery

Mark Twain continued on page 5

In this scenario, the owner threw a rock at the slave with such force it killed him, outright.

Oodles!

Looking for things to do? Places to go?

Check out Oodles every week for listing of civic and service club meetings, and more!

Have an event you need publicized?

Email it to: Lisa.ThePaper@gmail.com The Paper goes to print on Tuesday morning.

You are more likely to get published if you: • Submit your press release by the previous Friday.

• Keep It Simple: who, what, where, when, why.

• Send us something we can copy/paste. Please no brochures or flyers. Send a press release.

• Send photos as attachments, not embeded in the document.

Lake Hodges Native Plant Club Meeting January 27th • 6:30pm Please arrive by 6:15pm so the meeting can start promptly at 6:30pm at the Rancho Bernardo Library.

San Dieguito River Park executive director will present the SDRP, its features and history, and current projects and progress on the Coast to Crest Trail. Meeting is open to the public. *** Queens Court Luncheon February 8 • 11:30am The Hidden Valley Vista City Council of Beta Sigma Phi International will hold its’ Queens Court Luncheon, “Cheers to the Queen of Hearts” on February 8, 2025, beginning at 11:30am at Meadowbrook Village Christian Retirement Center, 100 Holland Glen, Escondido, CA. Cost is $38.00 per person. Menu choice is Cobb Salad.

RSVP by calling Susie at 760-8893552 by January 30, 2025.

Chapter Queens will be honored.

Beta Sigma Phi is a social, cultural and philanthropic International Sorority, headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri, with chapters throughout the world. If you are interested in belonging to a special organization and make many new friends, call Sue at 858-484-8752. *** The Good LIFE at MiraCosta College MiraCosta College Oceanside Campus Meetings will be held in person at the MiraCosta College, Oceanside Campus, at 1:00 pm in the Board Room, of the Administration Building (Building 1000) and by the Internet Application ZOOM. Jan 24 1:00 Futuro House Wayne Donaldson, FAIA, Architect

Learn about the Futuro, a modern, space-age, futuristic home from 1969 which has been lovingly restored. It is a CA Historical Registered Landmark. A spaceship in the forest of Idyllwild!

Jan 24 2:30 Electric Vehicles Steve Milanowski, Electric Vehicle Enthusiast We are in the beginning of a transportation electrification revolution. What’s driving this, what’s enabling it, and how will it change our world?

Jan 31 1:00 Ellen Browning Scripps, Journalist & Philanthropist Molly McClain, Professor USD In 1926, Ellen Browning Scripps had given away the equivalent of $100 million to various Scripps Institutes, among other institutions.

We will explore her career as a journalist and her social advocacy.

Jan 31 2:30 History of NAT-150th Year Arie Hammond, SD Natural History Museum Ms. Hammond will present the history of The NAT sharing stories and artifacts from the people who created the museum as well as memories from those working there today.

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 *** Chess at Park Avenue Community Center Home of Escondido Senior Center 210 Park Avenue, Escondido 760-839-4688 Chess players of all skill levels are welcome every Wednesday in the shuffleboard building from Noon – 3 p.m. Friendly games with large boards and pieces provided. Follow the signs or ask at the front desk for directions.

The Paper • Page 4 • January 23, 2025

Local News

ple can view Kumeyaay dwellings, rock pictographs, etc. in the area, which is now cordoned off and is a protected and preserved archeological site. As usual, Mr. Davis, The Paper is in a class by itself.

Letters to the Editor Mr. Davis, The current cover story on “San Diego’s First People” is without question first-rate journalism!!!!

Just when I thought I knew all about our own San Diego County region, The Paper knocks our intellectual socks off!! My neighbor, Tammy Bradshaw and her husband Donovan both said what I was already thinking: The only place where we can read full-length cover stories such as this is with your highly-respected publication, The Paper! We did some research and now we all plan to visit the Kumeyaay archeological site in Poway where docents conduct actual hikes along trails where peo-

In case the reader may be interested this “Kumeyaay Interpretive Center” is open to the public every 3rd Saturday each month, 10 am- 1 p.m. Best to call first (858) 668-4781. Schools have been taking their students here for decades.

Love The Paper!!!!

Jennifer Townsend, Oceanside. *** A Letter From The Editor So there I was . . at Mikki’s restaurat, corner of Rose and E. Valley Parkway. Mary and I had almost finished our breakfast of a Denver Omelette. I happened to look up and a rather handsome, well groomed man was walking toward the cash register. Our eyes met and I said, “good morning.” He answered, “good morning,” and headed toward the register . . . then did a 360, came back to my table and said, “let me take care of this,” and picked up our tab.

I didn’t know the man, had never

ration books, saved tin foil, and reused everything—nothing was wasted.

You remember the milkman. Fresh milk was delivered to your door.

Life was simpler and centered around the basics. Discipline came from both parents and teachers, with no room for excuses.

Man About Town If you were born between 1930 and 1946, you belong to an incredibly rare group: only 1% of your generation is still alive today. At ages ranging from 77 to 93, your era is a unique time capsule in human history.

Here’s why: You were born into hardship. Your generation climbed out of the Great Depression and bore witness to a world at war. You lived through

Your imagination was your playground. Without TVs, you played outside and created entire worlds in your mind from what you heard on the radio. The family gathered around the radio for news or entertainment.

Technology was in its infancy.

Phones were communal, calculators were hand-cranked, and newspapers were the primary source of information. Typewriters, not computers, recorded thoughts.

Your childhood was secure. PostWWII brought a bright future—no terrorism, no internet, no global warming debates. It was a golden era of optimism, innovation, and growth.

seen him before . . had just exchanged a polite “good morning” . . . and he picks up my check.

After he concluded his business and was preparing to leave, I introduce myself and thanked him and said, “what is your name?”

noted his sermons run 40 minutes or longer. That’s too long for me.

I would judge from his presentation that the church is most likely a church that follows an Evangelical, Pentecostal or Baptist format in their presentation.

“Tommy. I’m a pastor at the San Pasqual Indian Reservation and this is my wife Mary,” and then they left.

Pastor Tommy is a energetic and dynamic speaker and if you are into this type of preaching you just might want to pay a visit to their church. They are clearly good people.

He did not tell me his last name or the name of his church. I wanted to repay his kindness but had to play detective in order to do so. I found out his name was Tommy Herrera but I couldn’t find out the name of his church . . . so I called in the world’s best researcher, fella by the name of Friedrich Gomez.

In less than a half hour he had my information.

Pastor Tommy Herrera and his wife, Mary, are pastors of The Connectivity Church, 17045 Grace Lane, Valley Center, CA. Office Hours are Monday-Thnursday from 9am to 3pm and contact information: Phone: 7605752032 Email: info@theconnectivitychurch.com I watched about 10 minutes of a video of one of the services but

Shopping meant visiting downtown stores.

Polio was a feared disease.

While your parents worked hard to rebuild their lives, you grew up in a world of endless possibilities. You thrived in a time of peace, progress, and security that the world may never see again.

If you’re over 77 years old, take pride in having lived through these extraordinary times. You are one of the lucky 1% who can say, “I lived through the best of times.” *** Ever on the alert, I have found a new restaurant that merits a visit from you.

It’s Kalaveras . . . located where La Tapatia used to be, at 340 W. Grand Avenue.

Kalaveras, I learned is a different spelling for Calaveras (which means “skull” in Spanish).

Black-and-white TVs were cutting-edge.

I knew Ray Alto, the owner of La Tapatia, for many years. Great food guy, always good food and top service. The new owners also put out mighty fine food and great service.

Highways weren’t motorways.

The pros:

You are the last generation to live through a time when:

And so, Pastor Tommy . . . thank you for buying breakfast for Mary and me. I hope this message, printed in The Paper, is, in part, a return of the favor.

Blessings to you and yours. lyle e davis editor/publisher *** To submit a letter to the editor, please email thepaper@cox.net.

Please be respectful, limit your letter to a maximum of 300 words and include your full name, e-mail address, town, and a valid phone number where you can be reached.

Letters will not be published anonymously. Letters are subject to editing. Please no hand written letters.

Mary and I each ordered the Enchiladas Verdes (green sauce).

The plates/servings were huge!

So much so that neither one of us could finish our meal but boxed it up and brought it home. Delicious food but too much for us older folks. Next time we’ll likely order one entree and share it.

Service was excellent, servers were well groomed, well dressed, not a tattoo in sight. Big smiles, very helpful. Water glasses were promptly filled. Mary’s glass of Chardonnay was in a lovely, large wine glass and was a generous serving. I never drink during the day so contented myself with refreshing ice water.

The menu is simple with lots of tasty appetizers . . . and the entree list was large and, I suspect, quite tasty. You can expect burritos, carne asada, Birria Tacos, enchiladas, a varied menu. I loved our enchilada but am anxious to go back and try their carne asada and tacos.

They have a superb menu of alcohol . . beers and wines, margaritas.

I noted they have Tequila . . and the top of the line brands. Some of the tequilas are pricey but that’s because they are premium brands.

The beers and wines are also a bit more pricey than elsewhere but, Man About Town continued on page 5

The Paper • Page 5 • January 23, 2025

Mark Twain from page 3 tude’ which “defines a novel by affording the reader the appearance of authenticity and realism.”

In short, Twain was writing in the vernacular of his day, showing the ignorance and hatred of society’s underbelly.

In his Adventures of Huckleberry Finn novel, Twain used allegory and symbolism to point out the evils of slavery.

The character, Huckleberry Finn, is shown as a runaway boy with his friend, Jim, a runaway slave, as they sailed together down the mighty Mississippi river.

Symbolically, both had escaped abuse (the boy at the hands of his family, and Jim from his slave owners).

As they travel, ironically, the slave becomes a caring, loyal friend and eventually a father figure to a confused Huckleberry Finn, finally opening the young boy’s eyes to the human tragedy that is slavery.

Defenders of the book also insist that Jim comes across as having more common sense and as being more talented than either Huck or his best friend, Tom Sawyer.

Huck sympathizes so profoundly with Jim the slave, that he frees him.

At the time of the book’s publication in 1884, Southern society Man About Town from page 4 again, very generous servings.

The cons: Absolutely the worst art work (murals) I’ve ever seen in a restaurant.

The Latinos tend to be quite garish in their art work and the murals at

was greatly repulsed at the idea of Huckleberry Finn helping a runaway slave, who was thought to be human property and, therefore, freeing a slave was viewed as the worst crime you could commit short of murder.

Twain often repeated “Man is the only Slave. And he is the only animal who enslaves.” (From Mark Twain’s “The Lowest Animal.”)

Not understanding or seeing the allegorical truth, symbolized in his characters, Twain would be banned in various schools under the condemnation of ‘racism.’

Many Black academics, however, continued defending Twain for what he was truly saying, disguised in the uneducated language of the day.

Black University professor Sterling Stuckey explains: “My sense of the criticism is that it comes mainly from the non-academic sector of the Black community, not from Black intellectuals. In my judgement, ‘Huck Finn’ is one of the most devastating attacks against racism ever written.”

To this very day, Mark Twain remains among the most misunderstood, and misquoted authors in world history.

He was many different things, to many different people, who all said they knew him.

WHEN THE ‘LIE’ SADLY BECOMES THE ‘TRUTH.’ Unfortunately today, the complete Kalaveras are no different. Bold, loud, colors and in keeping with their name (kalavras = skull) much of the artwork features skeletons.

Not my cup of tea.

They have signs on the side doors, adjacent to the parking lot, that ask you to use the front door. This was a royal pain . . .having to make the long walk to the front door by two

truth is often only half told. In the case of Mark Twain, the ‘lie’ became the ‘truth’ and he was wrongly accused as a racist.

In 2019, a protest movement called for the alleged racist, Mark Twain, and his Adventures of Huckleberry Finn book to be erased. Under pressure from race-motivated protestors, school districts in Pennsylvania, Virginia, Minnesota, and Mississippi have quickly removed the book from their curricula.

Others have followed suit.

In various polls, the majority of Americans expressed their fatigue of constantly being bullied by a small vocal group of protestors who they say want to control how everybody thinks, talk, and even how they should behave. And which movies, television, and books they are now allowed to enjoy.

All at the expense of Free Speech, Free Choice, and Freedom in general.

A CULTURE THAT NOW TELLS US TO BE CAREFUL WHO & WHAT WE LOVE.

grade I wasn’t careful of what I did.

Nor was I careful of who I professed to love.

All I knew was when I hugged my 5th grade teacher, Mr. Steitzer, and whispered: “I love you Mr. Mark Twain” – well, it just seemed the right thing to do, and right person to love.

Looking back at that day, which changed my life, I was genuinely happy at what I did and what I said.

And still am.

I’m also even happier today as a grown-up, to actually defend Mr. Mark Twain from a lie.

As Mark Twain sat before us in my 5th grade class that day, among other things, he said to all of us: “A lie can travel half way around the world, while the truth is still putting on its shoes.”

Mr. Twain taught me well.

In the lyrics of a widely popular song, therein lies our present predicament: “People always told me to be careful of what you do, And my Mother always told me to be careful of who you love, Because the lie becomes the truth.”

As a small, 11-year-old boy in 5th

Friedrich Gomez

elderly folks who have enough problems walking without having to lengthen the process. I asked our server, Melissa, about this and she explained, “we’d prefer patrons do not come in the side door because then they seat themselves and we, the servers, have no idea whether they have had service or need service. If they come in the front door we can greet them as-

sign them a table and server and they get quicker, better, organized service.” Makes sense, I guess . . but Melissa said Mary and I could come in the side door and just beckon a server.

Man About Town continued on page 14

The Paper • Page 6 • January 23, 2025

5th District Supervisor

Jim Desmond

Why We Must Hold a Special Election It’s extremely concerning how the insurance crisis in California is impacting our communities. Many homeowners are finding themselves without coverage or facing skyrocketing premiums due to the policies implemented by the Insurance Commissioner’s office.

Earlier today, I wrote a letter to Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara, urging him to take immediate action to fix the mess that has been made. This issue is leaving countless residents vulnerable, especially as wildfires become more frequent and severe.

Here is my letter: Dear Commissioner Lara, I’m writing to express my deep concern about the current state of fire insurance coverage in California. Many residents in my district and across the state are being left

vulnerable and uninsured due to the policies under your jurisdiction.

The regulatory decisions you’ve overseen have driven major insurance providers out of the market or forced them to drastically reducecoverage in high-risk areas. This has left thousands of Californians with no choice but to rely on the FAIR Plan, which offers limitedcoverage at extremely high rates.

For example, when State Farm dropped approximately 1,600 policies in Pacific Palisades before the recent devastating fires, many homeowners were left unprotected.

Now, I’m reading that the California Fair Plan is on the brink of insolvency,due to fires in Los Angeles.

The temporary moratoriums you issued on policy cancellations after disasters are simply a shortterm fix. Homeowners need long-

term,sustainable solutions, not just yearly delays that fail to encourage insurers to return to the market or expand their offerings.

I urge you to take a stronger, more effective approach to fix this crisis: Foster Participation: Allow insurance companies to price risk accurately without excessive restrictions that discourage market participation. Revisiting Proposition 103’s rate-setting policies could help attract competition andinnovation.

Encourage Market Entry: Provide incentives for new insurers to enter the market, such as tax breaks, streamlined approval processes, and subsidies for covering high-risk properties.

Promote Innovation: Support the use of advanced technology and data analytics for risk assessment.

This could lead to fairer pricing models that reward homeowners for fire prevention efforts rather than punishing them for their location.

Increase Transparency: Ensure regulatory changes are made with

full public disclosure and input.

Premium increases should be clearly justified and publicly reviewed.

Support Consumers: Launch educational initiatives to help homeowners understand their insurance options, negotiate coverage, and implement safety measures that can lower their insurance costs.

Commissioner Lara, the current insurance crisis isn’t just a policy failure—it’s a failure of public trust. Californians deserve better than facing the threat of losing everything within adequate coverage. I urge you to take immediate action to protect our communities by pursuing a more balanced and market-friendly approach that serves all residents, not just the insurance industry.

I look forward to your response and to seeing meaningful reforms that prioritize the well-being of Californians.

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

Travel Troubleshooter

by Christopher Elliott

My hotel in Cancun is giving me the silent treatment. How about a refund?

The hotel David Marsh reserved in Cancun, Mexico, is not responding to his questions -- but it’s keeping his money. Can Booking. com help him get a refund?

Now, to be fair, Booking.com did send you a confirmation and in a follow-up email, it confirmed that the reservation was a contract.

But reading between the lines of your paper trail, it looks as if even Booking.com was starting to get worried. What if the hotel had no intention of honoring your reservation? Would you have to sleep on the sidewalk?

Q: I have a reservation with a hotel in Cancun, Mexico, through Booking.com. It is during high season, and I was concerned that the hotel might be full and that my reservation would not be honored.

So I reached out to Booking.com and to the hotel. The hotel has not responded to my messages, emails or phone calls. I contacted Booking.com, and it promised to attempt further contact by email and phone but carefully avoids mentioning proposed action if the hotel continues to fail to respond.

Booking.com has insisted that the booking is valid but that I must wait until my arrival at the hotel to discover if my reservation will be honored. If the hotel doesn’t honor the reservation, Booking. com suggests I call it for help.

I’m concerned that if I have to call Booking.com, it will be an expensive international call. If another hotel is available in peak season, there will certainly be significant additional costs. If there

Illustration by Dustin Elliott are no vacancies, am I to sleep in the street?

Booking.com says I must endure this uncertainty. I would like to cancel my reservation, but the booking is nonrefundable. My impression of customer service is that there is concern for protocols and complete disregard for guests.

Will you assist, please? ~ David Marsh, West Midlands, England A: Strictly speaking, your Book-

ing.com reservation is nonrefundable. So the platform is entitled to keep your money. But it should also respond to your messages and if you’re not hearing anything, that’s a sign of trouble.

There’s no rule that a hotel has to be responsive to a guest after a reservation is made. But common sense tells you that if a hotel accepts your reservation, it should be able to answer a few questions about the room, and also independently confirm your reservation.

You followed all the steps to a resolution. You reached out to the hotel by email, phone and text message. Then you contacted Booking.com. (You could have also escalated your case to one of the Booking.com customer service executives. I publish their names, numbers and email addresses on my consumer advocacy site, Elliott.org.)

I think it’s absolutely reasonable to expect a hotel to answer your questions after you’ve made a reservation, especially if it’s completely nonrefundable. The hotel should have offered you a written assurance that it had a room for you.

Silent continued on page 12

The Paper • Page 7 • January 23, 2025

Morgan tion of not reading the syllabus; I just want to say how proud I am to know Morgan Love.

This young woman has been on an operating table, laid open, more times than anyone can count. She has lived out the majority of the past year in hospitals.

And yet, whenever you see her, she looks like she just discovered teeth.

Although her circumstances have been dire, she is unbelievably positive. Frighteningly positive, actually. Almost as though Morgan lives in an alternate reality than the rest of us.

by Sean Dietrich I am proud of Morgan Love. That is all I wanted to say today.

I wish I could tell you how proud.

As the 19-year-old young woman returns to college classes this week; as teenagers herd across campus like droves of cattle; as students all over the nation engage in the long-cherished tradi-

Namely, because whenever she receives good news from a doctor— ANY tiny morsel of good news— she runs with it. She internalizes it.

She holds it in her heart. She is an optimist of the highest degree.

As a result, the doctors are always surprised at her progress. She is constantly proving them wrong.

They said she might never walk

again. A few weeks later, she got out of her wheelchair. Now, she’s jumping on trampolines, going for small hikes, and going snowsledding.

They said she might be paralyzed.

She learned how to walk with a brace and eat with one hand.

They said her intestines might never digest food again. Not even liquid food. She got an ice-cream maker for Christmas.

They said she might never lead a normal life. She moved into the dorms at UAB, joined a sorority, and walks to every class.

In fact, that might be what she’s doing now. Walking to class. Maybe she’s got her phone in her hand, like all the other college kids do.

Maybe she’ll read this.

If she does, I just want her to know that, admittedly, although I’m not the brightest penny in the fountain, I know an amazing person when I see one. And I see you, Morgan Love.

Problem Solved

by Christopher Elliott

Hey Sears, where’s the refund for the Master Protection on my washer?

When Danny Gardner cancels his Sears Master Protection, a representative tells him to be patient and that the bank is slow to process refunds. But it’s been four months.

someone higher up. I recommend appealing to one of the Sears customer service managers I list on my consumer advocacy site, Elliott.org.

Q: I’m trying to get a refund from Sears Master Protection and I’m hoping you can help. I canceled two Master Protection Agreements recently. The same clerk processed both cancellations.

I think it’s a poor excuse when a company blames the bank for a slow refund. But clearly something happened between Sears and your bank, and it’s hard to know who was to blame.

I received a refund for the first cancellation, which was for my dryer, two days later. But I never received the $89 back for the Master Protection on my washer.

I contacted Sears on your behalf.

The company decided to try an alternate form of payment for your refund -- an old-fashioned paper check.

I have spoken to various clerks, and no supervisor would take responsibility for processing the second refund. Sears has transcripts for every external telephone call from us. They also have written internal chats with the finance department that prove the clerks never processed the second refund correctly.

Sears has told me “the bank is slow” and I should keep waiting.

But it’s been four months. Can you help? ~ Danny Gardner, Hoffman Estates, Ill.

Illustration by Dustin Elliott A: Sears should have processed both of your refunds at the same time. I don’t think “the bank is slow” is a valid excuse when an employee handled the refunds at the same time. It’s far more likely someone at Sears made a clerical error and that your refund was missing in action.

That said, it appears Sears was trying to refund the Master Protection fee to your credit card, which you had used to purchase the warranty. Sears’ policy is in line with most other businesses

-- it always processes the refund back to the original form of payment.

The paper trail between you and Sears (and indeed, between me and Sears) shows that it made a good faith effort to refund the Master Protection for your washer. But the money never appeared on your statement.

When that happens, the back and forth with the customer service department is minimally helpful.

You need to get the attention of

“The check from my Sears reimbursement arrived yesterday,” you reported. “I have deposited the $85 online, and it has cleared my bank. Thank you very much for all of your attention to this matter. Blessings to you.”

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/ © 2025 Christopher Elliott.

The Paper • Page 8 • January 23, 2025

Everyone hates tourists. How to be a better traveler this summer. a place is openly hostile to visitors, avoid it. “There is a growing trend in which travelers make travel decisions based on political, social and cultural beliefs,” says Berkita Bradford, chair of the hospitality and tourism administration department at North Carolina Central University.

by Christopher Elliott When I lived in Athens a few years ago, I stumbled across a wall freshly spray-painted with the words: “TOURISTS GO HOME!” I was so stunned by it that I had to take a picture.

Today, I probably wouldn’t even notice it. Not after the recent antitourism protests in Barcelona and after Venice imposed a $ 5-a-day fee for day visitors.

Show some respect. Be a responsible traveler, says Nicole Cueto, a travel advisor with Fora Travel.

“Practice sustainable tourism by minimizing your environmental impact and supporting ecofriendly initiatives,” she advises.

That includes reducing waste, conserving water, and respecting wildlife.

Tourists are -- how do I say this politely -- disliked. And with good reason. More than half of travelers say they’ve behaved out of character while on vacation, according to a recent internal survey conducted by the luggage storage company Radical Storage. That can include posing in inappropriate ways with statues, trespassing or disrespecting local customs. And 42 percent even admit to breaking laws while abroad.

I warned about bad tourists two years ago. I hate it when I’m right.

“American tourists are known to be loud and demanding,” says Adeodata Czink, an etiquette expert.

“And they did not disappoint last summer.”

Illustration by Dustin Elliott It hasn’t stopped. I live in Dublin, where large groups of American, German and Brazilian tourists clog the narrow streets of Temple Bar and drink themselves to oblivion every night. It’s shameful.

But there’s good news. The locals

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aren’t angry at all visitors, and if you happen to be on the blacklist, there’s an easy way to get off, and stay off. And yes, you can still visit Paris and Rome.

They Don’t Hate Everyone First, a little good news: The locals don’t hate all tourists.

“The backlash is against rowdy bachelor and bachelorette parties who are interested mostly in getting drunk,” explains Don Jones, a managing director for Andrew Harper, a travel membership site.

“And it’s against Intagrammers swarming certain places and disregarding common courtesy to get the right shot.”

If that’s not you, then you already have an advantage.

If it is you, and you happen to be reading this insightful column, stop being you. Consume alcohol in moderation, or better yet, stay sober and enjoy the new place you’re visiting. Also, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but no one cares about your Instagram account. Sheathe your smartphone and take in the view with your own eyes.

How To Behave Like A Good Tourist You don’t have to be one of those visitors this spring break or during the upcoming summer travel season. Here are some proven strategies for being loved by your destination: Go where you’re appreciated.

Now is the time when many Americans are considering a summer vacation destination. If

Know the drill. One of the best ways to improve your image is to brush up on the local customs of your destination traveling. “Show genuine interest in the local culture,” says Nick Leighton, an etiquette expert and co-host of the weekly podcast, Were You Raised

By Wolves?. “It generates goodwill and helps avoid causing offense inadvertently.”

You’ll also want to pack two important things, says etiquette coach Jamila Musayeva: your patience and kindness.

“Treat the locals with the same courtesy you’d expect in your own hometown,” she says. “When things don’t go as planned, like a delayed flight or a wrong meal order, stay calm and handle it with grace. Your attitude not only affects your experience but also leaves an impression on those around you.”

That’s not to say you’re entirely responsible for everyone hating on tourists. Destinations are working toward a detente, too.

How One Destination Is Fighting Back Against Bad Tourists Some places are already doing something beyond charging for admission to their city centers.

Back in 2020, when misbehaving tourists were starting to become a major problem, Visit Idaho introduced a program designed to attract more responsible and sustainable visitors to the state.

Its campaign, called Travel With Care, emphasized caring for the state, caring for others and caring for yourself. Practically speaking, Idaho encouraged travelers to protect the land and outdoor spaces, be considerate of others, and prioritize personal safety.

Tourists continued on page 9

The Paper • Page 9 • January 23, 2025

Tourists from page 8 advises Thomas Swick, author of “Falling into Place: A Story of Love, Poland and the Making of a Travel Writer.” “This entails leaving the well-trodden paths and exploring out-of-the-way neighborhoods – every city has them – and experiencing the everyday life of the place.”

There are no measurable results of Idaho’s efforts to promote kindness to the land and fellow travelers. But that’s exactly the point.

No one is defacing the walls of the ski lodges with “TOURISTS GO HOME!” in Sun Valley, nor has anyone suggested charging tourists to walk down Main Street in Boise.

Who knows, he says. Maybe you’ll strike up a conversation that will tell you more than any landmark.

Rather, tourism officials say these actions have helped both the tourism industry and tourists. “It’s gone a long way to encourage everyone to work together to keep travelers and residents happy,” says Natalie Jushinski, a tourism manager at Visit Idaho.

“And instead of abuse, you may get an invitation for coffee,” he says.

Now that’s how to travel. ***

The Best Advice: Avoid The Crowds Maybe the best way to avoid having a substandard travel experience is to go in the opposite direction of the crowd. James Thornton, CEO of Intrepid Travel, told me 80 percent of travelers visit just 10 percent of the world’s tourism destinations. “There are so many amazing alternative destinations to choose from that will give you a fresh take on the world if you’re willing to go beyond the

The author next to anti-tourist graffiti in the Vyronas neighborhood of Athens in 2022. (Photo by Dustin Elliott. Hi-res image.) classic bucket list attractions,” he says.

That doesn’t necessarily mean avoiding popular places. I love Venice and Rome and Paris, and I think everyone should see these

places at least once.

But if you go, visit during the offseason and stay away from the groups flocking to the popular museums and restaurants.

“Show an interest in the people,”

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.

The Paper • Page 10 • January 23, 2025

The Pastor Says . . .

What I Never Knew It is amazing how much we don’t know. There are, of course, those who claim to know everything. This is true until those people discover how little they really know. Such is the world we live in. In the 14th century, people thought they knew all about the universe, including the church leaders. They sought out those who believed otherwise, such as Galileo and Copernicus. They threatened them with excommunication and even death if they taught otherwise. They never knew, nor did they accept the present-day knowledge that we know only about four percent of what is in space. We are discovering more and more of what we don’t know than what we know, both in the scientific and spiritual domains. There is a tendency to want to box God in our beliefs, such as those who lived in the Middle Ages.

I ask, who can know God and His ways? I can’t. So much is attributed to Him, even to the smallest detail of our ultimate destiny of heaven and hell. Does one go to either place by faith or works, or is it a combiPastor Huls nation of both? Who ultimately makes that decision?

Many in the church think they do. Will God surprise us in the end? I would like to know the perfect will of God when I hear of tragedy, injustice, and even details in my life. There is so much more to God that I know or will ever know. So far, many things have happened in my life and the lives of others with things I never knew. We live in a world of billions of people, but how many of them do we really know? Indeed, do we even know that much about ourselves? When was the last time you discovered something you never knew about yourself or perhaps the person you live with?

San Diego Humane Society is supporting families and their pets who need a little extra help.

Through the Community Pet Pantry, anyone can visit our campuses to pick up a bag of dog or cat food, and other supplies, as available.

No appointment is needed for this service. Hours are Tuesday-Sunday from 10am to 6pm.

I share a recent experience I had with a mother of a disabled child. Most of the time spent with the child was the care and limited education. The child died in a tragic accident, having already become an adult.

As the mother sifted through some of her son’s school papers, she came across a paper her son had written about his feelings and apprePastor Says ciation for all his parents had done for him. So much of what he said continued on page 12

El Cajon 373 N. Marshall Ave. Escondido 3500 Burnet Drive Oceanside 572 Airport Road San Diego 5480 Gaines Street

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Mojo Jojo is a 2-1/2year-old, 45-pound, male, Terrier mix.

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

Meet Faith! This lovely, honeycolored pup has a zest for life that radiates on even a cloudy day. Long walks, playtime with lots of toys and a ball to chase are required for every good day.

Faith can get bored when left alone and needs a home that can provide her with positive activities for all of her energy.

Faith has been working with trainers at the shelter to manage her excitement and has shown to be a quick learner! She enjoys spending time with other canine companions and may do well with another dog at home. Faith (854922) 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 619299-7012. Jan. 15-26, adoption fees will be just $25 for all adult dogs and cats through BISSELL Pet Foundation’s Empty the Shelters!

We’re asking the community for help to make room in the shelters so we can continue to support Los Angeles shelters.

Visit Rancho Coastal Humane Society in Encinitas or log on to www.SDpets.org. Open 11 to 4 every day but Tuesday.

Online profile: https://www.sdhumane.org/adopt/available-pets/ animal-single.html?petId=854922

When he was a puppy, he was taken to a crowded shelter with his four siblings. He grew up in that shelter until he was transferred to Rancho Coastal Humane Society through FOCAS – Friends of County Animal Shelters.

He needs a patient family that will let him settle in at his own pace.

The Paper • Page 11 • January 23, 2025

Will AI be the end of us?

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760-744-4315 thecomputerfactory.net

The 20th century saw dramatic and rapid evolution in nearly every human endeavor. Ground, air and sea transportation, entertainment, food and food preparation, clothing, education, living and workplace environments, medicine and health, exercise and recreation. It’s hard to think of anything the hasn’t changed dramatically over the past century, indeed many technologies have changed multiple times in the last hundred years.

There has always been a tendency for the older DIs (digital immigrants) and the younger DNs (digital natives) to regard one another with some amount of suspicion and distrust. The DNs are full of self confidence and fully conversant with the latest fashions, fads and technologies. They naturally tend to regard the older DIs as being somewhat out touch with modern ways. The DIs tend to be somewhat defensive about “the old

ways” and skeptical of the DNs eagerness to reject the past and embrace everything that’s new. We call these negative views of one another “the generations gap” For most of human history “the Generation Gap” was small because cultural and survival technologies changed little between generations. The younger generations learned survival and culture skills from the older generations, just as the older generations learned them from their elders.

world of human knowledge went public in 2001 as the IW (intelligent Web). Today, 23 years later, it is still in its infancy. AI, with its high speed access to World data bases massively exceeds the information held by any individual and the IW will continue to get faster and smarter for years to come.

How will it change us?

Then, at the beginning of the 20th century, rapidly advancing technology began to change life-skills and pop culture well within a human lifetime. Accelerating technology made much of the DI’s accumulated knowledge obsolete.

The DIs who formed there cognitive resources in time-honored ways (experience, parents, teacher etc) tend to use the IW as a source of information useful in decision making. DNs who grew up with the IW have less fully developed cognition simply because have less

The time honored process of learning life-skills and culture from older generations began to break down as burgeoning technology brought dramatic change to life-styles in decades rather than centuries. The life-skills of DIs became ever less relevant to modern life-styles increasing “the generations gap”. Computer technology was among the important advances of the 20 th century providing the foundation for our next great adventure, “AI”.

AI (artificial intelligence) evolved during WW II as an aid to automation then languished until the 2001 when the introduction of high speed broad-band internet provided the speed and data access that rekindled AIs development as perhaps the single most significant event in human history.

Fast, Intelligent access to the entire

Today’s IW (intelligent web) has already produced a noticeable expansion of the “generations gap.”

need for it. The IW provides DNs with answers, consequently they have less need to “figure things out”. It’s a rational judgment on the part of DNs but has led to diminished reasoning ability as measured by IQ tests. So what difference does it make if DNs “use it or lose it” if it’s no longer needed?

The DIs will be gone late in this century leaving the planet to the DNs. If current trends are any indication, mankind will have abdicated the position of “smartest kid on the block”. AI will design and build the machines that provide for our every need and even provide their own maintenance and replacement. Future generations should hope that AI never get smart enough to ask itself the question why do we need them?

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John Van Zante’s Critter Corner

When Our Dogs Are Part of Us the afternoon and we walk back to my office at Rancho Coastal Humane Society.

able to answer his question.

“I knew you would know. Like I said, I like dogs, but I’m not crazy like you.”

“I like dogs. But I’m not crazy like you are.”

I want to think that was meant as a compliment, but I’m still not sure.

In the Fox channel 5 back lot one of the photographers asked a question about something new his dog started doing. I’m not a behaviorist. I’m a public relations guy. But I’ve been doing this a long time and, based on experience, I was

When I drop her off, she’s calm until her harness comes off. Then she sprints down the runway to get to her friends.

He said he liked his dog and that his dog kept him responsible. No matter what was going on, he had to take care of his dog. It kept him from doing dumb stuff. His dog was his roommate.

He had a dog, but not much of a connection. His dog was with him, but not part of him.

Ask about our pets and most of us smile. We might pull out our phones to show you pictures or tell you a story about something they did. “You won’t believe what Spot did this morning! It was so cute!”

I’ve mentioned before that our dog, Cashew, goes to Kamp Kanine Daycare for Dogs. She has her special friends at Kamp. Their names are Dream, Piper, and Brie.

I call them “The Sisterhood.”

My two favorite times of the day are when I drop Cashew off in the morning and when I pick her up in

When I pick her up in the afternoon, she runs as fast as she can to get to me. I put on her harness, and we chat as we walk to my office. It reminds me of when my kids were little. “How was school today?”

Most of the dog moms and dads I see picking up their pups at Kamp act like I do.

I think that’s because our dogs aren’t just roommates. Call me crazy, but I think they’re a part of us.

The Paper • Page 12 • January 23, 2025

Music Men Barbershop Chorus Delivers Singing Valentines Looking for an unforgettable Valentine’s Day gift for a sweetheart or loved one? The Music Men Chorus may have your answer - a Singing Valentine.

Barbershop singers across the U.S. will be delivering Singing Valentines this February. Delivering Singing Valentines is always an emotional event, not only for the recipient, but also for the sender, bystanders, and the singers themselves. Members of the Music Men often say that delivering Singing Valentines is one of their most enjoyable activities.

On Friday and Saturday February 14 and 15 from 10 am to 8 pm, quartets from the Music Men Chorus will deliver 2 romantic songs, along with a personalized card, to that special person at a time and location of your choice in North San Diego County. Delivery within a 2-hour time period costs $60; cost

for delivery within a 15-minute window is $75. To make a reservation, call or text (760) 585-6315 or email wolszanicky@yahoo.com.

Founded in 1954, the non-profit Music Men Chorus is a chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society.

Directed by David Garstang, the chorus performs 4-part, a cappella, close-harmony songs in a variety of genres at public events and private venues throughout North County.

For information about hiring the Music Men, call (760) 585-6315.

The Music Men are always looking for men who love to sing. You do not need to be able to read music to sing with them. Rehearsals are on Tuesday evening at 7 pm at San Marcos Lutheran Church, 3419 Grand Avenue. For more information about the Music Men and membership, visit musicmenchorus.org or call (760) 845-3593.

Looking For Things to do?

Places to go?

Check out Oodles every week for listings of civic and service club meetings, and more!

Silent from page 6

Pastor Says from page 10

Reading between the lines, I can see why you were concerned. You had found an excellent room rate on Booking.com -- almost too good to be true. When I reached out to Booking.com on your behalf, a representative confirmed your story. She said Booking. com had verified your reservation and had reached out to the property on your behalf. Booking.com also promised to cancel your nonrefundable reservation for free if contact was not made. And after no response from the hotel, Booking.com did as promised.

she never knew.

“We can confirm the reservation has been canceled and our team is working to process a refund,” the Booking.com representative told me. You reviewed your credit card records and found that the hotel had not charged you yet, so you were in the clear.

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. © 2025 Christopher Elliott.

Many have had such experiences long after the death of a loved one.

We often don’t know what people are feeling or experiencing. We are often more concerned with what people believe than what they think and want to express. I could wish for more time to know what my wife felt, believed, and cherished. There is always more than we have time for, but if I could do it over, I would take more time to know what I never knew.

We may never know all we can, either about others or ourselves.

Our escape is that we believe God knows all things. Paul, the Apostle, says, “Now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face: now I know in part, but then I will fully know just as I have been fully known.” 1 Cor 13:12. We live with what we never knew, but we can know so much more if we take the time to appreciate our unknown and discoverable world.

Pastor Huls Dial A-Prayer - 760-746-6611

The Paper

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“The state of Texas was never invaded while I was on duty at Fort Sam. You could look it up!”

US Army, Entertainment Director 1957-1959 Brooke Army Hospital Fort Sam Houston, Texas War Correspondent South Vietnam 1967-68 Assimilated Grade/Rank Lt. Colonel, MACV (Military Assistance Command, Vietnam)

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••••• A little humor and nostalgia for everybody.

Slow Food Someone asked the other day, “What was your favorite fast food when you were growing up?” ‘’We didn’t have fast food when I was growing up,” I informed him.

“All the food was slow.”

“C’mon, seriously. Where did you eat?”

“It was a place called Home,’’ I explained. “Mom cooked every day and when Dad got home from work, we sat down together at the dining room table, and if I didn’t like what she put on my plate I was allowed to sit there until I did like it.”

By this time, the kid was laughing so hard I was afraid he was going to suffer serious internal damage, so I didn’t tell him the part about how I had to have permission to leave the table. But here are some other things I would have told him about my childhood if I figured his

Some parents NEVER owned their own house, never wore Levis, never set foot on a golf course, never traveled out of the country or had a credit card. In their later years they had something called a revolving charge card. The card was good only at Sears Roebuck. Or maybe it was Sears & Roebuck. Either way, there is no Roebuck anymore.

Maybe he died.

My parents never drove me to soccer practice. This was mostly because we never had heard of soccer. I had a bicycle that weighed probably 50 pounds, and only had one speed, (slow).

We didn’t have a television in our house until I was 9. It was, of course, black and white, and the station went off the air at midnight, after playing the national anthem and a poem about God; it came back on the air at about 6 a.m.

And there was usually a locally produced news and farm show on, featuring local people. I was 21 before I tasted my first pizza, it was called ‘pizza pie.’ When I bit into it, I burned the roof of my mouth and the cheese slid off, swung down, plastered itself against my chin and burned that, too. It’s still the best pizza I ever had.

I never had a telephone in my

room. The only phone in the house was in the living room and it was on a party line. Before you could dial, you had to listen and make sure some people you didn’t know weren’t already using the line. Pizzas were not delivered to our home but milk was.

All newspapers were delivered by boys and all boys delivered newspapers -- I delivered a newspaper, 7 days a week. It cost 7 cents a paper, of which I got to keep 2 cents.

I had to get up at 6AM every morning. On Saturday, I had to collect the 49 cents from my customers.

My favorite customers were the ones who gave me 50 cents and told me to keep the change. My least favorite customers were the ones who seemed to never be home on collection day.

There were no movie ratings because all movies were responsibly produced for everyone to enjoy viewing, without profanity or violence or most anything offensive.

If you grew up in a generation before there was fast food, you may want to share some of these memories with your children or grandchildren. Just don’t blame me if they bust a gut laughing.

Growing up isn’t what it used to be, is it?

www.escondidocoin.com Coins•Gold•Silver•Vintage Watches

The Paper • Page 14 • January 23, 2025

Man About Town from page 5 Those are the only two complaints I had.

I would rate Kalaveras as a high end Mexican restaurant . . but given the food and quality of service, it’s well worth your patronage.

Yes, indeed, we will be back.

You should give it a try. *** One of the many things I like about Charlie’s Restaurant in Escondido, 210 N. Ivy, is the staff . . which includes management.

The servers always have time to chat with you, though briefly; typically, if the restaurant is slammed and really busy, I don’t try to chat with staff but, over the years, we’ve gotten to know one another quite well and when time and circumstance permit we have interesting visits and chats. It’s just a really friendly place . . always, even when they’re busy, a warm welcome, good food and fair prices. (How they can maintain their breakfast prices, given the huge increase in the cost of eggs, is beyond me!)

Another favorite restaurant is Mikki’s, in the shopping center at Rose and E. Valley Parkway, Escondido.

Great food! Their salsa is the best!

Mary and I usually order the Denver Omelette and share . . it’s that big of a serving.

The biggest difference is . . Mikki’s servers are all business, very little time to chat and a lack of warmth on the part of the servers; not rude . . .just not a warm feeling and there is a reluctance to visit with guests.

Most recently I wanted to compliment them on a very nice young

man who was their newest bus boy. He was courteous, efficient, a keeper, in my judgment. I tried to relay these thoughts to our server and she responded . . “I’m really kinda busy.”

OK. There were, maybe, 12 people in the restaurant. Not exactly jammed. We had enjoyed our meal and wanted to be helpful to a business we enjoy visiting . . . but were effectively shut down. People skills need some improvement.

I’m a business man as well . . .and I know I value input from my clients as to how well the paper and our staff is doing. If there are problems, I can’t fix them if I don’t know about them. If all is well, that is good to know, too.

Loved the food and more than fair pricing at Mikki’s, but was disappointed in the cool response I received from our server when we were only trying to help.

Most certainly I will go back. They serve great food . . I just would hope for a more friendly welcome . . . like the one we always receive at Charlie’s.

LEGALS STATEMENT OF ABANDONMENT OF USE OF FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME: 2025-9000157 All Aces Bail Bonds, located at 380 S. Melrose Dr., Suite 311, Vista, CA 92081. The Fictitious Business Name referred to above was filed in San Diego County on 11/23/2022 and assigned file no. 2022-9025738.

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME IS BEING ABANDONED BY: Ace Bail Bonds, Inc., 380 S. Melrose Dr., Suite 11, Vista, CA 92081. This business is conducted by a Corporation. I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. (A registrant who declares as true any material matter pursuant to Section 17913 of the Business and Professions code that the registrant knows to be false is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1000). /s/Josh Mubaak, President This statement was filed with the San Diego Recorder/County clerk on 1/3/2025.

1/23, 1/30, 2/6, 2/13/2025 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2025-9000158 The name of the business: All Aces Bail Bonds, 531 Encinitas Blvd., #201, Encinitas, CA 92024.

Registrant, EZ Bail Ventures, Inc., 531 Encinitas Blvd., #201, Encinitas, CA 92024. This business is operated by a Corporation. First day of business: 1/3/2025 /s/ Payuren Zaet, Owner/President with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/Recorder of San Diego on 1/3/2025 1/23, 1/30, 2/6, 2/13/2025 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2025-9000801 The name of the business: Liquid Foundation, located at 4254 Fanuel Street, Pacific Beach, CA 92109. Registrant, Todd Lewis Bartlett, 4254 Fanuel Street, Pacific Beach, CA 92109.

This business is operated by an Individual. First day of business: 12/17/2024 /s/ Todd Lewis Bartlett with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/Recorder of San Diego on 1/14/2025 1/23, 1/30, 2/6, 2/13/2025 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2025-9001047 The name of the business: Fidelity Bonding & Insurance Agency, located at 736 N. Tremont St., Oceanside, CA 92054. Registrant, Melvin William Raynes, 603 Stargaze Dr., #606, Oceanside, CA 92054. This business is operated by an Individual. First day of business: 1/15/1949 /s/ Melvin William Raynes with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/Recorder of San Diego on 1/16/2025 1/23, 1/30, 2/6, 2/13/2025

Parks Fees to Increase Slightly Next Month

By County News Center, Some user fees at County Parks will increase slightly for camping, parking, fishing permits, boating rentals, and sport facilities.

It’s been a decade since fees were raised at County parks.

The increase helps Parks keep pace with rising costs while continuing to deliver best-in-nation outdoor and recreation spaces at a good value when compared to similar park systems.

Most of the fee increases are a few dollars. For example, Day Use Parking will increase from $3.00 per day to $5.00 per day and an RV partial hook-up campsite will

ing veteran, senior and group discounts as well as scholarships and the free First Time Camping Program.

County Parks & Recreation services enhance the quality of life for County residents and visitors. They promote health and wellness and safe communities through thousands of programs for all ages and abilities, including 158 facilities across increase from $29 to $35. Revising the fees will also make things more than 58,000 acres of land simpler by including up to two and 389 miles of trails. pets and one extra vehicle as part For more information, please visit of your camping reservation.

In addition, Parks has programs to the Q&A on the Department of expand access to the outdoors and Parks & Recreation website at reduce financial barriers, includ- www.sdparks.org

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2025-9000573 The name of the business: San Marcos Kumon Math & Reading Center, located at 1001 W. San Marcos Blvd., Ste 140, San Marcos, CA 920787000. Registrant, Purnendu Chakraborty, 1001 W. San Marcos Blvd., Ste 140, San Marcos, CA 92078-7999. This business is operated by an Individual. First day of business: N/A /s/ Purnendu Chakraborty with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/Recorder of San Diego on 1/9/2025 1/23, 1/30, 2/6, 2/13/2025 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2025-9000615 The name of the business: Pinezanita RV Park & Campgrounds, Camp Julian, Pinezanita RV Community, Pinezanita RV Park, Julian RV Park, located at 4448 Highway 79, Julian, CA 92038. Registrant, Apple Ridge RV And Camp LLC, 2991 Sacramento St., #215, Berkeley, CA 94702. This business is operated by a Limited Liability Company. First day of business: N/A /s/ Dustin Kircher, Managing Member with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/Recorder of San Diego on 1/10/2025 1/23, 1/30, 2/6, 2/13/2025 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2025-9000867 The name of the business: Nourish Beauty Bar, Nourise Beauty Bar & Wellness, located at 3077 State Street, Carlsbad, CA 92008. Registrant, Katherine Ann Bobeck, 3550 Summit Trail Ct., Carlsbad, CA 92010. This business is operated by an Individual. First day of business: 1/14/2025 /s/ Katherine Bobeck with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/Recorder of San Diego on 1/14/2025 1/23, 1/30, 2/6, 2/13/2025 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2025-9000888 The name of the business: OHM Sanker Restaurant LLC DBA Jesse’s Kitchen “La Cucina” Indian & Italian Restaurant, located at 1415 S. Mission Road, Fallbrook, CA 92028. Registrant, OHM Sanker Restaurant LLC, 308 Sunbird Court, San Marcos, CA 92069. This business is operated by a Limited Liability Company. First day of business: 1/12/2023 /s/ Jaspal S. Garg, Manager with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/Recorder of San Diego on 1/15/2025 1/23, 1/30, 2/6, 2/13/2025 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2025-9000468 The name of the business: Freebird Beauty Lounge, located at 2216 S. El Camino Real #202, Oceanside, CA 92054. Registrant, Carina Maria Cisneros, 1629 Havenwood Drive, Oceanside, CA 92056. This business is operated by an Individual. First day of business: N/A /s/ Carina Maria Cisneros with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/Recorder of San Diego on 1/8/2025 1/23, 1/30, 2/6, 2/13/2025 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2025-9000839 The name of the business: JDI Hood Cleanings and Services, located at 554 Woods Dr., San Marcos, CA 92069. Registrant, Jared Dean Inns, 554 Woods Dr., San Marcos, CA 92069.

This business is operated by an Individual. First day of business: N/A /s/ Jared Dean Inns with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/Recorder of San Diego on 1/14/2025 1/23, 1/30, 2/6, 2/13/2025

Advertise Your Legal In The Paper 760 747-7119

The Paper • Page 15 • January 23, 2025

LEGALS

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2024-9024701 The name of the business: La Lonchera, located at 3775 San Ramon Dr., Apt 276, Oceanside, CA 92057. Registrant, Jazmin Guadalupe Ortiz, 3775 San Ramon Dr.­, Apt 276 Oceanside, CA 92057 . This business is operated by an Individual.

First day of business: N/A /s/ Jazmin Guadalupe Ortiz with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/Recorder of San Diego on 12/17/2024 12/26/2024, 1/2, 1/9, 1/16/2025 STATEMENT OF ABANDONMENT OF USE OF FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME: 2024-9023994 California Faith Alliance and CACFA, located at 616 Banjo Court, San Marcos, CA 92069. The Fictitious Business Name referred to above was filed in San Diego County on 10/30/2024 and assigned file no. 2024-9021721.

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME IS BEING ABANDONED BY: Brian Kent Smith, PO Box 500126, San Diego, CA 92199-9709 and Lisa Ann Smith, PO Box 500126, San Diego, CA 92199-9709. This business is conducted by a Married Couple. I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. (A registrant who declares as true any material matter pursuant to Section 17913 of the Business and Professions code that the registrant knows to be false is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1000). /s/Brian Kent Smith This statement was filed with the San Diego Recorder/County clerk on 12/5/2024.

12/26/2024, 1/2, 1/9, 1/16/2025 ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME 24CU029308N TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS: Petitioner Ali Dorobati filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: Present name: Ali Dorobati to Proposed name Ali Naghdi. 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: January 31, 2025, 8:30 am, in Dept. 25 No hearing will take place on date above; See Attachment 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 De-

cember 19, 2024 /s/ Brad Weinreb, Judge of the Superior Court 1/2, 1/9, 1/16, 1/23/2025 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2024-9024940 The name of the business: Ernestore, located at 830 E. Vista Way, Suite 122, Vista, CA 92084. Registrant, Juan Enrique Jimenez, 1591 E. Vista, Way, Suite E, Vista, CA 92084, Teresita Hernandez, 1591 E. Vista, Way, Suite E, Vista, CA 92084. This business is operated by a General Partnership. First day of business: 12/19/2024 /s/ Juan Enrique Jimenez with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/Recorder of San Diego on 12/19/2024 1/2, 1/9, 1/16, 1/23/2025 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2024-9024307 The name of the business: Gracie Humaita Oceanside, Gracie Oceanside, located at 150 N. River Circ, Oceanside, CA 92057. Registrant, Ibjjl & Events LLC, 150 N River Circ, Oceanside, CA 92057. This business is operated by a Limited Liability Company. First day of business: N/A /s/ Thiago Gazataciano De Oliveira Marques, Manager/ Coach with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/Recorder of San Diego on 12/10/2024 1/2, 1/9, 1/16, 1/23/2025 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2024-9024398 The name of the business: Design & Organize, located at 13909 Sam O Reno Rd., Poway, CA 92064. Registrant, Nathalia Frias Benson, 13909 Sam O Reno Rd., Poway, CA 92064.

This business is operated by an Individual. First day of business: 10/15/2024 /s/ Nathalia Frias Benson with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/Recorder of San Diego on 12/11/2024 1/2, 1/9, 1/16, 1/23/2025 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2024-9023911 The name of the business: AG Real Estate, located at 612 Chesterfield Circle, San Marcos, CA 92069. Registrant, Andrew C. Gonzales, 612 Chesterfield Circle, San Marcos, CA 92069. This business is operated by an Individual. First day of business: 5/10/2011 /s/ Andrew C. Gonzales with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/Recorder of San Diego on 12/4/2024 1/2, 1/9, 1/16, 1/23/2025 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2024-9025400 The name of the business: Design For Health Training Center, located at 2567 Camino Del Rio South Suite 207, San Diego, CA 92108. Registrant, Design For Health Environmental Education Center Pacific Rim Division, Inc., San Diego, CA 92108. This business is operated by a Corporation. First day of business: 9/15/1994 /s/ Jorge A. Valdez, President with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/Recorder of San Diego on 12/30/2024 1/9, 1/16, 1/23, 1/30/2025 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2025-9000126 The name of the business: Clearbooks & Beyond, located at 4601 Marblehead Bay

Drive, Oceanside, CA 92057.

Registrant, All In Supply, 4601 Marblehead Bay Drive, Oceanside, CA 92057. This business is operated by a Corporation.

First day of business: N/A /s/ Dureza B. Hanson, CEO with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/Recorder of San Diego on 1/3/2025 1/9, 1/16, 1/23, 1/30/2025 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2024-9025181 The name of the business: First Serve Physical Therapy and Coaching, located at 330 Rancheros Dr., Ste 202, San Marcos, CA 92069. Registrant, First Serve Physical Therapy PC, 330 Rancheros Dr., Ste 202, San Marcos, CA 92069.

This business is operated by a Corporation. First day of business: N/A /s/ Drew Mason, President with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/Recorder of San Diego on 12/24/2024 1/9, 1/16, 1/23, 1/30/2025 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2025-9000013 The name of the business: KD Remediation, KD Mold And Water Damage, located at 10601 Tierrasanta Blvd., #G234, San Diego, CA 92124.

Registrant, KD Remediation LLC, 10601 Tierrasanta Blvd., #G234, San Diego, CA 92124.

This business is operated by a Limited Liability Company.

First day of business: 1/2/2025 /s/ Kayvon Darian, Member with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/Recorder of San Diego on 1/2/2025 1/9, 1/16, 1/23, 1/30/2025 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2024-9025019 The name of the business: Futura Auto Glass, located at 277 Rancho Santa Fe Rd., Suite I, San Marcos, CA 92078. Registrant, Jose Garcia, 834 Via Bella Monica, San Marcos, CA 92078. This business is operated by an Individual. First day of business: 12/19/2014 /s/ Jose Garcia with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/ Recorder of San Diego on 12/20/2024

1/9, 1/16, 1/23, 1/30/2025 STATEMENT OF ABANDONMENT OF USE OF FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME: 2025-9000341 The Modern Churro, located at 376 Vista Village Dr., #C, Vista, CA 92083. The Fictitious Business Name referred to above was filed in San Diego County on 10/17/2022 and assigned file no. 2022-9023016.

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME IS BEING ABANDONED BY: Omar Jesas Conzalez, 29627 Pamoosa Lane, Valley Center, CA 92082. This business is conducted by an Individual. I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. (A registrant who declares as true any material matter pursuant to Section 17913 of the Business and Professions code that the registrant knows to be false is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1000). /s/Omar Jesas Gonzalez This statement was filed with the San Diego Recorder/County clerk on 1/7/2025.

1/16, 1/23, 1/30, 2/6/2025 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2025-9000499 The name of the business: Mana Skin Essentials, located at 1822 Marron Road Suite #8, Carlsbad, CA 92008. Registrant, Whitney Guzman, 861 Camellia Place, Carlsbad, CA 92006. This business is operated by an Individual. First day of business: 1/1/2025 /s/ Whitney Guzman with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/Recorder of San Diego on 1/9/2025 1/16, 1/23, 1/30, 2/6/2025 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2025-9000350 The name of the business: HM Landscaping, located at 3426 De Leone Rd., San Marcos, CA 92069. Registrant, Hoberto Martinez Vasquez, 3426 De Leone Rd., San Marcos, CA 92069. This business is operated by an Individual. First day of business: 1/2/2025

/s/ Hoberto Martinez Vasquez with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/Recorder of San Diego on 1/7/2025 1/16, 1/23, 1/30, 2/6/2025 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2025-9000563 The name of the business: Birrieria El Indio 18, located at 376 Vista Village Dr., Vista, CA 92083. Registrant, Rene Runalcaba, 235 Robelini Dr., Vista, CA 92083. This business is operated by an Individual. First day of business: N/A /s/ Rene Runalcaba with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/ Recorder of San Diego on 1/9/2025 1/16, 1/23, 1/30, 2/6/2025 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2025-9000304 The name of the business: Kevin’s Office Solutions, located at 6351 Yarrow Drive, Suite F, Carlsbad, CA 92011.

Registrant, Kevin Kiokishy Kosoncy, 6351 Yarrow Drive, Suite F, Carlsbad, CA 92011.

This business is operated by an Individual. First day of business: 1/7/2025 /s/ Kevin Kiokishy with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/ Recorder of San Diego on 1/7/2025 1/16, 1/23, 1/30, 2/6/2025 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2025-9000347 The name of the business: The Modern Churro, located at 376 Vista Village Dr., Vista, CA 92083. Registrant, Rene Runalcaba, 376 Vista Village Dr., Vista, CA 92083. This business is operated by an Individual.

First day of business: N/A /s/ Rene Runalcaba with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/ Recorder of San Diego on 1/7/2025 1/16, 1/23, 1/30, 2/6/2025 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2024-9024146 The name of the business: Dr. Tanya Green-Johnson, Dr. Green Love, located at 16868 Via Del Campo Ct. Ste 100, San Diego, CA 92127. Registrant, Green Empire Managers Inc.,

75 W. Nuevo Road E241, Perris, CA 92571. This business is operated by a Corporation. First day of business: 10/29/2024 /s/ Tanya Johnson, President with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/Recorder of San Diego on 12/9/2024 1/16, 1/23, 1/30, 2/6/2025 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2025-9000417 The name of the business: San Marcos Dental Center, located at 162 S. Rancho Santa Fe Rd., San Marcos, CA 92078. Registrant, Hurt Dental Corporation, 162 S. Rancho Santa Fe Rd., San Marcos, CA 92078. This business is operated by a Corporation. First day of business: 1/8/2025 /s/ Gregory Allen Hurt, President with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/Recorder of San Diego on 1/8/2025 1/16, 1/23, 1/30, 2/6/2025 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2024-9025436 The name of the business: Mobile Music Lessons San Diego, located at 5663 Balboa Ave., 195, San Diego, CA 92111.

Registrant, Jeremy Jon Rather, 5663 Balboa Ave., 195, San Diego, CA 92111, Rochelle Jasmine Granados, 5663 Balboa Ave., 195, San Diego, CA 92111. This business is operated by a Married Couple. First day of business: 12/30/2024 /s/ Jeremy Jon Rather with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/Recorder of San Diego on 12/30/2024 1/16, 1/23, 1/30, 2/6/2025 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2024-9023883 The name of the business: Mabuti Health, Mabuti Fitness, located at 1740 La Costa Meadows Dr., #250, San Marcos, CA 92078. Registrant, Jayden Evan Tumiwa, 8700 Gilman Dr., PMB 119, La Jolla, CA 92093.

This business is operated by an Individual. First day of business: N/A /s/ Jayden Evan Tumiwa with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/Recorder of San Diego on 12/4/2024 1/9, 1/16, 1/23, 1/30/2024

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

The Paper • Page 16 • January 23, 2025