September 29, 2024

September 26, 2024

Volume 54 - No. 39

WHO WAS TRULY THE FASTEST GUN

IN THE AMERICAN OLD WILD WEST?

Dead Man’s Hand

Wild Bunch: (left to right): Harry Longabaugh (the “Sundance Kid”), Will Carver, Ben Kilpatrick, Harvey Logan (Kid Curry), and Butch Cassidy (Robert LeRoy Parker).

Wild Bill Hickock

The Sundance Kid

By Friedrich Gomez Who was really the fastest gun in the Old West? This is a most intriguing question and one not easily answered. Unlike any other culture on Earth, our early Western days are uniquely ours.

There may be similar parallels elsewhere – as all cultures go through early stages of development and expansion – but our Tombstones, Dodge Cities, and famous gunslingers form a most unique legacy that is known throughout the world.

Butch Cassidy

So, who were, truly, the fastest gunslingers of yesteryear? The quickest-of-the-quick in the American Old West? Certainly, Hollywood movies are of no help in ascertaining any answers.

Tinsel Town has long played fastand-loose with the facts in their movie-making, especially in the genre of Western films where real historical events are muddled with exaggerated glamour and sanitised romance.

In retrospect, contemporary historians of the early West find the

The Paper • 760.747.7119 online: www.TheCommunityPaper.com

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Doc Holliday

Wyatt Earp

public’s fascination of gunslingers, and their speed of draw, to be a fascinating study. Whether one is comfortable or not with the Wild West and its segments dealing with notorious figures of bank robbers, thieves, and cold-blooded killers, the American West and its pioneering days are historical truths that cannot be ignored. Every civilised country today, without exception, has had its violent and vigilante beginnings.

That we Americans have a tendency to romanticise and wax nostalgic over our Wild West era is beyond

dispute and, quite simply, an element in our social DNA which we find no need to apologise over.

In a democratic country, we Americans have the right to be curious, fascinated, and steadfast on posing such questions as: “Who was the fastest gun in America’s Wild West era?”

But first, it is necessary in an article such as this, to clearly explain and present some basic background information so that this discussion can proceed with better appreciation, clarity, and insight.

Fastest Gun See Page 2

The Paper • Page 2 • September 26, 2024

Fastest Gun from page 1 Today, we have one of the most popular American West pastime organisations aptly called, “The Cowboy Fast Draw Association” (CFDA), which has over 70 affiliated clubs across North America and even several foreign countries.

Though there are many such organisations, “The Cowboy Fast Draw Association” is the largest of its kind in the world.

And, as you might expect, these organisations hold fast-draw competitions throughout the United States and bestow official titles such as, “Cowboy Fast Draw World Record Holder.”

These events are electronicallytimed and require pin-point accuracy as well as speed.

There are categories for both men and women to compete. The CFDA motto is, “Safety First, Fun Second, and Competition Third.”

According to the Sport of Cowboy Fast Draw, they give this summation: “You might say this all started in 1873 with Colt’s release of the Peacemaker. In the era of 1873 through the 1890s, the Romance

Give Us This Day Our Daily Chuckle

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

“If I had my life to live over, I’d live over a saloon.” ~ W. C. Fields ••• Questions that Haunt Me! How important does a person have to be before they are considered assassinated instead of just murdered?

Once you’re in heaven, do you get stuck wearing the clothes you were buried in for eternity?

Why does a round pizza come in a

and Legend of the American West was unlike any other culture in the world – this time period is the premise for Cowboy Fast Draw.”

As you read this, new clubs are forming, constantly, throughout the world, through CFDA’s “Clubs in the Works” programme. I must emphasise, the fascination of fastdraw cowboys of our American Old West even extends outside of our own country and, in fact, is accelerating in interest in European, Asian, Oriental, and Latin American countries!

This is an astonishing level of global interest in our American Old West.

So, who were truly the fastest gunslingers of the American Old West?

Many gunmen come to mind, some more recognised than others.

And many were deadly with a Colt Peacemaker .45 revolver.

But deadly, and quick on the draw, are not necessarily, the same. All famous outlaws were involved in shootouts. But, not all were actually in a one-on-one face-off fastdraw duel. Such scenarios were, historically, more rare. Suddenly, the field of contenders comprising the quick-draw artist is suddenly shrunk down in size.

Unlike what our Hollywood movies would have us believe, fast gunslingers in the early West often stayed clear of each other, out of respect.

And most took no unnecessary risks by facing a formidable fastdraw opponent.

Most shootings were random, longrange, often behind barricades and open daylight between shooters, as in the celebrated “Gunfight at the OK Corral,” (which actually took place in a narrow 15’ to 20’-wide lot on Fremont Street).

And the “Friscoe Shootout,” (involving 81 gunmen), or the “Gunfight at Iron Springs.”

All of the aforementioned shootouts did not rely on how fast the opponents drew their guns, but more on their long-range accuracy and calmness under fire.

Fast-draw gunslinger, Wyatt Earp (born Wyatt Berry Stapp Earp, 1848-1929) said it best: “The most important lesson I learned was that the winner of a gunplay usually was the one who took his time. In all my life as a frontier peace officer, I did not know a really proficient gunfighter who had anything but contempt for the gun-fanner, or the man who literally shot from the hip.”

That is not to say Wyatt Earp did not wish to draw first – he did – but what followed after the quick draw was calmness and accuracy!

On both levels, Wyatt Earp was among the fastest and most-deadly in terms of accuracy, in the Old West.

Multiple times, after a rapid draw, Wyatt Earp would commence firing and begin closing his distance, simultaneously, in one seamless stream of movement, like a welloiled killing machine.

Today’s historians of the Wild West marvel at how Wyatt Earp could suffer from multiple gunshot piercing holes through his long overcoat and still, methodically and calmly, keep walking and firing to close for the kill. This calm, coldly-calculated image of Earp approaching, gun blazing, would psychologically unravel an opponent who knew that, in a few seconds, he was about to die.

Again, Wyatt Earp was not only lightning fast on the draw, he was incredibly accurate for his day.

During the “Gunfight at the OK Corral,” Wyatt’s bullet was the first to find its mark, tearing through Frank McLaury’s belly and causing McLaury’s own shot to go wild and through Wyatt’s coattail.

Fastest Gun continued on page 3

square box?

about him?

Why doesn’t Tarzan have a beard?

What disease did cured ham actually have?

Why does Goofy stand erect while Pluto remains on all fours? They’re both dogs!

Why does Superman stop bullets with his chest, but ducks when you throw a revolver at him?

If corn oil is made from corn, and vegetable oil is made from vegetables, what is baby oil made from?

Why do Kamikaze pilots wear helmets?

How is it that we put man on the moon before we figured out it would be a good idea to put wheels on luggage?

Why is it that people say they ‘slept like a baby’ when babies wake up like every two hours?

Why are you IN a movie, but you’re ON TV? Why do people pay to go up tall buildings and then put money in binoculars to look at things on the ground?

Why do doctors leave the room while you change? They’re going to see you naked anyway...

Do the Alphabet song and Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star have the same tune? Why did you just try singing the two songs?

Did you ever notice that when you blow in a dog’s face, he gets mad at you, but when you take him for a car ride, he sticks his head out the window?

Why, Why, Why do we press harder on a remote control when we know the batteries are getting dead?

If people evolved from apes, why are there still apes?

Why is it that no matter what colour bubble bath you use the bubbles are always white?

Is there ever a day that mattresses are not on sale?

Why do people constantly return to the refrigerator with hopes that something new to eat will have materialized?

Why is ‘bra’ singular and ‘panties’ plural?

Why do banks charge a fee on ‘insufficient funds’ when they know there is not enough money?

Why do people keep running over a thread a dozen times with their vacuum cleaner, then reach down, pick it up, examine it, then put it down to give the vacuum one more chance?

Why do toasters always have a setting that burns the toast to a horrible crisp, which no decent human being would eat?

Why does someone believe you when you say there are four billion stars, but check when you say the paint is wet?

Why is it that no plastic bag will open from the end on your first try?

If Jimmy cracks corn and no one cares, why is there a stupid song

Why do they use sterilized needles for death by lethal injection?

Chuckles continued on page 14

The Paper • Page 3 • September 26, 2024

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.

Music Men Chorus Looking For Guys Who Love To Sing A Cappella Gunfight at the OK Corral Fastest Gun from page 2 In less than two seconds, Frank McLaury’s body lay dead on the ground.

Upon seeing a relentless Wyatt approaching nonstop, Ike Clanton panicked and ran towards Wyatt pleading for his life! Wyatt shouted to Ike, “Go to fighting or get away!”

Ike Clanton needed to hear no more – he deserted his brother, Billy, and ran for his life!

Despite the many Hollywood versions, the actual “Gunfight at the OK Corral” lasted only 30 seconds!

The battle started with the sound of Billy Clanton and Frank McLaury cocking their pistols. It was then that both sides, simultaneously, drew their guns. The world’s most respected Old West scholars often repeat the fact that the OK Corral gunfight, in reality, did not occur within or even next door to the corral, but in a narrow vacant lot on the side of C.S. Fly’s Photographic Studio on Fremont Street. Some opposing gunmen came within 6-feet of each other (1.8 meters) within a short duration of time: about thirty shots were fired in thirty seconds!

This explodes, perhaps, the most notorious myth and persistent falsehood regarding this epic Wild West gunfight: its location, and its brief duration of time.

Despite the inevitable myths surrounding Wyatt Earp, the core of reality is that Wyatt Earp needed no embellishments to his real-life exploits. And despite his occasional lapses in morals or lack of justice that he sometimes exhibited in a turbulent and disruptive era, respected historians are in full agreement that he was a product of his time.

In the annals of gunslingers, Wy-

att Earp, and his deadly arsenal of being an extremely fast-draw gunman, coupled with his uncanny calmness and pin-point accuracy, make him truly legendary.

In the historic “Gunfight at Iron Springs,” Wyatt Earp’s long coat was punctured by several bullets on both sides and his boot heel was also struck. With startling calm, Wyatt eventually returned Curly Bill’s gunfire with his own shotgun, shooting Curly Bill in the chest at close range, nearly cutting him in half.

Regarding his handgun, to better appreciate Wyatt’s skill and accuracy with a revolver, it should be made clear that since the Wild West days, a bullet’s speed has at least tripled, and the accuracy, today, has increased by six to seven times. What he was able to accomplish with the weapon of his era is, in retrospect, considered quite impressive by today’s standards.

Also, Wyatt’s contempt for quickdraw gunslingers who ‘showboated’ by fanning their weapons holds true by today’s professionals. Fastdraw champions today that are required to accurately hit designated targets in competition claim that anyone fanning a gun accomplishes nothing except creating unnecessary noise. “No one can fan a six-gun, especially during that era, and hope to hit anything,” is the consensus.

In outdoor magazines of the 1920s, a controversy surrounding fanning was put to rest. It was settled when they posted a $1,000 check to anyone who could fan a revolver and hit a designated target, even at a ridiculously short range. This challenge was widely publicised, but the check was never claimed.

Wyatt Earp knew much of what he Fastest Gun continued on page 5

Do you like “a cappella” singing?

(No Accompaniment). Want to sing in a chorus that sings 4-Part, Close-Harmony Songs with beautiful ringing chords?

If you answer “Yes!”, come visit the Music Men at a Tuesday evening rehearsal and try Barbershop Style singing. We always welcome visitors to sing with us.

We sing a variety of song styles romantic ballads, patriotic songs, pop tunes, songs from movies and musicals, gospel/inspirational songs, and Holiday music - at public events and private venues in North County.

The Music Men rehearse most Tuesday evenings from 7:00-9:30 p.m. at San Marcos Lutheran Church, 3419 Grand Avenue, San Marcos 92078, in Luther Hall.

We would love to have you sing with us!

Contact Joe Pascucci at (760) 8453593 or joevalp@cox.net. Or check our website, musicmenchorus.org. ***

They combine world music and classical to bring an adventurous, passionate and completely original musical style to the stage.Tickets are $20.00 for Seniors, veterans and active-military, students thru college, $10.00 , children 12 and under and FREE. Adults $30.00. Doors open at 1:30. Presented by Hidden Valley Community Concert Association (over 300 concerts since 1945).

First Congregational Church of Escondido, 1800 North Broadway, Escondido.

For more information visit http:// www.hiddenvalleyCCAescondido.info *** LIFE at MiraCosta College A Lifelong Learning Group Meetings will be held in person at the MiraCosta College, Oceanside Campus, at 1:00 pm in the Classroom 5313 in the Kinesiology Building 5300 (park in Lot 5A, next to the new gymnasium) and by the Internet Application ZOOM. Sept 27 1:00 To Be Announced Sept. 27 2:30 To Be Announced 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.

To Donate to the LIFE Scholarship Fund: Write a check to MiraCosta College Foundation; Mail it to: One Barnard Dr., MS 7; Oceanside, CA 92056. In the memo area put: LIFE Scholarship Fund. Or use the QR code provided and you can donate online.

Hidden Valley Community Concert Association Concert October 6 • 2pm Jaca, international award-winning duo of Wesley (clarinet) and Jaxon (guitar) will perform Sunday, October 6, 2024 at 2 pm here in Escondido. The venue is intimate, has stadium seating and very close to parking.

* Speaker has books or CDs for sale. *** Writers’ Workshop September 28 • 1pm to 3pm Cherie Kephart will be leading a Oodles continued on page 12

The Paper • Page 4 • September 26, 2024

Local News

Vehicle Involved in Fatal Hit-and-Run Crash Located Police investigators have located the vehicle involved in a fatal hit-and-run crash that occurred on the morning of September 17 at the intersection of Mission Avenue and Broadway.

The vehicle, a gray 1995 Toyota Land Cruiser, will be processed for evidence. There have been no arrests, but the investigation is continuing.

58-year-old Miguel Leonides Garcia was struck by the vehicle as he legally crossed the intersection. He was taken to an area hospital where he was pronounced deceased.

Anyone with information about the crash is asked to call Traffic Investigator Pete McCollough at 760-839-4930.

Image of Suspect Vehicle in Death of 14-yearold Skateboarder Released Police seeking assistance from public identifying driver A photograph and from a surveillance camera depicting what police believe is the vehicle that struck and killed a 14-year-old skateboarder last month on North Fig Street is being released in hopes that a member of the public comes forward with information that could aid investigators.

Traffic investigators believe the ve-

hicle could be a newer model gray Honda Civic. It was last seen by a witness traveling south on North Fig Street away from the accident.

Anyone with information is asked to call Officer Paul Smyth at (760) 8394423. A $10,000 reward is being offered by the boy’s family for information leading to the identification of the hit-and-run driver.

Help Shape Vista’s Future Take the Age-Friendly Plan Survey

We love your letters!

The City of Vista is partnering with the San Diego Foundation and San Diego State University to create an Age-Friendly Plan for our community. We invite you to complete our online survey to help us design a plan that supports residents of all ages. Your feedback will be essential in guiding this important initiative.

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.

In addition to the survey, a series of community roundtable meetings will be scheduled in the future, offering more opportunities to share your ideas. The survey closes October 1, 2024.

Visit https://sdsu.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_40cbAOLyIGl7tFI to take the survey.

talked. And talked some more. Just about the time that I would think, “surely, he’s about to wind up this eulogy.” Guess what? He talked some more. And more.

back in my ghostly form and as you lay your head upon your pillow, I will scream in your ear every night so you won’t be able to get to sleep!”

Finally, he finished. One of the longest eulogies I’ve ever heard.

Dick just smiled. He couldn’t really agree with me. Or disagree with me. After all, the speaker was a fellow pastor. Well dressed, handsome fellow, good voice . . .but did not know when to stop talking . . an affliction that is common among clergymen (and clergywomen).

The decedent was a fine man. But even he would have raised a ruckus about his pastor talking so long.

Man About Town Eulogies . . . and stuff Not so long ago I attended a Memorial Service for a friend of mine that I greatly admired. Great location, great crowd, beautiful day.

Then the pastor came to the pulpit to give the eulogy.

And he talked. And talked. And

I have a dear friend, a retired pastor by name of Dick Huls. Dick and I have coffee two or three times a month during which time we do NOT talk religion. Or, at least, very seldom do. Instead, we solve the world’s problems . . . which usually takes us a good 45 minutes, maybe an hour to an hour and a half, depending upon how serious of a condition the planet is in.

Dick was at this same Memorial Service. Afterwards, I spoke with him and said, “Dick, if you choose to speak at my Memorial Service and if you DARE to talk as long as this guy did . . . I’m gonna come back and haunt you! And if you repeat the same pastoral message 10-12 times within your remarks, like this guy did, I’m gonna come

I have made my final arrangements.

Very simple disposition. No funeral. No embalming. Just transport me in a cheap wooden coffin, bury me in the Veteran’s Cemetery at Miramar National Cemetery (near San Diego). I have specifically forbidden any religious ceremony to take place following my demise.

I make an exception for Dick. He knows my religious philosophy (I’m a non-Christian) and while he may not agree with it, he respects it. If he chooses to speak at either a Memorial in my honor, or at my grave site, he will be speaking as a good friend, not as my pastor. He will not inflict a religious ceremony upon my decomposing corpse.

Letters to the Editor I have been trying to question people who are in favor of having Harris as president with no results.

Seems people want to keep silent about politics. How about you?

My view is unless the democrats are voted out the United States will fall like so many socialist and communist countries. We desperately need divine help!

God bless America, Israel, and you!

Angelo Caruso

He has promised me this.

I would hope my eulogy would go something like . . . “lyle e davis was a good friend of mine.

He did a lot of good things, particularly for kids. He founded the North County Youth Soccer Association, he founded Los Caballeros de Aventura (The Gentlemen of Adventure) . . and he tutored a lot of kids in their reading. And he wrote and told some pretty good stories.

He was a good man.

But now, he’s dead.

Let’s eat!”

••• During the American colonial period, lobsters were not valued as food and were mainly eaten by the poor, prisoners, and indentured servants.

Man About Town continued on page 5

The Paper • Page 5 • September 26, 2024

Fastest Gun from page 3 talked about. Added into the mix was that gunslingers back in the day of, say, Wild Bill Hickok, shot with black powder. Smokeless gunpowder did not come into general use until about 1893. Therefore, in many shootouts it sometimes took onlookers several minutes to see who actually won because of all the gun smoke that filled the air.

Love him or hate him, Wyatt Earp’s remarkable legacy is forever secure in the annals of the American Old West. He was among the fastest, most accurate, and most deadly gunman in the annals of the American Old West.

While gunslingers with deadly reputations more-often-than-not avoided each other (as a general rule) Hollywood movie-making would have us believe otherwise: a young upcoming gunslinger wishes to enhance his reputation by ‘calling out’ a more reputable gun. These scenarios were almost non-existent. Gunfights were often a spur-of-the-moment scenario, involving alcohol, short tempers, and short-comings at a saloon poker

Man About Town from page 4 Native tribes near the coasts used lobsters as fertilizer or bait rather than food.

People even hid lobster shells to avoid the stigma of poverty. In Massachusetts, indentured servants sued to limit their lobster meals to three times a week, winning the case. Lobsters were abundant, easy to collect from the shore, and considered bottom feeders.

They were often consumed as a paste or stew. In the early 19th century, lobsters were cheaper than Boston baked beans, sometimes even fed to cats.

However, by the late 19th century, as railroads spread and lobsters were served on trains, people who were unfamiliar with them found them delicious.

This led to increased demand and the start of lobster canning. By the 1920s, with lobsters becoming less plentiful but demand growing, lobsters transitioned to a delicacy, popular among celebrities and the wealthy by the 1950s.

And today, we’ll pay around $50 for one lobster dinner.

And we’ll thorougly enjoy it!

Times have changed!

game. Such shootings and killings were anything but artistic with nothing to do with speed of draw.

It was often fumbling for one’s gun and reaction to it. Knifings and shootings were not the elegant stuff of Hollywood, but rather brazen, sloppy scenarios involving common rowdy-folk. Stray bullets often injured, or sometimes killed innocent bystanders.

In regards to famous gunmen, outlaws, and town marshalls, their reputation for killing many people was often without true merit – they often shot lesser-experienced opponents, as well as unruly drunks who were far from being adequate adversaries. Nevertheless, if you had notches on your gun and your kill-rate was well-known, you would be greatly feared by common town folk, even though your victims were far from being proficient with a handgun.

Also, gunmen of that era often exaggerated and hyped their own killings which made them appear bigger-than-life. One such example was John Wesley Hardin (1853-1895) who historians say over-embellished himself to the point where his reputation, today, sadly remains unchallenged by

•••

prey. For example, in November of 1868, Hardin shot and killed a black former slave with his revolver. The black ex-slave was unarmed.

Nevertheless, such killings enhanced Hardin as a quick-draw gunslinger which, in reality, he was not.

John Wesley Hardin the casual reader. Hardin claimed to have killed 42 men in gunfights (not duels but various shootouts), when in actuality he had murdered, perhaps, half that number. In prison, he even wrote an overly-biased and exaggerated account of himself in his autobiography.

Historians are in general agreement that many people that John Wesley Hardin killed, or murdered, were not skilled in defending themselves. From the early age of 15, Hardin found he could have his way with opponents that were easy

escalates the situation.

It’s not the police who need to be retrained, it’s the public. We have grown into a mouthy, mobile phone wielding, vulgar, uncivil society with no personal responsibility and the attitude of ‘it’s the other person’s fault, you owe me’.

A society where children grow up with no boundaries or knowledge or concern for civil society and personal responsibility.

Police officers are our sons and daughters, fathers and mothers, brothers and sisters. They’re black, white, brown, all colors, all ethnicities, all faiths, male and female, they are us. They see the worst side of humanity... the raped children, the bloody mangled bodies of traffic victims, the bruised and battered victims of domestic violence, homicide victims, body parts... day after day.

When an officer says “Put your hands up,” then put your hands up!

Don’t reach for something in your pocket, your lap, your seat. There’s plenty of reason for a police officer to feel threatened, there have been multiple assaults and ambushes on police officers lately. Comply with requests from the officer, have your day in court. Don’t mouth off, or fight, or refuse to comply... that

They work holidays while we have festive meals with our families.

They miss school events with their kids, birthdays, anniversaries, all those special occasions that we take for granted. They work in all types of weather, under dangerous conditions, for relatively low pay.’

They have extensive training, but they are human. When there are

One example of John Wesley Hardin realising his limitations was in his few encounters with James “Wild Bill” Hickok. Hardin both feared and idolised Hickok. Hardin also fabricated or exaggerated his encounters with Hickok, spinning tales that made Hardin seem the better gunman. However, in truth, Hardin greatly feared Hickok and never gave Hickok a bad time.

In August of that same year, Hickok was in pursuit of Hardin for killing an unarmed man in his sleep (for snoring too loudly). According to archival historians, “Hardin quickly left Kansas, never to return, thereby avoiding any confrontation with Hickok.”

In regards to Jesse James, he was Fastest Gun continued on page 13

numerous attacks on them, they become hyper vigilant for a reason, they have become targets. When a police officer encounters any person... any person, whether at a traffic stop, a street confrontation, an arrest, whatever... that situation has the potential to become life threatening. You, Mr & Mrs/Miss Civilian, also have the responsibility of keeping the situation from getting out of control.

Many law enforcement officers are Veterans. They’ve been in service to this nation most of their lives, whether on the battlefield or protecting us here at home. They are the only thing that stands between us and anarchy in the streets.

If you want to protect your child, teach them respect. ~ Sheriff David Clarke

The Paper • Page 6 • September 26, 2024

5th District Supervisor

Jim Desmond

The Legislature has adjourned, but…

The State Legislature adjourned for the year August 31st, but a special session to deal with gas prices has been called. Several proposals are on the table.

miles on supertankers from countries with few if any environmental standards costs jobs, increases inflation, and degrades the environment – it is counterproductive on all levels

One proposal would require refiners to withhold fuel from the market to build up reserves and serve as a cushion against price spikes. But there are debates regarding this proposal. The California Energy Commission has reviewed the plan and warned that withholding gasoline to create the reserve may actually cause shortages and drive up costs.

Other proposals for the special session include legislation that would suspend the gas tax (the nation’s highest at about 60 cents per gallon), exempt gasoline from Cap-andTrade which adds about 30 cents per gallon, suspend a planned update that could add another 52 cents per gallon, increase oil production to decrease dependence on imported oil, increase storage capacity, provide drivers with a small rebate to help offset costs, and increase transparency by creating a public dashboard that will compare California gas prices to national averages.

California is the nation’s 7th largest oil producing state. The oil we use is either produced here, or it’s imported. In 1984, almost 60% of our oil was produced in California. Today, 75% of our oil is imported and over 60% comes from foreign sources.

Importing vast amounts of oil should be unnecessary. We have some of the largest oil reserves in the nation, with most of our oil production centered in Kern County. Importing oil costs jobs and drives up the cost of virtually everything. As with any commodity, decreased supplies drive up costs. Replacing California oil with foreign oil shipped thousands of

We’ll soon see what, if anything, is accomplished in the special session.

As always, I’m hoping that common sense prevails.

Assemblymember Marie Waldron, RValley 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.

We love your letters! 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.

Testifying in Washington D.C. Last week, I was invited to testify before the House Committee on Homeland Security about the serious and lasting impacts of open border policies on San Diego and our nation. I wanted to share part of my testimony for this week’s publication.

From September 2023 to June 2024, over 155,000 adults—predominantly men aged 18 to 35 - illegally crossed the border and were dropped onto the streets of San Diego County. That’s an average of 17,000 drop-offs per month, nearly 600 per day. No community, no county, and no country can withstand this type of ongoing invasion.

I’ve seen it up close. Border Patrol agents are driving vans and buses into our transit stations, unloading hundreds of people at a time - people who had crossed the border illegally just hours earlier. These individuals were free to go ahead of those legally trying to enter our country.

When I spoke to many of them, their first questions were, “Where am I” and “How do I get to Virginia, New York, or Denver.” They aren’t staying in San Diego but dispersing across the country, making this a national problem.

In Jacumba, CA, I witnessed an encampment of about 50 people who had crossed the border the night before, waiting for Border Patrol to pick them up and process them.

One man from India told me he paid $8,000 for passage across the south-

ern border, completely unimpeded.

I saw smugglers drop off groups right at the border, where men, women, and children walked through gaps in the fence, immediately asking Border Patrol for asylum. Our agents have been reduced to processing these individuals instead of protecting the border. One frustrated officer told me that his orders were clear: stand down.

What concerns me most are the “gotaways” - those who cross undetected, bypassing Border Patrol, or arriving on our shores in boats and jet skis, smuggling drugs and children. They disappear into our communities, unaccounted for, making both San Diego and the entire country less safe.

I closed my testimony with this warning: most of the individuals crossing illegally don’t stay in San Diego they are headed to cities and states all across America. This is a national crisis with dangerous implications.

The Federal Government created this mess and refuses to acknowledge it. They are not properly vetting the millions of people entering our communities, making us all less safe.

Thank you all for your continued support. As always, I will keep fighting for common-sense solutions that protect our communities and ensure the safety of all Americans.

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

Keeping Your Valuables Safe When You Travel Barbara Glavish didn’t worry about keeping her belongings safe on a recent trip to Kuala Lumpur.

That’s because she was carrying a slash-proof handbag, “so I could worry less about getting robbed,” she says.

problem

So when Glavish stopped in a mall in the Malaysian capital, she fastened the high-security purse around to the strut of the heavy bench. And sure enough, someone took the bait.

“I have heard of quite a few people who have had their cell phones or wallets stolen while traveling,” says Kendra Kroll, CEO of Undercover Solutions, which created the PortaPocket, a modular security system for travelers. “With the cost of living getting higher for us all, perhaps some people are getting desperate for relief and are resorting to stealing to get by.”

“A few minutes later, two young men came running around the corner and one grabbed for my purse,” remembers Glavish, a retired occupational therapist from Incline Village, Nev. “He was almost pulled off his feet as the bag didn’t come free. Thank goodness!”

Personal safety is becoming a real

There are more travelers like Glavish out there, experts say. Pickpockets have been on the prowl in popular tourism destinations this summer.

She’s right. As a consumer advocate, I also get complaints about pickpockets and thieves. And this year, they’ve mostly been about Europe.

It turns out Europe’s popular tourism destinations are a hotbed of pickpocketing activity. Last year in Amsterdam, the number of pickpocket complaints almost doubled from 2022. The capital of the Netherlands is among the top locations for pickpockets, according to a recent survey by a U.K. travel insurance company. Other problem countries include Italy, France and Spain.

There are strategies to avoid becoming a target and proven tools for keeping your valuables from getting stolen when you travel. But if you are like most travelers, there may be only one proven way to protect your stuff while you’re on vacation.

How To Not Become A Target The trick to staying safe isn’t necessarily to carry a high-security

handbag -- though that can certainly help. It is to make yourself look less like a target.

Glavish is a great example. Leaving a purse on a bench in Kuala Lumpur is practically an invitation to the bad guys. Good thing she had one of those handbags, otherwise she would have lost her personal belongings. It’s not the only place that marks you as a target.

“Putting anything in your back pocket is an invitation to a pickpocket,” says security expert Robert Siciliano, CEO of ProtectNowLLC.com.

Unfortunately, tourists make themselves easy targets.

Safe continued on page 7

The Paper • Page 7 • September 26, 2024

Historically Speaking

Sam Houston: A Man For All Reasons tion to the United States House of Representatives representing Tennessee He strongly supported Jackson’s presidential candidacies, and in 1827, Houston was elected as the governor of Tennessee. In 1829, Houston resigned from office, and joined his Cherokee nation friends in the Arkansas Territory.

By Tom Morrow Sam Houston was the 19th century’s “man for all reasons.” He was a soldier, a statesman, a governor, a republic president, a congressman, and a U.S. senator. Above all, he was a storied American character.

Born in Rockbridge County, Virginia on March 2, 1793, Samuel Houston was an important leader of the Texas Revolution. He served as the first and third president of the Republic of Texas, and was one of the first two individuals to represent Texas in the United States Senate. But before his Texas years, Houston served as the sixth governor of Tennessee and later became the seventh governor of the state of Texas. He was the only American to be elected governor of two different states.

With the support of Andrew Jackson, in 1823, Houston won elec-

Safe from page 6 “The most common mistake travelers make is putting their wealth on display,” says Jeremy Murchland, president of the travel insurance company Seven Corners. “You have to play it low-key.”

Nothing To See Here So the easiest way to avoid an encounter with a pickpocket is to look like you have nothing of value. Wear something inconspicuous. Skip the cap and sneakers. Get a muted case for your phone that won’t attract attention.

And, on a related note, look around before you take out your phone to check your messages or take a picture. (When I lived in São Paulo, locals warned me to keep my phone in my pocket in certain neighborhoods. Thieves on bikes will ride by tourists and try to swipe their phones.).

That means not wearing expensive watches, bracelets and rings.

“Only bring what you truly need on your trip,” advises Frank Har-

Houston settled in Texas in 1832.

After the Battle of Gonzales, Houston helped organize Texas’s provisional government and was selected as the top-ranking official in the “Texian Army,” which he led to victory at San Jacinto, the decisive battle in Texas’s war for independence against Mexico.

After the war, Houston won election in the 1836 Texas Republic presidential election. He left office due to term limits in 1838 but won election to another term in the 1841 Texas presidential election.

Houston played a key role in the annexation of Texas by the United States in 1845, and in 1846, he was elected to represent Texas in the U.S. Senate. He joined the Democratic Party and supported President James K. Polk’s prosecution of the Mexican–American War. He was an unsuccessful candidate for the U.S. presidential nomination of the American Party in the

rison, the regional security director for the Americas at World Travel Protection. “Leave expensive jewelry and unnecessary electronics at home.”

It also means not dressing like a target. Americans stand out by wearing flashy clothes like college sweatshirts or logoed T-shirts and designer sneakers. That, combined with flocking to a popular tourist destination and talking loudly in English, can put a bulls-eye on your back.

“Don’t make yourself a target,” says John Rose, chief risk and security officer at ALTOUR. “It’s equally important not to make yourself a target. Flashy clothing, jewelry, handbags, or other accessories can draw the attention of individuals with bad intentions.”

Strategies For Keeping Your Valuables Safer That said, there are ways you can keep your valuables safe.

A money belt. One of my favorites is the PortaPocket wearables, a travel-friendly system with interchangeable and modular pockets

1856 presidenWest was said to tial election be a free womand the Constian of mixed tutional Union race, or what Party in the was known as 1860 presidena “high yeltial election. In low” as people 1859, Houston of mixed color won election as were referred. the governor of She was an inTexas. In this dentured serrole, he opvant for one posed secession year in the and unsuccesscommunity fully sought to of Morgan’s keep Texas out Point, Texas. of the Confederate States of Several months America.

He into her year of was forced out indentureship, Sam Houston, 1850 of office in on April 16, 1861 and died 1836, West and in 1863. Houston’s name has been other residents were kidnapped by honored in numerous ways, inMexican cavalry. West was forced cluding having the nation’s fourth to travel with the forces of General largest city named for him.

Antonio López de Santa Anna as they prepared to face the army led One of the legends of the Texas

by Sam Houston. She was in the Revolution involves a woman who Mexican camp on April 21 when supposedly was a spy for Houston, Houston’s forces attacked. acting as a concubine for Mexican president General Antonio Lopez The Texans won the Battle of de Santa Anna. Emily D. West, San Jacinto in 18 minutes, losing also known as Emily Morgan, was only nine men. According to lega Texas folk heroine whose legend greatly helped by information endary activities during the Texas secretly passed by “the Yellow Revolution have come to be identified with the song “The Yellow Historically Speaking Rose of Texas.” continued on page 12 you can wear anywhere. PortaPocket adjusts to you, so you can wrap the belt around your arm, leg or waist. And the modular pockets mean you can add everything from a wallet to a phone case.

Travel clothing. Travel attire brands like Clothing Arts allow you to store valuables like credit cards and phones in your pants pocket behind several layers of protective zippers and buttons.

I’ve spoken with many travelers who say these inconspicuous travel clothes have saved them from disaster when they were on the road. And I can vouch for that: I’ve worn Clothing Arts pants for the last year and have never been pickpocketed. Not even on a Saturday morning fighting the crowds in Quito, Ecuador.

An external solution. There are other ways of securing your belongings, such as the slash-proof handbag Glavish used. One example is the FlexSafe by a company called Aquavault. The inventor, Jonathan Kinas, came up with the idea after he had his valuables stolen while swimming at a resort. It’s a slash-resistant and water-resistant pouch that al-

lows you to secure it with a threedigit combination lock.

Oh, and one more thing: You have to actually use these methods if you want to stay safe. Guys, I’m talking to you. A recent survey by Global Rescue found that more than twice the percentage of men surveyed said they don’t use any method to protect their valuables compared to their female counterparts. One out of four male survey respondents (25 percent) don’t have a method to preserve their valuables, compared to less than 10 percent of women.

Harding Bush, associate director of security operations at Global Rescue, recommends one more trick: separate your valuables.

“That way, if a thief nabs a shoulder bag or a pickpocket steals your wallet you still have access to some of your money, credit cards and duplicates of other important documents,” she says.

Here’s the reality of the security Safe continued on page 12

The Paper • Page 8 • September 26, 2024

Planning a trip? Don’t get destination-duped.

If you see a lot of long faces in places like Atlantic City, Buenos Aires or Disney World in Orlando, then you have a good eye. Some of these poor travelers have been destination-duped.

A silly little trend called “destination dupes” is making people believe they’ll get Las Vegas, Paris, or, in the case of Epcot, any of 11 global destinations, thanks to its world showcase.

They won’t.

Atlantic City is not the same thing as Las Vegas. Buenos Aires and Paris are worlds apart, now more than ever. And Disney is a destination in its own right, like nothing else.

Destination dupes are an old idea wrapped in a shiny new package. It promises you an inexpensive and uncrowded place to vacation that’s as good as, if not better than, the original. The trend was started by a bunch of TikTokers with nothing better to do than recycle an idea that’s as old as travel.

“Let’s be honest,” says Jeremy Murchland, president of the travel insurance company Seven Corners.

“It’s not realistic to think that you can completely re-create an iconic destination somewhere else.”

Illustration by Dustin Elliott So why do people think they can?

Well, if you pay attention, it’s not really people -- it’s people with an agenda. It’s online travel agencies and travel bloggers who have something to sell you. They want

you to click on that affiliate link and book an expensive vacation to their favorite dupe destination.

If you believe what the “experts” are saying, you could get duped by a destination dupe soon. But don’t worry, I won’t allow that to happen.

Why Dupe Destinations Are Nonsense The destination dupe trend is pure poppycock. All you have to do is travel a little bit to know that there are no destination doppelgängers in this world.

Sure, if you travel a lot, you might find yourself saying, “This place reminds me of …”

I’m staying at Sandals Grenada at the moment, where I have a beautiful view of Saint George’s and Hospital Hill. It’s lush and green and it reminds me of Hawaii. Or Bali. Or St. Lucia. But spend even a few minutes on this Caribbean island, and you won’t mistake it for any of those places.

Call Now For Your Free Roof Inspection A quick, easy and affordable alternative to a complicated, expensive and life-disrupting asphalt roof replacement.

Grenada is the chocolate capital of the Caribbean, but everyone calls it the spice island because they grow a lot of allspice, clove, cinnamon, nutmeg, and more.

And you can’t leave without trying the cocoa tea.

In other words, there’s nothing like it on Earth.

As someone who travels nonstop, I can tell you that no matter what your travel advisor or your favorite TikToker says, every place is unique.

Also, isn’t travel about discovering new places instead of trying to duplicate experiences you’ve already had?

What The Dupe Travel Trend Gets Right The dupe travel trend isn’t all bad, experts say.

“Dupe travel encourages travelers to push their boundaries and explore new destinations and cultures that they might not have considered otherwise,” says Connor Smith, a vice president at IHG Hotels & Resorts.

He says many hotel guests are on the hunt for their next hidden gem. “But they also want to find a place to stay that’s authentic to the area,” he adds. Dupe destinations encourage that search for authenticity.

In other words, the dupe destination trend offers something it can’t possibly deliver. It says you can have a cheaper version of Rome or Bali that is just as good as the original -- but you can’t. At the same time, it pushes you to explore the world and see things that may be even better.

So thank you, dupe destinations and all those people pushing them for their self-serving reasons, because we are going to see more of the world now.

Duped continued on page 9

The Paper • Page 9 • September 26, 2024

Duped from page 8 How To Avoid Getting Duped

By A Destination Please ignore all the destination dupe lists you find online.

Remember, if it’s been published then everyone will be going there, hoping to find something else. Instead, take a deep breath and figure out what you’re trying to do.

“Focus on what you enjoy about the original destination,” advises Ariel Figg, a travel coach. “Look for a similar atmosphere and experience elsewhere.”

Use unconventional research methods.

So if you don’t use a list, what then? James Mannings, the CEO of a luxury villa rental company, uses a little-known feature on Google called reverse image search. “You can search for an image of your favorite destination and other, visually similar destinations will pop up,” he says. “You can then do some digging to learn more about whether these dupes that have appeared are a great alternative to visit.”

It’s hard work, so ask for help.

If you’re looking for a destination similar to one that’s popular, you’ll have to work at it, says Nathan

Heinrich, who publishes the I’m Moving To Italy! Podcast and has found a few hidden gems that are worthy substitutes for popular destinations. It takes a lot of research.

“Study a map and find seaside villages, lakes or cities that you’ve never heard of and then Google that location and search for hotels and Airbnbs where you can get a good sense of whether it’s a place you’d like to explore,” he says.

And if you don’t want to do all that work? Hire a travel advisor to help you sort it out.

How do travel advisors know about the destination dupes to avoid? They do their own research, of course. “We also leverage our extensive network to ensure every recommended destination can deliver a comparable -- if not superior -- experience to the original,” says Ladell Carter, a travel advisor with Royal Expression Travels.

What To Do About Destination Doppelgängers Face it, destination dupes are like those knockoff designer bags you find on Canal Street in Manhattan.

They might look convincing from a distance, but up close, the stitching always gives them away.

So instead of trying to fool yourself and your social media followers with a bargain-bin version of your dream destination, why not write

your own travel story? I promise it will be much more interesting than the imitation they’re trying to sell you.

OBITUARY

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.

“Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing.” ~ Theodore Roosevelt “A dream doesn’t become reality through magic; it takes sweat, determination and hard work.” ~ Colin Powell “Inaction breeds doubt and fear. Action breeds confidence and courage. If you want to conquer fear, do not sit home and think about it. Go out and get busy.” ~ Dale Carnegie

Alvy S. Eddy, Jr. Alvy S. Eddy Jr. passed away Aug 14, 2024. Born on Jan. 20, 1957, Alvy was a lifelong Escondido resident. Alvy’s great grandfather, James Angel settled on what is now Angel Mountain in 1880. Alvy loved the mountains and enjoyed hunting and camping there with his family. Alvy is survived by his mother, Marlene Angel, his brother Matthew and sister Allene Bailey. Alvy was interred at Oakhill Memorial Park.

The Paper • Page 10 • September 26, 2024

The Pastor Says . . . Can We See? There have been many occasions in my life when I was asked if I could see what others were seeing. It was that way when hunting deer. Others could see them, but I couldn’t. I have had the same problem with bird watching. I wasn’t blind or needed glasses—others I know have had the same problem. I have often wondered how some could see and others not.

It reminded me of what Jesus said, “Having eyes you see not” Matthew 13:14. Most people I know have eyes, but do they see? Is Jesus pointing us to a greater truth with seeing?

Pastor Huls I had eyes, but I couldn’t see.

It would be helpful if someone could help us see. I have annual eye check-ups, and in a recent visit, my optometrist told me I had a cataract that needed to be removed. I knew something was wrong because I couldn’t see very well, especially when driving at night or trying to read.

When Jesus used the illustration, “Having eyes but you cannot see,” He was speaking about something more than seeing objects. I think of the many times my instructors would ask us students, “Do you see what I am saying, or do you understand?”

There was always more to see than what we read. We had the words but not the meaning.

It is a shame if we spend our lives not seeing everything in our world, our backyard, or perhaps even in each other. Too soon, those we love are gone without seeing their real selves in spirit, mind, and body. Where is our focus in seeing?

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.

El Cajon 373 N. Marshall Ave.

Not seeing is having a closed mind, even rejecting the opportunity to see and understand more.

When Jesus was here on earth, He invited people to see and accept Him for who He was. Instead, many were filled with prejudice, arrogance, and bigotry. They were preoccupied with themselves and never saw beyond their own little worlds. Yet, He offered so much more with God’s Kingdom of love, forgiveness, peace, truth, joy, blessings, and hope for a more extraordinary life in the now and future.

The cataract removal was like a miracle. Now, I can see so much better! Such is Christ’s claim for so much more.

Pastor Huls

Please feel free to call 760-746-6611 if you have questions.

Escondido 3500 Burnet Drive Oceanside 572 Airport Road San Diego 5480 Gaines Street

Pet Parade

Pet of the Week

Wanheda

Roan

Wanheda is Rancho Coastal Humane Society’s pet of the week. She’s a 3-year-old, 7-1/2-pound, female, Domestic Medium Hair cat with a Brown Tabby coat.

Visit Rancho Coastal Humane Society in Encinitas or log on to www.

SDpets.org.

Meet your perfect new pal, Roan!

Though Roan took a few days to come out of her shell at the shelter, she has since blossomed into a fun and easygoing companion. She’s great on walks, leisurely walking on leash quickly taking care of business. Roan is wonderful with cats, enjoys all kinds of toys and is an expert fetch-player. She was found with other dogs and doesn’t seem to mind seeing other canines when she’s out and about. While in a foster home, her caregivers say she’s been a delight, keeping herself busy with treats or naps turning into a cozy cuddle buddy at night. Roan is sweet, well-behaved, and easy to love — so what are you waiting for? Roan (910627) is available for adoption through a foster home at San Diego Humane Society’s Escondido Campus at 3500 Burnet Dr. This weekend, Sept. 20-22, adoption fees are just $20 for all dogs 7 months and older, including Roan! If you have questions about the adoption process, you can visit sdhumane.org/adopt or call 619-299-7012.

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

Online profile: https://www.sdhumane.org/adopt/available-pets/animal-single.html?petId=910627

Wanheda was transferred to Rancho Coastal Humane Society through Friends of County Animal Shelters (FOCAS.) She’s a sweet girl who loves kitty treats.

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

The Paper • Page 11 • September 26, 2024

Connections

The Computer Factory 845 W. San Marcos Blvd.

760-744-4315 thecomputerfactory.net

A couple of things happened during the-mid September weekend that refocused my view concerning the significance of activities I always took for granted in my business, social and spiritual relationships.

When we started “The Computer Factory” in 1995 we joined several business organizations like the Chamber of Commerce and BBN (Business Builders Network) with an eye to promoting the growth of our new business. Marie Purdy was a pillar of the San Marcos Chamber of Commerce and president of the BBN. Marie introduced us to BBN and we’ve been members for ever since On Saturday Sept. 15 th 2024 the BBN staged its 40 th anniversary party at The Palomar Estates East clubhouse. We talked, ate,

drank, sang, played games, had a lively auction and held a costume contest based on the fashion fads of the 1984. Several past members were in attendance including Lake San Marcos Optometrist Dick Skay. Dick, a long time BBN member, had dropped out several years ago when our weekly meeting moved from the Lake San Marcos Country Club to the San Marcos Broken Yolk Restaurant. That Saturday evening Dick announced his decision to renew his BBN membership. When the applause died down Dick went on to explain that the evening BBN anniversary party reminded him of how much he missed the weekly contacts and personal relationships. He didn’t even mention the business and networking opportunities. That got me thinking. What is the real reason we get up at 6:30 every Tuesday morning to go have a breakfast meeting with our BBN friends?

The next morning Nome headed out to Sea World for a family event and I went to church. It was toward the end of his sermon that that our long time friend Pastor Sam Brumit of Mission 316 Church provided the nugget I needed to put things into perspective. Sam said “You (the congregation) think you are the audience? No you’re not, God is the audience.”

I know that no sermon is a detailed road map for the conduct of life but they often point us in directions that aid us in plotting a path.

I’m not sure that the message I got

from the sermon was exactly the one Reverend Brumit intended, but for me, Sam’s single sentence crystallized the hidden reason why a lifetime of Church, business, social and civic associations was so important and satisfying to me. It wasn’t working to achieve the stated purpose of each organization that brought those good feelings, it was the people.

An individual and personal relationship with God is mandatory to sustain a religious life. The requirements for maintaining human relationships are less clear. I came to understand that I was far less the

rugged individualist of my self-image and more like a sheep, simply a herd animal that needs the company and comfort of others. The Church is a great place to develop the constructive, positive and caring relationships that serve as a model for the conduct of relationships throughout a lifetime. The BBN’s expressed singular purpose was to successfully grow business through co-operative networking relationships, but for Nome, me and many others, the original purpose of BBN and many other organizations eventually becomes secondary to the basic human need to be connected.

Stay Connected or Drop Out? For the first time ever, the entirety of human knowledge and history is instantly available to us through our Internet connection devices. This ever evolving IW or “Intelligent Web” technology is less than twenty years old and every living human is “in on the ground floor” of the most impactful technological development in human history. To take full advantage of this ever evolving technology today, you need four things. Internet connectivity, a smart phone, a PC workstation and smart speakers. Most Americans have the first three things and many have all four, but few of us truly comprehend the massive impact the IW is having on us today and on the future of humanity. It’s a bit scary!

845 W. San Marcos Blvd. • 760-744-4315 • www.thecomputerfactory.net

John Van Zante’s Critter Corner

We’re Moving And We Have to Give Up Our Dog Sometimes you win the battle but lose the war. This was one of those times for me.

but close.

The family wanted to give up the dog they brought home when it was an 8-week-old fur ball. The dog that was their baby before they had babies. The dog that cleaned up spilled milk, guarded the crib, and alerted them when one of their human babies woke during in the night.

Are you being deployed?

“Nope.”

Being transferred out of the country? “Huh-uh.”

“We have to move, and the new place won’t let us have a dog.”

Please don’t get me wrong. There are situations where people need to find new homes for their dogs.

Moving into an assisted living facility. Moving out of the country.

Military deployment. Medical needs. Not able to provide care.

This woman said she HAD to give up her dog because HAD to move.

Her three kids were on the floor, crying. Arms wrapped around the dog they had grown up with.

Lost your home? “Oh, heavens no! Just the opposite. We found an apartment that has everything we want. Pool. Spa. Gym. A clubhouse. But they don’t allow dogs. It will be hard on the kids, but they’re young. They’ll get over it.”

Wait! I know a way you can keep your dog! There’s an apartment complex in the same area. The rent would be the same. And it has a pool, gym, basketball and tennis courts, a clubhouse, everything you want and more!

“That’s GREAT! We’ll take it!”

But there’s a catch. They only allow one kid. That shouldn’t be a big deal since you were already planning to give up a family member. Your kids are young. They’ll get over it.

Did I really say that? Not exactly,

had.

The dog that was the first real friend their children

I didn’t suggest they move to that other apartment, but the thought entered my mind.

Instead, we took the dog and found it a new home with someone who would care for it the rest of its life.

A life surrounded by the love it deserved. The love it had earned.

The Paper • Page 12 • September 26, 2024

Historically Speaking from page 7

Oodles from page 3 writers’ workshop at the Vista Library on Saturday, September 28 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

You are invited to embark on a journey inward where you’ll unravel the essence of who you are as a writer. In this workshop, we’ll dive into powerful, easy-to-apply concepts and uncover valuable insights with inspired and playful practices. Lively, interactive, and edifying, the workshop will renew your passion, bolster your courage, and empower you to write from your most enlivened, creative, and authentic self.

Cherie Kephart is a writing facilitator, developmental editor, and award-winning author. She is best known for her inspiring memoir, A Few Minor Adjustments. Her other publications include two companion books to the memoir, as well as essays, short stories, and poems in various literary journals and anthologies. Cherie is also a staff workshop facilitator at many writers’ conferences and retreats and is a two-time winner of the San Diego Memoir Showcase.

Registration is free and required as space is limited.

Visit the direct link

https://sdcl.bibliocommons.com/ events/66a5697613b83aeedf18c766 for registration.

#northcountysd #vistalibrary #writing #writersworkshop #vistaca *** Community Education Series Join us for the last 3 sessions on the 3rd Monday of each month (10:00am to noon) October 21 - Grief and Loss November 18 - New Topic Introduction Presented by Hospice of the North Coast and the Senior Service Council of Escondido Free to attend at 728 North Broadway, Escondido – Oak Room Please register for each session by phone 760-480-0611 or at https:// bit.ly/3xr4MQG *** Volunteers Needed Currently seeking reception volunteers to join our team. Can you spare 3 hours a week? Since 1972, SSCE has provided various services, support groups, tech tutoring and healthcare counseling for seniors in our community.

Skills: Reception Desk customer service plus some computer experience, appointment scheduling,

emails & website searches is great!

Bilingual volunteers encouraged to apply. Please stop by for more info and an application.

From 11 am until noon, join us at the McClellan Senior Center for a variety of engaging activities designed just for you!

Senior Service Council Escondido 728 N Broadway Escondido, CA 92025 (760) 480-0611

• Unleash your creativity in our lively art class on Mondays.

http://www.escondido-senior-services.org

*** Grief Support Group Find comfort, validation and the knowledge that you are not alone in healing from loss.

September 26th 1:00pm - 2:00pm Senior Service Council Escondido 728 N Broadway - Oak Room Escondido, CA 92025 (760) 480-0611 *** McClellan Senior Center Exercise Room for Vista’s Seniors The City of Vista is excited to announce the grand opening of a new exercise room at the McClellan Senior Center, designed exclusively for Vista residents aged 50 and older. This new facility offers a welcoming and accessible space for seniors to independently engage in physical activity, promoting health and wellness within the community.

Located within the Azalea Building, the exercise room is equipped with a variety of user-friendly machines, including treadmills, stationary bikes, and strength training equipment. Vista seniors are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity to stay active and healthy, all at no cost.

To ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all, participants are required to check in at the Azalea Building Welcome Desk upon arrival. There, they will sign a waiver before entering the exercise room.

Please note that the facility accommodates a maximum of 10 people at a time, so plan your visit accordingly.

The exercise room is open weekdays from 8 am to 3:30 pm, providing a convenient option for seniors to incorporate fitness into their daily routine. For more information, call the McClellan Senior Center at 760.643.5288. *** Weekday Wellness & Fun for Seniors 11am - Noon McClellan Senior Center Calling all seniors! Looking for a way to add some excitement to your weekdays? Look no further!

• Test your luck and socialize with friends in a thrilling game of bingo on Tuesdays.

• Enjoy some friendly competition with games and cards on Wednesdays.

• Keep your mind sharp with trivia and brain games on Thursdays.

Don’t miss out on the opportunity to connect, have fun, and make new memories with fellow seniors. Mark your calendars and join us for a fulfilling and enjoyable time at McClellan Senior Center! For more information, call 760.643.5288.

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. *** Cardiff Farmers Market Every Saturday • 10am - 2pm Cardiff 101 Mainstreet Association is hosting a weekly Farmers Market every Saturday from 10am to 2pm.

Located at MiraCosta College San Elijo Campus, the new farmers market is a Certified California Farmers Market, featuring locally sourced produce sold by local farmers. The Cardiff Farmers Market will also have an array of related food products and prepared food vendors, along with a curated group of makers and craft vendors. ***

Looking For Things to do?

Places to go?

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

Rose,” Santa Anna had been caught unprepared because he was in an amorous state with West. No contemporary accounts indicate Santa Anna was with a woman at the time, but the story was recorded in the journal of Englishman William Bollaert in 1842, who was told that particular story by Houston.

Bollaert’s diary was published in 1956, and amateur historians began to expand Houston’s tale, suggesting that West fit the description of the girl in the then-popular folk song “The Yellow Rose of Texas.”

The story continued to grow, with many references to West’s beauty.

As her legend took hold, by the 1986 Texas Sesquicentennial it pretty much was considered historical fact. Maybe, maybe not.

In recent years, her story continued in the TV miniseries “Texas Rising.”

But, to quote the late film director John Ford: “when you have reality versus legend, print the legend … it’s always more interesting.”

Safe from page 7 situation when you travel.

Look, let’s be honest. Safety is often the last thing travelers think of -- if they think of it at all. They thoughtlessly place their passports and wallets in their back pocket and then assume they will be there when they needed them. Sometimes, they’re not.

Of course, separating your valuables is a hassle because tracking which valuables are where is a bother. And who wants to change their entire wardrobe just for safety?

If you’re one of those people, don’t tempt fate. Leave your valuables in a hotel safe or give them to the responsible adult in your party. Because the pickpockets are out there and they have their eye on you, whether you’re aware of it or not.

And having your valuables stolen is a much bigger hassle than taking a few steps to secure them.

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 13 • September 26, 2024

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760 747-7119 Advertise Your Business & Services Fastest Gun from page 5 not considered among the fastest, yet he was among the most deadly.

In the course of 15 years, he held up 11 banks, seven trains, three stagecoaches, one country fair, and a payroll courier. In terms of accuracy, his brother, Frank James, was greatly his superior. In support of this claim, Old West scholars are in agreement and have preserved Frank James’ various targets from his various target practices. No target of Jesse James’ can compare with Frank’s deadly accuracy.

One gunman with a fast-draw reputation in the Old West was Harvey Logan (born Harvey Alexander Logan, 1867-1904), also known as Kid Curry. Curry’s primary claim to fame is mostly predicated on his association with Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid and their infamous Wild Bunch Gang.

Though less renowned as Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, Logan was, nevertheless, referred to as “the wildest of the Wild Bunch Gang.” Historians confirm that he killed as many as nine law enforcement officers in five separate shootings, plus two other men in unrelated events.

Curry was prone to great exaggeration regarding his ability to be the fastest on the draw. His boast was that he could balance a poker chip or silver dollar on his extended wrist, turn the wrist, and before the chip or dollar hit the ground, fire

•

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off five gunshots. This was an outlandish claim that he often exploited for his own means, and which had no validity attached.

In 2008, the Discovery Channel’s popular television show, “Myth Busters,” exposed Kid Curry’s fast-draw claims to be totally without truth. Myth Buster’s television crew, with the help of various scientific testing, along with a bonafide fast-draw champion named “Lightning Larry,” proceeded to explode and dismiss Harvey Logan’s account as being pure fiction, and nothing more. Even the show’s authentic fast-draw champion, who was a guest on this particular segment, gave Harvey Logan, a.k.a.

Kid Curry, a failing grade. (“Myth Busters – Big Blast Collection,” Discovery Channel video, 2008).

Though considered fast on the draw, Harvey Logan was not considered in the same fast lane as a Wyatt Earp or James “Wild Bill” Hickok, both of whom were deadly fast and deadly accurate – the consummate recipe for the wellrounded fast-draw-cowboy.

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Such individuals present a challenge to contemporary scholars to sort through:

outlaws. Their only chance would be to ambush Hickok, or shoot him in the back.

“In the dime novels, Hickok’s exploits were presented in heroic form, making him seem larger-than-life.

In truth, most of the stories were greatly exaggerated or fabricated by both the newspapers of his day, as well as by Hickok, himself.”

Because truly fast gunmen are greatly feared, they are sometimes ambushed, or shot in the back by people who wish them to go away, permanently. History records Hickok being killed by a cowardly act of Jack McCall (a.k.a. “Crooked Nose Jack”), who entered a saloon unnoticed by Hickok. While Hickok was playing poker, McCall shot him, point blank, in the back of the head, killing Hickok, instantly. McCall’s bullet emerged through Hickok’s right cheek, striking another poker player. Playing five-card-draw, Hickok died with a pair of aces and a pair of eights, beginning the legend of this poker hand being designated as a “Dead Man’s Hand.”

However, strictly on his prowess with a handgun and his quickdraw ability and accuracy, these true skills are uncontested. On that specific account alone, James “Wild Bill” Hickok was, without question, and without exaggeration, one of the fastest guns in the American West.

As one scholar puts it, “Hickok was an actor, gambler, lawman, and gunfighter who is regarded as one of the most skilled gunslingers of all time.”

James “Wild Bill” Hickok (born James Butler Hickok, 1837-1876), was a figure that was perhaps more exaggerated and embellished than any other single individual. As early West historians and other experts of the era have evaluated:

On 21 July 1865, Hickok confronted Davis Tutt in a “quick-draw” face-off, considered one of the first of its kind (on record) by many Old West historians. The two men faced each other sideways in the historic dueling stance (presenting a smaller target), before quick-drawing their weapons and measuring their fire. Hickok’s extremely fast reflexes and deadly marksmanship, rendered him a wide-open victor.

“It is difficult to separate the truth from fiction about Hickok, the first ‘dime novel’ hero of the Western era and in many ways one of the first comic book heroes.”

Hickok was not afraid of confrontation in any quick-draw match-up no matter how skilled his opponent.

This fearless confidence made him widely respected even by reputable

Despite several rumors and theories, the motive for Hickok’s murder remains unclear.

Doc Holliday (born John Henry Holliday, 1851-1887), was without question one of the most colourful of all gunslingers out of the American Old West. None was more eloquent, educated, or had a greater command of the English language, than Doc Holliday. He was also fearless, with little or no regard for his own life, which made him doubly ferocious in any encounter.

Though often portrayed in Hollywood movies with a shotgun, Doc Holliday was lethal-quick with a Fastest Gun continued on page 14

The Paper • Page 14 • September 26, 2024

Chuckles from page 2

I’m a man of my convictions, but far more proud of my acquittals.

Fastest Gun from page 13

How do those dead bugs get into those enclosed light fixtures?

I probably could’ve ran 20 miles if my knee didn’t start hurting and I actually got off the couch.

sidearm. And he proved it on several occasions. Doc Holliday’s life was a complicated one which created a prism of friends, enemies, and all shades in-between. But mostly, you either disliked him intensely or you were a loyal friend, there were few who sat on the fence. “Without question a stone killer, an alcoholic and a whoremonger. He was known to cheat at cards,” one writer opined. Then there were those who said, “Few men of his character had more friends or stronger champions.” In 1907, Bat Masterson wrote, “Holliday had a mean disposition and an ungovernable temper, and under the influence of liquor – was a most dangerous man.”

Why is it that whenever you attempt to catch something that’s falling off the table you always manage to knock something else over?

In winter why do we try to keep the house as warm as it was in summer when we complained about the heat?

How come you never hear fatherin-law jokes?

And my FAVORITE.........

The statistics on sanity is that one out of every four persons is suffering from some sort of mental illness. Think of your three best friends -- if they’re okay, then it’s you.

Excuse me, Rabbi. Can your people atone it down some?

These pancakes taste like crepe.

I drank way too much the night before my early flight. So, yes. I’m weaving on a jet plane.

I’m going out on a limb here to say that it’s really going to hurt when I fall out of this tree.

Do I still have to go to medical school if I just wanna be the guy who yells “WE’RE LOSING HIM!”?

I’d ask you what’s on your mind, but then that would be assuming that you actually have one.

Notes From The Weird

You know, for being ranked at the top, those #1 pencils sure don’t get mentioned much.

If you think I’m creepy, check this box: [ ]. Then pass this note back through your bedroom window.

I’ve noticed that all the great writers are dead, which makes me really reluctant to be one.

How come no one asks the really hard questions . . . like, “who did Adam and Eve’s children make babies with?”

It’s so cute how my wife assumes I packed pants.

•••

This is my stepladder. My real ladder left when I was five.

Money can’t buy happiness but it can buy vodka, comic books, midget strippers, a pony and . . .

Oh, God! I’m so happy!

Planned a romantic evening at home with a nice bottle of wine.

Not sure what my girlfriend is doing though.

I dated the Pillsbury Dough Boy and all I got was this lousy yeast infection.

I’d like to thank the Y chromosome for making me the man I am today.

Barefoot and pregnant is no way to go through life. It is, however, the way to go through Walmart.

If I don’t rinse this soap off I can save a lot of time at my next shower.

How does it change many dyslexics to take a light bulb?

The worst part about wearing a cape is the toilet. *** I heard the adjective left the noun because it had a tendency to be possessive.

Two days in North Carolina and I’m eating grits and blessing your heart.

“YOU STOP YOUR CRYING OR I’LL GIVE YOU SOMETHING TO CRY ABOUT, ARGENTINA! If you’re thinking of having kids, you can have mine.

Me: I need to move, all I do is sleep, eat, and then run on my treadmill all day.

Mom: So, you’re a hamster.

If the life of Jesus has taught us anything it is this: don’t represent yourself in court.

This Canadian mustard is overdoing it. Anybody else ever try Celine Dijon?

These economic times are making it increasing difficult to drive a Chevy to the levee until said levee is dry.

Old people sleep in separate beds because they don’t want to wake up next to a dead body.

If Jesus were born around Lake Michigan I think he would have been less forgiving of our sins.

We’re so lazy and bored that we actually watch people play cards on tv?

I don’t think I’m co-dependent.

Wait, let me go ask Mary.

No other fast-gun was more highly educated, nor more popular in Western movies than this man. From motion pictures, to television specials, to mountains of books, Doc Holliday seems ever-present in American folklore. His checkered life had a grisly beginning. He had a sister, Martha Eleanora Holliday, born 3 December 1849, who died at the age of six months. His mother died of tuberculosis, the same disease that killed his stepbrother, and the disease that would eventually claim him, as well. Diagnosed with tuberculosis he moved west to warmer climate to help offset his disease.

There was a reason for his alcoholism. He increasingly depended on alcohol and laudanum to ease the symptoms of tuberculosis. Despite the ravages of alcohol and tuberculosis it is remarkable that his speed and accuracy with a handgun was beyond the level of his adversaries.

Another attribute that made Holliday unusual for his day was his intellect.

He was highly well-educated, affording him the unique ability to quote classical passages, and even speak in different languages. He received a strong classical education at the Valdosta Institute. He was well-versed in proper grammar and speaking English articulately, an uncommon attribute in the Wild West era. He was educated in mathematics, history, rhetoric, and four languages: English, French, Latin, and Ancient Greek. After saving Wyatt Earp’s life, they became life-long friends, though on a few occasions, Holliday offended Earp with his strong racial views against people of Jewish background. Wyatt Earp was not Jewish, but Earp’s woman (Josephine Marcus), was.

Earp recited a Jewish prayer from the “mezuzah” (a parchment on the doorframe containing Hebrew verses from the Torah) upon entering the home of his Jewish businessman friend, Henry N. Jaffa.

Holliday ignited a temporary split in his relationship with Wyatt when Doc quipped, “Earp is becoming a

damn Jew-boy.”

Nevertheless the bond between Wyatt and Doc Holliday would weather any storm of misunderstanding and they would, in fact, remain steadfast and loyal friends throughout their respective lifetimes. Doc Holliday is well recognised by Old West scholars as being lightning fast with a handgun and unbelievably accurate. In order to avoid murder charges, he developed the startling ability to not only outdraw his adversaries with remarkable speed, but, he developed the uncanny skill at disarming them by shooting their sidearms out of their hands, or shooting them in the hand or wrist. Otherwise, even at a distance, he was deadly and shot to kill.

All this, despite his alcoholism, and his weakening physical constitution brought on by tuberculosis. Of all the fast-gun outlaws in history, Doc Holliday seems the most unlikely to make this list – and yet, he does.

There were many fast guns of the American Old West and I leave it to the qualified historians and the current fast-draw champions, today, to say who was the fastest of all. Only a handful make the short list: Wyatt Earp, Doc Holliday, Luke Short, Tom Horn, Billy the Kid, Wild Bill Hickok, and Frank North, to give a brief example. There are many variables that come into play. Being fast and accurate is not enough – being able to maintain those skills under calmness and focus in actually facing a deadly opponent, is a critical asset.

Frank North, for example, was a better marksman than Wild Bill Hickok, and proved it in friendly competition. However, Hickok told Frank North, “Frank, you can beat me when it comes to shootin’ at these little black dots, but I can beat you when it comes to hitting men who are shootin’ back!” That was true and Frank North conceded that fact: North never shot at men who were shooting back. Hickok did.

When the smoke clears, one must concede that – love ‘em or hate ‘em – Wild Bill Hickock, Wyatt Earp, and Doc Holliday were among the fastest of the fast. Which of these three was the fastest?

That’s one for the reader and the historians to decide. But these three were, indisputably, at the top.

Friedrich Gomez

The Paper • Page 15 • September 26, 2024

LEGALS

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2024-9017490 The name of the business: Advantage Remodeling, located at 1500 Shadowridge Dr., Vista, CA 92081. Registrant, Mahssa Sabouhi, P.O. Box 501166, San Diego, CA 92150. This business is operated by an Individual.

First day of business: 7/1/2024 /s/ Mahssa Sabouhi with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/Recorder of San Diego on 8/27/2024 9/5, 9/12, 9/19 9/26/2024 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2024-9016792 The name of the business: Origin Golf, Peterson Fine Mill, located at 925 Poinsettia Ave., Suite 2, Vista, CA 92081. Registrant, Kevin Mark Peterson, 925 Poinsettia Ave., Suite 2, Vista, CA 92081. This business is operated by an Individual. First day of business: 12/28/2005 /s/ Kevin Mark Peterson with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/Recorder of San Diego on 8/16/2024 9/5, 9/12, 9/19 9/26/2024 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2024-9017496 The name of the business: Martinenzi Cuisine Collection, located at 1487 Goldrush Way, Oceanside, CA 92057. Registrant, Maia Martinelli, 1487 Goldrush Way, Oceanside, CA 92057. This business is operated by an Individual. First day of business: 8/27/2024 /s/ Maia Martinelli with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/Recorder of San Diego on 8/27/2024 9/5, 9/12, 9/19 9/26/2024 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2024-9017236 The name of the business: TRD Financial, located at 987 4th Ave., Chula Vista, CA 91911. Registrant, Casandra Mercedes Alvarez, 987 4th Ave., Chula Vista, CA 91911. This business is operated by an Individual.

First day of business: 8/3/2024 /s/ Casandra Mercedes Alvarez with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/ Recorder of San Diego on 8/23/2024 9/12, 9/19, 9/26, 10/3/2024 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2024-9017449 The name of the business: Mamma Pinsa, located at 1281-A N. Escondido Boulevard, Escondido, CA 92026.

Registrant, GSB Foods Inc., 2051 Palomar Airport Road, Suite 175, Carlsbad, CA 92011. This business is operated by a Corporation. First day of business: N/A /s/ Giacomo Giovanetti, President with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/Recorder of San Diego on 8/27/2024 9/12, 9/19, 9/26, 10/3/2024 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2024-9017238 The name of the business: Hollywood Film Supplies, located at 300 Carlsbad Village Dr., Ste 216, Carlsbad, CA 92008. Registrant, Arthur Leo Lansdale IV, 1711 Creekside Ln., Vista, CA 92081. This business is operated by an Individual. First day of business: 1/11/2018 /s/ Arthur Leo Lansdale IV with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/Recorder of San Diego on 8/23/2024 9/12, 9/19, 9/26, 10/3/2024 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2024-9017965 The name of the business: Blue Water Hybrid Operating System (BWHOS), located at 28805 Mountain Meadow Rd., Escondido, CA 92026. Registrant, Hamed Fathi, 28805 Mountain Meadow Road, Escondido, CA 92026. This business is operated by an Individual. First day of business: 9/4/2024 /s/ Hamed Fathi with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/Recorder of San Diego on 9/4/2024 9/12, 9/19, 9/26, 10/3/2024 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2024-9018028 The name of the business: Hernandez Family Produce, located at 14191 San Pasqual Valley Rd., Escondido, CA 92027. Registrant, Xochitl Hernandez Duran, 14305 San Pasqual Valley Rd., Escondido, CA 92027.

This business is operated by an Individual. First day of business: 9/4/2024 /s/ Xochitl Hernandez Duran with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/

Recorder of San Diego on 9/5/2024 9/12, 9/19, 9/26, 10/3/2024 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2024-9017280 The name of the business: Ag Home Remodeling, located at 300 Similax Rd., Apt #2, San Marcos, CA 92069.

Registrant, Antonio Gonzales Alva, 300 Similax Rd., Apt #2, San Marcos, CA 92069. This business is operated by an Individual. First day of business: 8/23/2024 /s/ Antonio Gonzales Alva with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/Recorder of San Diego on 8/23/2024 9/12, 9/19, 9/26, 10/3/2024 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2024-9018140 The name of the business: Excellent Nails, located at 1817 W. Vista Way, #C, Vista, CA 92083. Registrant, Thien Nguyen, 1817 W. Vista Way, #C, Vista, CA 92083. This business is operated by an Individual. First day of business: 9/5/2024 /s/ Thien Nguyen with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/Recorder of San Diego on 9/5/2024 9/12, 9/19, 9/26, 10/6/2024 ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME 24CU005237N TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS: Petitioner Luke Somino filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: Present name: Luke Somino to Proposed name Sommano Sivongsay. 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: October 4, 2024, 8:30 am, in Dept. N-25 No hearing will occur on above date.

Please 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 August 12, 2024 /s/ Brad A. Weinreb, Judge of the Superior Court 9/12, 9/19, 9/26, 10/3/2024 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2024-9017226 The name of the business: AM Auto Smog LLC, located at 1944 C S. Santa Fe Ave., Vista, CA 92083. Registrant, Moises Salgado, 1944 C S. Santa Fe Ave., Vista, CA 92083. This business is operated by an Individual.

First day of business: 8/13/2024 /s/ Moises Salgado, President with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/ Recorder of San Diego on 8/22/2024 9/19, 9/26, 10/3, 10/10/2024 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2024-9018459 The name of the business: Biofield Harmonics, located at 1306 Pine Ave., #200, Carlsbad, CA 92008.

Registrant, Julie Ann Smith, 1306 Pine Ave., #200, Carlsbad, CA 92008. This business is operated by an Individual. First day of business: 10/24/2014 /s/ Julie Ann Smith with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/Recorder of San Diego on 9/11/2024 9/19, 9/26, 10/3, 10/10/2024 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2024-9018231 The name of the business: Coastalhippie Jewelry, located at 917 Concord Ct., Vista, CA 92081. Registrant, Lilieanna Flaherty, 917 Concord Ct., Vista, CA 92081. This business is operated by an Individual. First day of business: 9/1/2024 /s/ Lilieanna Marie Flaherty with

Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/ Recorder of San Diego on 9/9/2024 9/19, 9/26, 10/3, 10/10/2024 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2024-9017878 The name of the business: Castaway Fishing Adventure, Castaway Fishing Adventures, located at 408 S. Freeman Street, Oceanside, CA 92054. Registrant, Nicoletta Grippo, 408 S. Freeman Street, Oceanside, CA 92054. This business is operated by an Individual. First day of business: N/A /s/ Nicoletta Grippo with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/Recorder of San Diego on 9/3/2024 9/19, 9/26, 10/3, 10/10/2024 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2024-9018501 The name of the business: The Auto Injury Network, located at 330 N. Brand Blvd., Ste 100, Glendale, CA 91203. Registrant, Pacific Coast Stem Cells LLC, 612 Via Del Caballo, San Marcos, CA 92078. This business is operated by a Limited Liability Company. First day of business: N/A /s/ Jose Hernandez, CEO with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/Recorder of San Diego on 9/11/2024 9/19, 9/26, 10/3, 10/10/2024 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2024-9017108 The name of the business: Zephyr & Company, located at 1769 Callisia Ct., Carlsbad, CA 92011. Registrant, Christian Andre Dahmann, 1769 Callisia Ct., Carlsbad, CA 92011. This business is operated by an Individual.

First day of business: N/A /s/ Christian A. Dahmann with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/Recorder of San Diego on 8/21/2024 9/19, 9/26, 10/3, 10/10/2024 ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME 24CU010175N TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS: Petitioner Harmony Xena Hughes filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: Present name: Celaxy Mariscal, Alex Xenia Mariscal to Proposed name Celaxy Xena Hughes, Alianna Xenia Hughes. 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: October 25, 2024, 8:30 am, in Dept. N-25 No hearing will occur on above date.

Please 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 September 10, 2024 /s/ Brad A. Weinreb, Judge of the Superior Court 9/19, 9/26, 10/3, 10/6/2024 NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF Mary A. Rohling Case No. 24PE002155C SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO 1100 Union Street San Diego, CA. 92101 To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the will or estate or both, of James Edward Winston deceased. A Petition for Probate has been filed by Jeffrey Johnson in the Superior Court of California, County of San Diego, 1100 Union Street, San Diego, CA. 92101 Central Courthouse. The Petition for probate requests that Jeffrey Johnson be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent. The petition requests the decedent’s will and codicils, if any, be admitted to probate.

The will and any codicils are available for examination in the file kept by the court. The petition requests authority to administer the estate under the Independent Administration of Estates Act. (This authority will allow the personal representative to take many actions without obtaining court approval. Before taking certain very important actions, however, the personal representative will be required to give notice to interested persons unless they have waived notice or consented to the proposed action.) The independent administration authority will be granted unless an interested person files an objection to the petition and shows good

cause why the court should not grant the authority.

A hearing on the petition will be held in this court as follows: Date: 10/10, 2024 Time: 1:30 pm Dept: 503 Address of court: Same as noted above.

If you object to the granting of the petition, you should appear at the hearing and state your objections or file written objections with the court before the hearing. Your appearance may be in person or by your attorney.

If you are a creditor or a contingent creditor of the decedent, you must file your claim with the court and mail a copy to the personal representative appointed by the court within the later of either (1) four months from the date of first issuance of letters to a general personal representative, as defined in section 58(b) of the California probate Code, or (2) 60 days from the date of mailing or personal delivery to you of a notice under section 9052 of the California Probate code. Other California statutes and legal authority may affect your rights as a creditor. You may want to consult with an attorney knowledgeable in California law. You may examine the file kept by the court. If you are a person interested in the estate, you may file with the court a Request for Special Notice (form DE-154) of the filing of an inventory and appraisal of estate assets or of any petition or account as provided in Probate Code section 1250. A Request for Special Notice form is available from the court clerk.

Petitioner: Jeffrey Johnson 5612 Cometa Court NE Albuquerque, NM 87111 505-269-8626 DOP: 919, 9/26, 10/23, 10/10/2024 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2024-9018990 The name of the business: Ropmar DBA Forte San Diego, located at 3554 De Leone Rd., San Marcos, CA 92069. Registrant, Maria Cendon, 3554 De Leone Rd., San Marcos, CA 92069 and Robert Perez, 3554 De Leone Rd., San Marcos, CA 92069.

This business is operated by a Married Couple. First day of business: 9/18/2024 /s/ Maria Cendon with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/Recorder of San Diego on 9/16/2024 9/26, 10/3, 10/10, 10/17/2024 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2024-9018248 The name of the business: BBQ Em-

bers, located at 202 Hawthorne Cir., Vista, CA 92083. Registrant, Sean Linden Ploesch, 202 Hawthorne Cir., Vista, CA 92083. This business is operated by an Individual. First day of business: 9/9/2024 /s/ Sean Ploesch with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/Recorder of San Diego on 9/9/2024 9/26, 10/3, 10/10, 10/17/2024 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2024-9018591 The name of the business: Pop Up Promo & Print, lovated at 4653 Carmel Mountain Rd., #308-128, San Diego, CA 92130. Registrant, Linda Lee Blevins, 4653 Carmel Mountain Rd., #308-128, San Diego, CA 92130. This business is operated by an Individual. First day of business: 8/26/2024 /s/ Linda lee Blevins with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/Recorder of San Diego on 9/12/2024 9/26, 10/3, 10/10, 10/17/2024 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2024-9018802 The name of the business: Nice Work Fitness, located at 2588 Progress St., Ste 2, Vista, CA 92081. Registrant, MDG Fitness LLC, 1280 Hacienda Drive, Apt 617, Vista, CA 92081.

This business is operated by a Limited Liability Company. First day of business: N/A /s/ Matthew Grimm, Manager with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/ Recorder of San Diego on 9/17/2024 9/26, 10/3, 10/10, 10/17/2024 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2024-9018841 The name of the business: CW Construction, located at 993 S. Santa Fe Ave., #305, Vista, CA 92083. Registrant, Charles Marfield Walton IV, 993 S. Santa Fe Ave., #305, Vista, CA 92083. This business is operated by an Individual. First day of business: 7/30/2024 /s/ Charles M. Walton IV with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/Recorder of San Diego on 9/17/2024 9/26, 10/3, 10/10, 10/17/2024 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2024-9018375 The name of the business: Essenza Life Coaching, located at 3425 catalina Dr., Carlsbad, CA 92010. Registrant, Grecia Zamora Binder, 3425 Catalina Dr., Carlsbad, CA 92010.

This business is operated by an Individual. First day of business: N/A /s/ Grecia Zamora Binder, CEO with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/ Recorder of San Diego on 9/10/2024 9/26, 10/3, 10/10, 10/17/2024

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 • September 26, 2024