The Real King of Rock n’ Roll
by Kent Ballard
I’m an armchair historian. I love reading it and listening to it from the people who were there at the moment it happened. And not just military history, but all kinds of events.
“Son of the Morning Star” taught me that George Armstrong Custer was not a wise cavalry leader in 1876, but a decade before that he was considered a genius. Custer was simply a great Civil War officer.
Put bluntly, he simply believed he was immortal.
The Sioux and Cheyenne proved him wrong.
I spoke personally, as a teenage kid, to the man who remembered the day they shot the last wild bear in my home county.
“The Great Influenza,” a book that should be required reading in high schools, taught me the utter horror of a world-wide pandemic that medicine cannot fight.
“A Night to Remember” taught me about human failure and helplessness in the face of disasters-that could have easily been prevented.
“In Cold Blood” taught me that humans can be monsters.
But I’m here now to rewrite history. And do it accurately.
Elvis Presley was not the King of Rock n’ Roll.
That statement will still get you a
good beating in many places. But it’s true.
I maintain that Chuck Berry was-and perhaps still is--the King of Rock n’ Roll. He was cheated out of his title because he was black. Worse, he was black in 1950’s America.
Elvis was a great singer, a performer without peer, and sold more records than either the Beatles or Michael Jackson if you count ALL of his rock, gospel, country, and live recordings combined.
Rock n’ Roll from page 1
He’s in the Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame, naturally, but he’s also in the Country & Western Hall of Fame, the Bluegrass Hall of Fame, AND the Gospel Hall of Fame (yes, such a thing really exists).
So don’t hate me for not loving Elvis. I was and am still in awe of that voice, that presence. I miss him terribly.
But he never wrote a song.
He performed songs written by other people. He had utterly no talent for songwriting or arrangment.
I’m not even sure he could read music, let alone write it. Berry wrote most of the songs he performed, and wrote each and every one that became a juke box hit in the 1950’s.
His songs were so popular for years, so ahead of their time, that even the Beach Boys in the mid60’s copied his intro for “Johnny B. Goode” into their huge hit “Fun, Fun, Fun, (‘Till Daddy Takes the T-Bird Away). Berry did not take that lightly, and if you look at any recording of that song after 1968-it originally came out in ‘65-you will see Chuck Berry’s name added to the writer’s credits. I can only imagine, but I would assume quite a few greenbacks transferred hands as well.
Elvis shook his hips.
Thankfully, he did it in time with
This Day
Daily Chuckle This week, a compendium of wit, wisdom and neat stuff you can tell at parties. Enjoy!
What’s black and white and read all over? A newspaper.
If you don’t keep me, I’ll break. What am I? A promise.
There’s only one word in the dictionary that’s spelled wrong. What is it?
his music.
Otherwise he would have looked like someone with palsy. But Chuck Berry invented the stillfamous “Duck Walk,” a seemingly impossible way to move from stage right to stage left--and he did it gracefully, while making faces at the audience and a playin’ a guitar like a-ringin’ a bell. Many performers, both amateur and professional, have tried to copy Berry’s famous crouched scootching across the stage--and fell flat of their asses. It is not as easy as Chuck made it look. It never was, and it still isn’t. Find yourself a polished floor and try it.
While wearing boots. And playing a guitar flawlessly. Then do it in tight 50’s pants and ‘60’s bellbottoms. Personally, I think Chuck Berry knows how to defy the law of gravity. It certainly looks that way.
Berry always did things his own way. There was the famous concert that featured both Berry and his crazed southern rival, Jerry Lee Lewis. Both managers had told their performers they would go onstage last, using the “secondary act” as an opening for them. And things came to a head immediately. Lewis was not known for his fandom of Berry. When the confrontation devolved into a shouting and pushing match, Berry said they could settle this in a hurry--by a fistfight.
Whoever won would go on last. Jerry Lee said, “Let’s go,” and despite the howls from their managers the two performers went into a
side room and locked the door behind them.
Chuck Berry came out first. After a moment or two, a bleeding and bruised Jerry Lee Lewis came staggering out. He took a few swigs--some say more--from a bottle handed to him by someone. And then went on to perform a rock concert that is legendary to this day. You can see the recreation of this moment in “Great Balls of Fire,” a movie that is frighteningly accurate in it’s good, bad, and weird sides of Lewis. I mean, who the hell else would douse the piano they were playing with flammable liquids and toss a match into it, then play like a demon from the netherworld and finish with a screaming standing ovation while theater workers shot fire extinguishers into the piano before it collapsed into the floor.
All of this simply because Chuck Berry, as Lewis later recalled on a live talk show, “Beat me like a redheaded step-child. He won fair and square. By the time he was done beating me, I was seeing stars and telling him he could go onstage whenever the hell he wanted to.”
But while lurching out to the stage, Jerry Lee plotted his revenge. After playing the fiery grand piano, he walked out to a thunderous ovation and with the stage workers still trying to put out the flames, he passed Berry waiting in the wings and said, “Top THAT, Chuck.”
And Chuck did. Year after year, in concert after concert, in nation after nation. Chuck Berry and his ringin’ guitar brought audiences
to their feet, screaming, howling, applauding, and pretty much in a state of delirium. He’s been awarded with honors and medals throughout the world, has played in every country I can think of save for North Korea, and even in nonEnglish-speaking countries he still packed them in. They didn’t give a hoot about the words. It was the sheer rock, the rhythm, the superb guitar playing, and the fact they all knew they were watching a performer who never played by the rules. A living legend. That, in essence, is the beauty and the madness of Rock n’ Roll.
And don’t you try to lie to me. You’ve felt that madness as much as I have.
Several times.
Long live Rock n’ Roll.
And, God willing, Chuck Berry too.
The Author, the late Kent Ballard, was a frequent contributor to The Paper. He lived in Indiana.
fedEx can’t verify i exist. Can you help me cancel my account?
Illustration by Christopher Elliott
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 ar E mor E L ik ELY T o g ET P ub L is HE d if Y ou:
• 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.
Parkinson’s support group meeting March 3rd • 10am to noon
by Christopher Elliott
You might say that FedEx failed to deliver for William Graham. After someone made a fraudulent charge on his account, he reported it to FedEx and tried to delete his account.
And that’s when things got really strange.
“FedEx can’t verify who I am,” he told me. “I give them my correct phone number and address -- which is on my FedEx account -- but they claim there is no record of me in the system.”
That’s right, FedEx told Graham he didn’t exist in its records. And they wouldn’t delete his account. And they kept sending him bills for the fraudulent charge.
Graham’s case raises several important questions:
How can you verify your account with FedEx?
What are your rights if a company refuses to delete your account?
How do you escalate a complaint with FedEx?
But before we get to those questions, let’s take a closer look at Graham’s bizarre FedEx problems.
“This is a true absurdist story”
Graham recently discovered a $95 charge on his FedEx account. Someone had falsely charged him for a shipment.
“I alerted FedEx to the fraud and I canceled the credit card associated with the account to protect myself,” he says. “I then called FedEx customer service on three separate occasions to have my FedEx account permanently deleted.”
Not so fast, said FedEx.
There’s no easy way to delete a FedEx account, says Graham -- no one-click delete.
“You have to call customer support because they couldn’t verify that I exist as a human being,” he recalls. “Then they asked my wife to verify. Then they said they couldn’t verify who she was.”
Graham has no idea why FedEx can’t process his cancellation. He’s lived at the same address for 13 years and has had the same phone number.
“Our names and addresses are easily searchable on any public search engine,” he says. “Yet FedEx Customer Support says their software concludes that we don’t exist as human beings. Therefore, they won’t cancel my account even though my correct address and phone number are on the account.”
It’s endlessly frustrating.
“I am a sentient being writing these words,” he adds. “This is a true absurdist story”
But that’s not all. FedEx continues to send him bills for the fraudulent charges. So, at least for billing purposes, FedEx believes he exists.
Truly absurd. Perhaps those FedEx customer service agents have been reading too much Soviet science fiction in their free time.
But how do you get the system to acknowledge your humanity?
How can you verify your account with FedEx?
Parkinson’s Support Group. Free monthly meetings for people with Parkinson’s and their care partners are held from 10 am until noon at San Rafael Church, 17252 Bernardo Center Drive, Rancho Bernardo, in the Parish Hall. Our featured speaker for Monday, March 3rd is Neurologist, Dr. Brenton Wright, who will be presenting “Preparing for Hospitalization”. Separate breakout sessions for People with Parkinson’s and care partners will follow the presentation to discuss successes and challenges.
Come learn, share, meet, and enjoy the free refreshments with other involved Parkinson’s persons. Please call (760) 749-8234 or (760) 5181963 if you have any questions.
El Camino Quilt guild meeting March 11th • 9:30am
El Camino Quilt Guild meets at 9:30 am on Tuesday March 11, 2025 at El Corazon Senior Center, 3302 Senior Center Dr. in Oceanside 92056. Guest fee $10.
Our March program is “Quilter’s University”. Each attendee will be able to view three 15-minute presentations about various quilting techniques and other topics. Great way to learn quilting tips and tricks!
For more information elcaminoquilters.com or email info@elcaminoquilters.com.
Palomar audobon society birding basics Class Beginning March 12th
Interested in birdwatching or want to learn about birding?
The Palomar Audubon Society, a
nonprofit organization, is excited to offer a Birding Basics Class beginning on March 12. The course will introduce the fundamentals of birding over three consecutive Wednesday evenings: March 12, March 19, and March 26. Classes will be held from 6:45 PM to 8:15 PM at the Remington Club 2, located at 16916 Hierba Drive, San Diego, CA 92128 (Rancho Bernardo).
The Beginning Birding class will cover essential topics, including field markings and how to identify local birds. Additionally, attendees will have the chance to participate in guided birding field trips exclusively for class members. These field trips will take place in various locations across San Diego County from 8 to 11 am.
The total cost for all three sessions, which includes the optional field trips, is $60 per person.
For registration and more information, please visit PalomarAudubon.org: https://palomaraudubon. org/2025-spring-birding-classesclasses-start-march-12-sign-uptoday
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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.
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Chess Players Welcome Carlsbad Senior Center
Chess Players Welcome at the City of Carlsbad Senior Center, 799 Pine Ave, every Tuesday 1-4pm. Play is casual and there are no fees or reservations. Participants must be at least 50 years of age. Call 1-442339-2650 for additional info.
oPiNioN
Protecting our Communities from battery storage facility risks
by Jim Desmond
I’ve heard from many of you urging support for Assembly Bill 303 (AB 303), highlighting the growing concerns surrounding battery energy storage system (BESS) projects in San Diego County. I share your concerns, and I want you to know that I am taking action to address the serious safety risks these facilities pose to our communities.
The Problem
Over the past few years, we’ve seen fires at various BESS facilities right here in our own community, most notably including:
• Escondido, a fire at a battery storage facility burned for a couple of days.
• East Otay Mesa, a battery storage unit fire in a large warehouse burned for nearly two weeks.
• Valley Center, another BESS facility caught fire, adding to the growing safety concerns.
These incidents highlight the realdangers posed by these facilities, especially when they are placednear our homes, schools, and businesses without adequate safety measures or community input.
The Need for Local Control
Under current state law, privately initiated BESS projects can bypass local regulations through the Cali-
Now that Donald Trump is the official President, I’d like to see much more enforcement of existing law, in many areas. The border and immigration as no. 1 priority, but also searching out fraud in government and corporate areas and strong punishment; I would hope to make hostile nations learn that they can expect rapid response to any injury to our nation . . or even threats to our nation . . much like Israel. You attack Israel you KNOW you’re gonna receive retaliation. I’d also like to see inflation cut way back and part of that is developing controls over
fornia Energy Commission’s “optin” certification program. This process not only strips our community of its voice but also undermines our ability to enforce critical safety standards. It is simply unacceptable to allow these projects to be approved without local oversight and meaningful input from those who live and work nearby.
our solution
To address this issue, we’re-introducing a measure to support AB 303, which aims to strengthen safety and restore local control over where these facilities are placed. If approved, as introduced, AB 303 would:
• Eliminate the Opt-In Loophole: Private BESS projects would no longer bypass local regulations through the state certification program.
• Deny Pending Applications: Stop all pending projects under the state’s “opt-in” program that could pose risks to our communities.
• Enforce Safe Distancing: Prevent large BESS facilities (200 MWh or more) from being built within 3,200 feet of homes, schools, daycares, hospitals, and businesses.
Opinion continued on page 14
real estate. The real estate inflation is ridiculous! Newly marrieds can’t afford their starter home when even modest homes are $700K to $900K. Most young marrieds don’t have $140K to $180K for a down payment, let alone monthly mortgage payments of $6K+.
Trump seems to be heading in the right direction. He’s an authoritarian (when he’s the authority) and he gets things done, just as he promised during the campaign.
Be patient and give him a chance.
***
This is one of the reasons we are big supporters of Supervisor Jim Desmand (and soon, we hope, Congressman Jim Desmond). He has a lot of Common Sense:
Next meeting, my colleague is proposing to hire a consultant for $400,000 to tell us whether we should pay more taxes. I can tell
Letters to the Editor
SANDAG, the County transportation agency, has delayed too many projects, wasted taxpayer money, lied to the public, hid the truth, even from its own Board of Directors, for too long. Thanks for the 2 minutes speaking time and the snacks, but after years of this sort of treatment, we deserve more from our public agencies.
East County now has a representative at SANDAG but no vote. This reeks of corruption. The Sales Tax would have been taxation without representation. And it’s great to acknowledge the local Native American Tribes, but it would be even nicer to include them at the table in a meaningful way.
SANDAG does not deserve to continue in its present form. But I’m not the first to suggest this. The State suggested this in 2001: with the idea that dividing the County into districts, where the people could arrange them by geography or neighborhood would produce far better results. For one thing, it
you, for free, we don’t. We don’t need a $400,000 consultant to tell us that San Diegans don’t want to pay additional taxes. The cost of living is already too high, and we do not have a revenue problem— we have a spending problem.
Instead of hiring a consultant or conducting another study, we need to tighten our belt and manage spending in-house. We already have sustainable funding sources, such as property tax and sales tax. The real issue is that the County workforce increased by 2,500 new positions over the last few years and created new departments that we simply cannot afford.
Government should get its house in order, not put the burden on taxpayers to fork over more of their hard-earned money. I trust our County leadership and this Board’s ability to make the necessary adjustments without additional costs to taxpayers.
We need to focus on responsible
would mean that everyone in the County would be represented by a voting member, which they aren’t now. And people would have to work together instead of city by city. Also, all areas in San Diego would not be lumped into one representative regardless of that area’s individual opinion.
I would suggest dividing SD County into voting areas by interest and geography rather than cities. I think that this is a much fairer way. All of the County would be covered and have a vote, and similar interests would be represented in each group.
I suggest as a point for discussion:
1. Northeast County – mountains-Palomar, Warner Springs, Ranchita
2. Southeast County-desert – Borrego Springs, Ocotillo Wells
3. Mideast County-Ramona, Julian, Santee, Lakeside, El Cajon, Alpine
4. I-15 corridor agricultural-San Marcos, Escondido, Fallbrook, Bonsall, Valley Center, Poway, Rancho Bernardo, RSF
5. Native Tribes-North-Luiseno (San Luis Rey,) Pala, De Luz
6. Native Tribes-South-Barona, Sycuan
7. Navy Influence-Natl City, Coronado, Fleetwood, Point Loma bayside
Letters continued on page 14
fiscal management, not more government waste.
Things I Wish I Hadn’t Said:
I had an aunt, Darlene, who was a beautiful redhead. She was my mom’s sister.
One day, back in Omaha, Darlene was visiting us and we were out for a walk.
I said something like . . . “Darlene, you are the most beautiful of all the Tollefson girls.”
“Oh, no,” said Darline. “Your mom is also very pretty.”
“Nah,” I said, “she’s nowhere near as pretty as you.”
I happened to see the look on mom’s face. She didn’t say anything but I knew right then that I
Man About Town continued on page 13
Man About Town
FedEx from page 3
If you want to use FedEx to ship a package, you need to verify certain personal information. Knowing how to verify your account can save you time and hassle. Here’s a straightforward guide on how to get it done.
Log in to your account. Start by visiting FedEx’s website. Click on the “Sign Up or Log In” button. If you already have an account, log in using your credentials.
Access your profile. Once logged in, navigate to the dropdown menu under your name and select “My Profile.” This is where you’ll find all your account settings.
Find your account number. In the “Account Management” section, you can view your FedEx account number. If it’s hidden, you might need to go back to the “Create a Shipment” page and select “Contact your administrator” for help.
Complete the two-step verification (if enabled). If you’re prompted to verify your identity each time you log in, it’s likely due to two-step verification being enabled. You can adjust this setting under “Login & Security” in your profile. If this feature is bothersome, consider toggling it off.
Note: If you’re using FedEx delivery manager, you’ll also need to verify your address. This involves receiving a unique code via text that you’ll enter on the site. Make sure to do this within ten minutes, or you’ll need to request a new code.
If you encounter problems during verification, like expired codes or system errors, FedEx recommends double-checking your entries and trying again. If issues persist, FedEx recommends contacting its customer support line.
And that’s where Graham found himself. Reading between the lines of his complaint, it appears FedEx is using an AI-enabled system to verify the customer. That system was failing.
So how can he get the company to verify him?
Customers often find themselves at odds with companies over account deletion requests. It’s frustrating when a service won’t let you go, especially when you’ve made it clear you want your data wiped clean.
So, what rights do you have in these situations?
If you live in Europe, Article 17 of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) affords you the right to be forgotten. Laws like the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) and the more recent Virginia Consumer Data Protection Act (VCDPA) allow you to request that companies delete your personal data. This right is especially strong if you’re in states with robust privacy laws. But state laws vary.
Even if you want a company like FedEx to delete your account, it might not have to. If a company needs to retain data for legal obligations, fraud prevention, or other business purposes, it may deny your request. Since Graham’s case involved a fraudulent transfer, FedEx would have been well within its rights to retain his records -even though it refuses to acknowledge his existence.
Most reputable businesses allow you to delete your account with a few clicks. (FedEx says you can remove an account from your FedEx.com profile by clicking the “Remove” icon next to the account number. A popup window will display, asking you if you are sure you want to remove the account. However, that will not delete your entire account.)
How do you escalate a complaint with FedEx?
You may need to push your deletion request through an email sent to the FedEx site. I publish a guide on the best way to contact FedEx on this site, including executive contacts.
A brief, polite email to one of the customer service managers should help you get your FedEx account deleted.
If that doesn’t work, you may need to report the company to your state’s Attorney General or to EU regulators, depending on where you live.
Looking at Graham’s case, it appears the company was relying on an external database to verify his existence. You can tell if a company is using one of these thirdparty services when it asks you a series of random questions about your former address, ZIP code, or phone number.
The database could not verify Graham’s existence, which is a truly surreal thing, but not that unusual. I have faced a similar challenge. Just recently, I got the “quiz” and I couldn’t remember my old ZIP code in New York. Perhaps most unsettlingly, the system told me I only had two more tries before it blocked me.
In situations like this, it often helps to call the company and ask if there’s a workaround. For example, my bank offers an encryption key called a RSA Unified Identity Platform to securely access your account. It handles some, but not all, verification requirements for security-minded banking customers. (It’s still flawed because of how my bank implements it -- but that’s a story for another time.)
Bottom line: There’s no way you should let a company keep your account active when there’s been fraud. FedEx can -- and should -do better.
What FedEx has to say about this:
I checked with FedEx and received the following reply: “Good morning Chris, thank you for reaching out. We will work directly with the customer on this matter.”
In other words, this is a matter between FedEx and the customer. It’s none of our business.
Oh, but it is my business. I checked with Graham and here’s what he had to say:
“Christopher, FedEx resolved my issue with the fraudulent charge. They will close my account,” he told me.
So what happened?
Graham doesn’t know. But this he does know.
“I never would have reached this result by going through their customer support alone. It was only when it was escalated to management that I got any traction. It pays to be diligent and not to take answers from low-level staffers as the final ones.”
Why couldn’t FedEx delete his data sooner? That’s no huge mystery. Although the company won’t say one way or the other, it’s clear that Graham ran afoul of a database used to verify his personal identity -- a necessary step in removing someone’s personal identity from FedEx. That’s almost ironic, if you think about it.
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.
Southern California faces a growing wildfire crisis, and we must take immediate action to protect our communities. In January alone, multiple fires—including the Friars Fire in Mission Valley, the Center Fire in Rancho Bernardo, and the Gilman Fire in La Jolla—originated in homeless encampments. These fires have destroyed property, forced emergency evacuations, and put the lives of both first responders and residents in danger.
5th District Supervisor • Jim Desmond Clearing Homeless Encampments to Prevent Wildfires
This is not just a local issue. In Los Angeles, 54% of all fires in 2023 were attributed to homeless encampments, and similar trends are emerging across California. With dry conditions, high winds, and dense vegetation, Southern California is constantly at risk of disaster.
While I believe there should be no encampments at any time—as they are dangerous for both the community and those on the streets— laws and enforcement approaches at various levels of government currently stop us from taking full action.
That’s why I’m introducing an important policy that would require the clearing of homeless encampments during Red Flag Warning days, when fire danger is at its
highest.
This proposal will:
• Identify and prioritize the removal of encampments in highrisk fire areas.
• Strengthen coordination with neighboring jurisdictions for regional fire prevention.
• Reduce the chances of devastating wildfires that threaten our homes and families.
Homeless encampments, often located in canyons, riverbeds, and other fire-prone areas, create a dangerous fire hazard. Open flames used for cooking and warmth, combined with flammable debris and a lack of fire prevention measures, make these encampments a serious
threat—not just to our communities but also to those living within them.
Wildfires don’t wait, and neither should we. This is a commonsense solution that prioritizes public safety while addressing the real fire risks posed by encampments.
We must take action now before another devastating fire occurs.
I appreciate your support as we push for a safer region. Please feel free to share your thoughts with me—I’d love to hear from you.
San Diego County District 5 Supervisor Jim Desmond, 1600 Pacific Highway, #335, San Diego, CA 92101, United States http:// www.supervisorjimdesmond.com/
California State Assembly District 75 • Carl DeMaio
Your insurance rate Just spiked: Help me block it
California homeowners are getting ripped off with skyrocketing insurance rates—and it’s 100% the fault of the politicians in Sacramento.
If you’ve seen your premiums go up 40% or more—or worse, if your insurance company dropped you entirely—you’re not alone.
Thousands of Californians are now being forced into the government’s last-resort FAIR plan, where rates are double or even triple what they used to pay.
I refuse to allow politicians to impose the costs on homeowners and force them to pay for Sacramento’s mistakes!
Last week I released my “Cap
Act” (AB 567) that will put a stop to these outrageous rate hikes, bring real relief to homeowners, and hold state politicians accountable for the mess they created.
I’m working hard to build bipartisan support to pass this commonsense reform plan that will save the average homeowner between $400 for commercial insurance and up to $3000 if they were forced into the costly government insurance program.
Why are insurance rates spiking?
Democrat politicians want to blame “climate change”—but that’s just an excuse to cover up their failures. The real reasons your rates are skyrocketing:
• Biden’s inflation disaster has made home repairs insanely expensive. Construction and appliance costs have exploded way beyond what insurance companies planned for.
• Wildfires are worse because Sacramento refuses to manage our forests and reduce brush around homes. Instead of clearing brush and thinning trees, they let dangerous fuel pile up—and then act surprised when fires spread out of control. Worse, when homeowners try to clear “defensive space” around their homes, government bureaucrats block them from doing so!
• California’s insane regulations
make insurance unaffordable. State politicians force insurance companies to offer bad deals, then act shocked when they pull out of the market.
I’m fighting to put an end to this scam. My CA Insurance Reform and Rate Stabilization Initiative (AB 567) will:
• STOP the massive rate hikes.
My bill would indemnify homeowners for any increased insurance costs above the national average. This cap will save homeowners thousands of dollars –ranging from $300 in savings on the low end to as much as $3000 per homeowner. Put simply, you shouldn’t have to pay for the mess created by state politicians – they should pay instead!
• SLASH regulations that drive up costs.
I will cut ridiculous building codes and insurance rules that jack up your rates and drive companies out of the market.
• FIX fire prevention.
I’m demanding $1 billion per year for real wildfire prevention programs to clear brush and thin forests. Even better, my bill cuts red tape (e.g. suspends CEQA, CARB, Coastal Commission interference) so homeowners will have an absolute right to clear “defensive space” to protect their homes.
• END the insurance tax.
You’re already paying too much! I will suspend the state insurance tax and redirect wasteful climate change spending into lowering your premiums.
• DEMAND federal action.
Biden’s inflation has wrecked the housing market. We need a National Reinsurance Stabilization Program to keep rates in check.
One final note: If you are dropped from your insurance, please contact my office and my staff will work hard to get your coverage restored! If we cannot, we will work to get you affordable insurance with another provider.
Sacramento politicians created this mess—now they need to fix it. AB 567 puts the burden where it belongs: on the politicians who caused this crisis, not on homeowners like you.
I’m working to get this passed right now, and I won’t stop fighting until we bring real relief to homeowners across California.
Carl DeMaio, California State Assemblymember, District 75. State Capitol Office, 1021 O Street, Suite 4630, P.O. Box 942849, Sacramento, CA 94249-0075, 916319-2075. District Office, 9820 Willow Creek Rd. Suite 240, San Diego, CA 92131, 858-566-7538
By Tom Morrow
When I reached my teens it was the year 1953, and on January 20th of that year Dwight D. Eisenhower began his first term in the White House as our 34th president. It was an eventful year for the world that, in many regards, was pivotal to the rest of the century.
On March 5th, the Soviet Union’s iron dictator Joseph Stalin died of a stroke. The world took a sigh of relief, but the threat of a Russian bomb being dropped over America continued to be a worry for all of us no matter how old we were.
Another of the worries all of us had that year was the crippling disease of Polio. But that worry suddenly went away on March 26th, 1953, when Dr. Jonas Salk introduced his miracle vaccine. By the end of the next two years everyone, in particular children, received the vaccine and the disease all but disappeared ... at least from the worry of most of us.
Communist North Korea released 64 American POWs on April 21st, three months later there was an armistice signed calling a halt to the Korean War where more than 25,000 Americans died in battle.
On May 4th, 1953, author Ernest Hemmingway won a Pulitzer for his novel, “The Old Man and the Sea.” On May 18th, Aviatrix Jackie Cochran became the world’s first woman to break the sound barrier. Six days later Sir Edmund Hillary of New Zealand was the first European to reach the top of 29,000-foot Mt. Everest.
Great Britain crowned young Queen Elizabeth II on June 2nd and on June 19th, Americans Jules and Ethel Rosenberg were executed for spying and delivering atomic bomb secrets to the Soviet Union.
The year 1953, was the 50th anniversary of the Ford Motor Co., although founder Henry Ford had died in 1947. Heading the company was Henry Ford II, better known as “Hank the Deuce,” grandson of the late founder.
Today, we don’t see movies using the songs that have already been
Historically Speaking The Year 1953 History from the middle of the 20th Century
used in the previous movies. But the 1950s was a different era. In 1953, the classic film “Singin’ in the Rain” is now considered the best musical ever made. It starred Gene Kelly, Donald O’Conner, and a teenager by the name of Debbie Reynolds.
December of 1953 was the time when Playboy was first introduced to the public. However, it was undated. Want to know the reason why? Because editor Hugh Hefner wasn’t even sure if there ever will be a second issue. This magazine featured a centerfold nude photograph of Marilyn Monroe. 54,175 copies of Playboy magazine were sold at fifty cents each.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) approved color televisions in 1953. And the first-ever color TV set made by RCA went on sale for about $1,175…which wasn’t very good. A decade would pass before Color TV became a mainstream mode of entertainment and information.
The first Chevrolet Corvette was
also built in the year 1953 on June 30, at Flint, Michigan.
In 1953, the first James Bond novel, “Casino Royale,” was published by writer and former British spy Ian Fleming.
The Spanish phrase “Vaya con Dios,” translating to “May God Be With You,” was a pop song written by Larry Russel, Buddy Pepper, and Inez James. It was recorded in December 1952, but Les Paul and Mary Ford had a number one re-
cording of the song in 1953.
The song was chosen as one of the Top 100 Western songs of all time by Members of the Western Writers of America. Also, this 1953 recording was inducted in the Grammy Hall of Fame.
And, the first draft of “Fahrenheit 451” was written by Ray Bradbury on a coin-operated typewriter in the basement of the UCLA library. He was charged 10¢ for 30 minutes, spending a total amount of $9.80 at the machine.
Hank Williams died in 1953
1953 Corvette
Ernest Hemmingway won a Pulitzer for “The Old Man and the Sea.”
Travelers are lost in an AI maze. Here’s how to find a real person.
by Christopher Elliott
On a recent flight from Atlanta to Austin, Keisha McCotry got trapped in an AI maze.
She was trying to reach her airline to ask about flying with a sprained ankle, which made it difficult to walk to the gate.
“But I kept getting stuck in endless automated menus when I tried to reach the airline’s customer service department,” she recalls.
McCotry’s experience is happening to pretty much everyone who travels these days. Want an answer about your hotel reservation? Talk to an AI chatbot. How about travel advice? Meet our online avatar. Need a refund for your airline ticket? There’s an automated system that will take care of you.
Only, they don’t always help you get the answers you need. McCotry lost her patience after just five minutes, because the chatbot didn’t understand her.
“I decided to send them a direct message on Instagram,” she says. “To my surprise, I received a response within five minutes. That quick turnaround made all the dif-
ference in helping me sort out my travel arrangements in time.”
Has ai ruined travel?
Travelers in 2025 face a growing challenge: the travel industry’s increasing reliance on automation. While AI can be helpful for rou-
this? Money. By cutting staff and handing over the customer service functions to automated systems, they stand to save millions.
In a presentation to investors back in 2022, Frontier Airlines cited that as a benefit of moving to self-service systems. “Chatbot efficiently answers questions, reduces contacts and removes negotiation,” it noted. In other words, AI is going to help us reduce the number of exceptions we make to our rules, increasing revenues.
Has the travel industry taken AI too far? From the perspective of many travelers, the answer is yes. Too often, they’re lost in a phone tree or given scripted or irrelevant responses by a chatbot. Companies have also outsourced their complaints to artificial intelligence. I’ve been seeing more cases where it’s clear the AI didn’t understand a complaint and sent an inappropriate response.
tine tasks, it often falls short when travelers encounter more complex or urgent issues.
“Automation in the travel industry is driven by the need for cost-efficiency and handling high volumes of customer inquiries,” explains Erick Alfaro, director of transformation at AXA Partners US. “But it can leave travelers feeling frustrated and disconnected.”
Travelers sometimes need alternatives to AI chatbots to solve their problems. McCotry took special notice of the quick resolution through Instagram because she’s an expert on AI. She runs a consultancy in Atlanta that helps companies use artificial intelligence in their business. But you don’t have to be a techie to know that the travel industry is over-relying on AI and making it almost impossible to talk to a real human.
“I’ve noticed that using social media to reach companies has become one of the most effective ways to bypass frustrating automated systems,” she says. “Whether it’s Instagram, X, or even Facebook, companies tend to respond faster through their social media accounts, especially if you mention your issue publicly.”
How far have they taken ai in travel?
The travel industry is leading in AI adoption, especially when it comes to customer service. Airlines, hotels and car rental companies use artificial intelligence to respond to emails, offer you booking assistance and respond to your phone calls -- often without any indication that you’re dealing with AI. Why are travel companies doing
“The travel industry needs to balance AI’s convenience with the essential human element of customer service. If companies fail to achieve this balance, they risk alienating customers and losing business,” says Rob Lubeck, chief revenue officer of AI consulting firm RTS Labs.
But what do you do in the meantime?
Several recent surveys suggest consumers are frustrated with the increasing use of AI in customer service -- or, to put it differently, they’re trapped in an AI maze. The most common complaints include the inability to resolve complex issues, feelings of impersonal interactions, and irritation with navigating automated systems.
Here’s how to get out: Press “0” or say “agent” repeatedly. During automated calls, repeatedly pressing “0” or saying “agent” can sometimes outsmart the system and connect you to a human operator. “These little hacks can often help you get through to a live agent faster,” says Mario Matulich, president of Customer Management Practice, a market intelligence firm. go international. Call the company’s international customer service line and choose a foreign language option. These lines often have shorter wait times, and the agents may have more authority to solve problems. Once connected, request an English-speaking representative. “You can hack the VIP back-
Illustration by Aren Elliott
AI from page 8
door through foreign language lines,” says Stephen Boatman, a frequent flier who runs a financial advisory firm in Charlotte.
Track down an executive. Airlines, hotels and car rental companies do their best to hide the phone numbers and emails of their executives. “But you can find hidden customer service numbers online,” says Gary Hemming, a frequent flier who owns a finance company in Birmingham, England. (In fact, I publish a directory of executive contacts on my consumer advocacy website, Elliott.org.)
“The implications for travelers are that they are likely to face more automation, whether it’s through chatbots or endless phone trees,” says Josh Browder, CEO of DoNotPay. com, a site that helps consumers get around some of these systems. “You have to know your rights, do whatever dirty tricks you need to to get to a human being, and be ready to pursue small claims action if necessary.”
Here’s the solution travelers want
Instead of learning new hacks for getting around the system, maybe the system needs to change. Maybe it’s time for the travel industry
to tap the brakes on its AI adoption and to think about what it’s doing.
It shouldn’t just be a question of whether AI makes financial sense to the company -- it should also make sense to their customers.
Until then, there’s only one way around this chaos: it’s a human travel agent.
“It’s someone who can assist when the system falls short,” says Carrie Hays, a travel advisor, “In the world of travel, that person is a trusted travel agent who not only knows you but is also a skilled problem solver.”
Human agents are far from perfect, but in a travel industry enamored with automation, they may be the fastest way to find your way out of the AI maze.
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 Pastor says . . . my Neighbors
I recently moved to a new apartment complex. After settling in, I surveyed my business neighbors and checked out the restaurants. I have lived in areas before and never took the time to do that. Some friends of mine shared their recent experience of stopping and visiting every restaurant on a main street, first on one side and then the other. Surprisingly, they discovered places to eat that they never knew about, some remarkably good.
I have thought about this venture of life in connection with the great commandment, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” I place judgment on myself in how little I actually do that. Working as a Chaplain for the Police Department often necessitated a response to a call on behalf of those living in an apartment complex, frequently where there are hundreds of apartments. The response was usually negative when asking residents if they knew their neighbors. I think of this massive apartment complex recently built on the old hospital site. How long would it take to meet all those neighbors or introduce yourself to them? Will I fail to share even a hello with the multitude of people walking our streets or even the business owners and their employees on my street? I will unless I put forth a special effort to know them. Who is next door where I live? Do I even care? Should I? Will my interaction center only on if I want to buy or sell something? Isn’t it strange that our priority is often limited to the exchange of money and not the human beings or even our neighbors?
There is hope. We have just experienced one of the most recent tragedies in Southern California: the L.A. fires. It was heartening to see the response of thousands of people who gave money, time, and prayers, along with donations from organizations such as the Salvation Army, Red Cross, Churches, Civic Clubs like our Kiwanis Club, and others in support of their neighbors. The spirit of Christ’s commandment to love one’s neighbor touched thousands of people.
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.
Escondido 3500 Burnet Drive
oceanside 572 Airport Road
Pet Parade
Zoup is Rancho Coastal Humane Society’s pet of the week. She’s a 12-year-old, 7-pound, female, Domestic Short Hair cat with a Brown and White coat.
She was transferred to Rancho Coastal Humane Society from a crowded shelter partner through Friends of County Animal Shelters (FOCAS). Zoup is hesitant in new situations, but she adjusts quickly.
The $75 adoption fee for Zoup includes medical exam, spay, up to date vaccinations, and registered microchip. Visit Rancho Coastal Humane Society in Encinitas or log on to www.SDpets.org. The shelter is open 11 to 4, every day but Tuesday.
Pastor Says continued on page 14
However, there is a cause for concern as people on cement sidewalks impact our cities and neighborhoods. There will be less and less time to get to know each other. Names become numbers, barcodes for scanning items, smartphones become robots, homes are apartments, eateries become fast food suppliers, and meals are prepared elsewhere and delivered to a house seldom-used kitchen. Most items are purchased online or from a catalog. The human equation is about gone.
san diego 5480 Gaines Street
Pet of the Week
drogon
Drogon is a fun-loving, social companion with a big personality! Though he’s not a fan of having feline roommates, he’s a fantastic buddy for anyone looking for a playful and affectionate pet. His goofy antics will keep you entertained, and his adventurous spirit makes him the perfect partner for outdoor fun. Plus, he’s housetrained and sleeps in his crate at night like a champ. If you’re looking for a loyal, energetic, and loving companion, this beautiful, brindled boy is the one for you! Drogon (936893) is available for adoption at San Diego Humane Society’s Escondido Campus at 3500 Burnet Dr. If you have questions about the adoption process, you can visit sdhumane.org/adopt or call 619-299-7012.
Online profile: https://www.sdhumane.org/adopt/available-pets/animal-single.html?petId=936893
Pastor Huls
The Computer factory
845 W. san marcos blvd. 760-744-4315 thecomputerfactory.net
“Going to Hell in a Handbasket” is a centuries old catchphrase used by “old farts” to describe the ultimate fate of the younger “whippersnappers”. This phrase is believed to date from the French Revolution where the severed heads of guillotine victims were caught in a “handbasket. It’s seems to be part of our nature to assign stereotypes to “other” groups” and then to assume that everyone in the group expresses those imperfections. Redheads are hot tempered, Mexicans are lazy, Irish are drunks, Scots are cheap, Germans are aloof, The French don’t bathe, blondes are easy, women are emotional, men are stoic, the young are impulsive and the old are cranky and set in their ways. There may be a scintilla of truth in most of these generalizations, but it makes no sense at all to assume that an
The reporter on the phone asked, “What do you know about those microchips that don’t work anymore?”
Huh? I didn’t know anything about it. It was time to start digging, and that began with a call to Rancho Coastal Humane Society’s Medical Director, Kathy Zerkle.
Kathy said she knew about the problem, and she would send more information. But before hanging up, she said “Save This Life” is the
The Younger generation
individual is afflicted with a “characteristic” simply because of their age, nationality, sex, hair color or any other shared identity.
Yet we Americans do appear to segregate our socialization by age. About 80% of Americans are over 18. Half of us are between 18 and 45, the other half are between 45 and death. Nome and I are in the latter group. We belong to the Lions Club, Chamber of Commerce and Business Builders Network. Our organizations are composed overwhelmingly of people over 45. The younger half of adult Americans are involved with family oriented activities like PTA, Scouting and youth sports, just as we were when our children were living at home. Historically, in a more rural America, it was customary for several generations of a family to live together, raising the children and then passing on the farm to the next generation as the older generation passed on. It was a less complicated age and child raising was multigenerational labor of love. As the 20th century progressed, corporate farms replaced family farms and rural folk moved to the cities and suburbs. Extended families no longer lived together. Middle aged parents downsized after the kids moved out. Older Americans settled comfortably into retirement with their accumulated savings and social security checks. Young working adults with two incomes bought homes for their growing families and turned to baby sitters, and nursery schools to tend their young. The older “latch-key kids”
came home from school to an empty house.
At the beginning of the 21st century, some unsettling trends began to emerge. College education costs surged at more than three times the rate of inflation. The associated student loan debt along with soaring housing costs made home buying an impossible dream for many young families. The hundred year old trend toward independent living for young families was reversed as economic conditions forced them to move back in with mom and dad until they could pay off college debt and build credit to the point where they could buy a home of their own.
A college degree in education
intelligent Web
has long been regarded as a safe ticket to a secure middle class life in America. There were over five million teachers (4 million k-12 teachers, and 1.5 million college teachers) in the USA in 2025. Pure DNs (Digital Natives) are folks who grew up with mobile access to the IW. That became possible in 2008 when “smart phones” became available. In the five years between 2012 and 2017 smart phone access to the IW grew from 50% to over 80%, then 90% in 2022. The “connected generation” of DNs is only beginning to fill our secondary schools and institutions of higher learning. What impact will the presence of the DNs with their mobile access to the AI enhanced IW have on the teachers and institutions? We’ll discuss it in part II.
1,000 Square Feet of
“Another Man’s Treasure”
Sleeping bags, back packs, seat cushions, luggage, suit bags, spray paint kits, periodicals stuffed animals, hard cover and paperback books, chinaware sets, glassware, National Geographics, speakers, printer ink refills, commemorative plates, wine kits, kitchenware, SLR film cameras and accessories, wifi/ cordless phones, umbrellas, onyx carvings, music and game CDs/DVDs, insulated drinking cups, flower vases, LED lanterns, desk top files, art glass, camp chairs, cots, tote bags, magnets, wooden shoes, lanterns. And Lots More
brand of microchip. We don’t see them very often in this part of the country. But if someone has a pet with a Save This Life microchip, no matter whether they got it here or in some other part of the country, they need to change it to a different registry.
Texas-based Save This Life Microchip unexpectedly closed early this month. Owners posted online that their pets’ files still worked. One guy said the website even let him change his address, since he and his dog had moved.
The problem is that, while the website was still active, it’s no longer connected to any of the national pet registries.
If someone takes their pet to a vet-
erinarian or shelter, they can still scan the chip and enter the chip number on a registry. But since Save This Pet was no longer connected to a registry, it won’t connect to the owner’s name and contact information.
A message from Papaya Veterinary Care to their clients said, “If your pet was registered with Save This Life Microchip, we recommend immediately re-registering your pet
to ensure the microchip is linked to the national database. Please visit Free Pet Microchip Registry. This registry is directly associated with AAHA Universal Pet Microchip Tool, which will ensure your contact information is available when the microchip is scanned. If you know that your pet is not registered with Save This Life Microchip, no action is needed at this time.”
What kind of chip does your pet have? If you don’t know, visit your vet to get your pet scanned.
Even if you know your pet’s chip is not Save This Life, take a few minutes to check your pet’s account and make sure your contact information is up to date. Those few minutes are worth it for a lifetime of love.
Celebrating Creativity at the fair
This year the San Diego County Fair will run from June 11th through July 6th. The theme is “Summer Pet-Tacular”. Taking part in a Fair competition is a grand tradition. Back in 1880, at the very first San Diego County Fair, a group of local farmers gathered for some friendly competition. These competitions were founded on local crops — and the food, fiber, and culinary creations that came from these crops. Judges answered the pressing questions of the day: Who grew the sweetest oranges? Who baked the flakiest pie crust? Who crafted the prettiest quilts?
The Fair has evolved and grown, but these traditions — draped in coveted ribbons — remain at the heart of what happens every year at the Fair. Today, the Competitive Exhibits program reflects the agriculture, hobbies, interests, talents, and industry of our diverse San Diego communities.
Now is your chance to be part of a fun and storied history by entering a competition in the 2025 San Diego County Fair.
The San Diego County Fair has a competition for just about everything and everyone. The categories are:
Agricultural Competitions
• Ag Industrial Arts
• Container Plants
• Floral Design
• Landscape Gardens
• Specimen Blooms
Livestock Programs
• Junior Market Livestock Shows
• Junior Breeding Livestock Shows
• Junior Market & Breeding Livestock Shows
• Open Livestock Breed Shows
• Open Small Animal Shows
• Youth Livestock Breed Shows
• Youth Small Animal Shows
Arts & Crafts Competitions
• Clothing & Fashion
• Collections & Hobbies
• Decorative Arts & Crafts
• Fine Art
• Gems, Minerals, and Jewelry
• Home Arts & Hobbies – Youth Categories
• Needle Arts
• Photography
• Quilts
• Woodworking
Culinary & Beverage Competitions
• Homemade Wine
• Culinary Arts
• Craft Brew Competition
• Toast of the Coast Wine Competition
School/Student Competitions
• Elementary School
• Middle School
• High School
• Community College & Continuing Education
Visit https://www.sdfair.com for more information.
Chuckles from page 2
The word “wrong.” It’s the only word that’s spelled W-R-O-N-G.
What two things can you never eat for dinner?
Breakfast and lunch.
I’m tall when I’m young. Short when I’m old. What am I? A candle.
What question can you never answer yes to? “Are you asleep?”
What goes up but never goes down?
Your age.
What can’t talk but will respond when spoken to? An echo.
The more of this there is, the less you see. What is it?
Darkness.
I am always running, but never get tired or hot. What am I? The fridge.
I am yellow and I write, and my mate is white. What am I? A pencil. ***
When life knocks you down, roll over, and look at the stars.
This too shall pass. It might pass like a kidney stone. but it will pass.
If you were able to believe in Santa Claus for like 8 years, you can believe in yourself for like 5 minutes.
If you don’t like where you are, move. You are not a tree.
After Tuesday, even the calendar goes W T F.”
If you keep your feet firmly on the ground, you’ll have trouble putting on your pants.
Never let anyone treat you like regular glue. You’re glitter glue.
People who wonder whether the glass is half empty or half full are missing the point. The glass is refillable.
When something goes wrong in your life just yell ‘plot twist!’ and move on.
Life is short. Smile while you still have teeth.
Life is short. Buy the shoes. Never put off ‘till tomorrow what you can straight up cancel.
We were in her living room visiting and I said something like . . “I can’t stand these Afghan’s - they’re so old style, out of date.” Later, my wife, Mary, reminded me we had recently gotten a gift from grandma. The gift was, in fact, an Afghan. Grandma never said a word . . but I saw the look on her face and I know I hurt her just as though I had ripped out her heart.
(I hope I have the term right . . an Afghan as I recall is a type of blanket with open spaces, sewed tightly together, in multiple colors. Quite warm and cozy.)
Pastor Says from page 10
Of course, much is just the way it is out of necessity. We have lost the human touch, even to the point of creating artificial human beings who talk with us, caress us, kiss us, and, in extreme cases, make love with us.
Who is my neighbor? A robot, a number, an image? Who is at my door? Who has the time to get involved? Is my world becoming one of artificial intelligence removing me from my own ability and intelligence? It is time, if not necessary, to stop and say hello to the merchant on your street. We must rise above our mechanized and plastic world. Despite all our modernization, we need to say, “Good Morning.” and “How Are You.” “Thanks for being my neighbor, and I am happy to be yours.”
Pastor Huls
Opinion from page 4
• Protect Sensitive Areas: Restrict these projects from environmentally sensitive sites, including coastal zones, prime farmland, wetlands, and very high fire-risk areas.
Our goal is simple: Keep our communities safe and ensure your voice is heard. By supporting AB 303, we’re taking a stand for smarter, safer practices when it comes to siting battery energy storage facilities.
As always, I value your input. Please don’t hesitate to share your thoughts on this issue by contacting my office directly.
Thank you for your continued engagement and support.
San Diego County District 5 Supervisor Jim Desmond, 1600 Pacific Highway, #335, San Diego, CA 92101, United States http:// www.supervisorjimdesmond.com/
Letters from page 4
8. South coastal-Imperial Beach, San Ysidro, Chula Vista, South SD
9. South inland-Jamul, Dulzura, Potrero, Otay Mesa East,
10. SD Central-San Diego Downtown, SD East, College,
11. SD North-Point Loma north, OB, Midway, PB
12. Mid-County-La Mesa, Lemon Grove, Spring Valley, Bonita
13. North Coastal-La Jolla, Del Mar, Encinitas, Solana Beach, Oceanside coastal, San Onofre.
13 voting representatives, and alot fairer.
Regards, Paul Henkin
read The Paper online at
www.thecommunitypaper.com
CREEKSIDE MARKETPLACE, (553-595 GRAND AVE)
PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that IDS Real Estate Group and the City of San Marcos (City) request proposals from qualified contractors for the above stated project.
DESCRIPTION OF WORK
• The Work includes Concrete Panel Replacement at Creekside Marketplace and related sitework. The work will occur at 553-595 Grand Ave, Creekside Marketplace, San Marcos, CA 92078. Contractors must meet or exceed the specifications and requirements stated in the Request for Proposal (RFP).
CONTRACT TERM
The Contractor shall diligently and continuously prosecute the work to completion, which shall be no later than June 30, 2025.
DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF PROPOSAL: All proposals must be received by the project construction manager via email no later than 12:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 27, 2025. Late proposals will not be accepted. Proposing contractors are required to request a read receipt or a reply from the project construction manager for confirmation of delivery. Facsimile submittals are not acceptable. Proposals should be addressed to City of San Marcos c/o IDS Real Estate Group, Attn: Construction Manager, 785 J Street, San Diego, CA 92101. All proposals are to be electronic and shall be sent to: mpaloma@idsrealestate.com
PRE-SUBMITTAL MEETING AND SITE WALK: A mandatory pre-submittal meeting has been scheduled at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, March 13, 2025, meeting will be held at the northwest corner of 553 Grand Ave (Hobby Lobby), San Marcos, CA 92078. The purpose of the pre-submittal meeting is to discuss the Scope of Work included in the RFP and answer questions proposers have relating to the RFP and/or the Contract. A mandatory site walk of the project will immediately follow the presubmittal meeting. All proposers must attend the pre-submittal meeting and site walk. Failure to attend either of these events shall be cause for rejecting proposals.
SUBMISSION OF PROPOSAL: A complete RFP package is available for download electronically from: https://spaces.hightail.com/space/KhPKKayFFo
It is the responsibility of the proposer to download and carefully review the contents of all documents provided in this RFP, including the addenda and any exhibits attached thereto. Proposers must provide a response to all components specified in this RFP.
Incomplete proposals, proposals containing errors or inconsistencies, failure to comply with the submission requirements contained in the RFP, or other process or content errors or deficiencies may constitute cause for rejection. Submission of a proposal indicates acceptance by the proposer of the conditions contained in the RFP and the attachments thereto, unless clearly and specifically noted in the proposal and confirmed in the Contract executed between the Owner and the selected service provider. The Owner reserves the right to retain all proposals submitted and to use any idea(s) in a proposal regardless of whether that proposal is selected.
PREVAILING WAGE
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that, pursuant to the San Marcos City Charter and the San Marcos Municipal Code, payment of prevailing wages and compliance with the California Labor Code Sections 1770 et seq is required for this project. The Contractor will be required to comply with all of the terms and conditions (including State General Prevailing Wage requirements) prescribed for Contractor performing public works construction projects.
The California Department of Industrial Relations determines the general prevailing wage rates for the State and are available at the DIR website, http://www.dir.ca.gov, or from the City of San Marcos’ City Clerk Office.
DIR REGISTRATION
Under (SB 854), “contractors” are required to register with the Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) on an annual basis (July 1-June 30). All contractors and subcontractors submitting bids will be required to have registered in advance with the (DIR) and must meet the minimum program qualifications necessary to be eligible to work on public works projects pursuant to Labor Code section 1725.5 and Public Contract Code Section 4104.
fiCTiTious busiNEss NamE
sTaTEmENT 2025-9001581
The name of the business: Moto San Diego, 1040 Los Vallecitos Blvd., Suite 102, San Marcos, CA 92069. Registrant, Powersports Unlimited Inc., 1040 Los Vallecitos Blvd., Suite 102, San Marcos, CA 92069. This business is operated by a Corporation. First day of business: 7/15/2024
/s/ Michael G. Findlay, President with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/Recorder of San Diego on 1/23/2025
1/30, 2/6, 2/13, 2/20/2025
fiCTiTious busiNEss NamE
sTaTEmENT 2025-9001812
The name of the business: CK Safety, located at 647 Shenandoah Ave., San Marcos, CA 92078. Registrant, Christopher John Kotkiewicz, 647 Shenandoah Ave., San Marcos, CA 92078. This business is operated by an Individual. First day of business: N/A
/s/ Christopher John Kotkiewicz with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/Recorder of San Diego on 1/27/2025
2/6, 2/13, 2/20, 2/27/2025
fiCTiTious busiNEss NamE
sTaTEmENT 2025-9001877
The name of the business: Lilac Vista Ranch, located at 8921 Nelson Way, Escondido, CA 92026. Registrant, Michael Edward Reichenberger, 8921 Nelson Way, Escondido, CA 92026, Susan Domling Reichenberger, 8921 Nelson Way, Escondido, CA 92026. This business is operated by a General Partnership. First day of business: 12/4/2016 /s/ Christopher Susan Domling Reichenberger with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/Recorder of San Diego on 1/28/2025
2/6, 2/13, 2/20, 2/27/2025
fiCTiTious busiNEss NamE
sTaTEmENT 2025-9001540
The name of the business: Spec-
tra 8, located at 1276-D Auto Park Way, #437, Escondido, CA 92029. Registrant, Spectra Research Supplies, LLC, 1276-D Auto Park Way, #437, Escondido, CA 92029. This business is operated by a Limited Liability Company. First day of business: N/A /s/ Chusing Tsuel, Managing Member with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/Recorder of San Diego on 1/23/2025
2/6, 2/13, 2/20, 2/27/2025
fiCTiTious busiNEss NamE
sTaTEmENT 2025-9001047
The name of the business: Fidelity Bonding & Insurance Agency, located at 736 N. Tremont St., Oceanside, CA 92054. Registrant, Melvin William Raynes, 603 Seagaze Dr., #606, Ocanside, CA 92084. This business is operated by an Individual. First day of business: 1/15/1949 /s/ Melvin William Raynes with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/Recorder of San Diego on 1/16/2025 2/6, 2/13, 2/20, 2/27/2025
fiCTiTious busiNEss NamE
sTaTEmENT 2025-9000014
The name of the business: Costa Fresh Cleaning, located at 250 Espanas Glen, Escondido, CA 92026. Registrant, Dazzling Diamond Cleaning, 1507 E. Valley Pkwy, Ste 3 #393, Escondido, CA 92027.
This business is operated by a Limited Liability Company. First day of business: 12/30/2024
/s/ Ana Delia Juarez, President with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/ Recorder of San Diego on 1/2/2025 2/6, 2/13, 2/20, 2/27/2025
fiCTiTious busiNEss NamE
sTaTEmENT 2025-9000843
The name of the business: Los Cabos Fish Market, located at 403 North Santa Fe Ave., Vista, CA 92084. Registrant, Alfonso Segura, 403 North Santa Fe Ave., Vista, CA 92084, Yolanda Segura, 403 North Santa Fe Ave., Vista, CA 92084. This business is operated by a Married Couple. First day of business: N/A
/s/ Yolanda Segura with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/Recorder of San Diego on 1/14/2025
2/6, 2/13, 2/20, 2/27/2025
fiCTiTious busiNEss NamE
sTaTEmENT 2025-9001334
The name of the business: Wild
Tide, located at 2930 Norman Strasse Rd., Ste 109, San Marcos, CA 92069. Registrant, Wild Tide Beverages, LLC, 2930 Norman Strasse Rd., Ste 109, San Marcos, CA, 92069. This business is operated by a Limited Liability Company. First day of business: N/A /s/ Kelsey Chersterfield, CEO with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/Recorder of San Diego on 1/21/2025
2/6, 2/13, 2/20, 2/27/2025
fiCTiTious busiNEss NamE
sTaTEmENT 2025-9002202
The name of the business: Johnny’s Barber Shop, located at 3549 Mission Ave., Suite D, Oceanside, CA 92058. Registrant, Carmen Rocha, 3549 Mission Ave., Suite D, Oceanside, CA 92058. This business is operated by an Individual. First day of business: 12/1/2020 /s/ Carmen Rocha with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/Recorder of San Diego on 1/31/2025 2/6, 2/13, 2/20, 2/27/2025
fiCTiTious busiNEss NamE
sTaTEmENT 2025-9002201
The name of the business: Esquire Barber Shop, located at 412 Pier View Way, Oceanside, CA 92054. Registrant, Carmen Rocha, 412 Pier View Way, Oceanside, CA 92054. This business is operated by an Individual. First day of business: 7/1/2021
/s/ Carmen Rocha with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/Recorder of San Diego on 1/31/2025 2/6, 2/13, 2/20, 2/27/2025
fiCTiTious busiNEss NamE
sTaTEmENT 2025-9002271
The name of the business: Te Auto Service, located at 380 Engle Street, Escondido, CA 92029. Registrant, Te Motorsports LLC, 231 Lincoln Parkway, Escondido, CA 92026. This business is operated by a Limited Liability Company. First day of business: 6/1/2018 /s/ Marisol Ortiz, Manager with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/Recorder of San Diego on 1/31/2025 2/6, 2/13, 2/20, 2/27/2025
fiCTiTious busiNEss NamE
sTaTEmENT 2025-9001750
The name of the business: Flow Control Plumbing, located at 5452 Andrew Jackson Street, Oceanside, CA 92057. Registrant, Flow Control Plumbing Inc., PO Box 2713, Oceanside, CA 92061, . This business is operated by a Corporation. First day of business: 12/30/2024 /s/ Ignacio O. Cuban with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/Recorder of San Diego on 1/27/2025 2/6, 2/13, 2/20, 2/27/2025
fiCTiTious busiNEss NamE
sTaTEmENT 2024-9023883
The name of the business: Mabuti, Mabuti Health, Mabuti Fitness, located at 1740 La Costa Meadows Dr., #250, San Marcos, CA 92078. Registrant, Jayden Evan Tumiwa, 8700 Gilman Dr., PMB 119, La Jolla, CA 92093. This business is operated by an Individual. First day of business: N/A /s/ Jayden Evan Tumiwa with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/Recorder of San Diego on 12/4/2024 1/9, 1/16, 1/23, 1/30/2024
fiCTiTious busiNEss NamE
sTaTEmENT 2025-9002762
The name of the business: Gardener’s Aide and Home Gardener’s Aide, located at 218 Inez Way, Oceanside, CA 92057. Registrant, Robert Lee Warner, 218 Inez Way, Oceanside, CA 92057. This business is operated by an Individual. First day of business: N/A /s/ Robert Lee Warner with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/Recorder of San Diego on 2/7/2025 1/9, 1/16, 1/23, 1/30/2024
fiCTiTious busiNEss NamE
sTaTEmENT 2025-9002944
The name of the business: Grace Home Goods, Grace home Goods Co., located at 532 Camino De Amor, Ramona, CA 92065. Registrant, Jason Landon Pike, POB 27232, San Diego, CA 92198. This business is operated by an Individual. First day of business: 2/10/2025 /s/ Jason Landon, Pike, General Partner with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/Recorder of San Diego on 2/11/2025 2/20, 2/27, 3/6, 3/13/2025
LEGALS
fiCTiTious busiNEss NamE
sTaTEmENT 2025-9002408
The name of the business: Blessed Feet Studios, Inc., Blessed Feet Studios, located at Los Vallecitos Blvd., Suite 202, San Marcos, CA 92069. Registrant, Blessed Feet Studios, Inc., 970 Los Vallecitos Blvd., Suite 202, San Marcos, CA 92069. This business is operated by a Corporation. First day of business: 12/1/2024 /s/ Cassandra Bair, CEO with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/Recorder of San Diego on 2/4/2025 2/20, 2/27, 3/6, 3/13/2025
sTaTEmENT of abaNdoNmENT of usE of fiCTiTious busiNEss NamE: 2025-9002407
Blessed Feet Studios, located at 292 E. Barham Dr., San Marcos, CA 92078. The Fictitious Business Name referred to above was filed in San Diego County on 10/17/2022 and assigned file no. 2022-9022988.
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME IS BEING ABANDONED BY: Manna World Ministries, Inc., 292 E. Barham Dr., San Marcos, CA 92078. This business is conducted by a Corporation. I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. (A registrant who declares as true any material matter pursuant to Section 17913 of the Business and Professions code that the registrant knows to be false is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1000).
/s/Darin Vey, CFO This statement was filed with the San Diego Recorder/County clerk on 2/4/2025. 2/20, 2/27, 3/6, 3/13/2025
sTaTEmENT of abaNdoNmENT of usE of fiCTiTious busiNEss NamE: 2025-9002859
Cura Consulting, located at 2922 Panorama Crest, Escondido, CA 92029. The Fictitious Business Name referred to above was filed in San Diego County on 8/14/2020 and assigned file no. 2020-9013599.
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME IS BEING ABANDONED BY: Brenda Ornellas DBA Cura Consulting, 2922 Panorama Crest, Escondido, CA 92029. This business is conducted by an Individual. I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. (A registrant who declares as true any material matter pursuant to Section 17913 of the Business and Professions code that the registrant knows to be false is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1000).
/s/Brenda Ornellas
This statement was filed with the San Diego Recorder/County clerk on 2/10)/2025. 2/20, 2/27, 3/6, 3/13/2025
fiCTiTious busiNEss NamE
sTaTEmENT 2025-9002860
The name of the business: Cura Consulting, Inc., located at 2922 Panorama Crest, Escondido, CA 92029. Registrant, Cura Consulting, Inc., 2922 Panorama Crest, Escondido, CA 92029. This business is operated by a Corporation. First day of business: 2/7/2025
/s/ Brenda Ornellas, President with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/Recorder of San Diego on 2/10/2025 2/20, 2/27, 3/6, 3/13/2025
fiCTiTious busiNEss NamE
sTaTEmENT 2025-9002138
The name of the business: Head Trip, located at 6968 Saint Andrews Rd., Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92067. Registrant, Pam Theodosakis, PO Box 2804, Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92067. This business is operated by an Individual. First day of business: 1/30/2025 /s/ Pam Theodosakis with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/Recorder of San Diego on 1/30/2025
2/20, 2/27, 3/6, 3/13/2025
suPErior CourT of CaLiforNia, CouNTY of saN diEgo VisTa diVisioN 325 S. Melrose Vista, Ca. 92081 760.201.8094
SUMMONS (Family Law)
CASE NO. 24FL008824N
N-18: Stackhouse, Renee
AMENDED NOTICE TO RESPONDENT: IVAN BARBOZA
You are being sued.
Petitioner’s name is: CATALINA HERNANDEZ
You have 30 calendar days after this Summons and Petition are served on you to file a Response (form FL120) at the court and have a copy served on the petitioner. A letter or phone call will not protect you.
If you do not file your Response on time, the court may make orders affecting your marriage or domestic partnership, your property, and custody of your children. You may be ordered to pay support and attorney fees and costs.
If you want legal advice, contact a lawyer immediately. You can get information about finding lawyers at the California Courts Online SelfHelp Center. www.courtsinfo.ca.gov/selfhelp), at the California Legal Services Web site (www.lawhelp.org), or by contacting your local county bar association.
NOTICE: The restraining orders on page 2 are effective against both spouses or domestic partners until the petition is dismissed, a judgment is entered, or the court makes further orders. These orders are enforceable anywhere in California by any law enforcement officer who has received or seen a copy of them.
FEE WAIVER: If you cannot pay the filing fee, ask the clerk for a fee waiver form. The court may order you to pay back all or part of the fees and costs that the court waived for you or the other party.
1. The name and address of the court are Superior Court of California, 325 S. Melrose Dr., Vista, CA. 92081.
2. The name, address, and telephone number of the petitioner’s attorney, or the petitioner without an attorney, are:
Catalina Hernandez 729 Maryland Court, Vista, CA. 92083 (760) 681.2733
August 9, 2024 By: /s/ W. Condit, Deputy Clerk
Date: 02-18-2025 Clerk of the Superior Court
STANDARD FAMILY LAW RESTRAINING ORDERS
Starting immediately, you and your spouse or domestic partner are restrained from:
1. removing the minor children of the parties from the state or applying for a new or replacement passport for those minor children without the prior written consent of the other party or an order of the court.
2. cashing, borrowing against, canceling, transferring, disposing of, or changing the beneficiaries of any insurance or other coverage, including life, health, automobile, and disability, held for the benefit of the parties and their minor children.
3. transfering, encumbering, hypothecating, concealing, or in any way disposing of any property, real of personal, whether community, quasi-community or separate, without the written consent of the other party or an order of the court, except in the usual course of business or for the necessities of life; and
4. creating a nonprobate transfer or modifying a nonprobate transfer in a manner that affects the disposition of property subject to the transfer, without the written consent of the other party or an order of the court. Before revocaton of a nonprobate transfer can take effect or a right of survivorship to property can be eliminated, notice of the change must be filed and served on the other party.
You must notify each other of any proposed extraordinary expenditures at least five business days prior to incurring these extraordinary expenditures and account to the court for all extraordinardy expenditures made after these restraining orders are effective. However, you may use community property quasicommunity property, or your own separate property to pay an attorney to help you or to pay court costs.
NOTICE--ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE HEALTH INSURANCE
- Do you or someone in yhour household need affordable health insurance? If so, you should apply for Covered California. Covered California can help reduce the cost you pay towards high quality affordable health care. For mor information, visit www.coveredca. com. Or call Covered California at 1-800-300-1506.
WARNING - IMPORTANT INFORMATION
California law provides that, for purposes of division of property upon dissolution of a marriage or domestic partnership or upon legal separation, property acquired by the parties during marriage or domestic partnership in joint form is presumed to be commounity property. If either party to this action should die before the jointly held community property is divided, the language in the deed that characterizes how title is held (i.e., joint tenancy, tenants in common, or community property) will be controlling, and not the community property. Presumption. You should consult your attorney if you want the community property presumption to be written into the recorded title to the property.
2/27, 3/6, 3/13, 3/20/2025
fiCTiTious busiNEss NamE sTaTEmENT 2025-9002166
The name of the business: Lobos Packaging Solutions, LLC, located at 1611 Goldenrod Lane, Vista, CA 92081. Registrant, Lobos Packaging Solutions, LLC, 1611 S. Melrose Dr., Box A #295, Vista, CA 92081. This business is operated by a Limited Liability Company. First day of business: 5/4/2015 /s/ Jonathan Corey Wolff, President with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/Recorder of San Diego on 1/30/2025 2/27, 3/6, 3/13, 3/20/2025
CiTaTioN for frEEEdom from ParENTaL CusTodY aNd CoNTroL Case Number 25ad000020N suPErior CourT of CaLiforNia, CouNTY of saN diEgo NorTH CouNTY diVisioN 325 s mELrosE dr. VisTa, Ca. 92081
To: MARITZA HERNANDEZ
You are advised that you are required to appear in the Superior Court of the State of California, County of San Diego, in Department 25 at the court location indicated above on FRIDAY, APRIL 17, 2025 at 08:30 AM to show cause, if you have any, why ARIA SAVINA RODRIGUEZ, a minor, should not be declared free from parental custody and control (*for the purpose of placement for adoption) as requested in the petition.
This hearing will be conducted by video or telephone through the 325 South Melrose Drive Vista, CA. 92081 loocation.
IMPORTANT! MARITZA HERNANDEZ, please call the court promptly for instructions on how to attend this hearing (760) 2018720 Monday-Friday 8:30am11:30 PST
At the hearing the judge will read the petition and, if requested, will explain the effect of the granting of the petition, any term or allegation contained therein and the nature of the proceding, its procedures and possible consequences and may continue the matter for not more than 30 days for the appointment of counsel or to give counsel time to prepare.
The court may appoint counsel to
represent the minor whether or not the minor is able to afford counsel. If any parent appears and is unable to afford counsel, the court shall appoint counsel to represent each parent who appears unless such representation is is knowingly and intelligently waived.
Someone over the age of 18 - not the petitioner - must serve the other party with all the forms and complete a proof of service form, such as Proof of Service of Citation (Adoption) (SDSC form #JUV300), telling when and how the other party was served and file that with the court.
You are advised that if the parent(s) are present at the time and place above stated the judge will read the petition and, if requested, may explain the effect of the granting of the petition and, if requested, the judge shall explain any item or allegation contained therein and the naure of the proceedings, its procedures and possible consequences and may continue the matter for not more than 30 days for the appointment of counsel or to give counsel time to prepare.
The court may appoint counsel to represent the minor whether or not the minor is able to afford counsel. If any parent appears and is unable to afford counsel, the court shall appoint counsel to represent each parent who appears unless such representation is knowingly and intelligently waived.
If you wish to seek the advice of an attorney in this matter, you should do so promptly so that your pleading, if any, may be filed on time.
Date: 2/20/2025
/s/Kelly C. Mok, Judge of the juperior Court 2/27, 3/6, 3/13, 3/20/2025
fiCTiTious busiNEss NamE sTaTEmENT 2025-9002523
The name of the business: Supreme Mold And Water Remedation, located at 5606 Rancho Del Caballo, Bonsall, CA 92003. Registrant, Thomas Jay Hambek, 5606 Rancho Del Caballo, Bonsall, CA 92003. This business is operated by a General Partnership. First day of business: N/A /s/ Thomas Jay Hambek with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/Recorder of San Diego on 2/5/2025
2/27, 3/6, 3/13, 3/20/2025
fiCTiTious busiNEss NamE sTaTEmENT 2025-9003313
The name of the business: Habitual Wash, located at 116 W. 13th Ave., Apt 7, Escondido, CA 92025. Registrant, Felix E. Martinez, 116 W. 13th Ave., Apt 7, Escondido, CA 92025. This business is operated by an Individual. First day of business: N/A
/s/ Felix E. Martinez with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/Recorder of San Diego on 2/18/2025 2/27, 3/6, 3/13, 3/20/2025
fiCTiTious busiNEss NamE sTaTEmENT 2025-9001742
The name of the business: Franco Cleaning Company, located at 10179 Tilton St., San Diego, CA 92126. Registrant, Ericka Franco, 10179 Tilton St., San Diego, CA 92126. This business is operated by an Individual. First day of business: N/A
/s/ Ericka Franco with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/Recorder of San Diego on 1/24/2025
2/27, 3/6, 3/13, 3/20/2025
fiCTiTious busiNEss NamE
sTaTEmENT 2025-9002514
The name of the business: Conkrete Labs, Nothmn, located at 1517 Oasis Ln., Vista, CA 92083. Registrant, Lance Hunt, 1517 Oasis Ln., Vista, CA 92083. This business is operated by an Individual. First day of business: N/A /s/ Lance Hunt with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/Recorder of San Diego on 2/5/2025
2/27, 3/6, 3/13, 3/20/2025
