March 12, 2026

MARCH IS INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH!

By Friedrich Gomez

This month is truly a special time of celebration and observance, not just for all women and girls across the United States and around the world for their accomplishments, but because their accomplishments have made a better world for all of us -all humankind, regardless of gender.

As such, this month is really a celebration for all the world to partake because, quite simply, it affects ev-

ery person who is reading this cover story right now.

For example, cancer does not discriminate: it is cruelly visited upon all people of all ages, both men and women, from every demographic, ethnicity, and socio-economic background.

You will soon recognise why we all should celebrate this month together as a single, worldwide family, as we are all part of the human species

on this third planet from the Sun.

But first, before I mention how this story resonates with ALL OUR READERS here’s a snippet of why this month of March is so spectacularly special in drawing greater awareness and recognition of women’s achievements, all of which make a better, safer world.

THIS MONTH OF MARCH.

This month of March is a “Quadru-

ple Grand-Slam event” for the following reasons around the United States and the world:

1. March is “National Women’s History Month” across the United States.

2. March is “National Women’s Day” across the United States.

3. March is “International Women’s Month” across the United States -and around the world.

MARIE CURIE

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4. March is “National Women’s Equality Month” across America.

This cover story takes a most extraordinary journey into the life of Marie Curie and her fight for Women’s Equality.

And if you think Women’s Equality is solely for the feminine gender movement – you better think again.

Because, in truth, Marie Curie was not just fighting for Women’s Equality . . . she was fighting to save all humankind from the cruel and unforgiving scourge that is cancer. So if Women’s Equality means that women scientists can join the fight against a common adversary, so much the better (for everyone).

Had she bowed to prejudice against women, and she stopped her endeavours, countless human beings (male and female) would have been erased from total existence without even a filament of hope and a fighting chance against cancer.

So now we know that in fighting for Women’s Rights . . . she was, in

Give Us This Day Our Daily Chuckle

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

Before our first dinner at our hotel’s restaurant, our waiter announced, “We have one item that is not on the menu. It’s a red snapper {fish} that was flown in fresh two days ago.”

I took a moment to think about that. “Flown in” already means it’s not fresh. And “two days ago” is two days ago. Shouldn’t “fresh” be today?

I ordered the chicken.

actuality, fighting for you and me . . . for all people.

MARIE CURIE’S ADVANCEMENTS AFFECT YOU & EVERYONE READING THIS COVER STORY.

She revolutionised medicine and science which would - and is –saving countless human lives every hour of every day somewhere on this third planet from the Sun.

TO ALL CANCER SURVIVORS (MEN & WOMEN) A TRIBUTE TO MARIE CURIE.

Incredulous as it may sound, Marie Curie is not only the first woman to receive the Nobel Prize in science, but, she is also the only person (of either sex) to win two Nobel Prizes in two different scientific fields.

1. PIONEERING RADIOACTIVITY RESEARCH (1903 NOBEL PRIZE).

She won the 1903 Nobel Prize in Physics which she shared with her husband, Pierre Curie, and Antoine Henri Becquerel for their joint research on radiation phenomena.

2. PIONEERING NEW CHEMISTRY ADVANCEMENTS (1911 NOBEL PRIZE) for discovering

Friend: That’s a bottle of wine.

Me: The bottle is made of glass.

***

Pro-tip: Keep the cake moist by eating it all in one sitting.

***

I asked the waiter, “what’s the duck like?”

He said: “It’s kinda like chicken but it can swim.” ***

Press 2 for English: 2

AT&T: “Dank you yu for colling ad&d.”

***

Remember when the idiots in our government caused no lasting damage? In the spirit of nostalgia, here is the complete wisdom of Dan Quayle:

Dan Quayle on Education

“Quite frankly, teachers are the only profession that teach our children.”

polonium and radium.

CANCER TREATMENT (ONCOLOGY).

Marie Curie discovered that radiation could destroy diseased cells, leading to effectively treating tumors and cancer and which formed the basis of (modern oncology) today in 2026.

Her work became the basis of modern Oncology, which has benefited billions of people down through the decades around the globe: both men and women, as well as countless teens, children, and even infants -- in various children hospitals today!

DURING WORLD WAR I, MARIE CURIE’S MOBILE MEDICAL IMAGING (X-RAYS).

During World War I, Marie Curie developed mobile radiography units to provide X-ray services to field hospitals! Marie Curie’s pioneering research in chemistry revolutionised medicine and science by discovering radium and polonium, and defining radioactivity (which much of the world clearly did not completely understand).

During the First World War her life-saving “mobile radiography”

“You take the United Negro College Fund model—that what a waste it is to lose one’s mind, or not to have a mind is being very wasteful. How true that is.”

Dan Quayle on Geography

“We have a firm commitment to Europe. We are a part of Europe.”

“I love California. I practically grew up in Phoenix.”

“It’s wonderful to be here in the great state of Chicago.”

“The western part of Pennsylvania is very, uh, Midwestern. Midwestern. And the eastern part is more . . . east. Uh, the Midwest . . . Uh, Pennsylvania is a very important state, a big state. The western part is—Pennsylvania is a divided state, like Tennessee is divided into three parts. Pennsylvania is divided into two parts. You have western Pennsylvania and then you have eastern Pennsylvania.”

“Hawaii is a small state. It is a state that is by itself. It is a—it is different than the other forty-nine states. Well, all states are different, but it’s got a particularly unique situation.”

vehicles were developed, which our U.S. troops (and medical personnel) gratefully and affectionately called “Little Marie Curies”. Such merciful and invaluable vehicles helped battlefield surgeons locate shrapnel and broken bones in soldiers through X-ray imaging!

Curie recognised that wounded soldiers were best served if operated upon as soon as possible.

She saw a need for field radiological centres near the front lines to assist battlefield surgeons, including the prevention of unnecessary amputations when in fact limbs could be saved.

Her legacy continues in various forms today in our U.S. military Forward Surgical Teams (FST) and Combat Support Hospitals (CSH).

In essence, Marie Curie, even after death, never stopped helping all people, from all nations, in every conceivable setting and circumstance, even during the face of war. A singular legacy of one individual which is rarely matched in all of science and technology.

Women continued on page 3

right here.”

Dan Quayle on Outer Space

“Space is almost infinite. As a matter of fact, we think it is infinite.”

“For NASA, space is still a high priority.”

“It’s time for the human race to enter the solar system.”

“Mars is essentially in the same orbit. Mars is somewhat the same distance from the Sun, which is very important. We have seen pictures where there are canals, we believe, and water. If there is water, that means there is oxygen. If oxygen, that means we can breathe.”

Dan Quayle on Family Values

“Illegitimacy is something we should talk about in terms of not having it.”

“Republicans understand the importance of bondage between parent and child.”

Dan Quayle on Politics

“This election is about who’s going to be the next President of the United States.”

Friend: What are you doing?

Me: Having a glass of wine.

“We’re going to have the besteducated American people in the world.”

“Hawaii has always been a very pivotal role in the Pacific. It is in the Pacific. It is a part of the United States that is an island that is

“One word sums up probably the responsibility of any Vice-President, and that one word is ‘to be prepared.’ ”

Women from page 2

WHAT CONSPIRACY AGAINST HER REALLY HAPPENED BACK THEN & WHY?

Marie Curie’s journey as a pioneering scientist was plagued by intense professional jealousy, rooted in deep-seated sexism and xenophobia within the early 20th-century scientific establishment. Despite becoming the first person to win two Nobel Prizes in science, she faced relentless efforts to undermine her career, culminating in a 1911 scandal that nearly destroyed her reputation and stopped her from receiving her second award.

KEY INCIDENTS OF PROFESSIONAL JEALOUSLY & OBSTRUCTION.

The fact that Marie Curie faced constant and significant gender bias – and yet still managed to overcome and accomplish her historic academic achievements – makes her towering genius and scientific discoveries even more magnified.

INCREDULOUS GENDER BARRIERS: HER NAME WAS SABOTAGED BY THE NOBEL PRIZE COMMITTEE!

Marie Curie’s life often reads more like a riveting, nail-biting mystery novel, instead of a boring page out of a school history book. Her true life drama and exploits make life story a fascinating study -- curious, and impossible to ignore.

Unknown to much of the civilised world, Marie Curie’s name was purposely sabotaged by the official Nobel Prize Committee who harboured great gender and professional jealousy against her.

As difficult as this may be to read, the 1903 Nobel Prize Committee snubbed her, due to gender bias against women.

It is a matter of historical record that, initially, the French Academy of Sciences nominated only Henri Becquerel and Pierre Curie for the 1903 Nobel Prize in Physics, deliberately excluding Marie Curie, who had actually done the foundational work on radioactivity.

Only after her husband Pierre Curie protested in earnest and a member of the committee intervened was she, rightfully, included.

CONSPIRACY TO STOP HER!

But all of Marie Curie’s discoveries and advancements which saved – and is continuing to save -- much of our planet, almost never happened!

There was a conspiracy to stop

her - on many levels - from the very beginning.

But, why?

And what were all the hidden reasons, which most people are largely unaware of today?

The unthinkable almost happened.

In addition to helping to overturn established ideas in physics and chemistry, Curie’s work has had a profound effect in the societal sphere. To attain her scientific achievements, she had to overcome barriers, in both her native country (Poland) and her adoptive country (France) - barriers that were placed in her way – simply because she was a woman.

Despite the University of Paris’ sexist attitude towards her, Marie Curie not only survived the insults, but she seemed more resolute.

She would become the first woman professor at the University of Paris – the very institution that railed against her!

Had she been discouraged over the years, and stopped her ambitious endeavours, then much of the planet’s inhabitants (including both you and I and everyone reading this right now) – might possibly have never existed -- if our parents or great, great grandparents would not have even lived due to their lack of access and benefits via her discoveries in medicine and X-ray imaging and treatments in cancer in the new science of Oncology -as well as other benefits from her life-saving contributions.

Her life-saving contributions . . . which continue to do just that, 92 years after her death in France in July 1934.

In a famous 1911 letter, Albert Einstein encouraged Marie Curie to ignore the press and the hidden conspiracy to stop her.

The mysterious details and attempts to stop Marie Curie from her earliest beginnings only served to increase the great scientist, Albert Einstein, to further heighten his reverence and admiration for Marie Curie.

Such conspiracies to halt her from the very beginning made Albert Einstein embrace her as a personal, valued friend, and he considered their twenty-year friendship a “sublime joy”, referring to her in his letters as an “unpretentious, honest person with sparkling intelligence” and openly expressing his admiration for her profound “human grandeur”.

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 embedded in the document.

The good LifE at miraCosta College

Meetings will be held in person at the MiraCosta College, Oceanside Campus, at 1:00 pm in the Board Room, of the Administration Building (Building 1000) and by the Internet Application ZOOM.

mar 13 1:00 The Wonderful World of Opiliones Shahan Derkarabetian, Ph.D, Curator of Invertebrate Zoology San Diego Natural History Museum. Dr. Derkarabetian will introduce us to the amazing world of the arachnid group Opiliones (spiders, ticks, daddy longlegs etc.) We will learn about their biology and natural history with lots of photos.

mar 13 2:30 Ecological Effects of Argentine Ant Invasions Dave Holway, Ph.D., USCD. Professor Holway returns to update us on the work related to the effects of Argentine ant invasions and efforts to restore ecosystems back to a pre-invasion state.

mar 20 NO CLASSES –MCC CLOSED FOR SPRING BREAK

mar 27 1:00 Oceanside Re-beaching Jayme Timberlake Coastal Zone Administrator, O’side. Jayme Timberlake, Oceanside’s Coastal Zone Administrator, will tell us about the years of study and planning that have gone into the Oceanside Sand Nourishment and Retention Project known as Re:Beach.

mar 27 2:30 Morocco Hero Who Helped the Spanish Conquistadores Kitty Morse, LIFE Member. Estebanico, the Black Moor from Azamour, Morocco, who along with four Spanish Conquistadores, trekked from La Florida to the Sea of Cortez in 1539.

To join a Zoom meeting, LIFE must have your email address in order for you to receive the invite link. Meetings will start at 12:45

pm (you can join 15 minutes earlier) and the speaker will start at 1:00 pm. Email: life.miracosta@ gmail.com.

Nice Guys Non-Profit Collecting donations for annual auction

“Nice Guys” have been helping people in San Diego since 1979. Their donations have been in excess of $10 Million for families and individuals. There is no overhead, no office, and no paid staff. The 140+ Nice Guys donate their time and labor to help the less fortunate. The majority of the money they raise goes to help families who have somehow “fallen through the cracks.” A medical bill, a car repair, clothes needed after a house fire, a wheelchair for a young man injured while being a Good Samaritan. Their goal is to get people back on their feet. A hand- up, not a hand-out.

We are currently collecting donations for the auction. We collect restaurant gift cards, hotel rooms, wine, activities, ball games, concert tickets, memorabilia, vacations, etc. Anything and everything is appreciated.

The Auction event is Saturday, April 25, 2026. We will need all donations in-house by Friday, April 4, 2026.

The theme this year is “Mardi Gras” - Everyone will dress up including masks! So in addition to requesting some auction items, we would also love for you to join us! Tickets are $225 per seat, $2,250 for a table of 10.

Visit sdniceguys.com

Women from page 3

HER LEGACY AND DEATH.

According to Cornell University professor, L. Pearce Williams: “The physical and societal aspects of Curie’s work contributed to shaping the world of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. Curie’s work laid the foundation for modern nuclear physics, cancer treatments, and radiography. Her techniques for isolating radioactive isotopes are still used in research and medicine.”

In the Scientific American (31 December 2025): “Marie Curie’s Mentorship Led to Networks of Support for Female Scientists.”

It warrants reiterating: Marie Curie was the first woman to win a Nobel Prize; the (first) person to win two Nobel Prizes, and the only woman to win in two fields, and the only person to win in (multiple sciences).

HER DEATH

Marie Curie died on 4 July 1934 at age 66 in France. She is said to have died of radiation exposure as she worked extensively with ra-

Man

About Town

Used to be, back when I was a young lad, about 100 years ago that most every summer there would be a traveling pastor and his staff who would come into Benson, a suburb of Omaha, where we lived, rent a vacant lot, often adjacent to the Royal Dairy . . . set up a large tent . . . put out flyers in the neighborhood that announced several nights of a Tent Revival.

We were told they were “Holy Rollers,” folks who, at the end of the evening, would become so possessed by the Holy Spirit that they would roll up the aisles in some type of trance like performance. I never hung around long enough to witness this as I had to get home by 9 or 10pm and these tent revivals

dioactive materials without proper protection. It is speculated that her illness was more likely to have been due to her use of radiography during the First World War.

WHY WOMEN’S INTERNATIONAL HISTORY MONTH MATTERS.

No one answers this question better than Jim Ziolkowski, an educator who is spreading the word that men can become (part) of the action behind this movement and not just an (observer) of this month’s National and International Women’s Day celebrations.

Says Ziolkowski: “Women’s International History Month is more than just a celebration – it’s a call to action! By supporting women and girls, we’re actually building a more equitable world where everyone has the opportunity to thrive! Join us in creating opportunities for women and transforming communities.”

Regarding this month’s vast and varied celebrations of women, Ziolkowski’s repetitive mantra is resolute: “Join us in creating opportunities for women and transforming communities here, across the nation . . . and around the world!”

would often run to at least 11pm.

My pal, George Hofmann and I, would enter the tent and watch and listen.

Anyone who has ever spent anytime in a tent automatically recognizes the smell of a tent - whether it was military, the Scouts, or just playing Army in a tent . . . there was, and always will be, a distinctive smell to a tent.

We absorbed the smell of the tent and listened to the music.

It was quite a show.

People would begin to filter in and, before long, the tent had a crowd . . . maybe the tent was half filled, sometimes, on a good night, they’d have it 75% filled.

The pastor, usually carrying his trusty tambourine, would prance and dance and sing uptempo gospel songs . . . and, of course, he would deliver “the message.” Usually of the “hell, fire and brimstone” type. Somewhere along the line several of his assistants would pass the collection plate.

George and I usually managed to disappear and head home before having to face the collection plate.

You don’t see many Tent Revival Shows anymore. A shame. They were fun entertainment. George

DIFFERENT WAYS TO CELEBRATE WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH.

“Live Your Dream Organisation” offers a few ways readers of THE PAPER can celebrate International Women’s History Month and spark vital conversations about women’s contributions.

SUPPORT WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESSES

Support women entrepreneurs and creators. Women-owned businesses are on the rise, but women still represent a minority of business owners. March is a perfect time to show your solidarity with these tenacious entrepreneurs and service providers.

It wasn’t that long ago when women being business owners was unthinkable; even frowned upon, which makes the women entrepreneurs in your city today as worthy of your respect and admiration in a male-dominated world.

Historically, the very idea of women working outside of the home was frowned upon, and most women who did so, worked in traditionally female occupations such as maids and seamstresses.

and I, we never succumbed to the pastor’s exhortations and did not respond to his message . . .but we enjoyed the show . . . . and that pastor, he sure did bang the hell out of that tambourine.

Got a lot of work done today, mail, client calls, groceries, and a call from the pest control company. Diane, our newest caregiver, saw something on the top shelf of my pantry that looked like rodent (rat) droppings. I became upset because I pay a monthly fee to a Corky’s pest control company to keep my house free of vermin. Bless their hearts, Corky’s sent out a technician promptly. The items were too large to be mouse dropping but seemed awfully large, even for rats. It was neither.

It was coffee beans that had spilled out of a bag. I threw the whole bag in the trash, thanked the pest control guy and sent him on his way. Big relief. I shall sleep well tonight, knowing I don’t have huge, or even midsize, rats in or around my home.

Many thanks to Corky’s Pest Control and their prompt response and their “rescuing me.” Both the techniciand and I had a good chuckle.

Today, more women not only work outside the home but across many occupations, with some even making it to the top of businesses, technology, and science fields.

SHARE SOCIAL POSTS & RAISE AWARENESS THROUGH FUN ACTIVITIES

Share social posts and raise awareness. An easy way to celebrate is to share articles, infographics, inspiring quotes, videos, and other women-centric content on your social media.

Host your own event to celebrate women. Invite your fabulous friends (not just women, but allies too!). Make it positive and empowering! Some fun ideas to make the event special are:

Watch movies directed by women and with female leads with close friends.

Listen to your favourite tunes by female artists so that you can feel and share the vicarious joy.

Have an impromptu fun fashion

Women continued on page 5

pointments with the VA Hospital in La Jolla. The first, with my kidney doctor (nephrology), the second with my beautiful and talented Nurse Practitioner, Jennifer.

I got good news, bad news, bad news, good news.

First good news . . . my kidney function tests show I remain in a stablized condition.

Bad news . . . my nephrologist told me I am still stage 4, but if my function tests go much lower I will become stage 5, the point where dialysis is normally recommended. She wants me to meet with the dialysis nurse at my next consult, to explore options available to me.

More bad news: She also told me, at my age (87) that statistics show dialysis doesn not offer much to prolong life.

“So,” I said, “if we reach that point I need to just let nature take its course.”

“Pretty much, yes, statistically.”

So, how much longer I have to roam this planet is dependent on how much longer my kidney function remains stable. Even more bad news: “You are

This past Thursday I had

Man About Town

Women from page 4

show with your close knit circle of friends.

Have a mini ceremony and give out awards to each of your gal pals to celebrate their best qualities and accomplishments: listing them and reading them makes them more powerful.

Take a group hike together.

READ THE ONLINE TRUE STORY OF 14-YEAR-OLDE SAN DIEGO GIRL WHOSE “MESSAGE OF LOVE” WENT GLOBAL!

In lyle e. davis’ weekly publication THE PAPER read out loud to your friends the emotional and inspiring online true story of the 14-year-olde San Diego girl whose “Message of Love” went global. It’s on our website at www.thecommunitypaper.com then in Archives, scroll down to the 2 February 2023 back issue. All your friends will applaud when you’re done reading it!

THINK OF A FEMALE SUCCESS STORY IN YOUR OWN COMMUNITY OR CITY FOR INSPIRATION & EMPOWERMENT.

To visualise and internalise true feelings of inspiration and empowerment, discuss a real female success story in your own community or city.

For example, Escondido’s Jennifer Schoeneck.

JENNIFER SCHOENECK, ESCONDIDO’S DIRECTOR OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IS A MODEL OF INSPIRATION!

I cannot begin to tell you the legions of girls who have related to me just how inspired and empowered they feel in regards to Escondido’s Director of Economic Development, Jennifer Schoeneck. Many of whom I speak are female college and university students who are well aware of Schoeneck’s enthusiasm and experience in city government, varied businesses, and her unwavering commitment to use every skill in her toolbox including consistently interacting with the Escondido Chamber of Commerce, the Downtown Business Association (DBA), and the Mercado District, a triad of organisations that are crucial to Escondido’s businesses and economic development. My acquaintances also include many high school students as well.

IT’S TIME TO TAKE A FUN MULTIPLE-CHOICE QUIZ PERTAINING TO INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY!

Put on your “Thinking Cap” because it’s now time to have fun and take the inter-active multiplechoice quiz. Good luck and enjoy! (Many readers have stated they enjoy these multiple-choice quizzes, so here it is, by popular demand!)

WHICH COUNTRY WAS THE FIRST TO ALLOW WOMEN THE RIGHT TO VOTE?

A. The United States.

B. England

C. New Zealand

This can be tricky. But, if you’re a lucky guesser, well, then you selected “C” above for New Zealand. New Zealand was the first selfgoverning country in the world to grant all women the right to vote in parliamentary elections, signing the Electoral Act into law on 19 September 1893.

Led by activists like Kate Sheppard, this landmark legislation allowed women to vote in the November 1893 election.

OF THE THREE COUNTRIES BELOW WHICH WAS THE

FIRST TO GRANT WOMEN THE RIGHT TO VOTE?

A. United States

B. Scotland

C. Italy

Well, if you’re on a roll, then you selected “B” above for Scotland. On 6 February 1918 women in Scotland first gained the right to vote in parliamentary elections. The U.S first granted women the first to vote with the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution on 18 August 1920.

Italy did not allow women the right to vote until 31 January 1945.

WHO WAS THE FIRST FEMALE MAYOR OF ESCONDIDO?

A. Lorraine H. Boyce

B. Sheilah Wenzel

C. Doris Thurston

D. Lori Holt Pfeifer

Escondido has had multiple female mayors, and all of the above were actual mayor of Escondido.

But the very first female mayor

Women continued on page 6

What You Need To Know About Your Neighborhood Before You Travel

by Christopher Elliott

When his cab pulled up to a rental apartment in Lisbon, Walter Meyer knew he was in trouble. The building was crumbling, and the neighborhood looked sketchy. Even his taxi driver -- a local who’d probably seen it all -- seemed to hesitate before rolling to a stop.

“He didn’t want to let me out,” Meyer recalls. The cabbie offered to wait five minutes, just to make sure Meyer could get inside safely. If things looked too dangerous, he added, Meyer should come out.

Meyer felt he had no choice. He grabbed his luggage and walked toward what looked like the most questionable building he’d encountered in his travels. But what he discovered inside would teach him one of the most important lessons about safety he’d ever learn.

We’ll come back to Meyer’s story in a minute. But first, let’s talk about why stepping outside your hotel or vacation rental requires more than just a charged phone and situational awareness.

What could possibly go wrong?

No two ways about it: When you travel, your accommodations might be located in a so-so part of town. That scenic route to din-

ner might lead straight through a red-light district. That highly rated café three blocks away? It might sit on the edge of a zone where taxi drivers refuse fares after dark. And those five-star Google reviews? They won’t warn you about the recent uptick in smash-and-grabs targeting tourists.

“You don’t need military training to protect yourself,” says Harding Bush, associate director for security operations at Global Rescue. “Situational awareness is a skill any traveler can build — it’s about being alert to your surroundings, reading subtle cues, and responding quickly when something doesn’t

feel right.”

The concierge vs. front desk debate: Who really knows?

When you need local intel, whom should you approach first? The experts I spoke with have strong opinions.

“If you are visiting a locale where safety is a possible concern, it’s best to check with the hotel concierge first, since they are experts on the local area and trained to answer guests’ questions on a variety of topics, including safety and travel-related queries,” says Omar Choudhry, CEO of Compre-

hensive Security Services, a security consulting firm.

But others argue the front desk staff often provide more candid advice.

“Ask the front desk staff -- not just the concierge -- for their honest input,” says Mark Theuerl, founder of Max Tactical Firearms. “They often have the most practical, ground-level knowledge of nearby areas and will usually give you the real scoop.”

The truth is, both can be valuable -- but for different reasons. Concierges excel at recommending safe walking routes and vetted dining spots, but they’re sometimes restricted from discussing specific crime concerns. Front desk staff, especially those who live locally, often share more unfiltered observations about which blocks to avoid after dark.

“Hotels must be careful about how they share information,” Choudhry explains. This legal caution sometimes means you’ll get sanitized advice rather than street-level reality.

You could also ask someone who usually doesn’t interact with guests, like a member of the housekeeping

Neighborhood continued on page 6

Illustration by Dustin Elliott

senior Volunteers Harvest goodness and Turn surplus into service

By Anita Lightfoot, County of San Diego Communications

The County is dedicated to helping older adults stay independent, safe, healthy and engaged.

For the past three decades, a local group of senior volunteers has found a sweet way to do that – while providing fresh produce to their community.

The Senior Gleaners, a team of about 200 older adults, visits local homes to pick ripe, excess fruit. They deliver the harvest to local nonprofits, where it is shared with residents in need.

Those donations are vital in communities like National City, where access to fresh, organic fruits and vegetables is limited. According to the San Diego Food Alliance, one in four people in San Diego County experience food insecurity.

Neighborhood from page 5

staff. Housekeepers are not trained to respond to this type of query, but experts say you might receive a thoughtful and candid reply that could be useful.

The mexico City Test How to Ask About Safety Without Being Offensive

Martin Weidemann runs a luxury private driver service in Mexico City, where cultural nuance matters as much as street smarts. He’s seen tourists make dangerous mistakes within minutes of leaving their hotels.

“One guest walked out of a luxury hotel and flagged a cab five minutes later -- on a street known for kidnappings. No one warned him,” Weidemann recalls.

The key, he’s learned, is asking the right way. “In cultures like Mexico’s, people might avoid talking about crime to not make things uncomfortable. It’s not secrecy -- it’s politeness.”

His approach: Frame safety questions as requests for local insight rather than warnings about danger. Instead of “Is this area dangerous?,” try “Where would you recommend walking?” or “What routes do locals use?”

“Ask nicely,” Weidemann advises.

The partnership between the Senior Gleaners, nonprofits and homeowners is a win-win: Residents reduce food waste, families receive healthy produce, and seniors stay active outdoors with friends.

“When we pick up clients, we always offer a quick, honest safety rundown without being dramatic. A one-block mistake can ruin a whole trip.”

This cultural sensitivity matters everywhere, not just in Mexico City. A front desk clerk in Denver, a concierge in Paris, or a bellhop in Boston will respond better to curiosity than paranoia.

How Technology is Changing the safety game and Where it falls short

Technology is transforming how travelers assess risk, but it’s not replacing human insight, it’s supplementing it.

“AI tools like GeoSure or Noonlight can supplement -- but not replace -- local insight,” explains Daniel Kilburn, founder of Emergency Action Planning, a disaster preparedness and safety consultancy. “Trust but verify with people who live and work there.”

Travel insurance companies also provide security information. For example, World Travel Protection’s mobile app offers features like geo-fenced alerts for risk zones and real-time security updates.

Michael Becker, CEO of GeoSure, sees this evolution happening in real time. His app provides granular, street level safety scores, in over 400,000 cities and neighbor-

Learn more about Senior Gleaners and how you can volunteer and donate a crop.

Visit https://seniorgleanerssdco.org/

hoods worldwide.

“AI contextualization in addition to safety reviews and safety scores, can empower approaches to localized safety understanding,” Becker says. About 80 percent of queries on his platform are related to security, which suggests travelers are often not sure if the place they’re visiting is safe.

The most sophisticated travelers are using a layered approach: apps for baseline data, then human verification for nuance and recent changes.

“AI tools can process thousands of recent traveler reviews, forum posts, and news articles to give a dynamic, constantly updated picture of safety,” explains Tom Abraham, founder of World Travel Index. “They can distinguish between serious crime and the sort of persistent harassment from vendors that never makes it to police reports but definitely affects a traveler’s sense of safety.”

But Abraham learned the limits of technology during eight years of almost constant travel. In Valparaiso, Chile, “a polite local gentleman stopped us and told us to turn right around. He explained that we were heading towards a prison complex, and the surrounding area was not a safe place for foreigners to walk.

Women from page 5

of Escondido was “A” Lorraine H. Boyce. Lorraine H. Boyce was a registered nurse and community leader. She broke barriers as the first woman to lead the city. Sheilah Wenzel became mayor automatically as the top vote-getter in the April 1982 election, though she resigned two months later. Doris Thurston served as mayor from 1988 to 1990 and was originally appointed to fill Wenzel’s seat. Thurston was later re-elected and served a full term as mayor. Lori Holt Pfeiler served as mayor of Escondido from 1998 to 2010 and is one of the city’s longest-serving mayors.

SPECIAL THANKS & ACKNOWLEDGMENT TO OUR VAST READERSHP.

Once again, special thanks to our readership who continue to send me your amazing cover story ideas! Gosh, I feel so guilty because you make my job so much easier by giving me ideas that I often never thought of! This is your publication and your forum, so please don’t stop sending in topics and subjects that you are most interested in reading about! And for my rabid fan base who follow me online, you all mean the absolute world to me! You often make me laugh out loud and I feel so richly blessed to receive your personal DM and sharing snippets of your personal life with me! God bless you all, each and everyone! And for those of you who saw my magic show adjacent to the La Jolla Village shopping centre a few weeks back – gosh, thanks for buying us/treating us after our performance to snacks, etc. All of you spoil me and I thank God for your friendship and unconditional love.

Friedrich Gomez

Neighborhood from page 6

You’d never know it from a map or from any guidebook.”

The Hotel Industry’s Awkward silence on safety

Most hotels avoid the topic of neighborhood safety entirely. It’s a business decision as much as a legal one. Nobody wants to scare away customers by admitting their property sits in a sketchy area.

But some properties are breaking this silence in smart ways. Liana Waechter, director of sales and marketing for L7 by Lotte in downtown Chicago, takes a balanced approach.

“At check-in, we’ll guide guests toward safer areas and mention which streets to avoid after dark,” she says. “It’s not about scaring anyone, it’s about being a good host.”

The most innovative hotels are providing practical tools. One property near Beverly Hills that Arsen Misakyan of LAXcar often recommends provides guests with a simple map of the surrounding blocks, highlighting places to dine and shop—and noting areas to avoid after 9 p.m.

“It’s not overbearing,” says Misakyan. “It’s smart.”

Even simple warnings make a difference. When Meyer worked as a desk clerk in Venice, California, he noticed four German tourists pooling cash in the parking lot after one paid for their room.

“I went out and suggested that they might want to take this transaction inside one of their rooms,” he says. “In the U.S., at least, it’s not a good idea to ever show that much cash in public.”

The five-Question safety assessment

Before you step outside your hotel, ask these questions -- either to staff or yourself:

1. If you were walking with your family, where would you go? Where would you avoid?

This frames the question personally, encouraging honest answers rather than liability-conscious responses.

2. What’s changed recently in this neighborhood?

Construction, new businesses, recent incidents -- locals know what’s shifting that won’t show up in your research.

3. Where do you personally park/

walk when you’re here after dark?

Staff often have different routes for day versus night, and they’re usually happy to share.

4. Are there any local events or situations I should know about?

Festivals, protests, road closures, or even sports games can dramatically change neighborhood dynamics. For example, Chicago is a very different place during Lollapalooza or the Blues Festival.

5. What would you do if you felt unsafe while walking around here?

This reveals escape routes, safe havens, and local resources you might need.

“Security doesn’t begin at your hotel room door -- it starts the moment you walk into the lobby,” Bush reminds us. “I scan for red flags, keep my luggage between my feet, and never say my room number aloud. Discretion and awareness are the first steps to staying safe.”

don’t Judge a Neighborhood by its appearance

Remember Walter Meyer, standing outside that sketchy building in Lisbon while his taxi driver waited nervously nearby? Here’s what he found when he finally walked through that decrepit-looking door.

“Far from scary, the inside was the most modern, nicest place I stayed in all of Europe,” Meyer recalls. “There were brand new appliances in the kitchen and brand new sheets in the bedroom. I later learned I was the first guest these Airbnb hosts had.”

The building that looked so dangerous from the outside housed a completely renovated, state-ofthe-art apartment. Meyer’s hosts were extremely responsive when he messaged them about the neighborhood. When he reached out to local friends in Lisbon, they confirmed what his hosts had told him: the area was just old and scarylooking, not dangerous.

“I did not have a problem there,” Meyer reports.

His experience reveals the fundamental flaw in judging neighborhood safety by appearances, especially in Europe, where cities are hundreds of years old. Exteriors can look filthy while interiors are fully renovated. In the United States, Meyer notes, “some buildings have very nice facades, but inside look like hell, and the opposite can often be true.”

This is exactly why Meyer’s safety

strategy focuses on conversations rather than assumptions. “I always ask the desk clerk or Airbnb host or concierge for any cautions they may have about areas to avoid, and most will be honest,” he says.

Those conversations led to his best travel discoveries. In Oaxaca, his Airbnb hosts warned him: “Don’t go south of here after dark.” But they also recommended hidden gems -- places to eat that somehow didn’t make the guidebooks. In Venice, Italy, a Russian woman staying in the same building took Meyer to her favorite church, “one that was not listed anywhere that I had seen. It was one of the most beautiful small churches I saw in all of Europe.”

Your Safety Starts with a Conversation

Here’s what Meyer, a frequent traveler and author of the book “If You Weren’t Here, This Would Not Be Happening,” learned in Lisbon: The most dangerous assumption you can make is that appearances tell the whole story.

Google Maps can point you to the

best ramen within a 10-minute walk. But it can’t necessarily tell you that the route there passes through what locals call “iPhone Alley” because of frequent muggings. The pictures may show you a well-lit sidewalk. They can’t warn you that the street empties out completely after 9 p.m., when the businesses close.

Meyer’s story teaches us something more nuanced: sometimes trusting your gut isn’t enough. A sketchy-looking building can be safe. A street that looks fine during the day might turn dangerous at night. And even an app, a website or taxi driver might not know the difference.

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.

golden bough Celtic Trio on 45th anniversary Tour

They will be performing audience favorites, capturing the joy of live folk tunes and beautiful ballads along with Americana and Celtic music too.

They sing in three-part harmony with Celtic harp, guitar, octavemandolin, accordion, violin, penny whistle and bodhran.

Seniors, veterans and military tickets are $20.00. Children 3-12 and students through college are FREE. Adults $30.00.

Doors open at 1:30 pm at the First Congregational Church, 1800 North Broadway across from Escondido High School. Only cash or check please. ***

Visit https://hiddenvalleyccaescondido.info/

Golden Bough, world famous and acclaimed Celtic Trio is coming to Escondido on their 45th anniversary tour, Sunday March 22nd at 2:00 pm.

The $67 flight lie: Is ultra-cheap travel bankrupting us?

Robert Grunnah thought he’d scored a deal when he found a round-trip flight from Austin, Texas, to Denver for just $67. But as he sat on a delayed plane, watching an overworked agent juggle an overbooked flight, he wondered, was his flight too cheap?

“Something is seriously wrong with that business model,” says Grunnah, a real estate investor from Austin. “The flight was three hours behind schedule, the gate agent was weary and frazzled, and the plane was fully booked to the point of discomfort. That $67 ticket informed me that the airline was selling seats to fill planes and slashing staff and services to dangerous levels.”

Welcome to the dark side of travel’s race to the bottom, where the deep discounts come with hidden costs that are not only degrading your experience but also harming communities, workers, and the environment itself.

It’s a complex issue that calls into question company practices, government policy and the decisions you make as a traveler. But it all kinda makes you wonder if you’re not paying enough for your trip.

The Toll of bargain Travel

While conventional wisdom suggests travel is becoming too expensive -- and yes, I’ve written about that subject -- a growing chorus of industry insiders argues the opposite. Travel has become dangerously cheap in some cases, and someone else is always paying the real price.

Alexandra Dubakova, the chief marketing officer for a tour operator based in Zürich, Switzerland, recently visited Egypt where she saw it firsthand.

“Cheap prices equal cheap lives,” she explains. “In hotels, in restaurants, in tourist traps, everyone I encountered seemed exhausted and beleaguered. But the moment they made eye contact with a foreigner, their transformation was instantaneous. The smiles flipped on and off like light switches.”

The numbers behind Egypt’s tourism industry tell the story. Workers earning wages so low that they resort to begging. Dubakova recalls the most troubling example. In a public restroom, a desperate man stole all the toilet paper and then stood at the door and resold it to tourists. “It was disturbing,” she says.

Cord Thomas, president of a vacation rental management com-

pany in Broomfield, Colorado has observed this dynamic across the hospitality industry.

“The number of housekeepers cleaning 20 rooms per shift maintains low hotel prices while famous tourist spots transform into overpopulated souvenir images,” he says. “Travelers who save money usually fail to notice the employee exhaustion and environmental damage that result from their bookings.”

Environmental and Cultural destruction

The environmental cost of ultracheap travel extends far beyond carbon emissions -- and leisure travel.

“Frequent fliers are responsible for the bulk of aviation emissions,” says Rebecca Thompson, founding CEO of Sustainable Travel Technologies.

Ultra-cheap prices are difficult to square with the sustainability narrative many travel companies have tried to weave.

On the one hand, they deeply discount their fares and rates; on the other, they claim they are being environmentally responsible by using small amounts of sustainable aviation fuel, or by building solar farms, recycling, or growing vegetables behind their hotel. I’ve been covering sustainability for years, and I hear this type of doublespeak far too often.

Cultural heritage pays an equally steep price. Frank Marr, a spokes-

man for Nueva Vista, a destinationmanagement company operating in Armenia’s Caucasus Mountains, has watched discount tourism hollow out authentic experiences.

“Full-day excursions can drop below $25, pushing guides under the local living wage,” he reports. “Discount crowds flood Instagram-famous areas like Tbilisi’s Old Town, while quieter UNESCO treasures -- Sheki’s Khan Palace in Azerbaijan or the Akhtala Monastery in Armenia -- struggle for conservation funds.”

What to do about the race to the bottom

Travel industry experts increasingly recognize that the obsession with low prices is unsustainable.

“Low prices tend to hurt any industry when players attempt to differentiate themselves on the price front,” explains Denish Shah, a marketing professor at Georgia State University. “Airlines have tried to achieve economies of scale by shrinking legroom space and reducing the quantity and quality of in-flight meals. All of this has come at the expense of service quality and consumer experience.”

The reality of ‘cheap’ travel often proves to be costlier than the advertisement. For example, AirHelp’s latest U.S. Luggage Report found that 72 percent of travelers rank extra fees as a top concern.

“Hidden fees can erode trust and create legal and regulatory challenges for airlines and travel companies,” adds Eric Napoli,

AirHelp’s chief legal officer.

The too-low prices may also affect safety, according to Bill McGee, a senior fellow at the American Economic Liberties Project. His research reveals that airlines cut costs in critical areas to prop up the dirt-cheap prices.

“A mechanic told me that the $99 ticket came with a price,” he says. “And the savings came from outsourcing heavy aircraft maintenance to El Salvador, China, and Singapore -- far away from the watchful eyes of the Federal Aviation Administration.”

So what’s the solution?

The path forward requires fundamental changes in how companies price travel products, and how we perceive the value of those products.

Napoli of AirHelp says one solution is better pricing disclosure.

“Airlines and travel companies should be transparent from the start, especially as passengers select different bag options or services and fees start piling on,” he says.

Rebecca Thompson of Sustainable Travel Technologies thinks better government policy could address the problem.

“A tax has been proposed on frequent flyers, where travelers pay

Illustration by Dustin Elliott

by Laura Strickler

I get calls from people who are in various situations in life. Some are more dire than others, some are more emotional than others and some are more factual than others.

When I have these conversations with people, I am always motivated to find the very best solution for their immediate concern.

Most of the time, my calls result in someone pursuing a reverse mortgage. But there are occasions that a reverse mortgage, or even a jumbo reverse mortgage won’t provide the solution my client is seeking. In that case, I will find the best mortgage product that suits their needs, as in a regular “forward” mortgage/refinance.

Recently, a former client, now friend, contacted me to assist him with changing his monthly advance structure. Larry wanted to increase his monthly advance by $700 per month. So, I drove to his home and called his reverse mort-

Unlocking the Power of Home Equity

gage servicing company with him to speak with his lender’s customer service department. Lenders are very protective of their borrowers and because of this, I identified myself as his loan officer who originally assisted him with obtaining his reverse mortgage. The lender actually thanked me for assisting Larry and then proceeded to adjust the monthly amount sent to his account. After we finished with the call to the lender, we went to lunch. Larry works on miniature steam engine trains, like the ones at Balboa Park and in Poway. He builds them all himself, down to making the parts. When I met Larry, he just wanted to focus on what brought him joy, and that was focusing on creating his trains. What amazes me is that Larry makes each and every component of that train!

So my point in telling you about my week, is to let you know that I will find a way to help you. And I will exhaust all options. There are times when I’m not able to find a solution for you now. But that may not be forever. And I will always keep looking.

You know that there are many reverse mortgage programs available. The trick is to find the perfect one for your situation. You also know there are many different uses for a reverse mortgage and the reasons are just as varied. Give me a call with your questions, I’ll help you figure out what will help you the most.

On an entirely different note, I am a member of The Woman’s Club of Escondido. Have been for quite some time. Our Club is hosting it largest fundraiser on Saturday, May 9, 2026, 11:30 AM – 2:00 PM. It is our Annual Fashion Show with fashions provided this year by the American Cancer Society’s Discovery Shop of Rancho Bernardo. The tickets are $45 per person and includes lunch. It is a wonderful, fun event to attend! If you are interested in attending, please call me for tickets at 760-5189839. If you are a business and would like to donate items or gift certificates to our event, please call me at 760-518-9839. The Woman’s Club

of Escondido is a non-profit benefitting Escondido specifically. We have scholarships awarded annually to our local students. We also support other local charities. I hope to see you at this really wonderful event!

Laura Strickler Retirement Loan Specialist EquitySmart Home Loans NMLS #315848 760-518-9839

lauras@equitysmartloans.com www.laurastrickler.com

Here’s a photo of just one of Larry’s trains.

The Pastor says . . . unexpected reunions

Many families have reunions—a time to express yourselves with exclamations of how members change with age. These gatherings invite both compliments and amazement, with remembrances of past experiences shared and, sometimes, regret over missed opportunities.

Building on these feelings, in most cases, there is the familiar expression, ‘how fast time has passed’. This expression is usually accompanied by the promise that ‘we must get together more often’. However, good intentions seldom lead to action unless someone takes the lead to make arrangements, call everyone, and set the time, location, food, and entertainment. Without this effort, a reunion is unlikely. Years come and go, and age or death can take away the chance for another gathering.

Reunions extend beyond families, often fueled by past dynamics and emotional connections. For instance, military companies and ships often have reunions. I have been invited to join my shipboard units practically every year. Many of my shipmates want to get together and share old times. More dramatic are those reunions that have had tragic moments. I have also attended reunions of my college and graduate schools. These offer opportunities to reflect on the past and renew friendships and memories.

The most exciting reunions, at least for me, both personally and as I observe, often happen by accident: encountering someone I haven’t seen for a long time. I witnessed this in a restaurant recently. It was obvious that the couples hadn’t seen each other recently. There were exclamations of joy and greetings of physical affection with hugs and smiles. It was an unexpected reunion. Personally, the greatest reunions I have are with couples I performed weddings for years ago. These reunions have happened many times. The same is true for families for whom I officiated a funeral. With time, we lose touch and even forget. Then there is that magic moment of reunion, and the past becomes a now. It happens to me all the time on the street, in a restaurant, at funerals, and just about wherever I meet people. It is a wonderful time of remembrance, appreciation, and sharing once again. I call these ‘unexpected reunions’.

Perhaps such reunions are God’s gifts in our busy world. For just a moment, time stops, giving us a chance to share, care, and reflect on the past. More than that, these moments remind us that nothing and no one is ever truly lost; instead, our lives become a compilation of who we have been, what we have done, and where we have been. These reunions bring excitement and sometimes even offer the chance to revisit and discuss old issues.

Pastor Huls

Pet Parade

sunny boo boo

Sunny Boo Boo is a 3-year-old, 57-pound, female, Boxer mix. She was transferred to Rancho Coastal Humane Society through Friends of County Animal Shelters (FOCAS).

Sunny Boo Boo brings bouncy energy wherever she goes. She needs a home with comfort and a little bit of rowdiness. Get ready for zoomies.

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

For more information visit Rancho Coastal Humane Society in Encinitas, call 760-753-6413, or log on to www.SDpets.org. Open from 11 AM to 4 PM every day but Tuesday.

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 san diego 5480 Gaines Street

Pet of the Week

Penny

Penny is a calm, thoughtful and sensitive gal looking for a loving new home! She can be a bit shy initially and thrives in peaceful surroundings where routines are predictable and voices are kind. She may take a little time to warm up to new people, but patience and consistency go a long way with her. When she trusts you, Penny shows her love through quiet companionship, gentle tail wags and staying close by your side. Penny also loves play time outdoors with tennis balls and toys.

Visit San Diego Humane Society’s Escondido Campus at 3500 Burnet Drive to adopt Penny (974533) today! If you have questions about the adoption process, you can visit sdhumane.org/adopt or call 619-299-7012.

Online profile: https://sdhumane.org/adopt/available-pets/animalsingle/?petId=974533

Pastor Huls

The Computer factory

845 W. san marcos blvd. 760-744-4315 thecomputerfactory.net

Who are “us”? We are the last generations of Homo Sapiens to achieve adulthood prior to the 2001 Internet release of AI (artificial intelligence). We are the last Pre-AI generations. We are the last generations primarily reliant upon our own internal cognitive resources to understand and deal with the World around us. We (us) are 45 years and older and we are “the last of the Dodos”. We are the last human generations born and raised before the invention of AI. The last generation forced to rely on our internal resources for survival.

Since the first Homo Sapiens climbed out of the trees over 300,000 years ago, the eldest of

If we had to choose between feeding ourselves or feeding our pets, most of us say we would feed our pets first. That’s an easy answer to a hypothetical question. But what if we really did have to make that choice?

Pet owners will never have to make that decision thanks to the SDCCU Full Bowls Pet Food Drive which runs March 1st through the 31st each year. SDCCU, a not-for-profit organization, partners with nonprofit Rancho Coastal Humane Society to collect pet food. Nobody makes money from this.

SDCCU is collecting new, unopened and unexpired dog and cat

our species have always been revered as repositories of wisdom and lore. These elders, men and women, were responsible for supervising the transfer of their lifetime of acquired wisdom to the younger generations. For the greater part of human history, technological advancement was a long, slow process. Food gathering, home making and survival technologies changed little from generation to generation. The wisdom passed on from older generations was key to the survival and growth of our society. Abetted by the development of spoken and written language, this system worked well throughout the long history of H. Sapiens. Then, at the beginning of the 21st century, everything began to change.

By the close of the 20th century radio, television, internet, automation and World travel were part of us. Technological change no longer took generations to encircle the globe. It happened many times in a human lifetime. We elders were no longer useful as reliable repositories of up-to-date contemporary information. The information gained from years of working and living was obsolete by the time we reached seniority. The historic value of elders is to a large extent based on our possession of valuable practical knowledge. We no longer have it. Modern technology had eliminated our value as reposi-

tories of valuable technical and practical information.

Many older Americans (Pre-AI) strongly identify with the area in which they grew up. New England, Mid-Atlantic. Ole South, Texas, West Coast, Plains, Northwest and Mid-west each area created folks with identifiable speech patterns and personality quirks. These differences are slowly disappearing as the IW and AI become ever larger components in our early lives. Regional and national diversity is also becoming less of an identifying factor as the Internet and broadcast devices smear us together.

The IW has created a widening gulf between those 45 and older who grew to adulthood prior to the 2001 introduction of the IW and those under 30 years old who grew up under the ubiquitous influence of the IW. There are significant and interesting differences between these two groups. Today those of us over 45 are still running the show but the transition period is well under way. Stay tuned, it should get very interesting!

In the next series of four columns we will track this ongoing transition and watch as we pre-IW types continue to fade away.

food. Donate at any of the 35 SDCCU branch offices. Last year more than 3,500 pounds of food was donated. We’re hoping for more this year.

Why do we do this? We’ll never meet the people who made donations and they’ll never meet the pets or owners they helped. There’s an old saying, “Do good things for the right reasons.” The Full Bowls Pet Food Drive is a great thing for all the right reasons.

Your donations help to feed the animals waiting to be adopted at Rancho Coastal Humane Society. They’re also distributed through Brock’s Community Pet Food Bank, helping veterans, seniors, and families who struggle to feed their pets.

A television news anchor asked for an example of how the SDCCU Full Bowls Pet Food Drive helps pets and owners.

I told her about a veteran who came

to the Community Pet Food Bank with his 16-year-old dog. The dog looked healthy. The owner did not.

The dog wore a wire hanger for a collar and a piece of twine as a leash. We fitted the dog with a new collar and leash. We gave dog food to the owner, reminding him to come back for more in two weeks.

Now that his dog was taken care of, we asked, “What we could we

do for you?”.

I don’t recall it being hot that day, but he wiped a drop of “sweat” off his cheek then replied, “You took care of my dog. He’s all I have. That’s all I need.”

Need a reason to do good things for the right reason? Start by helping someone who really will feed their dog before they feed themself.

Vanish from page 8

more as they take more flights,” she says. “This could see those polluting the most paying for the impact they’re having on the environment, while still keeping it affordable for the majority to take their once-ayear trip.”

John William, a travel advisor at Easy Travel and Tour, says prices should reflect the accurate cost of delivering the service. Also, many people are willing to pay for a product that benefits the community.

“I think travelers are more ready to pay a reasonable price, provided they realize how it helps sustainable communities, fair treatment of labor, and conservation,” he says.

Of course, the solution ultimately rests with travelers.

“People should avoid taking short weekend breaks because of inexpensive flight prices,” says Thomas, the vacation rental expert. “Spend your money on fewer meaningful trips, which will benefit the local community.”

You get What You Pay for Grunnah’s cheap flight wasn’t his only brush with unsustainable pricing. He also paid $45 per night for a room in a hotel that should have cost $180 a night. The experience haunted him long after checkout.

“One individual was handling the front desk, checking in guests, answering the phone, and receiving maintenance calls, all simultaneously,” he recalls. “The housekeeping staff was cleaning rooms so fast that overall cleanliness was compromised, and the breakfast bar was out of food by 8 a.m. because management cut corners wherever possible. I felt bad paying so little because I could see the human cost of my low rate.”

That guilt represents a growing awareness among travelers that bargain prices extract value from places they claim to celebrate. Ultra-cheap travel doesn’t democratize experiences. It degrades them, turning destinations into theme parks and workers into props in someone else’s Instagram story.

Bottom line: Maybe we can’t afford these cheap prices.

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.

New County Affordable Housing Developments Open Waitlists for Low Income Households

By Cassie N. Saunders, County of San Diego Communications

Low income households will soon have new rental options. Waitlists for two newly developed affordable housing communities in Fallbrook and San Marcos will open this week.

Applicants can submit applications from March 9 at 7:30 a.m. through March 20 at 11:59 p.m. for the Mirasol Meadows and Villa Serena waitlists.

A lottery will determine placements, applying early does not increase the chance of being selected.

Mirasol Meadows, located at 528 E. Alvarado Street in Fallbrook, offers 47 one- and two-bedroom units for seniors ages 62 and older who meet income and program requirements.

Villa Serena, at 339 Marcos Street in San Marcos, includes two residential buildings with one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments. Ten units are supported by projectbased vouchers and will be filled through the newly opened waitlist.

Man About Town from page 4

throwing off a lot of protein in your urine.”

That probably means my kidneys are deteriorating and that is the source of the protein . . . which likely translates to a decrease in my kidney function and then . . . “letting nature take its course.”

So I don’t know how much more time I have . . ., six months? A year? Two years? Only time will tell.

I feel fine. Fairly strong, no pain, no major discomfort. I do get tired, very tired, easily. Dad passed at age 92, mom passed at 88, I’m at 87. We appear to be a long lived family . . . but the end of life is coming in the not too distant future.

Was it a shock to learn this? Not really. I had known I had kidney dysfunction for some time and have been monitoring the figure; I was also aware I was throwing off a lot of protein. Am I frightened? No.

I accept what is. I’ve had a fantas-

Applications may be submitted online, by phone, or in person. Selected applicants must meet federal eligibility requirements and will undergo property management screening before approval.

How to apply:

• Go to sdhcd.org and select “Rental Assistance” for step-by-step instructions.

• Call 858-694-4801

• Visit 3989 Ruffin Road, San Diego, CA 92123

Project based vouchers are tied to

tic, adventurous life . . . I’ve lived a life that many men just dream about. If it ends tomorrow . . .it’s been a wonderful ride. I’m just hoping, as all of us likely hope, that when the end comes it is quick and painless.

This morning, over coffee with Dick Huls, my retired pastor pal, I told him I occasionally had a craving for a glass of wine or a cold beer but even though I seldom drink I thought I’d swear off alcohol completely as it goes right through the kidneys. My kidneys don’t need any help in getting weaker. He said, “if that’s the case then why deny yourself the pleasure of an occasional glass of wine or glass of beer? Live the remainder of your life the way you want to live it.”

I suppose . . .but that’s not a really big issue. I just don’t drink that much. I don’t tolerate alcohol well. I get really sleepy and my mind is not as sharp as when I have not had a drink. I can live without it.

Then, finally, some more good news. This from my beautiful Jennifer . . . the world’s greatest Nurse Practitioner. My A1C is better than ever! 7.8 (I had been running into the high 9’s - not good). She was

the unit, not households. Each new County project-based development will have its own separate waitlist.

The County’s Housing and Community Development Services (HCDS) works to expand affordable housing opportunities by using County excess land, project-based vouchers, land acquisition, new construction, permanent supportive housing units and partnerships with cities and developers. Each year, HCDS helps more than 20,000 people access safe affordable housing and supports an additional 25,000 people through Housing Authority programs.

quite pleased as was I. That all means that I’ve managed to get my blood sugars under control - important since I am a type 2 diabetic.

We left the VA at exactly 3:33pm Thursday, and in spite of a raging thunderstorm and wind whipped rain, we made it home to Escondido at exactly 4:33pm . . . one hour! In a driving rain! Thanks to my brilliant chauffeur, Freidrich Gomez!

It was good to be back home and hug my Mary.

Life is still good. I intend to enjoy it for as long as I can.

MIGHTY MOJO

Churro gets out of Quarantine

The wait is finally over for one of San Diego Humane Society’s most resilient survivors. Today, a 10-month-old Maltese named Churro traded his quarantine status for a celebration six months in the making. After 180 days of isolation following a presumed coyote attack, Churro officially “graduated” to rabies-free status with a party marking his recovery.

Churro’s journey began as a medical emergency on September 6, 2025. The tiny puppy was rushed to San Diego Humane Society after being found in a backyard with a severed limb. At the Pilar & Chuck Bahde Center for Shelter Medicine, Churro underwent a lifesaving left forelimb amputation and treatment for severe neck wounds. Because he had not been previously vaccinated, the law required a sixmonth rabies quarantine.

Today’s celebration was a milestone not just for Churro, but for his foster mom, San Diego Humane Society Veterinary Manager Dr. Sylvia Nagy. “From the moment he came in for emergency surgery, to his final day of quarantine, he has shown us nothing but bravery,” said Nagy. “We’ve waited 180 days to say ‘you can now pet him. He’s officially rabies-free, healthy and more than ready to bring joy to a new family.”

Churro, who is navigating life as a “tripawd” quite well, proves that even the smallest survivors can have the biggest hearts.

See Churro’s adoption profile: https://sdhumane.org/adopt/available-pets/animalsingle/?petId=966735

Oodles from page 3

East Valley Parkway business association meeting 2nd Wednesday • 2pm

March 11th, June 10th, April 8th, July 8th, May 13th and August 12th. At Elote Restaurant, 1760 E. Valley Pkwy, Escondido. Visit www.evalley-parkway.com for more information.

***

sing for The Health of it

Try barbershop singing!

Singing in a chorus has many physical and cognitive benefits:

• You pay attention to your posture to improve your breathing.

• You strengthen muscles used in breathing, allowing you to breathe more deeply so you can support and sustain notes.

• You actively listen so that you match others in your voice part and are in harmony with other parts.

• Singing releases endorphins which make you feel good too.

• In an acappella chorus, which has no accompaniment, you memorize the notes. (In a barbershop a cappella chorus, you also memorize lyrics).

The Music Men Chorus (Palomar Pacific Chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society) is a men’s acappella choir that performs 4-part, close-harmony songs arranged in the “Barbershop” Style, known for its ringing chords. We sing a variety of song genres (romantic ballads, movie and show tunes, Great American Songbook selec-

tions, patriotic songs, inspirational numbers, and Christmas holiday favorites), performing at both public and private venues in North County.

Our members believe that singing in our chorus keeps them healthier, both physically and mentally. We have 3 members in their 90’s who regularly attend rehearsal.

If you are a male, high school age or older, who loves to sing and is interested in joining a chorus, we invite you to attend one of our Tuesday evening rehearsals, learn more about us, and see how singing can enhance your life. Previous musical experience is helpful but not a requirement. We meet at 7 pm at San Marcos Lutheran Church, 3419 Grand Avenue, in the Luther Hall. For more information, contact Bill at (760) 5856315 or visit our website, www. musicmenchorus.org. ***

Chess at Park avenue Community Center

Home of Escondido senior Center 210 Park avenue, Escondido 760-839-4688

Adults of all skill levels are welcome. Drop in anytime Wednesday OR Friday noon-3pm to play or watch in the shuffleboard building. Follow the signs or ask at the front desk for directions. Friendly games with large boards and pieces provided. No fees or reservations.

LEGALS

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

Civic Center Reresh – One Civic center Dr., San Marcos, CA 92069

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 schematic design and construction documents. The work will occur at One Civic center Dr., San Marcos, CA 92069. Contractors must meet or exceed the specifications and requirements stated in the Request for Proposal (RFP).

CONTRACT TERM

The Consultant shall diligently and continuously prosecute the work to completion, which shall be no later than June 30th, 2026.

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF PROPOSAL: All proposals must be received by the project construction manager via email no later than 3:00 p.m. on Friday, March 26th, 2026. 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: mpolitte@idsrealestate.com

SUBMISSION OF PROPOSAL: A complete RFP package is available for download electronically from:

https://spaces.hightail.com/ space/xqsmOteJGd

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.

3/12/26

fiCTiTious b usi NE ss NamE sTaTEmENT 2026-9005090

The name of the businesss: Pet Lovers Real Estate, Pet Lovers Realtor, located at 410 Vista Village Dr., Vista, CA 92083. Registrant, Pet Lovers Real Estate Corp, 29627 Pamoosa Lane, Valley Center, CA 92082. This businesss is operated by a Corporation.

First day of business N/A /s/ Omar Jesus Gonzalez with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/Recorder of San Diego on 3/5/2026

3/12, 3/19, 3/26, 4/2/2026

fiCTiTious b usi NE ss NamE sTaTEmENT 2026-9004184

The name of the businesss: Elite Emvironmental Consulting Of I.E., located at 202 Avenida Chapala, Lake San Marcos, CA 92069. Registrant, Environmental Consulting, 202 Avenida Chapala, San Marcos, CA 92069. This businesss is operated by a Limited Liability Company.

First day of business 11/24/2025

/s/ Robert William Davignon, CEO with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/Recorder of San Diego on 2/23/2026 3/12, 3/19, 3/26, 4/2/2026

fiCTiTious b usi NE ss NamE sTaTEmENT 2025-9017574

The name of the businesss: Julie Skin Reset, located at 390 Oak Ave., Carlsbad, CA 92008. Registrant, Julie Bacue Cortinas, 390 Oak Ave., Carlsbad, CA 92008. This businesss is operated by an Individual.

First day of business N/A /s/ Julie Bacue Cortinas with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/Recorder of San Diego on 9/11/2025 9/18, 9/25, 10/2, 10/9/2025

fiCTiTious b usi NE ss NamE sTaTEmENT 2026-9005184

The name of the businesss: Pizzabar, Pizzabar San Marcos, located at 342 S. Twin Oaks Valley Rd., #143, San Marcos, CA 92078. Registrant, AKBC Restaurants Inc., 342 S. Twin Oaks Valley Rd., #143, San Marcos, CA 92078. This businesss is operated by a Corporation.

First day of business 2/25/2026

/s/ Brannon William Ciora, President with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/Recorder of San Diego on 3/5/2026

3/12, 3/19, 3/26, 4/2/2026

fiCTiTious b usi NE ss NamE

sTaTEmENT 2026-9002736

The name of the businesss: Pelican Restoration, Pelican Water Restoration of North County San Diego, Pelican Labs, located at 1804 Sugarbush Drive, Vista, CA 92084. Registrant, Pelican Operations, LLC, 1804 Sugarbush Drive, Vista, CA 92084. This businesss is operated by a Limited Liability Company.

First day of business 1/26/2026

/s/ Jared Sutton, CEO/Owner with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/Recorder of San Diego on 2/5/2026

2/12, 2/19, 2/26, 3/5/2026

fiCTiTious b usi NE ss NamE

sTaTEmENT 2026-9002168

The name of the businesss: Eat your Feelings, located at 8141 Fairview Ave., La Mesa, CA 91941. Registrant, ABBC LLC, 8141 Fairview Ave., La Mesa, CA 91941. This businesss is operated by a Limited Liability Company.

First day of business 1/28/2026 /s/ Andrew K. Bent, Member with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/Recorder of San Diego on 1/29/2026

2/12, 2/19, 2/26, 3/5/2026

fiCTiTious b usi NE ss NamE

sTaTEmENT 2026-9001095

The name of the businesss: Y.A.

Landscaping, located at 3772 San Ramon Dr., Apt #99, Oceanside, CA 92057. Registrant, Yarabit Ochoa, PO Box 1226, San Marcos, CA 92079. This businesss is operated by an Individual.

First day of business 1/16/2026 /s/ Yarabit Ochoa with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/ Recorder of San Diego on 1/16/2026

2/12, 2/19, 2/26, 3/5/2026

fiCTiTious b usi NE ss NamE

sTaTEmENT 2026-9002205

The name of the businesss: Animal Attraction, located at 6188 Regents Rd., San Diego, CA 92122. Registrant, Groomer Collective LLC, 1902 Wright Pl., #200, Carlsbad, 92008. This businesss is operated by a Limited Liability Company.

First day of business N/A /s/ angelo Amaro, President with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/Recorder of San Diego on 1/29/2026

2/12, 2/19, 2/26, 3/5/2026

sTaTEmENT of abaNdoNmENT of usE of fiCTiTious busiNEss NamE: 2026-9002204

Animal Attraction, located at 6108 Regents Rd., San Diego, CA 92122. The Fictitious Business Name referred to above was filed in San Diego County on 11/3/2021 and assigned file no. 2021-9024660.

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME IS BEING ABANDONED BY: Nancy Lorraine Jones, 6108 Regents Rd., San Diego, CA 92122. 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/Nancy Jones

This statement was filed with the San Diego Recorder/County clerk on 1/29/2026. 2/12, 2/19, 2/26, 3/5/2026

fiCTiTious b usi NE ss NamE sTaTEmENT 2026-9000875

The name of the businesss: ProSource Restoration, Inc., located at 315 S. Coast Hwy 101 #U262, Encinitas, CA 92024. Registrant, Pro-Source Restoration, Inc., 315 S. Coast Hwy 101 #U262, Encinitas, CA 92024. This businesss is operated by a Corporation.

First day of business 5/10/2021

/s/ Glenn Wells, President with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/Recorder of San Diego on 1/14/2026

2/19, 2/26, 3/5, 3/12/2026

fiCTiTious b usi NE ss NamE

sTaTEmENT 2026-9002636

The name of the businesss: Quickdraw Window Washing, located at 1116 Sea Glass Way, Oceanside, CA 92054. Registrant, Richard Grant McRoberts, 1116 Sea Glass Way, Oceanside, CA 92054. This businesss is operated by an Individual.

First day of business N/A /s/ richard Grant McRoberts with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/Recorder of San Diego on 2/4/2026 2/19, 2/26, 3/5, 3/12/2026

fiCTiTious b usi NE ss NamE

sTaTEmENT 2026-9002945

The name of the businesss: Titti Beach And Fit, located at 2748 Adrian Street, San Diego, CA 92110. Registrant, Margarida Mendes Simao Pinto, 2748 Adrian Street, San Diego, CA 92110. This businesss is operated by an Individual.

First day of business 2/9/2026 /s/ Margarida Mendes Simao Pinto with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/Recorder of San Diego on 2/9/2026 2/19, 2/26, 3/5, 3/12/2026

fiCTiTious b usi NE ss NamE

sTaTEmENT 2026-9003044

The name of the businesss: Pulsestrat Leadership, located at 3208 Toopal Drive, Oceanside, CA 92058. Registrant, Pulsepoint Leadership LLC, 3208 toopal Drive, Oceanside, CA 92058. This businesss is operated by a Limited Liability Company.

First day of business 2/7/2026

/s/ Michelle Tressler, CEO with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/Recorder of San Diego on 2/10/2026

2/19, 2/26, 3/5, 3/12/2026

fiCTiTious b usi NE ss NamE

sTaTEmENT 2026-9002720

The name of the businesss: Mixelada King, located at 2404 Grove View Rd., San Diego, CA 92139. Registrant, Adrian Maldo ado, 2356 Reo Dr., #390303, San Diego, CA 92139. This businesss is operated by an Individual. First day of business 4/4/2025 /s/ Adrian Maldonado with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/Recorder of San Diego on 2/5/2026 2/19, 2/26, 3/5, 3/12/2026

fiCTiTious b usi NE ss NamE

sTaTEmENT 2026-9003127

The name of the businesss: Futurescape Consultants, located at 1055 Armorlite Dr., Apt 323, San Marcos, CA 92069. Registrant, Shreya Ketul Chokshi, 1055 Armorlite Dr., Apt 323, San Marcos, CA 92069. This businesss is operated by an Individual. First day of business 1/26/2026 /s/ Shreya Ketul Chokshi with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/Recorder of San Diego on 2/10/2026

3/5, 3/12, 3/19, 3/26/2026

fiCTiTious b usi NE ss NamE

sTaTEmENT 2026-9003950

The name of the businesss: The UPS Store, located at 2963 Alpine Blvd, Ste 104, Alpine, CA

LEGALS

91901. Registrant, PQ Del Sur LLC, 2963 Alpine Blvd., #104, Alpine, CA 91901. This businesss is operated by a Limited Liability Company.

First day of business N/A /s/ Bhavikkumar Patel, Managing Member with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/Recorder of San Diego on 2/20/2026

3/5, 3/12, 3/19, 3/26/2026

fiCTiTious b usi NE ss NamE

sTaTEmENT 2026-9002713

The name of the businesss: Alaia’s Garden, located at 2426 Cherimoya Dr., Vista, CA 92084. Registrant, Azucena Avalos, 2426 Cherimoya Dr., Vista, CA 92084. This businesss is operated by an Individual. First day of business N/A

/s/ Azucena Avalos with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/Recorder of San Diego on 2/5/2026 3/5, 3/12, 3/19, 3/26/2026

fiCTiTious b usi NE ss NamE

sTaTEmENT 2026-9002507

The name of the businesss: Cobian Landscaping Co, located at 770 Sycamore Ave., Suite 122-481, Vista, CA 92083. Registrant, Jose Luis Cobian, 770 Sycamore Ave., Suite 122-481, Vista, CA 92083. This businesss is operated by an Individual.

First day of business 1/1/2021

/s/ Jose Luis Cobian with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/Recorder of San Diego on 2/3/2026 3/5, 3/12, 3/19, 3/26/2026

fiCTiTious b usi NE ss NamE

sTaTEmENT 2026-9003330

The name of the businesss: Elegancia Events, located at 180 Palmyra Dr., Vista, CA 92084. Registrant, Elizabeth Padilla, 180 Palmyra Dr., Vista, CA 92084. This businesss is operated by an Individual.

First day of business N/A /s/ Elizabeth Padilla with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/ Recorder of San Diego on 2/13/2026

3/5, 3/12, 3/19, 3/26/2026

fiCTiTious b usi NE ss NamE

sTaTEmENT 2026-9003401

The name of the businesss: UBuildIt San Diego, located at 209 North Ditmar St., Oceanside, CA 92054. Registrant, MMDAG Consulting LLC, 979 Woodland Pkwy, Ste 101 #2026, San Marcos, CA 92069. This businesss is operated by a Limited Liability Company.

First day of business 5/16/2022 /s/ Milan M. Djokich, Member with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/Recorder of San Diego on 2/17/2026 3/5, 3/12, 3/19, 3/26/2026

fiCTiTious b usi NE ss NamE

sTaTEmENT 2026-9003681

The name of the businesss: Lyra Beauty Spa, located at 7140 Lantana Dr., Carlsbad, CA 92011. Registrant, Lyrna Gaspar Chase, 7140 Lantana Ter., Carlsbad, CA 92011. This businesss is operated by an Individual.

First day of business N/A /s/ Lyrna G. Chase with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/ Recorder of San Diego on 2/18/2026 3/5, 3/12, 3/19, 3/26/2026

fiCTiTious b usi NE ss NamE

sTaTEmENT 2026-9003733

The name of the businesss: Finding Joy Therapy, located at 326 Encinitas Blvd., Encinitas 92024. Registrant, Finding Joy Licensed Clinical Social Worker Corporation, 145 Rosebay Dr., Encinitas, CA 92024. This businesss is operated by a Corporation.

First day of business N/A /s/ Kylie Przymus, President

with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/Recorder of San Diego on 2/19/2026 3/5, 3/12, 3/19, 3/26/2026

NoTiCE of PETiTioN To admiNisTEr EsTaTE of Truman Elliott gray Case No. 26PE000490C 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 Truman Gray, Truman Elliott Gray, Truman E. Gray, Buzz Gray deceased. A Petition for Probate has been filed by Thomas Gray 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 Thomas Gray 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: 4/1/2026

Time: 1:30 pm

Dept: 502

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. Attorney for Petitioner: J. Mark McNeill, Esq. Law Offices of J. Mark McNeill

10801 Thornmint Road, Ste 270 San Diego, CA 92127

858-613-2970

3/5, 3/12, 3/19, 3/26/2026

fiCTiTious b usi NE ss NamE

sTaTEmENT 2026-9004097

The name of the businesss: MJJB Environmental Construction, located at 2810 Via Orange Way Ste E, Spring Valley, CA 91978. Registrant, MJJB Environmental Inc., 2810 Via Orange Way Ste E, Spring Valley, CA 91978. This businesss is operated by a Corporation.

First day of business 6/15/2022

/s/ Joshua Katz, Treasurer with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/Recorder of San Diego on 2/23/2026

3/5, 3/12, 3/19, 3/26/2026

fiCTiTious b usi NE ss NamE

sTaTEmENT 2026-9003749

The name of the businesss: Evans Woodworking Incorporated, Evans Woodworking Inc., located at 2420 Grand Ave., D1, Vista, CA 92081. Registrant, Evans Woodworking Incorporated. 2420 Grand Ave., Ste D1, Vista, CA 92081. This businesss is operated by a Corporation.

First day of business 3/10/2005 /s/ Nathan Holland, President with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/Recorder of San Diego on 2/19/2026 3/5, 3/12, 3/19, 3/26/2026

fiCTiTious b usi NE ss NamE sTaTEmENT 2026-9000969

The name of the businesss: Pasha Cab, located at 9820 Mira Lee Way, San Diego, CA 92126. Registrant, Hamid Sadraei, 9820 Mira Lee Way, San Diego, CA 92126. This businesss is operated by an Individual.

First day of business N/A /s/ Hamid Sadraei with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/ Recorder of San Diego on 1/15/2026 2/19, 2/26, 3/5, 3/12/2026

fiCTiTious b usi NE ss NamE sTaTEmENT 2026-9001208

The name of the businesss: V & M Auto Registration, located at 3815 Mission Ave., Suite 103, Oceanside, CA 92058. Registrant, Myrna Guadalupe Aramburo De Gutierrez, 3815 Mission Ave., Suite 103, Oceanside, CA 92058. This businesss is operated by an Individual. First day of business 8/6/2024 /s/ Myrna Guadalupe Aramburo De Gutierrez with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/ Recorder of San Diego on 1/20/2026

2/19, 2/26, 3/5, 3/12/2026

fiCTiTious b usi NE ss NamE

sTaTEmENT 2026-9004298

The name of the businesss: Chick-Fil-A San Marcos, ChickFil-A Escondido, located at 587 Grand Ave., San Marcos, CA 92078. Registrant, The Brave LLC, 587 Grand Ave., San Marcos, CA 92078. This businesss is operated by a Limited Liability Company.

First day of business 2/12/2026 /s/ Jordan Ciervo, President with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/Recorder of San Diego on 2/24/2026

3/12, 3/19, 3/26, 4/2/2026

fiCTiTious b usi NE ss NamE

sTaTEmENT 2026-9003406

The name of the businesss: Cali Crooner Entertainment, located at 4083 Hidden Hollow Dr., Wildomar, CA 92595. Registrant, Drum Brigade LLC, 33361 Hidden Hollow Dr., Wildomar, CA 92595. This businesss is operated by a Limited Liability Company.

First day of business N/A /s/ Korey Tyan Horn, CEO with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/Recorder of San Diego on 2/17/2026

3/12, 3/19, 3/26, 4/2/2026

fiCTiTious b usi NE ss

NamE

sTaTEmENT 2026-9004255

The name of the businesss: Daniel’s Produce, located at 135 N. Pacific St., Ste B, San Marcos, CA 92069. Registrant, JB Freshsource Distribution Inc., PO Box 2797, Vista, CA 92085. This businesss is operated by a Corporation.

First day of business 2/12/2026 /s/ Jordan Ciervo, President with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/Recorder of San Diego on 2/24/2026

3/12, 3/19, 3/26, 4/2/2026

fiCTiTious b usi NE ss NamE

sTaTEmENT 2026-9004555

The name of the businesss: Light of Light Lutheran Church, located at 2010 W. San Marcos Blvd., Unit 67, San Marcos, CA 92078. Registrant, William Carl Mack, 2010 W. San Marcos Blvd., Unit 67, San Marcos, CA 92078. This businesss is operated by an Individual.

First day of business 2/1/2026 /s/ William Carl Mack, Pastor with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/Recorder of San Diego on 2/26/2026 3/12, 3/19, 3/26, 4/2/2026

fiCTiTious b usi NE ss NamE

sTaTEmENT 2026-9004478

The name of the businesss: Daniel’s Produce, located at 135 N. Pacific St., Ste B, San Marcos, CA 92069. Registrant, JB Freshsource Distribution Inc., PO Box 2797, Vista, CA 92085. This businesss is operated by a Corporation.

First day of business 2/12/2026 /s/ Jordan Ciervo, President with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/Recorder of San Diego on 2/24/2026 3/12, 3/19, 3/26, 4/2/2026

fiCTiTious b usi NE ss NamE

sTaTEmENT 2026-9004476

The name of the businesss: Villa’s Auto Repair, located at 474 West Mission Rd., 353, San Marcos, CA 92069. Registrant, Pablo Villagomez, 474 West Mission Rd., 353, San Marcos, CA 92069. This businesss is operated by an Individual. First day of business 2/25/2026 /s/ Pablo Villagomez with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/ Recorder of San Diego on 2/25/2026

3/12, 3/19, 3/26, 4/2/2026

fiCTiTious b usi NE ss NamE

sTaTEmENT 2026-9004940

The name of the businesss: J-KA Custom Tile, located at 573 Carrie Cir, San Marcos, CA 92069. Registrant, Juanka Gonzalez, 573 Carrie Cir, San Marcos, CA 92069. This businesss is operated by an Individual. First day of business 1/15/2019 /s/ Juanka Gonzalez with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/Recorder of San Diego on 3/4/2026

3/12, 3/19, 3/26, 4/2/2026

fiCTiTious b usi NE ss NamE

sTaTEmENT 2026-9003515

The name of the businesss: MEM Autosales LLC, located at 524 W. Calle Primera, Suite 1005-H, San Ysidro, CA 92173. Registrant, MEM Auto Sales LLC, 524 W. Calle Primera, Suite 1005-H, San Ysidro, CA 92173. This businesss is operated by a Limited Liability Company. First day of business N/A /s/ Sergio Martinez Flores, President with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/Recorder of San Diego on 2/17/2026

3/12, 3/19, 3/26, 4/2/2026