September 11, 2025

Adventures in Show Business!

By Dawna Kaufmann

Somewhere in the late 80’s I was brought in at the last moment to produce a television epic. It was a phenomenal variety show, sponsored by a major hair and beauty products line, with awards for hair and make-up excellence in movies and TV. The location was the Pasadena Civic Auditorium and, on show night, each of the 3,000 seats was filled with showbiz glitterati wearing Oscars-worthy garb.

Debbie Reynolds was the host, there was a full orchestra, with dancers, singers, puppets, film/TV clips, and a constellation of stars doing walk-ons and making presentations. There was a storyline that featured Debbie doing many characters in different costumes and looks---and she nailed every accent as required.

Her routine was borrowed from her nightclub act and consisted of impersonations of Vivian Leigh, Anna Magnani, Brigitte Bardot, and Zsa

Zsa Gabor, with Miss Hungary 1936 (Gabor) coming onstage to tease Miss Burbank 1948 (Reynolds). Debbie’s skill and effervescence were nothing short of breath-taking. The storyline had Debbie inspiring a talented young child actress, whose name I have forgotten. They did a sketch and some songs together, with the girl woven throughout the show, including its planned ending.

The staff and crew were the ones who usually did the hair and beauty

company’s international industrials, or promotional productions, but in the few days of rehearsal leading up to the big night, the bosses decided they had something so enormous, it should be treated as a real TV extravaganza and sold to a network. That’s when I got the call to take over. I brought in my own director and crew and we had two days to get things up and running. Immediately I was struck by the magnificence of the set---but when I pointed out to the bosses that no network would

Bette Davis

Show Business from page 1

like to see a corporate logo in every shot, they told me not to worry about it. When I mentioned that all the film/TV clips would require clearance and payment, they told me not to worry about that either. I was paid a lot, in advance, so I shrugged and got to work.

Some of the best parts I kept intact: Diahann Carroll, then starring in Dynasty, sang two songs, including “Pure Imagination” where composer Anthony Newley joined her on his Oscar-nominated hit.

Bette Davis did a sketch where she reunited with Paul Henreid for the infamous cigarette lighting scene from their movie Now, Voyager, which I hadn’t seen before and still haven’t. In the movie, and on our stage, the still-handsome Austrian lit two cigarettes, then handed one to Davis. I didn’t know who he was and hadn’t really seen a lot of Bette’s films either but understood that she was a very major star. I also recognized that everyone on the show was intimidated by her. When she wasn’t onstage, she sat in the wings, glowering and watching everything like a hawk. Having Paul there kept her calm, but he left after shooting their bit.

Key to the storyline was a performance from ventriloquist Wayland Flowers and his saucy puppet Madame. The two would do their patter, then Debbie would join them and morph into Madame. Debbie and her doppelganger had matching costumes, and Debbie wore a giant Madame puppet head. And

that’s what led to the problems...

The usual production changes and hot lights caused the puppet head to melt onto Debbie’s face, and it had to be cut off and destroyed. Debbie was in a lot of pain and her face swelled up to the size of a Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade balloon. We wanted to rush her to the hospital but, trouper that she was, she insisted ice packs would suffice. Meanwhile, cast members and celebs from the audience---including Phyllis Diller, Buddy Hackett, and

To all the people who said I’d never amount to anything because of my procrastination . . . just you wait!

Not to brag but I can forget what I’m doing while I’m doing it. ***

I’m confused. How come 23 is twenty-three, is 33 is thirty-three. Why isn’t 11 oney-one?

Ruta Lee---jumped onstage to vamp. The delays lost some of the crowd, but most people stayed just to see what the hell was going to happen. I shared that thought with them.

This was when the crew chief apprised me that union rules would kick into double time within the hour.

The girl’s mandated on-site teacher told me that there was just a short time to work before the youngster would have to leave. When I re-

If your husband throws his clothes on the floor he doesn’t want them. Toss ‘em.

Follow me for marriage tips.

There are three kinds of men The kind that read. The kind that observe. And the kind that have to pee on the electric fence themselves. ~ Will Rogers

ported that to the bosses, I was told to “pull the plug.” I had 20 minutes to rewrite the program so that it could somehow, sorta-kinda, make sense and still fulfill their hopes of landing a network TV slot.

I walked over to Bette Davis and told her I needed her help. This was many pounds ago when I was slim and I was wearing a super-

I’d get more sleep if I could figure out where hamsters live other than the pet store because I have never seen one out in the wild.

I’m aging like a fine banana.

I never make the same mistake twice. I make it five or six times just to make sure.

Can’t believe we don’t have world peace after we changed the names on those pancake mixes and syrup bottles. ***

I can’t afford a DNA test so I started a rumor that I won the lottery. Found all my relatives in record time!

The fact that someone looked straight at a purple onion and called it a red onion bothers me.

If you watch the move “Jaws” backwards it becomes a heartwarming story about a shark that swims around and gives arms and legs to disabled people.

My wife gave me an envelope marked “Not to be opened till December, 2026.”

Chuckle This week, a compendium of wit, wisdom and neat stuff you can tell at parties. Enjoy! Show Business continued on page 3

Inside was a list of reasons I can’t be trusted to follow simple instructions. ***

Not all angels are in heaven. Look at me, for example. I’m at work.

continued on page 6

I swear every cart at Walmart needs a front end alignment and a tire rotation.

tight mini-dress in gold lame. She looked at me, considered my outrageous plea, and agreed because she said I looked like an Oscar. In fact, she told me that she was the person who gave the gold statuette its name, having named it after her first husband.

I later learned that, according to written accounts, Bette Davis claimed that in 1936, she gave the Academy Awards statue its name of “Oscar” because its backside resembled that of her first of four husbands, a man whose name was Harmon Oscar Nelson. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the governing body for the awards, had a separate account for its 13-1/2 inches tall golden boy’s name. It cited a 1934 column by legendary showbiz syndicated columnist, Sidney Skolsky, who used the term Oscar for the statuette, the first time the moniker was used in print. When the authors of a 1982 book about Davis confronted her with the evidence that the award had been named two years before Bette made her claim, she conceded, stating, “I relinquish once and for all any claim that I was the one---so, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the honor is all yours.” Yet, when she personally told me the story about being inspired by her ex-husband’s butt, she stuck to her original tale. Or should I say “tail”? I’ve no idea why Skolsky chose that name, or

whose rear end might have inspired him.

Ms. Davis had some experience with the topic of Academy Awards. In her long career: She was a writein nomination for Best Actress in a Leading Role for 1935’s Of Human Bondage; won for Best Actress in a Leading Role for 1936’s Dangerous; won Best Actress in a Leading Role for 1939’s Jezebel (in 2001, director Steven Spielberg purchased Davis’s Oscar statuettes for Dangerous and Jezebel at auctions, paying $207,500 and $578,000, respectively, and ceded their ownership to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, which denies private possession of the awards to anyone but the winners); was nominated for Best Actress in a Leading Role for 1940’s Dark Victory; nominated for Best Actress in a Leading Role for 1941’s The Letter; nominated for Best Actress in a Leading Role for 1942’s The Little Foxes; nominated for Best Actress in a Leading Role for 1943’s Now, Voyager; nominated for Best Actress in a Leading Role for 1945’s Mr. Skeffington; nominated for Best Actress in a Leading Role for 1951’s All About Eve (that same year she won Best Actress from the Cannes Film Festival for that film, as well as winning Best Actress from the New York Film Critics Circle Awards); nominated for Best Actress in a Leading Role for 1953’s The Star; and nominated for Best Actress in a Leading Role for 1963’s What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? In 1977, she won a welldeserved Life Achievement Award from the American Film Institute.

But back to the live Show From Hell: Sitting with Bette in her dressing room, I talked out my idea that would wrap up all the loose ends, and she went on to perform it like a champ. Debbie was in no condition to appear on camera, so she did her

Oodles!

Looking for things to do? Places to go?

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

Have an event you need publicized?

Email it to: Lisa.ThePaper@gmail.com

The Paper goes to print on Tuesday morning.

You ar E mor E L ik ELY T o g ET P ub L is HE d if Y ou:

• Submit your press release by the previous Friday.

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

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

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

The good LifE miraCosta College oceanside Campus

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

sep 12 1:00 MCC Theater Play“The Play That Goes Wrong” Eric Bishop & Students. Welcome to the opening night of “The Murder at Haversham Manor” where things go from bad to utterly disastrous. The leading lady is unconscious, the set is falling apart, and the corpse can’t play “dead”. It is a riotous explosion of comedy, reminiscent of Monty Python and Sherlock Holmes.

sep 12 2:30 Dramaturgy Cindy McClure. We will learn the history, definition and description of what dramaturgy entails and the processes and examples of some of the plays and musicals Ms. McClure has dramaturged over the past 3-4 years.

sep 19 1:00 Reporting on the Burrowing Owls of Imperial County Kori Suzuki, Staff Reporter, San Diego’s NPR and PBS Stations. The Imperial Valley has become an unlikely refuge for California’s burrowing owls, which are vanishing across the rest of the state. Now, state wildlife authorities are weighing declaring the tiny birds an endangered species.

sep 19 2:30 The Floral Industry Mike Mellano. Mike Mellano will talk about 100 years of his family’s history, dedication, and innovation in the flower industry in Southern California. He will also talk about the current cut flower industry and how it is evolving.

sep 26 1:00 Little Italy Dr. Tom Cesarini. Join us for a lively exploration of San Diego’s Little Italy, a lively immigrant enclave that flourished along the waterfront in the early 1900s. We will hear the origins, traditions and evolution

into the chic urban neighborhood it is today.

sep 26 2:30 Emergency Preparedness at MCC Val Warner-Saadat, MCC Police Chief. Review of training protocols and exercises conducted by the MCC Police Department to better serve those attending each campus within our District.

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

***

Elks Lodge rummage sale & silent auction September 20th • 8am-3pm

Mark your calendar for Saturday, September 20th, 8:00 am to 3:00 pm at 2430 S Escondido Blvd, Escondido, CA 92025. Whether you want to sell your stuff, volunteer your time, donate to the silent auction, or simply shop and enjoy delicious food and drinks, there’s something for everyone! Proceeds support the Elks lodge and local community programs.

To reserve your vendor spot or ask questions, contact Shelly Dew: scdsandiego@hotmail.com | 760807-1195 ***

Fall Prevention Awareness September 22nd - 26th

September 22-26 is Falls Prevention Awareness Week, a nationwide observance to raise awareness on preventing falls, reducing fall risk, and helping older adults live without fear of falling. This year, the San Diego Fall Prevention Task Force and its partners are

Show Business from page 3

lines as a voice-over. There was a big song for the finale, and the world’s weirdest production drew to a close, with loving applause from what was left of the audience and all of the crew. We didn’t go into overtime, and the little girl got to belt out her last tune.

The next morning, I showed up at a post-production facility and began editing, only to have the bosses arrive, confiscate the multi-camera video masters, and thank me for my time. I don’t think the program was ever completed, and if it was pitched to networks, I’d be surprised. It became a huge tax writeoff, I suppose.

I don’t have a copy of the show and have never seen photos from it (although people were snapping pix), and it doesn’t appear in any listing I’ve seen on the Internet Movie Data Base, which tracks movie and television credits for entertainment denizens, including on my own page. The beauty company that paid for it is still going strong but does not mention it on their website.

I saw Debbie Reynolds a few times after that, and we laughed our butts off about the crazy night. I’m glad she took it well and didn’t have any long-lasting scars on her face. When I mentioned Bette’s story about naming Oscar, she roared and said the Grand Dame lied about that all the time, and the Academy never bothered to correct her. Debbie and I also cheered at our wisdom for making the hair-and-make-up company pay us in advance. As for the show, she had done her best and was truly spectacular. Or

Man About Town

VisioNs by lyle e davis

maybe the better word should be--like her 1964 musical-comedy film about Margaret “Molly” Brown, the real-life socialite who survived the 1912 RMS Titanic disaster--”Unsinkable.”

Bette Davis died in France from long-festering breast cancer on October 6, 1989, at the age of 81. I think of her often when I drive by one of her former residences in the Los Angeles area near me. and especially when I stroll by one of

willing to contribute $6 million to make it happen.

Arie envisioned a Promenade for downtown . . . a Promenade that would rival Seattle’s Pike Place Market as a tourist attraction. Arie saw Grand Avenue covered . . . a roof that would extend from Centre City Parkway up to Juniper Avenue . . .a roof that would let the sunlight and fresh air in but keep the rain out - perhaps a retractable roof?

Arie, former Escondido Councilmember and Mayor, Jerry Harmon and I, discussed this idea at length and brought it to Escondido City Manager, Sean McGlynn. He, too, embraced the idea and alerted city staff to study the proposal and get back with recommendations. All was go . . . and the wheels began to move.

And then, sadly, a very aggressive

the two stars she was awarded on the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce’s Walk of Fame sidewalk displays---one for her movie work, and the other for her TV appearances. Her estate established The Bette Davis Foundation, which awards college scholarships to aspiring actors and actresses. Ms. Davis earned no awards for the odd television show I produced, but she left a permanent impact on my heart, and the memory of our encounter still makes me smile.

cancer hit Arie and he passed away all too soon.

Without Arie the project could not go forward . . . not just because of the $6 milllion he was willing to contribute but because Arie was the driving force . . . the guy that would not only make it happen but would ensure it was built properly and maintained. That’s how Arie did things . . . always first class.

I know the surviving De Jong family members care deeply about Escondido and North County but there is no more Arie to guide the major project.

Dick Huls, my retired pastor pal, and I often talk about Arie. We both miss him greatly. Dick is also of Dutch descent as was Arie and the De Jong family. We have coffee almost every Saturday and often recall Arie de Jong . . . something of a maverick, but a good,

Dawna Kaufmann spent decades as a TV producer in all forms of comedy-variety programming. She also was a staff writer on Saturday Night Live, MADtv, the Arsenio Hall Show, among others, and furnished jokes for comics from Jay Leno and David Letterman, to Elvira, Mistress of the Dark; Joan

Show Business continued on page 6

caring man who got things done. Great things.

We need more men of vision, like Arie DeJong, to make this a better world.

Time was when I could pretty much cover my side of a tennis court; I’d get to most every ball, return, start or continue a rally, hit a winner, or hit it into the net . . . but I got to the ball. My partner(s) and opponents were amazed at how I was able to return most any ball. A human vaccum cleaner they’d call me. No more.

Due to an arthritic shoulder I can no longer serve or hit overheads .

Man About Town continued

Arie de Jong had a vision for downtown Escondido . . . . and he was

Escondido’s grape day festival: Where History meets Celebration

On Saturday, September 13, 2025, Escondido will once again come alive as the Grape Day Festival returns to its historic home in Grape Day Park. Running from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., this free community celebration blends music, food, history, and fun—bringing together neighbors, families, and visitors in a tradition that stretches back more than a century.

roots in resilience

The Grape Day Festival dates back to 1905, when residents celebrated their newfound freedom by symbolically burning the bonds that had financed the vital Bear Valley Dam (now Lake Wohlford). That dam secured a reliable water supply, transforming Escondido from a struggling farming settlement into a prosperous agricultural hub. In the years to come “Bond Burning Day” continued to be celebrated by the city, and was a growing attraction throughout the community.

A few years later, then-Mayor Sigmund Steiner gave the event a new identity, Grape Day, to honor the muscat grapes flourishing in Escondido’s irrigated soil. He predicted the event would become a lasting tradition, and he was right. From 1908 onward, Grape Day grew into parades, picnics, and a festival that showcased Escondido’s agricultural bounty and community spirit.

The celebration drew crowds from across Southern California, as trains filled with thousands of visitors from across the county came to join in on the festivities!

a festival for all

While its form has changed over the years, the heart of Grape Day remains the same: honoring resilience, history, and the pride of community. Today’s festival invites guests of all ages to experience a vibrant, family-friendly celebration brimming with excitement,

flavor, and tradition. All afternoon long, viewers can see our stage come to life with performances by gifted local musicians, cultural entertainers, and community groups sharing their talents. Attendees can wander through the artisan marketplace and browse unique handmade treasures, watch traditional crafting demonstrations, and meet the artists who bring such creativity to Escondido. Children will be delighted with our Kids Zone, where they’ll find access to a petting zoo, whimsical face painting, carnivalstyle games, and engaging activities designed just for them. Those who enjoy glimpsing into the past can step into the historic highlights that dot the festival—try your hand at grape stomping, watch a milking or blacksmithing demonstration up close, or admire an impressive display of vintage vehicles that celebrate Escondido’s agricultural heritage. Guests 21 and over can

relax in the Wine & Beer Garden, raising a glass to the region’s rich legacy while sipping on local wines, refreshing craft brews, or kombucha, as the day’s entertainment floats over from center stage. And of course, no festival is complete without great food—treat yourself to a global menu of flavors, from hometown favorites to international delights.

The festival’s setting in Grape Day Park ties past to present. Just steps from City Hall and the California Center for the Arts, the park has long been a gathering place where Escondido’s story unfolds.

more Than an Event

Over the span of 100 plus years, Grape Day has been more than a celebration, it has been a mirror of Escondido itself. From the historic ties of irrigation that started it all,

to its modern interpretation combining food, music, creativity, and community, the festival embodies the spirit of resilience and celebration that defines our Hidden Valley.

On September 13, 2025, join the Escondido History Center and Brothers of 6 Charities at Grape Day Park as we celebrate our community. Whether you come to stomp grapes, shop for handmade crafts, enjoy the music, or simply connect with neighbors, you’ll be part of a living tradition that honors Escondido’s past while celebrating its present.

In the words of many who’ve attended before: Grape Day isn’t just a festival; it’s the heart of Escondido.

The role of the Escondido History Center

At the epicenter of this event is the Escondido History Center, located in the park at 321 N. Broadway. More than a museum, the Center preserves and shares the city’s history through landmark buildings, archives, photographs, and interactive exhibits. On Saturdays, visitors can explore treasures such as the original Santa Fe Depot, Escondido’s first library, a locally sourced Victorian house, and a working blacksmith and woodworking shop.

The History Center not only safeguards Escondido’s past but also keeps it alive—offering educational programs, preservation initiatives, and events that connect residents to their heritage. Hosting the Grape Day Festival is its largest annual undertaking, made possible through partnerships with organizations such as Brothers of 6 and LoveEsco, grants, and countless hours of dedication and planning. Thanks to these efforts, the festival remains free for the community.

Bring this article to the Escondido History Center’s booth during the Grape Day Festival for a free gift (while supplies last).

Photo courtesy Escondido History Center

If you see a road sign that says “survey crew ahead.”

They aren’t really interested in your opinion.

I know that now. ***

When Rutherford B. Hayes, XIX President of the U.S.A., was at Kenyon College, Gambier, Ohio, he was a serious boy and diligent student, but that he relaxed in boyish fun the following story testifies. He and two friends were one day taking a walk in the country when they saw coming toward them an old man with a long white beard. They decided to have some fun with him, so, as they approached, the first bowed low and said, “Good morning, Father Abraham.” The second boy did the same and said, “Good morning, Father Isaac.” The third boy followed with, “Good morning, Father Jacob.”

The old man looked at them for a moment and then replied, “I am Chuckles from page 2

neither Abraham, Isaac, nor Jacob. I am Saul, the son of Kish, out looking for my father’s asses and lo, I have found them.” ***

No matter how kind you are . . . German kids are kinder.

I’ve started telling telemarketers and scammers, “hold on a second; let me connect you to our fraud department.”

Works like a charm.

When a man says he’ll do anything for a woman . . . he means fight bad guys and kill dragons.

Not vacuum and wash dishes.

When looking in a mirror I can’t help but see grey hair, fine lines, and eyes that don’t twinkle quite the way they used to.

I can’t help but think . . they sure don’t make mirrors like they used to.

Not saying I’m old but I was born before chickens had fingers.

If you’re drunk and you know it hand your claps . . .

Five Rules To Remember In Life

1. Money cannot buy happiness but it’s more comfortable to cry in a Mercedes than on a bicycle.

2. Forgive your enemy but remember the jerk’s name.

3. Help someone when they are in trouble and they will remember you when they’re in trouble again.

4. Many people are alive only because it’s illegal to shoot them.

5. Alcohol does not solve any problems, but then neither does milk.

5th District Supervisor • Jim Desmond Parents, Not Politicians, should decide for Children

Parents — not politicians, bureaucrats, or strangers — should be making decisions for their children. Yet once again, California’s Legislature is attacking that fundamental truth.

Assembly Bill 495, currently moving through the State Senate, would allow unrelated adults — including neighbors, former acquaintances, or even complete strangers — to assume temporary custody of your child without your knowledge or consent. No background check. No court order.

No parent’s signature. Just a piece of paper.

Despite what supporters claim, this bill isn’t about

immigration. It’s about stripping parents of their rights under the guise of compassion.

The legislation creates a loophole by empowering so-called “nonrelative extended family members” to sign a caregiver affidavit. That document would grant them the authority to make school and healthcare decisions for a child — without ever consulting the parents. Think about that. A neighbor, a former roommate, even someone you hardly know, could suddenly step in and make life-altering choices for your child.

This isn’t compassion. It’s reckless.

Parental rights are the foundation of a safe and stable society. AB 495 doesn’t just chip away at them — it steamrolls them. It removes safeguards meant to protect children, circumvents the role of parents in critical decision-making, and opens the door to confusion, abuse, and exploitation.

That’s why legal experts, parental advocacy groups, and child welfare organizations are sounding the alarm. Parents have the first responsibility — and the sacred right — to raise their children.

The state has no business inserting strangers into that relationship.

AB 495 is a direct assault on parental authority, and it should be stopped. For the sake of our kids and families, the Legislature must reject this dangerous proposal.

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

Show Business from page 4

Rivers; and Phyllis Diller; as well as politicians and public speakers.

But Dawna wasn’t just about funny stuff. She plunged into writing about true crime, studying forensic science and legal cases, working as a journalist for numerous magazines and newspapers, and investigating some of the biggest criminal and civil trials of our time. Her specialty was celebrity deaths, about which she wrote hundreds of articles. She then partnered with the late famed forensic pathologist and lawyer, Cyril H. Wecht, MD, JD, who had personally performed more than 21,000 autopsies and had supervised, reviewed, or consulted on approximately 40,000 other death cases. Together, Kaufmann and Wecht wrote four books that featured collections of twisty mysteries, including A Question of Murder, From Crime Scene to Courtroom, Final Exams, and The JFK Assassination Dissected.

Dawna also takes special pride that months of research led to her getting an admission from former FBI second-in-command W. Mark Felt Sr. that he was, indeed, the infamous Watergate character known as “Deep Throat,” which was perhaps the greatest journalistic scoop of the 20th century and earned her encomiums from Vanity Fair magazine, among others.

Dawna Kaufmann has appeared as a guest on numerous network and cable TV news shows, and her print stories have been shown on camera and discussed by panelists. She has given Power-Point lectures to law enforcement and university audiences, and has also hosted her own talk radio programs and appeared on podcasts, both national and local, with her quick quips and solid information. She previously wrote a cover story for The Paper in December 2013, about the murder of Escondido girl, Stephanie Crowe.

Dawna Kaufmann

Noisy electronics on planes are becoming a big problem. Here’s what to do about it.

by Christopher Elliott

On a recent flight from San Francisco to New York, Luca Dal Zotto found himself sitting next to a noisy airline passenger.

It wasn’t what he said that was noisy, but what he did. The man opened his laptop and began watching John Wick 3 with his screen at 100 percent brightness.

“The audio was booming out of his thin headphones,” remembers Del Zotto.

Del Zotto knows a thing or two about electronic annoyances. His computer rental company regularly surveys customers on the subject. And his latest poll found electronic annoyances on flights have risen 47 percent since 2020.

The worst culprits are substandard headphones (named by 62 percent of respondents), followed by bright screens displaying inappropriate content (41 percent), and electronic toys with sound control problems (38 percent).

But why are noisy electronics such a problem? How can you know if your electronics are a problem? And what can you do if you’re confronted with a noisy seatmate? The solutions are simple, but following the expert advice isn’t.

Why Noisy Electronics are a Problem

Del Zotto isn’t the only one who has noticed an issue with loud electronics. Nick Leighton, host of the etiquette podcast “Were You Raised By Wolves?,” collects what he calls “etiquette crime reports” from his listeners. And he’s noticed an uptick in reports about noisy headphones and other gadgets.

“Airlines that encourage you to bring your own device certainly make it easier to commit etiquette crimes,” he says.

It’s true. A few years ago, some U.S. airlines began to remove seatback entertainment devices, particularly on some short-haul flights. Today, it’s hard to find a passenger without a tablet, phone, laptop and a headset.

The result is a cacophony on every flight. You hear beeps, pings, movie soundtracks and that really irritating sound the language learning app Duolingo makes when you answer a question correctly. It is the world’s most annoying sound.

All the noise creates more stress for passengers, which provokes more in-flight conflicts between passen-

gers and crew members. So much for friendly skies.

But for every etiquette crime, there is a consequence. Del Zotto didn’t want to spend seven hours listening to his neighbor’s headset. So he lent him his extra headset. “He was very grateful,” he remembers.

are my headphones ok for a flight?

The worst thing you can do on a plane is listen to music or watch a movie without headphones. That’s a clear breach, not only of in-flight etiquette, but of airline rules. And there are no exemptions for young children who haven’t figured out how to use headphones. If they can’t use headphones, give them a toy. A quiet toy.

In terms of acceptable headphones, experts say anything with more than 75 percent sound containment is good, but you should aim for at least 90 percent.

The least leak-prone headsets are the Sony Pulse Explore Truly Wireless and the Moondrop Blessing 3, both in-ear headsets with perfect ratings. Oh, and if someone sits next to you with a pair of HiFiMan Arya Stealth Magnets, you’re going to hear everything. It’s the leakiest headset on the market. You can find a full list of models on Rtings.com, a consumer electronics site.

What should you do if you’re next to a noisy device on a flight?

So what if you’re seated next to a passenger who is violating several in-flight noise ordinances? Experts agree that you should give your seatmate the benefit of the doubt. Often, they don’t even know that

their headphones are leaking noise. stay calm. You might feel like lashing out at the headphone scofflaw, but don’t, says Jodi RR Smith, who runs Mannersmith Etiquette Consulting. An escalation on the plane can be a serious issue for you and your seatmate, leading to an emergency landing and you being led off the plane in handcuffs. So please think before you start browbeating the passenger seated next to you. “Remember,” she says, “some people are just oblivious.”

read the cabin. Find the right moment to approach the offending headphone-wearer. It might not be the person making all the noise, notes etiquette expert Rosalinda Randall. “For example, if you think the parent looks approachable, discreetly request they provide little Johnny with earbuds,” she says.

appeal to a higher authority. If the passenger refuses to address the problem, etiquette experts recommend that you privately ask a flight attendant to intervene. After all, most airlines have rules about playing loud music, and a leaky headset certainly qualifies. Don’t jab the flight attendant “call” button; instead, walk over to the galley when you can and ask. The crew members may be able to move you to a different seat.

Thomas Plante, a psychology professor at Santa Clara University, says it comes down to respect.

“Be mindful that the world doesn’t revolve around you and your needs,” he says.

OK, it’s easier said than done. I was on a recent flight from Dublin to Istanbul when a passenger be-

hind me started playing a kids’ TV show at full volume behind me -no headset. It was a clear violation of the in-flight rules they deliver before takeoff. But then, the offending passenger was a toddler.

I probably made every mistake in the book. I started by giving a disapproving look to the child. The kid couldn’t take his eyes off the episode of Bob the Builder. Next, I gave Mom the evil eye. Nothing.

This went on for a while. I felt my blood pressure rising slowly. Kids may love watching Bob the Builder, but to adults, it’s pure fingernails on chalkboard. Finally, I couldn’t take it any longer. I swiveled around and asked Mom if she could please find a pair of headphones for her snowflake.

OK, I didn’t use the words “snowflake” -- but the “please” sounded about as sincere as the parking lot guys at Disney World when they take your $30 and say, “Have a magical day!”

She complied. But I was ashamed of my behavior. I should have taken a few extra breaths before getting all bitchy with her. And I’m only saying this because I know that when it comes to noisy electronics, it’s easy to overheat. Don’t let that be you.

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.

Illustration by Dustin Elliott

San Diego may feel like paradise, but earthquakes, wildfires and other natural disasters can strike with little or no warning.

Being prepared can mean the difference between safety and tragedy, especially for our animals who rely on us entirely for their wellbeing.

In recognition of National Preparedness Month in September, San Diego Humane Society is urging pet owners to create an emergency plan now, so both people and animals are ready when disaster strikes.

“Our pets can’t plan for emergencies — that’s our job,” said Dr. Gary Weitzman, president and CEO of San Diego Humane Society. “A little preparation now can save their lives when every second counts.”

When disaster hits, beloved pets and livestock are often at risk of being left behind simply because owners are not ready. These simple steps can help keep your animals safe and by your side during an emergency:

1. Create a pet emergency kit. Pack at least a two-week supply of food, water and medications in a sturdy container. Include

Prepare Your Pets for disaster

bowls, bedding toys, veterinary contact information, vaccine records and a secure crate or carrier.

2. Practice getting pets ready to go. Make sure your pets are comfortable entering carriers or trailers, and know their hiding spots when they’re scared. If you have livestock or large animals, keep trailers ready and work with neighbors to identify safe holding areas, especially

large open spaces that can provide refuge during fires. Practice loading and unloading your animals so it’s second nature in an emergency.

3. Never leave pets behind. If it isn’t safe for you, it isn’t safe for them. Take your pets with you whenever you evacuate — their lives, and the lives of potential rescuers, depend on it.

4. Make sure every pet has iden-

tification. All pets — even indoor-only animals— should wear collars with up-to-date ID tags and be microchipped.

5. Have a backup plan. Identify a trusted neighbor who can get to your pets if you’re away when disaster strikes.

By taking these steps now, you can ensure your pets have the best chance of staying safe, calm and with you no matter what disaster comes our way.

For more disaster preparedness resources, including checklists to download, visit sdhumane.org/disasterprep.

About San Diego Humane Society

San Diego Humane Society’s scope of social responsibility goes beyond adopting animals. We offer programs that strengthen the human-animal bond, prevent cruelty and neglect, provide medical care, educate the community and serve as a safety net for all pet families. Serving San Diego County since 1880, San Diego Humane Society has campuses in El Cajon, Escondido, Oceanside, Ramona and San Diego. For more information, please visit sdhumane.org.

Photo courtesy San Diego Humane Society

Paper silver ~ ComEX’s dirty Little secret

by Jim Ellis Escondido Coin & Loan

In the last article, we got much of the boring technical information about the COIMEX silver market out of the way. Now let’s get into how one would think COMEX should operate and how it actually operates. Although COMEX trades are (in theory) backed by the physical product that the paper contracts represent, the truth is a different story.

We had previously discussed how strict and rigorous COMEX standards are for producing the deliverable assets (in this case the Silver Deliverable Bars) represented by these paper contracts. In keeping with this level of standards, one would suppose that that same standard would apply to the paper contract/registered silver balance ratio.

Is the amount of Registered silver inventory equal to the paper contracts?

No! Actually, in this system, the amount of registered silver does

not need to be equal to the number of outstanding paper contracts, and in practice, it typically is not.

“Why not?” one might inquire. Because Futures Contracts are mostly cash-settled: One contract represents 5,000 troy ounces of silver. The contract is quoted in U.S. dollars per troy ounce with a minimum price fluctuation (tick size) of $0.005 per ounce, which equates to a $25.00 change per contract. COMEX futures contracts are leveraged instruments, and the vast majority of silver futures contracts are closed out before expiration or settled in cash, not through physical delivery. Only a small percentage of open contracts ever proceed to the delivery process. As a result, the physical silver in registered status (i.e., available for delivery) is usually a fraction of the total theoretical amount represented by outstanding contracts.

Since delivery is optional, the system is designed to support delivery when needed, not to fully back every contract with physical metal. This supposedly makes for “Market Efficiency”.

The Paper

Owned & Operated by a Veteran lyle e davis

“The state of Texas was never invaded while I was on duty at Fort Sam.

Requiring registered silver to equal the total amount of paper contracts would be “impractical” and “economically inefficient” and would require vastly more actual physical metal to be warehoused and warrant-assigned than is ever actually needed.

Bottom line, COMEX operates on a fractional delivery model, much like the Banking system.

The amount of registered silver only needs to cover the small portion of contracts that result in actual delivery, not the entire open interest. This is a standard feature of the futures markets and does not, ahem, imply

a lack of integrity in the system.

Even though this kind of setup could very well create an environment for market manipulation and silver price suppression, this wouldn’t happen, because we all know that Financial Institutions have the “highest standards of integrity”, and that Mankind, ultimately, is “inherently good”.

(As of the writing of this article, 9/05, the price of silver is $41.04. It is up 4.8% in one week, up 7.3% in two weeks and up just over 10% in the last 60 days!)

GOT SILVER!?!

The Pastor says . . . Changes

A popular theme for discussion today is climate change. Many in the religious field don’t believe in climate change. The conviction is that it is a political hoax promoted by the liberals in government. The liberals promote this conviction despite extreme weather patterns with hurricanes and tornadoes, along with rain and hailstorms never before experienced. These extreme weather patterns, along with the melting of ice glaciers, are contributing to rising sea levels that threaten islands and coastlines. The question is whether there is climate change. Is there any truth to it? Is there a change in the climate, or are there just slight modifications to the environment, as it has always been? As a resident of this world, I’ve noticed that there are hotter days than usual. Except for the inconvenience, it really doesn’t matter to me. Every day is a challenge, regardless of the weather. Still, many well-meaning people have their beliefs about it and will do anything to prove their point.

One thing I do know is that there are changes, even though some never seem to change. I recently heard a wife say that her husband would never change. We all probably believe that about some people. In fact, some individuals seem so set in their ways that we wonder if they were born that way. We have all heard the expression, “He or she will never change.” I have seen this with some religious people. They are set in their ways, and no matter what the conclusion is, they don’t change. And yet, we are forcing change today. Some, regardless of age, want to change their sexual orientation. Many want to change the color of their hair, some want to change where they live, many want to change their marriage spouse, many want to change their body shape because they don’t like the way they look, and then there are the facelifts that make us wonder if they are the same person.

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

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

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

El Cajon 373 N. Marshall Ave.

Escondido 3500 Burnet Drive

oceanside 572 Airport Road

Pet Parade

Bop It is pet of the week at Rancho Coastal Humane Society. He’s a 3-year-old, 12pound, male, Domestic Short Hair cat with a Black and White coat.

Bop It was one of 125 cats living in a crowded house. They were taken to an animal shelter that was over capacity, so Bop It was transferred to Rancho Coastal Humane Society through Friends of County Animal Shelters (FOCAS).

He’s shy and squirmy. Now he’s ready to put his best paw forward and start the life he nearly missed.

His $100 adoption fee includes medical exam, neuter, vaccinations, and microchip.

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

Pastor Says continued on page 12

We also have social and religious movements that tell us we can be whatever we want to be and do whatever we want to do. We don’t have to accept the way we are, especially if we are unhappy in our present condition. Some years ago, there was a movement called EST that captured the minds of hundreds of people, including some friends of mine. They paid thousands of dollars to alter their self-image, changed their names, and now live, at least in their minds, as new and different people. Religiously, there is even a greater force to modify us. Jesus, in John 3, tells Nicodemus that if he is to know and experience God, he has to be born again by water and the Spirit. Today, there are millions of people worldwide who believe their lives have

san diego 5480 Gaines Street

Pet of the Week

Zoey

Meet Zoey, a sweet and gentle lady in search of a loving new home! She’s an energetic gal who will thrive with plenty of exercise and mental stimulation to keep her happy and healthy. She can be a bit reactive towards other dogs, so she’ll thrive best as the only dog in the household. Zoey can be a little unsure when meeting new people, but with a patient and gentle approach, she quickly warms up and shares her affectionate side. With the right guidance and consistency, Zoey will blossom into a loyal and loving companion! Zoey (833441) is available for adoption at San Diego Humane Society’s Escondido Campus at 3500 Burnet Drive. If you have questions about the adoption process, you can visit sdhumane.org/adopt or call 619-299-7012.

Online profile: https://www.sdhumane.org/adopt/available-pets/animal-single.html?petId=833441

Pastor Huls

The Computer factory

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

In the nineteen centuries between the birth of Christ and the year 1900, the world population grew from 300 million to one billion, an increase of 330%. In the single 100 year period between 1925 and 2025 the world population grew from 2 billion to over 8 billion (400%). It’s an unprecedented population growth rate, many times greater that of any comparable period. Today internal combustion engines, nuclear power, air travel, space exploration, radio, television, telephone, the Internet and hundreds of other new technologies have become an integral part of everyday living. We never give them a second thought. New technologies and gadgets are so completely embedded in our modern living patterns that we have great difficulty even of imagining what everyday life was like four or five generations

If you’re shy, but get roped into going to a social gathering, ask someone, “Do you have any pets?” Even if the person you ask doesn’t have pets, someone will be happy to tell you all about the critter waiting for them at home. Maybe that’s why we like taking our dogs to the dog park. We like talking about dogs.

Years ago, I made a list of Dog Park Etiquette for the park we used to have at Rancho Coastal Humane Society. Some people disagreed with the list but also admitted that their bones of contention were the rules they disobeyed. They fol-

How

back. We are accustomed to using today’s technology and products and have difficulty even imagining what life was like without them.

Grab a friend or relative and together try to work out what a typical evening would be like growing up in your great-great grandfather’s home on a cold winter evening in 1850. You live with your parents and younger brother and sister in a three bedroom farm home ten miles outside of Columbus, Ohio. The supper table has been cleared and the tableware, dishes, pots and pans have been washed and put away. Its 6:00 and you don’t go to bed until 9:00. How will you spend the next three hours?

When you do this kind of exercise you begin to understand how much technology has changed our lives. Most of us have great difficulty trying to imagine constructive activities without eclectic lights, central heat, flush toilets, TV etc. It’s difficult for us to visualize, but the people who lived then, dived eagerly into their evening activities and routines just as we do today. Bedtime always came too soon.

The passing of time brought change at a snail’s pace. What grandpa had learned through a lifetime of tending animals growing crops and going to church was relevant, interesting and important. What grandma knew from darning socks, making biscuits and knowing what to give you for a stomach ache had practical value. When the old folks shared what they

knew, the young folks listened and learned. Recent generations have seen a remarkable reversal in this ancient and traditional reverence for age and wisdom.

The rapidly evolving technology of the 20th and 21st centuries caused much of the knowledge and lore held by the older generations to become obsolete. Up to date publication and Internet availability of the latest technology largely supplanted the “institutional knowledge” of older generations and justified the belief that older generations are a bit “out of touch” with modern day life. For us, the older generations who grew up with reverence and respect for the wisdom and knowledge of our elders, the absence of that respect from younger generations is felt. The loss of relevance among older generations is a valid and a natural consequence of nearly instant ac-

cess to today’s rapidly evolving technology.

So what’s the solution to today’s “senior obsolescence syndrome”? Perhaps we could darken our hair, adopt contemporary jargon and spend half our waking hours on the Internet. But sooner or later we’d tire of the eye rolls and snickers from the young folks. Probably our best strategy would be to recognize the fact that technology and customs change and there is no point in holding on to things that are no longer true. John Denver said it in 1974s “Sweet Surrender”.

There’s nothin’ behind me and nothin’ that binds me

To somethin’ that might have been true yesterday

Tomorrow is open and right now it seems to be more Than enough to just be here today.

wet suits, fishing gear, sleeping bags, back packs, seat cushions, luggage, suit bags, spray paint kits, periodicals, stuffed animals, hard cover/paperback books, china, dishware sets, glassware, National Geographics, speakers, commemorative platters, wine kits, SLR film cameras and lenses, wifi/ cordless phones, umbrellas, onyx animals, music and game CDs/DVDs, insulated drinking cups, flower vases, LED lanterns, desk top files, art glass, camp chairs, cots, tote bags, fridge magnets, wooden shoes, lanterns, and lots more. Come and get yours before somebody else snatches it!

lowed the rules they liked and ignored the rules they didn’t like.

A gentleman who has read The Paper for many years asked if I still had that dog park list. It took some digging, but here it is.

THE TEN CommaNdmENTs of THE dog Park (for PEoPLE)

#1: Thou (YOU) shall be responsible for thy dog at ALL times.

#2: Thou shalt NOT ignore thy dog.

#3: This is a hard one. Leave thy cell phone behind unless thou art using it to take pictures of thy “best friend.” (Cease texting! Pay attention to thy dog!)

#4: Thou SHALL pick up thy dog’s poo and dispose of it.

#5: Thou shalt NOT let thy dog

dig holes. If it does, thou shall fill in any holes thy dog has dug immediately.

#6: Thou shalt NOT enter the gates of the dog park with a dog that has not been spayed or neutered.

#7: Though shalt NOT enter the gates of the dog park with a sick dog or a dog that does not have up-to-date vaccines.

#8: Thou shalt NOT enter the gates of the dog park with an unfriendly or aggressive dog.

#9: Thou SHALL be held accountable for any damage that thou or thy dog causes.

#10: Thou SHALL reread commandment #4 and hallow it.

If you or your dog violate any of the Ten Commandments of the Dog Park, you will be cast out into the parking lot, either temporarily or for all eternity.

Just use common sense. Play well with others. And if your dog park has a donation box, drop in a few bucks. We’re in this together.

Car rental safety How To Avoid A Problem

Illustration by Dustin Elliott

by Christopher Elliott

Everything seemed fine when Josie Daigle rented a car in Boston from a national chain. A cursory glance at the vehicle before she drove off with her two young kids suggested the car was safe.

It wasn’t.

Halfway to her destination, her left rear tire blew out. Daigle, who works for a medical evacuation company in Lebanon, N.H., pulled over and phoned her rental company for help.

“When the tow driver showed up, he was floored that the rental company allowed me to drive off the lot with car tires in poor condition,” she recalls. “He thought maybe I had been driving it for weeks because of how bald the tires were.”

Azari Jones, the rental car practice lead at J.D. Power, says car rental companies are being more careful than ever about renting potentially unsafe vehicles, such as cars with faulty equipment -- like tires without adequate tread.

“There’s also the potential devastating legal liability that would come with renting less-than-safe vehicles,” she adds.

But they’re not perfect. For example, the car rental industry in the U.S. doesn’t release safety information on a national level, and Jones says car rental companies could make information about safety and inspections more easily accessible to their customers.

In the meantime, travelers must take matters into their own hands when it comes to car rental safety. That includes renting from mobility companies that take safety seriously and knowing how to inspect a car before driving it off the lot.

Oodles from page 3

hosting a week of outreach events and activities at various locations countywide and online. Visit www. SanDiegoFallPrevention.org for a complete list of events, locations, and registration details. If you have questions, please contact HealthierLiving.HHSA@sdcounty.ca.govor call (858) 495-5500.

senior service Council of Escondido Needs receptionist

ditions, just a voice check to see which voice part (Tenor, Lead, Bass, or Baritone) best suits you. We encourage visitors to sing with us. Prior musical experience is helpful but not a necessity. We will seat you between 2 veteran singers to help you along. And we can provide you audio learning tracks to help you learn the music.

“Rental car safety should be a top priority for travelers,” says Raymond Yorke, a spokesman for Redpoint Travel Protection.

How Car Rental Companies Handle Vehicle safety

Every major car rental company has safety standards, but they are often difficult to verify. For example, Hertz recently promoted some of its technology-enabled safety features such as reverse cameras and parking sensors, but a recent check of its website failed to reveal any systematic safety standards.

So what’s under the hood of these standards? Enterprise Mobility has what’s called a Standard of Care, a set of best practices to ensure its vehicles are maintained at a high standard.

The standards are proactive, according to Bridget Long, Enterprise Mobility’s senior vice president for North American operations. A recent poll on behalf of Enterprise Mobility found that the average car on the road is 13 years old. (Most rental vehicles, on the other hand, are replaced between 45,000 and 60,000 miles.)

“A newer, more reliable rental vehicle equipped with the latest technology is not only often more fuel efficient but also can offer upgraded features that make travel easier,” says Long.

Enterprise’s standards of care include vehicle maintenance and safety inspections. Enterprise Mobility’s car rental brands (Enterprise, National and Alamo) either follow or exceed manufacturer guidelines for tire replacement and oil changes and give every rental

There is an urgent need for reception volunteers. Responsibilities include handling phone and email inquiries, appointment scheduling, and personally greeting and directing visitors. Please call, email and/or complete an application at the SSCE website shown below. Shifts are 9-noon Monday & Friday, and 9-noon and noon-3 Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. 760-480-0611; info@sscescondido.org, https://escondido-seniorservices.org/volunteer

Chess at Park avenue Community Center Wednesdays & Fridays

Home of Escondido Senior Center, 210 Park Avenue, Escondido, 760-839-4688.

Chess players of all skill levels are welcome every Wednesday AND NOW EVERY FRIDAY in the shuffleboard building from Noon –3 p.m. Friendly games with large boards and pieces provided. No fees or reservations. Follow the signs or ask at the front desk for directions.

Music Men Always Looking for guys Who Love To sing

Are you a guy, high school age or older, who loves to sing? Have you always wanted to be in a performing group, but thought you weren’t talented enough or didn’t have the musical background? The Music Men Chorus may be able to help... The Music Men Chorus is an a cappella (no accompaniment) chorus that performs 4-part, close-harmony songs arranged Barbershop-style, with ringing chords. We are affiliated with the non-profit Barbershop Harmony Society. The chorus performs at public and private events in North San Diego County.

We have open rehearsals on Tuesday evenings at 7 pm at San Marcos Lutheran Church, 3419 Grand Avenue. Male singers interested in learning more about barbershopstyle singing are always welcome to attend. There are no formal au-

Currently, we are offering an opportunity for interested male singers to perform with us at Holiday concerts in December if they: A) attend weekly rehearsals on a fairly regular basis from now through December; and B) become proficient at singing our Christmas repertoire (memorize a short list of songs and be able to sing the others with music). This is a great chance to try a cappella singing in the Barbershop style with a dedicated, fun group of guys!

To hear a sample of our singing, go to our website, musicmenchorus. org, and click on the photo on the homepage, which will take you to a video of the Music Men singing at a competition earlier this year. For more information about the Music Men, contact Bill at (760) 585-6315 or wolszanicky@yahoo.com.

Looking for things to do? Places to go?

Check out Oodles for Civic and Service Club Meetings, and More

Pastor Says from page 10 changed by this process. Some, such as some drug and alcohol addicts, want change but don’t seem to find it. There seem to be opportunities to change attitudes, habits, impulses, and lives of conflict, moving from lives of destruction to those of peace and wholeness. Is there a way to find this path? Paul, the Apostle, says we do it by thinking, which in itself can be difficult to do. I share his list and offer it as a challenge for positive change, as seen in Philippians. 4:8-9 “Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, whatever is excellent, and if anything worthy of praise, think about these things. As for the things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of Peace will be with you.”

Pastor Huls

Safety from page 12

vehicle a visual inspection after a return.

“This extra step offers you peace of mind,” says Long.

Ensuring You Have a safe Car

If you’re renting a car, experts say you shouldn’t compromise on safety -- ever.

“Car rental companies often conduct regular maintenance checks and adhere to strict safety standards,” explains Frank Harrison, regional security director for the Americas at World Travel Protection. “If you do not see a mechanical inspection and maintenance sticker on the windshield or prominently in the interior, ask for proof of the last service.”

Know what’s required. Kristan De Graaf, owner of the exotic car rental company Elite Rentals Dubai, says rental companies should ensure that all their vehicles undergo regular safety checks and maintenance. The requirements vary by country, so it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with the requirements in advance. “This helps customers feel confident in the safety of their rental.”

a visual inspection is a must. Yorke is right; a careful visual inspection is mandatory. “Check for obvious issues like worn tires, dashboard warning lights, and brakes that don’t feel right,” says Shawn Miller, founder of the car site Modified Rides.

Check for recalls. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has a site that lets you run the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) through its database to check for recalls. If you’re concerned about safety, take an extra minute to type your VIN into the site to make sure the car is good to go.

MIGHTY MOJO

What should you do if you feel unsafe?

“Speak up immediately,” advises Amanda Demanda, a personal injury lawyer from Miami. “If something feels off when you’re driving it, turn right back around and ask for a replacement vehicle. The rental car company should provide you with another vehicle or help you to make other arrangements.”

But that’s not all.

As it turns out, Daigle, the woman with the blown tire, wasn’t done learning about car rental safety.

Her rental company had arranged for her to pick up a new car at a nearby airport.

“When I got my replacement car, I was alerted that the car had low tire pressure,” she remembers.

No kidding.

This time, she took the expert advice and asked for a different car. And the third time was the charm.

The car worked fine, and Daigle learned an important lesson about car rental safety: Despite all the promises the car rental industry may make, never take safety for granted -- and always check the car before you drive off the lot.

That’s timely advice. With summer in the rearview mirror and the fall travel season just ahead, driving a car with bald tires or bad brakes in rain or snow may be more than inconvenient. It could lead to a serious accident. And no one wants their trip to end at the side of the road, waiting for a tow truck.

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.

Man About Town from page 4

. . with an arthritic low back I can no longer run as long or as hard as I used to.

Last year, with all of our hot weather, I’d dive into our pool, splash around like a little kid, hop out of the pool and start all over.

No more.

Now, only one year later, I have a greater fear of falling. I take things slower. That pool deck is hard concrete and the coping on the edge of the pool is also concrete.

Tonight Mary and I, for the first time this summer, actually got into our pool. Late afternoon, early evening. I didn’t dive in, or jump in, as I used to do. We slowly and gingerly took each step into the pool, one at a time. I turned around and helped Mary into the pool. “What are we?” I thought, “old people?”

Yes, we are. I’m 86; Mary will turn 86 in December.

We swam around a bit; I cautioned Mary to stay out of the deep end, just as I used to caution our kids to stay out of the deep end. If she got into trouble, a cramp, or some other problem . . . I’m not sure how quickly I’d be able to get to her and rescue her.

When we left the pool we both

took one step at a time, up the steps leading into and out of the pool. Carefully maintaining our balance, we actually exited the pool safely.

Just like a couple of old people.

Then I sat down in one of the patio chairs on the pool deck.

I made the mistake of looking at the sliding glass doors and saw a reflection of myself.

Near as I can figure I’m about 7 months pregnant.

Where did that flat belly go that I used to have?

More signs of old age?

Age has caught up to us and we have to slow down and take things easier.

A word to the wise and all that . . .

first, i discovered america, Then i discovered The Paper

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

Look before You Leap!

by Lisa Scarpello

I grew up when kids were outside all day until dinner time. It was a great time to be a kid. My sister Linda always told me before crossing the street, “Look before you leap.” I’m not sure why she thought she had to tell me that, but it really stuck.

At some point in the day, everyone is a pedestrian. With kids back in school, now is a good time to discuss pedestrian safety.

Here are some frightening statistics from 2023, from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration:

• 7,314 pedestrians were killed in traffic crashes.

• 68,244 pedestrians were injured in traffic crashes.

• On average, a pedestrian died every 72 minutes and one was injured every 8 minutes in traffic crashes.

• 18% of all traffic deaths were pedestrians, and 3% of all people injured in traffic crashes were pedestrians.

• 17% of the children 14 and younger killed in traffic crashes were pedestrians.

• 70% of the pedestrians killed in traffic crashes were males.

• Alcohol use was reported in 46% of all fatal pedestrian crashes in 2023, with a blood alcohol concentration of .01 for the driver and/or the pedestrian.

• Urban areas had a pedestrian fatality rate much higher (84%) than rural areas (16%).

• 74% of the pedestrian fatalities occurred at locations that were not intersections, 17% occurred at intersections, and the remaining 9% occurred at other locations.

• More pedestrian fatalities occurred in the dark (77%) than in daylight (19%), dusk (2%), and dawn (2%).

• 89% of pedestrian fatalities occurred in single-vehicle crashes.

• 1 out of every 4 pedestrians killed in traffic crashes (24%) was struck by a hit-and-run driver.

Drivers need to look out for pedestrians, slow down, and incorporate pedestrian awareness into their driving routines.

• Use extra caution when driving in hard-to-see conditions.

• Follow the speed limit, especially around people on the street, around schools, and in neighborhoods where children are present.

• Drive sober.

• Always stop for pedestrians in crosswalks.

• Look out for pedestrians everywhere and minimize blind spots.

• Never pass vehicles stopped at a crosswalk. There may be people crossing where drivers can’t see. What can pedestrians do to minimize their chances of an unfortunate event?

• Follow the rules of the road and obey signs and signals.

• Walk on sidewalks whenever they are available.

• If there is no sidewalk, walk facing traffic and as far from traffic as possible.

• Cross streets at crosswalks or intersections. Look for cars in all directions, including those turning left or right.

• If a crosswalk or intersection is not available, locate a well-lit area where you have the best view of traffic. Wait for a gap in traffic that allows enough time to cross safely; continue watching for traffic as you cross.

• Watch for cars entering or exiting driveways, or backing up in parking lots.

• Avoid alcohol and drugs when walking; they impair your abilities and your judgment.

• Make sure you never play, push or shove others when you walk around traffic.

In my opinion the two most important bits of advise for pedestrians are:

• Pay attention. Watch the road, not your phone.

• Look before you leap! Look both ways before entering any situation where there are vehicles, including parking lots.

For more information about pedestrian safety, please visit NHTSA. gov/Pedestrian.

fiCTiTious busiNEss NamE

sTaTEmENT 2025-9015335

The name of the business: Royalty Touch, located at 17161 Alva Rd., San Diego, CA 92127. Registrant, Alex Shoeybi, 17161 Alva Rd., San Diego, CA 92127. This business is operated by an Individual.

First day of business: N/A

/s/ Alex Shoeybi with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/ Recorder of San Diego on 8/11/2025

8/21, 8/28, 9/4, 9/11/2025

fiCTiTious busiNEss NamE

sTaTEmENT 2025-9015394

The name of the business: The Deep Forest, located at 945 Lake Ridge Dr., San Marcos, CA 92078. Registrant, Christopher Martin Kennedy, 945 Lake Ridge Dr., San Marcos, CA 92078. This business is operated by an Individual.

First day of business: N/A

/s/ Christopher Martin Kennedy, CEO with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/Recorder of San Diego on 8/12/2025

8/21, 8/28, 9/4, 9/11/2025

fiCTiTious busiNEss NamE

sTaTEmENT 2025-9014563

The name of the business: Painting Collective, located at 527 N. Highway 101 Ste E, Solana Beach, CA 92075. Registrant, The Wallpaper Collective, 527 N. Highway 101 Ste E, Solana Beach, CA 92075. This business is operated by a Corporation.

First day of business: N/A

/s/ Nir Berkovich, CEO with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/Recorder of San Diego on 7/30/2025

8/21, 8/28, 9/4, 9/11/2025

ordEr To sHoW CausE for CHaNgE of NamE 25Cu041151N

TO ALL INTERESTED PER-

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

NOTICE OF HEARING:

Date: September 19, 2025, 8:30 am, in Dept. N-25

No hearing will occur on above date. Please see attachment The address of the court is: 325 S. Melrose Dr., Vista, CA 92081. A copy of the Order to Show Cause shall be published at least once each week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the petition in the following newspaper of general circulation, printed in this county: San Marcos News Reporter, dba, The Paper, 845 W. San Marcos Blvd, San Marcos, Ca. 92078. Dated August 6, 2025 /s/ Brad A. Weinreb, Judge of the Superior Court 8/21, 8/28, 9/4, 9/11/2025

ordEr To sHoW CausE for CHaNgE of NamE 25Cu042425N TO ALL INTERESTED PER-

SONS: Petitioner Farnaz Soltanabadi Shiralipour filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: Present name: Farnaz Soltanabadi Shiralipour to Proposed name Farrah Farnaz Shiralipour.

THE COURT ORDERS that all

persons interested in this matter shall appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objections that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing.

NOTICE OF HEARING:

Date: October 3, 2025, 8:30 am, in Dept. 25 No hearing will occur on above date. Please see attachment The address of the court is: 325 S. Melrose Dr., Vista, CA 92081. A copy of the Order to Show Cause shall be published at least once each week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the petition in the following newspaper of general circulation, printed in this county: San Marcos News Reporter, dba, The Paper, 845 W. San Marcos Blvd, San Marcos, Ca. 92078. Dated August 13, 2025 /s/ Brad A. Weinreb, Judge of the Superior Court 8/28, 9/4, 9/11, 9/18/2025

fiCTiTious busiNEss NamE

sTaTEmENT 2025-9015807

The name of the business: Ultron Marketing, located at 13221 Carriage Rd., Apt 5, Poway, CA 92064. Registrant, Victoria Graciela Tran, 13221 Carriage Rd., Apt 5, Poway, CA 92064. This business is operated by an Individual.

First day of business: 8/18/2025 /s/ Victoria Graciela Tran with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/Recorder of San Diego on 8/18/2025

8/28, 9/4, 9/11, 9/18/2025

fiCTiTious busiNEss NamE

sTaTEmENT 2025-9015613

The name of the business:

Very Special Events, located at 12182-B Royal Birkdale Row, Rancho Bernardo, CA 92128. Registrant, Nancy R. Walters, 12182-B Royal Birkdale Row, Rancho Bernardo, CA 92128. This business is operated by an Individual.

First day of business: N/A /s/ Nancy R. Walters with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/ Recorder of San Diego on 8/14/2025 8/28, 9/4, 9/11, 9/18/2025

fiCTiTious busiNEss NamE

sTaTEmENT 2025-9015953

The name of the business: JL’s Paradise Plumbing LLC, located at 1320 McClelland Street., San Marcos, CA 92069. Registrant, JL’s Paradise Plumbing LLC, 1320 McClelland Street, San Marcos, CA 92069. This business is operated by a Limited Liability Company.

First day of business: 8/19/2025 /s/ Jimmie Joseph Lujan Jr., CEO with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/Recorder of San Diego on 8/20/2025

8/28, 9/4, 9/11, 9/18/2025

ordEr To sHoW CausE for CHaNgE of NamE 25Cu044609N TO ALL INTERESTED PER-

SONS: Petitioner Nedda Grady filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: Present name: Nedda Grady to Proposed name Nedda Ava Grady. THE COURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this matter shall appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objections that includes the reasons for the objection at

LEGALS

least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing.

NOTICE OF HEARING:

Date: October 10, 2025, 8:30 am, in Dept. N-25

No hearing will occur on above date. Please see attachment The address of the court is: 325 S. Melrose Dr., Vista, CA 92081. A copy of the Order to Show Cause shall be published at least once each week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the petition in the following newspaper of general circulation, printed in this county: San Marcos News Reporter, dba, The Paper, 845 W. San Marcos Blvd, San Marcos, Ca. 92078. Dated August 26, 2025 /s/ Brad A. Weinreb, Judge of the Superior Court 8/28, 9/4, 9/11, 9/18/2025

fiCTiTious busiNEss NamE

sTaTEmENT 2025-9016146

The name of the business: OK 3D Studio, located at 1596 Berkshire Ct., San Marcos, CA 92069. Registrant, Christopher Yen Ogi, 1596 Berkshire Ct., San Marcos, CA 92069, Kyle Ogi, 1596 Berkshire Ct., San Marcos, CA 92069. This business is operated by Co-Partners.

First day of business: N/A /s/ Yen Ogi with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/Recorder of San Diego on 8/21/2025 9/4, 9/11, 9/18, 9/25/2025

fiCTiTious busiNEss NamE

sTaTEmENT 2025-9016425

The name of the business: Landers Electric, located at 31551 Calle De Las Rosas, Bonsall, CA 92003. Registrant, Landers Electrical Contracting Inc., 31551 Calle De Las Rosas, Bonsall, CA 92003. This business is operated by a Corporation.

First day of business: 1/5/2022 /s/ Stephan Alan Landers, President with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/Recorder of San Diego on 8/27/2025 9/4, 9/11, 9/18, 9/25/2025

fiCTiTious busiNEss NamE

sTaTEmENT 2025-9016225

The name of the business: Eve’s Garden Decor, located at 1657 Palomar Drive, San Marcos, CA 92069. Registrant, Cynthia Lee Johnson, 1657 Palomar Drive, San Marcos, CA 92069. This business is operated by an Individual.

First day of business: N/A /s/ Cynthia Lee Johnson with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/Recorder of San Diego on 8/22/2025 9/4, 9/11, 9/18, 9/25/2025

fiCTiTious busiNEss NamE

sTaTEmENT 2025-9016603

The name of the business: Used As New, located at 935 Alta Vista Dr., Unit 1, Vista, CA 92084. Registrant, Allison Danielle Bohm, 935 Alta Vista Dr., Unit 1, Vista, CA 92084. This business is operated by an Individual.

First day of business: 12/2/2024 /s/ Allison Danielle Bohm with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/Recorder of San Diego on 8/28/2025 9/4, 9/11, 9/18, 9/25/2025

fiCTiTious busiNEss NamE

sTaTEmENT 2025-9016655

The name of the business: El Valle Roofing, located at 1824 Christi Dr., Vista, CA 92084. Registrant, Alejandro Sanchez Garcia, 1824 Christi Dr., Vista, CA 92084. This business is operated by an Individual. First day of business: 7/20/2025 /s/ Alejandro Sanchez Garcia with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/Recorder of San Diego on 8/28/2025

9/4, 9/11, 9/18, 9/25/2025

fiCTiTious busiNEss NamE

sTaTEmENT 2025-9016519

The name of the business: Vetmed Consulting, located at 1949 Kellogg Ave., Carlsbad, CA 92008. Registrant, Bela Denes Dr., 1949 Kellogg Ave., Carlsbad, CA 92008, Eva Denesne Balla, 1949 Kellogg Ave., Carlsbad, CA 92008. This business is operated by a Married Couple. First day of business: 8/27/2025 /s/ Bela Denes Dr. with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/ Recorder of San Diego on 8/27/2025

9/4, 9/11, 9/18, 9/25/2025

fiCTiTious busiNEss NamE

sTaTEmENT 2025-9016208

The name of the business: LVR Cyber Tech, located at 150 E. Rancho Santa Fe Rd., Spc 83, San Marcos, CA 92078. Registrant, Leonardo Velasquez, 150 E. Rancho Santa Fe Rd., Spc 83, San Marcos, CA 92078. This business is operated by an Individual.

First day of business: N/A /s/ Leonardo Velasquez with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/Recorder of San Diego on 8/22/2025

9/4, 9/11, 9/18, 9/25/2025

fiCTiTious busiNEss NamE

sTaTEmENT 2025-9016457

The name of the business: V&M Tax Services, located at 744 Grand Ave., Suite 101, San Marcos, CA 92078. Registrant, Vennica Infante, 722 Rena Dr., Oceanside, CA 92057. This business is operated by an Individual.

First day of business: 7/1/2025 /s/ Vennica Infante with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/ Recorder of San Diego on 8/27/2025

9/4, 9/11, 9/18, 9/25/2025

fiCTiTious busiNEss NamE

sTaTEmENT 2025-9016680

The name of the business: AllStar Smog Oceanside Inc., located at 2017 Oceanside Blvd., Ste A, Oceanside, CA 92054. Registrant, All-Star Smog Oceanside Inc., 2017 Oceanside Blvd., Ste A, Oceanside, CA 92054. This business is operated by an F.A. Corporation.

First day of business: 7/21/2025 /s/ Thomas Dotts, CEO with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/Recorder of San Diego on 8/29/2025

9/4, 9/11, 9/18, 9/25/2025

fiCTiTious busiNEss NamE

sTaTEmENT 2025-9016590

The name of the business: Rea Creatives, Rea-Rachel Ames Photography, Rea Talent, Rea Coaching, located at 3331 Lile Street, Oceanside, CA 92056. Registrant, Rachel Elizabeth Ames, 3331 Lile Street, Oceanside, CA 92056. This business is operated by an Individual.

First day of business: 1/2/2007 /s/ Rachel Elizabeth Ames with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/Recorder of San Diego on 8/28/2025

9/4, 9/11, 9/18, 9/25/2025

fiCTiTious busiNEss NamE

sTaTEmENT 2025-9016935

The name of the business: Sarabia Clean & Haul Solutions, located at 305 W. San Marcos Blvd., Apt 69, San Marcos, CA 92069. Registrant, Erica Sarabia, 305 W. San Marcos Blvd., Apt 69, San Marcos, CA 92069, Ruben Sarabia, 305 W. San Marcos Blvd., Apt 69, San Marcos, CA 92069. This business is operated by a Married Couple. First day of business: 9/4/2025 /s/ Erica Sarabia with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/Recorder of San Diego on 9/4/2025 9/11, 9/18, 9/25, 10/2/2025

fiCTiTious busiNEss NamE

sTaTEmENT 2025-9017051

The name of the business: Allied Financial Network, Voyager Marine Insurance, located at 2736 Shelter Island Drive, San Diego, CA 92106. Registrant, AFN Inc., 2736 Shelter Island Drive, San Diego, CA 92106. This business is operated by a Corporation.

First day of business: 9/4/1990 /s/ Steven Bonner, President with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/Recorder of San Diego on 9/4/2025

9/11, 9/18, 9/25, 10/2/2025

fiCTiTious busiNEss NamE

sTaTEmENT 2025-9015964

The name of the business: Ritz Cleaners, located at 4645 Frazee Rd., Ste B, Oceanside, CA 92057. Registrant, Yvonne McLaughlin Gomez, 788 Carnation Lane, Fallbrook, CA 92028. This business is operated by an Individual.

First day of business: N/A /s/ Yvonne Gomez with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/ Recorder of San Diego on 8/20/2025

9/11, 9/18, 9/25, 10/2/2025

fiCTiTious busiNEss NamE

sTaTEmENT 2025-9016861

The name of the business: HValley Tools, located at 929 Poinsettia Ave., Suite 101, Vista, CA 92081. Registrant, American General Tool Group, 929 Poinsettia Ave., Suite 101, Vista, CA 92081. This business is operated by a Corporation.

First day of business: 9/2/2025 /s/ Altaf Godil, Secretary of Corporation with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/Recorder of San Diego on 9/3/2025 9/11, 9/18, 9/25, 10/2/2025

fiCTiTious busiNEss NamE

sTaTEmENT 2025-9016850

The name of the business: The Stu., located at 3439 Royal Rd., Vista, CA 92084. Registrant, Liz Ream Inc., 3439 Royal Rd., Vista, CA 92084. This business is operated by a Corporation.

First day of business: 9/3/2025 /s/ Virginia Elizabeth Anne Ream, President with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/Recorder of San Diego on 9/3/2025 9/11, 9/18, 9/25, 10/2/2025

fiCTiTious busiNEss NamE

sTaTEmENT 2025-9015077

The name of the business: Eversun Beauty & Wellness, located at 1784 La Costa Meadows Drive, Ste 101, San Marcos, CA 92078. Registrant, Itan Franchising Inc., 1784 La Costa MEadows Drive, Ste 101, San Marcos, CA 92078. This business is operated by a Corporation.

First day of business: 4/11/2025

/s/ Faraje Kharsa, CEO with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/Recorder of San Diego on 8/6/2025 9/11, 9/18, 9/25, 10/2/2025

fiCTiTious busiNEss NamE

sTaTEmENT 2025-9015969

The name of the business: Antone Strategic Insurance Solutions, located at 701 Palomar Airport Rd., Ste 300, Carlsbad, CA 92011. Registrant, The Antone Financial Group Inc., 701 Palomar Airport Rd., Ste 300, Carlsbad, CA 92011. This business is operated by a Corporation.

First day of business: 7/15/2025

/s/ Gary Antone, President with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/Recorder of San Diego on 8/20/2025

9/11, 9/18, 9/25, 10/2/2025

fiCTiTious busiNEss NamE

sTaTEmENT 2025-9016752

The name of the business: African Buffalo, located at 1182 High Bluff Ave., San Marcos, CA 92078. Registrant, Jingli Guo,

1182 High Bluff Ave., San Marcos, CA 92078, Xguan Zhang, 1182 High Bluff Ave., San Marcos, CA 92078. This business is operated by a Married Couple.

First day of business: N/A

/s/ Jingli Guo with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/Recorder of San Diego on 9/2/2025 9/11, 9/18, 9/25, 10/2/2025

fiCTiTious busiNEss NamE

sTaTEmENT 2025-9016189

The name of the business: Curry Express, located at 215 S. El Camino Real, Suite G, Encinitas, CA 92024. Registrant, Curry Express Encinitas LLC, 215 S. El Maino Real, Suite G, Encinitas, CA 92024. This business is operated by a Limited Liability Company. First day of business: N/A /s/ Ransit Singh, Manager with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/Recorder of San Diego on 8/22/2025 9/11, 9/18, 9/25, 10/2/2025

fiCTiTious busiNEss NamE

sTaTEmENT 2025-9016754

The name of the business: Snacky Nails, located at 2000 S. Melrose Dr., Apt 105, Vista, CA 92081. Registrant, Rddi Corp., 2000 S. Melrose Dr., Apt 105, Vista, CA 92081. This business is operated by a Corporation. First day of business: N/A /s/ Dina Kuchmenova, President with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/Recorder of San Diego on 9/2/2025 9/11, 9/18, 9/25, 10/2/2025

fiCTiTious busiNEss NamE

sTaTEmENT 2025-9015004

The name of the business: North County Auto, located at 515 Oceanside Blvd., Oceanside, CA 92054. Registrant, North County Auto, 515 Oceanside Blvd., Oceanside, CA 92054. This business is operated by a Corporation.

First day of business: 8/1/2018 /s/ Abdullah Karimi, President with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/Recorder of San Diego on 8/5/2025 9/11, 9/18, 9/25, 10/2/2025

fiCTiTious busiNEss NamE

sTaTEmENT 2025-9016078

The name of the business: The Painting and Wallpaper Collective, located at 527 N. Highway 101, Ste E, Solana Beach, CA 92075. Registrant, The Wallpaper Collective, 527 N. Highway 101, Ste E, Solana Beach, CA 92075. This business is operated by a Corporation.

First day of business: N/A /s/ Nir Berkovich, CEO with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/Recorder of San Diego on 8/21/2025

9/11, 9/18, 9/25, 10/2/2025

fiCTiTious busiNEss NamE

sTaTEmENT 2025-9017235

The name of the business: Olive Speech & Language Therapy, located at 549 West Bobier Drive, #205, Vista, CA 92083. Registrant, Olive Speech And Language Therapy PC, 549 West Bobier Drive, #205, Vista, CA 92083. This business is operated by a Corporation.

First day of business: 6/12/2024 /s/ Janelle Mills, President with Jordan Z. Marks, SD County Clerk/Recorder of San Diego on 89/8/2025 9/11, 9/18, 9/25, 10/2/2025