Beginning Sept. 6, The Coast News will be distributed each Friday at our newspaper racks in Vista, San Marcos and Escondido, offering our readers in these communities expanded and more timely coverage of inland and coastal North County.
The Coast News has served North County since 1987 and is also available at thecoastnews.com.
8 pickleball courts OK’d for Vista park
By Laura Place
VISTA — City leaders agreed this month to add eight new pickleball courts at Brengle Terrace Park to meet the growing need in the community while also removing four existing courts at Thibodo Park.
Brengle Terrace and Thibodo have both hosted pickleball courts since 2019 in response to the sport’s rising popularity. The courts have rarely been empty since, and in recent years, players have been clamoring for the city to add more courts due to long wait times for players.
At the council’s Aug. 13 meeting, city leaders discussed the possibility of adding more courts at Brengle Terrace by converting underutilized tennis courts. An individual tennis court can hold four
TURN TO PICKLEBALL ON 7
A comic walks into a mall ...
Students need e-bike permits
City safety initiative covers SMUSD schools
By Laura Place
Leaders in education, law enforcement and local government in San Marcos have teamed up to launch a new e-bike safety program that includes a required safety course for students riding bikes to school.
Launched Aug. 12, the Stay Safe San Marcos initiative is a partnership between the City of San Marcos, San Diego County Sheriff’s Department’s San Marcos Station and San Marcos Unified School District focused on education and safety measures for bike and e-bike riders.
Under the initiative, students at Double Peak School, San Elijo Middle School, San Marcos High School, and Mission Hills High School who ride their bikes to campus are required to obtain a permit through an in-person education
Escondido teen struck by hit-and-run driver dies
By City News Service
ESCONDIDO — A 14-year-old boy who was struck by a hit-and-run driver in the 1100 block of North Fig Street earlier this month died Aug. 19 at a hospital.
The teen, now identified as Angel Ornelas Jr., was struck shortly before 9:30 p.m. on Aug. 8, according to the Escondido Police Department.
Police are still searching for the driver who struck
the boy in a dark gray sedan before fleeing the scene.
At 9:26 p.m. that night, a 911 caller reported that Ornelas Jr. was unconscious in the street and a vehicle was heard speeding south away from the scene, police said.
The victim may have been on a skateboard when he was struck, according to police.
Ornelas Jr. was taken to the hospital in critical condition with a brain injury.
He died on Aug. 19, nearly two weeks after he was hit.
“We lost our beloved Angel today. We are at a loss for words to express the depth of our sorrow,” states his parents on a GoFundMe page that sought to raise funds for his recovery. “He was love, and his presence and smile lit up our home. We were with him until his final breath, and now our home feels empty without
ANGEL ORNELAS JR., 14, died nearly two weeks after he was struck by a hit-and-run driver in Escondido. Police are still searching for the driver. Courtesy photo
COMEDIAN Lachlan Patterson performs at the Grand Comedy Club in Escondido in 2020. The club’s owner plans to move the comedy club and pizzeria from its current Grand Avenue location to a more spacious venue at North County Mall at 200 E. Via Rancho Parkway, with plans to reopen in early December. Courtesy photo by Mal Hall
SAN MARCOS —
North County’s lone comedy club is changing Escondido locations later this year. Story on 2
Grand Comedy Club relocating to North County Mall
By Samantha Nelson ESCONDIDO — North
County’s lone comedy club is set to relocate to the North County Mall from its current Grand Avenue location later this year.
Grand Comedy Club and Pizzeria, which has become a local fixture, will move into the space formerly occupied by California Pizza Kitchen at 200 E. Via Rancho Parkway. Owner Adam Wasserman, who has been a key figure in the region’s comedy scene for nearly two decades, hopes to reopen the club by early December.
Wasserman, a North County native, began his search for a comedy club venue about six years ago. He eventually discovered a former pizzeria on Grand Avenue with a spacious back room. The space, he real
good spot for a comedy club,” Wasserman said. “That room was perfect.”
The Grand Comedy Club officially opened just a
ic. Despite the challenges of business closures and stayat-home orders, Wasserman managed to keep the club operating by hosting out
until restrictions were lifted.
In recent months, Wasserman has been exploring the possibility of relocating to a larger venue. When
opportunity. The current location at 340 E. Grand Avenue seats 140, but the new venue will accommodate up to 200 guests, enabling the
Wasserman intends to transform the new location into a pizzeria and sports pub in addition to the comedy club. Despite the move, the name Grand Comedy Club will remain.
The expanded venue will allow the club to operate seven days a week and offer a wider range of entertainment options, such as sports, karaoke, and live music. Wasserman is also in the process of obtaining a liquor license, which will allow for a full-service bar.
Excited about the new location’s potential, Wasserman is particularly optimistic about its proximity to Interstate 15, which he believes will draw San Diego’s vibrant comedy scene northward.
“A lot of comedians move to L.A. to start their careers and end up driving down here for a few shows because there’s more opportunity to get paid for comedy here versus up there where it’s more competitive,” he said.
Wasserman’s deep connections in the comedy industry have already brought famous names to his stage, including Neal Brennan, co-creator and co-writer of “Chappelle’s Show,” Jay Mohr, Dustin Ybarra, Taylor Tomlinson, Zoltan Kaszas — who filmed two specials at Grand Comedy Club — and Morgan Jay, among others. Whether the comedians performing at Grand Comedy Club are household names or up-and-coming talents, Wasserman guarantees that guests will enjoy a night full of laughter.
“If you come to my club, it’s going to be a great show,” he said.
For more information on upcoming performances at Grand Comedy Club, visit www.grandcomedyclub. com.
his radiant smile. We take solace in our faith, our love for our other children, and the memories we shared with Angel. He will forever be our baby. We love you, Papas.”
The victim would have been entering his freshman year at Escondido High School. His parents told NBC 7 San Diego that he loved playing sports and had joined the football team prior to the beginning of the school year.
“We should be watching him play instead of planning his funeral and saying goodbye to him,” his mother, Miriam Ornelas-Ponce, told NBC 7.
Ornelas Jr.’s family held a vigil in his honor on Aug. 21. Anyone with information about the crash was asked to call Officer Paul Smyth at 760-839-4423. Police are asking anyone who may have a camera in the area of Fig and Lincoln Avenue to contact investigators.
to this report.
GRAND COMEDY Club and Pizzeria will move into the space formerly occupied by California Pizza Kitchen at 200 E. Via Rancho Parkway. Owner Adam Wasserman, whose connections in the comedy industry have brought famous names to his stage, hopes to reopen the club, with increased capacity, by early December. Courtesy photo
Major repairs underway on Rancho Santa Fe Road
By Laura Place
SAN
MARCOS —
Crews are kicking off a sixmonth road rehabilitation project along Rancho Santa Fe Road in San Marcos, bringing several needed improvements to 1.3 miles of the busy roadway.
The nearly $4 million project, funded by Transnet dollars, covers the stretch between Melrose Drive and Lake Ridge Drive. Improvements will include new pavement, roadway restriping, improved signal loops, traffic signal safety cameras, and new ADA curb ramps.
While construction will likely cause commuters headaches over the coming months, city officials say the end result will be worth it.
in our community, which makes the goal of this project — improving traffic flows and ensuring safety during peak hours — that much more important.”
Pre-construction work began earlier this month, before the start of school. The city said work will resume Sept. 3 with concrete demolition and electrical wire installation, which will cause a southbound lane closure and impacts to the southbound bike lane and parts of the sidewalk for the next few weeks.
out the project.
“During the duration of construction, residents and commuters can expect traffic delays in the working area and are encouraged to take alternate routes. Residents and commuters can also expect large construction equipment, noise, odors, and occasional lane closures and night work during construction,” the city said.
and delays on the roadway,” the city said.
Other work over the course of the project will include grading and pouring concrete, roadway utility installation, asphalt paving, traffic signal activities, roadway striping, and traffic loop installation, according to Senior Civil Engineer Emad Elias.
“This project is a critical step forward for the community and underscores our commitment to a safe and
strong San Marcos,” said San Marcos Mayor Rebecca Jones. “We know this is a busy stretch of roadway
Crews will shift to work on northbound Rancho Santa Fe Road once southbound work is finished. However, two-way traffic is expected to be maintained through-
The project will also utilize a paving technique known as cold-in-place recycling, which removes and reuses existing asphalt during new paving to save money and materials.
“This process uses fewer materials, is more cost efficient, and reduces the amount of heavy equipment
San Marcos officials said the city is committed to communicating about road closures and will inform residents, businesses and schools that will be directly affected by activities ahead of time.
The project is expected to be completed in January, pending weather, according to the city.
HUD policy change a victory for veterans
By City News Service
ENCINITAS — Veter-
ans at risk of homelessness have expanded access today to rental assistance and affordable housing programs thanks to changes by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
benefits to qualify for lifesaving programs -- leaving some to choose between needed benefits and housing opportunities,’’ said Jonathan Castillo, chief regional officer of nonprofit PATH, or People Assisting the Homeless.
Rep. Mike Levin, D-Dana Point, announced the changes this month, which end HUD’s practice of counting veterans’ disability benefits as income for the purposes of rental assistance.
“These policy changes will make a tremendous impact in getting homeless veterans off the streets and into affordable housing units for a stable future,’’ Levin said. “We know that having a stable home produces better life outcomes and our veterans deserve nothing less.
“Now, veterans will not have their disability benefits held against them when applying for rental assistance. I thank HUD for acting and heeding my call to do more to help homeless veterans.
Our nation’s heroes should never go hungry, unemployed or without a place to call home.’’
California is home to around one-third of all homeless veterans in the United States. According to the Department of Veterans Affairs’ point-in- time count from January 2023, there were nearly 11,000 homeless veterans in California. As of the January 2024 point-intime count, there were 865 homeless veterans in San Diego County.
Before HUD’s changes, service-connected disability benefits were counted as income when determining eligibility for housing assistance -- causing some veterans to exceed the income eligibility threshold for housing programs.
“Our PATH teams frequently encounter veterans who must be turned away because they have too much income from their service-connected disability
“Thankfully, this policy shift will allow more veterans not only in San Diego County, but across the country, to get connected to housing and supportive services.’’
According to Levin’s office, going forward, veterans will not be denied admission to supportive housing subsidized by HUD due to their service- connected disability benefits.
“I was called to serve my country after September 11th and when I came home from Iraq, I was not the same,’’ said Isaac Estevez, U.S. Army veteran. “My PTSD caused me to fall into homelessness, substance abuse and I committed crimes just to survive. Then I connected with the VA and PATH, and thanks to HUDVASH, I was provided the support I needed to achieve sobriety and get connected to housing.
“The HUD changes announced today will help more Veterans like me find the support and stability they deserve,’’ he said.
In Dec. 2022, Levin sent a letter to HUD and the Office of Management and Budget requesting implementing the Housing Opportunity Through Modernization Act of 2016 include language excluding veteran disability compensation from income calculations for the purposes of HUD programs.
While it was not including in the final rule published in Feb. 2023, Levin continued to advocate for the change. In May 2024, Levin and Rep. Brad Sherman, D-Sherman Oaks, introduced the Housing Unhoused Disabled Veterans Act, a bipartisan bill to exclude disability compensation and pension benefits received by a veteran from HUD’s definition of income for the purposes of housing assistance.
Navy vet gets keys to Esco house, nonprofit’s 50th home in California
By Staff
ESCONDIDO — The national nonprofit organization Homes For Our Troops donated a home to Navy HM3 Randell Leoncio on Aug. 24 in a ceremony that commemorated the 50th HFOT home built in California.
Leoncio was severely injured while serving in Iraq. On Oct. 4, 2005, he was serving with the 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines, when his vehicle drove over an improvised explosive device in Ramadi, Iraq.
He suffered severe injuries, including a fractured jaw and the loss of his right leg above the knee. Stateside, Randell received treatment at Bethesda Naval Hospital and Brooke Army Medical Center before transferring to Balboa Naval Hospital for the remainder of his rehabilitation.
Leoncio’s new home on Mesa Lilac Road in
Escondido features more than 40 major special adaptations such as widened doorways for wheelchair access, a roll-in shower and kitchen amenities that include pull-down shelving and lowered countertops.
The home will also alleviate the mobility and safety issues associated with a traditional home, including navigating a wheelchair through narrow hallways or over thresholds, riding on carpets, or reaching for cabinets that are too high.
HFOT was able to donate the home to Leoncio thanks to contributions from donors, supporters and corporate partners. The community sponsor for the project is AREAA Foundation.
Leoncio, a prosthetist at Balboa Naval Hospital, has seen the difference an HFOT home has made in the lives of his patients, enabling them to return
to school, pursue careers and start families. He is grateful to HFOT supporters for providing his fellow injured Veterans with this gift.
“I want you all to know that you are making a difference and improving injured veterans’ lives,” he says.
Originally from the Philippines, Leoncio moved to Southern California at age 9. He joined the Navy to serve as a corpsman with the Marines with aspirations of becoming a firefighter paramedic.
In his free time, Randell enjoys spending time with his wife, Abreail, a Navy nurse, and his stepsons. His hobbies include off-roading with his jeep, camping, snowboarding, and working on cars.
Currently, there are over 68 HFOT projects underway nationwide. To find out more, visit hfotusa.org.
Mom of kids killed on 78 gets 3 years
A
who prosecutors said drove drunk on a Vista freeway just before two of her children were fatally struck by another driver was sentenced Aug. 27 to three years and four months in state prison.
Sandra Ortiz, 34, was arrested following the Father’s Day 2023 deaths of her 10-year-old son, Alan, and her 16-year-old daughter, Amy.
Police said that after a piece of luggage fell from their vehicle, Ortiz pulled the car over to the side of state Route 78. The children then entered the freeway to retrieve it and were struck by an oncoming vehicle, police said. Ortiz and four of her other children were in the car when the fatal crash happened.
Prosecutors alleged Ortiz had a blood-alcohol-level of 0.14% two hours after the crash and also lacked a valid driver’s license at the time. It remains unclear what prompted the children to enter the freeway lanes.
She pleaded guilty to child endangerment and DUI counts and faced a possible sentence ranging from probation to over 10 years in prison at the sentencing.
CARJACKING SUSPECT HELD AFTER PURSUIT
VISTA — A carjacking suspect was arrested last weekend after a pursuit resulting in a rollover crash in Vista, authorities said. At about 1:30 a.m. Aug. 25, deputies responded to reports of a vehicle theft in the 900 block of S. Santa Fe Avenue, according to the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department.
A 2003 Mazda hatchback was stolen from the victim by multiple armed suspects who fled the scene. The vehicle was located shortly afterward near the intersection of Date Street and Grapevine Road.
A traffic stop was ini-
THE SIX-MONTH, $4 million project will focus on the 1.3 mile stretch between Melrose Drive and Lake Ridge Drive. Commuters can expect delays. Courtesy photo/City of San Marcos
By City News Service
VISTA —
woman
LEVIN
RANDELL LEONCIO received the keys to his family’s new, specially adapted home in Escondido this past weekend. The ceremony commemorated the 50th Homes For Our Troops home built in California. Photo via X/Homes For Our Troops
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How to keep teachers from leaving their jobs
By Emily McGinnis
There’s never been a more stressful time to be a teacher. I say that as someone who worked in K-12 schools for more than 20 years, first as a teacher and then as a principal.
Educators enter the profession out of a passion for teaching and helping kids. But today, they’re leaving in droves. Between 2020 and 2022, about 300,000 public school teachers and staff quit. K-12 teachers have the highest burnout rate of any profession. Nearly a third are considering leaving the profession.
For the sake of the next generation, school districts and local governments need to figure out how to keep teachers in classrooms. Improved salaries would help — teachers are underpaid. But even that wouldn’t entirely solve the problem.
We need to turn schools back into places where teachers want to be. Many of these institutions are no longer havens for learning.
Pressure on teachers has mounted over the years as society has made them scapegoats in cultural and political battles. They face unprecedented criticism from parents and governmental officials.
Need real solutions beyond Housing First
By Chris Megison
In 2016, California passed legislation mandating Housing First as the only state-approved funding model for homeless services. Housing First has several key features, the most prominent of which is that state-funded programs cannot require sobriety as a condition of participation.
Additionally, these programs are prohibited from referring to substance use in judgmental terms. Any program that does not conform to these guidelines is labeled “high barrier.”
Housing First also requires all programming to be voluntary or non-mandated.
K-12 teachers have the highest burnout rate of any profession. Nearly a third are considering leaving the profession.
worked a second job to help make ends meet.
Burnout is a downward spiral. It drives teachers away, which increases the workload — and burnout — of those who stay.
Of course, the elephant in the classroom is money. Local and state governments must allocate more funding to their public schools.
Stressors are also increasing inside. Schools are growing more violent. Since the pandemic, 38% of K-12 schools have seen an increase in physical violence between students, 45% have seen an increase in threats, and 37% report an increase in bullying.
The teacher shortage, along with staff cuts, force those who remain to take on more responsibilities — supervising morning drop-off, recess or afterschool programs.
Most teachers can’t afford to spend more time on the job. Already, more than 80% of teachers have
Instead, states like Connecticut and Utah are slashing education budgets. Tennessee, South Carolina, and Oklahoma are considering rejecting billions in federal education funding. Nearly $200 billion in Covid-era federal aid is set to expire soon.
In Texas, lawmakers failed to approve teacher pay increases despite a $38.7 billion surplus.
We need to increase school funding to retain and attract more teachers. But how we go about using funds is just as important. Schools should prioritize hiring assistant teachers and tutoring services.
Even schools dealing with budget cuts can make changes to support their teachers. For instance,
administrators can show teachers they value their expertise by standing behind their decisions when dealing with quarrelsome parents. It also makes a difference to respect their time. When I was a teacher, I’d often be up by 5 a.m., at school by 6:30 a.m., and home at 6 p.m., all while juggling family responsibilities — and preparing the next day’s lesson on my own time.
It doesn’t cost any money to have administrative staff take turns covering morning drop-off or lunch supervision. As a principal, I provided teachers with meals donated by local restaurants, freeing up time after work so they could enjoy dinner at home with their families.
If we care about children, we have to nurture their teachers. Too many have lost the joy of educating. By respecting their time and improving their workplaces, we can bring that joy back.
Emily McGinnis is a former educator and principal. This piece originally ran in the Dallas Morning News.
funding to be allocated to shelters that require abstinence from substance use as a condition of participation.
But the devil is in the details, and AB 2893 leaves much to be desired.
While the bill suggests that programs like ours might receive funding, it still demands compliance with other Housing First “low barrier” standards, including allowing participants to stay in the program even if they repeatedly relapse. This is a significant concern because relapse can be harmful to others, and protecting our program students and their families is a top priority.
At Solutions for Change, we have spent 25 years empowering thousands of individuals and families to escape homelessness, dependency, and the generational cycle of poverty — what we call “crushing the Churn.”
Our classes, coaching, therapy, or interventions are critical for helping individuals achieve lasting change, leading to a 76% success rate. However, under Housing First, participation cannot be required.
We are one of the programs the legislature dismisses as a “high barrier.” In reality, we set “high standards” for those we serve and hold them accountable.
It doesn’t take decades of experience to understand that homelessness stems from various factors. While the cost of housing is certainly a factor, it’s nearly impossible to escape homelessness without addressing its other root causes. For those struggling with substance use or mental health issues, allowing substance use in shelters or being prohibited from discussing it honestly is not just contradictory to effective solutions—it’s fundamentally flawed.
That’s why we made the decision to reject government funding tied to Housing First, forgoing tens of millions of dollars to stay true to our mission and values.
Since California adopted Housing First in 2016, despite over $20 billion in state funding, homelessness has skyrocketed, leading to untold suffering and thousands of deaths. Legislators might argue that the situation would be worse without their policies, but recent legislative proposals suggest they might recognize cracks in their approach.
Assembly Bill 2893, the Supportive Recovery Residence Program, introduces minor amendments to the state’s one-sizefits-all approach. The bill would allow up to 10% of
Housing First, as a blanket solution for California’s homelessness crisis, is an abject failure. That’s not up for debate.
AB 2893 also continues to mandate that shelters only refer to substance use in nonjudgmental terms. We unapologetically take a firm stance on this issue, knowing that active substance use is incompatible with the journey out of homelessness. Our experience has shown that addressing substance use directly and with accountability is essential to overcoming homelessness. Furthermore, participation would remain voluntary, leaving out thousands of homeless individuals who are lost in addiction and mental illness who require accountability to successfully transform their lives.
Housing First, as a blanket solution for California’s homelessness crisis, is an abject failure. That’s not up for debate. The results are evident in the data, in our communities, and on our streets. The principles underpinning Housing First might benefit a small fraction of the homeless population, but they fall short of addressing the needs of many others. Unfortunately, AB 2893 won’t reverse these failures. It’s time to go back to the drawing board and rethink our approach to solving homelessness in California.
Chris Megison is a social entrepreneur, co-founder and CEO of Solutions for Change
Council seats, sales tax, more on Esco ballot
By Samantha Nelson ESCONDIDO — Vot-
ers will decide on two City Council seats, four school board seats and a sales tax measure this fall.
City Council District 3, which covers the south central portion of the city, and District 4, which covers the southwest portion, are both up for election this November.
In District 3, incumbent Deputy Mayor Christian Garcia will face challengers Christine Spencer and Veronica Cigarroa.
Garcia was appointed to the seat in early 2023 after Councilmember Joe Garcia – no relation to Christian Garcia – was redistricted and reelected to serve District 2 instead. Christian Garcia previously served as a trustee on the Palomar College Governing Board before his appointment and is now seeking election to hold onto his council seat.
According to his campaign website, Garcia’s priorities include continuing to advance homelessness solutions that get people off the streets and into supportive housing to address their underlying addictions and mental health issues; protect public safety by adequately funding police and fire; streamlining regulations and investing in commercial areas to support small businesses; and supporting “new housing opportunities” that are more affordable while also keeping utility rates low and opposing tax increases like the county mileage tax.
“I am running for a full term on the City Council to continue working on homelessness solutions, public safety, supporting small businesses, and addressing the high cost of living in Escondido,” Garcia states on his website.
Spencer has served Escondido in various capacities over the years, including as secretary for the Old Escondido Historic District board; fundraising director and board member of the Escondido Art Association; a member of the Escondido Community Foundation and the San Diego Women’s Foundation; and a member of the Escondido East Rotary Club.
According to her campaign website, Spencer presently volunteers with Interfaith Community Services, Classical Academies, Old Escondido Historic District board, Escondido Art Association and St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church.
Spencer’s priorities include keeping essential community services like the library, California Center for the Arts, senior programs,
youth recreation and a full city staff in place; maintaining and growing businesses downtown; balancing the city’s budget, which has been plagued by an ongoing structural deficit for the last few years; addressing homelessness and providing more housing for all income levels.
“I am running to represent our district how it should be, by listening to community members and creating innovative solutions to the current issues facing our city,” Spencer states on her campaign website.
Cigarroa is a mental health advocate who serves as the San Diego area director of Clubhouse Coalition California, a community-based model that helps people with serious mental illness reconnect with others, regain employment and find housing.
“As director, I’ve led efforts to build support networks for the unhoused, isolated seniors and those needing mental health advocacy,” she states on her website. “I implemented innovative strategies, diversified funding, secured grants and attained international accreditation.”
Addressing homelessness is one of her top priorities. She notes her experience with finding stable housing for unhoused populations and advocating for mental health support.
“Escondido needs strong, thoughtful leadership that prioritizes collaboration to effectively address homelessness, affordable housing, public safety, budget deficits, and support for local businesses,” she states in her candidate statement.
Garcia is running as a Republican, meanwhile Spencer is running as an independent and Cigarroa as a Democrat backed by county Democrats.
According to campaign contribution filings on the city’s website, Garcia raised $36,929 between July 1, 2023, and June 30, 2024. Spencer raised $2,223 be-
tween Jan. 1 and June 30 of this year, and Cigarroa has not yet reported financial contributions to her campaign.
In District 4, residents will choose a brand new council member to represent them, with Councilmember Mike Morasco retiring after serving 14 years on City Council.
Judy Fitzgerald, a Republican, will face Rod Howell, a Democrat, for the District 4 seat.
Fitzgerald previously served as a police officer for the Carlsbad and Oceanside police departments, at some point moving into higher ranking positions including detective. She also co-founded the CrossFit Xystum Fitness Gym in Escondido before selling it in 2019 to help care for her elderly fatherin-law dealing with Parkinson's and Alzheimer's.
Fitzgerald has volunteered on the board of directors for Henson’s Fix Auto, served as executive director of Alternatives Medical Clinic and is an active member of the Escondido Chamber of Commerce. She also chaired the human trafficking committee for the Escondido Rotary and Sunrise Rotary Clubs.
Fitzgerald’s priorities include addressing homelessness, retaining and growing small businesses within the city and supporting public safety.
“I will always support the Escondido Police Department and seek increased funding to make sure our police officers and firefighters are well compensated, have the resources needed to do their job well, and are empowered to enforce the law free from the pro-criminal attitudes of Sacramento politicians,” Fitzgerald states on her campaign website.
“Currently, the Escondido Police Department has eleven patrol officers during the day and seven during the evening. These numbers only allow the department to respond to crime rather
than proactively preventing it.”
Howell, a Navy veteran and retired federal government employee who is in the process of launching his campaign website, says in his candidate statement that he is a 27-year Escondido resident who hopes to deliver results as a strong leader on the council.
“I am tired of seeing increased homelessness, jobs and investment opportunities lost due to businesses closing or relocating to other cities. Our roads and infrastructure are in dire need of repair. Escondido deserves better. I know our potential,” he states.
Howell plans to increase the city’s revenue to address its budget deficit, attract better jobs and businesses, increase public safety, fix roads and infrastructure, improve parks and “get serious about addressing homelessness.”
Fitzgerald received $60,616 between July 1, 2023, and June 30, 2024; Howell, meanwhile, has yet to report financial contributions to his campaign.
Also on ballot
• Voters will also decide on Measure I, a proposed 1cent sales tax that if approved will bump the city’s current 7.75% sales tax rate to 8.75% for the next 20 years.
Revenue from the sales tax would be primarily spent on public safety, including increasing fire and paramedic services; addressing homelessness; improving streets, sidewalks and other infrastructure; reducing traffic congestion; and maintaining parks, trails and open space.
• Voters will decide on two trustees each for the Escondido Union School District, which covers elementary and middle schools in the city, and the Escondido Union High School District.
For EUSD, Trustee
Newcomers aim for Vista shakeup
By Laura Place
VISTA — Competitive races are shaping up for two seats on the Vista City Council.
District 3 Councilmember Katie Melendez will run against challenger Denisse Barragan, and two newcomers will throw their hats in the ring for the District 2 seat that will be vacated by Councilmember Joe Green.
Melendez, who currently serves as Deputy Mayor, is seeking her second term to represent District 3, which includes Breeze Hill, West Vista Village, Melrose and Grapevine. Her opponent, Barragan, is a local business owner.
In District 2, which includes the Vista Civic Center, Vista Valley, and the Main Street area of downtown Vista, Marine veteran and activist Anthony White is running against business owner Jeffrey Fox.
Green, who has been on the City Council since 2016, is not seeking re-election.
Vista Unified Seven candidates are running for three open seats on the Vista Unified School District Board of Trustees.
Area 4 Trustee Cipriano Vargas is the only incumbent running for another term in 2024, with trustees Rosemary Smithfield and Julie Kelly not seeking re-election. Elected in 2016, Vargas is running against Frank Nuñez and nonprofit director and parent Zulema Gomez to represent central Vista.
Parent and PTA leader Amanda Remmen and parent Michael Markov are running for the Area 1 seat, currently held by Smithfield, representing northern Vista and parts of Oceanside. Retired teacher Susan Martin and business owner Anthony “TJ” Crossman are running for Kelly’s Area 5 seat, representing Ocean Hills, Buena Vista and
San Marcos City Council
Two seats are up for election on the San Marcos City Council this November, with just one incumbent coming back for a shot at another term and several newcomers throwing their hat in the ring.
District 4 incumbent Ed Musgrove is seeking his second four-year term and is challenged by Natasha Zander Hilmes. District 4 encompasses northern San Marcos, including Richland, Santa Fe Hills, and Palomar College.
District 3 Councilmember and Deputy Mayor Sharon Jenkins has served on the council since 2012 and will retire at the end of her term. Attorneys Alan Geraci and Danielle LeBlang are seeking her District 3 seat, which represents Cal State San Marcos, North City and the Creek District.
San Marcos Unified Three incumbents on the San Marcos Unified School District board of trustees are each facing a challenger in their re-election bids this November In the Area A race, which represents the district’s southwest area, including portions of Carlsbad, incumbent Carlos Ulloa is running for re-election against parent and business owner Heidi Herrick.
The Area B race, representing San Elijo Hills, Discovery Hills and Lake San Marcos, includes incumbent Sarah Ahmad and small business manager Brittany Bower, and Area D incumbent Jaime Chamberlin is running against parent and business owner Lena Lauer Meum. Ulloa, Chamberlin and Ahmad were all elected in 2020 and are running for their second term on the board.
6 candidates for 3 seats on Palomar College Board of Trustees
By Laura Place
SAN MARCOS —
Three seats on the Palomar College Board of Trustees are up for election in November, with a mix of incumbents and challengers appearing on the ballot.
The five-member board oversees the functions of the
31,000-student community college located in San Marcos. Seats for areas 2, 3 and 4 are up for election this year.
Board members are elected to four-year terms by trustee area. The Area 4 seat was also up for election in 2022, when Michelle Rains
was elected to finish out the four-year term of Brian Olsen, who resigned in 2021.
Rains will now run for a full four-year term this November. She is challenged by UC San Diego professor Holly Hamilton Bleakley and nonprofit director Ami Admire. Area 4 is the
college’s largest district by land area, covering Poway, Ramona, Julian, Borrego Springs, and parts of Valley Center and Escondido.
Board President Roberto Rodriguez is running unopposed for re-election to his Area 3 seat, representing south San Marcos, Del Dios, La Jolla Valley and Rancho Peñasquitos. He was first elected to the board in 2020 and is seeking his second term.
Two challengers are running for the Area 2 seat representing central San Marcos and Escondido. Edward Pohlert is a counselor and Faculty Director for Retention Services at MiraCosta College, and Yvette Marie Acosta is a school counselor and psychologist at Escondido High School. Cassandra Schaeg, who was appointed to the Area 2 seat in 2023, is not seeking re-election.
Shadowridge.
INCUMBENT Katie Melendez, left, faces off against Denisse Barragan for the District 3 seat on the Vista City Council.
Courtesy photos
TWO CITY COUNCIL seats are being contested this fall, including in District 3, where Veronica Cigarroa, left, and Christine Spencer, right, are challenging incumbent Christian Garcia, center, who seeks election after being appointed to the seat last year. Courtesy photos
Who’s NEWS?
Business news and special achievements for North San Diego County. Send information via email to community@ coastnewsgroup.com.
DEAN’S LIST
Zane Goldman of Vista was named to the spring dean’s list at Pacific University in Oregon.
NEW DIRECTOR
Tiffany “Esperanza” Zapico is the new executive director of Operation HOPE-North County, a homeless shelter for single women and families in Vista.
SUNSHINE AWARD
Oceanside Theatre
Company will honor CJ DiMento with the inaugural Hattie “Sunshine” Brooks Award for elevating and enhancing the arts in Oceanside at the “Love Boat to Paradise” Gala on Sept. 21. DiMento serves as director of the Oceanside Public Library, staff liaison to the Oceanside Arts Commission, and spearheaded the effort that designated downtown Oceanside as one of 14 cultural districts in the state.
MIRACOSTA ADMINS
MiraCosta College has
hired five new administrators to serve in leadership roles for the college:
Ailene Cua Crakes as Dean of Counseling and Student Development, Bridge Files-Herrin as Dean of Admissions and Student Support, Cornel Ruston as Director of Security and Infrastructure Systems, Jenn Acfalle as Director of Human Resources, and Colleen Maeder as Director of Student Services at the San Elijo Campus.
SUSIECAKES OPENS
SusieCakes – a Los Angeles-based bakery known for making old-fashioned layer cakes, colorful cupcakes, classic cookies, and traditional pies – will open a second location at The Forum Carlsbad, an outdoor shopping center at 1935 Calle Barcelona, Suite 172. The bakery is open Monday-Saturday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
FELLOWSHIPS + GRANTS
The Del Mar-Leucadia branch of the American Association of University Women is accepting applications for its 2024-2025 fellowships and grants for women pursuing academic work or leading innovative community projects that empower women and girls. Visit aauw.us/applicationsopen for more information. Applications are due by Nov. 15.
NEW GROCERY
Wild Fork, a specialty food store that offers quality beef, pork, chicken, lamb and seafood as well as bison, goat, goose, quail, duck, rabbit, alligator and more will open its latest location in Encinitas at 1560-A Leucadia Blvd.
BIG THEFT
The Carlsbad Police Department recently announced they had arrested
San Marcos Chamber
CHATTER
a suspect in a series of organized retail thefts from the Carlsbad Premium Outlets. Over the course of several weeks, Officer Madison Puliafico investigated multiple cases of grand theft at high end retail stores resulting in more than $30,000 in stolen goods from the outlets. On Aug. 16, Puliafico along with the crime suppression team led by Sgt. Matt Jencen, arrested 38-yearold Jose Miguel Gonzalez of Lake Elsinore. He was booked into Vista Detention Facility on seven counts of organized retail theft and criminal conspiracy.
LIGHTHOUSE AWARDS
The Escondido Union High School District announced the following recipients of this year’s Lighthouse Award, which is given to employees who go above and beyond in their work and leading the way for others: Martha Martinez, school administrative secretary at Del Lago Academy; Jenny Chumbley, administrative assistant at the District Service Center; Manuel Joslyn and Danny Lopez, transportation fleet mechanics at the District Service Center; Ruben Rebollar, custodian at the Escondido Adult School; Kelly Ladendorf Boden, Spanish teacher and athletic director at Escondido High School; Aled Anaya, CTE printing, graphics and
Larimer to leave Vista museum post in January
By Staff VISTA — Jack Larimer,
director of the Vista Historical Museum at Rancho Minerva has announced his retirement as of Jan. 3, 2025. Larimer, a Vista native, has been director of the museum since June 2002.
During this time, he managed both museum locations and the change of the museum from next to Wildwood Park to its current location at Rancho Minerva on old Foothill Drive in 2009.
During his tenure with the museum, he and his wife, Sharon, were awarded the Ben Dixon Award for excellence in history and their contribution to the preservation of the history of Vista by the Congress of History of San Diego and Imperial Counties in March 2019.
He was also awarded the 2024 lifetime achievement award by the Vista Chamber of Commerce at the Heroes of Vista celebration.
design teacher at Orange Glen High School; Guadalupe Perez, school administrative secretary at San Pasqual High School; Cory Gregory, principal at San Pasqual High School; and Bertha Jimenez, English and RTP teacher at Valley High School.
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT
New owner elevates Robeks San Marcos with community-focused approach
Since acquiring Robeks San Marcos in December 2023, Heather Richmond has been dedicated to upholding the tradition of bringing joy through delicious food and drinks. With a strong commitment to premium ingredients, the menu features a variety of smoothies, fresh juices, acai bowls, wellness shots, and toasts. While part of a franchise, the business is proudly locally owned and operated by Heather, a community-focused mom who values supporting local businesses and actively engaging with the community. How long have you been in business? This location has been around for 13 years, but I purchased it in December 2023. The prior owners are beginning their retirement journey and passed on the torch. What services and/ or specialty products do you provide? We offer
Smoothies, Fresh Juices, Acai Bowls, Wellness Shots and Toasts. We also do small and larger catering and partner with organizations for fundraisers. What sets you apart from others in your industry? Our unwavering commitment to quality. We use only premium ingredients, which ensures that our products not only taste exceptional but also provide superior nutrition. Although we’re part of a
franchise, we’re proud to be locally owned and operated by a mom who deeply values community connections. Being active in our community and supporting local businesses and organizations is at the heart of what we do.
What question are you asked most frequently by customers? What’s your favorite item? And my answer is I LOVE our acai bowls and the mango turmeric madness smoothie.
What is your favorite business success story? Acquiring the business itself. The process took six long months, filled with unexpected hurdles that often made it feel like the deal might fall through. There were moments of doubt, but with persistence and grit, I pushed through every challenge.
What motivated you to join The San Marcos Chamber? I like learning
about other businesses in the area and how we can help each other grow and become even better. When I first took over the store, I met a couple of other business owners that were a part of the San Marcos Chamber and they were so helpful and wonderful that it solidified wanting to join.
What’s your best piece of business advice? Challenges are opportunities for growth as a business owner. Stress comes from focusing on what’s beyond your control—so don’t. Identify the problem, execute the solution, update your processes for the future, and look ahead.
Business website: locations.robeks.com/ca/ san-marcos/133-n-twinoaks-valley-rd Business Instagram: instagram.com/robeks Business Facebook: facebook.com/ robekssanmarcos
SAN MARCOS FARMERS MARKET
He attended Vista schools and graduated from the Army and Navy Academy in Carlsbad. He is also a graduate of the UC San Diego with a BA in economics, and San Diego State University with an MA in economics.
Previously, he worked for the City of Vista in the planning department for 30 years.
Sharon Larimer has been on the board of directors of the Vista Historical Society since 2010.
a $3,000 grant to Orange Hills Dance School.
UNIVERSITY HOUSING
Dwight Stratton of Vista received the Cherrie Sevick Lifetime Achievement Award from The Arc of San Diego, one of the county’s largest nonprofits serving people with disabilities, for his commitment to supporting the organization’s mission.
WALMART REMODEL
Walmart at 1330 E. Grand Ave. in Escondido recently celebrated its grand re-opening following an extensive remodel to enhance the store’s shopping experience. The redesign includes a new community mural celebrating Escondido and
McCarthy Building Companies, Inc. recently celebrated the concrete start and tower crane at Cal State San Marcos for the 140,661-square foot University Village Housing and Dining Facility currently under construction.
WORKPLACE WELLNESS
Neighborhood Healthcare, a regional federally qualified health center based in Escondido, received the Silver Award by Aetna, a CVS company, in its annual Workplace Wellness competition.
U-HAUL SERVICE USA Mobile Tire Service, at 711 W. 4th Ave. in Escondido, has signed on as a U-Haul neighborhood dealer, offering trucks, trailers, towing equipment, moving supplies and instore pickup for boxes.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR THE NORTH COASTAL VOLUNTEER SHERIFF’S PATROL
The North Coastal Sheriff’s Station is recruiting for its Volunteer Sheriff’s Patrol. This program involves:
• Conducting home vacation security checks
• Assisting with traffic control
• Patrolling neighborhoods, schools, parks, and shopping centers in patrol cars and on foot
• Visiting homebound seniors who live alone in the communities of Encinitas, Solana Beach, Del Mar, and portions of the county’s unincorporated areas, such as Rancho Santa Fe
• Performing other duties as needed
The primary mission of the volunteers is to serve as an extra set of eyes and ears for the deputies on patrol. To be eligible, volunteers must be at least 50 years old, in good health, and have no significant mobility limitations.
Volunteers must pass a background check, have auto insurance, and a valid California driver’s license. Training involves two weeks at the Sheriff’s Academy plus several in-field patrols. Volunteers must commit to four 6-hour shifts with a partner and attendance at one program meeting per month. If interested, please contact the Volunteer Sheriff’s Patrol at (760) 966 3579 to schedule an initial interview.
TIFFANY ZAPICO CJ DIMENTO
HEATHER RICHMOND Owner, Robeks San Marcos
JACK LARIMER has served as director of the Vista Historical Museum for 22-plus years. Courtesy photo
pickleball courts.
Several pickleball players spoke in favor of the idea, noting that hundreds of people of all ages play at Brengle Terrace every day.
“Vista has regularly-unused tennis courts and four more pickleball courts can easily be created,” said resident Gary Duffield. “We’ve worked with city staff now for over three years working on getting more courts, and it’s now time for the city to offer more courts.”
City staff recommended converting one of the park’s six tennis courts into four new pickleball courts and then constructing a replacement tennis court elsewhere in the park.
However, Councilmember Dan O’Donnell suggested converting two tennis courts for pickleball at Brengle Terrace to yield eight new pickleball courts and foregoing a new tennis court entirely.
O’Donnell also recommended converting the four pickleball courts at Thibodo back to tennis courts in response to frequent noise complaints from neighboring residents. He cited data shared with the council from Placer.ai, indicating that the majority of people playing pickleball at Thibodo come from outside the city.
“About 30% of people that use the courts at Thibodo are from Vista. So when 70% of the population outside of Vista is utilizing those courts, that’s the reason I think it’s amicable to solve the problem [of] making sure that we have enough tennis courts, while also, you’re also getting an additional pickleball court out of it,” O’Donnell said.
The council unanimously approved this option, with other council members agreeing that the Thibodo courts have caused issues for neighboring res-
idences. The four closest homes are within 200 to 300 feet of the courts.
“I also agree that pickleball courts at Thibodo have been a problem, be-
cause we have folks from Carlsbad using those bad boys and causing a nuisance to our Vista residents,” said Councilmember Joe Green.
The decision to close the
• Car/Motorcycle Accidents
• Premises Liability
• Worksite Injuries
• Nursing Home Neglect
• Wrongful Death
• All Personal Injury
courts at Thibodo shocked community members who frequently play pickleball at the park. As of Aug. 20, a Change.org petition asking the city not to close the
complaints, but we believe that more thoughtful, community-focused solutions can and should be explored regarding the noise issues related to the Thibodo Park Pickleball courts,” he said.
At the Aug. 13 meeting, Mayor John Franklin said the city did not know how loud a sport, pickleball, could be when they first approved the courts.
“We were one of the early leaders of pickleball, but we did not know how loud it is,” Franklin said. “I have felt very bad for the people who own homes in the immediate vicinity.”
Converting the tennis courts at Brengle Terrace is expected to take around six months and cost around $40,000 per court, according to a staff report. City spokesperson Fred Tracey said the city is also estimating to close the Thibodo pickleball courts within six months.
The conversions at Brengle Terrace will add 12 total pickleball courts and leave four remaining tennis courts.
courts had gathered over 370 signatures, and several residents also contacted city leaders.
Vista resident Mor Hasson, who created the petition, said the closures at Thibodo would be a huge loss for the community, and only make waits longer at Brengle Terrace.
“Even here at these courts, there’s usually like eight to 12 people waiting to play,” he said.
When it comes to noise issues, Hasson said pickleball players at Thibodo are very cognizant about being respectful to neighbors. He said he would have liked to see more discussion with the community before the city made this decision.
“The main cause of this decision to close the courts appears to be noise
New pickleball courts are also being considered at other future park sites, according to a staff report. This could include the 6-acre Vista Courthouse site adjacent to the County Complex and the 2-acre Matagual Drive site at Matagual Drive and Hacienda Drive.
Pickleball infrastructure is also popping up in other North County cities. Earlier this year, neighboring Carlsbad approved the addition of eight new courts between Calavera Hills and Stagecoach parks.
Escondido is adding its first eight courts next summer at Mountain View Park, and San Marcos will see the addition of four courts at the new Restaurant Row development. Oceanside is also considering adding 12 courts at El Corazon Park.
THE VISTA City Council decided this month to close the four pickleball courts at Thibodo Park, pictured, and convert them back into tennis courts, while adding eight new pickleball courts at Brengle Terrace Park. Residents unhappy with the decision to close the Thibodo pickleball courts have started a petition to ask the city to reverse course. Courtesy photo/City of Vista
THE CITY installed acoustical paneling at the Thibodo Park pickleball courts to reduce the noise to nearby residences. This month, the City Council agreed to close the pickleball courts at Thibodo and add more courts at Brengle Terrace Park. Courtesy photo/City of Vista
SATURDAY, AUGUST 31
$1,000,000 FanDuel Racing Pacific Classic
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 1
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 7
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 8 JULY 20 - SEPTEMBER 8
Get FREE admission, program and seat, plus 40% off 16 oz. Michelob ULTRA, Brandt Beef hot dogs and sodas at concession stands with FREE Diamond Club membership.
Half off Del Mar Signature Drinks every Friday at select locations. We’ll drink to that!
For the ultimate Happy Hour, upgrade to Turf Club Fridays with access to the exclusive Turf Club, including trackside seating, appetizers, libations, and world-class racing.
Don’t miss Del Mar’s only $1 million purse for 3-year-olds & up. A “Win And You’re In” race for the Breeders’ Cup Classic. The day features five graded stakes races.
Free activities for the whole family including bungee trampolines, rock climbing walls and more. FREE admission for kids under 18 with a parent or guardian.
New North County veterinary clinic
to open with promotional first visit
Vista, California, is on the cusp of welcoming a premier veterinary facility with the opening of North County Animal Hospital. Set to begin operations in Fall of 2024, this new establishment is poised to become a trusted resource for pet owners in Vista and the surrounding areas, offering a wide array of services that emphasize both preventive care and advanced medical treatments.
North County Animal Hospital will be located at 445 Hacienda Drive, a spot chosen for its accessibility to the community it intends to serve. The facility has been thoughtfully designed to create a welcoming environment for both pets and their owners, reflecting the hospital’s commitment to providing a stress-free experience from the moment clients walk through the door. The interior features modern, pet-friendly spaces that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also functional, ensuring that every visit is as comfortable as possible, for the pet and the pet owner.
One of the standout features of North County Animal Hospital is its comprehensive range of services. The hospital will offer everything from routine wellness exams and vaccinations to more specialized care such as dental pro-
cedures, diagnostics, and surgical interventions. This wide spectrum of services ensures that pets can receive all the care they need under one roof, whether it’s a simple check-up or a more complex medical procedure.
Leading the team at North County Animal Hospital is Dr. Mona King, DVM, a seasoned veterinarian with a deep passion for animal care. Dr. King brings years of experience to her role as both the owner and medical director of the hospital. Her expertise is complemented by that of Associate Veterinarian Dr. Nelly Chu, whose background in veterinary medicine further strengthens the hospital’s commitment to providing high-quality care. Together, Dr. King and Dr. Chu form a dynamic duo that is well-equipped to handle the diverse needs of the pets they will serve.
In addition to its medical services, North County Animal Hospital is dedicated to building strong relationships with its clients. The team understands that visiting the vet can be a stressful experience for both pets and their owners. To alleviate this, they place a strong emphasis on communication, ensuring that pet owners are well-informed and comfortable with the care their pets are receiv-
ing. This focus on client education is a key part of the hospital’s mission, as they believe that informed pet owners are better equipped to make decisions that benefit their pets’ health in the long term.
The opening of North County Animal Hospital is a significant development for the Vista community and surrounding areas. The hospital not only brings a new standard of veterinary care to the area but also embodies a commitment to excellence and compassion that is sure to resonate with pet owners. As the hospital prepares to open its doors, the excitement is palpable, with many eagerly anticipating the positive impact it will have on local pet health.
North County Animal Hospital is more than just a place for pets to receive medical care—it’s a community hub where pet owners can find support, education, and the peace of mind that comes with knowing their beloved companions are in good hands. For more information about the hospital and the services they offer, and to join their VIP list, visit their website at https:// northcountyanimalhospital.com/
Sign up today and receive 50% off your first exam for your pet in the first month of opening.
Show your valid student ID for FREE racetrack admission and access to grandstand seating. First $2 bet & Tipsheet is on Del Mar until 3pm.
The 2024 summer season comes to a close. The final day of racing features mandatory payouts on all wagers including the Pick 6.
GUNTHER GUNS
NORTH COUNTY Animal Hospital opens this fall at 445 Hacienda Drive in Vista. Courtesy photo
class led by the Sheriff’s Department.
Looking ahead, the San Marcos City Council will also consider updates to the municipal code regarding e-bikes to enhance local safety.
“The City of San Marcos is excited to introduce this safety program as a crucial step toward promoting safe riding practices for e-bike riders, motorists, and pedestrians. We are proud to work together to improve the safety of our roads,” said City Manager Michelle Bender.
SMUSD has held three bike safety classes so far this month, with over 300 students and parents attending an Aug. 13 class at San Elijo Middle School. Additional classes to be offered in September and October.
Students must bring their bikes and helmets to receive permit stickers and must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. No registration is required.
“By working together with the City and the Sheriff’s Office, we are committed to ensuring that our young riders are well prepared to enjoy electric bicycles safely, contributing to a safer environment for everyone in our community,” said SMUSD Superintendent Dr. Andy Johnsen.
San Marcos Unified spokesperson Amy Ventetuolo said that only students at the four designated schools would be required to obtain a permit at this time; how-
ever, the district plans to expand the program to other schools in the future.
“While all students can and are encouraged to attend the permitting classes to ride safely, only students at those four schools are required to take the classes to park their bikes on campus this year. Additionally, those four schools have the highest bike ridership, which is why they were selected,” Ventetuolo said.
Students wishing to ride bikes to school have until Oct. 31 to obtain a permit. Those who already obtained a permit last year through a separate initiative at San Elijo Middle School will not need to obtain a new one.
As part of Stay Safe San Marcos, the Sheriff’s Department will also conduct safety sweeps around schools to promote safe riding practices.
For example, helmets are required for all riders 17 and under, and carrying passengers on an e-bike is not permitted unless they are fitted with an extra seat.
“Our goal is to ensure the community feels educated and that we are all working toward their best interest. By helping enforce safety practices, we can create a safer San Marcos,” said Captain Kevin Ralph.
School-based bike permit programs have become more common in North
County in the past two years as cities seek stricter bike safety regulations in response to the rising number of e-bikes on the streets.
Legislators are also hoping to implement change at the state level with bills like Assembly Bill 2234, introduced by Assemblymember Tasha Boerner (D-Encinitas), which seeks to require young e-bike riders statewide to pass a written safety test.
AB 2234 has passed the Assembly and is currently working its way through the state Senate.
For more information about the Stay Safe San Marcos initiative, visit rb.gy/6jey4v.
Sheriff’s Department adds four K-9s to force
By City News Service
REGION — Four labrador retrievers were added to the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department as part of its K-9 team, officials announced last week.
The labs — Archer, Bear, Dexter and Nalla — were trained in detecting explosives and firearms. They were a regional resource, which means they could answer calls from other law enforcement agencies, according to a statement from the department.
“The K-9s completed a 10-week academy in accordance with the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training or California POST. They un-
dergo testing and routine training to ensure their skills remain sharp,” the department said in a statement.
Officials said the K-9s’ roles make them essential in large crowd situations such as concerts, sporting events, festivals, parades, airports, transportation hubs, dignitary visits, active shooter incidents and other high-risk scenarios.
“They can also detect the slightest traces of explosives materials and gunpowder, providing a critical layer of protection in our communities,” the department added.
The dogs are each a year old, and each cost around $6,500.
RAIN, WIND, AND FIRE...
“The three menaces to any chimney, fireplace, or stove.”
Every year there are over twenty thousand chimney/ fireplace related house fires in the US alone. Losses to homes as a result of chimney fires, leaks and wind damage exceeds one hundred million dollars annually in the US.
CHIMNEY SWEEPS, INC., one of San Diego’s leading chimney repair and maintenance companies, is here to protect you and your home from losses due to structural damage and chimney fires.
Family owned and operated and having been in business for over 30 years, Chimney Sweeps Inc. is a fully licensed and insured chimney contracting company (License #976438) and they are certified with the National Fireplace Institute and have an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau.
For a limited time, readers of this paper will receive a special discount on our full chimney cleaning and safety inspection package with special attention to chimney water intrusion points in preparation for the rainy season.
THE SHERIFF’S Department held a bike safety training and permit program for students at San Elijo Middle School on Aug. 13 under a new initiative called Stay Safe San Marcos. Courtesy photo/San Marcos Unified School District
ARCHER is a red labrador retriever handled by sheriff’s Deputy Jovonni Silva, one of four dogs to recently join the force’s K-9 team. Courtesy photo/Sheriff’s Department
Walking with a purpose along Camino de Santiago
One route. Two journeys. That’s how MiraCosta College professor Leola Powers describes the six days that she and longtime friend Christie Pickel spent walking the Camino de Santiago in Spain.
“We had seen the ‘The Way’ and said, ‘We should definitely do that sometime,’” Powers said, referring to the 2010 film starring Martin Sheen, who walks the Camino after his adult son dies. “That was 10 years ago, and we finally did it in April.”
Camino de Santiago (translation: Way of St. James) is a network of trails traversing France, Spain and Portugal (the longest is 500 miles) that meets in the city of Santiago de Compostela in northwestern Spain.
A mix of legend, religion, politics and Hollywood has made the Camino a destination for pilgrims since the Middle Ages. Wayfarers come to contemplate, meditate, make decisions, embrace, let go, remember, forget, accept, reject, feel fulfilled and find answers.
“My main reason was to help me heal from loss of
scenic mountain country, happy and helpful people, and animals – lots of animals.
my daughter in 2019,” Pickel said in a phone call from her home in Asheville, N.C. “Erin was 18 and special needs and the best teacher we ever had. Her impact on people was amazing.”
Powers walked the Camino to support Christie because “I felt she really wanted it and needed it. My goal was to find focus and let go of the unimportant things – to get rid of the clutter in my life. When you’re walking the Camino five or six hours a day, it’s just you and your
thoughts. You get lost in your mind and in the countryside.”
Powers and Pickel met as students at Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro 35 years ago and have remained close despite the distance between their homes. They decided to use a tour company to set the itinerary and transport their luggage each day from hotel to hotel.
“I didn’t want to sleep in a tent,” Pickel admitted.
The women began their Camino journey in Sarria
and walked 72 miles in six days.
“The first day was the longest,” Pickel said. “Fourteen miles. The weather was atrocious. High winds, pouring rain, mud and muck. We giggled and laughed and made our way through it.”
“I took photos of all the surfaces we walked on,” Powers added. “Asphalt, concrete, creek, dirt, grass, gravel, pasture, pebble and mud – lots of mud.”
But there also were the picture-postcard villages,
“We were walking into Lestedo on day two and a farmer was moving his cattle from one field to another,” Pickel said. “A few Camino pilgrims on bicycles came through and spooked the cattle. We helped to guide the cattle to the other field, which was directly across from our lodging for that evening. I grew up raising cattle, so it was absolutely perfect for me.”
The next morning, the women walked out of their hotel as a flock of sheep came through.
“We walked in with the cattle and out with the sheep,” Powers said.
The longtime friends
covered some of the miles together and some alone. They arrived in Satiago de Compostela Plaza separately, but soon met to celebrate their accomplishment and talk about the experience.
Pickel made a donation in daughter Erin’s name to the Pilgrim House Welcome Center, “a place for pilgrims to find respite from their walk and take time to reflect… on their Camino, on life and…on what may lay ahead.”
“For anyone even remotely considering walking the Camino, do it!” Powers said. “It will not be what you expected and more than you could’ve imagined. Everyone’s experience is different. There is no right or wrong way to experience the Camino.”
e’louise ondash
REACHING THE Cathedral Santiago de Compostela in northwest Spain is the goal for those walking the Camino de Santiago. Vista’s Leola Powers, left, and friend Christie Pickel of Asheville, N.C., arrived after a six-day, 72-mile hike from Sarria, Spain. Pilgrims must walk at least 100 kilometers (62 miles) to qualify for a Camino certificate. Courtesy photo
LEOLA POWERS, left, and Christie Pickel often encountered rainy weather during their hike. The Camino has attracted pilgrims since the Middle Ages and became a popular destination thanks to the 2010 film “The Way.” Photo by Leola Powers
Escondido chooses groups to receive HUD funding
By Samantha Nelson ESCONDIDO
— The city has selected programs aiding seniors, unhoused individuals, low-income households, and foster youth, as well as citywide projects, including neighborhood cleanup and new playground equipment, to receive federal funding over the next year.
The City Council unanimously approved allocating nearly $1.4 million to various organizations and city projects that applied and are eligible to receive both Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and $574,296 in HOME Investment Partnership Program funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) on Aug. 7.
The programs strive to serve low to moderate-in-
Odd Files
THE GOLDEN AGE OF AIR TRAVEL
At the busy New Chitose Airport in Hokkaido, Japan, everything came to a screeching halt on Aug. 17 after a pair of scissors went missing from a store near the boarding gates, the BBC reported.
The airport canceled 36 flights and delayed more than 200 others, leaving hundreds of travelers doing repeat security checks. Flights eventually resumed, but the scissors weren't found until the next day — at the store where they went missing.
Social media users were strikingly complimentary and upbeat about the delays, though: "This incident showcased the safety of Jap-
come residents and areas with community development projects, homeless resources, economic opportunity and suitable housing.
Each year, the city receives HUD funding that they allocate to local organizations that apply. These organizations are selected for financing through a scoring process.
The following public service organizations received CDBG funding:
• $10,000 to Mama’s Kitchen, which provides nutritional support to residents at risk of malnutrition due to critical illness;
• $10,000 to Voices for Children, which provides services to foster youth;
• $19,400 to fund a staff member at the Park Avenue Community Center to offer
anese aviation," one posted. [BBC, 8/19/2024]
UNCLEAR ON THE CONCEPT
Jeff Daniels lookalike Mayor Benji Cranford of Thomson, Georgia, was arrested on Aug. 14 after a grand jury indicted him for allegedly supplying a 750 ml bottle of Seagram's Extra Dry Gin to prisoners on a roadside work crew, WRDW-TV reported. The indictment said Cranford bought the bottle on June 4 and left it in a ditch along the path of the work crew from the Jefferson County Correctional Institution.
Cranford was charged with furnishing prohibited items to inmates and criminal attempt to commit a felony. He bonded out three hours later. [WRDW, 8/14/2024]
referral services to seniors;
• $8,600 for the city’s Mobile Recreation Program, which provides a free summer camp at Grove Park;
• $30,000 to Project Next, which helps high school students prepare for the future;
• $35,000 to the Legal Aid Society of San Diego to help provide fair housing services for residents;
• $50,000 will provide Interfaith Community Services with funds to provide 15 seniors with financial assistance for rent, utilities, application fees, deposits, car repairs, prescription assistance, credit repair, and other needs to provide stabilized housing.
The following capital projects also received CDBG funding:
IT'S COME TO THIS
Students are headed back to school at H.E. Charles Middle School in El Paso, Texas, with a fresh restriction on the clothes they can wear, KVIA-TV reported on Aug. 2.
Principal Nick DeSantis sent a letter to families stating that students would no longer be able to wear "black tops with black bottoms," saying the look can be "associated with depression and mental health issues and/or criminality."
Sarah Venegas, executive principal for the district, backed DeSantis up: Students will be allowed to wear only blue jeans or khaki pants.
Some parents don't agree: "I don't think we should be grouping, and red-flagging kids that just like to wear black," said Stephanie Rascon.
• $425,000 to replace wood fibers at playgrounds in Jesmond Dene, Washington and Westside Parks with pour-in-place playground surfacing,
• $45,000 for neighborhood cleanups,
• $50,000 for minor home repair services for income-eligible homeowners of single-family and mobile homes;
• $70,000 for Urban Corps of San Diego County for roof repair, job training support services and second chances to provide high school diplomas;
• And $314,404 to Upwards for its program that helps in-home childcare providers by training them to make their business operations more efficient.
The city will also use
Mental health expert Krista Wingate suggested that educators might instead "be looking out for different signs of stress or ... anxiety." [KVIA, 8/2/2024]
ENTREPRENEURIAL SPIRI T
Jose Marti-Alvarez of Miami Gardens, Florida, came up with a shady plan to make some dough, Local10-TV reported.
Marti-Alvarez, 55, was in court on Aug. 19 facing felony charges of running "an elaborate scheme to defraud tourists staying in the hotels of Miami Springs," police said.
He had distributed flyers to hotels near Miami International Airport, advertising "Roman Pizzeria" — a name dangerously close to Roman's Pizzeria, which has had a loyal following in the area for four decades.
In loving memory of Sheila Rose Parker October 21, 1941July 3, 2024
Sheila, 82, passed away on July 3, 2024 from heart failure while at Palomar Medical Center, Escondido, CA.
Sheila is survived by her husband Russ, daughters Karen and Sandra, brother Greg, as well as numerous grandkids and great grandkids.
Sheila’s ashes were interned at San Marcos Cemetery in San Marcos, CA on July 24, 2024.
Thru out Sheila’s life, her love and kindness touched generations of family and friends.
“Sheila’s love will always be the very best part of my life” -- Russ
Reyes Rene Gonzalez Encinitas August 22, 2024
Richard H Sonnenberg Carlsbad August 17, 2024
Karen Peterson Hoy San Marcos August 14, 2024
Billie Jean Fadaol Oceanside August 18, 2024
Portia W. Shumaker Vista August 16, 2024
Marian Wilkinson Casazza Encinitas August 8, 2024
Share the story of your loved ones life... because every life has a story. For more information: 760.436.9737 or email us at: obits@coastnewsgroup.com
Submission Process
Please email obits@coastnewsgroup.com or call (760) 436-9737. All photo attachments should be sent in jpeg format, no larger than 3MB. the photo will print 1.625” wide by 1.5” tall inh black and white. Timeline Obituaries should be received and approved before Friday at 12 p.m. for publication in the next week Friday’s newspaper.
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HOME investment funds, which are meant to provide affordable housing opportunities, to increase the city’s rental assistance program from its current $125 monthly maximum to $200 per month and will add at least 10 more households to the program. There are currently 19 households in the program right now.
Initially, staff proposed bumping the amount up to $150 per month for program participants while also adding 10 households. However, Councilmember Joe Garcia requested shifting some funds over to boost it further.
“This is a major prevention to help our seniors not fall into homelessness,” said Councilmember Joe Garcia about the rental assistance program.
Marti-Alvarez's pizzas were delivered "bad, uncooked, sometimes in a box with a piece of raw dough," said Jesus Roman, the real pizza man.
Marti-Alvarez had been duping folks for several years, garnering bad reviews and customer complaints for the real Roman's. Finally Roman went to the police.
Marti-Alvarez was held on fraud charges, along with aggravated battery after he hit a hotel worker with his car while trying to flee. [Local10, 8/20/2024]
DASTARDLY
Russian chess player Amina Abakarova, 40, of Dagestan could be banned from competition for life after she was accused of poisoning another player at the Dagestan Classical Chess Championship on Aug. 2,
Additionally, HOME funds will be used to fund a request for proposals to look for long-term affordable housing development and first-time home buyer opportunities within the city.
Mayor Dane White also asked staff to work with the Alabaster Jar Project, a local program that helps survivors of human trafficking and sexual exploitation, to find some other additional funding to support the nonprofit as well. According to the mayor, Alabaster Jar accidentally submitted their application for CDBG funding “through the wrong channels,” leaving them unable to receive HUD funding from the city. Alabaster Jar was previously a recipient of CDBG funding last year.
Oddity Central reported. Surveillance video captured Abakarova stopping at a table and spreading a substance on the board and pieces where her competitor, Umayganat Osmanova, 30, soon would be playing. Her behavior could have been innocent, but about 30 minutes later, Osmanova started experiencing nausea and dizziness. Doctors confirmed she had been poisoned with mercury; Osmanova ended up in the hospital. "I felt a lack of air and a taste of iron in my mouth," she said. Abakarova confessed to using mercury from an old thermometer to soil the board, hoping to "knock her (opponent) out of the tournament."
She will likely also lose her job and may face criminal prosecution. [Oddity Central, 8/15/2024]
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EVENTS CALENDAR
AUG. 30
‘RACHMANINOFF & TSAR’
Don’t miss this world premiere production Hershey Felder of “Rachmaninoff and the Tsar” This exploration of Sergei Rachmaninoff’s itinerant but extraordinary life and promises to be another mystical musical journey in the Felder style that audiences have come to know and love. Tickets start at $74, Aug. 2731 at Balboa Theater, 868 4th Ave, San Diego.
‘BECAUSE YOU’RE MINE’
This three-night concert experience celebrates the prolific careers and towering love story of Johnny Cash and June Carter with a musical authenticity and storytelling that cannot be matched. $72, Aug. 28-30, 7 p.m. at Lamb’s Players Theatre, 1142 Orange Ave, Coronado.
TIDEPOOL CREATURES
Meet tidepool creatures with Zovargo on Friday, August 30, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. The event will include a live presentation, meet and greet, storytime, special craft, and more. Free with museum admission. 10-11:30 a.m. on Aug. 30 at San Diego Children's Discovery Museum, 320 N Broadway, Escondido.
AUG. 31
LAGOON TRAIL CLEANUP
The Cardiff Farmer's Market is working with We Clean Trails to host a trail cleanup event at the San Elijo Lagoon. Meet at the Cardiff 101 info booth at the farmer's market. Free, 10 a.m. at Cardiff Farmer's Market, 3333 Manchester Ave, Cardiff by the Sea.
GALAXY OF GLASS
The Fallbrook Art Center is hosting the 27th annual Galaxy of Glass Exhibition, "Capturing Light," showcasing the works of several acclaimed glass artists. $10, Aug. 31 - Oct. 4 at Janice Griffiths Gallery, Fallbrook Art Center, 103 S Main Ave, Fallbrook.
MUSIC ON THE PORCH DAY
Music on the Porch is an outdoor, a cappella and barbershop-style music festival in Harmony Grove. Bring chairs, blankets, food, drinks and sun shades for the daytime event. 1 p.m. at Harmony Grove Village 4th of July Park, 2815 Starry Night Dr, Escondido.
TIKTTRONIC
Two-man retro lounge act TiktTronic that is reinventing the 70s and 80s classics. Free, 3-6 p.m. Aug. 31 at InterContinental San Diego, 901 Bayfront Ct, San Diego.
VISTA VIBES MUSIC FEST
Kick off your Labor Day weekend vibing to the ultimate summer jams in Vista. Free-$45, 2-7 p.m. Aug. 31
GALAXY OF GLASS exhibition, “Capturing Light,” is at Fallbrook Art Center through Oct. 4. Above, Baby Blue Monk Gold, by Tom Marosz. Courtesy photo
at Local Roots Kombucha Brewery, 1430 Vantage Ct, Vista.
Arts Institute, 527 Encinitas Blvd, Encinitas.
JAZZ EVENSONG
‘LIKE A ROLLING STONE’
Like a Rolling Stone, is a new production by the Six String Society that includes the revolutionary music and iconic stories of the Rolling Stones. $25-$35, 7-9 p.m. Aug. 31 at The Brooks Theatre, 217 N Coast Hwy, Oceanside.
ILLUSIONS AT THE WELK
Internationally acclaimed illusionist and comedy magician Anthony Hernandez brings his award-winning show back to Theatre at the Welk. $42+. 7-9 p.m. Aug. 31 at Welk Theatre, 8860 Lawrence Welk Dr, Escondido.
FLOWER WORKSHOP
Join us for fun flower arrangement workshops with Rogue & Petals by Victoria. $65, 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aug. 31 at Where Two Or More Gather, 1540 Quail Ridge Rd, Escondido.
SEPT. 1
WELLNESS AT THE LAKE Sculpts & Sangria with Yoga Six. $25-$45, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sep. 1 at Lakehouse Hotel and Golf Resort, 1025 La Bonita Dr, San Marcos.
FAMILY FUN DAY
Gear up for the Nature Collective’s electrifying outdoor Family Fun Day. Enjoy hands-on activities, from craft-making to animal encounters. RSVP online. Free, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Sep. 1 at San Elijo Lagoon Nature Center, 2710 Manchester Ave, Cardiff by the Sea.
BRIDGE POLITICAL DIVIDE
This month, Internationally renowned author and spiritual teacher Dimitri Moraitis will take a nonpartisan look at partisan politics. Dimitri will share metaphysical insights from the Divine as to how you can keep your spiritual equilibrium and make your contribution to the collective betterment of the country and the world. $20, 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Sep. 1 at Spiritual
practice today... deepen your current one... release stress, lower your heart rate, calm your busy mind, and find stillness and serenity in the center of life's storms. Free, 7-8:45 p.m. Sep. 4 at Ananda Encinitas & the Temple of Joy, 946 Hermes Ave, Encinitas.
CARLSBAD RETROSPECTIVE
Jo Ellen Guthrie talks about the origins of the Carlsbad Flower Fields. Free, 9:45-11 a.m. Sep. 4 at Carlsbad Senior Center, 799 Pine Ave, Carlsbad.
HEALING THE EARTH...
A Lightwork group meditation session, sending a downpour of radiant, healing Inner-Light-Fire into the Earth. Free, 12-1 p.m. Sep. 4 at San Elijo Lagoon Nature Center, 2710 Manchester Ave, Cardiff by the Sea.
El Fuerte St, Carlsbad.
POWER OF REIKI
Meet three local Reiki masters, learn about its benefits and experience the energy healing yourself. Free, 12-1:15 p.m. Sep. 5 at Solana Beach Library, 157 Stevens Ave, Solana Beach.
YOGA AND SOUNDBATH
A 30-minute gentle yoga class suitable for most skill levels. No prior yoga experience is needed. Followed by a relaxing 30-minute soundbath meditation. $25, 10 a.m. at The Brooks Theatre, 217 N Coast Hwy, Oceanside.
SEPT. 6
OSIDE GOLF TOURNAMENT
McClellan Vista Senior Center, 1400 Vale Terrace Dr, Vista.
OUR OCEANSIDE
This free event will feature the debut of the second anthology edition of Our Oceanside with author readings, refreshments and an art exhibit viewing. RSVPs are requested. Free, 6-8 p.m. Sep. 6 at Oceanside Civic Center Library, 330 N Coast Hwy, Oceanside.
ZZYMZZY QUARTET
Jazz Evensong is a free, weekly event held every Sunday afternoon that offers a unique blend of jazz rooted in the context of Anglican meditation and prayer. 4 p.m. at St. Michael's-by-theSea Episcopal Church, 2775 Carlsbad Blvd, Carlsbad.
SEPT. 2
ORGAN ROCK CONCERT
Spreckels Organ Society presents its annual Labor Day Classic Rock Concert with 7-member Pavilion Rock Band in Balboa Park. 7:30 p.m. at Spreckels Organ Pavilion, 2125 Pan American Rd E, San Diego.
SEPT. 3
FREE GENTLE YOGA
In a safe space, Anke will guide you to connect with your breath & body by flowing through gentle yoga poses while letting go of limiting subconscious beliefs, emotions and tension held in your body. Free, 5-6:30 p.m. Sep. 3 at Ananda Encinitas & the Temple of Joy, 946 Hermes Ave, Encinitas.
YOUTH AUDITIONS
Oceanside Theatre Company’s Youth Academy is holding vocal and dance auditions for “The Addams Family.” Students ages 1019 are invited to hone their acting, dancing and singing skills in this three-month musical theatre program. $150, 4-8 p.m. Sep. 3 at Brooks Theatre, Oceanside Theatre Company, 217 N Coast Hwy, Oceanside.
ADULT TAP DANCING
Have you always wanted to tap dance? In our Adult Tap Workshop, we will work on the fundamentals of tap dance in the feet and in the body. $160, 10 -11:30 a.m. Sep. 3 at The Brooks Theatre, 217 N Coast Hwy, Oceanside.
SEPT. 4
FREE MEDITATION
Start a
SEPT. 5
MAYORS' HOUSING FORUM
Join us for an insightful evening as our North County mayors discuss housing policy and homelessness. Panelists include Carlsbad Mayor Keith Blackburn, Encinitas Mayor Tony Kranz and San Marcos Mayor Rebecca Jones. Free, 6-8 p.m. Sep. 5 at Community Hall, Pacific Ridge School, 6269
The Oceanside Sea Lions return with their annual golf tournament to benefit Rady Children's Hospital in San Diego. $85-$95, 8:30 a.m. at Emerald Isle Golf Course, 660 S El Camino Real, Oceanside.
VISTA GARDEN CLUB
Robert Lutticken, a biology teacher at Abraxas High School in Poway, will led a continuous high school program that teaches agriculture, aquaponics and sustainability in the Azalea Room. 1:45 p.m. at Gloria
The guys from the Zzymzzy Quartet (rhymes with “whimsy”) have simple they just want to play it like it was when it was unamplified, melodic, swinging, dreamy, full of sly surprise. $15-$18, 7:30-9:30 p.m. Sep. 6 at Templar's Hall in Old Poway Park, 14134 Midland Rd, Poway.
SEPT. 7
ALTA VISTA TURNS 25 Alta Vista Botanical Gardens proudly announces its 25th anniversary, a milestone marking a quarter century of community engagement, environmental conservation, and cultural enrichment. $250, 5-10 p.m. Sep. 7 at Alta Vista Botanical Gardens, 1270 Vale Terrace Dr, Vista.
FROM KING FEATURES WEEKLY SERVICE, 628 Virginia Drive, Orlando, FL 32803
CUSTOMER SERVICE: 800-708-7311 EXT. 257
TRIVIA TEST #12345_20240826 FOR RELEASE AUGUST 26, 2024
By Fifi Rodriguez
FROM KING FEATURES WEEKLY SERVICE, 628 Virginia Drive, Orlando, FL 32803
CUSTOMER SERVICE: 800-708-7311 EXT. 257
TRIVIA TEST #12345_20240826 FOR RELEASE AUGUST 26, 2024
By Fifi Rodriguez
1. TELEVISION: Who was host of the “Good Eats” cooking show?
1. TELEVISION: Who was host of the “Good Eats” cooking show?
2. GEOGRAPHY: Which nation’s nickname is “Land of Fire and Ice”?
3. MUSIC: What was the title of Madonna’s first Top 10 hit?
4. MOVIES: What does the acronym AT-AT refer to in the “Star Wars” movie series?
5. LITERATURE: Which famous entertainer started a children’s book-giving program called the Imagination Library?
6. ANIMAL KINGDOM: Which bird’s eye is larger than its brain?
7. U.S. CITIES: Which U.S. city’s nickname is The District?
8. HISTORY: In which modern country is the ancient civilization of Babylon located?
9. GENERAL KNOWLEDGE: How many articles are in the U.S. Constitution?
1. TELEVISION: Who was host of the “Good Eats” cooking show?
2. GEOGRAPHY: Which nation’s nickname is “Land of Fire and Ice”?
3. MUSIC: What was the title of Madonna’s first Top 10 hit?
2. GEOGRAPHY: Which nation’s nickname is “Land of Fire and Ice”?
10. AD SLOGANS: Which rental platform’s slogan is “Belong anywhere”?
Answers
3. MUSIC: What was the title of Madonna’s first Top 10 hit?
4. MOVIES: What does the acronym AT-AT refer to in the “Star Wars” movie series?
4. MOVIES: What does the acronym AT-AT refer to in the “Star Wars” movie series? 5. LITERATURE: Which famous entertainer started a children’s book-giving program called the Imagination Library? 6. ANIMAL KINGDOM: Which bird’s eye is larger than its brain?
U.S. CITIES: Which U.S.
5. LITERATURE: Which famous entertainer started a children’s book-giving program called the Imagination Library?
6. ANIMAL KINGDOM: Which bird’s eye is larger than its brain?
7. U.S. CITIES: Which U.S. city’s nickname is The District?
8. HISTORY: In which modern country is the ancient civilization of Babylon located?
9. GENERAL KNOWLEDGE: How many articles are in the U.S. Constitution?
10. AD SLOGANS: Which rental platform’s slogan is “Belong anywhere”?
Nestled on Encinitas Boulevard, just blocks from Rancho Santa Fe and Moonlight Beach, Leading Note Studios has been a vibrant music hub for 15 years.
Founded by Camille Hastings, the school has become a cornerstone of the community, inspiring over 700 students weekly with her passion for music. Camille’s vision came to life when she first entered the building and heard music playing, and that same enthusiasm continues to drive the school today.
In February 2020, Leading Note expanded
to San Marcos, now serving around 500 students weekly. This location also features a theatre for musical theatre classes, music shows, comedy nights, and community events, adding a dynamic layer to its offerings. Music fills both locations, enriching the lives of students and the wider community.
The school is dedicated to accessibility, providing scholarships and instruments to those in need. Students perform at retirement homes and local events, spreading the joy of music far and wide. It’s worth
noting that while every retirement home has music, none have a soccer team— highlighting the unique and essential role of music in enhancing lives.
Despite the challenges of the global pandemic, Leading Note adapted by moving lessons to Zoom, ensuring that students and teachers remained connected. Many alumni return to teach, continuing the school’s legacy of musical excellence.
Leading Note Studios remains a beacon of musical inspiration and community engagement.
How Learn4Life high schools help San Diego teens achieve diplomas
For Christine W., freshman year of high school was an ordeal. The same students who bullied her in middle school were at her new high school.
“The idea of walking through those gates gave me so much anxiety,” she says. “I hated school.” Unable to focus or dedicate herself to her schoolwork, she began to fail and eventually just dropped out.
There are many reasons students drop out of high school. Poverty, pregnancy, homelessness, bullying or just losing interest can cause students to skip class.
Learn4Life, a network of free, nonprofit public charter high schools, takes a dynamic approach to reengage students. The average student who enrolls in Learn4Life has been out of school for 11.4 weeks. Through personalized learning, mentoring and job skills training, the program has been highly successful in reengaging dropouts and keeping them in school.
Here’s how:
1. Deal with issues outside the classroom. Whether it's counseling to help with issues they’re facing or mentoring to build confidence, helping students deal with life gives them stability to succeed.
ROUNDUP
CONTINUED FROM 3
tiated, but the driver fled and after a brief pursuit, the suspect flipped the vehicle in the 300 block of Vista Village Drive near a Raising Cane’s restaurant, the department said.
Deputies were seen pulling the driver out of the vehicle’s window before he was arrested and taken to a hospital, where his condition was not immediately available.
It was unclear if any other suspects have been taken into custody.
WOMAN, 73, DIES 13
DAYS AFTER CRASH
SAN MARCOS — Authorities have publicly identified a 73-year-old woman
2. Meet students where they are. Not every student is at the same emotional, academic or mental level as their peers. Through one-on-one attention and personalized instruction, students can get help where they most need it.
3. Remove obstacles to learning. Basics like transportation, needing to work or childcare can prevent students from returning to school. Flexible schedules and connecting them with community partners for essential resources can make a big difference in their ability to learn.
4. Make them feel safe. Creating a respectful and safe place to learn is essential for removing social anxieties and fears that can hinder learning.
5. Let them see a future. Through job skills training programs, students can prepare for a future beyond a diploma. As a Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) partner, Learn4Life offers courses in career exploration and work-readiness skills.
For 15 years, Learn4Life has served more than 25,000 San Diego students and families through trauma-resilient education and wraparound community support. With Learn4Life’s personalized learning program has
who died in a hospital this month from injuries she suffered 13 days earlier in a San Marcos traffic crash.
Maria Guadalupe Sanchez of San Marcos was pronounced dead at Palomar Medical Center in Escondido on Aug. 17, according to the San Diego County Medical Examiner’s Office.
Sanchez had been hospitalized since Aug. 4, when the Scion sedan she was driving collided head-on with a pickup truck in the area of Deer Springs Road and Sycamore Drive in San Marcos, the agency reported.
She was admitted to the hospital with a poor prognosis, and her condition steadily worsened until the time of her death, according to the medical examiner.
allowed more than 7,000 students who might not have ever graduated to achieve a high school diploma.
The Learn4Life Way
• Personalized Learning — Lessons are built around the skills, talents and learning style of the individual student.
• One-on-One Attention — Students are paired with a supervising teacher with support from tutors, counselors and administrative staff.
• Flexibility — Responsibilities can make a regular school day impossible, so Learn4Life works with students' schedules to encourage school completion.
• Safe Environment — Campuses have controlled access and security monitoring so the focus can be on learning.
• Workforce Training — Corporate partnerships and job readiness programs prepare students for the real world while filling the need for a skilled workforce.
Learn4Life is successful with 88% of students, either helping them graduate, catch up on credits or continue their high school education in pursuit of a diploma. And 41% of Learn4Life graduates go on to college
ESCONDIDO
CONTINUED FROM 5
Doug Paulson is running unopposed for Area 1, while incumbent Area 3 Trustee Mark Olson is challenged by Juan Manuel Vargas, a parent and school employee for the district.
For EUHSD, retired teacher and parent Clay Brown is challenging Board President Christi Knight for Area 3. Dara Czerwonka, a coach and businesswoman, is challenging Trustee Ryan Williams for Area 4. Williams was appointed to the seat in early 2023.
• City Treasurer Doug Schultz, whose seat is also up for reelection, is running unopposed.
