Inland Edition, September 1, 2023

Esco teachers earn county honor

By Samantha Nelson ESCONDIDO

— Two Escondido teachers were named among San Diego County’s best teachers this year and will go on to compete for statewide honors.

Courtney Coffin, a special education teacher at Orange Glen High School, and Wendy Threatt, a fourth-grade teacher at Felicita Elementary, were two of five finalists named the San Diego County Teachers of the Year by the San Diego County Office of Education.

The other three finalists include Poway, El Cajon and Chula Vista teachers.

One hundred and ninety-six teachers have been named San Diego County Teacher of the Year since 1974. Of those, 23 were named California Teacher of the Year, and three went on to be named National Teacher

of the Year.

Coffin, recognized earlier this year as the Escondido Union High School District’s top educator, specializes in teaching moderate to severe special education.

“By selecting me, I feel like the district is saying this population of students is truly valued and that it’s important

to provide them with a high-quality teacher and recognize them as part of the campus culture,” Coffin previously told The Coast News.

Despite the challenges of teaching students with the highest support needs on campus, Coffin has been up for the task since she was just a young high school student.

“I always knew I wanted to work with people with disabilities,” Coffin said. “There were no other options.”

Coffin moved to Southern California over a decade ago for her husband to pursue a master’s degree and immediately began looking for a teacher position. During that search, she found Orange Glen High School and has never left.

Coffin developed an innovative curriculum for the Life Skills/Bridge Program, a highly specialized and individualized certificate of completion that prepares students with moderate to significant disabilities to become more independent in school, in their community and at home.

Threatt has been with the Escondido Union School District for 25 years, teaching at Reidy

Courtesy photo

San Marcos hires new city manager

Michelle Bender has served as interim city manager since Jack Griffin was placed on administrative leave in July. 7

76th up for grabs

Three have jumped into the race to replace longtime Assemblyman Brian Maienschein, who is retiring. 11

By Laura Place

VISTA

— The city of Vista is moving forward with the purchase of a future park site on Matagual Drive, after confirming via a land appraisal that the city had come away with a favorable deal, city leaders said Aug. 28.

The sale of the land at 536 Matagual Drive near Vale View, owned by the Shadle family, was expected to close Aug. 30.

The parcel had long been eyed as a site for a controversial hotel development before being considered as a park. In June, the Vista City Council approved the $2.1 million purchase of the land with the commitment to make it into a public park, after negotiating down from the Shadles’ original $3.5 million asking price.

An appraisal finalized Monday calculated the as-is market value of the property at around $1.4 million, and the hypothetical market value after a zoning change at $2.4 million. City Council members said this reaffirms the price they agreed to back in June.

“Ultimately, I do believe that the price that we arrived at is a very fair price, given the two different evaluation methods that were used. … It was good to arrive at a price between those two prices,” Mayor John Franklin said.

The city obtained the retroactive appraisal nearly two months following the purchase agreement, after drawing criticism in August from residents who wondered why the city had not appraised the land first.

In response, and at the behest of Franklin, the city began looking into establishing an appraisal policy. However, officials found that the city had a policy on the books from 2003 requiring appraisals for land with a fair market value over $25,000, a policy the council and city attorney were unaware of at the time.

At their Monday meeting, City Council members reiterated that this was an oversight, and thanked the public for engaging in the process.

“I think all of us can admit we TURN TO APPRAISAL ON 17

ORPHANED BY MAUI FIRE: Helen Woodward Animal Center in Rancho Santa Fe has taken in 20 orphaned pets rescued from the deadly Maui fire in early August. In addition to helping the pets find homes on the mainland, the move frees up shelter space in the hard-pressed Hawaiian animal shelters. The Maui arrivals will be available for adoption in the coming days and weeks, as they are medically cleared. For information on adoption, visit animalcenter.org or call 858-756-4117, ext. 313.

COUNTY TEACHER of the year recognition went to Courtney Coffin, left, a special ed teacher at Orange Glen HS, and Wendy Threatt, a 4th-grade teacher at Felicita Elementary. Both are eligible for state honors. Courtesy photos TURN

Caring for you and your family

Tri-City Medical Center has served our community for more than 60 years and is one of the largest employers in North San Diego County As a full-service acute care hospital with more than 500 physicians practicing in more than 60 specialties, TCMC is vital to the well-being of our community and serves as a healthcare safety net for many of our neighbors

Tri-City Medical Center’s affiliated primary care practices in the community serve hundreds of thousands of patients in our coastal region The hospital received a Gold Seal of Approval® from the Joint Commission showcasing a commitment to safe and effective patient care for the residents of the community

For more information on primary care services in the Tri-City Healthcare District region please contact (760) 940-7499

The Tri-City family of clinics includes

San Marcos school bus catches fire; no one injured

By Laura Place

SAN MARCOS — Five students and a bus driver walked away unscathed after their school bus caught fire Tuesday morning in San Marcos.

The incident happened near Mission Road and Las Posas Road around 8 a.m. The driver pulled over immediately after noticing smoke coming from the bus, according to San Marcos Unified School District spokesperson Amy Ventetuolo.

All students were safely evacuated and on the sidewalk by the time first re-

sponders arrived, said the department. Firefighters extinguished the fire, which started in the engine, after the bus was searched to ensure no one else was inside.

The students were picked up by another school bus and arrived at Twin Oaks High School on time, said Ventetuolo.

The California Highway Patrol is investigating the fire, as the regulating agency for school buses.

Ventetuolo said the 25-year-old diesel bus appeared to experience some kind of engine malfunction. She emphasized that all

district buses undergo “rigorous” inspections every 30 days and are also checked every morning before students come on board.

Looking ahead, the district has received grants for 13 new electric buses and is set to receive 10 new diesel buses in the near future.

The first electric buses should arrive by early 2024, according to district Executive Director of Transportation Michael Sawyer.

As a condition of the grant, the district must decommission one diesel bus with the arrival of each electric bus.

CSUSM makes climate action commitment

By Staff SAN MARCOS —

Cal

State San Marcos President Ellen Neufeldt pledged to take the next step in climate action by signing the Second Nature Presidents’ Climate Leadership Commitment on Aug. 17.

The Presidents’ Climate Leadership Commitment is a comprehensive roadmap for mitigating and adapting to a changing climate, one that sets high goals of sustainability for the university.

Over the next few years, CSUSM will develop, implement, evaluate and adapt its climate action plan as a commitment to carbon neutrality and resilience.

Second Nature provides resources and opportunities to network with a coalition of colleges that are leading in climate action and sustainable solutions.

“CSUSM is joining over 650 other higher education colleges and universities in not only a commitment to carbon neutrality but the resilience of our community,” said Juliana Goodlaw-Morris, the university’s sustainability manager and

a lecturer of environmental studies.

California State University has established systemwide efforts toward sustainability and climate action, and 19 of the 23 CSU campuses have signed a Second Nature Climate Leader-

ship Commitment.

CSUSM’s strategic plan, “The Power of CSUSM,” includes sustainability and climate justice as among the university’s values.

As a part of CSUSM’s sustainability master plan, students and employees already have been tackling climate resilience due to concerns from wildfires, droughts and other impacts of a warming world on our community.

This new commitment is part of an effort to elevate and showcase the work that CSUSM is doing to ensure student success through the lens of sustainability and climate justice.

Higher education institutions whose president or chancellor have made a formal commitment with respect to climate leadership on their campus become Climate Leadership Network signatories.

The signing was followed by a tree-planting ceremony in front of the University Bookstore as a symbol of the university’s dedication to sustainability efforts on campus.

FIREFIGHTERS RESPOND to a school bus fire Tuesday morning in San Marcos. Five students and the bus driver safely exited the bus. Courtesy photo/Amanda Eggers

CSUSM PRESIDENT Ellen Neufeldt signs the climate pledge at the Aug. 17 ceremony. Courtesy photo

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2024 housing density rebellion has a chance

Every poll shows most California adults favor the housing density laws that have emerged from the state Legislature with great regularity and fanfare over the last three years.

Despite those findings, often showing 60% or more in favor, the rebellion against those laws has a decent chance of success.

It’s a matter of what’s at stake and who will eventually vote on the potential landmark initiative to cancel out the new laws where they conflict with local land use ballot measures passed in many cities and counties.

North County united against free needles

By Jim Desmond

Afew weeks ago, I talked about how the County of San Diego is pursuing a harm reduction program through the California Department of Public Health, including syringe services and safer smoking sup -

The County of San Diego has recently made it clear that it intends to distribute thousands of needles using state-funds under the guise of a “Harm Reduction” program.

The only thing these programs do is further harm our communi-

tax-payer funds to give out needles, pipes, and other drug paraphernalia, is not the compassionate nor the responsible thing to do.

Efforts should come with requirements of treatment and accountability, supporting people suffering from addic -

Polling on housing density laws has usually been done in general terms, with brief explanations of the new measures not mentioning the instability and constant variation in need estimates from state government.

Those surveys often don’t distinguish likely voters from residents who aren’t even registered to vote.

Nor do they note whose life savings are invested in their homes and who is now renting. They also do not mention the changes already wrought by the new housing laws in many once-bucolic neighborhoods.

dwelling units on virtually all lots that now hold just one home, represent a chance to sell out to a developer and get rich quickly, as their age and home ownership status often has provided them significant equity they can now cash out.

But for the many who plan to stay put the rest of their active lives, neighborhood stability will be a major interest.

The currently proposed initiative is an effort to assure such stability, even if some call the status quo racist and exclusionary.

(The measure is now undergoing the state’s normal title and summary process in the office of state Attorney General Rob Bonta, a firm advocate of the laws this measure could cancel. Time will reveal the fairness of his work on this and whether it encounters a legal challenge.)

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plies.

This potential program involves, in part, the distribution of free needles and various other drug paraphernalia. We believe this is not a solution to homelessness and are united in North County.

Below is a letter we sent the State of California rejecting this program.

I want to thank Escondido Mayor Dane White, San Marcos Mayor Rebecca Jones, Vista Mayor John Franklin, Oceanside Deputy Mayor Ryan Keim, and Carlsbad Mayor Keith Blackburn for joining me in this fight.

We are writing to express our opposition to current and proposed needle exchange and drug paraphernalia distribution programs, including safe smoking devices, in North San Diego County.

While we understand and appreciate the attempt to help our vulnerable populations, needle exchange and associated programs are detrimental to neighborhoods and communities, and we are united against the implementation of these programs in North County.

ties stricken with substance-abuse disorders.

This program admits outright not all needles distributed will be collected. Needles are already commonly found in our parks, beaches, waterways, canyons, and sidewalks.

Within one year, as many as 500,000 needles could be distributed in our region, without any mechanism in place to compel users into treatment.

By giving out needles and drug paraphernalia, we are enabling and implicitly condoning illegal drug-use without accountability or requirement for treatment.

“Harm reduction” is an umbrella term used to describe a variety of methods aimed at helping those struggling with addiction get access to services, education, and resources.

We want to help our communities by providing resources such as overdose prevention education, naloxone (an overdose-reversing drug), sexual health education, and information about available behavioral health and social support services.

However, using

tion with the resources to break their addiction and tackle root causes of substance-abuse.

These members of our community need substance-abuse treatment and rehabilitation. Tax-payer dollars would be far better spent on treatment, outreach, and prevention.

We ask for all partners, County, State, and our valuable non-profits, to refrain from funding or providing needle exchange services in our cities and communities.

Instead, we ask for your help in addressing the root causes of substance-abuse, by providing prevention resources, education, and treatment programs to encourage healthy change. We insist on providing a hand up, not handouts that perpetuate illegal drug use.

Together, we can help put people on a path to recovery and help end of the cycle of abuse.

Jim Desmond represents District 5 on the San Diego County Board of Supervisors.

But there’s a way to evaluate who might vote and how they’ll lean if the new initiative, which states simply that “local land use planning or zoning initiatives approved by voters shall not be nullified or superseded by state law,” makes the November 2024 ballot: Check out what their stake might be in its outcome.

This is where things begin to look optimistic for the measure. A new study from the UC Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies reveals that the vast majority of California’s most regular voters have a large stake in matters of preserving neighborhood character and ambiance.

Only 39% of registered voters have voted in at least five of the last seven elections, thus making them almost certain to vote next fall in the presidential election of which this initiative seeks to be part.

Out of that 39%, 7 in 10 are 50 or older and 7 in 10 are also white. Fully 68% of this cohort own their homes, and 55% are college graduates.

Taken together, these facts indicate a large percentage of those certain to vote will feel they have a large stake in defeating this measure.

Yes, for some, laws like 2021’s SB 10, which allows as many as six

The Berkeley IGS study shows homeowners are more likely to vote in large numbers than any other single California grouping, regardless of race. Hundreds of thousands of Blacks and Mexican- and Asian-Americans own homes in California and want to preserve the character of places where they have invested.

Add to this the utterly whimsical numbers game played by the state’s Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD), in charge of enforcing the new laws, which amounts to a one-size-fits-all plan for increasing California’s housing density in current cities while leaving outlying exurban lands largely vacant.

Back in 2018, Gov. Gavin Newsom claimed the state needed to build 3.5 million new dwellings by 2030, or about 300,000 per year.

Even during today’s housing boom, only a fraction of that much has been built each year since. Meanwhile, HCD has revised its estimated need, first to 1.8 million, and now to 2.5 million.

All of which might leave voters scratching their heads, especially those who already doubt the wisdom of greater density.

Put it all together, and this measure definitely has a chance.

By giving out needles and drug paraphernalia, we are enabling and implicitly condoning illegal drug use without accountability or requirement for treatment.

Escondido high schoolers honored by College Board

By Staff ESCONDIDO — The College Board National Recognition Programs honored the academic achievements of students from Del Lago Academy, Escondido, Orange Glen and San Pasqual High Schools.

The College Board programs celebrate students' hard work in high school and showcase their strong academic performance. The academic honors for rural area, Black, Indigenous and/ or Latino students are an opportunity for students to share their strong academic achievements with colleges and scholarship programs seeking to recruit diverse talent.

The following students earned recognition:

• Carmine Troncale, Edgar Muñoz, Edith Castellanos, Faith Vargas and Joseph Ware of Del Lago Academy

• Alexa Arteaga Orozco, Brandon De La Torre and Pascual Aguirre of Orange Glen High School

• Eduardo Contreras, Karen Reyes Hernandez, Kyra Cantu and Vanessa Ramirez Resendiz of Escondido High School

• Gabriel Whitby, Isabella Davis, Justice Moore, Kate Toral, Neilana Corrales, Nuvia Ibarra and Oscar Sanchez Aragon of San Pasqual High School

Eligible students must have a grade point average of 3.5 or higher, PSAT/ NMSQT or PSAT 10 scores within the top 10% of assessment takers in each state

for each award program or earned a score of 3 or higher on two or more AP exams in ninth and 10th grades, and attend a school in a rural area or a small town or identify as African American/ black, Hispanic American/ Latino or indigenous/native.

Eligible students are

invited to apply on BigFuture, a College Board affiliated mobile app that aims to spark students’ interest in planning for the future, during their sophomore or junior year and are awarded at the start of the next school year in time to share their achievements in high school

as they plan for the future.

Colleges and organizations using College Board’s Student Search Service can connect directly with awardees during the recruitment process.

“It’s becoming increasingly hard for students to be ‘seen’ during the college

Stay Cool and Conserve Energy with Tips from the Clean Energy Alliance

recruitment process. We’re exceptionally proud of the National Recognition Programs for celebrating students who are at times overlooked but have shown their outstanding academic abilities,” said Tarlin Ray, senior vice president of BigFuture at College Board.

Clean Energy Alliance cares about the well-being of our customers and the environment. As the summer temperatures rise in the San Diego area, it’s essential to stay cool while conserving energy. Simple, every-day changes can make a positive impact on the planet and save you money!

Temperature Control

• Set your thermostats to 78 degrees when you’re home and to 85 degrees or “off” when you’re away.

• Close blinds during the day to block out the sun’s heat.

Energy-Smart Cooking

• Avoid using the oven and opt for stove cooking, microwaving, or grilling outside to keep your home cooler.

• Minimize dryer use and let your clothes air dry by hanging them outside.

Beat the Energy Vampires

• Avoid using the oven and opt for stove cooking, microwaving, or grilling outside to keep your home cooler.

• Minimize dryer use and let your clothes air dry by hanging them outside.

Time it Right

• Businesses can shift power-intensive work to the morning or late evening hours.

• Consider doing tasks that generate heat, such as laundry and cooking, during cooler times of the day.

Reducing energy use during late afternoon and evening hours can be particularly helpful during a Flex Alert. These alerts are issued by the California ISO to manage high demand periods on our energy grid. Learn more at FlexAlert.org and sign up to be notified when a Flex Alert goes into affect.

For more information about CEA, please visit TheCleanEnergyAlliance.org or call (833) 232-3110

DEL LAGO ACADEMY students Carmine Troncale, Edgar Muñoz, Joseph Ware and Faith Vargas.

ESCONDIDO HS students Kyra Cantu, Vanessa Ramirez Resendiz, Eduardo Contreras and Karen Reyes Hernandez.

ORANGE GLEN HS students Alexa Arteaga Orozco, Pascual Aguirre and Brandon De La Torre.

SAN PASQUAL HS students Gabriel Whitby, Neilana Corrales, Isabella Davis, Justice Moore, Oscar Sanchez Aragon and Nuvia Ibarra. Photos courtesy Escondido Union High School District

Who’s NEWS?

Business news and special achievements for North San Diego County. Send information via email to community@ coastnewsgroup.com.

PRESIDENT’S LIST

Arran Fahey of Oceanside made the president’s list at Mount St. Mary’s University in Maryland.

DEAN’S LIST

Mara Davis of Oceanside made the dean’s list at Mount St. Mary’s University in Maryland.

PURSE DONATION

Friends of the Oceanside Public Library are accepting donations of gently used purses and backpacks to sell at their Oct. 21 fundraiser, Purses for a Purpose, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Civic Center Library Community Rooms, 330 N. Coast Highway, Oceanside.

ART NIGHT

JP Wackenstedt of San Diego is one of four artists whose work will be on display through Oct. 19 at the Encinitas Community Center Civic Art Space. A reception will be held Sept. 9 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

CODE TALKERS

The North San Diego Young Marines of Vista joined more than 175 Young Marines and adult volunteers from across the country in Window Rock, Arizona, on Aug. 14 to learn from Navajo Code Talkers, who were considered heroes in World War II, and their families.

ARTIST AWARD

Volunteer and artist Trevor Coopersmith received the 2023 Surfing Madonna Artist Award.

LOCAL AUTHOR

Bonsall author Ocean Strata released his new book, “Near On,” about the duality of all people.

OUTSTANDING VOLUNTEERS

Suzie Perry and Pam Pacilio were recognized as volunteers of the year for their many hours working on several Assistance League Rancho San Dieguito programs.

ART GUILD

The San Diego Art Guild swore in its new board of directors on Aug. 21, including new president Janet Scura.

LABOR DAY

Mission Trails Regional Park in San Diego was voted in a statewide poll as Californians’ top location for a Labor Day barbecue.

THINK GREEN

Army-Navy unveils Fitzgerald Innovation Center

By Steve Puterski CARLSBAD

— A financial donation to the Army and Navy Academy from a former alumnus helped build a new facility designed to give students a more robust learning experience in the areas of science and technology.

Last year, the funds were gifted to the private military boarding school by Oscar and Toby Fitzgerald, helping complete the transformation of an old dorm into the new Fitzgerald Innovation Center.

The Fitzgeralds were honored during a ribbon cutting on Aug. 22, unveiling the new building before school started this week.

The new facility will house the school’s aviation program, flight simulators, computer science classroom and a maker space equipped with laser cutters, milling machines and 3-D printers.

But for Oscar Fitzgerald, 80, who graduated from the academy in 1961, his gift was about giving something back to the school that gave him so

much.

“It’s just nice to be able to give back to the academy for all the good things they did for me,” Fitzgerald said. “Hopefully, this will

do some good things for the cadets and get them off to a career and a good start.”

Fitzgerald attended the academy before earning his doctorate in history from Georgetown University. The Vista native then parlayed his education into a career as a U.S. Navy historian, writing the Vietnam War's official history and later becoming director of the Navy Museum.

Later in life, Fitzgerlad revisited one of his old passions — historic furniture — writing four books on the history of furniture and teaching a master’s program through a collaboration between George Washington University and the Smithsonian Institution.

During his speech to the cadets and guests, Fitzgerald said his interest in furniture began after making a desk in a woodshop class at the academy, an

experience that stayed with him his entire life.

Fitzgerald now lives in Alexandria, Va., with his wife Toby of 57 years. The couple, along with his daughter Molly, attended the ceremony.

Academy President and retired U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Peggy Combs said the new facility will allow the cadets to expand their creativity and build problem-solving and critical-thinking skills. Combs said the aviation program is one of the more popular areas of study for the cadets, while the computer science classroom and lab will help lead the students into the future.

“It means a lot to the academy,” Combs said. “It represents the future of the academy as we look to develop these boys who can create and think. You never know what the world is going to throw at you.”

CSUSM gets $300,000 for mobile clinic

By Staff

SAN MARCOS — Cal State San Marcos has received a $300,000 grant from the Conrad Prebys Foundation to help offer free services to underserved communities through a mobile health clinic.

The largest private foundation in San Diego County provided the grant for CSUSM to team up with health care nonprofit TrueCare to provide free health and wellness services in medically underserved areas of North County.

BREAST MILK DRIVE

So, is it made in the USA or not?

The term “Made in the USA” suggests better craftsmanship, superior products and supporting American workers.

Victorian philosopher John Ruskin observed: “There is scarcely anything in the world that some man cannot make a little worse and sell a little more cheaply. The person who buys on price alone is this man's lawful prey.”

Imported goods typically offer lower prices. This strategy of low prices first, quality second has helped build many Third World economies.

That all jumped to mind while reviewing an LA Times ad for Kraus Stairlifts. Stairlifts are mechanized chairs that run on a track up your stairwell. They’re for folks unable to easily negotiate stairs with-

out help.

I usually take stairs two at a time and typically skip these advertisements. Plus, Kraus’ business cardsized ad and nondescript photo wasn’t very compelling. Without a website address, a consumer’s choices were calling or turning the page. Though tempted to move on, the line “Made in USA Quality” caught my eye and made me ask, “What does that really mean?”

My first thought was their products are made

overseas. A foreign manufacturer implying they manufacture to American standards would, while technically true, be a weaselly way to appeal to “Buy American” shoppers.

As I greatly respect my bride’s opinion, I asked her thoughts about the ad. Her response: “It’s made somewhere else.”

So much for my being too cynical!

I finally called Kraus’ switchboard to ask where their products are made, only to learn everything’s manufactured in Wisconsin and Florida.

My next question: Why the odd tagline? Why not just say Made in the USA?

All efforts to find someone to speak with resulted in a disconnected phone line, so we may never know.

My guess is the Kraus marketing folks didn’t fol-

low the KISS axiom (“Keep it simple, Stupid”). This failure generated unnecessary questions and suspicion where none needed to exist.

This is a lesson worth remembering as you create your own marketing materials in the coming days. Remember, customers are watching everything you do, and one errant word could be enough to make someone skeptical.

Don’t make your marketing counterproductive. Getting too fancy building the right messaging might make things more complicated than they need to be and lose you sales in the process.

With that said, I wish you a week of profitable marketing.

Get a free marketing newsletter at marketbuilding.com.

According to the university, the grant money specifically will go to CSUSM's College of Education, Health and Human Services. Over the next two years, the college will use the funds to hire a project coordinator, buy health care equipment and supplies, and send students into the community with health care professionals from TrueCare and alongside the organization's fleet of mobile wellness units.

“Through this grant, our students will have a unique opportunity to work together with other disciplines in the college to provide services for and guided by our local community,'' said CEHHS Dean Jennifer Ostergren.

This most recent grant adds to a previous Conrad Prebys Foundation award last year — $150,000 to support its faculty innovation fellows program, through which five faculty members were selected to “lead an entrepreneurial project while also serving as an innovation ambassador to other faculty.''

One of those innovation fellows was Matt Mincey, a nursing lecturer who helped established a partnership between CEHHS and TrueCare through a Community Engaged Scholarship grant from CSUSM.

ask mr. marketing rob weinberg

KELLY MCKINLEY, a junior cadet at Army and Navy Academy, operates a Redbird flight simulator on Aug. 22 in the school’s new Fitzgerald Innovation Center. Photo by Steve Puterski

Laura Cuevas, left, and Cristina Davis donated extra breast milk at TrueCare’s annual Breast Milk Drive and Family-Fun Health Fair on Aug. 12 in San Marcos. Over 400 children and parents attended the event to support at-risk babies. Courtesy photos

If every person takes one small step toward being more conscientious of the environment, the collective effort will change the planet.

San Marcos names city manager

By Laura Place

SAN MARCOS —

Longtime San Marcos city employee and former Assistant City Manager Michelle Bender has been appointed city manager, city officials announced last week.

Bender has served as interim city manager since early July, when Jack Griffin was placed on administrative leave after 11 years in the city’s top office. City officials declined to give the reason for his dismissal.

The San Marcos City Council unanimously approved Bender’s appointment as the new city manager in closed session at its Aug. 24 meeting.

“I am honored to be appointed as the city manager of San Marcos,” said Bender. “San Marcos is very special to me, and I will do everything I can to serve this community to the best of my capabilities.”

Mayor Rebecca Jones shared her excitement for Bender’s continued leadership.

“We are so excited to bring on Michelle as the new city manager and as the first female city manager,” Jones said. “She has always been a positive light for the City of San Marcos, and I believe she will continue this legacy in her advocacy for our city.”

Bender joined the city

in 2009 as a human resource analyst, eventually earning promotions to human resources/risk manager in 2011 and then director in 2014. She moved to the role of deputy city manager in 2018, followed by a promotion to assistant city manager in 2021.

Before her roles with the city, Bender held several other HR roles in the private sector. She holds a bachelor’s degree in industrial and organizational psychology from the University of South Africa.

Bender and city officials are still negotiating the terms of her agreement, according to the city.

Escondido rejects care facility plan

VISTA’S NEW FIRE CHIEF SWORN IN

Man gets 15-to-life for 2021 shooting death

By City News

Service

VISTA — A man convicted of second-degree murder for shooting a Vista man inside the victim’s townhome was sentenced today to 15 years to life in state prison.

Jheran Beverson, 24, was found guilty by a Vista jury earlier this year for the Aug. 7, 2021, shooting death of 52-year-old Shannon Betz, who was found in his bedroom with a gunshot wound to the back of his head.

Prosecutors allege Beverson and Betz first interacted with each other on a dating app, then arranged to meet at Betz's home Aug. 7.

Betz’s roommate, who was on vacation at the time, arrived at the home on the night of Aug. 8 and discovered Betz’s body. The victim was found nude on his bed and his wallet had also been taken, prosecutors said.

According to the prosecution’s trial brief, photos of Beverson were found on Betz's phone through the dating app.

Prosecutors said location data from Beverson’s cell phone indicated he was in the area of Betz’s home around the time investigators believe the killing occurred.

About a half-hour after he typed Betz’s home address into a map application on his phone, a car matching Beverson's was seen on surveillance footage speed-

ing away from the area near Betz’s home, according to the trial brief.

While Beverson faced up to 40 years to life in state prison for the murder count and a gun-use allegation, Superior Court Judge Michael Washington declined to impose the gun enhancement, which carries a 25-year-tolife term.

Washington ruled that the defendant’s age at the time of the shooting, his lack of criminal history, and the firing of only one shot warranted striking the gun allegation.

“We argued for a 40-years to life sentence based on the cold-blooded nature of the crime and the execution style of the murder,” said Deputy District Attorney Keith Watanabe said in a statement after the hearing.

“Defendant sought out an innocent victim on Grindr. Defendant fired his gun to the back of the victim's skull while the victim was naked and vulnerable. In our opinion, he deserves to spend the rest of his life in prison.”

Man convicted in 2018 fatal DUI charged again VISTA — A man who was sentenced to a state prison term for a 2018 Escondido DUI crash that killed two 19-year-olds was booked into county jail on Aug. 17 in a new North County DUI case.

Francisco Andres Alvarez, 31, pleaded guilty to charges of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and DUI causing injury for the March 25, 2018, crash that killed Brandon Contreras and Ana Lira. Prosecutors said alcohol, marijuana and cocaine were in Alvarez’s system at the time of the crash.

He was sentenced last year to nearly eight years in state prison, but a judge ruled that he could remain out of custody until an appeals process was completed before serving his term. That appeal remains ongoing, according to the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office.

County jail records indicate Alvarez was booked into custody Aug. 17 on two misdemeanor DUI counts and he pleaded not guilty to those charges last week in Vista Superior Court.

According to a criminal complaint, Alvarez is accused of driving under the influence of alcohol on July 6. The DUI counts contain allegations of driving with prior gross vehicular manslaughter convictions.

He was being held on $175,000 bail and will have to wear an alcohol-monitoring device if he bails out.

Vista man jailed on child-porn charges VISTA — A former Escondido resident targeted

last spring by an out-of-state “cyber vigilante” group that works to bring pedophiles to justice was jailed Aug. 25 on suspicion of possessing child pornography.

Detectives with the Escondido Police Department arrested 45-year-old Douglas Edward Smith Jr. at his new home in Vista, according to EPD public affairs.

Smith was booked into county jail on suspicion of possessing more than 600 images depicting children under age 12 engaging in sex acts, police said.

The case came to light in late May, when the group of amateur child-sex-crimes investigators contacted Escondido police to report that Smith allegedly had been involved in “an illicit sexual conversation” with an adult posing as a child, according to an EPD statement.

The vigilantes said they had traveled to Smith’s Escondido home and confronted him with their accusations before calling the police.

EPD detectives looked into the allegations but were unable to immediately secure probable cause to arrest Smith, police said.

“The group was encouraged to come to the Escondido Police Department with ... evidence of their communications,” according to the department statement.

By Samantha Nelson ESCONDIDO — After hearing

from

dozens of

neighbors, the City Council narrowly rejected a proposed 45-bed residential care facility between Reed Road and Wedgewood Avenue.

The Planning Commission was first to deny the project by a 3-2 vote in April. The applicant appealed the decision, which brought the final decision in front of the City Council on Aug. 16 – where the project was also rejected in a 3-2 vote, upholding the Planning Commission’s previous action.

According to city staff, the applicant, John Beery, on behalf of the property owner, Leslie Wang, had requested a conditional use permit to operate a licensed residential care facility for more than seven residents, otherwise known as an assisted living facility.

The facility would have included three separate buildings — each building housing 15 residents for a total of 45 residents — for a combined size of 21,190 square feet. The facility would be accessible on Wedgewood Avenue.

The 4.27-acre property is already developed with an existing single-family residence, built in 1992 and accessed via Reed Road, that currently operates as a licensed residential care facility with no more than six residents.

Planning Commissioners were concerned about onsite and delivery traffic circulation affecting the neighborhood and the well-being of an old oak tree on the property line. Commissioners also felt the applicant had not submitted enough information demonstrating the project’s design.

Through the applicant’s appeal process, staff worked with the applicant to address these issues by requiring a condition of approval requiring the applicant to submit a detailed letter of operations outlining the frequency, hours and nature of deliveries before receiving a business license and an arborist report detailing the health of the tree and ways to protect it. The applicant also submitted more renderings of the project.

Still, surrounding residents remained unconvinced that the proposed assisted living facility would fit well within their neighborhood.

“We’re going to be adversely impacted by this facility,” said Kamilah Brown, whose family lives on the Maxie Place cul-desac at the end of Wedgewood Avenue. “We’re going to be boxed in – there’s only one way in and out.”

Brown noted the community already struggles with heavy traffic from nearby Orange Glen High School, Hidden Valley Middle School, Oak Hill

Memorial Park and construction at Mountain View Park.

Kent Smith, who lives on Jessica Lane across from the proposed facility, is also concerned about being blocked in by the facility’s traffic.

“We don’t want it next to us,” he said. “Come take a look at this place before you drop a facility this size in a one way in, one way out area. It needs to be someplace on the outskirts of a neighborhood. This neighborhood just doesn’t fit.”

Ivan Flores, associate planner with the city, noted that the city’s General Plan policy encourages residential care facilities to be located within residential districts, not in commercial or industrial zones.

“They’re meant for residential areas,” Flores told the City Council.

Wang, the property owner, said she has pursued helping older adults with her residential care facilities after wanting to help her grandmother without sending her away.

Wang also owns Solaris Senior Living Community in Poway.

“We take care of our elderly,” Wang said.

Wang said the proposed facility would remain as quiet as possible in response to some neighbors’ concerns about increased noise from the property.

Mayor Dane White, Deputy Mayor Joe Garcia and Councilmember Consuelo Martinez voted to reject the project. Both Garcia and Martinez noted the project’s applicant should have conducted more community outreach.

“Seeing the response from the community coming out to speak against this leads me to believe that (community outreach) hasn’t happened,” Garcia said.

Councilmembers Mike Morasco and Christian Garcia, who voted to approve the project, fear they will open the property to dense housing development if the assisted living facility project isn’t approved first.

“Neighbors need to understand that because of the rules and regulations from the state, someone could come in there, divide it up into 8 to 16 single-family units, or they could put eight units with two ADUs on each of those properties,” Morasco said. “You could be looking at 24 different homes.”

Morasco was referring to the state’s density bonus law, which allows for density higher than what the city permits with the inclusion of affordable housing, and Senate Bill 9, a law allowing homeowners to split their property to create up to four homes on an existing single-family parcel.

Vista City Council members, from left, Joe Green, Katie Melendez, Mayor John Franklin and Corinna Contreras pose for a photo with new Fire Chief Gerard Washington, center, during Washington’s swearing-in ceremony on Aug. 15. Courtesy photo/City of Vista

MICHELLE BENDER has been with the city since 2009, most recently as interim city manager. Courtesy photo

Legendary ‘Hacksaw’ Hamilton still talking the talk

a call,” Hamilton would say, trolling the Bolts’ biggest rivals.

There are seven words, if you’re of a certain age and a San Diego sports fan, that you’ll immediately recognize. Plus, the voice that delivered them.

“I want to talk sports with you!”

Say, aren’t you Lee “Hacksaw” Hamilton?

“It’s absolutely amazing the interaction I have with the people on the street,” Hamilton said. “It’s great to be remembered.”

Hamilton’s best 15 minutes in sports to christen each radio show was once appointment listening. He told it like it was, he didn’t pull punches, and he had reliable sources and a litany of catchphrases that he’s still asked to repeat.

“Come on Hacksaw, give me a little something,” Cardiff’s Jeff Sessoms asked Hamilton upon a chance encounter.

Hamilton nodded, cleared his throat and let out a “Show me your lightning bolt!” that produced a wide smile from Sessoms.

When Hamilton started his sports-talk radio ca-

reer in San Diego in 1987 at XTRA 690 AM, he wasn’t the best at what he did; he was the only one.

Sports talk radio hadn’t expanded to the West Coast in a significant way until Hamilton started moving his gums. Now, every big city has numerous folks electing to spin sports opinions instead of records.

If there is a trailblazer who set the path for all of them, it was Hamilton, a longtime Rancho Bernardo resident.

“There were a lot of good times and good memories, but we were working so hard we never thought of the impact we were having out there,” Hamilton said.

Loyal to shut down after the season, chairman says

By City News Service

“We never gave a thought to a legacy, and we had no idea of the foundation we were laying for sports shows.”

Reflecting on the station carrying a signal blowtorch of 77,000 watts coming from Tijuana is interesting. The names and events are etched into many locals’ recollections, back when Hamilton was king and the Chargers dominated San Diego sports.

“Raider Nation, out of jail and out on bail, give me

No station could match the 690 lineup as it evolved with Hamilton as its ringleader. There were the Loose Cannons, with Steve Hartman and Chet Forte, and then, later, Philly Billy Werndel.

The morning guys, Scott Kaplan and Billy Ray Smith? Hamilton would playfully bicker with them, labeling them the Wide Right Kicker and the Loud Mouth Linebacker.

The “Jim Rome Show”? Rome’s radio career was baptized at 690 when he showed up as an intern.

Hamilton’s most significant mark came during his 13 years calling Chargers games. He was the play-byplay announcer and the architect of nine hours of programming for each contest, home and away, preseason, regular season, and on the rare occasions the Chargers made it, the postseason.

“We set a standard that everybody else has tried to follow, and no one has been able to duplicate what we did,” Hamilton said.

The good old days were

just that, and like everything else in the media, it changed dramatically. Hamilton went from 690 to the Mighty 1090, where he worked until 2018.

“It’s hard to go out on your own terms in this business,” Hamilton, 75, said. “But it was a helluva run.”

All these years later, Hamilton is still putting people’s feet to the fire behind a microphone with two weekly podcasts that land on YouTube.

He’s also a staple on TikTok and Instagram, where the numbers on some of his programming are eye-popping.

“We did a segment on the Padres, and it got 400,000 hits,” Hamilton said.

Hamilton’s podcast has nearly 3,000 subscribers as he rebuffs the falsehood of teaching an old dog new tricks.

“We don’t know what the hell we are doing,” Hamilton said. “But it has just exploded.”

Hamilton can also be seen on weekends on KUSI and has his fingers in numerous other projects.

“It’s a great business but the landscape is very differ-

ent,” Hamilton said. “I can’t complain because I’m still working.”

Hamilton has had few bad experiences or regrets.

No. 1 was the hurt he absorbed when the Spanos family removed him as the Chargers’ radio voice. That will be felt to his grave, Hamilton said.

“I told myself I was going to work really hard, give my family a stable situation and not drag them around the county,” he said. “I worked for two San Diego stations in 28 years, which is really unheard of.

Those legendary Hamilton phrases rush back: “Reaction!” “Agree or disagree?”

“Good night, now!”

For Hamilton, the lights never turn off. His energetic delivery, signature walrus mustache and Beatles-like hairstyle remain, even if the platforms differ.

Yep, here comes someone else.

“Hey Hacksaw, can you…”

“OK,” he said. “Touchdown San Diego!”

Contact Jay Paris at jparis8@aol.com and follow him @jparis_sports.

San Marcos Chamber

CHATTER

Crafting Charm: AR Workshop San Marcos Adds Personalized Flair to Home Decor

REGION

— Following four seasons in the second-division United Soccer League Championship, the San Diego Loyal Soccer Club will fold after this season, club chairman Andrew Vassiliadis announced Aug. 24.

The Loyal are fifth in the USL Championship’s Western Conference and are in playoff contention. The announcement follows the club’s most successful season, with a run to the Western Conference quarterfinals.

“For those of you who’ve gotten to know me, spent some time talking to me, you know how much this hurts for me to say,” Vassiliadis said in an emotional video message announcing the team’s final season. “I love our city, I’m born and raised here and I’ll always be loyal to San Diego.”

In May, when Major League Soccer announced the expansion of the league to San Diego, Vassiliadis said the team wasn't “going anywhere”

However, in the past six months, he and SD Loyal President Ricardo Campos looked for viable options to keep the team, academy and training facilities afloat, before coming to the conclusion the team will close up shop at the end of the season.

The Loyal will join a long list of now-defunct San Diego soccer teams, including the Flash, Pumitas, Gauchos, Top Guns, Nomads, an indoor and outdoor iteration of the Sockers and Jaws and the Toros.

USMNT legend Landon Donovan was previously head coach of the Loyal, and was named executive vice president of soccer operations in December 2022.

That same month, SD Loyal entered a goodwill partnership with Lincoln City F.C. of Lincolnshire, England.

Ten games remain in the Loyal’s season, including four at home and the final home game on Oct. 7 against the Oakland Roots — the team that knocked the Loyal out of the playoffs in 2022.

“So I have an ask. As we head into this last two months of the season, I ask that you continue to fight with the club, I ask that you come celebrate and not mourn what we have done over the last four years,” Vassiliadis said. “I ask that you come join us at Torero [Stadium] for our final four home games and represent your community — come together as friends and family and cheer us on as we push once again to make it to the playoffs, and who knows what happens after that.”

cos specializes in hands-on classes for crafting custom home décor. With workshops for all ages and occasions, they offer a fun environment to create wood signs, trays, canvas pillows, knit blankets, soy candles, and more.

What services and/or specialty products do you provide? Our specialty is to create a fun environment to enjoy while making a home decor piece. We supply all the materials and instruction to make your project and all our workshops are for the beginners.

What sets you apart from others in your industry?

AR Workshop San Marcos only uses the highest quality materials, and our instructors are very knowledgeable. We are continually introducing new designs and projects and I think that sets us apart. Our mainstay projects are wood signs, trays, Lazy Susans, etc., canvas pillows and totes, hand-knit Chunky Knit Yarn blankets, soy candle making, specialty Holiday designs and various Youth

Projects. Our project choices and designs are always changing which makes us a place to come back to repeatedly.

What question are you asked most frequently by customers? I feel like the most asked question is if customers can just walk in and make something. We may offer walkin crafting sometime soon, but currently all projects are cho-

sen on our website. We then prep all the materials ahead of their arrival.

What is your favorite business success story? My favorite business success story is how busy we are at our local community events. San Elijo Hills Community has been very supportive of our business, and we appreciate everyone who has supported us at the local

elementary school fundraisers and community events like Oktoberfest and Tree Lighting Ceremony.

What motivated you to join The San Marcos Chamber? I have lived in San Marcos for 13 years and have a great sense of pride in my community. I really wanted to join the Chamber to get to know other leaders in our community.

As someone doing business in San Marcos, what are you looking forward to accomplishing with the Chamber? I would really like to attend more Chamber led functions so that I can develop more professional relationships with other business owners.

What’s your best piece of business advice? My best business advice are the things I live by – never give up, give the best customer service possible and lead by example.

Business website: arworkshop.com/sanmarcos

Business Instagram handle: @arworkshopsanmarcos

Business Facebook page: arworkshopsanmarcos

LEE ‘HACKSAW’ HAMILTON, a longtime Rancho Bernardo resident, pioneered the sports-talk radio format on the West Coast with his legendary work in San Diego. Courtesy photo

AR WORKSHOP SAN MARCOS specializes in hands-on classes for crafting custom home décor. Courtesy photo

Candidates look ahead to 76th race

By Laura Place

REGION — Three hopefuls for the California Assembly have hit the ground running with campaigns to lead the 76th District in next year’s election.

Republican Kristie Bruce-Lane, Democrat Joseph Rocha, and Democrat Darshana Patel are all vying to replace longtime Assemblymember Brian Maienschein, who will retire from the assembly next fall and clear the seat for a challenger for the first time in 12 years.

It’s a group of candidates split along party lines and with state-level campaign experience. This will be Bruce-Lane’s second time throwing her hat in the ring to represent the 76th District after she fell just short of Maienschein by two percentage points in 2022.

“Coming within a couple of percentage points of winning last year against a 20-year incumbent of the legislature and local office who had unlimited resources, I demonstrated the strength of my candidacy and campaign,” said Bruce-Lane, former board director for the Olivenhain Municipal Water District.

Rocha is entering an Assembly race for the first time after running to represent the 40th Senate District in 2022, where he came in around seven percentage points behind State Sen. Brian Jones. Patel has not run for a state seat before but is in the midst of her second term on the Poway Unified School District board.

“I decided to run for State Assembly about a year and a half ago when I was approached by community leaders to consider running for the open Assembly District seat,” Patel said. “I realized that the challenges we are facing with public education are similar in many sectors of our economy, and we need a representative with a holistic, systems-oriented mindset to bring a strong community voice to state policies.”‘

The 76th District, redrawn in late 2021, encompasses San Marcos and Escondido in the north and Rancho Santa Fe, Carmel Valley, Carmel Mountain Ranch and Rancho Bernardo in the south, stopping just short of Poway.

Del Mar’s Richest Race

Much of the current 76th District used to be in the 77th District, and candidates can expect stronger Republican voting power in the 76th than before. However, Rocha is not deterred and is relying on the base built during his Senate campaign in some overlapping district areas. As a Latino candidate and a veteran, he said he is focused on connecting with and representing those communities in the district.

“Last cycle, we overperformed in these areas of Escondido and San Marcos as a first-time challenger,” Rocha said. “We learned the power of the grassroots campaign… and over time, we went from someone with no name ID to a million-dollar campaign that came close to unseating the top Republican in the California legislature.

“I think there is a tremendous chance to elect someone like ourselves, and we have connected with the voter and would do well in representing them.”

While Patel has not previously run for state office, she said her experience on the Poway Unified school board has provided valuable leadership experience. Since 2016, she has helped the district get back on track from financial mismanagement and embezzlement scandals by developing a Facilities Master Plan, overseeing the rebuilding of financial reserves, and approving the special tax reduction plan, saving taxpayers over $1 billion, among other efforts.

School board rooms are far from apolitical, and as president of the San Diego County School Boards Association, Patel has also led countywide workshops for good governance.

“When I see a problem, I don’t wait for others to solve it; I actively seek solutions through collaboration and shared values,” said Patel. “Our region and state need an elected official who is trusted, experienced, and qualified.”

Homelessness, housing and the rising cost of living are just some of the hot topics drawing attention in this race, with all three candidates emphasizing the need to make things more affordable.

Bruce-Lane, the founder of child homelessness and

domestic violence nonprofit The Thumbprint Project Foundation, said homelessness policy must include thorough wraparound services for those with mental illness and drug addiction. She said she supports increased court-mandated treatment and does not support a housing-first approach.

“The issues that we are dealing with — high taxes and high cost of living, the homelessness crisis and increased crime — are not partisan issues,” BruceLane said. “These are issues that are affecting all hardworking families. People want common-sense policies that reduce their cost of living, solve the homelessness crisis, and they want to feel safe in their neighborhoods and communities.”

Rocha said he is committed to increased veteran support as part of his plans for affordability. This includes the promise to finally eliminate taxes on veteran pensions, a policy unique to California that many say has caused veterans to leave the state.

When it comes to housing, he said he wants to increase opportunities for first-time homebuyers who lack generational wealth, as well as remove the “red tape” that limits the creation of more housing.

“We hear a lot of candidates and legislators talking about building more homes, but not so much making sure they have the capacity to build up that infrastructure,” Rocha said.

Despite Bruce-Lane’s claims to the contrary, Rocha said he does not take a “soft on crime” approach, as evidenced by his years as an attorney and Marine captain.

“I have a really strong background in fighting bad actors, which I would really want to make a priority,” he said.

Patel, a research scientist, said she wants to clear the way to remove the current obstacles to affordable housing construction and foster high-paying jobs that support workers and the economy. Rising health care costs, she said, also need to be addressed to reduce the cost of living.

All state Assembly seats are for two-year terms.

$1,000,000 FanDuel Racing Pacific Classic

Saturday, September 2nd, be there for the 33rd running of the $1,000,000 FanDuel Racing Pacific Classic. It’s the highlight of the summer season and Del Mar’s richest and most prestigious race. The Pacific Classic has hosted some of the greatest horses in the world, so seats are sure to sell out quickly. Make your reservations today at DelMarRacing.com.

Cap Giveaway

Honoring last year’s champion, and Horse of the Year, Flightline.

To the first 10,000 paid admissions.

76TH DISTRICT Assembly candidates Kristie Bruce-Lane, left, Joseph Rocha and Darshana Patel are vying to replace Brian Maienschein, who is retiring. Courtesy photos

Vista to install solar panels at Civic Center

By Steve Puterski VISTA

— The City Council approved a robust solar project on the grounds of the Vista Civic Center during its Aug. 22 meeting.

The council approved a bid from Baker Electric to install solar panels in the parking lot along Civic Center Drive. The panels would also be used as carports to keep parking available for staff and the public.

Any leftover funds will be used to install solar panels at Fire Station No. 3, currently being rebuilt at East Vista Way and Taylor Street.

According to City Manager John Conley, the city received a $3.5 million grant from the California Energy Commission to facilitate the project.

As for the total cost of the project and energy capacity, Conley said those numbers will be finalized in about three months when Baker Electric returns to the council with final design plans. However, based on conceptual designs, Baker Electric and the city are estimating savings of at least $11 million over the next several years, according to Greg Mayer, the city’s acting engineering director.

“The first phase is a design phase and that will determine the number of panels and the amount of power we’ll get,” Conley said. “(After that) we’ll have a lot more detail.”

Mayer said the city expects a five-year payback period with the installation of the panels based on preliminary estimates. Another challenge was whether to construct the carport or install the panels on the roof of the Civic Center.

The city opted for the carport design to maximize energy capacity as the roof, due to the pitch and other factors, would not be suitable to generate as much energy as possible. The project is expected to be completed in fall 2024.

“It’ll probably be a little less than a year,” Mayer said. “We’re trying to do 100% on the ground carports. We’d rather not use the roof because it’s kind of a funny shape and complicated to put stuff on the roof.”

Conley said the project also helps with the city’s Climate Action Plan goals for clean energy. Also, he said the city has been looking at a solar project at the Civic Center for about three years.

Mayor John Franklin said SANDAG conducted two audits on the city’s emissions and energy efficiency. After their review, SANDAG could not find any additional efficiencies to add, although the solar project is one of them.

Councilwoman Corinna Contreras said this project is a “big priority,” and there’s a lot to be done to decarbonize the city’s buildings.

HONORING THE CODE TALKERS

TEACHERS

CONTINUED FROM FRONT

Creek and Lincoln Elementary Schools before moving to Felicita four years ago.

According to SDCOE, Threatt isn’t bound by the walls of her classroom when teaching her students about the world. Her title as a teacher also doesn’t stop her from continuing her education.

“I will always reach beyond the doors of my classroom and curriculum to meet the needs of my students, whether it’s supplies or experiences,” Threatt said. “I always gravitated toward teaching. Simply, I was born to be a teacher… but also a lifelong learner.”

Threatt explained that she liked to pull from various resources to teach her

curriculum.

“I add lots of more layers of information and experience to what I teach,” she told The Coast News.

Threatt has taken a professional development course through National Geographic that challenges educators regarding teaching science, climate change and other topics.

On one occasion, her extra courses led to her connecting her students with an explorer via Zoom who found bones while on an excursion in Central America.

Felicita Elementary School Principal Marty Hranek praised Threatt in his recommendation letter, noting that she “has gained an outstanding reputation in the school and district for pursuing collaborative

efforts that move district and state systems forward.”

“She has inspired teachers and administrators around the school district to expand the ‘Girls on the Run’ program, impacting the lives of hundreds of students,” Hranek added.

Threatt also praised the principal for cultivating Felicita’s “success-based and solutions-based thinking” culture.

“Felicita is a really special place,” Threatt said. “We have a community that really needs access to every educational opportunity available, which was true before Covid and now after. They need more resources and educational opportunities, and what I love about Felicita is that every staff member knows that and sees that and steps up to do

that.”

Threatt is thrilled about receiving the San Diego County Teacher of the Year award, which she called a “once in a career opportunity.” Like Coffin, Threatt also views the award as a statement on behalf of her school community.

“I see this as an opportunity for me to elevate Felicita, which doesn’t get a lot of attention and focus, and a way to shine a spotlight on the fantastic work being done here while calling attention to the resources we need to educate students even better than before,” she said.

Coffin and Threatt now have a shot at the California Teacher of the Year title, which will be announced in October.

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The North San Diego Young Marines of Vista joined more than 175 Young Marines and adult volunteers from across the country in Window Rock, Ariz., on Aug. 14 to learn from the Navajo Code Talkers, considered World War II heroes, and their families. The Code Talkers played a crucial role in the war effort by using the Navajo language to transmit coded messages.Courtesy photo

A craft beer journey to the Pacific Northwest

By Jeff Spanier

It’s hard for a beer enthusiast to leave San Diego’s 150 independent breweries and thousands of stellar beer selections. But brewery travels are the origin of I Like Beer the Podcast and have fueled my interest in craft beer and the folks making it.

So, this summer, I traveled up the coast to Oregon and Washington to learn more about the craft beer scene growing in those areas.

Besides the breweries, I found the coast of Oregon captivating in its beauty and variety of landscapes and outdoor opportunities. But I’ll leave travel writing to the experts and stay in my wheelhouse.

Here are a few of the 20 excellent breweries I was lucky to visit.

Newport Brewing: Located just above the historic Newport bayfront with stunning views of the bay and bridge, Newport Brewing has operated since 2019.

Brody Becksted, the owner, took a few minutes to show off his 15-barrel, custom-designed brewery and talk about his beer. Becksted is a Newport native, and the pride in his brewery, beers and staff was readily apparent.

I enjoyed the fish tacos with a Surfs Up lager, an American-style lager that had plenty of flavor and body for the style. But the star of the visit was the Tangerine Crush Coastal Wheat Ale.

This beer features a half wheat, half pilsner malt build brewed with local coastal waters drenched with juicy tangerine puree after fermentation. I enjoyed several tangerine ales on the trip; this was my favorite.

Rogue Ales: After visiting Newport’s newest brewery, I made the pilgrimage to Rogue Ales, one of the leaders in the modern craft beer revolution. Established in 1988, Rogue has maintained roles as both rebels

and leaders in the industry.

Rogue’s general manager Charlie Branford took me on a tour of the massive facility. There, I met Renee, an assistant brewer starting a fresh batch of Rogue’s signature beer, Dead Guy Ale.

I also met Jeff, who was in charge of canning Rogue’s next release, their seasonal pumpkin ale.

He was calibrating the system, which was running at about 100 cans a minute, which seemed very fast. But at full speed, the Rogue

canning operation runs at 235 cans per minute.

Rogue takes risks with their beers, which always means there will be beers I love, beers I like, and beers I …well, that I don’t like as much.

The sneak peek (sneak sip?) of the Pumpkin Patch Ale was a real treat, but the main attraction for me was the Hazelnut Brown Nectar.

This twist on brown ale always impresses me. Oregon is the hazelnut capital

of the world (who knew?), so this was as fresh as a beer and its ingredients can get. And, because I was touring the premises with Branford, I got to carry my pint around like a big shot.

Astoria Brewing: En

route to Newport, Astoria is a must-stop (or so I was told by several beer enthusiasts in Washington). It was solid advice.

Lunch at Astoria Brewing overlooking the Columbia River was a visual delight for the tastebuds— more fish tacos made from fresh-caught fish.

Astoria Brewing had me at Strawberry Blonde, their flagship ale. It’s my favorite summer style, and their version didn’t disappoint. They claim the beer’s nose is “a punch of strawberry pie.”

True. The flavor was milder, crisper and delicious.

With a little more drive ahead of me for the day, I had to limit my tastes.

So I was excited to see Toast the Royals, a 3.4% abv mild dark ale. It’s an old English pub style, malty and a great beer to sip while watching the river float by from the patio.

Pelican Brewing: I first visited Pelican Brewing in 2012, and seeing the growth they’ve experienced since then was impressive.

The Siletz Bay location in Lincoln City offers extensive seating along the deck and indoor dining. Their beer lineup has won many awards, and this team knows its beer.

The Raspberried at Sea, made with Oregon raspberries, is light, sparkling and full of raspberry flavor.

The malt build balances the fruit, keeping it from being too sweet. Six packs of this fantastic beer went into the cooler but didn’t make it home.

As a habit, I like to ask brewers and beertenders where they go to get a beer when they’re not enjoying their own.

This always leads me to some smaller, local locations.

I found the people everywhere willing to take a few minutes to share their stories and a beer. I’m already planning a return.

Jeff Spanier is the host of I Like Beer the Podcast. Take a listen wherever you get podcasts. Follow Spanier’s adventures @ ilikebeerthepodcast on Instagram.

A VIEW of the Oregon Coast during a recent craft beer journey to the Pacific Northwest. Oregon and Washington are loaded with delicious breweries. Photos by Jeff Spanier

I LIKE Beer the Podcast host and columnist Jeff Spanier with a Hazelnut Brown Nectar at Rogue Ales in Oregon. At right, Maizy with Pelican Brewing’s Raspberried at Sea.

How does White Sands National Park keep its cool? Gypsum

Four-and-a-half billion tons of gypsum sand spread over 275 square miles.

Hard to get my head around these numbers, but a portion of those billions of tons lies before us like a post-blizzard landscape.

A high-desert wind blows the finely ground gypsum left to right across the road, obliterating it, and then pushing the sand farther on to reveal the pavement again.

The scene through our car window is constantly shifting as we drive through White Sands National Park in south-central New Mexico. The wind creates infinite patterns and depressions on the alabaster dunes, a panorama like no other.

White Sands was upgraded from a national mon-

ument to a national park in 2019. It is the nation’s 62nd national park and the world’s largest gypsum dune field.

This field, less than 10,000 years old, is continuously created when rainwater and snowmelt dissolve gypsum from surrounding mountains that collect in the Tularosa Basin.

We decided to hike the moderately difficult Dune Life Nature Trail — a bit of a misnomer, as the trail is sometimes there and sometimes isn’t. Hikers must take

direction from stakes in the sand, and sometimes they are there, sometimes they aren’t.

At one point, we can’t find any of the directional stakes, then spot one lying in the sand, an obvious victim of the constant winds and lack of weight at the base.

Hiking a dune trail is quite different from a hard surface. Progress can be slow, as pushing up the dunes can be an exercise in comic futility. For every two or three steps forward, we slide at least one step back. At one point, I’m laughing so hard I can’t move forward anyway.

Interpretive signs along the trail tell us about the geology of White Sands and the lives and survival mechanisms of its unique plants and animals:

• More than 300 plants, 250 birds, 50 mammals, 30 reptiles, seven amphibians, and one fish species call White Sands home.

• At least 45 species of animals are found only at White Sands, including the bleached earless lizard, 40 species of moth and two types of camel crickets.

• Some of these animals might be very difficult to spot because they have adapted to the environment by becoming completely white. These include three reptiles, three mammals, one amphibian and numerous insects.

As we sink and slide our way up and down the dunes, I have to wonder: With the constant winds, why doesn’t all this fine, sparkling gypsum blow away?

“That’s one of the most frequent questions we get

asked,” a ranger in Las Cruces told us a couple of days previous.

The answer is that the area has a shallow water table that anchors much of the sand. And unlike other types of dunes, gypsum sand can remain moist even during extreme droughts — another singularly wondrous thing about this environment.

After hiking, we drive a bit farther, then stop at a boardwalk that allows those who don’t want to hike the trails to get a little deeper into the dunes.

Signs along the railings tell of the geological history of White Sands and the fortunate efforts of Thomas Charles in the 1920s that saved the dunes from commercial mining.

The boardwalk provides an expansive view of

the dunes punctuated by ecru-colored soaptree yuccas and some deep green, spiky tufts that seem to be everywhere.

I spot a woman on the boardwalk who is the poster child for what not to wear in this environment: short shorts, halter top, sandals and no hat. Doubtless no sunscreen either.

I can’t leave this sandy wonderland without plunging my bare feet into this silky sand. Surprisingly, it is as cool as an early-morning winter beach (minus the ocean).

That’s because this white gypsum sand (actually clear but appears white) doesn’t absorb the sun’s heat like silica sand. So even on those intensely hot New Mexico days, the sand remains cool to the touch.

A SHALLOW water table allows grasses and shrubs to thrive in an environment that appears to be hostile to all living things. Four-and-a-half billion tons of alabaster gypsum sand covers 275 miles of south-central New Mexico. At right, trails are often illusive in White Sands National Park because of the winds and shifting gypsum sand. Photos by Jerry Ondash

Student ambassadors help boost fellow English learners

By Samantha Nelson ESCONDIDO

School.

—

The Escondido Adult School has launched a new program that allows students working their way through its English as a Second Language class serve as student ambassadors to help new ESL students adjust to the classroom.

Kicking off this year, the student ambassador program has recruited eight individuals who have experienced the class to help the teachers in the school’s nearly 400-student ESL program. The ambassadors come from different backgrounds, with at least four languages —Spanish, Tagalog, Russian and Ukrainian — spoken in addition to the English they’ve learned.

The ambassador program is the result of a Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) Student Focus Group last year, where students shared that they wanted to return to the classroom to support teachers and administration to help improve the program and better serve its students.

“I was listening to colleagues from San Jose talking about their ambassador program, and so we thought that it would a good idea for our school,” said Polina Trask, an ESL teacher at the Escondido Adult

The school offers five levels of its ESL program mornings and evenings. Students typically meet in person once a week and work online the rest of the week, but students and ambassadors have been on campus more frequently lately with the start of the program’s technology boot camp that helps students who have little to no experience working on computers to keep up with the online coursework.

Student ambassadors also returned to help guide new students around campus during the first week back in August.

The ambassadors, meanwhile, are still students themselves, with an opportunity to make use of the English and other skills they have already learned.

“I enjoy the fact they created this program for us because it gives us more knowledge about the program and because I get to help others, so they don’t have to go through the same struggles I did with not knowing where everything was,” said Elva Pettit, one of the student ambassadors.

Carlota Duong, a fouryear student, was excited about the chance to get more involved in the school she loves when she was ap-

proached by her teacher about becoming an ambassador.

Duong said that ambassadors meet new students at the same level to help them feel more confident in their studies. At the same time, she gains greater self-confidence in her own skills.

“We’re still learning, and we never stop,” she said. “This makes me feel confident about what I have been learning.”

Marialice Porter, an ESL teacher, is grateful for the help she receives from the ambassadors.

“They ease our load,” she said. “I have two of these present student ambassadors in my ESL class and they’ve already adopted that leadership role by helping other students log into computers, translate for them — we’re just very fortunate to have them.”

Principal Stacey Adame said the student ambassadors are responsible for the school’s full classrooms and its smooth start to the new school year.

“Because you were there and so patient, everybody just felt calm and well taken care of on the first day,” she told the ambassadors. “These are the fullest our classes have ever been at the beginning of the year, and it’s because of you guys.”

RUBEN CHAVEZ, a student in the Escondido Adult School’s English as a Second Language program, talks about helping others as a student ambassador. He is flanked by ESL teacher Polina Trask, left, and Principal Stacey Adame. Photo courtesy of Rita Alatorre

EVENTS CALENDAR

SEPT. 1

ATOMIC GROOVE

Atomic Groove has been San Diego’s premier Variety Dance Band for all occasions since 1995. 5:30 to 8 p.m. Sept. 1 at Belly Up, 160 S Cedros Ave, Solana Beach.

MÚSICA EN LA PLAZA

Featuring Tres Souls band in the Lyric Court. This event is free, but advanced reservations are recommended. Premium options are available. 7:30 p.m. at California Center for the Arts, 340 N Escondido Blvd, Escondido.

CHARITY GOLF

The 5th annual Brother Charity Golf Tournament raises funds for the Brother Benno Foundation's programs serving the most vulnerable in North San Diego County. 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sept. 1 at Goat Hill Park Golf Club, 2323 Goat Hill Dr, Oceanside.

HORTICULTURAL MYTHS

Master Gardner and chair of the Earth-Friendly Gardens Committee, Dawn Standke, is the keynote speaker. Fingertip lunch is at noon followed by a business meeting at 12:30 p.m., and program at 1:45 p.m. 1:45 p.m. at Jim Porter Recreation Center , 1200 Vale Terrace Dr, Vista.

SEPT. 2

JONATHAN MABERRY New York Times bestselling author Jonathan Maberry will hold a book

signing for “Cave 13” and “Long Past Midnight.” 3 to 5 p.m. on Sept. 2 at Artifact Books, 603 S Coast Hwy 101, Encinitas. NOTE: Mayberry celebrates the release of his new series, “The Sleepers War,” at 6 p.m. on Sept. 5, at Barnes & Noble, 1040 N El Camino Real, Encinitas.

MARK CHAMNESS

Mark Chamness, an Oceanside-based artist, is exhibiting new works in fibers and what the artist calls “discarded urban plastic” at the Hill Street Country Club. 5 to 8 p.m. Sept. 2 to Dec. 9 at Hillstreet Country Club, 530 S Coast Hwy,

Oceanside.

CARDIFF FARMERS MARKET

Join us for the new Cardiff Farmers Market, a certified California farmers market featuring locally-sourced produce along with craft vendors and local makers. Every Saturday from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. at MiraCosta San Elijo Campus, 3333 Manchester Ave, Encinitas.

NERD COMEDY NIGHT

A unique event that combines the best of both worlds - nerdy humor and stand-up comedy - for a night of laughs and good times. $15, 8 p.m. at New

Village Arts Theatre, 2787 State St, Carlsbad.

SEPT. 3

TORMENTA REY

Stephen El Rey’s voice channeled the vulnerability of Roy Orbison, the sex of Elvis Presley, the raw power of Howlin’ Wolf and the insanity of Jerry Lee Lewis. Free, 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 3 at Encinitas Library, 540 Cornish Dr, Encinitas.

GRAND GARDEN PARTY

Celebrate Labor Day weekend at the Grand Garden Party at Grand Del Mar, featuring an extensive, outdoor lounge and a variety of

activities, culinary creations and a live concert. Cabanas $150, Fire Pit Table $50, and General Admission $30. 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sept. 3 at Fairmont Grand Del Mar, 5300 Grand del Mar Ct, San Diego.

DENE DAVIDSON BAND

Dene Davidson Band will include some of the Young Lions on Sundays for jam sessions. Cool Jazz and Hot Fun. 6 p.m. at Jazzy Wishbone, 234 S Coast Hwy, Oceanside.

SEPT. 4

PARKINSON'S EXERCISE

This group exercise class is appropriate for anyone with Parkinson's Disease. We focus on PWR! Moves, flexibility, strength, endurance, balance and coordination. Modifications are provided and everyone is welcome! **This free class meets the first Monday of each month from 12pm-1pm with our next class 12 to 1 p.m. Sept. 4 at NeuroLab 360, 2146 Encinitas Blvd, Encinitas.

HIGHER SELF MEDITATION

Join us every week for a twenty-minute live, guided meditation with Divine Light. 9 to 9:30 a.m. Sept. 4 at Online, 92101, San Diego.

SEPT. 5

‘NEMO’ AUDITIONS

Vista’s Broadway Theater is launching auditions for its musical production of Disney’s “Finding Nemo Jr.” 5 to 8 p.m. Sept. 5 at San Marcos Community Center, 3 Civic Center Dr, San Marcos. Kids with experience and no experience between the ages of 7 and 17 are encouraged to audiion.

ADULT BALLET CLASS

Ronda

Eda

Sculpt long, lean muscles, burn fat, build strength and endurance, improve flexibility, coordination and balance in a

relaxed, easy to learn atmosphere accompanied by music. 9:30 to 10:45 a.m. Sept. 5 at Stagecoach Community Park, 3420 Camino de los Coches, Carlsbad.

SEPT. 6

COMMUNITY ADVOCACY

Learn about the Family and Community Services for Metropolitan Area Advisory Committee (MAAC) Child Development Program. 9:45 to 11 a.m. Sept. 6 at Carlsbad Senior Center, 799 Pine Ave, Carlsbad.

34TH JEWISH FILM FEST

Now in its 34th year, the San Diego International Jewish Film Festival returns for an incredible season, showcasing its position as the largest world-class Jewish cultural event in San Diego. $15-$18, 7 p.m. at Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center, 4126 Executive Dr, La Jolla.

‘THE ANGEL NEXT DOOR’

North Coast Repertory Theatre presents “The Angel Next Door.” $74, 12 a.m. at North Coast Repertory Theatre, 987 Lomas Santa Fe Dr, Solana Beach.

BLOOD DRIVE

Anyone 17 and older, who weighs at least 114 pounds and is in good health, may be eligible to donate. A good meal and plenty of fluids are recommended prior to donation. 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Sept. 6 at Oceanside High School, 1 Pirates Cove Way, Oceanside.

CIRQUE DU SOLEIL

“Corteo” is the most enchanting arena production from Cirque du Soleil. Tickets $39-$160. Pechanga Area San Diego, 3500 Sports Arena Blvd, San Diego.

HEALING THE EARTH... A Lightwork group

JOIN THE VISTA SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT SENIOR VOLUNTEER

The Senior Volunteer Patrol of the Vista Sheriff’s Station performs home vacation security checks, assists with traffic control, enforces disabled parking regulations, patrols neighborhoods, schools, parks and shopping centers and visits homebound seniors who live alone for the community of Vista & portions of the county’s unincorporated areas. Volunteers must be at least age 50, be in good health, pass a background check, have auto insurance, a valid California driver’s license, and be a US citizen. Training includes a mandatory two-week academy plus training patrols. The minimum commitment is 6 hours per week & attendance at a monthly meeting. erested parties should contact Administrator Jim Baynes to arrange an information meeting.

(760) 940-4434 Jim Baynes

THE ROUSTABOUTS Theatre Co. proudly presents “The Savoyard Murders,” a murder mystery comedy starting Sept. 7 at Scripps Ranch Theatre. Courtesy photo

Back to School with Music!

By Amber Flynn

“One of the most beautiful things we can give our children is music education.”

— Gloria Estefan

Everyone loves and enjoys music. Whether listening, playing, or singing, we understand the gift that music brings personally and global.

Consider adding music education to your schedule by finding a local music school and enrolling in a group or private music education.

Here are a few benefits that are considered some of the top reasons to add music to your schedule this Fall.

Start learning Music Early: Early musical training will develop the areas of the brain related to language and reasoning.

The left side of the brain develops with music and songs help imprint information on young minds.

A Sense of Achievement: Learning to play music on a new instrument can be challenging but achievable. Those who master even the smallest goal will be able to feel proud of their achievements.

Kids stay engaged in school: Music is fun and enjoyable. It keeps all children interested and involved.

Better Self-Confidence: With encouragement from teachers and parents, students playing a musical instrument build pride and confidence.

Research also shows that music education can help students, even preschoolers, prepare for future endeavors.

It also helps with enhanced language capabilities, improved memory, hand-eye coordination, study habits, teamwork, and enhanced mental processing and problem-solving abilities.

And quite simply, It is fun!

Operation Hope expands Vista pantry and boutique

By Steve Puterski

VISTA — An expanded food pantry and clothing store was unveiled by Operation Hope-North County during a ribbon cutting on Aug. 22.

The nonprofit reconfigured two rental properties to upgrade the pantry and boutique as the number of clients has increased over the past several years, according to Anneliese Petitt, OHNC’s community engagement coordinator.

OHNC also owns and operates a 12-bedroom, 45bed shelter across the street from its pantry and boutique. The pantry is located at 840 Townsite Drive in Vista.

APPRAISAL

CONTINUED FROM FRONT

have blind spots, or we have different ways of going about a process, that we learn over time what our best practices are,” Councilmember Katie Melendez said.

“I want to make sure we are following best practices as much as possible, and if there are opportunities for us to do something better,

then being able to hear that feedback and hear that critique from the community, it only makes us better, and I really appreciate that.”

“I’m grateful that we did slow down the process and get the appraisal. Today, I’m still confident in the decision that we made,” Councilmember Dan O’Donnell said.

City leaders emphasized that obtaining this

GUNTHER GUNS

land for a park is a huge win for the community, especially due to the shortage of vacant land. Unlike most available sites on the outskirts of the city, the Matagual Drive property is centrally located and can serve more residents, Franklin said.

Going forward, council members committed to having more discussions about land acquisition pol-

icy and procedures, as well as engaging the community in what they want to see at the future park.

In 2019, residents in the Vale View neighborhood pushed back against a proposal from the same property owner to develop the land into a hotel. The plan was scrapped, and the city and property owners later discussed purchasing the land for a park.

“We’ve had a 500% growth in the last fiscal year,” Petitt said. “In Fiscal Year 2022-23, we served over 1,100 individuals and over 650 families. That growth is not only due to rising costs, inflation and housing, but also due to the end of the emergency CalFresh allotment in April.”

She said the buildings used to be owned by the Vista Community Clinic, but OHNC is renting the facilities to expand its footprint and services. The landlord

gave the nonprofit an inkind donation for the building housing the pantry, so OHNC doesn’t have to pay rent and can direct those funds into its operations.

OHNC opened its food pantry before the COVID-19 pandemic to serve families from the shelter who had obtained housing but were still experiencing food insecurity. The boutique was established to serve families at the shelter.

Since then, the pantry has grown in service by aiding more than 100 families per week from the community who are experiencing food insecurity. These services are part of the organization’s efforts to help prevent homelessness in Vista, Petitt said.

Both the food pantry and boutique sites operated as medical offices before OHNC moved in. For the past several months, OHNC has been renovating those spaces to exemplify hope and dignity, Pettit said, for the community members it serves.

Also, OHNC recently just completed Leah's Pantry six-month Gold Star Certificate Program for its food services.

THE CITY of Vista agreed to purchase the 2.27-acre property for $2.1 million in June from Thomas, Julian and Selena Shadle for a city park, but hadn’t appraised the land prior to making the deal, as required under city policy.

Photo by Steve Puterski

FROM KING FEATURES WEEKLY SERVICE, 628 Virginia Drive, Orlando, FL 32803 CUSTOMER SERVICE: 800-708-7311 EXT. 257

SALOME’S STARS #12345_20230828 FOR RELEASE AUG. 28, 2023

EDITORS: These horoscopes are for use the week of SEPT. 4, 2023

1. ANATOMY: What are the small bones that make up the human backbone?

2. GEOGRAPHY: Which country is made up of about 7,000 islands?

3. MOVIES: What native language is spoken in the movie “Avatar”?

4. BUSINESS: When did the rst Apple computer go on sale?

5. ANIMAL KINGDOM: What is a male swan called?

6. FOOD & DRINK: Which nut is used in a Waldorf salad?

7. PSYCHOLOGY: What fear is represented in arithmophobia?

8. TELEVISION: Who played the lead in the series “Bu y the Vampire Killer”?

9. AD SLOGANS: Which restaurant chain advertises itself as “no rules, just right”?

10. SCIENCE: Which science ction author wrote the three laws of robotics?

ARIES (March 21 to April 19) This could be the time to try soothing whatever bad feelings might be lingering between or among colleagues, friends and family members. But be sure you do so without favoring any side.

TAURUS (April 20 to May 20) An idea is only an idea until you put that clever Bovine mind to work to develop it from concept to substance. This could lead to something rewarding, both emotionally and monetarily.

GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) The early part of the week could have disconcerting moments, but approaching them with a calm, unruffled attitude goes a long way toward helping things settle down nicely.

CANCER (June 21 to July 22) Getting used to change continues to mark much of the week. But accepting what you have to do makes adapting that much easier. A welcome visitor could turn up sooner than expected.

LEO (July 23 to August 22) Learning how to live with a decision is a challenge, but one you Leos and Leonas could really enjoy. You’ll also be pleased to see your social life take the upsurge you’ve been hoping for.

VIRGO (August 23 to September 22) Use your perceptive Virgo instinct to help you see the positive aspects of what, at first, appears to be a disappointment. You could find that it proves to be quite the contrary.

LIBRA (September 23 to October 22) Your ability to maintain a balance between sense and sentiment once again helps you sort through apparently conflicting choices and ultimately arrive at the right decision.

SCORPIO (October 23 to November 21) Before you seek the advice of colleagues about a potential career move, you might be better off getting counsel from someone who won’t be affected by the choices you make.

SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to December 21) It can be a challenging week for some relationships if the normal give-and-take flow changes, with one side doing most of the giving and the other the taking.

CAPRICORN (December 22 to January 19) A new opportunity could bring with it much anticipation, along with some anxiety. Take time to sort out your options as well as your emotional considerations.

AQUARIUS (January 20 to February 18) Are you sure you have all the facts you need to let that matter move to another level? Don’t be rushed into a decision unless, and until, you feel like it’s the right thing to do.

PISCES (February 19 to March 20) Pace yourself as you prepare to take on a more demanding project. Be careful not to let your energy reserves drain away. Take time to relax with people close to you.

BORN THIS WEEK: You have the ability to see both sides of a situation. You would do well as a counselor or a judge.

© 2023 King Features Synd., Inc.

TRIVIA TEST ANSWERS

1. Vertebrae. 2. The Philippines.

3. Na’vi. 4. 1976. 5. A cob.

6. Walnuts. 7. Fear of numbers. 8. Sarah Michelle Gellar.

9. Outback Steakhouse. 10. Isaac Asimov.

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meditation session, sending a downpour of radiant, healing Inner-Light-Fire into the Earth. 12 to 1 p.m. Sept. 6 at San Elijo Lagoon Nature Center, 2710 Manchester Ave, Cardiff by the Sea.

SEPT. 7

LOBSTER FESTIVAL

Live Maine lobster steamed in the world’s largest cookers, live music featuring Flashpants, winner of the Gong Show. $40, 12 a.m. at Fountain Valley Regional Park, 16801 Euclid St, Fountain Valley.

SAN DIEGO GIVES

San Diego nonprofits come together to fundraise in unity, with countywide day-of-giving. Visit sandiegogives.org for a list of organizations accepting donations.

CHRIS TORRES

Chris Torres, recently returned from another tour with American Idol winner Kris Allen, will be joined by blues-harp player Stephen Keyes. 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Sept. 7 at Papagayo’s Encinitas, 1002 N Coast Hwy 101, Encinitas.

SAVOYARD MURDERS’

The Roustabouts Theatre Co. proudly presents The Savoyard Murders, a captivating new production written and directed by Omri Schein and co-directed by Phil Johnson. $45, 7:30 p.m. at Scripps Ranch Theatre, 9783 Avenue of Nations, San Diego.

BLOOD DRIVE

Anyone 17 and older, who weighs at least 114 pounds and is in good health, may be eligible to donate. A good meal and plenty of fluids are recommended prior to donation. 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 7 at The Broken Yolk Cafe, 2434 Vista Way, Oceanside.

SEPT. 8

AERIAL SOMATICS

A three-day training in the therapeutic use of a Somatic Swing with massage, movement, and somatic practices. $1,800, 5 p.m. at Aum Dome, 598 Park Ln, Encinitas.

‘LOU CURTISS’

Documentary film about music historian, musician and record store owner Lou Curtiss, directed by Yale Strom. $12-$15, 7 to 9 p.m. Sept. 8 at Encinitas Library, 540 Cornish Dr, Encinitas.

BLOOD DRIVE

Anyone 17 and older, who weighs at least 114 pounds and is in good health, may be eligible to donate. A good meal and plenty of fluids are recommended prior to donation. 1 to 6 p.m. Sept. 8 at Epping Brewing, 1347 Keystone Way, Vista.

SAN DIEGO GIVES

Join the San Diego Gives Day of Service on Friday, September 8th, a oneday collective volunteer effort hosted by United Way. 5

p.m. at Leichtag Foundation, 441 Saxony Rd, Encinitas.

KOREAN FILM

“The Good, the Bad, the Weird” is a film noir action-adventure comedy of two outlaws and a bounty hunter set in 1940s Manchuria and their rivalry to possess a treasure map while being chased by the Japanese army and Chinese bandits. 7 p.m. at MiraCosta College, 1 Barnard Dr, Oceanside.

PRETZEL SCULPTURES

Enjoy a special garden workshop in the Trudy Bronner Discovery Garden with Jimbo’s Naturally Escondido. No registration required. FREE with Museum Admission. 5 p.m. at San Diego Children’s Discovery Museum, 320 N Broadway, Escondido.

‘MATILDA THE MUSICAL’

Inspired by the twisted genius of Roald Dahl, the Tony Award-winning Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical is the captivating masterpiece that revels in the power of imagination. $18$30, 7:30 p.m. at Star Theatre Company, 402 N Coast Hwy, Oceanside.

JAZZ IN THE JUNGLE

Jazz in the Jungle, is one of SMHS Music’s biggest fundraisers of the yearThis is an adult-only (21+) event. The funds raised during this event will help supplement our general fundraising effort. $60-$425, 6 to 10 p.m. Sept. 8 at Williams Barn, 1950 Sycamore Dr, San Marcos.

‘HOTEL LAGUNA’

Author Nicola Harrison signs and discusses her new novel, “Hotel Laguna.”

6 p.m. at Barnes & Noble, 1040 N El Camino Real, Encinitas.

SEPT. 9

KIMCHI WORKSHOP

Kimchi is a Korean style of fermented vegetables. It’s usually spicy and there are hundreds of ways to make it. Make and take home your own jar. $69, contact Austin Durant: austin@fermentersclub.com. 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Sept. 9 at Alpine Ranch, a private residence near Harbison Canyon, 91901, Alpine.

ARTWALK CARLSBAD

Artwalk Carlsbad is a free event that focuses on fine art on display and for sale by the artists, who travel from all over the US and Mexico to show and sell their work. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sept. 9 at Armada Drive, 5790 Armada Dr, Carlsbad.

WILDFIRE ECOLOGY

The Batiquitos Lagoon Nature Center will be hosting a presentation on “Wildfire Ecology” by Alexandra Syphard, who will share decades of research on the relationships among wildfires, management alternatives and biodiversity conservation. This free, family event is interesting for both adults and kids, age 15 and older. 10 a.m. at Batiquitos Nature Center, 7380 Gabbiano Ln, Carlsbad.

OLDER & BOLDER EXPO

The free event will feature a lineup of expert speakers addressing topics ranging from financial planning and reverse mortgages, navigating senior care options, healthcare plans and more. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 9 at Carlsbad Senior Center, 799 Pine Ave, Carlsbad.

AAUW EVENT

The American Association of University Women is open to anyone with a twoyear college degree or higher. Branch members will highlight what’s happening in AAUW, from public policy to philanthropies and special interest groups. 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Sept. 9 at Encinitas Community Center, 1140 Oakcrest Park Dr, Encinitas.

LET’S GO LUNA

Grab your map and get ready to explore the world with Let’s Go Luna. 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Sept. 9 at San Diego Children’s Discovery Museum, 320 N Broadway, Escondido.

FAMILY MOVIE NIGHT

Watch a movie under the stars at the City of Carlsbad’s Family Movie Night. 5 p.m. at Stagecoach Community Park, 3420 Camino de los Coches, Carlsbad.

SEPT.

10

WIDOWS AND WIDOWERS

We love to get together to share our love for food, drink and company. Why not join us, at our annual picnic?. 2 to 4 p.m. Sept. 10 at Aviara Community Park, 6435 Ambrosia Ln, Carlsbad.

HIDDEN MEADOWS FAIRE

The Hidden Meadows Sellers’ Faire has 50 to 60 individual vendors selling art, sculpture, artisanal soap, handcrafted fashion and baby items, hair and beauty products, ceramics, plants and antiques. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 10 at Boulder Oaks Golf Club , 10333 Meadow Glen Way E, Escondido.

TISHREI AG FEST

Coastal Roots Farm’s first-ever Tishrei Ag Fest will celebrate the Hebrew month of Tishrei and its holidays including Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot and Simchat Torah. $20, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 10 at Coastal Roots Farm, 441 Saxony Rd, Encinitas.

SEPT. 11

‘DEATHTRAP’

Follow the story of Sidney Bruhl, a successful writer of Broadway thrillers, who is struggling to overcome a dry spell which has resulted in a string of failures. 11 a.m. at Carlsbad City Library, 1775 Dove Ln, Carlsbad.

OPERATION GAME ON

The 15th Annual Operation Game On Golf Classic aims to provide golf as a form of rehab for combat injured veterans. All proceeds go to Operation Game On. $450, 10 a.m. at Fairbanks Ranch Country Club, 15200 San Dieguito Rd, Rancho Santa Fe.

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Protecting your pets — and predators too

By Zoe Kessler

Within North San Diego County, predators roam the chaparral terrain. While it is a joy for humans to live so close to nature, we must remember that it is our responsibility to keep ourselves, pets, and livestock safe from these animals as, in doing so, we also keep them safe.

Predators are a vital part of our ecosystem and it is imperative that they stay within it. Our job is to implement safety measures to keep us and our beloved furry friends safe, such that humans and wildlife can thrive and coexist. Below is a breakdown of some common local predators, ways to deter them from entering your property, and how to prevent human-wildlife conflict.

Starting off with an all too well-known predator: coyotes. Coyotes are incredibly beneficial in balancing ecosystems and preventing the spread of diseases. As opportunistic feeders, they prevent the spread of ticks. They also help avoid an overpopulation of rodents, such as rats. Coyotes are adaptable and intelligent, making these animals challenging to keep away from the property at times.

Simple measures you can take to secure your home are to never actively feed a coyote or leave pet food outside, consider installing coyote rollers or

other fence exclusion devices to provide fully-enclosed shelter structures for your animals, secure all trash and compost bins, always keep cats indoors, and supervise dogs when they are outside, according to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW).

There are also numerous deterring techniques to keep coyotes away. Installing a variety of bright flashing lights may make them shy away from the area.

Sounds can also be a great dissuader. Try setting up a speaker that plays the sounds of humans talking like this YouTube video recommended by The San Gabriel Valley Council of Government. Coyotes tend to avoid crowds, especially when outnumbered, so the chattering of voices may help to keep them away.

You may encounter a coyote on a trail or within your neighborhood, This is where hazing comes in. Make yourself big, wave your arms wildly, maintain eye contact and yell in an authoritative tone.

If the coyote pursues you, throw rocks or sticks near it. The goal is not to harm the coyote, only to frighten it, so it avoids humans.

To leave an encounter, CDFW recommends you move away slowly, find the closest nearby shelter and do not turn your back. Other hazing techniques for

coyotes include shaking an empty trash bag or umbrella to scare them.

You can also create “shakers” using a soda can or coffee container filled with pennies or pebbles, sealed with duct tape to shake around coyotes, added Jessia West, Human-Wildlife Conflict Specialist with CDFW. Mountain lions are majestic cats naturally scared of humans. However, with the increased human population leading to less suitable lion habitats and restricted wildlife corridors, interactions between people and mountain lions – though infrequent – are more likely to occur.

National Disaster Preparedness Month

However, they don’t need to end poorly. In the past three decades, our preserve managers have only encountered a lion once during a late-night wildlife survey. The lion was just as shocked as they were and quickly disappeared into the brush. This interaction is why we prohibit the general public from our preserves at night, as it’s when many animals hunt.

To prevent human-lion conflict or harm from coming to your animals, you must take steps to protect yourself and wildlife by securing all domestic animal enclosures. Barns, horse stalls, pens, cages, and coops

should all have walls, windows, doors and even a roof sturdy enough to keep a lion away. Fences are not enough, as lions can jump up to 15 feet, according to CDFW. Visual and sound deterrents similar to those that keep coyotes away can work for mountain lions. Remember, prevention is key! If you ever encounter a mountain lion, remain calm, do not approach nor crouch down, stay where you are, and make yourself as big and intimidating as possible.

If the lion pursues you, throw things in its direction. If they continue to approach you and attack, fight back with anything on hand; sticks, rocks, garden tools, or even using your backpack as a shield, according to the National Park Service. The Mountain Lion Foundation also provides additional information about preventing mountain lion interactions.

Like mountain lions, bobcats are shy of humans. They’re most active during dusk and dawn. However, increased urban areas close to their habitats may make them more comfortable approaching human-inhabited areas. It’s rare for bobcats to attack people, as they prefer to seek out easy prey, like chickens and other small livestock.

Not leaving food outdoors to discourage wild prey animals from coming on to your property, trim-

the decoy.”

ming back hedges and trees to prevent bobcats from having a place to shelter, adding motion-detecting lights or alarms around your property, and making sure all animals are in secured shelter structures prevents any unwanted hunting from occurring, according to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Human-wildlife conflicts are avoidable when correct safety measures are in place. To protect your pets and wild animals, your goal is to make your home as unwelcoming to predators as possible. It is as much our duty to keep wildlife away from us as it is for them to stay away.

People and wildlife can live in harmony if we maintain the natural fear towards one another and ensure boundaries are in place to prevent interactions. Additionally, wildlife needs preserved lands to roam in peace, as nature intended. For wildlife to remain a part of San Diego County, we must all work together. That is why The Escondido Creek Conservancy strives to preserve and protect the Escondido Creek watershed. Learn how the Conservancy is working to provide wildlife corridors for animals here.

“Escondido police detectives from the Family Protection and Child Exploitation Unit met with the group and obtained evidence of communication between Smith and

The detectives then obtained a warrant to seize electronic devices from Smith’s Escondido home and spent several weeks reviewing the files contained on them, leading to the suspect’s arrest.

Motorcyclist dies in crash during pursuit

ESCONDIDO — A 22-year-old man from Lake Elsinore was killed after his motorcycle ran a red light during a police pursuit and crashed into a vehicle on Washington Avenue in Escondido, police said Aug. 28.

Shortly after noon, the California Highway Patrol tried to stop a motorcyclist for speeding on southbound Interstate 15 at state Route 76, according to the Escondido Police Department.

A vehicle pursuit began when the motorcyclist sped off on southbound I-5 and the CHP notified EPD. The motorcyclist went into Valley Center and then west into the city of Escondido via the Valley Center grade.

A short time later, an assisting EPD officer saw the motorcyclist traveling eastbound on Washington Avenue at Ash Street, police said.

“Upon seeing the Escondido police officer, the motorcyclist immediately accelerated at a high rate of speed traveling east on Washington Avenue,” the EPD said.

Before the officer was able to get behind the motorcycle, the motorcyclist ran a red light on eastbound Washington Avenue at Harding Street and collided with the front bumper of a vehicle that was a traveling north on Harding Avenue on a green traffic signal.

“The motorcyclist lost control and was vaulted from the motorcycle and he subsequently collided with the front end of a westbound vehicle,” police said.

Zoe Kessler is a Communications Consultant at Escondido Creek Conservancy.

A COYOTE roams the chaparral-covered hills of San Diego, but you could encounter one in your neighborhood. Stock photo

Tri-City doctors can help you stay healthy and surf for life

“Even though I sliced my foot on the fin of the board and had to have stitches on my first time out surfing, I’ve been hooked ever since,” reminisces Mark Yamanaka, MD, a board-certified pulmonologist and critical care medicine specialist, who is the Medical Director of the Intensive Care Unit at Tri-City Medical Center (TCMC). “A high school friend wanted to learn how to surf and asked me to go with him because he was afraid of getting hurt – how ironic is that!”

Throughout his career of 30+ years, Dr. Yamanaka, as well as other doctors at TCMC, have treated surfers – both men and women – with a wide range of injuries, infections, ailments and diseases. “Some of the most common injuries are within the neck, shoulders and back – particularly the lower back, hips and legs. These are more often related to wear and tear on the ligaments and tendons, than broken bones or dislocations. Lacerations, cuts and scrapes are also common. All of these types of injuries usually occur when a person hits a surfboard, like I did, or rocks or reef.”

Although surfers may worry about shark attacks, they are extremely rare.

Painful stings from jellyfish, stingrays and other types of marine creatures are more frequent occurrences and can lead to infections, which should be treated quickly.

Dr. Yamanaka recommends that anyone who spends time in the ocean locally, nationally or while traveling abroad, should get Hepatitis A and B vaccinations, as well as those required by the foreign country. “Some of the beaches and waters are not as clean as they should be causing surfers to be exposed to viruses, bacteria and parasites that may cause disease or stomach upset, called gastroenteritis.”

Other ailments known to surfers affect their eyes, ears, nose and skin. Surfer’s eye (pterygium) is a growth that can spread to the cornea and is caused by longterm exposure to wind, UV light and bacteria in ocean water. Pink eye (conjunctivitis) occurs when the transparent membrane inside of the eyelid becomes inflamed and red; it is made worse by viruses and bacteria in the water. Surfer’s ear (external auditory exostoses) is a slowly progressive disease involving bone growth around the ear canal due to irritation and chronic exposure to cold water. An ear infection (otitis externa) can

result if water and debris are trapped behind the growth.

“This could be prevented by wearing a hat or earplugs, but most surfers won’t do that,” said Dr. Yamanaka. “As a pulmonologist, I also see recurrent sinus in-

fections and congestion in surfers, which can lead to a chronic cough.”

Too much exposure to salt water and its parasites or the rubbing of a wetsuit against the skin may cause an irritating surf rash,

which is why many surfers wear a rashguard under their wetsuit. Since it is made of material that blocks UV rays, it can also help to prevent sunburn.

“Often these types of health issues can be prevented by using the right gear, knowing the limits of your experience and observing your surroundings,” added Dr. Yamanaka. “But sometimes, surfers can end up in the emergency room, especially those from outof-town or new to the sport, after experiencing a near drowning because they were unfamiliar with riptides and then panic. Any surfer can have an emergent event, such as a heart attack or stroke while in the water or be overcome by the extreme heat.”

“The good news is, regardless if it is a big or small problem, or acute or chronic, many of the doctors, nurses and staff at Tri-City can relate because they are surfers too,” said Dr. Yamanaka. “Whether you need an Pulmonary/Critical Care doctor like me, or an orthopedist, family practice, dermatologist or ENT, we’ve got you covered. We live by the coast too and know the unique health conditions that may occur from spending so much time in the ocean do-

ing the sport that we love.”

Dr. Yamanaka continued, “We also know the importance of maintaining good physical and mental health and strive to impart that to our patients. Eating a healthy diet, exercising and stretching, and getting proper sleep helps us to be physically strong. But I think most of us would agree that we surf because it is a way to relax and decompress.”

“When I’m out in the ocean, I tend to ignore everything behind me and face the horizon to look for the surf coming in. The only time I look back at the shore is when I'm checking my landmarks. On a nice day, you have the sky, the surf and maybe a dolphin or two popping around. The other surfers are mellow and out there for the same reason –to rejuvenate. ”

To learn more about its services, visit Tri-City Medical Center or call 855-2228262.

To learn more about the Primary Care Services offered at Tri-City Medical Center, call 855-222-8262 to be referred to a Tri-City Primary Care physician. Learn more about the Emergency Services offered at Tri-City Medical Center or call the Emergency Room at 760-940-3505.

3rd Annual Chamber Challenge GOLF TOURNAMENT

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 15TH • 7:30AM SHOTGUN START

It is going to be at a familiar venue again this year - The Vineyard at Escondido - and we're proud to partner once again with the Escondido Police Athletic League and have the proceeds benefiting both of our organizations again this year! We will also have an EARLY starting time like last year, with Registration starting @ 6:30am, and a SHOTGUN start promptly at 7:30am...so please plan accordingly, and get ready for an awesome day of golf, friends, food, and making a difference in our community!

MARK YAMANAKA, MD is a board-certified pulmonologist and critical care medicine specialist and Medical Director of the Intensive Care Unit at Tri-City Medical Center. Courtesy photo