On romance and risk-taking

Scott and Fran were together throughout my high school career. They just “worked” as a couple, and everyone assumed they’d be a lifelong success.

After graduation they went to separate colleges but kept connecting and sparking. There was true love there, and everyone looked forward to them living happily ever after.

Over time, many of us lost touch, and for me the story’s thread disappeared … until nine years ago.

That was when I learned of Fran’s tragic death and discovered she and Scott had never married. Scott’s chronic inability to commit to their relationship had prevented it.

Like Scott, I met my high school sweetheart at age 15. I ignored parental instructions to date others before making a long-term commitment. In my youthful fantasies, she and I were perfect together.

We married at 22. We divorced at 25.

It actually took four more years for me to find

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the love of my life in a New York City subway car — another story altogether. She and I are about to celebrate 34 years of wedded bliss. Life is wonderful beside my best friend and soulmate.

Romantic success is about opportunity, risk assessment, luck, timing and guts. Scott and I both had similar opportunities, but there the roads diverged.

Scott’s failure to screw up the courage to walk through life hand-in-hand with Fran led him to a lifetime of recriminations. He never recovered from the loss.

I wasn’t so smart either. I didn’t do enough research, misread the signals and fell flat on my face.

However, by combining the knowledge from

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this disaster with the experience of others, my new bride and I were able to create a lifelong success.

Your business faces similar questions: searching for the right partner, building a relationship, exchanging gifts, making promises and, with luck and hard work, staying together for a lifetime.

As the economy putters along, learn from these examples. Scott teaches that wishing for success doesn’t make it so unless you work for it and sometimes just shoot craps.

My youthful mistakes demonstrate how due diligence is key to long-term happiness and how sometimes our enthusiasm can be our own worst enemy.

And I’ll vouch that research, patience, finding (or creating) opportunities and investing yourself can bring the perfect payoff to both your professional and personal life.

With that said, I wish you a year of perfect romance.

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Encinitas Chamber

Meet David DaCosta, Chairman of the Board of the Encinitas Chamber of Commerce

Founder of DaCosta Properties and a member of the San Diego real estate community since 2001, David DaCosta prides himself on being involved in the community. A native of Kingston, Jamaica, he is the former owner of Jamroc 101, and served as a top producer in business development and financial services for Fortune 500 companies.

David is the current Chairman of the Board of the Encinitas Chamber and has been a Chamber Ambassador for 18 years. Living and working in San Diego for over 35 years has given him a great network of connections throughout the county.

“I joined the Chamber originally to promote my family restaurant and to connect with the community,” said David. “I found that my experience across these various industries – restaurant, customer service, corporate and real estate – helped me be a valuable asset to the Encinitas Chamber and other businesses in the area.”

“At the core of what I do runs a common theme of service, connection, trust and community. As the current Chairman, I try to reflect these values in my relationship with members.”

“Whether it be at a Moonlight Mixer, facilitating

Coffee Connections, or volunteering at Oktoberfest, I enjoy connecting with members and recruiting others to join, as it’s such an important organization that supports the growth and commerce of Encinitas.”

David is also a Senior Real Estate specialist, authoring Downsizing with Distinction (free download here) https://daviddacosta.book. live/readseniorbook, which is an effective guide for seniors on the benefits of downsizing,

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

Encinitas In Spotlight

The Encinitas Visitors Center announced Encinitas is the only city in California to make Forbes Advisor Magazine’s “Best Places to Travel” List 2023. The beachside town was one of the top 50 destinations the publication listed to help readers inspire their travel list and assist in narrowing down travel options. Read the full article at forbes. com/advisor/credit-cards/ travel-rewards/best-placesto-travel-2023/.

SPEECH TREK TIME

The American Association of University Women Del Mar-Leucadia Branch invites all local high school students to compete in Speech Trek, a speech competition sponsored by AAUW California. Contestants create a five- to six-minute speech on the public policy topic: “How can communities, organizations and citizens of all ages help protect and expand voting rights?” Deadline to apply is Feb. 16. Contact AAUW Del Mar-Leucadia Branch at speechtrek@aauwdml.org for more information and to apply for the contest.

POETRY WINNER outlining housing options for changing needs and how to sell your current home for the most money possible.

“I was sitting with my wife 6 years ago, looked around the house and realized we had an overabundance of unused space. We decided it was time for us to downsize. Within just 7-8 weeks, we sold our home and moved! I love helping people navigate this next life chapter, and our experience was the impetus for the book.”

David and DaCosta Properties – Harcourts Prime Properties will have a booth at the Senior Expo on Saturday, February 25th from 9:00 am – 1:00 pm at the Encinitas Community and Senior Center. This free public event is brought to the community by the Encinitas Chamber in partnership with the City of Encinitas. “I encourage everyone retiring soon, those that are retired and families of aging individuals to attend.”

“Why Encinitas? …I’m a beach lover -- Moonlight Beach and Beacons are my favorites. I frequent the coffee and luncheon places between Encinitas and Leucadia as I’m always happy to “network” with the newest chamber member and talk real estate too. It’s just the total vibe mon!” semester.

• Melody Vega of Oceanside, Mary Harris of Carlsbad and Ashley Glazer and Kennedy Olsen of San Marcos were honored for top grades for the fall 2022 semester at Utah Tech University.

• Calvin Page of San Diego was named to Worcester Polytechnic Institute’s fall 2022 dean’s list

• Forest Fisher, Sidney Hart, Sophia Imparato, Kennedy Rawding, Ella Stichler and Quinn Harder, all of Carlsbad; Grace Hollingsworth of Del Mar; Lauren Gillbank and Abigail Roy of Encinitas; and Elijah Armendariz of Rancho Santa Fe were honored for top grades in the fall semester 2022 at the University of Alabama.

• Angelo State University student-athlete Neleh Coleman of Oceanside was named to the Lone Star Conference Commissioner’s honor roll for the 2022 fall semester.

• Riley Eldridge of Oceanside and Caitlin Sullivan of Solana Beach were named to the University of Rhode Island fall 2022 dean’s list.

• Eastern Connecticut State University named Anabelle Harr of Encinitas to its fall 2022 dean’s list.

• Megan Gee of Oceanside was named to Regis College’s fall 2022 dean’s list.

• Ryan Craig of San Marcos was awarded gold stars for fall 2022 at The Citadel.

OCEANSIDE AUTHOR

Xiaofan (April) Zuo, from Canyon Crest Academy, placed second in Regional Finals for this year's Poetry Out Loud! Contest. Top performers will compete for a chance to represent San Diego at the California State Finals.

OFF TO PEACE CORPS

Encinitas resident Nancy Saltamachio is among the first Peace Corps volunteers to return to overseas service since the agency’s unprecedented global evacuation in March 2020. Saltamachio is a 2022 graduate of Westmont College with a bachelor’s degree in economics and business. She will serve as a volunteer in Panama in the education sector.

GO, GRADS!

University of Alabama graduates included Ryan Blakeman of Camel Valley, Bachelor of Arts; Mary D’Alessandro of Oceanside, Bachelor of Science in Commerce & Business Administration; Jonathan Johnston of Oceanside, Bachelor of Arts; Stacey Levine of Encinitas, Bachelor of Science in Human Environmental Sciences; and Lauren Newray of San Marcos, Bachelor of Science.

SMART COOKIES

• Elliha Baker and Leilani Baker of San Diego were named to the dean’s list at Freed-Hardeman University for the fall 2022 semester.

• Grady Birk of Carlsbad was named to the Castleton University president’s list for the 2022 fall illnesses. Entries can be submitted at alzfdn.org/ scholarship and must be received by 2 p.m. PST March 1.

PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Cal State San Marcos guard Greg Milton III was selected as the CCAA Men’s Basketball Player of the Week for the week of Jan. 29. Milton scorched No. 12/14 Cal State San Bernardino for 30 points, leading the Cougars to a 98-85 upset win.

PALOMAR BOARD VACANCY

The Palomar Community College District is taking steps to fill the Governing Board seat of Trustee Area 2, after the President of the Board, Christian Garcia, announced his resignation Feb. 1. Garcia is stepping down after being appointed to the Escondido City Council, District 3.

SANCHEZ JOINS BOARD

The San Diego County Regional Airport Authority welcomes Oceanside Mayor Esther Sanchez as one of its four new members to the Board of Directors.

PURPLE STAR SCHOOL

Cal Coast Academy, a Carmel Valley college-preparatory school serving grades 6-12, announced the school has been granted Purple Star status in recognition of its support for, and commitment to, the children of military families.

YOUNG ARTISTS COMPETE

Oceanside author Andrew Fitzgerald has published his memoir “How Did I Get Here? Traveling the Road to Resilience.” An immigrant to the US from Ireland, Fitzgerald shares his story of life-altering events and how he survived by calling on his resilience. The book is available as a paperback and ebook. For additional information, contact fitzgerald_andrew@yahoo.com.

ALZHEIMER’S SCHOLARSHIPS

The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America is offering scholarships of up to $5,000 to college-bound high school seniors affected by Alzheimer’s disease or other dementia-related

Competition applications are open for the La Jolla Symphony & Chorus 2023 Young Artists Competition. Entry deadline is April 14 with competition April 29. Apply at ljsc.org/ young-artists-competition/.

BE A VOLUNTEER RANGER

Become an Interpretive Ranger Volunteer at San Dieguito River Park, a 92,000 acre park in San Diego County. Its goals are to protect open space, conserve sensitive resources, protect water resources, maintain the natural floodplains, retain agricultural uses, and create recreational and educational opportunities with volunteers like you. To volunteer, visit tinyurl.com/5n9yswux.

Pet of the Week

Moogee is pet of the week at Rancho Coastal Humane Society. She’s a 1¼-year-old, 82-pound, female, Alaskan malamute mix.

Moogee was picked up running loose in November. She was transferred to RCHS through Friends of County Animal Shelters. She’s a social dog who loves attention. When she’s excited, she “talks.”

The $145 adoption fee includes medical exam, spay, up-to-date vaccinations, registered microchip and a one-year license if the new home is in the jurisdiction of San Diego Humane Society’s Department of Animal Services.

For information about adoption or to become a virtual foster, stop by Rancho Coastal Humane Society at 389 Requeza St., Encinitas, call (760) 7536413 or visit SDpets.org.